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.

Something New! And Plans for the Craft Fair...

So, as promised, something NEW in my Rotifera shop!

Little Button Earrings

I'm hoping these do well--- we'll see.  They are kind of ubiquitous on Etsy....  But mine are CUTER, damnit!  Write that down.  It's true.  Because I said it, it's true.

So.....  I'm also planning out in my head how much stock to bring to the Renegade Craft fair, assuming I get accepted into this juried extravaganza.

I saw this picture of a woman who had sold out and left to "make more stuff", and freaked out.

Here is the list in my head as it currently stands.

What do you think.... too much/too little?
1. 200 sets of clippies
2. 100 sets of ponies
3. 100 sets of resin clips
4. 200 sets of rose pair clips
5. 50 dozen roses for craft embellishments
6. 50 sets of earrings
7. 25 rings
8. 100 sets of button earrings
9. 50 rose headbands
10. 200 rose brooches
11. All my SewEcological stuff that's already made....including a few blankets in case I run out of stuff and need a space filler....(thanks for the idea Juls!)

Think that's enough? Way too much? It's supposed to be a HUGE two day show in Chicago......

Well....  it's an undertaking, that's for sure.  :)

Cheers!

 ♥Rose

Rotifera Featured on Etsy Stalkers!!!!!

Whoa.  Just discovered a super wickedly fun time suck of a blog.  EtsyStalkers  And by time suck, I mean GREAT blog with funny posts and great shop features.  Julie just featured my hair flair shop, Rotifera.  Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Over a Year Later......

So......

I return to my blog.  It has been sitting neglected for over a year.  It seems that once I opened Rotifera , time began to run away with me.  I've been VERY successful!!!!!!

Successful enough to resign from teaching.

The two shops are rocking and rolling:
SewEcological --- over 400 sales, and 100% positive feedback.  Full of fun upcycled creations and handknits!

Upcycled Infinity Scarf

Handknit Alpaca Cowl

And Rotifera.... Rotifera REALLY took off last year, with almost 1200 sales, and 100% positive feedback.

Art Deco Rose Accessory

Lacy Button Snap Clips

And.........just for fun, I opened a Paper goods shop last September with my friend Cris... The boxes I started stamping really took off, and we've had 176 sales with 100% positive feedback so far!!!!

Handstamped Kraft Jewelry Boxes

So, all in all--- a BUSY year.  A successful year.  I resigned from teaching effective June 10th, and will be going to Etsy and the craft show circuit full time this year, beginning in July.  I have a Europe trip coming up in the middle of June, and then I'm FULL STEAM AHEAD into entrepreneurship. 

That means more blogging, more sales, and more fun!!!!!!  I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it.

See you sooooooooon!!!!!!
♥Rose