Lace Top Hats and Awesome Geek Bowls

Life can get boring. Same old flower arrangements, same old hair style, same old decorations. That’s why you need things that are unexpected. Like Lace Top Hats and Fabric Bowls!

Yep, the hat is entirely made of lace. I start with a piece of what looks like cellophane and embroider that with the thread until I’ve formed lace. Then I cut the pieces I need for the hat and stitch them together. Isn’t it cute? And I think it is PERFECT for weddings! I would definitely put one in my wedding hair or maybe in my bouquet. And could you imagine these as part of a table scape or center piece? WOW! And I can do them in all kinds of colors! And even in color combinations! See:

So far, I’ve made the red, black, and gold that I like to call “Royal”, the black and white which is “Dramatic”, and the variegated purples that is named “Lovely Lilacs”. I’ve got them listed in my etsy store for a song, so I’m sure they’ll go fast. I’ve nearly finished a black and blue one and a solid black one. Those might get done tomorrow. Now I need ideas for other color combinations. Thoughts?

To add just one more unexpected switch up, how about a fabric bowl? Everyone has fabulous pottery bowls, metal bowls, and glass. How many people have FELT ones? :) Especially ones especially designed to show your geeky side. And if you get the joke on the bowl, please post it here to explain it to everyone else and then go buy my bowl. I’ll ship it to you for free if you do! :) Just remind me at checkout that you were the one who explained the joke! :)

Oh, and I’m going to start another contest soon, so stay on the lookout for that! The prize is going to be GREAT! I just LOVE sponsors! :)

StressTheSeams Patriotic Sale!

I’m running a patriotic sale in my Etsy shop. All of my patriotic items will include a freebie! Make sure you stop by and check out these awesome napkins I just listed:

I only have one set of each, so snap them up and you’ll get free matching napkin rings!

In other news, you need to go buy candles from Worthy's Soy Candles. I’m currently working only because this candle can keep me going! And her Peach candle is the awesome!

Patriotic Sale!

I’m running a patriotic sale in my Etsy shop. All of my patriotic items will include a freebie! Make sure you stop by and check out these awesome napkins I just listed:

I only have one set of each, so snap them up and you’ll get free matching napkin rings!

In other news, you need to go buy candles from Worthy's Soy Candles. I’m currently working only because this candle can keep me going! And her Peach candle is the awesome!

Planning for Crafting

I’m a very organized person, which might surprise some. I like for everything to have a place, AND be in its place. The Metal Man isn’t exactly the same. He likes to FEEL inspired and DISCOVER stuff. This means loosing it under the pile of other things he’s working on and uncovering it later. Eh. We’re different, but we manage to share a work space pretty well.

But it’s time for him to change a bit. I’m learning to let go a little bit and he is having to get organized (a little). We’ve been working on applications and arranging shows, which means we have to keep a calendar and he has to actually understand how much inventory we need on what dates. We’ve also been working on said inventory, which means he has to actually decide which pieces are complete, get them photographed, get them named, report in with his material costs, turn in receipts, AND tag them for sale. You’d think he’d moved mountains, I tell ya! But he’s actually doing pretty well with it, so I can’t complain.

My part of it is maintaining said inventory, doing the cropping and such to said photos, listing said items in our store, maintaining business contacts (phone, email, etc.), completing said show applications, filling said calendar, and keeping the financials. And after all of that, I’ve still got to craft. So I’m trying to find a way to arrange it all. Any advice? Any suggestions? I’m thinking I really need a schedule of when I have to do the WORK side of the business and then leave all the rest of the time for creating. But how often SHOULD a business person check their email? How often SHOULD I be updating my inventory lists? I don’t want to let it go too long, but then I don’t want to waste time pulling it out every five minutes, either. HELP!!!

I’ll leave you today with a shot of another new item that hasn’t hit my Etsy shop yet. It’s a felt crap catcher bowl with lovely embroidery. What’cha think?

