I Say Goodbye, You Say Hello - To a SALE

Source: Julián Santacruz via Flickr 

Last weekend  I had a realization, one of those ideas that strikes your brain like lightning and won't let you sleep. I am not a franchise, or a one-stop-shop, and I'm sure as heck not a Wal-Mart (nor do I want to be). So why the heck does my Etsy look like one? Baby sandals, wedding veils, and ear warmers all in the same place? It just doesn't make sense.

Baby Sandals

What I AM is an artist, a hand made fiber artist to be exact. With that in mind, I should create a offering like one. Share my passion, my style, and create things that make my insides do the happy dance in a way that screams Innov8ive Knits! So that's exactly what the heck I'm gonna do.

Like all artists, I have a style and looking at my Etsy you may not have a single clue what the devil it is. You will get the chance to see specifically that here pretty soon.

Flower Clip

Before I get to fill the store with my streamlined new vision, I have to move out all the current things there. That’s the part where you say hello, A BIG FAT SALE!!! Everything, I mean EVERYTHING in the store has been discounted dramatically to move. All of this will continue to be on sale until I run out of supplies to make them. This here is your chance to grab up some high quality, all natural fiber, handmade art at a steal. Come visit my shop, and make your – or someone else’s-  closet happy. This stuff is officially limited edition and will only sell while supplies last.

Cowl Necklace

Ch-Ch-Changes

A while back I mentioned that Innov8ive Knits is going to be going through some changes (you can re-read that HERE) – some of which have already been out & about. Looking back I notice I’ve let you know that there will be changes and what they were but I’ve left out the most important part: WHY!

A New Leaf & A New Look

I've been doing a lot of self reflection and thought about what I want Innov8ive Knits to offer. The responses I have been getting from the wedding veil line in addition to the comments I've received at my latest show has lead me in a direction I think I have been wanting to go all along. 


This new direction is leaving some of the current products behind to make space for things that are unique, organic, and require a higher skill level than most of the things currently offered (such as the wedding veil). Some of the things that you can look forward to in the near future are:

• more wedding veils
• other wedding accessories
• organic face cloth/wash cloth sets w/ hand made organic soaps
• norwegian socks & stockings
• accessories full of color work & cables

To go along with the new direction of knitted & crochet goods, I wanted to update the "face" if you will of Innov8ive Knits and update the website so here it is! I think this look reflects myself and the product line well - crisp & clean, trendy, and natural. 

Since most of the items coming to the store will require more advanced techniques and time, a lot of my items will become made to order instead of ready to ship like it has been in the past. I was hesitant to come to this decision because I took a lot of pride in being able to ship something immediately to a customer. The decision was ultimately made because I wanted to get the chance to offer customization that wouldn't be possible with a "ready to ship" listing. I also want to get the chance to make something specifically for you instead of just shipping it out to the customer as an afterthought. This way each and every detailed stitch will be made with you in mind - tweaking it just how you need it.

Don't worry, not all of the things in the store are going to disappear and if they are eventually removed, I am always willing to take custom orders to make sure to get you what you need. Keep an eye out for new listings and other updates! As I move further down the line of "out with the old and in with the new" some of the items will go on sale to get them moving. Stay posted for that too.

Here Comes The Bride-al Veil Line

Just over a year ago I was planing for my BIG special day. Just like every other girl, I dreamed of a day that was special and where everyone's eyes were on me. Part of having everyone's eyes on you is looking the part! As I was doing research for the perfect dress and veil I came across something I found absolutely stunning. A fellow knitter extraordinaire had hand lace knit her wedding veil. I immediately fell in love and became obsessed with having one of my own.

Although I did have the veil done in time for my wedding (which was my biggest fear) after knitting and blocking, it was a shade darker than my dress and I was unable to use it. No worries I took use of the "something borrowed" and borrowed one that a bridesmaid used in her wedding. 

