Crickets' Creations Under New Ownership?!

If you have been by Crickets' Creations lately, you may have noticed a completely new look for the scarf and shawl photos!

They've gone from me putting on a scarf, holding the camera at arm's length and shooting... to more of a catalog style with light background and mannequin wearing the item.  Crickets' Creations now has a professional, uniform presentation that's almost unrecognizable from the former look.

Click here to see the makeover

So, what's the story?  Is Crickets' under new ownership? Who is making the scarves these days?  Where is Crickets??? 

I'm right here, gang!  It's still me under the shiny, new hood.  ;)  Here's what happened:

Etsy, the online, handmade shopping venue for handmade artisans where I list so many of my knits, started a new platform called Etsy Wholesale for designers to list their wares that are available wholesale to retailers.
I really wanted in!  What an opportunity to connect with fashion boutiques all over the world much more easily than when I first started out; back then I would research on Google and then cold call shops... eep!  That's scary, I'll tell ya! ;)
Anyway, Etsy Wholesale is very picky about who they let in, since they work with some big names such as Nordstrom's and West Elm.  They told me that I would be a great fit if I only had more cohesive photos with simpler presentation.

 

So I dragged my mannequins "Manny" and "Mona Quinn" over to my cohort and professional photographer Alicia Cram's for pics of all the scarves and wraps!  Here's a photo of me getting Mona Quinn ready with an EnCircle loop scarf (um, yeah, my other friend Annie Howes used Photoshop to make me skinny, haha):

It took four sessions to get everything shot, but just MINUTES after I showed the new look to Etsy Wholesale, they accepted me even though it was ELEVEN O' CLOCK at night when I wrote them! :D  Hurray!

I have to admit that I kind of like the new look even though I miss the uniqueness & personality of the old photos.  What do you think??

ANYWAY, now that I have a nicer online display... DO YOU KNOW ANY GIFT, ART OR FASHION BOUTIQUES THAT SHOULD CARRY MY SCARVES??

This is the time of year that shops stock up on fall/winter items and I would so appreciate if you would let me know any store owners who value color, texture and fun as much as you and I do!

After you let me know their contact info and maybe tell them about me then I can reach out to them and show them my fancy, new product photos?? ;)

Thank you so much for being with me every step of the way!

Celeste (Crickets)
Founder and President of Crickets' Creations, LLC (BabyBirdz, CricketsHome & CricketsKnits)
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My Fringe Scarves as Photo Props for Women and Girls

These modeled images were captured by the super-nice, obviously talented, fun and delightful Ashley of Ashley Mae Photography. Ashley writes, "I have used your scarves in so many photo sessions. Seriously those scarves have held up better than all of my other scarves I have, they look so delicate but they are strong!! Way to go girl, you are gifted. The texture & colors in these scarves are GORGEOUS and SO unique." Catch more of her work at AMP Photography.

Get details on these scarves and others in my online photo prop boutique!

Havin' Fun with RetroAlchemist!

So, yeah...I'm a color junkie: "Hi, my name's Celeste & I'm an addict, I've been clean & sober for 0 days now...."

Imagine my delight at discovering RetroAlchemist's bright, cheerful and decidedly fun artwork in her online gallery!

I especially love owls...

...and kitties!
Here's what RetroAlchemist's shop announcement says:

"Come on in and meet the Robots, Bunny-Bots, Cupcake-Bots, Bow-Wow-Bots, and Meow-Bots! They would never destroy anything (much less an entire planet), but they might melt your heart with their with their whimsical wonderfulness:-)

Besides Bots you'll find lots of kittens doing what they do best (being cute), some cheery bluebirds and redbirds, an owl or two, a mermaid, a clown, and an Invitation to a Party hosted by Augustus Caterpillar III. Hope you'll meet us under the Red Polka Dot Mushrooms!"

Imagine my delight at discovering that RetroAlchemist included my Orange & Pink See Through Lightweight scarf for summer in their latest smile treasury! What an honor. :)

You've met Anne of Green Gables, but do you know Anne of Ennadoolf?

Anne from ennadoolf has so much to offer in her online Etsy shop! Here's her shop announcement:

Welcome to my shop!
~ Topsy Turvy dolls ~ Corking/Knitting Spool sets ~ Barbie clothes ~ Knitting ~ Photography ~

She actually has even more than that (like vintage patterns!); today I wanted to highlight her fun, fantastic Barbie clothes (in the pictures here)!

Anne's a real team player, too! We're both members of EtsyKnitters, a virtual knitting circle, and she made our team an It's Coming! IT'S COMING! treasury including my Violet Purple, Teal Aqua Turquoise, Blue-Green Handknit Boa Scarf to build excitement because....June 14 is WWKIPD! What's WWKIPD, you ask? Click here to find out! Anne, thanks; you're the tops!:)

BLSoaps Really Shines!

