tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75655873217407894042024-03-13T06:22:24.237-04:00Crafty Bee-YotchJewelry, Clothing and Junk... OH MY!
I like to make stuff.
Lots and lots of it!
This is the story of the stuff... that I built!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-91158975832523609812011-04-03T13:53:00.004-04:002011-04-03T14:36:02.191-04:00Where did all the street markets go?Last year was my first journey into craft shows.<br /><br />I only did two shows & half of the experience was good (with the other half being awful).<br /><br />I'm toying with the idea of doing the <a href="http://thebigcrafty.com">Big Crafty</a> again, but at the same time I thought I'd try out some of the smaller/slower paced markets.<br /><br />It's been tough to find any local shows... a quick search gave me just two options; The Big Crafty & <a href="http://2ndsaturday.blogspot.com/">Asheville 2nd Saturday</a>.<br /><br />There used to be at <a href="http://ashevillestreetmarkets.blogspot.com/">least 3 others</a>... small, monthly & bi-monthly markets with just a few vendors.<br />I saw on one site that vendor participation was low. This doesn't surprise me. A while back I tried to get a group together for a yearly or twice-a-year show and initial interest was high, but we never made it past the first meeting.<br /><br />So I understand that a great idea just fizzles out (especially due to lack of volunteers, funds & participation). I'm glad that there are a few still available. But I do mourn the little indie shows of the past.<br /><br />Any one know of any others?Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-60503838892092602272011-01-29T14:27:00.003-05:002011-01-29T14:42:38.001-05:00Organized!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TURtp0CZkiI/AAAAAAAAAdc/nrjahfDax2c/s1600/todoimage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 309px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TURtp0CZkiI/AAAAAAAAAdc/nrjahfDax2c/s320/todoimage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567695604447547938" /></a><br /><br />First off... I'm not dead. <br /><br />While working on bags & wallets for the Big Crafty, I realized that my space was far from efficient. In fact, it was chaos. <br />I took a few weeks off after the show to relax, but since then I've been taking apart and reorganizing my crafty space. <br /><br />So I've spent the last month re-doing it all.<br /><br />And I'm almost ready for the big reveal. I'm gonna finish some stuff up this weekend and <span style="font-style:italic;">SHAZAM!</span> All done!<br /><br />This is all I'm revealing for now, but I would like to share a link I found while organizing... it's a <a href="http://goodwolve.blogs.com/moxieworks/2010/02/20-years-of-getting-it-done.html">beautiful to-do list</a>! There is so much going on in this prinitable list... I don't know how someone COULDN'T use it to organize.<br /><br />Good luck with the list and I will see you soon!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-125215640396547712010-11-03T19:06:00.003-04:002010-11-03T19:24:39.735-04:00What's Up Wednesdays :: Hell Yeah!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TNHu8IjKJzI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/KMmdlVBe994/s1600/bigcraftyredgirl.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TNHu8IjKJzI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/KMmdlVBe994/s200/bigcraftyredgirl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535468133869561650" /></a><br />I have been sewing like crazy!<br /><br />I have piles on my table and slowly, I'm getting it all sewn (almost everything takes at least an hour to sew).<br /><br />And I found out on Sunday that these piles are just the beginning.<br /><br />I wasn't sure I had make the cut, especially since I heard of many others getting their approval and I hadn't heard squat... but my big news this week is I was accepted in to <a href="http://www.thebigcrafty.com/">The Big Crafty</a>!<br /><br />Hell yeah!<br /><br />It is the winter show and it's in about 5 weeks.<br /><br />This is my current holy grail... I tried to get in last year and it was a no-go. But in my <a href="http://mranaedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/10/bummer-dude.html">blog post</a> I mentioned that it was a good thing, mainly because I wasn't ready.<br /><br />Now... I'm more ready than I have ever been. I've only done one show as of this post (and one more by Dec. 5th, Big Crafty Day). It's not perfect, but in comparison to last year, I'm head & shoulders above my former self. <br /><br />So this is scary/exciting.<br /><br />I better get back to my piles, because after this weekend's show I have only four more weeks to sew & build up my inventory.<br /><br />Hell yeah!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-31229920782275769122010-10-13T22:48:00.003-04:002010-10-13T22:56:55.708-04:00What's Up Wednesdays :: In PreparationI haven't posted in a while mainly because I was off to Nebraska for my brother's wedding.<br /><br />Now that I'm back, I'm getting ready for another craft show. <br /><br />This time, I have a two day show November 6-7th.