Dec 12th- REST!

Yesterdays Handcrafted Holiday Sale went wonderfully! I arrived to find that one of the boxes (my special Jaguar box with mosaic tiles) had already been reserved as a wedding present! How special! Met so many wonderful vendors with beautiful stuff to sell and the people who came in to buy were all in wonderful moods, sipping wine and nibbling Christmas cookies (the frosted cookies were like little cupcakes, I had to remind myself of Pilates and not go for seconds) and BUYING! It was great to see people walk out with little bags of this and that. I had a few painted records, record mirrors and boxes sell and the Christmas cards were a big hit. I did well!
So glad that small businesses and artists and artisans can still do a little business in this economy right now. I had so much fun, it was nice to get out and be social. I took some photos of everyones shop (some are a little blurry, I apologize) and bought some tiny affordable gifts as well. Here are some photos from the handcrafted Holiday show at TEATRO DALLAS.

Sara Cardona who coordinated the event was selling some wonderful original paintings by Bangladesh artist Ali Akbar for $15 (framed!)


total cute explosion at this very kid friendly booth!



Such beautiful jewelry in amazing color pairings, I loved the garnet and wine colors best:


Jim from Mimi's Bees treated everyone who passed by to a little spa for your hands with some amazing exfoliating scrub...needless to say EVERYONE was walking out with little tubs of that stuff. Amazing!



loved the Latin theme at this table, lots of stuff for little bebe's and cool stuff for adults too:



really loved the little "Pio Pio Pio" bebito shirt




My booth neighbor was Maria Teresa Pedroche and she made the most wonderful little milagro soaps, there were blessing hands, corazons, ojos (eyes) and all kinds of designs, some had shells and flowers pressed into them and irridescent food paint made them shimmer! Did I mention they smelled wonderful?



It was a great day full of busy-ness and business. Today I put my gridwall back up, put everything back into place in my studio and after getting my own Christmas cards ready to be mailed I'll be taking a break from the studio to REST and do real life stuff. It's been a busy and eventful week- this little bee needs a day to rest!

Dec 10th- Friday!

It is with great joy that I announce that the sale on my painting DID go through last night. As a self employed little busy bee, these are the things we thrive on. Feeling so blessed.
Today I'm packing up ALL my BOXES and ALL my Christmas Cards and ALL my records and painted pots and folding up the gridwall. We're going a travellin' today! Taking everything to Teatro Dallas to set up for the sale we're having on SATURDAY DEC 11th!
I'm going to have to give my guy a tutorial on DEACTIVATING my ETSY LISTINGS. As things sell they will have to removed from my online shop. Going to be tricky, wish me luck!
Finished a new record mirror yesterday, this one is on a 12" record and I've hand inked little funny retro cats all over it. Kinda cute huh?
Sold the Green Tea Panda Box yesterday (20% of proceeds to go to the Giant Panda Conservation Fund) and started thinking about other charities I could help through my work. From now until Jan 31st I'm going to be donating 10% of each sale to to the North Texas Food Bank. My family has had to rely on them in some hard times through the years and I am thankful they are there. My own Mom and brother are pretty much in the poverty class so I will be helping them personally as well. This is what the season is all about for me. Nothing feels as good as giving. Donate to them directly with cans of food if you can, they have many donation centers set up around town.
Much to do to prepare for the sale, hope everyone who wants a handmade from me comes out to see me:

HANDCRAFTED HOLIDAY SEASON AT TEATRO DALLAS!
December 11 from 12 - 5pm

A little bird told us...
"Have a GREEN holiday without being in the RED!"

Join us for a holiday pop-up sale
Saturday December 11 from 12-5 p.m.
Support and sustain local, professional artists and craftspeople offering affordable unique gifts for those you love. Wine, and light bites.

Teatro Dallas
1331 Record Crossing Road
Dallas, TX

I should have a small feature in the Oak Cliff People Newspaper today, if it goes online I'll share the link. Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Dec 9th- take care day!

