30 Day Challenge - Day 5

Day 5: How long did it take from the time your learned how to crochet, to finish your first project?

 I am not sure.  It was a long time ago but I'm sure it took pretty long no matter what it was because crochet takes time to master.  In the beginning you have to remember HOW to do the stitches and so I would have to ask or look in a book and figure it out.  I can say that that takes quite a while to do in the beginning.  As you go on, you don't have to look as much.  

Sick but still trying!

The love of crochet never seems to die even when you are feeling rather sick!  I've been crocheting more than ever coz I've been laying down and can't do anything else.  I feel slow and I have to put down my project more often and maybe I wasn't reading too well but the fact remains, crochet still helped me through a rough period as it always has. 
The store has been growing and I am still putting together more items to show my diversity.  Hmmm!  Maybe that's another topic for another time.
Although this is short because I seem to have a really bad headache, I do hope you continue to stay tuned to my social media updates.  They may be slow in coming but I do update as much as I can. 

See ya!

Melissa

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30 Day Challenge - Day 4

Day 4: How did you learn how to crochet?

I learnt crochet from my mother with crochet thread and it was hard as everything is in the beginning. I kept crocheting this particular pattern until I ended up with a skinny long mesh triangle.  I didn't know I was supposed to stop at some point. 

30 Day Challenge - Day 3

Day 3: Do you have any other WIPs (works in progress)?

I am working on a crochet book cover.  My mother is also doing one but with a smaller hook.  I believe hers is going to look very intricate.  We are finding this cover very time consuming but it will look cute in the end and be worth it since it's very functional and I like the fact that it can be washed when dirty.  

I still have to finish the baby converse.  It's on hold for now.

30 Day Challenge - Day 2

Day 2: What is currently on your hooks?

Apparently, nothing.  I just finished one baby converse/chucks shoes and I have to do the other one.  The first one has me exhausted.  Some patterns just boggle my mind when the stitches don't add up.   I wonder if I just can't add or imagining things or I just can't read the instructions properly. 

Anyway, what may soon be on my hook?  The other shoe or I am temporarily putting that on hold and moving on to another project.  

You can view the shoe at www.facebook.com/BajanStyleCrochet.  Happy viewing!

See ya. 

Info to the right.  Keep updated. 

30 Day Challenge - Day 1

I saw this challenge on tumblr and decided to do it as well.  I don't usually like doing what other people are doing but it seemed interesting.  This is a way of getting to know me a little better.  I may add or change questions how I see fit.

Day 1: What was your first finished project?

Err.  I have no idea actually.  I have no idea but it had to be with crochet thread since that's what I had at the time.  I can say when I picked it back up recently, it was probably a hat.  I like hats.  They are very simple to make but when I'm counting stitches, I get confused sometimes.

Remember to check out my information at the side bar and my Estore.  Keep updated with the blog by subscribing.  I post my new items or any projects I'm working on tumblr. 

See ya :)

Melissa

The Price is Right

I have perused the internet for a pricing formula and even though I have found several similar ways of working out my cost, supplies and other things and doing mathematical olympics with these variables, I still have yet to really find something that works.  If I use the methods, the price comes out to high.  I usually have to lower the prices depending on my feeling.  What will it go for? How much do you think people will buy it for?  Even though this is a serious no no!!  I like prices to be fair and I like to be paid for what I work for.  It's really hard to fight in this mass market world and stay on top.  I want to believe that handmade items will get more glory, in dollar amounts, that means more money but for me, it's not looking so.  I don't claim to be a professional crocheter but I handle everything professionally when it comes to the business. 
I have seen some horror products online and the prices are too high but yet they are receiving sales.  Some days I just want to give up and other days, I just want to crochet until my heart's content.  Some days, I feel like I've made what I've made and that's it.  If it sells fine, if it doesn't fine.  The reality is I love to crochet no matter what.  The other reality is is that I may never make enough money to live off of this but I seem to still keep trying to do it.  Some people just seem to be lucky and get all the support they need and people keep buying and the things cost an exorbitant amount of money but once they sell a few things, that pretty much takes care of everything for the month.  Others like me, we have to keep fighting just to get a dot in the market.  If you make a few dollars, you are lucky.
Yesterday, I told myself, I'm done because crap sells and I don't sell crap! Yesterday, I said, I don't want to go on with this if this is the way the world works now.  Yesterday, I felt so down that I didn't know how to pick myself up.
Today is a new day.  Today  may not be a new attitude but today, I go on.  And with this, I leave you at this point.

