Wire Shawl Pins

I made large wire shawl pins (inner diameter about 2 1/4 " or so last year and was asked for smaller ones and again at SAFF there were requests for smaller ones.  So I made a few up the other day.  Like the large ones I made them in silver tones, gold tones and copper.  A few I combined metals for 2 toned ones.  Have not yet made any with beads like a few of the larger ones.  Here are a few pics.  Did not photo with the stick, only the pin.

Pictures from Am. Sewing Expo

The line behind me of people waiting to get in to the Am. Sewing Expo

                                              A beautiful art quilt.

                                           One of the outfits on display.

                                            
  Lost the space between the above 2 pics, one is an art quilt and the other is a cape.                                       

                  A very pretty gathered red top.

                 This dress was gorgeous, beautiful print and colors.

                               More art quilts.

American Sewing Expo

The Am. Sewing Expo was celebrating their 20th year this past weekend.  On Fri and Sat they gave away goodie bags to the first 200 people in line to get in the door.  And each of those days 2 lucky people of those first 200 got a free sewing machine.  I was #74 in line Fri. but no free sewing machine for me or anyone near me.  This show is wonderful for anyone who sews, quilts or works with fabric in anyway.  They have classes that start several days before the actual show and run thru the weekend.  Classes can be 1/2 day or full day and seminars are generally 1-2 hr.  there is also demos, talks, trunk shows, and fashion shows during the shows 3 days.  I took some pictures of some of the exhibits that I'll have to put up later as I'm having trouble getting them to post (I'm sure it's me and not the computer).  I found some embellishments that I want to use on bracelets.  Also picked up some stencils to try bleaching patterns on felt, will see if it works.  Was good and did not buy any fabric but did pick up a few buttons that were unique.  If you get a chance to go next year it's Sept 26, 27, & 28, 2014 aT Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mi.  Check them out on the web too.

Creating While Traveling

I bought this Omnigrid quilting case a few years ago on sale at Joann Fabrics.  I find it is perfect for not only quilting projects but to take beads,yarn, etc. along for projects.  On this trip I have beads, thread  ,needles,  pins, buttons,and  fabric for brooches..  The beads I have in tubes and round containers that fit into a covered box so I can take out what I need and set the rest aside while I work.  The beads are contained in the case if I should drop them while sewing.  The needles/pins I can put in the pin cushion (the rectangle of white/black/yellow in the upper corner of lid). It beats using pant leg or shirt to keep them in and sticking myself or loosing them. The case has a number of plastic pockets to store things, one of which is zippered.  It's nicer using this case  than juggling a tray, or having things loose on my lap or in a bag at my feet. If I'm only crocheting then the yarn can go in a bag at my feet and it is no problem but  I am often trying to finish up projects on the way to shows and this is a nice way to do that.  Happy traveling.  What ways do you carry your supplies to work on while traveling? 

Happy 4th of July

Thanks to our founding fathers for making us independent.  We are free to be who we were meant to be, tho it's not always easy it's impossible in a lot of countries so I am thankful to live in the USA.  Hope you enjoyed your day and fireworks tonight if that is on your agenda.  I love fireworks and will watch from my deck local ones that neighbors set off but I just don't like the crowds, fighting to find a parking space, then walking forever etc. to go to the big display the city has.  I seem to loose my dislike of crowds (rather I tolerate them better) if I am going to an arts and crafts or fiber festival, some things are more worth it than others!

Pictures from Bead and Button Show

These pictures except for the kimono were taken thru glass of the case they were housed in.  There were some truly exquisite beaded items/jewelry displayed but these were my favorites.  Enjoy.  If you ever get a chance to go to the bead and button show even if you can't take a class it's well worth it for anyone who likes fiber, beads, jewelry.  In addition to beads and buttons, you can find embellishments for your art quilt, some fabric/silk scarfs, books/magazines/dvds.  It's interesting to go just for inspiration.

