Pretty Spring Crochet Hat Pattern...in Russian - yeah - Let ME try that

I am an avid crochet person. I love it. I am self taught and I do it because it helps out my brain remember things(Read more about that HERE & HERE). I am so honored when someone comes to me and asks me to create something for them.

Just recently a dear lady of my church found out she is fighting stage 4 cancer and her daughter approached me via my facebook to make her Mom a few of these hats(only two pictured below). They are beautiful spring hats and crochet. I can do that. I'm very honored to make them.

 Sweet aren't they? Even greater is the pattern is free...so off I go to the site: HERE . It is in Russian. I don't speak Russian. DRAT! So have Goggle Translate it...yeah...that really didn't help much. But praise the Lord...the original designer used a bunch of photos to show each step to her creations. I did my calculations to make the hat bigger for an adult and began the hat adventure.

So my first attempt was a flop. It didn't cone to make a hat. It looked like a saucer. I totally frogged it. But I really want to encourage my friend in the battle she is fighting so I decided I'd try again. I found this English version at Trifles and Treasures that encouraged me more. And it was more of a blessing that it was again a free pattern. But as I got going with it...it didn't look the way I wanted. So, what do you do when you can't find a crochet pattern you like?  Yep, you write/make up your own.

Here is what I have so far. A few more rows on the brim and then I will start making some flowers to add to it. Should I write down my version of this beautiful spring time hat? Would you try to make it too?

♥Kelly

Talk to Me Tuesday: Ella's Enchanted Photos style

Hi! I was privileged to discover a brand new shop on Storenvy: Ella's Enchanted Photos. I was amazed by the beauty in her photographs and reached out to her to for an interview. She agreed! I am so totally excited to introduce you to a young lady, Ella, and her passion for life and photography.

Welcome Ella! 

Tell us about you!

Hi, I am Ella of Ella's Enchanted Photography

I am a 13 year old homeschool student. I love taking pictures, and reading. Not sure which one I like more!

Photography has been an interest of mine for many years. Less than a year ago my grandma sent me one of her old cameras and I started taking pictures with it. I was able to take a few classes, but I really wanted to share my pictures with others, and I have always wanted to have my own business. I bought a new camera with some savings I had, and now take pictures everywhere I go.

Currently I am very active in the community and am volunteering at a farm that does Hippo-Therapy. Hippo-Therapy is occupational therapy on horseback with special needs children. (I have some horse pictures to share soon!)

I am the oldest of 6 children, and would like to use the money I make from photography along with scholarships to pay for college in a few years.

Tell us about your shop!

Ella's Enchanted Photos

Since I was little I wanted to own my own business. My mom had the idea to try to sell some of my photography. We had shared some of my photos with the people we knew and they all loved them. Also we loved them! I didn't just want to take pictures and never have anyone see them. What a waste that would be. So we opened up an online store. I am very excited to be able to do something that I love, and also have a business too. I get to do 2 things I love at once! 

What is your favorite thing to capture?

My favorite pictures to take are pictures of nature. I love macro photography. There is nothing better than getting up close to a flower and get to see all the beautiful details you normally do not get to see.

What is the hardest part about owning an online business? 

The hardest part so far of having an online shop is not having a personal way of relating to people. I do a great job talking with people face to face but online I don't get to see and visit with the people visiting my store.

Do you have any advice to share?

Sorry I have no advice on running an online business to share. Other than you will only get out of it what you put in. (My mom told me that.) I am still very new at this and still figuring a lot out.

Your Mom is on the right track, I agree completely. You are an inspiration, encouragement, and a wonderful photographer. And it will be exciting to see the positive impact you have in the future on the world around you. It was so wonderful to meet you and learn more about your shop and craft. I am so glad you helped expand my craft community. Thank you so much for coming and talking to us today. You can find and follow Ella at her SHOP | ETSY | FACEBOOK  | TWITTER | PINTEREST
 
Make sure to visit her and tell her a crafty 'Hi!' 

♥Kelly

A Brithday Celebration

I am so excited to share a Happy Birthday to one of my sponsors!! 

