too busy!

I've been way too busy this week. Between work, visiting Cincinnati, and Ben Kweller, I haven't had time to think - write - relax.


On Thursday (my only day off during a 2-week period) we went to Fabricate in Cincinnati to drop off some artwork for the Microcosm show that Mamus is participating in. I also dropped off some men's knit bandanas for the shop. Fabricate just moved down the street next to Take the Cake, so it was great to get to check out their new digs. They've definitely moved up - lots more space! I'm excited to check it out again once they get everything together. I got a sweet pin.

Following our visit, we went and gorged ourselves at The Loving Hut - a vegan chain that's popping up everywhere.  Within the last year, they've opened something like 160 locations! Crazy! It was pretty okay, but my favorite part was the pie - Raw Blueberry Cheesecake Pie (everything else tasted like basic chain fare, nothing to write home about, nothing better than what I could lazily put together at home).

Saturday, we took off to Bloomington after a crazy day at work to see the beautiful musical stylings of Ben Kweller.  I can't get enough of this guy! What a weird show though - it was at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater so there were seats and no room to get up and move. It felt like most of the crowd wasn't interested in moving anyways, so I ended up seat dancing and singing-along mostly. It was a completely one-man show - it was Ben & his voice & guitar or piano. I can't wait to get to Austin so I don't have to wait 2 years between shows.

 

fifteenth

bloomington handmade market has now come and gone. there was a pretty nice turnout & a nice selection of products/artists - overall pretty successful for a first time craft show/fair. i didn't do as well as i had hoped, but still good!

here are a couple of shots of our "booth":





it was crazy sunny in there the first half of the day - probably the first day in a few months that i got my fill of vitamin d!


my poor scarves didn't sell as well as i had thought they would. but i've come to somewhat of a conclusion based on comments & whispers that i've heard - everyone believes a hand knit scarf is something that they can make themselves. james suggested that my knitting is "too good" and doesn't look hand knit (awww, isn't he sweet) so people are not so inclined to purchase such an item.

regardless, since most of my knitting patterns are based upon my own designs, i think having a pattern (or small pattern book?!?) available for sale may be the way to go. maybe even a kit...

james had tons of success with his monster balls:




aside from the fair itself, my car was trying to overheat the whole way down there - but we made it. we unfortunately drank some terrible coffee but then made up for it with some super delicious coffee (from stefanos cafe! we met some super nice people. some lovely friends drove down to meet us and eat fried pickles & greek food. and on the way home we stopped to get a thin mint blizzard!

next up, holiday hoopla - indieana handicraft exchange mini on friday, december 4th @ the chatham center. i'll basically be selling monster balls for james, a few scarves, and perhaps some of my own holiday items (handmade stockings? knit ornaments?). should be fun fun fun - terrible sleep pattern time in full effect!

third

i completed some projects this weekend. (see below)
i also attended the "craftacular" in bloomington, which was a VERY misleading name. i don't really want to go in to it, but i was HIGHLY disappointed, and hate bloomington even more now than i already did.

to make up for bloomington's complete and utter fail, we stopped by mass ave knits on the way home. whoa. i kept saying "i need to go, i need to go" and i am so glad i finally did! it was huge, they have a sale room, a button wall, and were selling girl scout cookies. i got some great soy/wool blend yarn, and picked up an entry for bags to riches 2009.

i completed the spring beret that i almost completed at the beginning of the week, but then dropped stitches, and failed at. well, this time i didn't fail! but, it is way too big for my head and not nearly as slouchy as i would like. it's definitely a pattern i think will serve as a good foundation for something awesome. i'll have to post a photo later...

i also completed a batch of buttons!! james cut these out at the beginning of the week for me, and they really turned out nice!



i had to sand them, and then it was time to give them some color!



next, they got some detail with an ink pen.



ta da! i think the first batch came out decent. but, i see things that can be way more awesome on the next batch. they're quite cute though! i am really pleased. now i just need things to put them on!