Nexusknitter

Looking back on 2025/Moving forward

What can I say about 2025. 2025 has been a difficult year to say the least. On a personal as well as business level. Trying to get past all the negative things that are happening it seems on a daily basis and remembering the good can be difficult. But, I am choosing to try to focus on the things that bring me joy and are positive in my life. Nexusknits, my business is one of those things. Providing a handmade product for someone in person or online, Also helping someone learn a new craft like knit or crochet is also a joy for me. I know the effects this craft has on me and my friends. It is literally a lifeline for me.

I finished out the year attending three markets in person selling some of my products for the holidays. They weren’t bad. I did well at two out of three of them. Not as good as I hoped, but good. I have definitely seen the effects of our economy being at a struggle as it is. Being a small business owner as I am it has hurt my business for sure with what our current government has done. I am trying to adjust and hope for some positive changes in the new year.

There are going to be some changes. I am currently going through my studio and office area and getting rid of things that don’t bring me joy or feel that I am not going to get used in the near future. I am also going through the products that I sell online and evaluating what is selling and what isn’t. And what I decide to make new I am making with more intention. I am also trying some new things like utilizing more social media to increase sales by adding a TikTok shop as well. You will soon be able to get some products on there as well.

I will continue to have my shop on Etsy as that is the site most people think of still to buy handmade. Though, I would still like to encourage people to give Goimagine another look if you haven’t yet. It has only been around the internet for a few years but continues to increase its reach each year. I have my own site powered by them and you can find me there as well on their main site. Just look up nexus knits. One main goal for this new year is I hope to drive more traffic to my shop, nexusknits. Purchasing one of my products there versus on Etsy helps give something to charities in need that help children. In the coming months I will be doing some updates to my site and adding new things.

These are some of the goals for the new year. Personally I am also going to remember to take care of myself first both physically and mentally. Do you have goals or intentions that you would like to see happen in this new year? I would love to know. Til next time, be mindful and craft on.

Transition from maker to creator

As someone who has loved the fiber arts and crafts for years I have always looked to other people’s patterns and designs to make things. Admiring their work and always lately questioning myself on whether or why didn’t I come up with that. I look at myself as a creator I think still cause I am making the item out of yarn I have or have bought for it, even though I didn’t actually make the pattern itself.

But most recently as I reflect on my business of nexusknits which is all about making connections with my handmade items to people, I am at a point where I feel like I have built the skills in my craft and confident in my abilities to say I can do that. I can take the next step and create my own designs and patterns and truly be the creator in the full sense of the word. So what does that mean, going from handmade maker to creator. Let’s dive into it a bit more.

For many of us who knit or crochet, the journey starts with following someone else’s pattern, we browse Ravelry, Pinterest, or Etsy, to name a few, Download a beautiful design, gather our yarn, and start stitching away. It’s comforting to have every step laid out- and the security of knowing the finished project will look just like the picture.

I still love making designs from other people’s patterns, some of who I call friends. I just feel like I am ready to venture out and try making my own as well.

The shift in mindset

At first designing your own patterns can seem intimidating. Patterns have always been the guidebook, the safety net- without them, it’s easy to worry about making mistakes or getting it wrong. But the truth is, mistakes often lead to your best creative breakthroughs.

When you create your own patterns, you move from executing instructions to expressing ideas. You start thinking about:

Function – what do I want this piece to do? Is is decorative, wearable, or practical?

Aesthetic – which stitches, colors, and textures speak to my style?

Structure – How can I shape this fabric into the form I envision?

It’s no longer about duplicating someone else’s vision – it’s about building your own.

There’s a learning curve that comes with this. A trial and error I would say. I I initially started with a washcloth since I make so many and thought that would be safe to do. I had to take notes and write down my process, the stitches I used, the counts, measurements, what hook or knitting needles I used. Having them written down helped me to be able to go back and make it again. Also if I decide down the road that I might tweak it or add some things.

The Rewards of creating your own:

Creative freedom- no limits on stitches, shapes, or colors.

A unique voice – your work starts to carry a signature style that’s yours alone.

Skill growth – Designing forces you to understand the “why” behind every stitch.

The joy of Originality – That special pride when you look at your work and think, this came entirely from me.

Couple things I have been finding out as I dive into this next phase of my craft is start small, it’s ok to make mistakes and frog it out and start over. Everybody has. Document everything. Whether I decide to eventually look at publishing these patterns or not it is important to me to have it down. So what does it feel like to go from maker to designer.

