Fall Show schedule is pretty much set!

I've got my fall show lineup complete!  Just got word today that I was accepted into the Ninth Annual Holiday Craftacular which was the last show I was waiting to hear about.

You'll be able to find Kitty Grrlz Hand Spun Yarn and Knits at five events starting in September.  I'll kick off the autumn show season slowly with a small fiber event called Fiber in the Park in Earlville, Illinois.  This is a really nice, small, local fiber-focused event.  It is held at Shabbona Park - 4165 E. 16th Road in Earlville, Illinois (zip:  60518).  I will have my handspun yarns at this show, but will also have a lot of other fiber and yarn items.  I won't have many finished hand knits, however.  EDITED to note that the Facebook page for this event has listed the address as 4178 Co. Hwy. 22 which might help!  Check out the Fiber in the Park website for more information!

Next, I'll be at the Handmade Market at the Empty Bottle in Chicago, Illinois on October 12.  This show will be the debut of one of my new fall finished knit items...and I'm not going to say more until then!  I'll have lots of hand spun yarns here, hand knit scarves and more.

In November, I've got the trilogy of awesome indie craft shows!

I'll start off on November 16, 2013 at Craft'za in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  This is the FIRST time Kitty Grrlz will be in Minneapolis!  I'm really excited and hope this will be a great way to start off three weeks of indie craft awesomeness.  I'll have all of my regular items here - hand spun yarns of all types (art yarns, bamboo, single plys and more!), plus a full stock of hand knit items - scarves, shawls and hats.  Plus my new hand knit accessory (more details will come later.)  This event is being held at the Grain Belt Bottling House Atrium.

Next up will be the Holiday Craftacular in Madison, Wisconsin.  I haven't done a Craftacular in a few years so am excited to be back in Madison.  I'll have my mix of  hand spun yarns and hand knit items.  This will be held at the Madison Masonic Center in downtown Madison.

I'll end the season on what I hope will be a very high (but sad) note - the grand finale of ART VS CRAFT in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  I love this show and the past few years it has been my best event of the year, and this will be the FINAL event.  I'm already planning something special for this show and it will be the only November show where I will have blended fiber batts for spinning and felting.  It is held at the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.

There is ONE more place you'll be able to find Kitty Grrlz Hand Spun Yarns this fall and that is at the Willow Mist Boutique - 1107 Ligonier Street in Latrobe, Pennsylvania!  Right now I've got an assortment of Kitty Grrlz HandSpun FunctionArt art yarns there, along with some perfect-for-Autumn single ply skeins!  Their GRAND OPENING is September 14, 2013!

I'll post more about each event as it gets closer, but this is where Kitty Grrlz will be this fall!  Now, I better get working ... I've got lots to knit and spin over the next few months!

Art vs Craft, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and more!

Wow, it really has been awhile since I have posted! I've been busy getting ready for November shows, the last of which is tomorrow!

ART vs CRAFT - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Saturday, November 27
10am-6pm
For more information check out the Art vs Craft site here

I'm also currently running a special on gift cards in my Etsy Hand Spun Yarn Shop - they are discounted 20%! Purchase by noon on Sunday, and they can only be redeemed AFTER December 1, 2010. You can find them in this Gift Card section here!

And, since Etsy now supports coupon codes, I will be having a CYBER MONDAY SALE as well, but will post details about that on Sunday.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and happy shopping! :)

Summer CRAFTACULAR tomorrow in Madison!

Tomorrow - Sunday, August 15 - is the Summer Craftacular in Madison, Wisconsin. I will be there with my hand spun yarns, fiber batts, art yarn kits, and hand knits! I will be in booth #25, which is on the stage. Here is just a small sample of the items I'll have -


For more items, check out my etsy shops - Kitty Grrlz Hand Spun Yarns and Kitty Grrlz Knits!

After the show, I should have some new yarns to list on Monday!

Cedarburg Fall Wine/Harvest Festival this weekend!

This weekend I will be at the Fall Wine/Harvest Festival in Cedarburg, Wisconsin! I do have a few new pairs of wristwarmers, and shawls in every color of yarn I have available! I didn't get nearly as many done as I wanted to, but something is better than nothing, and I will be able to take orders for them as well.

