My Autobiography ls a Huge Collage

My Autobiography ls a Huge Collage

My homework for a business class I am taking was to make an Oprah style-vision-board. I read The Secret, I’m a believer in most new-age/self-help practices but for some reason I had a really hard time sitting down and doing this before it was assigned to me. I actually made it a New Year’s resolution back in December. So it took me until the end of March to check it off my list. It got done, right?

Now that the varnish has dried I have come to a few conclusions. A. I’m kinda weird and B. Why are there so many naked people on here? It’s full of the art and artists I admire because no matter how busy things get I’m still an artist. There are also reminders of the times I was happiest so in that way I made it an autobiography of my life so far.

Let’s see if this thing works now…

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ShannondzikasArtYarnVintage/192564100770141

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shannondzikas?ref=si_shop

Thanks!

Free Pattern: Easy Beginner Felted Crocheted Practical Momma Messenger Bag

Free Pattern: Easy Beginner Felted Crocheted Practical Momma Messenger Bag

The finished product!

Before felting it looks huge. It shrinks about 30%, don’t worry.

After searching for months in many stores for a purse I liked I came up with nothing. My requirements for an everyday bag are a long strap I can wear across my body, a pocket for lip gloss and debit card, big enough for a whole bunch of junk, and it has to be under $20. I hate silly frilly designer bags so I rebelled my making my own bag. It took about three days of working on it but it will last a long time so I think the time investment was worthwhile.

I used a sz J crochet hook and about 2.5 skeins of worsted weight Nature Spun by Brown Sheep Co. I used my favorite colors in a random stripe pattern but the pattern is written for a solid color. If you want stripes I’m assuming you know how to change colors. Deal?

Start by Chaining 50+3 for turning chain.

Row 1: Work 50 dc sts across including turning ch.

Row 2-14: Repeat row 1. After completing 14th row ch 75+3 for turning ch.

Row 15: Dc across 75 st + original 50, 125 sts total.

Row 16 and 17: Repeat row 15. This is half the strap of your bag.

Row 18: Ch 3 and dc across next 49 st. Ch 30+3 for turning chain. You are working on the flap of purse now.

Row 19-43: Ch 3 and dc in next 79 sts. 80 sts total.

Row 44: Ch 3 and dc in next 49 sts. Then ch 75+ 3 for turning ch.

Row 45-47: Ch 3. Dc across 75 st + original 50, 125 sts total.

Row 48-60: Ch 3. Dc across next 49 sts, 50 sts total.

Now slip st or sew row 60 to row 1 to form the body of your purse.

Next slip st or sew the bottom of the bag closed. Take time to do this step carefully so your coins don’t fall out the bottom.

After you weave in all the ends throw this in the laundry with some jeans or towels you don’t mind getting fuzzy and wash in hot water with detergent. This step may need to be repeated if there are any holes visible in your bag/if you can still see the individual stitches. Reshape bag and let dry. After I felted mine once the strap was 46″ long. The width was 13″ and the height was 12″.

Optional steps: If you have the time you can add a fabric pocket or line the whole thing in a coordinating fabric. Embroidery looks great on the flap and at this point your imagination can go wild.

Send me photos if you make this!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ShannondzikasArtYarnVintage/192564100770141

To see my other projects check out my Etsy store:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shannondzikas?ref=si_shop.

Thanks!

Free Pattern for the Badass Corset Laced Easy Crocheted Beanie Hat

Free Pattern for the Badass Corset Laced Easy Crocheted Beanie Hat

Lace up back of beanie through ch 3 loops.

Traditional cloche beanie look in the front.

For this easy one hour hat you just need a worsted or chunky yarn and a sz j crochet hook. About a yard of ribbon or cord is optional. It only uses about half a skein of yarn.

With your main color Ch 5 and sl st to form a ring.

Ch 3 And do 14 dc stitches in the ring and around your yarn tail. Sl st to connect and you should have a little circle. Pull the yarn tail tight to avoid a hole at the top of your hat.

Rnd 2: Ch 3. Make 2dc st in each st around, connect with a sl st to where you started.

Rnd 3: Ch 3. 1dc in first st (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st) continue in this pattern to starting point and connect with sl st.

