How things change! Even though I’ve been away from actively working on my website, I have been busy creating art and living life. My focuses these days have revolved around homeschooling my kids, trying to maintain my physical and mental health during the time of Covid19, and expanding my scope of fiber art. 

Lately, I’ve been exploring the world of needle felted wall hangings and paintings. I’m really enjoying the process and it allows my creative side to shine. I absolutely love it! My focus has been moving away from bags, and clothing to this. It seems like the perfect way to combine my love of nature with my love of fiber. If you are looking for a custom piece, please reach out! I am working on figuring out how many of these custom orders I can fit in a month (3-4, most likely), so if you’d like to get on the list, now would be the time to do so. 

Covid-19 has certainly effected the art world. In a business model where interacting with the public at art shows is key, we, as a group, are struggling to figure out how to move forward and stay in business. Now is the time when many applications for shows and exhibits are going out for the rest of 2020 (in particular the fall and holiday shows). Summer shows are being cancelled, as are holiday shows. Yes, shows in November are being cancelled - both due to concerns about the virus and concerns about the decreased likelihood of those shows being profitable. Let me say, those shows are being cancelled for good reason. It’s impossible to keep proper social distancing, and the economic downturn means people won’t be buying art at a level to make it ideal for these shows.

So, what is an artist to do? Of course we will continue to do art. Art isn’t merely a business for us, but it is something we love to do. It’s something a part of our being. However, we still need to make sales in order to pay our bills, buy supplies and keep doing what we love to do. Online sales are certainly a part of it (you can click on the shop link to go to my etsy shop), but they don’t cover it all. And there is just something about seeing these works of fiber art in person, touching them, and talking to the artist, that you can’t replicate online. 

In that thread, I am brainstorming ways to connect with you all. Some ideas I’ve had:

• virtual private lessons
• online holiday shows (not just my etsy shop)
• videos of me at work
• weekly “ask the artist” via live chat on facebook

If there is something you’d like to see or are interested in, please reach out! I would love to hear from you! 

I am so excited to announce that Rosy Toes Designs, in association with The Artisan Group, will participate in an invitation-only luxury celebrity gift lounge hosted by GBK Productions on April 10-11, 2015! The event will be held at an exclusive location in Hollywood, CA, in honor of the upcoming 2015 MTV Movie Awards. If you think back to last year at this time, I was scrambling to finish 100 eco friendly phone cases, handcrafted from felted sweaters, for GBK's 2014 MTV Movie Awards Celebrity Gift Lounge. It was definitely a learning experience, and the response I receive was great - Click here to see some of the celebrity tweets. I really love the demographic of the MTV Movie Awards - young, hip, many are eco minded. It's a great fit for Rosy Toes Designs, so I decided to participate again this year. Instead of gifting celebrities, I've opted for gifting the press, so instead of 100 gifts, I only had to make 10. 

It is not an easy task, picking that gift. You want to pick something that sets you apart, but also something that would appeal to a wide variety of people. You also want to gift something that is fairly easy to reproduce. If not exactly, than close enough that you can tell they are the same product. These little Eco Silk and Wool Wristlets fit the bill. Each one has a unique stitch pattern, but can also be remade. Marsala is Pantone's 2015 Color of the year, so I chose that as my wool base along with a complementing strand of recycled silk lace yarn. I really love how they turned out. 

The Eco Silk and Wool Wristlets, Marsala Collection, are crafted from wool and recycled silk yarn. Each is lined with 100% cotton fabric and comes with a sturdy stainless steel wristlet chain. Available in alternative sizes and color combinations upon request. Direct press inquiries to Lucy Chapman, Owner and Artist. Retail and wholesale inquiries welcome. 

WANT TO GET IN ON THE FUN ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM OR TWITTER? LOOK FOR THE HASHTAG #GBKMovieAwards ! 

This week's Monday Feature is on my Color Burst Coin Purses and Clutches. These handy little pouches are handcrafted from Darn Good Yarn's recycled Cloud Silk and Wool - knit and felted together. Make sure you read to the bottom to find the 10% off code! These retail at $39.99 for the coin purses and $49.99 for the clutches. The price includes your choice of strap. With the coupon, you'd pay only $36 for the pouch and $45 for the clutch. I have quite a few color choices, but only one of each of these choices. 

Something special about these bags - As part of a gifting event with The Artisan Group, I sent one of these clutches to the stylist over at The Young and the Restless for consideration in use on the show. I don't have cable and haven't had the chance to watch all the episodes on-line, but if you see it, I'd love to know! I have no guarantees that it will be chosen, but if you see it let me know and I'll send you a little something! You'll find an exact picture of the clutch I sent down at the bottom of this page!

What you'll love about the pouches - These little bags are extremely sturdy. There is something about felted the strand of wool and silk together that makes a super snug and tight felt. You can see the stithies in the silk too, which adds a bit of fun. Normally, when a knit wool piece is felted, you can't see the stitches. 

What I love about these pouches - I loved playing with combining the silk and wool yarns. Choosing which colors I was going to put together and imagining how they might turn out. Sometimes I was right, and sometimes I was wrong. 

