Tips For Taking Your Crafting Hobby Public

If you are trying to decide whether or not to take your crafting hobby public, there are several things you can do to inform your decision. Firstly, attend some craft fairs, if possible. Think about how what you do compares to others, and think about the niche you wish to fill. Make a note of the things you like about the overall event.

Is it well organized?

 Do you like the vendor displays?

Does it really seem like a craft fair or more like a flea market?

Would you want to have a display booth in the event?

What are the booth space rental fees?

These are just a few of the questions you may want to ask yourself. Next, decide on a niche and try to come up with a unique way of approaching the image you want to create. For instance, if you are a bead artisan, you might wish to focus on statement necklaces, something that might set you apart from other necklace designers.

Maybe you focus on western designs?

What makes what you do unique?

When first starting out it is helpful to host a home show where you invite friends and family and listen to their comments about product quality, display, pricing and merchandising. They will help you generate lots of ideas. It is especially important to be sure that your chosen niche can be profitable from the outset so pricing can be one of your most important considerations. Be sure to factor in all of the costs of promoting and marketing your niche when setting your product pricing.

Next, you want to start researching local arts and craft opportunities. It is easy to find internet sites that list dates and places of local and statewide events. The deadlines for securing booth space usually happen well in advance of the event, so it is important to think ahead. Get a calendar and start planning now for next year's events.

You will want to have a name for your business so that you can order business cards and perhaps even a banner or two. There are some internet sites that are very handy for the beginner where you can build your own business cards and banners from templates they provide. You can also build your own website. It's that easy. Also, if you do any outside events, you will need to invest in a canvas gazebo, tables, and display supplies.

These are also easily sourced, usually at your local big box store.

So, if you are a bead artisan looking for ideas on how to market your products publicly, here's a short summary of some of the things you may want to consider:

• Attend local craft fairs or trade shows and basically any event that could relate to your chosen niche.


• Take notes, what were your impressions


• Decide on a niche and how you can make it unique


• Determine your costs and profits


• Host a home show


• Research arts and crafts opportunities (trade shows, state fairs, etc)


• Start planning


• Decide on a name for your business (you may want to have it registered with your local secretary of state office)


• Get some business cards (and banners, if applicable)


• Consider building your own website


• Get some basic supplies such as gazebo, folding tables, etc

There is no doubt that a woman wearing a cowboy concho necklace is making a statement. So girls, maybe it's time to Cowboy Up with a one of a kind statement necklace. Please visit my website at http://www.wyomingcustomdesigns.com and if you like what you see, please share with your Facebook and Twitter friends. You may also be pleasantly surprised to see links for great prices on fragrances, wine, leather goods, and much more.

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How to Choose the Right Knitting Yarns

Whether you have been knitting for years or you want to take it up as a hobby, finding the right knitting yarn is essential to the success of your project. Buying knitting yarn can be quite a daunting process, there are hundreds of names, colors, weights, sizes and fibers to choose from, that making a decision can be the success or failure of your design.

The first step to deciding which knitting yarn you should use is to determine the size you want. A thinner yarn will give you smaller stitches, where a thicker yarn will produce bulky stitches, ideal for a winter jersey.

With a size in mind you will want to concentrate on the fiber you want to use. Wool comes in so many different blends with a leading choice for babies and jerseys being cashmere. Choose your blend carefully on whether you want a harder or softer touch when your piece is completed.

When you have some indication on what you are looking for you can now start concentrating on color. There isn't any right or wrong when it comes to color, this is all down to personal preference.

Obviously if you are knitting a toy and they make recommendations, if you want it to look exactly like the picture on the pattern, then sticking to their suggestions will help you achieve this.

The good news is that there are so many great options when it comes to knitting yarns, you get everything from solid colors to mixed colors, enabling you to really take your hobby to a new level and create something that you can be proud of and that is completely unique.

What you may not realize is that knitting yarn also comes in different weights. Even though you have chosen your size, color and blend, you will need to determine the right weight based on what you are making. Some yarns are suitable for a jersey for an adults, but lighter yarns are ideally suited for baby clothes or softer finishes that you may want to add to your design.

