It's that time of the year again, the presents are under the tree (some already opened), carols floating through the air, pretty lights everywhere, lots of grub to eat. Cold in a lot of places, maybe some snow somewhere (not here, still too warm :( )
Stay safe this holiday season as you are going to and coming from wherever you have to go.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
OOh, Check this out! Spray Paint Art!
Seriously, this dude is like Bob Ross, but with spray paint!! I never thought you could do such a thing with spray paint, especially that fast!!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Playing with a new stitch
So I've been watching vids on youtube again, and one of my fave video makers is Neauveau Fiber Arts, so I check out her channel to see what she's been up to.
I see this video, she's showing off a special stitch she uses in knitting her art yarns.
Here's the video:
Notice how her stitches look straight? I give it a try, but with a lace weight mohair/acrylic blend and size 13 knitting needles.
This is what I came up with:
It's kind of like a drop stitch, but i think it's prettier.
So, what do you think?
Something worth repeating over and over??
I see this video, she's showing off a special stitch she uses in knitting her art yarns.
Here's the video:
Notice how her stitches look straight? I give it a try, but with a lace weight mohair/acrylic blend and size 13 knitting needles.
This is what I came up with:
It's kind of like a drop stitch, but i think it's prettier.
So, what do you think?
Something worth repeating over and over??
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Cute baby video!!
OK, so I made Anna a knitted bunny.
This is what happened when I presented it to her!
This is a possible prototype for something in my shop :)
This is what happened when I presented it to her!
This is a possible prototype for something in my shop :)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
I made another treasury - and updates
Ok, so I haven't posted in a while, been working on the shops, closing a couple of shops (I now have 2 active), and posting on the Home.Craft.Biz blog .
Here's a haunting treasury for your enjoyment
'Echos Of The Past' by Stephaniemakesall
The spirits of those we love watch over us
 Ghostly Window Photo &q... $30.00 |  Undead White Foundation... $7.99 |  1920's Spirit Photo... $9.99 |  GlamourGhoul $45.67 |
 Halloween Art Doll Ooak... $275.00 |  She moves among the sha... $25.00 |  Halloween Ghost - Needl... $89.00 |  Victorian Ghost Dress H... $199.00 |
 Ghost of Briar Rose - H... $30.00 |  The Other Victorian g... $5.99 |  Ghost Ship Ocean Recycl... $10.00 |  Ghost Dance - 5x7 Art P... $25.00 |
 Child's Grave at Tu... $21.00 |  One of a Kind - Moonlig... $475.00 |  Original gothic ghost p... $30.00 |  Ghost Costume Ghostly h... $75.00 |
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Praying to the Google Overlords :)
"Master Google guide us.
Master Google teach us.
Master Google protect us.
In your light we thrive.
In your mercy we are #1.
In your wisdom we are humbled.
We create only to serve you.
Our pages are yours."
Hey, I figure it's worth a try, being as Google is taking over the world and are going to be the ones to start the zombie apocalypse.
OK, so I read a whole bunch of Terry Goodkind novels :)
Master Google teach us.
Master Google protect us.
In your light we thrive.
In your mercy we are #1.
In your wisdom we are humbled.
We create only to serve you.
Our pages are yours."
Hey, I figure it's worth a try, being as Google is taking over the world and are going to be the ones to start the zombie apocalypse.
OK, so I read a whole bunch of Terry Goodkind novels :)
Monday, August 22, 2011
why handmade is "expensive"
I just found this really good article in a forum post, it's worth a read
http://whatthecraft.com/overpriced-cant-afford-handmade-pricing/
http://whatthecraft.com/overpriced-cant-afford-handmade-pricing/
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The great Yarn dye- With Kool Aid!
Ok, so I attempted to dye some yarn and rovings, so I watched a bazillion videos on youtube, joined the It's A Kool Way To Dye group on Ravelry, and then took the plunge!!
I dyed a 100g bit of red roving with fruit punch and black cherry:
After I was finished with the roving, I plied the yarn I showed in the first pic of this post, and decided to dye it in citrus colors. Orange, yellow, and green.
After re-skeining that yarn, it looked like this!
As for the roving in the pot with that yarn? I'm working on it now.
It's making long variegated strands of color, No clue exactly how it's going to look after plying for sure, but it looks like it might have a bit of variegated quality to it!
I'll post my dying tutorial soon.
 |
| Here's what the color was originally: |
I dyed a 100g bit of red roving with fruit punch and black cherry:
 | |
| The actual finished color turned out just a hair lighter. This is right when the dying was finished. |
 |
| The yarn is to the right side, the rest of the pot is taken up with a roving. |
 | |
| Started out with 101 yards of singles, ended with 44 yards of this gorgeousness! |
It's making long variegated strands of color, No clue exactly how it's going to look after plying for sure, but it looks like it might have a bit of variegated quality to it!