Use the code "MondayColorBurst" for 10% off your purchase of any Color Burst Coin Purse or Clutch!

Welcome to my Monday Feature! Every Monday, I will feature ONE bag. I'll give you a little insight into it's inspiration, creation and the story behind it. You'll get a peak into my creative mind and into my workshop.

You'll also get a coupon code for that product (anywhere from 5% - 20% off) - good for that week only! Come Monday, there will be a new product featured.  DON'T FORGET TO READ ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM TO GET THE CODE! I have also decided not to do any more storewide sales for the foreseeable future, so these features may be your only chance to get a sale price.  

Each of these bags is one of a kind. There will never be another exactly like it. Sure, there may be some similar ones, but the lining may vary. The strapping may vary. The exact color might be different. This is your chance to get a great deal on a unique piece from Rosy Toes Designs.

This week's feature is the Celtic Scroll Felted Wool Messenger Bag.  Let me just say how much I just love this bag. I love the tone on tone of the scroll work and the bag. I love the brass zipper (I usually stay away from zippers, but have grown to love using them). I love the retro element of the lining. O.k. I just love the bag. If I didn't already have about half a dozen of my bags hanging in the closet, I'd keep this one for myself. 

The Inspiration came from a pillow I came across. It was in a book full of various felting ideas - they took an i-chord and used is to create a 3-dimensional image. I have always enjoyed doodling and creating swirls, so using a few long chords to create swirls on a bag seemed like a great way to try a new technique and create a totally unique and one of a kind piece. 

Let me say, that this bag took way longer than expected. While knitting an i-chord is fairly quick, it adds up when you have to make four or more of them. Then there is the placing and sewing on of each chord. 

I was a little concerned that when I felted the bag with the chord on it that I might get some bag distortion when felting, or that the parts would felt at different rates. Sometimes different stitches will do that. 

Thankfully it all came together! 

THIS MONDAY FEATURE CODE IS "CelticMonday" It will be good for 15% off all Celtic Scroll Felted Wool Messenger Bags. Good from Aug 4 - Aug 10

If you listen to TED Talks, you may have heard this come up. TED (it stands for Technology, Education, Design) is a nonprofit devoted to ideas worth spreading. On a recent interview about TED Talks, the question was asked "What makes your heart sing?" It is when you truly figure that out and bring it into your professional life that you truly become successful. 

It is not an easy question to answer. On the surface, I could say that I enjoy eco fiber art, making things, being home with my kids, having a business that is eco friendly, etc. But when I get right down to the core of it, what is it that I am truly passionate about. What makes my heart sing?

My brother is visiting right now. In the past, he was in the business of idea generation and product innovation. He is super creative in business development and thinks of things I would never think of. When you work by yourself, it's easy to miss the big picture. I love talking to him about my business and brainstorming. Unfortunately he lives in Scotland, so our conversations can sometimes be far and few between. We were talking about the idea of truly doing what you are passionate about, deep down to the core, and figuring out how to tell that story. 

During that conversation, I was thinking about all the projects I have done in the past and about which ones truly brought about fulfillment, enjoyment, and that reached to my core. I answered the question with a story of my own:

Back in 2009, a dear friend asked me to make a bag for her. She wanted me to use a sweater that had belonged to her Grandfather I believe, as well as skirt that she'd worn while on missionary work in Africa. Those two items had traveled the world with her, but were things she no longer wore for one reason or another.  After talking with her and hammering out a few details concerning color, style, size, etc. I was able able to make a bag that she could use every day and remember her Grandfather and her travels. What had been taking up space in her closet, had been given new life in the form of a bag. The feeling I got (and still get) from that one project make me emotional every time I talk about it. I got tears in my eyes when I was talking about it with my brother - and I made that bag 5 years ago. 

Here is what she had to say about the finished project: Lucy created a custom shoulder bag for me using old wool sweaters and material that I provided for her, items that either held special meaning for me or whose colors I loved. She asked me a few questions about specific accoutrements and knew intuitively which ones would complement the bag and my taste. The result is Uh-MAY-zing. I have received many, many compliments on my bag and exclamations of, "But I want one just like it!" when I explain that it was custom-made. 

In talking with my brother, I had discovered what truly makes my heart sing. It's not fiber art. It's not the simple act of creating something. I am in the memory business. I am truly passionate about creating new memories and preserving cherished ones. Fiber is simply my medium.

The question is, how can I make this happen? Here are some changes you will see in the next few months. 

• I will be focussing on my bags and will have 2 basic categories for Rosy Toes Designs: 1 for purely custom bags in which I create a bag from your sweaters (and mine when necessary) and  1 for One of a Kind bags and pouches I've already made. You will be able to buy the bag exactly as pictured. It will make it easier for you to order and will allow me to be truly creative with my fiber art.
  
• I'll be eliminated my scarves, hats, and cuffs from my shop. I like making them, but I'm not truly passionate about them. If you want one in the future, you'll have to make a special request. Effective July 15
• If you want a custom felted knit bag or sweater bag with only my materials, that will still be available. 

