The Art of Zen.......Crochet

Its Summer!!!

2011-07-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

Summer has finally arrived. I have found my long neglected blog and maybe some time and energy to write something inspiring. Whhoohoooo!!!

Spring has really been a busy time for me this year. And sadly it has not left me much time to write on my blog or dedicate as much time as I'd like to my Etsy shop. There has been a lot of personal issues come up in my life that have really needed my attention and energy, I am trying to flow with that. Dietary issues have been a major factor; gluten, dairy, soy and peanut intolerance to be more exact. Both my eight year old son and I have be presented with the challenge of these intolerances, and although we've had a few bumps in the road both of us are quite happy with our diet and are adjusting into healthier and much happier Mother and Son.

Spring is about New Growth, and that is something I have been very busy doing. Its also about letting go of things that are no longer useful to you. I have been doing housekeeping within myself and in my house.
Meditation and mindfulness have been two things I have been bringing into my everyday life.

Have I been crocheting up a storm? Oh, yes! I have been hard at work doing alot of things I never seem to find the time for in the Fall and Winter.

This summer I decided I was going to take more time for my family. I am really not putting a huge effort into my shop right now. My garden always consumes so much of my time too, not that I don't enjoy it. :) I also wanted to be able to just crochet when I felt the desire, I do often feel the desire, but if I wanted to not be held down by getting orders out on time. This will also allow me to get ahead for the Fall/Winter season and have some items in stock and ready to go!!

Not to mention we have decided to add a dog to the mix. The dog is 5 years old and in need of a loving family home. We are pretty excited to have him join our family. I will post pictures of him when he is settled in.
Summer is leading us out doors for bicycle rides, hiking, camping, swimming, not to mention our garden. So amongst all this busy energy I am finding opportunities to just enjoy the moment, and flow with life.

Cycling into Spring............

2011-04-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

I know its still cold out and the ground is covered with snow in many places but Spring has definitely arrived here on the West Coast.

I have found myself designing some new fingerless mitts lately, using some of the hemp wool blend yarn I dyed this winter. I am also incorporating some the buttons my husband made from fallen tree branches off of our property. I love the character they give each piece. He cuts and sands them, and I polish them with orange oil and bees wax.

The hand dyed yarns are so fun to create with, I love mixing and matching leftovers from other projects to make one of a kind items.

I am also working hand crocheting little appliques like leaves and such to add to my woodland collection. Its a great way to use up any little pieces.

Spring is a time for renewal, for letting go of things that are holding you back and down. This could be anything, poor eating habits, emotional baggage that is not longer serving you, bad behaviors. Learning to take a step back from the situation, calm down often time our perspective changes so much. I used to think it was just better to deal with things right away, this isn't true. Its healthy to calm down and collect yourself. Getting emotional about situations only complicates things and mars your perspective.

“It isn’t what happens to us that causes us to suffer; it’s what we say to ourselves about what happens.” -Pema Chodron

I have been finding myself mindfully breathing a lot lately. This puts me in the Present moment, not thinking about how I did this wrong, or what I could've said better...etc. At any given point I will stop my monkey mind by breathing in peace and then breathing peace back into the world. This is so detoxifying.

I have found myself rediscovering songs that so inspired me as a kid. Here is one of my Favorites:

True Colors by Cyndi Lauper

You with the sad eyes
don't be discouraged
oh I realize
it's hard to take courage
in a world full of people
you can lose sight of it all
and the darkness inside you
can make you feel so small

But I see your true colors
shining through
I see your true colors
and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid to let them show
your true colors
true colors are beautiful
like a rainbow

Show me a smile then
don't be unhappy, can't remember
when I last saw you laughing
if this world makes you crazy
and you've taken all you can bear
you call me up
because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
shining through
I see your true colors
and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid to let them show
your true colors
true colors are beautiful
like a rainbow

Namaste,
Chriss

Creative Cycles and the Winter Solstice.........

