So you just bought a drum carder, but you don't know what you need...it's ok! We're here to help.
I think I can speak for almost anyone I know in the fiber world when I say we all need a helping hand sometimes.
I myself only started playing with blending and spinning a few years ago. And I truly had no clue what I was getting into, or how much I would love it. I bought a spinning wheel and almost immediately started saving up for that drum carder I just had to have. If you’re anything like me, you may see what you want in your head but have difficulty finding it in shops.
First thing you need to know, you must have the accessories to go with your drum carder.
You need a stabby metal stick(that’s what I call it) aka a Doffer to break the batt for easy removal. You also need Flicker brushes. You can buy these from your drum carder supplier or you can use dog brushes. Brother Drum Carder sells kits on their website.
What fiber do you need though?
I recently had someone local reach out to me about buying some batts. I found out she had recently bought her own drum carder. She was so new to it she thought you needed batts to blend into batts. I kindly told her she can use much more than just batts and that she should check out another local fiber shop for these specifics.
You really want easy to blend fibers that aren't too dense when you’re just getting started.
Corriedale wool is a great starter as it’s far more open and easy to blend than something like merino, which is super dense. You’ll want it in roving or top form. You can add different things to your blend too! Bamboo, mint, silks, noils, locks, alpaca, yak, sparkles, etc…etc…etc…
The options are truly endless.
Hand Dyed Fibers from CHY
It’s what you do with these fibers that counts.
You can find all of these things on sites like Hearthside Fibers or Paradise Fibers…or you can do my favorite thing and purchase hand dyed braids from CHY and use those to blend with additives from the other two sites. Your end result will be magical.
You’ll need a scale.
I use a cheap digital kitchen scale, weighing out my fibers to 2oz. before I begin blending because that’s my carder's capacity. Make sure you don’t add too much fiber at once because it will be difficult to feed it into the carder. If the handle is hard to turn, you’ve put too much fiber in. If the fiber is getting stuck on the small drum, use the flicker brush to push the fiber onto the larger drum while you slowly turn the handle. Once you’ve got all of your fiber on the carder, you now need to decide whether you should run it through again or not. If you want everything blended together more, break the batt in half, creating two short pieces, then each half breaks into 3 long pieces. Open each of those six pieces up almost as wide as the drum and feed them in one at a time. Voila!
Happy Blending! XO Heidi
P.s. want to learn more? Check out some blending videos on youtube.
Yarn Stores Near Me
If you’re anything like me, you maybe have a hard time finding a good yarn store near you. I especially find this difficult where I live because I’m on a farm…and besides the big stores that sell cheap yarns, we only have one yarn shop nearby. But they don’t carry anything like what I would want.
So, what’s a yarn junkie to do when they need some epic yarn? I’ve got you! My shop is there no matter where you’re at, at least within the US and Canada. (If you live elsewhere, email me and we can work out shipping) All you need is a smartphone, tablet, or computer! Click, shop, ship…and then you have awesome yarn delivered right to your door! Yarn stores don’t get any more nearby than that!
I have spinning fibers for the spinners, yarn for crocheters and knitters, art yarn for weavers, and the accessories to go with them. To top it off, you’re supporting several women owned businesses in the US. Each purchase supports up to five different women owned businesses, small farms, indie dyers.
xo Heidi
Heidi's Show Prep 101 :)
So you just got accepted into this epic show, and now you’re freaking out.
What’s next?
So you just got accepted into this epic show, and now you’re freaking out.
What’s next?
Not to worry my friend. While I can’t be there to tell you exactly what you need to do, here are some extremely important things to research, decide, and then do! Plus some important purchases to consider, that I highly recommend.
First you must figure out what the target market is at this show. Are these people looking for spinning fiber, yarn, already made knit/crochet/woven items? All of these things? One of these things? This information will help you choose your display method, which is the next step.
