Hats, how I adore them!!!!

How I adore hats.  They can make or break an outfit.........Having an eco friendly hat to wear is really important to me.  My hemp hats are lovely, but hemp isn't always the best choice for a hat.  Hemp is beautiful, has lovely drape, but after washing it can be too drapey.  So I had some t shirts around.  (I do enjoy cutting things up).  And I came up with the t shirt newsboy caps.  ----->

But I wanted something a little more......Classic.

I had bought a pattern a while back from a designer I love, http://www.etsy.com/shop/stubbornwoman ,  and she allows you to sell items based on her patterns as long as she is credited with the design.  I love her shop.  she has some super classy hats.

Now,  I like to make things my own, in case you couldn't tell, and some times my ideas are a little off the beaten path.  I love to create mt own "take" on things.  So here is what I came up with;  a lovely flapper cloche  made from recycled t yarn. I enjoy making yarn from t shirts.  The only problem is making sure I have enough on a certain color to complete a project.

These hats are classy and fun.  Comfortable, breathable, washable, stiff but moldable.  You can fold it up and stash it in your bag, and when you are ready to put it on again it will look great!


Hats are a wonderful and fun accessory and you don't have to lower your standards when it comes to being "green".  More to come soon, so stay posted!

 ~Chriss~
P.S.  Thank you to all my new followers.  :)

The Fringe Benefits............

Well, now there has been so much going on in my little world in the past week or so.
I finally joined an Etsy Team.  Its called the Oh Canada Team.  http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=713
I am so ever glad I did!  I enjoy the interaction with other sellers daily.  The way everyone shares is so amazing.  Some do treasuries, other tweet (like me), so do features on blogs, other have really great tips on selling and advertising, everyone encourages and supports other team members.  It has been great.

My Charity Pattern got featured on a really great blog,  http://stampoutcancer.blogspot.com   So please check it out!  The Ladies who run this also run a shop on Artfire, where all proceeds are donated to Cancers of the Blood.  It really is amazing work that they are doing!  :)

I am doing a Virtual Craft Show with Cafe Handmade for the next 12 weeks to promote my Etsy shop, so please stop by and vote for me!  http://cafehandmade.com/index.php/2010/01/the-art-of-zen-crochet/

Or to join and do your own go here!  http://cafehandmade.com/index.php/join-virtual-craft-show/#usermessage2b

I am still working hard on my "Hemp for Home Collection" , so stay tuned and look for new items and patterns coming soon.

Over and out.

~Chriss~

Just a little update on Our Charity Pattern...

I just wanted to let everyone know, that to date we have raised over $180.00 by Selling Our Charity pattern "a Scarf for Rainee".  You can purchase this pattern on Ravlery:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pattern-a-scarf-for-rainee-crochet-pattern-for-charity or at my Etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrisssmith22

Thank you all for supporting our cause.

I need your help and support!!

I need your help and support!! 

I am trying to get my Brand out there! And I need your help. I make eco friendly accessories using hemp, bamboo, and cool recycled stuff. I am partaking in a challenge to get more advertising. If you would simply click the link and vote for me it would be a great help! Thank you for supporting my work! :) 

http://cafehandmade.com/index.php/2010/01/the-art-of-zen-crochet/

Lettuce on my window sill, Living the Handmade Life.......

I have never been one to crochet a dishcloth, but I have recently found myself doing many things I thought I was above doing.  The more this is happening, the more I am realizing that my business and I are evolving.

I want to crochet a dishcloth, and a dish towel, a market bag and a scrubbie for the dishes or scrubbing the bathtub all made from hemp.  And I want to use them and then if they pass all the tests, I want to offer them for sale in my shop.  I won't sell anything in my Etsy shop (or anywhere else, for that matter) that I myself will not use.

One of my tests is bringing to my business what I stand for personally: 
I don't buy windex, I use vinegar to wash my windows.  I don't buy tide or sunlight for the laundry, I use Buffalo Recycled Soap ( Local company that recycles bar soap from hotel rooms and make it into laundry soaps.)  I grow sprouts and lettuce on my window sill most of the year.  I start my tomatoes indoors from seed in February.  I compost.  My kids wear hand-me-downs. I make my daughter guacho capris out of recycled t shirts and tank tops, she loves them.  I love thrift store shopping.  I eat purple potatoes I grew in my garden (they taste the same and are so pretty).  I eat seasonally,  I buy my food grown as close to home as possible.  I make my own freezer jam with local honey, and my own berries.  I cook from scratch, everyday.  My husband makes his own sausage, smoked salmon, and pepperoni.  I live in the countryside.  I recycle anything and everything I can.  I don't change my home decor for the sake of doing it.  I love making my prized possessions last.........    

