{"id":51,"date":"2007-01-15T17:08:08","date_gmt":"2007-01-16T01:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cheldodge.net\/blog\/?p=41"},"modified":"2007-01-15T17:08:08","modified_gmt":"2007-01-16T01:08:08","slug":"featured-etsy-shop-allstix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/userblogs.ganoksin.com\/lavajewelry\/2007\/01\/15\/featured-etsy-shop-allstix\/","title":{"rendered":"Featured Etsy Shop: Allstix"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first Etsy shop to be featured on my blog is Allstix,<\/b> a shop that sells handmade knitting needles. They’re crafted from select Maine birch and 10 inches long. They have a sleek protective sealant that ensures durability for years to come and come in lots of funky designs.<\/p>\n

I asked Allstix’s owner a couple of questions about her shop…<\/i><\/p>\n

How did you get started making your knitting needles?<\/b>
\nI saw a tutorial on the internet about how to make your own knitting needles out of wooden dowels. I used Swarovski crystals, Australian rhinestones and anything else I could get my hands on to make pretty “tops”. One day I looked at my needles and realized that although the top was beautiful, the rest of the needle was BORING! I immediately started creating an image transfer process and found a great protective sealant and applied this to the shaft of the needle. I quickly realized that I had a great needle, but it needed a better start. I upgraded to unfinished needles made from select Maine birch and finished them myself with the new technique I had developed. Hand painting the tips and tops made them complete.<\/p>\n

Tell me three things that most people don’t know about your work.<\/b>
\n 1. I have to chew gum when I work. I can go through 7 or 8 pieces of gum before a set of needles is finished. I only chew Orbit Bubblemint.<\/p>\n

2. The finishing process is done by hand and only by me. I refuse to let anyone else help me with this step.<\/p>\n

3. I’m in the process of becoming officially licensed to carry knitting needles with the Virginia Tech logo. Go Hokies!!<\/p>\n

Allstix’s work can be found online at www.allstix.com<\/a>, www.allstix.etsy.com<\/a>, and www.theurbanknit.com<\/a>. Go check these out! I’ve personally never seen knitting needles like these, and they make a wonderful gift for the knitter in your life!<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

I plan to feature a different Etsy shop in my blog about once a week. Please feel free to email me<\/a> if there’s a shop you’d like to recommend.<\/i><\/p>\n

Allstix images used with permission.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"