Cowl Craze

So there seems to be a big trend right now for knitters and crocheters to be making cowls. Some of these are small cowls and some are gigantic oversized cowls. To be honest, I'm not really a fan of the cowl, which is probably why I don't make them. The plus side to the cowl is that you get the warmth of a scarf without the bulkiness and without having something to stuff into your coat or to be left hanging outside your coat. So I think I actually do kind of like the smaller cowls. This is also why I like scarflettes, which I do make. But I just don't see the point of the giant cowls. I mean, they are so big around that they don't really snuggle up to your neck, so you still have bare skin exposed to the cold. And even though you lose the bulkiness under your coat, you still have all of this bulky stuff on top of your coat. Apparently I'm in the minority though. I have definitely seen some beautiful cowls, even the giant ones. But for the most part, I'm a form over fashion kind of person, especially in the winter. I hate being cold and will pile on the layers in the winter, even if that isn't what is in style. So while some of these huge cowls are beautiful, they don't seem very practical or functional to me. And when it comes to items to keep me warm, I'm all about the practical and functional.

So now I come to the dilemma...do I bow to the trend and make some of these cowls, even though I don't like them, since they seem to be pretty popular and I'd probably have a good chance of selling some? Or do I buck the trend and continue to only make things I like, things I'd actually wear myself, even if they may not sell as well? I've never really been the type to follow a trend unless the trend was something I liked anyway (which is one of the reasons I will NEVER own a pair of crocs). But now that I'm trying to sell things, am I a sell out if I make something I don't really like just because I think it will make me some money? Would it even turn out well if it is something that I'm not enthusiastic about making?

Having thought about all of that, I think I have come to a compromise. Since I do actually like the smaller, functional cowls, I think maybe I will make a few and see how they sell. I think I'm going to make those and some more scarflettes (especially now that I have lots of pretty buttons) and leave the big-cowl making to people who actually like to make those.

Super Busy

So I just realized that it has been a very long time since I have posted any blogs. I have been pretty busy the past few months and had to deal with some trying things, so I haven't really had a whole lot to write about lately. I'm not a big fan of the confessional blog, so I didn't really want to write about the personal stuff I was going through. Everyone who knows me knows that I'm totally an open book with people in person; people who just meet me know my life story 5 minutes later (okay, that is a bit of an exaggeration, but not much). But the whole blogging thing is just so impersonal that I don't feel comfortable writing super personal stuff on here. Plus, people I could be writing about could easily come across my blog, and I just wouldn't want anyone to think that I'm out here sharing things that are also their personal things.

Anyway, since I was spending some time dealing with my feelings about some personal stuff, reading a lot, and busily working on projects to get ready for some craft shows, I just couldn't really think of anything to write about. But I have a few things now, so there will actually be several posts over the next few days. I guess I will make up for not posting for like a month and a half.

Alice Walker, A Poem Traveled Down My Arm

While writing the previous post about the Etsy treasury, I started flipping through A Poem Traveled Down My Arm. I was reminded of reasons that I love this book and Alice Walker's writing so much. I really need to read more of her books. I have several I haven't read yet, so I think I will read one of them next.

A Poem Traveled Down My Arm is an interesting book. It is filled with little poems and writings and drawings. I love to write quotes in cards, and there are so many great quotes in this one little book.

As I was flipping through the book, I came across one of my favorites, "What is a promise if not your hand in mine?" I started thinking about all of the meanings held in this one little sentence. It is so simple and profound. One thing it makes me think of is my nieces's hands in mine. My sister and I took them for a walk the other day and they had to hold our hands because we were walking along the street. Their little hands in mine were a promise...my promise to keep them safe and their promise to trust me to do so. Of course, there is also the obvious, romantic meaning; I don't feel like I even need to address that. It also makes me think of the promise of a friend's hand in mine, like when my grandpa died last summer, the promise of love and support, the promise that it's okay to cry. And it makes me think of the promise the last time I held my grandpa's hand, which was the last time that I saw him alive. It makes me think of how glad I am that I took his hand that day, no matter how briefly. I think back to all of the hands I've held and all of the various reasons, and I'm so glad that I've had so many hands to hold, so many who have held my hand, no matter how lengthy or how fleeting it was. And I'm thankful and happy for the hands that even now I still have the opportunity to hold.

Etsy Treasury

Sunday morning I waited patiently and got only my second Etsy treasury ever. I was inspired by one of my favorite Alice Walker books, A Poem Traveled Down My Arm, which is what I named the treasury. You can check out the treasury by clicking on the link or title of this post. I chose poetry-related items...some included poems, some were named after poems, and some just felt poetic to me. The treasury has gotten some nice comments. Several people have said it is the best treasury they've seen in a long time. I'm so happy that everyone likes it, and it has encouraged me to work hard to snag more treasuries. It helps a lot that I have a computer and internet access at home now (thanks to NB).

Of course, I never could have made such a beautiful treasury without the many talented artists and crafters selling their wares on Etsy. I had a few items in mind for the treasury that I had already seen. But I found lots of other lovely things when I searched for some more things to complete the treasury.

Crazy Autumn Art & Craft Show

The ShowMe Etsy street team is putting on our first show this week. The Crazy Autumn Art & Craft Show will be Thursday, October 16, from 5-9 pm at SqWires Annex in Historic Lafayette Square.

This show will be a great way to get holiday shopping done early. In addition to lots of vendors who have shops on Etsy, the show will also include special guest artists Big Small Town Designs and MFA students from the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University. This show will offer a little bit of everything, from fine art paintings and photography to unique jewelry to fiber arts to handmade cards and much much more.

In addition to all of this handmade art and craft goodness, there will be free cheese and crackers and a cash bar. Also, there will be a free raffle to win one of four gift baskets stuffed with handmade items made by the show participants. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to pick up one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts!