Shows Done For The Year

Here's me at my last show of the season-Fat Goose.(Not the most flattering picture) It was a very fitting end to a long weekend and the year. It was a licensed event so I got to have a couple of dark beers and listen to music while selling my wares. The weather kinda cooperated, we had storm warnings but in the end it was just extremely wet. The rain didn't seem to deter the customers it was quite well attended. It was a total crap shoot as it was a Sunday evening from 6pm-11pm at a new venue. I didn't have a really full display as I had to leave some things in Picton-Busy Hands. I had been there Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday 10am3:30pm. The show didn't end until 5pm so I left some things on my table that a friend was kind enough to mind and then pack up at the end of the day. Both shows were definitely worth my time so I really hope they don't conflict next year.

It is always so great to find shows that are true craft/artisan shows. I am always disappointed when I go to a show and see vendors with mass produced products or selling things like Avon. In this neck of the woods some organizers do not distinguish the difference. But I am getting much better at weeding out these type.

Make It Indie Show

I am so proud of myself I remembered to take pictures of my booth after getting it set up. They aren't the best pictures but hey they are pictures. This was a very nicely organized and attended show. There was a great variety in vendors even people who worked with similar mediums were quite different from each other. Cobourg is much closer then I had expected, I had always thought of it as being further away. In reality it is just over the hour if you take the highway. So I may be checking out other shows in that area.

Rings and Things

Here is a quick picture of some of the needlefelted rings I have been having fun making lately. Been trying to get some little things made along with working on some new clothing items. Also in production are covered buttons made with vintage fabrics(was given a box of quilt squares by one of my Aunts - she got them in a job lot at an Auction). They have been in my stash for a few years and I finally realized I am not going to piece them together so why not use them for other things. Thus hair elastics are being created with some pretty cool fabrics.

The little things will hopefully help cover the cost of my spaces at the next few shows I am participating in. I always find it is a good thing to have stuff in the range of $5-$20 when doing shows as they are the bill payers. The bigger items are not so much impulse purchases. But it has been better since I accept Credit cards at shows. Though it does still always depend on the show.

I have two coming up that are totally new to me so I shall have to see how they go. One of them is Make It Indie in Cobourg which I am attending tomorrow. I am going to try once again to try to remember to take some pictures after I get the table set up. But don't hold your breath as I have been meaning to make this a habit for every show I attend and well it hasn't happened. But I am packing my camera this time.(cross my fingers)

The Last Week

Here is munchkin dressed in our compromise costume. She is a zombie princess, if you can't guess. It was very cold here on Halloween Eve so extra clothing had to be used. I dressed up as the witch doctor who created he and her Daddy was Baron Samedi. She had a great time even though we only hit approx. 12 houses.
Some buttons drying. I happened to score a large pickle jar full of buttons the other day at a local thrift shop. They desperately needed a washing. Some of the pearlized buttons didn't survive the ordeal. But the assortment is awesome. Lots of white shell shirt buttons, large and small buttons of all types. Still sorting.

More items for the season

Made some more things for this great time of year. Ornaments and key fobs.

Now I just need to figure out munchkin's costume. She was going to be a robot but every other little girl has told her they are going to be a princess. Peer pressure at 4 - a scary thing. So I think we have her convinced to be a zombie princess. Compromise.

Zombie Cupcake

I had to make some ornaments for some swaps called Scary Yet Cute. So of course I thought zombie cupcakes. This one enjoyed it's free time playing in the leaves on my back deck. I hope my partners on Swap-bot like them when they arrive.

Kiwi's Blogger Follower Swap

Well this weekend disappeared. It was Thanksgiving here in Canada and I also was a vendor at a HarvestFest in a neighbouring community on Saturday. Then one of my parents former exchange students (aka littlebro) suddenly visited for two days with his Mom. It is always great to see him, but it made the weekend even more hectic. Hubby, munchkin and I took care of the meal on Sunday so my Mom could go out with their guests in the morning. Actually hubby did most of the work.(My parents only have dialup out there so no computer time for me - it takes forever to download anything)

So I am finally just getting this blog posted for the swap on Swap-bot. I apologize to my partners for the delay. Hope to check out blogs this evening after getting back from the Spinners and Weavers meeting I am going to check out tonight. I shall have to start scheduling at least 1/2 hour everyday for computer time. Need that anymore to keep up to date on things.

Open Farms

After munchkin warmed up to the horse a bit.
Meeting the horse for the first time.
Introducing ourselves to some goats who really liked dry leaves.

