Check Out The New Shop

Beach Bird Eclectics will no longer be selling on Etsy.  I can hear the groans of disapproval, now, but if you'll hear me out...

I'm just not fond of Etsy.  I feel like it's too time consuming.  Again, I can hear other Etsy sellers groaning, but if you really wanted to sell, it would be worth the time.  Maybe they're right.  I mean, I do want to sell my products.  I just don't want to use that site any more.  I do not like paying for something that isn't paying off.  I have done a lot of research, and I have more business through Instagram and word of mouth than through Etsy or Storenvy.

Here's what I've decided.  I'm going to run my shop through Instagram and through this blog.  Yep.  Easy peasy.  Here's how it's going to work:

If you'll direct your attention to the top of the page, there is a new tab entitled "Beach Bird Eclectics".  That's the shop.  Well, kind of.  This page will have a list of all of my inventory, as well as the prices and a description.  If anything catches your eye, there's a contact form that you can use (on the main page) to order.

I will also post to Instagram {Beach Bird Eclectics} when new items come out, and reminders of where to find the items.  Ordering can even be done through IG, as well as this blog.

In both cases, I'll coordinate with you on the exact price and and send a PayPal invoice.

*I will never ask for sensitive information.  Payments will ONLY be made through paypal.*

To celebrate the changes, I'm offering 40% off of everything in the store!  Prices have already been marked down, so there's no need for a code!  This discount will be available until March 6, 2016!

I hope this wasn't too confusing!  As always, if you have questions, you can get in touch with me!  I'd love to talk with you!

See ya!

Yarn Projects Part 3: Tension

Good morning!  I hope you are doing well!  Today's lesson is on tension.  Not the tension you get from work, or school, but the tension you put on your yarn when making those gorgeous yarny goodies.

When I first started crocheting, my tension was ridiculous!  It's no wonder I have arthritis in my poor hand!  I would hold the yarn with a grip like a life line.

I am still a tight crocheter, but I have let up on the tension somewhat.  Here are two examples of what I'm talking about.

I totally ran out of yarn on the larger
swatch, but I think I got my point across.

These swatches are both made with the same number of stitches, the same number of rows, the same hook, and the same yarn.  The only difference in the two is the tension (and the one I ran out of yarn).

In the top swatch, the tension is so tight.  Probably exaggerated, but still, that's how I used to crochet.

In the bottom swatch I barely held the yarn.  That was difficult. 

See?  Big difference.  The tension you use in your yarn endeavors will affect the outcome of a pattern, just as much as the hook and yarn sizes.

I hope you've found this little series to be informative and fun!  I have a great time doing stuff like this, and I'm thinking of doing more crochet type posts.  What do you think?  Any ideas?

Yarn Projects Part 2: Hook Size

Hello!!  I'm back with part two of the Yarn Projects series.  The other day I talked about yarn size, and how it can affect a project.  If you missed out on that one, check it out here.

This week, I want to show you how hook size can really do an number on your project.

Like I said in the last post, my patterns aren't specific when it comes to type of yarn or hook size.  I tend to stick with patterns that don't require a gauge.  Other patterns will specify a type of yarn and hook to work it up correctly.

Take a look at these granny squares.  They are all the same pattern, same yarn, just different hooks (the letters next to the squares are the hook sizes).

I sure hope these posts are informative for you!  I am enjoying writing them.  Is there anything else you would like to see me write about?

I'll see you guys next time for the last installment of my crochet series: Tension!

Yarn Projects Part 1: Yarn Size

Today, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to talk about yarn sizes. 

As you may know, I'm terrible at writing crochet patterns.  I enjoy making new things and sharing them with you, but I just can't seem to write them very well.

So, I just want to explain that {most of} my patterns are subject to interpretation.  They are completely customizable, and gauge  is not always imprtant.  That us not always the case with pattern, though.  Especially if you're making clothing.

The photo below shows how different yarns can work up very differently.

These circles were made using the first five rounds of the pattern from my HDC Bag, and each one was made with a 4.5mm hook.  The only difference in each I'd the type of yarn.

{I don't know the type of yarn for the green circles, one is thin, the other chunky.  The blue and white is 100% cotton, the purple I'd 100% acrylic.}

As you can see, these circles are all different sizes, and this will affect your yarny  projects.

