I love knitting toys. It gives me so much pleasure to make each one but whilst I’m immensely grateful that they are popular and that people want to buy them, the selling of them is a complicated and rather fraught activity. I’ve tried several different options in the past including supplying them to shops and more recently selling them myself through my little blog shop. I have an advance mailing list that I email just before I list toys in my shop but this is time consuming to maintain and now it’s nearing 1,000 names so after each sale I get quite a number of frustrated emails from disappointed people. I’m coming to the conclusion that it’s not working very well anymore and so I’ve decided to re-open my shop over at Etsy. This way I’ll be able to pop toys in as and when I finish them which suits me very well but might not be so convenient for my customers as there will be no advance warning as in my little blog shop. Anyway, we’ll give it a try and see how it works out.
I will be having one more timed sale of 10 toys in my blog shop before the start of the summer holidays and I will email the advance list before this goes live. Depending on how things go, I may continue to do occasional blog sales so as to give everyone as many options as possible.
I know that there are many, many people who think that I should just sell my patterns so that everyone can make them. I’m not going to go into my reasons for not currently doing so as that would be an open invitation for comment and further criticism. Let’s just say that for now I just want to knit toys, so please don’t hassle me! I am however thinking of writing up the pattern for the cakes and if I can get it into an easy-to-follow format then I will.
I know this post makes me sound like a moany old bag but in my defence I am now swamped with requests for patterns and special orders and I’m spending over an hour each day trying to keep up with emails and dismally failing. So if you’ve emailed me in the last month please don’t give up on a reply – I hope to get to it soon!
little cotton rabbits 
I think that is a very good answer, for one thing it is less pressure on you 🙂
Also with Etsy, it is easier to deal with, well I find it easier 🙂
I have added you as a favorite shop again, so I will keep my eyes peeled!
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Knitting is for you! You don’t need to justify, just enjoy the wool and do what is right for you and your family!! Not moany at all, just living a real life, with real pressures. You have inspired me to knit again, as I’m sure you have with many other people. Thank you for sharing your fabulous creations with the rest of us. Do what is right for you…. Hugs :0)
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I’ve just bought some bags from Raspberry, how funny! I just want to say that you’ll never please everyone, and to be honest I don’t think you should even try. You should just do what suits you otherwise it won’t be a pleasure any more – and if you do put more in the Etsy shop then it will be the people who read your blog and follow your work who will visit your shop and be ‘rewarded’ by a purchase. eg. I spotted my Poppy bag on Raspberry’s blog, she said she was going to do an update soon and I kept checking the shop until I got the (gorgeous) bag. Voila! One day it will be a rabbit or a monkey!
Debbie xxx
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Oh you poor thing! You do sound as though you’re being jolly well over-bothered by your adoring fans! If this continues we’ll lose you altogether! For what it’s worth I have no idea why you should feel obliged to sell your patterns for others to knit! It’s a totally different direction to go with your work and something you should feel perfectly free to decide upon without pressure or criticism. Good luck with the new shop set-up. Hope it results in less admin and more knitting! I love to see all the pictures and think you are so generous to share them with us! Beautiful! t.x
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You keep doing your own thing Julie and don’t feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to. Its extremely difficult to knit with to kids, I know i struggle, but your like some kind of superwoman keeping all those balls in the air.
I agree with the comment above that you shouldnt share your patterns if you don’t want to, I have a feeling it would lead to a lot more problems for you, less knitting time, more copyright issues etc.
i hope it lets up for you a bit with your etsy shop reopened.
take care
♥ Raynor
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Aren’t people funny? I always find it really interesting that people feel they have an entitlement to what THEY want. Obviously your glorious creatures are for you and those with whom you choose to share them which, luckily for us, is whole the whole wide world via the pictures on your blog. I know, I know… I’m preaching to the converted but do you think they realise you don’t EVER have to actually share?
oo! Oo! You could have a really good three year old stylee temper tantrum and refuse to do anymore unless the whingey whiners start playing nicely, that could be fun.
