January review

I can't believe how quickly January has gone by and it has been a great month, largely down to the Waltham Abbey Wool show, which took place on the 19th at the Mariott Hotel, only twenty minutes drive from home. It was a new show and I was wondering how things were going to go, there's always that feeling as you're all set up and the doors are about to open "will anyone come?" Anyway I needn't have worried - there were queues of people waiting and it stayed busy all day until we closed at 4pm. I don't know what possessed me to think that high heeled boots were a good footwear choice and I should have taken more yarn, but it was a great day and I came home having sold loads, taken orders and met very pleasant people. Let's hope it becomes a regular feature on the show calendar.

I'm not going to Fibre East this July. It was just too quiet last year, so I thought I'd give it a break and think about it again next year. I've been accepted for Wonderwool though and am planning my dyeing schedule for that, plus I'm going to apply for Yarndale in September. I take my yarns to St Albans every month too.

I had my new colors at Waltham Abbey, amber, slate and claret, with slate proving the most popular. I though claret would go first and amber is my favourite - which just goes to show that my own opinion isn't the most reliable guide!

  
I had a busy day at St Alban's market on the 12th and a non-busy wet day at Harpenden to finish the month on the 26th. Let's hope it finally stops raining in February. I'm at Artisans of Ware tomorrow, which is indoors, Yay! I don't know if it will be busy or not, but it's always a pleasant day and I'll take some knitting with me.

After that, I'm at St Albans again on the 9th.

I've been Culled!

Just a quick post - I normally steer clear of being even the tiniest bit controversial, but I'm just going to vent a little.

I've been removed from the one team on Etsy that I really enjoyed being on for not being active enough! They do have a point, I should have made some treasuries to promote team members' work - which is lovely by the way - and been a bit more active in "liking" and "favouriting" their items. I always thought "favourite" items were those that I was actively considering buying, but apparantly not - I should have used it as a promotional tool and not included former team members, not really comfortable with that.

It would have been nice to have had some warning though - I was just settling down to read through the previous day's chat, and maybe post a few comments, when I got an email saying my inactivity meant I was selfish, ashamed of my team mates and was therefore being removed!

I do feel a bit cut off, but of course I'll get over it. I have real life, with husband, family, friends, a job and a business, so I shouldn't be too cut up about an unpleasant email from someone I've never met and am never likely to. Vent over - I feel better already and can carry on getting ready for Fibre East. Set-up is on Friday, so I've got plenty to do.     

Busy again - into May

Well, I still feel tired after Wonderwool, but am now getting back to normal. The next focus is Fibre East in July. I didn't apply for Woolfest (june), but might consider it next for year.

The yarn I had left is mainly in my Etsy shop now, with a smaller amount kept to take to Farmers' markets. I've got to order some more yarn and have a list of colours that I want to dye. It's funny how the colors that sell well online or in other areas didn't go at wonderwool, but others that I thought may stick went straight away. I was pleased that the new lace-weight yarn seemed popular and I'll be ordering some more in time for Fibre East.

Since getting back I've had several online orders and a busy morning at St. Alban's Farmers market yesterday - my bank manager will be pleased!

Fibre East is at a new (indoor!) venue this year and will be near enough for me to commute from home, which will be great. Nice as it is to stay in a hotel etc. nothing beats your own bed for a good night's sleep.      

Rested and Back

Back from a restful and very pleasant holiday! I managed to survive two weeks in a cottage in the west of Ireland without internet access and instead did lots of healthy outdoor stuff like fishing and walking as well as knitting and reading in the evening - we have no TV out there, so I went cold turkey on that too!
The weather was fine - only one wet day - and I even have a slight suntan. I took some good pictures and will put them up when I can download them. 

I got back to a fairly busy time, with sales from the etsy shop to despatch and the pleasure of seeing a picture of my yarn in "Knit Now" magazine. I did dye some more of the featured colorway, but sold out again before the magazine came out - so more dyeing to do. I've also worked out a pattern for the yarn and got the sample finished on holiday. I've sent a picture to the magazine - it would be great if they were interested in publishing it.

More to follow shortly, plus some pictures ......

August - Holidays and looking forward

Just a quick post to catch up before we go away for a couple of weeks on Thursday.

I've got everything sorted out and put away after Fibre East now and have updated the shop - I'm not putting everything on at once, just keeping a nice balance of colours. I've had some sales, which is pleasing for what is usually a quiet time of year, and have set up my yarn club entries. I had to throw away my shoes and I've just cleaned all the mud off my walking boots - let's hope this year was a fluke and next year's weather will be great! Entries for Wonderwool open at the end of September, which will be my next focus.

My yarn is being featured in "Knit Now" magazine shortly - out 23rd August, which is exiting. I can't wait it see it in print. The shade they're using is "rose graphite" and of course I've just sold out of it - cue some quick dyeing to make sure I've got some in stock ready!
  
We're away on holiday later this week to the west of Ireland. You never know what the weather will be like, but it's always good to pack plenty of wet weather gear, though you can be surprised and need to buy sun cream and a bathing costume!  

I'll miss the end of the Olympics, which I have been enjoying much more than I thought I would. We don't live far from the park, so will go and have a look round when it's all over. I wonder if they will open the pool for public swimming? I would love to try a length or two!

New Plum yarn

Here's a picture of my latest colour yarn - Rich Plum. Three skeins available on etsy.

A Busy Weekend

A busy weekend is coming up!

I'm at a garden centre christams fair near Royston, Herts. all day tomorrow (Saturday) and then at the ususal Farmers' market at Wheathampstead on Sunday morning.

It's the first time I've been able to go to the Garden Centre fair, although they have asked me in previous years - let's hope it's succcessful as it's a long way to go and I'm having to take my own table! Wheathampstead could be OK or people could all be waiting for the Harpenden Christmas carnival, which is the week after and is usually very busy.

I'm getting ready for the next Fibreholics round too - out 1st December - and have been busy dyeing this week - check out my mini etsy feature for a couple of new shades of yarn.

And finally, I've applied to Fibre East for a stall at next year's event - if I'm accepted it will be my first show.

New Scarflettes

Further to my last post, here's the pictures of my new scarflettes, made with some beautiful handspun yarn from shop "auntpeggyscloset" on etsy.

They're imaginatively named "diagonal" and "squares"!

I've put them in my own etsy shop, but was quite tempted to keep them for myself!

Off to Wheathampstead tomorrow - weather forecast not good!

Markets

Another busy week - I was at a very cold and wet Royston market last Sunday and was amazed to sell a scarfs. Several things blew off the stall and got wet and at 11.30 the stallholders rebelled and quit! It was nice to finish early and I got to go and have a coffee and big slice of cake in the old cornmarket buildings there - so warm and cosy after being outside since 8.30 and a really pleasant oasis!

There is now a proposal to move the market indoors - let's hope it goes through, so I can get out my spring and summer stuff without fear of it all being ruined.

I'm off to St Alban's this weekend - the forecast is for cold, but at least no rain - I don't think I'll be putting away the thermals just yet!

On a better note, I had an etsy sale this week, which was pleasing.