The first time you hold something in your hands that exists only because you imagined it – not because you followed a pattern – it’s magic. And the best part? Once you take that leap, there’s no going back. You’ll start to see patterns everywhere. In nature, architecture, textiles, and realize you have the skills to bring them to life.

I started with a washcloth that is crochet since I have more confidence in my skills there. And like the magic of turning roving wool into yarn is with spinning, making your own pattern and creating it is like no their feeling. I’m working on a hat idea now. The nice thing with this craft is there is an endless amount of possibilities ahead. So I will leave with this, what inspires you to take a new leap in life? Til next time, be kind to yourself and craft on.

The True Value of Handmade Bags vs. Store-Bought: Why Choosing Handmade Matters

In a world where fast fashion and mass production dominate, choosing a handmade bag crafted from recycled yarn is more than just a purchase-it’s a meaningful investment. While store-bought bags made with recycled materials can be a step toward sustainability, there’s something truly special about owning a piece that’s been carefully made by hand. I make primarily crochet bags by hand, sometimes adding fabric on the inside sometimes not. I have some store bought bags but most of my personal bags I use are made by small businesses that were handcrafted. They have more value to me personally and I believe is better quality because the time was taken to inspect and craft each one. Here are some examples of why handmade bags hold a unique value that mass-produced items simply can’t match.

A Story behind every stitch. A handmade bag isn’t just an accessory- it’s a story. Each loop of yarn reflects hours of care, skill, and creativity from the maker. The crafter often chooses the yarn, designs the pattern, and carefully handcrafts every detail. When you carry a handmade bag, you’re also carrying the story of the person who created it-something a factory-made product can never off.
Quality over quantity. Store bought bags, even those made from recycled materials. are usually produced on a large scale. While they may look nice, they often lack the durability and attention to detail of handmade items. A crochet or knit bag made by hand is designed with love and much thought and meant to last, with reinforced stitches and unique construction methods that aren’t part of fast manufacturing.
Supporting small makers and local artisans. When you buy a handmade bag, you’re supporting an individual like myself, or small business-not a big corporation. Your purchase helps artisans continue their craft, pay fair wages themselves, and reinvest in sustainable materials like recycled yarn. It’s an empowering cycle where your money directly supports creativity and small-scale entrepreneurship.
Truly unique and one of a kind. No two handmade bags are ever exactly alike. Even when a maker uses the same pattern, variations in yarn color, such as the ones pictured above, texture, and stitch tension mean your bag is completely unique. In contrast, store bought bags are designed to look identical, with thousands of replicas on shelves worldwide. Owning a handmade bag means having something that’s yours and yours alone.
Thoughtful Sustainability. Store bought recycled bags are a step toward eco-friendliness, but the mass-production process still consumes energy, packaging and resources. A handmade bag made with recycled yarn not only keeps materials out of landfills but is also crafted in small batches or as one-off pieces, meaning less waste, less over production, and a smaller environmental footprint.
Emotional Connection and Longevity. Handmade bags often become heirloom pieces because they’re made to last and carry a deeper emotional connection. Knowing the time and heart put into your bag makes you more likely to care for it, repair it if needed, and cherish it for years to come. Store bought bags, on the other hand, can easily feel disposable.

Final Thoughts. Choosing a handmade bag over a store bought alternative is about more than just style- it’s a conscious choice to support artisans, embrace sustainability, and own something truly unique. Whether it’s a crochet lunch tote or a chic market bag, a handmade item crafted with recycled yarn tells a story of creativity, care, and eco-friendly values. Next time you’re shopping for a bag, consider going handmade-you’re not just buying a product, you’re investing in art, community and the planet.

Every stitch I put into my products whether it is bags or other things I carefully make them and take the time for them to be the best product I can. When I decide on what materials to use I try to be thoughtful and mindful in what materials they are.. Til next time, take care.

What does being creative mean?

How do you define the word creative. When you look up the word creative ai comes up with it refers to the ability to use imagination or original ideas to create something. It often involves thinking outside the box and coming up with new and innovative solutions, expressions, or products. Being creative means using your unique perspective and talents to produce something original and valuable.