Yesterday was abuzz with boxes. I finished 3 in one day- I think a new milestone for me. I finished two English Tea Boxes and this little Jaguar Box pictured above. I used my new little mosaic tiles and LOVED how easy they were to work with. How cool they look when they are dry. They really added a lot to that box!
Someday I'll do some mosaic tile stuff, will need grout and all that fun stuff.
Had some visitors yesterday too, good thing I had baked some brownies up for giving. One of my friends bought all the Christmas cards I had just made so I will need to make some more today. Maybe my Mom will want to make some too. Thats where I'm heading today, off to visit my Mom with some brownies in tow of course! :)
Unfortunately the BUG has hit our house. I've been waiting for it. But this morning my man had the sniffley, stuffies and complaints. A sure sign that the dreaded cold bug has arrived. I have yet to get it. I really don't want to get sick so I will be doing some extra care tactics today. Disinfecting all the doorknobs, light switches, phone and common handling places. Going to the store for more herbal teas (I've been drinking Good Earths Sweet and Spicy Tea-already sweet no sugar to add!), bell peppers, garlic, chicken, lemons, ginger, tomatoes, oranges and good soup making ingredients. And I'll be going OUT and away from the bug today, good fresh brisk air and biking.
All of this could be futile and my blog tomorrow may be a lot of wah wah wah Im sick! :( Sad face! But hopefully not.
Yesterday I was contacted by an interested art buyer and he is supposed to come view the piece in person this evening and (crossed fingers) buy and pick it up. I really do hope so because I really could use that sale. I love the piece but it's been with me a few years and I am ready to let it go to a nice home with spacious walls.

A good part of the evening will find me packing up all my boxes, records, cards and gridwall for the SALE on Saturday. Going on Friday to setup so theres lots to do to prepare. I don't forsee me creating any new boxes or records today so I will just enjoy Mom time and make some soup. Possibly some Christmas card making. It's a Take Care kinda day.
Everyone Take Care!

Dec 8th

Oh busy, busy, busy in my little Elf Workshop! I had two new commission orders come in, both Christmas presents so it's getting close to crunch time aka Christmas!
Still stocking the shop with stuff daily, the Jolly Roger is what I completed yesterday. Also got two English Tea Boxes halfway done and will finish those today and start on the Jaguar box. I'm going to try my hand at "mosaic" work on that one. Wish me luck!
A thoroughly busy day and I'm wondering when I'll have time to make my wreath and my own Christmas cards. Busy is good, so thankful I can use my own two hands and crafty brain to put food on the table while still making people smile. Yesterday I checked out my Etsy feedback and gave myself a pat on the back- people love the care I put into their orders. So grateful!
Better get crackin and clear a little space on my plate, till next time- have a great day!

Dec 7th

Stocked up on card making supplies and some more blank boxes yesterday AND finished a new Tea Box. Wasn't planning on it but I really wanted my old friend Tea Time Panda back in the shop. He's a bit of a lucky character. Plus I've become superstitious and believe if I have less than 28 items in the shop I won't sell anything. Silly, I know, but so far my track record has proven this to be true. But I am really trying to stock my shop with such a diverse array of items in time for my big debut in the paper this Friday.
Not to mention I have a big sale on Saturday and there's lots to do. So today I'm a painting fool and I guess I won't have a day off until Sunday after the sale and hooplah. But you know what- that's alright because I am loving every minute of being a painting elf.
I'm thinking an English Tea Box and Mandala record and some more Christmas cards. I am also thinking I need to bake some banana bread today.
I really need to be kept away from the stamps and stationary section of the store because I ended up buying a little more than I planned. I will put it to good use so it's ok but NAUGHTY NAUGHTY, tsk tsk....tight budget right now.
Everyone enjoy the day, whatever it brings- it's still a little gift!

The Week That Was

That was quite a week! Started it off with Cyber Monday and ended it on a high note with my interview with Oak Cliff People! A wonderful week that left me feeling thankful and noticed. The interview went great and I was thrilled to get to talk about my inspirations for working. The article should be out on Dec. 10th just in time for...
Handmade Holiday Sale on Dec 11th!
Here's the lowdown:
"Have a GREEN holiday without being in the RED!"

Join us for a holiday pop-up sale
Saturday December 11 from 12-5 p.m.
Support and sustain local, professional artists and craftspeople offering affordable unique gifts for those you love. Wine, and light bites.

