I typically don't watch the news. It is disappointing and I feel completely overwhelmed with the state of the world: the poor economy, the wars & discord, the violence, the illness .... If you accept these messages - you become one without hope. That goes against my very being. We need hope & faith to get us out of bed in the morning. There is a huge difference in being informed about current events and the devastating sound bites that are used to tantalize.
I like selling my fibers on ETSY. It is a community of artists that make me want to push my creative limits. *THAT* is a good thing. What I truly love about it is the fact that I have hooked up with fellow artists who love animals as much as I!
Etsy for Animals is a shop where individual artists donate their pieces to assist animals in some way. Yes - I am repeating myself here as I have already posted about this wonderful group of global animal lovers ... but when I *see* what is out there (when I briefly ran to the [gulp] mall this week ... ) for Holiday Gift Giving ... I say "Ewwwwww"!
Instead ... Support the Holiday Trifecta!! Choose your gifts wisely: A gift that will not only please the recipient, but also the artist who created it, as well as a selected charity ... Yep - Holiday Trifecta!!
Remember: Imaginations create ... those that don't - copy.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
knit - knit- knit- SPIN!
The weather here is slowly turning into Winter. I have seen a few snow flakes ... felt some gusty wind chills and had hot tea in front of the wood stove.
I am lucky ... I have a warm hearth and wool sweaters. Hot tea and an LL Bean snow jacket ... I was saddened to read that some children on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation spend their winters running around in sweatshirts. Did I mention that they have already seen 6 degrees ... fahrenheit??
Once again, I ask you to join Macuwita sni - it is Lakota term for "I am not cold". It is my hope that you may find time to knit a hat or a sweater for a child in need. I know times are both busy & strained ... The Holiday season is here ... and $$ seems to stretch less far. Reality hit me today when I found out a fellow artist/small business owner has begun to rely on food stamps. Another told me that we all need to use our Given Gifts - no matter what they are - for the betterment of humanity. I knit - therefore I am.
Tonight - in front of the wood stove, I will be working on the never ending guernsey.
The back is done - and I am finishing the front soon. I can't wait to start something else for the kids. Sometimes the best gifts don't need wrapping.
On that note - I have been a wee bit creative. Summer is fast approaching on the other side of the planet!! Maybe I can interest you in a
"Frozen Sherbert Cocktail"?
(Suffice to say ... even those of us with snow flakes swirling around our ears can take comfort in wool which is glowing with warmth!) Please support independant artists everywhere!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!
I am lucky ... I have a warm hearth and wool sweaters. Hot tea and an LL Bean snow jacket ... I was saddened to read that some children on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation spend their winters running around in sweatshirts. Did I mention that they have already seen 6 degrees ... fahrenheit??
Once again, I ask you to join Macuwita sni - it is Lakota term for "I am not cold". It is my hope that you may find time to knit a hat or a sweater for a child in need. I know times are both busy & strained ... The Holiday season is here ... and $$ seems to stretch less far. Reality hit me today when I found out a fellow artist/small business owner has begun to rely on food stamps. Another told me that we all need to use our Given Gifts - no matter what they are - for the betterment of humanity. I knit - therefore I am.
Tonight - in front of the wood stove, I will be working on the never ending guernsey.
The back is done - and I am finishing the front soon. I can't wait to start something else for the kids. Sometimes the best gifts don't need wrapping.
On that note - I have been a wee bit creative. Summer is fast approaching on the other side of the planet!! Maybe I can interest you in a
"Frozen Sherbert Cocktail"?
(Suffice to say ... even those of us with snow flakes swirling around our ears can take comfort in wool which is glowing with warmth!) Please support independant artists everywhere!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Small Buisness Slave
I would like to admit that I don't classify myself as a 'small business owner'. A better description would be a 'small business slave'.
The Knotty Sheep keeps me on my toes & my house full of wool. Life is good.
Being on Etsy is a learning experience. I found security & familiarity eBay. While I still have a presence there, I am forsaking the comfort of it's cyber arms for the wonders of a new, exciting & unknown venue. Exhilarating yet tinged with fear.
I held a Cyber-Monday Sale - (starting on late Sunday for Knotty Sheep fans ... please
join - it is always to cool to get advance notice & first dibs on stuff!) It was exciting but, it wasn't overwhelming .... This was the floor of my studio this morning:
I am SO grateful for the items purchased.... thank you for your interest in my products!!
So - in celebration of being a SBS (that is small business slave) - I created a new product line .... "Yarnish Garnish Yarn" (tm). Yep - trademark protected ....
