Special Abbreviation: M3C = Marguerite cluster with 3 spike loops
Row 1: M3C (Make a spike loop [i.e. yo and draw through] into 2nd, 3rd, and 5th chs from hook, yo and through all 4 loops), *ch1, make 1 M3C picking up 1 loop in ch that closed previous M3C, 2nd loop in same place as last spike of previous M3C, skip 1 ch, then last loop in next ch, yo and through all 4 loops; rep from * to end, turn.
Row 2: Ch3, make 1M3C picking up loops in 2nd and 3rd ch from hook and in ch that closed 2nd M3C on previous row, *ch1, work 1M3C picking up 1st loop in ch that closed previous M3C, 2nd loop in the same place as last spike of previous M3C and last loop in ch that closed next M3C on previous row; rep from * to end, picking up final loop in top of ch at beginning of previous row.
So, I’ve confirmed my spot in a show in May taking place in Fredericksburg, Va. More details on that in a bit.
I’m in the process for applying to a Farmers Market that runs from April until December. Trying out something different this year.
Facebook will be done for a bit while I fight with them to get my personal page back and access to the business page back. My personal page got disabled do to being hacked and then tagged for being against the Facebook code of conduct.
I’m trying to be upbeat about this, but my anxiety is through the roof right now.
In 2022, I have 2,611 visitors. I’d like to have atleast 3,000 this year. I’m aware I should have a bigger goal than that, but I’m good with a small increase year to year for now. Now that I’ve added the shop side of things, my hope is that it helps with foot traffic.
Now for the new-ish plans.
So, starting next week, there will be daily updates of how-tos for various crochet stitches. I’m still working on coming up with a weekly series that will go out in Mondays starting in February. I’m also working on a couple of short series that will go out later this year centered around the seasons.
If you follow me on Facebook/Instagram, you’ll have noticed that I’ve started posting daily. I’m going to keep doing that until I figure out what social content schedule works best for me. I do plan on adding TikTok to that mix soon.
The YouTube channel will start being updated/revamped in mid-late February. I still have a little more research and recording to do.
So I have finished up my in-person selling for the year. I was going to try for one more show this year, but for reasons, I have opted not to.
I’m going to update/adjust things on the shop side of this site. I’m currently working on better product descriptions and I’ll get better photos taken this coming weekend.
Along with working on the research side of things for the blog, I’ have ‘m in the process of creating a daily, weekly, and monthly blog series. I’m also working on gathering holiday based crochet patterns to share.
I do have plans to revive the YouTube channel and I have almost worked out a steady Twitch schedule.
There will be a more in-depth plan for 2023 put before the end of 2022,I just have to finalize that too.
So I am approaching a portion of the year where my stress levels are at their highest.
My son turns 5 this coming weekend, the weekend after that I have a big show and the weekend after that I have a little show.
I still need to redo all the listings (add/remove) before Black Friday too. Don’t worry, my Twitter people, I will disconnect this site from Twitter while I do that so that you don’t get spammed.
I should also be recording videos so that I can relaunch the YouTube channel in January, but that will be on hold until after the shows/Black Friday prep.
On top of that I do have a full time job that I have to deal with.
I’ll trying to do at least a weekly update until the end of year, but I make no promises.
So first off, apologies for not having a regular update schedule like I said I would. Things have been a little sideways lately, but I’m working on that,I just won’t happen until January 2023. More on those plans later.
I have a live show coming up in about 3 weeks in Chesapeake Virginia. It will be Nov 5 from 10-4 at the Chesapeake City Park. If you’re in the area, stop by and say hi.
Dhokra (also spelt Dokra) is non–ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique. This sort of metal casting has been used in India for over 4,000 years and is still used. One of the earliest known lost wax artifacts is the dancing girl of Mohenjo-Daro. The product of dhokra artisans are in great demand in domestic and foreign markets because of primitive simplicity, enchanting folk motifs and forceful form. Dhokra horses, elephants, peacocks, owls, religious images, measuring bowls, and lamp caskets etc., are highly appreciated. The lost wax technique for casting of copper based alloys has also been found in China, Egypt, Malaysia, Nigeria, Central America, and other places.
The process- There are two main processes of lost wax casting: solid casting and hollow casting. While the former is predominant in the south of India the latter is more common in Central and Eastern India. Solid casting does not use a clay core but instead a solid piece of wax to create the mold; hollow casting is the more traditional method and uses the clay core.
The first task in the lost wax hollow casting process consists of developing a clay core which is roughly the shape of the final cast image. Next, the clay core is covered by a layer of wax composed of pure beeswax, resin from the tree Damara orientalis, and nut oil. The wax is then shaped and carved in all its finer details of design and decorations. It is then covered with layers of clay, which takes the negative form of the wax on the inside, thus becoming a mold for the metal that will be poured inside it. Drain ducts are left for the wax, which melts away when the clay is cooked. The wax is then replaced by the molten metal, often using brass scrap as basic raw material. The liquid metal poured in hardens between the core and the inner surface of the mold. The metal fills the mold and takes the same shape as the wax. The outer layer of clay is then chipped off and the metal icon is polished and finished as desired.
Starting Monday, I’m restarting the Crafts of the World series. I don’t plan on sticking to fiber arts with this series, this time. I’m going to try my best to cover atleast one craft from each country. This will be added to daily.
Starting in October, I plan to restart the WTF series, that will be a weekly update, I’m just not sure what day of the week that will be, or when that will start yet.
Starting in November, I’ll also be on Twitch atleast every other Wednesday, with a few other nights thrown in there. I will be on Twitch before then, I just don’t have a schedule for that yet.
I have started adding how-to videos to YouTube, though I do plan to re-do the 3 existing videos in the coming weeks to make them better, as they honestly look like crap right now.
I have an in-person show in Chesapeake, Va on November and possibly another in Courtland, Va in December. I’ll post more about those as I get the information.
I have the logo, and all the information I want on it. It should not be this difficult.
Sorry, this is one of those moments that most business owners don’t like to publicize. The frustrations we have to deal with when we are still in the infant stages of building the business. Still working a day job on top of this isn’t helping either.
