Winter Blast

I met some great people today at Winter Blast, in Astoria. We hung in despite the crazy rain. Here's some pics from the day...

WINTER BLAST

Hi All!

Crazy Crazy busy right now - but wanted to let you know I'll be at a craft show tomorrow in

Astoria! I'll have LOADS of great pieces that would make fantastic gifty-poos! Here's the info -

WINTER BLAST HOLIDAY HANDMADE MARKETWhere: Cretan’s Association Banquet Hall, 32-33 32nd St between Broadway and 34th Ave; Astoria, Queens (astoriaevents@gmail.com)
When: Sunday, December 13, 10:30am–4:30pm
Why go: More than 40 crafters will hawk everything from soy candles and stationery to crocheted goods and clothes.
What to buy: Soap that Makes Scents pumpkin-scented body soufflé soap whip ($5.75); Lithos Du Monde handmade pink rock ring ($60); First Floor Down Productions Exodus h

oodi

e with ax blade and turkey feathers graphic ($75); and Kokalaki Jewelry’s sterling silver chain convertible necklace that can be worn as a lariat or a choker ($28).
Don’t miss: Bumpin’ beats courtesy of DJ Teddy Boom Boom, and cookies, cupcakes and brownies priced to move at $2–$4

and a few of my newest items -

Big News!

I'm so excited to announce...

Your one stop shop for whimsical winter goodness...

www.MollyMade.net!

It's still a work in progress, but great to know it's up and running!

Check out the shop section for the newsest design to hit the streets...

THE BEAV!

New Logo

I'm so happy about the new Molly Made Logo!!!

Many thanks to Bill at www.wearethebillripley.com!

Actor Crafts Success!

Loads of fun was had at Molly Made's latest craft show. It was a little slow at first, but ending up being quite a hit. I mean really, I would NOT have been there at 10am either if I wasn't working. Wish I had taken a pic of the table and my GORG new table cloth, but you'll have to wait til my next show Dec 13th, Winter Blast in Astoria!

Here's a few pics of happy customers!

Love the family pic! Susan is sporting a Molly Made Felted clip on the white knit hat made with love by her Mom!

Elliot is busy measuring the table using his official Molly Made tape measure!

Gorgeous Daryl Getman in her Gorgeous custom skoodie! This was made just her Daryl and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out! Daryl is a brilliant performer and photographer.

check out www.DarylGetman.com

Craig and I died when he tried on this skoodie! It looks like it was made just for him! Love it! Craig is super talented has been busy performing all over NYC - check him out here.

Um... this is clearly just me being goofy. I made a bunch of dino skoodies (I call it a Skoodosaurus)a few years ago and I really need to bring them back! This one is going to Craig's nephew! I love the wonky eyes!

There's lots happening with Molly Made. I'll keep you posted!

Cheers!

Big Chunky Winter Goodness!

ACTOR CRAFTS IS TOMORROW!

Holy Cross School

on 43rd between 8th and 9th

10am - 6pm

Stop by and say hi!

As winter approaches I'm loving giant chunky pieces. Check out some of my newest designs!

New Giant Skoodie!

New Chunky Headband/Cowl

New Giant Pom Pom Choker

New Large Lady Bug

CHECK BACK SOON FOR MOLLY MADE NEWS!

ActorCrafts Nov. 21st Craft Fair in NYC

I've been crafting like crazy! Custom orders have been rolling in, and I have a few new designs to share!!

I'm most excited about my new Skoodie (hooded scarf). It has a rounded hood like a hat, a really long scarf with giant tassels! It's crocheted with two yarns, one big fluffy stand , and one super shiny textured strand.

Come checkout this new Skoodie and my other bits of joy this Saturday at Actor Crafts at 332 W 43rd Street (between 8th and 9th) from 10am-6pm!

Cheers!

Crafts in Chelsea was a hit!

I've been swamped - so here's a quick update...

My first craft show was such a success! I couldn't be happier with how it wall turned out! Loads of friends came in waves which really helped attract attention to my booth. It was freezing but DIDN'T RAIN so everyone was interested in handmade warming up items.

Thanks to everyone who stopped and shopped, my amazing friends, The New New etsy group (especially Lenny Mud, Nordea's Soaparie and Groundsel), my partner in crochet crime...Tepperwear, and my fantastic partner in everything Mr. Dominguez. I couldn't have done it without all of you!

I know I'm making a big deal out of all of this, but it was my first time, so I'm geekishly excited.

Here's a few pictorial highlights!

My booth!

John Berno and one of my lovely dance partners in the back Tim Hughes

Cute KID! She grabbed this headband and wouldn't let it go! That's a felted recycled sweater rose

FRIENDS!!

