Tag Archives: crochet

It’s Knitting Time in the City

Posted in Knitting by

In August while at Jo-Ann Fabrics perusing the yarn section I found a few treasures… skeins of discontinued yarn colors with an easy pattern. I was elated to take on the challenge of knitting until I realized I didn’t own the necessary needles and I forgot how to knit.😕 For some reason knitting techniques are taking longer to become second nature yet I am determined to become an avid knitter. So off to YouTube to brush up on casting on, casting off and the direction for knitting vs purling.

 

Currently,  I am knitting during my lengthy commute and creating One Skein Wonders. I want to share this nuance of My Journey with you. So I will blog about the patterns I’m trying and my prospective on crafting through the medium of yarn. 

 

Big Twist Chunky Thistle

 

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Our First Etsy Shop Listing in Years

Posted in Brown Girl Doll by

It is with nervousness, butterflies and hiccups I am exposing my passion on Etsy.  I would love to say that I’m excited yet the truth is I held off listing Petia because of fear. Yes it reared its ugly head again and paralyzed me for a few days when when I glanced back on my past experience. The last time I attempted to sell on Etsy was in 2011 and nothing came off it. So my past and having to learn their formatting via mobile app weighted me down. I dreaded doing the work and experiencing the same outcome.

It was around 2:30 am this morning that I cheered and forced myself into doing the hardwork, shaking of fear and becoming victories. 😊 Some people may wonder why I am exposing my thoughts in this manner. As an entrepreneur you will doubt and second guess yourself yet make a firm decision to do it anyway. Do not allow your trepidation to overshadow your mission.

 

Now, it is with great excitement I present to you Petia our first Brown Girl Doll listing in the Jimise4u Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/listing/288350025/brown-girl-do

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Brown Girl Doll: Petia

Posted in Brown Girl Doll by

In December 2015, I envisioned a Brown Girl Doll wearing a Kente cloth inspired dress. I knew the primary color was gold and the rest would come over time. Yet, I haven’t had much time to work on my ideas because I was creating on behalf of my clientele.

The end of March yielded an opportunity to create the doll that lingered in my mind. After seeing the movie Miracles from Heaven, the theme stayed the same yet the design and colors changed. The movie had a crocheted mermaid doll which I fell in love with. So I began researching a mermaid dolls which led me to a mermaid dress… Bingo.  Now that the doll had a dress it was time to put pencil to graph paper, recreate a traditional kente design for the bodice, and choose the colors.

Utilizing previous research from creating Shaka’s Kente Blanket the colors blue symbolizing love and green symbolizing growth/wealth were chosen.

Shaka’s Kente Inspired Keepsake

Shaka’s Kente Inspired Keepsake

I proudly introduce to you… Petia!

Petia meaning “I love you” is the name of the gold ring given to an Ashanti Girl at betrothal and Kente clothe is worn by Ashanti Kingdom royalty. Henceforth, her name and garb.

Brown Girl Doll: Petia

Brown Girl Doll: Petia

Petia will be the first of many Brown Girl Dolls selling on our Etsy Jimise4u shop. Petia is looking for a loving home and we hope to find her one very soon.

Beauty Created, Beauty Released

Posted in Creativity, Journey by

The same beauty I find in creating is the same beauty I have to find in letting go…

I have become anxious with every signature creation that I must release into the hands of its new owner. So much time is spent in selecting the perfect colors, graphing a customized design, crafting, implementing the proper techniques and praying it all works out.

My creativity time is really time with my Creator. Many things I create I’ve had no formal training just a passion and desire to create it. If I believe I can make it I can. So I know in these quiet times and places He guides me. I’m in awe just as much as the recipient. Many of these items I will never duplicate and that’s what makes me nervous.

Every Artwear piece is a 15-30 day commitment to see a vision come to pass.

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I put the same energy into signature cupcakes, however, the commitment is shorter.

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Yet once its completed its time to pass it on. I cannot allow the nervousness of relinquishing my rights to overshadow the joy of completion. When commissioned to create on behalf of a party I will never get to see the recipients facial expression which is how we normally gauge if they like it, hate it, or are indifferent. I would like to make sure they are pleased with their gift yet only God knows.

The only way I know to stop this anxiousness is to know God is leading me with every step and every step is intentional. They will see and know that He and I love and care for every aspect of creating this special gift. Bringing them joy through our creative expression is our highest priority.

 

Passion Driven Journey Minded,

J. Monroe