New direction and major change ahead

I don't talk a lot about my place of work on Phydeaux, for all the right reasons (e.g., not wanting to publicize my work life on the interwebs). You all know, though, that I took a month medical leave two months ago, which turned into two months of leave. I returned to work today, but what you may not know yet is that this is my last week at my place of work! I've given notice and this week is about wrapping things up.

I have really mixed feelings. I've really really loved my workplace. It's gorgeous, I get to use my skills and experience in healthcare administration and financial/administrative management, and I get to be part of something huge (cutting edge medicine and educating tomorrow's medical leaders).

But, I'm tired. My body and soul are both crying out for a break (hence, the leave). Increasingly, during the past year, I was continually making decisions not in favor of my business, Phydeaux, in order to focus on continual deadlines at work. I've also had to turn away a number of incredible opportunities this year, for the same reason.

And that's not a bad reason! In a world of finite hours governed by the laws of space, time and quantum mechanics (geek alert!), something has to give!

I started my leave beyond tired, with nothing left to give to anyone, least of all myself.

I ended my leave healthier, happier and so much more energetic. And, with a rebuilt belief in myself and my capabilities, allowing me to make this scary - while thrilling - decision.

So, yes, I "quit my day job." However, I'm by no means at a point of sustaining myself entirely via my business (just in case any readers are fantasizing about doing the same).

I'm doing this with equal parts of excitement and terror. YES, I know our economic realities! Hello, I manage finance for a living! I'm only able to do this, perhaps for a finite period, due to resources from my departure, which I will be stretching as long as possible, while massively cutting expenses. Along with part time remote contract work, a little consulting, plus some writing and editing

I suspect I'll return to my employer down the road, likely in a different area/position. It's definitely a difficult place to leave. :)

This week will be insane - it already is - between wrapping up my job, cleaning out 12 years of files and belongings, trying not to weep as I say goodbye to colleagues and work friends who became family so quickly, along with trying to pay at least a little attention to Phydeaux.

During my leave, with more attention and care paid to my business, I started seeing the possibilities as I reworked my business plan, ran several models and scenarios, and started lining up new opportunities. I have lots of new ideas that you'll see next year and I'm entirely confident that this can work.

So, I may post a few things this week, but will be back in action next week! I wish you all every success in your own ventures - enjoy the holiday season!

Christmas trees

I love Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes - you'll see a few more in the next few weeks!

What a cute little tree from Two Left Hands - including tinsel and bells!

Ima Pine by Two Left Hands at Etsy, $37

A few super specials for Black Friday

Super specials at Phydeaux this weekend!  I may add more throughout the weekend, too!

I found more of this delicious super bright yarn for my Soft Graffiti Neckbow!  So, $15 down from $25, which is definitely a super special!

Soft Gold is my most popular neckwarmer, and at $20 instead of $30 this weekend, is a fabulous Black Friday deal!

My knitting pattern for the Soft Hearted Scarflette is half off, just $2.50!  A great deal and project for beginning knitters!

These may go away and others may take their place, through Monday night.  You can find them in my Black Friday super special section!

Black Friday starting Thursday Night

Tomorrow is the infamous Black Friday, when diehard shoppers look for fabulous deals (I'm working up the courage to show up at my local yarn shop at 7am for 40% off!!!).

For either of my shops (Etsy or 1000 Markets), I'm shipping free, globally, through Monday night! And if you join the newsletter (see that sign up box over to the left?) or follow me on Twitter or join my Facebook fan page (or all of the above), you'll find other special deals all weekend long. Starting ... now!

Happy post-Thanksgiving! I hope you're all recovering nicely from tryptophan and sugar overloads. :)

Christmas tree

Aside from family and friends and the true meaning of Christmas ... I looove Christmas trees!  I adore these little ones from the very talented JooJoo Land!

Little Christmas Tree by JooJoo Land, $20

So very thankful

I know, I know, it's so hard to believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving!  I just returned from my last minute "Oh, I forgot!" dash to the store (along with eleventy billion other Silicon Valley natives).  I'm enjoying dinner with dear friends tomorrow, but am roasting my own turkey today, so that I can enjoy leftovers for the next week!

I do feel so very thankful for just about everything, including all of you!  This has been such a crazy - and wonderful - year.  Phydeaux has grown in ways I wouldn't have imagined a year ago today.  I have many wonderful and dear virtual, and in person, friends for whom I am very grateful.

