A Little Change of Pace

Nail polish... I love it.  No matter how many bottles I have I can always find a new one to try.  I don't believe I have ever actually used up a bottle...most of the time I throw out old as I buy new.  I've made a promise to myself that I would have no more bottles than what I can fit in a shoe-box-sized plastic container and I have been pretty good at sticking to that promise.  

Pink is my go to color when I don't have a new favorite.

But, I do love some of the more "exotic" colors as well.  

A girl has a right to change her mind every once in awhile.

While I will buy pretty much any brand (although I do have a price limit of $8) 

I tend to choose Essie  more often than the others.

Two of my current favorites are...

Essie smokin' hot (my current nail color) and Essie go overboard.

While having a professional mani/pedi is something I would like to do all the time, I usually apply my own polish, granted I very often end up painting most of my toe when doing a pedicure, the overflow does come off easily with hand lotion and a nail brush.  

I have found rejuvacote nail growth system a great nail strengthener, base and top coat.

What polish do you use to feel pretty?

A Little Crochet Humor

Crocheting is a huge part of my life.

 I do realize that I tend to accumulate projects, yarn, and  pattern books to the point of distraction.

Thought I'd share a little of the humor that has been posted on different media

about folks who are a wee bit obsessed with crochet and yarn....

Hey we have to be able to laugh at ourselves, right?

This one is really not funny....it's TRUE!

Art Journaling

I've been wanting to art journal for some time now.  I was first introduced to the craft in the magazine "Art Journaling" published by Somerset Studio.

I found it a bit intimidating, I'm not an artist, can't draw or paint, but that doesn't really matter, and that's not really the point.  You can use stencils, photos, clip art and doodles.  And the painting part?  Well, it's kind of like the water color painting we used to do in elementary school with a few additions to make it last, not rip the page and coating it so you can apply adhesive and ink.  That may be a little simplistic, but I don't believe I have to be Monet.  I purchased a great how to book "The Art Journal Workshop" by Traci Bunkers. She has a super list of supply suggestions and very detailed page assembly/creation directions.  The prompts and exercises are tremendously helpful.

So I've begun gathering supplies and plan to start some pages over the weekend.

When I was in high school, many, many years ago, my best friend and I used to buy scrap books and illustrate songs and poetry with pictures from magazines, cut up wrapping paper and doodles.   

There are several songs I would like to illustrate in an art journal, as well as some poetry.  

I'm sure I will eventually get into putting my own thoughts on the painted pages but until I feel more comfortable with the medium, illustrating poems and songs is just fine.  

Can't wait to share my progress.  

Wish me luck.

Crochet Inspiration

so darn cute

Never have enough dishcloths!  No tutorial for this, but I really like the pattern

I'll have to figure out what it is someday!

Love the colors!

Crochet Symbols

Can you follow crochet symbols?  

I have not mastered that yet.  I printed out a chart from www.craftyarncouncil.com and I'm bound and determined to learn how to follow these patterns.  My biggest reason for learning is all the great patterns on pinterest that only have a symbol chart to follow.  I have found that very frustrating and decided it's not their fault..I need to learn how to read the symbols!  Teaching an 'ole dog new tricks may not be to easy....but I believe we need to learn something new every day to keep our brains exercised and healthy just like our bodies.  So here I go. 

Click on the link above it you would like to print out the chart as well.

Arts and Crafts

It feels like I've read a million words or more on blogging; what and what not to do...one article that has bothered me since reading it, basically said that if you blog about arts and crafts you shouldn't say you blog about arts and crafts, instead you should use the phrase Artisan Entrepreneur, not that I have anything against fancy names, but, la-de-da shut the door and give me a crown!  Forgive me if I shun the vernacular of the day, I AM a DIY arts and crafts person, always have been and always will be and I'm proud of it.  

So, now that I have that off my chest and have finally decided I'm going to stop trying to be what someone else says I should be, it's time to get on with things.

After all these years I am finally going to take a class in running an Arts and Crafts business.  I've been doing this for decades and have never consulted an expert on how to manage the business end of what I do.  I believe the biggest challenge we all face in this line of work is how to price the items we create.  Crochet, knit, quilts, hand-made jewelry, whatever you create, takes time, energy, thought and there are expenses involved (sometimes, a lot of expenses) and that elusive component...creative talent.  If we are to sell our creations at a fair price to everyone, we have to include every facet.  At least that's what I think.  This is a struggle with each item I create and I don't think I've ever gotten it right.  I believe I price too low because the majority of the people I have sold to are friends and I don't want them to spend too much.  But, is that fair to me and all the time I have put into an item?

I am looking forward to this class; it starts August 21st, on-line through
Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS, and runs 6 weeks

Week One

*finding your own niche
*choosing a business name

Week Two

*work space options
*setting up the workspace

Week Three

*creating a marketing strategy
*pricing

Week Four

*how to be a salesperson
*getting your crafts to the marketplace

Week Five

*selling retail
*craft shows

Week Six

*setting up for a successful craft show
*teaching your craft

I'm very excited to take these classes and so happy they are on-line.  I suppose it seems a bit backwards to be taking classes now for what I've been doing for decades; but I think it's cool and will re-ignite my passion for my crafts and hopefully help me sell a few more.  Can't believe I'll be taking quizzes, doing projects and taking a final!  It's been a long time since I've done that...I'll let you know how it goes.

Stop the Noise and Let Me Create!

Been turning inward a bit lately and have found these thoughts helpful...