Some Mission Falls yarn just arrived for me to whip up a project, and I love it! It is really, really nice. I am using both the 1824 wool and the dk weight of the same yarn, that I can't find on their website. It's a superwash wool and it's very soft. I guess Charlie likes it too! Pay attention to these yarns, they will appear together in the Winter. (hint, hint)
Some buyers keep the finished model, and some give it back. It is getting more and more common that the buyer gets to keep the item. (It states in the contract what it's going to be). In some ways, I'd rather have the item back, especially when it's something I would like to use like a bag or a hat. Other times, I'm ok with the buyer keeping it because, let's face it, who has room for all those afghans! If the buyer is going to keep the finished item, I keep the swatch (more on keeping swatches another day). I have several models that were returned to me after the book/magazine has been published. What do I do with all those models? If it is a purse, I use it! If it is an afghan, I have some choices.... use it, give it, donate it, sell it. Some designers sell their models on Etsy or in fairs. The actual project can be sold as long as you don't sell the pattern, which more than likely, now belongs to the publisher. However, it wouldn't be kind to the publisher to 'mass produce' the item to sell. You want the book/issue your item appears in to sell well for the publisher. Many times I donate an item or two to our Church Festival Silent auction. Many of my "sold" models are in my closet, still wrapped up because I can't decide what to do with them! 
On Friday, Norah left a comment that I could sell un-sold designs on Ravelry or directly to crocheters! She's right! It just goes to show that sometimes I get tunnel vision and don't see all the obvious possibilities. Many times if a design goes un-sold, I give up on it. In reality, some buyers will allow you to submit the same design again later (a few months, the next year) because maybe the design will be more appropriate later. I have had one instance (just one) where an item was rejected but when the buyer began a new project, she e-mailed me and specifically asked for the item she had rejected several months previous. She said that it wasn't right for the earlier project, but would be perfect for her current project. (That was a shocker!). Sometimes it takes up to 3 years after a project is "born" before it is adopted into the right home. I probably said this months ago, but it bears repeating, that sometimes a project is rejected several times by several different buyers before one of them finds the perfect fit for it. One such project has gone on to be one of my three most "favorited" patterns on Ravelry. Ah, sweet vindication!
What do I do with things that don't sell? It does happen! Well, the first thing I do is put it in a box and forget about it! But really, I keep the idea, the notes, the stitch pattern in tact. Because there is a possibility that I could re-make it later, when a fresh approach hits me. Or, I could recycle the stitch pattern. I keep it for a laugh later.... I think about why it didn't sell. Was it just a poor design? Is it outdated already? Has it missed the window for trendiness? Could it be improved? Has the yarn been discontinued? Do I like the concept well enough to re-tool it, or am I sick of it and wish I had never wasted the time? Really though, if something doesn't sell, I can usually find an element from it to help me with another design later. 
Probably most crochet designers would agree, that writing the pattern is the most tedious part of being a crochet designer. This is how I do it. If I have a plan before I start, I'll make a goals list including the projected size, color ideas, function of the item (if it's going to be a bag, what do I want it to hold?). If I have no plan in mind, then I just design/play with yarn until an idea develops. I take handwritten notes (I put the date on it, don't forget to write what hook of which brand you are using). When I get the stitches down, I'll make a few more swatches in different colors. Sometimes I'll note the colors in my notes. When I have determined that it will turn into a design to market, I give it an invoice/code number and add it to my list of projects. I get the design a file folder, give it a working title. I type my handwritten notes into the computer and print it out. I make a guess who I might try to sell it to first and put it in that buyers format. I make the item from my typed notes, making corrections as I go. I have to be careful to follow the instructions as if I've never seen them before, because by this stage, I'll usually have memorized the process. When I'm done with the project, I go back and check the math line for line. I check the format that I am writing in. Most of the time, I check the format with recent magazines in hand. I'll find something similar to what I'm writing (rows, rounds, motifs) and see how the tech editors handled things and try to make my instructions agree. I look for how items are spaced, capitalized, abbreviated, etc. (All buyers have slightly different formats for how they want things done). I take lots of photos including super close-ups so that I can understand tricky parts a year from now. If there is a particularly difficult area, I'll include process photos in the instructions. I do this sparingly, though, because adding a photo for illustration is no excuse for not explaining the process in words. You can't just put in a photo and say, "I don't know how to describe this" and then leave it blank. I print out a final copy and put it in my file folder (in case the computer crashes, at least I have a hard copy.)