The more I know Lindsay from Body Language Soaps (BLSoaps on Etsy), the more I like her!

She's warm, giving, friendly, real & very, very talented! Besides, we're practically neighbors, since we both live in Utah. ;)

Lindsay just honored me by giving me a huge nod in her You know you want it!!! treasury, featuring my Cranberry Bing Cherry Red Berry Handknit Scarf (the one in the picture below).

Lindsay, thank you. It's an honor to be your friend. :)

From Buttons to Bed Quilts to Blossoms

Kristy of Hailey's Bobbins offers everything in her online shop, from $550.00 handsewn bed quilts, to $5.00 button assortments.

My favorite thing in her lively & successful shop, though, is her newly introduced photography prints (like the lovely rose featured above).



This lady's got taste, right? :) That's why I'm especially proud to have my Orange to Red Fire Handknit Scarf (shown below) as part of her new Red HOT Summer treasury. Thank you so much, Kristy, I don't know how you find the time to be my Etsy pal along with doing great work and having a wonderful family, but I'm impressed! :)

You Can Put Your Stock in Stockton & Co!

So, what's Stephanie of Stockton & Co all about? From her online boutique:

"Sweet & sincere: handmade items for home, baby, and staying in touch. Check out our acorns and elephants, bunnies and bears!"

Stephanie is truly sweet & sincere, I can tell from the online messages she and I have exchanged on Etsy, "Your place to buy and sell all things handmade."

Proving just what a love she is, Stephanie just included my Marigold Yellow Flowered Problem-Solver Handmade Scarf (picture below) in her Summer Citrus collection of subtle, muted handmade items in the colors of lemon, lime & orange! Stephanie, I appreciate it so much, thank you!

To learn more about Stockon & Co., please visit the shop blog!

Honda is a Honey!

"Hondamom works here!"

That's the shop title of Honda's Etsy shop, and all of her fellow members of the Fiber Arts Street Team (FAST) are glad she does!

Are you diggin' her colorful, fun, imaginative & unique items (just a few are posted here, for more please visit her online boutique)?? I am, too! And that's why it means a special lot that Honda has included my Marigold Yellow Flowered Problem-Solver Handmade Scarf is Seven Feet of Sunshine in her latest treasury. Thanks a bunch, Honda! And everyone, please visit Honda's shop soon before she sells out of her super stuff. :)

Shelley Lends a HelpingHand!

Shelley of Helping Hands Crafts has a unique & personalized approach to helping the scrapbooking challenged (from her Etsy shop):

"Do you have old photos lying around? Lots of old albums, that are not worth taking out to show off? Let helpinghandscrafts help you with your dilemma. We make 12x12 premade scrapbook pages and premade albums for any occasion. Let us help you make your memories memorable!! We will be happy to scrap something at your request. Just email a sample photo and your requests to helpinghandscrafts."

Isn't that neat? Just above is an exampe of a hiking & camping scrapbook kit! Shelley just joined Etsy this February, and she's already making a name for herself as an important part of the Etsy community; she's even got a treasury of Whisper Pink & Chocolate items (including my Roses n Chocolate Red Pink Brown Handknit Scarf)! Thanks so much, Shelley, and we're all looking forward to getting to know you even better. :)

Found: Fellow Color Junkie!

I'm so glad to have met Britta of birribe in Stockholm; she's a color junkie just like me!

Clue 1: She just created a treasury, viewable through Thursday, called, "I long for colors: A few of my colorful favorites." Thank you, Britta, for including my very colorful See Through Hot Pink Sparkle Handknit Scarf is Perfect Sexy Gift for Bellydancers (below)!

Clue 2: Her profile reads: "I am Britta B, [a textile artist] living in Sweden. I work with textileprint for institutions and private places. Here on Etsy I show smaller works, crafts that everyone can by and use. My great inspiration are the nature and I also use things from nature like moss, dried rowanberry and hips. I also love colors, all colors.
Thank you for looking in my shop! For more info take a look on my site."

Conclusion: Yep, I found a kindred spirit! :) Thanks, Britta, for being you. :)

Southern Vermont Soap is Dope!

Uh, yeah...that's me trying to be "rapper cool...." I don't think I quite pulled it off, tee hee!

But, I had to say something catchy so you'd read about Nadine of Southern Vermont Soap, who's put together a lovely Chocolate Mint Treasury. The treasury features my Chocolate Mint Handknit Green n Brown Scarf, shown below (thanks, Nadine)!

For a full list of the enticing fragrances Nadine offers, please see her online profile; she has so many to choose from! I think Orange & Cinnamon together would probably be my choice...how about you?

Carolyn Likes to Spin--Yes, That Rhymes!

