SDICM Vendor: Small & Great Crochet

June 5, 2013June 5, 2013 | leftylex

And now, time to meet the lovely Kate Wood of Small and Great Crochet!

So who are you and what do you do? My name is Kate, and I’m a bit of a crochet newbie — I only learned how to put hook to yarn in March 2011, when my mom (who was just learning herself) taught me the basic stitches during a long car trip. Before I really even had the basics down, I was off and running! Err, I mean, stitching. I went from granny squares to amigurumi to Tunisian crochet within just a few weeks, and a year in, my apartment looked like a yarn store. My friends’ and family members’ homes overflowed with the stuff I’d made, too.

I make all crocheted things great and small! I design all of my own original patterns. I really have two directions I go in. One is my accessories, which are made from hand-dyed yarn. My yarns are named after the gemstone streets in PB, and my patterns for hats, scarves, and more are named for places around San Diego county.Two is my amigurumi, which more or less means “soft toy” in Japanese. Little stuffed critters! My tiny teddies (the little striped bears) are my bestsellers, but I do lots of other stuff. Making their debut at the SDICM will be ladybugs! I would like to interject here and say that, as an owner of one of these “tiny teddies”, they are absolutely adorable and EVERYONE needs one!

What are your favorite materials? Yarn, of course! But I really love working with natural fibers the best. In particular, I have hats that are done with a hand-dyed organically-grown cotton that are just yummy. I also dye a cotton/acrylic blend that I’m really fond of — it feels like an extra-cuddly version of your favorite t-shirt.

Who and/or what inspires you to create? A couple of things. One, I’m very inspired by San Diego. Besides all the pattern and dye naming, my accessories are all geared toward a SoCal aesthetic — laid-back but luxe. Second, nature — I know the stuffed toys and gifts I make are cartoon-y/kawaii versions of the real animals, but I just LOVE animals and plants, which is why I keep stitching them!

Also the reason I got into crochet in the first place is my family. My mom, and my beloved late grandmother, are/were both avid knitters, and really good at it. I always wished I were good at it, but I am all thumbs when it comes to knitting. My mom was taught the basic crochet stitches a couple of years ago by a friend, and though she didn’t really get the hang of it, she figured it out enough to teach me. Once I started, I basically never stopped.

Care to show and tell us about your five favorite creations?

1.) My little horse — I kept the first successful one I made (this pattern is HARD and it took a TON of trial and error to get it right). He’s become my unofficial mascot!

2.) The “Carlsbad” hat — this is a slouchy beanie worked in hand-dyed, organically-grown and processed cotton. The pic I attached shows examples of the hat in four colors — L-R: Garnet, Turquoise, Tourmaline, Sapphire. It’s the hat I wear the most myself (in the pic you have of me from North Park it’s what I have on).

3.) The “Tiny Teddy” — consistently my biggest craft fair hit. I get custom requests for these guys too. I’ve had several people ask me about doing a smaller version (an even tinier teddy!) so that may be in the works… it needs more testing before it goes live.

4.) My crocheted states. I know these don’t really fit precisely with either of my “themes,” but it was all the enthusiasm and encouragement that I got from giving these to people as gifts that really motivated me to turn crafting into a business. Another interjection here: these are super cute too!

5.) The “Swami’s” scarf — this is a pic of the mini version. I also do the Swami’s stitch as a headband and a larger scarf. I wind up using lots of circles (e.g., my whole booth display is patterned with giant orange circles!) so I feel like this is kind of my signature stitch. I meet a lot of crocheters via this scarf style — people always want to know how it’s made.

And lastly, where can the good people find you? Haha, where can’t I be found!
Website: http://www.smallandgreat.com
Blog: http://smallandgreat.tumblr.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/smallandgreat
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/smallandgreat
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/smallandgreat

Kate is great, guys! Show her some love by checking out her Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/smallandgreat) or my visiting her in person at the San Diego Indie Craft Market on June 23rd from 2-6PM at Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center!

Are these not the cutest things?!

SDICM Vendor: Stitched.

