Why I Craft

I recently listened to Crafty Podcast #117 about the business of crafting. Megan Auman of Crafting an MBA speaks about the Etsy community and how there are two types of sellers, professional and amateur. By her definition and my own recent experiences, I am definitely an amateur. Not in a bad way. I don't really have the desire to make the same product over and over again. I don't depend on crafting as my main source of income. I craft to explore my own creativity. I craft because I learn things about myself in the process of making things with my own two hands. Like, I am better at starting new projects than finishing current projects. I craft because it is my contact with the material world, versus the virtual world. I craft because unless I take them apart, the things I make will stay made. Unlike laundry, dishes, taxes, etc. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I hold a finished piece in my hands.

Why do you craft?

WIP - Plastic canvas pendant. Need the reading glasses to see these stitches.

Re-Fashion Recap

The Re-fashion Party at MADE Studios was a blast! My friends and I had a great time at the event sponsored by St. Louis Craft Mafia. We donated a bag of clothing and got to choose from other donations to make a cool refashioned item. There was such a mixture of clothing types and textures, it was hard to choose. The two hours flew by. Here are some photos from the evening:

Finished Crochet Projects - Part 2

I used a combination of two yarns to make this capelet. It is basically a rectangle with decreasing rows at the top to make it curve more at the shoulders.



I was on a hat-making kick in colder weather and loved this shell pattern.



This pidge has a removable, double-sided button closure.



I hate using those plastic produce bags and made some produce bags from scraps of yarn.

Completed Crochet Projects

While preparing for Green With Indie, I gathered up all my finished crochet projects. Here are a few photos of pieces made in the last few months. This cowl scarf doubles as a hat on blustery days:






I made several of these ruffled scarves, cloche hats and fingerless mitts:





This hat is my own pattern, brim can be worn turned up in front, down or rolled:



More photos in the days to come ...

Green With Indie Craft Fair

Thanks to all the organizers at the Green With Indie Craft Fair. Kudos to Shangri-La Diner for the tasty lunch and the most amazing chocolate cupcake with chocolate ganache frosting. Who knew vegan could taste so fabulous?

Shout out to Zenbot Baby for making this newbie feel more at ease! They make the cutest baby changing kits and other baby goods from upcycled materials.

Also thanks to J.D. Wolfe for stopping by with encouraging words from CraftGossip.com about my plastic bag crochet purse project:



Here are some photos of our booth and the plastic bag swim totes we made just for the show ...





Thanks to everyone who stopped by!!!