Shepherds Harvest Lesson in Preparing for Weather

As all those who attended Shepherds Harvest last weekend will tell you it was cold-45-55 degrees during the day with snow and sleet (tho it did not last long) and windy.  Metal buildings with cement floors do not get warm very fast so it was cool inside and windy and cold outside.  I had looked at the weather report ahead of time and had packed long johns  in addition to long sleeved shirts and sweatshirts.  I also took a few short sleeved shirts in case the weatherman was way off on his predictions. A fleece lined coat and gloves topped off my outfit. So go prepared for changes in weather when you go to shows.   I keep an umbrella in the black tote that I take to shows. Most times I also take a raincoat.  Be sure to take more than one pair of shoes so you can put on dry ones if one pair gets wet.   One of the venders at Shepherds Harvest came by and commented "It's bad when you have to wear your tablecloth just to keep warm".  I also keep a wool shawl in one of the totes of supplies, sometimes you just need something to take the chill off in the morning (and it's a good way to show off my shawl pins). At our Aug. show I may wear shorts and I have 2 fans that I attach to the wall of the barn we exhibit in. Be sure to take/drink plenty of fluids in the summer as you can get dehydrated easily.  I know that I often take more clothes than I need but I'd rather have more than I need than not be prepared.

Fiber Art Dolls

Shepherd's Harvest Fiber Festival is next weekend and I have been working on new projects to take and sell.  Here are a few pictures of the fiber art dolls that I've made.  I've made a few in the past for me and for gifts but never got around to making them to sell so decided it was time.  Will post pics of another new project in a few days.

Business Bank Account

  You should have a checking account for your business and possibly a savings account to keep your sales tax collected separate from checking account.  While it is not imperative to have a savings account for your sales tax money you do need to make sure it does not get spent and you have it available when the tax is due.  Sales taxes collected are due quarterly or annually depending on your state/type of business you have set up.   Most of us supplement, at least in the beginning our businesses with personal money- whether to buy product to sell as is or to make items from or possibly to pay the sales taxes if that money has been spent.  Do keep good records-more on that soon.                                                                                                                                                     .                                                                                                                                    

Michigan Fiber Symposium

Here are some pictures of projects made by students in Suzanne Higgs felting classes at the fiber symposium in Kalamazoo this past weekend. 

                                             detail of nuno felted scarf

                                           Ms. E with her felted purse

                                             raw wool birdpod

Not Computer Literate-Hire a Student

  Ever feel like 3rd graders know more than you do about computers?  Those of us for  whom technical things do not come easily are at a disadvantage in the technical world of computers.  The techies are at a disadvantage in our artsy world but they don't need to know how to create a one of a kind felted dress but we need to know how to effectively use computers.
  To correct my lack of computer skills I made a list of what I needed to learn-ie. downloading files, cut and paste etc. and then I hired a high school sophomore to teach me the skills I was lacking.  I offered her a price/hour for a 2 hr. session/week.  She is very computer literate and her father is a techi geek so what she didn't know he taught her and she then taught me. One on one worked so much better for me than a large class where everyone has different skills and needs.  So if you are struggling with your computer consider hiring a student-they are knowledgeable and much less expensive than a professional one on one.  Just like hiring a professional make sure that you mesh personality wise and that they can teach you what you need to learn.  Let me know how this works out for you.                                     

New Computer and Mittens

It has been several months since I last posted.  Right after my last post my computer went on the fritz and I took it in to get it fixed.  They told me it was a well known problem with the computer I had and they would need to order parts, the cost of parts to be paid for at that time, and it would take 7-10 days to get parts and 1 day to fix.  Two weeks later parts were still not in and so the wait began.  Finally after New Years the parts came in but that wasn't the problem and it was now deemed unfixable.  So I needed to get a new computer and that took a few weeks.  I now have a Toshiba Satellite that I am happy with and getting to know.  So I really don't have any excuse for not posting since getting computer in mid Jan. except procrastination.  Will do better now that I have started again.  Spent some time in Dec and Jan with my friend B. doing projects.  The pictures are of mittens that we made.  A friend gave me a pattern and I wanted to try it out so I took felted sweaters and beads to decorate the mittens when I went visiting.  They turned out to be too short but we decided to decorate them anyway to show people a few decorating ideas.  The white one is another pattern that I like much better (made that one out of fleece  to try it for size first).  I am thinking of making kits to sell at fiber events this year.  Also will make some up to sell for those that want a finished project rather than a kit to do themselves.