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