My blog and jewelry web pal, Jean Yates from Snap Out of It Jean! There’s Beading to Be Done, collects those cool Blythe dolls, and because I’ve been looking for smaller items to crochet, I am a doll lover (have a few Madame Alexander dolls from way back when), and I’d like to work on my crochet skills I attempted to make her a few clothing items for one of her dolls. I crochet, how shall I put this? very organically, which is another way to say I just sort of wing it a lot.
I thought this experience might teach me to pay attention. I even tried to write down what I was doing now and then, but then I got into the project and sort of just “did it.” I looked at a few Barbie doll outfits, but I’m just so bad at following directions. That is horrible to admit because I write them all the time, but I just can’t seem to bring myself to do something step by step. I sort of get the gist and head off into la la land.
I looked all over the web trying to find measurements for Blythe, but this must be some top government secret because other than say her body was about the same size as a Skipper doll, that’s all I could find. As luck would have it, I happen to have my old Skipper doll and dug her out, so she was my model, at least for the top and skirt. The hat, well, I just totally guessed. I’d love it if anyone knows the dimensions of Blythe’s head. Hats would be so easy to make, just a big ol’ circle!
So, here is Skipper, and cut her some slack because obviously Gwenny (pictured at the top) has a little more curve to her hips and a much better hair brush handy!
I may try to make some more pieces. I have a few ideas, and they were actually pretty fun to make. I just wish I could remember what I did so that I could improve on what I already made. For example, I had a heck of a time with the velcro that holds the pieces together. (The buttons are just decorative.) I think also that the skirt, which is supposed to be a kind of wrap around to the side design, is too bulky for what I was thinking.
Here are some other images of Gwenny totally rockin’ this outfit, and you can find more pictures of her and Jean’s other styling dolls here and here.
Of course, Crafty Princess Teacher that I am, I love the theme of this crafting video by Margot Potter, aka the Impatient Crafter and aka Impatient Blogger too. I can’t actually see myself wearing this to school, but I like how she has a lot of different techniques going on that you could pick out a few and make something similar, maybe just scaled down for those of us who have to work in more conservative circles. For example, the optical lens pendant she makes in this all by itself on a long chain would be still great looking but not so over the top that a few academic eyebrows might be raised, ya know?
Okay, it is only one sale, and just for a few of my metal clay fine silver charms, but hey, it is my first official etsy sale, so I gotta brag!
The extra nice part of it was that this has been the weekend from hell starting with a Thursday ER trip around midnight (DH was sick but doing much, much better now, thanks) and ending (hopefully) with my hard drive deciding to take a huge nose dive. To top it off, my tech support guy is on temporary hiatus and I’ve been having image issues on this blog for weeks. I have had to link over from photobucket or use images loaded before wordpress decided to cop an attitude.
So, when I got an email on Friday that someone wanted to buy some of my little silver stars, well, I was delirious. At least that was one tiny bright spot, and needless to say I wrapped her package with much love and got it out the door asap.
I have more items set up to post in my Crafty Princess Etsy shop, including this little sterling silver mermaid charm I cast a zillion years ago and uploaded to my shop just minutes ago. This is actually left over from my days selling charms on Ebay. I took a lost wax casting class for a number of years with my husband. We made a pretty good team because he likes to do the filing and I prefer polishing, so we would both cast items and then help each other with the clean up process.
I will say when my hard drive decided to stop cooperating yesterday, I managed finish up some metal clay pieces I’ve had waiting for some last minute detailing. So, I also have some other metal clay items waiting in the wings for my Etsy store. After warming up for about an hour, my PC decided to work for awhile today and I’ve been typing like a mad woman ever since. I do have a laptop as a back up, but of course, it just doesn’t have what is basically my life uploaded to it.
I’m off to get some more of my Etsy jewelry items ready to post, mainly metal clay pieces I’ve made and a few other leftover charms from the days of my casting class. I still haven’t found the whole niche thing over there yet, but as far as views (which I’ve heard may mean nothing really), it seems the metal pieces are the most popular on my shop right now. We’ll see what happens with that.