Rnd 4: Ch 3. Dc in each stitch around your circle. Approx 43 st total. If you’re off by a stitch or two don’t worry, keep going. Do not join with a sl st.

Row 5-10: Ch 3. Turn your work to go back and forth now. Dc in each st. across.

Row 11-13: You might want to switch to a contrasting color. Ch 3. Dc in each st across.

Lastly, ch 3 and turn your work to crochet your loops to lace your laces through. (Sc in each dc post, ch 3) repeat around your opening until you get to the opposite side of the hat.

Weave in all of your loose ends.

With a ribbon or yarn etc. lace through your ch 3 loops and your badass beanie is done!

This hat and others are available on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shannondzikas?ref=si_shop

Free Pattern for Felted Twenties Style Cloche Easy and Fast Beginner Crochet Project

If you think you can’t crochet a hat in two hours you are wrong. You can wear this the day after you make it.

For this project Brown’s Lamb’s pride worsted is ideal but a similar wool will work. I used a sz K crochet hook but a J works too. Don’t panic or stress, use what you have.

With your main color Ch 5 and sl st to form a ring.

Ch 3 And do 14 dc stitches in the ring and around your yarn tail. Sl st to connect and you should have a little circle. Pull the yarn tail tight to avoid a hole at the top of your hat.

Rnd 2: Ch 3. Make 2dc st in each st around, connect with a sl st to where you started.

Rnd 3: Ch 3. 1dc in first st (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st) continue in this pattern to starting point and connect with sl st.

Rnd 4: Ch 3. Dc in first 2 st (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 dc in the next st) repeat around cir, join with sl st.

Rnd 5: Ch 3. Dc in first 3 st (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 st) repeat around circle and join with sl st.

Rnd 6: Ch 3. Dc in each st and connect with sl st. You should have 75 st or so. No one will notice if you don’t have exactly 75, don’t start all over.

Rnd 7-10: repeat row 6.

Rnd 11: Use contrasting color, ch 1. 15 sc, 5 hdc, 5 dc, 25 htc, 5 dc, 5 hdc, 15 sc, sl st to join. Again, if your numbers are a little different it’s no big deal.

Rnd 12: With main color repeat row 6

Rnd 13: Repeat rnd 11

Rnd 14: Repeat row 12

Rnd 15: Repeat row 11

Rnd 16: Repeat row 12 and knot. Now just weave in your ends and you’re almost done.

Finishing:

Your hat will look huge. This is good. It will shrink by approx. 30% after being felted. Throw your hat in the washing machine with your laundry and wash in hot water with detergent. Your clothes will get fuzzy but the hat needs the agitation of the other clothes in there. When the buzzer goes off pull your hat out of the wash and pull and stretch it into shape (sometimes you have to be kinda rough with ‘em.) Now just let it dry overnight and you have your perfect 20′s cloche!

I sell similar hats on my Etsy page if you like these.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shannondzikas?ref=si_shop

Free Pattern for Easy Crocheted Adult Mary Jane or Ballet Style Felted Slippers

I am a busy mom who crafts for cash so I don’t have time for tedious craft projects. I like to finish a craft in one evening or one naptime without a lot of stress. We can discuss my generations need for instant gratification some other time. The rest of my life is frantic, I craft to relax. I couldn’t find a pattern for slippers that weren’t a) ugly or b) mind-blowingly complicated. This afternoon I sat down and made this pair of slippers in about two hours not including the time it’s taking my washing machine to felt (shrink) ‘em.

All you need is one skein of Lamb’s Pride worsted wool, and a sz J crochet hook. I used Rosy Velvet for the color because it’s my new favorite.

All you need to know is how to sl st and dc which anyone can do with one YouTube video studying session.

Slipper (make two if you have two feet.)

Ch 4 sl st in first ch to form a ring or loop. Ch 3.

Rnd 1: Double crochet in ring and around yarn tail 11 times. Join with sl st to where you started and you should have a circle. Pull yarn tail tight to close ring or your toes might pop out!

Rnd 2: Ch 3, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st.) Repeat pattern until you are back to the starting point and join with a sl st.