June 4, 2013June 4, 2013 | leftylex

As promised yesterday, I will be introducing you to some of the amazing talent that will be at the upcoming San Diego Indie Craft Market (details below).To start us off on a good note, I am pleased to introduce you to the ridiculous cuteness that is Stitched.!

Please introduce yourselves! We are Karissa and Michelle; sisters-in-law with a passion for being creative and spicing it up with some vintage flair!

As Stitched., what do you do? We do a little if everything from refurbishing furniture to sewing rag dolls!!

Your pieces are amazing! Where do you snag your fabulous refurbishing finds? We love to go to yard sales, antique stores and flea markets!

Would you like to show us your five favorite creations?

These chicks are kinda awesome, they have even hosted their own craft fair: Stitched.Market!

If you’re in the market for some serious eye-candy, then follow these gals on Instagram: @stitched.1 and @stitched.2. You will not regret this decision, scouts honor! Be sure to keep up with Stitched. on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/stitched.2?fref=ts

And don’t forget to look for their booth on June 23rd at the San Diego Indie Craft Market! More info can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/SDIndieCraftMarket?fref=ts

Don’t you wish you could just dive into this picture?!

San Diego Indie Craft Market

June 4, 2013 | leftylex

We have yet another fair on the horizon, ladies and gentlemen! If you remember, last month I was ~~ambitious~~ stupid enough to participate in two fairs on the same day! After that stressful (albeit successful) endeavor, it’ll be nice to focus all my energy on one single (four hour) fair… the San Diego Indie Craft Market!

The San Diego Indie Craft Market will be hosted by the same lovely team that runs the largely successful San Diego Vintage Flea Market. Unlike many other craft fairs, that allow the occasional mass-produced vendor to enter, all items found at the SDICM will be handmade!

I can’t stress the importance of buying handmade and supporting local artists enough! Rather than going to Wal-Mart and buying something that was made in Bangladesh (in God only knows what type of working conditions), you are supporting and individual or team who created a quality product right here in the USA. Your handmade purchase shows that you care about more than blind consumerism and that you are interested in more than merely following the latest trends; you’re looking for unique items that can’t be found in every retail store worldwide. Your handmade purchase promotes the dreams, and sometimes the livelihood, of a local artist!

Not convinced yet on the importance of handmade? Then I challenge you to read these articles and maintain your same view: http://poppytalks101reasonstobuyhandmade.blogspot.com/, http://www.handmadeology.com/10-awesome-reasons-to-buy-handmade-gifts-this-year/, http://papernstitchblog.com/2011/05/10/the-number-one-reason-why-people-buy-handmade/. Enjoy!

This will hopefully be the first of many fairs for the San Diego Indie Craft Market and I am committed to making this fair as successful as possible! Thus, I will be dedicating the vast majority of blog entries this month to the San Diego Indie Craft Market and its talented vendors. Stick around to meet the faces, stories, and products of the talented artists that will be at the SDICM. You’re in for a treat! And don’t forget to mark your calendars of Sunday, June 23rd; we look forward to seeing you at the Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center from 2PM-6PM. Cheers!

**On a side note, Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center (3925 Ohio St, San Diego 92104) is just a few short blocks from my all time favorite restaurant, Chop Suey Peking! Peking is a lovely little Chinese restaurant that has been family owned in San Diego since 1931! My Nana used to take me there as a little girl, so it will always, always hold a special place in my heart. So if anyone wants to get dinner after the fair, holler at me!

Memorial Day Giveaway!

Image | May 28, 2013 | leftylex

Wanna win this cute little hoop trio? Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and comment ‘USA’ on the photo. I’ll be taking entries until Hawaiian time. Good luck and thank a vet today!

Weekend Wrap-Up: 5/18-19

May 21, 2013May 22, 2013 | leftylex

What a weekend! This was the first full, stitch-free weekend that I’ve had in months! I did not touch a single needle! Hmm, let’s reword that, I just made myself sound like a junky! I did not stitch one single stitch. There, that’s better.

Saturday was a full day. After teaching my aerobics class, I spent the day (almost exclusively) with my baby brother. I would like to mention that yesterday was his 16^th birthday and I am in utter shock that he is already this old! I love him so much and I am always so proud of him.

