Disapointing Shows

Last 2 shows have been very disappointing. Minimal sales. We set up this week for an indoor craft show. Some sales today. Hope things pick up. We have some big shows coming up next month. After that, I'm going to try some new items and media to work with.

Anyone every heard of locker hooking? It's kind of like crocheting with fabric on a latch hook base. I've been practicing and I think I'm going to like it. When I get a decent project done I will post some pics. If anyone has tried this I would be interested in your comments.

I also picked up some scenic designs that I am going to machine embroider on wood and mount. I've seen some of these. Very unique.

Well, that's all for now.

I Love This Time of Year

I love the fall and winter seasons (especially here in Southern CA). Warm days, cool nights, occasional rain. We have gone from 66 degrees yesterday to 87 degrees today. We have a craft show on Saturday. Expected to be over 90. Last year when we did this show I was miserable it was so hot. So, this year I paid a little extra and got a patio spot. Boy am I glad.

Don and I have been busy making pens, pins, blankets, coasters, ornaments, you name it. Little else is getting done. We have about 8 shows through the first week of December.

Don got to pick up his entry in the LA County Fair. He won 1st place and also won Judges Award for Merit. Don't know how he is going to top that next year.

Well, hope everyone is well. Going back to finsh some blankets and stethoscope covers tonight.

We Have a Winner!

It's official. Don's entry of the Rose window from Notre Dame Cathedral in the woodworking (scroll saw) category at the Los Angeles County Fair won 1st prize. There is a fancier blue ribbon next to it but we haven't been able to find out if that is for his entry as well. We think so. We are going to the Fair tomorrow (well, I guess technically today) to check it out. Here is a picture one of our friends took when they visited. This was his first ever entry in a contest, let alone a large one like the Fair. We're so proud.

Pics of New Projects

Don completed the pen. It is made out of walnut and maple with a center band of white corian.

I finished a number of stethoscope covers.

(Felt ornaments need to be turned and stuffed. Hope to have them up tomorrow.)

Another Hot Week!

It's been over 100 here for days. Have to get all the errands done in the mornings. I tease Don because his workshop is in the garage. I tell him I got the prime location because I have the air conditioning.

Anyway, this week he is working on a segmented pen. He puts mutliple types of wood together in a design or pattern. So far, the pieces look great. Can't wait to see how it comes out. I'm working on a couple of new items for our craft shows and Artfire store, felt Christmas ornaments made entirely in the embroidery hoop (except for the stuffing part). Gingerbread man, angel and snowman are the cutest! The other item is one suggested by a craft show shopper. She was looking for stethocope covers. Me, being a retired RN, thought what a great idea. I will have pics of the new items tomorrow so be watching.

While I'm working away, take a look at some of the great jewelry at this shop. Here is just one of her gorgeous items. http://www.artfire.com/users/Annrose

Are you ready for fall?

School starts this week for our youngest grandson. He's not too happy about it since they revised the school schedule here and they had a very short summer vacation. He is also starting a new school (going to Jr High).

Weather in So CA has been a little East coast-like. Warm and humid. I miss the cool evenings when we could turn off the air conditioner and open the house. Maybe tonight.

Craft show is over and Don and I are going to tear down the booth today. Sales were good but unfortunately we had at least one item stolen (a $45 pen Don had on display). That happened the 1st day and the host of the event let us move his pens up by the check out stand. It's sad people feel they can just take what is not theirs. Don is thinking about other items he can make to sell at these shows where we are not at the booth all the time and save the pens for when we do our other shows.

Well, off to pick up our stuff. Hope everyone has a GREAT week and has some time to check out this featured artisan. She has some great work!

http://www.artfire.com/users/twitterbird

Busy, busy, busy!

Well, Don and I have been busy working on items for our upcoming craft shows. I can't believe the holdiay season is upon us already. Don got some new Dymondwood (multi-color wood) and he's experimenting with new wood jewlery items. We have a couple done for our craft show this week so well see how they go. I have been fininshing an order for several items for baby shower with a monkey theme as well as building inventory for the shows, new aprons, coasters and I embroidred some Halloween themes on screen (like for screen doors) and put them in frames painted orange. The dark screen against the orange frame looks pretty. We set up at the craft show yesterday and I hung them on the side of the display. I forgot to take pictures before we set up but I will take some tomorrow when I work at the show and post.

Don't forget the "Where's Waldo" contest from the Artfire Guild "Shops With Less Than 10 Sales". Lots of great Waldo items. Check out the rules and neat prize here:

http://shopswithlesssalesartfire.blogspot.com/

Anyone Ready for Fall?

Fall is just around the corner. Can't believe we are already in August. Don and I are getting ready for a craft show in a couple of weeks. The theme in Halloween and fall. I started making Halloween coasters and some danglers (skeleton and witch). As soon as I get time I will post some pictures. Bought fabric for the fall aprons. I just love all the oranges, browns, red and gold in the fall (not that we get to see much of those natural colors in southern CA). Now if it would only start cooling off like it were fall.

Don't forget to check out the featured artisian: http://bragginrights.artfire.com
She has some cute crocheted items.

Well, it's off to work.

Where's Waldo?

Only a few days left to look for Waldo. Lots of really neat Waldos to look at. Check out the info, rules and prize on our Guild blog.

http://shopswithlesssalesartfire.blogspot.com

Summer is Here!

Well, it is summer here in Southern CA. Temps over 100 for days now. We've also got humidty (like the East coasters) which makes it even worse.

We particiapted last week in the Changing Seasons Craft Show. Met new crafters and had a fairly successful show. Next one is mid August and the theme is Halloween and Thanksgiving (already???). I have to get busy on those items so that means fabric shopping, YEAH!