I think your plan for reopening your Etsy shop is a cracker and wish you lots of good things with it 🙂
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I think you should do what you want! Your love of knitting should not be spoilt by demands and moaning from folk.
I think most people appreciate what goes into making them and also the fact that they are your own pattern. And as such your are not a production line and should not give away your trade secrets.
Keep smiling through all those emails. You don’t have to reply to this one I understand!
Vanessa x
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It seems to be an unfortunate trend in the blogosphere lately–I’ve read a couple of other blogs whose authors have either stopped posting or started to censor themselves because of unpleasant comments! I hope that you won’t follow suit, as your blog is so lovely and enjoyable to read. I am one who would love to purchase a pattern to knit your little cakes, but you don’t have to justify your decision if you don’t want to publish patterns! Do what feels right for you, that’s what makes crafting so much more fun–you’re the boss.
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Your work is a real treasure Go on Julie go on and let people say wath they want
Love and thank you so much to share your little world with us
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Just a tip for people who are desperate for your toys: you can subscribe to the rss feed for etsy shops. That way you are notified via your feed reader that new items are available.
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I feel very fortunate that you give us the opportunity to own your little gems. Continue to do whatever brings you happiness and peace and if that doesn’t work, I’m liking the idea of the temper tantrum! Take care!
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Don’t feel hassled, Julie. Why should you publish your patterns or knit to order! I can never understand why otherwise sane people can become so unnecessarily demanding – if they want a toy so badly (and they are lovely so who wouldn’t!), they must learn the dying art of patience. I hope I shall manage to be lucky one day but not if it makes your life difficult, your pleasure in the making is part of their charm. Happy knitting and a peaceful summer!
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Oh Julie I’m so sorry that people have bothered you so. Your knitting is so beautiful and you have become so very popular that there just isn’t enough of you to go around. Don’t give up. Blow them all a raspberry, it won’t help but it may make you feel better.
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Your blog is very beautiful!!
Amazing..
thank you so much to share your toys with us
Kisses!
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You seem like a victim of your own success. In a way it’s great to be able to create something that so many people love, but when the demand becomes too great, it turns into work and therefore sucks the fun out of it. Just keep it at your pace and have fun with it. I wish I could take over some of the knitting for you. Those guys are just too cute.
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I am eternally grateful that you put Barney in your Etsy shop – he is wonderful and I love him to bits. I think you should do whatever is easiest for you – you’re a very talented person and it is wonderful that you are so successful.
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I think selling on Etsy is great idea and very fair for everyone.
In addition, if you decide to keep your blog shop maybe you should post the shop sale information as an entry on the SHOP page, a week before the sale, instead of using the mailing list. That would be alot easier than keeping up with 1000’s of names coming on and off the list.
However you sell your toys, the most important thing for everyone to understand is YOUR happiness is the key to these toys continuing to thrive.
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do you know what honey, you started this because you enjoy it, and it relaxes you. If people keep getting on your case then your not going to enjoy it anymore and I wouldnt blame you.
Sometimes we cant all have what we want, sometimes we have to wait for what we want, sometimes we never get what we want!
Try and try again is my motto.
Do whatever makes you happy too honey, you are the provider of these gorgeous toys after all.
Hugs xxx
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I completely agree with the others! You do what works for YOU! You aren’t going to make everyone happy,So concentrate on making YOU happy 🙂
Besides I think your little creations are not only adorable but they have your heart and have an innoccence(sp?) to them. I think if someone else knit them up they would loose that. You are the only one that needs to be the creator of such beauties! I hope your true joy of knitting them never leaves you or is spoiled any further by any pesterings(is that a word?) hehe…
Have a Wonderful day of knitting on YOUR terms.
Much love and appreciation
Kim
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Great idea to sell on Etsy again – that will free you up to create at your own pace. It’s not fair of people to get snippy with you if you can’t meet the demand – after all, we all know you don’t spend all your time knitting, there are a lot of other (more important)commitments that demand your attention too. Besides, anyone who gets mean doesn’t deserve one of your toys!!!! You do what suits you, hang the rest!
