UPDATE on ME

Well, I know I am not updating regularly these days... I guess I don't have too much to report. Today I thought I'd report my unexciting events...

After a blistering hot week of 90s (I know my brother in San Antonio and my friend in New Orleans will scoff at the description--but HEY, I'm built for subzero weather. Nope, I don't LIKE it...) where I was SO HAPPY it was finally summer--we have had a week of 60s. BOO. It is supposed to warm up, but sadly, we are near a Great Lake, and that will keep ME in the low 70s, still. Doesn't feel like summer--and disappointing when Fall will be here before we know it.

I have not been doing much jewelry. I took a break from crocheting after overdoing it (my children put it many orders for things--my son is so delighted with the free Pokemon crochet patterns website I found!), but have gotten back to it a bit. And tonight I want to hurry up and make some red, white and blue earrings for tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be the *big* parade with my in-laws, then we go there for lunch. There will be lots of kids, and they will all get to sleep over by Grandma and Grandpa. They will come to the school across the street for fireworks, as it doesn't get crowded and we can see them from two neighboring cities. I will make popcorn and lemonade. I MIGHT even share with the kids. ;-)

NOTHING DOING on the house-for-sale stuff. Not even a showing in two weeks. Our realtor assures us it is across the board, as interest rates have risen. I am getting concerned, however, because we are running out of time to get this going in order for the kids to start in a new school this Fall. Do we change them during the year, or take the house off of the market?? What can my little babies handle?

After waiting to move for 10 years, I did not realize it would still be difficult to move after reaching the point of getting the house on the market. I truly know that in the scheme of things, it is a small problem. I really believe that, and think that perhaps there is a reason or an issue that I will look back and understand why it has been such a challenge. But I have to be honest to say that I am disappointed beyond words. And that is all I will say on that subject (for now anyway)--since it is beyond words!

I spent a couple of hours this evening putting MANY of my resin items in my etsy shop on clearance. I hoped it would get them to move a little more. And I have listed international shipping. Which means I have to hike myself over to the post office instead of printing labels off of PayPal, but I think I can manage--ha ha!!

I am enjoying the kids this summer. They are fighting a lot (either best buddies or fighting, argh!), but I am trying to keep them busy. They are not signed up for anything (since I thought we'd be moving this summer!), but we do a weekly trip to the library, I try to arrange a weekly playdate, we do crafts one day... you get the idea. It is nice to have a relaxed summer.

And really... that IS it. I hope you are all having a lovely summer and that your weekend (for those in the US celebrating the 4th, especially!!) is full of fun, family and friends!

New Old Craft

I think I have Crafters' ADHD.

I know some of you can relate.

Ok, anyone following my blog knows I have painfully put away the resin (FOR NOW!), that we are preparing for a move, so my beads are not readily accessable (as in all over the place).

So I visited my friend's house the other day and she had these ADORABLE crocheted toast and veggies in her kitchen. WITH FACES. Oh, how cute! She got them off of etsy, by the way. Just do a search for crocheted food and you will be in awe of the talented yarnsters out there!!!

So.... I have had this discussion, I believe on Twitter, about this. WHY BUY WHEN I CAN MAKE? (the unspoken part is when, how and "add it to the list.")

I used to crochet! That is my excuse.

I taught myself to crochet in high school, when crocheted sweaters were all the rage. They were kind of expensive to afford with babysitting money, so--to the library I went for a book on how to crochet (see, I had the illness even then....). Well, I never made the sweater (and did eventually save up and buy one which I wore far too long for it to be in style!), but I did learn how to crochet. I actually made a baby sweater.

But here is the problem. I am really SLOW at it. I learned many stitches, but could never pick up the pace. I mean SLOW. I started said baby sweater when a friend was pregnant... and gave it to her two years later for her second baby. And gauge (which is the stitches per inch) was never my thing (much like drawing straight lines)... so her newborn sweater fit her baby at six months. Well, she did love it.

