Yarn Art on Pinterest

I usually just hunt down a few photos of pleasant yarn art/yarn bombs, but when I found a Pinterest page on it, well, I had to share.

dinodeluxe/yarn-graffiti-and-knit-art

I couldn't share the photos directly from the Pinterest page. I guess there are rules about that, but this one was at the top of the page, with good reason:



Street Art Utopia  supports public art of many forms, including yarn art. Take a look at their many examples when you have some time to look.

This past week I've been editing what I already wrote for my book, except the actual pattern. The plan is to have the basic pattern, then show examples of variations of it. The basic pattern will make a top hat or a bowler, depending on how it felted and the hat block used. Variations will be a Mad Hatter-style, with a flared top, a fez, where the flare goes out from the top and no brim, a wide-brimmed ladies' hat, as in Edwardian (think Titanic), plus anything else I can think of.

Today's task is to put order back into my photo shooting area and get back to taking pictures of existing hats. The ones I think are worthy will go up on Etsy for sale. Sitting in my garage will not get them sold until people know about them.

Once the pictures are taken and the area is cleared, I'll have room for my "hats in process" pictures. Time to take care of that picture taking learning curve!

Til next time, have fun!

Wooly Bully

This one has been around since 2010, but it is a wonderful example of yarn art. The artist,  Olek , prefers her work not to be called yarn bombing.

I love this one. From artist, Jill et Lorna Watt  she turned a tree into an octopus (squid?). Also her blog is terrific!

Meanwhile, in my world, I have caught up with the post-Comic-Con stuff and now am putting my life and house back in order.
I used the waiting time in the jury lounge to study for my insurance license CEUs so I could renew my license before it expires. Check!
I finished knitting a hat for the book. Check!
I put away all the products left from the con neatly in my garage "store." Check!
Starting to work on my book again. Check! (Well, after this post...)
And, since my birthday was yesterday, I took the first growing-out-my-gray-hair photo.

Just a nice stripe so far, where I haven't been coloring it. Watch this space.
Til next time!

Yarn Bombers in Oceanside

There was a big push for squares from local knitters and crocheters to yarn bomb Oceanside for their First Friday Art Walk in August.Oceanside Yarn Bombed They are working on plans for another one in the future.

Artistic!

New meets old.

One of the reasons for this blog is to keep you up to date on the progress of my book, Miniature Millinery, Making Little Felted Hats. I want others to be able to make cute hats like mine. It’s fun. It’s something new to learn. And when you finish, you have a fashion item you can wear – and so can your doll.

Anyway, I wrote down the basics of the pattern, and a first draft of the preface and introduction. As with all first drafts, it needs a rewrite. It’s just a part of the process.

In addition to the rewrite, I need to create 8 more hats so they I can photograph them in process, and then have them decorated by people other than me. I have a style that I like, and since most of them are for sale, I like to keep the decorating simple and quick to finish. But you could make your own hat and go wild with the trimmings. Finding your own style is a fun part of the process.

On a very personal note, I decided that it is time to stop coloring my hair. For years I colored it reddish brown because I like that color better than my natural ash brown, and because my hair was going white. Officially, I will not color it anymore starting on my birthday, this Saturday. My plan is to take pictures on the 16^th each month to watch the change progress, until all the red is gone. My hair cutter said it isn’t very gray in back, so the two-color look might be interesting. In the meantime my gray will be growing out one-half to an inch per month. By the time of my 60^th birthday maybe people will believe I’m old enough to have two children in their 30’s.

Another adventure begins!

Horton Plaza Got Yarnbombed!

So, I was walking from my hotel down to Comic Con International in San Diego and stopped by Jimbo's Naturally in Horton Plaza for breakfast. This is what I saw.

A crocheted granny square yarnbomb.

Rainbow seems to be a theme. I don't know how long they were up, but the Pride Festival was the week before.

I love the exuberance.

Yarnbombing in my own backyard. They were very neatly executed. One was even signed:

What fun!

And the con was fun, and profitable, too. I sold four of my little hats, in addition to lots of steampunk accessories. Possibly the best year ever. And soon, my feet won't hurt and I'll get my energy back. All signed up for next year, too.

Next week I'll give you a taste of my book in process, "Miniature Millinery: Making Little Felted Hats."

Have a fabulous week!

Saddlerock Yarnbomb

And now, for the yarn bomb of the week:

https://www.facebook.com/events/209332805857050/  Saddlerock Yarnbomb near Santa Barbara, CA. It may be old news, but it is still a colorful example of fun public art.

Over the weeks I'll share some of the best examples of yarn-bombing, knitting, crocheting, and other fiber fun. Expect some alpacas, too.

For the last few weeks I have been focused on getting ready for Comic-Con. There is a marvelous energy to it. The con-goers are excited to be there. They want to see everything. They want to buy treasures that you can't find anywhere else. They want to see presentations about their favorite comic books, shows and movies. Even when they are exhausted, sore, and shuffling along, they keep going. It's a fun- and eye-candy-filled 4.5 days and I look forward to it all year.

My preparations are almost done. Tuesday I lay the flooring and the first load to the booth for set up. To help the massage therapists at The Massage Booth survive helping the con-goers survive, I lay down the cushy puzzle-piece flooring over the existing booth carpet, then lay an oriental run over that. It helps create the relaxing atmosphere and a more comfortable floor for everybody.

The doll hats/fascinators are all ready. The steampunk products are packed into their boxes and arranged for easy loading into the wonderfully spacious Prius. All that’s left is adding 9 hats to the Etsy shop, Etsy.com/shop/NancyHay. At least the hat portraits are done already. 

I intend to show shoppers what is available on my Etsy shop, in addition to what is there in front of their eyes. Let's hope there is a good signal for my Kindle to pick up. It’s amazing how many little things need to get done before the big show.

Every year I try a couple of new products to add to the steampunk accessories line. This year I’ve added adjustable decorative hat bands to add to an existing hat, some lovely pins to add to clothing, hats, or whatever. I also picked up some bags of gears and some medals to try. We’ll see if any of these catch on.

When the sore feet feel better, the accounting is completed, and the remaining products are put away, then I will get back to writing my book, Miniature Millinery: Making Little Felted Hats. I have the majority of it drafted, but learned after talking with my mentor, the amazing Dawn Devine, that I have a long way to go to make it the outstanding book that knitters and hat-makers will want to buy and use. Watch this space for progress.

New adventures ahead

Today is the birthing day a new blog. My intention is to entertain you with stories and pictures about knitting, felting, and hats, plus whatever strikes my fancy.

Comic-Con is coming up fast! I've been making little felted hats for sale at the biggest annual event in San Diego, California. It's also the biggest comic book and popular arts convention on this continent.

I'll be the Madam at The Massage Booth, where three ladies in cute costumes will massage the tired shoulders, backs, and necks of the attendees. While clients are waiting, they have the opportunity to see some affordable steampunk accessories, plus my little felted hats. It is a very busy 4.5 days.

The people-watching is fabulous! I've seen folks dressed as Marty McFly, from each of the 3 films, plus Iron Man, Thor, Captain Jack Sparrow, a really good Joker, and lots of fans who like to show off their handiwork. When your feet hurt from standing all day, these folks are a great way to take attention away from the tootsies.

Back now to the preparations!