Handmade with Love

Bunnies grazing

Another rollercoaster ride of a week here at the IxCHeL Fibre Farm. Which ended with todays rain storm that was a bit more than usual but ended up being pre-empted by a powercut that lasted all day and flooded chook house and some additional rivers running through our property. All is good though and I hope that others are just as lucky as we are, since everybody was warning all Victorians that this was going to be a 10/10 storm.
I received a huge amount of positive comments on my last blog post and I am grateful for that, I also received a few others which I thought was an excellent indication of the so called “Looking in the mirror”-response. In some cases my bunny musings had triggered some soul searching on how people were dealing with their craft business and in some cases it was amazing how some had thought I pointed the finger at them and still did not get it. I understand, like one of my spiritual teachers, Lama Karta, once told me “ you cannot open a door when you cannot see the door”… lol

I have also looked deeper into my own behavior in respect to both “friends” and customers. Some of whom have added up the total of their, let’s call it “outstanding bar bill” to a (for me) astronomical amount of $1400 each. This is a big deal for me. Even big companies do not do that. So, I will stop being stuck in the Pioneer days of people being able to run up a tab. It is this lack of reality (on both the side of customer and me …LOL) that has prompted me to write down another “rant”: in this day and age of “slow fashion”, “slow stitching” and “slow art”, please know that us artists/art & craft micro businesses, who have to survive on what we do, cannot live on “slow payment”. I am totally speaking against all that is holy in today’s consumerist world, but if you cannot afford it at this time, do not buy it, do not get yourself into trouble, do not make it harder for yourself or …me, for that matter…lol What happened to “slow saving up for something you really really like?” What happened to the expectation of that one time of the year (or two if you are lucky to get a xmas present and a birthday present..lol) that filled you with anticipation? The ease of instant gratification made those expectations disappear like snow on this ever warming earth. Is it the fear of missing out that ignites us to jump at every email that says: “free post now” or “50% off for a limited time?”. And, more so, how do I deal with this behavior as a micro business where everything is handmade..?

First of all, everything I do is limited edition, because I only have a limited amount of time to do everything. The moment I get eternal life and an unlimited amount of time to be able to download on my timeline, things will change dramatically. Until that time, everything that I make is a limited edition, a small run, stock is running out all the time. For me , there is absolutely no logical end to introducing these huge discounts on products that take me for ever to make, because I only have a limited time available to make them. If you are an artist or a crafter, you have to ask yourself that question as well. Will you gain more customers by offering them a huge discount ? What will that mean for your 20cent per hour income you make at the moment? What I mean is : not only is it extremely important not to succumb to the big business marketing but more importantly : to inform your customers of your work, how you work, what goes in to what you make (heart and soul) and “educate” them of your processes and your philosophy. The craft you are making is not only a product. It is you. It is a slow process. It is all enveloping. In my case, it is my life. If people want fast because that is what they can afford that is great and they should most likely be shopping somewhere else. I love to offer something special, something unique. That is why you should be telling yourself, whether you are an indie dyer, craftsperson or a knitter or weaver or painter, that everything you make is unique, it has a part of you in it and that is exactly why so many handmade things are priceless or more to the point: hard to price. It is handmade with Love.
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There is a little article with some gorgeous photos in this months Yarn Magazine about our fibre farm and I thought it would be a great idea on this first of December to offer you some very special handspun and dyed bunny mink yarn which is also featured in Yarn Magazine. Again, only a limited amount available (see description under each photo) because spinning these yarns take a loooooong time ! I will have more at the handknitters Guild show next year in May.

Yarn Magazine December 2017

Also, for tonights’ update I am offering some Christmas vouchers again for those who have no idea what to buy for their yarn and fibre loving other halves, friends or family. They are a great way of putting something special under the Christmas tree (or fern ..lol) with some extra surprises from me personally, because I think the act of giving should always be rewarded with a bit extra .

Here are all the offerings for tonight and please do not forget : the sign ups are open for the fibre, yarn and batt club starting in January 2018!

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions okay? Always happy to enable. All my contact details are to be found at the end of this week’s blog entry.