Here is a picture of what I can make with my pattern. It was created during the salmonella scare, why the tomato is so frightened--HILARIOUS!!

So, here I am back again. I purchased a cute fruit pattern on sale for $1 (come ON, how can she live on that price?!) and I will give it a try. Maybe move on to other food patterns (I was drooling at the adorableness!) if this goes well. And the fruit is small--I mean, how long can it take to crochet a tomato (famous last words!)????

But, ahem, I'll have to figure out where I packed my yarn.

Mother Nature Weighs In

I know I've been gone a really long time!

But guess what! We have a "for sale" sign in our yard! We did it! We've had a couple of showings, but no one is interested, yet. I am trying to be patient, as we've only been listed for two weeks... but I am excited to get out of limbo!!!

With that said, I'll move on to my next story......

My buddy, Tronsgirl, and I had a two-day craft fair this past weekend. It was our first outdoor craft fair, and she found us a canopy, extra tables, etc. Also, it was a juried show, so we felt pretty good about getting in...

Next scene... We are set up. Hello! We are set up. Anyone out there????? There were only about 60 vendors (taking away a little of the thrill of being accepted). It was at the entry of a very popular festival--and everyone seemed pretty excited to get into the festival. They didn't really have time to look at crafts. It was very slow--the only thing that made us feel slightly better is that it was slow for EVERYONE. Not that we don't wish everyone else success--just that we knew not to take it personally. Or tried not to.

By 4:00 pm (after we had been sitting there for six hours) we had each made a whopping $22 (at least it was exactly equal so we didn't glare at each other in envy in our boredom and disappointment). The sky was looking a little cloudy. Our husbands, who had spent the day with the kids in the festival part of the event came back for a rest. Tronsgirl and I went out for a little walk to stretch our atrophied muscles. There were a couple of sprinkles, so we went back to our little canopy. Then, so suddenly, the sky broke open! It was like buckets of rain were being tossed on us, the sideways-super-windy-rain! Did I mention it was so so so cold? We were shocked! Tronsgirl and I were laughing in hysterics while our husbands tried to get the sides of the canopy down (it was too windy to do so, by the way)--so we just tried to hold the flaps that were already down, well, down. All of our jewelry flew off the tables. I remember the sight of my husband chasing my (0f course ruined) business cards out the back of our canopy. Tronsgirl's husband snapped me out of my shock--"hold down your stuff!!" I quickly threw the table cloth over what remained on the table, to keep it down (the tablecloth was very heavy with water at this point--certainly could keep everything down!).

My son, at a drier spot where we herded the three children, asked, "Is this a monsoon?" I don't know, I think monsoons are warmer.

The wind died down a bit and the flaps were finally able to come down. We stood there as the rain fell, in shock. Then, slowly, the sun came out.

All in all, it probably lasted less than 10 minutes. We were SOAKED through. Our shoes squished. We were shivering. My jeans felt like they weighed 50 lbs. Dejectedly, we started packing up into soggy boxes, with no rhyme or reason. Everything was tangled and soaking. Earrings all over the grass. I was pouring water out of my pendant displays. Oh my.

When we unzipped the sides of our tent, everyone looked shocked. Slowly packing up. There was a small "flood" in front of the booths across from us. They looked like they didn't know where to go, on their squishy little islands of wet crafts they had worked hours and hours upon. The poor woman next to us lost thousands of dollars worth of her merchandise. For her, it was a business, not a hobby.

We went back to Tronsgirl's house, which was near--got into THEIR clothes, put our clothes in the dryer and had a cocktail.

Obviously we could not participate in the fair the next day, so we decided to come back, hit the rides-part of the fest and have a cook out. Lemonade from lemons?? We stopped at the craft fair to check on it, and only about half of the crafters returned.

Thankfully all of my jewelry is OK!! BUT sadly, many of my displays are ruined--hurt to have paid for that when we didn't even recoup our entry fee! And of course I'll have to order more business cards. Lots of time and money spent on our set-ups, wasted and ruined. Tronsgirl did lose some merchandise, which is heartbreaking, indeed.

