Malojos

Today I bring you a look at what I am working on for Maryland Sheep and Wool, where you can find me and the "This Machine Kills Fascists" necklaces in the booth, along with just a few pictures from

Thank you to everyone who came to YarnCon, and who came by our booth, where my most excellent booth babe, Lauren ("fake-Natalia"), was covering for me while I ran the show with Laura and Sara. I am so lucky to get to work with these amazing people!

1. Today's view of the bench-pin
2. Lauren and me at my booth which I totally neglected to photograph
3. A screenshot of Sara, myself, and Laura- co-organizers of YarnCon, from the article in the Chicago Sun-Times and public radio station WBEZ!!! https://chicago.suntimes.com/arts-and-culture/2026/04/11/knitting-and-crocheting-devotees-swarm-yarncon-for-threads-and-thrills-its-all-about-community
4. I am hovering over the ballroom from the balcony, just thrilled to see so many happy people at YarnCon!
5. Myself and Sara, taking selfies and making YarnCon since 2007!

Welcome back to the view from the bench-pin, where I share a snapshot of the work on my jeweler's bench and bench-pin (where the action takes place.)

I apologize that I haven't been sharing much lately, but it turns out that our current dystopian reality and sharing pictures on social media has been a hard balancing act for me.

I've actually taken a week and a half off from social media, while still keeping up with the news. I finally hopped on FB, etc., yesterday while waiting in line after line to speak to my kiddo's teachers at a parent-teacher conference. I really wish I had brought a book. It was demoralizing, and repetitive.

I am going to try to find a balance. I want to share what I am doing with all of you, which right now is preparing for on April 11-12, here in Chicago. After that I will be at Maryland Sheep and Wool. I am also working on a new collection I am hoping to debut this Fall, and am really excited about it!

And that's the weirdness. I am excited about the work I am doing, but then I get on any one of these platforms, and in 5 minutes I feel that weight on my chest. I think a lot of us are feeling that way right now- that feeling that it isn't okay to carry on like it's business as usual. It isn't, and believe me, I know it. I know it when I have to pay so much more for precious metals, and my tools, and everything else. I know it when I read the news, or talk to my parents about needing to carry "their papers" in case they get stopped on the street. I knew it when I breathed a sigh of relief that I was able to renew my passport, even with my married name.

But, I need to do my job. I need to make things because I find release in the process. And, let's face it, it is also my job, my source of income. So, I will try to find that balance.

I am back in my big city after a fantastic week in NYC for Vogue Knitting Live. I am going to the Jeweler's Center (you can see the sign on the building across the street, just to the left of my hat) to work on some orders with my caster.

I worked in that building for 4 years for a casting house. Now I work mostly out of my small studio, but I still have my castings made there (my studio is way too small for casting, alas).