MelonHead Knitwear » Blog

Busier Than Usual

carmen — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:07:44 +0000

I’ve been busier than usual the last week or so. Hard to believe, since I have always set myself such a rigid schedule. I’m busier because I’m going on vacation. It has been more than 10 years since I’ve been this reckless? …. but it is something that has put me into overdrive.

I’m going to Paris for my 50th birthday with my best knitting gal pal, Jean. It seemed like a no brainer since we have the same addictions; yarn, chocolate, cafe creme, pain au chocolat and museum crawling. I can hardly wait….but now I’m in this crazy place where I am trying to get done the work I would have done if there was no holiday. I’m also taking quite a bit of yarn with me to France…..(more on that later) and I really want it to be my best work.

I’ve had a lot of creative time so far this year, more than usual and I’ve given myself a few days a week of just doing what I feel like. This is new and has led to some lovely finished pieces that got snapped up just after being posted on facebook (in a few cases). Weird,because when I first started posting on FB, it was just so my customers would know what I’m up to. Not that I’m complaining!

My show confirmations are rolling in and it’s going to be the most hectic season yet, but I am thrilled to have the chance to share my work with a wider audience.

Classes at the home studio are going really well. I’m surprised at how at ease I am with work at home. I expected a few more hiccups but so far it’s all rainbows and puppies. After I get back from France I will be having the Intuitive Crochet Class, another Beginner Spinning class and the Dye Workshop. I’ll post as soon as that schedule goes up.

My friends are busy as well. One of my former students, Mekkin, owner of Hanahmin’s Fiber is going to be doing her first show at Fibres West. Pearl Chow will be teaching Needle Felting at Wet Coast Wools this weekend.

Just a few more things to finish off. I’m in Whistler this weekend for the Made In Whistler Market at the Westin Hotel, sponsored by the Whistler Arts Council. It’s my last show before my trip. There is also one custom order to finish off. All I’m missing is sleeves and a collar and then we can call it a cardigan.

Final order of business? Decide what my project for the plane will be. Knitting or crochet? And how much room to leave in the suitcase for new yarn Oh yeah, there will be yarn.

A Story About a Hat

carmen — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:39:31 +0000

I don’t knit and spin for the riches or the fame. I’ve never gone into this line of working thinking “ I will knit X number of hats and reach that first million in sales”. I knit and spin because it satisfies me. Over the years I have been told stories by customers of lost hats recovered, passed down to younger siblings, repaired and reknit hats and hats that have offered comfort for cancer survivors. They have all warmed my heart.

But this story, well, this is why I do what I do….

Ellie’s mom bought her a MelonHead hat. That hat definitely got some love and out of all the hats, this was by far her favourite. Then one day a hat tragedy occurred. The hat was run over and scooped up by a snow plow (as is more possible in Whistler than in Vancouver)

Ellie was determined to find her hat. Certain it would turn up somewhere, she designed this poster to put up around town. This one was pinned to the community board in Nestors for several months. Notice that a reward is offered.

Since there was a phone number on the poster, several knitters called and offered to knit a replica of the hat for her. Ellie rejected these offers as she felt it just wouldn’t be the same. After the snow melted down, they did find a small piece of hand spun yarn left from the hat and she scooped it up and still has it.

Fast forward to last weekend. And then Saturday, I ran into the whole family at the Westin Hotel. Ellie and her brother tried on several hats. Mom asked if we could remake the hat from the drawing that Ellie made, and I agreed that it could be done. It didn’t matter. Ellie seemed to be quite pleased with any hat on the table. Her brother said my hats were better than video games. I don’t think I could get higher praise.

Here is Ellie’s new hat. Apparently it wasn’t that she needed that hat. She just need a hat knit by me. *sigh*

Saturdays at Made In Whistler

admin — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:18:52 +0000

After a not-so-restful holiday season, I’m happy to greet 2013 with a winter market. All of my new designs are being debuted at the Made in Whistler Market.

This Saturday will be the fourth weekend I’ve spent at the lovely Westin Hotel with other artisans. The market will be every Saturday until Easter in April from 2-7 pm.

In addition to jewellery, pottery, baked goods, and visual art, the Westin will be selling homemade soup and bread with all proceeds going to local charities.

Made In Whistler — Winter Market
January – April, 2013 (Saturdays)
2:00 – 7:00 pm
Westin Resort & Spa
4090 Whistler Way, Whistler (Village), BC

Change, change and more change.

carmen — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 06:02:40 +0000

I am giving up my studio at the end of the year. You’d think this would make me sad as the last three years have been awesome there.

From flooding to Frank, having the studio was magic to me. Two of my studio pals have gone on to other things or new spaces and it’s just too big to carry on my own, so I’m coming home.

Does this mean a change to what I sell, how often I teach or what shows I do….Not at all. With the help of a lot of fantastic friends I am going to create one stunner of a studio in the house. I can hardly wait.

While the move is going on, I am still kicking out custom orders and trying to keep up with the crazy demand for all things handmade this year. As you are getting ready for the holidays trying to finish up those last few knits remember this….one mitt, or sock or piece of a sweater is still a great gift if you can include a done by date with your package. Previews are nice and build excitement!

Enjoy the holidays everyone.

I’ll check in when the chaos subsides.

Fun at the studio with Quincey.