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As others have said, your knitting is FOR YOU! I only started knitting about a year ago, but I was amazed at how quickly well-meaning friends and family thought they had the right to dictate what I needed to knit (‘my friend is having a baby and you need to knit (fill in the blank)’). I soon realized how much time I was spending knitting items for other people! It’s a great feeling to gift your knitting to another, but it’s also nice to feel like you have control over your own hobby/creative outlet! Don’t give up control! (and don’t let the bullies get you down) 🙂
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Etsy is what I’ve found works best for me. I make what I want, when I want. Then I list it and announce on my blog that new goodies are available.
It’s not worth doing if it’s stops being enjoyable. And I really only enjoy it when I’m in a whirl of inspiration. “Filling orders” just isn’t the same.
I’ve been asked to share my patterns too…usually my animal patterns. And I just don’t want to either. 🙂 I don’t even have a real reason. I just don’t want to. I guess I’m not a good sharer. I’m ok with that. 😉
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My dear, I think for everyone who complains about your methods there are 100 or 1000 who stop by your site to admire and be inspired. The pressures and patience involved in having a special needs child require extra special care of oneself. I’m glad you’re doing that.
Your talent is providing great joy for many. I hope you know.
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Don’t be fed up.I think you are amazing,doing what you do with all the other things you have to do and also coping with Toby.I shop on a site that sells wool.It goes on sale at 6p.m on a Sunday and it is gone within minutes.Sometimes i am lucky ,other tomes I am not but I don’t blame Dee.She ,like you, can only produce so much and it is first come first served!!It just means that when I do get some wool it is even more precious.You can never in life please all the people all the time.Just enjoy what you are doing and get rid of the guilt and worry.Life is too short for that.I love your blog.I only read 4 each day and yours is my favourite.Please don’t feel tempted to give it up.Hope all these comments lift your spirits and make you reralise how we all love and appreciate what you do.Hugs.Barbara
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Julie-
Hang in there, and let people say what they say! You do what you need to do to make you happy and fulfilled. Just reading your blog is a daily inspiration to me, and it’s exciting to try and “win” one of your sweet toys when you have your sales!!! Stumbling across one for sale on Etsy will be just as thrilling! The world would be a much sadder place without your wonderful creations.
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It’s no wonder you are harassed, your work is beautiful. Hopefully I’ll snag one (or two) in your etsy shop… I will keep my browser on it 🙂 Do what is right for you.
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Julie,
I love your toys and I really want to purchase one…but I guess that I will just have to take my chances. I don’t think that you should sell your patterns…it’s something unique to you. Yes, I have seen people who have attempted to copy your toys…and they fall short every time. I just think that when something is this special, you should retain control over it. I understand not wanting to give up that control…you’ve put a lot of work and love into each of your critters and they wouldn’t be the same from someone else. So, I’ll be patient…I’ll hope that I get the one that I want…even if I don’t, all of them are adorable! 🙂
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(((Julie)))….you need to stop stressing about how you can please everyone…that is impossible to do…just do what is best for you and your family…you have many people that will support you in whatever you decide to do
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Hello Julie,
I just want to tell you, even if I didn’t succeed to buy one of your toys at your last but one sale, and missed the last one, I feel so happy when I see new toys on your blog.
That’s why I felt like trying to knit some. And even if mine are not as cute as yours, knitting them is a very relaxing and gratifying activity.
YOU gave me opportunity to achieve being more relaxed, and I suppose I’m not alone to feel this way.
As I’m french, I don’t know what a moany old bag is, but I suppose it is not a very nice name.
I think you should not worry about people’s opinion (even if it’s easier said than done), as visiting your blog and seeing your little stuffed animals is a joy in itself for several people all around the world.
Just continue knitting toys and posting pictures. Thanks for that.
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I love your toys so so much…but it’s a priviledge to be able to buy them which shouldn’t be taken for granted. Don’t stress…just chill out and knit lady :@)
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I wrote you an email. I might have a solution to your problem. Please whenever you can respond back please do!
