Share a Friend: The Hubster! (Knight IT Consulting)

Oh, hey, Stranger!

I hadn't really planned to take a weekish long blog-break, but the last week just flew by.  I've been knitting my fingers off, having a blast nannying, bowling with the hubster, and sometimes studying ( ;-) ). 

Anyway, I'm BAAAAAACK, and I have some news for you! 

While we were gone, this handsome guy: 

 

...started his own IT company: Knight IT Consulting.

Right now, it's just local in the Atlanta area, but he's hoping to offer remote services soon. 

John is well equipped to help you out with computer configuration, maintenance, and repair (on site or drop-off) as well as Parental Consulting. 

Now, the first part of that is pretty self-explanatory: he can get your computer running, keep it running, and fix it if it quits running. He can also help you understand things about using your computer. But what about that second part?

Parental Consulting Services are for helping YOU know how to protect your children online, safeguard their devices, and know where your kids are. He will set up parental controls on devices and show you how to use them. 

John is an excellent coach (he's helped me with everything from rollerblading to grilling to bowling), so if you are looking for a computer guy who can get the job done and explain it to you in plain English as well--he's your man!

John is Comptia A+ certified. :-) 

Visit his website at http://www.vcita.com/v/knightitconsulting

or "like" him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/johnknightitconsulting 

Adventure well; Live fully. 

HAK

Studio Update: Knits and Paintings

Greetings from The Studio!

In this case, I mean not only my studio, but also our home, recently christened The Studio because of the way my arting space is central in our new place. 

If you've been following the shop or any of my social media, you know a lot of things have happened in the last week or so. Here's an overview of all the latest shop items!

Custom Order Watercolor Painting

 This listing is for one custom order painting from a photograph (or an idea. ie: "I would like a painting of a field and barn." I can make that happen!).

Subjects can include:
Pets
Animals
People (faceless only)
Cityscapes
Landscapes
Homes (or other buildings)
Flowers, trees, etc.

Sizes range from 4x6 inches to 11x14 inches. 

The photos above are examples of the kind of work I can do--I love creating custom paintings!!


Tree of Life Fingerless Gloves
 I have been wearing a pair of these for the past two winters, and I looooove them. I recently worked out a deal with the pattern designer so that I can offer them to YOU in my shop. 

Mine are moss green and knit from wonderful soft wool. But, I can knit them in any number of colors for you! They come in two sizes: S/M and M/L. 
 (Photos courtesy of the wonderful designer, Jenny Williams)

 

Snow Day: A Mixed Media Painting

If y'all have been following the news, we got a lot of snow and ice here in Atlanta this week. 

This piece was inspired by the view outside my new studio. It was also a lovely foray into mixed media art, using permanent pen, watercolor, and oil pastel. It is 12x7 inches. 


Celtic Cable Knitted Mug Cozies

These originated from a custom order, and I loved them so much, that I just had to put them up in my shop.

 

 There are two colors listed, hopefully with more to come soon. If you are just itching for a different color in the meanwhile, all you have to do is ask! 

Last one, y'all:

Kissing Gouramis: Watercolor Pencil Drawing

These fish compete for dominance through lip-locking...

...but I think they're a pretty cute idea for your fish loving honey, too! 

Remember, Valentine's Day is coming! :-) 

Adventure well; Live fully.

HAK

Yarn Review: Darn Good Yarn

Happy Monday, y'all! 


The workday is almost over, and if you're heading home to knit, I want to make sure you know about Darn Good Yarn!

 
Check out this snippet from the DGY website:

"After leaving the Air Force, she decided that she wanted to “unwind” with yarn. In early 2008, Nicole Snow decided to take two of her passions in life—art and helping others—and combine them. The result was “Darn Good Yarn” a yarn and fiber importer, wholesaler, and retailer.
The mission was simple: provide phenomenal quality fibers to enthusiasts, while helping the women of Nepal and India become autonomous and self-reliant."

I learned about DGY shortly after Nicole started her company. I ordered some of their classic recycled sari silk yarn (click here to see how beautiful it is!). I was pretty much in love at first sight. Also, I remember that Nicole wrote me a little thank you note for my order and tucked it in the box. I was floored and delighted. 

Since then, DGY has grown by leaps and bounds, and I love watching it. Their products continue to amaze and delight me. In addition to various forms of yarn, they also have fibers, clothes, accessories, kits, patterns, etc. 

 

So, bound on over to their website to see all their cool stuff and learn more about this awesome company!