Despite a scary economy, I'm filled with gratitude about small - and large - successes with my business.

I feel very blessed every time I come home to the two little fuzzy faces with their unconditional love ... as long as I feed them!  :D

I know that I am very blessed to have the wonderful, loving and fantastic family that I do - I love you all!  And that family doesn't just include the people I share a genetic history with - my very dearest friends (you know who you are) are also my family.

And, let's face it, I'm just thankful be to healthy (considering my alternative!), with a roof over my head, doing what I love to do, listening to the birds and squirrels as I type.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!  I hope your day is stress-free, filled with good food, family and friends, laughter, and love.

(And, by the way, stay tuned for Black Friday specials in both of my shops!)

Holiday Art Shows and Craft Fairs

I'm getting ready to participate in the Renegade Holiday Fair in San Francisco in less than a month (gah!). Many of you are experienced veterans for these events (both as a sellers as well as buyers). Some of you are vendor newbies (like me). I'd love to hear about ideas and tips that work for you as a seller, as well as wish lists and "gosh, I wish vendors would just do THIS" from buyers!

My main tip as a buyer is ... please accept credit cards!  I always have a debit card on me, but rarely cash (and don't like having a lot of cash on me at packed events).

What about you?

Image:  Set of gingerbread ornaments from Inklore on Etsy, $16.00

Too pretty to eat?

Brownie Pops!  Dipped in white chocolate with the prettiest piped filigree.  Looks so delicious and beautiful!

Filigree gourmet brownie pop favors, by the cats meow favors, $44.40 for one dozen

Animation: Sweet little romance

Oh my, this is so so lovely and I'm still wiping away tears (I'm such a softie). Found via Twitter via Little Brown Pen via Youtube. Don't you love the interwebs?

Not stressing the holidays

This week's Craft Venture column is posted - suggestions about how to decrease or avoid holiday stress as sellers, but some of these apply to anyone during the holidays (certainly a stressful time!)!  I hope you enjoy - leave a comment with your own tips!

Image: Wood ornaments, variety pack, by Sub-Studio, $28 at Supermarket

Have I been knitting or what???

I have so many new neckwarmers, cowls, scarves, mitts, etc. to share with you!  I listed a nice handful last night. I really love my new Grape Tweed Mitts (above) and hope you do, too!  The body is knit with a luscious wool/silk blend tweedy wool in ... well, grape.  And the tweedy bits are in blueberry and white and cranberry and violet and so yummy.  I went through several different ribbons until I saw this wonderful  and sort of retro purple/white gingham.  Exactly what I'd wanted, without even knowing it.  And I adore these white glass buttons that I've had in my stash for a good year or more!  Such a pretty fluting around the edge, topped off with a gold rim.  I'd wanted mitts that were both retro and modern, with a taste of the 40's. 

You can check the shop for even more new additions, and I'll share them here this week as well.  We're heading into the holidays!

Prince Hal

I watched one of my very favorite movies tonight, Henry V, directed by and starring the unbelievably talented Kenneth Branagh.  Every time I watch this, I remember my Shakespeare class in college, and my professor's passion for Henry V.  I have been hungering for Shakespeare lately, so this was a wonderful way to whet my appetite and remind me of the finer things that have lasted for many centuries (e.g., Shakespeare's works).

Henry V is the last in a series of historical plays, starting with Richard II, and then Henry IV parts 1 and 2.  We know Henry is Prince Hal in the earlier plays, a prince who's more into partying with his ne'er do well buddy Falstaff, than in princely matters.  But in Henry V, Hal must become a king, conquering France at the Battle of Agincourt, and then wooing Catherine of Valois (brilliantly acted by Emma Thompson) to complete the conquest, as well as his transformation from playboy to man and king.

I've included a clip of the wooing above.  It is truly enjoyable - after watching Henry making difficult, even impossible, decisions as King of England leading battle - to watch this slightly awkward, while tender, "wooing."

I could go on all night, but will avoid further literature lessons, except to say that if you've never watched Henry V, please do so!  Even if you're not that interested in the story, you will be mesmerized by the acting, the sets, and the incredible costumes.

If you really want to go all out, watch My Own Private Idaho, Gus Van Sant's modern take on Henry V.  Forewarning:  it's a bit challenging to watch, with teenage runaways and what it takes for them to survive on the street.