Thanks
Jillian
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Your toys are so identifiably ‘yours’, I don’t blame you for not wanting to sell the patterns. Good for you. You do what you do beautifully. x
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Your toys are so lovely that it’s no wonder that so many people would like to have one (or a bunch of them), but for God’s sake you only have two hands and nobody can blame you for that 😉 When it comes to pattern. It’s YOUR pattern. You’ve created it and therefore it’s only up to you wether to sell it or not. If someone would like to knit one up than why not give it a go and design a toy on their own? And if it’s too complicated for them than they should appreciate your work even more.
What I wanted to say was don’t worry about all the nagging. I’m sure that most people understand the situation and if they don’t than you shouldn’t bother at all.
I wish you good luck on your Etsy shop and above all I wish you happy knitting 🙂
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Knowing what it takes to design a pattern I can quite well understand why you would rather knit or make toys rather than sell a pattern for them.
They still give you so much joy creating them, so continue on my friend and have lots of fun, and those that don’t understand or don’t like it….well you know what they can do!
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Oh Julie, these are your little creatures and you absolutely shouldn’t have to justify how you sell them or your decision not to sell your pattern. More than half the skill is in the knitting anyway, and I doubt many people would be able to take a pattern and make such yummy little animals. Hang in there!
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Julie, I think it sounds like a great idea. Etsy is a comfortable place in which to sell and a comfortable place to go shopping.Being able to just pop something new into the shop when you are ready is a revelation.
Like you I enjoy the actual process of creating and if it doesn’t feel right to you to sell your patterns ( not to mention the horrendous job of getting them into an easy format for others to follow)then don’t be bullied into it.
Make what you want to when you want to, when inspiration grabs you.Your little animals give so much joy you should feel joyful as well.
See you at etsy.
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Dear Moany Old Bag
Stick to your guns, don’t apologise for not selling patterns. Those horrendous ‘rabbits’ from months ago are testament to the fact that you and only you should make them. You are supremely talented and anything made by you is much sought after. We’re just jealous that’s all!!!
Blossom, Alfie and Bartholomew send their love
xxx
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Julie,
“Winning” Pia at your last sale was the highlight of my–so far—14 weeks of bedrest as I await my twins’ birth. Pia is sitting in baby Aurora’s crib as I write this. Everybody who sees her adores her. However you choose to go forward with your “hobby gone wild” is just fine with this fan.
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Hi Julie,
Glad to hear you are going to do it YOUR way.
It’s really hard to keep true to what makes it work for you.
Moan as much as you like.
We will still listen if you keep posting pix of your lovely creations.
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Julie,
I agree with the other commenters. You do the knitting and the blogging because you want to and because you like it. You own the patterns and you own the blog. Do what pleases YOU. And you are a mom and wife first, so the knitting isn’t your whole life.
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Ohh Julie, You are not nagging or moany. I love your animals, and you should continue to enjoy knitting. I like the etsy shop idea. But I think you should go with what works for you, not what works for complainers. Best wishes for whichever way you decide to go!
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You? A moany old bag?? Rubbish! It’s horrible to feel under pressure, no matter what the reason, and I hope your post will help to lighten the load.
I, like many others, would obviously love to own a LCR (actually a monkey, but you know, I’d hate to be fussy), but I also enjoy seeing the photos of your new creations on your blog – be that the finished articles or a basket full of bits!
Good luck with Etsy.
🙂
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you poor thing. It sounds as if you are really being harassed.Please keep doing what is right for you.I love your blog and your soft animals are beautiful.Keep doung what makes you happy, life is to short. Julie
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You stick to your guns! If you don’t want to sell your pattern you shouldn’t have to. You inspired me to design my own little toy and I thank you for that, I will no doubt discover the perils of selling online for myself, but if people are being nasty to you, you should block them from contacting you, then they wont get you down. Monkee Maker is right, it is harrassment you don’t have to put up with it!
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I was just thinking last night that I wish I had an extra hour (at least!) each day. I have so many ideas for knitting patterns but it takes me so long to work each one out and write it just scruffily, for myself, that I can’t imagine ever managing to post them on my site!
