As someone who used to screenprint old school style (screens on big wooden frames, ghetto-rigged lamps, carcinogenic photo-emulsions) and now uses a Gocco machine- for which supplies are no longer being manufactured- i was surprised to see this contraption being advertised in the Joann Fabric ad that came in the mail today.
This machine is so big and goofy looking, but i'm intrigued, that's for sure. See it in action here.
About a week and a half ago i taught myself how to crochet, and to be honest, i think i'm obsessed! I don't have any big plans for this at the moment, as i just wanted to make some simple bows to add as embellishments to my larger bags and to pin onto my own clothing.
Red's my favorite color. So, in honor of this and Valentine's Day, which is fast approaching, here are some items i've picked straight from my Etsy Favorites.
-Kissing Booth Letterpress Poster from RollandtumblepressHere are some new Grand Piano Tote bags that are now available in the shop. They're made from this super amazing vintage fabric that i happened to come across, and are available in red, cream, and brown.
Citypaper hearts my Keyboards!
www.citypaper.net/articles/2008/01/31/what-we-heart
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Failed keyboard player? Yeah, silly story. When i was really little i took a keyboard class with all of these older people, and i sort of chickened out when we had to do the recital. At least that's what i remember!
(I also did the same thing when i took a dance class!)
So, before Thanksgiving, i stopped by everyone's favorite Swedish-based clothing store and while browsing the clearance racks, i stumbled upon a crazy cute cassette tape dress that was way too small for me. I bought it anyway so i could rip it to shreds and use the fabric to make new things. Here's a little peak at the first thing i've made so far:
Some totally crazy things happened so far this week, like snow and lots of unexpected Etsy sales (i probably just jinxed myself), so i'm hoping the rest of the week is good if not better. I'm going to be printing and sewing up lots of new keyboards in the next few days because i'm damn near out, which is an amazing thing to realize.
This Friday is the Philly Etsy Street Team Trunk Show at Mew Gallery, so i'm already stressing, but i've got some neat new things in the works.
As a crafter, i get bored really easy. Plus i just like challenging myself and trying new things, just to see if i can do them. At one flea market i was a vendor at, a girl was browsing my table and asked if i was selling the earrings i had on. They were a pair of moderately sized, vintage glitter-encrusted button studs and they're one of my favorites...which says a lot because i have an excessive amount of jewelry.
Anyway, this week i tried to make my own, and luckily, i was successful!
Here are the results:
I also made some necklaces, which will soon be listed in The Shop! I can't wait to make more of these!
Soon to be listed on Etsy...and by soon i mean probably tomorrow...is this bag! It's made out of one of the coolest vintage fabrics i've ever found and it has abstract sailboats in amazing neon colors! I have a good amount of fabric left, so i hope to make one for myself, though i can honestly say that i never really take the time to do that.
While making it, i was watching Full House- Season 1 and came across one of my favorite episodes EVER, in which DJ & Kimmy form their own band called The Bracelets!
So, my lovely friend Sam purchased my Little Blue Birds Pendant Necklace as well as my Sad Girl Swan Song Pendant Necklace and after over half a month, she still hasn't received them! I've sent things to customers in her area before, so i know it only takes like, 2 days or so. This is completely upsetting and is the first time this has happened to me, but i read about Post Office horror stories all the time, so i guess i shouldn't be surprised at all. Still though, these are things i can't remake and it's going to bug me just wondering where they are. Maybe they'll be sent back to me? Maybe i'm hoping for too much? Grrr!
On a happier note, here is more new fabric that has been arriving in my mailbox:
Also, I've reached over 200 photos in my Flickr account!
Due to last weekends crazy crafty weekend, my inventory has been severely depleted! This is definitely a good thing, though, because now i'm motivated to make lots and lots of cute new things. I need to hit up the sewing machine soon and make more bags, because that's what i'm really lacking. I spent a few hours yesterday scouring the good old Eeb* for some really bright, obnoxious fabric and i can't wait 'til it all arrives in my mailbox! I also went out and got some new fabric the other day, and the woman who cut everything seemed sort of shocked (in a good way) and gave me a running commentary on my fabric choices. The word "funky" was used, and it's usually not a word i'd use to describe my own work. I guess it's appropriate, though, since i tend to make everything bright and bold and colorful, and i like crazy patterns. Anyway, here's my haul- check out the obnoxious neon purple/neon red printed corduroy, black and gold houndstooth, and neon green vinyl!
I also hit up the remnant bins, only to find that they had already been picked through. I did find a handful of usable bundles, but not nearly as much as when i went on a remnant raid a few months ago and left the store with over 50 remnants. I usually buy them when they're super on sale, and it's never really advertised, so i guess it's all about timing.
