Tools of the Trade

August 18th Blog Carnival, for Etsy Bloggers:

Choose one of the 2 topics to write about:

1. "Back to School" What does it mean to you?


2. "Tools of the Trade" Tell of your favorite tool or a tool you use in your craft.

I chose to write about #2 since "back to school" doesn't have much of a connotation to me anymore (my children are grown and I'm not a teacher) .

I've been thinking about what I should feature as my favorite tool for several days. I could list several things I regularly use and love, like my rotary cutter, my Options interchangeable knitting needles, and my bamboo knitting needles (straights and dps), I have quite a collection of these. I could also write about my washing machine (for felting) with jeans and tennis balls for extra agitation as a favorite tool or piece of equipment. My sewing machine (New Home) is also an essential in my creative process. I have a floor loom, a table loom, and a spinning wheel that I rarely use, so I don't think they can be counted as favorites, although the spinning wheel was custom made for my mother and I do love it.

When I reflect on all these tools, I have to say my #1 favorite tool is actually my computer.



I say this because:

• it allows me to connect to the world, and more importantly to the community of crafters and bloggers, including my "friends" from Etsy, Flickr, and my blog
• it allows me to sell my handcrafted items to the world
• I can share photos and find inspiration from other crafters from my Crafting 365 Flickr group or Flickr and blogging friends
• I can find patterns or develop my own using my computer
• I can share my knitting projects on Ravelry, get ideas and help from other Ravelers, and meet wonderful knitters from around the world
• I can order supplies, books, materials on line
• I can keep records for my little business using the Excel spreadsheet I designed and file my Schedule C with the IRS and my state sales taxes on line (well, maybe this part isn't exactly a "favorite")
• I can feed my creative desires through blogging. I love finding new gadgets and widgets and ways to improve my blog. I love reading other blogs for inspiration and fun. And I love sharing things I've made in the hopes that someone else can find inspiration in turn.