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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Back... with a Red Pom Pom

I've decided to return ...and keep the Galstudio blog going!

I did not feel comfortable to keep the cooking and knitting adventures on the Red Dots Cycling Blog.

I'm happy to say that Galstudio will be my own personal blog... all things I also love to do. Looking back, this blog is like a journal of all my beautiful knit stuff. Often, it's hard to remember everything that I've made.

So this is my latest creation...

Simple Scarf with Red Pom Pom.


I discovered, from my stash, this thick 100% wool. Usually I prefer fingering yarn. But I happen to have this fabulous two-tone wool, I had to use it.

I didn't follow a pattern, I ad lib and created this scarf from a simple k1 p1 and finished with a point. It needed a little accent to make it more fun...

OMG, I haven't made pom pom's since grade six!

Off I went to make Pom Pom's. You can find how to make them online. I was stumped as to what size to make them. My first attempt was way too large, then I made them too small.

Third try ... this time right, I made them the right size. 

I love this design, a scarf I would wear. It will be going into my sale stock at the next winter craft show.


I'm very happy to be back sharing all my creative endeavors. In fact, I already cast on for a pair of socks... Stay tune!


Pom pom size matters!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Adieu Galstudio!




Galstudio has come to an end!

I'm happy with  a tinge of sadness. It has been a great journey but the reality is, to go further you must let go, to climb higher.

I'd like to THANK all my followers for all their comments and support. And, I invite you to follow me, on the new blog I'm sharing with my partner, Richard. I've decided to focus my energy on our new business and I will keep writing on my knitting, cooking and sewing machine adventures on the new blog.

This new blog will allow me to consolidate the business aspect with the personal side. Because it will be a joint blog, it will allow both of us to frequently keep the blog updated. Follow Richard and I on our new twitter page: twitter/reddotscycling

I invite you all to visit and read my adventures and misadventures, climbing to newer heights!

Heartfelt Thanks!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

We're Moving Forwards!

It's a whirlwind of activity, here.

Hard to believe it's Christmas, the smell of roast turkey from my kitchen pleasantly reminds me of it. This year has passed by so fast that all I want to do is relax and sleep in and have a glass of wine or two.

Three years ago, I was between jobs, I stumbled onto Etsy. And, being a knitter, it made sense to sell my knit goods online. I had no idea what to call my new business. That's when Richard helped me with the name... Galstudio.


Remember our first logo design?


Gal is the first three letters of my last name, and it was my dream to have my own working studio. Selling my knit goods online was, as I discovered, not very successful. Definitely, not enough to make a living. My goal was to have my own home base business.

Richard had been looking for a well made cycling cap for some time. Like his old and used Campagnolo cap that he liked so much but wanted a classic cycling cap with a urban look. He asked me, "You know how to sew, why not make a cycling cap?" And, soon in March, 2009 I was selling my first handmade cycling cap on Etsy.



Richard wears the very first caps sold in March 2009...
The Paris-Roubaix (first version) & the ever so classic,
The Capello da Ciclismo Nero.


Quickly, Galstudio became a handmade cycling cap company. Soon afterwards, we worked with bike inner tubes creating different rubber accessories. That first year I must've modify the cycling cap pattern ten times to get it just perfect. It was a crazy year, I was working by myself and often asked Richard for help during the evenings. It just made sense when Richard came on board full-time. I suggested we re-brand the company to reflect more of the cycling cap/inner tube accessories.

We both utilize our talents: my sewing expertise/computer knowledge and Richard's cycling passion. It's a match made in cycling heaven.

After three years with the Galstudio name, we believe it is time to grow and move further. Importantly, to come up with a new name that better describes who and what we are. We came up with a few names but we haven't made the final choice ....yet! I'm already sketching  a few ideas for the new logo.

The new name will be launched in January 2012.

And looking at my remaining stock with the Galstudio labels I suggested to Richard that it would be impossible to remove the old labels and put on the new ones. So the simple solution is to have... a MEGA SALE!

This mega sale will start on December 26 and we expect to sell out quickly.

I guess I won't relax, but I'll be comforted to know that I'll be working in front of the computer through the holidays ...with a much needed glass of wine (or two)!


MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!


Cheers to all of our customers & friends...
past, present & future!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Climbing with the Polka Dots!

Hurray! Let there be DOTS!



Guess what I found at my new supplier, today?

As you may know, I've made two different versions of the popular Polka Dots cycling cap. Of course, no longer available due to discontinued fabric from my supplier. It's difficult to obtain the red dot pattern fabric. I'm thinking most fabric designers are not in tune with the Tour de France.

Today, Richard and I was about to leave the fabric shop with our notions when I saw, from the corner of eyes, the familiar red dots on white. I immediately zoomed onto it and purchased as much as I could.

I love it, it was meant to happen since I didn't find what I first was looking for. Next, I will wash the fabric and rework the design because the fabric seems like a lighter cotton.

This will be fun project!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

The Zesty Orangeman



It's hectic around here.

The Make It show maybe over, but our online business is humming along nicely. From time to time, I make custom cycling caps and here's one that I just completed.

It looks like Spring is back. The demand now is for winter caps, and whenever I have an order for a regular cap it's time to re-learn.

Here's a custom Orangeman with yellow stripe, bright and colorful!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Flemish has landed





The Make It Show is over and done ...and it was fantastic!

With the addition of another day, the show was intense. Saturday being the most intense. They broke a record: 1000 customers passed through the gate in 1 hour. A grand total of 8400 in 3.5 days.

I don't know how I managed it, but I found the time to make a Bike sign that really made our booth stand out. People loved it and kept complimenting us all throughout the show. I used christmas lights.





We brought along a huge diverse inventory. The big star was our wallet, and we introduced our newest 100% winter cycling cap; The Flemish! I redesigned the pattern and modified the ear flap to fit even better. We realize our caps would fit better if we offered two sizes. A great success! We are planning to look at the way we size our caps in order to provide a better choice of sizing.






As you probably guess, Richard has many caps and now he has a 100% wool winter cap. After a week without a ride, Richard didn't waste time to jump on his Marinoni. The next morning after the show, he went out to test the new Flemish cap. It was a cold morning close to 0C, perfect conditions to test the Flemish cap. The picture below is Richard back from his cold weather ride. He was tired ...but warm!







Thursday, November 24, 2011

Make It!




We've made it to our biggest show of the season... Make It!

Today starts four days of handmade love at the Croatian Center here in Vancouver. Richard and I are excited to have our Galstudio cycling caps/accessories on sale. 

I invite you all (if you can make it) to attend and come over and meet us. Our booth is located beside the bar in the main room!