This veil was dreamt up before Innov8ive Knits was born but not long after it was established, I knew that I wanted to be able to share the beauty of a hand knitted lace veil with the world. I wanted to be able to provide a special, unique part of an unforgettable day that people couldn't take their eyes off of (THE BRIDE).

With that being said I introduce the newest line of Innov8ive Knits - Hand Knit Lace Wedding Veils! This is the first veil being brought into the line of many to come. This particular one is made of a blend of merino wool and silk giving it strength, luxury, and a smidgen of shine.

One of the great things about a hand made line of veils is that now your wedding veil can be totally customizable. You want pearls along the edges? Done! You want it attached to the same hairpiece your mom wore at her wedding? Done and done! You want it down to the floor or above your waist? I can do that too! I am so proud of this line and even more excited to finally show it off to you. You can find the listing in my store HERE

This one is a little silly. We had so much fun at this shoot!

Weekend Wrap Up ~ Lots Of Shots

This weekend, for the first time I had 2 photo shoots in ONE day! It was exciting and exhausting. Both models are brand new to Innov8ive Knit's modeling team and I am so pleased to have them join the group! Saturday morning before the southern sun got high in the sky, I had the pleasure of working with little miss Abigail. She is a whole 4 months old and has the most gorgeous blue eyes! I had her modeling the newborn owl hat in pink. I can't wait to get the photos up in the store. Expect to see it within the next few days.

After I got home, I squeezed in a little grocery shopping and a nap then headed across the bay to the beautiful Spanish Fort to photograph the next brand new model to the team. Kristen is a gorgeous blond haired, green eyes bombshell. Not only is she a beautiful model, she is a trooper like no other! We spent hours in the very hot hot hot southern air and even did a little stomping through some woodlands to get shots for not 1, not 2, but 3 products. She didn't complain even a smidgen. We had an absolute blast.  Kristen is also an aspiring photographer as well and is taking classes with me. Here is a quick look into the shots from the very long, hot, and oh so fun shoot.

I am so thrilled that I have an excuse to be off work to get in some much needed rest AND the time to focus on my store it is easy to forget why I have the time off in the first place. This time is set aside to celebrate the freedom of being allowed to take time off of work and the people and families who have given everything to make that possible. So while we should all enjoy this time we are so blessed to have, make sure to pay tribute and say thank you for the opportunity to be able to do so in the first place. Have a great holiday weekend and check the store periodically for new listings now that I have some great shots for them!

Weekend Wrrap Up ~ Options

This week while crrently working my way trough the book "The Artist in the Office" by Summer Pierre I came across a quote that really struck my heart strings. Strangely enough this book seems to do that just about every time I crack the cover - I swear the author is a long lost twin of mine or something. Anyway, what froze me in my tracks that morning was "If you don't know your options, you don't have any". 


I never thought of it that way but it's absolutely true. Heck most of us could be the president one day if we wanted and bothered to search our options and realize that it is in fact possible. This is something that I have thought long and hard about these last few days. What are my options? The entire world is at my (and your) disposal with a little elbow grease when you really squint at it (sometime really really hard with a magnifying glass LOL). Without giving you a whole drawn out story and a long list of complaints - I have struggled some things in my life (like all of us do) and felt trapped, but you know what? I'm not trapped, there's a world of opportunity out there if I bother to take a step back and figure out my options are. You aren't trapped either! Life is too short to spend it feeling like the world around you is sub-par because it's all about what you make it.  When I finish this book I'll do a full review on it because so far I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone (not even artists) that is working through a day job that is not included in their "long term" goals.

 Speaking of making your life and other things just the way you want I have been working on another one of these great little guys and expect to be listing him in the store sometime this coming week. I really enjoy this little dude and it's a great summer item seeing as how he's not a big hot sweater :). Each one of his hairs are individually cut and attached to his head. That's a LOT of cutting and attaching my friends Mr. Lion here for such a small head has a whole ton of hair, but that's what makes him so darn cute!