As you make your way through an online catalog of a online supplier or through a knitting store in your local area, ensure you take note of the washing instructions on each of the knitting yarns. This can be exceptionally helpful in identifying the best match for your particular project. If you are making a jersey, for example, you want something that can be washed easily without fear that it will shrink the minute it touches the water.

If you are using a pattern then you will find that they make recommendations in terms of the knitting yarn you should use. They should provide everything from the size and weight to the brand name of the wool, enabling you to decide on your own color. This enables you to ensure that you get the best results.

When purchasing online, ensure you purchase from a reputable supplier that only specializes in knitting products, this way you are assured to get the best products to complete your project.

Also double check to see that they provide you with all the information you need, ticking all the boxes as you go through the list to find the best match for your particular design. They should provide you with the weight and blend of wool, so you can easily identify which ones you should use moving forward.

Finally, ensure the company you choose offers a good returns policy. This way should your order arrive and you realize you made a mistake, you can return it and exchange it for the correct knitting yarn to make your masterpiece a success.





About the Author:
Little Houndales Knits is a wool specialist that has been operating since 2010. This well established company offers knitters the yarns, patterns, books and products they need to create spectacular pieces that they can be proud of. The company offers everything from books to needles to bags and accessories, including yarn from some of the leading names in the industry. Little Houndales Knits focus on quality and price to ensure they exceed their customer's expectations on a daily basis via their easy and secure website with affordable prices across their product range. To find out more, visit http://www.littlehoundalesknits.com.

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Different Types Of Yarns Along With Their Uses

For those who don't know what is a yarn and where it is used must read this article. A Yarn is a string, which is composed of several interlocked fibers that are used in the production of knitting, crocheting, textiles and sewing. There are many different fibers that form a knitting yarn. The most popular fiber that is used to form a knitting yarn is cotton. If you want to know about the most popular animal fiber, then it has to be wool. However, there are several other types of fibers available as well, such as Alpaca, Cashmere and Angora.

Alpaca is one of the youngest of the entire trio. The Alpaca fiber is known for its great strength and durability. The strength is a lot higher than other wool fibers, but this fiber is quite soft as well. You will find an impressive range of colors in Alpaca such as, black, white, beige, light and dark brown.

If you want to knit using one of the best quality yarns, then you should blend Alpaca fiber with wool. This will make a great combination and the cloth made from it would be soft and rugged at the same time. It is important to use the best quality yarn to make clothes for the winters.

When it comes to sheep wool, there are basically two categories that are used in knitting yarn. These two categories are worsted and woolen.

The characteristics of both the yarns are different. The yarn formed by the worsted wool will be smooth and firm, whereas the yarn results from the woolens will be a bit fuzzier and low on strength.

When talking about the natural fibers, there are two most important knitting yarns namely, linen and silk. If you want to knit using the natural fiber, then you can use either of these two fibers. There are many synthetic fibers available in the market as well. These are made using Acrylic, which is blended with the wool most of the time. The second synthetic fiber that is widely used is Nylon. You will see many socks made using the Nylon yarn.

There are many online stores where you can find a huge variety of knitting yarns priced according to their sizes and quality. Lace weight yarns are quite popular among the ladies because they are very soft and the clothes made from them look wonderful as well. The normal yarn like cotton and wool are priced low, whereas the luxury yarn such as, possum worsted, super merino, Hana silk, pure silk, zephyr and baby alpaca will be priced higher. Some stores will give you great discounts on the bulk order, so if you are planning to buy any fiber, then make sure that you buy many of them.

Before you start knitting, you must know the properties of the yarn. All yarns are not same and if you choose the wrong one, then it may affect the look and feel of the garment. If you are ordering online, then make sure that you read all the details related to the fiber, such as weight, type, fiber content, type of knitting yarn and suitability (whether it suits your project or not). You will also have to assume the length you want to make the garment.

