Thinking out Loud

Hello there, interwebs!

I know that I can't possibly have any loyal readers out there, as I am very un-loyal to actually writing.  Since the last time I was here typing...

1. I canned over 400 jars of various sundries, and filled the pantry to explosion potential.

2.  Following the three months of putting up food from the garden, I experienced a run on Harry Potter Sweaters of monumental proportions.  Over 100 sweaters were embroidered by hand and sent out into the world in the months of October through January.......

3.  I also experienced a small run on custom handknit sweaters, which I believe each deserve their own beautiful snapshot........

Melissa Leapman's Fabulous Cabled Turtleneck Pattern in Malabrigo Maxima

Heavily Improvised Cropped Version of Amy Miller's Gradient Pullover

Beautiful Silk Wedding Bodice from Stephanie Japel's Gorgeous Simple Knitted Bodice Pattern

A Classic Lopapeysa

A Downton Inspired Cardigan from an antique 1920's pattern

Downton Inspired Lace Pullover from another antique pattern

4.  And, finally--- I got caught up in miles and miles of roving, and put together giant blankets and scarves for sale in the shop--- one of which was to be seen on a little old runway during NYC Fashion week.  You know, no big deal.  *runs around flapping arms like an albatross and screaming like a hyena*  Totally cool.

So.... that's my excuse.  I literally had not the time, nor the finger strength, to type anything.  To let you know how I was doing.

But turns out..........I'm doing just fine.  I'm ready for the spring let down.  It came, like the weather, a little later than last year.  But I'm all caught up, and ready for a month of hibernation before the seeds go in the garden.

My two seedlings are doing wonderfully, and the hubster is out for training in California for a month.

I'll try and write regularly until..... well...... I run out of time again.  Being seasonally self-employed is tough on time management skills.  :)

♥Rose

ETA:  I'm available here, here, and here for your purchasing pleasure.

I'm big in Japan........maybe.

So, what's the news with your shop?

Oh, I'm so very glad you asked.

Did you know that I'm huge in Japan?

Or, technically, I MIGHT be!?

Here's the story.  So, way back in October, I got a message from a fashion house in Tokyo.  They were wondering if I'd offer a wholesale discount on sweaters, because they'd like to feature them in their runway shows starting March 11th.

*faints*  *hits head on floor*

Well YES, I WOULD!

So I stitched 6 sample sweaters for them:

Two samples of my Weasley Monogram embroidery on British wool sweaters

I'm just about dying waiting for the show and the photos that the organizer will send of MY sweaters on the runway.

The Classic Fred and Ron

I mean, how can I possibly contain my excitement?  A little lady from Michigan makes a sweater, which is shipped to Tokyo, and appears in a RUNWAY show?  For boutiques and shops there to place orders from?  Which I will then receive from the organizer and I quote "have three months to finish the order and ship it out".........  UM YES.  I'm having a hard time sleeping.

Two more sweaters.  I offer them here, you know.

So that was the first thing.  THEN!!!! I had a wonderful customer contact me via Etsy, and ask if I could make her a hat to cover her Necomimi headset.  My first question was "I'm really not that hip, so could you explain what a Necomimi headset is?"

Apparently, they are HUGE in Japan.  And with geekery folks and techies. Biofeedback cat ears that move with your emotions:

Necomimi Store

So, I did a search, found the specs for the dimensions of the thing, and WHAMMO!  Knit up a hat for her.  Turns out, I am the ONLY one in the world who makes them.  :)

My hat, modeled by Tracy, a fabulous customer.  Available here.

Have I sold one yet, besides the original?  Well...... no.  BUT!  Last night, the company who created the Necomimi headsets, Neuroware, PINNED and promoted my hat on facebook.  Oh boy, says I.  This means I'm going to be huge in Japan.

Again, as in all that I create, I never know what will be a hit, and what a time-sucking masterful pile.  But at least there is HOPE.

So here I sit, hoping.  I'll keep you updated.  Unless nothing happens, and then I'll leave you wondering, as I drink bottles of wine on the couch, watching old episodes of Dr. Who.

♥Rose


Edited to Add:  Nothing happened.  I'm NOT big in Japan.  :(  No more sweaters were ordered following the fashion show (to high of a price point for the buyers..)  And apparently, the need for Necomimi headset hats is not a very big niche.  More like a niche of .......... 1.

The Return of The Weasley Sweater

So.  I used to make these for my etsy store, and the demand was so entirely overwhelming that I had to stop offering them........

Until July, that is!!!!  That's right.  I'm bringing back the Weasley sweater.  I hand embroider them in the old style of Swiss darning/duplicate stitch.  I put any letter on any color sweater... They totally rule, and I love them!

Weasley Sweaters for the whole family!

The only problem I've run into, is that it looks like, due to demand--- I'll have to purchase the sweaters new.  I'll have to purchase a LOT of sweaters, to have multiple sizes and colors on hand.  I think I'll start with three or four colors in M-XL to start.  I plan on ordering some in July, if I can find a supplier that has a reasonable price.  But, with purchasing new, that means the sweater cost will go up, and thus the price.

Soooooooo... Would you like one?  I plan on listing these on etsy beginning mid-July at around $100 US each, depending on the cost of the sweaters.
If you would like to join the waiting list--- please send me a message on etsy at my shop--- SewEcological.etsy.com , leave a comment here with your email address, or email me @ meister_rosemarie@yahoo.com.  I'll add you to the list, and contact you for specific details when I get the sweaters in!  :)

The Classic- Ron's Burgundy/Gold Gryffindor Colors Sweater

I can't wait to start making these again!

And, if you just can't wait for your own piece of HP fun, I do have this sweater in the shop now---

Deathly Hallows Sweater Jacket in XS

♥Rose