I'll post my dying tutorial soon.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Making a treasury
making a treasury is easy, just stick 16 items in the treasury spaces, but making a good treasury can be harder, you have to find good stuff, photographed decently, and it's nice if everything has a theme of some sort.
Here's my latest:
It's hot outside, too hot.
Here's my latest:
'I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream' by Stephaniemakesall
It's hot outside, too hot.
 Ice Cream Pint Cozy... $8.00 |  Double Dipped Delig... $6.75 |  Parfait Necklace $8.00 |
 Limited Edition - I... $11.95 |  Ice Cream Scoop mel... $3.95 |  TICKLED PINK Coconu... $9.95 |
 Christmas in July S... $1.50 |  Brownie Fudge Sunda... $20.00 |  Huge Mixed Ice Crea... $16.50 |
 Onesie Ice Cream Su... $14.75 |  Mini Food Jewelry -... $10.00 |  Cherries on Top Ic... $24.00 |
 Pin Cushion - Ice C... $6.00 |  Heart Shaped Ice Cr... $12.00 |  The Kinley Collecti... $52.00 |
 Double Scoop Ice Cr... $9.00 |
Monday, July 11, 2011
Converting from mass produced
For many years, when I go buy any amount of stuff from a big box store, I have expected to have to return at least one thing. And I have not been disappointed.
A person gets sick of having to make 2 trips every time they have to go to the sore, and it's not Eco-friendly either (says the woman who bought a set of solar panels just for gaming :).
When I discovered Etsy and the other handmade sites, it was a revelation. Not only could I sell my artistry there, but I could get nice things that are unique or rare! since then, I have gotten countless handmade goodies, and you know what? I have not had to return a single one of them! And I'm addicted to handmade soap.
I still have to go to stores for some things, but not for any gift type stuff, not for soap, fudge, even honey. I can get those all from micro businesses on the internet!
I am now a supporter of the handmade movement. And I'm happier for it!
A person gets sick of having to make 2 trips every time they have to go to the sore, and it's not Eco-friendly either (says the woman who bought a set of solar panels just for gaming :).
When I discovered Etsy and the other handmade sites, it was a revelation. Not only could I sell my artistry there, but I could get nice things that are unique or rare! since then, I have gotten countless handmade goodies, and you know what? I have not had to return a single one of them! And I'm addicted to handmade soap.
I still have to go to stores for some things, but not for any gift type stuff, not for soap, fudge, even honey. I can get those all from micro businesses on the internet!
I am now a supporter of the handmade movement. And I'm happier for it!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Handspinning yarn...
So a few months ago, when I had some money (I miss that, unemployed sucks, even worse when you can't get unemployment, but that's another discussion), I decided I was going to learn to spin yarn.
I bought this drop spindle:
top-whorl-drop-spindle-double-whorl
And this roving:
domestic-56-wool-roving-8-oz
I used the spindle to do my handplied yarns, but the roving sat unused until a couple days ago.
I'm not going to post a tutorial on how to do it, because there are a bazillion other tutorials out there and I watched many of them. But here is the finished product!
I bought this drop spindle:
top-whorl-drop-spindle-double-whorl
And this roving:
domestic-56-wool-roving-8-oz
I used the spindle to do my handplied yarns, but the roving sat unused until a couple days ago.
I'm not going to post a tutorial on how to do it, because there are a bazillion other tutorials out there and I watched many of them. But here is the finished product!
 |
| Before plying with thread |
 |
| The finished yarn, 36 yards of wooly goodness! |
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Joint ventures...
A fellow crochet friend and I have joined together to start a new blog chronicling our sucesses and failures starting an online crafting business. Check it out!
http://homecraftbiz.blogspot.com
http://homecraftbiz.blogspot.com
Monday, June 27, 2011
What I learned from my first craft show...
I knew a lot about selling in person from my upbringing in the carnival and doing fleamarkets.
Here's a good link for a lot of those tips
http://indiefixx.com/2011/05/25/15-tips-to-increase-your-craft-show-sales/
But I learned a few other goodies as well.
A good tent is a must!
Don't bring paper stuff when it might rain.
If it does rain before noon, all hope is not lost, but if it keeps raining until lunch, then you may have a problem on your hands (this is from my neighbor, who makes his entire living off of craft shows).
