Almost Winter!

 I looked at the calendar this morning and realized we're 2 short weeks away from Winter!  This year has just flown by for me... so many projects, cranking out the dyes and bowls, selling my socks off!  And we still have a few weeks left of 2023... looking forward to maybe having a little "down time" to rest and recouperate!

Two things of note:  After almost 3 years, my friend Cinde and I have decided to pull out of Sedona Artist Market.  Cinde has done very well there this past year, me not so much.  But having to schedule one day each month to head down, restock and tidy our booths, has become a little more than we want to commit to.  We are leaving on good terms, and may at some time decide to return, but for now, it's a relief to know we don't have to make the trip down unless it's for a hike on our favorite trail, or because we just feel like it!

The other thing that has happened this year is that I've added a few new items to my inventory!  Late last year I started offering zip up hoodies, but didn't really know the best way to dye them, but this year I've become a little more adept at tying the "Geode" pattern, which for me is a diagonal stripe rather than the more irregular circular version many dyers create.  

And I just added Rayon/spandex open front cardigans to my inventory, as shown in the above photo on the right.  They dye up beautifully!  And the one in the photo got snatched up by one of my fellow artists the day I put it on display!  Got another one I'm getting ready to dye for Cinde as soon as I take delivery of one of the dye colors needed.  And of course, there are the aprons - what can I say?

I wasn't sure how these would dye, let alone if anyone would buy them, but they've turned out to be one of my best sellers for the year!

Oh, and one more item I added that I think I posted about last month:  my "Peeper Keepers".  Not great sales yet, but I get the feeling they will grow on people in time!

So with just a few weeks left of the year, (Holiday shopping time!  I'm going to be jamming

at Arts Connection!) I want to wish you all a very Happy Holiday and hope the coming year

will be your best yet! 

What's new?

 Since my last post, I've been having lots of fun with a few things - more glued pots

A vessel made from a panel I stitched a few years ago, along with some sticks I wrapped with yarn and ribbon:

I've also been busy dyeing some zip up hoodies I decided to try - so far, I've sold at least 6 and made the decision to keep these in my inventory year round.  They're lightweight and great for layering!

Other than that, there are "fun" things like getting my business reports done for tax time; doing my best to get enthused about doing some housework (sigh), and for the next few days, I'll be busy shoveling snow!  My best guess is we've had at least 5 inches so far, and the storm is forecast to last into Tuesday, so I'll be getting some great exercise, and might even bring some of that snow in to do some snow dyeing!

I hope you all had a lovely holiday season - ours was quiet, but for me that's better than being stress-filled trying to do everything and deal with all the hard work that goes into family celebrations and get togethers.

Wishing you all a Happy 2023!

Another new product...

It occurs to me that I haven't done much posting about what I've been working on, other than my notecards. I'm still dyeing, but haven't had a lot of time to blog about it, as I'm trying to beef up my inventory for my last big show of the year, coming up NEXT WEEK!!! Yikes!

Anyway, one item I am testing this year is a thermal hoodie, something I have considered for awhile. I only have 3 in stock for now, but I can always take orders, right?

Here is what I have so far:

These run roomy, which is nice so that you can layer with a turtleneck or shirt underneath. But in cold weather, more layers would be needed. So I think these are best for indoor or warmer days when outside. At any rate, they will be in my shop soon, so stay tuned!