What Has Become of Me?!
Friday, September 24, 2010 at 11:31AM Just last Friday I broke down and created art batts. I also made a grand statement that I would resist sparkle in my batt creations.
And now look at me. So weak-willed. So spineless. I have Sue of the Critter Ranch to thank for it all.
Friday I declared "no bling". Saturday I attended the Fingerlakes Fiber Festival in Hemlock, NY, and caved. What a fickle heart I have!
One of my dearest friends, Petra, and I went on our merry way to Hemlock, and there we met up with Sue. Let me take a minute to say what a treasure Sue is. Despite her devious ways, she contained a wealth of information and advice about running a fiber business on-line. And she was so generous to share all that knowledge and wisdom. One kernal of advice from her: add bling to your batts. It sells.
But doesn't she know what I stand for?! Doesn't she know that I'm a purist and want to uphold small farming values and make myself stand out?!
Yes, she does, but she also knows I want to be sucessful and actually sell something. So bling it is. It's very sound advice, and she's assured me that I'm not compromising my ethics if a little nylon slips in with the wool now and then.
Sigh. She's right. So I tested Firestar and Angelina. I like Firestar much better. And here's my first batt with bling:
A look at the batt opened up:
I actually like it a lot. And I even liked working with the Firestar. Sue and I joked that I resisted because I know once I played with it, I'd be hooked! She may be right there as well.
The batt still contains 98% Romney and will be a part of my Shepherds' Friend line, because I still feel like it will give a spinner a good idea of what the breed represents. I don't think the tiny bit of Firestar will affect the wool's characteristics. Just give the finished yarn a bit of flash.
So, what do you think? Worth it? I guess sales will tell.
And I'll fill you all in on the treasures I picked up at Hemlock, but my parents are in town, and tomorrow is Hannah's 6th birthday party, so I may be away from the blog for a few days!!