Tag Archives: goals/ plans for 2022

As the seasons change

Hello, so does anyone else feel like we were cheated out of summer? In Montana we get a short summer anyway so this year it feels doubly so with all of June being so wet and cold a lot of it. Now Aug is over and September is here. Everywhere things are transitioning to fall items like pumpkins and fall colors. When you have a handmade business like mine you have to think a few months ahead anyway. As I look to the end of the year for 2022 and starting 2023 I am deciding that I need to make some changes in my business moving forward. I am going to be adding some new products to my shop in the coming weeks and months. Also I have been looking at the option of subscription plans and what that would look like for nexusknits. If I were to offer a subscription type option for people what would it be.

The obvious one people think of is offering a video class exclusively for subscribers. Well, that may be a option in the coming year as I look at what equipment I would need to successfully take that on. I have had people ask me about that. The option though I was looking to start with is a physical product. Since I am a small, one person run business I had to come up a product that I could offer that I knew I could put together in a relatively short period of time and offer multiples of. So I am going with my stitch markers. It will be a special, monthly, exclusive stitch marker set with probably some extra goodies thrown in. The theme will be something happening in each month, whether that is a holiday that falls then or a season, etc. If it is successful then I will look at other ideas for themes. You would have a choice of deciding to buy monthly, three months, or 6, or a year. What do you think? Obviously this is meant for people who knit or crochet. These also make a wonderful gift for that special person who does too. I’m still working on the details and will give more details as it comes available. But for now I would love some feedback. Would you go for something like this? Do you subscribe to anything?

Here are some examples of new products available. The bubble tea stitch markers are in the shop now. The baby hat and bootie set will be available soon. I am also stepping it up a bit and have gotten some custom labels made for my products so to look more professional, and up to date with my brand.

As I’ve said, my goal, mission with my business and craft is to make items that bring about some connection for people. Whether it is a accessory like hats, baby items, kitchen home items, and or the stitch markers and key chain items I offer. With that in mind I am also evaluating what hasn’t been selling and adding new, fresh things. The items that haven’t sold will be donated instead to my local charities that could use them for people in need as they are still very good things just not a interest for people to buy. Yet another way I can build connections. In conclusion, as the seasons change so is my business changing in a good way. Til next time, keep making connections and take care.

Happy new year!?

You may wonder why I put two different marks at the end of the title. Here’s why. On the one hand I am thrilled we made it through another year and on the other we are still in the same place we have been for two years now. In some ways we have made strides to change things yes, but on the other because of the lies and misinformation given in the US we have not made the changes we need to be further beyond then we are. Enough said on that.

It is a new year like it or not and I am looking forward and on to the positive things that I can and want to do for myself and my business. My business did see some growth in 2021. I continued to do well on Etsy and at the local markets which is great. I also branched out and decided that I need to build my business online beyond Etsy. I decided to partner with a up and coming marketplace company that I believe will be the new face of handmade online and in person. It’s taken the concept that Etsy did in the beginning but has moved away from which is focus on handmade sellers. People who create things handmade. Supporting them and encouraging them to succeed. But the other thing about this business is they are choosing to stay true to their mission as to have a handmade marketplace but also hugely to give their profits to children in need which is something I whole heartedly support and can get behind. Not many companies can or choose to do that. I have had nothing but positive feedback from everyone in this business whether it is other sellers and the original group of founders who are building this. I hope more people will check out and support them in the coming new year. The name of this wonderful business I think is perfect for it. Goimagine. Think about what that means. My goal or plan for this year business wise is to build up my business on this platform, and let everyone know they are out there and doing great things. So please check out goimagine.com and check me out there as nexusknits and on http://www.nexusknits.com.

EEW 6 espinner

Welcome to my new spinning wheel. As you know if you’ve read my other blog posts, I am a bicrafty person. I knit and crochet and my love of the fiber arts has no bounds. A few years ago I was introduced to the magic of spinning fiber contents into yarn by taking a class with a spindle. More on that later. Since then I was gifted my mother in law’s spinning wheel. I hadn’t been able to dive myself in fully to spinning with everything else going on the last two years and continuing to work throughout though. I also was having trouble getting the rhythm down to move the wheel with my foot as it is a one foot treddle. So I stopped for a while. But had been looking at these espinners as some of my friends had gotten some and were enjoying them. Thanks to having a job now that has made it possible for me to support my love o the fiber arts I was able to get this espinner the eew 6. It is also made by a small business called dreamingrobots. It was the most affordable one out in the market today and more portable. So this is my plan and goal for myself personally this coming year. To become a better spinner of wool fibers and eventually making yarn for myself to then knit or crochet something with the final product to put it all together. All of this follows my creed of my name. Finding connections in everything I do. Going from the sheep or animal that I have the fiber from to spinning it up on my wheel or spindle to then making something with it by knitting or crochet. Learning so much along the way. Here is a picture of just some of the wool I will be starting with.

Bag of wool

One thing I know about the fiber arts, there is always more to learn and explore. I know I will never be bored. So, happy new year it is. Continuing to try to stay positive and focus on what I can control and do for my sanity and my own mental and physical health.

Til next time, stay well, be happy and let’s hope for more kindness in our world please. We surely need it.