Still here… new dyeing

You know how sometimes life just kind of conspires to take over your best laid plans? That’s what this past month has been like for me… From other people’s weddings to my own unpredictable moods and other random events, I feel like I’ve just been along for the ride lately. Now that things have settled down a little I’m looking forward to getting back into some kind of routine. That includes regular blog entries and a lot more energy freed up to put into my Etsy shops. I’m actually planning to put some thought into how I want my blog to be set up – I’m looking for a good blend of Etsy-related content (Etsy Monday, shop updates, etc) and more personal, journal type subject matter. I’m looking forward to that too!

For starters, tonight I added a few rovings to Black Mustard Colorworks, the first update in a while. 2 Merino and 2 BFL this time – more fiber coming soon!

More hand-dyed rovings!

Learning to dye has been a hit-and-miss process for me so far – figuring out how to achieve the effects I want and how to work with each type of fiber to enhance their good qualities and avoid felting! It’s been a bit slow-going but a LOT of fun and I think I’m narrowing in on a method that will work for me consistently. Updates to the shop so far have been pretty small, as a result I’ve got a basket of almost-perfect fiber ready to be spun, so keep an eye out for lots of hand-spun yarns coming to the shop!

Today I did another small update, with 2 Super Fine Merino and 1 Merino roving.

Official Guide to the Black Mustard Newsletters

As promised, here is the run-down on the various newsletters available through my mailing list. This is to let you know what will be covered in each of them so you can decide which ones interest you. Feel free to sign up for any (or all) of them by entering your email address in the sign-up form over in the right sidebar. Just leave the boxes checked for the newsletters you’d like to receive and uncheck the ones you can do without.

First we have the general “Monthly Newsletter”. This is a basic update that lets you know what’s happening at Black Mustard Fiber Arts and Colorworks. It encompasses both shops, so you’ll find information about new products from knitwear to handspun yarn to new types of hand-dyed fiber. This is also the place to find out about sales, promotions and contests. Also, check out the “What’s coming” section of the newsletter for a teaser about the next month’s theme or focus. This newsletter will be sent out on or around the 1st of each month.

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Grand Opening – Black Mustard Colorworks!

I’m so excited to announce the launch of my second Etsy shop – Black Mustard Colorworks! This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now, and I’m really happy to have it up and running. In the new shop you’ll find hand-dyed rovings as well as yarns I’ve spun to showcase my dyed fiber. It’s a little sparse at the moment but I’m busy dyeing away to get it stocked up and keep new rovings coming! To celebrate the Grand Opening, I’m offering FREE SHIPPING on all rovings (withing Canada and the US) from May 4-18th!

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Cascade Gloves on Etsy Front Page!

I found out that a couple of days ago my “Cascade” fingerless gloves graced Etsy’s front page! A big thanks to Etsy seller AnikaEaster for featuring me in her beautiful treasury!

It made me so happy to see these gloves getting some love. I really like this style of glove but I think I introduced them a little late in the season, when people were already switching gears for Spring. I’m looking forward to making them in all sorts of colors when Fall rolls around again. In the meantime, I’ve got 2 pairs available, in “Sprout” (shown above) and “Denim“, both for 25% off the original price. Now would be a great time to scoop these up because they’ll be back to normal in the Fall! Or, if you’d like to make yourself a pair before the cooler weather hits, I also have patterns available in my shop.

Anika’s shop is beautiful too and I had to share a few of her pieces! I especially love her bird magnets