<br /><br />So I'm gearing up & getting stuff cut, sewn & labeled so I have enough inventory. I'm also presenting a new item at the show, so I want to have a few samples for sale.<br /><br />I'm also spending money! I recently got more business cards and I'm gonna purchase a bigger & better bag display for this show. I had a decent display last time, but since I mainly make bags I figured I better put my best foot forward.<br /><br />I will be very busy for a while, but I will try to post more often... now that I'm home & in the craft room.<br /><br />P.S., I'm still waiting to hear back from The Big Crafty... I know some have already received their acceptance... I'm sure I will be waiting up until the last moment. Sigh...Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-26952889300912406222010-09-06T19:08:00.005-04:002010-09-06T19:23:30.466-04:00Mediocre Mondays :: The Beauty of Celery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TIV2W492XKI/AAAAAAAAAdI/NXNDev1fejU/s1600/celery.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TIV2W492XKI/AAAAAAAAAdI/NXNDev1fejU/s400/celery.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513943454406040738" /></a><br /><blockquote>Just celery. This has nothing to do with crafts... I just thought it was beautiful.</blockquote>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-90074252310572995132010-09-03T19:34:00.006-04:002010-09-03T20:00:53.601-04:00"Fan of" CatzillaCrafts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TIGHzvPsHyI/AAAAAAAAAdA/9ueZpV7o5Bk/s1600/catzillacactus"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TIGHzvPsHyI/AAAAAAAAAdA/9ueZpV7o5Bk/s400/catzillacactus" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512836741803548450" /></a><br /><br />This week I want to brag about <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatzillaCrafts?ref=top_trail">CatzillaCrafts</a>. I admired her stuff online for a while, but a few months back I was able to see her awesome crocheted cacti in person! <br />Needless to say, I was weak in the knees and I went home with a cute cactus (featuring an even cuter pink flower).<br /><br />Her Etsy shop is full of many other things besides cacti. There are many plushies (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/37406139/new-crocheted-amigurumi-grey-owl">owls</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50409538/new-centi-cat-pillow">cats</a> & other <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/54383091/brain-slug-crocheted-amigurumi?ref=v1_other_2">creatures</a>), <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55330603/new-flavororganic-catnip-one-donut">cat toys</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/37972078/new-love-stinks-j-geils-band-record-bowl">record bowls</a> & <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/51207544/best-friends-forever">purses</a>.<br /><br />She also offers crochet <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatzillaCrafts?section_id=5422007">patterns</a>. All of it is wonderful and I'm looking forward to buying some more goodies.<br /><br />CatzillaCrafts has been selling on <a href="http://ww.etsy.com">Etsy</a> for years and her patterns have been featured in magazines and will be seen in an upcoming book.<br /><br />Please go to her shop, look around... enjoy the desert scenery... and buy me another cactus. They are super affordable, so you can always buy yourself one too!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-47478432531719106972010-09-01T21:16:00.006-04:002010-09-01T21:44:59.861-04:00What's Up Wednesdays :: The Takeover<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TH77NMrKbhI/AAAAAAAAAcg/wlqAoCZQuxI/s1600/newroom1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TH77NMrKbhI/AAAAAAAAAcg/wlqAoCZQuxI/s400/newroom1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512119198107201042" /></a><br /><br />Recently I rearranged my room. The last time, I was just in <a href="http://mranaedesigns.blogspot.com/2008/09/craft-room-overhaul-before-pics.html">one corner</a> and I expanded to <a href="http://mranaedesigns.blogspot.com/2008/10/finished-craft-room-yay.html">half the room</a>. This time I concurred the entire room!<br /><br />And I had to... the half of the room I was using became messier as <a href="http://www.mranaedesigns.com">m. ranae</a> got busier.<br /><br />I added <a href="http://mranaedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/12/ive-gotta-table-ive-gotta-table-hey-hey.html">another table</a> to lay things out. The two tables were centered in the room and I spaced everything else around them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TH7-0gLXm-I/AAAAAAAAAco/z1l6G4c7bWw/s1600/newroom3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TH7-0gLXm-I/AAAAAAAAAco/z1l6G4c7bWw/s400/newroom3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512123171892337634" /></a><br /><br />I added two shelves I bought from Ikea (<a href="http://www.ikea.com">I HEART IKEA!</a>). I used these to sort my fabrics... I finally have enough of a fabric stash to sort them by color.