To celebrate her birthday she is having a FLASH SALE TODAY ONLY (2/25/14)!!!! 

How exciting!!! So make sure to head over to her SHOP, browse around, envy items, and maybe even purchase something special. Let's help her celebrate her birthday!!! 

You can follow Violet's Buds: SHOP | FACEBOOK | BLOG | TWITTER 

♥Kelly

 

Talk to Me Tuesday: Violet's Buds

Happy Tuesday! I am introducing a new weekly post: Talk to Me Tuesday. Within this post, I will introduce you to some of my favorite shops. This very first week, I am honored to introduce you to one of my sponsors: Violet's Buds. Violet's Buds is run by Melanie and full of handmade pretties for the young and old.

Welcome Melanie!

Tell us a bit about your self!


Hi, I'm Melanie and I'm a craft-a-holic. I'm a 30-something wife and SAHM with an almost 4 year old daughter. (How did that happen? Where did the time go?! I can't believe my little one is growing this fast!) I have a degree in Photography with specialization in portraiture, but currently only do portrait sessions a couple times per year for friends and family. My passion has become making art with fabric in the form of hair accessories and hoop art decor pieces. My hobbies are reading, photography, cooking, and gardening. I blog about recipes and crafts, and I love to share other small businesses and crafters. I am passionate about animal rescue, and before my daughter was born my husband and I volunteered as a dog foster family with a local pit bull rescue group. I hope someday to be able to volunteer again. 

Tell us a bit about your Shop...

When my daughter was an infant I wanted her to have lots of cute hair accessories and after buying several, I decided to try to make my own. I quickly fell in love with creating and made gifts for my nieces and other friends. With the encouragement of friends and family, I started Violet's Buds around my daughter's 1st birthday. During the first year, I started making more accessories out of reclaimed, repurposed, and upcycled materials. I found buttons and jewelry at garage sales and thrift stores, and was given or traded for remnant fabrics. I am able to make unique pieces, however it does limit most of them to one or two of a kind. Violet's Buds will be 3 in March, and over the course of this time I've added hair accessories for all ages (because all women deserve to look good), fabric jewelry, lapel pins, wedding accessories, and hair bow holders. Most recently I have added hoop art decor to my line of accessories.   

What is your favorite thing to make?

Right now, I'm in love with making hoop art. It allows me to use different materials, colors, and styles that wouldn't necessarily work in a hair clip. I also really enjoy making custom orders for people. I love turning their idea into something tangible.

  
What is the hardest part of owning an online shop for you?



The hardest part for me is staying organized. I've finally found a system of storing my inventory that keeps it protected while making it easy for me to access. I am bad at keeping my supplies organized since I like to drag out lots of stuff to see what choices I have. My goal this year is to work on organizing my supplies, cleaning as I go, and make a schedule for myself. Its easy to get sucked into the computer and get distracted when I should be listing products or marketing.  

Do you have any advice on owning your own online business?

First, know that you aren't alone. We all struggle to get started, and keep going. I would highly recommend finding a community of like-minded crafters, either online or in person, to become a part of. It is so important to have a good support system with people that will build you up, allow you to bounce ideas around, and have fun. Also, plan to spend as much time, if not more, on the marketing, advertising and promotion of your shop as you do the creating. Social media is a key tool in meeting and interacting with potential customers. Owning your own online business can be challenging but if you join a community (Storenvy Community Group on Facebook is a great one!) it definitely makes the challenge easier. With others, you can learn the basics and other tips and tricks to succeed!

 

Thank you so much Melanie! It was so fun learning more things about you and your shop. You can find Violet's Buds on Storenvy | Facebook | Blog | Twitter | Pinterest Go ahead and stop by and tell her 'Hello' and share some handmade love. 

 ♥Kelly

Handmade Mania week 13

Whoa! I am so excited to share today's most viewed links from last week!! IT IS A TIE!!! And even more exciting is that the two shops are friends of mine! Thank you everyone for linking up last week! I am so excited to see what #handmadelove items I get to share this week! 

