Dish Cloths listed on Etsy

I am so excited to be selling with the wonderful community of Etsy. My Grand Opening sale offers you 25% off of my entire stock through April 14 using Promo Code APRIL25. I have opened my shop with 3 dishcloths shown here:

Saturday Crochet Fun Facts

Happy Saturday afternoon friends! One of my goals this years is to become a better blogger, and even moreso, a better businesswoman. I've got my Etsy shop almost up and running. I just haven't added merchandise--does one really need that? Just kidding! I've been trying to network, and share my crafts as I do them, in order to better tailor what I enjoy making to what people are looking for in a project.

So, how does this relate to blogging? Something I learned about helping to engage you, the reader, was to provide related factual information to my blog. Want some? I thought you might!

Here you go:

"Although crochet is a Middle French word that means hook, the earliest form of crocheting was done with fingers."

Cool, right? Find this,and several more fun facts about crochet here:http://craftyogo.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/weird-funny-and-plain-facts-about-crochet/

Forgive me as I learn to insert links and things.

Rainy Day Dolly Amigurimi

I've finished up my sudden onslaught of custom orders (happy customers!) and I've been working on crafts for family and Craftster craft swaps I'm in. My latest amigurimi, and quite possibly, most impressive amigurimi to date is this sweet girl. I followed (mostly) patterns found in the booklet "Crochet Your Own Dolls and Accessories" that I picked up at my local JoAnn Fabrics about 3 weeks ago. I was waiting for the perfect opportunity to create one of these dolls and its accessories, and when my husband's cousin's daughter (get that?) had a birthday coming up...sweet girl is turning 3! I know that this was the perfect opportunity. Of course, I probably should have given myself more than a week to crochet this, because now my wrist is not thanking me. Spending days on end so I can make the perfect gift, while it sounds so sweet and thoughtful in theory, it isn't the best use of my time. Why? Well, because I now need to take a time out from crocheting!

Anyway, I started working this doll, I thought it would be fun to use a darker brown yarn. I am a big fan of diversity! The pattern book said she should work out to about 13". I must be using a heavier yarn, or a bigger hook, because this girl is about 20." Her long legs (she could be a Rockette!)are about 8" long! I found it amusing that the pattern gives these dolls hips, but I followed along, because, after all, I wanted the clothing accessories to fit! As I started working her body, she looked so much like a Planter's peanut. You know, the ones that sing and dance? It was so funny. But, one I finally added the arms, and especially the hair, quite the little dolly lady she was becoming.

The pattern booklet had about 4 doll patterns to choose from, and an outfit for each, and then some accessories. Each pattern had a different hair style and so I mixed and matched to my delight. I love how the black hair is curly. Wanna know a secret? Mine is too!

You know the old adage, "April Showers Bring May Flowers?" Boy I'd like to see those flowers because these past few days have been super rainy. The perfect days to dress her in rain gear! While I have been crocheting now for about 2 years, I for larger projects, I have mostly stayed with afghans (I love 'em.) but have been wanting to make clothes. So I did! I made her a rain coat (yellow, of course!), rain boots (yellow, of course!), a yellow rain hat, and an adorable blue skirt. She's ready to go and dance in the rain!

Follow My Progress--Pineapple Tablecoth

I have been commissioned to crochet a 60" circular pineapple tablecloth. It's an absolutely beautiful pattern. It's for one of my most dear friends from high school.

Back story: she had been given a circular pineapple stitch tablecloth by her grandmother many years ago. Through the years, time,and drama, she no longer was in possession of this tablecloth. Earlier last year, I created a pineapple bordered afghan for my husband's cousin's wedding. When she saw this afghan, and how beautiful it turned out, she knew she wanted to ask me to crochet a "replacement" tablecloth for her. One that would attempt to fill in for the one that was so precious to her. And, this will be extra special because 1) it will remind her of her grandmother, and 2) it will be crocheted by a very dear friend to her. So, challenge accepted!

Here is an image of the pattern I am following. I bought it off an Etsy shop; it's from a vintage pattern book.

