News... Endings & New Beginnings!

I know that I've been absent on my blog for quite a while now.  It has all been for very good reason if that is any consolation.  There's been a lot of things happening in my life with some things coming to an end while other things are just beginning.  It is a good transitional time for myself and my family.

First of all, I will be closing my ArtFire shop some time soon after Thanksgiving.  I've already closed both of my Etsy shops.  I've had a great run selling online with almost 1,000 items sold over the past few years.  I've enjoyed every minute of creating handmade products, selling online and at craft shows, and communicating with customers.  I feel very blessed for such good success, but I know that it is time to move on to other things.

Now on to some of those other things...
Some of you may remember a while back when I posted about a wonderful crafty job at Reader's Digest Association.  I had been contacted by the talent manager there asking if I would advertise the position on my Midwest Fiber Crafts blog, and I went ahead and posted it on that blog as well as this one.  I also checked out the position description and decided to apply myself.  Although I wasn't actively looking for a job, I didn't want to miss such a once in a lifetime opportunity.   Well, to make a long story much shorter, I got the job!  I am the new Associate Editor of Crafts for Reader's Digest Association's branch in Greendale, Wisconsin.  I will mainly be working on Country Woman magazine along with some Taste of Home books and other special interest publications. 

My husband and I are now working hard to pack up our possessions for our upcoming move to Wisconsin.  We've found a wonderful little townhouse to rent and will be relocating in the next few weeks so that I can start my new job.  It is a little chaotic in the short-term, but I know that it will all be worth it in the long-term.  My husband is just as excited as I am about moving.  We both like the area and the nature and weather up there.  He's going to be stay-at-home-daddy for a little while as he searches for a job.  I think that he's excited about spending that time with our daughter.

Well, there you have it.  Closing shop, relocating to Wisconsin, and starting a brand new job.  It is certainly a transitional time for us in the Frisby household, but we are thrilled about it all.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during our busy time.  I very much appreciate everyone who takes the time to follow my blog.  I have gotten to know quite a few of you over the years and consider you friends :)

Here's a photo of  myself and my daughter from a trip to Missouri Town a while back... just thought that you might like to see the redheaded duo...

Handmade Felted Play Hat with a Flower Theme

In the midst of everything, I have found some time to do a little feltmaking!  Hoorah!  I recently went to a local felting guild meeting (my first one) and really enjoyed myself.  They pick a theme for each month.  Then they share their needle or wet felted creations with one another at the next month's meeting.  September's theme is flowers.  I was very happy to have a focus for my felting.  I think it has helped me to find time to create things again and given me a little inspiration.  In the photo above you can see my handmade felted wool hat being worn by my lovely daughter, Rowynn, while she plays with a bin of my needle felted flowers, hearts, geodes, and other beads.  The hat is a bit big on her and a bit snug on me so I have deemed it a play hat, and she loves to wear it around the house.  It has a flower on top and pointy cut out petals that make the hat itself a flower of sorts.  It is all corriedale wool.  I made it through a combination of needle felting and wet felting.  Although I don't have as much freedom in the variety of shape of my hats with needle felting the bases, I have found that it is easier time-wise for me to needle felt first, and then wet felt the hats to finish them out.  I did come across this wonderful pointy needle felted hat form though and want to purchase it soon.  My existing foam hat forms are ones that I've crafted from combining a pillow bolster and foam pad.  They work just fine, but I'd like to have some more variety.  Below are some photos of the process and some more of Rowynn in the hat.  I've also made an alpaca/wool mix hat that I've yet to embellish and photograph so hopefully I can get that finished and share it soon.

Labor Day COUPON CODE SPECIAL at my ArtFire shop!

In honor of Labor Day and the wonderful long weekend, I am having a coupon code special in my ArtFire shop.  You'll receive $5 off orders of $15 or more if you use the coupon code LABORDAY at checkout.  The coupon is valid through Tuesday, September 7th.  (This offer excludes any applicable shipping fees and is only valid in my ArtFire shop.  Discount does not apply to my Etsy shop orders.  Coupon code must be rendered at time of checkout for discount to apply.)

If you have any questions or trouble using the code, please contact me via email at my website.  Otherwise, happy Labor Day and happy shopping!

Amazing Crafty Job Opportunity from Reader's Digest...

I just wanted to pass along the following information to you after being contacted by the recruiting manager for Reader's Digest...

They publish a number of magazine titles including Taste of Home, Country and Country Woman. They are looking for an editor to lead the creative direction of crafts projects in these publications. The position would require the person to work out of their Milwaukee, Wisconsin, office full time.

From the recruiting manager, "This is a very unique position - so we are willing to put the hobbyist skills in front of the editorial skills. I am wondering if you know of someone who might be interested in this opportunity or if you would be willing to post something on your website?"

My answer is, an enthusiastic "of course!" I'm willing to pass the word along about this opportunity. What a blessing it would be to get to incorporate your love of crafts (fiber and otherwise) into your daily job and make it your career.

Click here to read all about the position and how to apply.

(And, a big thanks to Reader's Digest's recruiting manager for contacting me and allowing me to pass along such a great opportunity to my blog readers!)

