Up and coming crafts, my pets

Is it really November already? How time can fly by when autumn arrives! Just an update on a few things I am working on for my etsy shop CraftinessbyB.

my felt fox mascot

I am inspired by many things, be it from a pattern book or something I saw. Sometimes it's children's things that get me thinking "I can make that into something else!" I saw these adorable felt animals as finger puppets in a crafting magazine. And I thought I'd do my own design of the animal but make them into little plush mascots. They will sit upright and be just big enough for a desk or bookshelf. And to make them a little more attractive I am doing a lot of machine sewing for them. I love to hand stitch but sometimes it's too much to do an entire project that way. Above is a fox in orange, I also plan to make a deer and maybe a polar bear.

my hand drawn greeting card

I have two new holiday greeting card designs. You might figure out the above one fairly easily. I draw my cards by hand then do colored pencils and water colors. I'd like to have these completed soon if I can get my home printer to cooperate again. 

And of course I have these distractions around my house (ie: the pets). I swear they make it their daily mission to keep from completing projects in a timely manner. But that's ok just look at how cute they are!

don't read pet me instead!

my boy cat Howl just wants to nap

the Flea Off Market of artisans

Over the weekend I attended my first craft/artisan fair in a long time. It is located downtown Louisville and called the 'Flea Off Market'. Sellers of a variety of goods can rent a space for the afternoon. It is held once every month during the spring and into late summer. I didn't have enough to rent my own space but my friends did - in fact, they kindly let me rent a part of their own space during the fair.

Welcome all to the coolest market around!

They had sellers of ~ fresh baked food, vegan snacks, vintage clothes & items, books & vinyls {records}, handmade goods and live music. My friends at Trivium Arts let me have a tiny table space in their booth. And it was tiny since most of my goods are quite small ~ but none the less, a big 'thank you very kindly!' to them for giving me a chance to sell at a fair again.

That's my wee spot, a few hung items and a homemade sign to greet people

The weather was cloudy and spots of rain through out most of the day. But still, the people came out to support handmade! I sold one item while there, a plush dolly named Polly. A little girl couldn't quite decide what goods of mine to take home. Her mom said just one, so she picked the largest item I had *laugh* 

The surrounding booths and cool crowd

I hadn't done a craft fair in several years. I don't think I displayed my small bagged items very well, I need to work on that. Plus my stuff didn't quite fit with the cool hipster crowd of shoppers. I mean, I loved the time spent there - awesome group of folks. But my stuff? All bright, pastels and cuteness didn't really fit the vibe. In the future I might try for smaller indoor fairs where my stuff might be better suited. 

My friend at Trivium Arts hand painted and handmade goods

So that was my big weekend out! I had a lot of fun, meet some great, talented people and spent time around other artisans & crafters. I hope more people are discovering their own local artists at craft fairs and markets. It's a great way to support local, meet new people and make new contacts (if you are selling things). 

Upcoming storewide SALE

Ever look at your crafty items and think "Wow, my collection is... unorganized"? Well I have and I want to make some much needed changes by the years end. I love what I do, I love to sew, I love to hear back from customers about one of my goods they purchased. But I really should focus more on picking just a few types of things to consistantly sell.
And deciding what to make isn't the only change - shop name. Yep, I feel it's time to pick a new Etsy shop name.

So to get ready for a revamped shop for 2012 I'm starting a sale on Sept. 12th! Yep, storewide and it will get bigger as the year counts down. I will start with a few select goods and eventually markdown my entire stock. I do love to sew but will focus on a few plushies I love in various colors and sizes. I also have a fantastic new book with birdie plushies, I could really have fun with them (and make them seasonal).
And to revisit something I'd been experimenting with...

You just know I couldn't stop and put it aside! I had to make my own style of bralette & tap pants. This is one set I have made and am very pleased with how it looks. And now that I figured out how to do this, I'd like to make some sets for my Etsy shop in 2012. I use upcycled materials such as long slips or long camisoles. I transform them from something bland to something romantic, flirty and wearable on a daily basis. Why was I so bent on learning to make these? Because I think women today often don't feel attractive or apprechiate the curves they have. I hate to see how much ladies spend on top name brand intimates {and I have been one of them!} that aren't even made in the USA. So I'd like to think the reason those brands are so pricey is because you are paying for the name. It wasn't likely made with care, in a warm inviting place, where a seamstress pondered how it should hug a womens shape just so. I want to get back to basics and make things people will truly use and enjoy.