New Items Galore!

This week I've been working super hard on busting out new product to making it available to you in the store and for some hopeful craft shows. Hand knitting is such a time consuming craft, I've struggled a lot with having a small amount of product because it simply takes so long to make and by the time I finish it, it gets sold! Which is great BUT people who don't know me and see my store can find it as empty. I could just list stuff I have made before and list it as "made to order" like many sellers  to fill my store but I am an impulse buyer and when I want something I want it now. I think a lot of you are like that too and will appreciate the fact that all of my items are made and ready to ship. 


Not only do I want to offer you guys lots of product with lots of colors and sizes - I want to be able to bring that same factor to the table at shows. No one wants to see a naked craft booth! This week I have released 2 new items into the store which is a huge deal for me because that's the most I have been able to create, photograph, and list in that amount of time and am very excited to be able to share it with all of you since I've opened the store. 


Here's my newest 2 items:

Above is my newest knitted necklace. This is made of 100% cotton so although it has lots of layers it is comfortable and able to be worn in any climate. I did this shoot just yesterday in the hot Alabama sun and I didn't feel hot or sweaty at any point. This has the feel of any necklace and I love the way these necklaces look on any outfit. It's a great statement piece. You can find it in my store: HERE

I plan on making several more of these, (currently working on a vibrant blue) especially during the warmer months in LOTS of fun colors. I am even planning on doing strands on different colors for some added fun. If there is a color that you specifically would like to see, let me know and I will add it to my color palette!

Above is another dino-hawk hat! The first one I made for the store was sized for toddlers to children. This particular one is sized for newborns to infants. I think these are just too precious for little boys. Part dinosaur, part mohawk it brings out a fun edge to them that I think is very fitting. The great thing about almost all of my products for kids is that I choose a non-itchy yarn that is MACHINE WASHABLE. You're welcome moms :). I think it's so important to have things that are easy to care for. Who wants more work for a great handmade look when you don't have to. You can find this listing in my store: HERE

I am more than pleased to announce all this new product and am glad to say this is just the beginning of a lot more to come. I am on the hot knitting train and will hopefully be pushing out at least 1 item a week to every other week. I hope all of you guys are enjoying them and hope to see you around in my STORE :)

It's a scarf, it's a necklace, no it's BOTH

Today I am glad to announce that I added a new line to my Etsy store! The knitted cowl necklace. It's unique and several things in one: it's a necklace, it's a scarf, it's cowl, and its well... awesome! I'm super excited about it because it's not only super stylish but is so versatile and useful as well. Because it's so many things it has so many uses! 


This is perfect for this time of year when the weather is doing it's thing moving into the next season. It's just the perfect amount of warmth without overdoing it and making you hot. Here's a few pictures of it!

You can find it in my store HERE (CLICK ME)

I have high hopes that this will be popular this season with it getting a little warmer and have a few other colors up my sleeve. Which color would you like to see it in next???


Also this week I finished the blue flower clip that's listed in my store to change it from a custom made to order item to a ship at once item. I'll touch more on this later but I am going to make my entire store a ship at once store. No one wants to wait for goodies that they've already paid for. I know I don't and I don't expect anyone to have to do it either!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/89492154/crochet-flower-hair-clip-with-rhinestone 

I've been telling myself I'm going to do this for some time but this week I've officially decided that I am going to enter in at least one craft show this year. I have gotten a hand full of the local shows on my list to decide which is best for me and am digging through them now. I think this will be a great way to get my name out there further and generate some extra traffic for my knitwear! I've got a lot of work to do to make sure I have enough things made to make the fees and trip worth while so I will be one busy lady these next couple of months!


Last but not least I will be closing the store for vacation starting March 8th for my wedding and honeymoon!!! If you would like to purchase anything or had any questions please try to squeeze them in before then, otherwise I will get back to you when I am back (the 22nd).