Designer Knit Trends and Fashions

Lana O'Neill is the creator and designer for KnitBerry.com site. She has a passion to make stylish accessories for women. Her designs "come from intense research of fashion and seasonal trends and color. I pick my favorite designers, which for this Fall 2009 season are Marc by Marc Jacobs and Chanel. I then decide what type of hat or scarf would go with their runway outfits, and that's how I create my items. " Enjoy a visit to her stylish Etsy shop http://www.knitberry.etsy.com/ and her website http://www.knitberry.com/ .
Don't forget to have a peek at her adorable children's knits too.

byKnitBerry

KnitBerry.com website started 2 years ago with primary focus on handmade knitwear for children. Many people saw what I have made for my little kids and wanted me to make them the same thing. But I also had a passion to make stylish accessories for women. That is what I am primarily making now and of course I cannot forget about the kids so I design fun hats and make outfits as special orders. I knit just about anywhere - at home, in the car (while my husband is driving), while I wait for the kids to get off school, on vacation... I knit when I get inspired, and that can happen just about anywhere, so I always make sure to bring my knitting needles, and a notebook, just in case I need to sketch a design while it's fresh in my head.

My favorite needles to use are the circular needles. Many people ask me why do I use two "needles on wires" and it is because it is easier to measure the knitted item. It is also easier on my hands, because on straight needles the knitted fabric seems to weigh down on my wrists. Lately, because of so many projects, my hands have been suffering. I am trying to limit my time knitting and that also means choosing most meaningful projects to make, since I can only make so many. My designs come from intense research of fashion and seasonal trend and color. I pick my favorite designers, which for this Fall 2009 season are Marc by Marc Jacobs and Chanel. I then decide what type of hat or scarf would go with their runway outfits, and that's how I create my items. Hope you enjoy wearing them as much as I enjoy making them!

A Studio That Sparkles

Sparkles By Design

www.sparklesbydesign.etsy.com

Well, I finally got my studio organized...what a job. I started making jewelry about 7 years ago because I needed a necklace to match an outfit I was going to wear to a special occasion & since I've always done crafts, gift baskets, etc. since I was young, I thought...why not try making jewelry and it's been a learning process since then. I love designing & creating jewelry. It's relaxing and, also, rewarding when I see the finished pieces. I get ideas for a piece of jewelry any time of the day & anywhere.

Then, I try to sketch a picture of what's in my mind & list the materials & colors I want to use & then I start making it when I'm ready to create.

Sometimes I like the original idea, but other times, I make several changes along the way of working on a piece. I love to use some item that gives a little sparkle such as Swarovski crystals, metals, glass beads, & pearls. I have a good friend that I've known for almost 30 years & every time she would see me she would comment that I always had to have a little sparkle on me in the jewelry I would wear, so I guess that's where I came up with the name for my shop. I enjoy making jewelry because it seems that it makes customers smile & happy when they look at it, try it on, or purchase it. I especially love making jewelry for weddings, which I have done several. It's fun to get together with a customer & create a design customized especially for them and it's even more satisfying to see the appreciation on the customer's face when they are given their finished purchase. A little info about me is that I love gardening & crossword puzzles (when I have time). I always take the time to admire & cherish the beauty that nature gives us. The colors, the sparkle, & the uniqueness. Too often people are rushed and don't realize that they don't even notice the many beautiful things around us that nature has provided us with. When I need a few moments to relax, I sit out at our beautiful fish pond & waterfall. Family is very important to me, too. I have my husband, 2 adult daughters, 2 step-daughters, 2 son-in-laws, & 4 grandchildren. I, also, work 10 hours a week in a local child care program working with the pre kindergarten age. I've been there for almost 14 years. I would like to thank anyone that visits my Etsy shop and to thank you for this great opportunity to introduce myself & my Sparklesbydesign shop through Etsy. Thank you very much for your time.