YaaaaaaarnCon!

Last weekend, I manned a table at...



photo courtesy of YarnCon.com



I came, I saw, I knitted.  And I sold!  Finally, I feel like I have the right amount of inventory for a show of this size.   I met a girl who does roller derby.  I met a 12-year-old vegetarian who appreciates the cruelty-free nature of my art.  I met a guy who balanced a skein of yarn in his hat.  More about him later. 



photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonrat/



The event took place at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, a large recreational building that is part of the Chicago Park District.  Other craft fairs happen here, and the photo opportunities alone are enough reason to set up there.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to be a resident in the super cool photo-op room, but maybe next year. 

Handmade knit/crochet tables like mine were vastly outnumbered by booths draped in yarn, and ready-to-spin fibres.  Although it's always nice to have a partner at these fairs, I was glad to be stuck at my station, unable to blow my whole paycheck on these amazing materials. 

Also, I was surrounded by experienced knitters.  They could take one look at my designs and figure them out in their heads.  Those who couldn't, asked if they could purchase the patterns.  Note to self: You need to write and publish patterns on Ravelry!  Maybe one a month for a year.  Fruit Suits, Schneeds, perhaps the Fox Scarf.   I kicked myself a little for not having some nice printouts to sell.  Lesson learned. 



photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonrat/



Pictured above is the gym where I set up shop.  Can you see Mannequiña in the back corner?  The coordinators and several vendors came around throughout the day to make sure we were okay, and asked if we needed a coffee break.  One such visit was paid by a coordinator's husband, who told me all about their recent adventure at Yarn School.  I really think I'm going to save up some pennies and go next year.  This couple renovated an empty high school in Kansas, turned classrooms into dorms, and now teach one-week classes in spinning, dyeing, and felting.  It sounds like summer camp, and I can't stop thinking about it. 

My next door neighbor at the fair was Fabi and her Amigurumi creations from Polka Dot Umbrellas.  I only wondered for a moment why she doesn't use plastic eyes like in my Foxy Woxy scarf.  After checking out her Etsy shop, my suspicion was confirmed that her designs are 100% baby-friendly, no choking hazards.  Smart cookie, that Fabi.  The red lobster is my favorite.  If you know anyone having a baby, even if you need something custom, look her up. 


And finally...

photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonrat/

He's the perfect husband.  This young man strolled through the 'Con, displaying a new color scheme of his wife's yarn every round.  I don't know any other hubbies out there who sacrifice their Saturday to literally act as a walking advertisement for a craft booth.  Bravo, yarn guy!  You deserve a beer. 

If Crafting's Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Right

Is this the same high Spiderman fans have after Comicon? I don't know, but I feel pretty amazing after Chicago Craft Social.  A raffle, snack table, and the promise of Chipotle chips and salsa upon exit.  There were about 15 tables, and I wish I could've stayed for two days.  Here's what I got for my $20.  

First, I joined Iris from Polyform as she walked our double table through Mokume Madness.  Basically, you stack up several thin sheets of brightly colored Sculpey clay, beat it up with tools, then shave thin slices off the top.  Those shaved slices (due to the abrasions, cuts, and dents) display fantastic patterns in all those colors you stacked up.  We used those funkadelic clay slices to fill bracelet, necklace, and earring blanks.  Not only had Iris already prepared our clay for us, she had about a dozen tools, extra clay, and boxes for us to take our completed work home.

It was just like being at Unconditional Craft Night.  She praised our work, whether we were fast, slow, sloppy, or exacting in our jewelry making.  I'm so glad I brought my big backpack, otherwise I don't know how I would've carried all the free swag.  If you want to try it on your own, here's how to do Mokume Gane.  I can't wait to craft more with my boatload of fresh clays.  Thank you Polyform!!

My next move was inevitable.  I couldn't resist the gravitational pull of Arcadia Knitting's table of yarn cakes.  Arcadia is easily my favorite Chicago LYS.  Sharon lead the team in Flip Flop Fun, providing all the yarn and flip flops.  Armed with my trusty size 8 needles and an upholstery needle, I dove in. 
First I cast on 60 stitches with this funky three-yarn blend.  I worked about 10 rows of garter stitch, then I bound it off.  The piece was approximately 12"x2".  I left a tail of twice the length of the piece, then used the upholstery needle to whip stitch the piece around the flip flop straps.  Before starting to stitch, I tied a scrap of yarn at the midway point of the swatch.  This project obviously doesn't demand exacting measurements, but I felt more in control marking the midpoint, Eyelash or fuzzy yarn is probably the best idea for this project, seeing as it's more forgiving in the stitching department.  What I'm saying is, this should be a low-stress project, and in the words of Tim Gunn, just "make it work."