IN THE MEANTIME, YOU CAN START CREATING YOUR OWN NEW MEMORIES AND PRESERVING CHERISHED ONES. YOU CAN START THE PROCESS HERE, OR CONTACT ME DIRECTLY. 

I'D LOVE TO HEAR WHAT MAKES YOUR HEART SING! FEEL FREE TO SHARE!

Stay tuned for info on a Kickstarter Campaign I'll be holding to help me take the next step with Rosy Toes Designs - super excited!

Win an eco friendly smartphone case just like the celebrities got in their gift bags at GBK's 2014 MTV Movie Awards Gift Lounge and for Earth Day!

The Phone Wristlet in “Cherry Blossom” was included in The Artisan Group’s Collaborative Gift Bag in Honor of 2014 Earth Day, which is being delivered to some of Hollywood’s most eco-conscious celebrities, including Jessica Alba, Emma Watson, Edward Norton, Adrian Grenier, Will.i.am, Robert Redford, Leonardo DiCaprio, Drew Barrymore, Woody Harrelson, Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, Julianne Moore, Ted Danson, Meryl Streep, Cameron Diaz, John Mayer, Geena Davis, Barbra Streisand, Alicia Silverstone, Ian Somerhalder, Lisa Kudrow, Mark Ruffalo, Natalie Portman, Rachel McAdams, and Neil Patrick Harris.

The Singing Owl and Retro Daisy wristlets were gifted to 100 celebs at GBK's 2014 MTV Movie Awards Git Lounge.


Handcrafted from 100% wool sweaters and embellished with your choice of retro daisy, sweetheart owl, cherry blossoms, a groovy guitar, perching birds, musical notes, treble clef or the tree of life, a design of your choice, or no embellishment at all. 

You pick the sweater color used for the base. You pick the style (wristlet, heavy duty or lightweight), You pick the design. 


Pre-Made Bases
Blank Bases
Wristlet
Heavy Duty Smartphone Case
Lightweight Smartphone Case


RUNS APRIL 22, 1PM EST THROUGH MAY 3, 9PM EST.

My designs and creations are once again on their way to Hollywood! Well, Beverly Hills anyway! They are headed to GBK's 2014 MTV Movie Awards Celebrity Gift Lounge on April 11-12, where they will be in the very capable hands of Valerie Guerrero - head of The Artisan Group. My eco friendly phone cases will be a part of a very special gift bag handed out to celebrities and select members of the press. 

VIEW MY PRESS RELEASE HERE  PLEASE LIKE AND SHARE ON YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA!
WANT TO PURCHASE A SMARTPHONE CASE /WRISTLET? SHOP HERE!
ALSO AVAILABLE IN HEAVY DUTY AND LIGHT WEIGHT SLEEVE STYLES. 

Gifting celebrities can bring a bit of panic. I'm being honest here, logically I know that they are just like everyone else. But there is also that little voice inside my head that second guesses. I know I create a quality product. But will it be liked by these famous people?  If I'm truly honest, there's a little voice inside my head that asks the same question every time I ship an order.

I wanted to share with you my process for this event. For 2 years I've been involved with celebrity and press gifting through The Artisan Group. In the past, I've gifted to members of the press, as well as individual celebrities. This is the first time I've gifted to such a large number of celebrities at once - 100 of them. I chose to do it mainly because of the demographic - young adults very active on social media. It's a group I want to target with my marketing. I approached it much like I would a wholesale order. 

My first step was to come up with a timeline. I also decided to keep a journal, both to keep me on track and to document the experience. 

Hi, my name is Lucy, and I love wool (and alpaca). I mean, really love it. This love affair started in my late teens/early twenties. Growing up, I hadn't had much interaction with these truly amazing fibers that would come to play such a large role in my life. I think I might have had some rag wool socks. Maybe. Then I left Pennsylvania for Northland College. 

Northland is in northern Wisconsin, about a mile from Lake Superior. And it got cold. And windy. It was then that I discovered wool. Well, wool and long underwear and warm winter boots, and knitting. My first wool purchase was a Peruvian wool sweater. You know, one of those chunky hand knit kinds too warm to wear indoors because you'll sweat? I loved it; wore it every chance I got! In fact, I still have it, and it still fits. I wore it this winter. My engagement photos were taken while wearing an alpaca sweater that I also picked up at college. My hubby was wearing a wool sweater.

My love affair with wool eventually progressed to yarn and fiber. Now  I make most of our woolen/alpaca gear (hats, mittens, scarves, etc.). I do buy wool and alpaca socks and sweaters because while I can make them, I choose not to, and don't really have time. My kids have had an early introduction to this wonderful fiber and can probably spout all its benefits. 

Why do I love it so much? Good question. I think it goes beyond the science of it, although that is certainly part of it. Yes, it's odor and stain resistant. Yes, it lasts for a really long time. Yes, it's eco-friendly and natural. But, when you get right to it, there is a feeling I get when I work with wool and alpaca as it slides through my hands and is transformed into something that accentuates the fiber.  A feeling I get as feel the fiber and I stroke the felted bags and accessories I create (they continue to get softer the more they are used).  I can't really explain it, but it makes me smile every time. I truly love creating pretty things that I know will last and I hope will be loved.