Next, you need to get on Pinterest and start browsing for display ideas. For my next adventure, we are doing Vogue Knitting Live in Columbus, OH. I don’t have displays for just yarn based shows. So my husband and I are designing them. I found some super cool stuff that’s easy to DIY on Pinterest. Some things you need to think about: The displays have to be light enough and easy enough to move. Assembly required is a good thing, but not if it’s IKEA status assembly. Hahaha! (know what I mean?) For my yarn displays we will be doing some displays(kind of fruit stand like), that have 4-5 shallow baskets on each one. They will be made with barn wood because we have a ton of it already, which will keep the price down. I may also have a backboard wall like thing with wood pegs coming out of it, and a shelf on top. We shall see.
Now that you’ve decided what style you want for displays, it’s time to DIY or find them already made. To each their own. Before you purchase or make these, make sure you have a nice indoor/outdoor area rug that is the size of your space.(I still need to get one for this next big show:/ no worries though) This will make it feel and look sooooo much better than if it were just yucky concrete flooring, which it so often is. Lay the area rug out on the floor and use it at your markers for your space size. Seeing it in real life will allow better design planning. Make sure people can walk through the space effortlessly. You do not want to bombard them with so much stuff that they can’t move or see your awesome work. Make sure you have a space planned out for a register or your iPad to make sales from(the front desk in a retail shop, but like 2 feet wide) and a barstool or chair to go behind the desk area.
Now that you’ve got all that figured out, you must take stock of what you have in inventory, and what you still need. How many people are attending this show? This is indicative of what kind of sales you could possibly be making. I am making myself a spreadsheet with 4 columns across. Images of my yarns on the left, materials used, in stock, sold at end.
This will help you see everything better than you will ever see in the bins. You must have variety. I have a ton of wool yarns, but need to make more alpaca and faux cashmere happen. Each yarn has its own hang tag with its info on it, plus the price and wash instructions. Having everything they may need to know on the tag makes it so easy for them to shop and make decisions. Rather than having to bombard you with questions. Especially considering you could be making sales to other people, instead of answering questions. Prices must be clear. Don’t do discounts at shows, unless it’s something like 2 for $40. Having to do % off is a hassle when trying to ring up multiple items and lots of people.
I separate each colorway/blend in its own 2 gallon storage bag, then they all go into the bins together. The bags keep them safe from getting all tangled and damaged. The bins are easier to store than just bags. Ikea bags are actually awesome for shows also, and they have handles.
Do you have a sign? You’re going to need one. Remember how I said we are building a backboard wall like thing with a shelf on top? That’s a great place for your signage to go. Maybe with a couple plants or display pieces? I will probably make some hats or a sweater with my yarn and put them up there as displays of what can be done with my hand spun yarn. Be sure to have samples of what can be made with your items, or samples of how they can be used. If you make Christmas ornaments...you better have them displayed on some sort of tree. Not everyone has a vision in their head. Some people, most in fact, must have the vision given to them.
A few little things you will most definitely need if you use electronics for sales etc...especially if you didn’t spring for the “electricity” in your booth. You don’t need the electricity. Just get some power banks. Make sure to charge them every night if it’s a several days long show. I personally own 4 different power options to recharge all my electronics. My favorite one is my Ion Block Rocker speaker. Hahaha! I know, I know. But it charges my phone and it gives me music. Depending on the show, they may have a policy about such things, but I’m a rule breaker. And not one person around my booth has ever complained about my classic rock selection. In fact, they’ve all thanked me for helping their sanity. I purchased this for $100 for my own wedding. And we use it all the time. I also have a solar power bank, a bigger one that will recharge the electronics all day long, and I have a mini keychain sized one. These are absolutely of the utmost importance.
Bring layers and a change of shoes. Nobody tells you these things. Is it winter? Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s not winter inside with 30,000 people smashed in beside you and around you. Wear your winter gear, but wear layers and bring sandals or not as hot of shoes with you. Water is an important thing. For me, I bring coffee(lots), water(lots), food. This includes snacks. Sometimes it’s so busy you can’t get away to eat or drink. So be sure you have sustenance. Pack deodorant, especially if you’re like me and use natural stuff. It doesn’t last when your drenched in sweat. You do not want to stink. Hahahahahaha! For real though! Who wants to buy stuff from a smelly person?!
That’s all for now. If I have more to add later...I will be sure to make a new updated post!
Good luck at your next show!!!
Xo
Heidi