We took a last minute trip to the "beach". The nearest reservoir that is! We had a great time and got too much sun. Here is Chief and the Captain burying Chickee in the sand...
And here is Chickee in all her Mermaid glory. She had to sing like Ariel to break the spell!
Hmmm, I'm free! Free to crochet anything I want. I have no deadlines! (until the yarn arrives for deadlines). So, I probably have up to 3 days before yarn arrives that I can do WHATEVER I WANT! Now, my Libra indecisiveness is showing. I have some yummy Plymouth Fantasy Linen, I have some terrific Punta Light Rope, I have some recycled Elsebeth Lavold Cotton Patine' . Decisions, decisions. 
Hmmm, what could this possibly be? It's PURPLE, that's for sure. It's the cool kind of purple that reminds you of grape Popsicles or grape Nehi soda. I actually had a grape "huggie" drink yesterday. Do you know the little kids' drinks that come in a clear plastic "barrel" and have the foil lid that you have to peel back? They are basically sugar water and they come in blue, red, orange and purple. (I've never seen a yellow or green one?) Anyway, we were having pizza with friends by the pool and the mom had brought all varieties of pop, but I don't drink pop, so I had a "huggie" instead. I have no idea why I call them "huggies" is that the name of them or did I just make that up somewhere along the way? Just like for years, my brother and I used to call Chee-tos "Corn-curls" but you have to say it really fast so that it sounds more like "kern-kerls". Oh yeah, back to crochet.... never crochet while eating Chee-tos, unless you are working with a project that is already orange. 
I don't think "conquered" is the right word, but at least now, I understand the concept of double pointed needles. (dpns). Of course, since I have no desire at all to knot, I mean knit socks, I don't know when I would ever need to know how to use dpns. Still, even the smallest accomplishment is cause for chocolate cake, uh, I mean, it's cause for joy and satisfaction.
Ahh, my faithful readers, here is a Sneak Peek for you! Try not to look at the unwoven danglers back there. I had to prioritize today. Ends had to wait until later in the day.
When woefully unprepared for a post, choose a photo of a cute kid or a photo of a beloved pet. Apparently we had too much fun this weekend, because I'm behind on a project I had hoped to ship today.....
Happy 4th of July! One of the nice surprises about our new home is the spontaneous fireworks displays that frequently occur over the horizon as we sit on our deck. These fireworks were
I don't know if it is because she already knows how to crochet, or if it is because she is a little older now, but she picked up the knitting really quickly. Fortunately, I was able to hide my mixed emotions when she said that she likes knitting better (gasp!). Still, I'm just thrilled that she lets me teach her about fiberarts. I feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that she is potentially picking up skills that will be lifelong friends for her. 
Hmmm, is there an afghan pattern in here somewhere? Shawl inspiration? Is it the shapes, is it the colors? hmmm....
This is my new PR photo. My 15 yo niece, Erica, took the photo. She and her older sister, Jessica, are my "Consultants of Cool". (Because I definitely need Cool consultation). 
Here is some great 100% Merino Wool by Louet. It is in their "Gems" collection. This one is the Bulky in "Sandalwood". I really, really like it. Here it is worked up in a sneak peek. I very much enjoy their saturated colors and their smooth fibers. They are also known for their Linen and Linen blend yarns. I used their MerLin in the Tunisian Lace Ascot that was in Interweave Crochet Spring 2008.
