Preparing to Launch!

Space Shuttle Endeavor by Steve Jurvetson

I am getting ready to soar into the wild blue yonder of etsy. I have been working on my shop profile, announcement and policies this week. The planned date for lift-off? November 1, 2010. Here's a peek:

I am really thrilled to have this opportunity. I love crochet! I have noticed many gorgeous crocheted items in the etsy treasuries lately. I definitely want to be a part of that trend. I am also looking forward to joining the sellers on etsy and learning from them. Wow, this is exciting!

Crochet Inspiration from An Area Rug

I saw an ad in the September issue of House Beautiful magazine for this rug:

I liked the use of brown and turquoise and used this inspiration for two new crochet designs. I used simple stripes this time and also created a bowl with a lid. A lid comes in handy for keeping items cleverly hidden. :-)

Brown and turquoise striped crochet bowl.

Brown and turquoise striped crochet bowl with lid.

The button on the lid.

My big news is that I plan to open my etsy shop to sell my bowls in the next couple of weeks. I will post an announcement here on my blog.

Let's get some conversation going. Any questions, comments or suggestions? I'd love to read them. Have a wonderful day!

Crochet Inspiration from Etsy

While perusing the crochet category on etsy, I discovered some lovely and fun designs.

1. Sabahnur 2. Modern Needlepoint  3. Gsakowskidesigns

4. Sweetpeatoadtots  5. Aminfriends 

It is a joy to see crochet being used in modern and innovative ways. It has played second fiddle to knitting for long enough!!

Dainty Crochet Earrings

A quick and fun crochet jewelry project! I used this pattern from Julie Bolduc to make gifts last Christmas. I customized the pattern by adding 4 mm bicone Swarovski crystal beads.

Pink crochet earrings.

Purple crochet earrings.

Yellow crochet earrings.

It was such a joy to make these gifts for my friends. I have yet to decide if I will be making any Christmas gifts this year. I do want to support my fellow handmade artists, which is why I am participating in A Crafty Holiday. Angela Flicker is hosting a blog hop for bloggers to visit each other with ideas and inspiration for handmade gifts made by other artists. There is still time to contact Angela (deadline is October 14) if you are interested in participating. I'll bet we're going to be blown away by the beautiful wares!!

So, what are your plans for holiday shopping this year? Making your own? Buying handmade? Buying online? Braving the shopping centers? I'd love to know!

The Galah Crochet Basket

My latest crochet basket was inspired by one of my favorite Australian birds, the galah, or rose-breasted cockatoo. We had many of them visit us during our two years in Canberra. Our nickname for them was "Lovelies". I really admired the gray and rose of their feathers. Such a beautiful bird!

Gorgeous Galah

Close-up of satin cord crochet basket

Silver and rose pink satin cord crochet basket

I can picture this color combination in an entry hall for keys and sunglasses. Or how about a lady's dressing table to contain those beauty supplies?

A Larger Crochet Basket Design

Hello, everyone! How about a glimpse of a larger crochet basket I created? The wavy stitch design is the same one that I used on the baskets in my previous post. This time the dimensions are 7" x 3 1/2".

Toffee and Light Blue Satin Cord Crochet Basket

Close-up of my crochet stitches

Bottom of basket showing my label and embroidered edge

Picture a lovely beach house, with this basket filled with shells or starfish on the coffee table. I can also see it in a bathroom, filled with hand towels or wash cloths. How do you envision using it in your own home?

Wishing everyone a beautiful Friday and a lovely weekend. I can feel fall in the air!

My Latest Crochet Creations

I took some time today to work on my photography. I practiced on my latest design which is a wave stitch. I like the fluidity of these bowls, the way the satin cord makes me want to sculpt it once it is completed. I also used the wave stitch on a hemp twine acorn bowl. The shape of it is very fun.

Coral and light blue satin cord crochet bowl.

Doesn't my prop look delicious?

Fuchsia and apple green satin cord crochet bowl.

Close-up of my stitches.

Turquoise and black satin cord crochet bowl.

Turquoise and white hemp cord acorn crochet bowl.

Another view.

View of the lid.

What do you think? I do feel like my photos are starting to show improvement. I know I have been told many times to take lots of shots, but I skimped a bit because it was hot outside and the gnats were gnawing on me.

The next series of designs I am going to work with softer colors of the satin cord. As much as I love the brights, I want to be able to offer muted tones as well.