What I made today

Ok, so to be honest,it's what I made today and yesterday. Mostly yesterday, I just ran out of light to photograph.

I was inspired by this post by Wren Handmade, guest blogging on Design*Sponge, to make fabric yo-yos. I actually made a bunch for a recent sweater design which I can't show yet, but here are some that I grouped together for a necklace. The pink fabric is from a vintage slip and the striped is a yummy silk taffeta. I like adding tiny buttons, especially in groups of three, to spice things up. I pulled out all the stops here, using buttons and fabric I've been hanging onto for a long time, but I'm glad, because it makes the new pieces feel like little treasure chests.

This post by Love Forever, along with the latest Anthropologie catalog showing(see necklaces below) inspired me to make my own version of a collar necklace.

Bit's of lace, many buttons, knit coral, chain, a locket, beads, yo-yo, embroidery... so again, a treasure trove of things I had lying around just waiting for a home.... all atop a piece of wool felt tied with vintage, silk seam binding.

Check out the awesome sloppy seems on the curtain I made! SO obvious with the sun behind them. I'm just not a perfectionist when it comes to sewing. I get started and blaze on through like a tornado. It's a little silly, but usually if you see me sewing, I'm procrastinating. Any "tiny sewing project" quickly turns into a major undertaking, so I just want to "Get er done!"

Also, here's a little buddy who'll be joining me at the flea market tomorrow. I found his unfinished form when moving into my studio, so I decided to finish him... or her? Her legs are quite long. Perfect for hopping!

Life...

In my new studio...

Clipboard inspiration boards. I think I'll hang three more, since you just have the clip on the top, it limits how much you can hang on each without covering up what you want to see. I kind of like that though, because I tend to veer from the minimalist pursuasion and it's nice here to have less.

Figs, goat cheese and honey for lunch 

It's nice to have time for frothed milk in my iced coffee...

New Office, New Job

Well sort of. It's more like the same "job" I''ve had all along, just more of it!

This month I've decided to take myself a bit more seriously. That is, what I make, sell, design, build, think... etc. The great thing is that I now have a beautiful room to do it in! Finally!! The biggest challenge is to do the administrative, computery things that actually make the dollars. Like, I need to make a new business card, I need to find new stores to carry my work, I need to post more on ETSY, but I also need to think of new things to make!

As a maker or more speciffically, a seller of handmade things, I often get stuck in a rut. It's important to clarify because I find there's no shortage of creativity for home/personal projects, perhaps because they are a wonderful source of procrastination, but it's different thinking about things to sell. I want everything to be special and one of a kind because I feel it's important, yet, I also don't want to slave away on each item so I can sell it for a reasonable price. (Note to buyers of handmade things: please don't haggle! We crafters already WAY undersell and while we'll probably agree, that two or three dollars you save directly translates to one can of beans we then can't afford to buy. It's not like we have 401k or anything here!) While I want each item to be unique, I also want them to be similar enough to fit into my overall aesthetic or brand. And then there are the things that just always sell well not matter what... but I get tired of making them!

I didn't go to business school. I don't know the "rules" for making major dollars (obviously) but I do know this: my best selling days occur when I am actually inspired. When I've had a great week of making and bring to the table, literally, new and never before seen products that excite me. Sometimes I halfheartedly make and think, "Oh, there's totally a girl who would buy this." And maybe she does. But the best is when I finish something and love it so much that I almost don't want to sell it. Then I get the customer who paces by the table three times, has obvious exclamation points at the end of their sentences and look SO giddy tucking their new thing into their bag. The whole day of selling can be just about that.

I have to remind myself, constantly, about this. To stick to my guns and invest in myself. To sit and really think about what I would like and then make it, because that is what people buy. Not that I have some amazing product that the world couldn't live without. Not that I'm some authority on fashion or anything and I think people should listen to me. I just think our minds have certain tendencies for a reason. Crafting and making comes so naturally to me that I forget other people are not as inclined or capable. I don't want to sound proud or braggy, I just think there's a time in your life where you have to claim your expertise and roll with it. I'm tired of being caught in my own personal inner limbo between wanting a much easier, "real" job and what I know to be true of myself... that I can do this.

Bureau before

Bureau After

Wall before

Getting organized is a little messy!

Elfa Shelves!!

A whole box just for sticky stuff!