You can buy more from the local supermarket, but it will be somewhat difficult to get from the online stores as they will take some time to get it to your house. There are some online stores named Little Houndales Knits that are really fast when it comes to providing the shipment. Moreover, you will get a huge variety of yarn in the online stores as well.





About the Author:
Little Houndales Knits is a family run business that was established in 2007. The owner of the company got the idea after she was diagnosed with a serious illness and had to leave her career in dentistry. She got the idea whilst she was talking her Husband and Brother some lunch, as they worked on a farm. She soon had a stall supplying proper wool knitters, around the country. They know supply yarns from some of the biggest names in the industry, as well as supplying their own range. You can visit their website at http://littlehoundalesknits.com

Article Source: Different Types Of Yarns Along With Their Uses

Quilting Patterns- Make The Most Of Your Fabric

Quilting patterns were few and far between several years ago when the art of quilting actually took a nosedive, but now it is back and more popular than ever and so are the quilting patterns as a result! There are literally thousands of quilting patterns to choose from at the moment. They come in all shapes and sizes as well as various unique and innovative designs. You may actually find it hard to choose between all of the different options. The general rule for individuals wanting to choose the bets quilting pattern for him or her is that you should choose the one you are most drawn to. If you do that, then you will be less likely to actually put it down! Quilting is an art that you should enjoy and not dread after all.

The Basics Of Quilting Patterns

Although you may feel spoilt for choice, that is in fact the easy part. It is the process that follows choosing the quilting patterns that make it difficult! You should have some sort of theme in mind before you begin to choose your quilting pattern and have an idea of the kind of materials that you want to use. If it is a gift for a christening, for example, you will not want to use heavy velvets to complete any of the quilting patterns that you choose. You must bear the aesthetics in mind before you even start to make the quilt happen. You may want to achieve a specific effect and quilting patterns can definitely help you to achieve that.

The best place to buy quilting patterns is a good craft store because the best ones will often have a huge range of quilting patterns available. Some quilting patterns will have a picture of the finished article on the cover and this will attract more buyers that anything else, purely and simply because you can see what it will eventually look like. However, these have an extremely important function. They can help you to choose the best possible colours for your task before you start. A special quilt should have your own unique touch, even if it is a design from quilting patterns. Altering the colours can help you with this and make your quilt that little bit more personal.

You should envision the occasion that you are choosing quilting patterns before you settle on one. If someone is getting married then the bride and groom is not going to want a dark and heavy pattern. A lighter pattern is lighter and brighter as a result. This will set the tone for the day and can act as a reminder of good times well into the future. Quilting patterns allow you to make whatever you feel like. Whilst this is good in every day life, it is not when it comes to events so choose quilting patterns wisely!

About the Author:
You can also find more info on Quilting Software and Quilting Supplies. IHeartquilting.com is a comprehensive resource to known about quilting.

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Quilting Tips - Things That Every Quilter Should Know

If you watch an expert quilt then you will be forgiven for thinking that it is an easy task. If you have ever tried it then you will know that that is definitely not the case. There have been various methods applied over the years to try and make quilting that much more simple and, as a result, there are various quilting tips around. However, you have to sort the good from the bad because some quilting tips simply do not work. Others, however, do. A simple tip, like turning the material over to be able to see the grain of the thread, may infinitely help you.

One quilting tip that is well utilized by individuals may well save you from expensive errors. The material that you buy for quilting may well be expensive and this may render you unable to replace it if it is damaged. However, it is w9orthwhile to wash the material before you begin to sew it into the quilt. This will soften it and make it easier to manage but it can pull threads out of the material, thus damaging it. The quilting tip states that you should cut all four corners off the material before you wash it and this really does work! It minimizes the thread damage and thus enables you to work with it effectively.

Another great quilting tip stems from the seam. Ironing the seam to set it may actually cause the material to rise and pucker, but this quilting tip prevents that. Simply fold the seam as desired and then place the iron on it without moving the iron at all. Leave it in pace for a few seconds and the seam will set with little or no effort.

