Arggh the Squelching!

It rains and rains and rains.

I recently visited my parents, who live in the Hunter Valley. They live in a dust bowl, but even outside the village of Broke, it's been raining (a bit). While there I made two yarn girls (one of whom looks very cranky and shall be called Gretel), bothered the cat (Luna, who flicks her tail whenever you say her name) and caught a cold (and didn't manage to release it again).

I'm working on a radical mental health zine, reading "Mansfield Park" and huddling under blankets.

Galaxy Bookshop had their annual preview to their big sale and I bought some fantastic books, massively discounted. Now "Anansi Boys" and Charles de Lint's "Dingo" are on my "to read" pile. Galaxy is a fantastic bookshop - for science fiction, fantasy and horror. The staff are friendly and know what they're talking about. Check out the website to find out more - they have an online catalogue and are happy to order out of stock books.

While I was on York St I popped into Eckersley's for some blank notebooks. All to encourage me to start writing again. Feel free to pelt me with rotten fruit if I don't get back to work on the novel.

Sneak Peek

Here is a crocheted wire bracelet I'll be adding soon to my store. Sydney's weather has been awful for photo taking (rain, cloud, rain), so here's a peek and I'll be taking better ones shortly.

Crocheting with wire is different to crocheting with thread: it's harder on the hands, takes longer, and the wire doesn't stretch like wool when you pull the hook through the loop. But if you can crochet, you should have no problem working with wire. It gives jewellery a pleasant open weave and is surprisingly sturdy.

Goodies at Spotcat

Crocheted hats in luscious colours, using high quality wool.
Crocheted purses, some in acrylic yarn for vegans and some using wool.
Crocheted dolls.
Queer themed quirky creatures.
Art dolls.
Zines.

COMING SOON:
Crocheted brooches.
Jewellery using agate and jade.
More purses and zines.

You Know, Taking Photos in Natural Light Really Does Work

I've finally figured it out! The first natural light photos I took were too bright (grrr, Australian sun) and I've experimented with indoor photos with and without flash for my etsy items. However, the best light is in the afternoon, when the sun isn't directly overhead and it's reaching the end of its time - the light is diffused but clear in my back yard.

If you have a look at my photos on my etsy site you can probably tell which ones have been taken at this time and I haven't even have to adjust the saturation or colour levels - it's just amazing. This saves time: no fiddling around with brightness / contrast on the image program or trying to get the colours to look "right".

Of course, now I've discovered the fabulous natural light of afternoon, it's been raining. I have some very cool crocheted brooches to photograph and add to etsy. So if you're into that kind of thing, cross your fingers for a brief halt to the rain.

Yarn Girls

You know it's a bit of a worry when you make something and are reluctant to put it in your shop because you don't want to let it go. That's how I've been feeling about my yarn girls. One night I just started crocheting and voila, these girls have started taking over my life. I can't stop making them!

You can see one here:




I made another today with the cutest scarf and flippy skirt - I'll be uploading it to etsy within the next couple of days, so stay tuned.

These yarn girls are all made with simple variations of double crochet (or single crochet for USsies). Crochet is pretty easy to learn, even from a book or a great website like the The Crochet guild of America (see my links) - they even have detailed instructions for left handers. As a leftie politically and handily, I know how important and difficult to find those kinds of instructions are.

Anyhoo, I may feel a twinge of regret at sending these yarn girls out into the world, but I think knowing/hoping they will be going to good homes where they'll be loved and appreciated more than makes up for it.

Big yarny love!

Oh, when I find bargains...

Saturday was the day for going to Centro in Bankstown. For what reason? For Spotlight. Spotlight is the one stop craft and sewing supplies shop in Australia. They had delish yarn on sale for $1 and I got a bundle.

Go to www.spotlight.com.au to find your nearest spotlight store - they have specials on yarn and thread at the moment.

Grumpy Girl / Grumpy Times

Grumpy Girl is the latest addition to the spotcat shop. My favourite part of her design are her long and curved legs. They look great when crossed. I chose the colours to reflect the grumpy / moody theme and the mottled purple skin fabric looks great.



Since opening my shop on etsy I've been getting a lot of advice from well meaning people. My mum thinks I should make some more "normal" items. She might be right but I'm afraid my eccentricity is rather ingrained. I've also been told I should make some cheap items and use a sewing machine instead of hand stitching. My instinct says to not go more mainstream or give up my hand stitched ethos. It's difficult to know what advice to take and what advice to ignore. I think it's a matter of doing what feels right - if the advice resonates with you, it's probably worth thinking about.