Disappearing Act

The last few weeks have been busy, but frightening.  I don't know a single crafter who doesn't get their aches and pains over the crunch season and I've spent more than a few days, icing, heating or elevating some part of my body that suffered absolute breakdown from getting ready for a show, but this.....

Well I thought I wasn't going to knit or spin again.  Unbearable pain making knitting almost impossible   This is the first time in my life I cried and knit at the same time.    Everyone knows how much I appreciate knitting and I would never take my craft for granted.  I am always grateful for the gift and the skill of hand work, but one thing I have abused all of this time was my body's ability to do this work non stop.

I would like to thank all of my well meaning friends who humored me every year as I joked about "sleeping being overrated" and /or "January is for sleeping"  Also thanks to the ones who did not and gave me the dire warnings that I did not heed---I did hear you though.

I haven't even begun to assess how this will impact my business model for next year.  It's hard to think about another season of shows while the radiating pain in my shoulder, neck and fingers is just starting to subside.  I have worked through most of my custom orders with just a few remaining,  The last orders to be mailed will go out today.

More than anything I think next year will be about collaboration.  There are a few in the works (still secret) but the not so secret partnering has been with Gabi.  She has pushed my work, provided me with the most amazing photographs and given me new eyes to see the work with.  So because of Gabi (and with a bit of work on my part) I leave you with this photograph.
  

So Many Gifts

On the heels of my first seriously out of town show in awhile, I have landed back on snowless land  intact.  Our instant gift upon arrival ---hugs and cuddles from our three fur children.  Thanks Kim for keeping them alive in our absence.  No small feat since two are elderly with a myriad of medical conditions.

Elated rather than tired, I headed to the studio immediately after a good night's sleep.  Jennifer surprised me by offering to go to the studio with one pit stop.  We visited with Sheryl.  OMG, I can't remember the last time I laughed this much.  Some of the humour, a bit twisted --granted, but so necessary.  I need to make this more of a regular thing and find a way to get Pearl into the mix.  Sheryl.....let me know when you are ready for another visit.

I had some hand spun alpaca resting in my bag and gave it over to Sheryl.  I know how much she loves natural fibres and all the colours were undyed.  I have access to the fibre in the studio and nothing would make me happier than spinning another pound of it.  Sheryl then gave Jennifer some Madeleine Tosh that she had been coveting....Yummy - fabulous.  Then back at the studio Jennifer hands me these.

Jenkins, hand make size 50 needles...Yes, 25mm.....I have been wanting these forever and have held off ordering them.  It's amazing how generous knitters are.  Things are coveted, loved, passed on, treasured and then passed on again to be loved some more.  I can't think of any more generous group of people.

One word regarding an inadvertent give ---- my brand new issue of Interweave that I left at JJ Beans ......boo...To the next knitter who picks it up, please knit something fun from it.  I thought Mariegold took it, but I left it by the fireplace.  Sorry Kim.  I'll pick up another copy for you.

Grey Cup

Doing a show in Edmonton during the Grey Cup----what was I thinking?  I was thinking a lot of women would be sports widows and need to shop.  I was wrong.  Everyone likes the game here.  No widows, but everyone did make the time to shop....Thanks you freezing cold city with the warm, wonderful people.

I love it here! I love being on the road.   A great night in Banff, followed by 5 days in Edmonton.  Heading out to Canmore today and can hardly wait to get on the road.  I seem to have gotten over my inabiility to knit in the car through sheer desperation and force of will.  (it worked).

I ran out of a few things but for the most part I was properly stocked.  The vibe was great and I got some feedback on a few new designs. 

 

My absolute favourite thing about Edmonton is the amount of Second Cup coffee shops.  Something I really missed about Ontario.  I also enjoyed the combination of cold and sunshine.  I also discovered I like eating Greek take out food in hotels.  Oh, and that I resent sleep.  I really could have stayed awake knitting on the bed, cross legged and hogging pillows all night long, but John needed some sleep.  Got to be kind to the driver.

Have a great cup of coffee today, whatever your blend and knit a bit.  It feels good.

Show Down

It's Monday morning.  I'm enjoying a fabulous instant espresso that my friend Kim brought me back from her recent trip to Germany.  Delish.  It's helping me keep my eyes open and the T3 I took for the sore back is kicking in as well.  Thankfully.

