Crafting Newletter

...

Showing posts with label crocheting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crocheting. Show all posts

Apr 28, 2011

Crocheting and Knitting Hand TIPS

Customer are often asking me how I can work so much with my hands and not complain about the pain. It's simple - I don't get pains. Like with any labor job if you want to continue doing a good job you need to take better care of yourself. Otherwise the younger folks will sweep away with your job. And so I exercise my hands and fingers not just before I start a project but many times a day. I watch my husband struggle with RA www.ra.com and I really do have to respect him because it's hard to do any form of crafting with his condition - trust me he's in pain 24 hours a day.
 I think that's why I push his items more then my items in our stores because he works with pain and I feel it's worth the sales. The shots to help him deal with the pain is over $1500-2500 depending on the brand per shot (shot last for 3-4 months before a new shot would have to be given) without insurance in which he is one of millions that do not carry it. Don't worry he'll have some with in the next month thanks to Medicare because of his disease.
 I do have insurance because I am a diabetic type 1 and require to be on insulin (lucky me 2 types of insulin I am on) up to 3 times a day on a bad day but only twice a day on all other days. This is over $400 a month in expenses even with the crappy insurance program. So as you can imagine our stores mean a lot to us...
So taking care of our hands are most important to us because our depended income. I will go over the exercises that we do first and then talk about the cream we use and how you can buy your own.

MASSAGE HANDS, WRIST AND FINGERS
I always do this first and dry (do not add lotion). I will use my thumb and do mini circles around the entire wrist. And then grip the wrist and rub. And then I will do the same thing over the entire hand and then work my fingers with a slight pull (not too hard) and take each finger bending and moving them in circular motion. I work each hand for a least 5-10 minutes per hand.

MAKING FIST MOTIONS
I will do this for about 10-20 seconds. make a tight fist. Make a fist and hold position for 10-20 seconds. And then release the pose and relax your hand for about 5-10 seconds. Repeat to 5-10 times (I do it 15 times)

CIRCLES
Take your hands and make circles going the same direction for about 10-20 second and then switch directions. Do about 5-10 of these. This helps loosen up your wrist.

WAVE
Now you know how to wave of course but instead of waving side to side. Flap your hands from back to forward (like your going to slap me lol).

MASSAGE
One last time very quickly. This time it should feel a little differently.

LOTION ABOUT 20 MINUTES BEFORE YOU START YOUR PROJECT FOR THE DAY
It will take about 20 minute to have fully dry hands... And if you work with yarns you know how important it is to have dry hands when working on a project. Some yarns are very scratchy and having moisture of any kind enhances it big time

I use BLUE-EMU (my husband winter boss got us hooked on it this winter).. Like I said this works for me but doesn't do a thing for Jorge. http://www.blue-emu.com/ will explain how it works and all the information to why you should use it including info on it's omega rich oil. I am telling you how it feels - I love it... My hands feel free and loose and I wish I could slop it on my whole body but at $17.99 a container is just too expensive for me.  You can pick this up from any www.walmart.com in the country. The best part is that the cream is ODOR FREE


When I crochet or knit I have been know to put in 8 plus hours into any given project - so maintaining good hands is very vital... And it's never too late to start!!

ETSY FEATURE OF THE DAY:
Emu Oil Bar Soap  by SoapFun

$4.25 and 64 awesome items for sale

Shop Announcement
Welcome to Soapfun. We make quality Bath and Body Products. Each product is handcrafted and hand wrapped. Top of the line ingredients are incorporated into each item we sell. Feel free to browse our shop. We are sure you will find what you are looking for. Don't see what you want, we can probably make it for you.

Any of our products can be ordered unscented. Want a custom label? We can do that too. Send an email and let us know your wishes.

We ship to the USA and Canada at this time.
A free sample will be shipped with each order

QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Do you workout before crafting?
And How?
Your comment help newbies...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Need an Ad button? I'll design it for you!
•You will receive the ad in photo format and html
- it can be used to promote your business on any blog or website!
 •$5  
Web Service
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Apr 6, 2011

Crocheting vs Knitting

How do I choose....
5 to 1

So you see by the picture that I have 5 knitting videos and only 1 crocheting. But would you believe I know more crochet stitches then knitting stitches. Knitting is wonderful and I love it but it scares the hell out of me. If I where to choose between the two - I prefer to knit. It's such a beautiful art. One that has to be mastered and one that I am far from bragging rights... Crocheting for me is quick and easy and seems to be a money maker for me. Now if I can master knitting then maybe I can bump the income level up a bit and not cringe of fear when someone ask me to make lets say a sweater, a pair of socks... These are my dream items to make. blankets, hats are easy for me now and I am ready to take the plunge to learn more. Oh summer hurry up and get here - I am so excited about seeing my friend and summer teacher (she has said I will get my first sweater done this summer with her help).

