Being Present

My life is pretty dull, really. Knit some stuff, spin some stuff, dye some stuff and take it to shows and markets for sale. Not much else happens in between shows except getting ready for shows. And through all of this I have been blogging away.

I think it's time to take a break from the blog. I'm spending more time writing about what I am doing rather than being present in what I am doing. I'll miss it. The blog has become a nice warm fuzzy blanket, and your comments like supportive big hugs.

I stopped rowing in the canoe so I could get a picture of a current project for the blog when I should have been enjoying the calm of the water and the remarkable sunshine. As such, I think I need to step back for a bit.

Thanks to everyone who has read the blog and commented on the way. Those virtual hugs were greatly appreciated.

An Archaeological Adventure

On my coffee table. I really wish I could be out today, but I have committed to finishing everything on this table. Each thing only needs one thing (and I am capable of those things). So how did this pile get so large?

I'm finishing the last hat for my web order so I can get it shipped today as well. Then I'll start with the cardi....from there, it should be easy. I am still trying to find my groove after the fabulous weekend.

At this point I am willing to do just about anything to see the top of the coffee table again. Wish me luck.

Gratitude and Abundance

Being in Whistler this weekend made me grateful for more than just good weather.

Good friends.

Nancy, Mark and Roger arrived with outdoor skills and tequila and Jan was the most amazing host offering appies to rival the Chateau Whistler and organic wine as well! BTW, her winter knitting projects were gorgeous. Her current Noro Bag is going to be stunning when it is finished. We just missed the paragliding adventure due to rain on Monday morning.

People's best friends....

Dagger is John's true Sunday Market buddy. But Roger returns the ball instead of eats it, so there might be a shift in the buddy department.

The inspirational surroundings.

The picture on the right is the artesian well water. The lodge is actually off the Whistler grid and I filled my water bottle more times in 3 days than I would in a week.

Being able to take in the surroundings.

Having the opportunity to create. Two different versions of cocoons.

I didn't mean to have such a photo heavy post, or realize I had so much to be thankful for.

The Calm Before the Storm.

So What's My Excuse?

No time to blog. Tell you all about it on Monday/Tuesday. Our best Whistler trip ever!


Yes there was some crocheting on the canoe...(thanks for the tip Danielle) so doable.

Moving on Up...

It happened! The bones of the studio are in place. The shelving is in place. I put a few token skeins of the hand spun in the wire baskets just so I could see some colour. It looks pretty sparse now, but I have my Turkish carpets, my drum carder, coffee corner and soon the shelves will be lined with rovings. I couldn't be happier or more sore.

I have some painting to do. And rather than an inspiration board, I've decided to do an inspiration wall and cork the wall that the glass table is against...Does anyone know where I can find a roll of corkboard?

I may change my mind, but I'm thinking it will be sweet to pin up swatches and pattern sketches.

Smooth Move

This will be ANYTHING but.......I have just started cleaning out the old studio and I'm thinking I'm on my way to coal miner's lung. How did I possibly layer so much shit in this room?

This archeological expedition of working at home for the last five years has yielded some interesting finds.

• Angelina - I have been looking for this for my carding forever.
• 3 empty cheetos bags - A monument to my stress level at times
• several sock singles - not hand knit- it is still a mystery how they got there and I can no longer blame the washing machine or dryer.
• a stack of empty Starbucks cups (apparently I was collecting them before I got my thermos)

This is my chance for a clean space in the new creative space. It's just shelving today as my hands are still not fully recovered. The sun is shining and space is being cleared in my spare room and in my mind.

How to fill them?

Whistler While You Work

In order to celebrate a new season in Whistler and the new studio, John surprised me with a weekend getaway to Whistler before the season starts.


Edgewater Lodge is nestled into a little peninsula situated on Green Lake overlooking the mountains and a glacier. They have an amazing view and canoes and kayaking on the lake. The restaurant is spectacular and has an unbelievable menu. The picture above is the private balcony where I'll be knitting and having a nice glass or two of wine.

There will also be canoe knitting (thanks Danielle) It's nice to see I'm not the only one compelled to do this.