I also have an amazing new color of bamboo. I may have a picture posted on my flickr later today, but it is basically a very dark version of "Spring Forest" and I am calling it "Holly Berry Trail". Very deep burgundy and a darker green and silver. I loved it so much, I spun 4 skeins last night!

I'll also have one new art yarn and 6 or 7 new scarves!

Please come by if you are in the area - it is a large festival and lots of fun! You can get more information by CLICKING HERE.

Hours for the festival are 10am-6pm on Saturday, September 20 and 10am-5pm on Sunday, September 21.

My booth is #195, near the corner of Turner and Washington. I am actually on the opposite corner from Turner Street.

Now, it's back to work for me as I've still got some things to finish up!

Kitty Singles! and more . . .

Once again I haven't had a chance to blog and now I've got a couple of things to get to today . . .

First, I'd like to mention that I'm being featured on this wonderful blog. And, not only that, but she is having a give-away drawing of a fun bag of goodies later in the month. If you win, one of the items you will receive is one of my mini-skeins of Navajo-plied yarn. Please check it out!

On the spinning front, after completing my first Alchemy request, I needed to spin up a few singles - partly because I sold a few at the beginning of the month, and partly because I needed something that was a little "quicker" of a spin than the art yarns. Here are the 3 newest:

Spring Peacock

Spring Sweets

Ocean Rainbow

Single ply yarns ARE one of my newsletter April specials, so if you are interested in receiving the discount, please EMAIL ME to be added to my newsletter list. I send out only one email a month and it usually includes at least 2 special offers that last throughout the month and are ONLY for newsletter subscribers.

I also spun up some more coils the other day! This is the second batch of fiber called "Headbanger" that was hand dyed by the Yarn Wench. The other 2 skeins have already sold, but these are now available:

58 yards (Bruised Heart 4)

34 yards (Bruised Heart 3)


And, finally, I am doing a show this weekend! I will have at least 5 shawls and lots of yarn! Here is the information:
A Fair to Remember
Washington County Fair Park
3000 Hwy PV
West Bend, Wisconsin
9am - 4pm

Please come by if you are in the area!

This Weekend! Valentine Craftacular!

Don't forget! This Saturday, February 9 is the Valentine Craftacular at the High Noon Saloon in Madison, Wisconsin! Despite the crazy snow we had this week - I WILL BE THERE!!! If you are in the area I hope you come by!

Also, my newsletter subscribers have a special discount they can use at the show - so if you'd like to become a newsletter member - just email me! I only send out ONE email a month and there is always at least one special or discount for NEWSLETTER Subscribers only! These are the *only* specials I usually offer now!

In other news . . . no yarns spun last night but I did knit a pair of wristwarmers for the show this weekend. My plan is to do one more pair tonight, finish a scarf and that will probably be it. I'll be getting back to the spinning wheel on Sunday, for sure . . .

ART vs CRAFT this SATURDAY!

It is my LAST SHOW OF THE YEAR!
Art vs Craft in Milwaukee, WI!
CLICK HERE for all the important information!

The basics:
Saturday, December 8 from 10am-7pm
Scottish Rite Masonic Center
790 N. Van Buren Street
Downtown Milwaukee

I will be in the LOWER LEVEL, booth number 76.

Hope to see you there!

My TV Debut!

Ha, okay, I have found out that the footage from the interviews on Sunday (as promotion for the High Noon Saloon Holiday Craftacular) are online HERE. Look on the right side and I am in the segment "Live from the Christmas Craftacular Part 2". :)

Speaking of the Craftacular, it was another great show!! Naomi and Emily do such a great job getting this show set up and promoted--I really feel scoring the TV time helped a lot! There were quite a few people who came to the show on Sunday and specifically said they saw it on TV! It was another fun show, too, with great vendors and wonderful customers! I can't wait for the next one.

