New Pattern Coming Soon

I am currently working on my next pattern - "Diamonds Bracelet". I got the photography done last week and thought I would have the pattern ready in just a few days. Well, ummm, I guess I am not so good at estimating how long something will take.

I now have all the photography edited and about 1/3 of the text written. Then the pattern will need to be formatted for pdf...so, I now estimate it will take me at least another week to complete this project. I hope it will take less, but...I am trying to learn my lesson.

To anyone I previously told that this pattern should be ready in "a few days", I apologize.

This pattern will be comprised of two separate pdf documents - "Diamonds Bracelet" and "Diamonds Variations". The basic pattern is written for the button closure and uses heavier cord and no large focal beads. "Variations" will include instructions for closure with lobster claw clasp as well as using larger focal beads and C-lon cord.

While I was playing with this design for pattern making, I could not resist using the motif for a necklace to match one of the Diamonds Bracelets. Some of my cords ran short as I got to the centerpiece and I had to creatively work them out. As always, the prototype teaches me what works and what doesn't. I think my next one (whenever I get around to it) will be much better. In fact, I am hoping to make an improved set for the Fire Mountain Gems annual beading contest.

Well, I guess I should get back to work on writing that text...

Tapestry Bracelet Kits

KIT - Tapestry Bracelet - Cream Soda

Well, I did get around to putting together some kits. I have listed 4 Tapestry Bracelet kits and 2 Spirals Anklet kits. I am continuing to work on standardizing my kit assembly process so I can save some time - time I can spend on producing more patterns.

I have also been busy trying to learn to garden. What with the cost of food on the rise, I thought a garden might be nice. I have done some gardening in the past, but really I am an amateur. So many things to do, never enough time...

Just a Few Lines...

I am posting just a few lines to let you all know:

That I have been busy this week helping out a friend who recently underwent oral surgery. I am back home as of last evening...then as I was getting ready for bed, one of my migraines struck. Luckily I was already headed for bed and was able to sleep off most of it. Today, I am in the tail end and so will not be able to get back to work as I had planned.

I have kept an eye on orders and so have been able to get them shipped out. However, I have not had time to put together any more kits...

The article in Step By Step Bead magazine seems to have increased business for me and so getting those kits together is a priority on my "To Do" list. Hopefully soon, I will be able to list some at My Etsy Shop.

Thank you for your patience.

As always, comments and questions are welcome.

I Have Been Published!

I am so excited. My Spirals Anklet Pattern has been published in Step by Step Beads magazine (Jul/Aug 2008 issue). I received my copies in today's mail.

Of course, the first thing I did was show my hubby and then called my mother. Sorry, Mom, you were second only because you were not here.

Then, I called several friends.

I have never been published before and I really want to milk this one!


So, for any of you who would like to try your hand at "Spirals Anklet" - you should soon be able to pick up a copy of Step By Step Beads Magazine (Jul/Aug issue) at your local news stand. They have some other interesting projects as well...

I am Standardizing my Kits

(KIT - Fans Bracelet - Purple)

With 8 patterns (so far), I am finding it time consuming to keep kits in my shop. Up until now, I have put kits together based on what I had on hand at the time. It takes time to decide what beads and cords to use and it takes time to photograph them...

I have decided to standardize my kits. I am working towards having a standard set of about 10 kits per pattern. I will save time on photography as each kit will only need to be photographed once. As a kit sells, I can just refill it with the same colors of beads and cord. I will save time on listing. As a kit sells, I can just relist it.

This system will eliminate some of the creative color combinations, but the efficiency of it will help keep costs down. I figure that once someone decides they like a particular pattern, they can experiment with color combinations to their heart's content.

I have started with Fans Bracelet and Fans Earrings Kits:

(KIT - Fans Earrings - Purple)

(KIT - Fans Bracelet - Amber)

(KIT - Fans Earrings - Amber)

Find all Fans kits (both bracelet and earrings) here.