Trying my hand at some animaguri crochet... a wee little handmade dog of cotton yarn

As I've stated before on my blog, with a one year old to run after all day, it is extremely hard to find time to sit and needle felt or lay out a piece for wet felting; therefore, I've begun to crochet.  It is something that I can pick up and lay down easily and doesn't involve any sharp objects like the barb-edged needles for felting.  I miss felting daily terribly, but I've managed to express my creativity through crochet and am learning to read patterns now.

Last week I decided to try my hand at some animaguri crochet and produced a wee little dog for my baby girl to play with.  I also made a bright pink rabbit, but unfortunately, I didn't have time to snap a photo of it.  Up until these two 3D projects, I was only making wash cloths and pot holders with my beginner crochet skills.  I read through several free patterns online and watched some YouTube crochet videos before improvising a pattern for the little dog.  I think that there will be more crochet critters in my future.  I do enjoy making them, and they aren't as difficult to crochet as they appeared to me at first.  It is basically all variations of single crochet stitches.

Anyway, that's what I've been up to creatively lately... at least what little time that I've had to be creative.  I'm also building a website for a fellow, local artisan.  And, I have a wet felted wall hanging in the works if I can ever find time to put the finishing touches on it.

General news and MOPACA Fiber "U" update

Well, it has been a long, long time since I posted last so I won't delay...on with the news...

I've been so busy with non-fiber related things for the past month.  I built a website for my brother-in-laws company.  And, now I'm working on another website for a fellow artisan.  I am enjoying doing some graphic design work after a little hiatus from that type of professional work when Rowynn was born.  I am thinking of doing for-hire freelance graphic and web design work again on a regular basis.  It might be nice to cater to the artist since I know where they are coming from concerning business and dedication to their craft... just something that I'm still pondering.  I'd love to know your thoughts on it.

I've also been busy doing an array of fun stuff with my baby girl including her first zoo trip this past weekend.  She adored the meerkats as they bobbed their heads around and scurried from hole to hole.  She was also quite smitten with the sheep, and they were with her as well.  You can see Rowynn and her daddy admiring them in the photo below.

 And, I've been planning a birthday party because my baby girl enters the realm of toddler when she turns one year old on Friday.  Yay!  Happy Birthday to my fiber princess!  I can't believe that it has already been a year!

Now for the MOPACA Fiber "U" update...
I attended most of the day on Saturday, July 10th, and took a few classes.  It was well worth the small registration fee.  I learned a great deal, and of course, came home with a big sack full of fiber goodies.  If you live anywhere near Lebanon, Missouri, I absolutely recommend that you jot a note on your calendar for July 9 - 10 next year to attend.   If you are a fiber enthusiast, I feel it is 100% worth your time!  I also got to meet Ron, the maker of my lovely fancy kitty drum carder that you can see in the photo below.  He is super nice in person (as he is online).

Here's some alpaca that I purchased from Whirlwind Ranch.  It took a bit of effort to clean and card, but it super soft!  Also, the natural brown color as seen on the left above is just gorgeous.

Here's some wool that I purchased from the Ozark Carding Mill.  They had a very large selection of different sheep breeds to choose from.  The above fibers are friesian (in green), romney (in purple), and merino/bamboo blend (in turquoise/purple on top).  Below is a corriedale/bamboo blend that I spun a small skein of on my drop spindle.  I think it turned out wonderfully.  I like that the fiber is already pre-drafted for spinning, but the super thin roving is a bit cumbersome for laying out to wet felt.  I still plan to make something felted with it soon though.

After much paperwork and many hurdles...

Well after filling out what seems like endless paperwork, taking a head-spinning difficult test, and playing the waiting game, I am officially a Graduate student come the Fall semester.  I got my acceptance letter in the mail this week.  Woot!  Woot!

It has been a long time coming it seems for me to continue my education.  At first, I was uncertain of what area of study that I wanted to dedicate my master degree pursuits to.  Then it seemed, once I had a grasp on that, I was short of time and more focused on starting a family.  But now... now it seems just the right time for it.  It is almost 10 years since I graduated with my bachelor degree so it feels like a long time coming to go back for a master degree.  Although, I truly feel that there is a certain time for everything with all things coming full circle.

I begin classes in August in pursuit of a Master in Education with emphasis on Instructional Technology.  I know it is a mouthful really, but hopefully not quite as daunting as the title appears.  Really, it is a specialized degree in e-learning which is very appropriate considering my teaching and graphic design background.  I am extremely excited about starting this journey!

What about felting?  Well, I will still be felting in my spare time - even if it is just for holiday presents and the occasional online sale listing.  I think that I'll always be passionate about feltmaking and practice it throughout my life.  On occasion, it must take a back seat though.  With my family first and classes second to dedicate time to, I will be felting on the side, but I will still be felting.

And, I don't want to forget to wish everyone a happy 4th of July holiday.  I also want to declare a big "Thank you!" to all those who have served or are serving in the military as well as to their families who make sacrifices.  I appreciate you!  God bless you all!