Knitting Season!

With cooler weather coming the knitting bug has hit again.  I've mostly been knitting gifts, but it has led to another great development that I think knitters will love!  Personalized stitch markers!  There's a whole new section in my shop to showcase them.  I hand-stamp them myself, so you can get them completely personalized with your own messages on them!  Great for yourself or someone else!

Here are some examples of how I used mine:

Here I'm following a particularly tricky lace pattern (with patterning on both sides).  So I decided that in addition to using a sticky note to mark my spot on the pattern, I needed to use the stitch markers to indicate which row I have completed.  That way, if my sticky note blows off (which it has definitely done), I can still figure out what row of the pattern repeat I'm on.  It's pretty helpful.

Here I'm using my solid-brass, row-counter stitch markers in multiples of five.  But if you'd like other multiples, like twos, that's not a problem!

This is the set as it looks in my shop.  If you'd like your own, just click on the picture above.  If you'd like something completely custom, i.e., different numbers, more stitch markers in a set, etc.  Just contact me through my shop - I'm happy to talk to you!

Here are some other stitch marker sets I have available too.  These are great because I customize them with your wording in addition to what's shown here:

AND since I've been in the knitting mood lately I'm also having a special SALE on all my hand-knits!  Get 30% off one-of-a-kind, hand-knit accessories only through September 20th!  You don't even need a coupon code, the discount is automatic!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TerahClassyCreations?section_id=11887046&ref=shopsection_leftnav_7

  

SO HAVE FUN!

P.S.  If you'd like to receive these messages via e-mail (that is if you aren't already), you can join my mailing list here:  http://eepurl.com/PNYE9.  Don't worry - I promise not to bug you too much :-). 

Terah

TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com

Facebook.com/TerahsClassicCreationsStudio

Twitter.com/TerahsClassicCr

Inspired by People

Inspiration can come from inanimate objects like fashion, or even plants and nature, but the most fun inspiration comes from people!  A friend of mine recently asked me to make her a pair of earrings to match a dress she just bought (So I guess the inspiration did partly come from fashion).  I LOVE it when friends give me a chance to make something especially for them!  She allowed me creative Carte Blanche, which was amazing!

Here is a swatch of the fabric patterning at the bottom of the dress:

I loved the gold embroidered curving lines with the reddish pink sunburst in the center!  Very Bollywood! So I immediately thought of using a Swarovski Crystal rivoli in the center that would slightly hint at the red and blue colors.  I then used brass to create the swirls to mimic the curves of the gold in the fabric.

There were only two stipulations I had to follow when making earrings to match:  1.  Not too fancy.  2.  Not too long.

After beadweaving the Swarovsky Crystal in  silvery white beads (to mirror the small silvery sequins on the fabric) and hot pink hex beads (to pick up more of the main color), and many tiny wraps of brass, and a little hammering for strength and aesthetics, this is what I came up with:

After it was all said and done, I added a little darkening to the wire wraps to enhance the details of these earrings.  These earrings are a good example of what I aim to make more of in the future - pieces that incorporate bead-weaving and wire-work. They were so much fun to make - especially because I knew they'd have a good home in the end!  People truly are the best inspiration!

I'm thinking of making more earrings like this very soon for my shop!   So if you'd like something like this for yourself, stop by my shop.  If you don't already see something there you just have to have, drop me a line, and I can make a custom piece just for you!

P.S.  AND, you could even have a little brass tag with your initials stamped on it - for even further personalization!  Wouldn't that be unique and fun!

Sincerely,

Terah
TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com
Facebook.com/TerahsClassicCreationsStudio

More New Developments

My little shop started with mostly beadwoven jewelry, bags, etc.  But who doesn't love a little variety?!!! I've now expanded what I create, mostly because I love learning new and exciting techniques, and seeing how I can integrate them if possible to make the most fun, and unique accessories!

So now it seems I have five different types of products available.

1.  Beadwoven items (Jewelry, purses, and home decor)

2.  Beading tutorials.

3.  Wire-wrapped Jewelry, i.e., my viking knits (so much fun)!!!

4.  Hand-knit accessories.

and the new one. . . .(drumroll)

5.  Hand-stamped jewelry and charms!!

This is what I'm really excited about right now.  It all started when I wanted to make my own jewelry tags, and of course I didn't want to be tied down to any one style (I wanted each tag to fit the overall look of the piece I was working on).

So I learned metal stamping.  That is how I can offer you a wide variety of personalized tags to add to  my jewelry with your own initials - or a friend's initials - if it's a gift!

Recently I have been playing with stamping a little more, and I now am starting to offer hand-stamped jewelry itself. It can all be found here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/TerahClassyCreations?section_id=12143506&ref=shopsection_leftnav_9

So depending on how the creative bug hits me, my new items could be beadwoven, wire-wrapped, knit, hand-stamped, tutorials, or a mixture thereof!  SO MUCH FUN!

So if you noticed from some of my pictures, I'm also running a Spring Sale good only through May 2.  EVERYTHING at TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com is 20% off!!  So my fun can be your fun too!!!

Enjoy!