That pretty much sums up what most people think creative means when they say to someone who makes crafts or art that they are very creative. I have been told that myself many times. And yes that is true to some extent. But I tend to agree with some folks that I have recently seen write that being creative is so much more than that. I have been told by my doctor that I have to change or adjust my diet for health. So I have become more creative lately with making meals and what I am eating because of the changes. Thinking outside the box or the norm of what I am used to. It has not been easy but I would say that that is another form of being creative as well.

Some people might say that if you are creative in some form that it should be easy for you to be that way in other forms. Maybe but not necessarily. I have seen some of my friends who are creative in ways that I cannot imagine to be. Like one person who sees scraps of metal and turns them into wonderful sculptures or characters.

You can be creative in many forms. Creativity can also be a form of strength and courage. To stand up and express your beliefs and things you feel strongly about. Also can give you a sense of courage.

My creativity in my life lately has been a force of calm and positive energy for me at a time that has brought on a lot of stress and negative energy. I am learning to lean into my creative strength to bring the positive vibes back in my life that bring me joy.

If you read this I would love for you to like it and comment what does creative mean to you? Would you consider yourself as being creative and what does that look like for you. I’d love to know.

Til next time, find your creative side.

The symphony of nature sounds

I live in Montana and the last couple of weeks were really cold and snowy here. Like we got 3 ft of snow at my place as you can see a little of it. The snow reaches up to the base of my porch right now. I write this s I’m sitting on my porch actually listening to the sounds of the chickadees talking and my neighbors trying to clear their driveway of the ice and snow and the water dripping off my roof on one side from the snow melting. It is almost fifty degrees here today and comparatively it was in the single digits last weekend at this time.

I am listening to all of these sounds all mixed together at the same time and am thinking it is not yet spring but today certainly is showing the signs that nature and people are ready for some spring and new life and hopefully some good news for a change. I know I certainly am. The signs of the chickadees being back bring me hope. I love listening to them especially in the morning. It just makes me smile. I need these sounds to make me stop and listen to the sounds and relish what they mean.

My craft of working with natural and synthetic fibers is another way that I can connect with nature and be in the moment and remind myself of some of the good things in life. These are thoughts for the day. Until next time. Be kind to yourself always and take a moment to listen to the outdoor sounds.

Pros vs. Cons of Selling Handmade Items online and in person

From my experience of being a handmade maker who sells my creations online and in person, I thought I would explore this discussion a little further. Both options can make for a fulfilling and profitable venture though they both have their pros and cons for sure. In this blog post we will explore both the benefits and challenges of each.

Selling Handmade items online

Pros:

1. Wider Audience Reach:

Global market: online platforms allow you to reach customers from around the world., significantly expanding your potential customer base.

24/7 Availability: Your shop can operate round the clock, enabling sales at any time of day, catering to different time zones.

2. Convenience:

Your online shop is always open, making it easy for customers to browse and purchase at any time.

3. Low Overhead: Marketplaces like Etsy, Shopify, Goimagine, make it convenient to have a shop online for a low cost.

4. Marketing tools: Use social media, email marketing, and SEO to drive traffic and increase sales.

5. Scalability: Easily add more products, expand into other markets, or grow your business at your own pace.

Cons

Competition: The online marketplace is crowded, making it harder to stand out.

Fees: Many platforms charge listing, transaction, or subscription fees that customers into your profit.

Shipping challenges: Packaging, shipping costs, and handling returns require effort and expense.

Impersonal experience: Without face to face interaction, building relationships with customers can be harder.

Tech skills required: Setting up and maintaining a shop requires some technical knowledge.

Selling Handmde items in Person

Pros

Personal Connection: Meeting customers face to face fosters trust and loyalty.

Immediate Feedback:You can see how customers respond to your products and adjust accordingly.

No shipping Hassles: Customers take their purchases home immediately, eliminating shipping logistics

Memorable Experiences: Craft fairs, markets, and pop-ups allow you to showcase your brand’s personality.

Community Presence: Build a local customer base and grow word of mouth referrals.

Cons

Limited Reach: Your customer base is restricted to the local area or the event’s attendees.

Higher costs: Renting a booth or storefront and traveling to events adds to expenses.

Time Commitment: Events and in person selling require significant time and energy.

Unpredictable Sales: Attendance, weather, and other factors can impact your sales.

Inventory Management: You may need to carry and transport physical inventory, which can be tricky to manage.

