Who doesn't love free shipping?

To celebrate Canada Day and the 4th of July I'm offering free shipping on all of my coffee cozies from June 27 until July 5.

Yesterday I sold all of my bookmarks!! Yay! I'm now up to 36 sales, I can't believe it! I'll be busy this week painstakingly cutting circles out of felt but it will be worth it!

My dear grandmother fell last weekend and hit her head, broke her arm, and possibly fractured her pelvis so she is staying in respite care at the nursing home to get physio and hopefully return home soon. This past week I've been spending every spare moment knitting her a lap blanket and it's finally done! I've never knit an afghan style blanket before but I used a really simple chevron stitch and I really like how it turned out. I'll be mailing it off to grandma tomorrow!

Unemployment continues

I ended up getting a phone call from the Port Moody HR department. They wanted to address my concerns about being passed over for an interview as a library shelver. Interesting note - they never received my emails and only knew about my displeasure because of  my blog. I'd like to know how they knew my name from my blog since it isn't on here. Anyway, I guess when I can't pay my rent or my student loans (that I accumulated through 6 years of University) I can say "It's not my fault really, I can't get just any old job because I'm over-qualified" Sounds like an explanation a landlord or a bank would accept, right?

In other job news, I have seven irons in the fire, so to speak. Two application in Whitehorse, three in BC, and I am just about to apply to two jobs with the Lethbridge Public Library. I really hope those pan out because I really like the job descriptions of both positions and Myles could get his MFA at the University of Lethbridge. Overall, I think it would be the best move (aside from staying right here and not having to move at all!)

I'll update you all on the employment saga. Word to the wise...don't go to library school! Visit this site if you don't believe me.

Get Crafty!

There are a few crafty sites that I visit EVERY day! If you have an Etsy shop and you haven't visited Craft Cult then you are seriously missing out! I reluctantly admit that I visit their "heart-o-matic" multiple times a day to see how my shop is doing. It is very addicting!

I've also applied to become a member of the Crafting in Color Street Team. Even if I don't get a membership, it is a great blog to check out some wonderfully colourful Etsy items!

If you're not having the sales you'd like on Etsy there are a number of other online market places that you could check out.
- I don't have any personal experience with Artfire but a lot of etsy sellers also sell there.
- I just opened a store at Cargoh and I love the layout and how integrated it is with Twitter. I've been getting a lot of exposure. More so than Esty because it isn't as saturated. I haven't had a sale yet, but I've only had my shop set up for a few days. Also, it's based in Vancouver, Canada!
- Another that I don't have personal experience with but hear is great is Storenvy. It seems really well integrated with social media. The one thing I find really interesting is their custom merchandising. They offer screen printing of your merchandise. Everything from business cards and buttons to t-shirts and hoodies.
- I stumbled upon Cartizan accidentally and I don't know too much about it except that it's in the start-up phase and was established in Winnipeg, Manitoba to promote local crafts and artizans. If you're looking to support local marketplaces, then this could be worth looking into.

Well that's my two cents...happy shopping, crafting, and selling!

Go to Cargoh!

I finally decided to start a Cargoh store! For those who are saying "what the *&%$ is a Cargoh?" Visit the site and you'll see that it's a rockin' artsy crafty online marketplace. Sure there are lots of other marketplaces out there like Etsy, Artfire, Storenvy....and I could go on....but I really like that this one has an edgy look and was started right here in Vancouver, BC.  I also really like how well integrated it is with Twitter AND check out the mixtape feature! I haven't added any music yet but I plan to. Anyway, I've decided to sell some of my knit wear on there that didn't seem to get any attention on Etsy. Check out my store and give my items a fist bump of support! Thanks!

New Yarn!

I love visiting the local yarn shop, although it is a bit dangerous for my bank account. I managed to restrain myself and only picked up four beautiful balls of Debbie Bliss super soft merino wool. I plan on knitting some super cute fingerless gloves like those already in my shop. Stay tuned!

Wonderful Knit items from Etsy shops

I've collected some really wonderful knit items from Etsy shops with fewer than 50 sales. Check them out!

The Artful Yarn (dish clothes)
Warm Me Up (pink cowl)
Wintergarden (bangles)
Scarf Knitter (beach glass scarf)
Magenta Sky Studio (fingerless gloves)
Friendly Brown (phone cozy)

Neo Blythe "Nicky Lad"

Final Design for Neo Blythe Nicky Lad 
I just love her pink glasses and boots! Love the side part in her hair too...I don't think I have one with a side part. Hmmm....my birthday is in July...*nudge *wink

Android Karenina Review

Tolstoy’s 1877 novel Anna Karenina is a commentary on many facets of society. It explores issues of family, marriage, love, passion, betrayal, and hypocrisy. Fast forward to 2010 and enter Ben Winters, change the title to Android Karenina and you have robots making things all the more complex and interesting.

Imagine a world where you and almost everyone (this isn’t a class free society even with robots) have a personal robot attendant customized to your personality so it knows exactly what to say or do in every situation. All household chores and even your personal hygiene are the work of robots. You can go into orbit or blast to the moon when you feel you need to get away from it all. This is a world where Android Karenina attends to her human companion Anna Karenina with devotion and seeming love not thought possible by robots.

Unfortunately, this world is also a dangerous one where rogue robots threaten your safety and unstable humans get way too obsessed with the power of robots. Are robots going to take over because they want to or simply because they can? Who are the "Honored Guests" and when will they come?

I was curious how androids could be written into the drama and romance of Tolstoy’s Karenina and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the seamless incorporation of robots and space travel into 19th century Russia. I especially liked that you could not tell what time period the story took place. It had some hints of 19th century society as seen in the way characters dress and the portrayal of gender roles; but otherwise the futuristic qualities made it seem like a future not far off. I also loved that just when I thought the story was at its most strange, another crazy twist was introduced.

A great science fiction twist to an old classic. A wonderfully interesting and surprising read that captivates in a way that the original can not in 2010.

Thanks irreference for sending me a copy of this fascinating book to review! This review is part of the Quirk Classics Blogsplosion Event.  Visit their site and mention my review/blog to win some sweet prizes!

I love getting mail!

Today the super cute Blythe dress I bought from Jolie Doll arrived! I think the Blythe lounging on the sofa in her pjs wants one too! Check out her website and her Etsy shop for your very own stylish dress!