John has some nice hiking plans for Pemberton. I'm looking forward to getting away...After setting up the new studio next week, we will not have a free weekend until the third week of October.

There are worse ways to spend the summer ;)

A Show in Review

What makes a show successful? Whenever I get back from a show, I'm always asked "Was it a good show"? A lot of times my favourite venues to do end up being the ones I don't make the most money at. Looking at all of the components, here's how I decide if something is worthwhile or if it was indeed a "good" show.

Putting together the booth.

• Did the organizer allow enough time for set up? There is nothing worse than feeling "rushed"
  
• Was there a good mix of craft and distance between same/like style craft? I have often seen a full row of jewelery and then a show with only two potters and they are right beside each other.
  
• Was there a standard for professional presentations in the booth. Junky looking booths turn customers off and the best shows also jury for booth presentation as well as your artisan skill.
  

Sales

• If it is a first time show there is no previous one to compare with so my expectation would be that my booth fee would be 10% of my total sales(minimum)
  
• If I have done the show before, how does it compare to previous years?
• One thing I don't do is compare my sales to any other vendor at the show. Food is recession proof and people always have money for jewelery.
  

Customers

• Were my customers at the show? Did they have an interest in textile(weaving, knitting, spinning) This is crucial as I love filling down time at the show with yarn conversations.
• What was their demographic? (young - old - women - single - families)
  

Vendors

• Are they professional in their presentation and demeanor? Show etiquette has certain expectations. If you are in the same/similar category you do not go into a booth of similar craft. (I have seen people removed from shows for this breach).
• Are you at your booth? If my neighbour is always away from their booth, I feel an obligation to keep an eye on their inventory which takes me away from my customers.
• If you are a vendor that smokes, please don't leave your booth and smoke in front of my booth. My lungs and my finished goods do not appreciate your smoke.
• Most vendors are congenial, helpful and truly good neighbours and I return the favour.
  
• If you are a vendor visiting my booth and customers are looking/trying to purchase, please let me deal with my customers and then I will get back to you. I am not being rude, but I am here for them first and you should know that without me having to tell you.
  

The Venue

• Are the bathrooms close?
• Is there access to water/food?
• Is the music appropriate to the venue?
• Is it appropriate for a craft show?
• Signage, decor?
• Is there an entrance fee, is it reasonable?
  

My own Interactions

• Did I meet interesting people?
• Did I have fun?

Based on this criteria, I would have to say that indeed Calgary was a good show. I attribute much of this to Pearl who kept me fed, watered, sane and made me laugh more than I could have hoped for (and this)....

Yes, it was a good show.

"Showing" Off

Set up from 11-4pm...Show starts at 4pm sharp. Ends at 9PM..Prayed for sleep(and new feet)


Saturday was a good day. I am looking forward to Sunday at the show. I'm even more looking forward to getting back to Vancouver. I miss the boy and the kids.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Airport

Okay, so I think I can just book plane tickets and breeze out of town without any drama....

Think again. I was running around packing last minute skeins and realized that I had left John with a table full of junk...So I picked up a sheet of glass I had cut from the table. Apparently I tried to pick it up in a way that slices your finger open almost to the bone. No matter. I had not finished my Bacon and Egger Skein, wrapped my hand and got back to the spinning wheel since Pearl was going to be over in a half hour.

I was trying to hold my finger up while I was plying (while bleeding down my hand and on to the carpet) but I was determined to get the skein finished as I had plans for it.

I jumped into the van with all my luggage, a paper towel wrapped around my hand holding the skein in the same hand. No time to stop with a flight to catch. Pearl brought alcohol, gauze and tape and I patched myself up in the vehicle. By the time we hit the airport I was bleeding through the gauze and on to my boarding pass...hell, I didn't care, we had the skein and then I could do this....

The spun Bacon Egger meets the original Bacon Egger.

Apparently the yarn was a bit stressed out and needed a caesar and some yam fries before the flight. I was really excited. I have never been to Calgary. And I loved the airport.

Sorry for the ripped off Yarn Harlot (substitute sock for bacon and egg yarn) being photo'd everywhere. Calgary greeting the yarn with open arms and open mouths.