2011-02-24T08:08:00.000-08:00

This winter more than ever I have been paying attention to cycles in my life, a new awareness so to speak. I have noticed that like the plants and animals I have less energy in the winter. Less energy to cope with stress, to be physically active, even to create. At times I find myself fighting this nature. Even though deep down I know that if the kettle is always boiling, sooner or later the water evaporates.

I do notice that I seem to be a in cycle of reflecting, on what I want, where I was, what happened, how I felt, I am practicing or putting ideas into practice. I am hibernating, slowing down some. This is ok. I need to recharge my creative center, my soul.

I know that I go through times where I don't create anything new. I make items that I have already mastered, just enjoying the repetition and zen like quality I get from something so familiar and simple, easy. These are the times that I cherish as much as I do when I am exploring new ideas and experimenting.
I cannot create and explore new ideas and inspirations all the time. I cannot force them to come to fruition either. The more I force them, the more stuck I feel. These are times I need to retreat and find quiet, to rest with my ideas and nurture them.

How am I going to do this: Eating warm and spicy food, walking, warm baths, meditating, just enjoying the slowness of winter. Reminding myself daily that there is a time for planting, for growth, for pruning, for harvesting and for rest.
When I am creating I am making items that are not overly taxing on me. Just sitting and cuddling with my children, reading books. Cooking simpler meals even that I am not slaving over, but that are nourishing.

Being gentle with myself, understanding that I too need to have my cup filled once again.
That the things that really matter are the people I love in my life. Not how much money I have, not how fancy of a car I drive, not the uber trendy clothes I pay too much for, not what I give people except, of myself. My love, my attention, my acceptance, my understanding, my compassion, my laughter, my ability to listen, my hugs and kisses, my smiles, my tears, my silence, my dreams, my nightmares, my hopes, my fears, my strength, my grace, my kindness, my virtues.

My cup is really always full, I just lack the perception to conceive of it.

Shima and Shanti,

Chriss

The Winner of Our February Giveaway is..............

2011-02-14T16:31:00.000-08:00

Allison Lore. Congratulations!

Allison has won A set of her choice of Either Hemp or Organic Cotton Produce Sacs.

Thank you to all who entered and please look out for March's Giveaway!

February Giveaway!!!!

2011-02-02T10:01:00.000-08:00

Its time to show all my wonderful followers some love!!

How about a giveaway? Yay, a giveaway? A giveaway. But what to give?

Seeing as I am giving love, I want to give something that will love the Planet too.

I wanted to give something pretty because I think we all need to feel inspired by beauty this time of year. But something practical too, something someone could use a lot!!

Produce Bags!!! This time its your choice though. You can choose from the Hemp ones or

the Organic Cottons ones. Any colors I have available.

This time around you will receive 1 Small 17cm wide x 22cm long, (6 1/2" wide x 8 1/2") long and 1 Large bag that will measure 26cm wide x 33.5 cm long, (10" wide x 13" long).

Now, for how to enter. Please Follow the Directions Carefully.

1) Become a Fan on my Blog. :)
2) Visit my Etsy Shop: The Art of Zen.......Crochet have a look around and find your favorite item.
3) Email me at theartofzencrochet(at)live.ca with the February Giveaway in the Subject, telling me your favorite item and why!

Please do not leave your email on my blog, this will be deleted and you will not be entered.
Entried will be accepted until February 13 2011 and the Winner will be announced on February 14 2011
Thank you for entering and have the Best day Ever!!

Another Video to share!!!

2011-01-26T08:09:00.000-08:00

So here is the second video in my series. Please feel free to comment and share.
This one shows you how to make over your old bangles and bracelets by wrapping them with yarn.

Are you looking for ways to use up your yarn scraps?

2011-01-13T16:34:00.000-08:00

If you are like me then you kind of dabble in a bit of this and a bit of that. I have done some Jewelry assembling and modifying. I have done some sewing. I kind of get into doing mixed media fiber art. Sometimes I just need a break from crocheting. It gives me ideas in other ventures too.

