Searching for inspiration

 I have been struggling with this mini rug warp -

Inspiration wise that is...

I had some requests for this size to start with so that was fine, but when you have enough warp for over 30 rugs in this batch, it takes some imagination to fill it all up :)

What really helped, was the vendor show I was at a couple weekends ago.  Seeing what sold, and visiting with potential buyers that were looking for a certain something gave me some ideas.

This rug happened because someone was looking for a long narrow rug for 2 little girls bathroom vanity.  Not sure it will connect with that specific customer, but it used up some of the pink fabrics that I don't tend to use very often.

I sold the last of the 'dribs & drabs" rugs in my inventory at the show, too, so i went ahead and made some mini versions.  I can't believe how far those little bits of fabric go when weaving with them.  I had thought I'd would get one and a start of a second rug with the basket of leftovers, but I still have some left there!  I mostly used up the brighter stuff, so I left the remainder of that basket to grow again.

This rug is from pillowcases -one case filled out each color block here.

I used up the last bits of chenille blanket type fabric on this cute little rug.

This wasn't a leftover bit of fabric, it had just come into the stash and the dots on the blue matched some of the warp colors, so it was a perfect fit here.

Also made a few more black denims and there is another itty bitty rug from some random sheets fabric that matched the warp.

Now it's time to start on the next color run.  It will be in the browns color way.

I'm hoping the inspiration is stronger on this one - should be as I like the colors from nature.  I've said before my favorite colors are the ones that horses come in, like buckskin, chestnut, etc.

Also hoping to get a bit more time to weave... been spending a lot of my time taking my parents to doctor appointments and helping my mom care for my dad.  He has become extremely dependent, unable to walk at all.  Some days I have to stop and help get dad from point A to point B because mom is worn out. Mom is on oxygen and at times is short of air and energy to be able to help dad - Big changes are looming in regards to them - trying to figure it all out. 

All for now,

JULIE

First vendor event of 2021

Got thru the first event of the year.

Not that I did anything special to get ready for it -  lol.  

My "office" basket was stocked - including change box - from the last show.  It's so much easier to come home and do all the record keeping and accounting things when it's fresh in your mind.  And I'm always ready at the drop of a hat if a show sneaks up on me!

I did cut off all the rugs on my loom and finished them up this week.  I had lots of farm fresh items to take - and a lot of rugs that had only been to one or two small events last fall.   Fresh inventory.

 I'm currently weaving 18 inch wide mini rugs on the Union Loom and tablerunners on the FairLoom.  

 These are the mini rugs.  Sold the first one already.  It was a cute one.

So tonite when I drove into home at dark - I pulled my truck into the garage and decided I would unload tomorrow.  But I did sit down and do my normal end of show report.

That report has a list of all items sold, for how much, how much sales tax added and collected.

I also look back at what the booth cost and write that on it, along with any meals I purchased, a place for the credit card fees that I will get a total on tomorrow, and mileage driven.  

If I remember to do it, I even break down the tax into state, town and tourism - makes it easy when it's time to report and remit to the revenue service.

The next step is to take the sold items off the excel spreadsheet -  I can tell you how much inventory dollars I carry around....

Bank is on Monday - only one check-  it was a heavier than usual cash day, but about half my sales run thru the square app on my phone.

By Monday evening I will have everything ready for my next show in April - except for some new product that I am constantly producing.

Oh, and by the way, I sold 11 rugs, 3 tablerunners, and 9 mug rugs.

Respectable day.

All for now,

JULIE

This.... this is what I am not able to say this well.

https://www.julieneidlinger.com/2021/03/taking-time-to-say-thanks.html

Custom work

 So this is why custom work is so difficult...

This was first attempt.  Photo supplied so I could get the colors needed.  On my devices and printed out on my home printer, the colors appeared to be an off white, tan, rust and forest green.  

Cute rugs I thought.

When I delivered them, that's when I got to see the remodel that these were to be matched with.

Turns out the tile has actually got blue - not green - in it.

Attempt number 2 was this...

 

 I know the colors match now,  we will just have to see if the style change will be ok with the customer.

My personality type makes me rather want to make whatever and wherever the spirit leads me, and find the right person for the finished product, rather than to have a person find me and then having to produce what is in their mind...

All for now,

JULIE

Behind the scenes

 Sometimes I have photos that just don't always fit on my fb rug page.  Or it feels like I would overwhelm with posts if I included them :)

In this photo I have the inspiration that was given to me by my cousin for a pair of rugs that she wants to use on some new built in bench seats.  Now to get them to her to see if they fit where they should, and if the color works for her. 

This one just makes me kind of laugh.  Without the cat in the photo, the rug might 'read' as a full size rug.  It's a mini one.  Just barely big enough for Jack ( on the right)  to lie on it if he were to choose so.

 

As you can see, there is some sun today.  Very harsh  - hard shadows. It is warm enough the snow is dripping.  It almost makes me think of spring - but I can't have the luxury of even thinking about it - it's so far away for us yet!

My son in law said that yesterday when he was checking drinkers - one of the mares was there to get a drink.  As she was drinking ( swallowing that cold cold water ) he saw baby movement.   So we have at least one coming!  May 24 will be the 11 month count so somewhere about that time :)

 I had been telling him that was how I used to tell for sure the last times I had possible babies coming.  The cold water in the tummy must be felt by the baby, because they can sure move around in there when mama fills up with that cold water!  So I guess he's been watching....

 

All for now,
JULIE

In the deep freeze

 I have to admit, up until the last week or so, we've had a mild for South Dakota winter.

Mild went away ---  It's been regularly close to 20 below zero (F)  for the last few weeks - thank goodness not alot of wind by South Dakota standards.

It's cold enough that locally there have been deaths... 

Mostly for dumb reasons -  my co workers nephew - teenager or young adult - froze to death last weekend.   Partied with the wrong people, who beat him up and left him on the side of the road.  

That happens all too often around here. 

People make excuses for this sort of thing -  poor job opportunities, racism, that type of thing.

In this small town - there are so many businesses looking for employees.  

No, they may not be work from home, or desk type jobs, but they are jobs.  That pay the bills and give you a stepping stone for a better one when you have learned new skills and how to be a valuable employee.

 

And then there is the other side of the equation.  Those that are willing to work tend to be overworked.  I've already upped my hours at my part time job.... And they are asking if I can cover some more - since no one wants to apply and be a good employee.

There is opportunity to be a contributing member of society!

Too much 'taking care of' has trained a large majority of the local population to be dependent.   

Too much giving them fish instead of teaching them to fish type of thing.

I have to purposefully remind myself to not think about it -  it is just so frustrating.

Change of subject --- I have been weaving, although slower than I'd like.  More work hours means tired feet -  less likely to stand and weave in the evenings.  Plus it gets chilly in the loom room when it is so cold outside the wall of windows.  I've covered them with plastic and keep the heavy drapes closed, but you can feel the cold coming in....

Here are pics of the two latest.  These were produced to try to fit a request/commission.   We'll see if either is what they were thinking ;)

All for now,

JULIE

Minority

 I finished up a few more table runners.

The patriotic runners are popular.

So I keep doing them....

The black ones are from denim.  I've had many requests for blacks and grays.

And then always a random color just to keep things interesting. 

 

I had typed up my thoughts on the Bernie mittens thing, but decided, due to the prevailing winds in Blogger land, it wasn't worth voicing my opinion.  Apparently it is funny to mock people now.....  

All for now, 

JULIE

PS   Not sure why I stay here - I seem to be in the minority.