About Family Crafts
When you have a day when it is way too hot to spend time outside or when there is another reason you are stuck inside, you can keep busy with these Summer-themed coloring pages.
About.com Cross Stitch
Use these tile patterns for bookmarks, borders, and more – let your creativity flow!
Aileen’s Musings
Aileen’s feeling inspired! Enter Aileen’s Artist Manikin Contest and get your groove on creating your own art muse! Click the link to find out the nitty gritty…
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Variety abounds with summer centerpieces, retro gas photos, a sneak peek a couple of fun projects from the new book Felt Inlays, a how to make your own Calligraphy pen from the new book Modern Mark Making and a tutorial on how to convert a photo into a knitting pattern with a free graph of Jon Stewart.
Crafty Princess Diaries
Lesson 3 in Tammy’s series on getting your craft work published talks about submitting your work to magazines.
Layers Upon Layers
Cyndi got to test some new Golden’s digital ground products, and a waxed paper transfer collage is the result!
Years ago when I sold metal charms on Ebay, which my husband and I had cast in our casting class, I never included what is now referred to as “swag,” little extra goodies included in the package you send to customers who purchase products from you. Since then, I have heard a lot about swag and how it is a good way to create a loyal customer base. But when does swag cross the line? When does it become an annoyance to the customer rather than a sweet treat?
I’ve been checking out the Etsy forum now and then, and there was an eye opening thread about when swag goes bad: “Do you NOT like to received freebies with your order?” While I have yet to make my first sale there and admittedly haven’t spent the time I know I need to over there, swag was in the back of my mind when and if I make a sale. Since I’m primarily trying to sell supplies over there, I thought maybe a small bag of beads would be an appropriate freebie item to include, such as some hematite stars, which I think are a good Crafty Princess sort of swag item.
Anyway, I was amazed at how many buyers really don’t like swag, or at least the wrong kind of swag. I think that is one interesting aspect of the Etsy forum. You have a mix of both buyers and sellers over there, so you can hear ideas from both sides of the issue.
So, what are your thought as either a buyer or seller? Are freebies a good thing or just extra junk to toss in the circular bin? What is good swag and bad swag?
I’ve been looking for smaller crochet projects to possible tackle lately because it is just so hot out. Face it: crochet + 90-plus degrees in Florida does not = fun! I’m so close to finishing my monster afghan, but sometimes I just can’t bring myself to lug it out of the bag I’m storing it in and cover myself with it while I work on it.
During my search for small but do-able crochet projects, I discovered some adorable crochet flowers along with a wonderful crochet web site and blog called Crochetme. There’s a lot going on at this site (a forum, blog, tips, etc.) but the goodies are in the free projects, lots and lots of them. So, if you are trying to beat the heat and still get a let hooking in 😉 check it out.
No, I really don’t work for Michael’s craft store, but I did feel like it recently when I was scoping the isles for supplies for a new book proposal I’ve been working on. I had my little basket with an odd assortment of supplies since some items I had at home in my craft stash already, and this book is also a little different than other books I’ve done in the past, so anyone looking into my basket would probably not really understand what I was thinking.
Without giving away my book details (not ever a good thing to do and just plain bad luck to boot IMHO), I had a few products in my hands. One I examined and noticed a flaw in it (see why my DH calls me the Princess and the Pea, perfect example here), so I put it back and got another to examine and it passed mustard. A woman next to me noticed, turned, and said, “Excuse me, but what do you plan to do with those?” pointing to the items in my hands.
Of course, Mrs. Smarty-Pants-Teacher that I am, I explained the project to her, which is super duper quick and easy. I had noticed her earlier too and she had that look in her eye that told me this was probably her first venture into a craft store, while here I was the equivalent to a gourmet cook in a grocery store.
She loved the idea and ended up purchasing similar products to make her own version of my project. So there! La dee da, I knew it was a good idea! I knew my book idea in general was good too, and I had this wonderful stranger validating it all for me. In fact, I finished the proposal and mailed it off to an editor today, and I included this narrative in it because this woman is my audience. What better way to underline this fact to a publisher? Thank you, dear lady, wherever you are!