Adventure well; Live fully. 
HAK

(click here to see a cowl made of this wonderful yarn in my Etsy shop)




**All photos are from the DGY website.

"Why You Gotta Be So Mean?"

I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. Both business and art seem to attract criticism, so combining the two would certainly bring some. That doesn't really make it any easier to swallow, though. 

I got home late last night from a wonderful day out with John. On a whim, we ate breakfast at Panera before church. After church, we had lunch with friends, went to the Aquarium, and saw the Hobbit. We had so much fun! When we got in, I was surprised to see how many views my Etsy shop had received during the day and soon realized I had gotten a lot of traffic from one particular website. Intrigued, I looked it up and hunted for the page that apparently led to my shop. It was one of those websites that declares and tracks trends (whatever that means), gives ideas, etc., so I was hoping for something positive. Was I ever wrong. 

Granted, I'm not known for having a thick skin, but to have vulgar things said about something that I made...I don't know that there's skin thick enough for that. 

Being a youth of the 21st century, Taylor Swift swiftly ( ;-) ) lent her lyrics for expressing my feelings: "Why you gotta be so mean?" It's pretty much been playing in my head since. 

I don't know why someone thought it would be funny to gather things off of Etsy that they thought were sub-par and say mean, nasty things about them. That's a lot of cynicism and negativity. Is it really all that hard to say nice things? Maybe it's just hard to get one's mind out of the gutter. It's sad, really. 

So I've been thinking...
Maybe this person went through a particularly nasty breakup recently.
Maybe they were abused. 
Maybe they were bullied. 
Maybe someone they loved left or died around the holidays. 
Maybe they're a single parent and really need that job, even if it's an icky one. 
Maybe they're just really lost and sad and lonely and without a lot of hope or peace right now. 

Whatever the case, they have a big, fat need for grace--from me and all the other hardworking Etsy folks they said nasty things about. And, you know what? I need grace, too, because I'm not always nice either. I guess that puts me and this person in kind of the same boat. 

I don't really like that, but it's true. We're broken. Messed up. In real need of grace. 

So, person-out-there-who-was-a-meanie-face-yesterday, I'm sorry you don't like everything on Etsy, but I'm not going to let you decide what is okay in my shop. I'm sorry for the mean things I said in my head about you last night. 

Adventure well; Live fully.
HAK
 

WIPs: More gloves and scarves

Good morning, y'all! Happy Saturday! 

My sweet hubster let me sleep in a bit this morning, and I'm having a late-ish breakfast of pear, double glouchester cheese, and tetley black tea. mmmm. It's so foggy and wet outside, that I can almost believe that I'm in Britain eating my English breakfast. :-) 

It has been far too long since I updated y'all! I promise that my silence does not mean lack of productivity, as I really have been knitting a good bit, in spite of finishing up my senior thesis this week and beginning preparation for finals. 

I have two works in progress at the moment, one for a challenge and one to keep me sane while I work on the other one. 

First up, a chevron-striped, chunky neckwarmer.

This is my challenge project, and, so far, it's just a nub of progress. I'm working off of basic instructions for a chevron seed stitch (see my chevron peter pan collar here to get an idea of the stitch), but I'm attempting to do each chevron in a different color. The result, I hope, will be a chunky single loop neckwarmer with awesome green, blue, and grey chevrons. AND the yarn is made from recycled wool. Awesome? yes. But, these 5 rows (granted, they were the "getting started" rows which are always the "worst") took well over an hour, so we'll see if I survive. Did I mention that, at last count, I have 8 strands of "live" yarn to keep track of. Madness. 

(Sidenote: see how kinky that one knitting needle in the above picture is? That's the pair of needles that I learned to knit on--9 years ago! Those needles have knit more scarves than I can count, and, well, they might have been sat on along the way...)   

 Next up: more handwarmers!

A couple of things sets these apart from the others I've made recently. 

1. These are 100% pima cotton. Sensitive skin? Warmer climate? These are perfect for you. This cotton is unbelievably soft. 

2. CHUNKY. The others have been with finer yarn and smaller needles. This is a chunky thick-thin yarn (the same ones I use for my washcloths. Check those out here.) knit on wonderful size 11 DPNs. This is such a quick project compared to the other stuff I've been doing! 

3. Length. These fit from above the wrist down to your knuckles. It's like a fluffy hand hug!

Now, lest you be anxious about the rather wobbly appearance of this yarn when it's just lying flat, here's what these look like on:

Chunky, cozy, wonderful. :D 

Already in love? These should be up on Etsy in the next couple of days. As always, I'll let you know when they go up via Facebook and Twitter (all the info for that is over on the right and toward the top. ---> )

And, FINALLY, in case you missed it on Facebook and Twitter, I have to show y'all the WIP that we had the guessing game about!

