What We Made #8

This week, I feel like I've been slacking. I feel like I've lost my CroJo. Part of it, has been my Mom's health issues...over the last 10 days or so. And part...because of this situation. That whole thing, actually got worse, when I read an email response this morning. Ugh! I'm just over it!

Another thing is, we don't always post our finished products. Because I'm trying to stash them away for an upcoming event. For example, I know have 15+ Market Bags. That I was saving for the DGM. I've been making 1 or 2 a week. About 2 months before Dia de los Muertos, I'll stash away our skull and marigold items. It just a thing that I do. So we have enough product for various events that we do. 

Oh, and I'm not sure if you know...I do pattern testing. For various independent designers. And sometimes, they don't want the product made public. So I have to hide out some of those projects...until they are ready to release their patterns. I completed a bunch of those type of projects...over the last 2 weeks. 

But those sorts of things...and repeat orders...mean I don't have many new pictures. And when I sit down to write these posts, I think...wow, you haven't made anything this week. What have you been doing?

Which isn't true. But it feels that way. For example. 2 weeks ago, I was working on our beanies. For a beanie swap. My Mom had gotten sick, so I also made hers. I probably should have shared them last week...but I didn't send them out until Saturday. So here they are. 

This is one of the beanies I made. With some goodies that I sent out. I probably should have taken a picture of just the hats...but I forgot! I used Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn for this one. And my swap buddy really liked it!

This beanie was made with Red Heart yarn. I still haven't heard from my swap buddy. And haven't gotten my hat. So I'm not sure.

My Mom has been under the weather. So I managed to make hers. And took this picture. So she could see what I made. I used some I Love This Yarn that she had picked out.

All three hats, are made with a new pattern. And I really like it! Gosh, I can't remember the name of it...or the designer. But I bought the pattern at the end of last year. On Ravelry. During all the sales.

Now I want to make a bunch of these. In all different colors. If I can remember correctly, there were a variety of sizes on this pattern. It's super comfy. And has a ton of space. In this picture, I had a messy bun hidden under the hat.

I had also been working on these guys. Actually 5 of the smaller guys. And this larger Yoda. I really like him. It was a lot more complicated. And I was super excited to deliver it. Which never happened...

My Mom got into the pattern testing game too. I think she was going a little crazy...being sick in bed. She actually reached out to the designer before she got sick. And when it came time to submit her work...she was sick.

But she had tested the pattern. And I gave her a few suggestions. Since I'm the one that usually makes the play food. I think the designer liked the modifications that I suggested...and my Mom made. We know have a dozen jam cookies! I think my Mom did great for her first test!

A couple of pictures up, I said how I had made some new Yodas. I had a lady reach out to me on FB. I made the one I always make, and then tried this bigger guy. Because she needed the Yoda to both have legs...and clothes. The baby Yodas that I make, have legs. But just a diaper. And my usuals, have a robe...but no legs.

So I did some searching. And modifying to another pattern. And came up with this guy. I happened to post it on FB and got another order. So I whipped another one up. Let's stop here a minute...he actually takes a while to make. I can make about 3 of the ones in the tan robe...in a day. This guy took a solid day. And I was stressed.

Not because of my skill level. More because of the time. It was a rush order. And then I NEVER heard back from the person when I was done! I know. Sometimes I want to shot myself in the foot.

I'm also charging almost double the price for this bigger guy. Remember I said my Mom had been under the weather? Well, things got a little nuts. And when I reached out to everyone...I was stuck with both big Yodas. And about 4 of the ones in the tan robes. On a positive note...the 2 ladies who I delivered to yesterday, we're all so excited!

What are you going to do? I mean, I understand if you changed your mind. But a few of the people...acted like I was selling them for $2. And then hit them with the price. I'm just going to add them to our stash. I'm sure I'll sell them to someone else.

This last picture, was a very last minute order. Sort of. I made it over a month ago. And kind of lost contact with the lady who was buying them. She's from the East Coast. And wasn't actually here. But I was supposed to deliver them to her son. I kind of never heard back from her. So I took them to our last Craft Show. And sold them!

Then I thought better of it. Just had a feeling, and I remade them last night. Along with that baby Yoda. For another customer. To be honest, I had about 5 baby Yodas. That all need to be delivered today. It was a busy day yesterday!