The knitting makes an otherwise cheap, uncomfortable pair of flip flops very comfy and fun. 

To the right is a picture of everything I came away with.  Not pictured are all the yummy snacks and camaraderie we all enjoyed.  I'm so glad I braved the threat of thunderstorms.  I'll definitely come again.

Stitch 'n Bitch Loaded

Welcome to Stitch 'n Bitch Loaded, where you don't need experience to be a Hooker! You too can be a part of this wild, weekly, Wednesday experience every week from 7pm to 9pm. Bring your needles, hooks, yarn, string, floss, whatever you're working on. Jenny, our lovely and talented host will liven your life with luscious libations while playing the roles of DJ and bartender. Don't know know a treble crochet from a hole in the ground? The illustrious Jessy is here to teach you! As fast as you can say "worsted weight," she'll get you casting on, and hooking to your heart's content. Join the raffle for one of Crafty McSchnafty's adorable Fruit Suits, given away every week.

Don't delay. Join the hottest Hookers in Chicago!

Purl Paranoia

During the last three weeks, I've been advised by other small business owners.  I didn't really consider Crafty McSchnafty a "business" until now.  The b-word  is so stuffy, right?  And it was really more of a hobby that paid for my yarn addiction.  True, I have designed a couple patterns for fruit suits, and yes, I've sold some stuff.  However, I don't think it's going to be my main source of income until I can get my sweaty mug printed on millions of skeins of yarn.  Side note: My yarn will only come in green.  Dozens of shades of green.  Two different artist/lady/friends have told me that the minute I declare myself a business owner/designer, then it becomes true.  Ok, world...

I'M A DESIGNER WHO RUNS A SMALL B-B-BUSINESS! 

Now what?  I feel there should be some sort of ritual, more than just a declaration.  What would make me feel official?  Paperwork!  When you purchase an item from a business, you get a receipt.  So I bought a book of receipts for this art expo thing I'm doing in April.  Even though they don't have my name printed on them, I feel very business-y.  Next, designers make and follow patterns, yes?  Well, even before I read Fahrenheit 451˚, I loved the rote method of teaching and learning the arts.  Admittedly, though, I'm getting bogged down.  Rather than than allowing all these fruit suit, schneed, hat, and arm/legwarmer ideas to continue rattling around in my head, I've written them down.  I would love for a master knitter to look at them (much like I used to call on my dear voice instructor to check my rudimentary arranging attempts), and pat me on the head for my effort.  It is a great relief and a proud designer moment for me.  Maybe I'll publish a book of patterns.  Which brings me to my next quandry;  Should I only share these ideas for a fee? 

Aside from two paid half-hour lessons in knit and crochet and a $12.50 tip I left in Silver's e-jar, I've pirated the vast majority of my stitch vocabulary from blogs and free internet sites.  Do I pay it forward?  Did I steal from starving artists, or did I get a bone from some rich, bored suburban housewife?  Perhaps I need to move forward and not worry about the past.

Either way, I have two events coming up in April that feature my b-word.  *Fingers crossed* I will run out of receipts at said events.  Crafty will keep you posted.  

I'm a Hustler, Baby

So, I have a website!

Need to cover your face and ears with a fashion Schneed?
CraftyMcSchnafty.com.

Do you have a problem with your apple's nudity?
CraftyMcSchnafty.com.

Plain scarves bore you to death?
CraftyMcSchnafty.com.

Think tea towels should be adorned with pinup girls?
CraftyMcSchnafty.com.

Searched high and low for a cupcake with a tiny taco on top?
CraftyMcSchnafty.com.

Tell your friends!

These Are The Rejections I Know, I Know

Marky's two, now famous, rejections are at the top of the list. Then there's the person who bought my book, and decided to trade it for a scarf, instead. That's not a lose-lose situation, I know, but I count it as a rejection.

I've sent off countless query letters (for only a short amount of time, mind you--I'm being SUPER antsy and sensitive), and have gotten all rejections. At first I said to myself, "Well, as long as book agents are reading my queries, and it's getting out into the collective consciousness, it's okay if I get rejected. They gave me a chance." I'm here to admit, it's much better thinking a book agent didn't even look at the query, than having one ask for the first five pages and then turn it down. Utter heartbreak. At least I send SASE's in my favorite color, lime green. Getting cheery envelopes in the mail seems to soften the blow of the inevitable rejection letter lurking inside.

As fun as it is wallowing in my own goth girl self-pity, there is an unfortunate bright side to this subject. I've started rejecting things, too. I reject the notion that I should feel guilty for someone else's problem. I reject diving into paranoia and mental instability just because the person talking to me is going that route. I reject my former motto, "I can knit anything as long as it's a square or a rectangle." My new motto is, "I can knit anything!" Or perhaps, "I can do anything!"