There is no training associated with quilting so you have to learn to get it right on your own. You have to practice in order to get better at quilting. This is where quilting tips can come in very useful. If you actually listen to the tips and apply them as and when necessary then you can soon learn which ones work and which ones do not; If you try out enough then you will soon be able to write the book on quilting tips to help others. They actually derive from the mistakes that others have made. It may actually be worth buying some cheap material to try them out. You will make your life and hobby much easier, as well as saving yourself money in the long run.

You can use the quilting tips as practice for the real thing. You can seriously benefit from using them to prevent you from learning the hard way. Any material will do, from an old towel to a shirt that has seen better days. Quilting tips can really revolutionize the way you look at quilting so make the most of them!

About the Author:
You can also find more info on Scrap Quilting and Quilting. IHeartquilting.com is a comprehensive resource to known about quilting.

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What You Need to Start Knitting

Knitting

Of all the different types of needlework, knitting is one of the most popular. Knitting is a specific type of needlework that is identified by the process of looped stitches pulled through one another.

Knitting is commonly used to make clothing and accessories such as hats, scarves, sweaters and gloves, as well as blankets and afghans.

Most commercially produced knitted items are made with knitting machines; their high speed is indispensable for meeting the demands of the world economy.

Knitting machines have not done away with human knitting, however; far from it, knitting has gone through a recent resurgence in popularity as a craft and hobby.

One of the great things about knitting is that you can make a wide variety of items with the same relatively simple steps. Just select a different type of yarn and a different variation in your stitch, and you can come up with a very different end product.

The Origins of Knitting

Archaeologists have found evidence of knitting as far back as the first millennium. Obviously, knitting has been around for a long time. Indeed, even the ancient Egyptians are known to have knitted colorful socks and other accessories. It is generally thought that the first peoples to use knitting to make blankets and clothing were the ancient Arabians.

The history of knitting was pretty straightforward until the invention of the knitting machine. The knitting machine completely changed the purpose of knitting. Before the industrialization of knitting, it was an essential task for many families, a means to keep warm and clothed. After the knitting machine, blankets and clothing were mass-produced far more cheaply than any one person making it. For this reason, knitting today is primarily a recreational pursuit. Knitters enjoy gathering together to socialize. People love to knit because it can be an extremely relaxing way to pass the time and ease one's nerves. The products of their pastimes are often presented as gifts, which can save you some money as well.

The demographics of knitting are changing as well. Knitting used to be the sole preserve of primarily older women. More and more, however, knitting is becoming popular with younger generations. Indeed, some studies show that knitting has risen in popularity among the 25 to 35 age group by as much as 150%.

Different Types of Knitting

The two main types of straight-needle knitting are weft knitting and warp knitting. Weft knitting requires only one string of yarn at time, but can be more susceptible to snags and runs. Warp knitting, on the other hand, is usually done by machine, so when most people think of knitting, they are usually thinking of weft knitting. Another important type of knitting that is commonly done by hand is circular knitting. This method uses a circular needle, and creates a "tube" of yarn when completed - great for socks and other tubular garments.

What Materials do you Need to Start Knitting?

Knitting is an ancient and rudimentary craft. As such, the materials that you need to knit are fairly basic; when it comes down to it, all you need to knit is some needles and some yarn. You should pay close attention to the type of yarn you use, however, as it will have a significant impact on how your final product looks and feels. For instance, certain yarns are appropriate for stretchy materials, while other yarns will produce less stretchy, more solid final results. The width and thickness of the yarn should be taken into account when selecting knitting needles to use. Picking out the yarn can be one of the more pleasant steps in making an item, as knitting yarn comes in a variety of colors and styles and it is always fun to play around with your imagination. Some are solid colors, others have multiple colors for striping, and others include sparkles and other embellishments.

Knitting Resources

The best thing for those serious about knitting is to join a knitting circle. In a knitting circle, members will meet with their yarn and needles at the home of different members or local coffee shop and just knit, share tips, and socialize.

If you are on your own, you can always turn to the Internet for a wealth of knitting resources. Groups, forums, and message boards provide a means of communication and getting together for knitters. Through these avenues, many knitting enthusiasts share tips, techniques, patterns, and tales of successful projects. The Internet is also a great place to order knitting materials and patterns, and can help novice knitters get past some of the challenges that face those new to the craft.