So I made my First youtube video. This video shows some really amazing Recycled Sari Silk Yarn fiber beads I made using Glue/Homemade Paste, Recycled Sari Silk Yarn scraps and leftovers, repurposed plastic straws (they have been in my cupboard for about 6 years!), and it shows a project idea for an earring.

Here are some photos of the 2 types of earrings I made.

This is the one you see in my video: I used reclaimed peacock feathers, one of the "Hard beads", and a leaf from an older pair of earrings.

I used some jewelry wire, some reclaimed peacock feathers and a "hairy bead" on this one.

I hope you enjoy my First Video, and it inspires you to explore new avenues and to craft greener!

Shima and Shanti,

Chriss

Intentions......Resolutions........Inspirations

2011-01-06T08:50:00.000-08:00

Hhhhmmmm.......I don't generally make a "New Years Resolution", I feel if you want to do something badly enough and you really think its worthwhile, why put it off or wait?

Normally I am not a person to wait to resolve to do something. I analyze the situation and then take the best course for me and my family. Why put off for tomorrow what you can take care of today?

I often contemplate many things but rarely procrastinate anything. LOL. I know that I need to surround myself with positive thinking people, that help me find compassion, mindfulness, love and happiness within myself.
So, I was watching a program yesterday and it had Deepak Chopra on it. This man is amazing. He said something that really hit home with me. "Who am I? What is my Purpose?" he answered, "You don not need the answer, you only need to live the questions." Wow!! I said it over and over.

My next person I have much admiration for is Thich Naht Hanh. He is Vietnamese by birth but has been exiled from his country. He is a Zen Master of "engaged Buddhism". His life has been dedicated to the work of inner transformation for the benefit of individuals and society. His humor and ability to put his teachings and that of Buddha into layman's terms is amazing. Thich Nhat Hanh's key teaching is that, through mindfulness, we can learn to live in the present moment instead of in the past and in the future. Dwelling in the present moment is, according to Thich Nhat Hanh, the only way to truly develop peace, both in one's self and in the world.

Someone else I highly regard is the Dalai Lama. Compassion, empathy is the core of his being. He has the most wonderful laugh I have ever heard. When I think of how he has filled his being with so much love and happiness despite being exiled from his country, I think he is one of the most amazing people of our time.

These are three of the people I will be surrounding myself with or maybe it is rather their teachings that I will be surrounding myself with.

My first Resolution is to Listen Deeply. I want to make the time to listen deeply to my own suffering and then also the suffering of others. It is only when I take the time to acknowledge my own suffering that I can acknowledge the suffering of others in a compassionate and loving way. I am resolving to listen, to listen to my own suffering and then listening to the suffering of others with comapassion.

Being mindful in my judgments. Often, my judgments serve no purpose but to ignore my own suffering and therefore spread it to those around me. What is a judgment? It's a belief. What is a belief and what purpose is that belief serving? It is causing anger, resentment or anxiety? Or is it allowing peace, happiness and love to grow within? If it is causing suffering maybe that belief is no longer worth believing. Challenge the belief.

My last intention is to live mindfully. To be aware of what I consume. Not just eat but any items I use and how they came to be. Where they came from, who made them, grew them, how far it has come to get to me. What impact does this have on the people who make it? What impact does it have on the environment? Or the economy?

I remember that I am constantly setting an example for those around me, especially my children. If they see me living mindfully of others, of myself, of the environment, then I am teaching them these values as well.

Namaste,

Chriss

What is the Impact of how do you shop???

2010-12-23T10:33:00.000-08:00

I know I have brought up some of these points before and frankly I think the best way to really get something is by repeating it. As annoying as that can be. :) So I wanted to share with you on how I shop, or maybe it what I shop with. I know a lot of people have finally bought some of those recycled plastic shopping bags, which I personally am disgusted by. You cannot wash them effectively. I have made some of the mesh shopping totes. I don't like them, all my stuff pokes out.