Don’t feel you have to justify yourself to people who harrass you: I think your toys are beautiful but it would be a bit of a shame if you sold the pattern. I hope you manage to figure out your e-commerce woes =)
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Julie,
I came across your blog las week and you make the cutest knitted animals that I have ever seen!!!!
You say yourself that knitting is your stress releaver and with everything that is going on in your life, you need that.
People have no right to pressure you to do something that you don’t want.
Hey, it’s your business! You make the rules! Who ever doesn’t respect that….well, they don’t deserve your time.
Also, it is impossible to make everybody happy.I know most of us try to do that, but what we end up with is us not being happy anymore.
Keep doing what you feel is right!
I wish you all the best!
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you are not a moany old bag – you sweet hearted knitter of glorious animals! etsy – yes – way to go Julie!
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You are definately not a moany old bag so don’t even go there. You shouldn’t even have to explain yourself , do what makes YOU happy
lisa x
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When I first saw your sweet bunnies and other equally sweet creations on Ravelry, I wrote you a comment begging you (nicely!) to share your patterns. But then I read your profile and found your blog and etsy shop and saw the sweet faces of so many of your amazing array of knitted sweeties and realized immediately my error of daring to ask you to share your patterns. Like I’ve shared with you before, God has given you a wonderful talent, and if you shared your patterns it would be the same as seeing one of your sweet animals dropped in a mud puddle. It would be a crime for any of us to try and reproduce what you do because you have the calling to create and we have the calling to admire! Now I beg you, please keep your patterns from us! And don’t ever lose the joy you have of creating because we are receiving your joy, too! God bless! ~Diana
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Hi there, your work is amazing. I’m a card maker but like to visit your site to see what you are up to. This is time however, I am asking for your help. My friend is fighting a very aggressive form of breast cancer & to help her say thanks to her local Maggies Centre I am trying to obtain donations from bloggers that the centre can sell to help raise funds that can be used to assist other people also fighting this illness. Is it at all possible for you to donate a gift which they could sell. If you are not in a position to do so, I fully understand but just thought I would ask anyway.
Many thanks to you for all the inspiration your blog provides to other crafters out there.
Lorraine xxx
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I was just reading through all of the above comments because I really was hoping beyond all hope that they were all positive. I really knew that the good hearted people who pop into your blog would support you in such an uplifting an wonderful way! Kudos to everyone who has left a positive comment to Julie xoxoxox to you all!!!!
And Julie sweetie, don’t ever let any of these “pressures” ruin one of your favorite pleasures! I am also among one of those who think you should NEVER publish any of your little cotton friends patterns. I think you should knit at your own happy pace. And BTW, when you get any emails that start off with anything negative at all just hit delete! You don’t need that vibe in your life 🙂
I just love the new set you’ve just knit up too! Their little clothes are my favorite colors 🙂
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Hi Moany 😉 I’m sorry I was one of those people asking for a special request. I too love to knit my little animals – if it all gets too much I suggest that you ignore us all and take a well earned holiday! And if that doesn’t work I find Peanut M&M’s quite therapeutic!
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I am new to your blog and I just love your little creations. I think it’s lovely that you sell your beautiful work and I think you should do it in whatever way is most convenient for you. And I don’t blame you for not wanting to release your patterns. They are yours and you shouldn’t feel at all bad for not wanting to publish them at all. Don’t let negative people get you down. I think your work is beautiful and hope you continue to do very well. I will also be keeping a close eye on your shop in hopes of getting lucky!
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(I’m on Ravelry too much! I keep looking for the “agree” button!)
Knit for you and you alone. Enjoy your time and if you end up with adorable cakes and toys to sell all the better.
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Hi Julie!
You have to do what suits you, and what you feel happy and comfortable with.
Please don’t let any negative comments get you down.
Take care,
Binny.
