Lesson One - How To Crochet - Chain Stitch

Rainbow Shark Pattern

I'm currently hooked on making patterns. This one may be a little bold, but hey, sharks are a power animal anyway. They deserve to be bold and printed everywhere. So what can you do with a pattern like this? Lots of stuff! You could turn it into a pillow.

If my home decor were black, I would buy this pillow.

Or how about a tote? I'm a fan of totes. Leave the plastic bags at the store.

Or even go as bold as wearing a rainbow shark kimono

 Any print has potential. You just have to be patient enough to create one, or find one that's perfect for you.

Jewelry Contest

I just entered my first jewelry contest. You should probably check it out!  It's not anything you have to vote on, or sign up for. Just for wandering eyes.

When I noticed the theme, Goddess, I was kind of bummed. After a few hours of brainstorming, I came across Goddess Morrigan. She was the closest to my interests out of all of the Goddess, but I knew it would consume more time than I have.
I dropped the idea of entering this contest, until I realized that my current project could possibly work.
Here is my unicorn:

Fall Is Still Feeling Like Summer

Last weekend I drove out of town to sell pumpkins and tractors. It was interesting because I've never sold alone before. I had three tables and of course someone spotted me right off the bat as being helpless. I was embarrassed and politely declined any help. For goodness sake, I should be a professional at being a vendor at any event.
My family ran a flea market in our home town for 40+ years. By the time I was 4 months old I was working my tail feathers off. It was hard work too. You were either carrying tables that were half your weight, or sweeping floors for several hours.

So here I am trying to set up a card table that is older than the hills, and the silly legs wouldn't lock into place. I felt like everyone was still staring at the blonde who didn't know what she's doing. I did away with the old card table and the last two tables were finally set up and on even ground. I then attempted to place my table cloth on,  and the wind took it. This happened over and over again.  Luckily I had large weighted pumpkins and an endless supply of packing tape.

It turned into a long day. I had brought some of my silver jewelry to see if anybody would notice it. There were several people who did, and some tried on my rings. That was encouraging. I thought I would share one pendant that I've finished, and one that is unfinished.

Jon Snow Greeting Card

Shop Announcements

I've made a few decisions regarding closing etsy shops. It took me awhile to make choice but for the time I've decided to stop selling crochet patterns. My heart really isn't into right now, and with the decline of my grandmother's health, mentally I'm not able to focus on something so tedious.

It might have been the wrong choice, as I have some fond memories about it that keeps me hanging in the past. My grandma taught herself how to crochet, and she never read a single pattern in her life. She then taught me, and I go through phases of being interested in the hobby. It landed me on the front page of my local newspaper where I had a reporter come to my home and interview me. I was also lucky enough to sell to a high end fashion designer in Paris, France who works for Marc Jacobs. How cool is that?
It also brought a lot of strange requests too.

My crochet patterns are still up for sale for a short time. They can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HDPsquared

So what is HDPsquared all about?  Jewelry that is a little bit more edgier than I've ever created before. I've jumped right into the precious metal clay scene. Anytime anyone gives me the opportunity to play with fire, I'm ready to set my pants ablaze.

If you can't wait for me to set up shop, I'm pre-selling a few items.

Keeping Things Interesting

Trying to rework the top layer of greenware is patience wearing. I'm really digging my newest my hobby, working with precious metal clay. With a ton of support already, I'm still slow and steady. My mind floats from creativity to nothing, to focusing on the sadness that Alzheimer's has brought to my family. Or that's what the doctors are calling it.

My Grandmother went from being really bad, to worse, then regaining strength, to not recognizing who I was. Years ago I somewhat prepared myself for this. Knowing what might happen, reading about the disease and what multiple strokes could do to a person. What's hard to except is knowing that my Grandpa realizes that she no longer knows who I am. He told me not to worry, that he would never forget me. Those words won't leave my head.

I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up. They were fun, taught me multiple skills, and working for them was practically my first job.
When I moved out on my own, I sort of felt the need to acquire a second job. I was already working ten to twelve hours a day at my full time job to really hold a decent second job.
That's when I turned to etsy and started crocheting. A skill that my grandma had taught me, but neither one of us had dabbled in pattern writing.

I used my funds from pattern writing to open another etsy shop, and then another, and another.  I sort of ended up with etsy fever. The original plan was that I would end up with just one shop, but needed serious funding to end up with just working with metal in various forms.
Sadly, I will more than likely end up closing one or more of my etsy shops. I'm not sure which shop(s) I will be closing just yet. An announcement will be made prior to any closures.