I started crafting around March 21, 2014. I got about 10 rows done, and posted on my facebook page (search: Emailie Alexander Creations) this picture:

She's given me as much time as I need to complete this, with free reign to complete other projects as they come along. I know this is going to be a mighty monstrous project, but I am super excited to see it finished.

I purchased a 2400 yard cone of size 10 cotton crochet thread in the ecru colorfrom Herrshner's, and decided to use the 3.5 mm hook. So, it's working up a bit larger than the pattern calls for, but it's easier for me to see and to work. Row 11 begins the first round of the pineapple pattern, and I'm currently on row 13. This next picture shows the completion of row 12. Ignore the colored yarn as I'm using that for row counting purposes. Row 12 makes the tablecloth already 16" round!

I will post a new update once I've completed the first round of pineapples! Thank you for following my journey!

Chicken Applique

I am sending this chicken applique out as a thank you to my customer who ordered the amigurimi chicken. I crocheted the one on the right. The one on the left is the picture in the book. Which chicken do you prefer?

Crocheted Chains and/or Braclets Options

This was recently a special order I shipped to a woman who has 8 year old twins with special needs. When she had seen the 100s Day Chain (previous post) that I had done, she asked me to create some with button closures for her daughter that could be used as occupational therapy. I created 10 of the blue and white. These I did with a wider width. I have 10 of the multicolor. These are a bit longer and slimmer, and then I have five each of the green and brown and the pink an black. The response I got upon receipt of these was "oh my goodness they couldn't be more perfect!!! Thank you so very much. You are very talented!!"

Post by Emalie Alexander Creations.

Crochet Chains

Post by Emalie Alexander Creations.

Shop Information Q&A

1--I don't see anything listed with prices, why?

Currently I'm mostly doing custom orders. This means, I will post products I've made, or ones I am currently working on. If you see something you like, then you can comment or message me, and I will work out a custom order for specific items and prices for you.

2. This is Facebook. How does payment work?

Good question. Just like many online shops, I accept PayPal. I will send you a paypal invoice.

3. How quickly will I get my product?

I will do my best to get your product out as quickly as I can. Keep in mind, blankets and larger things take longer to make, than small amigurimis, etc. If you need something by a specific date, be sure to mention that, and and try to plan ahead to give me time to craft a quality item for you.

4. Are you planning on expanding your shop outside of Facebook?

The short answer is, yes. I am considering opening up a brand new Etsy shop. Once I do this, I will make you aware here.

5. Do you do more crafts than just crochet?

Yes. I do lots of crafts. Although, currently I am spending more time with crochet.

6. Where are you based and are you willing to ship internationally?

I am based in Ohio, and yes, I'd love to ship internationally.

Networking Challenges

With my home-based craft business, I'm trying to branch out and network. So, I've linked my Facebook, to this blog, to adding a twitter account. After all this time, I'm still learning my way around his site, and I'm very very new to Twitter. So, if you come across this blog, and you use Twitter, I would love for you to consider following me @emaliealexander. Search for me on Facebook at Emalie Alexander Creations.

While I used to have an Etsy shop I hadn't yet specialized my skills to a skill set that works well for interest in Etsy buyers. Trying to get fans on Etsy was hard work, so I shut down my shop and took some time to start honing down my skills into mostly crochet with some sewing and other things on the side. I've put a few of my items into a first time very small craft show, and did much better than I expected. I am considering opening a brand new Etsy shop. I probably should do that before my Facebook/Blog/Twitter name gets taken on Etsy.

I recently did a whole make-over. I changed my name from Big Bang Momma Crafts (being a huge Big Bang Theory fan and a mother, I loved that name, but decided a need a brand name a little more professional) to Emalie Alexander Creations. I've been working at updating my sites to offer more information for potential buyers or just interested lookers.

