Stamp!

I ordered a custom stamp for my Etsy shop! It is a rubber stamp mounted on a nice wood block (the image is etched into the wood) and wood handle. I ordered it from another Etsy shop, Sparkvites. The process was very simple and straightforward, and my proof was available the same day. Overall, I am very pleased with the final product. I can't wait to package my goods up!

2" square custom stamp

Long Weekend Wrap-up

Three days weekends are a thing to celebrate. Knowing I didn't have to get ready for work Monday meant that I could spend pretty much all day Sunday dabbling in my craft space. I used this time to experiment with some new ideas I've had and to reorganize and take inventory. A lot of work was done (and a lot of Doctor Who watched) but I am excited to start the week with a nice, uncluttered work space so I can start on one of my new art projects:

Pins
I love my little critters so much I wanted a way to take 'em with me. Introducing cute crochet on-the-go, some wearable art:

Demonstrate your infinite wisdom with a public display of Master Yoda.

Is there anything better than bunnies? Nope.

Let this ladybug be your good luck charm. 

I may have a problem with pompoms. They are just so fun (and easy) to make! And once I figured out how to attach a pin-back, well, watch out world...

I'm sure this pin business will quickly spin out of control like so many of my ideas. I've already tried swappinga pin-back for a magnet. Soon my fridge will be overrun with crochet critters (and pompoms). I can't wait to bring to life some of the other animal ideas I have on paper. Look for these in my Etsy shop soon!

From bunny brooch to fridge domination. 

Bathtime Bliss

I love making my cute critters, but sometimes it feels good to make something that is a little more helpful around the house. A few weeks ago I made some washcloths for a friend with some lovely cotton yarn from KnitPicks. I don't normally use washcloths, so I started to look for alternative uses for my dishie yarn. I came across  images for soap savers, which are pouches you can put your bar of soap in (or scraps of bars)  to create a lather. A very practical device, really. I made one up right away, put in a lovely bar of coffee oatmeal stout soap, and gave it a shot.

To clarify, that is oatmeal stout as in beer. Soap made with beer? Yes, please. The soap smells nothing of alcohol, but has the rich aromas associated with a good, dark oatmeal stout. I don't know how its done, but it's amazing. The soap has a creamy texture that leaves your skin soft and residue free. The soap seeps in between the stitches creating a rich lather. while allowing all the wonderful aromatics to easily permeate. You can get your own bar here.

The pouch has a strap for hanging which allows it to dry in-between uses (no one-sided mushy soap here). I think these will make nice gifts, and after I work out some design kinks they will be available in my Esty shop. 

Fun with Hats

Here is a round-up of some of the hats I've made in the last year. While I participated at the UCR craft fair I was working on a hat throughout the day and I was wearing my LSP hat. I had a lot of people ask if those were for sale. I didn't realize hats, in particular beanies, were so popular here! Especially since it never gets very cold here in southern California. I plan to have hats ready to go at my next craft fair. I know I personally like to try things like that on before I buy, and I think they will be more popular at an in-person event than on Etsy. Anyway, enjoy these original designs!

A baby-sized monster hat for a dear friend!

An adult sized Hobbes hat. I love his whiskers.

Brain Slug hat (inspired by Futurama).
The antennae really make it.

Adult-sized Mudkip hat. The fin in the back is so fun.

My LSP hat!

Bat

I was commissioned by a friend to create a bat, which may seem like an odd animal choose, except her friend conducts research on bats. I love the idea of sending someone a crochet-version of her study organism! And I knew this was an animal I could take and make really adorable. At first, I wanted to add little fangs to this creature, but my friend suggested something a little less vampire-y (we wouldn't want to perpetuate inaccurate stereotypes of bats...) The result is something so cute I think I will have to make more. Yes, lots of adorable happy bats. This bat companion happily hangs upside down and has a hook and clasp built into its wing, so the wings fold up together. I'm really pleased with how this creature turned out:

Trying on different faces!

Just hangin' around.