Birdie Parker goes beyond metal

By Lisa | October 7, 2021

This is the ninth in a series of blog posts featuring the fabulous sponsors of Indie Untangled, taking place from October 15-24, 2021. Tickets are now available!

Kristi Jensen of Birdie Parker Designs is known for her metal stitching-themed jewelry — she even has a BFA degree in Metalsmithing from California State University Long Beach — but her most recent designs have veered away from the shiny medium. They include enamel, acrylic and leather, which you’ll be able to purchase at our online show, as well as the Beautiful Syster booth at the in-person show, and The Perfect Blend Yarn & Tea shop in downtown Saugerties, in about a week!

Since you studied metalsmithing, how did you decide to move to other materials, such as enamel, acrylic and leather?

Enameling was actually my first love in metalsmithing, but it’s a rather time-consuming process so it’s been on the back burner until now. I’ve been fortunate enough to find an amazing assistant this year, and she has freed up time in my schedule for me to explore adding small-batch enamel items to my collection. As for the acrylic and leatherworking… I’ve always intended for Birdie Parker to offer a wide assortment of items other than just jewelry. About two years ago, I started exploring combining leather with my etched metal pieces and quickly realized that cutting and finishing those leather items by hand was slow work. That’s when I added a laser printer to my process. Then, I started seeing all this beautiful acrylic in a wide range of colors and effects and the wheels started turning in my brain and soon after I had a whole line of acrylic stitch markers. I’m definitely a person who loves learning new techniques and the addition of the laser has opened so many new avenues in the business.

How does it change your process to work with other materials?

Working with metals can take a lot of steps and time and, for the most part, it can only be done by me. The leather and acrylic is pretty hands off once I do the designing, and my assistant can finish the assembling and packaging process. By working with new materials, I’m not limited by the properties of metal and can make more of my visions a reality.

Can you share some of your plans for this year’s Indie Untangled Everywhere?

I’m really excited to offer colorful enamel pieces, some new useful leather accessories and show off some of the new items released over the past year.

Do you have ideas for other types of products in the pipeline?

So many items! I’m working on a line of rings, some with enamel. There are several new earrings in development, and some bangle bracelets. Leather project bags! I just need more hours in the day to make them come to fruition.

Tell me the projects that are currently on your needles.

I always have several sock tubes waiting for finishing, and I’m currently working on a beautiful stripey rainbow version of the Sunset Shawl by Meghan Babin of Hudson and West Co.

What to stash this week: summer ‘knits’

By Lisa | June 11, 2021

Jennifer of Porterness Studio has perfect timing with her new summer jewels. New favorites include the Honeycomb Knit Necklace that you see above, along with some dangly Swinger Chevron Stockinette Earrings. There are also some old favorites dipped in sunny gold. Best of all, get free U.S. shipping with an order of $150 or more by using the code FreshipUS.

There’s a week to go to preorder Mitchell’s Creations’ Alaska-inspired colorway for Knitting Our National Parks on both Lagniappe Sock (75/25 Superwash Merino/nylon) and Ça c’est bon Superwash Merino DK. Use the sock to knit Theressa Silver’s Sage-Grouse shawl from her national parks-inspired collection, called Knitting Wild.

Debbie of Murky Depths Dyeworks has created some new variegated colorways, including Angelfish above, that pair well with her solids.

Leann of Forbidden Fiber Co. has opened preorders for a Halloween-themed box and there are knit, crochet and cross stitch versions.

Nerd alert, nerd alert! Ashley started Nerdy Fibers in a small apartment kitchen right before March of 2020.

Looking for sweater quantity for the Olive Knits Fireworks KAL? The Stuffs have you covered with their tweed DK.

Indie Untangled Everywhere Untangling: Birdie Parker

By Lisa | October 14, 2020

This is the 10th in a series of blog posts featuring the fabulous sponsors of Indie Untangled Everywhere, taking place from October 15-17, 2020.

Metalsmithing doesn’t seem to have much in common with the fiber arts, but Kristi Jensen of Birdie Parker Designs has pulled both together seamlessly. After earning a BFA in Metalsmithing from California State University Long Beach in 2016, Kristi turned her skill into a fiber-focused jewelry business. Her jewels have donned many an ear, wrist and shawl, and she’s expanded into other unique items, such as light switch plates, all bearing her signature stitch designs.