Being "Green" is definitely not always convenient. But I personally think it is worth it to put this extra work in. Mind you, once something becomes a routine, it really doesn't seem like much work after a while. Not to mention I do feel a large sense of responsibility as a citizen of this planet to invest my time and a bit of money into trying to preserve it.

So what do I use? My favorite bags, which I sometimes get funny looks for, are the ones made from recycled T shirts: http://www.etsy.com/shop/fashiongreentbags?ref=pr_shop_more
Why do I love them so much? They reduce plastic consumption, they are reusable, recycled themselves and they are handmade! They are washable!!! Whoooohooooo!! I can dry them in the dryer, or on the line. They stretch to hold lots and lots of stuff. They cute sayings or logos that get peoples attention. They are handy, I keep them in the car.

Oh, please don't think that my post will end here. I think there are 3 more areas where we really need to crack down on our plastic consumption while grocery shopping.

My next item is my set of 3 hemp/organic cotton blend produce bags. I don't often use these for produce, but mostly in the Bulk Section or for storing your bread. If you are going to use them for produce, I find for items like lettuce and celery its best if to dampen the bags and then store your items in the fridge. They are washable, handmade, handy ( I just stash them with my grocery bags), and reusable. They are naturally antibacterial, and anti-fungal. The only downside is the Tare weight aspect, you are slightly increasing the weight of your purchase by using this bag, but I frankly think its a small price to pay to live greener. Sadly, I have found that most cashiers are not trained to subtract the tare weight of items. My advice is if you can keep an extra one handy than the cashier can use it to zero in the scale. I find that Organic/or Farmer's Markets are really a lot more friendly to this. You can find them here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ecomum

A special Note on Bulk shopping. Here are just a few of the up sides to bulk shopping: you save $$$, often times you can buy the brand names in bulk with out all the plastic packaging waste. You buy what you need, no more, no less. Bulk is cheaper in price 9 times out of 10. Also, I really think it helps me not get drawn in to feeding my family "instant food". It helps me keep our meals home made.

My next item is my own design. My Hemp Produce Sacs, they are made from hemp, which is eco-friendly, and sustainable. They are washable and dryable by hand or in the machines. They are naturally antibacterial, and anti-fungal. They are handmade. They come in 2 sizes. Again these do have a "Tare Weight". Tare weight is the weight of the bag or container when empty. It's usually a legal requirement for stores to subtract the weight of the empty container when weighing your produce or bulk purchase.

My last area of shopping is I often look for items with less packaging. Yes, some packaging can be recycled but what if we never had to use it to begin with?
Consumption. That's something that has made me really start to think about. How much water, electricity, gas or petroleum products and bi-products does it take to make highly processed items? How much pollution does that therefore cause?

I wish I could offer my family a more just world. A world where I have the choice to work or not work and choose to take care of my family. Truth of the matter is most of these items are not new fangled items, they are forgotten items that many of our ancestors used until the second half of the twentieth century. Your sandwich would have been wrapped in cloth and carried in a metal bucket or cloth sac with the rest of your homemade lunch. You would have brought your groceries home in handmade bags or baskets.

Truth is I am beginning to find items designed for convenience are really not so convenient when it comes to our health and our future. There is no convenience in the Pollution we are doing to the planet, animals or ourselves.

Namaste, Shanti and Shima,

Chriss

Invest in a Girl, Change the World

2010-12-03T15:28:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased to announce that I was able to donate $64.00 dollars to Girl Effect from Sales of certain items in my Etsy Shop.

Next months Goal: Raise enough money for at least one Micro-Loan to help a Girl or Girlsl start her own business. You can help by directly donating to this link: Girl Effect or by buying certain items in my Etsy shop: Girl Effect Items in my Etsy Shop

I am hoping to make this Cause an ongoing Monthly donation with charitable sales from my Etsy shop. I think it is truly a win/win/win.

November Giveaway Winner

2010-11-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

And the winner for November is Paula Lemos!

I want to thank everyone for all the their imput and taking the time to enter. I will not be doing a giveaway for December as it is a very busy time of year for me. I look forward to offering more giveaways in the New Year and wish all my follower a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season.

