Over the Christmas break I rearranged my studio space for the umpteenth time.
It’s an enclosed porch, and it’s long and narrow, so it never feels quite right – but I really like it for the moment!
And then it was time to set some goals!
Goal #1:
Set some boundaries with the online store
The plan is to make 5 spindles a week, and let things sell out in the store until I can make more.
I’m making distaffs on and off, still outsourcing the fancier ones to Fred at Lowly Mountain
After the craziness of the Christmas rush, I wanted to be mindful of what I could actually accomplish without upending my whole life. And 5 a week sounds workable.
Goal #2:
Do some vendor markets for fiber arts tools
Last year I did some vendor markets that were fun but underwhelming for the business.
This year I want to focus on fiber arts markets. I’m aiming for a few small to medium sized markets where I can be sure to have enough stock and get to chat with people.
Another goal based on adjusting to past experiences! With the online store doing well, I’m not so worried about making huge amounts of money. I actually much prefer in-person sales to online sales! I really wish every customer could touch and test out our fiber tools and feel our woven items before they make a purchase. Fiber arts is such a tactile industry, and I think holding the items makes a huge difference in making the best purchase. I also love hanging out with fellow fiber people all day!
Goal #3:
Weaving 1 project a month with handspun
I was going to do a scarf a month, but that took a quick left turn in February with an altogether different weaving project, which I will share at a later time.
But it’s March now and I am still moving right along on hand spinning for this months weaving project!
With this goal I am letting go of any thoughts I had of getting to hand dye wool this year. I may have a weekend down the road (especially in goldenrod season) to do a dye pot. But this year of weaving will be using wool other people have dyed, and using up what I have left from years past. I am using my blending board a whole bunch though to make the colors and color combos I want. But it’s a year of setting boundaries!
Now onto the first scarf of the year!
I got this braid for myself for Christmas to make a scarf just for myself!
I really wanted the colors to stay together and not get muddy, so I was careful when spinning and used spindles the whole time. Then I chain plied to continue to keep the colors together. Chain plying is my favorite because it gives me a slightly chunkier yarn, and I just love the texture in plain weave.
The colors remind me of the 90s! Which makes me so nostalgic.
This was over 3 ounces all spun and plied within a week! Break weeks are so nice
Next up it was time to pick a warp yarn. I use mostly commercial yarns for the warp because there’s a lot of waste and wasting handspun hurts my feelings lol.
I splurged and got these two beautiful skeins.
Finding wool that has NOT been turned into super wash, that’s also the unique colors you want was rather hard!
I threw in some complimentary colors on the warping board, and by this time I was super excited to see how it was going to turn out!
The purples are much more plumb in real life.
Weaving is my favorite. I throw on an audio book and just go where the spirit leads!
For this scarf I was listening to Passage to India by Forrester. Very good book!
Tada! I love it so much!! I’ve already worn it out and about a few times, and it’s super warm. It’s also plenty big enough to use as a hood in case I didn’t bring one!
This is the other side. I am really enjoying this vibes only pattern. Another scarf I did in this same sort of pattern, which is olive green, teal, and navy, sold around the same time I was making this! Which was fun.
I’m seeing more pattern play in my scarf plans for this year, and a little less plaid.
I also got this tool. It works well! It makes for really nicely finished fringe.
But the process takes FOREVER. And adds more than an extra hour to the time I am already getting paid very little for when I sell a scarf.
I’m quite undecided if I will end up using it regularly!
New goals in my newly rearranged studio feels so very January!
Looking forward to what this year holds!
Happy Spinning!
Ann
The Apple Creek Farm 
Leave a comment