So... no craft fairs for a while, we have decided. And personally--I don't think I will ever do an outdoor one again. Now I will think about selling this house and getting a new one, summer vacation with my kids (only three weeks away!). I have things to list on etsy, so I will probably slowly add more to the shop. I have suspended my ArtFire shop.

But for now, I am taking a step back. Not defeated, but definitely soggy. I need some time to wring out.

WHEEE! My New Etsy Shop

Yay!

This has been on my mind for a while! I've been wanting to set up this new etsy shop and today is the big day! My husband has learned to make the frames, and I've learned to cut mats (previously done by my dad--but we wanted to take over before I started an actual shop). I set up shop, listed some sample names...

...Now I wait! :-) But that's ok... I am working on a couple of framed name gifts right now, which are keeping me busy. Plus the jewelry, there is always the jewelry.

I just love doing these names, and have been so pleased with the feedback I have received. I started doing them... oh, maybe 12 years ago? They look very different now! I used icky little frames from Walmart (the only place I could find decent panoramic frames!), without mats back then. They've metamorphasized into something more professional-looking. Even if I don't make a sale, I am really glad that I am trying. Well, I do WANT to make a sale, ha ha... I guess it is just that I DID IT!!

To be able to make a little money doing things I love--I mean, HOW GREAT IS THAT? I'm tryin'! :-)

Oh, I almost forgot! Here it is: It's All in a Name

Save Handmade, Amend the CPSIA!!!

There is a new law due to be enforced on Februrary 10th called the CPSIA. This is a VERY important law which came about after so many toys were found tainted with lead. This law requires a great deal of testing for any product (including clothing) made for children 12 and under. Yay, let's keep our kids safe!!

BUT--this law is having unintended consequences. Many people who handmake items for children will no longer be able to do so due to the expensive testing requirement. While this might be fine for Mattel, Grandpa Bob who makes toy trains out of wood in his basement because he loves to see children smile can no longer do this (well, he can make them, but can't pass them out!). MANY shops on etsy have had to close their doors, or about to due to this law and being unable to afford testing (which includes items such as handknit mittens, which are not typically found to contain lead!). With the way the economy is going, it seems to be a backwards decision.

It needs to be amended!

Here are a couple of great links to learn more...

http://blog.buyhandmade.org/

And this can not only give you more information, but give you an idea of how to take action to save handmade!

http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2009/01/CPSIA-Etsy-Resources.pdf

Besides really feeling for those who have to close their shops, and those of us that will miss out on some wonderful, delightful handcrafted items, this does directly affect me. Later this year I was planning on opening shop on some name art that I have been making for years for friends and relatives. My father, who has handmade the frames and cut the mats for my artwork, has been teaching my husband and I to take it over to handle (hopefully!) a higher volume.

Sadly, this dream of mine may never take place if this law is not amended--because even though it is to be hung on a wall, not to even really be touched by a child (even though the paint I use IS non-toxic!), it is included in this blanket law. And my dream is only one of many that will be defeated.

Why I Started Beading

I thought today I would take a moment to credit the person who inspired me to start beading! She may not even know just how instrumental she was! :-) One of my husband's group of friends includes a bunch of guys from high school, the neighborhood, and their friends... well, one of these friends married a girl (This goes back more than a decade--I believe she was the second girl in the group, we really had our work cut out for us, taming these beasts! ha ha!!) and she made beautiful jewelry. She now has an etsy shop called Farfrumplainjane. Well, at get-togethers she would sometimes bring some of her finished work to see the reaction--to know if people liked it, they would do well at craft fairs, etc etc. Well--in all of her beautiful work which I admired there was one bracelet that especially caught my eye. It was called "tennis bracelet" and weaved with gorgeous AB Swarovski crystals. The depth of the black crystal spoke to me. It was more than I was used to spending for a bracelet, but I couldn't get it out of my mind. I went to her next craft fair, deciding that I would fork over the money--but it was not there!!! All of this I kept to myself.