Chriss

Girl Effect.....will you help?

2010-11-19T15:27:00.000-08:00

I have special announcement. There is a very special cause called Girl Effect. Please watch the Video:

http://www.girleffect.org/video

I want you all to know that if you have been considering buying an item from my Etsy Shop, now is the time. Because I will changing things around a bit. I will be donating 50% of the purchase price of certain items in my Etsy Shop. I hope that you will help me support this cause.

A friend of mine emailed me some information today. The moment I saw this I knew that I had to get involved. Here is my story.

"Give me a fish and I eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime."
To make a long story short, I remember being about 9 years old and telling my Mom that I was going to join the army, become a Nurse and go to countries like Romania, and Turkey. I was going to nurse all the babies and children in the orphanages with HIV. Hold them, feed them, love them.
Let's just say that never happened. I did become a Mom at a very young age and I did have a hell of a lot of help. I had so many "Angel Mothers", some taught me: to cook, some to shop, some to budget, some to sew, some to listen to, some to talk to, some to deal with my anger and angst for the world that no longer had any value for me. I remember hearing very often, "that's such a shame". Frankly, the only shame I saw was that attitude of those around me.

I never let being a teen mom stop me from doing anything. I became a Health Care Assistant and have worked with the elderly and disabled for over 11 years. I was a volunteer Fire Fighter and Level 3 First Responder for 3.5 Years. I have two more beautiful children. I am married to the most incredible husband. I am an amazing cook. I grow lots of food for my family to eat. I have my own business that is not only Eco- Friendly, handmade and awesome, but it supplements my income. And many other spectacular details of my life I won't mention here.

What's the shame in that?

It all started with a belief. A belief that even though I didn't live in a perfect situation, I still had value, worth. I could still get an education, work, raise my family, learn skills to get us through the tough times. I was not a lost cause.
Neither is any other Girl.
Needless to say this cause spoke volumes to me. Please visit the website today and see what you can do to help. http://www.girleffect.org/ or visit: My Etsy Shop

Namaste,

Chriss

November Giveaway!!

2010-11-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

So who wants to win a Set of 2 Large Organic Cotton Produce bags and 2 Hemp Tawashies from The Art of Zen.......Crochet?

Say No to plastic in the produce section too! Our demand for plastic drives up the demand for oil, as do our demands for all the other products made from oil. I wanted to come up with an earth friendly alternative to those plastic bags in the produce section (crochet style of course), and these are the best of the best. These produce bags are reuseable, light weight, stashable, washable, easy to use, handmade and made from an earth friendly product. These will last for years. These bags are made with 100% Organic Color Grown Cotton Yarn, are hand crocheted (how could we get greener than human power?), totally reusable, and your are supporting the handmade movement!! It doesn't get any better than this. This truly is a win/win.
FYI: The "tare weight" of Each bag is 10 grams or .02 of a pound, simply ask the cashier to subtract this amount at checkout if you are paying by weight for your produce. Tare weight is the weight of the bag or container when empty. It's usually a legal requirement for stores to subtract the weight of the empty container when weighing your produce or bulk purchase.

So, you want some hemp Tawashi your face? Say No to plastic and disposables in the shower too! Our demand for plastic drives up the demand for oil, as do our demands for all the other products made from oil. These Tawashies are reuseable, light weight, machine washable and dryable, handmade and made from an earth friendly product. These will last for years.
These facial scrubbies are made with 100% Hemp yarn, that are dyed with fiber reactive dyes,(these dyes are easier on the environment), they are hand crocheted. Each one measures 8 cm or 3" across.
I've been trying these out for a while and this is the best of the best: dual sided (double thickness), perfect little strap for hanging up and out of the way to dry. These are soft and gently exfoliate your skin. Your skin will love you for it. Very compatible with any cleanser type. Perfect for travellers, camping and those who are on the go!!!
Did you know Hemp is naturally mold resistant and anti bacterial? That's two reasons why you will love my Hemp Line of Bath/Kitchen Products!

