Dusting Off the Spinning Wheel

So, I've already mentioned that I'm planning on doing more spinning and (hopefully) weaving projects in the next year, but what to do with all that yarn? Well, I'd be happy to sell it, but I'm not sure where exactly to do this thing.
Moving back in time, you all may remember that I had interest in setting up an etsy shop. I did it, but the problem that came along after going through all the trouble of creating one is that I realized just how low fiber artists were pricing their stuff. It's handspun, guys. It takes more time to produce and there is a limit to how much you can produce, especially of the same type of yarn. This is not including dyeing and preparing the wool to be spun. In short, I got fed up with the fact that I can't expect to be paid a decent amount of money for what I produce because all of these other spinners are charging well below what they should be for 2-ply yarn.

So, what is a girl to do? I've been contemplating selling on red square, posting stuff at coffee shops and other student-frequented spots as well as talking to the folks at our local yarn shop (although they cost too much already and my hand spun would be outrageous in price after they marked it up). Perhaps I can rent a small space in their place or in another local downtown shop. If you have any other ideas, please let me know. I know it takes some serious marketing to actually get anything sold or selling well and I didn't try very hard last time, but this time I want to make a real go of it.

Now, off to watch Wall-e!

Updating

After a rather long hiatus, I'm back! I can't guarantee continuity, but I will strive not to leave everything hanging for 6 months. This year has felt fast paced and while that seems to be the over all trend as I grow older, I believe it is in part due to my feeling of always being behind. Next year will not overtake me. I will be prepared and then some for the onslaught of work, personal matters, and scholastic challenges that arise. 2010 will be amazing and perhaps, for the first time in my life, feel very directed. I've found something that I haven't tired of in over a year and that is still challenging me, which is pretty amazing considering my track record. Anyway, I'm trying to get some projects together and eventually get all of the equipment I'll need to do weaving independently (warping board, reeds, etc). For now, I've been knitting and teaching myself to embroider. There is something about embroidery that just strikes me as fulfilling, so I'm really glad I decided to pick it up! Next is sewing.... We'll see how that goes.

Dusting off the Keyboard

In some ways I've been busy in the world of fiber arts and in others I've been lounging about, wistfully thinking of all the projects I want to finish. I have started a tapestry (finally), but I haven't drawn out my plans for it... So, it just sits, waiting for me to take up some yarn and work away at it.
I have also come into possession of a fair amount of dyes. Tonight was my first chance to use them. I'm sure I could have made the time before this, but I like dallying when I've been out of the house all day. Unfortunately it was dark outside when I dyed my fiber, so I was unable to capture any photos for your viewing pleasure. I'm also unsure as to whether I should spin it up, or turn it into roving. Choices, choices, choices....
I would also like to create a collapse weave piece and a rug since I now have some absolutely beautiful rug wool. I will have to take picture of that as well. I need to get into some sort of spinning routine so that my production is more consistent and I don't loose my touch. It has been a bit challenging to spin soft-spun yarns seeing as I am used to adding extra twist for structural integrity, but it looks better as a single, so I better get crackin! My goal is to get myself a little stand in a local community market, or some space in a storefront, and sell my products that way. It feels more personal and I will most likely have less pressure to lower my prices. Well, back to dyeing.... :D

2am listings and whatnot

I'm very, very sleepy. I say this after finally putting up some of my handspun on Etsy (if you want to check it out, search for mustardseed11 under sellers). This process seemed to take forever, but I guess that since I've finally jumped the hurtle, all is well. Subsiquently, each item after the first was easy. I'm still trying to work out how to determine pricing, but I guess I'll figure it out through trial and error. I think my plan right now is to just spin until my fingers are worn through. I need a large amount of stock and so that means spinning, spinning, spinning! I also plan to sell handwoven goods at some point, but that will occur later in the summer.

Speaking of weaving and summer, I'm going to learn tapestry weaving! I've been looking over 2 books I happened upon, in hopes of understanding some of the techniques, which has caused more than a few "A-ha!" moments. I also plan to create a collapse weave project and a rug. A project for each month of summer sounds perfect. If I work hard, I may try for more, but I'm not going to push it.

Well, I'm off to cook some breakfast.... until later!

Oh Me, Oh My!

This has been one whirlwind of a quarter! While my academic pursuits weren't particularly strenuous, I did a bit of soul searching (for lack of a better term) and am feeling rather comfortable with graduating earlier than I expected. I will finish in December of this year and hopefully start the new year living in another place.


As for my animal adventures, I have procured 6 baby chickens! We have five Rhode Island Reds and one Barred Rock chick, which we have named Moonshine. Aren't they adorable? They are getting to the stage where they aren't so cute (losing baby fluff and gaining adult feathers). Beyond that, I still have baby chicken and now an adult Jersey Giant. Most of these chicks will be going to good homes where they can be loved and lay plenty of delicious eggs.

This week, I also procured a TON of yummy yarns for weaving rugs and wearables. I plan to complete at least two projects this summer - a rug and a collapse weave scarf or the like. I'll update again later in the week, when I have more time...

The Whole Kit-n-Kaboodle

So! It's been near a month since I've updated this blog, but a lot has been happening (including me losing the connector cable to my camera). The most recent drama is that somehow our chickens have been escaping. One was found yesterday, but the other is still MIA. The longer she is away from home, the more I worry we've lost her for good. I'll be calling shelters today to see if anyone has picked her up. If you're on the westside and have seen a buff orpington roaming around, please leave a comment or if you know me, give me a call.

Update: Still no word on our buff.... Perhaps she'll show up in our backyard someday, but for now, we've resigned ourselves to having lost our beloved Buffy.

Here are some shots of my blooming backyard:


...and...


So, here is what I've got going in the form of projects:

This is one of my specialty yarns....

And below is my first attempt at dyeing anything


Here is the same stuff spun up for my weaving project!

*Sigh*
Speaking of spun stuff, I need to get back to doing that. My goal is to finish the turquoise and then start on the blue so that I can switch back and forth between the colors on my weaving project. Back to the wheel!

Seattle Weavers' Guild

My teacher asked me to attend a SWG meeting with her this week and it was so much fun! The presenter for the program was John Marshall who apprenticed under a mater dyer in Japan. Learning about his work has really inspired me. Next year will be all about fiber arts (gasp! I know it seems contrary to my previous plans, but I've got to follow what I'm passionate about, right?)

I've got so many pictures of the event I don't want to post them all, so I will list a few. All of them can be found on my other blog if you're interested...