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.

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.

Knot! News - Weekly Update

What a week! I have spent much of my time caring for Bella and worrying about her. I also spent some time on the more mundane chores of life - like laundry.

Even so, I have finished the pattern for "Fans Earrings"! (Photo at right.) Find it for sale under the "Patterns" section of My Etsy Shop. I hope to get some kits put together this weekend.



I have been working on some slave bracelets and I believe I have a couple of basic designs worked out. What do you think?

(Remember to click image for larger view).

Announcements:

1. As I have been integrating my "WorkShop" into my main website, my forum will soon be deleted. The blogging format of WordPress allows comments on all posts (but not pages at this time). So, I am using it like a forum. I will also be posting some other "forum" type topics in the future.

To find or post questions and answers related to my patterns, go to KnotGypsyDesgins.com and look under "WorkShop" in the "Index" (in sidebar). Click on "Patterns and Kits" and scroll down to the applicable pattern. Questions and answers will be posted in the comments section. Feel free to post your own questions, answers, or comments there. In fact, please feel free to leave comments on any post that give you the opportunity. Or, if you wish to contact me, find the "Contact" page under "General Information" (in sidebar). I have edited my patterns to reflect this change.

2. I realized that some may wonder how to pin cords to their work surface...So, I have added "Slip Knot (for pinning cords to work surface)" to my "Basic Macrame Knots" collection. I have added it to all my patterns as well. I will be posting my basic knots instructions on my website sometime in the future as well.

Well, I have a lot more work to do, so "bye for now, and have a great weekend".

Knot! News - Weekly Update

I don't have a lot of news this week. Mostly, I have been struggling with my artist's block. My strategies finally worked! I already mentioned in last week's update that I spent the day working on logos for my headers and business cards. I mentioned that sometimes this kind of activity triggers my creative energies to get rolling again. And, it was something I could convince my brain to work on.

Well, I have been able to get back to beading and pattern making since then. This week, I have gotten the photography done for "Fans Earrings Pattern" (photo top right) and "Ripple Bracelet Pattern". I have worked out earrings for "Ripple Bracelet" with a couple of variations and will be getting the photography done on them soon as well. So....I believe that barring any unforeseen obstacles, I should be able to get all three patterns finished next week. I even have a few new design ideas.

I ran out of Size 11 delica beads (needed for "Fans"), so I ordered some more, along with some other beads (of course). When they arrive, I will be able to make up some kits for the "Fans Earrings Pattern", (and some more for the "Fans Bracelet Pattern").

The bottom line...I am creating again, but the results won't be available until next week.

Still too much rain for sailing here in Central Texas and more on the way. Oh well.

"Fans" Bracelet Pattern is Finished

I just finished the pattern "Fans Bracelet" and listed it at My Etsy Shop. I will be working on the pattern for matching earrings very soon. I decided to separate them as the earrings require a slightly different technique.

This striking micro macrame design is simple in conception, but needs a bit of practice to master. Recommended for beginners with some knotting and beading experience. This design primarily uses Double Half-Hitch knots with Lark's Head knots at the beginning and ending. The trickiest parts are beginning, ending, and determining how many seed beads to use per strand. It is all covered in the instructions with plenty of photos.

As with all my basic designs, there is lots of room for creativity. I provide tips on some variations, including how to expand it into a choker.

New Beaded Micro MacrameTutorial

I have finished "Waves Bracelet"! See photo. I included instructions on expanding this bracelet into a choker, and on how to make matching earrings. So, this tutorial is more than a pattern! I am listing it in electronic copy or paper copy.

This elegant design is a fairly easy one to make and would be good for beginners. The only 2 knots used are the Square Knot and the Overhand Knot. The trickiest part is the finish, but even that is not that difficult. It just requires a little practice and dexterity. Don't worry, I show you how in the tutorial.

As with all my basic designs, there is lots of room for creativity. Just vary the colors, the focal beads, the number of seed beads, etc and get a different look.

As always, I provide continued support in case you have questions regarding the pattern instructions. I have a website Knotgypsy Designs Workshop specifically set up for this purpose. I have opened a small forum for questions and answers, as well as general discussion of beading and micro macrame. There is also a contact form you may use to contact me directly. This will be my third published tutorial, and therefore the forum is not yet very active. Maybe you will be the one to break the ice!

I am also listing a couple of kits of supplies for those who just want to try one out before going out and buying everything in quantity. The kits will probably be listed tomorrow, as I have been working on this tutorial all day, it's late and I am tired. Find the tutorials tonight in My Etsy Shop. Look for the kits after tomorrow evening. Happy Beading.

Speaking of beading, I have a project I want to get started on...Scarlet calls.

Tutorial for Beaded Micro Macrame "Spirals Anklet" Now Available

Yes, the testing, the feedback, the final editing are all done! I have just listed this tutorial (in either paper copy or eCopy) at My Etsy Shop .

I also listed a few kits of materials for those of you who just want to try one out. There will be more kits as I put them together and get them photographed.

I am listing tutorials separately from kits for a couple of reasons. One, the category system in Etsy requires commercial supplies to be listed separately from hand made items. Since I made the patterns/tutorials, but bought the supplies; it makes sense to list them separately. It may seem a little awkward, but I admire Etsy for maintaining their integrity. They are a site primarily for hand made items, and they keep it that way. As I thought about it, it occurred to me that it would be better this way. What if someone wanted 2 kits? Why should they have to "buy the pattern twice"?

