Creative knit and crochet concepts in new AGA video...

the creative team get busy

the completed project for AGA

(vist the website to vote for your favorite AGA video until Sept 2)

I love to see a simple concept expand with knit and crochet creativity.  It's also good to know that the needlearts are constantly evolving and a part of our daily lives.

Enjoy the day!

Margaret (still a work in progress)

Knitting America: A Glorious Heritage from Warm Socks to High Art

America Knits

No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting

In the bag and out the door...

At our house, we have a little saying that we like to attribute to Max's attitude when he wakes up in the morning...in the harness and out the door!  Ahhh, the life of a little doggie.  In my case, it's chemo caps for KOL (knotsoflove.org) this week that are in the bag and out the door.  Instant feelgood.  Here are a few pics to share the occasion...

A few of the Chemo Caps made with LionBrand Cotton Ease for KOL

Fill out the simple and handy form to help organize all the KOL caps when they reach the KOL office.

To USPS and away (or shipping option of your choice)

Easy breezy! I so love using yarn I scooped up on sale, fun and easy patterns, and recycling envelopes...helping others, a total perk.  Join in the KOL community. Learn about the incredible way this group is helping patients, one cap at a time.  It will  be all the inspiration you need. 

We have to remember to factor in those charity knit and crochet projects into our busy schedules.  Our needlework skills are needed with everything that is going on in the world. Think of it as your feelgood activity...along with eating chocolate, hugging your kids, and a 50% off yarn sale...this is the part where you fill in your own feelgood choices _______________.

If you need help choosing a charity, please visit my website, knit1fortheroad for ideas.  Check on Ravelry, your local yarn, craft store, or knit/crochet groups and enjoy the community of giving today.  You'll find the projects that resonate with you pretty quickly. 

Max and I will be cheering you on! 

Margaret (knitting new goodies for the shop today and allowing my heart to lead the way more often)

Craft Hope: Handmade Crafts for a Cause

Knit Along with Debbie Macomber – A Charity Guide for Knitters (Leisure Arts #4803): 14 Featured Charities & Projects For Each!

Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time

Knitting for Good!: A Guide to Creating Personal, Social, and Political Change Stitch by Stitch

Finding Charm is easier than you think...

Bracelet and Earrings Alpha Kappa Alpha Greek Sorority

I first met Sarah, the creative dynamo behind the successful Etsy shop, Finding Charm on the crafting community, Creating The Hive. I experienced the WOW when I visited her lovely shop, experienced her jewelry, and discovered her knowledge of marketing. I quickly grew to appreciate Sarah and share in her enthusiasm for the handmade life. Grab onto your handmade enthusiasm, here comes Sarah to share her own handmade experience with us today.


Q. Sarah, why did you start designing jewelry?

A. I always had a thing for fun and whimsy in jewelry pieces. I especially love oversized cocktail rings. I would go to Dallas three times a year. I lived in Kansas City, Mo at the time. I would stock up on fun and affordable jewelry from Sam Moon and other fun hideaway shops on Harry Hines Blvd. These were things I’d purchase, wear able to toss or sell on Craigslist. They are a far cry from “quality”, definitely fashion jewelry. In Christmas 2008, I moved down to Dallas for a new job. I found living in Dallas is much different than visiting. It is harder to meet people and just never found that welcoming group. I found myself with more time on my hands and thought one day at one of my little jewelry shops, I could make this. One piece led to another and I started meeting people because of the jewelry I made. People would ask me where I got my bracelet, earrings, or whatever I was wearing at the moment. Then a couple of gals mentioned Etsy to me. I hadn’t a clue! I thought, what the heck? I’m a marketing manager full time, I could do this. I love the consumer marketing best. I had no idea the competition out there for jewelry. I had to work extra hard to compete with those that have been established. Within six months I had nearly 20 online sales and double that in person to person sales. I’m pleased with my efforts considering it’s a hobby and I have a full time job. Right now, all my profits go into my savings account toward my first house. Which may happen at the end of this year.

Blue Charm Bangle Bracelet

Q. That’s so wonderful, Sarah, that you took your passion for jewelry, the tools for marketing that you enjoy, stuck to it, and became a successful Etsy shop. Tell us about your adventures with charm and why you chose Finding Charm for the name of your Etsy shop.


A. I came up with my shop name rather simply. I wrote down a variety of keywords related to jewelry from catalogs, magazines, and websites. Then I started combining them. I narrowed it down to 5, and then sent the names out to family and friends to vote on. It came back unanimous…Finding Charm.

Pink and Silver Chandelier Earrings

Q. That’s an excellent way to brainstorm and come up with the perfect name for your shop. Sarah, you’re one of my favorite Etsy shops to visit because you offer reasonable prices, value and excellent customer service for your customers. You’re also a whiz at promoting your business, and your shop is always colorfully organized and easy to navigate. What advice would you like to share with a crafter or artist who is just starting their business online?


A. Well thank you! One word: commitment. I had no idea the amount of time and energy it would take. You definitely get out what you put in.

I'm fortunate to have my marketing background so that I can catch up with the full time crafters. I also share tips for the handmade community as well on my blog. I've discovered systems and created some so that I'm working even when I have to be away from the house. Twaitter and Hootsuite have helped me with my commitment. I attribute most of my sales because of social networking. That is key for the handmade market. It takes a lot of time. You can't just list something in your shop and expect to sell like mad.

