Now that's a different way to recycle!

I've been known to purchase (ok, hoard) wool and wool blend sweaters from my local thrift store to take them apart and reclaim the yarn.  Yes, it is time consuming, but the more I do it - the better + faster I am at ripping them out.  

I'm in the process of ripping this Express turtleneck cabled beauty out, when it hit me - I should totally make a hat out of that turtleneck part.  I even surprise myself sometimes with ingenious ideas.  It is a bit tight on my head, but fits my son (who is 4) perfectly.  So, I'll ripped it out to the ribbing length that I like, pick up the live stitches to knit on wards to make a really quick hat - no cast on, no ribbing, but hand-knit (well partially).

The yarn is a bit Green (with a capital G) so I may tone it down a bit by throwing it into the dye pot for an experiment.  But it is worth rescuing this yarn for it's fiber content - 40% Merino Wool, 30% Viscose, 20% Angora + 10% Cashmere - good stuff!

delightful......

what can I say....

this may just be the perfect soap!

I do not add any scent but smells especially

cinammony + minty

Bubbly fantastic - 

SoAP

A favorite

richness of pumpkin

cleansing power of bamboo activated charcoal

+ the fighting properties of tea tree oil

a perfect trio!

SoApy goodness

a new favorite of mine

with Fall in the air, this is just what my skin needs - 

Shea Butter rich creamy + dreamy

But poison ivy, Lord'll make you itch!!

As the song goes, yes it does indeed make you itch, but you do not need an ocean of Calamine lotion if you've got Jewelweed around.  

Man, this stuff really works!  I have no idea how in the world I got poison ivy - maybe from camping during Labor Day.  Why am I the only lucky one to get it?

I'm using my Jewelweed Salve about twice a day and it has stopped it from spreading, stopped the itch and seems to be calming the inflammation so it can heal.  I'm on day 2-3 and (knock on wood) it seems to be almost clear.  Now I know to always have this stuff handy!

Indie Knit & Spin 2015

Fall is in the air and it is time to start planning for the Indie Knit & Spin - A Pittsburgh Yarn & Fiber Artists' Marketplace.  This is always such an amazing event that keeps growing every year.  This year there are plenty of exciting classes.  I thought I'd highlight the class list.......

All Classes IKS 2015

Spinning Classes with Lauren Haiken

9-12     Worsted? Woolen? What? – Exploring the two main spinning styles
2-5       Taste the Rainbow – Exploring the Many Splendors of Multicolor Spinning

Quick Classes – 30 minutes to an hour

10:00-11:00       Exploring Fiber Arts (ages 6-12)
11:15-11:45       Basic Chart Reading (lace)
12:00-1:00         Altering Patterns
1:15-1:45           Beaded Knitting
2:00-2:30           Conservation Wool Breeds (lecture)
2:45-3:45           Crochet for Knitters
4:00-5:00           Dyeing Wool with Plants (lecture)

2 Hour Classes

1:30-3:30      Design It, Write It
3:45-5:45      Anatomy of a Sock Heel
1:15-3:15      Eastern European Knitting
3:30-5:30      Yoga and Yarn

1-5 Dyeing
10-12:30 Button Making

Visit here - Indie Knit & Spin to learn more!

Throwback Interview

Here is an interview from 2014 for the Indie Knit & spin

Link

Dusty Tree Soap

Posted on 10/24/2014

Name: Rebecca Shepler
Business name: Dusty Tree Soap
Website(s): www.dustytree.com and on Facebook as Dusty Tree Soap

What kind of items do you make?
I make handcrafted cold processed vegan soap. All are Palm and Soybean Oil free! (yeah…Viva Orangutans!) Most soaps are unscented, but I do use therapeutic grade Essential Oils in a few. I NEVER use GMO oils, Sodium Lauryl Sulfates, Aluminum, chemicals, parabens or other weird stuff….just all natural goodness.
My wonderful and creative parents make Handcrafted ceramic soap dishes and buttons. Both were a hit last year and they are kind enough to make me more for this year.

How long have you been in indie artist?
I’ve been a knitter for about 17 years and have been making soap for the past few years. I also sew so this year I will be bringing some small drawstring project bags with me.

What got you interested in your art of choice?
I like, no I LOVE to make things. I’d much rather learn how to make something from scratch with my own hands than to buy it in some store. Once I had kids, I knew I had to make all natural soap. Their new perfect skin just needs it!

What do you most enjoy about what you do?
I make soap..a product that we use everyday. I love that I can take a basic necessity and make it into something creative and unique. More often than not, most batches are an experiment to see what I can add to help nourish the skin in a different way.

What most inspires you?
My kids and their endless questions of why and how things work. I’m fascinated by their curious minds.

What makes your creations unique?
I make all of my soaps with no dyes, scents or colors. If a bar is scented then I use a therapeutic grade Essential Oil never a fragrance. I use herbs, spices, food and clays for colors..most things you can eat so it is naturally good for your skin. I use a combination of vegetable oils (Olive, Coconut, Sunflower, Grapeseed and Shea Butter) that are exceptional at moisturizing and cleansing your skin.

Do you have a favorite item or colorway?
Usually the current one I’m using, but I recently have a fondness for my Drunken Hippie soap. It is made with Straub Beer (local and they use no preservatives) and Patchouli Essential Oil. Great lather and scent!

What is something you strive to offer the fiber arts community?
To make them extra squeaky clean with some honest to goodness soap!

Does being an indie fiber artist affect other aspects of your life?
I have a hard time surprising people with gifts…they usually know they are about to unwrap either something hand knit or a bar of soap. If they are extra special they may even get both.

How is the fiber arts world different for you today than it was five years ago?
Fiber is everywhere and in everything. I love being a part of a great community!