On to the details, what you need to do to be entered:

1) You need to be a follower on my blog, if you aren't already!! :)

2) You need to email me at theartofzencrochet@live.ca telling me what I should make more of in my Etsy shop, here is the link to my Etsy shop: The Art of Zen.......Crochet
Please be sure to follow all of the instructions, it makes me so sad when people don't follow the instructions and then I cannot enter them in the Giveaway. Sadly I don't have time to email everyone to sort it out. :)

Dead line for entries is November 29 2010 and the Winner will be announce on November 30 2010.

Sale in my Etsy Shop!

2010-11-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

Sale this Weekend in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsyonsale.com/shop/chrisssmith22

All items are 10% off! Some items will no longer be available after Sunday so get them while you can.

Winner of the October Giveaway!!

2010-10-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

We have winner.......drum roll please........Daphne White!

Daphne has won herself a pair of my Hemp Wool Fingerless gloves. Thank you to all of you who entered and took the time to critique my shop, I have already taken alot of your advice into consideration not only to serve you better but inspire and further my creativity!

I will be doing one more Giveaway in November, so stay tuned!

Namaste,
Chriss

Did you know.....

2010-10-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

....that becoming a Fan on Our Facebook page will enable you to access exclusive offers and coupons? Christmas is coming and there is no better time to drop by and "like" our page. I will be posting special coupons for my Etsy shop very soon that can only be used by my Facebook Fans.......

Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/TheArtofZenCrochet

Thanksgiving Sale!

2010-10-07T08:10:00.000-07:00

I am having a Thanksgiving Sale to celebrate Thanksgiving Here in Canada! All items in my shop have been discounted 15%! Sale ends midnight on Monday, Oct. 11 2010.

This is your opportunity to get some great items at a super discount. Christmas is not far away! http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrisssmith22

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

It's Giveaway Time!

2010-10-04T07:17:00.000-07:00

How would you like to win a pair of my Grey Fingerless Mitts?

Simply visit my Shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrisssmith22

Instructions:
I want to know what you like, don't like and what you think I can improve upon in my Etsy shop! Then email me at theartofzencrochet@live.ca , with October Giveaway in the subject line, telling me what you think.
(: please follow the directions above to be entered, those who don't will not be entered for the giveaway :)

Have fun! This Giveaway closes @ Midnight October 25 2010. The winner will be announced on October 26 2010.

Thank you and Happy Harvest Season!

Free Patterns for Hemp Produce Sacs

2010-09-23T08:22:00.000-07:00

I know you're so excited right? These sold quite well in my Etsy shop. But I just don't have the time to make these on an ongoing basis to sell. What's more "Green" than sharing? I am sharing these simple patterns because I want people to use them!

Hemp Produce Drawstring Sac Patterns

Designed by Chriss Smith
Say no Plastic in the Produce Section Too! These handy bags stretch to hold whatever your buying. They are machine washable and dryable. The Drawstring keeps your produce securely in the bag where you want it. This is a quick and easy project. If you cannot access hemp yarn, you could try cotton or organic cotton, but they will not be as strong.

Larger Sac 10x13 Materials:
2 Skeins Allhemp3 (2 skeins will make 3 sacs)
A few yards of contrasting colored yarn for drawstrings
10 mm Crochet Hook
4 mm Crochet Hook
Darning needle

Using Larger hook:
Row 1: Chain 22, dc in 4th chain from hook and each chain across, when you reach last chain; work 2 more dc in last chain, then work 1 dc in each back loop of beginning chain across. When you reach the beginning chain 3, work 1 more dc in same stitch, join with slip stitch to top of chain 3.
Rows 2-12: Chain 3, turn, work 1 dc in each dc around, join with slip stitch to top of beginning of chain 3. Fasten off weave in ends.

Drawstring: I like to use a contrasting color to make my draw string. Simply chain 100 with smaller hook or to desired Length, and fasten off. Weave string into row ten of bag and secure with an overhand knot.