Special IxCHeL Gift Vouchers 

Want to give somebody something special and still let them pick out their fav colour or fibre blend? Well, search no more: I offer an IxCHeL gift voucher package that is so hard to resist you even want to buy one for yourself ..lol   The Giftvoucher will be emailed to you or your friend with a unique number to quote when buying from my updates or at any of my markets. The Vouchers are valid for 1 year.     Here’s the deal:

AU$50 Personalised Christmas giftvoucher Pack

A personalised Christmas giftvoucher, free post for the receivers first order in Australia (for overseas customers you can deduct AU$9 off your shipping cost!) and a badge

AU$100 Personalised Christmas giftvoucher Pack

Comes with a personalised Christmas giftvoucher, free post for the receiver's first order in Australia(for overseas customers you can deduct AU&9 off your shipping cost!) , a badge, a bunny $photo and last but not least some amazing fluffy stuff in a gift pack

AU$150 Personalised Christmas giftvoucher Pack

Comes with a personalised Christmas giftvoucher, free post for the receivers first order in Australia (for overseas customers you can deduct AU$9 off your shipping cost!), a badge, a bunny photo and last but not least some amazing fluffy stuff and yarn in a gift pack!

Just let me know what giftvoucher pack you would like to gift to a friend or yourself! And I will send you all the details.

IxCHeL Hand spun Bunny Mink 3 ply Yarn 

50 grams AU$30 (there are other weights available with different pricing: all the different options are listed underneath each photo.

Lovingly harvested bunny and mink fibre. Handspun. 3 ply. 300meters approximately per 50grams. A HUGE amount of meterage ! and my absolutely favourite yarn in terms of warmth, lightness and halo ! obe skein will make a gorgeous scarf or a beret with gloves for example OR 5 skeins will make a magnificent jumper you never want to take off !

Unicorn Farts ( 3 skeins available each weighing 50grams each for $30)

Rose Love Trio (1 skein of Rose (left) 50 grams $30; middle skein Rose Velvet (50grams $30), Right Skein…Baroque Velvet (50grams $30)

Raspberry Beret Trio –can be bought separately but I thought they look awesome together-- (Left skein: Raspberry beret 54grams $32, Middle skein dyed with oak galls 52grams $31, Right Skein “Purple Indigo mood” 50grams $30)

Purple Berries (3 skeins available: 3x 50grams $30 each)

Peacock (1 skein of 56 grams $34, 1 skein of 49 grams $29)SOLD

Passion Trio (again , put together because I thought they look awesome together but they can be purchased seperately:all naturally dyed: Left skein: Indigo and bloodwood 48grams $28; Middle skein Bloodwood 49grams $29; Right skein autumnal : dyed with eucalypts, bloodwood timber shavings and ladys bedstraw, 56grams $34)

Love is Love (same as Unicorn farts but without the lime green)
 : 1x 50grams $30, 1x 47grams $28)

Indigo trio (naturally dyed with indigo, again: can be purchased separately.
Left skein is a tiny 19grams one for $11, middle one is 10 grams for $30 and the right one is also 50grams for $30)

Hyacinth (a beautiful purple : 1x 50grams $30; 1x55grams for $34, 1x 53grams for $31)

Grey Mist (2x 50grams for $30 each; 1x 48grams for $28)

Green Fairy (1x 50grams $30)

Dark grey Mist (1x 56grams $34, 1x 50grams $30)

Autumn Forest (3x 50grams for $30 each; 1x 56grams $34)

Natural Bunny Mink Yarn, undyed (14 skeins available)

Spinner’s Control, Yarn Gauge and Ply angle card

a great way to gauge the thickness of your yarn and plying. A nice tool with an info sheet to hang on your spinning wheel or carry wit you anywhere you go.

$5

The New IxCHeL Club sign ups are now OPEN ! 

Get a monthly fibre and yarn surprise !

Always great blends and colourways 

only hand dyed for those who are club members !

January, February and March 2018

For all our international club fans there is a possibility to ship all three clubs together to save on postage if you want :-) Just pm me and enquire about the options available.