Show recap.  Five days of 12 hr days absolutely flew by.  Were it not for the continuous visits of friends, I don't know if that would have been the case.  Every year I talk about how lucky I am for the endless list of compadres that help us set up --tear down---suppport us....blah, blah, blah.   They know who they are and I hope that they know how indebted we are for their kindness.

Physically, I was more exerted than any show in the past.  Older?  That has to be it?  I hate to think that my ever widening butt is dragging us down, but balanced low cal meals hasn't been my priority for several months getting ready for the show.

I'll be grateful when the craft schedule is done and I can return to some semblance of a routine.  Believe it or not this girl needs some structure.

Booth at it's Best

This Circle Craft was the best one of the three I have done so far.  Finally, the last two years of assessing the demographic has paid off.  It's the first time I had the right amount of inventory in the sizes I needed to sell and in very few cases had to say "sorry sold out".  This seriously impairs my inventory for Edmonton, but I'm heading out to the studio to see what I can do to make this right.

Booth Coming Down

Remains of the Day

I know I'll have a chance to sleep in January and when I finally do get a full night's sleep, I'm sure I'll be dreaming of hand spun and new designs and I'm even considering taking a vacation this year.

To everyone who attended the show ----thank you for supporting local and handmade.

Circle Craft At Last

So it's finally here.  A year of prep (the last months a few more frantic, for sure)and all those late nights at the studio have brought me to this.

 Now for me this inventory has looked pretty much like this most of the year.

It is really decadent to sit back after assembling all of it to take the time to drink it all in.  For all the times I felt I was slacking, this display silences that inner snarky voice that said I wasn't working hard enough.

And we all know this didn't happen by just little old me.  Thanks again to everyone who make this jumbled mess of yarns and hats a booth that's a sweet little bit of eye candy if I say so myself.  (Bragging rights limited to 3 days a year)

Come by the show....G137....Nice and close to the bathroom, almost in it as a matter of fact.  On the positive side, I guess that means I'll see everyone at least once.

Name that Pain

So here is the symptom and then underneath the ridiculous cause.

Vomiting.
A dream about not having enough inventory.

Headache.
Assuming a burst blood vessel from the force of vomiting.

Lower Back Pain.

Sitting for 17 hours on the couch knitting.

Shoulder dislocation.

Trying to reposition a cat for a flea treatment.

Numbness in the fingers of my right hand (ongoing)

Stroke?

I think my hair hurt this morning, but I'm not sure how that could happen.

Thanks to the crew that is holding me together.  Believe me, without them it would be a lot worse.  Pearl, Nancy, John, Joan, Belinda, Mariegold, Jean, Toni and Kim...(currently on vacation but who will be jumping right back in when she gets home)

I am suspecting that an excess of coffee and tootsie rolls should keep me propped up until the end of the day.

A MILESTONE ----my webpage no longer says "spring is here".  I'm so proud of myself.

Time is Running Out

A List of Lists

I need lists for the following items:

• Things I need to Buy before the show
• Orders I have to finish before the show
• Things I need to mail before the show
• People I need to get in touch with before the show
• Inventory lists
• Packaging lists
• Things I need for furniture set up.

Some of these lists will have their own lists.  No matter how I plan my days things don't happen the way I want them to (I'm not complaining ---it's just life)  Yesterday was altered by a memorial service for a friend whose spouse had died.  My modified afternoon of production at Claire's place turned into a full blown evening of feasting..  I need to remind myself that the world is larger than my studio and my knitting nook and that both joy and sadness must pull me out of my yarnie endeavors.

I don't have my usual freakout three weeks before multiple shows.  John reminds me of what is missing in the inventory, so I knit it.  I feel a little spinning itch, so I scratch it.  I'm still creating with pleasure rather than just stock replacement.  There seems to be more balance.  And there are friends, always friends laughing with me, encouraging me, bitch slapping me(if necessary) and making me feel like like in my own small way, my love of textile adds a little something to the world.

In the midst of all of this I finally decided on the design for a new banner.  Inspired entirely by Gabi's photographs.  More and more lately I realize that the people around me are bursting with talent.  I guess I don't have to look far for my inspirations.

Give Me Shelter

I have no more outdoor shows this year!!!  I am at capacity for tarping tents and drying my inventory.  From now on it's fireplaces and comfortable couches.

