Hi, everyone! My book,
The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online, was released about two weeks ago and it has been non-stop excitement ever since. It was even a
bestseller here on Powells.com for a few days. I would like to thank everyone who ordered it. THANK YOU!
In-between obsessing over the sales of my book and starting a new crafty job, I made time to attend a local book signing and author demonstration.
I should tell you that Western Massachusetts is lousy with creative people. My town boasts one of the best yarn stores in the country and with that comes a lot of amazing fiber artists and I am going to tell you about one of them today.
I first met Gail Callahan when we were both in the same beginner's crochet class in the fall of 2009. I was instantly drawn to her warm and sincere personality and the fact that she usually brought snacks with her to class, which she was willing to share. Our class was six weeks long and three weeks in, I discovered that Gail and I had something in common. We were both working on books for Storey Publishing! I soon learned that Gail's book was all about dyeing yarn and fibers at home.
At the signing, Gail did a live demonstration and talked to the packed house about how simple it is to make beautiful, colorful yarn at home with very few supplies and not a whole lot of time. The audience oohed and awed every time Gail made a move. It was amazing. Sure enough, right before our very eyes, she had transformed plain white fiber into a lovely color. She told us that you can even dye over a colored fiber that you don't like anymore, thus giving it (and your stash) a whole new life.
Look at the name tags! People strung them around their necks with Gail's yarn. It was lovely!
Even though Gail made it seem easy, I was still unconvinced that I could do the same thing at home. I got my copy of the book, though, came home and promptly read it cover to cover. Not only does Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece tell you how to do it with step-by-step directions that are easy to understand, with accompanying photos that walk you through the process, but it is actually a joy to read. Terms and processes are easy to understand and it actually seems like even I could do it!
I don't know much about yarn or dyeing it, but I sure do know a lot about buying it, storing it in boxes under the bed, and hiding it from my husband. Now, though, I intend to transform some of that under-the-bed stash into something new, and I have Gail to thank.
Check it our for yourself. Soon you too could be dyeing your own yarn! Do any of you have exciting new crafty projects that you plan to work on or try in the next few weeks?
Till next time!
XOXOX,
Kari