Shamdoogle

Studio Name: Shamdoogle
First Name: Alyssa
Nickname: Ginger

A little bit about you:

I'm 21, and an air pollution research scientist living in Brooklyn, NY, but I grew up in Olympia, WA. I fell in love with crafts projects at 4 or 5 years and began sewing and crocheting at 14. I love chemistry and have found the perfect blending of crafts, art and chemistry through pottery, hand dyed yarn and blue printing techniques. Shamdoogle began as a way for me to offer my advice on craft techniques and become involved in the crafting and handmade community. Also, I'd knit everyone I knew winter clothing.

Brief description of your studio:

Right now, I have several skeins of kettle dyed yarn for sale. However, I've swiped a few which were formerly featured on ArtFire to make gloves and hats that will be up for sale soon. I couldn't resist the colors and softness of the yarn.

Why do you do what you do?
I love creating things with my own two hands and I try to be as environmentally friendly as possible. I have a background in environmental science and green chemistry and I don't think art and craft should be exclusions to a sustainable life. Traditional crafters used earth products to develop handmade materials which, caused little harm to the land they survived on. I'd like to continue such a tradition, reducing my impact on the earth.

Word Association:

Encounter – First
Variant – Apple
Refer – Bibliography

Featured products:

GRAPEFRUIT - KETTLE DYED MERINO/SILK YARN


ALGAE - KETTLE DYED ALPACA WOOL YARN


Links (blog, Etsy, Ravelry, et cetera):

Blog on all things nerdy and crafty: http://www.shamdoogle.com/
Etsy: http://www.shamdoogle.etsy.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shamdoogle/45172933498

Blue Star Butterflies

Studio Name: Blue Star Butterflies

First Name: Krishell

A bit about me: I'm 30, originally from San Diego, Ca. We settled in
wonderful Stillwater, MN and I stay at home with our 2 kids. I love music,
home projects and sunshine.

My studio: I love all things yarn. I've been crocheting for years and have
taken this winter to finally learn to knit. I have used everything from
hand-me-down yarn to luxury hand dyed and hand painted yarns. Blue Star
Butterflies was created because I just didn't have enough people to make
things for! And of course I needed a way to support my yarn habit. So in
my studio you will find mostly knit and crocheted items. Lots of squishy and
cozy things. I'm hoping to start making some things that are more warm
weather friendly. I also sew, and if the whim strikes, you may see more of
that being offered!

Why: Why do we breathe? It sounds dramatic, but it's true. I spent years
trying to 'fit into the mold', grow up and be responsible, stay inside the
lines. Turns out life is much more fun when we be what we are! I'm an
outside of the box kinda girl. So especially wanting to show my children
how to be true to themselves, I've decided to follow my creativity where it
takes me.

Word Association:
Pipeline - Surfing
Static - Noise
Wrap - Cozy
Knitted/Crocheted Wool

Featured Products:

BUTTERSCOTCH COOKIES COWL



I HEART YOU COWL



MOSSY SNOWFALL



SWEET PINK VALENTINE SCARF



Links:

Blog - http://blustarrcraft.blogspot.com/
Etsy - http://bluestarbutterflies.etsy.com
Artfire - http://bluestarbutterflies.artfire.com
Ravelry - http://www.ravelry.com/people/blustarr

Categories

I'm suffering a little glitch in updating the featured yarny this week. Instead I would like to talk a bit about categories.

One of my biggest frustrations with Art Fire has been the inability to properly categorize hand dyed yarns. It is especially frustrating when shopping! Do I look under Craft Supplies? Knitting? Crochet? Now shoppers can look under hand dyed category!

You can now list all hand dyed yarns and fibers under HANDMADE / FINE ART » FIBER ARTS » HANDMADE MATERIALS » HAND DYED. Other choices in the Handmade Materials sub category are MANMADE, OTHER, and HAND DYED.

Hand spun can still be categorized under HANDMADE / FINE ART » KNITTING » KNITTING SUPPLIES » HANDSPUN WOOL or HANDSPUN YARN.

I think this is a great step forward and I am so happy to be a part of a handmade venue so responsive to its sellers' and buyers' needs.

Maine Woods Yarn and Fiber

Studio name ~ Maine Woods Yarn & Fiber


First Name ~ Arlyne


Studio Description ~ Our studio is set back in the woods of Maine but not too far from our beautiful coast. We share our space with our Great Pyranees, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Angora rabbits and Miss Kitty. We spin & hand paint all our yarns & rovings and handcraft all our knitting supplies and kits.

Why I do what I do ~ I'm a hands on person and enjoy the organic feel of wool sliding through my fingers as I spin. I really enjoy experimenting with colors and creating useful items for knitting, felting & crochetting.

Word association: Engine...Steam, Class...First, Bliss...Chocolate :o)

Featured Listings:

MAINE HANDPAINTED ROVING SOFT WOOL BLEND BILOXI BLUES



MAINE MAPLE WOOD DROP SPINDLE KIT



SOCK YARN KNITTING KIT WITH NEEDLES MOTLEY CREW GREENS



EASY WIND BALL BEARING YARN WINDER, SWIFT



Links:

http://www.mainewoodsyarn.com
http://www.mainewoodsyarn.etsy.com
http://www.stores.ebay.com/Maine-Woods-Yarn-and-Fiber