For me ... there's only one Rudolph

Crocheting gingerbread people

So so cute and fun!

Gingerbread man PDF pattern by KTB Designs, $5

Finally ... a blog I can live with ...

I've been trying to find the right "look" and "feel" for my blog this year (thank you all for bearing with me through color and style changes!).  I'm really happy with this particular style!  Simple, clean, goes with the logo.  I could wear this blog.  :)  I may tinker a tiny bit more, but I hope I'm done with the experimenting!

Phydeaux Giveaway!

Probably all of you have heard about this, but I am having a big giveaway with a fun interview on the wonderful Lillyella blog!  Just in time for the holidays!

THANK you to Nicole for inviting and having me over.  This is the only place on the planet where you can learn how I handled an invasion of tarantulas - how's that for a teaser?

If you're not following/reading Lillyella, I highly recommend it!  Nicole has done a fabulous job of lining up great guest columnists (like me!), including recipes and tutorials, and sharing great handmade and vintage shopping suggestions.

Christmas Stars

I absolutely love Paper Boat Press' star ornaments! They're so magical - perfect for your Christmas tree.

Spotty Christmas Star by Paper Boat Press, $12.95

Knitting: Brooklyn Tweed

I know I haven't posted very much about knitting, despite being a knitter! So I'm remedying that, starting right now.

One of the things that is fun for me as a knitter is seeing what other knitters do, particularly designers with a passion for fiber. A couple or few years ago, I ran across Jared Flood's blog, "Brooklyn Tweed," which helped reignite my own passion for fiber, just about the time I was considering creative ventures to rebalance myself, feed my soul, and maintain my sanity. :)

I'm sure you other knitters are familiar with Jared's work and/or blog. He's become quite the celebrity in the knitting world this year, with a book of designs from Classic Elite, speaking engagements galore, and interviews and articles in every knitting publication.

And for good reason! His designs are stunning in their complexity and simplicity. Complexity and simplicity? This is a guy who makes such good use of good old fashioned garter stitch (knit stitch every single row - no purls, yarn overs, etc.), but with sumptuous fibers and/or exquisite edging (look at that lovely baby blanket above!).

His flickr photostream is a delight to peruse - his photography is so beautiful!

I have many favorites designed by Jared, but maybe my top favorite is his Willoughby Stole (also the first photo on this post) - I have the pattern on my computer, just waiting for a quiet moment for me to knit ... for myself! Decadent heaven!

If you haven't checked out Jared 's blog or designs before, I hope you'll enjoy them now. He's also on Ravelry, user brooklyntweed and designer Jared Flood.

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By the way, if you knit, crochet, felt or spin, and haven't joined Ravelry ... join! So many great resources! I've found discontinued yarns from fellow knitters (yay!), wonderful free patterns, great fiber ideas, invaluable advice/help with tricky stitches or techniques. And be sure to friend me! Here's my user name and my designer account.

Fiber: Wool Candy

So do you remember not long ago when I was waxing prolific over Wool Candy's gorgeous handpainted yarn? I finished one pair of mitts using the beautiful apple green variegated yarn (see above) and loved it (I probably have enough for another pair!)! No pooling and no striping of color - my number one pet peeve with variegated yarns! I love knitting variegated yarns that keep you wanting to see what the next row will look like - that was definitely the case here! You will definitely see more mitts knit with Wool Candy. In fact, I'm casting on a new pair in gorgeous black currant/purple/merlot. I highly recommend knitting with Wool Candy!

Walking: who knew?

So, I've been walking nearly every day for the last few weeks with a good friend. We're up to about two miles, which for two seriously out of shape ladies is pretty darn good. There was the week break when I thought my toe was still or rebroken, but the orthopedic surgeon laughed me out of his office (but showed me the healed break in my toe x-ray).

I'm pleasantly surprised to learn the following:

• Exercise is addictive! Regardless of how crummy I feel, I am so ready for my daily walk!
• Walking with a friend makes it not feel like exercise at all. We have had such a great time catching up.
• I'm now able to wear walking shorts and leggings that didn't fit a month ago!
• Walking isn't just great for your legs (and my legs are looking better every day) - my arms are also getting a nice workout.
• I'm having less knee pain now (the first week was hard on my knees, but they feel SO much better).
• My blood pressure has dropped a bit (yay!).
• And my blood sugar levels are lower, but I'm also avoiding sugar, so it's hard to tell which has the larger impact.

