{No knitting update yesterday, I’ve been busy getting ready for a trip. More on that tomorrow, along with some knitting, but for today… some new things in the shop lately, since it’s been awhile since I’ve shared. I’ve been getting the newest creations posted before I leave.}

For Jeff, it all started with spoons. After the busy holiday season, Jeff and I were both craving some time to get playful with our creativity. Sometimes he works his body like a machine and sometimes I barrel through my to-do lists until I burn out. Creating things with our hands and getting lost in that, replenishes us. Jeff started carving some spoons in Oregon juniper wood and then woodburning them. I call it his “freestyle woodburning” when he just plays and has fun and lets the design form itself. I love it! (It relaxes him, just like doodling on paper relaxes me.) He has been really enjoying making spoons! There are currently two in the shop, but I’m sure there will be more on the way. So far he has created spoons with trees and spoons with love knots. (The symbol for eternal love, with four interwoven hearts, one facing in each direction. Come to think of it, perfect for Valentine’s Day.)

Some shawl pin sticks with more fun woodburning. (These can also be used for hairsticks.)

He has also been doing some “freestyle woodburning” on earrings. I really like this shape he created and these beauties have stones set in them. One pair with tiger’s eye and one pair with turquoise. (Those are the only two I currently have posted in the shop, but he has already made more in a similar style that I need to photograph.) Did I mention that I started adding some jewelry to our WoolyMossRoots shop in the fall?

 This design is a doodle that I did. I drew a leafy vine and envisioned the vine wrapping around a turquoise stone. It was such a delight for me to watch Jeff bring it to life on wood to create this pendant in mahogany wood. When I return from my trip, I will be posting some earrings in this design in the shop. I’m pretty in love with this new design! And I’m looking forward to creating more. (My other drawing he brought to life in jewelry form is the All You Need Is Love earrings & pendant.)

This new lotus shawl pin is really a beauty. Jeff carved it in juniper. The pictures don’t show the detail in the carving of each petal, but I love the movement that each one has.

What makes this purpleheart wood shawl pin unique is that Jeff carved around the outside edge to go with the contour of the celtic knot design. I love that.

This is a celtic knot shawl pin in mahogany wood. Sometimes I like to photograph the shawl pins with different colors of yarn to give people an idea of what it will look like paired with their projects. Which color do you like it paired with best?

A few more tree buttons added to the shop, in light colored hickory.

And check out these buttons! How fun are they? As you can see, Jeff was at it again with his woodburner. They were very time consuming to create so cost more, but we still think they are a good deal for all that went into making them. He creates so many things for our booth and shop that will be affordable for people, but it’s fun for him to let loose sometimes and let his creativity go wild like he did with these buttons.

And finally, some good ol’ standbys. Black walnut wood buttons, always a favorite of mine.

Spoons, shawl pins, jewelry, buttons… we’ve been working away to get the shop filled back up after the holiday season. Jeff has been doing the making and I’ve been taking pictures and posting new items in the shop (and tying lots of buttons on cards.) I’ve officially posted everything in the shop that I will be posting before our trip. Phew. When I get back, I’ll have a whole lot more to post and I’m looking forward to sharing more with you.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention: I’m sorry to say that shipping rates have gone up, which you may have noticed. I’m still shipping through priority mail flat rate shipping, so no matter how many items you purchase in the shop, you only pay for shipping once which is pretty great. I’m keeping the shop open while I’m gone and I will be mailing out orders when I return. (Unless someone needs something sooner and then Jeff will mail it out, otherwise he’ll be busy making stuff in his workshop.) Thanks for joining me for a shop update. Now it’s time for some sleep. More tomorrow.