This is how I started my day. I couldn't believe my eyes! A CRAFT ADVISORY??? Yes!

CRAFTS IN CHELSEA

Molly Made is making it's craft show Debut! CRAFTS IN CHELSEA Here's a quick look into all I've been working on...

I'd love to see you there!

Saturday October 17th

10-6pm

21st Street Between 8th and 9th

CROCHET..... A HOUSE?

I have been crazy busy and loads of blog ideas have been flying through my head. Today, however, I came across something that I HAD to blog about NOW.

My ridiculously cool sister forwarded me an email from a mutual friend. The subject of this email was "Do you know what a Yurt is?" I knew it sounded familiar and as I read the email I remembered I had recently heard about Yurts. First, at the Fashioning Felt exhibit I blogged about a few weeks ago, and in one of the many CraftyPod episodes I listened to this weekend.

According to Wikipedia "A yurt is a portable, felt-covered, wood lattice-framed dwelling structure traditionally used by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia." For a more detailed description check out the full entry.

I read the email and instantly teared up with excitement! Kate Pokorny is embarking on an amazing task. She is going to CROCHET A FULL SIZED YURT!

Here's a small description from her site http://YurtAlert.com

"Historically, Mongolian nomads made felt for their yurts via a labor intensive process that still required an internal structure at the end of the day.

My project is to take that design a step further and make a locally-sourced (local to New Hampshire), self-supporting crocheted yurt out of hand-felted cording approximately 1.5 – 2 inches thick."

Her process looks so fantastic!

She met the sheep...

Felted the wool into a giant cord...

She even whittled her own Crochet hook!

After felting the cord she realized that it would take a tree sized hook so she's decided to crochet the yurt with her HANDS. I've been made fun of by my family for crocheting a hat with my fingers. So, I can't wait to tell them someone else is as crazy as I am.

It's going to take a LOT of wool to make a full blown Yurt. So... Kate is accepting donations. If you'd like to help check out her project countdown and donation page at Kickstart.com.

If you can't tell... I am SUPER excited about seeing this project unfold. No Wait... better yet... FOLD, into lots of lovely knots that make a house : )

The Ideal Local Yarn Shop

Opening a Local Yarn Shop(LYS) of my own has been on my mind and in my heart. I've dreamt about it for quite some time. Lately, I feel the dream tugging, tugging. tugging... OPEN OPEN OPEN. When something pulls that hard, I think it should be paid some attention. Several signs have been put in my path telling me this is something I should seriously look into and soon!

I've made steps towards making this dream a reality. I attended a great conference through the Crochet Guild of America. I've sold several pat

tern designs to two different nation wide yarn companies. I finally signed up to sell my own hand made items at a craft fair. I've made wonderful con

nections with professionals through blogs and social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. And, I have visited about 20 different yarn shops around the US and Canada and even Spain.

Perhaps the most helpful tool I have used to find information has simply been speaking to yarn shop owners and friends who knit and crochet. When ever I meet someone who has the slightest idea of how to own, shop in, or appreciate a yarn shop, I tell them I'm looking to open one of my own. I ask millions of questions, and have gotten some great advice. The advice that

seems most prevalent is "IT'S VERY DIFFICULT!"

So, I figure, GREAT! I'm am never afraid of a challenge! Nothing about pursuing a career in musical theatre is easy. However, with the help of some very supportive people, I have had a career in musical theatre. After getting my Equity card, I worked as a singing waiter for a little over a year, and then I started booking work... consistently. I have worked successfully as an actor for four years now. I am very proud of this accomplishment and I've loved (almost) every second of the journey. But, I can't help but notice my passions are pulling me in a different direction. I know I will never want to stop performing completely, I just might want to change my focus. I find when I'm on the road, nothing makes me happier or helps me to feel more at home than when I step into a Local Yarn Shop.

Now, what am I accomplishing with this post?

I've been to LYSs of over the country and I've started to get a feel for what I want in a shop of my own. As of now, it's all a bunch of mumbo jumbo floating around in my head and heart. Today I'm going to begin a list of everything I hope my shop will embody. I'd LOVE feed back and comments on what type of a shop you most enjoy. What turns you on about your favorite LYS? What turns you off? You've never been in a yarn shop?? Tell me what makes you happiest about your favorite independently owned clothing shop, paint store, shoe store, coffee shop. Anything that makes you happy (or unhappy) about a small retail shop will help.

Here's my list and I'll continue updating as I discover or rediscover ideas that will help describe my ideal LYS.

MY IDEAL YARN SHOP WOULD HAVE...

