Computer Love...(and occupational hazards...)

Hello SweetShoppers!

So lately I've been getting a lot of blog love, and I just wanted to share some of those links with you...

First up, Artistic Expressions By Elizabeth profiled me here, as part of an ongoing series. Every Monday Elizabeth profiles someone of color in the craftosphere, and this week it was lil' ol' me! Many thanks to Elizabeth, and to those of you who click over, check out her blog! Elizabeth is quite the elite crafter herself and one of the more positive people I've come across on the web.

Speaking of positive people, I've also been profiled by Knitella, who did a mini-interview on me here. Knitella's doing a similar series, profiling bloggers and crafters in the Greater Manchester area and I was fortunate enough to be asked some questions for a post. Make that TWO posts, actually...Knitella's got a jump start on the Christmas gift rush and also featured me in her Christmas gift guide here. Once again, check out the whole blog...some truly inspiring crafters have been featured on her site recently, as well as the work of Knitella herself!

Last thing...I'm keeping a close eye on the worldwide Occupy protests. They're of particular interest to me because I am, of course, part of the 99% (albeit a very fortunate segment of such) and also because at heart, they seem to be about one of my pet issues--the issue of paying people what they're worth for their work. This is part of why I started doing SweetShop Creations--it's one part supplementary income, one part charity donations, and one part sociopolitical statement. 

That said, I've long wanted to write eloquently on the subject but recently I stumbled across WhatTheCraft.com and discovered that resident seamstress/designer/DIY faerie Lex has already said what I wanted to say, far better than I ever could.

So, to end this post, I'd like to encourage you all to go over to THIS LINK and read about the creative process and cost balancing that goes into making a handmade item of clothing. Then come back here, comment, and let me know what you think.

Peace!

SweetShop Creations in Etsy Treasuries!

Okay, first things first! The giveaway is still happening, but we need a few more facebook likes before someone gets a brand new custom crocheted pair of Curly-Wurly Earrings! Click HERE to like SweetShop Creations on facebook and enter the contest, if you haven't already...

Next things next...on Etsy, you can do these great things called treasuries, which are collections of etsy seller's work organized around a theme. It's a great idea, a wonderful way of showcasing lots of different artists together, and a lot of fun to do!

I've been fortunate enough to have been included in a few of these collections and to have made a few, which I'd like to share with you all.

Orange Cowl by SweetShop Creations, on Etsy

So first, my features...the Orange Cowl, which I'm still waiting for the right stylish neo-urban hipster chic to snap up and fierce her way into fall with, was featured in a treasury by TeoMaeDesigns called Surrounded By Autumn. TeoMae herself designs lovely silver toned jewelry, which is worth taking a look at as well.  Pretty cool, huh?

Also Knitella(who by now you should all know and love) featured my flowered Multi-Way cowl/scarf in a treasury called floral festivity. Knitella is a fellow yarn artist--she knits and is starting to add crochet to her repertoire of skills as well. Check her out, check the treasury out, and check out that cowl!

Okay, now that I'm done giving orders(but you did check all those things out right? RIGHT!?) I'm going to provide a few links to some of the treasuries I've put together. All of them feature work by artists whose creativity and presentation I really respect and admire, so please do click the links and take a look at some truly fantastic work.

Also, I have it on good authority that there's only 81 shopping days until Christmas, so if you feel the need to get a jump start on your gift list this year with any one of these artists or myself--we'd all appreciate it.

Take a look at:

Craft Menagerie - a collection of animal-themed items
Purple Haze -all things purple, curated while listening to Jimi Hendrix, of course
Ooh! Sparkly! - pretty much what it says on the tin...sparkly things!
and last but not least...
Keys To the Kingdom - because apparently there are a LOT of nifty things you can do with a key.

Thanks for taking the time to look at some new things, y'all! Peace!

(Wait! Before you go...did you like me on Facebook? Did you? Please do. These earrings need a good home...*puppy-dog eyes*)

SweetShop Creations at the Cherry Events Craft Fair!

