Malojos

08/10/2026

Hi! I am back from an adventure* filled vacation with the family. We left home as two adults and two kids, and came home as three adults and one kid!

I am already working on orders, and on the wax on my bench that you can see in today's view from the bench-pin. Any guesses as to what I am making?

I feel a little vulnerable sharing the progress on this piece. It's something new for me, and I hope the beginning of a new collection. It has been slow going, but very satisfying to work on.

*If by adventure you mean having your trusty minivan breakdown after driving through a major storm just as you are rolling into NYC with the family, and all the fun that ensues from that situation, yeah totally an adventure. It was a great trip anyway, and I did a hell of a job getting us safely off of the highway. And by breakdown, it was somehow just the battery? I dunno, but a tow, inspection, and new battery later, and we kept going and made it home a week later as planned.

07/08/2026

Slow, very slow, and not as steady as I would like. But, it's progress.

What is she building in here?

She's not building, she's carving a wax to cast in silver.

Why is she so grumpy?

She lost her wax file, and spent the day going through the studio trying to find it.

Ah, no luck, huh?

Nope, but a new one is on its way.

07/06/2026

Today's view from the bench-pin. Wax.

Progress is slow, but I'm finally happy with my design and can start cutting the pieces of wax I will need.

07/03/2026

Time to break out the wax tools, and some new ideas.

06/12/2026

Oh, you know, just taking a break to knit at the bench.

Just kidding, my knitting would get so dusty on any other day. I had just cleaned my bench in order to take a bunch of pictures for an ad, and I was trying out different ideas.

This one didn't make the cut, but it does document an important achievement: I can comfortably PURL in Continental!!

If you've talked to me recently, you probably know I have been learning to knit continental because throwing (English style) was causing me so much pain. I had gotten the hang of the knit stitch, but purling was so awkward!

Thanks to sage advice from Emily of Emily Wohlscheid and Debbie Stoller to try Norwegian Purling, I feel like a knitter again!

And I learned to purl in time for PURL Magazine (even if my purling didn't make it into the ad)!

I'll be back with more jewelry focused content soon. Just let me finish this row...

05/03/2026

It's going to be another beautiful day at Maryland Sheep and Wool!

It was wonderful to see so many folks stop by to see us at the booth in the Main Exhibition Hall. We're booth C13, right under the American flag hanging from the ceiling.

I treated myself yesterday to a lovely bud vase from and I love the way it brings a pop of color and Spring to my table.

05/02/2026

Greetings from Maryland Sheep and Wool! Cooperative Press and Malojos Jewelry are in the Main Exhibition Hall, booth C13, right under the American flag.

It's a beautiful day, perfect for wearing your handmade woolies and buying functional jewelry, books, and t-shirts!

04/30/2026

I am packing up for Maryland Sheep and Wool! Will be in the booth in MAIN C13!

I just finished a batch of This Machine Kills Fascists necklaces, and have plenty of knitting needle gauge rings and more!

See you there!

04/21/2026

Today I bring you a look at what I am working on for Maryland Sheep and Wool, where you can find me and the "This Machine Kills Fascists" necklaces in the booth, along with just a few pictures from

Thank you to everyone who came to YarnCon, and who came by our booth, where my most excellent booth babe, Lauren ("fake-Natalia"), was covering for me while I ran the show with Laura and Sara. I am so lucky to get to work with these amazing people!

1. Today's view of the bench-pin
2. Lauren and me at my booth which I totally neglected to photograph
3. A screenshot of Sara, myself, and Laura- co-organizers of YarnCon, from the article in the Chicago Sun-Times and public radio station WBEZ!!! https://chicago.suntimes.com/arts-and-culture/2026/04/11/knitting-and-crocheting-devotees-swarm-yarncon-for-threads-and-thrills-its-all-about-community
4. I am hovering over the ballroom from the balcony, just thrilled to see so many happy people at YarnCon!
5. Myself and Sara, taking selfies and making YarnCon since 2007!

04/12/2026

Malojos and Cooperative Press are ready and super excited for day two of YarnCon !!

We'll be waiting for you in booth 24 (I mistyped yesterday, sorry!)

I am positively giddy over the coverage in the Sun-Times and WBEZ! If you read to the end of the excellent article by Erica Thompson you will see a picture of yours truly with Sara Ware and Laura Staley.

The fair returned to Chicago this weekend to support independent fiber producers and hobbyists who praise the social and mental health benefits of knitting and crocheting. The event continues on Sunday at Plumbers Hall.