Merry Go around: Get out of your comfort zone and try something new

Now that's a challenge to set, isn't it?!

Well I'm going to look at this from a business point of view. As you know before I started Sara's Texture Crafts I worked in Fashion (not to be confused with 'I was in Fashion', as I'm sure I never quite made that!) Anyhoo... when I started supplying fibre to felt makers and spinners I have to say I didn't know much about it. Only what I had taught myself crafting in my front room. Fashion Design is less bothered by the technical details of fabrics and fibres and more concerned with drape, movement and form. So I had no technical knowledge, or concept of what fibre would be suited to what sort of felting, or spinning project and these are all things that I was immediately being asked. I felt completely out of my depth, but was determined to make steps to put it right and knew I had to if I was to be taken seriously.

I read lots of books and practised felting, I searched the web and got talking to other crafters... I even started to learn to spin. For me hands on practise is the best way to learn, you can only learn so much as a vouyer. In the past three and a half years, I've learnt a lot and continue to do so each day... especially when I get chance to interact with artists and customers (specialised events and groups are great for this).

Now as my business grows and time goes on, I come into contact with other craftsmen... like weavers, or knitters and they all have so many different takes on the fibres I use and how they'd best use them. So for me most of the time I feel on the edge of the 'comfort zone'... there's always something new to pick up, or think about and it's that constaint test that keeps me motivated and feeling creative. Something I thought I'd loose just selling supplies.

Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

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This post was part of a blog Merry go Around, where I have got together with some friends to talk about a similar subject on the same day... a nice way to meet people!

Mitsy at MindArt - http://artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com/
Kim at Vilt a la Kim - http://viltalakim.blogspot.com/
Sara at Crafts of Texture - http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/
Fabienne at Easterya Jewellery Creations - http://easterya.blogspot.com/
Mariana at Florcita - http://www./florcita.eu/
Agathe at Le Bar du Vent - http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com/
Lily at Lily Pang Art and Design - http://lilypangart.blogspot.com/
Ruth at Birdland Creations - http://insidetheartisan.blogspot.com/

Final touch ups for Duchy Square tomorrow!

I just need to label and price a few more things then the stock is ready... just a bit of paperwork! Phew!!

Sara x
www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Duchy Craft Fair this weekend

Fortunately last week's dyed yarns and fibres are starting to dry.


So I can reskein yarns where necessary and bundle fibres (although the fibres will remain here for the website).

This has meant though that I have been able to lay out my table and plan what sits where.


It's very hard to go from a booth to just one table, so I've had to really be careful about what I take with me. I hope I get the mix right!

Bye for now,
Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Memories...

Fifteen Years ago we met (and got together on the 25th of October)... seems like forever ago in some respects, but I remember this photo like it was yesterday!

This is back in Spring/Summer '96, when we gone with friends to the opening of the Imperial pub, on the hill near St. Davids station in Exeter. The whole year of students had gone, as an afternoon off (art college slackers!)... maybe it was end of term, I can't remember. I do remember laughing the whole afternoon though... that's why I love this picture of us.

By this time D and I had been dating since the October of '95, I was just 19 and D just 26 (cradle snatcher!)... we were engaged too. I thought then that I'd found my soul mate... 15 years later and I still feel the same.

Love ya...
Sara x

Customer's work: Leni's Shetland Triangle Shawl.

Ok, so it's days like these when I really wish my fingers would let me knit more inticate stuff... Leni shared with us on ravelry the most wonderful shawl she made using my Merino Blend - Cinnabar.

 The pattern is designed by Evelyn A. Clark, links to which you can find on Leni's Ravelry link http://www.ravelry.com/projects/leni425/shetland-triangle-lace-shawl

Thank you Leni for sharing this... it blew me away!

This is what Cinnibar looks like;

Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Duchy Square Textile Trade Fair October 2010

Friday 29th & Saturday 30th October 2010, 10am - 4pm
Location: Duchy Square for Creativity, 1 Tavistock Place, Princetown. http://www.duchysquary.org/
Demostrations: Needle Felted Sculpture, continued from Woolfest.

See you there!
Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

So how did the yard sale go?

Very well indeed thank you!
On the Friday evening, I was very nervous about the weather... I had all of my stock prepared and cover for the rain, but as the weather closed in I thought maybe no-one would venture out. Fortunately I was proven wrong and it was the most amazing sunny and fairly warm day.

Master tent builder D helped me put together our little gazebo, one of those 3m x 3m jobs...

 When D finally let me go from holding up the side, we got to setting up the tables...

 We had a passer by stop and come in within the first 10 minutes, but then had a bit of a wait before more followed... enough for me to get a new spindle yarn started...

 Then a wonderful flurry of customers arrived... all chatty and full of fibre project ideas. I don't have any photos there... things got a little busy. Fortunately D stuck around to help, bless him!

 Later in the afternoon, our neighbours cat visited us... he was most intrigued by the flurry of people... 'What are you all doing down there... and how can I get some attention?' Then he spotted that he could jump over to the Gazebo! He lay there for a long time, just sunning himself, while we worked.

I had a really good day and have planned the next yard sale for December.

Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Custom Batt Service... Now operational!