So I decided to learn to make it. After a year or so of learning to bead the various stitches and learning about the various beads, I finally found the pattern and did learn to make it... but here is the funny thing! I have not yet made one for ME! :-) That is how it goes with beading--many gifts get made. (Don't feel sad for me, ha ha! My jewelry box is overflowing!). But she has always been very generous, willing to share and teach, and I appreciate that. Even though I never owned that bracelet, it went one better. Because I couldn't purchase it, I found a passion that I have never found for an art or craft before. It gave me something far better, it gave me my Love of Beads... and for that, Jane, I thank you!

Check out some of Jane's gorgeous work, and be sure to visit her etsy shop!

The "Free Shipping" Decision

Well, today I have decided to make both of my shops as "free shipping" shops (as I write this, one is changed and one is not). I took a lot of thought with this, and quizzed my seller-pals on Twitter... We thought together as sellers and consumers. Times are just tough--for BOTH sellers and consumers. So I decided, even though I didn't raise my prices to try to eat some of the shipping costs, to just offer free shipping. If people decide to buy when they wouldn't have--sometimes those extra $2 are the tipping point--it is win-win for both of us, isn't it?

I know I am going to keep making stuff even if no one buys it, so I thought I would try to make it easier on both of us. ;-) We'll see if I make more sales or not, I don't know if it will make a difference.

Thanks to my Twitter pals for discussing the issue with me! Sheltie19 and SuperTeeTee!

Back In the Saddle

Well, I have spent most of the past two days getting back into the groove of things with my shops. I have listed many new items in both my ArtFire and Etsy shops--besides finishing the items, there is taking the pictures, editing the pictures and listing the items. It can be quite a process as many of you etsians know! I feel such relief to at least have my Valentine pieces out there! I have a number of other pieces ready to photograph and list as well... but one step at a time.

One change is that I pulled my ball chain from my shops. It is at a point where my fine customers have helped me pay for some of my bulk purchase by sharing it with me (thank you!), but I want some left for ME! :-) I don't feel that I want to make that big investment again. I have yet to be "in the black" with my supply purchases vs. sales, especially after my big ball chain investment! Sad but true!

And doing this means my house is a disaster! Can't seem to focus on both at the same time. Either my house looks decent and my shops are neglected, or my shops are updated and my house is out of control! *sigh* If someone has a magic balancing act to teach me, I would be so grateful!

I took some time of from my shops, I was feeling discouraged and overwhelmed--I really am having issues with balancing my "work" and home life. Plus post holiday, perhaps?? But I felt some renewed vigor and enthusiasm for what I do today!

So I guess I am back in the saddle!

Time for Some Elbow Grease--More Resin Tips

Ok, as promised, here is part 2 of my resin tips--finishing the resin. I think perhaps the biggest thrill is popping out the resin piece from the mold to see how it turns out. Perhaps the smallest thrill (or no thrill at all!) is sanding the piece--but it is a very important part of the process. Even if tedious. I want to take a moment to again recommend Sherri Haab's book--it is the resin bible, and certainly worth a read!

Here is my sanding set up. Now, I accidentally reversed two of my sandpapers. Normally I do it in order of roughest to finest grit. The higher the grit the finer the sandpaper. The 600-1000 I purchased at an auto supply shop. The others are from a hardware store. Also, please notice the mask. I do NOT enjoy wearing it and breathing my own breath over and over--but it is far better than breathing in resin particles which are NOT good for your long-term health. Please be safe!!

Sometimes when I've been sloppy with my resin, I have some really big, rough, edges. In that case I use a scissors to trim them. I also only use the 100 grit if it is really gnarly. Take care because it will really remove a LOT of resin. Also, the more you use the sandpaper, the finer it becomes--my 100 is probably finer than that by now because it is pretty well used, as you can see. I will be showing you this on one of my new Valentine's Day pieces! My friend sent me some really cute heart sprinkle candy, and I used them in heart shaped molds--I think they turned out sweet!