I wore my Crafty Princess Jewelry Teacher hat this weekend. My big sis was down with her troops, and I was given a request to bring tools, findings, and stringing material because the gang wanted to make jewelry. They had recently been to an AC Moore store in the area that was going out of business (sad, no?), so they had loaded up on beads galore. Wish I had been there! Anyway… who am I to say no to my sis and my niece and nephews? Of course, you know I was giddy with excitement that they would want to learn the joys of crafting jewelry. So, I loaded up my tool box and other bags of jewelry goodies and met them at our parents’ house.
Of course, Aunt Tammy was late, as usual, but it was so not my fault this time. First, I woke up to discover one of our cats (who is diabetic) had decided he was “over” the food we were feeding him, so that meant I had to race to the vet (who didn’t open until 9) to get some different food for his highness before it closed early that day, and then there was some whopper of an accident on the interstates, so I had to take 400 back roads to get on at the next exit. By the time I got there, I felt as if I’d driven across the state of Florida!
We rendezvoused at the local Picadilly cafeteria, and after a quick lunch (I swear those kids ate in like five minutes!), I was informed that plans had changed slightly. The big kids were headed to a movie; the old lady sisters and their mom and the baby nephew were headed back to grandma’s house for jewelry making. Humph? Well, I did have to wonder that my teenage nephews wanted to make jewelry, but hey, it is a good way to impress girls, or at least I would think.
So, back at grandma’s I spread my wares on her kitchen table, and we began. First, I restrung a bracelet that my mom had tried to make using supplies from a kit she had purchased. I think the stringing material was that icky old tiger tail. I can’t even believe they make that any more. Her poor bracelet was not only too long (after she’d made it too short and had restrung it once already), but it was coiled like a snake on crack.
Then my younger sis (I’m the middle child….and yes, everything you’ve heard about us middle children is basically true!…ha..ha) began to pull out some old jewelry that had many ills and aches: ear hooks missing, clasps broken, and just plan ug-lee. I tended to her precious jewels like a doctor and did what I could to revive them, though considering all the jewelry I’ve given her over the years, I guess I need to give her more because her stash was pretty sad. At least I can say her jewelry that needed repairs was not of my making!
Finally, it was time for the lesson. My older sister has dabbled in jewelry making for years but never got that serious until recently. Her techniques have been primarily limited to stringing and bead tips and making earrings with head pins and the occasional memory wire bracelet. Even limited to that, though, she has a really good design eye when it come to combining colors and textures, so I’m very hopeful this turn towards jewelry again will stick. She had a number of questions but her main one concerned crimp beads: Why use them? When do you use them? How do you use them?
I began to explain to her the why/when/how, and as I did so, I could see by the look on baby sis and gma’s faces that it was like I was talking Latin or Martian or something. Big sis pretty much got it, and I held her hand while she tried a few crimps on her own, screwed up a few, I fixed them, she tried again, etc until she found some success.
She is a tad put off that this will require yet another tool (oh, she has no idea what she’s getting into folks!), but I’m hopeful she’ll come to the crimp bead side of things soon. Heck, I should just send her a pair. I know she’s probably thinking she just doesn’t need another tool. The addiction hasn’t taken total control of her yet!
As we were wrapping things up, I asked her if she’d like some brass and copper wire to take home because I had just ordered a pound of each, so I was feeling very wire wealthy. “I don’t even know what I’d do with it!” she told me. Hello! Ever hear of that fabulous book by a semi-famous sister called Making Designer Bead and Wire Jewelry: Techniques for Unique Designs and Handmade Findings (which she just happens to have a signed copy of)?
Of course, I was just razzing her, but the whole experience made me realize how far I’ve come from the person who was also just doing basic stringing with bead tips. Heck, I was using chipped stone beads for at least a year or more before I discovered “round” beads! I don’t even want you to know how long it too me to discover round-nosed pliers!