IxCHeL Fibre Club January, February and March 2018

The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed top/roving per month to the value of AU$24 or more

All the tops will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of IxCHeL Fibre Club ! Price to join the IxCHel Fibre Club #34 and receive your special hand dyed top :)) for three months (January, February and March 2018) is AU$72 + postage (parcel post or airmail). AND there are good value double serves available !!!

For Australia : single serve $72+$29 postage (parcel post), double serve $136+$29 (save $8) or triple serves $204 (save $12!) + postage

For USA + Canada: single serve AU$72+AU$57 (Airmail) double serve AU$136+AU$57

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$72+AU$69 (airmail) Double serve AU$136+AU$69

For Asia: Single serve AU$72+AU$50 (airmail) Double serve AU$136+AU$50

If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FIBRE CLUB #34 now. Numbers are strictly limited ! The January 2018 Club is going to be shipped out end of January, the February club mid February and the March club mid March. Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me your details.

The IxCHeL Sock Yarn Clubs  January, February and March 2018

Every month for three months (January, February and March 2018) you will receive: enough hand dyed luscious yummy yarn to make a pair of socks or a lush shawl or scarf ofcourse! (the hand dyed yarn will be exclusive for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB and will range from a sockweight yarn (a 4ply/fingering weight yarn) or an 8ply / DK weight enough to make a pair of socks ; Every month a sock pattern, tips and instructions ! Now is that GOOD or is that GOOD ??!

I will even offer a double serve for those of you who like their socks extra long !

For Australia : single serve $87+$29 postage (parcel post) double serve $146(= one skein FREE!!!) +$29

For USA + Canada: single serve AU$87+AU$57 (Airmail) double serve $146 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$57

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$87+AU$69 (airmail) Double serve $145 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$69

For Asia: Single serve AU$87+AU$50 (airmail) Double serve $145 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$50

Numbers are strictly limited ! 

Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal . Just PM or email me your details 

  By the way: you don’t HAVE to knit socks if you don’t want to.. the hand dyed yarn is amazingly nice for scarves, cowls, beanies and even tops ! Anything goes . The January 2018 Club is going to be shipped out end of January, the February club mid Feb and the March club Mid March.

IxCHeL Funky Bunny Batt Clubs  January, February and March 2018

Here are all the details and just pm me when you have any questions or want to be part of the funky bunny batt club Movement ;-) Welcome to the blingy dark side ;-D

The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed funky bunny batt per month to the value of AU$40 or more .

The batts will range in weight from 140grams to 180grams with luxury fibres like camel , angora, cashmere, silk, yak, llama even wallaby and bison and rare sheep breeds !!!! All the batts will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of IxCHeL funky bunny Club ! Every month you will receive a HUGE luxury funky bunny batt !

Sign up now and you will receive an Ixchel Hand dyed , super luxurious funky bunny batt for January, February and March 2018.

Price to join the IxCHeL Funky bunny for three months is :

For Australia : $114+$29 postage (parcel post)

For USA + Canada: AU$114+AU$57 (Airmail)

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: AU$114+AU$69 (airmail)

For Asia: AU$114+AU$50 (airmail)

If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FUNKY BUNNY BATT CLUB now. 
Numbers are strictly limited ! The January 2018 club is going to be shipped out end of January, the Feb club mid feb and the March club mid March 2018. Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions okay? Always happy to enable. All my contact details are to be found at the end of this week’s blog entry. 
Have a fun weekend !!!

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions okay? Always happy to enable. All my contact details are also to be found at the end of this week’s blog entry.

Have a creative week!

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions okay? : Always happy to enable.

All my contact details are here:

How To Order:

1. You can email me on ixchel at rabbit dot com dot au or ixchelbunny at yahoo dot com dot au
2. Message me on facebook or 
3. Message me on www.ravelry.com  where I am ixchelbunny.
4. message me on Instagram where I am @ixchelbunny

I will email you right back with all your order details and payment methods.

Any questions? Any custom orders for yarn or dyeing fibre? : Please don’t hesitate to ask! Always happy to enable.

Thank you so much for your help and support !

 RABBIT ON !

((hugs))

Charly