For sweaters, or such, the pattern will specify the type of yarn to use, so the correct gauge is achieved.  For projects like the ones I write up, you can adjust the patterns to accommodate your yarn size, making the finished product the size you want.

*I started out writing this post with yarn size in mind, and it exploded into a three part article!  The next post is going to be about hook size, I hope you'll stop back by for that!*

Happy Valentine's Day

Hi, everybody!  Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day!  

See ya on Wednesday!!

Yarn Spinning: UGH!!

I made the niddy noddy
all by myself!  I also have a
"mini noddy"

A year ago (maybe more), I purchased a drop spindle set.  I had big intentions of learning to spin my own yarn.  {I am constantly in pursuit of more to learn}

I learned to keep my
hair in a pony-tail
while spinning.  :/

Fast forward to the end of January.  I pulled the spindles out, unwound the roving, and turned on YouTube (gotta love all the educational videos).

Verdict?  Yarn spinning sucks.  Please don't get me wrong.  I am not criticizing anyone who spins, on the contrary, I admire them!  Oh, how I wish I could spin such deliciously beautiful yarn, such thin, glorious yarn.

That's why, even though I am terrible at it, I am not giving up.  I don't know exactly what to call it, OCD, determination?   Whatever it is, I have to complete something.  I have to master it.

This is some of the batt I spun up.
I have big plans for it.  Let's hope
it turns out!

I have scoured the internet to figure out what I'm doing wrong.  I have found that one of the batts I worked with was more for art yarn, so my results were right on with the ones I found online.  One of my IG friends, @flowerchildfibers, has been so great to give me some tips and encouragement, also.  That has helped so much!

I'm going to keep trying, and I'll report back soon!!

-------------------------------------------

Rarely will I go back and rewrite a post when my opinion or results on a subject change.  This blog is more in real time... So, here's an update on the spinning (updated before it was even published, hih.  Maybe a new record).

I saved a bunch of the batt and roving that I accidentally pulled off when I was learning to spin.  While I was waiting on my new fibers to arrive, I picked up the spindle and bit of fluff and made up some more yarn.

It made for extra practice, spinning two different fibers together, and adding extra fiber (which was a problem I ran into with the first couple of go's).

The new verdict?  Approved.  I had a great time spinning and coming up with new looks for the fiber.  I wasn't as stressed about messing up the beautiful batt that I started with the other day, because it was only pieces, and I was not as rushed to get a result.  I have to learn to ply, but that's a post for another day.

I think this activity is a keeper!  

But I Don't Want To!

A word of advice?  Even if you don't feel like working out today, or doing the adult things today, just take 15 minutes to accomplish *something*.  It may turn around your whole perspective and get you motivated. 

I didn't feel like doing anything today, but I made myself get on my mat.  I did 15 minutes of stretches, and my body thanks me for it. 

I'm still tired, and not quite motivated to get going, but at least I did something to work toward my fitness goal, and that helps mentally.

If you find that you just don't want to, jump in and do it anyway, it'll be worth it.

---

Or, in the alternative, if you feel you have been working too hard, give yourself a break.  Sometimes the body needs to rest.  That can do a world of good, too.

Now that I've done my stretches, I'm going to do the dishes and take a much needed day off.  I guess I just combined my two pieces of advice.  Huh.  I guess I made up a third piece of advice, then.

Well, enough rambling.  These dishes aren't going to do themselves, and I want to learn how to spin some yarn.

Later!!

No Room For Doubt

I am never 100% happy with a project until I am completely finished.  Most of the time I second guess my work and designs.  I have to just power through the self doubt, and more often than not, I am extremely happy with the results.

I doubted my idea for this blanket almost the entire time I worked on it.  I had to fight the urge to frog it and start over.

I'm so glad I didn't scrap my idea!
This blanket is perfect!

I think self doubt is normal, but it can seriously hinder a person.  I am learning that if I doubt myself, I don't live up to my full potential.  It's a very real struggle, but slowly I'm coming out of it.  Once I complete a project in which I doubted my ability, I feel such a sense of accomplishment, and yes, even a little pride.

God is there, guiding you through all of it, and he will give you the knowledge and peace to get through (with the little crochet projects, as well as the giant hurdles life will throw in our way).

Sometimes you just have to trust that God won't steer you wrong, and you know what you're doing.  Power through.  You may just surprise yourself!