Full Circle

I have come full circle. Since I began my online jewelry adventure, I have tried several website variations, only to return to Blogger. I am happy to be back. I realize I may sound a bit "eccentric", shall we say; but I feel as if I have come home.

Blogger is very easy to maintain and that is a big plus. Now, that I have the frustration of getting my domain name to point to this blog all behind me, all is well.

Actually, Blogger has not that often been difficult for me. When I bought the domain name for KnotGypsy's Kitchen Chronicles, I bought it through Google and I had no headaches at all. Google has everything automated through GoDaddy (where the domain is registered).

I ran into problems with this blog because I had my domain registered at Bravenet and had to handle the configuration myself. I had additional problems because I had used the domain name with another website and the configuration retained some of those settings. I am not much of a techie, so I did not realize I needed to get rid of those settings. I did not even know what they were for!

Live and Learn. Sometimes we jump over the fence because the grass looks greener only to find that, actually, we had just left the greener grass! So, we try to return.

A few years ago, I sent some jewelry to a friend to put in her seamstress shop. Her business has grown and she no longer has room to keep my jewelry on consignment. She has returned it to me along with several pieces of display equipment! What a friend!

So, for another return to a beginning, I decided to post photos of some of these older pieces (including the photo above). These bracelets and matching earrings were the results of my experiments with my "Lattice" series. I will be listing them at my Etsy Shop (at a discount) over the next several days. So, keep checking.

HooRay! I figured it out!

After much reading, I figured out that I needed to delete my "A" records...and wait awhile. My domain name www.knotgypsydesigns.com is now functional on this blog!

Now, I get to go change a few notices...

And, when I get some time, I will post my findings on that Google Help Group forum...perhaps save someone else the frustration.

Now For the Domain Name

I have finally finished moving my content back over here to Blogger! Now, I am working on getting the domain name (www.knotgypsydesigns.com) to point to this blog...

So far, I have canceled my other webhost account and created a new CName.

But, when I change the Blogger settings and test it, I still get sent to the previous website. I think I may need to wait a day to let the old website disappear. I will try again tomorrow.

Wish me luck in getting this ironed out.

Blog Egage found me a great site...

I signed up for Blog Engage about a while back. It is a fairly new social bookmarking site for bloggers. It is primarily set up for bloggers to promote their blogs. The man who runs it is very helpful, friendly and works hard to make this new site a success. I highly recommend you check it out. Blog Engage

As a result of having submitted several posts from this blog, I was contacted by Crafty Tips and asked to submit my website and Etsy links. I checked out the site and it looks great! So, yes, I submitted my links. I also placed their logo link in my sidebar.

Ahh, social networking, what a wonderful thing.

Fans Bracelet PATTERN Revised

I have received feedback from some customers that "Fans Bracelet PATTERN" was confusing. I answered their questions, but having more than one person with a question motivated me to take another look at the pattern.

I have just finished editing and rewriting the pattern to incorporate a cord numbering system (as suggested by one of the aforementioned customers). I have never worked with the numbering system, but I think I figured it out.

Please, if you ever buy one of my patterns and have questions, ASK! I can only improve if I receive feedback. I am too close to my work and therefore am not very objective. I don't see all of my mistakes because I see what it is supposed to be. I have been doing micro macrame for over 10 years and sometimes I don't remember which parts are more difficult to learn. Also, with years of experience, you develop the ability to just look at a piece and know what was done - it seems obvious to someone so experienced. I don't always remember what is not obvious to a beginner. I am always hoping to improve my teaching skills and feedback is the best tool I have.

In the next week, I will be collecting an email list of those who have purchased "Fans Bracelet PATTERN" in the past and will email them with a new improved copy. I apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this pattern has caused anyone.

Patterns and Kits Are Sold Separately

I have recently had a couple of people confused about whether my kits have the instructions included. I did have that information in the product descriptions, but perhaps it was not clear enough. I have also tried to standardize my titles so that they are clear as to what is being sold.