Final thoughts

I have taken what is called the hybrid approach and have a combination of both. I sell my items in person at local market events and I have a shop online with Etsy and my own hosted through Goimagine. One of the other challenges of having a handmade business when you are small and solo is also managing and doing all of the things you need to do on your own. There are rewards and cons with that as well. In the end I would say, if you are thinking of starting up your own business whether it’s for a handmade product or otherwise, knowing there are challenges, don’t give up. The rewards are much greater than the challenges. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you sell online and or in person? Maybe you’re thinking about doing so?

New years goals for 2025

Let me start by saying, 2024 was really hard. Mostly personally. My mental health to the most has been a challenge. Physically I have been dealing with some challenges there as well. I feel like all the things I wanted to accomplish for my business that year did not go through because I struggled to keep what I had going. Though I will say toward the end of the year I did have one of my best finishes.

So, with all of that said, what do I foresee for this new year of 2025. On my personal end, continue to put myself first. Continue my mental check in everyday. In the end if I’m not happy for myself, nobody else can make me happy.

As for my business, nexusknits, from today on I am vowing to do something everyday to improve myself and my business. Whether it be making product, or improving the site, or even just organizing my work space better to make it easier to work. Putting my business at a higher priority than I have this last year. I have some ideas for new products I want to introduce. One of them is a tribute to my grandmother who was a knitter and used to make us slippers every year. I have had requests over the years to sell slippers and just never got around to it. Couldn’t find the right pattern I liked or just kept putting it off. Whatever the reason it got pushed to the back burner. Long term goal for me is to get to a place that this is my sole job. Making things with my hands and sending it off to people or giving them in person at markets knowing someone likes your work enough to buy it is a thrill for me.

In closing, 2025 is going to be about doing what makes me happy most, continuing to be kind and respectful to everyone but those that bring me down are not getting a place at my mental table. I’m gonna continue to focus on the positive first in my life.

Do you have goals or resolutions you set each year? I’d love to hear it. Lastly, I am gonna try harder to check in with my blog posts this year as well and use this platform more. One step, one day at a time. Til next time, happy new year everyone and let’s hope for a peaceful one.

Sunday morning thoughts

Hello friends, I am writing this blog post today on this cold, snowy November morning with the thought that I want to make this a regular post on Sunday mornings. Hope anyway. It may or may not relate to my craft experience but as a multi crafter, every experience in my life affects my craft. Today though, this is more about my own mental frustrations we will call it that have been brewing for the last three plus years since my husband and I took in a family member of his into our home. At the time when my husband asked me if I was ok having this person be in our home I really didn’t think it was going to be a problem. I had what I thought was a good relationship with them and didn’t think that would be different or change. I have since been proven wrong.

Let me start this conversation by asking anyone who may read this have you ever thought about people’s personality traits? There are different types for sure. I have a degree in health and human development with a focus on early childhood so I have seen this develop in young children. This person is a senior in early 80s. Do you know someone or maybe yourself who is shall we say a dominant, likes to be in charge, in control of a situation or family? Well, this person is that kind of person. She never wants to be told what to do, was in control of the finances for their family, and was/ is the matriarch for their family. I am I would say the complete opposite yet I am also the matriarch of my family that I have with my husband. We have two children. The oldest has been out of the house for a number of years now and my youngest due to circumstances for cost of living in our area being what it is is still living at home with us.

Long story short, let’s just say that my husband and I were brought up in two very different home upbringings. My husband asked me last night why I have been so tense and seem to have a hard time being around this person. In the early hours of the morning I think I finally figured out what it comes down to. Deep down it’s a lack of respect. How do you find a way to get where two people of opposite personalities yet are in the same position to stop butting heads so to speak and live in peace and respect in the same house. Without giving a lot of details let’s just say, the struggle of taking care of a senior member of a family who is a total opposite personality and does not respect you yet wants respect herself, is nothing but difficult and hard. It has made it hard at times for me to find joy in my craft and yet at times that is the only solace I have in my life at times too. If you are in this kind of position or have been and have some insight I would love it if you would comment or give some suggestion. My husbands thought is to have us talk it out and come to agreement to start over. I’m not sure she is able to do that as I have had conversations before and tried to do that very thing and nothing changes. Stay tuned to see.

Crafted with Care: Unveiling the Benefits of Handmade Treasures over Mass-Produced Alternatives

In a world dominated by mass production, there’s a growing appreciation for the unique allure of handmade products. Come explore with me as I delve into the remarkable benefits of choosing handcrafted treasures over their industrial counterparts. Particularly as it pertains to the fiber crafts.

