Retro Owls at the Local Farmer's Market

 Well I do have a LOT of fabric. Owls seem to be a very popular theme this year! Lots of compliments on these. So much vintage and older fabrics I have that I can combine together to make all kinds of different style owls. Yes....one too many trips to the thrift store and Joann's is what started the stock pile. But I have many, many other things and ideas I want to try with all this great fabric!
  What will come next.....? Stay tuned and in the mean time come on down Thursdays (if you live in the neighborhood) to the Tallmadge Farmer's Market. So many farmers out there selling their healthy food and did I forget to mention...GREAT company and conversation!

Summer...she is a winding down

    WOW! Summer seems to be sinking into fall now. We have been at the Tallmadge Farmer's Market every Thursday this summer and it has been a WONDERFUL, and rewarding time!
     I just happened to stumble upon this market not 20 minutes from my home and it has been a great blessing! Just getting to meet the local people and local vendors has been so much fun. All these hard working farmers, honey makers, artists and such right in our very own back yard. We just gotta get out to these local small biz people MORE often!
   This is the first year we have ever been to a farmer's market and I am so glad we took that step I am lucky enough to see the same people- customers and vendors alike week after week. We can really get to know these people. Friendly atmosphere (even when it is 90+ degrees outside), camaraderie, to borrow from the Brits "Just a jolly good time!"
    One of my farmer neighbors at the market brings a 17 year old spirited young lady who is an entrepreneur herself (selling goat's milk felted soap). That girl can SELL! Ahh to recall what it was like to be 17 and such a free spirit....(please wait.....dreaming of my younger years..) Ok I am back to 2012 now... Anyway on to this beautiful biz woman I met. She has challenged and encouraged me to make some new items.....items that just weren't going to sell so I thought in my experience. Well I told her I do have a LOT of fabric so WHY not?!!
   Thus I am going to be rolling out some new items in these next weeks.....but I can give you a sneak peak....

Upcycled placemat Clutch

  

Art Refresh

     Time to get some INSPIR-ation! Work, work , work! Yes, it is a busy time of year with all the art shows, busyness of life, art shows, busyness of kids, art shows and just plain LIFE. So I am going to get a brand new perspective. Right in the middle of all this busyness. If I don't, I fear burnout isn't not too far up ahead.

      I am taking two online classes in the next few months to get someone else's perspective. Alisa Burke offers several great art classes and I chose Free Motion Graffiti and Beneath the Surface. Hoping to get that INSPIR-ation back! Sometimes you just have to step away from the work and BREATHE in some fresh air.

 I am really looking forward to these classes. The best part: when I do find myself too busy to devote all my time to these classes, I can come back when I want and pick up where I left off. Perfect solution for all of us "BUSY" people these days , right?! Ahhh! I can already feel myself relaxing in anticipation....... See ya soon!

Latest and Greatest Creations

                  Some of the new items and new designs I have been working on for
                                          the Summer Art Shows!

Bottom right is necklace, ring and bracelet set

Bottom row is headbands

Inspired.. A nod to the "Royal Wedding"

       Yes, I do have to take a moment to mention THE ROYAL WEDDING". So many of us I am sure have often wondered ,"What WOULD it be like to be a princess , marry a prince, and live in a CASTLE?"
Oh, yes, I have wondered myself what it would be like I, just didn't let myself obsess over it. After all, childhood was a few years ago. 
    It is wonderful to see some happy, joyous things going on in this world right now. Some of us (2 Billion) happened to put aside "stuff" for just a little bit and experience the Happiness of The Royal Couple as they began their futures together. Can I get a SIGHHHH!? I do so hope they can keep that happiness and love they displayed so easily to the world yesterday. Their love for each other was obvious ( another SIGH). Here are just a few pics that I loved from their day, that reflect their happiness and love. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that Kate has a beautiful smile and style about her!

                     

Spring Is HERE!

    Yes! Spring is here. I am even thinking that we may skip the seasonal temps and go right into the Summer soon.Well that is what happened last year around here at least! Busy Bees around here these last weeks. Making new products, building up supplies of current things and well, just plain BUSY!
    We have decided to try doing something a little different this year. Less shows-but BIGGER shows.
Everything in me screams, "More shows, more shows!" Live and learn , aye?!  The kids seem to still want to go along with us (Go figure!?) Some they will and some they won't. We have found out the 6 people in a booth or behind an 8ft table is a LOT of people! Outdoor shows shouldn't be that big of a crowded problem though.
     Ok, now onto what is happening next month! We are going to be at the Springtime in Ohio,  Sat May 7 from 10AM- 5PM in Findlay,OH. Here is the link for directions Cloud Productions .  If you also look around and find the website's "Show News" you will find  a great digital magazine that showcases some of the artists that will be at the show. There are also some coupons in this great piece of news. I am proud to say that I, myself am showcased in the Show News. Right on page 3 are some of the dolls I have made. WOW! I have never been published before. I am so thrilled and thankful! Kinda makes me feel like one of those REAL artists , you know?  Well, thanks for stopping by. I will be putting up some new pics in the next few days showing off some of my daughter's work as well as some things that have been INSPIRING me lately!
 Till then...

And We're Off.......

 Ok! Busy season is upon us.  This being our first year doing the Arts and Craft show gig, it is a BIG , HUGE learning experience! First of all you need LOTS and LOTS of product! (DUH!) One would think that would be an easy one to remember. I don't know how all these artists do it! I "knew" there would be hard work involved but man, oh man, it is waaaaay more than I realized. Well I just need to work harder at it. After all this is what I jumped into. Not like anyone pushed me into it! 
   That being said I am extremely busy right now and I even have the little ones helping out. (I knew there was a reason I had all those kids!!) haha haaha .  No seriously , they do go to the art shows with us and help set up and tear down and even help sell the items. The kids have been great through this new "life style".
   It has been a slow start up for us in the craft business. Some shows you get the sales, some shows  people just happily walk by and not one sale for the day. It takes some getting used to. The ups and downs that is of not knowing how you will do at a certain venue.
   Now I am not really the optimistic one but I am trying to become that way. Because hey, no one wants to see a sour face behind a vendor booth , right?! I try to read different blogs and such about others' experiences doing the Indie craft scene. It has helped immensely. Their words can keep me going when I think ," What in the world do I think I am doing? I have so many other things I need to be doing right now besides working hours to create great stuff and then sitting hours for hopefully a few customers."
      That is when that ONE customer I do get makes it worth it! One happy customer bought something from ME. Something I made with my own two hands! Seeing that satisfied customer is the reason I am spending all this time and hard work on these creations (besides the income!)

      Alright then, off the learning topic and onto our next BIG GIG!  We will be at the Green High School this weekend ,  Saturday Nov. 6, 2010, between 9AM- 4PM  
 Green Band Boosters   Hope to see you there!


                     In the mean time I will leave you with a few new items