The fruits of my labor

The first two hats sport my newest idea. Actually, it is a combination of ideas. The hat of course, but I decided to make the flowers I add to the hats into brooches. So, the end product is actually two products. The final picture is, of course a cupcake hat. This particular cupcake hat however is an example of how nice it is when a customer has a hand in the design. This cupcake was made for a young hairdresser. She told me what she wanted the hat to look like, colors etc.. As I was making the hat I was very hesitant of the colors and the bead work. I took the finished hat to the customer and as the two of us were talking I could see she was not 100% happy with the end product. I was not offended at all, I welcome the challenge of getting the end product just right for each person, their smile and satisfaction are much more gratifying than their money. So, we discussed the changes = the scalloped edge would become teal as would the cherry (with a black stem)! The black "cake" part would be made larger and the cupcake part would be make smaller. As we were talking I told her that any re-do's get put in my "to sell" pile. It makes less work for me down the road when it is time to prepare for a fair or show. When a customer wants something changed, most of the time I start from scratch. After I told her this she said - 'I bet that hat sells fast'. I smile and said yes I bet it would, but I have to admit I did have some doubt. Well, a few days later I had a request from a group at a doctor's office to see some samples. So, I sent over a bag of samples, plus some ready to sell items, the cupcake was one of them. Low and behold, it sold. It just affirmed to me that the customer's opinion and taste are valuable!

This is my first "original" work! No pattern, just right out of my little head! I'm not sure what it is though - a bumpy newsboy maybe.

The Basket Weave!

Fingers of Fury

I am quickly making my way through the back log of orders! I am excited about getting to a point where I can begin working on some new ideas and original pieces. My sister-in-law and I are also beginning to plan for the spring - fall/holiday festival season. This will be our first "official" year of trying to cover the festival circuit as serious minded crafter/business women. I am nervous and excited at the same time...What that means for me is - being busy, also that I must take my time management seriously. I will need to make sure that I can produce enough items to fill a booth at each event we schedule. What I have learned is that these festival/fair customers want cash and carry items. They want the impulse buys. So, in order for me to get that business I must make sure I have a good supply going in to each event. That means I must start making those items now. Ideally that is what I need to be doing now. I keep telling myself that with each completed back order I am closer to the point where I can begin building up my supply.
The last order I just completed and turned over to a customer was the basket weave hat. I am not very happy with the finished product. The customer on the other hand seems to be happy, and that is what matters. My conscience may get the better of me and I may try to squeeze in a second attempt at the same hat and trade it for the one the customer currently has...we will have to see.
It looks like some sewing may be on the orders list next. I see an order for an apron on my board...

Basket Weaving

The Newsboy Cap was a hit!
Now that the saga of the first Newsboy has come to a conclusion I can move on, which I have. I made my second Newsboy for a customer today. I believe I could still do better, but ultimately it is my customers who decide. (Although, I am a firm believer in 'we can all do better, always' mentality).
I reached for my next order on the board today and found that, yes, another Newsboy Cap is due. This one is for a friend of a friend who saw a hat my sister was wearing (surprise, surprise, a newsboy) and asked if I could make one. I said I would certainly try. I met with my sister to thoroughly examine the hat in question, and also just to hang with my little sis which is always a good idea. As I looked at the requested hat I realized that I had no idea how to create the pattern on the hat. I didn't know what stitching had been used. So, with the knowledge that I had no idea how to replicate this much demanded hat I turned to the trusty Internet. I was prepared for an hour's worth of searching and possibly much
I began by guessing at the stitch used and I was right - basket weave. Part two of the ordeal is that I have never attempted the basket weave stitch. Hopefully after a couple of videos online and some reading I will have a grasp on what is required for this particular stitch. I am fairly confident that it is not a difficult stitch to learn. God has blessed me with the ability to learn these crochet stitches quickly and I am trusting that his blessing includes the basket weave stitch. We shall see. I will have plenty of opportunity to practice this stitch because not long after the first request was put in for this specific hat our cousin caught a glimpse of my sister's hat and placed her order.
Here I come basket weave stitch!

Playing Catch (up)

I have declared this week "catch up" week! I am still waiting to hear from my customer about her Newsboy hat. I am finishing a hat right now that is going to be just adorable. It is an original design and I am excited to see the finished product. It is for a little 1 yr old, I believe it's going to be just precious.
My hopes are that I will get caught up this week and be down to a 1-2 week wait period for an order instead of 3-4. I also am anxious to start working on my new projects; jewelry, headbands, barrettes, afghans, slippers the list goes on and on. Plus it would be nice to work on learning some new stitches before the world catches on that I am still a novice, at least that is how I feel.
I do have a second Newsboy cap coming up (and a third after that), I am hoping that this style hat will not become my nemesis. I can't even mention the catastrophe of a men's beanie with a brim I just finished. I am too embarrassed! It is a sad thing that I might have to put away in a drawer so I don't have to see it when I walk into my work room. The Newsboy hat was trauma enough.... and I am less than a day away from a second one. I need a small victory to get my confidence up and my momentum going. I am hoping that this little girl's hat will be just that. Pictures will follow if it is a winner.

New - Newsboy Caps (sorry about the model)