So this is where I say a very sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who came out to the Cherry Events craft fair this past Sunday, September 11th. I had a great time being there and meeting lots of cool crafters and handmade/vintage shoppers! A lot of ££'s were raised for Oldham Cancer Support and a lot of awareness and education shared, as well...overall, a very worthwhile day for all involved, I think!

The only negative note about the whole day was that I forgot my camera and had to settle for using my phone...thank heaven for smart phones, right? With that said, let the photo recap begin...

Here's our table, all set up. Attending this fair was the brainchild of the lovely Esra of Knitella , and I must say, she put a lot more work into this than I did. My few hats and cowls are on the near end of the table in this photo, whereas the HEAPS of  scarves(and the very cute teddy model) are all Knitella's work.

Speaking of Knitella...here's the lady herself! 

This beaded jewelry is the work of a neighbor of mine named Shirley. Shirley doesn't have a website or blog, but she does make very cute kids jewelry and I occasionally sell some of her things along with mine at craft fairs. 

This display is a combo of Shirley's more sophisticated beadwork and my very own Curly-Wurly earrings. Looks pretty nice, don't you think?

 Another shot of the table. You can't really see the colors as vividly as I would like(darn my forgetfulness), but  basically I'm sticking with a pretty neutral design palette until at least next summer...except for a few exceptionally neon earrings here and there. Lots of earthtones and pastels, as you can see.

Esra hard at work setting everything up...

 I have no idea who this is. No, really. She just grabbed my phone camera and started snapping away, all the while mumbling things about stitches and yarn and stuff...

That would be a boatneck sweater, some more of Shirley's beaded necklaces, the Papergirl Hat, and a neutral ruffled scarf...

This is another neighbor and knitting group friend, Michelle...Michelle is probably one of the most industrious people I know, and managed to set up a stand selling cards, jewelry, and cushions!

Now THIS...was pure, unadulterated torture. No, really. Right across from us, ALL DAY, was the Lily Bud Cupcakes stand. All day, I had to endure staring at a table full of cupcakes with flavors like raspberry white chocolate, double chocolate and toffee apple. I also had to watch happy vintage shoppers buy these cupcakes and wander over to my stall enjoying them, slowly, deliciously...

Eventually I succumbed to the peer pressure, wiped the drool from my chin, and got myself a toffee apple cupcake. Apparently "toffee apple cupcake" is a synonym for "ridiculously delicious". Who knew?

Well, that's enough blurry pictures from me...I suggest you visit the following pages and show them some love...

SweetShop Creations (yes, that's me...if you haven't already been, check out the shop)

Knitella (my partner in all yarn-related crimes and creator of all things cute and colorful)

Lily Bud Cupcakes (because look at that picture up there! Just look at it!)

Sewabee, the online home of Vicky, who masterminded this entire craft fair to fundraise for Oldham Cancer Support...

and Cherry Events, which Vicky is one half of and is the company that organizes wonderful fairs like this one!

Peace y'all!

Yarn of the Moment: Estonian Veljesta Pöllö

So when I was in Estonia last month, I saw quite a lot of knitwear and some pretty cool yarn. Applaud my self-control, fellow crafters...I only brought back two skeins. One was for my good friend Knitella, and the other was this lovely Veljesta Pöllö. I picked them both up for about 6 Euros. 

According to the all-knowing oracle that is Google Translate, "Veljesta Pöllö" means "owl wheels"...makes sense, since there's an owl on the label(which has, unfortunately and inappropriately, gone the way of the buffalo...so no pics). I don't know why it's called that, but I do know this...I LOVE the colorway of this yarn...it's sort of a muted neutral pallette of brown and cream and tan, with speck of blue and green. It's 75% wool and 25% acrylic but feels more like acrylic than wool so far.

The project you see on my hook is an eventual earwarmer...although it's since been frogged since I thought it'd be prettier in a basketweave stitch rather than a ribbed one. 

Is anybody using any interesting yarn lately? If so, drop me a line in the comments box and tell me what it is!

Peace!