Fiberific!

Wow. Let me just say that I am still dreaming about fiber after my weekend at the Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival.

This is the place to go if you love anything made with animal fibers. With three barns full of vendors and so much variety, there must be something here that grabs your interest. And with demonstrations going on all day, if you weren't interested before you came, you will be on your way out.

The techniques are just amazing! Spinning, hand dyeing, wet felting, weaving, rug hooking, knitting and needle felting are just a few techniques that grabbed me. Surrounded by every color under the sun and fabulous different textures, I was in heaven. And I must give kudos to the fun and very helpful staff that organized this event. I could just hug everyone of them!

I was able to chat quite awhile with some spinners and watch them as they worked. I think I could get hooked very easily and I am looking for some classes to take locally. It just looks like such a soothing process that I must try it. Not that I need yet ANOTHER thing to do!

I am already planning for next year - Sept 25 & 26 , 2010. Mark your calendar if you are anywhere near Greenwich NY. This is something you won't want to miss!

Fiber Festival

This coming weekend will be my very first experience as a vendor at an all fiber festival and I couldn't be more excited! I am heading out tomorrow with my little SUV stuffed full of fiber goodness as my daughter heads out from Vermont to meet at the 1st Annual Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival at the Washington Count Fairgrounds in Greewich NY.

There will be demonstrations, workshops, entertainment, live animals, spinning, weaving, and all sorts of fiberific items.



I am sure that I will be overwhelmed by all the beautiful yarns and roving. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't spend more than I make!

If you are in the area please stop in and say hello. This is a teriffic family-friendly event. Admission $5.00 and 14 &under are free.

Wavy Fingerless Gloves

I just couldn't wait to show these fingerless gloves ~

They are just too cool! Oh wait.. they are just too cozy ♥



Available on etsy and artfire. Contact me to make a pair especially for you in the color you choose.

Sunday Morning

This week I have added 2 new scarflettes in a double braided cable pattern to my shops. I just love the way they turned out and I have sent the pattern to my tester this week so I will be offering the pattern for sale soon.

I think the details are just stunning.


Pink Wool:


Winter White Wool Blend:


Both are available on etsy or artfire


I am working on some really cool wavy cables fingerless gloves this week. I have one done and can't wait to finish the second one! Hoping I will get them up on etsy and artfire before the weeks end.

Oh, and for all you fiber lovers - I will be at the Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival in Greenwich NY September 26 & 27. There will be Demonstrations, Workshops, Entertainment and even Live Animals on display. Hope I will see you there!

Cream Cheese Festival

Look for me at the Lowville Cream Cheese Festival Saturday Sept 19 if you are in the area this weekend!

This is my second year as a vendor at this festival and it is tons of fun! And looking out the window this morning, it looks like the weather will be perfect.

New Knitting Pattern

I just received the ok from my tester that this pattern is perfect and it is now available to you!

This incredible cowl is so much fun to make and although it looks complicated, it really is rather easy. It is worked in the round on circular needles and I have included an easy to follow grid to help you keep track of the rounds for perfect results!

This cowl would look fantastic in any color. I think I will make my next one in stripes! Imagine the possiblities ♥

This pattern is available in both my etsy shop and my artfire studio for just $4.50. Come and look for other patterns in my shop as well.

Craft Fair Readiness

This is my second year going to craft fairs and festivals. It seems that I get invited to 2 or 3 more when ever I go to one and this is the busy season. I am going to a festival or show three weeks in a row in September, one in October, two in November and another in December. It is alot of work and can be very exhausting, but I have learned a few things that make going to them easier.

The first thing that helps tremendously is tagging your items with an inventory number and pricing as you make them all year long. (Also keep an inventory list with the appropriate numbers on excel and keep that updated all year long - this helps with year-end tax filing!) This way, all items are 'show ready' and you aren't spending the night before tagging your items. The second piece of this is that I store my items in the plastic bins that I use to travel to the show, so I just grab and go on the morning of the show.

The next important thing is to have a list of what you need to bring. I have put together a suitcase (with wheels) that is always ready to go. I use this bag to store them in all year, so I am always ready to go. This case includes:
Sales Slips
Calculator
Pens
Notebook
Credit Card Machine (and credit slips)
Handled Bags
Washing Instructions
Business Cards
Cash Box (I leave the change in there all year so I never need to worry about that!)
Tax ID documenation
Custom Order Forms
Measuring Tape
Updated Inventory List
Scissors
First Aid Kit
Tissues, Napkins
Signs
Tablecloths
Aprons

The Night Before:
Get plenty of small bills for the money box
Canopy, Tables, Chairs and Displays are lined up in the garage
My ever-ready bag and tubs of my work are stacked up in the pantry
Watch a movie and RELAX!

The Morning:
Shower
Pack a cooler with plenty of drinks and snacks
Pack the car
Drive to the show and unload

Daryl made me some really neat displays for my tables. I just love them!
This one is made with a piece of driftwood we found and is perfect for my felted bangles:


This one is perfect for my scarflettes:


And this cutie for Christmas Ornaments ~~



I hope this list will help others who are going to fairs and festivals. I was a nervous wreck for my first one and hope that if you are going to your first, this may help you a little!

Black River Fall Fest

Come visit me in person at the Black River Fall Fest Saturday Sept 12 in Watertown NY!

Hope to see you there!

Mini Felted Wool Pumpkins

I had such fun making these mini pumpkins!

They are just too cute and so much fun to decorate your office cubicle or your home ~~









































valeriesgallery.etsy.com

Full Moon

Wow ! I woke up this morning and the moon was still shinning brightly.






















Happy Friday!

End of Summer Sale ~ Artfire Studio

Summer is slipping through our fingers and the cool weather is sneaking in.

What better way to start autumn off right than a sale? I have plenty of soft warm woolies waiting for you in my Artfire Studio and everything is 15% off! Now through September 15, just use coupon code: ENDOFSUMMERSALE for an automatic discount of 15% at check out!

Everything in my studio is 15% off - including ~~

Felted Wool Children's Slippers


Wool/Linen Blend Braided Cable Scarflette:


Handknit Wool Handbag:


So, come browse around in my Artfire Studio and don't forget to use Coupon Code: ENDOFSUMMERSALE to receive your 15% discount!