The Joy of Spinning!

I have recently discovered the art of handspinning........and I am in LOVE! I am a big Etsy promoter, and I buy my spinning supplies exclusively on Etsy. I purchased this bundle of fiber from North Star Alpacas on Etsy. It is a blend of 70% Alpaca and 30% Silk. The Alpaca was a natural fawn color and the silk was dyed red, together the fiber becomes what I refer to as a Dusty Rose color. I absolutely love this fiber. I spun up 2 oz of it already and it made 144 yards of a light worsted weight yarn, 12 wpi. I am knitting a cowl and shawl in this fiber. I have started the shawl already. I was going to wait until I had all the fiber spun, but I just couldn't wait to start knitting with it. It is a dream.

I purchased my solid oak, top whorl drop spindle, from Spinsanity on Etsy. Both shops are based here in Michigan, which is another bonus. I am very dedicated to shopping local whenever possible, and there are many shops on Etsy owned and operated by fellow Michiganians. I guess, with the economy the way it is, many people are turning to running there own business. At least that way, you will never be downsized, and you can spend your time doing something you love.
I know that I love what I am doing. (I was permanently laid off when my office closed almost 2 years ago). Now I work a part time job away from home to help supplement my income right now, but as much as I need the extra money, I just wish I could spend all my time making the things to sell on my etsy. I am just bursting with new ideas and wanting to try new things all the time.Back to topic, I know I run off on tangents sometimes, in addition to spinning my own yarn and carving rubber stamps, I am still very active in my mail art trading.


I just finished up some Button Fairies and Valentine Chunky Pages for swaps on Mail Art World. I love these Button Fairies, and I think I want to make many more of them. I collect all things relating to Faeries. I even have my eye on a yarn gauge at BrandywineWW on Etsy that is named after the Fairy Cup that was carved at the top of the handle. Take a look at it here........How cool is that!

Hand Painted Pottery!

My sister and I went to the Fire House Pottery Studio here in downtown Marshall and picked out some ready made pottery to paint. We both had been looking at 2 Tea for One sets , each a different style, and finally decided to paint them.

While I painted for about an hour, my sister sat and stared directly at her tea set. She had no idea what to paint on such a large project. Eventually she gave up and decided to trade it in for 3 smaller pieces, an angel ornament, a ladybug trinket box and a small cup for her 3 year old daughter to paint. (Sadly, this little cup was broken during the painting process....but the owner was kind enough to offer a replacement cup the next time we come in to paint). Hopefully we can return on Saturday because I am just about finished with my piece and can't wait to see it once it is fired and all the colors come to life.On a final note, I just had to share the rubber stamp I carved for my Dad yesterday. He had asked me to make a stamp for one of the companies he works with (my dad writes tv and radio spots for advertising). Here is the finished stamp.

Faerie Moving Day!

I just couldn't wait to share the beautiful faeries I have captured. These faeries are getting ready to be placed into their new homes. Beautiful glass jars filled with natural dried flowers and pretty polished stones. They will have butterflies and dragonflies as their companions and the jars will be tied up with ribbons and plenty of sparkling glass beads and swarovski crystals.....you know how faeries just love sparkles and glittery things. I will be sure to post a pick of the Faeries' new dwellings...but for now it is off to the work table to complete Faerie home construction!