Louis helps

L.L. Bean is in my blood

When you're from Maine, it's pretty much a given that you'll own at least one piece of clothing or tote bag from L.L. Bean in your lifetime. Most people have more than that, myself included. The clothes don't really fit my preferred 'look' but I'm proud to sport their boots, bags and long underwear.  With each year that passes in my life here in Brooklyn, I strangely feel more and more like a Mainer! I keep finding that I need more outdoor gear (especially when dealing with the elements at the Flea market) like rain coats & boots, toe warmers, snow boots and long underwear, so I've been checking in with good ol L.L. more than I ever used to.  

Sure, I could probably find some rainboots here in NY and a rain coat, but you know what? I don't trust them as much. (*disclaimer* I'm am aware that there are other reputable outdoor retailers besides L.L. Bean) Once I bought a cute pair of rainboots from Marc Jacobs, which were super, super cute, but only lasted a few weeks before getting holes! If that happened at Beans, you could march right back and get a brand new pair, or something else, no questions asked. They have great customer service, which I'd like to reward with my patronage and I really like being able to visit the store with my Mom  at all hours of the night! So, from now on I plan look there first and if I can work it into my 'look', I'm going for it!

I was quite surprised at how many things I found today! I just wanted some new rain boots!

Yes folks, there is a skort up there, I can't believe it!! And even though I'm not much of a camper, yet, I found all kinds of cute gear, mainly that rad orange stove! I didn't add this picnic tote bag because it looks so much like their well known canvas totes, but instead it's an insulated cooler! So great, since coolers are usually so uggers!

I love MAINE!

Rainy Day Obsession: Headboards

So it's a rainy day and I should really be resting because I've got a cold and need to get better fast but all I can think about is where I'd rather be resting and searching for headboards of my dreams... I mean... le *sigh

Grahm and Green

Little Purl of the Orient

Apartment Therapy

Part of me thinks I could totally rock this...

Ebay!!

As seen on decor8

Loving Maine

Onrej, longing for Maine...Over the holidays, I was fortunate to be able spend two weeks away from New York, at home in Maine. I had to bring work home with me and as a result, couldn't justify taking any big adventures. I'll be the first to admit that there were definitely a few stir crazy days. For the most part though, I enjoyed the relaxing time hanging out with my mom and running into people at the local cafe.  I did a little flea market shopping, visited long lost pals, picked up a new craft (needle felting!!) and astonishingly, without even intending to,  stopped my terrible nail biting habit!! We'll see how long I can last back in the stressful environment of the city, but so far so good. Three weeks and counting!! I can hardly even believe it. I wish I could say it was my new year resolution and take credit... but I don't even know how it happened! Something about the Maine air must have done it, or perhaps the lack of stress or need to get anywhere... what ever the reason, I sure am thankful!

One of the most fun part of my trip was seeing my mom get excited about needle felting. I had picked up a little felted animals book on one of my last days home to show her and she quickly bought it for me and herself. Then on Sunday, my last day home, when most stores close early or aren't even open, she decided to call around to see who could outfit us with all the supplies. She found a place and quickly we were off. That night we sat at the table, felting our cute little penguins together, while my mom also transferred her cds to her computer and practiced taking pictures with her new digital camera. It was fun and really reminded me of being a kid on Christmas vacation, staying up late, playing with the new favorite toy and enjoying the not-so-eventful aspects of family. I can visualize a night years ago, of my mom, gram and I sitting at the very same table, under the very same light. I was definitely testing out the hot curlers I had gotten for Christmas, but other than that I have no idea what else we were doing.  Oddly, there tended to be a lot of solitaire playing at Christmastime... so that could have been it... I guess that wasn't the important part, or my brain would have remembered it.

Whenever I come back to the city I'm reminded how much I like Maine and this time was no different. I did however, make a few concrete observations that I wanted to put on a list, of why I love Maine:

1. It's quiet
2. Wherever I go, I seem to run into someone I know and that feels nice.
3. There are a lot of trees everywhere and it smells good.
4. At any given moment, no matter where you are (well, maybe not the mall) it seems like there are less than 70 people around you... usually waaaaay less.
5. Tough laws for the better good: No smoking in your car with children under 16 & police are now allowed to pull people over for not wearing seat-belts.
6. The Maine accent: it's a wicked good one

There's definitely more to come!