Craft Table

It is finished.

This morning I did my first ever craft table, at a very classy ladies Christmas event. I accomplished my goals, met new friends and parted with some of my favorite creations. It was lovely.

Although coming no where near to making back the money I've spent this year on crafts, I think I have come away with some good insights to go forward with. I was also able to help a few friends make some bucks

by flogging their wares on my table. And I didn't spend a cent, though I was SORELY tempted by the African jewelry.

I think one of the best things I learned is how much atmosphere matters. I went to great pains to make my table a little spot of whimsy, and although we were tucked in by the emergency exit, I think I achieved that goal. From my shelving to

my stationary, I feel like I took a step forward as a business woman.

I also have a better feel for my pricing and which of my ideas I should really focus on in the future and which ones to let die. My monkey hat was a major hit!

And my passion for creating has been fueled again. I love what I do. I love designing. I love watching a project unfold. And I love watching someone's eyes light up with wonder when they spot an item they love. It will be a while, if ever, before I think I am able to make a significant contribution to our finances, but the dream is germinating. Watch it grow!

What I've been up To

First things first - my husbands Grandma sent the lovely wool sweater that you see in these shots along with the knitted dolly, "Pretty". I LOVE homemade gifts and my daughter looks so cute and toasty warm in this sweater. Disturbingly, though, she's always trying to pick Pretty's eyes out. Sick. Anyways. I am super impressed with her skill and the speed with which she whips this stuff up - I aspire to such craftiness!

Next are two of my original crochet patterns, the

results of which I am selling in the craft thing coming up (akkk! Only 25 days to go). The monkey one is my favorite, but there is a Teddy Bear one which is a close second. Kids get the cutest stuff. I am hoping in the new year to get some of my patterns into my etsy shop so I can share the love with the world!

But one thing at a time...

And lastly, oh yes. I KNOW what it looks like, but you will be relieved to know that it is a banana cozy - to protect the banana in your life from getting bruised. It was a custom order from my etsy shop and still to this day elicits a little chuckle.

I privately (and I guess if I am writing it on a blog, not so privately) refer to it as a "Sheath"! :0D Wicked girl that I am.

I have alot more to show you but oh, so little time, so I will leave it at that tonight...

Neglect: There's Good News & Bad News

Hi Friends!

I have been neglecting this craft blog. Yes. Shame on me.

But guess why?

Because I have been so busy crafting! I have been making custom orders on etsy, preparing for a craft table in late November, making christmas list gift ideas, pattern writing and all of that good stuff.

The bad news is, I may get even worse, because I have started a THIRD blog on saving money. I hope that after november I will have more time for you. Hope.... :0D

The Silver Lining (in my pocket)

Ohhhh! Good news. Possibly.

After my discouraged last post 2 good things have happened! Wait, make that 3 good things! Wait, make that 4 good things!

Firstly, I have been invited to join a select group of sellers to take part in a Christmas Gift shopping day with our church ladies committee. Basically, I make a crap load of stuff and all the buyers come to me on a Saturday at a lunch type function - YES!!! So that will happen November 28... only two months to create everything.

Secondly, a friend of mine indicates she might just be my very first etsy buyer... She likes the Hugs'n'kisses scarf! I am so happy, I am offering her a friends and family discount... if only I can figure out how to do that on etsy...

Thirdly, I was contacted at random by an e-acquaintance of mine for a quote to make her an apple cozy, so

Fourthly, I made up a rather adorable pattern for an apple cozy. Only a crocheter will understand that the leaf you can see in the picture above is my pride and joy. I am rather pleased with myself. What a pretty leaf! Even my husband (not a yarn fan) was mildly impressed with me.

And seeing as I am talking about my patterns, I also made up my very own 3-6 month page boy hat pattern!

So a lot of good stuff has happened in the last few days and about time too!

Clipped Wings, Empty Pockets

Well, tonight is pretty sad.

I spent $15 precious dollars (US, even) on an etsy 'showcase' with dreams of grandeur and selling out of stock and product requests. I love making stuff, and we need money, so etsy seemed like a real God-send, you know?

Well, it's been a month and as of tonight, showcase complete, I have sold absolutely nothing. OH, the PAIN that sentence gives me. NOT A SAUSAGE!!

And at least 150 people have looked at my shop. 150!!

And nothing they saw tempted them to make a purchase. Even after I (oh, the shame) lowered my prices.

My husband and I were talking over tea the other night about really cocky I-am-God's-gift-to-you-and-you-and-you types, and we realized that they are the ones that take over the world. Napoleon. Hitler. Trump.

And I am just wondering, my friends, if because I am not a Napoleon, I am not going to succeed at this thing. Pisser. Double pisser. Crappy poo snarky bum fart stink maggot poo. POO.

Not that crafting for fun and friends isn't good. I was just hoping to 'contribute'...

(large, shoulder heaving sigh)

Duh - where's the shop?

Mind Control:

You need to shop.

Do this now.

You must go.

www.lolitasluggage.etsy.com

ahhhh, yes,

heaven and yarn on earth....

Etsy Shoppppppa!

I am so excited to have finally opened my very own etsy shop. It's something I have wanted to do for a long time, and I am really pleased about it. I started with some scarves and a baby hat. It's been a week and there's been no bites, but I have great hopes. It's hard not to doubt yourself - did I ask for too much? Is my workmanship professional enough? Are my ideas second rate? But in the end, you just have to jump if you want to fly. We need the money, I have the ideas - and lets face it; if I can get paid to craft, life will be sweet indeed!

I have been doing more sewing than anything else lately. And not even fun sewing - just mending and puttering. But you keep your hands in the pie...