vacation

I'm off for a much-needed vacation. I just finished packing the car and am waiting for the snoring monster in my bedroom to arise. I can't wait. We're going to Seal Rock in Oregon for a relaxing 5 days. It's been months since I was able to get away and it will be even more months before I have a break again. I plan to sip red wine and knit all day. I did remember to pack the camera. Hopefully I'll remember to use it. Then I will tackle the challenge of getting the photos out of it and happily shared with you.

Cheers,
Anna

Inspiration

I've been inspired. One of my knit-group friends has a lovely blog (and once I figure out how to insert links) and bloggy friends, and I want to be bloggy, too. I don't have much time, or much sense of purpose, but I think it will be a good challenge. I'm also not great with photos so it will be pretty plain looking for a while. I hope to post at least twice a week for eight weeks. We'll see...

Greetings all!

This weekend is the 41st annual U-District Street Fair! This two-day ten-block event is the first big street fair in the area. It is one of my favorite fairs to participate in, and everyone always has a great time.

The Anna Perrone Designs booth will be set up in it the same place as previous years: on the east side of University Ave, just south of 50th (where it is easier to find parking), in front of Rudy's Barbershop. I will have a bunch of new jewelry designs, and even more new knitwear. I've been feverishly knitting Armies (fingerless gloves) and stretchy adjustable headbands. The newest addition to the Armies line-up are Prince and Princess gauntlets and Wonder Woman-esque wrist cuffs.

The fair runs 10am-7pm Saturday and 10am-6pm Sunday. Keep in mind that every piece is one-of-a-kind so shop early for the best selection. Get more details about the fair at www.udistrictstreetfair.org. Be sure to say "hi" to other Fremont faves: Candle Jim and Krissy from Orangebox Jewelry. They will be set up on the same block.

Mention this email and receive a free hand-made key fob. I hope to see you this weekend,

Anna

Anna Perrone Designs
www.annaperronedesigns.etsy.com
www.annaperronedesigns.com

2010 Show schedule:

St. John's Bazaar and Street Fair
Saturday, May 8
Portland, OR
http://www.stjohnsbizarre.com/

May Fair
Wed & Thu, May 5-6
Stevens Hospital
Edmonds, WA

U-District Street Fair
Sat & Sun, May 15-16
University Ave, Seattle
http://www.udistrictstreetfair.org/

Edmonds Saturday Market
Saturdays, July 3 - Oct 2
5th & Main, Edmonds, WA
www.snohomishmarkets.com/#Edmonds

West Seattle Summerfest
Fri - Sun, July 9 - 11
California Ave SW, Seattle
http://www.westseattlefestival.com/

Salmon Days
Sat & Sun, Oct 2 - 3
Issaquah, WA
http://www.salmondays.org/

Tacoma Holiday Gift Show
Wed - Sun, Oct 20 - 24
Tacoma Dome, WA
http://www.showcaseevents.org/tacoma_event.htm


As always, Fremont Sunday Market
Every Sunday, rain or shine
34th & Evanston in Fremont
Seattle, WA
http://www.fremontmarket.com/fremont/


Online at
www.annaperronedesigns.etsy.com
www.annaperronedesigns.1000markets.com
www.annaperronedesigns.com

additional photos at:
annaperronedesigns.photoshop.com

Armies and Chilly Weather

I just posted a few new pieces to my Etsy and 1000 Markets on-line stores. http://www.annaperronedesigns.etsy.com/ http://www.annaperronedesigns.1000markets.com/

One of the newbies is my favorite knit piece yet. The Amethyst Armies were co-designed by my partner and have proven to be best sellers at the local outdoor market.

Speaking of Armies, you might be wondering just what I mean. Armies are my own creation. They are a glove alternative that I originally created for myself. I was having trouble keeping my hands and fingers warm as I crafted and typed. (No one told me it snowed in Seattle...) The long winter here in the Northwest has forced, rather, inspired me to create a whole new line of function knitwear. The current Armies pattern is my own (not altered or copied from another artist).