In other news, I will be doing my SECOND to LAST SHOW of the YEAR this SATURDAY! It is the 34th Annual ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR held at UW-Parkside in KENOSHA, WI this Saturday, December 1. The show runs from 10am-3pm and is in the Main Campus Complex. I will be in booth number 57 on the Union Bridge. If you are in the area, come on by!

I'd also like to add a BIG HUGE THANK YOU to all my craft show and online customers that have made this year so so good! I appreciate you all and hope you will continue to check out Kitty Grrlz. (There will be lots more new "stuff" in 2008--like a monthly newsletter, more bamboo, free patterns with purchases, and more! See my next post for more!)

It's time for the DIY TRUNK SHOW!

So, 3 years ago, I did my very first Big Craft Show. It was the DIY Trunk Show in Chicago, Illinois. I was making jewelry at the time and did the show as the "Crafty Librarians". I had beautiful items from several librarians from across the country! It was a great show! AND!! (this is the most important thing!) . . .

I LEARNED HOW TO KNIT AT THAT SHOW! :) The local Stitch n Bitch group was giving lessons up on the stage in the Auditorium. Our spot was very near there and since it is was quiet at first (and, a fellow librarian was there helping me) I went up to get my free lesson. They provided acrylic yarn and metal needles. They showed the cast on and then the knitting. I was all thumbs, seriously. I never thought I would get it! I felt like an idiot and was sure the girl trying to teach me thought I was too. BUT . . . when I got home I went out and bought some purple yarn (they had given me yellow, not really my favorite color) and started knitting. I just knit and knit and knit . . . I ended up knitting a long rectangular object that today most resembles a table runner (yes, I do still have it!).

THAT was the beginning. I jumped into knitting full speed ahead and by the next year at the very same show (2005 DIY Trunk Show), I was there with HAND KNIT items. Lots of them. AND, I wore the SWEATER that I knit. My enthusiasm was probably just a little toxic as I told *everyone* who would listen that, why, yes, I did knit my sweater, AND I LEARNED HOW TO KNIT AT THIS SHOW!" ;) You can actually see me and my racks of scarves in this picture. (The picture is actually from the 2006 show!)

But, you say, don't you spin now more than knit? Well, yes, I probably do. BUT, had I never learned to knit . . . I wouldn't have come across the YARN WENCH. In the summer of 2006, a fellow librarian forwarded a link to her Pirate Yarns. I was definitely intrigued as at that time, well, I was a horrible yarn cheapskate! First, I didn't like wool and tended to stay away from it. Second, I wouldn't spend more than $3-5 on a ball of yarn. Horrible! Anyways, I bought one of Lynn's Pirate Yarns, THIS ONE as a matter of fact, and I was hooked! It was SO SOFT! (I didn't know wool could be so soft!) and I just became entranced by her art yarns! Now, I still use the occasional craft store yarn, but using handspun has definitely spoiled me and I do prefer it over any other kind!

Then, she started selling handdyed fiber, and of course the wheels were turning . . . if I could buy the fiber and spin my own, then I could sell the yarn AND the knit items WITH MY OWN yarn! It just sounded so fun . . .

And, so, that's what I did. I took a class last December and bought my wheel December 17, 2006. I haven't even been spinning a year and yet I feel like I've been doing it forever! I DO love it, and, really, when you think about it, IT'S ALL THANKS TO THE DIY TRUNK SHOW!

:)

So, please consider stopping by! It is SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 from 10am-6pm at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, 1419 W. Blackhawk, Chicago, IL. For lots more information and a list of vendors, CLICK HERE.

Christmas in the Country Craft and Art Show

Another weekend, another show!

This SATURDAY, November 10 (tomorrow!) I will be at the Christmas in the Country Craft & Art Show in Deerfield, Wisconsin. It is at the new elementary school -- 340 West Quarry Street -- in Deerfield, WI.

The show runs from 9am-3pm
$1 admission for adults, kids are free!

**Make and Take Craft Workshop for kids!
**Afternoon Visit from SANTA!

Concessions and free babysitting service available throughout the day!

If you are in the area, come on by!

CRAFTED! in Palatine, IL November 4

Yes, I know once again I have been slacking on the blog front. I've just been busy and not feeling well, and just all around distracted, I guess! I do want to post about an upcoming show, though, that is THIS SUNDAY!!

