Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Guest Blogger- Knit Circus Editor Jaala Spiro! And giveaways!


Wow, the last stop on the tour! Thanks so much for hosting, Jessie.

Today, for a change, let's have an interview with you rather than me! This profile of one of our favorite fiber businesses originally ran in Knitcircus Issue #6(link: http://www.knitcircus.com/issue6.html).

Phat Fiber

How did you get the idea for Phat Fiber?

In the summer of 2008, my husband and I both came down with Mononucleosis. If you've ever had it, you know that your entire body is wracked with pain and accomplishing simple everyday tasks become near impossiblities because of it. During my convalescence, I picked up some knitting needles and yarn after a long hiatus from needlecrafts and was amazed at how my pain seemingly melted away. At the time, gas was over $4.00 a gallon and I was still in a great deal of discomfort, so making more than a once monthly trip to my LYS (30+ miles away) was pretty much out of the question. I began shopping online for my yarn and was absolutely amazed at the plethora of gorgeous yarn and fiber from independent businesses available to me. I made several purchases, some I was thrilled with, others I was almost angry with disappointment about. Wishing there was a better way to shop for something as tactile as yarn and fiber, the mental seeds of Phat Fiber began to sprout and grow. After months of preparation, our first box was released January 15th 2009.

What's the philosophy behind it?

Phat Fiber's goal is to bridge the gap between the products and services of talented independent fiber artists and companies and today's conscious yarn consumers. We all want to support independent businesses as well as treat ourselves to incredible goods. Phat Fiber makes it easier for both indie yarnies to market their wares and for the rest of us to experience, swatch, fondle the fiber while planning larger purchases.

How has the service been received by crafters/customers?

I think both parties are extremely pleased so far. We have only done 2 boxes (Jan and Feb) and both have sold out immediately and much of the feedback has been incredibly enthusiastic from both the customers and the artisans Phat Fiber represents. We have an amazing group of contributors who are extremely supportive of each other. The comraderie displayed within the group of participants makes me very proud to be considered a part of this endeavor.

Nuts and bolts-how can people find you, how often are boxes sent out, how much do they cost?

Our Main site is www.phatfiber.com there you will find links to most all of our contributors and more information about the boxes.

The boxes go on sale once monthly (mid month) in our Phat Fiber Etsy shop here: http://www.phatfiber.etsy.com

To be notified of the exact time of sale, sign up for the Phat Fiber newsletter here: http://www.phatfiber.com/notifyme.htm

The boxes are $33.00 USD which includes domestic shipping.

We have a group on Ravelry, as well as our own forum which can be found here: http://www.phatfiber.com/phatforum We love to share pictures of our boxes, what we've done with our samples, and larger purchases made from discoveries found in the box.

We also profile the contributors to the box and host many giveaways on our blog here: http://www.phatfiber.blogspot.com

What's next for Phat Fiber?

More boxes! We are currently creating special pages full of discount coupons, patterns and articles just for our newsletter subscribers. Many of our contributors have suggested a Phat Fiber gathering of sorts. That would be amazing and I hope it happens.

Tell us your favorite Phat Fiber story.

Oh, there are many!! One of our customers wrote on our forum that she felt like she was a part of a movement and she had never felt that way about anything before. That really touched me and made me want to work even harder for our wonderful artists/contributors. I also love that every month I get excited emails from participants letting us know about new orders that were generated from the box. It's very rewarding!

--JS, Knitcircus #6

For the Grand Finale of our Blog Tour, let's do something really grand--like giving away three Grand Slam collections of Knitcircus! Please leave a blog comment, and three lucky winners will receive all of the available back issues of the print magazine (Issues 3-8) plus a free pdf download of the Spring Pattern Collection for Issue #9. Phat Fiber will keep the contest open until Sunday evening then we’ll let you know if you’ve won and your collection will go out in the mail Monday morning.

