Creating a new blog and Inventory Sale!

I just wanted to write a quick note since this blog has been on the wayside while finishing graduate school. In preparation for putting my store on hold a bit and shifting gears, all purchases are 65% off with coupon code INVENTORYSALE at etsy checkout.


On another note, I am in the process of moving my pilates blog to blogger right now! and would love some of my followers to follw me over there - I do maintain it more and am setting it up in a rather clean, focused on the information style - and a lot of great info about pilates, wellness, and other topics related to holistic health and alternative and natural therapies and treatments.

here is a link

In Light

that kind of quarter

Wow - SO most of the quarter has passed without a blog post. Luckily, this is a great break from studying for my comprehensive exam this week. I have a lot of great new items, and even finished a piece this morning. Soon, I will be back in the swing of creating, including a painting and a simple mosaic for a coffee table once the current wave of exams passes. Also, am excited to getting back into creating after almost a month off ( lot has been going on lately) and trying some old a new things.

An active few months...... and next place to donate too....

My next donation of discontinued inventory and some "extra" items I hadnt got around to listing will be to . I had originally planned on making it this week, However, I am extending and adding to my Last Call sale due to some other changes going on! Here is a link to my etsy store if anyone is interested Sale items are all listed in the Last Call section at 50% off of original price or more.


Okay, back to the last few months. I have been working on some new items, and focusing more energy on my pilates and wellness business . Due to some changes at a place I had been teaching for over 4 years, I finally got the courage to leave and start teaching on my own and subleasing space in a beautiful studio. This seems to have started a theme of speaking up about what I want and moving towards it, amidst of lot of letting go of old ideas and spending what time I would typically spend on my store focused on personal growth, reflection and deepening my faith.

Oddly, the easiest situation to deal with has been someone taking my atm/debit card info. University Credit Union is an amazing financial institution to work with, as everything was pretty much taken care of within 48 hours of filing a report. That said I am not ready or really comfortable yet blogging about one of them, and the other soon to be big change is finding a new roommate. This entered my to do list a few days ago, and since I am in also in midterms, am finding it is so far easiest to do some actions and start with doing what I can (tell classmates to start getting word out since I'd prefer someone from school network) and going through my stuff to see what I can get rid of, what I need and how I can rearrange and clean up as my roommate moves on and I need to start showing my place. Plus, the creative side of me loves to redecorate and re-arrange so while a lot of work, some of it is enjoyable and will be a new change.

PATH - a local organization helping the LA community

In my last post, I wrote about wanting to focus more on giving back. I cleaned out some of my inventory and unlisted items, and after a final sale, took them over to a wonderful organization in West Los Angeles. I decided to do this since really it is a win-win situation. I am able to clear out some of my inventory, and give back and hopefully someone will get a fun handknit item to enjoy or even give as a gift. All participants in the programs get first grab at donations. What isn't used, is then donated to Out of the Closet, and from what I as told, sold in their retail stored which benefit people living with HIV/AIDS.

Also, at the time, a lot of attention was on Haiti, and sending donations. This got me thinking, yes it is important to help out on a global level, and that there is also a lot that can be done locally, and sometimes those organizations get overlooked, as well as local needs in the community. Anyways, here is a link for more info about PATH - People Assisting The Homeless. They work with many agencies and visit the link for the glamour project and other events and ways to offer support. Thanks for visiting !

It's a crazy life - or at least been a crazy week

(Picture was taken on the Coast Starlight Train - September 2009)

First of all - thank you and welcome to new followers & readers- I haven't checked on my blog since my last post - so it was a nice surprise to see a jump in support!

A couple of my friends, would say for weeks "It's a crazy life" while we were out eating our weekly thai lunch. This last week (and even two) great examples of how many things can go on at once, and yet its possible to stop, be present with all of it, and be able to laugh about it by the next day and get past it.

Without going into to much detail yet, some changes in my work life are happening. Many of them are things Ive been planning for, yet had been doing the wait and see with places I wanted to work with - since I was resisting changes since still have 3 quarters to go in school. It is some extra work right now, yet so much of the footwork has been done over the last few years, that actually great timing since postponed a huge and important exam due to my intuition and have some time off from school and a lighter schedule once finals are over.