Craft and hobby stores will also carry a robust selection of knitting needles, yarns and patterns. Do not be afraid to ask employees in these stores for help - more often than not, you will be able to find experienced knitters who can offer you some sound advice and tips.





Article Source: What You Need to Start Knitting

What You Need to Start Quilting

What is Quilting?

Quilting is done by hand, sewing machine, or Longarm quilting system, and refers to the process of attaching various fabric materials and layers to make a large flat quilt.

Each technique makes use of a needle and thread to merge at least two layers of material to create the final product.

The most common quilting is done from three distinct layers -- quilt top, insulation, and backing. The actual act of quilting occurs as the quilter or the sewing machine passes the needle and thread through the layers and then brings the needle back through to secure the layers.

Quilting is done back and forth like that all across the quilt to secure all of the pieces. In most cases, quilters use a running stitch which adds a decorative look to the quilt.

Quilts are most often showcased on beds, as wall décor, as clothing and attire, and within several different textile products.

What Do I Need to Know About Quilting?

Standard quilting generally follows four steps -- piecing, layering, quilting, and binding. Piecing occurs when the quilt top is sewn. The quilt top features small strips or squares of fabric set in a pattern. This is commonly the colorful and creative part of the quilt. The assembled pieces are called blocks, and they are the components that are sewn together to create the full quilt top. They are put together in one of two ways - either each pieces is laid together with their edges touching, or sashing (small strips of fabric) is sewn along the edges of each. In some instances, one full piece of cloth is used for the quilt top instead of pieced together blocks. Quilting occurs when the three layers (top, insulation, and backing) are sewn together. The quilting employs stitching in a decorative pattern that often follows or complements the design of the quilt top. Sometimes the top is not pieced but is a single piece, and only the stitching forms the pattern. Binding is the final step to finishing the quilt by adding the edges with a piece of trim fabric.

What Do I Need to Start Quilting?

If you will be quilting by hand, the basic equipment you will need include a thimble to protect your fingers from the needles, needle & thread to complete the quilting process, and a frame or hoop to hold the quilt fabric taut as you work. Should you decide to use a machine to quilt your craft, basic supplies include safety pins, thread, a walking foot, and a darning foot. Of course, you'll also need the fabrics, insulation, and backing materials from which you will create the quilt.

Where Did the Art of Quilting Originate?

In its earliest days, quilting was done for necessary purposes rather than for decoration. Some scholars believe that quilts were first created to provide additional protection under armor for soldiers in combat. These quilts were also used for warmth during cold winters and cooler weather. The ancient Egyptians are believed to have quilted clothing for warmth and protection - this belief is based upon the sculptures that have been discovered with ancient figures dressed in quilted clothing. By the time of the American colonial period, upper class women engaged in quilting as a showing of their class status.

Are There Different Kinds of Quilting?

Although there are many variations to the art of quilting, the two most common types are quilting done by hand and quilting done by machine. When a quilt is created by machine, the person operating the machine runs the material through in the stitch pattern desired while the elements of the machine handle the actual process of the needle and thread. When hand quilting is done, the frame is usually used to hold the material solid and tight for the quilter. He or she will then manually pull the needle and thread through the material to create the stitch pattern.

What Fabric Do I Use for Quilting?

Quilts are so popular partly due to the fact that there are a number of fabric designs, colors, and materials available for creating custom, colorful quilts. Many of these quilts are so unique and personalized that they quickly become family heirlooms. To make a quilt, you must first decide on the design and print of the main part of the quilt. Major hobby and craft stores will carry a wide variety of these fabrics, which can be purchased by the yard. In addition to the fabric, you will also need to select insulation, backing, and sashing, which is optional and depends on your preference.

About the Author:
Mary Amos loves arts and crafts and has been quilting for years. See her favorite quilt patterns at Quilts and Quilt Patterns, and be sure to visit Quilts and Quilting for more quilting fun!

Article Source: What You Need to Start Quilting