Episode 103: Active Stash Exploration

Image Details: Explorer Michael Terry by Aussie Mobs, via Flickr

The first show of 2017 brings the project of the year for podcast to you. This year, we’re all about Active Stash Exploration. What’s that you say? It’s definitely not cold sheeping, that is for sure.

First up we have a quick catch up on happenings, before diving in to some news both for the Bees on the business front and for the podcast. There are some words about the dangers of abusing Yakult as well as talking about words for the year. Do you have one? Mine is ‘press.’ I would love to hear your words and why you’ve chosen them.

Bees Inc is restructuring and that means we will lose some parts of the empire in order to focus on others. More info on those that will be leaving us next time. Essentially, I am moving away from my product based business to focus more on consulting and teaching. I currently help overwhelmed business owners gain control over their empire by implementing smart planning, systems and strategy and cutting out the rubbish they don’t need to be doing. I love this work and want to do more of it.

There are a few ways to work with me at the moment and if you are just getting started then I have a free Facebook group for business related chat. The community over there is great, really helpful and encouraging with just the right amount of sarcasm and swearing. If this sounds like your thing, the free business group on Facebook is (Business Without The Boll*cks) as well as a new online community portal that I am currently building. If you’re sick of tying yourself in knots about what you ‘should’ be doing in your business and getting nowhere because of it, I’m the girl for you. You can join the VIP list for Business WTB here.

Episode 102: On The Edge Of Something Magical

Image Details: ‘Magical Unicorn Faucet’ by Chris Waits on Flickr.

Intro

It’s been a little while that I have been on sabbatical, but I am once again back behind the mic and with you. There’s been lots of things ongoing behind the scenes here at Shiny Heights, preparing the new house and getting settled. I’m very much enjoying our new surroundings and hope to have many fun tales for you to come.

Episode 101: No Dalmatians Required

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Intro

Welcome back after a short break to the podcast. I’m deee-lighted to be back with you once again, as I have missed you terribly during the break. Having hoped to have moved by now, I am still, sadly, in the same house, but hopefully moving next week.

So, I know you’re all wondering – did Mini Paul Rudd buy the house?

I’m afraid not. I think he bought a smaller one in the next street, and took his somewhat handsome father with him. Luckily though, after a viewing with Chinese Jackie O and another one in which my first impression was one of ‘OMG does Vicky Pollard live here’ (to them, not them to me), we got an offer and are cracking now with the sale as quickly as their ineffectual conveyancer will allow. Which is pretty much at a glacial pace.

Episode 100: The Great Shinybees Hexipuff Amnesty

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Intro

Here we are folks and who’d have thunk it: A tonne! From my South African garage to my Wigan spare bedroom – with a couple of amazing awards in between – over the course of 4 years.  A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for all the support.

A couple of shout outs today:

GiffnockGirl – loving the pokeballs after our pattern pick last time. Though I am lamenting the lack of Pikachu man bun covers. I can only assume you are all out seeking perfect models for them and I can expect those photos shortly.

Chelociraptor – I always enjoy some fun crochet patterns and burgers are no different.

Episode 99: When Pokemon Go and Yarn Collide

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Intro

First and foremost I need you all to know that I have penned my letter to last episode’s feckless judge. I shall let you know what his response is, should he dare to make one. The big news this week is that I am selling my moneypit aka my house. Anyone for a big Victorian number in Wigan? Mates rates (not really). This does however mean that I am mega busy cleaning and planting stuff and de-cluttering, of course, so do look out for me freeing some of my skeins in a sale in the not too distant future. In my busyness I did make time to pop on a narrowboat and it got me thinking again about planning a knitting trip on a narrowboat, let me know if you fancy it, once I’ve got numbers I’ll order the buffet and we’re off. I’ve looked into this, priced it up and all, it could be a reality quite easily. Just think about the crazy that could ensure from 12 knitters on a boat.

Episode 98: Knitting in the News

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Intro

Few thoughts on news items this week, I’m feeling all topical. Think Mock the Week meets Nevermind the Buzzcocks but with only one panelist and three knitty stories…

Before we get going though I want to remind you that I am still preparing for Episode 100 and so am open to any ideas. There are a few on the table already but nowt has been decided as yet so send ’em in.

Oh and my Voodoo shawl is still missing – cheers Royal Mail – so if you happen upon it send it my way. I may even have to start doing my own blocking because of this. Pah.

Episode 97: Best UK Podcast of 2016

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Intro

So here we are at the start of our fortnightly releases – missed me?? I can’t believe how close we are to the big 1-0-0 now. Given how busy I am of late my creative juices are flowing a little slower so if you have any ideas/requests about how we should celebrate this in true Shiny style please do email and let me know. Today we have some knitting chat, a good old The Golden Skein quarterly round up and some light enabling.

Episode 96: This Thing of Paper – An Interview with Karie Westermann

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Intro

Straight into the news this week as I have so much of it. Firstly, I want to thank you all for your wonderful positive feedback on last weeks episode and my time with Countess Ablaze. A lot of the feedback was around how well she copes with her autism, and how it doesn’t stop her from doing what she wants to do. We have both appreciated it very much, you are all lovely people. If you would like some of our crazy Orange Mocha Frappuccino, the bad news is that the batch we dyed completely sold out to newsletter subscribers in two hours. [Fortunately for us, The Countess (despite being in incredibly high demand) has kindly agreed to do a very small number of pre-orders for those of you who missed out. You can pre-order the yarn here until the limit is reached or 20th June, whichever is earliest. Dispatch will be 1st July.] Edited: This is now totally sold out. Thank you!

Episode 95: Orange Mocha Frappucino with Countess Ablaze

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Intro

Hola everyone, I am back from my ‘holiday’. Don’t let the flippant Spanish there throw you off, I’ve not been anywhere and haven’t even had time to knit! In fact I’m still knitting the lace panel for #RewindKAL. Been very busy with other things and Casa Shiny is like a madhouse as usual and that’s taking up much of my headspace. A couple of important points to note before we get down to the good stuff (and it really is good today):

New Media Europe Awards

I have some great news!

The podcast has made it through to the finals of the New Media Europe Awards in two categories: Best UK Podcast and Audience Appreciation Award.

Thank you to everyone who voted for the podcast in the first round. The second round of voting is taking place via Twitter and here’s the skinny on what you need to know.

1) Voting runs from 31st May until 10th June.

2) You can vote as many times as you like, but only one tweet per day counts in each category.

3) The winner will be decided on a combination of 50% number of votes (so you really are important, every vote counts) and 50% independent panel judgement.

To vote, head over to this blog post, click on Shinybees and a pop-up will appear which will allow you to tweet your support. Do this for both categories, each day until the 10th June. Don’t forget to vote for Ravelry too in the Best Community category.

Thanks for your support and remember to vote every day until the 10th! I’ll be putting reminders on Twitter each day (thank you, Buffer!) to help jog your memory too.