Sherri Crochets & Crafts Blog

June has been so hot here in Houston — we’ve had no rain since sometime in May (here at my house, anyway) and temps have been in the 90’s (or 100’s) since May, as well.  It’s been a crazy, hot month and I’m hoping July brings slightly cooler temps and time to breath!

What’s New?

I am working on several things right now, but the only one I got listed this month was a knitted scarf pattern.  I call it Easy Cables and Ribs Scarf Knitting Pattern and you can find it by clicking here.

2nd Annual 4th of July Blow-Out Sale!

Last years’ 4th of July Weekend Blow Out sale proved to be very successful.  So, once again, everything in the store will be 50% off, and this includes patterns!  The sale lasts from July 1st through July 5th, long enough to cover the entire weekend.  Stock up now on patterns, plushies and more!

Mr. President Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
July is America’s Birthday, and what better way to celebrate than with the President of the United States? Grab this pattern and make your own.

Special of the Month:

Don’t crochet but still want your own Mr. President doll? I have two dolls ready for immediate delivery.  Click here to see doll #1 and click here to see doll #2.  Both are ready, willing, and able to come spend some time at your place this July (they’re 25% off, too).

Until next time,
Sherri

Sherri Crochets & Crafts
http://SherriCrochets.com

Since July is a patriotic month, what with the 4th of July being America’s “anniversary,” I had thought I’d designate my Mr. President doll pattern as the pattern of the month.  But I just heard that a new Harry Potter movie is being released on July 15th, which makes me think maybe I should make my Boy Wizard pattern the special pattern?

Anyone have an opinion either way?

Sherri

… To ETSY’S 2009 Handmade Wedding Series

The Etsy Knitters Team, an international group of talented and successful knitters, of which I help to comoderate, has challenged its members to create items that represent the love and beauty of a wedding through the art of knitting.

Throughout the month of June 2009, members of the Etsy Knitters Team will present handmade wedding items to the public through Etsy.com. These items will encompass a wide range of wedding finery including bridal accessories, traditional wedding fare and even special items for the honeymoon. The stipulation to each member is “If you can dream it and it can represent the art of knitting, then one is encouraged to partake in the ‘I Do’ Wedding Challenge.”

The catalyst for the Etsy Knitters Team’s ‘I Do’ wedding challenge was Etsy.com’s Handmade Wedding Series.  Rather than participate individually, the team felt that they could be more successful promoting their hand knit wedding items if they collaborated. After countless hours of designing and knitting, the Etsy Knitters Team is proud to present the ‘I Do’ Wedding Challenge.

To search for challenge items, please type in the words “ido2009” and “etsyknitters team” into Etsy’s search engine or click this link. Members will be listing their offerings to the challenge throughout the entire month. Each item will include the special ‘I Do 2009” Wedding Challenge graphic as the 5th photo. Be sure to visit Etsy and search often.

Sherri

Summer is in full swing in the Northern Hemisphere, and if you’re not already spending a lot of time in the water, you probably will be soon.  If you’re planning to spend a lot of time at the beach this summer, or even if you are nowhere near a beach, you may want to check out this months special pattern!  (See below for details.)

What’s New?

I have listed several new things recently.  First of all, I have a new knitting pattern, Sock Bunny Knitting Pattern.  She’s the newest addition to my Knitted Sock Animals line, joining the Sock Monkey and Sock Dog patterns.

I’ve also listed a pattern for a crocheted, reusable grocery tote that works great for produce or other groceries, and includes a bonus smaller bag for small or fragile things, like tomatoes or apples.  In addition, you will find two finished totes with smaller bags listed for purchase. Click here for more details.

What’s Upcoming?

I have more reusable tote bags to list, these are machine sewn by me and will be coming soon.

I’m also working on getting patterns added to my site as a downloadable item.  This would mean if you bought a pattern, you could download it yourself as soon as you paid for it, and not have to wait for me to send it to you.  (You can currently do this through my Lulu.com store but I would love to have that option available on site, too.)

General News

I’m working outside the house now, I got a “real” job as a cashier at our local PetSmart here in League City.  This news should not affect Sherri Crochets & Crafts business much, but it is possible that some packages may not be mailed out the same day. I should still be able to deliver patterns in less than 24 hours with no problems.  However, now that I have limited time off, I’m learning to plan that time more efficiently, which means I’m getting things listed quicker!

This Months’ Specials

Pattern of the Month:
Great White Shark Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Before you go back in the water this summer, check out this great white shark pattern.  This fun pattern is 25% off for the entire month of June.  And if you crochet him in acrylic yarn with polyester fiberfill, you can even take him in the water with you!

Special of the Month:
Don’t crochet, but want a Great White Shark of your own?  Look here to get your own plush Great White Shark for 25% off.  Order quick!  There’s only 1 in stock!

Til next month,
Sherri
Sherri Crochets & Crafts
http://www.SherriCrochets.com

Today was dedicated to getting things done.  I really need to (re)learn to focus and get things done.  I’m getting really bad at being motivated about my business lately, and it’s partly because of how time consuming listing new products can be (see my former post where I whined about how long posting new items takes…)

Anyway, I got a lot done.  I finished up two patterns (a knitted Sock Bunny and a crocheted shopping bag) and got them both listed on SherriCrochets.com and on SherriCrochets.etsy.com (and even managed to get the Bunny listed in my Lulu store), as well as listing a new plush American Hero Soldier Doll on both sites.  I also listed some finished shopping bags on SherriCrochets.com.