"A Glacier in My Drink" is dancing with whimsical originality!!
I close now as my dye pots are simmering, the wheel awaits & the dog needs to go out.
Do check out ETSY for your Holiday as well as future shopping excursions .... the artists are exceptionally talented and if you purchase from us - know that you are supporting our deepest dreams & making us glow. Doesn't *THAT* just make your heart flutter a wee bit??
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!
The Knotty Sheep keeps me on my toes & my house full of wool. Life is good.
Being on Etsy is a learning experience. I found security & familiarity eBay. While I still have a presence there, I am forsaking the comfort of it's cyber arms for the wonders of a new, exciting & unknown venue. Exhilarating yet tinged with fear.
I held a Cyber-Monday Sale - (starting on late Sunday for Knotty Sheep fans ... please
join - it is always to cool to get advance notice & first dibs on stuff!) It was exciting but, it wasn't overwhelming .... This was the floor of my studio this morning:
I am SO grateful for the items purchased.... thank you for your interest in my products!!
So - in celebration of being a SBS (that is small business slave) - I created a new product line .... "Yarnish Garnish Yarn" (tm). Yep - trademark protected ....
"A Glacier in My Drink" is dancing with whimsical originality!!
I close now as my dye pots are simmering, the wheel awaits & the dog needs to go out.
Do check out ETSY for your Holiday as well as future shopping excursions .... the artists are exceptionally talented and if you purchase from us - know that you are supporting our deepest dreams & making us glow. Doesn't *THAT* just make your heart flutter a wee bit??
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!
Monday, November 26, 2007
CYBER MONDAY 25% Off Sale!
I will make this post short & sweet .... it is CYBER MONDAY!
Shop The Knotty Sheep / ETSY and save 25%! Yes .... it is TRUE ... the infamous Kitchen Sink Battz as well as my delectable handspun all at a savings to you.
Buy one - Buy all ... just please wait for a revised invoice from moi prior to sending payment. :) (This will arrive later in the day, after I return from 'the day job'!)
Sale ends tonight, Monday 11/26/07 at 11:59 pm - ETSY time, which is US East Coast.
Be Knotty! WhEEEEEEEEE!
Shop The Knotty Sheep / ETSY and save 25%! Yes .... it is TRUE ... the infamous Kitchen Sink Battz as well as my delectable handspun all at a savings to you.
Buy one - Buy all ... just please wait for a revised invoice from moi prior to sending payment. :) (This will arrive later in the day, after I return from 'the day job'!)
Sale ends tonight, Monday 11/26/07 at 11:59 pm - ETSY time, which is US East Coast.
Be Knotty! WhEEEEEEEEE!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
I Love ETSY!
I Love ETSY!
I love that it is providing a worldwide connection between artists & customers. In this day and age of junk & recalls - it is wonderful to have a 24/7 venue where high quality, individually made art pieces can be shared on a global scale.
Sure, The Knotty Sheep is there ... and 95% of my Christmas shopping will be ESTYed! But, there is something more to this whole scene - it is the fact that other artists care - not only about each other & their products, but also, the world at large.
Phyllis has highlighted ETSIANS who donate a portion (if not all) of their sales to charity! How very cool that someone has taken the time to do such a neat thing!! I am humbled as she has selected to include moi!
EFA: Etsy for Animals, is a group of artists who donate items to the EFA shop. 100% of the monies collected from purchases made will benefit a different animal organization monthly. I am honored to be part of such an esteemed group.
In this season of Thanksgiving & Merriment ... choose your gifts wisely. I think a gift that will not only please the recipient, but also the artist who created it, as well as a selected charity is truly a Holiday Trifecta!
Shop ETSY
I love that it is providing a worldwide connection between artists & customers. In this day and age of junk & recalls - it is wonderful to have a 24/7 venue where high quality, individually made art pieces can be shared on a global scale.
Sure, The Knotty Sheep is there ... and 95% of my Christmas shopping will be ESTYed! But, there is something more to this whole scene - it is the fact that other artists care - not only about each other & their products, but also, the world at large.
Phyllis has highlighted ETSIANS who donate a portion (if not all) of their sales to charity! How very cool that someone has taken the time to do such a neat thing!! I am humbled as she has selected to include moi!
EFA: Etsy for Animals, is a group of artists who donate items to the EFA shop. 100% of the monies collected from purchases made will benefit a different animal organization monthly. I am honored to be part of such an esteemed group.