FB Marketplace is great to sell stuff. But just like the bigger Yodas...things happen. I've had a ton of orders. Some people who took a little longer to decide to pick them up. Some that ghosted me. But for the most part 80% of my FB customers have been amazing!

Running around town...not so much. And the people who decide to not answer when their orders are ready, are also tough. I have about 6 hats. Just waiting for someone to claim them. But I think it comes with the territory. I've met some amazing people doing this. And I'll continue to do it. Because eventually, I'll sell these items. 

So there's our week. In stuff that we made. With a few test items, waiting for the designers to give the go ahead. But I'm just not motivated to make stuff. I know I need to get my CroJo back. But to be honest, I've felt this way for a few weeks now. I just need to work on a project for me. Something I'm super excited about! 💕

Hat Season Is Here!!!

Hat Season is here! In full swing. At the Growers' Markets we've definitely seen the shift. The last month, sales have been all about babies! We completely sold out of baby boy items in July. And last week, we sold all of our baby girl blankets. I'm kind tired of all things blue and  pink. So I decided to try something else, that we're in need of. HATS!

There have also been tons of sales...surrounding hats and booties. It doesn't matter what they look like. People are just in the market. I have sold about 20 sets, of hats and booties. All colors and sizes. 

So I've been making tons of these sets! TONS! I used to like the I Love This Yarn, Fan Pride. By Hobby Lobby. It was a nice way to make "Sports Themed" sets. Without having to use a bunch of colors.

I didn't know that it had been discontinued. I went to Hobby Lobby recently, and couldn't find it. When I searched the website, and eventually did a Google search, I realized it was discontinued. I'm so sad about this. Already JoAnns doesn't sell Red Heart's Team Spirit. And it NEVER goes on sale, on their website.

So I found this yarn. I can't remember what it was called. But it's by I Love This Yarn. They have 2 or 3 colors, that can sorta pass for sports team colors. I had an order for a Denver Broncos set. And this is the final product. I also bought a couple of skeins to make for the Saints. We'll see how this goes...

I've also decided to crack down on my animal hats. We've sold quite a few. And I've not really restocked. All season long! I think I've made about 3, since April. I couldn't find any of the patterns that I had previously used. So I winged it. I found some pictures, of hats I'd made in the past. And went to work.

I really like this bird pattern. To me, it looks a lot more, like a bird. For now, I'm trying to concentrate on beanies. In a bunch of different sizes. But hopefully soon, will add a few hats with earflaps.

These really are a favorite of mine. I like how every single hat, has it's own personality. Even if I make 5 of the same type of hat...they each look slightly different.

This is the only hat I made with earflaps. I sorta went off of an old pattern. But I'm not crazy about this hat. I think I would like it more, if it were a beanie. I just can't get enough of monkeys though! So I'm sure, this week, I'll be making more. 

I also hear all the time, that we don't have enough "Boy Stuff." So I decided to make all the Ninja Turtles. I don't know their names. I just know what color they are. 

I made them all different sizes. Sat down, and crochet the first green section, and the color. Then when I came back, to finish them...I ran out of green yarn! Ugh! So I just finished one. 

I still need to go get some more green yarn. But this honestly, is one of my favorites. The kids get so excited. I'm also considering a few baby items. Maybe a cocoon. Or a diaper cover set. :)

Then I decided to try a few "Seasonal Hats." The first being this Candy Corn. I thought it was so cute! I want to make a ghost, witch, Jack-O-Lantern, Frankenstein, and maybe something with a spider. I already make a black cat. And I'm considering some sort of skull.

I also made a pumpkin. It is super tiny and cute! Think newborn. Oh. My. Goodness! It is so cute. And I'm considering making one, for me. We've been helping a Farmer Friend of ours. Selling at a few Growers' Markets. How fun would this be...when the pumpkins start coming in!

Lastly, we have this 'lil apple. I think this could be my favorite. Again, it's super tiny. I was experimenting with a new pattern. But I want to make this in a bigger size. You know, Apple Season is here!

These are not the only hats, that I'm working on. I currently have, 12 hats...waiting on parts. I make a ton of beanies. Then all the parts. Then one day, I sit down and put them together. So if you follow us on Instagram, then you'll be seeing a ton of hats. Probably by the weekend.