Smaller Sac 6 1/2 x 10"Materials

1 Skein Allhemp3 by Lanaknits
8mm Hook
4mm Hook
Darning needle

Sac is worked in the round with a join at the end of each row.
Using Larger Hook:
Row 1: Chain 17, hdc in second chain from hook and in each chain across, when you reach last chain; work 2 more hdc in last chain, then work 1 hdc in each back loop of beginning chain across. When you reach the beginning chain 3, work 1 more hdc in same stitch, join with slip stitch to top of ch 2.
Rows 2: Chain 2, turn, work 1 hdc in each dc around, join with slip stitch to top of beginning of chain 2.
Rows 3: Chain 3, turn, work 1 dc in each dc around, join with slip stitch to top of beginning of chain 3.
Row 4: Chain 2, turn, work 1 hdc in each dc around, join with slip stitch to top of beginning of chain 3.
Repeat rows 3 & 4, 5 more times or to desired Length. Fasten off weave in ends.

Drawstring: I like to use a contrasting color to make my draw string. Simply chain 75 with smaller hook or to desired Length, and fasten off. Weave string into row ten of bag and secure with an overhand knot.

You are welcome to use this pattern for personal use, you may even sell items made from this pattern at craft fairs and Markets. I just ask that you do not sell them online. Please feel free to share this pattern with anyone and everyone.

FYI: The "tare weight" of Each bag smaller bag is 16 grams or .04 of a pound,and the tare weight of Each Large bag is 27 grams or .06 of a pound,simply ask the cashier to subtract this amount at checkout if you are paying by weight for your produce. Tare weight is the weight of the bag or container when empty. It's usually a legal requirement for stores to subtract the weight of the empty container when weighing your produce or bulk purchase.

Enjoy!!

The Art of Zen.......Crochet is finally on Facebook!

2010-09-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

Please come and join us on Facebook!
Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/The-Art-of-Zen-Crochet/150876738267126

Get more info on Local and online happenings. Plus receive exclusive Facebook Fan's only Discounts!

Back in the Game!!!

2010-09-10T06:15:00.000-07:00

Just an update to let you all know that I have reopened my Etsy shop, and I will be more listed items very soon. I am in the process of setting up wholesale so that I can make my handmade items available locally, as well as online.

An important new aspect of The Art of Zen........Crochet is that I have decided to go all hats. I will be selling off other stock I have. But that doesn't mean that patterns for free or for sale will not be available. I will be working on releasing those soon. I may reintroduce select items down the road, but I don't want to bite more than I can chew.

I am hoping to reintroduce product giveaways in October, so stay tuned for that.

A big thank you for sticking with me in this tough period of transition. It will all be worthwhile,

Chriss

My Etsy shop will be closed.....for the time being.

2010-08-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

Life hands us twists and turns and sometimes due to those we have to lighten our load. So, I will closing my Etsy shop for the time being. I want to thank all my followers for their support. As much as I love to create items, I have to keep it manageable. I like to think of myself as a "locavore". So selling my items locally makes the most sense and is less taxing on my time and energy, therefore allowing me to put the energy into what matters the most, Family and our health and well being.

I will still be selling my patterns on Ravelry. I am hoping to add more patterns thru the fall and winter both for free and for sale. I will be posting my free patterns here on the blog.

I will also still being posting on my other blog: The Zen Veggie, here: http://thezenveggie.blogspot.com/

I will still be selling the items I make Locally thru Radway in Cowichan Bay, Prudence Organics in Duncan and The Community Farm Store.

Thank you again for all of your support and I hope you will continue to follow along with me on my journey.

Chriss

What I have been doing......

2010-08-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

I have had my Etsy shop on vacation mode for a few weeks now. I have had a very busy Spring and Early Summer that a break was in order to regroup and recharge my batteries. Even more importantly I wanted to spend some quality time with my family over that summer.