Terah
TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com
Facebook.com/TerahsClassicCreationsStudio

Interview

A few weeks ago I finished Etsy School, where fellow shop owners were paired up to help critique each other's shops and offer constructive criticism.  It has been a fun few weeks.  So.......

I want to introduce you to my new friend Jeanie.  She owns The online shop www.etsy.com/shop/jeaniebeanhandknits.  It's full of super cute hats, scarves, bags, tablet cases, etc. - all hand knit by Jeanie!  Let's find out more about her!

1.  Besides Etsy, what do you like to do?  Do you have a job you love?  A subject you are studying?

Jeanie:  I am an early childhood special ed teacher.  I am also working on an endorsement to teach ELLS.  I'll be done in May after 2 years.  And I knit at night and on the weekends.

2.  What do you like to do during your down time?

Jeanie:  When the weather is nice, I like gardening, love to visit Chicago for the music, street festivals, restaurants, and shopping.  I love movies and "bad" TV like The Bachelor and Ghost Hunters.

3.  Do you like to travel?   Where are your favorite places to visit or your dream vacation?

Jeanie:  I love to travel and would love to visit Europe.  I've been three different times, but would love to go back to Ireland and visit Italy as well.  I also love tropical areas and would love to visit the West Indies or Thailand.

Regarding your business:

1.  What inspires you to create what you do?

Jeanie:  I love color and texture.  I'm a bit of a yarn and button hoarder, so sometimes just putting the two together inspires me to make something.  I have more ideas than I can actually sit down to create!

2.  Do you have any business background?

Jeanie:  The only business background I have is by association with my husband's business.  I am too busy to take on another task, so he has other people handle the paperwork.  So, the short answer is that I'm learning as I go.  I'd like to take a business course or two over the Summer.

3.  Where do you see yourself in five years?

Jeanie:  I have no idea what I'll be doing in five years.  I'll probably still be teaching, but I'd love to own a brick and mortar store - a coffee shop/boutique, a place where people can hang out, read, catch up with friends, and of course, knit!!!!

It was really fun to get to know her!  I don't know about you, but if she ever opens up her brick and mortar store, it sounds like it would be a great place to visit!  In the meantime, you can visit her online shop.   Here are some of my favorite items:

Fun, beautiful colors!  If you like what you see, stop by her shop: 

JeanieBeanHandKnits.etsy.com!

Enjoy!

Terah

TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com

Urban Chic In The Making

Last time we talked I showed you my shawl/scarf in the in-progress stages.  (http://terahsclassiccreations.blogspot.com/2014/02/minor-shop-changes-things-to-come.html)   It has taken about two months from start to finish, and used much more of the premium yarn than I would have ever expected, but I really love the way it turned out!   The colors really pop and accentuate the lines!

Here, let me show you the finishing process it went through - BLOCKING

 In blocking you need to first wrap the piece in a towel to get the excess water out and then lay it out on a flat surface.  (In this case I used the largest beach towel I have. I apologize for the clashing of the towel colors with the shawl colors.) 

  Then I used special blocking wires and rust-proof pins to open up all the delicate lacework.

 I think it made all the difference - it made it truly bloom!

Here are some shots of the final results!

I think it looks great draped around the neck like a voluminous scarf!  Of course you can drape it over your shoulders for a more traditional look.

 I love the leaves, and the edging!

This would look great with jeans!

 Once draped around the neck like this, it's surprisingly warm because it's 75% wool!

 I knitted it with machine washable wool - so you can put it on the delicate cycle in a lingerie bag, and lat flat to dry!  So much easier to care for than most hand-knit shawls!

Incidentally, it was knit from the Haruni Shawl pattern by Emily Ross (found on Ravelry.com).  

 (Here's the whole thing stretched out - also, this shows the "wrong" side.  I think it's just an equally beautiful, alternative look to the right side - don't you?)

You can get it in my shop TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com. Oh, and I have also added to my line of hand-stamped tags for personalized gifts!  And for you knitters out there, I'm going to be adding some hand-stamped stitch markers that I'm pretty excited about!  So stay tuned, and feel free to stop by anytime!

Enjoy!!!

Terah

Minor Shop Changes & Things To Come

So, there are some tiny changes that I am making to my shop.  One of them is my avatar.  The avatar I used to have mirrored the style of my old shop banner.  But now that the banner has changed, the avatar looked a little out of place.  So  I'm excited to use this avatar from now on:

I'd love to get everyone's opinion. 

Also, I've been working on a leafy shawl that has taken me about a month so far.  It's in a vibrant aqua blue, parrot green, and tan colorway in a very nice yarn.  So it I'm very excited about it!  I don't have the finished product to show you yet, but here are some in-progress pictures.

 

 It's still on the needles here.  So once it's finished you'll see how much better it looks after blocking!  I think it will look spectacular worn around the neck just like a scarf, but since it has much more material, it will look even more luxuriant with the leaves peeking out from the folds!  Once I have it finished, I will post pictures here as to how I envision it being worn!!!

I hope to see you all very soon in my shop!  TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com!

Have fun!!!

Terah