Big News!

Last October I went to an information session regarding the Etsy section for the spring 2014 One of a Kind Show. I applied shortly after thinking, why the heck not? Last week I found out that I got in!!!

Participating in this show has always been a total dream so I am blown away that it's going to happen in just a couple months!

The spring show runs in Toronto from March 26-30. I sent in my contract this week and am up to my ears in planning preparations! Needless to say, I have never done anything on this scale. Since I am taking part in the Etsy section I will have a table as opposed to a booth, which is more up my alley at the moment! I have no idea how much stock to make but I do know that I have to get cracking.

I am afraid my posting here will suffer (as if it hasn't already!) but I will do my best to take as many pictures as I can of my preparations so I can post updates!

SO excited!!

Craft Show Table Displays

Last season I spent a lot of time obsessing over my craft show displays. I thought I was satisfied with my display for my summer show--at the time it was nice, but the more I thought about it, the more unhappy I was. Isn't that always the way with something you create? Once you get some distance you really start seeing the flaws.

- It wasn't shopable: patterns and clutches were just piled on or stuffed in baskets. It looked like STUFF. Not like a display.

- There was no vertical interest: This one I gave myself an out. I was on a budget, and a public transit taker. I had to keep it to a minimum so despite my constant Pinteresting, I just gave up on that one. You know when you're afraid to look into something in case it fails? Yep.

- Blah-ness. Everything kinda melded into one. Nothing about the display stood out. Sure it was cohesive but it has to be exciting as well!

So for my first show last season I made some changes: new styles (More sequins! South American fabrics! Leather!) and a new table cloth to complement these styles. That's about all I changed.

What I found was that if people looked over at my table, they came over and rummaged. However, a lot of people didn't even notice me! I knew then and there to stop mucking around and create a vertical display. To stop piling on all the stuff (but I've made SO MUCH) and focus on showcasing the quality of the items instead of having a table that says "look how much crap I made!"

So. Everything changed. Different baskets. I made display boards. I left things at home (GASP). For the first time I was truly happy with my display! The best part? It worked!

Testing out the display at home.

Vertical interest!

Last-minute button earrings. Seriously, I made these the day before a show.

The final display. So much happier with it!

A close up.

So of course, even though only a month has passed, I am now dreaming up ways to change my display for the next round. I want to expand on the shelving idea. The boards are just fabric-covered foam so I know they won't last me forever. But that's what sketchbooks are for, right? Planning!

Thanks for reading!

DIY Easy Knit Turban Headband

I've been making a lot of headbands lately. I made a bunch as Christmas gifts but then never really stopped! They're just so fun! I had been seeing this style of headband around and thought, "I could make that!"

This is an insanely easy pattern. Spoiler alert! It's stockinette stitch with one cable. It follows a simple formula so whatever yarn or needles you want to use, you can easily amend the instructions.

Here's what I used for mine:

Yarn: Bernat Roving (surprised?) in Plum
Needles: US 13

CO 14

Row 1: P1, K12, P1
Row 2: K1, P12, K1

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you are halfway done your headband.

Best practice is to measure your head first and divide the number by two. For example, I make my headbands 18 inches long so when I got to 9 inches I stopped. (Make sure to stop when you've finished a purling row so you're ready to cable.)

Cable Row 1: P1, cable 12 forward (slip 6 stitches onto your cable needle and hold in front, K6, K6 off your cable needle), P1
Cable Row 2: K1, P12, K1

Continue repeating the original rows 1 and 2 until the headband is long enough to fit comfortably around your head.

Bind off.

Use a yarn needle to seam the ends and weave in the tails.

HOW TO ADAPT IT:

This pattern is easily adaptable so you are free to make this whatever width with whatever yarn you want. It might take a few false starts to get the width right (this pattern took me 3!) but this is such a quick knit it's worth the extra time to make sure it's perfect!

Always cast on an even number of stitches. Subtract 2 for the knit edges and divide that number in 2 for your cable row. For example for thinner yarn:

CO 20

Row 1: P1, K18, P1
Row 2: K1, P18, K1

Cable Row 1: P1, cable 18 forward (slip 9 stitches onto your cable needle and hold in front, K9, K9 off your cable needle) P1
Cable Row 2: K1, P18, K1

Or if you have really thick yarn on really fat needles:

CO 8

Row 1: P1, K6, P1
Row 2: K1, P6, K1

Cable Row 1: P1, cable 6 forward (slip 3 stitches onto your cable needle and hold in front, K3, K3 off your cable needle) P1
Cable Row 2: K1, P6, K1

You get the idea! Any questions, leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading!

New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year!

 

I have a few non-businessy resolutions I'd like to share, although truthfully I started on them early because there's no time like the present!

 

I love going on walks. I don't know what I would do without my lunchtime walk with coworkers down our lovely nature trail. However, I don't explore my own goregous neighbourhood as much as I would like. That must change.

I can never decide if I hate cooking or love it. I should love it, since it's creative and productive and involves food. I think it's just extreme laziness that holds me back. I'll need to come up with a strategy to keep me on the wagon with this goal!

I used to read like a maniac but ever since starting to work full-time a few years ago, it's been a struggle to keep up with my growing book piles. I still enjoy reading, of course, but need some motivation to keep at it. So I'm going to do the 50-book challenge for 2014!

I firmly believe there can never be enough hobbies. This year I am going to take advantage of the awesome, crafty city I live in and take as many courses as possible. Screen printing, knitting, drawing, sewing. I'll take them all. Again, it's the concrete motivation that you need sometimes!

I used to be 100% music focused. Playing all the instruments, writing, recording...but now I am so out of touch with this aspect of myself and 2014 is going to turn that around. Because I miss it!

Do you have any resolutions?

Lookback

I cannot believe that this year is almost over. 2013 was my first full year as an active Etsy seller, something I had wanted to jump into for quite some time. And I accomplished quite a bit! My goals were firm but doable: grow owlswakeup, do a craft show or two, keep blogging. I have more than achieved that. I had strangers order my clutches and patterns (and if you're an Etsy seller, you know the first Stranger Sale is something to be celebrated!), I learned new sewing techniques, I connected with others with my DIY posts, and I did 8 days of craft shows. I wasn't as consistent as I would like with the blog but that will hopefully find its rhythm in the new year.

The main thing I have learned?

Always be better.

These few words have stuck with me throughout the year. It's okay to make mistakes, to take breaks and reevaluate, to try something new, something risky. Because no matter the experience, you learn from it and you'll always be better next time. These few words don't get me down, they excite me. Life without challenge is boring. Projects without enthusiasm are doomed. We can't constantly compare ourselves to others and feel down. I am proud of my ability to see the success of others not as a failure in myself, but as an opportunity to grow.

To quote my beloved Fever Ray, "Now's the only time I know."

Here's to 2014!

Winter Sale + New Listings!

Happy Holidays! 

Everything in my shop is 20% off with the coupon code WINTER20 at checkout. I've also finally listed tons of the new goodies I made for the craft show season in the shop as well, so there's lots to see!

www.owlswakeup.etsy.com

Favourite Christmas DIYs

Every year before Christmas I get super excited about all the things I want to make. Then I blink and it's Christmas Eve and I've barely wrapped any gifts yet. One day I will be on top of things! For now, here are a few of my favourite DIYs this year that I didn't have time for:

Vintage Inspired Hanging Birds - A Beautiful Mess

DIY Brass Tack Baubles - Fellow Fellow

15 Creative Tags compiled by Apartment Therapy

Balsa Wood Diamond Ornament - A Beautiful Mess

Holiday Snowflakes - The Pink Couch