We went to the North Park Festival of the Arts to check out the North Park Craft Mafia.

but specifically, Kate of Small and Great Crochet!

Kate is an amazing crochet-ista (yup, that’s a word, just invented it). I fell head over heels in love with the cutest little colorful amigurumi bear. Guys, it is seriously the cutest thing ever. I am 29 and I honestly just wanted to hold it all day; it’s that cute.

Kate’s space was so inviting and cheery. It was quite worth fighting the beer garden mob just to check out her wares.

Kate actually dyes her own yarn! You should check out the rest of her amazing yarned-goods on her Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/smallandgreat

We walked around the fair for quite a bit checking out all of the eye candy. I even came across a fellow stitcher! She had quite a few Downton Anbbey inspired pieces, which I absolutely adored!

After the fair, my bro and I headed over to (my most beloved) Balboa Park for an Air Force Commissioning Ceremony. We had some time to kill prior to so we photographed a few soon-to-be-listed Lefty Lex products…

And then we toured the Rose Garden. The flowers smelt amazing! And we ran into about 137 couples taking pre-prom photographs. I know that I’m not a teen anymore, but I’m also not 52; so when exactly did it become common for high schoolers (or their parents) to hire professional photographers to do photo shoots pre-prom? Weird.

We then headed to the Spreckles Organ Pavillion where we watched the SDSU’s ROTC Class of 2013’s Commissioning Ceremony where our long-time family friend, JR, received his commission as Second Lieutenant! JR and his family have lived next door to my parents for at least 11 years, so I have seen this guy go from a pudgy little middle schooler to high school football player to college graduate/Air Force officer. I am immensely proud of him! Whether he knows it or not, he’s been a great example to my brother as he too wants to join the AF after college. I’ll truly miss him and wish him the best of luck as he heads overseas.

I love this kid!

Sunday was fabulously uneventful as Husband and I did nothing more than attend church, visit with my sisters for a bit, and shop. Just the wind-down needed after Saturday’s hustle and bustle. Hope you’re weekend was equally enjoyable!

Iris Embroidery

May 18, 2013May 18, 2013 | leftylex

While exploring in the attic this past weekend I came across a vintage piece of embroidery that I completely forgot about. Two years ago, Husband and I lived next door to the most amazing couple, Ken & Iris. They were from South Africa and , when we met them, they had been married for 67 years!

The photo on the left was taken the day before their 68th wedding anniversary. The photo on the right was taken on the day of their wedding. Ken shipped out to Italy to fight in WWII just days later. Sixty-eight years! Isn’t that amazing?! Oh, how I loved them! To make a long story short and to not rehash sad memories, Iris passed away about a year after we met them; Ken passed one year later. When Iris passed, her son asked me if I wanted any of her handmade treasures; I jumped at the chance! I truly loved the woman and having a handmade something of hers (something she had shown me with pride) was an amazing gift.

This is what her son selected for me. It’s a meticulously crafted (small) tablecloth. It screams “Iris”!

Check out these details! It honestly looks like a machine made this.

Just thought that I’d share one of my most beloved treasures with you. I still miss this little lady every day!

RWL: The Office

May 15, 2013May 15, 2013 | leftylex

On Thursday NBC will air the final episode of The Office. I thought that I was ready for this, but apparently I’m not. I have been an avid Office fan for over 7 years and truly love the show. I’ll admit that there were definitely some seasons that I preferred over others, but as a whole, I think that the show is dynamite. So in honor of the wonderful characters, actors, and writers of The Office, I present you with this week’s Rainbow Wish List.

Unlike all other RWLs, I cannot explain why I love each of these items. All, of course, have Office references, so if you don’t watch the show, then my explaining them will not do the show justice. And if you watch the show, then you need no explanation as to why these items are amazingly awesome.

I will say this, personal bias towards hoops aside, the Justice Beaver and Meredith’s Panties items are my absolute favorites from this list! These are pure, comedic gems! Of course, even those who don’t watch The Office will recognize the “That’s What She Said”, but these little hoops will only be loved by true Office fanatics.

And now I’m feeling nostalgic! It’s been a good run Dunder Mifflin, Scranton. A very good run.