In the midst, My etsy store is finally stocked to my goal of 100 items +! I have also updated my cosaverde page, have 2 new designs on the way, and a new part of my Recycled Knits line slowly being introduced. My pilates also has new pics from a recent semi-impromptu photo shoot on the reformer, and growing in content rapidly!

The funniest and craziest part is in the midst of all this, while eating a Thin Mint, and leaving for the optomotrist, my porcelin crown on my front tooth fell out - and gave me a legit reason to reschedule an appointment had wanted to reschedule or cancel all day. Luckily I have a friend from school who is a dentist and could FB her for temp advice so I only had to go to the gas station and drugstore somewhat toothless. Got to be grateful for how things work out. A few hours before, some had gotten clarifying, and a bit dissapointing news at one of my workplaces, just after rescheduling my afternoon client. ALso, amazingly worked out since needed to focus on myself, and probably would not have been able to be as present for my client. so in a crazy life, things work out !

Making A Difference

Okay, so I am not the most consistent blogger. I often get ideas about blog entries, and then get busy with school, spending time with friends, knitting, and of course not siting in front of a computer.

With all the attention on Haiti right now, and growing up around a lot of service. I did want to take the time to reflect on both integrating my values with my store, and my blog. In my day job, and education, I am used to providing a service. In my creative and job, I wrote in a business plan about the importance of giving back.

After contemplation, and being honest with myself about my personal discomfort with simply using a blog as a marketing tool, I am planning on focusing on ways people can make a difference, both globally and in there own community, and not just by writing a check. Each month, I am planning on focusing on a different cause - and like before there will be some overlap between knitting, healthcare and the environment, and some cool products thrown in from time to time, because really, there are a lot of creative people looking at ways to make a difference and be of service in different ways. It is also an unknown what is a service to others, as a friend and customer told me that the comfort and coziness of a scarf was a service to her since she is often outside for her work, and all forms of art have that ability to brighten up someones day and provide service, depending on how you look at it.

Raw Herbs - Very Traditional Medicine

So, I have had an interesting balance of getting back into regular exercise, a busy quarter with prepping for my comprehensive exam (next weekend), a little work, and staying on top of crafting.

One of my favorite ways to unwind at home is to cook, and one of the more fascinating yet complicated aspects of my homework is studying and writing formulas. Like recipes, or following a pattern, there are many classics that are memorized for testing purposes. Then clinically, the traditional form is used, and prescribed in a patent (similar to a pharmaceutical) or a customized powder or raw formula is given. Cooking the raw herbs is almost an art form of it's own, since the instructions can be very simple, (place in a cup of hot water and drink like tea) or follow a specific process involving straining, boiling, simmering, stirring, and different times.

For convenience, I typically take patents or powders, and got a chance to practice cooking a raw formula last week and thought I's share a picture of the herbs before cooking. What is interesting, is how natural the medicine looks in this form, and that is does not have the side effects of some other options since it is customized to both nourish and eliminate.

Already December.....

Wow - with my schedule shifting by academic quarter, a hige thing realizing is, I joined etsy a year ago this week (and will be having a special sale this weekend and some specials set up for the holidays) and 4 years ago this week, I registered to check out acupuncture school since I thought it might be interesting.

well, lets see, I had my 25th sale on Etsy this week, and am busy studying for my comprehensive exam (required to graduate) later in the month! Considering my store was something I decided to do for fun, and also am selling to friends, it is a great balance, and very grateful able to knit, create, and get a break and some balance while other days are blur of class, interning, and reviewing everything I've learned over 4 years, and some information from classes still have to finish up over the next year.

It's also very cool to see how much Ive learned, and gained from trying new things, taking risks, and following my interests. Through my etsy teams, California Crafters Coalition on Etsy (CCCOE) Etsy Knitter Team, and Unique Women in Business (UWIB) I've met a lot of great women who also love being creative and entrepreneurial - and have enjoyed this part a lot more then expected. In school, also surprised that am making great friends and am in a pretty supportive and fun environment and through both, while different, have a lot in common. Of course, my other friends just tease me about fact I usually have some sort of needles with me, wherever I go.

