Vacation Preparations

So I went on vacation, it was great, and now I'm back, but it took a lot to get there. My normal vacation plans are usually day trips, maybe a few days somewhere, but this time I headed far south for an entire week. Which was a welcome relief, because here in New England it had been a bit chilly.

I do my best not to complain overly about the cold, because I just think about weeding a cornfield in 20 pounds of wool in 90 degree heat and humidity. It's just that last year was such a mild winter, that this was a welcome break.

The downside to this trip is was that I had been instructed that all my belongings for a week needed to fit in a carry-on bag........ no it was not a joke. So after much debate and outfit arranging, I pared down all my needs to a carry on and large purse.

Incase my bag needed to get checked at the gate due to space issues (I'm a planner and a worrier, a dangerous combination), I prepared with a luggage tag to make it more noticeable. (No the fact that it is green was not enough.) So I decided to go with a nice luggage tag, how about one that's personalized that does the work for you.

Great Tag!

Unfortunately I didn't order this with enough time allotted but you can! I'm now back, safe and sound (blizzard and all) and did tons of exciting things, and now that I'm back I have great new things headed for my store, and more vacation inspiration to follow!

Great hand knit felted bags, but couldn't leave them plain, oh no.

Needle-felt whales! I think a needle-felt tutorial is in order as well, don't you think? Keep tabs on us wherever we go on instagram @sweetcarolyns.

We're Available

My shop has been pretty busy the past year, not only with orders from my etsy shop but also quite a few places around Massachusetts. If you're looking for some unique gifts for someone, or yourself, check these places out.

Anthi. Franguadis Associates

This is the newest place now housing some of my Sweet Carolyn's items.

I dropped these guys off last Saturday. The shop is mainly architecture, planning and designing as the sign says, but she has also put in what is called The Drawing Room. This is front room of her space is a shop area featuring local artists including vintage signing, handmade fire pits, pillows, weaving, jewelry and more. So if you're in the area check it out:

Anthi Frangiadis Associates

11 Spring St.

Marion, MA 02738

T: 508-748-3494

anthif.com



Crompton Collective

Open since October of 2012, this shop has been a bit hit, and I'm so glad for them!

My shelf there.

This shop is filled with vintage clothing and accessories, antiques and all sorts of handmade items.

How great does this look? If you're anywhere near Worcester, MA this is a must see, and if you're in the city, it's only a train ride away.

Crompton Collective
138 Green St. (Ground Level)
Worcester, MA 01604
T: 508-753-7303
http://cromptoncollective.com


These are only two of many places where you can find my items and lots of other artist's products. Stay tuned for more places to come. In the meantime go visit these places!

First Step: To Admit There is a Problem.

So we all make those New Years Resolutions, and right about now a lot of people are slipping, falling and flat out jumping off their wagons. I have, so far, stuck to my resolution, which was to buy no more yarn, until I use what I have. Sensible, I know, but I have A LOT of yarn, but at this point I may not need to buy anymore until next year.

I have yarn in these bins and the baskets on top.

There is yarn hiding in bags under these finished woolies, and there's about two more bins, if not more around my studio. 

The second resolution I made was that I wouldn't take a three month vacation this winter, and that I would use it to build inventory back up. Thankfully I can crochet just about anywhere, so I've been crocheting pieces for Woolie Animals whenever and where ever I can. I then set up my studio table as a Sew Um Up station.

Look all those Woolies ready to go.

Here's a Woolie Bunny in progress......

Woolie Bunny Hand Crocheted Plush

and finished! I hope you are sticking to your resolutions whatever they may be, stop by my shop to see what new creations all this yarn is making. I'm thinking about expanding to include accessories as well...

Beer Oh Beer

I guess I should explain my job a little better other than I just dress in crazy amounts of wool. I work for Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA, and my official job title is Colonial Foodways Specialist. Which means I spend half my time in "old time-y" clothes, with a funny accent, and I pretend not to know what the internet is, or what iPhones are, etc.etc.

Being part of Foodways means I get to make things like this Gooseberry Tart for our recreation of a 17th century wedding this past summer.

I also roasted a pig on a spit, with fellow interpreters in our museums colonial village site.

Sorry about the blurry picture, it's hard to sneak pictures while a pilgrim (Picture courtesy of Sally Rothemich).

Now that it's the winter, and we're closed, we get a chance to do things like research, and classes which isn't as easy when we're open to the public. And do you know what a lot of people think of, other than Thanksgiving when they think pilgrims?

BEER!

"Monday the 25 being Christmas day, we began to drink water aboard, but at night the master caused us to have some beer, and so on board we had divers times now and then some beer, but on shore none at all."

-1622. Mourt’s Relation. Caleb Johnson, ed.  p. 472.

Poor pilgrims, they knew the wilderness would suck, but I bet they thought they'd at least have beer. Which leads me to my latest adventure; a couple days ago I headed to Beer & Wine Hobby in Woburn, MA for a home brewing class. It was in hopes to get more detailed information on modern brewing, how we can make it like the pilgrims, and of course to buy supplies. My wallet was not too happy about this adventure; I got a bunch of extra supplies for a kit I previously bought, and a new book, much recommended:

Long story short, brewing beer is pretty easy, (well that's what I was told), and now all that's left to do is read, and brew. So check back and see if I brew amazing beer, or just beer bombs (over carbonated beer can make your bottles explode and create a giant mess. I'm aiming not to do this).

If you want to learn more about beer or what beer to drink, or not to drink you should check out my friends The Two Kyles. They try beers and tell you who awesome or not so awesome they are. Here is one of their episodes:

CHEERS!