Have been powering through a lot of the handspun as well, so must remember to get more finished before Circle Craft.  Booth #G137 for those who want to pop by and say hello (or fondle yarn)

Revisiting the Past

I have spent the last 4 days immersed in felt, hanging with felters, soon to be felters and otherwise unique and forward thinking people who want to learn, grow and take their skills to the next level.  (except for one woman who was definitely adverse to joy).

Sitting back and watching others create was really a trippy experience.  I was in and out of it as my needs morphed.  Explore an idea, get wet, make something resembling my intentions, but a bit off and then dig through my wool and work on my freeform scarf.  Thank God I had an instructor who understood my need for random acts of knitting.  It helps me stay focused (YES, it does)

Many moons ago I studied millinery at George Brown College in Toronto and quickly discarded is as a way to earn a living. Just a chance to make myself a few stylish hats and then move on.  Definitely not a way to earn a living or?

Now here I am, spent...still in my wet apron with my wrinkly hands admiring my new hats when I should be finishing sewing the worms on the apple hats for the UBC festival tomorrow.  Could I?  Dare I?  Nah.  I am still so in awe of the transformative nature of wool.  I enjoyed having yet another thing to appreciate about fibre and fibre arts. 

I know that I am already thinking about new elements to incorporate in my work.  And I can let it rest at that.  Yes, it was a very hectic and satisfying last 4 days.  There will be pics as soon as I can get caught up with everything.

I hope your week offered you new learning opportunities and challenges.  If it didn't ....seek some out.

Leaning into Chaos

In class all week
Teaching class this week
2nd Iphone in 6 weeks
No internet for 3 days
Miss my studio
Late nights
Orders piling up

Circle Craft 4 weeks and counting.

Gabi is a Genius!

Marlowe

Marlowe

I love knitting hats.  The more I shift to grown up stuff, the more photos like this turn up in my in box. *Sigh*  A copy of this picture also made it to the Pique(Whistler paper).  Jessica used this for her daughter's birth announcement picture.

I think I'll drop the scarf I've been working on and finish some baby hats today.

Blogger Bounty

While I have been ignoring my blog for yarnier pursuits, other people have made me feel like I still have a place in the sphere, like a door staying held open for me...Thanks so much to two great blogs that are witty and wonderful.

Sheryl....huge fan of Elizabeth Zimmerman, a woman with extraordinary taste in fibre, and a mompreneur with her own on line fibre shop and an amazing knitter.   She is involved with BC Children's Hospital's "The Period of Purple Crying Awareness" as well and is having a sale in her shop for 20% off her purple yarns.  She also has yummy vintage buttons in her shop, check them out.

Gabi is an awesome photographer in Whistler who is using my hats for some of her photographs.  I can't tell you how lucky I feel to have someone with her talent using my little designs for her work.  Her blog is full of photographs that are just breathtaking.

I had to take a step away from production for a bit to work on RIPE which was an awesome fundraiser for the Farmer's Market.  I am so grateful to know people that are so generous, so much food and wonderful craft was donated and I never felt like I was asking for too much or that people did not want to give.  Land artisans and craft artisans alike were so giving (reinforcing why I am a part of the market community)

I'm just getting back into my groove with only 1 days to The Drift and only 6 weeks until Circle Craft.  I can't believe that I'm funnelling down into the last few minutes.  Three days of being housebound with flu like grossness hasn't helped, but I'm brave enough to head to Claire's house for our Production Fridays.

Here are a few pics of the past week of markets....

All wet roads lead to Whistler

A study in blues

Coming and going

Neige has a new brother

Neige

The Dangers of Getting to Market

Sunday 6:00am......leave house. check, head downtown with relatively little traffic, cozy up to the Lion's Gate Bridge full of optimism for the day.   Road block.  Suicide has closed the bridge.  Plan B.....drive the long way round to Second Narrows Bridge.  Since we don't often take that route, it was a lovely hazy drive, a little quiet, how do you get on with your day knowing someone just ended theirs.

We were late setting up due to the side trip and putting things together was a bit more frantic than usual, but even with the rain outside, the loan of a tent top (thanks Joan) kept things relatively dry inside.  And the customers still came.  When it rains that hard and unrelenting, you either laugh or cry.  We laughed a lot.  And I got some knitting done.

On our ride home HWY 99 was turned into a parking lot for half an hour.  It took us a while once we got going to realize that there was a burned out Greyhound bus at the side of the road, lots of foam, several EMS vehicles, an ambulance and firetruck...No injuries.  What the frack?

