Daily Archives: January 17, 2012

Business Savvy

Postal changes :: It’s not all bad news

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uspslogoYou are probably already aware of the postal changes going into effect January 22, 2012. Most changes will mean a postage increase on orders that businesses mail. The good news is that there is one class of service routinely used by shops mailing HeartStrings pattern orders for which the overall cost will decrease.

As of January 22, 2012, USPS Delivery Confirmation will be free on first class domestic packages with electronic bar code. This commercial-based pricing will now be called “First-Class Package Service”. The maximum weight is 13 ounces (which can accommodate nearly any order placed for HeartStrings patterns on Shopatron). That means you save $.19 off the price you’ve been paying for electronic delivery confirmation tracking (or even more if you had not yet switched to electronic bar coding, which will now be required on all packages).

Of course, it isn’t a full $.19 savings, because that is offset by the base USPS price increase. For first class packages (e.g. HeartStrings patterns shipped in #5 bubble envelopes), it still works out to a net savings of $.11.

Yay! Every few pennies saved here and there is good, right?

Endicia.com has a good explanation on the details of the new USPS features and prices going into effect January 22, 2012. I can also recommend the free webinar that Endicia.com is putting on to explain the changes as it affects businesses. The schedule is in the left-hand side bar at the Endicia site here.

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Musings

Fiber crafts for children

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I posted last fall about a childhood activity that apparently had far-reaching effects on me, even though I didn’t really remember it from that young of an age. Do you recall the article about the “Cotton Sheep”? I had titled the article childhood memorabilia for a fiber-y future.

Anyway, I have wanted to revisit with you about thoughts of how we can help our children and grandchildren to be instilled with a love of the fiber arts and crafts at a young age.

Do you remember crafts that you were introduced to at a young age? My earliest recollection was playing with sewing cards while my grandmother guided me in various stitches I could do. I am going to guess that I was 3 – 4 years old at the time because prior to 3 years is a blank memory. And I could not have been older than that because I remember that I was not yet attending kindergarten.

I don’t have any of those sewing cards around any longer to take a photo, but I did find this link for some that were similar to mine.


Of course, you also could make some simple sewing cards from some heavy cardboard and hole punch. For example, check out this article at ehow:

How to Make Simple Practice Sewing Cards for Children

And even if your roots were not in fiber-y / crafty things at a young age, do you have favorite children’s crafts that you like to use in encouraging the fiber arts now?

Another suggestion I have for when motor control and attention span is established well enough (usually 7 – 8 years), is to introduce children to knitting or crochet. Here’s my favorite for a knitted bunny.

Bunny from a Square - Knitted Bunny
Bunny from a Square

The instructions are for beginning with a stockinette stitch square. But the bunny can also be made with a simple garter stitch square so that even the most basic beginner knitter can enjoy. My “chocolate bunny” below is an example in garter stitch:

Chocolate bunny in garter stitch
Chocolate bunny in garter stitch

Children can be so creative, so don’t squelch that by limiting the color or size. Even flopppy ears or crouching bunny are all welcome and give each little bunny its own personality.

Each bunny has its own personality
Each bunny has its own personality

Adults have a lot of fun making these bunnies, too. So, if you know someone who is just starting to learn to knit, send them on over to the HeartStringsFiberArts.com website to get the free pattern.

 

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