I was knitting a women's headband/earwarmer that matches the teal tweed handwarmers!

This tweed headband/earwarmer is knit with wool in a fairly fine stitch. The first third or so is knit in horizontal rib, which gives the headband some nice stretch. It then switches to stockinette stitch, finishing in an arrow shape, and connecting with 3 bobbly, faux-leather buttons. I think it's both classic and funky, and I have to admit that I'm rather proud of it. :-) 

Love it? Check it out on Etsy by clicking HERE.   
Interested in the handwarmers, too? Those are here.

Thanks for reading, y'all-- I'll be better about blogging, promise! :-) 

Adventure well; Live fully. 

HAK

Small Business Saturday

Now here's a shopping event that y'all may not be aware of! Did you know that November 30, 2013 is Small Biz Saturday?

Here's a little update from my studio...

I sent this little beauty off on Wednesday. This painting of a stunning wedding venue is 5x7 inches on a 6x8 piece of watercolor paper. It was a custom order, and I particularly wanted to share it with you as a reminder of how much I LOVE CUSTOM ORDERS.

So, is there still someone on your list that you haven't found something for?
I'd love to paint or knit something special just for them! 
Visit my Etsy shop to make a request!

Three final thoughts:
FREE SHIPPING on everything in my shop. No code necessary!
and
Leave a request in the "note to seller" box when ordering, and I will Christmas gift wrap your order for FREE. 
and
$5 OFF your order of $25 or more! Use the code SMALLBIZ13 (valid thru 12/1/13).

Adventure well; Live fully.
HAK

Fun Facts...

How about a little "behind the scenes" tour at Mes Aventures, Crafts & Co. tonight? 

Let's see...you already know that I'm a newlywed finishing up an English undergrad, but I guess that's just about about it. For starters, here's ten fun facts about me:

1) I live on top of a mountain. My school is the highest point of the mountain accessible by car. Yes, by Georgia standards at least, it is colder up here than in the valley.  

Covenant College. Lookout Mountain, GA. 

 

2)  I love fish. Yes, I enjoy eating them (remind me to post about how I bake fish sometime), but I'm talking in general. Not eating, not fishing, just fish. I'm absolutely in love with the Tennessee Aquarium. Also, I've had 5 goldfish, a betta, and a tank of guppies (that was for quite a few years). I tried to get another betta this summer, but it turned into a cat. That's a whole 'nother story, though. 

The Proper Care of Guppies

by Stan Shubel

Don't ask how many times I've read this. 

3) I'm mostly a self-taught artist and knitter. I've had a lot of nudges along the way and some good tugs to get me un-stuck at times, but I don't have an art degree, and I've never been to a knitting class.  

Many thanks to whoever created this little 

gem of brilliance! 

4) I love Burn Notice. a lot. I would say "too much," but I'm in denial. If you don't believe me, go back a couple months on my twitter to the time of the season 7 finale. In a perfect world, Fi would be my alter ego. 

5) Speaking of Burn Notice, I don't look like Gabrielle Anwar when I paint, but I wish I did. 

6) I really enjoy cooking. And the best part? So does the hubster. He makes awesome bread that looks like this: 

 7) This is harder than I thought, y'all... let's see... I've been to 46 states and 45 state capitols. We have Utah, Idaho, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii left. Which state do you think I've been to but not been to the capitol? 

 

 Thank you, Robert Quigley of geekosystem.com.

8) Most of my overseas travel has been to South East Asia: India (3 times), Indonesia, and Cambodia (I've also been to Guatemala and the UK). 

 9) I have far more books than the average person. You thought I was exaggerating.... Those wood shelves are 6 feet tall, built by the hubster (and this doesn't include the majority of my children's lit books...).

10) I'm a Christian. That may be kind of obvious if you a) know me or b) have been reading these posts regularly, but it's something y'all should know. If it bothers you, I'm going to do my very best not to make you feel uncomfortable on here. If you want to challenge me, please, I'd love to talk. But I'm not going to avoid it. I'm going to be real about my faith, just as I would expect you, dear readers, to be honest about yours. This is a safe, fun place. Let's be honest with each other. 

