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/