You might have noticed that things have been a bit slow on the shiny new colourways and updates front lately. No need to worry, though – as Granny Weatherwax would say, "I aten't dead." But there have been a few changes so I wanted to pop in and chat about what's been going on and what the future holds for Skeinhawk Yarns.
A bit of background: apart from being the creative mind and hands behind this yarny business, I also have a full-time job that's pretty demanding. Oh, and I have ADHD, which makes me believe I'm a Time Wizard capable of conjuring extra hours in the day, while at the same time being able to get a mile past the burnout wall before realising I've hit it. Add this to a tendency to spiral into guilt about unproductivity and, well. It's a bit of a rollercoaster ride, to say the least.
Lately, I've had to have a serious talk with myself and admit that I need some free time for, well, just being free. When you squeeze dyeing into every spare moment, it starts feeling like a chore rather than the artistic joy it should be. And that's not what I want for Skeinhawk Yarns. I absolutely love creating new colours and themes, and sharing them with you all is even more fulfilling. But feeling guilty about taking a weekend off instead of dyeing was dampening my passion.
So, here's the plan. Skeinhawk Yarns is definitely staying put, but we're going to change things up a bit. Instead of worrying about keeping up with the larger, full-time dyers and their wide range, I'll openly focus more on occasional releases of what I enjoy the most – themed yarns, sets, and kits in limited edition runs. The monthly yarn clubs are going nowhere; in fact if you're a fan, get ready for more whimsical surprises!
Fear not, my signature range will always be available dyed-to-order, and I'll keep a few ready-to-ship skeins in stock. And if inspiration strikes, I might add a new colourway here and there.
I'm also excited to free up time for more commissions and bespoke dyeing. Got a special pattern that needs the perfect set of yarns? Give me a shout. Want a unique skein inspired by your best friend's favorite film? I'm all ears! Keep an eye out for a dedicated commissions page, but for now, just reach out with your ideas.
I’m hoping to free up some mental bandwidth to work on projects with other crafters, artists and designers. There’s some fun stuff in the pipeline at the moment for Christmas - it’s top secret right now but I know you’re going to love it.
So, in a nutshell, I'm going to follow the dopamine and dye where my heart takes me. Which is sort of what I've been doing already, but I'm going to stop feeling bad about it and instead see it as the positive new direction it is. And I hope you'll come along for the ride!
If you don't want to miss any updates (they might be rare, but they'll be worth it, I promise!), be sure to sign up for my Newsletter and follow me on Instagram. I might even do some more blogging. Who knows?
Until next time, happy crafting and yarn hoarding!
With love and colours,
Naomi
Chief Yarn Wrangler, Skeinhawk Yarns