My current KNITTING project...

The knitting project I am working on is a knit 4, purl 4... I like the bubble effect and will make a wonderful scarf for me... It's a little different for me, but I am loving the challenge. I am left handed and so it's been a real challenge for me to knit because I had a right handed teacher (most people are right handed). I can crochet left handed and right handed but again because my teacher was right handed I do all of my crocheting right handed (it freaks left handed people out). I can play baseball both right handed and left handed - batting or catching... Strange and I know a freak...

Oh gosh watching Wyatt Earp right now and so when I hear a bang, I have to pause to watch... eek I love Westerns big time...

So OK the knitting videos I have are a bit old style - you can tell by the gals freaky colored nails... I find it very distracting to be honest trying to follow along with the video.  So with that in mind do read tonight's question because I really could use some help in this area....

BLOG FEATURE OF TODAY:
by aRtiSticINCLINATIONS
 
$25.00 and they have 137 items for sale
aRtiSticINCLINATIONS'
Shop Announcement


Artistic Inclinations features high quality custom boutique dresses, accessories and photography props. Each piece is handmade, beautiful, unique and so feminine; many are one of a kind limited editions. Follow the Trend, buy handmade. Stand out for the others with Artistic Inclinations exclusive designs. The Perfect Gift!

Perfect Accessories for Special Occasions, or gift giving. Need an extra item or a custom piece? Ask me :) I love to design!

LIKE my Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Artistic-Inclinations-Boutique/122840511063147

Blog: http://artisticinclinationsboutique.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CutePhotoProps

QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Can you recommend a good video for knitting?
And how did you learn to crochet or knit?
We newbies appricate any and all comments - they help us greatly...





Web Service

Mar 29, 2011

Past and Present Skills of my Life

Past and Present Skills of my Life...

Back to elementary terms and quotes kids. So I apologize if I get the name of stitches wrong and such. I am one of those who learn best by watching someone else crocheting/knitting/beading - you know stuff like that. However my art work by hand in wood burning is all me....

So two years ago I started teaching myself how to crochet. I really, really tried to learn from my mother in-law but the language barrier was too much for me. Her strong Cuban accent was just to hard for me to understand and her little fingers went way too fast. Two years later I think the sweet lady would be proud...

I have come a long, long ways from day one. LOL my squares where anything but squares. I couldn't get my ends to match to save my life. Oh I would cry (I am so not kidding) and throw my crochet hook on the floor or at my husband - today we laugh at those memories and his puck marks from the pings on poor Jorge. and the worst was when I was learning the granny square - I know I have mention this before here. And so with the reminder of my terrible crocheting fits now lets add knitting to the scene. But you know what? Knitting was so easy for me...

So why do I crochet more then I knit? It's easy - I enjoy it more and I can do so many cute little things faster - and faster means money... In the last two months I have made it a point to learn one new thing a week when it comes to the yarn world. I am so happy now because I am even starting to read patterns now without screaming because what the heck is a HDC? Ah-ha I know now Half Double Crochet.... LOL I know you crochet experts think I am a turd but these things do not come easy for me. Truly I work my hardest on my projects and pour my love into it.

Today I was watching a crocheting video and was repeating the steps in (which I got on the first try) out loud and my husband says "Wow honey you really know this stuff now - don't you?" And then follows with "I am so proud of you". Which brought up the talk, about how much I have improved over the last two years.

The one thing that any crocheter or knitter needs is support. No matter the level - really in any form of crafting, support is so needed. These things whether advanced or easy takes  lots of time to make and I'm sorry we are paid so little for the labor that goes into any project. And so I ask myself "why do I put myself through this?" EASY I love yarns.... I love advancing - and I love when people ask me for to make them a handmade item. That about pride and pride is allow in the crafting world.

I love thinking about the "Past" of my crocheting world and have had many laughs on how silly I was and often enough say "Oh yeah I've made those same mistakes" and loving in the "Future" when someone calls out for advice or for help or even better a sale because they just had to have one of my treasures...

My newest item I now know how to make is.... A way cool flower!!
I can crochet and surf the web at the same time!!
GIFTED...

My very first flower!! That is of this type...

I do custom make email me at
mr_mrs_crafty_rving@yahoo.com
for prices...

http://www.etsy.com/shop/hatmasters


http://www.etsy.com/shop/hatmasters


ETSY FEATURE OF THE DAY:
21 items for sale in this wonderful well crafted store...
$155.00

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tallulahg
tallulahg's Shop Announcement
Spring Sale! From now till April 15th all Ring Bearer pillows will be 15% off! :) Type in Spring15 at checkout under Discount code! Happy Shopping...


QUESTION OF THE DAY:
What was your project? Was it easy or hard?
Share your comments for our newbies...




Web Service

Mar 23, 2011

Crocheting While Driving Can it Be Done?