Teatro Dallas
1331 Record Crossing Road
Dallas, TX

I'm going to be working hard all week to stock up for the sale so I hope some of my friends come out to pick out handmade gifts from either myself or some of the other wonderful artists and artisans on hand.
Usually when I do these physical sales I deactivate everything in my Etsy shop for the day so if theres something you have had your eye on you should GRAB it while you can!
I would also like to make my own wreath this week so look forward to a little DIY tutorial on that. My friends Kevin and Lydia got some free Fir boughs from Home Depot and brought it to me for just that reason. I had been talking about sneaking all over the neighborhood snipping little pieces here and there and they have saved me from a life of crime!
yesterday I made a rustic folky looking sign out of one of the wooden drawer pieces my Mom gave me. i decided my studio needed more MOTIVATION and my Dads words are always driving me. "Enjoy The Life- Disfruta La Vida" I'm thinking to play around with this imagery more, little jaguar with his thorny rose offering. Take time to smell the roses, the roses come with thorns...such is life.
Saturdays usually find me in the studio and today is no exception, lots of new boxes to replenish (no tea boxes in the shop! for shame!) and some new records would be nice. I'm hoping when the article comes out I will look like a fully stocked art shop again. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Loafing Day

Despite my good intentions yesterday it didn't change the fact that I woke up SUPER EXHAUSTED. It felt like I was on the verge of catching whatever is going around and that I had been up all night partying- which I hadn't. I had been averaging about 3-5 hours of sleep a night and it was finally grabbing me by the lapels.
First I made sure my interview could be moved to today- which it could- HOORAY! Second I made a garlicky chicken broth with mushrooms, onions, crushed red pepper and tomato and drank that baby down with a nice full glass of water. Hydration city!
A nice dose of Nyquil, a cat by my side and something boring on TV and I was out like a light. Woke up hours later from one of the best naps ever and discovered I had drooled like a baby all over my shirtsleeve. EW! But thats a testament to how hard I slept. Feeling rested, cozy and groggy I opted to do nothing but loaf. What better day to crack open that box of bread mix and make my first loaf? Loaf day! Took a good amount of time to prep but the first sourdough loaf came out hot and yummy. Enjoyed it with a Christmas special on TV and promptly knocked back into dreamland.
I know this blog is supposed to be about creativity and motivation but some days you HAVE to rest and that was one of those days. Plus, I DID make a loaf of bread! The day wasn't a total waste! :)
Today I'm doing a little cleanup before the interviewers get here, visiting my Mom and popping back home for my interview. Oak Cliff People, a local paper, are coming over to chat with me about my art and snap my picture. When all that hooplah is over I have to sit down in my studio and work since I missed yesterday. I am gearing up for a real physical sale on Dec 11th at Teatro Dallas. Me and a couple other artists and artisans are going to be selling our handmades for the holidays and there will be wine and light fare- a nice little escape from the bustling mall wouldn't you say? So I have lots to do to get ready for that- first on my list is finding a ride!

My Day Off

Mondays are typically my day off from being crafty in the studio. But I would hardly call it a day off. Up at 5:30 to check the shop, charge the ipod and get ready for Pilates and the Post Office. Taking all the orders to ship out today!
Then it will be a quick bite of lunch downtown and jumping the train to go get more supplies. Then back on the train downtown to catch another bus homeward- I'm figuring this is going to be an all day affair and I'll be putting in as many hours as most of you heading out to work today.
But this evening Im doing NOTHING!
Today is the last day of the big sale I've been running, tomorrow the BLACKCYBER1 code becomes inactive and I have the fun task of changing every listing manually back to normal. So BUY EVERYTHING so I don't have to do this! Ha!
Sold a bunch of Christmas cards, listed a few more and will be starting on commissioned stuff so people can have their gifts in time.
Wish me luck or another pot of coffee, here I go!

Addition and Subtraction

The shop looked bare without mirrors so first thing after breakfast I got busy with my REAL COLORED VINYL 45's! They look so cool with light coming through them! I just listed them today so they are on sale at a great price. Check em out in my shop!
Also just listed a Flora record in BLUE! My first blue flora- looks really pretty

Sold one Telescope print, so all in all a productive day in the beehive. Now I'm going to pack up my orders to ship out tomorrow and kick back with some pie...possibly a little holiday decorating later if the mood strikes me. Have a great Sunday evening!

Shipping and Receiving

The Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale is in progress. Here's what sold yesterday. This lovely Rooster Cut Out Record (the color is FABULOUS) and my little Coco Flor mirror

which leaves no mirrors in my shop and the vinyl is getting low! I'll be working in the beehive today to put a few more things in the shop for CYBER MONDAY!
Discounted my gift tags even more


And did I mention the holidays just got even busier in my hive? I'll be doing a POP UP SALE next month but will update you on that later. For now have a wonderful Sunday, go scoop up some holiday deals and enjoy the rest of the weekend!