I’m excited about crafting and recording such crafting adventures. That’s part of why I started this blog, I think, but I let other things overshadow that initial, and most important, desire. I’ve done a lot of projects in the past and either forget that I did them (the HORROR!) or can’t remember exactly how I did them in order to repeat or adjust the process because I didn’t take notes or write up an account of the project. I want to be able to look back over a year (and 5 and 50) and be able to see what I’ve done.
I’m hoping this blog will be geared more toward that in the future. Hooray for documenting projects!
In that vein, I did not end up doing the commissioned accessories – the woman that did them last year decided to do them again. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any jewelry made waiting to sell, otherwise I probably could have sold some of that to the gift shop instead. I’m hoping to have some regular jewelry making days going forward so that I have inventory on hand if the gift shop needs any. (I had been doing a full weekend or two of jewelry just every once in a while instead, and I believe it leads to specific-craft burnout. So no more!)
One of the things I’m SUPER excited about at the moment is purchasing a spinning wheel. It’s all I want for Christmas and I’ve told the appropriate people that so I’m hoping to cobble enough cashola to be able to buy one toward the end of the year. I’m stoked!
Having a spinning wheel will enable me to spin up the Spunky Eclectic Fiber I’ve been getting since July from the club! I’ve spun up a bit here and there on my spindle, but I really want to do the majority of it on a spinning wheel. Even though I’ve never used one, I’m convinced it will be faster and easier after I get the hang of it. I do like spindling and at some point would like to invest in a Turkish spindle, but I can’t wait for a wheel!
Being able to make handspun yarns in a timely manner will also aid in my 12 Cardigans in 2012 project/goal! I’ll devote an entire blog post to that soon, but at least one of my cardigans will need handspun yarn and I’d like to make maybe 2 – 4 more out of handspun yarn. It’s like doubling the entertainment value for my fiber dollar!
I can also give handspun yarns as gifts to knitterly friends and that’s pretty amazing. I’d love to see what someone made with one of my handspun yarns.
Speaking of gifts, this year I started fairly early on knitting gifts for the holidays. And it paid off! I’m nearly done with everyone’s handmade gifts. I’ve got some finishing touches on my international packages, and then those are going to go out tomorrow. Domestic packages should go out next Saturday, so there will be plenty of time for all packages to be received. I’m super excited about being done with knitting for Christmas well before Christmas Eve. It’ll be nice to enjoy the holiday itself without having to worry about finishing any projects. Because of the success of planning and starting ahead of time, I think I’ll do it every year. Though next year might not be knitted gifts, since I’ll be doing the 12 Cardigans in 2012 project. That gives me plenty of time to figure out other handmade gifts, though.
Now I’m off to finish up some gifts and get them sent out by mail today!
What have you been excited about lately?