Most Views: 

Gipson Wands Potter Head button

Violet's Buds Rainbow Garden hoop art

Are they both not amazing!?! What a great items/shops to tie!! 

Staff Pick: 

Krmbal Green Garden Coasters

Violet's Buds Lavender Fields hoop art

I love both of these products!! They are cute and a wonderful #handmade spin on home decor! I am so excited to see what 'decorative' items you link up this week!!

Remember if you make it with your own hands you can link it up no matter the platform! 

~RULES~

You can link up to two individual products from your shop below for some networking/sharing fun! Select two products from the collection to share via social media using #handmadelove so I can find and share what you have shared. And please share in a comment what two products you share and where. Thank you! ☺

(Do not share to Pinterest without the express permission from the shop owner.) 

By doing this, you'll be able to share EPIC handmade goodness and build shop your network! Also, Please share this link up with someone else. The more people we have join in, the more our items will be shared! I am super excited to share some EPIC Handmade Goodness!! ☺

How to link up:
Click "add your link"
Box 1: add the URL to your individual product
Box 2: add the product description
Box 3: put in your email address
Submit then select a thumbnail photo! ☺

You never know, your item might be the feature of next week’s link up!! ☺  

♥Kelly

Luella - a lion & friend to help others

Meet Luella Lion!

She loves to twirl, play dress up and sing. Luella also likes to share - she comes with two hair clips, one for her to wear, and one for you! Not only does she share her hair clips with you, but 50% from the sale of Luella goes to Drumm Farm, a home for kids and young adults in the Missouri foster care system. http://drummforkids.org/

Kelly from Kiser Krafts expertly handcrafted Luella Lion from socks, yarn, buttons and other materials. She is a one of a kind toy created just for this fundraiser! Stuffed with recycled materials and fiberfill, and most importantly filled with love, Luella Lion is adorned with two detachable clips handcrafted by Violet's Buds from upcycled materials.

Order Luella Lion in Kiser Krafts shop!

♥Kelly

Try it Thursday: Violet's Buds style

Hi! I am so excited to share with you an EPIC tutorial!! My friend Melanie, from Violet's Buds, makes the prettiest fabric flowers. Her shop, Violet's Buds, carries amazing hair accessories that are all one of a kind and handmade. I am so STOKED she agreed to share her tutorial with us. So now I hand my blog over to her. Welcome Melanie of Violet's Buds.

September is National Sewing month, and in honor of it I have put together an easy tutorial on how to handsew a posey flower. These flowers can be used as hair accessories, lapel pins, to adorn bags, or make a bunch for a never-wilting flower arrangement!

Start out with enough fabric to cut out 6 circles of equal size. I used 3" circles, but any size would work.

Start by folding your first circle in half, as shown below.

#Happyhandmade week 32 shares!

Another week went past so fast! The closer we get to the end of the year the faster time seems to fly! This past week on Daft Crafts the link up #happyhandmade was filled with EPIC shops!!! And even more EPIC was Kiser Krafts Penny Pumpkin Hat was a 'Staff pick"!!! How cool and what an honor!!!!

 can buy: HERE

As it is now October...I feel like Fall needs to be primary in my choices...so here are my #happyhandmade Fall shares!! 

Who wouldn't love to see this  beautiful Falling Leaves flower in their hair? Violets Buds makes beautiful things, from flowers and bobby pins to crowns to grace ones pretty hair. 

can buy HERE

 Fall brings out falling leaves and creative characters for Halloween. Every child needs an EPIC tote! Lu & Ed have monster totes perfect for trick or treating!! They are not so big a child can't carry them and they have so many uses, that after the holiday, they can be used for carrying books back to the library!

can buy HERE

 

 

 And Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I love this adorable Peg People Thanksgiving Play set by Landon's Toy Box. She makes amazing toys for children of all ages! 

can buy HERE

I am so ready for cooler weather. Thank you Daft Crafts for another A-mazing week of #happyhandmade! Week 33 is up and live: HERE. Any one can join in  for #free promotions and a chance to be featured!

 

♥Kelly