I've had requests recently for unique batts and rolag for specific project colourways, coursework and products for sale... both for spinning and feltmaking. Of course I was happy to help! So now I'm wondering how many more of your need something totally unique for a project you have in mind?


Check out my new service offer at http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/userimages/Custom-Batts-and-Blend-Service(2155058).htm and note that this will grow over time, so do submit suggestions!

Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Fibre-East: New Fibre Show in the UK

Could be the Woolfest of the East?!
Check it out at http://www.fibre-east.co.uk/

Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Star Trek Part 2 vs. Yard Sale

Well it's no competition for me... The Yard Sale tomorrow wins out everytime. Although I will watch the Trekky fest when I get done. D on the other hand is quite looking forward to watching every film, so I'm hoping to get everything ready before he disappears.

Last night I started worrying about the weather, as it got very dark and overcast. The weather report promised otherwise, so I'm hoping that stays true. I have cover for the stall, or an outside workroom if needs be, so I'm not worried abot the stock...or people getting wet. Just attendance really.

D keeps telling me I should have more faith in the amazing responce I've had so far... He's right, of course... I always was a worrier!

Wish me luck!

Bye for now,
Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Yard Sale... October 2010 - Sunday 17th, 11-3pm.

Yes, that's right if you are in the area, please come and check me out... details are here... http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/Shows-Events-and-Workshops(1918824).htm

Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Carding... Limited Edition Batts (Rolags)

Spent yesterday carding...


After the sale is over I'll photograph these ready for the website.

Bye for now,
Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Yarn prep for the Yard Sale...

Slowly coming together...
Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Customer Photos: Flickr Mosaic

So I found this cool tool on-line... finally after wondering for month's (and months!) how people had created their Flickr favourites into the most wonderful and perfect mosaics... that takes ages I thought... well, maybe not if you use a tool like http://bighugelabs.com/. I don't know if that's what they use, but hey it's working for me!

Anyhoo, here are my favourite customer photos of today...

1. DSCF1063 by the Sarah Watson (Dread Maker and Designer), 2. The Jubilee Cap by Polly-Jane (Blthe Doll Dress Designer) 3. 22-10-09 2ply MChG by Fibre Fantaisie (Fibre Artsist), 4. Autumn Hat by Creative Bumble Bee (Felt Maker).

Thank you Ladies for brightening my day and for making the most wonderful use of my fibre!
Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Prep for Yard Sale

I’ve been carding art batts (rolags),

And balling 100g of Merino blends,

For my yard sale on Sunday. If you are in the area, do drop by. Details can be found on my show page on the website.

Bye for now,
Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

TEXTILE FAIR, FRIDAY 29TH & SATURDAY 30TH OCTOBER, 10– 4PM

I will be showing at ... 

TEXTILE FAIR

FRIDAY 29TH & SATURDAY 30TH OCTOBER, 10– 4PM

Trade Suppliers and artists with a wealth of supplies for your creative needs…

DUCHY SQUARE CENTRE FOR CREATIVITY

1 Tavistock Road, Princetown

01822 890828

http://www.duchysquare.org/

Do come and play!

Sara x

http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Yard Sale prep… for October 17th

So I’m having a Sara’s Texture Crafts yard sale on the 17th of October (details on the website, show and events page at http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/ ) and I need to start prepping. I have some sale items to price, but I’d also like to offer some exclusives…

So the carding machine has come out. While I’m making up some Limited Editions, I think I’ll try some new colourways for my standard batt/rolag ranges.
I’ll show you how I get on…

Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Hand Dyed Yarns will be in store from Today!

I'm just finalising the listings, but these will be live shortly!

Sara x

http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Above and Below the Waves, a Knitting Exhibit.

Do you remember I was at Westpoint in Exeter at the weekend? I mentioned that there was an exciting exhibit to share with you? Well here it is... I saw the structure from a far and immediately wanted to see it up close.

Entitled 'Above and Below the Waves', this is a charity knitting project created by Alison and Ann Murry of http://www.all2knit.co.uk/. Funds raised will go to the RNLI's 'Train one save many' campaign.

Created with submissions from around 2000 knitters of all abilities, including children Ann and Alison have produced the most amazing walk-in, natuical installation. This installation will be showcased around Britain and in a few venues over seas, so do check out their website and go see it for yourself. I couldn't fit the whole structure in my camera's view finder... it's so big and so, so detailed. It really must be seen in real life!

Here are a few 'oww' and 'arr' piccies... (remember when you coo over these pictures it must be done in a pirate tongue... me 'arty!)

 How amazing is this Mermaid... so much work!

 The outsides of the structure, captures different scenes. These are cliffs...

 A few smuggling pirates...

 Local fishermen up the back there...

 In front are the very brave RNLI team... doing a great job guarding the shoreline and saving folk.

 Look out, a sea monster!

There are people working on the beach...

 You can go inside too, which I do recommend the sea life is so much fun!  Watch you don't get eaten by a shark though!

Little fishes and sea urchins...

 Let's hope a Mermaid saves you...

It was really awesome to look at, I was totally hooked. Checking out their website, I see Ann and Alison have created other projects like this in the past... a Gingerbread house and a large Christmas tree! I wonder what they will think of next!

Sara x

http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/