LOL my insurance is cheap but not that cheap - and so the driving was left up to the car owner... Awwww let the fingers work. And so they did!

Today was a sad day and I posted all the details on our other blog and you can read the article http://mrmrscraftyrving.blogspot.com/2011/03/dedicated-to-mike-bottom.html

And so we headed to HorseTail Falls and while in the car - I crochet a hat that I will place up for sale tomorrow on my store http://www.etsy.com/shop/hatmasters and its for a boy - so do check it out tomorrow.. It's a new type of style and I'm pretty happy with it.  This is the second time I've ever crochet in a moving vehicle and I didn't mind. It made the time go faster and kept me from being a back seat driver in which I am sure with no doubt the driver appreciated. Sorry I drive people nuts!

Not a lot to report today and so I will post pictures and get the etsy feature of the day,,,, FUN - FUN- FUN ummmmm who did I pick today? OK check pictures out and then see for yourself. Don't forget to read the question of the day and leave comments. I love all the feedback's we've been getting and just reading all of your answers. Trust me - your experiences help newbie crafters and open many other crafters eyes too - heck we all have the right to have bragging rights...





ETSY FEATURE OF THE DAY:
Knitting Bag Large Herd of Sheep with 8 Needle Slots and 3 Larger Pockets and Small DPN Case with 10 Needle Slots along with Whatnots Pocket by knittingsmybag



$36.00


This store has 110 items and holly molly way way way cool - I am in love!!

KnittingsMyBag's Shop Announcement



Thanks for stopping by KnittingsMyBag. We have great needlework project bags in small, medium and large with lots and lots of pockets! There are stitch markers and pocket mirrors that coordinate with the bags and custom orders are welcomed. Scoot on over to my other etsy shop at http://lrichmond3.etsy.com for accessories (make-up bags, foldover clutches, ISB holders, passport holders and more!!


QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Have you ever crafted in public? If so what was the project?
Share your story in the comment form.


Mar 6, 2011

OMG Yarn Mobile Application?

ARE YOU KIDDING...


Just when the whole blogging thing is sort of starting to make sense - and my time on the INET increases with desire to learn and learn and be a modern sort of gal. I find yarn applications for cell phones.

See I have the SmartPhone Ozone by HTC and as much as I love my phone - I already need an upgrade because, you see the new phones have these little things called COOLER APPLICATION for cell phones in which would help me improve myself in the whole crafting world. But I am locked in a 2yr contract with Verizon and I don't qualify for a new upgrade until next Aug. By then I can only dream of using these application and learn as much as I can about them. http://www22.verizon.com/content/verizonglobalhome/ghp_landing.aspx

And so this morning devoting myself to INET I came across some not so new application but very new to me. I have friends that use some of these application and swear by them and I am so jealous of their ability of using such modern concepts. One such site had a list of application just to knitting. http://quilt2go.com/ which has application like knitminder and even a stitchminder for quilters like my husband. Now how flipping cool is that. I feel so small in the computer world but everyday is such a delight in new adventures of all the new things I find just to scream "OMG are you for real" these words are part of my daily ritual.

I even found these other mobile application too:
- icrochet
- needles
- color match
- JCknitCal2


There are just so many application for knitting, crochet, beading and just wow all the way to the bank - lol well sort of. I pay $39 per cell phone extra just for the data plan giving us a total of $230 a month for cell phone service (I should mention we also have broadband too). Hence the reason why I am always "PIMPING" our stores to help cover the cost for the modern world of communication and failing miserably. This month alone so far we've only made $23.50 out but hey it almost covers one data plan - lol.

But regardless of my pain - I am here for you and want to see all of my family, friends, fan, future friends all succeed.... So happy knitting, crochet, beading, weaving, painting, stitching and what ever your artistic project might be.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mrscraftyrving is where you'll find me for the next month or so building and so I welcome you to come visit me and give a shout out.




Mar 2, 2011

How to Knit - The Basics

My love for http://www.youtube.com/ is so real and a site I have to visit almost daily and even multiple time a day even. I am a knitter who dream for the day when I can say yes I made that sweater and "oh so you like my knitted socks"? I shouldn't beat myself up because I have come a long ways - it's only been a year since I started knitting.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MrsCraftyRVing
The BEST place in the world to be if your a crocheter or a knitter RAVELRY web site http://www.ravelry.com/people/MrsCraftyRVing to get patterns in any catagory (they have thousands of FREE patterns too). I come here when ever I feel brave enough to try something new. This is a great site to network with other crafters. Everything from finding friends to reading members blogs to getting patterns and show casing your complete projects.
I found this hat & scarf pattern on RAVERLY- I love the turquoise color which seems to be the in color of 2011.
New to knitting? watch the video I've included on here... Enjoy - keep at it!!
Please be sure to click on any of our sponsors to this blog site. You never know what great deals you may come across.