make something day forty-three

Today I made: boot cuffs! Now this is something new and different from my usual creations and I think I did pretty well for my first try. They're made with 100% pure new wool in a pretty cream color. I want to sew bows onto the back of them just like the fingerless gloves, but I don't know if I should make them in the same color or in a different color. Any suggestions?

make something day thirty-nine

Today I made: a pair of fingerless gloves. These ones are wool unlike the acrylic ones I have for sale in my shop and to change things up a little bit I made them longer and attached a cute little bow to the top of each one. They're quality made like my other fingerless gloves but I think the bows make them look more classy and adorable, the wool is nice too and not itchy at all.

make something day thirty-five

Today I started making: a summer beach sweater for myself. I'm using the same pattern that I came up with for this top only this time I'll be putting sleeves on it. I've never made a sweater before and I know with this pattern something can hardly even be called a sweater, regardless, I'm both excited and anxious to finish it. I'm a little bummed though because as the body gets longer it's also shrinking! I've never had problems with this pattern until now, and now I'm debating whether to continue on and accept the flaws or unravel half of it to fix the pattern. 

Thanks for reading, xo

make something day twenty-one

Today I made: a green rectangle. Later I turned it into something useful by crocheting in a couple holes and attaching buttons. And I'm fresh out of this yarn now, so this cowl will most likely remain an original, one of a kind, unlike most of the patterns I come up with and make multiples of.

In other news, my lips are chapped and I cannot stop coughing.

make something days seventeen&eighteen

Yesterday I made: the first of many fingerless gloves, (on the left). This one's made with a cream colored wool yarn and is super cozy.

Today I made: my second pair of fingerless gloves, (on the right). I perfected yesterdays design making the gloves a little bit longer and tighter around the wrists. For these ones I used an acrylic yarn. I love them so much and they're actually incredibly comfortable. I'm going to be putting them up in my shop soon and I already have a few new colors to make them in, should I make some in wool too?

make something day seven

Today I made: the third scarf in this set. The other two were already completed but my plan was to make a bunch of them for my shop so I decided to crank out another one. I intended to tie dye them in solid colors once I had a good amount of these done but I'm not sure how popular they'll be so maybe I'll just start with a few and see how it works out?

In other news, today I started out with a troubled mind and bad thoughts but these days all I have to do is think positively if I want to change my mood. Though sometimes it's difficult to be happy or even content, I just need to count my blessings and realize that the bad thoughts are just a waste of the time that I could be using to make improvements on my life. Also, I promise to get my camera back out soon but for now I'm just using these instagram pics so I can make my posts quickly and get one in every day to keep updated on my msed365 project. 

now that the rain has dried

Diaries of an amateur shop owner.. All I seem to know how to make now is scarves. Not to say that that's a bad thing necessarily, at least I'll have a good variety. However, I feel like making the same thing over and over is limiting my creativity though each one is made differently. After I make it through this holiday season I'll be able to come back next year with some new, creative holiday and winter ideas for my shop. As for this season, I feel like I started my preparations a little late to successfully promote myself as a "one stop holiday shop." Christmas is right around the corner and I still have so many presents to make on top of coming up with new winter listings, but I'm more excited than worried.

I think today I'll paint for a while. Get my hands dirty and test out my abilities.

november

I'm just now getting a chance to say, happy November! This is going to be a busy month for me as I'm sure it will for all of you with the holidays so close by. I've slowly been receiving all of the goodies that I ordered for my shop including this giant box of yarn! My intentions for it was to make a whole bunch of different types of scarves, but just yesterday I came up with a very chirstmas-y idea while playing around with some red wool. I looked through tons of Santa hats on Etsy and wanted to make something just a little bit different. So I came up with a pattern and worked with it until it matched my vision and looked just right. It's not in my shop yet but I should have it up tomorrow. I'm pretty happy with my design so, steal my idea and I will hunt you down! >:]

Every day may seem like just another struggle, but I know now that life is what you make it.  I realize now that I can find the solutions to my struggles instead of letting them carry me down further. I've always been a human of impulse, relying on habitual behavior I would have rather chosen to give in to my addictions than to wait out a feeling of uneasiness. 

I know now that positive actions will lead to a more positive life but if you had told me that a year ago I would not have cared either way. I can look back on my personal problems and see growth and improvement instead of filling myself with regret. I no longer let my choices today affect my well being tomorrow. I no longer let a temporary downfall bring me down into a deeper depression. 

This is only the beginning but I feel like this time I am truly free from the chains I've kept myself locked in. Once the scars have faded it will be like nothing ever happened. We take each day one step at a time and even then it still feels like we're moving way too fast. Sometimes I just have to slow it down and put everything into perspective. Sometimes I just need a minute to think before acting to realize that I can come out stronger as long as I stay strong through the battle.

I've found my solace through keeping myself busy. Learning and finding new interests, keeping my brain and hands occupied, setting goals for myself and starting new projects. Breaking addictions and creating healthy habits. I'm moving further away from the things that keep me unhappy and I find myself moving closer to a peace of mind every day. Moving further away from the complications of society I find the natural simplicity of the Earth will guide me through. I question and I find the answers. I keep moving forward until I find my way to enlightenment.

two months<3
xo neena noel

unfinished scarves

crochet troubles: feeling the need to make every combination of scarves possible

and every version of every scarf in every color that you have.

scarf lovin

Put up some new items in my shop, mostly scarves. I can't stop making cowls and infinity scarves so hopefully others love them as much as I do. I plan to make autumn and winter cozy and warm with soft wools and comfy hats. In the next few weeks I will be expanding my inventory, bettering my shipping methods and seeking good, quality materials. I have some yarns on my list to buy but I always have trouble finding trustworthy suppliers with good prices and good yarn so if any of you crafters have some suggestions please let me know. :) I'd be happy to share my knowledge of yarns, shipping supplies and Etsy shops with you too, my mailbox is always open. neenanoelart@gmail.com

ten days later

There are only actions and reactions.

Life goes on, the Earth continues to spin.

I finally got a replacement computer charger. I have power! Re-taught myself how to knit a few days ago. I love yarn, I love wool, I want to just curl up with a basket of yarn and ease all of my stress. Opening my shop back up tonight or tomorrow.

It will work out, everything will fall into place.

behind the scenes

All (well, most of) the elements that go into the products I create. My room is my studio for now, but I hope to someday have my own personal studio for all of my supplies. (I'm running out of space in my room!) One of my favorite things to do is organize and beautify my supplies and my workspace, and I cannot wait to have a studio to organize. Here is a little peek at my current crafters sanctuary, and though it may be a little cluttered at times, it's my clutter and I love it.

with love,

neena noel