My week in Pictures

So we are still trying to transfer the domain name for the new website across - While it is still in transit I though I would post this one here

Week 17-23

London to Coventry and back - my inspiring travels

So I did go down to London last week but strangely it was just a coincidence that it was the same weekend as the Olympic opening ceremony.  

I hope they leave Blackfriars bridge this way

Cider in Sun by the river- anything better?

So inviting! 

So much going on for the Olympics...

Southbank art 

Knitting - or lack of it! (Etsy, London and machines)

I have been fairly busy with all manor of things lately but most of these have not been knitting related. Visiting London twice (recommend the Tate Modern Tanks -http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tanks-tate-modern/eventseries/tanks-art-action), working extra shifts at the pub, friends birthdays ect...... It's taken its toll on the business and me. 

When you work for yourself it's all too easy to put things off, give others priority and just generally waste away your time. From 9 till late in the evening, Monday to Friday I am supposed to be working in my studio. No use making excuses (it's too distracting in the house, I will make it up at a later time) I need to work harder on this! 

The Two Season has had a good response on Etsy 

Beside's from all the distractions keeping me from knitting other admin jobs have taken priority. Don't know if you have checked out the Etsy shop lately but I have been workings really hard on it. It's not as simple as getting everything up there and then just waiting for the sales to comes in. There is so much details that go into the listings and so many tricks and hints to learn. Luckily Etsy know this and so have a great community page to help with this - http://www.etsy.com/community/online-labs. I think there is just so much to talk about on this matter that I may save it for another day!

However it seems that the gods are against me knitting all together. Last night I put needles to the metal and started on a new cotton shawl - (lovely fair isle, using the holding stitch). Just as I was getting going I dropped the carriage off the side of the machine........ big holding of my breath...... yep you guessed it -I broke it! It wasn't too serious at first, it just wouldn't fit back on to the machine. After my many years machine knitting I have become an adequate technician but this quickly became too hard for me to fix. The carriage on my knitting machine is very complicated and has lots of little parts and screws, it's tough but just a touch in the wrong place and it's all out of whack. 

So this is a major problem as I have no back up and it is hard to get these machines fixed (brother no longer makes knitting machines). At the moment I am looking at buying another machine until I can get this one fixed and then see if I still need two. I can't be out of action for too long so this will need to be solved soon but I will keep you up to date with any news. 

London Again

Just a little trip to the V&A 

Logo, website, shop - GO!

So those of you paying attention may have noticed my new logo appear on the banner image for the blog:

Before the craft show I decided to give Polly Purl a little face lift, a new logo for a new start!
Also a new webpage www.pollypurl.co.uk - check it out and let me know what you think. But please don't be too harsh as it takes so much time and patience to just do the simplest thing on that darn website!
I am working on a 'design your own' page- to offer customised jumpers and cardigans in your chosen fair isle and colours! Once it's set up it should be fun but I am sure it will be painful to get there!
And finally my Etsy shop is now up to date- 'at last' I hear you say. All my stock up to now is there so take a look http://www.etsy.com/shop/Pollypurl
I am already working on Autumn/Winter stuff so who knows how long this up to date version will last!

The Contemporary Craft Fair Devon

Sorry it's late but here are some pic's of the Devon Show:

The Stall was only 1.5m by 2m

It was a real learning curve- the craft fair, definitely a new experience. Over 3 days, 150 makers got together in a muddy field hoping the public would not be put off by the rain. There was three main tents that were huge and hard to navigate, food vendors, demonstrations and the great little tent I was in. Called 'One Year On' it was made up of people in their first year of business, a variety of very experienced with the novice's like me. The atmosphere was great, everyone was friendly and chatting, standing around for 7 hours together meant we got to know each other. The support was great too - one girl made a big sale but was wary of celebrating too much in case some of us hadn't done too well that day. http://craftsatboveytracey.co.uk/makers/one+year+on/

My Lovely tables made by Rhys and myself

I didn't get much chance to look around the other tents but I did sneak a peak and the work was amazing. There did seem to be about 85% ceramics and jewellery but also some amazing art and textiles.
I am kicking myself that I didn't get photo's of anything, the ones here were taken by my sister. My only excuse is my exhaustion- staying up all night (no sleep at all) pre show and then camping on the ground in heavy rain does not make a happy Polly!

Overall the show was just the best way to launch myself into the craft world. It helped to kick start my motivation and the feedback I gained will help to push me onwards. Unfortunately I think the rain did put people off and I feel the numbers were down (they stated 6,000-8,000 visitors). In the end I just about covered my costs (which were not small) - I will have to think if I can improve and come again next year.




My neighbours -
 http://www.curiousthings.co.uk/
http://www.karen-fox.co.uk/#
http://harrietcecilecaslin.com/
http://yuxiart.com/
http://www.sophiestamp.co.uk/

And I had a lot I wanted to put into it

The hanging scarves did great but the rail not so much

You can see my lovely neighbour

Rhys trying to sell

Rhys in his lovely Wolf jumper

Mum was not camping but still came round for tea

Trying to look awake at the end of the first day

My amazing sister who helped in so many ways

A break in the heavy rain

The second day and feeling better

The most cool cinema experience...

The Craft Club will be bringing the knitted cinema to Manchester on October 19th - what a lovely and whacky idea. A short film about knitting and it's joy's within our lives. It is a family event and has a knit-along activity afterward. 
Cinema Knit-along with Craft Club / What's On / Crafts Council:

'

The Craft Club is all about getting craft to the young people - check them out below and you can also watch a bit of the film too -
http://www.craftclub.org.uk/news