Working at Made In Windsor

I'm currently sitting and working at Made In Windsor, knitting a dishcloth for a Christmas gift.
This is one of the best, most inspiring places for me to knit. I am surrounded by other hand crafted items, there are wonderful smelling candles nearby, and amazing local music playing almost constantly.
There are also really neat classes going on almost every week. I've taken a couple of them, and made some really neat stuff.
This picture is actually from the last time I worked and took a class. I don't often wear dresses, and chose to wear one for just such an occasion.
The store is fantastic and has a ton of amazing people selling amazing things. I have already purchased myself a t shirt by a fantastic local graphic designer, and I plan on getting a few gifts for other important people in my life. Can't talk about those, because I know they read the blog!
If you happen to be nearby (Windsor, Ontario and surrounding area) you should really pop in and have a look. It's located at 1465 Ottawa St. The hours are on the MIW blog, if you are interested.

The craft show

Today was my craft show out in Essex. I did it at the same place I did my very first craft show a few years back.
I did very poorly. I only sold 4 dishcloths and 2 coffee cup cozies. No scarves. No hats. This was a huge let down because I had spent so much time on both of those things for what seems like no reason.
The traffic just wasn't there. Very few people came through, which seemed unusual. Also, one of the other crafters (there were only about 8 of us total, after 3 of them didn't show up for one reason or an other) was selling similar items for MUCH cheaper than I do.
I just can't compete with some people. The yarn she was using was low quality, whereas mine is much nicer. She was losing money on some items she was selling (Hand sewn aprons for 4 or 5 dollars. The material alone would cost more!)

I need to figure out some new items to sell for any spring time shows that I may sign up to do.

My, My, My How The Time Does Fly*

I have been getting so many things ready for the craft show that I haven't had time to blog at all.
I went to Made In Windsor today to pick up the stuff that I need for the show upcoming show. I still need to put prices on all of the items that I will be selling. This is my least favourite part of show preparation.
It's incredibly difficult for me to put a price on what I made with my own two hands. Anyone who sells handmade goods has probably had this problem before. It takes so much time to make the item, first of all, plus the cost of materials. Then you have to decide if that if a price that someone is willing to pay.

In happier news, I have some awesome announcements to make in the next month or so. It's great for you, awesome for me, and it's slowly but surely making itself work.

*If you know where this is from, you win 100 internet points. (Please note internet points are not redeemable for cash or goods)

I Sold A Hat!

A couple weeks ago, a coworker asked for me to make him a slouchy hat in a dark grey colour. I picked up a skein of HomeSpun while I was in London (Ontario, haha) with Rick for a wedding a few weeks ago. I started it in the car on he way home, and finished it within a couple days.
We finally had a shift together yesterday, I gave it to him, and it looks awesome! I'm hoping he'll be able to send me a picture, but no promises there.

An other good thing about bringing my knits into work is that other coworkers will ask about what I am making or delivering, and some of them ask to buy more of my things! My boss may buy a hat for her teenage daughter, and one of the ladies in my department may buy a hat for her 2 year old. I can't wait to see if they go for it!

Busy busy!

I haven not been updating, once again. This time, it's for a few reasons.
I have been cranking out kids hats off of the knifty knitter. I've been working on some scarves. Finished a couple dishcloths. I have been very productive.
But. My wrists have been hurting. There is no denying that it is knitting related. Even if it's not, it is definitely being aggravated by it.
I've been trying to stretch my wrists often. And I've been taking a ton of breaks, but they still hurt.
I am going to try to take it easy with typing, knitting, and other such things for a few days and see if that helps at all.

Mason-Dixon Knitting

I got the book on Thursday, just as I was leaving to go to Rick's house. I read most of it, and I must say, I love this book. The pictures are wonderful, the writing is fantastic (I wouldn't expect any less from these two lovely ladies) and the patterns are amazing.
Like I said before, I'm not much for knitting from patterns, but I might just break that for some of these patterns.

Also, the video in the last post is of me. I know I've posted pictures and such before, but just for any new readers who don;t know who I am.

A Video About Yarn Bombing

More Yarn

Yesterday, Rick and I went on a quest to find a white belt at Value Village. Not to be confused with Value City in the U.S., Value Village is a thrift store. We looked and looked, but couldn't find a suitable belt for the wedding we are attending on Friday. I will be checking at a couple vintage stores tomorrow.
The trip to VV was not entirely a bust. They often have yarn in bags for a couple dollars each. I always look through, hoping to find something useful. Until now, I have never found anything worth picking up.
I got three skeins of Astrakhan, by Berella, in the Ocean colourway. They are 90% superwash wool and 10% fine nylon. Three skeins, three bucks. Not a bad find, if I do say so myself. There is only a very very slight odor... It's not musty or anything, so I think a quick wash will solve it.
The one problem with the yarn is... stuff stuck in it. It looks like Easter basket stuffing, and wood shavings. I think that when I unwind the yarn to wash it, it should all fall out. If that fails, I will just have to pick through it and get it all out.
I'm planning on making a kids hat and an adult hat out of this. It's rare for me to have an exact plan for yarn when I buy it, but this yarn told me that's what it wanted to be.

Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines, and SwagBucks

Okay, I may be a little late on this one.

I just purchased Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside The Lines from Amazon the other day. I have been planning on ordering it since it was released, but I haven't had the extra money, or a credit card.
I have gotten both of these in the past week and ordered the book right away.
I am a member of SwagBucks**, and recently redeemed nearly all of my points for Amazon.com gift cards. I had something like $20 (US) in credits in my account, and got my credit card so I could finally place my order.
Since I am in Canada, it will probably take a bit longer for me to receive it. I am so excited, though. I rarely knit from patterns, but I love collecting knitting-related books.
Once I get it, I will certainly post a review of some sort!

**Yes, there is a referral code in there. If you do sign up, I'd appreciate if you used my code!

New yarn!

I know I haven't been updating much lately, but fear not, I have not forgotten you!
The other day, I returned some yarn from the scarf I just finished for Rick. I know, returning yarn is sort of crazy, but I knew I could get other yarn with that money.
And more yarn is what I got.
I bought three skeins of Bernat Harmony, in different colours. One dark pink, a lavender colour, and black.
All I can say is this yarn is amazing. Super soft, has just the right amount of texture. If I double it, it's perfect for the Knifty Knitter.
And, best of all, it's affordable! Coming in at $3.99 a skein for 169 meters/184 yards, this will keep me going for a little while.

I have been working on a lot of craft show things lately. I have two in November that I at determined to do really well at. I am taking the day off work, risking losing a decent amount of pay. I'm trying to figure out a way to make deals on my product without losing a lot of money.
Have any of you ever done a raffle at a craft show? Give a ticket away with each purchase over $X and draw at the end of the show? The only problem with this is that I don't drive, and I wouldn't want to make the winner come pick up the prize.

I'm open to suggestions!