The style is sometimes referred to as gauntlets, arm warmers, fingerless gloves, wrist warmers or figerless mittens. A snuggly knit tube features a finished opening at both ends ensuring that shape and yarn ends remain intact, a hole for your thumb to poke through, and a contrast stitch around the palm to increase your grip. An additional feature can be added upon special request: a reinforced wrist. And men love them too!!

Armies can be worn for all sorts of different activites or just for style. I use mine while knitting, making jewelry, shopping, driving, typing and while working at my booth at the Fremont Sunday Market. Many other market vendors wear them too. They are great for keeping hands and fingers warm while still allowing you to handle money safely. They can also be worn while jogging, biking, playing an instrument, yoga, walking, etc.

Armies can also help maintain warmth and blood flow through your wrists. Many people, especially crafters and others who work with their hands (massage therapists, grocery checkers, receptionists) are susceptible to repetetive stress injuries (tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.). By increasing blood flow to the afflicted area one can better manage the pain of such injuries. Upon request, Armies can be made with warmer and/or thicker yarn along the wrist area. This helps maintain heat but the added support also helps hold the wrist similar to the way an Ace bandage does.

Armies can be made in any color combination, or in solid colors, and in a wide variety of fibers. Below is a list of yarns I have in my current stock and what that particular fiber offers.

Merino wool: warm, very soft, low allergy, natural fiber

Cashmere: very warm, very soft, natural fiber

Silk: warm, smooth, animal friendly, natural fiber

Bamboo: eco-friendly, natural fiber, renewable resource, feels like silk, incredibly durable

Corn: eco-friendly, natural fiber, renewable resource, feels like cotton

Banana plant rayon: looks like silk, nubby texture, natural fiber, eco-friendly

Cotton & Organic Cotton: eco-friendly, natural fiber, machine washable, allergy free

Alpaca: warmer than wool, lanolin-free, very low allergy, natural fiber

Acrylic: very durable, allergy free, synthetic - allergy free, machine washable

Angora: warm, very soft, natural fiber

So, if your'e looking for a great, functional, snuggly accessory, give them a try. These are the softest Armies you'll ever come in contact with. Don't forget, men love them too.

Cheers, Anna
Anna Perrone Designs

Biggest Sale of the Year

Check out the Armies to the left. Merino wool is amazing!

This is it - the biggest sale I have all year long!!! EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF JEWELRY IS ON SALE! Here's how it works:

$2 off every piece
50% off entire purchase if you buy three or more pieces

That means single pairs of earrings start as low as $10 and you could get three pairs for as little as $18. Wow!

This sale will run until Feb 7 (that's three more Sundays at Fremont) so now's the time to snatch up all the jewelry you wanted for the holidays but didn't get, AND the best time to get some nice gifts for V-day.

Cheers,
Anna

Anna Perrone Designs
website under re-construction: http://www.annaperronedesigns.com/
knitwear for sale online (jewelry soon to follow): http://www.annaperronedesigns.etsy.com/
quick photos of knitwear: http://annaperronedesigns.photoshop.com/
rarely updated blog :( http://www.annaperronedesigns.blogspot.com/

So, sorry I haven't updated in quite a while. I wanted to add this picture though. I had a Sterling cuff commissioned for a friend. The artist, Zesty Betsy, had an Etsy listing for a plain cuff that could be customized. I want to thank her again for making one of the most stunning yet simple cuffs I've ever seen.

I'm still working to get the new website up and running. I'm very excited about it and I want it to be perfect.

I've also been knitting quite a lot. I absolutely love it, although still not as much as I love making jewelry. I've had tons of success with my fingerless gloves/gauntlets. They are comfortable, affordable, and practical for everyday use in Seattle. Even on the warmest days, your fingers are chilled on the steering wheel during the morning commute. I've also been making socks and just started a vest. Stop by Fremont Market to see the latest progress.

Cheers for now. Enjoy the summer and remember to wear sunscreen.
~Anna