How did you decide to study metalsmithing in college?

I originally intended to major in sculpture, but found that the program at my school wasn’t a good fit for me. A friend suggested that I check out the metalsmithing program and I instantly fell in love. I get to play with hammers and fire? Sign me up!

What led you to turn that skill into a fiber-focused jewelry business?

Like many fine arts majors, once I graduated I was faced with trying to figure out how to turn my new knowledge into a marketable skill. I played around with different ideas and mediums but nothing really fit. All throughout my time in the metalsmithing program, I was avidly knitting and padding my schedule with classes from the Fibers department, and it finally occurred to me: the fiber world didn’t have much going on in the way of jewelry at the time. I turned my focus toward trying to replicate the stitches of fibers arts in metal. After much experimentation, I developed a technique with electro-etching that eventually became my signature element.

Can you share some of your plans for Indie Untangled Everywhere?

I plan to introduce a few new products that I’ve been working to perfect with the help of my laser printers: new mirrored acrylic stitch markers, and silicone watch bands for Apple Watches.

What are some of the best things you’ve learned running your business?

I think the number one thing is that from day one I have treated Birdie Parker like a business, not a hobby. This has allowed me to grow exponentially, to the point where I have recently moved operations to a large warehouse and I’m beginning to take on employees to help with the workflow.

When and how did you learn to knit?

The first time I picked up the needles, it was from a little kit that I found at Costco, of all places. I later realized that I spent the first handful of projects knitting through the back loop! Life then got in the way and I didn’t knit for about a dozen years. One day I was freezing at the bus stop and I thought, I really should knit myself a hat! I visited the nearest LYS, watched a lot of youTube videos, figured out how to properly execute that knit stitch, and off I went!

Do you enjoy other crafts in addition to knitting?

Around the same time I started that hat, I started to wonder how hard it would be to learn to spin yarn. Within a span of about three weeks, I had built myself a drop spindle, visited an alpaca farm and ordered myself a spinning wheel! In addition to spinning, I learned to weave when I inherited my husband’s family loom. I dabble a bit in sewing, embroidery, cross stitch and sashiko. Since starting the business, my free time has become quite limited, so I seem to have focused my efforts on hoarding yarn. I’m quite good at it.

What are your favorite skeins in your stash?

I have a terrible weakness for self-striping sock yarn and rainbow gradient sets.

Tell me the projects that are currently on your needles.

Too many! I have 3/4 of a Love Note sweater, a half finished Rift tee, a pair of striped socks, a Junction Shawl and I’m sure a few others that I’m forgetting. The pandemic has been great for getting me to cast on projects but finishing them seems to be another issue!

What to stash this week: Love knot for your knits

By Lisa | February 14, 2020

Michelle of Crafty Flutterby Creations has put her own spin on the shawl cuff trend. Michelle crafts them with colorful cork, which is both vegan and environmentally friendly, hand stitching Celtic knit charms onto each piece, which are secured with metal snaps. You can see the cuffs, along with Michelle’s assortment of accessories, in her booth at Stitches West next weekend (I’ll be there too!).

Quiescence is Gabby of Once Upon a Corgi’s interpretation of Sequoia National Park after a snowstorm. This anything-but-quiet colorway is available to preorder through next Friday, with 10% of sales donated to the National Park Foundation.

Kate of McMullin Fiber Co is having a special Valentine’s Day shop update today at 11 a.m. Eastern time. It will include a special Lovebird collaboration with gingeroots bags, and two packages inspired by Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre available to preorder.

Jen of Porterness Studio has restocked after VKL NYC, with tons of new jewels, including 14K Gold Stockinette Stitch Motif Minis and Short Row earrings.

Stephanie of Rock Solid Designs has debuted her new Grace bag. These spacious bags have a more classic style for use as an everyday tote.

Marian of Marianated Yarns is debuting several new designs at Stitches West, collaborating with designers including Katy Carroll, Deb Gerhard, Romi Hill and Louis Boria of Brooklyn Boy Knits.

Laura of Slipped Stitch Studios has once again collaborated with artist Cynthia Frenette for a special V-day update that will drop today at 9 a.m. Pacific.