I love that walking is inexpensive, too. I never follow through on gym memberships, but if I miss a day or a week of walking, I'm not beating myself up over the money I wasted.

It's SO cold this week in the Bay Area, but I'm bundling up and walking anyway. And, best of all, fingerless mittens are so great for walking! Gloves are too hot once we get going, but fingerless mittens are just right.

I'm weighing in tomorrow - let's hope I'm down two more lbs - I was at 13 lbs last Friday!

How do you all keep in shape during the Winter? Walking? The gym? Other?

On Top of Your Day Job: Allie Beans

November's On Top of Your Day Job column is live on Lillyella! I love Allie Beans' adorable fabric creations. Learn more about Allie and how she juggle a busy online business with a more than fulltime job, and take advantage of a special discount!

Faves: Sunny plaid

It's gray and cold outside, making this bright sunny bag sheer perfection! This would be lovely with all manner of Fall colors (burgundy, loden green, butterscotch).

Sunny plaid evening pocket by pistol stitched, $105

Giving: Holiday gift tags

Oh, my favorite time of year as planning and preparation starts to come together for Christmas. Yay! These lovely and elegant gift tags from Perideau Designs are right up my alley! I hope you'll visit her shop filled with lovely stationary, cards and labels!

Simply holiday tags by Perideau Designs, $6 for a set of four

Craft Venture: Diversification

This week's Craft Venture post is up! All about diversifying your shop for the holidays: a wider range of price points and items in order to appeal to a wider range of shoppers.

Hope you'll stop by!

Toes, pounds and Renegade

I've been a little quiet the last couple of days. I spent most of Friday at my friendly Kaiser medical offices/hospital (it's a thing of beauty ... remember, I do work in healthcare, so I'm allowed to geek out over a huge combo of medical offices and medical center), getting worked up for a host of potential issues (not fun, trust me, exhausting!). And was completely shocked, as in my jaw fell open, when I learned that my poor toe, first broken Labor Day 2008, rebroken two more times since is, yet again, broken.

Not an old break. Either new or never healed. I'm a wee bit concerned about this, as you might imagine. But it sure explains a lot! I get to seen an orthopedist tomorrow, and until then, I'm not supposed to bear weight on that foot. Which is hard!!!

Particularly because I was very happy to learn that I'd lost 13 lbs since September! All due to healthier eating and walking 2-3 miles a day for the last few weeks. I'm hoping I can walk again soon! I did manage to avoid drowning my sorrows in pizza or ice cream or other form of diet sabotage ...

And having to put my foot up has created a sudden increase in Renegade Holiday Fair productivity. I have a nice stack of scarves waiting their turn for blocking, another stack waiting for photgraphing, and some new experiments that I hope work out the way I am planning! My last day to back out of Renegade was Friday; instead, I put in my order for tables and electricity. I've been drawing booth diagrams, mapping out knitting schedules, and hope to be able to spend time next week thrifting for some of my booth's acoutrements.

As for today, more knitting with my foot up and early to bed in prep for another fun day at Kaiser tomorrow. :)

Tech tips: HTML to open a link in a new window

Does it ever drive you a little crazy when you click on a link in a blog or website and instead of the link opening in a new window or tab, it opens on the same page/tab you were on?

From a different perspective, do you really want your blog visitors leaving your site altogether when they click on a link in one of your posts?

Your answer to the first might be "not really" or "what??," but your answer to the second should be "of course not!"

I have the answer for you, and it's really pretty easy.

Here is the piece of code that you need: target="_blank"

That's fine and dandy, but what do you do with this code?

When you're using Blogger (your blog has "blogspot" in the title, like mine), here's what you do:

1. When you're writing a post, you see two tabs on the screen: "Edit HTML" and "Compose"
2. You can write your post under "Compose" (it's a little easier), create your hyperlinks (highlight the text of the website you want to link to, then click the little planet button with a link on it, just to the right of the font color button and to the left of the left justification button
3. When you're done with your post, don't publish it or schedule it yet; instead, go to "Edit HTML"
4. Look for the text that you created a link for (it might be challenging to find if there's a lot of code in your post - I sometimes do a search for a keyword in the text so that I know exactly where it is)
5. Before the text, you should see some HTML coding - if you're not familiar with what I'm talking about, it will be inside of carat symbols < >
6. Here's a link that you'll see the coding for at the start of this post: My Etsy Shop
7. If you click on the image above, you'll see it in a different page or tab

Before: < href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/phydeaux"> My Etsy Shop
After: < href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/phydeaux" target="_blank" > My Etsy Shop

You can do this in one fell swoop for your entire blog, but (frankly), I haven't figured out how or if I can do this with Blogger. If anyone does know how to do this, please share!

