Category: crafts

Well, not sure what I’ve gotten myself into this time, but I’ve signed up for a booth at the Indie Craft Experience in November. I love this event and am excited to be a part of it, but I think it may take up quite a bit of time between now and November. Does anyone remember the Lloyd Dobler quote below? Loved that movie. I always think of this when, at 37, I am still trying to figure out what to do with my career.

“I don’t want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don’t want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don’t want to do that.”

That’s pretty much how I feel. But where does that leave you?

Anyway, we decided to do the Indie Craft Experience because my daughter wants to make money to buy these Calico Critters that she’s been collecting lately, so I suggested that we sell her designs again (like we did here). This year both kids will get in on the act and we’ll be making a variety of different products with the girls’ designs on them. In fact, I’m not even sure what exactly we’ll be selling! But it’ll be great and a good lesson for my little entrepreneurs. Except that they’ll sell their stuff for 10 minutes, hit the vegan cupcake stand and hightail it home with their dad and a new handmade doll. Luckily, I’ll have some help with my trusty former intern Erin, who will be selling some of her own creations.

I’ll definitely show things as I’m making them so you can see what we’re up to. The girls have already made some interesting drawings that are waiting to be made into softies, pillows, totes and tees.

Like many of you, I’ve been thinking about the Gulf Coast lately. Growing up in Alabama, I spent many vacations there and for the past five years or so our family has made an annual visit to St. George Island, a pristine barrier island in the Apalachicola Bay area. This island is home to many amazing species of birds and wildlife and it’s sad to think about these beautiful areas being damaged by the spill. I feel that we’re all culpable to an extent due to our dependence on oil (I drove my car 8 miles already today), but I’m sickened by the oil industry’s seeming lack of regard for our earth. Anyway, you can visit the National Audubon’s Society website to help the birds affected by the oil spill.

I put together this seashell shadow box with some shells collected from the the beach last year. These are coquina shells that are shaped like little butterflies. I used a shadow box and hot glue to adhere them to the fabric, but I think a tacky glue or epoxy might be a better choice if adhering your shells to a hard surface.

A note about my shells: I found these on the beach after the animals had left them. It’s important to note that you probably shouldn’t ever buy shells because you can’t be sure about how they were gathered.