SEO for the Jelly Brained!

I've just spent the day on an SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) Course so now have a brain full of jelly. The internet is just a wonderous place for those in the know (up until two months ago I'm not even sure I'd heard of SEO!) However, Sean (he of Phoenix Consultancy and great cups of tea - see earlier blogs) assured those present that once we'd submitted our details to 270+ directories; learnt the essentials of "social bookmarking"; joined all the industry forums possible and posted our blogs regularly (whoops!) we could sit back and be satisfied that are Sites were Search Engine Optimised and Google Friendly. Now you know why I have a brain full of Jelly!

Be grateful for the joys of knitting; it doesn't ask anything of you; doesn't need to be bookmarked; if you pay due care and attention in the creation it remains for all time; doesn't have "spiders" crawling across it (a Google term I'm told) and fulfils all your creative desires. I am so glad to have returned to my sofa, the dog and the joys of Debbie Bliss's Donegal Aran Tweed!

Yarnsmith relaunches

Finally, after what seems to be weeks, but was infact a fairly pain free few days - we have re-branded and re-launched yarnsmith. I, of course, don't think there was too much wrong with the old version - but adding new products and keeping it updated needed a good couple of hours and at least two glasses of wine!

What's been really important is to keep our ethos of a really passionate and personal service (passionate about kntting and personal to each customer), providing exciting and high quality products. We've also expanded our services and now offer a samples service as well as a finishing off service - see the website for more details! We also have a gallery section to show case some the yarns we stock and creations we've made. I really hope you like the new look - I'd love some feedback!

Non of this would have been possible without the support of Sean Proctor
(phoenix internet consultancy) who has been incredibly patient, and tolerant as well as making a great cup of tea! I hope it hasn't all been too much of a trial. Thanks also to my family - they know what they've put up with since the beginning of September!

Loads going on.........

The local craft fair in Sudbury last week didn't have me run off my feet or sold out of goodies - but not surprising in the current economic climate - but it was good fun and I did teach Dawn to knit - hence the photo!

I've been really busy with seasonal knitting (we don't mention the C word in our house until December!) and have discovered the delights of www.etsy.com. Don't know what I'm talking about? Go have a look - it's a treasure trove for those of us who love handmade goods. Exceptionally easy to use and a wealth of fantastic products. Check out etsy.com



And ....... I've finally gone and done it - got myself a spinning wheel. Isn't it wonderful? And what's more, it's got a lovely provenance - which goes something like this. The wheel was made in Ipswich (unfortunately, a cursory look on the net gives no information about wheel manufacturers) sometime in the 70's and was then rescued from a local dump by a member of the Framlingham Spinners - since then it has been used as a "teaching" wheel and now has found its way to me. Isn't that a great story? If anyone can fill in any of the missing details I'd love to know. It runs smoothly and now, having had all of two lessons, I'm feeling very confident and excited about using it - you never know I might even be able to post some home spun here soon.

Autumn return

I have just read a post from WiRE (Women in Rural Enterprise)
which says don't apologise for not updating your blog - however, three months is a bit long - so I'm sorry I haven't blogged as conscientiously as I intended post holiday, but to be honest, I don't know where the time has gone! Now my youngest has started school and I have got over the feeling of losing my left arm - I promise to try and do better!

The Knit and Stitch Show at AllyPally was such fun this year - if you didn't make it you must go in 2009! The picture above is me (on the left) and Jackie on the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers Stall. We were kept pretty busy all day with questions and enquiries and Jackie had great fun trying to teach me to spin - I just about managed the treadle bit but it went pear shaped after that! I did get a chance to have a wander, get lots of ideas and of course, spend too much money. I was really inspired by the beading exhibition - something I've not been that bothered about before - it was breathtaking. Now what can I incorporate that into I wonder?? I have some wonderful single ply silk to play with - any suggestions??

Up and running ........ and now gone

Where does the time go? Now, having finally got yarnsmith.co.uk back on the internet we are closing for a couple of weeks whilst sunning ourselves (hopefully) in Spain. That's if we ever get there - still so much to do. Have remembered to leave copious intructions for the house sitter re: dog/cat and fish. Have also remembered to print off tickets and checked passports, suggesed kids get their own stuff together but not making much progress at the moment...... guess it will all come together!

Have spent the last couple of weeks contemplating which project to take with me - finally settled on a couple balls of Louisa Harding Quattro (mohair-ish) and some cirular needles to see if I can put together a "Victorian lace" inspired kit for the shop - watch this space!!

Up and running again......

After a week off line, yarnsmith.co.uk is up and running again and appears to be non-the worse for idling in cyber-space for 7 days. Many thanks to all those who left messages of sympathy and support both on the blog and on the answer machine.

One positive amidst all the hassle is that I've finished the lace! Once I'd got my head around knitting on the border it was actually quite easy (I had of course chosen a pattern that only has a border on two sides, so didn't have to do anything technical round corners!) but I really enjoyed this project and am fired up for the next one.

Just have the simple task of "blocking" to size and am still debating the best method - certainly don't fancy plunging mohair in to water and hoping for the best. The current plan is to cover our bed with an appropriate sized towel, laying out the shawl and spritzing with warm water before easing into shape - may even leave out the pinning! Has anybody got any other ideas?

(Photos will follow once the lace is looking its very best!)

A great way to spend a couple of hours.....

Following a wretched week - website still down, (don't talk to me about techies!), a bit of a health scare (however, the NHS are wonderful in a crisis) and grotty weather (the dog needs more walks and the grass needs more cutting) - I pulled myself together and joined the Ladies (and one Gent) of the Guild for a basic workshop on fleece choosing and preparation.

To be honest, I'm nowhere near confident enough to tackle a whole fleece, but just to sit for a couple of hours joining people, card, spin, knit and weave is a very therapeutic experience - thanks be for the Guild of Mid-Essex Spinners Weavers and Dyers!