Festive Cooking

So, in trying to eat healthier while in school, and actually enjoying cooking, I love excuses and reasons to whip something up. Typically, this means modifying a recipe, making it up as I go along, or adding a personal touch to a pre-made mix. I have been considering sharing some of my faves online, so post Thanskgiving here are a few from the last week.


The gooey sauce is a made up as went along pomegranate -cranberry glaze on Gingerbread. The Gingerbread was from a great organic mix, with a nice kick of ginger and molasses. It was turned into a birthday dessert surprise with the super yummy glaze. The glaze was the perfect amount and was based on a basic combination of powdered sugar, boiling water, and mostly tart seeds and berries.


Next up, a classic and simple holiday dessert. Apple pie made a simple way my mom showed me, with Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples. For some extra flavor, cranberries were mixed in, as well as cinnamon - sugar both on top, and in layers of the pie, giving it a sweet and tart flavor, with some subtle spice. This was for a lovely outdoor Thankgiving potluck at the Learning Garden in Venice.

First Giveaway !!! Twilight scarf

I have been wanting to host a giveaway for a few weeks, and decided to list this suer cute and warm one of a kind scarf. Inspired by the colors of Twilight, this seemed like a fun choice since "New Moon" is opening this weekend and has been getting a lot of publicity this week (even more then usual). This scarf is a blend of super soft angora and a purple / white merino and matches the Twilight neckwarmer.

To enter: leave a comment with your favorite character from the Twilight series. For an additional entry, or alternative if you don't know the movies or books, visit my store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignKnitFun and leave a comment with what your favorite item is. Finally, follow this blog for an entry as well. I am trying to keep it simple with the options.

Deadline to enter is Sunday 11/22 and winner will be selected Monday through random.org and will be contacted by e-mail.

Good Luck and Thanks for visiting !

Catch up time on unfinished projects

One of my favorite reasons for carfting is the therpauetic effects. It gets you present and focused on creating something unique, expressive and in the moment. Today, I was reading an e-mail and was reminded of this, as I have not been spending as much time crafting over the last week after being home sick watching Weeds, drinking tea and taking a lot of Chinese Herbs. FYI Weeds is very funny and great for a day whe dont feel like leaving couch, reading email etc....

Tonight, went for finally checking out house, and checking out my stash of almost completed items. Finished three neck warmers, and have some items ready to list later this week. Also, am working on anew line of upcycled accessories which is pretty fun and enjoying the simple and laid back therapy of working on a new project and completing some of those ones that never quite get finished and end up in a nice neat pile somewhere.



Banana Silk scarf in Aqua Laguna - available soon at http://www.designknitfun.etsy.com

special and unique handmade and upcycled jewlery

As a big fan of eco-friendly anything, as well as handmade items, I wanted to share a group of items from another Southern California etsy seller. Kim at Circles are Forever features unique and handpainted pins, buttons, earrings, ornaments, rings and pendants in her etsy store.http://www.circlesareforeever.etsy.com . Panda pirate one of my faves, can be worn as a pin or pendant (Im actually making an upcycled felted bag he is going to be part of) and when I can decide which to give and which to keep, the rings are an early start on my Christmas gifts. They are shiny, adjustable and amazing in detail in the painting. Plus, it is keeping bottlecaps out of landfills and channeling creativity and unique design and expression. She has many great styles in her shop and even her packaging is repurposed. Check out the box everything arrived in.Custom made out of cereal boxes for a fun and colorful treat. That itself is a great gift box and specially sized for her products.

About to read a book - mixed feelings already

Ok, so this has nothing to do with knitting, or etsy. I work a few blocks away from the public library, and go in to check out what new dvd's they have and books on breaks. Today, while getting some movies to throw in while working on some knitting, I walked by a book related to Chinese Medicine in the sustainability section.

The book is "Tiger Bone & Rhino Horn" two substances used in ancient medicine for herbal properties. It addresses the black market trading of endangered animals / species which unfortunately exists - even though the substances are actually illegal both to prescribe and purchase.