So, I have edited my product descriptions to draw more attention to this, and added a message in my Etsy Shop message board. Hopefully, this will clear up any confusion.

There are several reasons why I sell them all separately, but mostly because...

• Sometimes a person wants 1 pattern and more than one matching kit. By selling them separately, the customer only has to "buy the pattern once" - saving money!
• Sometimes a person (especially an experienced beader who already has beads on hand) just wants a pattern - why make them buy the kits just to get the pattern? Actually, the patterns are my main product here - the kits are for the convenience of those who want to "just try one out" before going out and buying all the materials in quantity.

Not to mention that the category system and Etsy's restrictions on "commercial supplies" is another issue. If I combine them, then I must use the "commercial supplies" category, which is fine for the kits. But, I also want to use the "patterns" categories as well. If it seems that Etsy is too strict, I must defend them by saying that they are trying to keep the integrity of Etsy. Etsy tries very hard to maintain a site for buying and selling Hand-Made Items. I for one, am glad that they stick to their guns. I really like that we artists (and those who love hand-made things) have a place to go for just that.

If it is Not One Thing, It's Another!

Well, for the past couple of days, I have been transferring posts from my other website over to here. Everything was going well.

Until today. I had successfully recreated 2 of them, and was working on the 3rd. While trying to upload an image, Blogger gives me an error message. Seems Blogger is having an issue. I went to the Help Forums and there are several other people with the same problem.

I guess I will just have to be patient.

In the meantime, I have re-organized my links lists and added a few that were on the other site. I know, I will work on editing my "Fans Bracelet" pattern...maybe put some more kits together (they are getting popular). I certainly have enough to keep me busy while I wait for Blogger to fix its problem.

Returning to Blogger

Last night my website KnotGypsyDesigns.com was seemingly hacked. I lost 5 pages (all my "general information" pages including my About page which will be the hardest to recreate). My plug-ins had been deactivated, and I am unable to create new posts or pages. I submitted a support ticket and got a couple of the other problems fixed, but...

I am not really much of a techie and I think I am in over my head trying to work with C-panel and MySQL database. I think I will just move my website back over here to good old Blogger. Blogger makes is so easy - freeing up my time to make more jewelry, patterns, and kits!

So, it will take some time, please be patient and wish me luck.

Of course, My Etsy Shop is still working just fine! Please feel free to go check it out...

This Blog has Moved

I have officially moved this blog to KnotGypsyDesgins.com

I have imported all the content and comments. I will leave the archive here for awhile for those who still find me by the old links and bookmarks.

I hope to see you there - at the new site!

Wimberly Market Days

I survived the weekend. I even made a few sales. I paid for having to get up so early, though! I have spent the past few days recuperating.

The booth needs some work and we have plans for that. We have a vision. The market is closed Jan-Mar, so we have time to get the booth painted and spiffed up for next year. We have decided that this month and next are our "learning months".

Happily, we have electricity and lighting. We have a small fridge and a coffee pot - what more do we need? The doors and windows are lockable so we can leave stuff there - cuts down on what we have to pack and carry. I love anything that cuts down on the work!
I am very excited about this opportunity. I have worked with my friend before and we get along great. I have every reason to believe this will be a satisfying venture.

Knot! News - Weekly Update

Not a lot of news this week. I have been doing some Fall cleaning. I have been working on that perennial chore of sorting and purging. I thought I was a pack rat until I moved in with my husband. He is a master pack rat! So wish me well on this ongoing chore.

I have also been getting ready to set up at the Wimberly Market. I have most everything ready now with just a few small chores to finish up. I am excited about this opportunity, although I do not look forward to getting up so early! I am a night person. I have always been a night person. 6 years in the U.S. Army did not make me into a morning person. If Uncle Sam cannot do it, it cannot be done. Oh, I get my body up, but my mind refuses to cooperate until much later.