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TH7_d0xr9OI/AAAAAAAAAc4/9QzHuwVgsWk/s1600/newroom4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TH7_d0xr9OI/AAAAAAAAAc4/9QzHuwVgsWk/s400/newroom4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512123881796400354" /></a><br /><br />I also scored some great deals at Goodwill, Dollar Tree and Dollar General for bins, drawers & baskets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TH7_Sv3qS1I/AAAAAAAAAcw/xgGzuoeT7JA/s1600/newroom2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TH7_Sv3qS1I/AAAAAAAAAcw/xgGzuoeT7JA/s400/newroom2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512123691500718930" /></a><br /><br />I keep all "office" related stuff on one side of the room and supplies & such on the other side.<br /><br />I am still having trouble finding where I put everything, but it's so much roomier and I'm able to spread out and work more efficiently.<br /><br />So now that I've taken over most of the east wing of my house, I need to start planning how I'm gonna take over the world (one handmade bag at a time).Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-64111315994185135882010-08-26T21:30:00.005-04:002010-08-26T21:42:14.859-04:00Time-Traveling Thursday :: Hair FailI was thirteen and curly. On my head was hair that most people told me I was “blessed” to have.<br /><br />Sure, curly hair can be beautiful, but it’s a helluva lot easier to curl straight hair than straighten curly hair. <br /><br />My 13-year-old attempts to straighten my hair worked, but it was still frizzy. I needed a solution. I had no money. And my mother wasn’t gonna pony-up cash for expensive creams or treatments. <br /><br />“I’m crafty and creative,” I told myself. “I can find a solution,” I told myself. <br />And one day, I figured it out... or so I thought.<br /><br />Now, before I tell you how I solved my problem, let me tell you that I honestly don’t remember why “this” seemed like the right thing to do. I can’t tell you how this item came to mind. But once I set my hopes on something, I’m just gonna do it. And really, at the time, it made sense.<br /><br />My solution was plain ol’ <a href="http://www.google.com/products?q=vegetable+oil&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=aBV3TLzUGMH_lgefs5zrCw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CEIQrQQwAg">vegetable oil</a>.<br /><br />Yep. Like the kind my mother cooked with. Yep. That’s the stuff.<br /><br />I put the oil in a spray bottle and I sprayed my hair lightly. This made it glossy, but it was still very frizzy. <br /><br />What the hell... let’s add more. <br /><br />So I sprayed more on and at this point, I’m realizing that I may need to rub the oil in to get the desired effect. So I’m rubbing and it’s looking glossy & smooth. <br /><br />So I’m spraying more, more to get deep into the hair, and I’m rubbing & smoothing my tresses down. <br /><br />Now, my thirteen-year-old mind, is thinking that my plan has worked. And I’m sure a diabolical laugh came out.<br /><br />“Let’s throw caution to the wind,” I say to myself. So I sprayed and rubbed like my life depended on it. I put enough vegetable oil in my hair to make <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopaipilla">sopapillas</a>. <br /><br />Oh! And I remember the joy I felt. It was so smooth and glossy. It only had a slight curl to it and it was so, so sleek.<br /><br />I wore my hair this way for a day or two. I remember my blue bed sheets looked kinda funny (can someone say “grease spot?”), but I never gave it another thought.<br /><br />Around day four came the most cringe-worthy moment. <br /><br />I wanted to test my new hair. It was still looking sleek and I only had to add a little bit of oil here and there to smooth it back down. It still had quite a bit of wave to it and I became curious about how beautiful it might be if I straightened it; so I plugged in my curling iron...<br /><br />You know, looking back now, I’m surprised I didn’t cook my hair right off my “blessed” head. And if I smelled a little funny before straightening my hair, you can bet your sweet cheeks that I smelled like <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/southern-fried-chicken-recipe2/index.html">fried chicken</a> after straightening my hair.<br /><br />And maybe I am selling my thirteen-year-old self a little short in the crafty department; because even though I put cooking oil in my hair and slid the slick strands between a hot curling iron, I did achieve the look I wanted. I succeeded. <br /><br />I loved my new hair. Simple as that.<br /><br />The vegetable oil phase only lasted a week, at the most. My mother may have noticed, but she never said a thing. It was summertime, so I didn’t go to school this way, but I’m sure I visited with a close friend or two. No one ever mentioned my new style. <br /><br />The allure wore off. It was stinky and hard to care for and eventually, I noticed that it was too smooth and slick. And maybe, just maybe, I looked in the mirror and realized that I looked ridiculous (although I doubt I caught on that easily).<br /><br />I returned the unused oil to the kitchen and washed my sheets. My room reeked of warm, homemade tortilla chips for a week but it was the last time I went to extremes for my hair. <br /><br />I didn’t process that time in my life until I was in my 20’s... and when I thought of that incident, I laughed my butt off.