After the experience of one (yes, just one) of our solar lights disappearing from our frontyard, Dave & I are a little leery of putting out anything too nifty out front.  However, we can decorate the backyard and have been thinking about what to get.

Decorating the backyard primarily means, in our case, putting something up on the turquoise wall.  I was thinking lanterns, Dave was thinking hanging wall art of a celestial nature (suns, stars, moons).  We debated the merits of Talavera objects but decided on metal.

So, yesterday afternoon, after getting the fountain running and scattering a few more river rocks, I plopped myself down in front of the computer and started searching on Etsy (and Artfire, but had less luck there).

I have to say, I really, really love the idea of Etsy.  However, it is a MAJOR pain to search.  Very clunky and time consuming.

I found two vendors that we’re going to order from:  My Truck Leroy (link is to their own homepage rather than Etsy) — one of my faves from them is already sold but their site says they’ll do custom orders/make to order –  and Winfield Designs (for some garden stakes, two stars & a moon).

…..some time later…..some work in the front yard…..harvesting a million tomatoes, getting the plants cleaned up, etc, etc……

….I got a wonderful email from Jessica at My Truck Leroy.  Dave & I have to finalize what we want & I have to get back to her.  Excited!

Contest

Answer the current poll regarding “buying handmade” and post a comment (on this post!) about your answer by noon PST Friday July 31st.  I’ll use an online random number generator to pick a winner.  Prize?  Another stitchmarker/notecard combo.  Jackie, who won the last contest, posted about her prize here.

I finished the Italian Holiday collection this weekend. Sterling silver posts, fit up to size 10 needles (10.5 fits but is in my opinion a little snug), vintage/antique and contemporary beads purchased on our trip to Italy this past summer (with Japanese seed beads as accents).  Special travel quotes on the back, coordinating ribbons for storage…..

Dainty vintage green and pink beads:

Green & Rose

And this, from contemporary Murano beads:

Sparkly Brown and Blue

And finally these, more contemporary beads from Murano:

Fiery Murano

….but not quite recovered yet from jet lag.

We got back Sunday evening and I worked Monday & Tuesday.

I finished one sock (except for the toe grafting, which I did the other day) while on the trip.

I like it!  Notice I only did 2 pattern repeats on the leg — I like shorter socks — but had to do, yes, FIVE, on the foot.

So, if I pair it with my (one) New England sock, I sort of have knitted a pair of socks. (Major second sock syndrome, I know.)

I found that the only time I had for knitting was pretty much just while in transit.  I had very little just sitting around time.

I did buy some lovely beads for stitch markers.

]]> http://www.sunsetcat.com/2008/08/28/back/feed/ 0 http://www.sunsetcat.com/2008/05/15/sunset-cat-designs/ http://www.sunsetcat.com/2008/05/15/sunset-cat-designs/#comments Thu, 15 May 2008 20:35:11 +0000 StephCat http://www.stephannietallent.com/?p=430

I’ve been working on the small business aspects of Sunset Cat Designs – DBA filed, stuff for publishing the notice for that faxed in, etc — as well as working on this site via Dreamhost & WordPress.  Although I played a lot with my blogger template I’m learning a lot more about CSS etc now.

I’m debating between getting started with ads on Ravelry and selling directly through my website vs starting up on Etsy.  I’m still considering  putting together a package of samples, info etc and trying to sell through more LYS in Los Angeles.

So far I’ve sold one set of markers through Twist and two sets at my local SnB.

It seems the only knitting I’m getting done is when I’m at SnB (the South Bay group meets at Catalina Coffee in Redondo Beach, Thurs 6p to ?).  At least I get a good couple hours of knitting done, though it’s on my easier projects (Pleated Scarf, Eyelet Cardi).

Hmm….not much on the knitting front. I’ve started the second ball of Malabrigo silky merino for the Pleated Scarf. It’s neat scarf, easy once you understand what’s going on, and it looks pretty nifty. The yarn is luscious. The sweaters have been on the back burner.

I spun a little, some of the merino/silk Chasing Rainbows roving. I can tell I’m getting more smooth and regular (good).

I’ve made several more stitch markers and sent some off to Rosemary — she’s volunteered to show some to her LYS, Wool and Company. At least per their website they don’t carry any handcrafted markers.

Stick and Stone Fiberarts is closing. Heading to their sale today. I’m bummed they’re closing. I’ve bought things from them before, both on sale and not, and I haven’t even come close to using what I’ve bought (so why go to the sale? too good of prices to ignore, even though I shouldn’t be buying more fiber). I’ll probably pick up some dyes, too.