Now, I've tried my hand at spinning. In fact, I've tried really, really hard--I guess I'm just not born to spin. Before you feel sorry for me, I've had some very nice, very skilled spinners take me under their wing and try to teach me. Nope, I'm hopeless. Which is why I admire spinners so much!

One special example is Carolyn in Canada! Her shop motto is:
Do you baloo? Fiber, Fur, Wood....Touchable Treasure

Please, let me tell you a little about what Carolyn does. Part of her shop's business is brushing her 5 beautiful dogs, humanely collecting the soft, beautiful hairs, and spinning them yarn, then knitting the fiber into wearable, warm garments (like the items in the pictures here).

Now, before you raise your eyebrows, let me tell you that I used to volunteer at animal shelters and I worked at a vet clinic for 5 years. I would collect hair from the dogs and a local spinner made it into a tweed handspun for me, for a very reasonable fee. I made a pair of lovely, incredibly soft, sweet-smelling mittens with it. Still not convinced? Here's more info from Carolyn's site:

Why Dog Fur?
Dog fur is similar to angora and is very soft to the touch. Over time the softer undercoat will fluff up more. The fur fibers are squashed a bit during spinning and knitting, but will straighten up with wear making the center of the cuff look just like real fur pelt.

All the dog fur is collected during regular grooming. I do not trim our dogs, rather I brush out the fur for extra softness in the spun yarn.

Contrary to popular rumor: Clean dog fur will not smell like dog (even when wet), nor will it attract fleas. Rather it is like other fine luxury fibers such as mohair and cashmere.

During spinning and manufacture, the fur is washed and sanitized. Because the dander and oils are washed away, it can often be used even by those who are allergic to dogs.

Isn't that neat?! Please check out Carolyn's shop as well as the treasury she's put together of her fellow Etsy's Fiber Arts Street Team-mates' items! (Hint: She included my Marigold Yellow Flowered Problem-Solver Handmade Scarf is Seven Feet of Sunshine!)

Renee at DecorateTheDiva Has Something to Share!

From Renee's DecorateTheDiva online jewelry boutique:

"I’ve been in the business of making women happy with my jewelry for several years, and this is what inspires me most. Using my talents to do something I love is a privilege. Seeing you wear my jewelry is an honor. I hope that you find something you like because every woman deserves to “Decorate the Diva”!"

She continues....
"Tagua Nut Information
What do African elephants and the South American rain forest have in common? They are both being eliminated from the face of the earth at an alarming rate. During the past three decades, poachers in search of ivory tusks have decimated large populations of African elephants, some by as much as 50 percent. Bans on international trade of elephant ivory have discouraged the slaughter of elephants, but the demand for polished ivory has pushed the world's largest living land animal to the brink of extinction. Across the Atlantic Ocean, in a land that was once connected to the African continent, another kind of massacre is happening to the rain forest. In Central and South America this destruction amounts to about 50 acres per minute, an area roughly the size of West Virginia each year. Slash and burn agriculture is directly responsible for the extermination of hundreds of plant and animal species each year, largely for plantations of exportable products such as fast-growing pines, rubber, bananas, coffee and cattle. However, there is a glimmer of hope in this modern day battlefield of people against nature: A lovely Amazonian palm might help to save its rain forest relatives and the African elephant. A TAGUA NUT is a seed that comes from the Tagua palm tree (also called ivory nut palm) (Phytelephas Aequatorialis) in Ecuador, South America. The nut becomes as hard as ivory (takes a hacksaw to cut) and can be carved. Natives who raise these trees do not cut down the rain forests anymore because these trees are now a source of income. These nuts are hand carved and accented with inlaid wood, tagua shell powder, coconut powder and coconut shell. The caramel colored pieces have been briefly deep fried to achieve this color. Often a small spot of brown nut is left on an otherwise all white carving so it is not mistaken for elephant ivory by customs officials. The little brown Tagua nut has many advantages over mammal ivory, becoming popular enough to stand on its own. Tagua nuts can be grown and harvested economically, and so art and other items made from Tagua nut are reasonably priced, meaning more people can enjoy their beauty and durability. Tagua nuts are a resource that seems to benefit just about everyone!"

See, I didn't know that! I've included two pictures here of necklaces made from taqua, which are currently available in Renee's online jewelry boutique. Won't you help such a giving person out by clicking on each item in the treasury she put together today? That will increase the chances that this very worthy collection will make Etsy's home page, a huge honor. The treasury is called "Everything's Dipped in Chocolate!" and features chocolate-colored items that would make great gifts for men, whether it be for Fathers Day or anytime! Thanks so much, Renee, for including my Caramel Mocha Dark Chocolate Brown Handknit Scarf, Unisex for Men or Women. Please hurry, the treasury is only viewable (and clickable!) through Sunday. Oh, and when you're done here, please hop on over to Renee's blog--thanks!