Strung and restrung

There is a stack of fabric waiting to be sewn into pillowcases.

Also, a stack of placemats that will be notebook organizers.

Endless piles of fabric for future skirts.

So what did I do last weekend?

Strung some new beads and tore apart other strands to restring for longer length or a different look.

Yay! A craft you can do while watching TV!

Cool craft books

Here are a couple books to check out from your local library. I say check them out so you can decide if you like them before purchasing your very own copy.

My local library has a great website with search and reserve options and handy e-mail notification for pick up availability PLUS they offer interlibrary loans. That means little ol' me receives borrowed books, free of charge, from every state in the union! Yay, no more stoopid bad book buys!

Simple Sewing with a French Twist by Celine Dupuy. Pretty fabrics, cute ideas, good project directions.

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts by Mark Montano. LOTS of ideas in here! Make stuff just like the photos or use for inspiration.

Holiday market booth

Got a wild hair and placed a deposit for a booth in my small town holiday market. It was a whim to see if people liked the stuff I made and if they would purchase said stuff. With a piece of chalk I mapped out a 10' X 10' space in my garage. Then I started making stuff like galvanized aluminum magnetic boards (shiny stuff!), cigar box valet boxes and handbags. Mom painted watercolor fleur-de-lis and Dawn fabricated tons of glass magnets.
My fabulous aunt offered use of her modular "walls" and Kay loaned me her ill-begotten table skirts (don't ask). The decor was kept simple and shiny! Caw, caw!

Here are some before and after photos:

Here are some holiday or craft fair pointers:

• Arrive early to claim your spot. Even if previously assigned, an early bird may be able to trade or upgrade space. I overhead a trade conversation with the phrase "don't tell anyone but I'll move you to their space".



• Bring more electrical cords than you think you need.



• Lighting is key.



• Decide ahead of time if you will accept checks. I accepted from personal acquaintances and folks that appeared to be good risks. Yes, I profiled but I have years of retail experience.



• Don't even think about keeping a cash box. Stash that money in your apron or deep pockets.



• Bring your boombox for ambient music.



• Let your product explain itself. Some folks are shy and just want to browse.



• Hangtags denote quality.



• Mark each item with price. Some folks will not ask price because they are afraid that the price will embarrass them. I know it sounds stoopid but hey, some folks are stoopid.



• Market coordinators may ask you for a door prize to promote the show. Luckily I thought to write a gift certificate on some of my logo paper. You want to draw folks to your booth.

Shiny Metal Stuff

Shiny stuff makes me say, CAW CAW!

Metalliferous is the end-all be-all source for jewelry crafters. For this part time jewelry dabbler, it was sensory overload.

Shopping in real estate challenged Manhattan is not like languidly walking the aisles of your local big box Hobby Lobby. Metal bookshelves are arranged in aisles about 24" apart with hundreds of boxes on each rack and a sample item glued on the outside. Place your selected items in a bag and record the price on bag. And constantly find someone in YOUR way or yourself in someone else's path. Get yourself some tunnel vision, know what the hell you want and get out!
So, not knowing what I NEEDED, I quickly scanned the boxes and grabbed these random items. The photo represents about $ 12.00

Stay tuned to see where the metal trinkets show up!

Fish, alligators, angels, armadillos, OH MY!