CRAFTED! in Palatine, Illinois!
It is at Durty Nellies and will be a great place to start your holiday shopping!
It is from 9am-4pm and there will be a masseuse on-site offering chair massages!

For more information, CLICK HERE!

Success!

So, after 3 "bad" shows in a row (by bad I mean, making only a little over the cost of going, though I still did make "something" at each one), I admit to not really looking forward to this past weekend when I was a vendor at the Fall Harvest/Wine Festival in Cedarburg. I was secretly hoping this one would be good given the size and what I had heard from others, but you never know, and I admit I was dreading it.

Well, it was FABULOUS!!!!! It was SO worth the fee and the stress! I had a couple of return customers from a previous show which was great! I also had a woman (she is part of this group, the Crafty Angels) buy an armful of yarn for knitting holiday gifts! Her purchase alone made Saturday worth it! I actually sold more yarn than knits, though I did sell all 4 pairs of wristwarmers I had and both remaining shawls.

I had a perfect spot, in my opinion. I was in a high traffic area but not near some of the *really* crowded areas (like by the food). I was next to Amy's Candy with the Chocolate Factory on the other side of them. I had a small space on my other side, then another vendor. My spot was in perfect proximity to a side street where I could park all day. I also brought my spinning wheel, and on Saturday, I spun this yarn:

Pumpkin Patch Handspun Navajo 3-Ply Yarn

My friend came by on Saturday, but I was on my own on Sunday. This always stresses me out a little, but the people in the booth next to me were very cool and kept an eye on my wheel while I ran for a cookie & hot chocolate in the AM before it started. See, I usually get to shows right at the set-up time, even though it only takes me about an hour to set up. I do this, though, so I can get a good parking spot, and also so I'm not rushing around at the last minute. I also noticed that at this particular festival, which officially started at 10am, there were alot of people starting to look at 9am. Oh! And, I also met a fellow etsian, SaraLibbey! Yay for putting a face to a name!

And, the WEATHER! It was PERFECT!! A bit chilly on Saturday morning, but the cooler temperatures probably helped my sales in that it got people thinking about winter, knits, wool, etc! Sunday was a little warmer and a little less crowded, but it still seemed to be a hopping event! I definitely am hoping to do it again next year!

On Sunday, I also spun, and this is the result, another Navajo 3ply, this one probably DK weight or thinner (haven't checked the WPI yet):

Andromeda 1 Handspun Navajo 3ply Yarn

Andromeda 1 Handspun Navajo 3ply Yarn

I'll also quick show this yarn--it was done on Friday, sold on Saturday! i have more of the fiber so plan on spinning another one similar to this one:

Tropical Fish HandSpun Art Yarn

I have a show this weekend but I should have enough to get me through, though I do plan on doing some knitting and spinning this week so I have some new things. THEN, I will need to really get productive again as I have some really big shows in November and December (and, hopefully October). I'm just so happy this show went well and I'm so thankful for all of the wonderful customers that came through my booth!

So behind . . .

in posting! I am back to work today -- ended up taking all last week off. The shows were pretty good (more on them later) and when I did return I went on a 4-day spinning and knitting spree!

Quickly . . .

My booth at Musky Fest:

Musky Jamboree 2007 booth

Musky Jamboree 2007 booth

This show was pretty good. The weather was *perfect*, seriously. Sunny but not too warm so people weren't afraid to try things on. I sold a little bit of everything--yarn, shawls, and even a hat and scarf set. This was on Sunday, August 12 in Boulder Junction, WI.

On Wednesday, August 15 I was in Eagle River at the Paul Bunyan Festival. It wasn't quite as good as Musky Fest, but I still did okay. After a morning that looked a little dicey as far as weather goes, it cleared up and was pretty nice (though windy). I sold a bit--mostly shawls, but not as good as Musky Fest. Seemed like at Musky Fest people weren't put off by my prices, whereas in Eagle River, they were. I could tell -- someone would love an item . . . until they looked at the price tag. Oh well. I know my items will not be for everyone!