I have also been making some major changes in my personal life that really required most of my focus and energy. I have started a new Blog, it's called the http://thezenveggie.blogspot.com/
It's a written testimony of my experience of trying a lacto ovo vegetarian diet for 30 days. I will be posting my experiences daily, sharing recipes, and giving my honest opinion about vegetarianism.
Please check it out and follow along if you are interested.

I have also been educating myself on "living greener", there really are so many things we can do. But the key to making lasting changes in life is to do it steps.
I found this incredible video called "HOME". Its about climate change. If watch nothing else this year on climate change, watch this video. http://www.youtube.com/homeproject

Happy Summer Days,

Chriss

"The Art of Mindfull Living", Did you ever wonder if those Felted Wool Dryer balls Work?

2010-07-08T10:04:00.000-07:00

I seem to be a bit fixated on laundry and shopping the past few months with my personal life and small business "go greener" makeover, but the more info I find the more I realized as green as I thought I was being, I still have work to do. I know, your thinking what does this have to with Felted wool dryer balls?

A lot really, I think a lot of the time when we are trying to make positive changes in any area of our life we can get stuck in these little ruts that give us the illusion that we have reached our destination. There is no destination. Its all a journey and we need to grow, expand and revise our goals, repeatedly. I think its ok to take time to master a skill or develop healthy habits, but not be limited by them once we have reached that goal. You can always be and do better. This is not say we shouldn't be satisfied or have a sense of accomplishment and appreciate what we have accomplished, only that we really never are able to fathom what we are really capable of until we are pushed and motivated.

I had been using Biodegradable Laundry Detergent for about 5 years, over time this naturally progressed into making my own laundry soap with handmade soap http://www.etsy.com/listing/49748245/house-bd-biodegradable-eco-friendly and storing it in repurposed containers. Its been a lot of fun experimenting with making my own cleaners and soaps, something my Great Grandmother and other ancestors must have done. Admittedly, most of what they used would have been washing soda, borax, vinegar and bar soap that was purchased.

I honestly believe when we have this creative process to make what we need, it gives us a much deeper connection to the universe, as opposed to stopping by the grocery store a buying it. This is part of living in the present moment. My sense of appreciation for what I have is much deeper, because "I made it". This applies to a lot of aspects of my life; Growing my own food and preserving it, making laundry soap and my own cleaners, crocheting, sewing, practicing Dru Yoga, playing with my kids, sharing my skills with my kids, etc.

Felted wool dryer balls do work! They cut drying time because they retain heat and help your clothing move and open up in the dryer more. I noticed a significant difference in the drying time. (Not that I use my dryer much this time of year as the weather outside has been incredible for drying clothes. I agree, using a dryer is not very "green", but the truth of the matter is most people use the dryer. Not to mention, "going green" is usually done in steps by most people, and not everyone is able or willing to go as "green" as others are. ) My clothes were soft as normal, I also did not notice an increase in lint. As for static, I felt there was less, but we don't own much synthetic clothing so static has never been a huge issue. This was a fun recycling project for me. I had this super coarse wool from one of the first sweaters I took apart. I was having a hard time finding something to use it on it was so scratchy. Needless to say, I found a use for some of that wool. I was thinking of using the rest of that wool to make more, but then what to do with them? I end up with a lot of little scraps that are perfect for making these as it doesn't matter if you have a bunch of knots throughout the ball. They are a fun little project. Here is the link: http://goodmama.typepad.com/goodmama/2008/05/make-your-own-wool-dryer-balls.html The tutorial suggests washing the balls to felt them. I just threw them in the washer whenever I was doing a load.

Namaste,

Chriss

June Giveaway Winner!

2010-06-30T07:10:00.000-07:00

The Winner of my June Giveaway is.......

Kelli Robinson. Her favorite item was

A Bit of Lace Refined Hemp Summer Scarf in Slate and Lilac and she won a $10.00 Gift Certificate toward any item in my Esty Shop!
The Lacey body is done in a Smokey Slate Gray hemp yarn, the Blossom edging is in Lovely Lilac lace weight hemp yarn.

Thank you to all who entered! I will be announcing July's Giveaway Soon!