Creative Challenges: Self Imposed Deadlines

So, my EtsyHookers team Creative Challenge ended today and it got me to thinking that maybe I should have my own personal creative challenges to keep me inspired. I don't enter the team Challenges because I host and set up the voting polls and blog, so maybe it's time to set some deadlines for myself. I do like to enter contests, especially crochet inspired ones, and both of my published patterns were the result of entering contests! Hmm, I think this could be a great idea for me :)

I am in the process of finishing up a new pattern that hopefully will be listed by next week, and I think for my next pattern I would like to design another potholder. The two that I have already completed, my fried egg and jam/jelly jar's, were obviously food inspired. I think I'll stick with that theme.

Okay, so my personal challenge theme is a food inspired potholder, and I'll set the deadline for December 8th. Now that it's "official" and written on my calendar, there are no excuses!

Audiobooks - A Crocheting Reader's Best Friend

There's nothing like having a few spare moments to relax and crochet. For a big reader like myself, I like to use this time to get some “reading” done too. While there is some controversy whether listening to audios is actually considered reading, I find it's a great companion for crochet, plus I get to listen to some really great books!

Having a library card gives me access to many great titles to choose from. My library also has several formats available; CD's to checkout, MP3, WMA and iPod compatible downloads, plus new Playaways.

So if you haven't yet had the pleasure of listening while you crochet, visit your local library and see what they have to offer. You'll be pleasantly surprised!

Holiday Weekend Crochet - yay!

With the Labor Day weekend gearing up I am hoping that I will have some time to work on new projects! I have a pretty placemat pattern I am working on and a cute Halloween project. I have quite a few books I want to read too.

Speaking of books, I have been looking at Robyn Chachula's Blueprint Crochet. What an awesome book! It is geared toward visual crocheters and has symbol crochet patterns for her lovely designs. I myself have designed a symbol pattern as a bonus to go along with my Star Wash Cloth and Face Scrubbie pdf, and I can honestly say that I haven't found an easy way to create these charts. Kudos to Chachula for her awesome and fresh designs! I think that symbol charts are making a comeback!

Fuzzy Duster - A New Pattern!

I really love the convenience of my Swiffer duster, but I really hate paying for refills. After creating the replacement covers for my floor mop (which can also be used with the floor duster), I decided to try my hand at the hand held duster covers. I really like the way they turned out! Fringed or fuzzy (I'm partial to fuzzy myself =) they work great! Plus I can feel good that they are reusable and eco friendly. Easy care, machine wash and dry too. Right now I just have the crochet pdf pattern listed in my shop, but I will be listing the actual dusters too.


It is a fun pattern to make - I know it's only a duster! But it's a great way to learn the loop stitch, and who doesn't love fluffy fuzzy goodness?
Click here for the floor cover pdf and I also sell the covers in this section of my shop.

RedBerryCrochet.com - My New Website, Etsy Linked!

Several weeks ago I stumbled across an Etsy article in the Storque about developers who have created applications specifically for Etsy users. Here I found Soopsee, and I'm so glad I did! I am able to have a home website, RedBerryCrochet.com, that not only features my shop listings, but also can connect browsers with all the other places that I am on the net in my Stockists section.

It is easy to maintain, and has several themes to choose from. With a click of the button I can update my shop listings, and also click on individual items that will automatically post on my Twitter page. I can also set it to automatically feed new items to Twitter. Plus, I can also view my stats, including number of shop hearts, blog posts, Twitter updates, and sales. And Soopsee now allows Google Analytics. I also upgraded to a Sooper Account which offers even more options.

This was a quick and easy option instead of setting up a website completely on my own, which I don't know if I would ever get aroung to. Soopsee is new and still in closed beta, which means that you need a code to sign up without having to wait for the site to open up. If you are interested in signing up for Soopsee right away, before you do convo me at my RedBerryCrochet shop. I have the code available for the first 5 people that respond.

Try Soopsee, it's free, and best of all you won't be disappointed!

Christmas in July Sale going on now!

My EtsyHookers team Christmas in July Sales event is going on now and lasts until midnight tonight, July 15th. See my shop for some great deals, and all my pdf patterns are BOGO Free!

Click here for Christmas in July: RedBerryCrochet and here for a complete list of participating shops.

Ho, ho, ho, Hookers!

Pssst - Christmas in July Sales Event is coming soon!

The EtsyHookers crochet team is gearing up and getting ready for the 1st annual Christmas in July Sales Event. Many shops will be participating, and the event starts at 6 pm EST on July 15th. So why not join us, get some great deals, and save yourself from the hustle and bustle of last minute shopping.

Click here for a special sneak peek