Writing a Craft Book

With Happy-Gurumi coming out in a few weeks (on March 10th!) I've been looking back on everything that went into making the book. I can't believe that it's been two years since I sent out that first proposal and started filling a bright pink binder with notes, revisions, and pattern testing. I've learned so much about what goes into publishing a craft book, both expected and unexpected, so I've decided to share some details of the work process behind Happy-Gurumi!

Hellloooooo 2015!

Happy first week of 2015! Or really happy second week, because I'm late in posting this. Geez, time flies! Anyway, I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing time during the holidays. Per usual, I got a cold, ate way too much, got a cold again, and caught up with friends and family. Aside from getting sick, I had a really great time!

While 2014 was a pretty good, I'm really looking forward to this year. I have a couple of big things coming up that will hopefully lead to even bigger opportunities for The Pudgy Rabbit!

First up is my crochet book, Happy-Gurumi! I can't believe that it's coming out in just a couple of months, on March 10th. It seems nuts that just a year ago, I was crocheting like crazy, turning my sketches into working patterns and somehow a book came out of the mess of yarn that covered my desk. Big thank you to my editors at Martingale for all their hard work and pulling everything together. You can pre-order the book right now at Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

And if you don't know how to crochet, not to worry, there are detailed instructions with plenty of pictures that will teach you the all basics. A new year, a new craft, that's what I always say! ;)



Then in May, I'm going to be exhibiting at the National Stationery Show! This is my first trade show and I'm really excited to be doing such a big fair. There's going to be thousands of attendees along with some really major retailers and lots of press. I'm actually a bit nervous because I've only exhibited at much smaller craft fairs so far and I haven't even done that many fairs in general. It's kind of a big leap to do such a major show and I have so many things that I need to prepare that it makes me panic a little. But I figure it's good to take some risks and this would be great exposure for the shop, so out of my comfort zone I go!

On the plus side, my crochet kits have already been highlighted by the NSS and they're currently a part of their favorite things for the 2015 show! Whoo hoo!





In other news, I'm also working on some new things for the shop, developing patterns, and planning out some new products. The next few months are going to be really busy, but I'm coming out of my cookie and fatty food induced holiday haze and super excited to get started!

So I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year and hope that the next twelve months are great! Cheers to 2015!

Holiday Weekend Sale!

Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving filled with plenty of turkey!



Holiday shopping is full swing and The Pudgy Rabbit is having a sale on all crochet kits and patterns!  Get 25% off your entire purchase this weekend through Monday, December 1st. Just enter code HOLIDAY at checkout. Happy shopping!

New Patterns and Kits!

I can't believe how fast the holidays are coming up! With a couple of craft shows on the way, I've been getting ready with a bunch of new items in the shop.



I've been toying around with different designs other than the usual animals I create, so I came up with this goofy coffee mug. I love coffee and I love yarn, seemed like a perfect fit!







Also new to the shop, a chill polar bear, penguin, and panda. And if you're looking for something to hang on the tree, the snowman ornament is back!



All the kits and patterns are available in my Etsy shop. I also have a kit combo, where you can get two crochet kits for $48. So if you're looking for fun and creative gift ideas, be sure to check out all the designs!

In other news, I'm starting up a shop newsletter, where you can receive the latest updates about new items, sales and promotions, and any upcoming craft fairs. Join the mailing list here or you can use the sign up tab on the right side of the blog.

Hope everyone's holiday planning is going well and stress free!

I Wrote A Book!

After working through a mountain of yarn, bits of felt, and stuffing, I'm proud to announce that I've completed my first crochet book! Actually, it was completed earlier this year, but it didn't feel official to me until all the editing was done, a title was picked, and the final cover finished. And I guess now it's super official because the book is available for pre-order online! Hooray!!



Happy-Gurumi is filled with a fun mix of projects, ranging from goofy animals, to smiling daisies, to a happy birthday cake. For those that have never crocheted before, there are basic crochet instructions included with lots of step by step photos. There's also more advanced patterns for those looking for a challenge!

I had so much fun creating all the patterns for the book, especially making all the puppet style mouths, and figuring out how to turn my drawings into actual projects. I have a whole drawer stuffed with various animal parts and test samples from each pattern, it's amazing that the book came out of that mess of crochet!

The release date is set for next year, March 10th, 2015. You can pre-order it now at Amazon and Barnes and Noble at a discounted price, so check it out!

Make your own jack o' lantern!

Geez, I can't believe that September is almost over! But that means Halloween is on its way, one of my favorite holidays! Every year I pick out the nicest pumpkin I can find and make plans to carve it into a super awesome jack o' lantern. Something that would really impress the trick or treaters. And every year, I end up with a rotting, uncarved pumpkin on my front doorstep by Thanksgiving.



This year, I've finally accepted that actual pumpkin carving is just not my thing, so I turned to my trusty yarn and hook and made this little crochet jack o' lantern instead! It's small, fits into the palm of my hand, and won't get all moldy and mushy. A win all around! Now you can make an everlasting pumpkin too with the new Design a jack o' lantern kit in my shop!



