Long before Olive + Arrow's polymer clay earrings and statement making bag charms, there were knitting needles, handmade hats, and one very memorable photo shoot.
Meet The Creeper Slouch and the Yarn Beard.
Back in 2011, I sold two separate knitted creations: The Creeper Slouch, a slouchy knit hat, and the Yarn Beard, a novelty accessory. Naturally, I decided the best way to photograph them was together. And naturally, I recruited my brother to model them.
What followed was a perfect little snapshot of the early 2010’s internet. One of those photographs landed on the Tumblr blog Sad Etsy Boyfriends on September 2, 2011. The image subsequently circulated further to different online news outlets and blogs, including BuzzFeed!
There is something wonderfully funny about seeing a photo you took for a handmade product listing suddenly become part of internet culture. My brother's expression, the knitted beard, the wood-paneled backdrop: I wouldn't change a thing and I love having this moment and memory be a part of my journey!
Why I kept these photos.
These pieces remind me that Olive + Arrow has always had a sense of humor. Not every creative milestone comes with a glamorous campaign or a carefully planned launch. Sometimes it comes with a yarn beard and a family member willing to pose for a photograph.
I'm so happy to give The Creeper and the Yarn Beard their own place in The Knitting Years Archives.
From the original photo archive