Rnd 3: The same as round 2

Rnd 4-8: Ch 3. Dc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Rnd 9: Ch 3. Do 19 dc for 20 st total.

Rnd 10: Ch 3. Turn work and dc across 19 st. ch 7. Sl st at the opposite side to form strap.

Rnd 11: Chain 3. Turn and work across ch and all other st. You should have a strap now. Sl st to join.

Rnd 12: Ch 3. Turn and work 19 dc st across.

Rnd 13-19: Repeat rnd. 12. I made these to fit my sz 10 feet. If yours are smaller just skip a row or two here.

Fold your heel area in half now and sl st the heel seam or sew it loosely. Weave in all loose ends.

Finishing

After you’ve woven in any loose yarn it’s laundry time. Throw these in with any clothes you don’t mind getting fuzzy and wash in hot water with detergent. Pull them out soon after the buzzer goes off and pull and stretch them into slipper shape. If they’re still too big you can felt them twice. Let dry overnight. Decorate them with ribbon, embroidery, buttons, sequins, etc.

Send me photos if you make these. If you like them they’re also for sale on my Etsy page.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shannondzikas?ref=si_shop

I’m on Facebook too! Like ShannonDzikasArtYarnVintage

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Free Pattern For Easy Felted Crochet Spring Flower Garland Scarf Decoration

Free Pattern For Easy Felted Crochet Spring Flower Garland Scarf Decoration

This is one of my favorite projects to make and they sell quickly on my Etsy site. It is an ideal project for beginners because mistakes are almost undetectable after felting. After you’ve done this once it opens the creative doors to use different flower or leaf combos. The color combinations are limitless so you can use what you have on hand. The yarn you use just has to be 100% wool.

The example in the photos was made with Lamb’s Pride Worsted in Forest Shadows and Rosy Velvet. You will also need 5 cool buttons or beads, and size J or K crochet hooks.

The flowers and “vine” are made separately and sewn together after felting.

Make 5 flowers. I like to have two medium ones and three small ones.

Ch 5:sl st in first ch to form a ring.

Small rose
Rnd 1:Ch 2 do 14 sc in ring and around yarn tail; join with sl st.

Medium rose
Rnd 1:Ch 3 do 14 dc in ring and around yarn tail; join with sl st.

For both sizes
Rnd 2: Ch 3, skip two st sl st in third st from ch. Repeat to form five loops which will be the flower petals. Join with sl st in first ch of first loop.

Rnd 3: (sc, 2 dc, trc, 2 dc, sc) around existing loops. Repeat four more times. Sl st to join and form knot then weave in loose ends.

Make Vine

Small leaf

Ch 4 sl st in 3rd ch from hook to form picot. Repeat two more times (3 picots). Pivot to work in “free loops” on opposite side of ch. Sl st in 1st free loop of ch, sl st picot, dc in second free loop, sl st picot, sl st in first loop of chain.

Medium leaf

Ch 4 sl st in 3rd ch from hook to form picot. Repeat three more times (4 picots). Pivot to work in “free loops” on opposite side of ch. Sl st in 1st free loop of ch, sl st picot, dc in second free loop, sl st picot, dc in free loop, sl st picot, sl st in first loop of chain.

Large leaf

Ch 4 sl st in 3rd ch from hook to form picot. Repeat three more times (4 picots). Pivot to work in “free loops” on opposite side of ch. Sl st in 1st free loop of ch, sl st picot, dc in second free loop, sl st picot, trc in free loop, sl st picot, dc in free loop, sl st picot, sl st in first loop of chain.

Vine

Start by making a (large leaf, ch 8, make medium leaf, ch 12, make large leaf, ch 6, make one large and one small leaf, ch 10 make one large leaf.) Repeat until it reaches about 90″ because it will be shorter after felting.

Finishing

Weave in all loose ends. Put your flowers and vine in a mesh lingerie bag thing or tie them loosely in an old tee shirt to keep fuzz off your other clothes. Do your laundry with detergent on the hot water cycle and remove soon after the buzzer goes off. Stretch and pull your flowers and leaves into recognizable shapes and let dry. I like to press the flowers under something heavy. Sew your flowers onto your vine in a random way, use coordinating thread (duh!) Sew your buttons or beads into the centers.