We went on a little mini day trip a few weeks ago. The Farming Association set up a day where you could go visit various farms within the community. A wonderful idea especially for kids so they can see where much of their food comes from. It was a beautiful fall day and we completed our trip by going to a small local bakery and having a treat and coffee.

That Time of Year

It's that time of year again where I can humour my own fascination with the bright coulourful imagery of The Day Of The Dead. It is so fun and funky. It's all such a wonderful combination of bright colours, black, whimsy, flowers, skulls and I like the concept of honouring our descendants. Family is a big part of my life and respecting my elders was taught to me at an early age. Two things I am hoping to pass on to my own daughter.

I also love the fall in Eastern Ontario, the changing leaves on the trees add colour to even the grayest day. In general Autumn is my favourite season.

Learning the ways of wool

Oh the wonders of learning to spin. Here's me playing with a drop spindle which Susan was good enough to loan me so I could perhaps spin some of my rovings I dyed. Now to get some time to master the technique. This was all part of the demos we were conducting during Arts & Culture Week in Canada. This is a busy weekend for me as I am doing two demos both Saturday and Sunday.
Here's Munchkin trying the spinning wheel. I would have to take time and get her to focus on consistency of speed, otherwise she seemed to be picking it up quite well. Just what I need more incentive to desire a spinning wheel. Cause I have plenty of time to master a new handcraft. ;0)

Hamming it Up

Munchkin had a great time hamming it up for the camera when a friend(Paula) and I were trying to get some good shots of some clothes I created(altered). She kept refusing to keep that tongue in her mouth. But I really do have to admit most of the pictures were pretty cute tongue and all.

So here are a couple of pictures. The hat is something I adorned for her and she absolutely loves it. She wore it to the Montreal Jazz festival and it was very appropriate. The jacket is something I have for sale at the store.

Flowers Done + some sample necklaces

Got lots of flowers done for embellishment purposes. Its a great way to have some things prepared beforehand for restocking purposes.

I have also been busy trying out different designs and styles for an upcoming class I am teaching at CreativFestival Toronto in October. It is called Funky Fibre Accessories and is 1 1/2 hours long. No idea how many students there may be, or their experience. So I have been trying to come up with a variety of options this month. Then I shall make up class patterns for a couple of them at the end of September in preparation. The pink flower one is using a pattern I found on Ravelry for reference. I must check to see who the designer was again.

IN Production Mode

I have been stitching the sweater leftovers as I go along. This is a much better way to approach the situation as then I have a bag of flower makings. Instead of a bag of mess. A new approach for me which hopefully rubs off to all other things in my studio.

The reason behind the sweater leftovers is I have been working on a line of skirts created from reconstructed sweaters and tops. So far I have come up with three basic designs, two for sweaters and one for tee's or lightweight knits. Oh I am also making flowers if you didn't guess, which are being used for embellishment or are having new lives as hair accessories and brooches.

My goal is to get about a dozen done and then do some proper pictures.

Contest - Sublime Stitching

My design is finished and completely stitched now just to get it sent off to be judged. I ended up using pieces of four designs by Sublime plus some details added by me to tie it all together. I used some hand distressed fabric around the edges to frame it a bit but I haven't decided what to do with it as a finished item. It always frustrates me when I get a bit of gathering in the fabric where there is heavier stitching. I have tried numerous methods of stabilizer but in general whenever I use a lighter fabric as my base(which makes for easier stitching in general)there is always some puckering. And my obsessive gene rears its ugly head.

Contest

SO this is the beginning of a piece I am working on for the contest Sublime Stitching is holding. You must use a minimum 3 patterns put out by the company. I have used 4 plus added some of my own design to tie it all together. I think it may take a lot more hours to complete, but so far so good. Part of the decision making is going to be how to finish the edges once I am completed with the main picture.

I am also presently working on a panel for the shop using hand dyed cottons and embroidery. This way I have a little variety of pieces to work on. Also need to start a piece on the theme of Mad Hatter's Tea Party, for this one I need to decide what medium I want to work in. Keep debating about doing something more sculptural.

Munchkin's Project

Or I should say the project she demanded Mommy make. I got the embroidery done, now to make it into something. She doesn't need anything else to hang on the wall. Some may say shes spoiled as she does not lack for artwork on her bedroom walls or anywhere else in the house. Some's mine, some's hers and well things by other artists are plentiful in our house also. I always wonder when people come to visit and they wander kinda aimlessly or in wonderment trying to take everything in. I guess you can say our decor is not sparse.

