Damn, it's Good to be a Craftsta...

This was a wonderful weekend for the crafty people of this house. 

Friday, when I got home and checked the mail, I found that my new issue of Craft had arrived.  This magazine makes me feel subversive and intelligent.  It gives me a look at what others are doing and gives me great ideas of my own.  This one had a huge 101 on linotyping, and, oddly enough, a how-to on the same egg-painting technique that the Yarn Harlot has been using just recently.  Also, I got my fat, but you knew that ;)

Saturday we trooped down to Webs in Northampton Mass with a bunch of friends from our yarn groups.  Lora drove with us, which is good, because we suck at getting up on a Saturday.  It may or may not happen, but when we've made a promise to someone else, the motivation skyrockets.  Isn't it funny?  We can keep promises to everyone but ourselves.

So, I didn't go down there with any particular plan, maybe a blue-green colorway for a pair of Anemoi mittens for my gram.  The Anemoi mittens... I got the cast on, went a few inches, found that the corrugated rib was far to tight to fit around my hand, ripped, cast on again (with confidence, this time) and am doing much better.  So I want to make my gram a pair for Christmas next year.  To hell with starting in June, I like to start in January.  The stress leaks right out of it.  So I'm keeping an eye out for fingering weight in emerald and teal colors.  Webs didn't have much.

No, when I go to Webs for something it never works out.  The place does, however, reek of serendipity.  I got yarn for two sweaters.  No particular sweaters, really, just enough of it to make a sweater for me in any damn style I choose.

I got 14 skeins of RYC Cashsoft, DK in Evergreen.  That picture does it no justice, as I think of it more as a dark shamrock.  It's incredibly soft, and do you know what?  It might just be a Wallaby for me.  With a hood.  I don't know.  I also go 16 skeins of Jaeger Roma in denim.  This yarn has been whispering to me.  It wants to be this, long sleeve.  I like yarn with a plan.  I also got two balls of Noro Aurora, and that's going to be a multidirectional scarf.  It'll go in the box for a gift later this year.  I think I'm going to find a few skeins of Rowan Tapestry to make that scarf out of, as well.

After Webs we were planning on going to Wild and Woolly, but we got food, and it was getting late, so we just did some light shopping (browsing some indie shops in Northampton, really) and went home.  When we got home we went right back out to buy olive oil in bulk (best deal ever when you go through 16 oz at a time) and lumber for the perfect soap mold.  Then there was sleep.

Today we woke to go to Concord and knit.  I might have stopped at the Elegant Ewe, but only to get a niddy noddy.  They had an Ashford for 15 bucks, and Webs wanted 43 for the one they had.  Pff.  And superwash wool to make a helmet liner for the guys in Heather's brother's unit.  Tell me that was not worthy.  It is.  You should make one.  Follow the link and enlist yourself.  If we can't drag them all home this instant at least we can keep them warm.

We knit with the Concord group, which is always a good time.  Heather was there this time, which was awesome, because more time with Heather is always appreciated.  I got to show her the soap's finished packaging, and talk to her about a few things regarding small business.

When we got home Chris made the perfect soap mold.  He made it a step more perfect.  He actually set it up so you can pull off one of the sides, if you so desire.  It's really a nifty contraption, and I'd take a picture of it if I didn't have some soap sitting in it, wrapped up nice and warm.  I took it for a test run (actually, I started the soap when he started putting it together.  "Is it done yet?  I'm putting the lye in the fat.") and I do believe it is going to make the perfect sized bar.

Tonight's batch used my normal fats with a little bit of castor oil, which acts as a moisturizing agent.  It draws moisture to the skin and locks it in.  Very great stuff.  I also put in oatmeal, as an exfoliant and soothing agent.  So, tonight's work brings you "The Land of Milk and Honey (and Oatmeal)" and "Jacob's Soap (Unscented Oatmeal)". 

Down to Hearth Soaps will be found at Sereknity.com as soon as I get a good stock and promo material.  Not quite sure what promo material would consist of, but I'll get cracking on it ;)

Well, that's it for me.  In fact, I think it may even be my bedtime.  For those of you who don't know, I am going into the last three days at a job that I despise.  I will never, ever, work for health insurance again.  In fact, I'm tempted to get my law degree just so I can go after them as a hobby.  A new job starts a week from tomorrow, and I feel awesome about it.

But if all of this falls away, I'll just make soap for a living.  ErickaJo, small business owner, entrepreneur.  Sounds nice, doesn't it?

Comments

[Gina House]

So exciting that you'll be selling your soaps on Sereknity...that's where all the good stuff is! I really love your lavender/eucalyptus soap, too. I would LOVE to make a Wallaby for myself...you're so lucky!

[Nichole]

Can't wait to smell this yummy soap... love the idea of the wine scent you mentioned in the previous post and the sheep mold is a must!

[Arleta]

Ooh, I can't wait to see your soaps when they're ready for sale.

I love (Hungarian?) egg decorating.(Psanky??) I have all the materials, but haven't done it yet. The sad thing is; I've had the stuff for years!

[Marion]

You go girl! I think you can do anything, small business owner, entrepreneur and more. Good luck on your new job.

[Yarnophiliac]

awwwww...you are too sweet! I'm blushing. I can't wait for Jacob's soap, either. My little guy is quite thrilled that you are making it special for him. It was great to get to spend an extra day w/ you and Chris (and Donna, too!). I'll see you tomorrow night, weather willing!