Studio SNEAK ATTACK Update

Hey, guys. Before going on vacation tomorrow, I wanted to update the studio with all those fun things I dyed last week. Also, the Angry Birds club subscriptions have a new payment option. You can now subscribe for three months rather than six. It's the same club, but a smaller payment.

Sea Glass in BFL Wool

Sea Glass in 50/50 Merino/Tencel

Watch for tomorrow's blog post. It will reveal all of the TDF discounts in the studio.

Common Questions

At spinning demonstrations, fairs, and even at the coffee shop people ask, "Why spin your own yarn when you can buy it at the store?" At first I felt belittled and offended by this question. Now, it just comes with the territory. Also, I feel more empowered to answer this questioned in a very upbeat and positive sense. 

The first response is, I have total and complete over my final product. Whereas, commercial yarn does not offer an explanation of how the yarn was spun. It is important to have that information when designing a custom piece for your loved ones and customers. In addition, my products are therefore unique or one of a kind items. They are in their own form a piece of art. 

Secondly, I can ensure that my product is 100% made in the USA. Acrylic is no longer manufactured in the USA, yet is the most readily available commercial yarn on the market. There are many local shepherds in our area that wish to sell their wool. I am more than happy to take it off their hands, wash it, card it, spin it, knit it, and wear it or sell it for a 100% USA item. It gives me great pleasure to create such a one of a kind item. 

Furthermore, my art is completely independent of electricity and petroleum. Lanolin from poor spinning quality fleeces can be extracted and used to oil my wheel. If it comes down to it, dyeing can be done with the heat of the sun and canning jars. Whereas, commercial yarn is done by machines that require electricity and petroleum products. Synthetic fibers like polyester are made with petroleum resins. Chemicals used to make such synthetic yarns are toxic. Check out these two links Six Wise and Green Living. So, even though it may be cheaper, it isn't worth the trade off of illness. 

With all of this being said, why would I want to go to the store when I can do it for 100% control, 100% creativity, 100% energy independence, and being 100% made in the USA?

It's time...

to get back on my feet, so to speak.

I've been wallowing in the dumps for too long, and other things are beginning to suffer.

So, here is what's new. 

This month you choose which box you want to enter for. 

There is a spinner's box, yarnie's box, and a mixed box to choose from. 

It's quite a cool concept.

Anabacapoc and a Star Anise batt from my new Louet Junior Drum Carder are in the boxes.

All of you who loved seeing Anabacapoc in the shop, it's your turn to win it. 

You can find details, here.

Also, there will be a shop update this month with batts! 

Hooray!

Peter fixed some of his stitch markers and they will be up this month, too! 

Hooray! 

I should be finished with this commissioned project for my step-mom this month! 

Hooray! 

I hope you guys are having a good week.

<3

Shop Talk

It's time to talk shop! 

On Monday, March 21st I'm having an anniversary sale! 

It's going to be huge!!!!

We're talking about up to 50% off! 

All yarn, except kits, will be 50% off. 

All roving, including SALs, will be 25% off

All scrap sets will be 10% off. 

To apply the discount please use the following coupons:

'50foryarn'

'25forroving'

'10forscraps'

at checkout time. 

All US and CA orders of $50 or more will receive free shipping!

Shipping will be refunded through Paypal. 

For this huge sale, I'll be doing a shop update tonight. 

It will include stitch markers and handpainted combed top/roving.

Shop Update & More...

The first of many things, who won!?
The winner of the September giveaway is ::drum roll:: Little Miss S. Congratulations!! I'll be sending you a message shortly. Thank you for participating, everyone! Next giveaway will be next month. (Hint: Christmas is coming sooner than you think.) Yeah it might be a bit early, but have you ever seen a sheep dressed up as a pumpkin? Hmm...now this gives me pause. ::hamsters are turning the wheels in my head:: 

This past evening was the small shop update. I made the decision late in the game because of another doctor appointment and the events that followed. (Pinched nerve in my neck and back area required xrays. Groceries needed to be bought as well as prescription pick up.)

Grigoriy - SW BFL

In addition to the shop update, I've started a destash on Ravelry. There are some of my hand painted braids that didn't quite turn out the way I planned there as well as other dyers.

Oh, almost forgot to mention the sale going on at the shop. From now until 23:59 CDT on Sept. 23rd, there will be a roving and yarn sale. Buy one get the second half off on all roving. All yarn is 15% off.

This week I will be working on artwork for Peter's, my fiance's, shop called Storm Dragon Creations. He changed it, but I think it works out nicely. He'll be selling his own unique brand of stitch markers, row counters and jewelry. Be sure to read his item descriptions as they will be full of funnies, I'm sure.

Ecology & Me (part 2) will be coming very quickly. Thursday of this week, I will be joining a group of people in town to collect some Ratibida pinnata (Yellow cone flower) seed. My goal is to have some pictures taken during our lunch break for all of you to see.

Until then, have a wonderful weekend!

Light Brown Hair

Hello Everyone!!! I am excited to announce Dale of Light Brown Hare is hosting a blog giveaway featuring a roving sampler. This roving sampler is of three new colorways coming to the shop. How fantastic is that? She is the fantastic dyer of many great yarn colorways. I particularly love her Starry Night colorway! Also, on her Ravelry group she is having a second giveaway! It's a handspun yarn sampler and pattern kit by me. Isn't Dale great!!

So take a look at what's up for grabs. Below is a selection of what Dale has in her shop. Aren't those widgets an excellent idea and gorgeous, too?

Sept. 1 Giveaway & more...

Here it is! This Spongebob Squarepants inspired giveaway includes approximately 50 yards of Jellyfishing in Rambouillet wool spun by mamatwitch and a coloring book with crayons.

To enter for this drawing please comment on this post as to which is your favorite Spongebob character. A winner will be chosen at random by pulling a name out of a hat. This event expires on Sept 10th. This is also listed on Giveaway Scout.com.

What's been on my wheel?

Cloudlover's 50/50 SW Merino Silk in Crusoe

Fall Creek Fibers BFL in Joanie

Fall Creek Fibers May 2010 Fiber Club (BFL Wool)

Fantastic...

yet an exhausting day. Since our craft show was canceled I took Peter and Stephanie up to my sister's house for a Kids Day Out. Their township puts on this stranger and kidnapping awareness day every year. This year they live just a stone throw away from the event. So, we went. The kids were weighed, measured, dna swabbed and finger printed. That was their work for a bag of fun and balloon. Once they were tagged with a bracelet we made foam art, sand art, had faces painted, arms tattooed, frogs thrown, clowns hit, and other fun games were played. It was a fantastic day. Isabella did pretty well with it all, too. Unfortunately, poor Stephanie nearly passed out from the heat while waiting in line for our food and drinks. They didn't have a separate booth just for water, etc. Hopefully they consider that for next year's event.

Even more fantastic the last bit of my next giveaway has arrived!! Woohoo! I hope to have pictures taken and a post up by tomorrow.

There is a large load of yarn drying. I cannot wait to list it. :) The Merino Mohair and Cashmere blend roving was received as a bonus when I bought my Ashford Traditional. I spun enough for the Forest Canopy Cowl and some samples of the singles. It has a natural grey to almost charcoal grey coloring to it. It will be part of an undyed yarn sampler. There is plenty of the roving for many more hanks to be made as well. In addition, I spun up some bamboo singles and a Merino Seacell blend for the shop. Keep a weathered eye on the shop horizon.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!