How Crafting Saved My Life

Crafting really saved my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but it did. I had the same kind of boring, ho-hum life that I think a lot of people have, the kind that makes you want to pull the covers back over your head and just stay there in bed. Right about then is when my second crafting business lifted me out of the doldrums.
Now you know knitting and crocheting have a reputation for being just for little old ladies, but I don’t see it that way. I love funky stylish handmade pieces of any kind, and I love it more that I can add my creative voice to what’s out there already. It makes my juices flow to come up with something different than anything I see in fashion and to know it has my stamp on it. It makes me feel REALLY good that someone would reach in their pocket and give up their hard earned cash for something I created. And it makes me feel REALLY, REALLY good to know that other artists see me as an artist too.
So when my family business finally closed its doors after 35 years, I figured I would use my business, which was then a side hustle, to bide my time until I could get a “good job” with benefits. Suddenly a little voice spoke to me and told me that I could make a go of this full time. I was 48 years old and had about 15 years or so to go before I could retire and get social security. So I sat down right on the spot and thought about what I was willing to sacrifice to make this dream happen.
I had never had a car, but was I willing to go through life without one?
The answer was yes.
How about owning a home or a luxurious apartment? Was I willing to not have those things? Yes.
How about tropical paradise vacations and cruises? When my friends go on those things would it be ok for me not to go with them? Once again, the answer was yes.
So I began to build.
And suddenly, everything was different.
The stuff I used to take off of men – no more.
Friends that had stepped to me with thinly veiled cattiness in the past – was I willing to “be patient” with them? Nope. I just wasn’t having any of the old stuff anymore. Why? Because I was now on a mission, one all my own…and I had better things to do.
Suddenly, I was getting more respect. I couldn’t boast a whole lot of money. As a matter of fact, I had less…for now. But I was becoming accomplished even if it was late in the game. I was manifesting the talents that I always knew were in there somewhere. Now others knew it too. And I could see that my business was growing, sometimes even being a little more than I could handle.
But that’s not all.
On Facebook, I became a member of a brand new group called The Handmade Collective. This group has people of all races, nationalities, both genders etc. But the magic of the group is that they are willing to share. They share the tips of how to be successful at what we do. So now my pictures are crisper, I have a blog, several online stores, I am vending and expanding my product lines. I’ve never been a part of anything where everyone was so willing to help each other like that. It was just what I needed to take my business to the next level, and I’m beginning to enjoy the benefits of all that hard work.
So when others talk about how knitting and crocheting are so relaxing, I agree with them. Sometimes I don’t take the time to say that it’s actually exhilarating to me though, and that it has given me new life and a new lease on life.
And that it’s not just for little old ladies
PS – here is a tutorial i did on how to make fingerless mittens – Enjoy!

Buy Handmade Sunday

As you know, Ioni's Creations will be running a holiday sale that begins November 23, 2012 (Black Friday), and extends to December 20th.  Most of our items will be 20% off.

But we are also a part of something bigger.  There is a Facebook group of artisans called The Handmade Collective that is running a one day sale and calling it Buy Handmade Sunday.

The Handmade Collective consists of artisans of all ilks: doll makers, knitters, crocheters, clothing designers, beauty product creators, etc.  And most of them are running sales for the holidays of 10% to 30%.

If you would like to take advantage of the works of The Handmade Collective, or get to know these artists for the first time, join the event.  It's also a good place to get the coupon codes you'll sometimes need to take advantage of the sale.

Here's the link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/281311718639054/

Introducing the "Meet The Handmade Collective" Lookbook!

Ok, so I know I promised more in the series of African print in mainstream fashion. I also know I probably have to hurry before it's over, lol. But so much has been going on, and one really, really good thing, is that this fabulous group of handmade designers I belong to, The Handmade Collective, produced the first edition of a lookbook of it's members and their work called "Meet The Handmade Collective". I'm in this book, as are so many of the men and women I've come to know in our Facebook group, and there's more to come. Here's a few screen shots to whet your appetite:

And as soon as things settle down a bit, I'll be back on the African print series. But first, the debut of this website and blog complete with a sale for Black Friday, and then our big fashion show in Brooklyn on December 3rd 2012. So without further adieu, please Meet The Handmade Collective...

Open publication - Free publishing - More artisans

The Stars of Africa

Yes, Africa is in the house. Ase o!

African fabrics and prints are what it’s all about, even in “mainstream” fashion. Beyonce does it. Kelis does it. Mya does it. Solange been doing it.

But so does Gwen Stefani, Kim Kardashian and Amber Rose. African print is ALL the rage.

Now star watching isn’t something I usually do a lot of. But wear African inspired prints and fashion, and you’ve got my attention.
By now, everybody knows about Solange’s transition to natural hair, as well as her taking the world of fashion by storm. And by now, most everybody even knows that she’s tired of talking about her hair and whether it is more than just a style, but a statement. So we expected to see a little African-style flavor on her. It’s the rest that are more surprising.
But it shouldn’t be. African print is the trend. So in. So now.

So if you know me, you know I gotta find out where all this is coming from. I know it’s happened before, most notably with the African Masai dress a few years ago. But what’s happening now?

I mean, are the African inspired fashions we’re seeing right now the work of African designers that are finally being recognized? Or is this mostly the work of “mainstream” (white) designers? Are the fabrics authentic African prints? Is any Black person seeing a nickel of it? And will it last? Will at least some of the African designers have even a token place at Fashion Week in the future because of all of this? Or is it just another trend?

Well all this is way too much to cover in one blog post, so hang in there with me while I do a little poking around.

And please subscribe below, so you can receive an email for the next part in the series.

Until then, feel free to enjoy photos of some of the stars sighted in African inspired fashion.

‘Til next time…

Ta Ankh (Patricia Heath)

To be honest, I'm not sure who all these people are.  I know most of them.  Just not all of them.

My Website Journey or OMG…

…we got a website!

Boy, y’all just don’t know!

This blog is gonna be a great place for you to get to know us.

The experts say that a crafter should never really talk about themselves. They should just be like an empty glass, or a mirror that reflects only the customer.

I guess I don’t go for that. The people I love to shop with the most, are the ones who build their own space and fill it with their own energy and joy. I love it, and want to take a little piece home with me. I once heard someone say that what we are really selling is energy. I agree with that.

That’s what I love to do, create things that are unique and special and maybe give a little peek into the process.

We love what we do and feel blessed to have a way to share it.

Ta Ankh and Ioni



Check us out at www.IonisCreations.com