I hope this is helpful for you! If this doesn't make sense, let me know - and if it doesn't work, also please let me know!

Faves: Mod Handbag

Looooove!!!

Mod Vintage Handbag from Sophistikate at Etsy, $36

Thoughts about managing and leading ... yourself

I've been muddling through the concept of how to apply management and leadership wisdom and theory to a one-person business. In other words, managing and leading yourself.

Management is supposed to be about accomplishing work through others, making sure the team(s) follow the leader(s)' vision and mission, etc.

Leadership is supposed to be about creating the vision and then influencing everyone else to follow it/make it happen.

I'm still working this through in my head, but it seems to me that with a one person vision, we're so busy making, shipping, lining up work/accounts, marketing, etc. that we don't have time to sit down and really flesh out, articulate, write down, develop a strategic plan around, our vision for our business. Or for our life, for that matter.

But what do you all think? I'm truly curious and would love to hear your perspectives and insights!

Favorites: Ruffle Card

A peek into my Etsy favorites! I absolutely love this pretty card, from Olive Manna at Etsy! I love the white ruffles. I also love the envelope color. I think this card was made for me!

Ruffle card, white, blank, from Natalie Jost at Etsy, $2.50

Phydeaux Designs Joins Magpie Patterns

I'm happy to share with you all that Phydeaux knitting patterns are now available on Magpie Patterns! If you're not familiar with Magpie, this lovely site is chock full of wonderful knitting, crocheting, embroidery and sewing patterns, as well as books. I'm honored to be a part of this! I'll have more patterns on the site this week - I'm converting my old format into a new template, which takes time. :)

And I'm adding new patterns to my shop, Ravelry and Magpie! I should be fully updated by early next week.

I hope you'll visit Magpie Patterns - there are so many wonderful patterns to peruse (i.e.g, the adorable baby in the blue cap on the bottom row!)

Back in the days of AM radio

Way back when, back in the dark ages or stone age, I was a skinny and ridiculously tall junior high tween (we didn't know about "tweens" back then - this was before the internet or even microwave ovens!). Worse yet, I wore glasses. I'm sure you get the picture.

Like most kids in that awkward phase between childhood and teenage-hood, I couldn't live without my radio, my LP's or my 45 singles (this was before CD's!). I lived in this tiny little town up in the mountains and was mesmerized by the magically exotic commercials from Los Angeles (we could get a few stations, mostly from L.A.) for movies, concerts, new albums, etc.

Frampton Comes Alive! was all over the airwaves (and for good reason - it was and is an incredible album!). I immediately melt into reminiscing about the music of 1976-1977 whenever I hear a Frampton song.

Elton John! Island Girl was huge in '75 (now we're talking pre-tween). But Don't Go Breaking My Heart ... that was a song I listened to over and over. What a fun duet with Kiki Dee (check out her stylin' overalls in the video above!).

And Aerosmith! Once upon a time, before MTV, Aerosmith was h-u-g-e. Toys in the Attic was released in '75, and was still going strong in my little town in 76. Sweet Emotion is probably my favorite from that era. I'm immediately transported back to my tween-age bedroom, with my radio pressed up to my ear as I strain to hear those far away AM stations.

This little bout of reminiscing came from listening to my itunes collection, which I've not done for some time (sad...). I'm listening to Aerosmith as I type, with a smile. :) I'll share more classics from my tweenhood with you, but hope you enjoy these.

I also hope you'll share with us some of your very favorite tweenage music in the comments!

Holiday selling: deck your halls!

This week's Craft Venture column is about sprucing up your online shop (if you sell wares online) for the holidays! I hope you'll stop by and add a comment about your own experience - both buyers and sellers!

Hard to believe it's November 2nd ..........

November!

Hard to believe! It will be dark so early today, but it's still a lovely Sunday with sleeping kitties, knitting, watching Boris Karloff movies, and fantasizing about pizza (so much fat and salt ... but I want!) ...

I have lots of new creations and news to share this week. But for now ... Happy November!