Yarnbombed miniatures

Like many emptynesters we have lots of boxes of "stuff" in the garage that belong to our adult offspring, and were recently going through them with permission to dispose of the contents. I can't bear to throw anything away, so I was really pleased when I came up with a way to upcycle a collection of damaged wooden 

animals!

 

They were a sad little bunch. The crane had a snapped beak, the giraffe had something strange happening with his head, the elephant was chipped and the zebra (is it a zebra?) was a funny shape. I gave them a good scrub and sanded where necessary, then raided the yarn stash.

Time to work my magic!

I started with the crane because he was one of the bigger creatures and I thought his shape looked simplest. 

I'll pause now while you shake your head and mutter "Nifty, nifty" at my foolishness :-)

My first discovery was that wood doesn't bend! Usually when I'm creating I can twist and bend whatever I'm sewing up to "get at" the odd corners....not when I'm yarnbombing wood! 

Once his legs were suitably adorned I knitted the grass and added his toes.

The body shape was NOT simple. Oh no it wasn't! However, his chest took shape eventually, and the wings  (in comparison) were plain sailing - or should that be plain flying? I used a trick I was taught by a friend on twitter (thank you @Thefeminet ) I knitted both wings at the same time on the same pair of needles with two balls of yarn. That way I avoided my usual problem with the second one (what did I do last time??)

Here's the family! I've left the soles of their feet bare so that they can stand up really well - for the zebra, I've even left his little hooves bare. Aren't they cute? They'll be coming to one of my online shops just as soon as I can bear to part with them! Who is your favourite? Don't tell the others, but mine is the giraffe, I love his long flowing ears!

This is ...

ETC, ink

Fractal 2

Favourite colour?

Right now I am loving the rich purples and teals as well as the brighter aquas and you can always soothe everything with a soft antique white.

Exposed Steel Taper Candlestick Holders

Favourite smell?

The smell of the ocean. Whether it is a hot humid day with the air standing still or cool winter days that make you want to bundle, nothing beats ocean air.

Nifty: me too!

Favourite place?

Well it would be redundant to say "See above" but... The ocean. More specifically the ocean in winter, deserted beaches, only your foot prints in the sand and then going home to cuddle on the couch with a blanket and a book and the ocean out the window.

Industrial Coat Hook Rack

Favourite sound?

Thunderstorms. They are of course the most magnificent at the beach, but I can enjoy a good thunderstorm anywhere.

Favourite way to spend your time?

I call them lazy days. You spend all day in your pajamas, eat whatever you want whenever you feel like and if you want to do something productive, you do it.

Favourite item in your shop of all time? My ducks.



I did this piece in college and still have it hanging in my computer room. Just looking at it makes me feel happy.

Favourite shop that isn’t yours?

There are really too many amazing shops to choose from. However when I am hungry I longingly look at Nicole's Homemade Treats. Nifty: don't we all?



What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learnt so far that you’d like to pass on to our readers?

If creating stuff makes you happy then do it. It doesn't matter if you get 1 sale or 100, selling really should come second to creating. There is a perfect balance, but if you get too business minded then you lose sight of why you first started selling. Do what makes you the happiest.

Thanks Erica - what a lovely thought to end with.

ETC, ink on Etsy
Facebook: http://facebook.com/etcink
Website/blog: http://etcink.com

This is ...Mary

of hoganfe handbags

Niftyknits: You know, sometimes I think as Etsy sellers we're all the same. We make stuff, we sell stuff, we package it up and go to the post office. But Mary showed me the view she sees on her way to her Post Office in ALASKA! Certainly not the same as me!



Favorite color?

I absolutely love all color - currently my fav is smokey teal tho.



Favorite smell?

Smelling coffee first thing in the morning, puppy breath, babies right after a bath, the ocean breeze, cinnamon buns right out of the oven, ok I better stop there lol!

Favorite place?

At the beach, in a mall shopping with my daughter,at a spa getting the works!



Favorite sound?

my children laughing, the quiet 'sound' of everyone asleep at night, jazz & classical music

Favorite way to spend your time?

Reading historical mysteries, catching up w/internet friends,volunteering oh & designing a new bag of course!

Favorite item in your shop of all time?

Gosh that is a hard one. Usually my current fav is my newest listing. But my all time fav would be the patchwork recycled denim drawstring bag.



Why?

It was my fav because I designed it for myself & it looked great with my jeans & it was recycled.

Favorite shop that isn’t yours?

Actually I have many favs but I would have to say Waterrose is at the top.


Waterrose's Starry Night Cuff

Why?

Rose's designs and skill is just outstanding!

What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learned (about online selling) so far that you’d like to pass on to our readers?

Promote - Promote - Promote !

Niftyknits: I have to agree with that! Mary of Hoganfe has been selling online since 2004 and loves custom orders! Right now she is offering Free Worldwide Shipping & a layaway plan on ready to ship items.



New in 2010: Removable Camera strap slipcovers with two pockets & gadget bags in several sizes!

hoganfe handbags

hoganfe blog (where you can see amazing wildlife pics from Mary's Alaskan backyard!): http://hoganfe.wordpress.com/

Follow me on twitter for updates on my newest arrivals : http://twitter.com/hoganfe

hoganfe Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoganfe/

Let's meet ...ecokaren!

EcoKaren and I decided to synchronise our blogs - so her interview is here, and if you go to her blog you can read all about me too!



Cats or dogs?