Anyways, the cause for venting is on the back of teh book, several comments brought up the attention getting things like the traditional uses are not known to be effective, etc..... and some of the stuff that counteracts the steps forward alternative and traditional medicines are making in acceptance in medical community. I am curious enough about how they perceive and discuss the use of acupuncture and herbs that I will be starting to read tonight - since seems like the type of thing patients and potential patients could ask about. However, I was not exactly looking for a serious book to read since also have several knitting relates projects that I am working on, as well as going through my recipe collection.

blogspot vs typepad

Okay, so I admit it. I have two different blogs for different businesses. That is common these days. However, I am finding pluses and minuses of each account. I would love to hear others experiences with different blog hosting services and fees. Because, although I love the way my other blog is formatted, and how great it looks for what I am doing with it (promoting a pilates business and using it as platform for website), I am also looking at places to cut expenses and seeing that I get traffic, but have not gotten any business from it in the year it has been up. Here is the link http://www.pilatesformindandbody.com

plus have lots of content ready to add, and realizing concernef about taking the time, and not actually promoting business. hmmmm

Summer in Santa Monica - a little late this year

(A view North of the pier towards the beach clubs homes on the sand)

OK, so after a summer of fog, a cooler then usual temperatures and one week of heat, a heat wave has taken over Southern California. While I was starting on fall and winter knitting, it is so hot and without a/c (especially since rarely needed) seems a little weird to be getting ready for fall on etsy. so, as summer winds down, here are a couple pics from a bike ride a few weeks ago around the Santa Monica Pier. Class was out for an afternoon, and my patella had moved back into place from being dislocated so I celebrated with a bike ride.

Best of all, as passing under the pier, a sound check for the Twilight Dance series was under way (free concerts - featuring a variety of music and performers that happen weekly for about 2 months). Enjoy.



Biking back south - looking towards the pier

Inexpensive and Eco Girls Night Clothing Swap

With recycling, decluttering, and saving money all the rage, why not spend an evening with the girls, clean out your closet, and get new clothes and accessories to bring home?

I've been a fan of reselling my clothes since undergrad - especially when going through a vintage and thrift store phase at some point in 1993-1995. When I moved to LA, I mostly brought clothes, even after selling and donating at least a car full of items. While attending Pepperdine, I got introduced to sample sales, and some of the best boutique and high end sales for unique and designer pieces, and also how to sell on ebay.

Last month, friends from school hosted and organized a super fun clothing swap, which was also very much a Girl's Night since, the one male crasher left quickly, and there were plenty of laughs and drinks. Beyond having a blast, it also served a purpose - and was a great way to clean out the closet, and get new and wanted or needed items without being as wasteful, stay fashionable, recycle, and save money. Plus the items that didn't go home with someone, got donated to charity. Here is a picture of the bag I took and a few of the lovely new items I brought home. It was a great event, and could probably write many entries on all the benefits, and everyone who went had a great time and already talking about the next one....

wow catching up

Ok, so I have photos taken for two posts, and a third one planned. However, due to a midterm last week, a final tomorrow, and my odd summer quarter schedule, I am really just grateful that my browser is working again - also was acting weird for a few days.
Anyways,my next blog post will be about a great and fun idea for a Girls Night that helps clean out your closet, tons of laughs, and some great finds to bring home.

I am also working on creating a tulle petticoat skirt to layer into a dress for next weekend. it is fun although my creative energy is getting redirected from knitting and splitting it with school. I have been meeting some amazing Etsy shop owners and trying out some wonderful products, and looking forward to next week and having a little more time to blog.

Afternoon on Main St.

Yesterday, do to looking for a dress or tunic to wear to an event, I spent some time window shopping and browsing along Main St. Unfortunately, 2 of my favorite stores have gone out of business, and a few have turned over since I had last been in, including a store that had been a consignment space for independent lines -Hopefully the just moved. My friends used to have a great store before the rent went up a few years ago in same space. The replacement store was like etsy (before I knew about it) in a storefront. Now it is a luxury children's store.

After browsing several boutiques, and avoiding the newer chain stores, I ended up making a purchase for "supplies: at The Urban Craft Center. Located a convenient 7 or 8 block walk from my place, it is also a block from the Beach, and a popular local surf spot at Bay St, famous for the Lords of Doggtown, and minutes from the pier. This store offers a summer crafting camp for kids, and has a variety of hemp, wool, and cotton yarns. They also have fabric, felting supplies, sewing machines, and space for quilt blocking and working on projects. What is great about this store, is much of the housing in the area is apartments, condos, and small houses, that in many cases, were built as weekend beach homes, and are short on a lot of crafting space. It is also in a great plaza to hang out at, and near tons of unique shopping down on Main Street.

www.theurbancraftcenter.com

Shopping for Bloomers - Summer Wedding

So who doesn't love getting to browse around and have an excuse to pick out and and look for new pieces to wear and play with? A friend from school is getting married next month and on her wedding blog, posted many links to items sold on Etsy to help guests find ideas on how to participate in the theme.