When we got home we were too tired and wet to unload the car, but there was a great piece of fish I had picked up from the market on Saturday.  Halibut almandine, couscous and quinoa and some grilled mushrooms.  Hoping the rest of the seasons days are less eventful.

When it rains, it pours and other misadventures.

I am hearty craft stock, I can take the rain, I really can.  No wimp here.  I never cancel outdoor shows in the rain and I hate looking at empty spaces in a market on a rainy day from last minute cancellations.

Ladner was excrutiating this weekend with more rain inside my tent than outside.  (evidenced by people leaving their umbrellas open inside the tent)  ....and this....

The table cloth started taking up the excess water, which the hats and scarves then started to absorb.  Thanks to Jennifer, Kim and Angela for coming to my rescue.  Jennifer, I'll return the poncho and the towels as soon as they dry up!

Saturday was beautiful and sunny and I had the happiest customer I've ever had.  Someone as excited by the handspun and lovely felted cloches.as I am.

And a week of dyeing and knitting gave me such a bright and cheerful stack of baby hats.

 

 

I'll be in and out of touch while I'm working on some fundraising efforts for RIPE.    I can't say enough how I appreciate the local farmer's markets.  Buy a ticket or two if you can and if not and you can consider donating something for the silent auction, please email me at carmen@melonheadknitwear.com.  There will be a few MelonHead items available for you to bid on.

BC Children's Hospital

I received this email the other day and thought I would pass it along to anyone reading this blog.  I believe I have a few eggplant hats I can pass along for this, how about you?

Good Morning Carmen,

I was reading your blog last night and I can see that you are connected to the knitting community in Vancouver and I wanted to ask you to help spread the word about a knitting campaign I am working in with the Period of PURPLE Crying and BC Children’s Hospital. We are asking volunteers to knit purple newborn baby hats to be distributed at BC Children’s Hospital the week of November 15^th.  If you are interested in knitting caps, any newborn baby pattern in any shade of purple would be fantastic.

If you would like more information please email me at Melissa@limelitepr.com. We also have a facebook group and event that is dedicated to this campaign.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=113090808739162&index=1

Thank you,

Melissa

Melissa Pelto MA

Communications Consultant

778.558.8582

melissa@sixdegreescommunications.com

Friday with the two Clares

Production day is usually at Claire's on Friday, but since I have a Clare already in my studio and they hadn't met yet I really wanted them to get to meet.  My two best Clare's and a whole day craftastic day!  It was awesome.

French Claire(or card Claire) and British Clare (or knit Clare) were a perfect pair.  A photo shoot ensued and this is my favourite shot.

I spent most of the day at the studio and managed two new colourways.  I love when I get to dry the yarn in the sun.  I wish all my Fridays were like this one.

Tofino

 

Candy

The Best Studio Visit

....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.

Wool Mountain

Having two markets this weekend with last week's production was a bit overwhelming --thanks Kim for making it so easy and fun to be at the markets.  Whistler rocked.  It's been a while since I kicked back with a gal pal and enjoyed a weekend hotelling.

If you are in Whistler in the Upper Village and don't mind some noisy, boozy atmosphere, go to Merlins.   The tacos were $1 and I had a beer caesar.

The ride home today was sunny and gave us time for a pit stop. 

I can't stop knitting with this chunky merino.  At 125g and 125 yards this yarn is rewarding to knit for quick projects on 8mm needles.  The hat (in oh so many colours) are just flying off the needles.

Heart Felt

The face of the studio is forever evolving and changing.  Joan, gone for most of the summer to shows and to enjoy the short return of her daughter is now moving in new equipment.  The last of Sonia's fibre and her wheel left yesterday and I'm not sure what to do with the blank wall that is left in it's place.

Claire, the best and only student I've ever had is leaving next Thursday.....Hmm.  Toni sent me an amazing email today and it gave me fresh perspective on the coming weeks...

".....you never seem at a loss for amazing people coming into your life ... I wonder who else is waiting in the wings?... I am referring to those who will add inspiration, joy and laughter!"

I think Toni is right.  The product of so much inspiration is that my studio time has doubled.  It's just so great to be there, which means that an entirely new limited edition of the Fiddlehead Felts will be available this weekend just in time for Trout Lake and Whistler.

New, shorter version of the Cloche.

Available in 8 colour combinations

The new cozy couch corner.

One of the other great things about the studio.  Pearl is just down the street, so I'm heading over to Birkeland Wool now.  A little time knitting in the shop with Pearl is a great way to end a full day here.