Clean organized shelves

Organize yarn by weight and then color then fiber

Enough, but not too much yarn - lots to choose from but not so

much that it is overwhelming

Clearly labeled prices (this is a big one for me)

Encourage cross crafting (knitting, crocheting, felting, using yarn with glue or playdough if it works)

Greet each customer as they come in the door in a jovial relaxed encouraging manner

Offer project and technique classes

Offer one on one and group classes

Offer some classes that span over a few weeks and some that are completed in just one day so that people who travel for work still have an opportunity to take class

Craft and coffee nights

Afternoon crafting tea

Men's night

Family crafting groups

Handmade items for sale

Cute Reusable Bags (this is from Persones Llanes in Barcelona, Spain)

Projects (or knit AND crocheted swatches) made out of most types of yarn

Happy felted items around shop, but not too many so that it's cluttered

Coffee and snacks

Kids play area

Comfy Chairs and tables for hanging in the shop

Easily accessible swift and winder

Offer to wind more than one type of yarn together for multi yarn projects like at this shop

Interesting notions, buttons, and beads

Skacel and Lantern Moon needles/hooks

Tunisian hooks maybe by ChaioGoo

Machines for felting (this might not happen right away)

Some sort of mascot that greets shoppers at the door (this guy is at Knitch in Atlanta)

What are your thoughts?

Feeling the Felt

I've had several interesting experiences with felt this month. I'll post more throughout the week. For now, here's a few pics from an amazing exhibit called Fashioning Felt at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, in NYC.

The exhibit closes September 7th. If you love fiber, I'm telling you, GO!

Crochet Guild of America

I recently joined the Crochet Guild of America. What a great decision! I went to their conference in Buffalo and had a fantastic time. My head is spinning with loads of information. I attended the Professional Development day, took 4 classes, and met several professional crochet designers and teachers.

Here's a few highlights from the week...

JD came with me to help with the drive and to keep me company when the classes were not in session. But, while I was at the conference, I was on my own. I had made a few connections through Ravelry, and Twitter, but I was still pretty nervous. One of the main connections I had made was with a woman named Jocelyn Sass. (she is known as CuteCrochet on Twitter) She has been a super cheerleader via twitter, but I had no idea she would turn out to be such a Crochet Angel! Jocelyn took such great care of me and explained any goofy question I had with such kindness and intelligence, introduced me to several lovely people (including Wendy Cozby who is with us in this pic) and helped me connect with many designers and editors.Her help on the design front helped me to SELL several pattern designs to two different companies! I'll have more news on that once things are official.

The first and last classes I took were with Edie Eckman. First I attended her

hour long talk about Designing for Publication during Professional Development Day, and I also took her class called "Unlearn to Knit." I highly recommend both classes. Submitting for publication is definitely a different beast than submitting for an audition. And, after taking her Knitting class, I really feel like I am in control of my stitches. I can actually tell what I am creating with the yarn and the needles, rather than just doing what someone else told me to do. In this picture, Edie is holding one of her books called, The Crochet Answer Book. A book I happen to love and had with me on the road for all 9 months of the Chitty tour. Pretty cool : )

This next picture is with Myra Wood. I sat in on her seminar on Self Publication at Professional Development Day and, took her class on Free Form Crocheted Lace. The info she had to Share about Self Publication was so empowering. I have lists of websites and computer

programs to go through. I have had book ideas in the past, and knowing I can easily publish my ideas myself makes the idea of publishing more of a reality. On Friday I took her class on Free Form Crocheted Lace. Boy, oh boy, was this the class for me. For a long time, I've known that my love for crochet is found in the freedom of knowing I don't really need to follow a pattern. I can follow patterns, but I much prefer to make things up as I work through the piece. This class was like a key to the world of crochet I'd been looking for. My first few pieces were a little funky, but I can see how easy and liberating this style of crochet can be. I also learned that Myra lives in Southern California. If my crazy dream of opening my own shop in So. Cal. becomes a reality, I am so happy to have her as a connection. I can't wait to set up Myra Wood knitting and crocheting workshops in my own shop.

And, here we have... The Crochet Dude! Drew Emborksky (The Crochet Dude) was the MC for the Professional Development Day. He also set up a warm welcome meeting for new members of the guild. Drew and I actually have a funny history. I follow him on Twitter, and while I was in Houston with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, he tweeted about coming to see the show! I wrote him back and said, "No way! I'm in the show!" We talked a bit about the show and that was that. Then, at the annual CGOA meeting, I won a raffle prize. I went up to get my prize, and in true goofy Mahoney fashion, I decided to give a good ol' showgirl kick to the face. Clearly this was out of the ordinary in the world of Crochet. I had not yet introduced myself to Drew, but saw him almost die laughing. I had not planned on pulling out a high kick, but it proved to be the perfect reason to introduce myself and remind him that I was in the cast of Chitty. Drew was super supportive and gave me some great tips about the "designer meet and greet" that I attended on the Saturday morning. If our shop plans come to fruition, I'll definitely be asking Drew to come to Cali as well.