At this stage in my endeavor, I'm trying to build an audience, a fan base, people who will support me, help me succeed, and branch out past my "1st degree" of contacts. This means, currently I mostly am working on custom orders. I post pictures of things I've made, or what I can make, and then people ask me to make something for them based on what they've seen. I don't really have things "listed" on Facebook. I understand. It can be a scary place to shop. This is another reason I am considering a new Etsy shop. I want people to be interested, and pleased with my inventory. I want to get my name out there. I want people to take me seriously. I want people to be happy with my product. And, ideally like any entrepreneur, I'd love for my hobby to turn a little profit. This helps supportthe addiction and I can craft for a wider audience than just gifts for people near and dear to me.

If you come across this post, and are willing to help me network, especially on Twitter or Facebook, I'd be so happy, and I would most definitely reciprocate.

https://www.facebook.com/EmalieAlexander

Sweet Little Bear

This is the first of four custom order bears. He measures about 6" tall and mostly follows a free Lion's Brand pattern. Come find him, and other crafty things at my Facebook Craft page. Search: Big Bang Momma Crafts. Thanks, and have a great day!

Pink Beaded Fingerless GloveI

I recently made some simple teal fingerless gloves (my first pair, actually) for a friend of mine who lives a few states over from me.  I followed the pattern, tested it on me, took measurements and pictures, and sent the first one on it's way to her. It fit, so I sent it's pair.  What does that have to do with this?  Let me tell you.

She asked me if I could alter the pattern to make a pair that would fit her seven year old daughter. A girlie pair. Possibly with a beaded trim.  Of course I obliged.  And, the love you see here is what I came up with.

Luckily I have an 8 year old daughter who is a bit on the small side, so she got to be my lucky model for trying on sake. And try on she did! 

I looked at lots of beads, but I needed a bead that would work with the width of the yarn.  A Bernat baby weight yarn, by the way.  I ended up settling on pony beads because, really, she's 7, and seven year old like pony beads.  They're fun.

I decided not to put them exactly on the wrist border for a couple of reasons. 1) safety.  They are less likely to fall off, rip off, etc. 2.) Sturdiness. I just felt the beads would be sturdier this way.  We all know that 7 year old's really know how to play!

I decided I would also give the fingertips something pretty to look at, so I added shells around the edging there.  So pretty.

For crochet lovers: This is just done is simple double crochets. Repeating rows until I got it as wide as I needed it. This is about 14 rows.

100s Day Crochet Chain

I was looking around Pinterest for teacher's gifts  one day, and came across the idea to crochet a paper chain.  Say what? I know, amazing idea! So, I took it one step further, and instead of an end of the year gift, I decided to make a 100s day chain for my son's Kindergarten teacher.  I wanted it to be something she could use for several units. So, I made sure that each color had at least 10.  They use 10-frames in math for counting.  I also wanted the colors of the rainbow, so that she could use this for working on colors.

10-red
10-orange
10-yellow
10-green
10-blue
10-purple

That's only 6, so I added

10-black
10-white

which gave me 20 left over to get to 100. Those are the multicolor.

I used sticky back velcro to attach them.  For sturdiness, I used mostly Red Heart yarn and cotton yarn.  As in any paper chain, the vary a bit in length and width.
You can also find this post on the Facebook page./br>

Post by Big Bang Momma Crafts.

Queen Sized Striped Blanket!

Towards the end of last year I made a blanket with the same design and similar colors. That one was a Christmas gift. My husband and I loved it so much that we decided I must make another one.

So, we changed to brown from gray, and kept the other colors the same.  We went from Super Bulky to Lion's Brand Jiffy Bulky yarn. I used about 20 skeins! It measures about 100"x100". For reference, a quick search on Google shows that a queen blanket measures 90"x90".  I was getting pretty quick (when I didn't have to pull out a row or two for not finishing my "v" stitch) that I was getting about 7 rows completed in about 2 hours, or about a row every 20-30 min or so.

So....it repeats 7 rows blue, 3 rows white, 4 rows brown, 3 rows white, 7 rows blue....... all "v" stitch.

I'm going to apologize in advance for the lighting. When I use flash in my room, it distorts the color. When I turn the flash off, then the pictures are dark. I really need to learn the setting on my dslr to help combat that.

Close up:

 Thanks for looking!