It’s been a month and a half since my last post and I’ll lay that at the feet of winter blues. January ended, Imbolc came and went, and Mardi Gras passed while I huddled in my chair and wondered where my get up and go, got up and went. I wove a little, knitted a few simple hats, and let my sewing machine lie fallow.
But March has arrived and with it, a sense of urgency; a need to catch up on the things I didn’t do. In its way, this can be as damaging as the sitting still because the impetus behind it isn’t about sprouting new growth, but tacking new things onto the old branches we’ve dragged in from winter’s dregs.
Instead, I’m taking a deep breath to blow away that sense of having missed the first two months. This is a season of renewal, of freshness, of growing light and warmth.
There’s time for me to do what has to be done. If I achieved anything in the fallow season, it was dreaming and planning, which is what this time between Midwinter and the Spring Equinox (March 20) is about. I know what my next step needs to be and I know the road I’m planning to walk.
One of the things I managed to accomplish was to focus on what I want Loom Blossom to be this year as I launch fully into craft fair season. Instead of throwing bags and bits at the wall to see what sticks, I’m concentrating on what I want to make and present to the public.
Fabric-forward totes and handwoven scarves, designed to be used.
I’ll be prioritizing signature tote bags with great fabrics and useful design features. Behind them, I’ll continue to offer the clutch shoppers and pouches I’ve already been making. Handwoven scarves are something I truly love, and they offer a chance for folks to wear something beautiful and unique. I also want to make a small line of reader goods: book sleeves, bookmarks, and book themes pouches and bags.
Oldest Child and I managed to clear out and reorganize my craft closet a couple of weekends ago, and one of my admin tasks for this week is to go over my current inventory and update it in Square. This week is also time to dust off the sewing machine and make a few of the pouches that I cut out last year, but never put together. They’re good practice to get me back in the groove. After that, I’ll be putting my effort into those signature tote bags and some lightweight spring scarves.
Our first craft fair of the year is March 28-29 at East Alton Wood River High School. It’s a big deal to start out with a two-day fair! And Oldest Child will have their own booth right next to mine. It’s time for them to launch out on their own since this will hopefully be the year of the Big Move. They’ve got jewelry, handmade cards, and fine crocheted items for their initial offering and we’ll see how things go.
On a personal note, MySonTheMarine is just days away from returning to his civilian life! He spent five years in the Marine Corps and now it’s time for the next chapter. He’ll be home in the next few weeks and we’ve been getting his space refreshed and ready for his return.
Loom Blossom 