This very, very long rambling post, then, is written because I just never stop to think about how much I’ve learned over the years when it comes to crafts, jewelry making especially, and I hope other crafters might take at least 60 seconds right now and think back, remember when, and give yourself a little pat on the back.
I mean it. Do it now! You are so, so smart, and you worked hard to learn everything you know now. You deserve this minute of reflection.
I saw this call for entries on the Yahoo metal clay group list. It was submitted by the Society for Midwest Metalsmiths, and the competition is called Metal Inclinations. For more details as well as an application (it cost $40 to enter up to 3 different pieces) see the society’s site:
The deadline for the METAL Inclinations International Exhibition has
been extended by popular demand.
Extended Deadline: July 28, 2008, Midnight PST
Applications are open to all metal artists living and working any
where in the world. Jewelry, hollow ware and metal sculpture are
accepted. Metal Clay artists are welcome.
Awards totaling $4,000
The METAL Inclinations online exhibition is a great way to get your
name and images of your work “out there” where the world can see it
and contact you. Each artist selected receives a gallery space with
their image/s and a individual artist web page/s with a link to their
own business or personal website or e-mail address. The exhibition
will run for one year October 31, 2008- October 31, 2009.
Sponsored by the Society for Midwest Metalsmiths a not for profit
organization dedicated to promoting, developing, educating, and
encouraging individuals who are interested in metalsmithing.
I hope everyone is having a wonderful day today, especially those who live in the States and are celebrating the 4th of July! I know everyone does not agree with all the political issues out and about now with the presidential elections on the horizon, but you have to admit this is a great country and I’m very proud to live in it. In fact, one of the great things about it is that we can all agree to disagree at times!
Many are lucky to have a three day weekend (or in my case four since the school is closed on Monday), so I hope in between eating hot dogs with your families you’ll get some crafting in as well. I have a huge list of craft projects I hope to at least make a dent in as well as some product reviews – books, DVDs, and a kit – that I need to tackle as well. There is always so much great stuff for jewelry makers out there.
If you manage to get a little “me” time between all your other holiday activities, make sure you check out these excellent blog posts from some of my fellow craft bloggers:
About.com Cross Stitch
When do you do the back stitch on your needlework projects? Vote in the poll and let us know.
Aileen’s Musings
Visit Aileen’s Musings to find out what Firecracker Martinis and Christmas have in common.
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Kicking off the summer Craftside brings you a password for 15% of Voyager Press titles through July 8th, a funky woven lamp project, the Making Designer Jewelry with Hardware, Gems. and Beads contest extended, a quick and easy party banner idea and some fun pictures from Swap-o-rama rama.
Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy is “so” learning the ropes over at Etsy.com with her new jewelry making supplies shop. Is it too much of a hodge podge? How big of a learning curve are we talking about here?!
Layers Upon Layers
Cyndi has DVDs to giveaway from “Beads & Beyond” Magazine!
Polymer Clay @ Craft Gossip
No batteries required – Heather shares a list of low-tech tools for creating with polymer clay.
Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
There are giant pom poms, a giant aluminum craft project, “Superfly”, and a fun video from the Knitty Gritty peeps.
The Impatient Blogger
A link to three fabulous free projects on the Simply Beads website and some thoughts about inspiring creativity from a professional designer.
My blog and jewelry web pal, Jean Yates from Snap Out of It Jean! There’s Beading to Be Done, collects those cool Blythe dolls, and because I’ve been looking for smaller items to crochet, I am a doll lover (have a few Madame Alexander dolls from way back when), and I’d like to work on my crochet skills I attempted to make her a few clothing items for one of her dolls. I crochet, how shall I put this? very organically, which is another way to say I just sort of wing it a lot.
I looked all over the web trying to find measurements for Blythe, but this must be some top government secret because other than say her body was about the same size as a Skipper doll, that’s all I could find. As luck would have it, I happen to have my old Skipper doll and dug her out, so she was my model, at least for the top and skirt. The hat, well, I just totally guessed. I’d love it if anyone knows the dimensions of Blythe’s head. Hats would be so easy to make, just a big ol’ circle!
(which she just happens to have a signed copy of)?
