Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Follow us on Pinterest!

I finally took the dive and started a Pinterest account!  Not 100% sure what it is yet but I'm working on it :-)!  I hope to use this space to share some of my favorite items on Etsy as well as new items that we add to our shop.  So if you are on Pinterest swing by and follow us.

http://pinterest.com/trinitystrinket/

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Featured Artist: Ewe and Yoors

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Eric, I'm 30 years old and got into crafting at an early age. I've always enjoyed working with my hands (it kinda runs in the family) and as time went on I also got into historical reenacting. I taught myself how to knit several years ago, and have since also taught myself how to spin on drop spindle, supported spindle as well as using an Ashford Traditional spinning wheel. I also taught myself how to card, comb, and clean, and dye wool. Stacy (who happens to be my cousin on my Mother side) has asked me to put some of my spinning up on her site. We had joked about opening up our own yarn shop and I said we should call it EWE & YOOR'S.

EWE & YOOR'S? What Kind of name is that?  My mother and Stacy's mother are sisters from a good Polish family by Judzientowicz (pronouned YOUDS-en-tovich) when our family moved to the US, it was shortened to YOOR. So in honor of that you get EWE & YOOR'S

Where does your inspiration come from?

How do I decide what to work with?  I typically will just open my stash bin for spinning and rummage around until something jumps our and says, “SPIN ME!” I love working with a variety of fibers, primarily wool, but have also enjoyed working with mohair, alpaca, and most recently, Great Pyrenees from the dog of one of my neighbors. From there, I'll either spin it on the wheel, or if it really says that it needs some love, I'll use one my 10+ spindles. 

As far as color goes, I typically will work with cooler colors, blues, greens etc. love also spinning the more firey colors. I really try to look for colors that blend well together when they are being spun and plied. I take the view of are these colors going to detract from the pattern? Or accentuate it? Will the pattern get lost in a morass of color or enhance it?

Who has influenced you the most in your creations?

Honestly, I would have to say that History itself would be my biggest inspiration.  Spinning is one of the most important anthropological steps forward in human history that we have taken.  Historically, it has been so important that it was called an eternal task.  The act of spinning fiber has made it's way into myth, legends, and even fairy tales.  There have been archeological findings from every culture around the world of clay, stone and bead whorls, which is indication that they were as or more important that say, a hatchet or spear. 

How do you get out of creative ruts?

Climb over it, dig under it, or go around it. I choose not to let any blocks get in my way. Being an Aries, I like to “ram” my way through it.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

Find your passion and go for it.  Figure out what calls to you and learn what wisdom there is to learn from it. Whether it's spinning wool, sewing, or even making leather masks, find what ignites the passion of creativity and nurture it.



Website:  My yarns can be found on sale through Trinity's Trinkets at Etsy.  Trinity's Trinkets
I can also be reached by email at:     ecrouse82@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Featured Artist: Trinity's Trinkets

So I figured if I am going to ask others to put themselves out there I better be ready to do it myself!  So here is my about me.  We should have a few more featured artist coming soon!

·         Tell us a little about yourself.

Hello everyone!  My name is Stacy and I have been crafting for as long as I can remember.  My extremely supportive husband and I live on a nice piece of land settled in the woods.  Our quaint little farm house has been in his family for over 100 years.  We will soon have a new addition to our family as we are expecting our first baby in August.  Having grown up in a family that encouraged creativity it has always been a passion of mine.  When I am not making things for the shop I am usually knitting, spinning yarn or making Renaissance outfits for my husband and I.  I have a spoiled rotten cat Blackbeard, a noisy and stubborn Senegal Parrot Mindy and 3 sweet Sugar Gliders Fizzgig, Ludo and Stitch. 

 Where does your inspiration come from?

Colors and patterns.  I find fabric calls out to me.  I usually don’t have to look to hard because fabrics tend to scream at me when I am on the hunt.  I like mixing patterns that people would not normally place together.  
·     Who has influenced you the most in your creations?