This has been a blast, Jessie; since Team Knitcircus joined up with Team PhatFiber for the Ravelympics, it’s going to be a fun couple of weeks with lots of knitting for everyone!

Keep doing the great work bringing fiber lovers and independent businesses together and rock on.

Jaala


KnitCircus is now an online publication! On the web at http://www.knitcircus.com




71 comments:

burnt rain said...

oooh... I would like to win.. :) Just sayin..

Unknown said...

this is a very generous contest. heres to hoping I could win vbarton24 at gmail dot com

PJS said...

Well, it's great to see how phatfiber was born. I havn't managed to get one yet, but i will and i cant wait.

Little Miss S. said...

Uh, I'm crossing my fingers. Has been great reading along.

KellieBelle said...

::gasp:: I've never actually gotten my hands on a knitcircus, so I'd love to win! I had no clue they're online now, linking over. Thanks for the fab post :)

Jess said...

Great contest - thanks for posting it!

Jess

jessicacook17@hotmail.com

Chris said...

Thanks for the interview! I'd never heard the 'backstory' before. It's great to see how so much creativity can come out of a very trying time.

elendir said...

I've just read the online magazine... wow!

Amy said...

I am a new follower. Great to read this history behind Phat. Thanks for the giveaway.

Ponddrop said...

I've looked, now I'm hooked. Great magazine. If I don't win one, I'll need to get myself one anyway. But I'd like to win. I never do, and it makes you feel so warm and fuzzy.

Bubblesknits said...

Throw me in the hat, too!

Unknown said...

I'd love to win

Diana, Fiber Fancy said...

Great Prize! Great Site! Bookmarked!

oonagh said...

very cool....and phatfibers is a very cool idea!!

-oonaghfibersmyth on ravelry

|chee-uh| said...

Thank you for this contest! I hope I'm a winner.

Kat said...

I have to agree with the emailer that said she "felt like she was part of a movement". I bought my first box recently and have already ordered fiber from 2 people that I hadn't shopped with before. Without an opportunity to touch and try the fiber, I would have overlooked these beautiful works. Your idea was "pure genius" and I appreciate all that you and the sponsors put into this. The monthly themes make this extra special.

Sheri Karobonik said...

It sounds like a wonderful prize.

Cozy Knitting said...

It's great how creativity is the source for energy and purpose. It is amazing how our paths lead us to the right place if we just keep on moving. Thanks for your story.

emwall24 said...

Oh wow, that would be awesome! I looked through their patterns and a lot of those look really cool.

Patience Ann said...

*poke*

Emily said...

I'm really excited to have found Phat Fiber! I have yet to try ordering my first box but it's such a wonderful idea. Thanks for all your hard work :)

jenniem on ravelry

Elaine said...

Me please. Thanks

Sylvia said...

What a great giveaway!

TuttleDB said...

Just want to say that I love the sample boxes I've purchased so far. I watch the preview with with my 4 yo son and 2 yo daughter, who "oooh and ahhh" right along with me. When the samples arrive, they are right there with me so they can see/feel everything. It is great to see how their tastes are alike/different.

I had never used non-acrylic fiber until I received my first sample box. Now, the only reason to use "fake fiber" is to use up my stash.

I discovered Knit Circus through Ravelry and subscribed immediately so I have received Issue #9 and love all the possibilities.

Thanks for posting this article and, although I'm not happy you and your DH were ill, I am very happy with the result of your recovery.

Zombie Queen said...

Oh, how cool! I'd love to win! ^_^

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great opportunity. I'd love to win.

Unknown said...

Me please!

Carla said...

Great giveaway. Enter me please

Rachel O said...

I'd like to win one of the prizes.

Katie said...

What a great tour! It was a great way to learn about Knitcircus and other blogs that were new to me. Keep up the great work.

Kristen said...

Ohh, I'd love to win Knitcircus!

danielle said...

wow - what an awesome prize that would be!

Ruhammie said...

What a great interview! I really enjoy learning about how people's business ideas come about. Count me in for the drawing!