On that note, these were the first two shows I was able to accept credit cards at, and I did make two sales at each show using my new account. I called them in after the show, but it went really smoothly and the fees are similar to paypal. I use propay.com.

I did bring my wheel to the shows and was able to spin this yarn while there:

Kindred Spirit 3ply Handspun Yarns

I absolutely love it!! It is from handdyed domestic wool from the Yarn Wench that I've actually had for quite awhile. It Navajo plied perfectly!! (okay, the plying isn't quite *perfect* but the colorway lent itself very well to this technique as it kept the gorgeous colors more solid!) It is on my website or etsy.

I was very homesick while up north, and I was *so happy* to get back late on Wednesday night. I was very beat, though, after a long drive, and ended up taking Thursday off from work. I went on a knitting rampage that day! I knit two hats and three scarves! Here are a couple of pics:

Mandarin Sky Hand Knit Scarf

Sailors Warning Hand Knit Keyhole Scarf

Sailors Warning Hand Knit Hat

Raspberry Floozie Hand Knit Scarf

Raspberry Floozie Hand Knit Hat (with pompom) (on)

Okay, I will write a separate post for the new yarns, as there is ALOT of them! :)

Belated weekend recap . . .

So, the stress of the upcoming shows is really hitting. I will be in Boulder Junction, WI on Sunday, August 12 and Eagle River on August 15. I'll also be visiting my Dad and Grandma, and it sounds like my sister will also be up there on the weekend. But, that's the upcoming weekend, let me briefly update on this PAST weekend! :)

I did some knitting--finished two light weight accessory scarves on Friday & Saturday from super soft nylon microfiber yarn. They were popular at Art vs Craft, so I wanted to have a few more. (I will eventually have pictures up just haven't edited them yet.) Saturday I took a break and we went to a Brewer's baseball game. (They won!) Then, on Sunday, my main "work" day I ended up not spinning or knitting, but instead made 200 bookmarks! They are my "yarn p0rn" bookmarks--made from pictures I took of my yarn, printed out on high gloss paper, then cut/cropped and laminated. I also have two sayings that I put on the back, the one I thought was fairly clever, though I don't know, maybe it's a little too dorky--"There's always time for another good Yarn." I also did a few with pics of Bug (my cat) and the one of her through my spinning wheel turned out to be my favorite, I think. I will eventually be posting pics of these, too, but just haven't had time. If they sell at the shows, I may eventually get them up on my site or on etsy.

Tonight, I started and completed another summery Triangle Shawl (I also finished one up last night so that leaves only ONE more i want to finish before the shows). I finally figured out a much easier way to do the fringe, so now I don't dread knitting them!

Tomorrow, I plan on spinning up Russet Tealberry, more gorgeous wool from the Yarn Wench. I'll also spin up some odds and ends for yarn to use on my keychains. Wednesday I will knit that last triangle shawl, and Thursday finish up the odds and ends I have and maybe spin another yarn. We'll see.

I have no idea if I'll have internet access while up north. I know I won't have any access on Sunday and Wednesday, but I'm hoping to take my laptop and use the WIFI at the library (from what my sister says) on Monday and Tuesday so I can update inventory on my sites, etc.

I will still be online this week but probably not spending alot of time blogging or on etsy. No new items will be added until I return from the shows. I will of course keep an eye on the Yarn Wench site for an update, though! :)

Now, it's off to bed . . .

ART VS CRAFT TODAY!

Art vs Craft is TODAY! Milwaukee, WI!



100 artists crafters and designers from Milwaukee & Beyond
$2 admission kids under 13 FREE

July 7th 11-7:30pm
July 8th 11-5:00pm

1025 N. Broadway in downtown Milwaukee
The first 200 shoppers on Saturday get a silk screened canvas tote bag full of goodies!!!

I will be in booth #80, in the back corner near the "Make & Take" area! If you are in the Milwaukee area hope to see you there!

Art vs Craft

is less than a month away!

If you are in the Milwaukee, WI area July 7-8, check it out!! For more info check out the ARTvsCRAFT website.