Custom "ReSweatering"

Don't you just love that word - ReSweatering! I can't take credit for it, Ann from The Lavendar Tree used in when talking about my work in her blog. I think it is so much better and exact for my items than recycled, repurposed, etc, but unfortunately the search engines probably wouldn't recognize it! (and there, boys and girls, is how creativity can get suck out of us by technology!!)

Anyway... back to topic. I have been doing a lot of custom work lately and it is wonderful the diverse reasons for the requests people have;

- memorials (see earlier post)

- sizing (both ends of the spectrum)

- content (all wool vs non-wool)

- color (very subtle to happy brights)

- style (did a cape for someone)

So here are the instructions for how to converse about a custom order (just click on them to enlarge). It is easy and it is fun, and most of the time the price is equivalent to similar listed items. Hope we can work together sometime!

Etsy Article from December

In December, Etsy did an article on my recycled garments and how I came to be on Etsy.  It was published as part of their series "Quit Your Day Job". The idea is to showcase the artist, their studio and process. It was very nice to have the exposure, and to get the many kind comments and convos of support. If you want to read it here is the link: QYDJ:Jill2day

Seasonally affected disorder returns

Some of you might remember my earlier post about fall colors. Well it has happened again. I went outside to take some photos of my newest recycled sweater scarves for my Etsy site, and became instantly aware of how the changing colors outside had once again appeared in my work.

Here are three examples of the work and, in the background, the inspiration...

Who says winter is just white! I love the way the colors change with the light - or lack thereof. I love the low light in the morning and then again in the evening. The everchanging purple/blue/grey shadows; and the snow that changes from the warm pinks and yellows (no not that kind of yellow snow!) to the purest and coolest of whites.

Gina, my dog,  and I can't walk on the bike trails during the winter... the snowmobiles turn it into a racetrack... so we hike in the woods around the house. You can't get in there during the summer because of all the underbrush, but now it is really nice in there. We can even see our resident hawk's nest at this time of year!

So, yes there are times I envy you in your Aussie summer or the "coldness" of southern CA at this time of year, but it sure is beautiful here too!

Memorial Sweater Project

I just finish the most unique project. One of my loyal customers lost her Mother earlier this year. My customer contacted me and asked if I could make a new sweater from her Mother's sweaters. Well, we ended up making three sweaters and several scarves - for her, her sister and her daughter. It was the most wonderful experience and appreciated tribute. I was so happy to be a part of it.

The project started me thinking. As many of you know, I lost both my mother and my mother-in-law this past year. My good friend also lost her mother. My sister lost her elderly woman friend. I guess we are at that age that we must pick up the mantle of the "elder stateswomen" of the world and continue the work they all began. I am comfortable with that. I look at the women "of a certain age" that I know well; that I meet through Etsy; my customers; and just through daily life. We are a good lot. We have grown from the good-girls of the 50s and early 60s through the hippie/rebel free-thinkers of the late sixties, many of us have made it through childrearing and one or more husbands. Some of us did it on our own. We have kicked ass in the work place and in sports. We have been open to change and technology. We have bridged our mothers and our daughters. We have tried a lot, saved some, discarded much and lived to see another day. It feels good to be here now. We earned it. We have grabbed human-ness, but we have not let go of our core female-ness - what ever form that may take for each of us.

So to all of you women out there; young, old, mothers, daughters, lovers, wives, executives, crafters, we have a lineage, we have a heritage, and sooner or later, each of us becomes the lineage and the heritage. Cherish the journey, remember the pathmakers.

NEW YEAR, New "employee" and new listings...

Just listed three new sweaters - all inspired by the arctic temps we have been having here in Wisconsin. Helsinki2day is a wonderful combo of heathers and patters of the most neutral colors. It is mostly wool and very warm - with or without a turtleneck under it! Melbourne2day has bright blue and green (and a smidge of purple) surrounded by gray. This sweater is perfect for over jeans and just being comfortable! The third sweater, BlacknTan2day, is a smart combo of tan, black and brown and looks so good over the pencil skirt or the trouser! Perfect for the office, it is mostly cotton, so it is warm but very comfortable.

All three are being modeled by my new "employee" (as of yet unnamed - any suggestions?)