I have included some pictures from our most recent show. A new set up for us. Still some tweaking to do.

Would also like to have you take a look at a couple of great artisians. They have some really neat items.

http://www.artfire.com/users/jewelrybyFyfe

http://www.artfire.com/users/AndreaDesigns

Check Out These Great Shops

Two very talented ladies are featured by their Guilds on Artfire right now. Take few minutes to check out their shops. Some really cute items. Here are a couple of my favorites.

http://www.artfire.com/users/franciebagsetc

http://www.artfire.com/users/Beadlady5

County Fair Entry

Well, it's official. Don submitted his entry form and next week we take the trivet to the Fairplex fairgrounds. He patiently made 197 cuts in this trivet that is a replica of the Rose Window at Notre Dame. The trivet is made from corian and the frame has a stone texture. Here is a pic of his work and the real thing.

We will keep you posted on how it goes. The fair doesn't start until September.

Great Weekend

Had some fun with family and got a little work done too. The move of my work area is about 75% complete. Lots of organizing to do but we were able to stitch out some cute monkey designs for a blanket we are working on.

This week will be jam packed as we get ready for the craft show next week and Don finishes his entry for the LA County Fair. I will be concentrating on getting several blankets and blankies finished.

We have decided to close our Etsy shop (http://janonpensandneedles.etsy.com). Views have dropped off considerably since they made changes related to searches. We will be offering FREE SHIPPING on all purchases. Expect to close the shop by the end of July and will focus our time and post new items in our Arfire shop (http://onpensandneedles.artfire.com). Views there have picked up.

Well, off to work I go but check out some of the great work done here

http://www.artfire.com/users/soyscentual
http://www.artfire.com/users/origamibysisi

New Featured Artfire Shops

Here is the Artfire shop featured 7/1 - 7/3 by "Shops With Less Than Five (5) Sales" Guild. Let's show some support!! She has some great looking items (and she's a fellow Californian).

http://www.artfire.com/users/nothingbutstring

Another Busy Week

I thought the summer was suppose to be relaxing. So far it's been pretty busy. Don is putting the finishing touches on a trivet that he made on his scroll saw. He used a pattern of the Rose window at Notre Dame Cathedral. He cut it out of white corian (like the countertop). 197 cuts. It's beautiful. He is going to enter it in the Los Angeles County Fair. When he completes the frame and background I'll add a picture.

I am moving my work area into a new room (bigger and brighter). Can't wait for the extra space. I know I'll fill it up. Also finishing an ad to go in the BHR Artisian Directory and application and pictures for a large craft show in November. It is well know in the community and fills up fast.

Don't forget to check out the featured site on the Artfire Crazy Train

http://www.artfire.com/users/BacisCreations

This Weeks Schedule

The craft show is over and we hit our goal of sales equaling at least 3 times the booth fee. Did some networking while we were there and recieved leads on other indoor craft shows/boutiques like this one. There is at least 1 every month and starting in October there are 1 - 2 every week. I've already signed up for the July and August events. We also have the 2nd Ave Market this Thursday in Upland, CA. This will be our last until the fall. Temp on Thursday will be 86.

I'm completing some aprons for a woman that runs a daycare. Really cute fabric. Each worker has 2 different aprons, one pink and one green (I'll post pictures when they are done). In order to easily tell whose apron is whose, I've made the pockets on their pink and green aprons the same so they can easily pick out their apron.

While I'm sewing the aprons I will have the embroidery machine going to add some designs to other aprons I've done.

Well, guess I'd better get busy.

Well, we set up for the For Every Season Craft Show today. Over 85 vendors. Some with quite elaborate set ups. First time we have participated in this type of event. We usually use our 10x10 EZUp, 3 tables and a couple of gridwall set ups. This time we have a 4x6 spot. I didn't realize how small that was. Used just about every inch. Still some tweaking to do when we go back for the start of the show on Wed. (Need to arrange the pins better on the pegboard. )

We've got 2 new sites being featured on Artfire. Take a look at their great shops!

http://www.artfire.com/users/vabeachquilter
http://www.artfire.com/users/designsbypatriciahall

Support and shop handmade!!

Crazy Train Featured Artisian

Take a look at this shop, but be forwarned, it's gonna make you hungry. Also, don't forget to visit, support and tell your friends about both of the featured shops.

http://www.artfire.com/users/kickinskreations

http://www.artfire.com/users/GottBeads

Gotta go for now. Lots of work to be done getting ready for the craft show. If you are in Southern CA, (see previous post for information). Hope to see you there. Jan

Support for Artisians

There are a couple of Artfire Guilds that help shops get more visability and hopefully increase sales. These are the current featured shops. Take a look at some of their items. You might find something you like. Feel free to share with your friends.

http://www.artfire.com/users/fr8rain (corrected the link)

http://www.artfire.com/users/GottBeads

Support handmade!!!!

Getting Ready

We have a big craft show coming up in 10 days. Lots of work to do. This type is new for us. You set up and folks take your items to a central check out to purchase. You don't have to be at the event. It runs for 5 days. Don will be busy constructing our new display for the event and I'm sewing aprons, baby "Blankies" and embroidering coin purses, etc. I'll post some pictures of the event later. I'm going to try to post the flyer information about the event but just in case that doesn't work, here it is:

"For Every Season" Arts and Crafts Show June 17-21(Wed-Fri 10-8, Sat 10-6, Sun 10-4)
11140 Magnolia Ave
Riverside, CA

Welcome

Welcome to On Pens and Needles blog. Don and I enjoy working on our hobbies of woodworking and embroidery/sewing (sometimes combinding them). We would like to share some our experiences and learn from some of you. In the near future will post some of our completed work. Look forward to hearing from you.