Definitely dogs. My kids are allergic to cats. I have a four year old Maltese who doesn’t shed (I lose hair more than she does), she doesn’t smell, and hypoallergenic because she has hair, not fur. But still, she’s not allowed in my studio.

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Wars – gotta love that Yoda.

Fruit or chocolate?

Chocolate covered fruit – best of both worlds.

Favourite colour?

Purple

Favourite meal?

Soups in winter and grilled anything in summer

City break or weekend in the country?

I’m lucky to be 45 minutes away from NYC where I can get my hustle and bustle city life fix when I need it. But I love my country living. Love going to the farms for fresh produce, eggs, grass fed meats, jellies, and fruits. .



Soaps or documentaries?

No time for TV but I love “House” (Hugh Laurie, actually) so I bought all the seasons on iTune and watch when I’m knitting.

Bath or shower?

Shower with my organic washcloths



Dress or jeans?

Jeans with pearls

Your favorite material?

Anything that we thought of throwing out because we had no use for them.

What do you want to reveal about yourself?

I am not really an environmentalist or a tree hugger in the conventional sense of the word. I’ve always lived a recycled life, if you will. It’s in my nature NOT to throw things out - call me cheap or call me a packrat. I find it amusing to turn old things into new functional things. It’s quirky but I think it’s fun and unique. So, this whole environmental movement is not new to me; just the term is.



What brought you to Etsy?

I have two active teenagers. I used to sit and wait for their activities to finish so that I can schlep them to their next activity. Then, I started to knit reusable cleaning cloths, washcloths, and scarves for friends and family to be more productive while I waited. Then, one of my friends suggested that I sell them. I researched a little and found Etsy, where handmade goods are appreciated and respected. The rest is history.

Tell us about your shop.

I used to have one shop called “ecogeneration” but I just added my second shop “ecokaren” where I sell my eco creations and supplies and vintage in “ecogeneration” When I thought about selling reusable cleaning cloths and washcloths, I wasn’t really thinking “eco-friendly” as a marketing strategy since the whole eco-friendly movement, in my mind, was something that “other people” was involved with. I didn’t realize that my items were considered eco-friendly. I was involved with the “eco-movement” at home without realizing it. I just use up whatever I have and if I buy new materials, I buy sustainable materials like organic cotton yarn or bamboo yarn. But because I make items with materials I already have, most of my items are one of a kind original designs. I sell supplies and destash items on ecogeneration to “share” with other crafters – not really to make money.



What’s the favourite item you’ve made so far?

The felted wool handbag. I was really skeptical about felting since I had to wash my sweater in hot water several times and dry in hot heat for a long time. Energy wise, it didn’t seem so eco-friendly to me. But once I did it, the possibilities of products I can make were endless. I made the bag, several coffee cup sleeves, wrist cuffs, a pincushion stuffed with small pieces, and I still have some pieces leftover…all from one small wool sweater. I can see why people are so addicted to felting.




What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learnt (about Etsy) so far?

I’m still learning and searching for that magic formula to make it successful. I bought one of those “Etsy Seller’s Success” kits and read every page. There were some new things I learned but I think the bottom line is… it takes time and a lot of blood, sweat and tears…like everything else. There’s no free lunch and you have to put in your dues. The trick is to have fun while you do it and I am having a blast.

How do you see your store developing?

I opened my store in October, 2008…just as the economy was taking a nose dive. So it hasn’t been easy but in all fairness, I only work on my shop when I have time so I am grateful for the sales I have. My short-term goal is to improve my skills to make better products so that I can streamline the shop to just a few lines. My long-term goal is to make it a full-time home business. I’m getting there, slowly but surely.



How do you market your business?

I don’t sell outside Etsy, although, I am exploring doing some wholesale deals with local stores. So most of my marketing takes place online. I just moved – well, in cyberspace – from blogspot to Word Press for my blog. I have my own domain now, www.ecokaren.com so it’s really awesome.

I have a huge “House Warming Party” with Eco Spa Package Giveaway going on right now. You can find the rules when you go to http://www.ecokaren.com/2009/08/house-warming-party/

I blog regularly and really test my writing skills – or lack thereof. But it’s fun and I love it - no matter how time consuming it is or awkward my writing is. I love getting comments. I will be doing product reviews, blog reviews, featuring other etsy sellers, writing eco tip and tutorials. I also have sponsor spots on my pages now. I joined Facebook and Twitter for social networking. I’ve been having such a blast being on Facebook and Twitter. I love reading people’s blogs (such as this one), leaving comments, reading comments, etc. When you work from home, there’s no water cooler to go to or a coffee break to take to chat with colleagues. So, these outlets have been great for connecting with people. I’ve gotten sales from being on these platforms and it’s been great for my “water cooler” fix too.

Anything else you want to mention?

I want to thank you for having me here. UK seems so far and yet I feel as if I’m just hanging out in this pub, gossiping. Thanks for the opportunity to tell your readers about me. Stop by and say hello. I’ll watch out for you folks on my blog and in my shop. Just mention niftyknits and you’ll get a 20% off on your purchase for the month of August, in addition to FREE SHIPPING. Don’t pay the invoice when you check out; wait for the revised invoice. Thanks!


Shops: http://ecokaren.etsy.com and http://ecogeneration.etsy.com
Blog: http://ecokaren.com
Twitter: ecokarenlee
Facebook: http://companies.to/ecokaren