The last time I went to a themed wedding, it was actually harder then I expected to find the right outfit for a Pink Wedding, in November, in the Northwest, with a reception at a microbrewary. When I got to Oregon. forgot the skirt I'd raced all over to purchase, and ended up buying an outfit a few hours before, and seeing someone else wore the same skirt I'd left in California. I had spent many hours looking for the right combination of "pink" and "warm" plus would fit in - and actually still wear the lovely and classic pink boucle plaid skirt I had bought for the event . (and got rid of the last minute "rush" purchase).

But I digress, this time, I am shopping for a bicycle friendly outfit to fit a Victorian / Modern Steampunk theme comfortable enough to be able to be on bluffs over the beach in August. Several of the pieces linked to from the offcial info blog were sold, extremely expensive, or for men so I've been browing etsy looking for perfect pieces that I could create my own look with and be able to use at other times.

I am , probably, due to my love for high heels, going to change shoes between the ceremony and reception, but that is because I found perfect heels to match the other pieces - the ceremony is actually on bikes, and in attending, will be taking my mountain bike and most fluffy things will catch on the surfboard rack. This fact alone, has put the some reigns on my ideas and love for costumey outfits, and gets into some of the bloomers I've been looking at on Etsy these days.

cream cotton bloomers

http://www.vilicious.etsy.com
pretty bloomers in cream cotton.
they have an elasticated waistband, and are elasticated at the knee, and edged in pretty cream lace. (they are also shown in 2 lengths and 3 colors)

Classic White Bloomers

http://www.neworleansmagpie.com
These bloomers are a classic...knee length lightweight cotton in white pique or ivory stripe. Perfect for riding the wheel or lounging around at a summer picnic. These bloomers have a wide elastic waistband, and are minimally gathered, so that the waistline is slim, unlike bloomers made with a drawstring. The waistband can be worn at the waist or hips.

FREE SHIPPING Bayou Bloomers simple rustic ruffle pantaloon in Oyster ...size Small...from down de bayou http://www.bayousalvage.etsy.com

These sweet simple and rustic bloomer/pantaloons are modeled after my own antique pair. I decided to forgo the drawstring and put elastic in the waist. Fashioned from 100% made in the U.S.A. cotton and sewn with care in the city that care forgot. You can wear them as lingerie or as shorts or as an underskirt. Perfect to wear with your bayousalvage art to wear!

Etsy is making it much easier to shop, and also fun and economical at the same time. Also, being crafty helps, since after fining the embellished slip dress "sold" in my favorites when I was ready to purchase, I saw a plain slip yesterday at a boutique I walked by and am probably going to embellish my own as a study break. Accessories are still up in the air - next post !

Spring and Summer Cleaning

I have been sorting through my yarns and supplies to find new ways to use some of the smaller pieces. A simple idea, that I have seen, and while not unique, am finding a great way to reduce extra yarns fast, is making very simple knotted lariats. I initially tried to make a braided scarf, with long strands of yarns, as a holiday gift for my Aunt. My cat, found it extremely entertaining and had his first experiences getting tangled in yarn (considering how much I knit, and have had him for 12 years - was a surprise) - he usually ignores yarn and my kniting- which is great for me to keep hi away from projects.

Since I had to untangle, I ended up hanging this from my curtian rod - the braiding still tangled, so after stumbling across a similiar item, thought hmmm, I 'll just knot it and then I can finish the gift. However, I didnt think I would actually end up adding any of these to my store. A few weeks ago, that changed, as have a box of supplies that I was considering donating since I do not like knitting with them, or not enough , or do not match very many yarns. I was watching "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and making some wrist cuffs. I got inspred to make a few more of these simple, knotted lariats, and last week started listing on etsy and am finsing they are great for spring and summer. This one sold and is being shipped out today.