Here's a good link for a lot of those tips
http://indiefixx.com/2011/05/25/15-tips-to-increase-your-craft-show-sales/
But I learned a few other goodies as well.
A good tent is a must!
Don't bring paper stuff when it might rain.
If it does rain before noon, all hope is not lost, but if it keeps raining until lunch, then you may have a problem on your hands (this is from my neighbor, who makes his entire living off of craft shows).
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Going to my first craft show
My first craft show, the blueberry festival in Edmonton, KY starts in a few hours.
I'm excited, nervous, and scared all at the same time!
I'll post pics when it's over, if I can remember to bring my camera!
I'm excited, nervous, and scared all at the same time!
I'll post pics when it's over, if I can remember to bring my camera!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Giveaway!!
when I get to 60 sales, I am going to do my first giveaway, one of my world famous soap sacks will be given away to one lucky person. At 55 sales now!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Stephanie's Guide to Setting Up an Etsy Shop
So maybe you've been thinking about opening an Etsy shop, there is a lot to do when you decide to do this.
Having set up 4 shops, I wish i had a list like this for the first 2
Here's the list broken down into steps.
#1 have product. I'm assuming you already have this
#2 take awesome pictures of said product, search the Etsy forums, there's tons of awesome advice. there
#3 Use one of these pics as your avatar and write yourself a profile, shop policies, announcement. again, there's tons of advice about that in the fora as well.
#4 look up shipping. if you are in the US, go to postalcalc.usps.gov, and find the pricing for 1 oz, 2 oz, etc (use whatever weights you will be using) to the US, Canada, mexico, and austrailia to start, you can add more later.
#5 make shipping profiles with the shipping information you just gleaned For more on shipping, there is a really good thread started in business topics about the subject, (written by GoTo) here's the shipping thread
#6 read up on SEO, basically, you want the beginning of your announcement, your "shop title" (or the words under your shop name) your titles, tags, and beginnings of your descriptions to be descriptive of what you sell, again. This is SEO at it's most basic.
#7 Start listing! make sure your tags are accurate, your descriptions are descriptive, etc.
The reason I say listing last is because you want everything else in place first, I made the mistake of not having it in place.
Having set up 4 shops, I wish i had a list like this for the first 2
Here's the list broken down into steps.
#1 have product. I'm assuming you already have this
#2 take awesome pictures of said product, search the Etsy forums, there's tons of awesome advice. there
#3 Use one of these pics as your avatar and write yourself a profile, shop policies, announcement. again, there's tons of advice about that in the fora as well.
#4 look up shipping. if you are in the US, go to postalcalc.usps.gov, and find the pricing for 1 oz, 2 oz, etc (use whatever weights you will be using) to the US, Canada, mexico, and austrailia to start, you can add more later.
#5 make shipping profiles with the shipping information you just gleaned For more on shipping, there is a really good thread started in business topics about the subject, (written by GoTo) here's the shipping thread
#6 read up on SEO, basically, you want the beginning of your announcement, your "shop title" (or the words under your shop name) your titles, tags, and beginnings of your descriptions to be descriptive of what you sell, again. This is SEO at it's most basic.
#7 Start listing! make sure your tags are accurate, your descriptions are descriptive, etc.
The reason I say listing last is because you want everything else in place first, I made the mistake of not having it in place.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Interesting Story About Perceived Value
Perceived value is a real thing-seriously!
In the area where I live, the vast majority of people are hunters, gun shops are big business, and 2 out of 3 Walmarts have rifles.
But half of the hunters will not buy a NEW rifle at walmart for $200-$300.
They will go to the gun shop and buy a used rifle (same rifle, same manufacturer) for $300-$400 or a new one for $500 and up!
There are several gun shop owners I am friendly with. And I learned that sometimes they need a rifle fast. the customer wants a specific rifle that can be found at walmart, but will not buy "that cheap crap"
So what does the gun shop owner do?
He goes to walmart, buys the rifle, and sells it to the customer at the price they are expecting.
And the customer is happy!!!
In the area where I live, the vast majority of people are hunters, gun shops are big business, and 2 out of 3 Walmarts have rifles.
But half of the hunters will not buy a NEW rifle at walmart for $200-$300.
They will go to the gun shop and buy a used rifle (same rifle, same manufacturer) for $300-$400 or a new one for $500 and up!
There are several gun shop owners I am friendly with. And I learned that sometimes they need a rifle fast. the customer wants a specific rifle that can be found at walmart, but will not buy "that cheap crap"
So what does the gun shop owner do?
He goes to walmart, buys the rifle, and sells it to the customer at the price they are expecting.
And the customer is happy!!!
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