In this season of Thanksgiving & Merriment ... choose your gifts wisely. I think a gift that will not only please the recipient, but also the artist who created it, as well as a selected charity is truly a Holiday Trifecta!
Shop ETSY
Monday, November 19, 2007
Creating is FUN
Creating is FUN! I love to create my art on a daily basis. My current medium of choice is wool. I can't remember the last time a day went by when I didn't play with it. DyEing, carding, felting, knitting, spinning ... each has become a form of mediation - a prayer if you will. Wool has become central to my well being.
I am grateful for the friendships I have developed thorough The Knotty Sheep. My customers love my "Kitchen Sink Battz" (tm) ... and I enjoy creating them as I truly feel I have the best customers in the WHORLED!
"A Shot Glass of Egg Nog" is fun!
So is "Frosting on the Christmas Trees"!
But, then again, "Hard Candies in the Snow" *is* total whimsy!
Thanksgiving is almost here .... and today, I am so darn grateful for my customers! In fact, I will be VERY grateful for the next 3 days!
Curious?? I hope so, because I would like you to be a customer too! Please join my little group for notification of new product and SALES! I do not spam you ... but, I do let you know when delicious new batts & skeins abound or when there is, shall we say a 20% off sale going on ..... Sign up HERE - The Knotty Sheep truly does provide art to a spinning WHORL! (tm)
I am grateful for the friendships I have developed thorough The Knotty Sheep. My customers love my "Kitchen Sink Battz" (tm) ... and I enjoy creating them as I truly feel I have the best customers in the WHORLED!
"A Shot Glass of Egg Nog" is fun!
So is "Frosting on the Christmas Trees"!
But, then again, "Hard Candies in the Snow" *is* total whimsy!
Thanksgiving is almost here .... and today, I am so darn grateful for my customers! In fact, I will be VERY grateful for the next 3 days!
Curious?? I hope so, because I would like you to be a customer too! Please join my little group for notification of new product and SALES! I do not spam you ... but, I do let you know when delicious new batts & skeins abound or when there is, shall we say a 20% off sale going on ..... Sign up HERE - The Knotty Sheep truly does provide art to a spinning WHORL! (tm)
Friday, November 16, 2007
I am GREEN!
I am GREEN! Not due to envy or sickness ... I have just been so interested in the color green this week.
It *might* be due to the upcoming holidays ... you know, the red & green thing - but I am no so sure. I have always 'dyed' wool in color bursts - very rarely going from one end of the color spectrum to the other. C'est la vie ... I am green.
Frosting on the Christmas Tree is green ...
So is 'I Have Kissed Frogs' ....
One really cool thing about color is the degree of 'color' is limitless. Call hue - call it value ... call it neat!
Either way ... today just call me GREEN!
Remember: Imaginations create ... those that don't - copy.
It *might* be due to the upcoming holidays ... you know, the red & green thing - but I am no so sure. I have always 'dyed' wool in color bursts - very rarely going from one end of the color spectrum to the other. C'est la vie ... I am green.
Frosting on the Christmas Tree is green ...
So is 'I Have Kissed Frogs' ....
One really cool thing about color is the degree of 'color' is limitless. Call hue - call it value ... call it neat!
Either way ... today just call me GREEN!
Remember: Imaginations create ... those that don't - copy.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Hug a VET today!
Today is Veteran's Day. If you see a veteran offer him/her your thanks as well as love. Say a prayer of gratitude and offer it those who sacrificed it all in the name of freedom. I thank you all ..... and Dad (who received a Bronze Star) - you are my hero!
Veteran's Day also means that November is here - AND that we are creeping towards the middle of the month. YiKes! Time is vanishing, Christmas is fast approaching & I must get cracking on so many different things!
Macuwita sni is off & running. As I type, it is 36 degrees F in Eagle Butte. YiKes again, baby that is cold. Let's send those kids some WOOLIES!
Kathleen's top down sweater is looking FAB and I completed the back of my Guernsey yesterday .... YiPpEE!
My new Kitchen Sink Battz (tm) were completed last week as well! Colder temperatures are perfect for spinning up some Chocolate Penguins!
More will be coming this week ... the dye pot is already full and skeins are a soaking .... yep - Life is GOOD!
Please.... Hug a VETERAN today!
Veteran's Day also means that November is here - AND that we are creeping towards the middle of the month. YiKes! Time is vanishing, Christmas is fast approaching & I must get cracking on so many different things!
Macuwita sni is off & running. As I type, it is 36 degrees F in Eagle Butte. YiKes again, baby that is cold. Let's send those kids some WOOLIES!
