Blog: Spinning & Dyeing

Vlogmas Week 2: Behind the scenes of a fiber art business

The Business of being an artist, vlog | 0 Comments

We are officially halfway through vlogmas!! woo! I am not gonna lie. It has been challenging. Even though my editing skills have improved ten fold, it is an extra chunk of time out of my work day (and even my off days). But the connections with you guys...

Pumpkin Spice Sweater Knitting

everyday life, Knit like a fiber artist, The Business of being an artist, What I am working on | 3 Comments

I have no doubt where you live now, You are already deep into the crisp fall weather. Here in Raleigh, It all started this week. Flip the switch on the gas fireplace and cue pumpkin spice everything. Thank you baby Jebuz, it is finally sweater weather. If...

Selling What You Make

The Business of being an artist | 2 Comments

Hey I get it. Every artist at some point or another starts to think about selling what they make. Be it because friends are demanding it or because they have lofty dreams of quitting their day job and doing something they love all day long. But...

Get Ready for Dyeing

dyeing fiber and yarn, Dyeing resources | 0 Comments

So you are ready to get dyeing yarn and fiber. It is hands down the most frequently asked question I get at UrbanGypZ. It is also a series of classes that I am working up as an offering. I am so excited to share with you guys. I also knew that I needed to...

Natural Dyes vs. Chemical Dyes

Creative Inspiration, dyeing fiber and yarn, Dyeing resources | 1 Comment

I get asked about natural dyes ALL THE TIME. And straight up, I don't do them. So I usually just do not have a lot of info about natural dyes. Hey I get it. There is something deliciously romantic about going all homesteader, foraging plants, and using...

Gift Knitting Like A Boss

Crochet pattern resources, Freebies, Knitting Pattern Resources, The Business of being an artist | 1 Comment

HoHoHo! Fiberistas, Break out the stash, It is that time of year again. Time to make your list, check it, and the stash, twice. We are officially just shy of 6 months from Christmas. If you are like me, you are gonna want to do what you can to offset any of the normal...

5 Powerful Keys to Making Your Competition Irrelevant

Creative Inspiration, How to think like an artist, The Business of being an artist | 0 Comments

Jealousy. We have all been there. It does not matter if it is amongst stay at home moms, corporate executives and yes, even artists. There is a time in EVERYONE's life when you are green with envy over what someone else has. And while I think jealousy is just a fact...

When You Just Show Up

How to think like an artist, The Business of being an artist | 1 Comment

Procrastination. I have to admit, I am so freaking guilty of procrastinating in a big way when it comes to making art. Seriously? I love art. WTH am I doing? Why do chose to do laundry over getting into the studio I love, sitting with an obscene amount of great yarn...

Pricing Your Work Part 2: Getting Paid

The Business of being an artist | 1 Comment

Alright Fiberista's so, last week I shared with you the basic formula for finding the number that will support your work. And I spent a lot of time making the case for why you should charge according to that number even if you do not think you need the money or are...

Pricing Your Work Part 1: the nitty gritty of running the numbers

The Business of being an artist, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

It is a question I get asked a lot: How do I price my work? I get it it is so very hard to know how to place value on art work in general. But as far as pricing hand knits and crochet, hand made yarns and fibers it can seem so much more confusing. I mean heck, you can...

Making Fiber Art: It is all in the details

dyeing fiber and yarn, How to think like an artist, What I am working on, yarn spinning | 7 Comments

Check this out. This is my most recent yarn... It was made from this fiber I dyed a couple of weeks ago. The first in the new dye space. So this fiber was a miss mash of mill ends, farm wool, angora from my late great bunnies, and sole roving ends. I could not tell...

The 5 Keys to Making Art You Love

How to think like an artist, The Business of being an artist | 2 Comments

For the longest time, the idea of making a body of work and really embracing the idea of being an artist was just overwhelming for me. I have always done creative stuff. Not just little crafts. I would take art classes and learn some intensive techniques like...