I splurged

I just bought myself this incredible doll from Christy Sexton. http://www.dollsanddeadthings.com/

She had a holiday sale that might still be going on. I have wanted this doll since I first found it on the internet and lo and behold, not only does she have a huge sale, but my doll is available. Now to decide if I am going to use it for Christmas decoration or wrap it under the tree for me!

sale!!!

I am having a sale in my Etsy shop. 10% any item in my shop http://raven.etsy.com
Use coupon word 1234567 in the comments.

a few thoughts

I was reading someone else's blog, sorry I can't remember whose but she had this to say " I have come to realize that my art will never please everyone so the only person it has to really please is me". I used to always think of how to make things that everyone will love and want to buy. Now I have the attitude that the fun is in the making, not really in the selling. I think I came to realize that during the show last weekend. There were so many people who would stand at the edge of my booth, not acknowledge my hello and literally turn their noses up and go to the next booth. It used to be that would have hurt me a lot, I was so thin skinned. I am finally at a place in my life where I know it is ok if no one else gets my work. It is always great to get compliments and encouragement which do help motivate me to continue when my muse doesn't want to play. It is nice to finally accept that I enjoy being challenged (by myself) to stretch myself as an artist and to want to continue to learn new things, even if no one else gets "it"!

A Wonderful Show

I have decided to only do local shows, ones I can drive to and from with no overnight stays. So I am entering some shows that I have never heard of before. I was in one Friday and Saturday that was new to me. The shows organizers were wonderful. The show ran very smoothly. It was Christmas in Central Park in Cumming, Ga. There were 2 rooms of vendors with very a nice variety of wares. I was the only fiber artist there, I think. I did very well, best show of this year. I taught so many new people about felting, I even picked up enough people to have a class. I meet lots of really nice people who keep telling others about my booth and I totally sold out of felted soap the first day. People came back asking about it the next day. I handed out lots of cards and hope to get some orders. Best part of the day was at the end of the show. The person who ran the show, came to my booth and awarded me a blue ribbon for best in show! I was so surprised, I think I just stood there with my mouth open. What a much needed ego boost! Thanks to everyone at the show or involved with the show.

cranberry salsa or sauce

This is a recipe that I made up for Thanksgiving cranberries. I hate the canned stuff though lots of people love it. Here is my version.
2 bags of fresh cransberris
1 orange
zest of orange
Cilantro (if you want it, some people don't like it)
Orange juice
Jalapeno peppers, the more you stir into the mixture the hotter it will be so taste test as you go
1 teaspoon of sugar

Put the washed cranberries into a chopper or a food processer. You want chunks of berries not sludge or liquid. Add the cilantro and chop it up with the berries.
Take the zest of an orange, add more or less as you like it, I use the zest of an entire orange.
Put all these chopped up ingredients into a bowl.
Chop up at least 2 jalapeno peppers
Add to bowl and stir.
Add sugar and if the mix is too dry, add some orange juice until the mixture is well blended but not runny.
I love this recipe because it uses no cooking and you keep all the nutrients in the salsa.
Enjoy

feeling funky

For the last few weeks I have not felt well, I sure hope it isn't a sinus infection but it might be. Shortness of breath, constant headache and weepy eyes all the time. I even have trouble seeing to drive. So this has totally shut down my creativity. I just don't feel like doing anything. Unfortuantly I have a show this weekend and I have been told it is a big show. I have enough inventory but would definitely like to have more. Just the thought of laying out a felt scarf makes me tired. Think good thoughts for me as I fight to get over this. If not better, I will go to the Dr. after the show.

An Interesting Discovery

I just found out that a local newspaper picked up my blog and quoted part of it. I am fine with that but it really surprised me. Luckily it was an entry that was good for a local company. I guess search engines can find anything. Shows that anything you post on the internet is not really yours anymore once you hit publish. Of course they were nice enough to point people to my blog so it was win win for everyone.

even worse than I thought

So my first knitting class is over. It is in a big room in the middle of the store and I can't count all those stitches with every talking. Had to take mine apart 3 times. I had taught myself how to cast on all wrong so that was the first thing I had to learn. Soon the 2 hour class was over. I got to knit alot today and somehow I kept adding a stitch. Have ripped it out but saved rows of stitchs so I haven't lost everything I have done. Now I have a cramp in my thumb so am going to make myself take a break. If it gets better, I will post my progress here. Wish me luck!

a new adventure

Tonight I take my first beginners knitting class. I can already knit a little but I can't read patters and that is what I want to do. Don't think I want to ever make socks or a sweater, just the basics. I hope to take the beginners crochet class next. This is a reality new shop in Cumming, Ga. It is called Fleece. The shop is small but jammed packed with some very interesting yarns. I hate to drive after dark but since I am familar with the area, well I will give it a try. There are classes on Sat. morning but I have too many shows to take that. Anyway, everyone wish me luck. Here comes Miss Clumsy.