….not that I haven’t loved all the company this week, but today was the sweetest day ever.
The cat matches the couch and the corespun yarn of the day….Best of Ray Charles is playing in the background, Clare is plying some yarn and I’m taking yarn out of the steamer.
I realize that I am not high in production, but there’s a whole lot of happy here today. Might start another colourway while Habib is napping.
I have taken over another space in the studio as Sonia is leaving at the end of the month…Boo…..But thanks to her I now have beautiful cabinets and chairs that we always have me thinking about how much fun it was having her in the studio.
Working with my temp co-op student has been amazing. Because of Claire I had an entire selfish day of spinning and carding. I was able to incorporate the lovely first cuts of alpaca that I recently aquired to make some lovely skeins.
Knit group was fantastic. A late dinner and a great Monday night with the creative ladies of the yarn shop. Here are some current projects from the group.
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| Cutest, felted knitting squirrel |
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| Thrummed slipper from Sonia’s handspun |
And finally, my day’s basket of spinning. I would also like to thank Kim, Pearl, Sonia and Claire for hanging out at the Dairy Queen after knit group. Can we make this part of the Monday night ritual?
The studio is cool. Really cool. Temperature cool. It’s a basement that leaves the crappy weather outside and it’s toasty warm in the winter. Questions I often ask myself about the studio
Do I miss windows and a great view?
Sure I do. But it’s what happens in the studio that’s important.
Does the studio have a creative vibe?
Absolutely. When we are all there and everyone is getting their groove on and people are dropping in with their own projects, it is amazing.
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| Mariegold, queen of exaggerated thrumming. |
I had some crazy coiling to do and Sonia rocked the wheel with an amazing 3 ply.
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| Coiled, for real. 75 g and only 14 yds. |
Even the alley behind the studio received a little art upgrade. Thanks to the photographer/happy stapler. You made the alley much nicer today.
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| Canoe in Alley |
Will be giving a lot of love to the studio this week before heading out of town again.
The studio is ramped up to full production. It’s wonderful to have the company there and to have the view change somewhat. Joan’s spot is not as decorative as it used to be as all her inventory is out at shows (market season, you know). Mine is a complete disaster with fibre strewn everywhere in piles. Then there is Sonia’s space…It’s heavenly to have a weaver in the studio.
This is my space….
I am comforted knowing that this will be inventory. I have been working my way through the 5lbs of alpaca I recently received. I’ll hold back a little for a rainy day (particularly the natural black) but the rest is being carded and blended and hugged and loved.
I have some hand dyed chunky merino to finish off my ever growing list of kids hats. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing the markets (even when it dwindles away my show inventory). As John says, why does it matter where you sell it? But I hate having bald patches in my booth when I run out of a style or size.
I rewrote my calendar for this month and have noticed some new numbers for my numbers game.
14 days until we are on the ferry to Filberg
3 lbs of alpaca to card
2 more Farmer’s Markets until the show
5 people at the carding group tonight
3 the maximum number of BBQ chickens I can continue to substitute for cooking real meals while getting ready for the show
25 days and then I start Circle Craft production
4 the number of days I am giving myself as non production days.
1 -the most supportive partner I could ask for. This number is a constant.
Jury Pieces
Never jury with the same article twice (even if it got you into the show). You will look like a one trick pony. It’s not enough that an artisan makes something, but they must be able to show some growth in their work. After 10 years of putting myself out there for judging, I might finally be getting a handle on this.
GST Filing
It’s due in a week, but just because I have a week to go, doesn’t mean I should wait until next Friday. The box of receipts is an ugly tangled mess. Although they are in one place, it’s going to take a bit of wrangling to make them report worthy.
Custom Orders
They all have deadlines and all need to be done, but I need to decompress before finishing everything. One is straggling from 2009 and I’m just trying to make something perfect and maybe perfect isn’t what’s called for here. The others are apre Christmas, some designs for Olympic staffers, and replacement pirate hats. It will happen.
Clean the Studio
Substantial yarn purchases at the end of the year require more adjustment to the studio. A bigger dyeing area for sure and some drying racks. I need to maximize my vertical space…Mariegold…are you reading this?
Pet the Cats
When I’m at home, there is knitting in my hand at all times. I have to remind myself to put the knitting down so that I can pet the cats. Habib has learned over the years to insinuate himself under the knitting and on to my lap. It’s still not the same as a good hug and squeeze.
So, I am at 60% studio functionality. That’s good, right? At least folks can come by and visit again. Had some customers in today and Mariegold for the afternoon for a serious knit on.
All of the hand dyed I have left fits into this basket. Condensed and easy to access. I think that it will end up being kids hats but that depends on how much time I have before the next show.
The last of the felt hats. I have a few folks coming by the studio this week for try ons, so they may have homes as well. In the meantime, if you have ordered a felt hat, I am blocking them all this week so you will have yours in no time.
Thanks everyone for your orders and your support. Thanks so much.