I'm just starting to get back into the swing of things, and i've just updated the shop with a few handmade pendant necklaces. I've been wanting to look for some new vintage beads and charms to add to these and luckily at the Lancaster PRFM, i caught up with Tara of Eames & Lola and Buttoncollective (who i met at the last PRFM). I looked through the various packs of vintage beads and findings she had to offer...all of which were sorted by color -aka- eye candy...and i had such a hard time deciding which pack to buy, but went with my trusty old pal, red.
This weekend is going to be awesome and includes things like Darjeeling Limited, local flea marketing, and Nada Surf. Nice!
P.S.- Here are my two new friends:
(They're big brooches!)
This past weekend Ryan and i were so crazy busy, that i didn't even have a second to update this here thing. Saturday was the Lancaster Punk Rock Flea Market and Sunday was the Mew Gallery Art Extravaganza and both were super fun, aside from me not getting enough sleep and it being so uncomfortably hot on Sunday.
This is just a mini-post of sorts, but i just wanted to mention that I'm now officially consigning my work! My work is actually in a store! During the Art Extravaganza, the girls from Mew each picked out a handful of stuff they wanted for their store, for a whopping total of 36 items! This is super exciting and hopefully my stuff will do okay, but for now i'm going to get some rest!
Early last month i posted about the Mailing List Book that i made using some paper i had lying around and the binding machine that my aunt gave me. Since then i've been wanting to make some journals using the same method, but this time i bought chipboard to use as the covers. I was having trouble coming with ideas of images to use, so on the fly i thought it would be fun to screenprint some lips onto the covers.
For a long time, i was debating whether or not to sell my pendants as is, or as a complete necklace. There was a thread on Etsy with the hypothetical situation of one seller purchasing another sellers handmade pendant, and then including it in their own finished product, or just slapping it on a chain and then selling it. At least that's what the gist of the discussion seemed to be. So, i decided to just bite the bullet and spent some of yesterday looking for chain for 35 pendants.
I worked from 8pm yesterday until 4:30am today, and oddly enough, i'm not yet sleepy! Although, if i keep this up throughout the week, i'll be sick by Friday...So, i will catch up on sleep in just a few minutes, but here's a little peak of a few more pendant necklaces:
(The bunny is one of my favorites!)
I also purchased a hinged shadowbox that i might use as a small display case, and it'll most likely be painted red, though i still have to figure out what my overall table layout will be and if i'm even going to end up using this or not.
I'll update soon with the finished presentation/packaging of these. Have any suggestions? I was thinking of displaying some in the shadow box by laying them out and then keeping the rest in their individual jewelry boxes, on little info/tent cards.
Out of the blue, i looked to see what was up with The Treasury and somehow nabbed an empty spot. Totally not front page worthy, but i like seeing some of the stuff i like all bunched together. Check it out here.
Thursday just wasn't my day for sewing. I was *trying* to put together some new keyboard pouches, but my sewing machine and zippers decided that they hated me. I literally screamed out of frustration and had to walk away or else i would've punched it in its proverbial face. I love sewing, but sometimes on an off day, things don't go how they're supposed to.
The Lancaster PRFM and the Mew Gallery Art Extravaganza are creeping up in just over a weeks time, and i'm already getting anxious about not having enough stuff. I always get like this, even though i tend to bring more than enough.
[umm, weird sidenote: my left contact lense totally just fell out! I'm sitting here typing with my eye shut, though i'm thinking i should probably stop]
I've just added these two to the shop, check 'em out!
Sad Girl Swan Song
Little Blue Birds
Also...Once again, i've been tagged! This time by Emma.
Here are 7 random/weird/whatever facts about myself:
1. I make lots of keyboard and piano-inspired things, but i don't actually play. I did take a keyboard class when i was a kid, but i think i got nervous and stopped. I don't know what it is, but i love them and i love making keyboardey things! Recently, i've been listening to The New Rags and i've decided that i should totally buy a Rhodes piano, just because.
2. I did however play electric guitar for a few years, starting at the age of 13.
3. I was Yearbook and newspaper editor during my last year of middle school, though the title didn't really mean anything.
4. I am quite short. I'm already 25 and have yet to adopt the use of heels to heighten myself. I prefer to stay steady and low to the ground.
5. When i was a kid, i entered a nationwide drawing contest that was conducted by The Disney Channel. I mailed them 3 pencil drawings of Aladdin characters on notebook paper, and was one of the i-don't-know-how-many Second Place winners. My prize was a book about Disney and the animation process.
6. I don't visit sites like TMZ or The Superficial very often, but when i do, i get totally sucked in and find myself completely glued to my computer.
7. Uncooked apples make my throat & tongue itchy!
And here's a freebie: I still am not completely comfortable with the idea of tagging other people. Ha!
