3KCBWDAY4 - A Knitter/Crocheter for All Seasons!

THAT'S ME!  It helps to be such a knitter when you sell your work!  Your product has to offer something for everyone.  So I am constantly developing new ideas, new designs, new styles of old designs.....and on and on and on!  The creative process never stops and doesn't depend on weather or season.  To some degree it does depend on color predictions for upcoming season, so I always check with Pantone and check the design blogs to know what's 'in!"  But basically, I knit what I like AND what I think my client base will most appreciate.  And I always keep in mind that accessory selection, in terms of color and design,  is very personal, so it behooves any designer of women's handcrafted accessories to include a variety of choices.

 My customers are from all over the world!  My local gallery, Port City Pottery & Fine Crafts, is in a wonderful location in beautiful downtown Wilmington NC, in an historic building (The Cotton Exchange), near the river, the Convention Center, the Hilton, and lots of other desirable interest areas for touring and shopping.  So seasons are not necessarily a factor for my work.  WHEW!!!  Happy for that, because I like to work with all manner of fibers no matter the season.

And then there is Facebook and Ravelry and flickr (where I inventory ALL my work!) that have drawn in people from around the world.  I am happy to say that social media has been very good for my business.  This is a business of LOVE first and foremost - a love of knitting, crocheting, and felting!  But it IS a business too!

BUSY MARCH!

I see that it's been far too long since writing here.  No real excuses....except that I was away for almost two weeks in two separate trips.  One was to FL to visit two of my dearest friends - Venice and Naples - sounds exotic, doesn't it?  Not so exotic, but a lovely change of routine, catching up with old friends, lots of consignment shopping, running around and relaxing!

I was home for a few days and then off to visit one daughter and family.  She had had surgery, so we helped out with kids, cooking, laundry, driving, groceries, etc.  It was a lovely visit there too, and I'm happy to report that our daughter is now doing MUCH better!  I also had an opportunity to visit with a high school and college friend whom I hadn't seen in several years.  Busy month!

But while I was busy traveling and then catching up with work at and for Port City Pottery & Fine Crafts (managing their Constant Contact newsletter, FB, and blog!), I also managed to have the best March sales record I've ever had!  I can't account for reasons why this has been such an active sales month for me, but I am certainly NOT complaining!

On one recent Saturday that I happened to be working at our gallery, I sold two of my highest priced items - that always makes for a great day/month.  This Turqs & Teal Wrapsody went out the door!

Wrapsodies have now become a custom design only! 

Made to order only with specific colors designated and/or sent to me in paint chips.

And this Birch Bark Schroodle also sold!

LOVE making these!  More of them can be seen here on flickr!  

I completed one last night in lovely shades of green.  Photo later today!

A lovely thing happened yesterday too!  I went to see my good friend and milliner, Jan Wutkowski of aMuse Artisanal Finery.  Jan carries a few of my things, and she happily told me that she had sold some during March.  I stopped by to collect my funds.  As I entered her gorgeous shop on 2nd Street in downtown Wilmington, I heard her say to a customer, "And here is the designer of that piece coming through the door right now!"  The woman had buttons in her hand that matched the dress she was making for the Kentucky Derby - the real Derby, not some local party!  The buttons perfectly matched one of my small shawls that Jan had displayed over a chair.  After showing her the various ways to wear it, she bought this one, lovingly called "Azalea Shawl."

It's been a great month!  I hope it continues through the year!  Got to get back into the creating mode!  I am making something new in bags, but I'll save that story for another post.

Work of the Week!

Scarf It Up! Work of the Week!

The Year-Long Rag Bag!

It's been several days since posting - too many doctors' appointments, commitments, tennis, etc.  It's not that I haven't been producing; it's just that I haven't found time for the blogging. 

So....here are some photos of the latest work, all being held here at home for the November 13 show at Port City Pottery & Fine Crafts.  Sara Westermark and I are the hosts of this show, called "Holiday Show of Wearable Art."  It's to be held at the gallery in the Cotton Exchange in Wilmington NC from 2 - 8 PM on November 13.  

Sunset Haze Scarf

Sac Sauvage Rouge

Holiday Loop Bag

Lavender Blue Cachecol, available on Etsy right NOW!!

Holiday Show of Wearable Art at Port City Pottery & Fine Crafts

YOU ARE INVITED!!! 

Louise Giordano, fiber artist, and Sara Westermark, fine jeweler and metalsmith, invite you to a Holiday Show of Wearable Art at Port City Pottery & Fine Crafts in the Cotton Exchange on Thursday, November 13 from 2 - 8 PM. Come see the collection of wearables for holiday giving or self-indulgence! Drawings and refreshments! Please join us and BRING A FRIEND!

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This is the invitation that went out to 350+ people in the past few days!  We certainly hope that our show is well attended.  If you are reading this and happen to be in the Wilmington NC area on November 13,  you are invited too!  There will be local press and radio promotion too,so......!  We're keeping our fingers crossed for a good turnout and good sales!

Our work is always available at PCPFC, but on that day, we will be bringing in MANY more items for show and sale.