So is born my eco friendly home line,  I will be eventually offering a pattern collection for those DIYer's.  It all takes time and I want to do really thorough job of it.

Carpe Diem!

Free Lacey Crochet Scarf Pattern

Free Lacey Scarf Pattern!

I recently made this for a customer, it turned out so elegant and lovely I decided to share it on my blog.

You will need:
approximately 330 yards of Dk or worsted weight yarn ( I used AllHemp6 in Aubergine)
size 9 mm and 4.5 mm crochet hooks
Darn needle
Gauge:  Not really to important as this is lacey.
I suggest if you need to join in this scarf because you need more than one ball of wool, do the join on the stitch at the beginning or ending of a row so the end can be woven into the Sc edge.  
with larger hook
Row 1:  Chain 20,  sc in second chain from hook, *skip 2 chain, 5 dc in next chain, skip 2 chain, sc in next chain, repeat from * 2 more times.  3 shells.
Row 2:  Chain 3, 2 dc in first sc, *skip 2 dc, sc in next dc, skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc,  repeat from * 1 more time, then skip 2 dc, sc in next  dc, skip 2 dc, 3 dc in last sc.  2 full shells, and 2 1/2 shells.
Row 3: Chain 1, sc in first dc, *skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 dc, sc in next dc, repeat from * 2 times more.

Repeat row's 2 & 3 to desired length.  The length of the Scarf I made was about 60" long.
Fasten off.  Do not weave in ends.
Sc Edging:  With smaller hook:
Row 1:  Join with a sc to any stitch, (except a corner),  you will now work 2 sc in each stitch, 3-4 sc in each corner, some of the stitches that are smaller may only require 1 sc, you will want the edge to lay fairly flat, it shouldn't ruffle.  If you find the edge ruffling, try working 1sc in one stitch and then 2 sc in next and repeat that pattern. 

I hope you enjoy this pattern and Happy Crafting!!
You may use this pattern for personal use only, not for items to be sold.

 

Just some food for thought.......

This is a vent and some constructive criticism.  I have been seeing a lot of whining and complaining in the Etsy forums about not getting sales, no views, no feedback left, blah, blah balh.......don't get me wrong, its not that I am not a compassionate seller, it just seems there is too much focus on the why's and not enough on improving the product or the shop.

I don't live on the forums,  I don't have time.  I am to busy raising 3 kids, maintaining my marriage, working my regular job and creating items/patterns to sell locally and online.

Ever heard of self full filling prophesy?  How many of those etsians you are complaining to or about are your former or potential customers?  This doesn't rub well with me.

Stop complaining and get to work!  :)

Selling is hard work.  Getting your audience to your items is the hardest endeavor you will try to achieve!

I think there needs to be a "should I open a shop series"?  There is a lot of great artists out that there and they make great items but is there a demand for what these artists are making?  You cannot continue to sell what isn't selling, as much you and Aunt Gertrude like it, it just cannot be.  This is not good business practice.  You will go broke. 
Running an Online shop is no different from running any other type of business, just the venue is different.
I think many of  us need to do more research about what we are trying to sell.  Am I cut out to sell my items?  There is no shame in having someone else sell for you.
I have said this so many times before, don't put all your eggs in one basket!  I consign (not everyone wants to or likes to) at 3 shops locally.  The folks who own these shops help me immensely,  with ideas, suggestions for improvement, whats classic, or a soon passing trend. 

These are the questions I think one needs to ask oneself prior to opening up shop:

1)  Is there a demand?
2)  How original is my creation?  Are there many out there already?
3)  Can I afford to do this?  Monetarily?  Time?  Energy?
4)  Can I afford my supplies?  Is it available wholesale?
5)  Are my creations seasonal?
6)  Can I meet deadlines?  Planning?
7)  How much time do I really have to commit to my shop?
8)  How much will I make, after advertising, fees, taxes, etc.?

This may be a little bit cranky, but I am giving tough love!

Chriss