One example is how a big company like hobby lobby has taken some products made by small business makers and turned them into mass produced products and sold them in their stores as their own.

1. Individuality and Uniqueness: Handmade items bear the mark of individuality, each piece telling its own story. Embrace the charm of owning something one of a kind that was made by an individual versus a company.

2. Artisan Craftsmanship: Handmade products often involve skilled artisans who pour their expertise and passion into creating each piece. Like for instance making products like knit and crochet items that I make which are handmade and take time to do.

3. Sustainability: Handmade products often prioritize sustainability, with artisans frequently using eco-friendly materials and ethical practices. Contribute to a greener planet by supporting products crafted with care for both you and the environment.

4. Supporting local Communities: By choosing handmade, you’re often supporting local artisans and small businesses. Become a patron of craftsmanship and foster a sense of community by investing in products that have a personal touch.

5. Connection to the Creator: Unlike mass produced goods, handmade items establish a direct connection between the creator and the consumer. Gain insight into the creative process, forming a deeper appreciation for the skill and dedication invested in each piece. That’s one reason marketplaces like Etsy and goimagine are flourishing because they focus on the small business maker versus big business. Handmade products.

6. Longevity and Durability: Handmade products items are crafted with durability in mind. For instance I have seen an uptick in people buying my scrubbies online. They are handmade with various nylon yarn and I make each one myself. They are stronger and more durable I have found than the ones sold in stores. I have gotten that comment from numerous people that have bought them from me either online or or in person at markets. Thereby experiencing the satisfaction of owning products designed to

These are just some of the benefits and pros and cons. Until next time.

thoughts of evolving

Believe it or not we are half way through this year already. It has got me thinking now for a while about where do I want my business to go and am I satisfied with my business as it stands now.

That is the big question. Where do I see nexus knits going now and in the future. I started my business because I loved making things for my family and thought maybe other people might like them too. It has been growing over the years since I started on Etsy and then moved into selling at markets in person and now in the last few years added being a part of Goimagine. But I also see my business as not just selling my items that I make but also helping others to create things themselves by teaching. Sharing my experience with others. I started by teaching classes at Michaels when I worked at my local store. Then onto teaching at the public library where I live in Bozeman Montana. Then the pandemic hit and everything shut down in person. In the last couple of years since we have slowly gotten back to teaching in person again at the library.

Which brings me to the latest concept. I watch a lot of YouTube videos both being tutorial types and just conversations about various things. A lot of what I watch has to do with the fiber arts in some form whether its people I love talking about their yarn and or life having to do with crafts, or other things. I have also had quite a few people mention to me and ask me if I would do a YouTube video as well for tutorials on crochet /knitting. At first I was dismissing it because I knew there was a lot of people out there already doing that and they didn’t need me adding to the mix. Though lately, in the last few months, I have pondered the idea again and slowly started to look again at what it would take for me to maybe start that myself. The first thought was I don’t have the time to devote to this too. But I think that was just an excuse and not a real good one as I can make the time if I really want to do it. The only other factor is what more equipment would I need to be able to do this. And the cost of it. Turns out I can start this fairly easily without a whole lot of extra equipment to begin with. I just need to get my confidence up and just start.

Do I see this as another avenue to make money? Not really. At least not for right now. But, who knows. I had a gal yesterday that had come up to my booth and had said she was a new knitter and had recently asked the gals at my local yarn shop for some help and they were not helpful at all. She was wondering if I could help her. She was not able to join our times at the library to come in then, so I gave her my card and told her I would be happy to meet up with her sometime and try to help her. She was even willing to pay me for my time. It reminded me then about what the name of my business really means. Nexusknits. Making connections with handmade goods. I have deemed myself a nexus knitter and for me my teaching and helping others with the love of my craft is also a way of making connections.

In conclusion, I see my business, Nexusknits, evolving or expanding if you will to being not just a business of selling handmade items with knit or crochet but also helping and educating others to be able to experience the joy I get from these crafts as well and in turn that is also making connections. The future holds lots of opportunities and Im not sure what will happen but I willing to try and take the steps to see. I will take you along for the journey if you like and let you know when the next steps happen. Come along for the ride if you want. Til next time, stay well and happy crafting.