You can see what I listed today by clicking on this link:
http://sherricrochets.com/index.php?main_page=products_new

I’m thinking, though, that part of my problem is that I have too many stores.  I have my regular website; my Etsy store; my ArtFire store; my Lulu store and my Ravelry store.  I’m thinking the ArtFire and Ravelry stores are going to have to go.  And once I figure out how to get downloadable patterns on SherriCrochets.com, the Lulu store is going, too.  I’m spread too thin and it’s not as much fun anymore.

Wah, wah, wah.  Yes, I’m done whining.  I know I’ve done this to myself and I can fix it, too. 

Thanks,
Sherri

Here in Houston, spring has come and gone and summer is coming on strong.

What’s new?

A neighbor asked me to make her daughter a tiny little hat for her brand new granddaughter.  And I was hooked.  I have knit 3 new hats so far, and have listed them at Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5057686&section_id=6088197) and will eventually get them listed on ArtFire and SherriCrochets.com.

What’s Upcoming?

I’m currently working on a scarf pattern, re-useable tote bags and a knitted doll pattern.

And now for May’s Specials:

I’ve decided to start a new feature – each month, one pattern will be offered for a special price and will be the pattern of the month.  It will be easy to find this pattern because it will be shown on my home page for the whole month!  I hope you’ll stop in frequently to see which pattern is getting special attention each month.  This month, I’m also featuring certain plush toys, and to celebrate my birthday, there will be a big sale!  Read on for details.
May’s Pattern of the Month:
American Heroes Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
To celebrate Armed Forces Day (May 15th) and Memorial Day (May 31) my American Hero crochet pattern is 25% off for the entire month of May.

May’s Special Offer:

Also, all American Hero dolls and Request-a-Hero Custom Dolls are 25% off from May 15th through May 31st.

PLUS, as an added bonus, since I’ll be turning 47 on May 7th,  I’m having a big blow out sale.  From May 7th, my birthday, to May 10th, Mother’s Day, everything in the store will be 47% off!  Don’t forget to mark your calendars and stop by for big bargains!

Find me around the web at these locations:

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sherri-Crochets-Crafts/59347935882

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/sherricrochets

MySpace:
http://myspace.com/sherricrochets

Until we head back to the beach in June,
Sherri
Sherri Crochets & Crafts
http://www.SherriCrochets.com

I’m about to introduce you to an awesome person.  She has been one of my best friends since 10th grade in high school (that’s over 30 years, if you’re counting…)  We grew up in San Bernardino, CA, went to the same high school, hung out with the same people, and like most friends, went through periods of love and hate.  She eventually moved to Bishop, CA and I’m currently in Houston, TX, but we still keep in touch.

But now she’s doing something so awesome and thoughtful and HARD that I need to brag on her.

Her name is Marie and she runs a rabbit rescue out of her house called The Bunny Castle Rabbit Rescue.  She’s currently taking care of over 200 bunnies!  Some came from shelters, where people who could no longer care for them were nice enough to take them to find new homes.  But many were found roaming the countryside, abandoned, alone and sometimes, hurt or sick.

She cares for these bunnies with the help of her daughter and husband, and a handful of volunteers.  They’ve converted their backyard into a bunny care station.  They feed, clean up after, provide medical care and find new homes for all the bunnies that are brought to them.

She needs our help.  Here are several ways you can help her out:

Visit her website here.  In the left hand column you’ll see a link to donate money directly through JustGive.org.  This is the simplest way to donate.  You can give any amount (over $10) to help the bunnies.

You’ll also see a button that looks like a badge that you can click on to vote Bunny Castle Rabbit Rescue as your favorite shelter (or click here to go directly to the voting site.) You can vote every day!  First click on the button to give food to shelter animals.  Then click on the Shelter Challenge Vote Now icon at the top of the page.  Search for The Bunny Castle Rabbit Rescue in Bishop Ca. and vote!  She really can use all the help she can get for the bunnies and she’s up against popular and well-known sanctuaries like Best Friends. You can vote through the middle of July!  So go back often!!

You’ll also see a link for iGive.com.   At iGive.com, you can buy gift cards and help the bunnies at the same time.  Got a birthday coming up?  Need a gift card?  Start here.  A percentage of your purchase amount goes directly to BCRR.

At the top of the page you’ll see information about adopting the bunnies Marie cares for.  But if you can’t actually bring a live bunny into your home, she offers virtual adoptions.  I know this because I’ve seen it in her newsletter and I just adopted two bunnies for Jake for Christmas.  I just suggested she put that info on the website, and as soon as she does, I’ll update links here.  In the meantime, you can email her at BCrabbitrescue@aol.com for more information.

You can also sign up for her newsletter, by emailing Marie at BCrabbitrescue@aol.com.

Thank you so much for reading about my awesome friend!  I hope you can find it in your heart to help her, and the bunnies, even if it’s just a little bit!

Sherri