Once I have trimmed, if needed, I go down the line of sandpapers... yawn yawn, boring boring. You will see the edges getting nicer and nicer. Please note that once you hit 600 grit, this becomes a wet sanding experience. I keep an old Cool-Whip container for the water. Choose an icky container because once you use it, it is no longer suitable to contain food. I think some people actually sand right in the water, but I dunk my piece in the water and then sand. Works for me! By the time you hit 1000 grit, it is like polishing the edges.

Sanding, la la la!

Dunkin' la la la!

Wet sanding, la la la!

There! Nice and smooth!!

Now, at this point some people glue bails on (these bails will be pictured later). Personally, I usually drill a hole and make a wrapped loop. If you are a bail gluer, you can skip these drilling pictures, or just look at 'em for fun! Personally, I think both ways look nice! But you are saving a little money on supplies, and can control the size better with the wire.

I put the piece into a regular vise that we have in the basement. I use a rag in there to protect the resin from scratches.

Then I drill with my beloved Dremel tool. It is not a fancy one, but can do so very much. If you do not have one, I would strongly consider it--for many areas of home improvement and crafts. I prefer the 1/16" bit, but I am sure that is a personal preference--I go down a bit, maybe a quarter of an inch, not an exact science. Only use the low speed setting because if the resin heats up too much it will adhere to the drill bit. Not a huge deal, but a mess. And personally, I am surrounded by enough messes! I find that the wire fits, but also leaves a little room for glue, as well.

Our nice little hole!

Above is the glue on bail--little silver leaf-looking piece. I have found this on etsy. Just search under supplies, "bail." You would put glue on the little leafy part, and adhere it to the back of the piece. I use wire to make a wrapped loop bail.

There are many tutorials on making wrapped loops. This is a nice one. One day I sat down and made them over and over and over until I mastered it. REALLY, it is worth learning if you don't already know how. Once your hands and tools know what to do, it is very easy. It is like riding a bike!

As far as glue goes, I am a BIG fan of 5-minute epoxy. Did you know it is a type of resin? You can get it at the hardware store OR the craft store. Usually they come in little syring-y applicators, but I happened to find a big amount at a hardware store. Simply mix two equal portions on a notecard or scrap card for a bit with a toothpick. I also use the toothpick as an applicator. It will set up in about five minutes, and has an excellent hold.

And there you have it. Be sure to position your loop so it hangs correctly on its chain. At this point it is a nice touch to polish it with carnuba wax--which is the same wax that is used on cars! I found this at the local hardware store. You can pick some up when you are getting your sandpaper! :-)

Good luck and most of all, HAVE FUN!

Christmas is Over

I hope everyone who celebrates it had a wonderful Christmas! Ours was busy and festive, filled with family and good food! With that said: PHEW!!!!!!! Although it was a great time, I am a bit relieved that the preparations are over, and we can get back to some normal-life around here.

One of my post-Christmas goals was to get back to my first jewelry-making love of off-loom bead weaving. It a way it is meditative with its repetition, and the colors of the beads are a feast for the eyes.

I got back to a free-form peyote project that I started long ago. Peyote is a basic beadweaving stitch, and to do it free-form means that you decide where it goes: you may have an idea in mind, but there is no pattern, the beads lead you. I find it very fun, and easier than following a pattern. That is interesting because my friend, and beadweaving mentor FarFrumPlainJane finds free-form challenging, while I find the incredibly gorgeous, detailed work she is most comfortable with most challenging! It is interesting how different minds work differently!





The project I am working on features lampworked beads I purchased several months ago from Alice Hunter-Kelly. I just love the colors--her beads are so gorgeous. Originally I planned this for myself, but I am not sure if I will list it on etsy or not. The lampworked bead set came with matching small round beads that I will make into coordinating earrings. It is a work in progress, but getting close. I have tiny clear-gold AB beads to add as well. Additionally I will weave a clasp of some sort, I haven't decided on that yet--or perhaps it is more correct to say the beads haven't told me, yet!