WHEW! Ten things was more of a task than I expected! I don't know if that means I'm super interesting or super boring...hm... 
Anyway, I was going to also share about our little Burrow, but my list ended up being a bit longer than planned. Maybe next time! :-)

Until then, Adventure well; Live fully. 
HAK 


PS Pretty please leave your comments below! (Like what you think the answer to the question in #7 is!) :-)

PPS Bonus Fact: 11) I speak French, well, a little. I'm taking classes. I love it more than I am good at it. haha.

Cha-Ching: On sales, custom orders, and knitting

“I still find each day too short

for all the thoughts I want to think, 

all the walks I want to take,

 all the books I want to read,

and all the friends I want to see.” 

~John Burroughs

I shared this quote with y'all on Facebook earlier today. Indeed, my day was too full--too full for my SIP and my Shakespeare essay and my date with all those loose papers that desperately need to be organized into my binder. But it was full of delights and surprises, and I'm thankful for every last one. 

If you ever visit the Etsy forums, you will see lots of sellers talking about the "cha-ching." Apparently, that's the sound the Etsy app makes when you get a sale. I don't cha-ching, but I did have two sales today--three this week so far. WOW. I'm still new at this whole small biz thing, so every sale feels like the very first one. I dance like a little kid! But you know what? I hope I never lose that feeling. I hope that as long as I am a business woman, be it 1 year or 100, that every single sale feels like the first one. 

Why? you might be asking. It's actually not about the money, though that is a very important part of the business. It's about the delight that I made a product that a customer is willing to spend their hard earned money on. It's an affirmation of my skills and artistry. It's like making a new friend. 

Today was full of running to the post office (twice), writing notes to customers, and reading little blurbs like, 

"I purchased some of these and they are WONDERFUL! Great job, HollyAnne!" 

and "I agree, [creating a custom order together] is FUN." 

It was full of connecting with a former neighbor over a yarnation (that's my brand new word for something created out of yarn. Be impressed--that's pure genius. ;-) ). 

I'm thankful, and very blessed. 

Today was my first day as a truly busy business woman. Maybe I grew into that role a little more over the last few hours. It was a new step of my adventure. 

I want to hear from YOU! 

What was your day full of? A new book? Too much to do at work? Snow? 

Was there an adventure hidden (or not so hidden) in it?

Please comment and share your story! :-) 

Adventure well; Live fully. 

HAK 

Love these? They are SUPER COZY. 

Request a custom order in your

favorite color and fiber at 

www.etsy.com/shop/MesAventuresCraftsCo

or by clicking on the Etsy Mini on the right. 

----->

 

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnburrou101053.html#PvVbljC3sBUV6T0F.99

WIP: Christmas Whimsey

One of the things I'm hoping to share with y'all on here is my work: even my work in progress (WIP).  Today's WIP is a whimsical Christmas print or greeting card design. When it is finished, the ornaments will be brightly colored and surrounded by snowflakes, and the box at the bottom will be topped with snowy evergreen boughs and a red bow and will be fully customizable with a family name or message, something like "Merry Christmas," "Happy Holidays," "The Knight Family," or "Merry Christmas from the Knights." I'm hoping to have it up on Etsy the first part of next week: both as an 8.5x11 print and in packs of 6 greeting cards (about 5x8 inches when folded). What do you think?

An Unexpected Journey

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began. 

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

~JRR Tolkien

It probably says many things about me that I'm beginning my blog with a Tolkien quote. I've already given away my love of books, especially excellent fantasy, all things Oxford, and, hopefully, my desire to look at life as an adventure. Every day is a gift, and, to borrow from Oxford University: "Dominus Illuminatio Mea"-- "the Lord is my Light"--and the Giver of each glorious day.

So why a blog? Well, on Facebook I love to promote my shop and other Etsy shops; on Twitter I, well, I guess I reveal a bit of my own silliness. But here-- here I want to tell a story. The adventure of my life includes my art, my faith, studying, exercise, and more cooking than one would expect for a family of two. I want to share about those things and invite y'all to share stories, too--whether they're a lot like mine or very different. 

Mes Aventures, Crafts & Co. has been an unexpected journey for me. I was working at a TV station, finishing my English Lit undergrad, and enjoying newlywed life....Well, my hubster accuses me of being a "now" person. I try to think things through...I pondered this blog for a whole month! At the end of the day, though, I think John is right. My Etsy shop came rather suddenly, but I'm so thankful for it. It's the best job in the world! I love creating and connecting with other artists and my customers. I love the challenges of developing my artistry and learning business skills (and still balancing studenthood and wifery). I hope that writing here will help me process all of those things even as I'm sharing with y'all, and I hope that we will all be encouraged to adventure well and live fully. 

Carpe Diem.