You can wear your garland like a lariat, a cowl, etc. When you aren’t wearing it it looks great draped above a window or mantle.

Send me photos if you make this. Thanks.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shannondzikas?ref=si_shop

and Facebook page: shannondzikasartyarnvintage

Posted in art, business, crafts, crocheting, fashion, knitting | Tagged alternative, beginner, craft, crochet, easter, easy, felt, felted, flowers, free, funky, pattern, punk, roses, scarf, spring, wool | Leave a comment | Edit

Selling on Etsy for Beginners

Selling on Etsy for Beginners

Have you crocheted more hats than you can wear? Do you trip over paintings you have stacked up against the wall? Is your closet bursting at the seams with vintage clothes? This is how it all starts. I had too much in my small apartment so the night I found Etsy and realized there was actually a market for this stuff I got to work. It’s been five years now and due to recently being fired, my full time job is making, selling and marketing my crafts and vintage clothing.

In this post are some of the things I have learned in my time selling. I made so many mistakes in the beginning that could easily have been avoided with the tiniest bit of research.

I’ll put this in a Do’s and Do Not’s format to make it easy to understand and to prevent me from rambling.

First, DO take the time to read the rules and guidelines. On Etsy you can only sell handmade or vintage items.

Do not waste your money on anything you don’t need in the beginning like avatars, fancy mannequins, a huge inventory etc. Start with what you have and make do until you know if this is a long-term or short-term project. Just start and go from there.

Do take interesting, bright photos on the lightest background in your home at the brightest time of day. Photoshop the photos if necessary, study the photos that get your attention. A good photo is over half the battle. Etsy gives you 5 photo spots, use them all. Take a picture of the back of what you’re selling too.

Do not screw yourself by not charging enough. I used to guess on postage and often guessed wrong. The post office website is very easy to use and very accurate, use it! If you’re trying to figure out how much to charge for a handmade item a good formula is $10/hr + the cost of supplies. I sell hand crocheted hats for $24-$28 because they take about two hours to make and the yarn is between $4 and $8.

Do take advantage of the community forums and blogs. They are chock full of valuable information. Comment on the blogs daily if possible. Join teams of like-minded people. Support others and they’ll support you. There is the concept of “Etsy Karma” I believe in.

Do research your target market. Are you selling to high-end designers or poor college kids? Make sure your prices fit within their budget and that they will be interested in your photos. This concept is key to your success!

Do not make your avatar photo lame! Sorry, this is the first thing people see often and it has to reflect the spirit and quality of your shop. Make it bright, unique, and think about the branding direction you want to go in. Walk 10 ft. away from your computer and see if it stands out to test it.

Do tell the truth in your descriptions. When selling vintage items this is even more important. You want positive feedback from every customer. If a dress has been repaired or you replaced a button, say so.

Do not list items all at once because you’re excited. You will get more exposure if you list one thing a day or so. List your items when your target market is home and awake. I sell to mostly 20 somethings who are awake at night like I am. Weekends are obviously better for sales and listings than weekdays.

Do not worry if you sell in more than one category. You do not need to open multiple Etsy shops. In fact, the opposite is true. It is a good idea to have items listed in different categories because it brings in more traffic. I sell art, knits, and vintage clothing and just have my one shop divided into logical sections.

Do not get discouraged. It can be an emotional roller-coaster online. One day you may set a new sales record and then you might go a month without a sale. Look at the overall picture and not the minute details. It will be slow at first for most people, be patient.

Do your best to make every customer happy but do know that you cannot make everyone happy all of the time. There are cranky and crazy people out there! Accept it.

I am continually learning new things and improving my Etsy shop still.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shannondzikas?ref=si_shop

Find me on Facebook too, ShannondzikasArtYarnVintage

Be your own boss, secretary, and janitor!

Paper Mache Dress Form Instructions

Hello

I shared these instructions for how to make a paper mache dress makers mannequin on Facebook already but I thought I'd share them here too. Enjoy! Send me photos if you attempt this.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58858&id=192564100770141&l=cc9c3f5f6c

If you like it but aren't crafty it's for sale on my Etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68511647/ooak-table-top-dress-form-paper-mache