Cyber Monday

Well, we only got 3" instead of the 9" of snow predicted. But it was a strange snowfall--areas that are perhaps only a 45-minute drive away received 10"!!!! (better them than me--oops, that was ungracious!)

Last night we got our Christmas tree up. It was nice because, at age four, my girlie seemed to have a clear memory of Christmas last year for the first time. She was so excited, and it brought back some childhood memories of being excited as well (instead of seeming a touch bit like a chore, getting all of the decorations out, etc etc). My son was quite happy, too, but she took the cake with her enthusiasm.

Many of the ornaments we put up were made by my son, nieces and nephews--she kept saying, "Did I make this?" I think it will be a big year for her to make some ornaments. That is good, there are so many kinds of ornaments to make, and making them as gifts will give her a feel for the giving part of the season.

Speaking of ornaments, I put up some breakable ones that I didn't quite dare in previous years. My mother-in-law split up some of the childhood ornaments a few years ago. I thought you would get a kick out of these. They must be between 20 and 30 years old! What a treasure! Besides, they crack me up! One is crazy clown, and the other must be an alien in a UFO!

Well, today is my first Cyber Monday as someone with an internet shop! Also the last day of my big etsy sale and free shipping offer. We will see how things go!

Friday Ramblings

Well, I don't shop on Black Friday. I am not a "crowds" kinda person--tho' I do love a bargain, so it pains me that I can't stand going out today. Also need more resin, but it will have to wait!!!

I am having a big big big sale in my etsy shop (http://tinyurl.com/6oqorg) for the weekend (FREE shipping and buy one, get one 50% off), so hopefully other people like to do their Christmas shopping on-line. I made one sale, but it was last night! I had already activated the free shipping, so she will get that part of the sale. She purchased one of my favorite items.

I listed 18 new things on etsy yesterday in preparation, and I am a little computered-out after that! :-)

So today will be a cleaning day--hopefully will get the tree up this weekend so I had better get the livingroom picked up and swept. Watch me run and do that...

My son is still sleeping (9:20am) if you can still believe it! He must've REALLY needed it, so I am glad he is getting it!

I am hoping my soldering gun will arrive today (tomorrow at the latest). I am very excited. Although I supposed I should clear a space in this all-purpose room where I do my projects!

I plan to help the kids make some Christmas presents today for Grandmas and Godmothers using shrink plastic. I'll let you know how that goes...

Happy Friday!

Yesterday's Party

Yesterday we attended a family party for my neice's 14th birthday! I can't believe how old all of the kids are getting. I am so proud of her, though. She is a person of quality, someone I would like and admire even if she wasn't a member of my family! Fun was had by all at the party. Of course my kids did not want to leave. It is just so heart-warming to see how all of the cousins love each other--from almost 17 down to 4--they all get along and play together. It is sweet!

Bonus--she likes to make jewelry, too! For her birthday I got her a kit from a great etsy seller: SunAndMoonCraftKits (http://sunandmooncraftkits.etsy.com/). It is a kit where she can make several different pendants, from glass to scrabble tile, and includes everything you need! I hope she has a lot of fun with it, truly I was tempted with it myself! The items pictured were not the exact kit I got for her, but pretty close!! It all came in a really cute tin, and very nice, clear instructions were sent to me in a PDF file.

Keep this in mind for Christmas for the crafters on your list. As I said, she is fourteen and I... am much older than that--and it appealed to both of us. It would also be fun to have a little holiday party (with snacks!) and get together with some friends and this kit and make yourselves a pendant to keep or to give as a gift--or make them for each other! What a good time that would be!!

Maybe my neice will be an etsy seller someday! In between violin, straight A's and all of her other activities, that is!! :-)