Whew… And I’m back!

So the Handmade Heatwave, my FIRST show, was a success!!! Things went really well and I got a ton of feedback about our booth, our products, our prices, and our quality! We received a wonderfully hot reception, forget warm! :) I’ve already got plans in the works for 4 other shows in the next two months (EEEP!!!) and am starting to book shows as far out as this time NEXT year. Whoa!
Here’s a quick picture of our booth:

As you can see, we were indoors between a window and a door along a wall in a historic home. It went really well. We made a profit (HAPPY!!!), made a lot of new friends, got a ton of advice, and figured out exactly how NOT to do some things.
Quick things I learned (not necessarily from personal experience):
  Know your target market. If you are selling toys, market them LOW. If you are selling hats for winter, sell them in the fall.
  Banners and signage are important, but not the end-all-be-all. It is better to promote yourself through conversation with customers and passersby than to have a sign.
  Big pieces definitely draw attention, no matter what.
  Sitting will earn you NO money.
  Eating will earn you NO money.
  Snacking and sipping is the only way to survive.
  Hangers are helpful, but clothes rods full of them get ignored.
  Light weight is good. Heavy bins and loads are BAD.
  Credit Cards are a NECESSARY EVIL.
  Donuts always find a home!
So I’m hoping to hear back about a show in mid July soon, and August is filling up FAST. Whew. I’m gonna try to balance blogging, crafting, showing, and parenting a little better from here out, though. Now that I have a 200+ item inventory (most of it made in two months…), I can take time to fuss over individual things and worry about the blog more. Not to say I’m gonna rest on my crafting laurels. NOPE! In fact, I’m thinking about jumping in to a few competitions and such. I’m such a sucker for punishment!
And to close for today, I’m going to show you one of my new items.
You’ve got the first glance at my Rock-a-Billy Apron. One of a kind, ladies and gents. Perfect for rockin’ out in the kitchen or just gettin’ sassy any time. With it’s large black front pocket and long ties, it is incredibly flattering as well as useful! :) And you can machine wash it. I’m in love with this apron, so I haven’t posted it in my Etsy store…yet. I mean, I can only own so many aprons, you know? So what do you think of it? Should I list it or keep it? :)

And the Winner is!!!!

Wow. Fifteen days. I made it fifteen days on my “blog less, sew more” vacation. Wow. To summarize:
  husband was hit by Mack truck… is almost back to (his version) of normal. :)  
  grandmother suffered nasty fall while hiking… is doing well for a 75 year old  
  Helga the sewing machine stuck a needle through her eye because I was working her so hard
  Great-Godfather had quadruple by-pass and is doing well
  My Etsy store/ Etsy Street Team have really taken off and are keeping me SUPER busy.

All in all, a good two weeks that included a trip to East Tennessee with twin 18 month olds! Nothing like a road trip to remind one that you really do have good kids!

So on to other news. My lucky reader that is winning a FABULOUS MYSTERY prize is none other than…… MOONCATFARMS!!!! Please send me your contact info so I can ship your lovely prize out as soon as it is finished! :)

So in other news… I’ve been learning all kinds of new skills. I’ve been practicing and employing such skills as:

  Paper piecing (I’ve made a fabulous apron that really excites me!)  
  Lace Making (I’m on my third hat and second choker)
  Stuffy creation (Tooth fairy pillows, stuffed rabbits, pin cushions, oh my!)
  Serging (how I love Serge)
  Knits (nothing feels more comfortable than well made jersey)
  Planning a quilt (little baby girl on the way for my good friends)
  Making my own bias tape (I’d forgotten how satisfying it was!)  
  Setting snaps, rivets, and applying zippers (got to love technology)

All in all, I’ve been busy. And yes, I will share my projects with you, though not tonight. Tonight I must finish another hat, put together a journal cover, and find a vendor for feathers. Any suggestions?