Wow, so i haven't blogged since Friday, and i don't even know where to begin! Not that anything exciting has really happened the past few days.
On Saturday, Ryan and I *attempted* to go to the Giant Flea Market & Craft Fair in Merchantville, NJ, but it started raining on the way down and when we got there, and we didn't even get out of the car to scope things out. I'm all for looking through peoples' junk, but not peoples' wet and possibly muddy junk. Someone even had a computer sitting out in the rain, uncovered!
Later on in the day, i went to several thrift stores and came away with some 80's deadstock jewelry (for myself), a new purse (which everyone seems to think is horrible), a book to rip up and make into new things, a Sha Na Na record (purchased strictly for the album cover), and this little lady:
I wanted to buy this as well, so i could clean her up and maybe even give her a makeover, but i somehow managed to hold back:
On Sunday, my mom and i got up early to go and buy some storage cabinets for our garage, because i still have a ton of books and art supplies taking up space. I also got a utility cart where i now keep some miscellaneous sewing items, the patterns i've drafted, and sewing projects that are just waiting to be put together. It's one of those red steel utility carts that are used in garages and it's as big as my desk, but i love it. Later on, my cousin had me help her pick out scrapbooking stuff at the craft store. Scrapbooking isn't really my thing, but it's always fun going shopping with someone elses money.
I have a lot more sewing to do before the flea market, namely my larger bags. I worked on these, which was an item i sold a few of on Etsy, and even had custom requests for. I was so in the zone that i actually forgot to sew in the velcro closures! Sooo, i have to go back, rip them open, put in the velcro and sew them back up. Yay! :/
Knocked Up came out on DVD today! I got the 2-Disc Collector's Edition, which came with a deck of playing cards! I don't even play card games, but really, i'm a sucker for anyone in the Apatow crew -especially Seth Rogen- so now i have my very own deck of Knocked Up/Seth Rogen playing cards. I've already watched some of the bonus material, and am trying so hard not to watch it all in one sitting.
My brother needed to go to the bookstore, and unfortunately for me, all of the new issues of the magazines i read came out. I blow lots of $$$ on these and a few others every month, but i'm thinking that maybe i should subscribe because it's way cheaper.
After three weeks of not touching my sewing machine, i finally hopped back on yesterday! The last time i used it, i made these, but got frustrated and didn't feel like sewing anything anymore. I pile my scrap fabric collection onto a table and sort through everything for pieces that are large enough to be made into these mini pouches. They're really fun and easy to make, and hopefully i'll have another batch ready soon.
Also, here are more pendants that i just made. This grouping is my favorite, and i'm not sure whether to sell them as a set or seperately. Any suggestions?
I am so super tired right now, but i'm forcing myself to squeeze out a blog entry. The past few days i've stayed up much later and woke up a lot earlier, so my body is sort of angry at me and i just feel really sluggish and my allergies are acting up. I didn't have much time to work on things today, as there was some family stuff i had to help out with. When i got home, i continued experimenting with some new stuff i'm working on, which includes these two little guys.
Also, I was going to work on these two pouches, and had cut everything out and did my ironing, but i had to throw in the towel because i'm just not up for it right now. The new "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" is on tonight and i'm tempted to take a nap beforehand, but i'm afraid i won't wake up in time!
Yesterday, Jen Vecc tagged me, so here are 6 unusual(?) things that you should know about me:
1. I'm 25, but am easily mistaken for a 16 year old. If i go to the movies and have to buy my tickets at the window, i get carded.
2. When i was about 12 or 13, i was super into Silverchair. For my first "concert" ever, i saw them and The Rentals (another favorite) open up for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I thought it was one of the craziest things ever and had so much fun that i wrote a letter to Kennedy on MTV, back when she was hosting Alternative Nation. She read it on air, and me being the huge geek that i am, have it on tape.
3. I tried going to college for about 7 years and studied graphic design, drawing and illustration, but never earned an actual degree. First i went to junior college, took some time off here and there, then went to art school for a year. I eventually called it quits due to my social anxiety and the fact that i find classroom situtations and group work to be completely unbearable.
4. When someone with opposing tastes deems something tacky or horrible, that just makes me like it more and more. I do have my limits, though.
5. I love bright, bold, crazy colors, but i wear a lot of black.
6. I met The Boyfriend on Myspace.
I think i'm supposed to tag someone now?
Ummm...I'm shy!
(Tell me 6 Unusual things about YOURself.)
Here are three really awesome things i added to my favorites while browsing Etsy today:
1. SAPPLING Jewelry Display by SaraSchalliol
2. PIANO LAMB original vintage object wall art assemblage by Artsy.
3. The Nesting Dolls Hand-Painted Set by Elloh
*Please note that all photos and artwork are property of their respective owners.