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Hey Julie,
My lovely old Pop used to say ‘…that you can make some of the people happy some of the time but you can’t make all of the people happy all of the time…’ I definitely think that you should keep your patterns to yourself! I wouldn’t want to see you sell them. The fact that they are so much a part of you means that others would never be able to make them look like LCR anyhow!
I say do whatever you can to de-stress the whole process….just don’t give up your creations. I love them so much!
Jen
p.s….you are not giving yourself enough credit for ‘getting back to emails’. You have gotten back to the ones that I have sent you and it has meant so much to have such a wonderful blogging role model. Thank you for all you do!
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Knitting animals is what you do for you and while it is lovely to feel you are pleasing everyone else too, that is not why you do it. You are certainly not being moany!
That said I will be one of those very happy when you release a cake pattern!!! 🙂
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Hi Julie, you must do whatever suits you best. Personally I love your toys and as I can’t knit to save my life I would rather wait and hope I buy one from you at some point (can’t wait to see the finished Badgers!) I am also keen to add one of your knitted cupcakes to my ever increasing cupcake collection, but waiting makes them all the more special!!
Your toys are so special and unique and I am totally in awe of your knitting talents and the amazing way you cope with everything in your life.
Please don’t feel under pressure to do more than you can – we all love you and the fact that you are willing to sell your toys rather than keep them shows what a kind, generous and thoughtful person you are.
You do what you want with the toys and if people can’t handle that – well that’s up to them!
Take care
April xx
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Julie
In your case that would have to be a “moany old knitting bag” which of course is nothing like you are.
As someone who has emailed you for a knitting pattern I feel guilty as charged for being part of the “pester party” so sorry for that.
I don’t think you should worry about returning emails etc. Your real fans understand the commitments you have and also your real fans want you to spend more time knitting less time answering emails from the likes of me.
Take care
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I say the complaining folks should be “accidentally” deleted from any notification list. ;D
Really, I am so glad you are doing what works best for you. The point is to enjoy life and knitting and if that means everyone who wants a little knitted toy by you doesn’t get one, they’ll survive. 🙂 There is only one of you after all, and you’ve generously shared a lot of your time and patterns as is. I hope to someday have one of your little knitted bunnies, but I don’t think it’s right to demand one, particularly considering how much you have on your plate as is.
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I’ve been popping in and out of this blog for a fair few months and I absolutely love your stuff. I honestly don’t think you’ll get any peace until you do publish your designs but I agree with everybody that you should do things in your own time and your own way. It’s just that there’s nothing out there remotely as beautiful and nothing else will satisfy!
For now, I will content myself with looking longingly! I like your designs so much, they make my heart ache! The photographs of your toys are a real treat for the eyes of any knitting fan and thanks for sharing them as you do!
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It gives me so much pleasure to see your little toys. I would love to be able to buy one but just for now seeing pictures will keep me happy.I really admire you for finding the energy to be so creative when your life is so busy.
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you do what makes you happy and is easiest for you. You should DEFINATELY not feel pressured to give away your patterns? why would you, its your creative gift and you shold nuture it as you want. Axe the moaners from the mailing list, life is too short. You are a wonderful, inspiring woman and don’t you forget it!!
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just catching up with you and this post stood out and I just wanted to say…Good for you…
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Crikey, surely it’s entirely up to you what you do with your patterns?
Great re. the Etsy shop, I’ll have to pop it in my links 🙂
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Dear, sweet Julie… the “moany old bags” are the ones whining about not getting a toy!!
I love your work and I’m glad to hear you won’t be selling your patterns. Even if I have to wait, I want one of YOUR handmades… not one someone has made from your pattern and trying to claim it as one of yours. You go, girl!
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What delightful creatures you create. Found you through Typepad and your site and creative efforts are a real pleasure to browse.
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The patterns for your sweet, lovely creatures should remain your property because they are artwork and are part of who you are — heart, mind, soul. This is something most non-artists don’t understand. I would think that selling their patterns would be akin to selling off bits of one’s family, one finger at a time. Nope, no matter how much we whine, pout, and beg — don’t do it! Encourage knitters to design their own line of precious things, and then see how eager they’d be to part with the pattern.
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