Edmonton, here we come!

admin — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:27:21 +0000

Wish us luck! We’re trying our new snow tires for the drive from Vancouver to Edmonton. We’ll be at Edmonton’s annual Butterdome Craft Sale. This is our last show of the season, so if you’re in the area, come down and say hello. Stock up on woolly MelonHead goodies before the holidays!

Event details:
December 6 – 9, 2012
Butterdome (Universiade Pavillion)
University of Alberta
114 Street – 87 Avenue
Edmonton, AB

Show at the Seymour Gallery

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 01:10:03 +0000

Some of my hats will be living in Deep Cove for the Winter Gift Show at the Seymour Art Gallery. Lucky ones might even get to go home with a new owner!

Winter Gift Gallery
November 20, 2012 to January 5, 2013
4360 Gallant Ave., North Vancouver, BC

Gallery Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, 7 days a week

Opening reception: Sunday, November 25, 2-4pm

Setting up for Circle Craft Christmas Market

admin — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:21:43 +0000

We are exhausted, but had a fantastic time in Prince George. Drove back and loaded straight in to the Convention Centre for Circle Craft Christmas Market this coming week.

Circle Craft is one of the Lower Mainland’s biggest craft events, so don’t miss out on this annual tradition November 7-11, 2012. Here are the event details:

Dates & Hours:
Wednesday, November 7: 10am – 9pm
Thursday, November 8: 10am – 9pm
Friday, November 9: 10am – 9pm
Saturday, November 10: 10am – 7pm
Sunday, November 11: 10am – 5pm

Location:
Vancouver Convention Centre West
1055 Canada Place
Vancouver, BC

Off to Prince George

admin — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 23:14:49 +0000

We leave bright and early tomorrow for the drive to Prince George. This will be our second year attending the Prince George Studio Fair organized by the Prince George & District Community Arts Council. We had such a great time last year and cannot wait to see you all this year November 2-4, 2012. Here are the event details:

Location:
Prince George Civic Centre
855 Dominion Street
Prince George, BC

Hours:
Friday, November 2: 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday, November 3: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday, November 4: 10 am – 4 pm

Timing is Everything

carmen — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 22:44:46 +0000

The Back Room in Mr. Gold's Antique Shop

So far this summer, I have managed to squeeze in everything I’ve wanted to do and more. Disney fit exactly in between surgery and the Filberg Festival.

I have enough time to turn around inventory and head back on the road for the Edmonton Folk Festival.

I will be back just in time to finish prepping my first classes for Birkeland Bros.

And then I have my Whistler for two weeks and then start uber production for the winter shows. It all fits like a nice fibery puzzle, each piece in its place.

John and I have pushed really hard this year to get everything in line. I couldn’t have done it without him. And the great thing about working so hard is that we had time to really enjoy the Filberg Festival this year.

The Booth at Filberg

One night of the show we had a farm visit with our friends Lorne and Kim (who have an excellent B&B). Another night we hung for dinner with Claire on the farm she was staying at and had a great dinner of left overs and fresh picked greens from the farm (not fresh picked chickens, I just found them super cute)

Chickens!

The show ended with us tearing down the booth in record time so that we could make our ferry reservation. We coasted into Nanaimo, had dinner, watched our women’s soccer team get robbed of their chance for gold (sorry, but that was a bad call, crazy ref) and still had time to grab a latte in the ferry line!

Coming home Monday night is truly what made our timing really count. I got to the studio at 11am and was able to stay there until 5AM. A full dedicated 17 hours of spinning and a serious amount of caffeine, and the results, I was on pure creating overdrive……..these yarns are for my FFFF’s (favourite folk fest folks).

West Coast Inspired Yarns

There are plenty of very textured blue/greens for a certain someone and Donna’s white BFL is on reserve. I also have the beaded yarn if I can manage to hook up with one of my Facebook Folks–Calle if you’re out there. There won’t be any extras though. Just enough yarn to get through the show.

There is only one thing about about this quick turn around that has upset a family member. Asia–laying on the yarn doesn’t mean I can’t still pack around you. Dear Edmonton customers, please note, a few of the hand spun yarns may have partial Himalayan content.

So You're Leaving Again?

Counting Down to Filberg

carmen — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:49:38 +0000

So far this year feels like everything has been tossed into a blender. No end or beginning, just a constant carry though –until Sunday. It was my last Farmer’s Market before my big summer shows. Why, you ask. At some point this inventory needs to get bagged and tagged. I….t’s a huge job.

My work style is not dye one roving, spin one roving, knit the hat from that roving, stitch it up and block it and then put a label and a hang tag on it and stack it in a box….hardly.

My style i s more like this: OMG, I am going to stay at the studio for 14 hours a day spinning until my legs feel like rubber and just agonize about knitting it later. And then today, like a slap in the face with a wet fish,——I don’t have enough felt hats for my shows…..

So starts my crazy counting….The show is in 9 days and I need.

40 hand spun, hand dyed skeins of yarn.

50 felt hats

30 more children’s hats

20 scarves

OKAY, so that is 140 things divided by 9 days at 15 waking hours a day, minus eating showering , getting dressed and commuting between home and studio, possibly petting the cat and maybe a load of laundry in there. This give me 15.5 things to make in 15 hours that I will be awake in the day. This is not what I would call a good plan.

Or I could try this….Keep busy, focused…try not to be a crazy person, make what I like and let the chips fall where they may and enjoy several caffeinated beverages.

I’m feeling better already. Oh, and this handsome guy in the corner, is my neighbour Nathan’s grandfather sheering on his farm in the UK many years ago. The picture just makes me really happy.