Kim Reid said...

Please enter me in your wonderful giveaway - Thanks!
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com

InJuneau said...

What a great giveaway!

Sara said...

Please enter me to win - thank you.

nhsarab on ravelry

Unknown said...

Great fun - I'm in

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

I love reading the article about the history of Phat Fiber. It was very interesting.

Knittingdancer on Ravelry

Melanie said...

I loved reading about the nuts an bolts of things. Heres hoping I you pick me.

Anne said...

Oh my goodness! I would be the queen of my knitting club if I could share this great prize!

GHouk said...

Great contest! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

great interview! thanks for the contest.
knitmit on rav

Anonymous said...

Fun contest! Love your site.
Thanks!
--Vickyknits on Ravelry

SJS said...

Yay, contest! Yay, Knit Circus!

Kitten With a Whiplash said...

What a nice interview. It's an inspiration to hear how a great idea becomes something as special as Phat Fiber. I'd love to win, I'm in a pattern collecting frenzy now because of the size of my stash.

Lilm4105 said...

Great to hear the background story. And a great prize! :)
Emily
Serendipity
www.lilm4105.etsy.com

Crafty Christina said...

What a great ending to the tour!!

Anonymous said...

Awesome interview!

Jen

Turtle said...

very very generous... and fabulous!

cthulhulovesme said...

Very neat interview!

TJJ said...

Great contest. Count me in!

RoamingKnitter said...

Generous contest with a set of fabulous prizes. Count me in, please.

rebelhousewife said...

wow great prizes.
pixie@pixiefashions.com

ikkinlala said...

Thanks for posting this interview here!

Taleah said...

Great interview - thanks for the contest! I'm naughtyknots at rav

One Sheep said...

I really enjoyed this profile, but Jessie, you didn\t have to get a tooth pulled just to take a day off! Hope you're feeling 100%. I'd love to win this one, I need new inspirations.

redzshadow said...

Even though I am allergic to a lot of the fibers I still LOVE what you have done. I was able to get one box last year (the non-wool box) and it was amazing. I was able to find great people to buy alternative fiber from. I love watching the Phat Fiber videos because I can enjoy all the fibers I can't handle.

I had no idea this was such a new thing. I was a little shocked because it is so well run.

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

great post! I love learning more about how the sites I love came to be! Thanks!
atthebreakofnoon on Ravelry

PenelopeRose said...

I loved reading the interview and would like to be entered in the drawing. Thanks for the opportunity!

Max. H said...

It's been great reading. Thanks for the interview!

Connie said...

Great interview! Will it increase my chances if I click my heels together and say "I hope I win, I hope I win"?

greyowl60atyahoodotcom

StephCat said...

knitcircus is a lovely mag!

Unknown said...

Ooo,Uuu,Aaa, It's great to see how phatfiber was born. I havn't been able to win one yet, but I keep trying.

Unknown said...

You always have the best contests, you know that, right?

asteride said...

Yes, I would like to win and I would like to discover more about the box...
asteride (at)gmail.com

Jean Ashley said...

I've been a fan of Phat Fiber for a while now...thanks for the great interview! The grand slam prize is amazing...I hope I win, but I'll wish pre-congratulations to everyone who does end up winning...it's a great prize!

PBnJ said...

Interesting interview! Ooh! I want to enter your giveaway too! Thanks!
PBnJsFiber on Rav.

DG said...

I found out about KnitCircus when I received a copy in my first PhatFiber box, and enjoyed it (and the box very much)!

Ann Ryan said...

great interview! Love the magazine :)

katerina said...

How lovely to learn more about Phat Fibers! What a great idea to have the interview of you! :) Thanks for the great blog!!

ashley0607 said...

I LOVE PhatFiber and the way PF connects us (all artisans in our own right) to other artisans to work together to make the right purchases to create our own unique tresures.. for once it looks like mono did something good.

GOOOOOOO PhatFiber.

Ravelry: ash0607