Like all my other kits, this one comes with everything that you need to make the project. The kit also comes with a crochet booklet that teaches all the basic stitches, so if you don't know how to crochet, this is a great stepping stone! You can choose to do either an open or closed mouth and there's an assortment of eyes along with some pink cheeks. Go with traditional triangle eyes or mix it up with round eyes and cheeks, or even do one round and one triangle eye. Celebrate the fall season with some yarn and crafting! Happy crocheting!

Ice cream and a Labor Day sale

So I have a new kit up in the shop, mini ice cream key chains! I know the summer is just about over, but you can hold onto some of that summertime goodness with this cute pattern!





Each kit makes two double scoop cone key chains in strawberry, vanilla or chocolate with a cherry on top. Mix up the colors, do a single scoop, or leave off the cherry, whatever floats your boat!

And as a bonus, I'm having a Labor Day sale over at my Etsy shop. Just enter the coupon code LBRDAY14 at checkout to receive 20% off your purchase! If the ice cream cone kit doesn't strike your fancy, I have eight other designs ranging from cats and dogs to owls and bears, so come check it out! Sale ends at midnight, September 1st, 2014 and does not apply to shipping or taxes.

www.thepudgyrabbit.etsy.com

Turtle PhD

So one of my best friends graduated this past weekend with her PhD and unfortunately I wasn't able to make it down to Georgia to see her walk  in the ceremony. As a little graduation present I crocheted her this turtle (one of her favorite animals) complete with his very own hood, grad cap, and doctorate!

Cyber Monday 2013

Don't forget to check out The Pudgy Rabbit today to get 15% off your entire purchase of crochet kits, starter kits, and patterns! The sale is for one day only and ends tomorrow, December 3rd, 2013. Happy shopping!

*Discount does not apply to shipping or tax.

Starter Kits and Combo Sets

Just in time for the holidays, starter crochet kits! Each starter kit comes with all the basics needed to complete a project. These kits are great for those who already own a hook and notions and just want the supplies to crochet a cute amigurumi!

Cyber Monday Sale

Happy almost Thanksgiving! Hope everyone is ready for one of the best meals of the year! I also hope you're ready for some serious shopping because in one week, Cyber Monday will be going on, with some of the best sales of the season. This year, The Pudgy Rabbit will offering 15% off everything in the shop. Just visit the store next Monday, December 2nd, and enter coupon code CYBER when checking out to receive your discount. 

New Patterns and Kits

New items in the shop! I've been working to get more designs up in time for the holidays. First up is this little bear, just a bit larger than a tea cup!

The Modern Dream

I'm very excited to announce that my crochet kits are now being sold at The Modern Dream, a cute little shop that features handmade goods. Located in Saugerties, NY, the shop carries a wide variety of crafts and art, a good place to shop if you're looking for a unique gift. So if you're in the area check it out!

The Modern Dream

99 Partition Street

Saugerties NY, 12477

(845) 382-9581

Fishkill Fine Arts and Craft Fair

I'm part of the Hudson Valley Etsy team, a group made up of artisans from around the Hudson Valley area of New York. In a few weeks we're teaming up with the Fishkill Business Association to bring you the 20th annual Fine Arts and Crafts Fair!

Crochet Easter Eggs

The weather is really starting to warm up and spring is almost here! Now I love me some play food and since Easter is right around the corner, I'm sharing this pattern for cute little crochet eggs. Done up in soft pastel yarn, these eggs make a sweet alternative to candy for an Easter basket!

Stuffed Magazine Feature

So back in August of last year I submitted some work to Stuffed, this great magazine about the art of making softies. I'm really excited to say that my little crochet animals were accepted and I'm being featured in their Winter 2013 issue! The lovely people at Stuffed did a great job creating a fun party background for my chubby dog and cat. I also got to write an article about the ideas behind my crochet, including some tips and techniques that I use.

I've been getting this magazine for a couple of years now and it's always fun to see what other artists are creating and the inspiration behind their work. Stuffed is out on newsstands, major book stores, and craft stores right now so go check it out! Or order it online here!

Cyber Monday Sale

So I've fallen off the face of the planet for quite some time, but I'm going take the blog up again and start updating regularly.  I am sorry for not keeping up.  First things first, Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your bellies are full of turkey and pie and if you are braving Black Friday sales, stay safe and shop hard!

Building Blocks

Building Blocks from Vanessa Chan on Vimeo.

My senior film from SCAD. It's a stop motion short with crochet puppets, I had a great time creating this film and I hope you enjoy!

Apples for September

It's September and I've been on an apple crocheting kick lately. 

Chubby Cats and Party Hats

It was my friend Michelle's birthday this weekend and she has a thing for felines, so I made her this little fat cat! I'm not really a cat person, but I can't resist one in a party hat! I also just like animals that are chubby.