Weekend Wrap-Up: Mother’s Day Edition

May 14, 2013May 14, 2013 | leftylex

I’m not gonna lie, I do not feel like blogging today. That being said, blog I must so here we go! Nothing out of the ordinary happened on Saturday. All the usual tasks: teaching my aerobics class, shopping, cleaning house. Nothing fancy.

For Mother’s Day my siblings and I decided to have a little family picnic at Balboa Park. Sisters Dee and Jeri were MIA for the day’s events, but Sisters Sam and Andi, Vince, Husband, Daddy Lex, Puppy Bosco, and yours truly were in attendance to celebrate Momma Lex. And. It. Was. Hot! Thank God, we were able to find some solace under a lovely tree while eating, but the heat was brutal in sunny San Diego this weekend! After chowing down, we spent about two hours walking around the park.

Post lunch we hit the International Cottages. If you’ve never been to Balboa Park, the International Cottages are exactly that: international cottages. They are little houses that represent various countries from all corners of the globe. I was holding the puppy at this particular time of the day, so I didn’t tour each house, but I did venture into the following: Spain, France, England, Puerto Rico, USA (which was ridiculously lame), Iran, Ukraine, and (my favorite) China!

China was especially awesome because there was a young girl inside who would write your name in Chinese characters for you. I briefly explained to her our plan to adopt a daughter (I tried to sneak that in without Husband rolling his eyes because he still wants to adopt a son) from China and that we want to name her Jia which means health and beauty. She was so genuinely happy to hear of our plan and quickly began writing but told me that she would translate Jia to mean “elegant” and “lucky”. Fabulous!

This is now one of my most treasured pieces of paper. I highly doubt that she will know how much I am going to study this. I absolutely love it! And best of all, she was left-handed too!

Can we pause for a moment to adore the cuteness of Husband? This is his cheesy smile and it is my favorite! Sister Sam got in on the action too. I think that even Bosco was trying his hand at Husband’s smile as well.

We purposely stumbled upon a flower show. Momma Lex is a giant gardener, so we figured that she would quite enjoy the work of fellow gardeners. Aren’t these amazing? I want to stitch them all!

Overall, I think that mom enjoyed her special day. And she deserves it. I know that even at the even though I am all grown and married, I can still count on my mom to be there whenever I need her. Love you, Mom… even though we all know that Bosco is your favorite child!

RWL: Chalkboard

May 8, 2013May 8, 2013 | leftylex

Chalkboard is all the rage. Yes, we know that. Everything from actual chalkboards to chalkboard paint to chalkboard style of lettering; we can’t seem to get enough of chalkboards! And while I’m 100% positive that this is a design choice that we will look back in decades to come and say: Oh, that was so 2011-2014, I am quite enjoying it now.

Let’s take a look at some fabulous, Etsy chalkboard finds!

Red & Orange: I love these boards, they’re chalkboards (of course) but they are elegant enough to grace any mantel and not look childish.

Yellow: I envy people with handwriting like that. My cursive is fine, but (being left-handed) my printing looks like a 10 year old boy’s!

Green: I feel a particular connection to those mint green mason jars because I have had nearly identical jars in my cupboards for about two years now. I love that I can use throw whatever in the jar and appropriately label it. I’ve even used the jars to house salad dressing and painted a bigger square on the jar so that I was able to git the entire recipe; I thought that I was just so clever.

Blue: This is a ring bearer’s “pillow”! This. Is. Genius. I want to get married all over again just to use this. How freakin cute? And it works two-fold as your pillow and your something blue. So cute!

Indigo: Love the simplicity of this art piece, love the message, love everything. And now I want to embroider it onto a hoop!

Violet: This little invitation makes me want to throw a party. That purple shade contrasted with black and white is the perfect amount of pop. Add in the fact that the lettering is absolutely adorable (and that my own birthday is on this invite) and you have yourself the perfect invitation!

Are these not the cutest? To check out more from each artist, simply click on the image which will take you directly to their Etsy shop. Have fun and happy Tuesday!

leftylex

stitches on a mission

Author: leftylex