The Air around a Handcrafter

Those of us who love working with our hands, watching materials develop into something we will either give away or sell, must be aware of the air around us.
If we smoke, or if we have a smoker in the house or living area, that smoke can settle into the materials we use in our crafts. I was very excited once, in southern California, when a woman selected me to crochet some of her specially designed sweaters. She had a distributor who was able to place her sweaters in upscale stores. She loved the sample I made for her. However, I lost the contract because, at that time, there were two smokers in the apartment. Even though I was not a smoker, it was in the air, and this woman could smell it. She could not allow her products to go on display at stores if they carried even a trace of cigarette smoke.
If someone in your home smokes, try to work in a smoke-free room. If you can’t work on your crafts in a smoke-free room, as least keep the supplies in one. That will help a great deal.
Another environmental hazard to crafters is the beloved household pet. While working with your hands, be very careful to watch for, and pull out immediately, any pet hairs. The item should be made from acrylic yarn, wool, cotton worsted, cotton or rayon thread, but not calico or golden retriever fur.
We don’t want the person who receives our work to have an asthmatic or allergic reaction.