I do put a lot of thought into each of my listings and when I list them. I won’t relist or list a necklace if I listed one the day before. Once I determine the type of item to list, then I evaluate the color, materials, texture because these pieces will be neighbors. I do this every day. What contrasts with the red piece from yesterday…oh a green one would be perfect. That type of thing. This doesn’t work for all crafts, but it works for my shop and my sections. Thank goodness I have a backlog of pieces.

Shades of Gold Pearls and Crystal Statement Necklace

Q. What good advice, especially for people struggling with ways to start. Do you have a favorite way to unwind after a busy day of jewelry making?

A. To unwind, I do something non-creative. I’ll watch TV or read. I have a funny guilty pleasure in watching some of the A&E shows like Hoarders and Billy the Exterminator. I’ll watch a movie or my favorite sitcoms – LOVE the Office and The Big Bang Theory. I read a variety of things. I love to read. I read novels, magazines that are work and non-work related. But I can get burned out creatively pretty quick and the first to go is the jewelry. Thank goodness it comes around summer time when sales slow anyway. I’m always on my marketing game. Have to be…it pays the bills!


Q. Time out for gilty pleasures will definitely ward off creative burnout for many of us. Please share with us, Sarah, any upcoming shop news, events, or dreams and aspirations for your life as a jewelry designer that we haven’t covered?


A. I’ve been considering offering my marketing services to the handmade artist community at an affordable rate. I’m asked regularly for marketing advice. I know there are a lot of resources out there, but often times they’re so generic in nature they don’t apply to all. I’ll read them and say “yes, if or but…” I think that’s why so many crafters seem lost or unsure of their efforts. They really need a one-on-one analysis. It drives me buggy when I see a helpful post focus on SEO, keywording, or good pictures and that will solve your problems. Having a logo is not your brand. Those are just pieces to the strategy. I recently posted a Facebook poll and blog post to gauge what some of the community thinks of such a service and to give some explanation to it. I’d love to hear your readers’ feedback as well. The more the merrier! As for jewelry, I’ll keep making things because I have stash of supplies and still get inspiration. My energy feels like it is being shifted to help the handmade community in a different way. I think the jewelry is what connected me to the wonderful handmade community and make me realize they need me to help them. I want each of them to thrive and be successful, and if I can help in some way, I’d be so happy.


Sounds like an exciting new venture is unfolding for you Sarah. Continued success and happiness to you. Thank you for taking time away to share your passion for the handmade community with us today. 

Want to learn more about Sarah and her budget friendly handmade jewelry at Finding Charm? Please visit the following links.

 Etsy
Zibbet
Artfire
eCrater
Finding Charm Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Made It Myself
CreatingTheHive

The photos for this interview have been provided and are the property of FindingCharm.  All rights reserved.

A is for App Alert!

Are you on the go with your knitting projects?  You may need to check into the apps available for your knitting needs. Many of us are using them already.  If you're on a budget, like most of us, you will find that you can narrow your search for the ones you truly find useful for your daily knitting and not break your budget. Some are free and others are affordable so consider apps that you might find helpful when you're in a pinch and need a knitting wizard to help you out.  You may even find a knitting podcast while you're searching.  Many are free.

For Android lovers check out these apps...

Knit Android Apps

You can find these helpful apps at the AppStore...
Button Wizard from iPad helps you evenly space your buttonholes and includes several choices and includes details on how to work them. Hooray! 
To help you figure out increases and decreases, Jakro has a Knit Evenly Calculator that's also available at the AppStore.

A knitter needs tools to accessorize their "can do" attitude, save time, and keep them knitting while living busy lives. 


Breathe deep knitters, a new knitting season is about to arrive.


Margaret (a girl and her needles standing on the precipice of knitting glee)


Fall knitting has never been more fun!

Knit Knitavian Style: Allow your knitting adventures to begin.

Yarn Thing

One-Skein Wonders



AwareKnits: Knit & Crochet Projects for the Eco-Conscious Stitcher

Knit Green: 20 Projects and Ideas for Sustainability

Get your event on...

with knitting and crochet events coming soon...

Here are just a few upcoming events to expand your creative horizon, meet other people who are keen for knitting, crazy for crochet and on the prowl for fabulous patterns, accessories and their daily dose of fabulous fiber fun.


Knit & Crochet Show - Greensboro, NC,
Register before Sept 1, 2011!

I Love Yarn Day!  (CraftYarnCouncil) Oct 14, 2011 is a great chance to spread the word and show everyone your love for yarn, knitting and crochet.  Get together with friends and create your own event, knit or crochet in public, or make something for charity.  There's a whole list of fun things that you can do to celebrate the yarn goodness in your life.  Visit the site for more ideas and let the crafty times roll.

Stitches East (Hartford, CT) is coming Oct 20-23, 2011. Yay!  This event is jammed packed with all the wonderful classes, supplies, venders and events that you can possible imagine in your knitty world of wonder.

Okay, back to the blue planet now, but wasn't it fun to dream a little, and float along on that fluffy cloud of fiber for awhile?

Margaret (sooo ready for Autumn)

Autumn's the mellow time.
William Allingham
www.brainyquote.com/

Looking for inspiration?  You might enjoy 3BeeutifulThings: After the Storm, one of my recent posts on CreatingTheHive, the crafty place to share your love of creating arts and crafts.  Join us!

Dust off those knitting needles.  They need a little adventure, 20+ full color, easy to read patterns and inspiration.  Knit Knitavian Style all year round!


Knit Knitavian Style: Allow your knitting adventures to begin.


Knit 1 for the Road now on Kindle!

Knit 1 for the Road