We were picked up at the airport, treated like royalty. I was rebandaged and then began a late night of finishing for the show. The bleeding is down to a trickle, and the hats are getting done. I can't ask for more than that.

I'll give you a teaser of the palatte arriving at the show, with Pearl beside it for scale and the initial set up.

And now the real work begins. This is our blank canvas. I'm starting to realize that the display is "the thing" and I want to get it right.

Have a great knit night.

Portobello West

All I could formulate today. I did manage to find a small corner for knitting.

More updates from the road.....

Playing the I Need Game....

I need to finish embellishing my felted hats.....

So I carded this fabulous fibre.

I need to seam my kids hats....

So I spun this wool. I call it silk worm on alpaca cocoon. SOLD (while still wet) This is a first.

I need to finish my free form scarves.....

So I rinsed and set the twist on this cotton candy skein.

I needed to clear my head......

So I went out in the garden and took in a nice big nosefull of the lilac tree. I think I finally figured out how this works. Wish me luck.

The Calm Before the Storm

If this is the calm before the storm, then get ready for the fibre tsunami. This unrecognizable feature, used to be my living room.

I have gotten the display and inventory down to 10 boxes weighing I don't know how many pounds. My guess was 200, apparently it is more like 400 lbs. This scares me. And that's not even because in an hour I will be lifting it and packing it into a van. Or because in 2 days I will be meeting it in Calgary and unloading it.

I am at my wits end. Pearl, Toni and Joan, you are my ocean of calm in this turbulent fibre nightmare.

Here is the basement fully packed (oops, no, one more box still upstairs).

And a closer look at the fibre. I'm thinking this is about 50 lbs.

With almost everything packed and just the house mess left to clean up I was able to get a few minutes in the garden. The lilac tree is just starting to waft through the yard. I couldn't get a decent photo as the blooms are really high, so I opted for some more eye level, eye candy.

The rhubard is really ready.

Flowering chives.

And the clematis is going to be bountiful this year.


Yes indeed, the calm before the storm. Now back to that final box.

Late Bloomer

I enjoyed the walk around my new neighbourhood yesterday and couldn't resist snapping off a few pictures.

The later bloom cherry blossoms are even more exciting than the initial blooms. Joan was telling me how it was the later blooms that were all clustered like little puff balls. She prefers the earlier blooms. They are so lovely in their simplicity so it makes perfect sense.

But then I started thinking that we are so hungry for the first signs of spring that we are easy to please. In order to catch our attention later in the season you really have to work to impress.

It made me think about my knitting. The initial designs get such wonderful feedback, but people will not stick with you unless you take the work to the next level. But then where do you go? More hand spun, more elaborate, more dimensional??? Me thinks it is time to scale the work down a bit and revisit my roots. I love some of my original designs. Uncomplicated work in shimmering fibres. I have some wonderful hand painted wool and silk and I think that a holistic fibre day is just what I need.

I'll let myself fall in love with the fibre again, not ask too much of it and see what happens.

A Big Day

I am part of two separate Farmer's Markets. One is the local vancouver collection of markets and the other one is the Whistler Farmer's Market. When we first moved to the west coast five years ago, I never imagined myself a s such a strong proponent of farmer's markets. But now I can't imagine where I would be without these communities.

Today we had our annual meeting and it was surely the first sign of the coming summer season. Old friends, and the wonderful smells of the market, fresh baked breads, fruits and if you want to eat well then come to a farmer's market pot luck and you will eat like you've never eaten before. The smoked salmon was heavenly.

Joan and I presented a workshop on making the most of the market and it was well attended and a lot of fun to facilitate. It's exciting to see so many new faces this season. There was almost a hum in the air and I could tell that I wasn't the only one just aching for the season to start.

After the meeting Joan, Deb and I headed for Shaktea. So rather than yarn pictures...have a gander at these. Oh and this is all in the neighbourhood of the new studio.


My double chocolate pistachio cookie with Moroccan mint tea.

Deb's cheesecake and London Fog tea.

And the most exquisite calla lily I have ever seen from the Flower Factory.

It was a long day, but the most invigorating I have had in a while. It's almost here...sigh