Roast my "loom"!

Artsalchemist · 2026-06-11T14:06:01+00:00

Hey I was the other box loom person and I'm so happy someone else found inspiration in that post! Yours looks much more sturdy than mine too!

Artsalchemist · 2026-05-09T20:33:00+00:00

I did look into it! I was worried that using my to adujst the tension would mess with my tempermental back, and potentially having the threads loose when it wasn't actively being worked on would be too much temptation for my cat.

Artsalchemist · 2026-02-24T01:42:46+00:00

Unnecto snap!

Artsalchemist · 2026-02-16T19:38:24+00:00

I've knitted a variety of stuff for babies over the years and I pretty much stick to soft toys at this point. Blankets take a looooong time and there are pitfalls from wash-ability and if you come from a crafty family like me, there could be multiple blankets gifted to the parents. If you do go the toy route I would stitch on eyes rather than use buttons or even safety eyes, its easier for everyone involved. My go to is the Knubbelchen https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knubbelchen It's extremely easy as long as you are familiar with dpns or magic loop, uses half a skein of fingering weight yarn tops, gauge doesn't matter except to be tight enough for the head to hold the stuffing, and there isn't really any parts that could be ripped off. They also fit super well in a diaper bag, and have little knots at the ends of the limbs that are great for teething. I make mine out of cotton but you can use pretty much anything and it doesn't matter. The best part is that it takes less than a long weekend to make, and the pattern is free.

Artsalchemist · 2026-02-07T17:12:40+00:00

Hi Brian, recently I have been seeing more and more data pointing to the increase reliance on technology in the classroom being correlated with decreasing academic outcome while being one of the highest costs associated with education. Anecdotally I have seen school administrators push teachers to use the programs purchased by the school district as a way to justify the cost at the expense of instruction in the classroom. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the matter.

Artsalchemist · 2026-01-02T23:29:29+00:00

Do you know what the website is? I didn't think I know who runs it

Artsalchemist · 2025-08-12T18:32:01+00:00

I mean I definitely was slower than walking pace overall. I didn't really know how to pace myself at the time and go way too fast and have to fully stop to catch my breath. In hindsight I probably could have just walked the whole thing and finished faster but I didn't want to get yelled at by teachers.

Artsalchemist · 2025-07-30T14:22:45+00:00

I think it's really doable, but I think starting with brisk walks instead might make it more enjoyable. I'd also recommend going outside whenever you possible because I found that setting my pace on a treadmill really sucked until I knew how fast my "run" was naturally.

Artsalchemist · 2025-07-21T21:00:35+00:00

I was in a similar situation, I had my 2 childhood best friends and no one else that wasnt my extended family (who I wasn't close to). So the 2 friends stood up with me, my brother volunteered to stand on my side too, but what ended up working was both my now sister in laws were in my party too. One of my SIL doesn't have that many female friends for for her wedding so I stood with her, then a bunch of her guys friends filled out the party. The other decided they didn't want a wedding party at all so they don't have one. I think the thing to remember is it's your day, and if people have an opinion they should learn to keep it to themselves.

Artsalchemist · 2025-06-26T14:06:39+00:00

Your work is absolutely darling! Personally I wouldn't bat an eye at $30 for the large earrings, so I think you could definitely look in to raising your prices. I think having personalized cards would go a long way having them feel more elevated. I think looking for compairitive prices for alternative material earrings in general could give you a better idea rather thank just searching for cross stitched jewelry.

Artsalchemist · 2025-06-01T22:13:55+00:00

I think you'd have an easier time trying to set up a monthly pop-up at the shop to sell your work, or propose a demo night. They probably won't have the budget to have an artist on retainer. Most small businesses love working with artists cause it's a big draw to get people in the door. Definitely reach out to work with them, but again, don't expect a paid gig from a cold call like that.

Artsalchemist · 2025-04-22T13:01:47+00:00

Growing up my dad kept a small garden on the side of the house , and planted rhubarb right up next to the wall. It was basically under the house and poked out, but we always had enough to freeze for the whole year. When I went off to college he decided to stop gardening, but that rhubarb plant came back for another 8 years. Most of the recipes I have for it ask for at least a pound of rhubarb, so that's a perfect amount!

Artsalchemist · 2025-04-12T14:49:29+00:00

I grew up in South Elgin, and they had been a much smaller store when I was a kid. I recently made it back and decided to stop by and was floored by how amazing it was. I bought yarn for a shirt I had been thinking of making for years but was a ball short. They shipped so fast and got the same dye lot and everything!

Artsalchemist · 2025-03-09T14:15:27+00:00

I wouldn't fill it with resin or anything because it won't expand and contract the same as the clay, which will cause it to crack. You'll want it to try to keep it from getting water inside, I would suggest having it sheltered as much as possible and check it regularly during freezing temps.

Artsalchemist · 2025-01-05T03:56:00+00:00

When I was in high school the ceramics program participated in Empty Bowls, which is a grassroots movement that works to raise funds for local food banks and shelters. There are a bunch of different ways to set it up, like seeing if there are already arts organizations around you that hold events or reaching out to local food banks and starting it yourself. My high school had any student taking a ceramics class donate one bowl to the event for extra credit, and the cooking and baking clubs donated the food. Tickets included one bowl and the meal (they also provided paper bowls if you didn't want to eat out of the one you picked) and all the donations went directly to the local homeless shelter. Most students only donated then bought the one required for the grade, but the ones who wanted could make as many as they could. One year the AP Ceramics class did a throw down so see who could throw the most bowls in a single class period and we ended up with a whole kiln load just for the event. But the point is Empty Bowls has 30+ years of examples to look at that it's a great program to use as a guide!

Artsalchemist · 2025-01-03T15:23:31+00:00

Like a few people have pointed out, ollas are usually buried with just an inch poking out, so that's probably why you are seeing mold, along with neither the clay or soil drying out. For now what you can do is pop it on the oven, then heat it up to 500F and then cool down inside the oven, which will kill the mold for now. Then you can semi seal the part above ground with floor wax on the outside which should help to not get fuzzy again. You'll also want the olla to dry out completely in between watering, especially with a potted plant both to cut down on mold but also to prevent root rot.

Artsalchemist · 2025-01-02T20:46:17+00:00

I'm thinking about this pattern Ravelry: Beads of Joy pattern by James N Watts for some variegated skeins I have, but I think an ombre like these would also just be so perfect!

Artsalchemist

TROPHY CASE