I’m not sure if I have people who have influenced me so much as encouraged me in my creativity.  My mother growing up was very crafty and was always encouraging of me.  Even when I was getting in trouble in elementary school when I was making things and selling them to friends.  Yes I started peddling my wears at a very young age.  In my most recent endeavors my husband has been my driving force.  For starters he built me a BEAUTIFUL studio in which I could work in.  Since then he is always asking what are you working on today?  Shouldn’t you be sewing?  He also plays the important role of seeing that my packages make it to the post office in a timely manner!  He is also pushing me to quit my day job and pursue my passion full time.  There is support and inspiration!

 How would you describe your creative process?

My creative process is a bit of a ritual for me.  Each time I step into the studio to work I always light a candle, turn on my machines, turn on that little table lamp that serves no purpose but warmth and beauty, then I pick my music for the day.  If I have in mind already what I am going to work on I find upbeat music like country to just get me to it.  When I am sitting down to create something new I tend to lean toward slower more relaxing music usually Lorenna McKennitt.  What I am working on usually is a reflection of my mind state at the time.
·       
    How do you get out of creative ruts?

Creative ruts.  We all have them.  I have to say when I am in a rut I usually go to the fabric or beading store.  I find inspiration in new fabrics and beads.  There appears to always be something new available.  When I look at my stash and say I have used all that before I find new things to throw in and make a splash.  Sometimes you also need to just walk away.  I have had so many times that I said I have to get some work done today even though I don’t feel like it.  Those days tend to be very unproductive and frustrating.  I have found it is usually better to take a break and give your creativity a rest.  It will not take long for the itch to return and you are right back at it in full swing.  

·         What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

Just do it!  Tacky I know but it is true.  Some of my biggest fears when I started Trinity’s Trinkets was my stuff was not good enough to sell.  I was always worried someone would pick apart my work, those seams are not straight or that fabric is ugly or I don’t like that design.  Since starting my shop I feel I have grown so much as an artisan and a business person.  Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.  The Etsy community is a great source of supportive artists.  There are lots of forums for you to ask questions and get feedback from fellow artists.  Don’t undersell yourself either.  Make sure you are getting your time and materials worth out of your art.  Last but not least it takes time, don’t get discouraged.  


I have an Etsy Shop which can be found here:  The Trinity's Trinkets 
You have already found my blog here:  The Trinity's Trinkets Blog 
You can also follow us on facebook here:  The Trinity's Trinkets on facebook

Monday, June 11, 2012

New Accessories Pouches

We have released a new size in our knitting accessories bag line. This bag is great for all the accessories and notions that are a must in your knitting bag. This case measures 7" high and 5" deep. The boxed bottom allows for easy access to things in the case and allows your case to stand up. This case is fully lined and has interfacing to help make it strong.  A must have for any knitting bag!  The new pouches can be found in our new shop section Accessories Bags.

Act now and you can get some of our bags and matching Interchangeable Needle Pouches.


Stop by the shop and check them out!

Friday, June 1, 2012

JEWELRY CLEARANCE EVENT!!!

In an effort to make the shop more streamline, I am clearing out ALL jewelry items.  Moving forward everything will be fiber related items.  What better way to clear stuff out than a sale!  All jewelry items have been marked down by 25%.  Now is your chance to pick up the that special trinket you have been admiring for some time.  Here are some of the items on sale but swing by the shop for more!




Considering a custom order?

Have you been checking out some of our pouches and considered doing a custom order?  We would love to work with you on your order.  You can initiate your custom order through Etsy or by emailing us at Trinitystrinkets@hotmail.com.  Please be sure to check out the feedback from some of our custom clients in our feedback section on Etsy.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:

As we are expecting our first wee one on August 1st, we will stop taking custom orders as of July 1st.  This is only temporary till we settle into a schedule with our new addition.  I don't want to take custom orders and then potentially not be able to follow through with them in the timely manner I would like.