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 ... Kat

from www.madewithlove.folksy.com



Favourite colour?

Duck egg – when I bought my house I had to be prevented from painting everything one colour. It’s gorgeous.

Favourite sound?

Any moment in a film when Tom Waits comes on the soundtrack and I wasn’t expecting it.

Confession time - Niftyknits had never heard of Mr Waits, and wants to send him some throat sweets ;-)





Favourite way to spend your time?

Messing about with my horse, Meg. She’s so funny, she makes the most pecualir noises, it’s like she’s desperately trying to talk to you.

Favourite item in your shop of all time?

Aargh – too difficult! I’m very fickle and it changes all the time, but I think at the moment it’s the Antoinette necklace



It was such a challenge – I had the brooch it’s made from for ages but couldn’t work out what to do with it, and then all of a sudden one evening inspiration hit. It came out even better than I iimagined.

Favourite shop that isn’t yours?

Bookity – www.bookity.folksy.com

Why?

The things she makes are so quirky and beautiful. I’m a real bookworm anyway (when I was little I would fall down the stairs because I had my nose in a book all the time) and I love her literary quote badges and her Shakespeare garlands.



book clock by bookity

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



Don’t think it’s going to come easily – you need people to be able to find your shop and that means getting your head around social networking, business cards and shameless self promotion. Being shy and retiring won’t get you anywhere!

Oh so very true! Here are Kat's all-important links:

Folksy shop: www.madewithlove.folksy.com

blog: http://www.madewithlovebykat.blogspot.com

Kat's website: http://www.madewithlovebykat.com

twitter: @made_with_love

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

Let's meet...ByTheWay!

Are you ready? GO!

Cats or dogs?
I'd have a hundred cats if my DH's motto wasn't 'moderation in all things'

Star Wars or Star Trek?
I'd Trek to the ends of the final frontier!


Fruit or chocolate?
Dove Dark, yummmm, which reminds me, I'll be right back!


I had to google this, I don't think it's a brand we know in the UK...unless it's just me?

Favourite colour?
I always say yellow, my quilt guild would say purple and turquoise, but like your children, how can you have a fave? I DO not like brown, though (except if it is a Dove Dark!).


Favourite meal?
Hmm, does chocolate count? Actually, I have passed on my chocolate obsession to my daughter and she made a chicken dish with chocolate and homemade ravioli pasta with chocolate.


City break or weekend in the country?
I'm a country girl, (not the music), so give me a horse to bury my nose in and a barn of newly baled hay! I love sunshine and flowers and growing things, so country it is!



Soaps or documentaries?
Soaps! I watched them until I found Etsy, then gave them up cold turkey after 25 years!


Bath or shower?
Shower - long, hot and steamy!


Now we’ve got you warmed up…

What brought you to Etsy? Tell us about your shop (or shops) Do you sell anywhere else?
I first heard about Etsy on Martha Stewart's show. Rob was on with one of the top sellers, I don't remember who it was. I lurked a LONG time before joining. The treasuries were a favorite place to hang out, but I also spent a lot of time in the forums and reading the Newbie Guide. This is my only venue right now, and that's fine with me. I schlepped stuff around a few times several years ago and don't care to do that again!


What’s the favourite item you’ve made so far?
Well, I have 3 shops. Only one is handmade, although I do have a few handmade in my wearable vintage shop.
In ByTheBy I have girl's jumpers/sundresses and I just love the ones with the cute little shoes on them. It's a Daisy Kingdom print. ByTheBy is temporarily closed until the CPSIA situation gets resolved, but here's the lovely little dress for you to admire:.


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16165863

In ByTheWay, my first shop, which is wearable, mostly vintage, I also have a few handmade and a few upcycled items. My fave in there is a cute little black velvet swing dress.


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13426871


In ByTheWayside, which is nonwearable vintage, I guess it would have to be the hammered aluminum ice bucket. We had one as I was growing up, and I think it was used primarily as a cookie tin!


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19141280
I think ByTheWayside is my favorite shop. I love finding goodies to list, but then again, I love finding stuff for ByTheWay, too! There's that favorite thing - I can't decide!


What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learnt (about Etsy) so far?
Write everything down (that's my life lesson, not just Etsy!). If you have a question, there are a ton of people who will help you in the forums. But please, check if your question has been asked before, or some of them will get upset.


If you could start again, is there anything you’d do differently?
Work on my photos more. There is a lot of good info out there, but mostly for jewelry and small items, and my photos of real models are still a work in progress!



I think you've got it sorted now! This is one of my favourite product photos. I was quite convinced it was a trendy leather bra at first!

How do you see your store developing? I have already changed focus. I originally had my ByTheBy girls' things in with the vintage at ByTheWay, and that just didn't seem to work, so I split those items off. I like what each shop is now. I would like to add some altered clothing to ByTheWay, there are so many beautiful items you can pick up dirt cheap, and I hate seeing anything go to waste. I also have a collection of vintage fabric that I plan on making into garments with vintage patterns. Mostly 1970's double-knit polyester - fun bright colors!


What have you been doing today that I’ve interrupted?
Well, actually, I put this interview on hold to go to the gym and grocery shopping. I dislike both, but if I sit in front of the computer all day, I gotta move sometime! Then I am also in the middle of redoing all my tags and rechecking sizes of my vintage clothing in ByTheWay. I have most of it done, but with 12 pages of items, it takes a little time!

What’s your top marketing tip for today?
Marketing tip? Well, I guess it would have to be join the best team on Etsy - the Treasury Team! I have met so many nice people there! There is so much competition on Etsy, but ETTEAM is a very sharing and supportive group. The team exists to support each other and we do, not just in treasuries, but in lots of other ways. I am impressed that members that are selling the same type of items help others on our team who are selling the same type of items improve their shops and also promote the others's items in various venues!

Heather, thank you so much for featuring me in your blog! I really do love the sense of community, helpfulness and acceptance we have on our team :)


My pleasure - thanks for taking the time to answer so many nosy questions! I can only agree with your comments above about Etteam - our team rocks!

ByTheWay
ByTheWayside
ByTheBy
ETTEAM