These are just a few of the talented people I met at the convention. Now that I'm home I feel like I'll never have time to actually put into action all that I learned. But, shoot, I'm gonna try. I'll end this post with a few links that I picked up this weekend. I can't wait till the next CGOA week. I feel like I fell in a rabbit hole that took me to a Wonderland of Yarny Goodness. The world is curiouser and curiouser, and boy is it grand.

Jingebrewear

First of all... Jingebre means Ginger in Spanish and I LOVE GINGER. But more importantly... Sheldon, a new up and coming designer, is so super cool and has great ideas. He also was a dancer like me! We had loads in common and I look forward to catching up with him in Chicago sometime soon.

Kim Kotary

I met Kim during professional development day. She lives in Queens! She has some great designs and had great tips on setting up a new web site.

www.crochetingwithdee.com

I also met Dee during professional development day. Then, I took a class called "Crochet Your Knit." I learned many new techniques including the Tunisian Knit Stitch. Super cool! Check out her site, lots of info!

Doris Chan

I have been following Doris Chan's blog for a while now, but I'm even more excited about it after meeting her in person! During the welcome meeting for new CGOA members I couldn't take my eye's off of her lacy skirt. It had such a youthful bounce. I loved chatting with her and I'm currently obsessed with her Avalon Top which can be found at...

www.NaturallyCaron.com

This website is updated frequently with a free pattern and an audio fashion show! I had a great meeting with Cari Clement from Caron yarns. She knows her stuff, and gets the type of young, funky designs I love. I also really appreciate their work with Rwanda Knits. I've used Caron Simply Soft for Skoodies in the past. It makes for a lovely supple cuddly light weight Skoodie. It is so great to know a face behind their designs and yarns.

www.RedHeart.com

I also met with Bobbie Matela of Coats and Clark. They make Red Heart yarn which will always have a special place in my heart. It's the yarn I first learned to crochet and knit with and I think their website puts it perfectly... "yarn and designs for real life." You can find Coats and Clarks products everywhere and you can always count on them for sturdy "real life" projects. In fact, I think the first scarf I ever sold was made with red Light and Lofty. Bobbie was the first person I met with at the designer meet and greet and she was super informative and so encouraging.

www.jellyyarns.com

It's a little kooky, but looks great for kids. I bought some to give to my 10 year old friend Aly. And... I bought the gold sparkly skein for me. I'll post pics if I come up with something cool. And... their reps were pretty great.

Happy Sheep

Ok - I really need to be posting about the CGOA Chain Link Knit and Crochet Show... but this comes first.

  My Secret Pal sent me the happiest gift!  2 candles (citrus and lavender which I love) and this!!!

   I had a hard time getting a pic of this needle felted sheep kit... but look what I made... so cute!

   His heads a little bigger than they suggested, and I did the legs differently, but I love him! If I ever have my own shop he will be such a happy addition to our checkout desk!  But, for now, he'll just be making me happy in my little NYC apartment.

     

One Happy Secret Pal

So... I've been doing a 3 month knitting/crocheting gift exchange.  I've had a great time.  My first package arrived a few days ago.  She sent me some beautiful brown yarn, which I LOVE!  I've worked with bamboo and wool before, but never with a bamboo wool blend.  She also sent some wool friendly soap which (I hate to admit) I've never used. But, I'm sure once I start, I will be hooked.   She suggested a cowl or hat with this yarn and I definitely think I'll embark on a detailed knit cowl.   I have a few projects to finish first, but I'll be sure to post pics when I put it on my needles.

Kids Krochet

As you'd imagine, there are kids that travel with us on the Chitty tour.  One of the girls, Aly Brier, has been interested in crocheting since day one.  I love kids, and I have worked with a few that I still keep in touch with. Aly will definitely be on the top of that list.  AND... as of last Saturday, she officially Crochets!

   Her birthday is coming up, so I decided I wanted to take her out on a special Birthday date, and finally teach her to crochet.  We had so much fun, and she seriously has a knack for working with yarn. She picked it up so well and really seemed to love it.  We already have a date planned to go to a shop in NYC so she can get yarn to make an AFGAN as a gift for a family member. How great is that?  

   Here are a few pics from our date at Johnny Rockets in Denver.

Watch her go!  I also love that her hair is in braids so it can go under her wig.

She had never had a ROOT BEER FLOAT!  She loved it : )

Great day!