I want to thank all the volunteers who participated in the testing phase of this tutorial. The majority of them came from the Bead and Button Community Forum. They are a really great group of friendly and helpful jewelry and bead crafters and artists.

Except for a few editing tips, most of the feedback I received was very positive. They said it was an easy pattern to follow. One woman reports her 12 year old daughter was even giving it a try after having seen Mom do it.

A couple of beaders sent me photos and gave me permission to publish them. So I will. Right here. I think you will agree that both are tributes to skill and creativity. And it was the first time either of them had even tried micro macrame! They both reported that they did not have the recommended supplies, but, as both are beaders, had a bunch of other beads and cords laying around. So they improvised. Beautifully, I might add. Unfortunately for the rest of us, neither of these two beaders has a website I can link to. Hopefully, one day they will.

This first one is by Joy Palmer from Adelaide, Australia.

This 2nd one is by Karen Conn from Athens, Alabama.

What do you think? Did they not do well?

Later, when I have some time to work on my Workshop site, I will post them there. I want to have a page photos of projects done by people who used my tutorials. Oh, I am so very excited.

Well, now I have chores to do, and cannot linger here...

Macrame Key Chain Tutorial Now Available

I am still awaiting feedback on "Spirals Anklet" Tutorial. However, I have finished this simple key chain tutorial "Spirals Key Chain". It is now available at My Etsy Shop . If you don't see it on my front page, please check Section "Patterns and Kits". It is available in paper copy or electronic copy. I have also listed some kits of materials for those of you who just want to try it out without going out to buy all the supplies in quantity. You will still need your own work surface, pins, glue, scissors and clear fingernail polish.

This is a great project for Beginners. It is a simple, easy to make project using a heavier gauge cord than usual for my micro macrame projects. The beads are fewer and larger for easier handling while practicing the knots needed for this fob. Yet, there is a lot of room for creativity. I offer tips for variations at the end of this tutorial. To see key chain in another color, see my bloggerie KnotGypsy's Status Report.

I provide continued support in case you have questions regarding the pattern instructions. Remember my recently set up Workshop ? I set it up specifically for this purpose. I have opened a small forum for questions and answers, and there is a form you may use to contact me directly. This will be my first published tutorial, and therefore the forum is not yet very active. Maybe you will be the one to break the ice!

I have had fairly low energy this week, so I thought it would be a good time for me to take some much needed down time. I have not been laying around all week however. I have been doing research on setting up websites, web hosts, etc. I found some interesting information, and must finish checking it out, but I may be making some changes (again). I know. But I really do want to eliminate ads on my site (except for maybe for some ads relevant to what I am about, like suppliers of beads, etc). We learn as we go, sometimes changing things when better ideas come along. I appreciate all the support and patience I have received so far, and beg your indulgence further until I get through this initial transition.

Test Phase for My First Micro Macrame Tutorial

Finally.

I got the first draft finished on "Spirals Anklet" I am making email copies available for free in exchange for feedback. I am not exactly objective, so I need to know if the instructions are clear and understandable. Are the photos easy to see? If interested, click on my profile and email me. I am looking for beginner as well as experienced beader feedback.

If you don't have materials and don't want to invest in buying everything in quantity, I am offering kits at My Etsy Shop. Here is an excerpt from item description.

KIT INCLUDES:

2 sets of cords in color shown in first photo. ( The extra set to practice on, in case you need it) I have pre-treated the ends with clear finger nail polish to stiffen the ends. If you are rough on the ends, you can just clip them and reapply polish (I tell you how in the instructions.) I am using the C-lon cord in these kits because it is easier to work with. It is a little stiffer than the Omega nylon crochet thread. The Omega gives a more flexible bracelet/anklet, but it can be difficult to work with. If you would like a set of Omega in addition to the C-lon already included, just leave a comment when you pay, or convo me when you buy the kit.

More than enough of each kind of bead needed, just in case. See the photos.

1 Button.

Hard copy of instructions printed out on normal typing paper.

Last photo of a finished anklet/bracelet is for illustrative purposes ONLY. Except for the color, it is what a finished anklet/bracelet should look like.

Note: You will need a work surface (i.e. cork board, old style Puzzle Pad mouse pad, etc) scissors, and glue.

I am so relieved to finally have worked this out. I figured out the pdf problem last night. It was so simple, I forgot to put in page breaks! I also finished the magazine project last night. The packet is ready to send to Step by Step Beads Magazine.

I was so excited when I finished the document, I immediately got a kit together, and listed. I posted on Bead & Button Forum . It is a wonderful forum with a lot of friendly jewelry makers, and other enthusiasts. I have learned a lot from them.

I was tired, but too excited to sleep. My sweetie does not get home until late (he works the 3:30 to Midnight shift, with occasional overtime). I could hardly wait until he got home so I could show him my work.

So, now, I must sign off. I need to get ready for Trade Days this Saturday. My favorite coffee shop (where I consign some of my jewelry) have said they will let me set up on one of their sidewalk tables. I am hoping to make some sales, and get the word out. I think I will put out a sign-up sheet for a class. See if people are interested.

So bye for now, and happy beading!