Melissa

The War of Rights

Well back to the copyright.  A fellow artist has been bashed over her work.  I don't think it was called for and I have no idea why there is so much evil in the world but through it all she has been very positive and wishes everyone well throughout.  I don't think I would be able to do the same, knowing myself very well!
She has been accused of copying someone else's work but we all get inspiration from the same sources and there are many people in the world which means the probability is high of people coming up with the same things.  If you are blatantly out to copy, I can understand the hostility but if you are just an artist sitting down coming up with these products on your own then why the attack! There is plenty space in the market for everyone.  Honestly! It's sickening.

Here's her reply to the attack.  Please support good rather than evil!

http://sweet-cavities.blogspot.com/2013/02/to-everyone-yes-that-means-you-too.html#comment-form

Support home businesses!  Don't let these people break our spirit!!

Energized Bunny in Overdrive

Do you know how I feel when I'm crocheting? Well, let me tell you the process.
First I may think of a pattern or look for one.  I usually don't read it through because it doesn't make sense to me anyway until I start actually creating the stitches,  Then I unpick and redo probably a few times depending on how the pattern is written.  I hardly ever check my gauge and when I do, I seem to get it in my head that my stitches are wrong and unpick and do some crazy mathematical solution and come up with the wrong measurements and stitches. So I undo the thing. 
Usually, people say that I must have a lot of patience.  Um...no!  I'm so impatient with it that I just want to finish and that's what drives me to get it done.  Then I'm like an addict (crochet addict) onto the next thing to make and looking for materials to work with and thinking about colours.  Crochet, honestly, is an addictive craft.  I'm not saying it's the only addictive craft because crafting in general can be very addictive but my feeling is that I want to accomplish what I set out to do and I go for hours doing it.  Sometimes I don't even take a break and I have to force myself to stop and even then, I'm on some kind of overdrive!
I have to balance it but I haven't learnt how to do that yet! I don't know how to stop myself because I'm just itching to continue and to keep going.  Even if I get myself to rest and go to sleep.  I wake up with that on my mind and I'm back at it again.  So crochet for me is not only lots of hard work but a lot of dedication.  It is relaxing which is weird for me since I'm hurrying to finish.  Sometimes it has it's stressful times but for the most part, my brain is occupied doing it and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I'm finished.  :)
The love and passion for crochet is what keeps me going and creating new and interesting things, experimenting with colours to achieve different visual looks and just to explore the possibilities.  It's just amazing!  Your passion may or may not make you money but at least, you're happy while you do it and that's what I am happy about.  Money is always good though lol  I'm not giving up on it apparently.  

See ya! :)

Melissa

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Video View

Having my face on video on the world wide web is something I really had to think about.  I still feel a little conscious of being on the Internet, showing my face and products but how else am I supposed to get out there!
I thought about doing tutorials but I realise that to sit down and teach is a lot of work even if you are using free patterns.  it's really difficult to take the time out and teach people.  Some do it for the love of crochet and others do it because they know they can get many views by teaching people.  I really don't know if I want to go that route! It is so time consuming and how many views converts to sales is my questions because at the end of the day, I'm looking at the business aspect of things. 
The goal of a business to make a profit and if I'm busy teaching people to make their own profit then how do I get something out of it.  I like teaching, don't get me wrong but there are plenty of persons teaching people on the internet and I really am not about to be one of them.  At least, not at this stage.  I may change my mind and realise that all I have said so far is irrelevant and just do it anyway. 
 I am also thinking of branching out of crochet and doing other things especially in the sales area.  So my shop may seem like a bunch of different things but I like to explore and try new things.
In my news section that videos are coming soon so please stay tuned to them! 

See ya! :)

Melissa 

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