I have recently agreed to a custom order. I know, I don't usually do that. But, the customer has bought several pieces from me before and is so enthusiastic about my work - How could I say "no"? She is so easy to work with, stating she used to be a weaver and knows the challenge of creating something from someone else's mental image. So, I have rules, but I am not rigid and sometimes we must break the rules - even our own rules.

My hubby is now back on night shift. Thankfully. I am readjusting to that now, but it is a happy adjustment.

I think my goals until after the holidays are to finish the custom order, produce one more pattern ("Tapestry Bracelet" by popular request), and focus on beadwork for the holiday season. After the holidays, I have some reorganizing and fine tuning to do with my "system" - administrative work. (Ugh).

Knot! News - Weekly Update

What a week! But then, every week seems to be an adventure.

I have finally finished the pattern for "Lacy Ripples Bracelet" and have listed it in My Etsy Shop.

Most of the week has been devoted to household chores - trying to get caught up. With Fall bringing us some cooler temperatures, I have been in the mood for baking. I made a cake and some lovely French Bread...But I digress. You are more interested in jewelry, aren't you?

One of my customers, Beverle Sweitzer, is a metal refinisher by trade (webpage). She is fairly new to micro macrame. Rather ambitious, she began with my "Fans Bracelet" pattern. See below for the result of her first effort. I think she is off to a great start. She is also new to digital photography of jewelry, but states she is excited to be learning new things.

I have probably mentioned that a good friend of mine has bought a space at the famous (at least in this part of Texas) Wimberly Market. She has invited me to share her space. So, this past Sunday, I went to see the space with her. We took some of her stuff to leave in the space because the space comes complete with a building with locking doors and windows. It is rather nice. I think we will be happy there. We will be setting up the first weekends in November and December. Just in time for the Christmas rush...

I am feeling the need to bead, so take care and have a great weekend.

The DIY Factory Show

Well, the show is over. I had a lot of fun, and even made a profit after expenses! They held it in an old club with two balconies. I was located on one of the balconies. They had several bands, a working bar, and a fashion show. All very festive and artsy! Here are some photos of the event.

View of the entrance from my spot on one of the balconies.

View of the stage from my spot on the balcony.

View of the rest of "my" balcony.

And, finally, my table.

Knot! News - Weekly Update

In spite of Murphy's efforts this week, I am ready for my show (tomorrow). I finally got my patterns printed out, got my display worked out, and am mostly packed up. Due to the printer problems (see previous posts), I lost time out of my schedule. I did not get that necklace made that I wanted to have done - the one I mentioned that would be nice for Halloween. I still want to make it, but it won't be in time for the show. Oh, well.

My cat is doing much better. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she stays that way. Hopefully her problems are over.

I did manage to get some more work done on "Lacy Ripples Bracelet Pattern" - it is almost done. I think I will relax tonight.

I'll let you all know how the show goes...Until then, have a great weekend.

Knot! News - Weekly Update

Well, this week has been more productive than recent weeks. Perhaps, I am getting back on track! Hopefully, the recent trend of bad luck has run its course.

I have gotten a folding table, made a black velvet display mat, found my Indian bedspread, made a bracelet display (see photo), and set it all up in my living room. I have begun to work on placing my jewelry on it. I have nearly finished pricing it all - I still need to price my clearance items. I have even found a volunteer to accompany me and help out at the show. (My dear partner would help, but he is working most of the day of the show.) I am getting excited.

Last night, I sketched out a nice idea for a necklace that I hope to get done before the show. I want to make it in black with garnet red and some reddish gemstone chips, you know, for Halloweeen.

Since I have gotten together most of what I need for the show, I hope to be able to finish "Lacy Ripples Bracelet Pattern" this coming week. Man, I hate getting behind, and I really hate things that come up to get in my way - like migraines. At least, thankfully, my kitty is doing much better. She is back to her usual tricks and now more spoiled than ever...

So, take care and have a great weekend.