So back to the embroidery. What should I make a pillow, bag(for her treasures), clothing item? Or I am open to suggestions. If you have an opinion let me know.

Scenic Napanee

So last night after supper we decided to go for a walk along the Napanee River. It's the first time we have made it down to the new and improved boardwalk. It is pretty impressive though I am not overly keen on the pavement, but I do get why they chose it. The old boardwalk was made of wood planks and was always needing some replaced. This new one is also much wider which makes it easier for people walking dogs with their children in tow. Munchkin was in heaven, she likes to check out the ducks and the fountain(s). They just added a second fountain so now there is one at each end.

The Blue Heron was fishing for his supper. He likes to hang out at the bottom of the Falls and catch fish as they come over.

Embroidery Swap

I know the cloud looks sad, I think it is because he realizes he is interrupting the bees work day. Anyways I like it, I hope my partner does also. It is from a pattern for Sublime Stitching designed by Julie West. Of course I now have had a demand from munchkin to do her one, so she helped me pick out the images and where to put them. Hers is going to be on some handdyed cottons. I really like the look of hand embroidery on the handdyes.

I also need to get busy on some other swaps that involve embroidery, one is called Not Drawn By Me, I need to check if my partner would appreciate something drawn by munchkin or whether I need to get an adult to draw something for me. Not that it will necessarily be a better drawing.

What I Have Been Playing With

So I have been playing around with making jewelry from all repurposed/recycled items. Thus this necklace. It is made from an old belt buckle, seeds, beads, wire, felt bauble and some velvet ribbon. Oh and an old rhinestone brooch.

I like how it turned out so I think some more may be in the near future. It is actually very comfortable to wear, it's much lighter then it looks.

Store - Frayed Around The Edges

So here is a quick picture of the space I am sharing with a friend. Of course it already looks different then this. Have been working on the website for the store, hopefully we shall have some product pictures posted soon.

Got my studio and family room switched around. The family room is mostly sorted, still need to find places for lots of things that were in the studio. The space is smaller, but it has much better lighting for working in the evening. Hope to get some jackets and adult clothing done before Art Among The Ruins. Once I get the space sorted I will post some pics.

Have been working, really

So I finally finished a purse that was ordered the beginning of April.

Cleaning my studio has interfered with my creative time, as it has become an ordeal. But you can now see the floor and I think I have a plan of how to move everything to their new room. It wil be nice for the summer to be able to go out the patio doors and perhaps spread out onto the deck also. I will also be able to keep track of munchkin easier when she is playing in the backyard. I know the dogs will be much happier spending more time outside. Just need to pick a day(or perhaps two for the MOVE). Maybe this coming weekend.

Been busy, busy, busy so Finally a new post

So I have been busy working on the move for the store. We are moving to a space with two windows on the main drag of Napanee. We aren't gaining any floor space but hopefully there will be more visibility.
My latest creations have included altered jackets for children and adults. I also made some skirts using some real cool pirate fabric I found while visiting in Montreal. The prototypes I made have been well received and if I don't say so both munchkin and I looked pretty good while wearing them. This coming week I hope to play with a couple of top ideas.
So the next few weeks are going to be busy, but things are coming together. Looking into doing a photo shoot with a photographer friend, so checking out locations and getting busy finishing some more pieces are main priority. It's all about focus. Which I am still working on.;)

February/ Show Applications

So its a new month. With new decisions to be made, including which shows to apply for.

Just did one in Kingston yesterday called 'For The Love Of Craft'. Good show, just always have problems with trying to fit my stock on a table only 3by6. Am discovering that the small spaces seem to be a trend lately. But it is quite different from a 10by10 space which I am more accustomed to.

Will have to go through the applications I have received and pull out a calender and check scheduling, prices, distance etc.

Lollipops

Here is a picture of the plentitude of lollipops. Will post some more pictures ASAP of the other creations. That is if my model agrees to work tomorrow.

First Posting of the New Year

So it is another New Year, with some new best intentions and all that Jazz.

Have been trying to get a variety of things done. Thus far I have managed to create an assortment of lollipops, felt desserts, aprons, pita with falafals and cucumbers, cupcakes and more things on the way. Now I need to take pictures of everything and finally get something posted on ArtFire. I am getting closer. ;0)

Here is a picture of some of the desserts.

SO keep your fingers crossed that the momentum continues.