Julia of Pandia’s Jewels will have several kits for Wool & Pine’s Sorrel Sweater available for preorder starting tomorrow at 10 a.m. Eastern through Friday, February 21 until 8 p.m. Eastern.

Victoria of Eden Cottage Yarns will have an update on Saturday at 3 p.m. UK time with plenty of Coniston Fingering, a single-ply yarn with extra fine Merino and luxurious superkid mohair.

What to stash this week: Join the flock

By Lisa | January 10, 2020

Geraldine, the dyer behind new indie dye company The Wandering Flock, dyes yarn with intention and an eye towards knitting it into fashion-forward garments that you’ll want to wear. If you’re headed to Vogue Knitting Live NYC next week, stop by Booth 1101-1103 to see Arete, her design in the Winter 2019 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly, and the rest of her flock of hand-dyed yarn.

Jennifer of Porterness Studio will also be headed to VKL NYC next week, as a guest brand in mYak’s Tibetan Fibers booth. You definitely have to check out her stylish jewels in person!

Laura of Slipped Stitch Studios is launching several vintage designs, along with a snarky Yarn Sock, in a limited and ready-to-ship update that goes live today at 9 a.m. Pacific.

Like many of you, I have felt gutted by the destruction caused by the massive bush fires throughout Australia. Along with having family in Victoria, I have also had the fortune of working with Isabel and Nick of the Great Ocean Road Woolen Mill, who sent a batch of their yarn over for last year’s Rhinebeck Trunk Show. ⁣
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Aside from sourcing their fiber from farmers roughly one hour from the mill, Isabel and Nick keep their carbon footprint low: 95% of their power comes from solar, they wash their fiber only using rainwater and a low phosphate detergent and use the waste water to keep their orchard green and healthy. ⁣
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I have finally had time after the holiday season to add their yarn to the Indie Untangled shop, including a kit for Truly Myrtle’s Bobby beanie and Eva DK, which can be used for Thea Coleman’s Shandy sweater (there are only five skeins left!). ⁣
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Along with making a personal contribution to wildfire relief efforts, I am donating 15% of ALL sales in the Indie Untangled shop through the end of January to the Zoos Victoria Bushfire Emergency Wildlife Fund.

If you’ve been enjoying the Indie Untangled Knitting Our National Parks series, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to step inside one of the inspiration photos and create your own parks-inspired colorways!

At this first Indie Untangled retreat, taking place near Mount Rainier in Washington State, we’ll let you be a dyer for the afternoon. After touring Mount Rainier and taking in all its natural beauty, we’ll provide the supplies and equipment for you to hand dye personalized souvenirs, under the expert guidance of Heather Pleva from Earl Grey Fiber Company, who created The Highest Peak, pictured above. We’ll also explore the best patterns for using your kettle-dyed, variegated or hand-painted yarn.

What to stash this week: A little birdie told me you’d like this

By Lisa | May 17, 2019

Kristi of Birdie Parker Designs is a self-proclaimed fiber addict with a degree in metalsmithing. She uses cupric nitrate and electricity to electro-etch stitch stockinette and garter stitch patterns (crochet coming soon!) into sterling silver, brass and copper for earrings, necklaces, bracelets and stitch markers. If you’re going to Stitches United at the end of May/beginning of June, she’ll be there booth 709. If not, you can take 15% off your online order through June 30 with the code INDIEINTRO.

Sara of La Cave à Laine has fallen down the rabbit hole of linocut, which uses linoleum instead of rubber. She is now offering Linocut Totes, which feature her original drawings. These 100% cotton totes are limited, so act fast!

I’m not shirting you. Slipped Stitch Studios is debuting artist Cynthia Frenette’s less spicy fabric designs. Preorders open today at 9 a.m. Pacific and run through Monday.

Shanna of Lambstrings Yarn has opened up preorders for kits for Caitlin Hunter’s Navelli tee, with 12 possible color combos.

Eden Cottage Yarns is having an update on Tuesday at 8 p.m. UK time with sparkly yarn to mark Eurovision.

Aimee of Pancake and Lulu/PLYarn is taking preorders for her 2019 Advent calendars.