Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Pleasant surprises

I pulled this off the loom on Sunday night. A loose weave scarf I have been working on. I was excited to both get it done and to see what it looked like after washing. You may not know this but the weaving process is not done - really - until after the item is washed. The washing set the weave structure and reveals any lace patterns you may have played with. This is done in plain weave, so no lace to reveal, but because it is a loose weave the strands shrink and move in that first washing to it's final location. What you see while weaving is not exactly what you get. 
So this is the Scarf after washing, it lost about an inch and a half in width and is in general a tighter structure that it seemed on the loom. The process is interesting - to me anyway. This fabric that I have been calling a scarf is however not destined to be a scarf. I will be making three (hopefully) day purses from it. So on the the surprise purse line here at MoonBound ArtisanShip. They will be lined with a cross-body strap and maybe some leather detailing.

I have spent a lot of time - at least it seems so to my inner artisan who wants to be making something at all times and sometimes thinks eating is overrated - on paperwork issues this month. Typesetting a stamp for labeling and billing at shows, show applications, and web stuff. All of this is a necessary part of running a crafts business, some parts of which  are more fun than others. A dear friend helped me out with some photos for my storefront and I hope to soon be able to boost her signal for her Photography and other craftiness.


Friday, May 15, 2015

Some changes

Washed Cotswold wool


... and comes out the other side much cleaner and opened up.
Then I card it up.
Fluffy batt waiting to be spun.
The wool enters the picker...
I've been trying to decide what the right direction is for me as an artist, a businesswoman, and a Mom.  Hopefully the changes I am making will bring me closer to my goals. Check out the new market site. I'll be posting more show date as soon as they are confirmed.