Studio Groove

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.

Cutest, felted knitting squirrel

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?

Today I Work

Today I work like Circle Craft is tomorrow.  Today I work like it is my last possible chance to knit.  Today I work because I can and I love it and there is plenty of coffee on the way to the studio.

Today I work because I am surrounded by friends and great energy and the studio is breezy and cool.

Teaching and Learning

I learn more about myself each time I teach a class.  Tonight I saw something really wonderful in the class that I've never really noticed before.  Six wonderful woman all in sync learning and sharing.  It was an extraordinary experience for me.  A real rush.

All classes are different but the same.  They are fun and hectic, busy and stressful, rewarding and challenging.  This class had a vibe that was a giant creative wave that rolled over the whole group and carried it.  I wish I had a better way to describe it.  For me ---just memorable.

Studio Cool

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.

Mariegold, queen of exaggerated thrumming.

I had some crazy coiling to do and Sonia rocked the wheel with an amazing 3 ply.

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.

Canoe in Alley

Will be giving a lot of love to the studio this week before heading out of town again.

Knitting and Driving Do not Mix....

I mean knitting as a passenger in the car...oops, sorry didn't mean to alarm anyone.  After an exciting and busy day in Whistler I figured I had better get a head start on my inventory by knitting in the car.

Never again.  At least not on the road to/from Whistler.  I was not able to contain my spicy thai tuna sandwich or the lovely gooseberries from the market.  I have always had a hint of weird tummy on long car rides, but never enough to prohibit knitting.  This late life development completely sucks.

Tear down has finally found it's groove.  We can completely shut down the booth and have it in the car (mathematically packed) in about a half hour.

The last basket in the car is always what I might knit on the way home.  Apparently no longer an issue.  Two hours of down time in the car is something I will not do well with.  Any suggestions?

The Mo in my Jo

Yeehaa....The Undiscovered Country (by far the best of the Star Trek Franchise) is on the space channel this afternoon.  This will definitely get me through the afternoon....oh, and one more crack at the last 4 episodes of Season 7 of Buffy. 

I'm thinking of a Mad Men marathon next week?

Calling in Sick

So my best laid plans have failed.  My attempt to call in sick did not work.  My boss clearly saw me lounging in my pj's and drinking an americano around 8:00am.  No need to get all crazy as I sometimes don't get my groove on until after Dr. Who (9:00am).  But once 9:30 came and went and I was still petting the cats the boss of me knew something was up.

The guilt knitting began promptly at 9:45 am.  I just dropped the needles at 11:51.  Oh, and there were appropriate lunch and dinner breaks.  I'm still a bit peeved at my boss today, but she's not a monster.

How Do I Get a Day Off?

I was reading the Yarn Harlot's post the other day in which she was talking about her boss.  It got me thinking.  My boss (me) won't give me a day off.  Since I have been back from Filberg, I have already finished a scarf, felt hat, some kids hats and starting staying up until 2:00am (again).  This go, I have Buffy Season 7 to keep me up.  I thought today might be a good day to call in sick, but the studio waits and I know it's a god awful mess.

I am having faint visions of the way I tore through it when we were packing up the car to head out of town.  Sonia will be here at 11:00.  I swear I'm calling in sick tomorrow.

Things I Learned from Filberg

1. Less is more. I keep learning and keep editing.
2. Nature is the best backdrop for a booth.
3. I do much better with an open display than a Berlin Wall.
4. Get paid help.  Leaving your own booth is a luxury you deserve. Thanks Leah!
5. Hug repeat customers.
6. Let people say sweet things about your work.  Take compliments like currency.
7. Be a good neighbour and you will have good neighbours.
8. Always think sunshine.

This was my best year at Filberg for so many reasons.  Friends, neighbours, partner, sales.  This is not bragging.  This is gratitude.  I am lucky to have the people in my life that I have and I know that my success rests solely on their support.

Claire's booth was so mobbed that she had to hang up her empty paper mache teacup.  Her booth looked amazing.

Joan had a great booth display this year and her daughter was a very engaging part of the display.  

Brett was the best neighbour and having him so close by saved us from having to leave each other's booths for a visit. (entertaining and convenient).

We had a bit of extra time to reflect on the ferry (due to mechanical problems) and at the end of the day when your business trip seems like a partial vacation you know you've done really well.

Thanks for another great year Filberg!