Kathleen's top down sweater is looking FAB and I completed the back of my Guernsey yesterday .... YiPpEE!
My new Kitchen Sink Battz (tm) were completed last week as well! Colder temperatures are perfect for spinning up some Chocolate Penguins!
More will be coming this week ... the dye pot is already full and skeins are a soaking .... yep - Life is GOOD!
Please.... Hug a VETERAN today!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Macuwita sni begins - the Gold Brocade ends
Macuwita sni has begun & morphs into something a little different everyday!
Excitement is felt - knowing that those who need good, warm woolies will be receiving them. Frustration is felt too ... knowing that more knitters/crocheters are always needed. The more sweaters, hats, mittens & vests received for the children of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation .... the better. Collecting the woolies is ongoing - it is totally 'at your own pace'. Please consider adding a "Macuwita sni" project to your knitting bag OR consider donating a completed woolie knit in honor of a friend or loved one this Winter Holiday season ... totally a JOY! JOY! situation.
I started a sweater yesterday out of Peace Fleece. I am really glad that I don't fit into a child sized 12 - I want to keep it! :) 3" into it - and I already love the little details that show as well as the "Glasnost Gold" color.
One item I can keep is the Gold Brocade Christmas Stocking I finished! (Well, it does still need the hanging 'loop' and it does still need to dry a wee bit.) But - off the blocking board it came for photographic purposes .....
I LOVE it! Hmmm ... I am truly loving the 'golden tones' this year!
AND ... one tiny shameless plug - Black Belt Babe is now ON SALE! Ah .... Life is good!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!
Excitement is felt - knowing that those who need good, warm woolies will be receiving them. Frustration is felt too ... knowing that more knitters/crocheters are always needed. The more sweaters, hats, mittens & vests received for the children of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation .... the better. Collecting the woolies is ongoing - it is totally 'at your own pace'. Please consider adding a "Macuwita sni" project to your knitting bag OR consider donating a completed woolie knit in honor of a friend or loved one this Winter Holiday season ... totally a JOY! JOY! situation.
I started a sweater yesterday out of Peace Fleece. I am really glad that I don't fit into a child sized 12 - I want to keep it! :) 3" into it - and I already love the little details that show as well as the "Glasnost Gold" color.
One item I can keep is the Gold Brocade Christmas Stocking I finished! (Well, it does still need the hanging 'loop' and it does still need to dry a wee bit.) But - off the blocking board it came for photographic purposes .....
I LOVE it! Hmmm ... I am truly loving the 'golden tones' this year!
AND ... one tiny shameless plug - Black Belt Babe is now ON SALE! Ah .... Life is good!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Be charitable ....
"Be charitable" .... I grew up hearing this phrase & bought into it's meaning hook, line & sinker!
Of course, the added phrase "Charity begins at home" also followed shortly there after. I always had trouble with its meaning as I figured it kind of canceled out the process of 'being charitable'.
I am not here to argue semantics or partake in a philosophical discussion ... to me, tapping the shoulder of the Good Karma Fairy is easy and reachable!
Last year, The Knotty Sheep collected $180 (from sales) to donate to Greyhound Friends! I am pleased ... but I need to work harder so I can donate more next year to PitteLove Rescue ... get those wallets out in the open ladies & gents ... The Knotty Sheep is open 24/7!
But wait - that isn't all! There is a new charity that needs our woolen hand knits!
Macuwita sni translates to "I am not cold!" For the thousands of children on the Cheyenne Sioux River reservation in South Dakota ... we knitters & crocheters would love to hear "Macuwita sni" from your lips!
Who is joining me?? Let's knit the world into a warmer place!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!
Of course, the added phrase "Charity begins at home" also followed shortly there after. I always had trouble with its meaning as I figured it kind of canceled out the process of 'being charitable'.
I am not here to argue semantics or partake in a philosophical discussion ... to me, tapping the shoulder of the Good Karma Fairy is easy and reachable!
Last year, The Knotty Sheep collected $180 (from sales) to donate to Greyhound Friends! I am pleased ... but I need to work harder so I can donate more next year to PitteLove Rescue ... get those wallets out in the open ladies & gents ... The Knotty Sheep is open 24/7!
But wait - that isn't all! There is a new charity that needs our woolen hand knits!
Macuwita sni translates to "I am not cold!" For the thousands of children on the Cheyenne Sioux River reservation in South Dakota ... we knitters & crocheters would love to hear "Macuwita sni" from your lips!
Who is joining me?? Let's knit the world into a warmer place!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!
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