<br /><br />Thirteen was a hard age. And even to this day, it isn’t easy seeing commercials, TV shows, movies and glossy magazine pages with (mainly) smooth-haired women.<br /><br />People still think I’m “blessed” with great hair. And, yeah, sometimes I like my hair. <br /><br />Mainly, I live with it. It is what it is and what it is is curly.<br /><br />And not that “curly” you see in magazines... that is wavy hair that had been curled with an iron. <br /><br />You can’t trick me, <a href="http://riotgrrrlonline.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/cosmo-sucks/">Cosmopolitan</a>. I know curly and I know slick when I see it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/THcWB1z8BOI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/-_0PMV_S_NI/s1600/Photo+on+2010-08-26+at+20.03+%233.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/THcWB1z8BOI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/-_0PMV_S_NI/s400/Photo+on+2010-08-26+at+20.03+%233.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509896889991693538" /></a><br /><blockquote>Current picture of me... and my curly hair.</blockquote>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-84478080713902412022010-08-20T07:06:00.008-04:002010-08-20T07:29:30.278-04:00"Fan of" Sublime Stitching<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TG5k1NMrLhI/AAAAAAAAAcA/4BDQAxlOok0/s1600/jennyhart_embroiderypattern.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TG5k1NMrLhI/AAAAAAAAAcA/4BDQAxlOok0/s320/jennyhart_embroiderypattern.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507450259559362066" /></a><blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;">Dream Garden by Jenny Hart</span></blockquote><br /><br />m. ranae designs is a big 'ol fan of <a href="http://www.sublimestitching.com/">Sublime Stitching</a>!<br /><br />Sublime Stitching is the dream of <a href="http://www.sublimestitching.com/jennyhartbio.html">Jenny Hart</a>, stitcher-extraordinaire! In 2001, Jenny launched Sublime Stitching out of her own personal need for better embroidery instructions and her "stitch or die" attitude.<br />She, alone, brought back the resurgence of embroidery in teens & 20-somethings. Her easy instructions & hip patterns have launched the craft of embroidery into new heights (and new age groups). <br /><br />I found Sublime Stitching in the back of an old issue of <a href="http://www.bust.com/">Bust Magazine</a> (my favorite magazine... feel free to buy me a subscription). After that I was logged into Jenny's site reading & practicing her how-to's. I also tried to get a stitching group together here in Asheville, but the response was minimal and we didn't get past one meeting. But I've been stitching ever since.<br /><br />Recently, I submitted a project of mine for Sublime Stitching's Combo Contest, where we were asked to combine at least three of Jenny's patterns into one project.<br /><br />Here is my submission:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TG5lg-LS76I/AAAAAAAAAcI/_wZk4_V4mTw/s1600/comboconpillow1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TG5lg-LS76I/AAAAAAAAAcI/_wZk4_V4mTw/s200/comboconpillow1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507451011441291170" /></a><br /><br />So if you're looking for a new craft to try, try Sublime Stitching on for size. Through her website you can purchase kits to get you started. She also has a few crafty books that have been published and you can find those at any book store... just ask for books by Jenny Hart or Sublime Stitching. And check out the website & blog for more info & how-to's.<br /><br />Enjoy!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-69504544908490747652010-08-16T20:51:00.001-04:002010-08-16T20:58:27.423-04:00Mediocre Mondays :: Green Ribbon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TGneXR6we9I/AAAAAAAAAb4/7Rzv-9cuzo0/s1600/Ribbon1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TGneXR6we9I/AAAAAAAAAb4/7Rzv-9cuzo0/s400/Ribbon1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506176510965349330" /></a><br /><br />So silky & pretty. Used for a custom makeup bag order.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-35150769818944788382010-08-15T13:11:00.003-04:002010-08-15T13:30:07.792-04:00It's Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TGghl2nF_cI/AAAAAAAAAbw/SFChL51F5w0/s1600/BlogBookpic081510.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/TGghl2nF_cI/AAAAAAAAAbw/SFChL51F5w0/s400/BlogBookpic081510.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505687478658792898" /></a><br />I’ve been tossing around ideas for a while now on how to improve my blog. I know, at the very least, that I need to blog more.<br /><br />So I’ve been keeping a notebook of blog ideas and as of Monday (tomorrow) I am starting a new format.<br /><br />The new format is:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mediocre Mondays</span> - You know how Mondays just kinda stink because the weekend is over and you’ve got 5 days of work ahead. No one wants to put effort in on a Monday. So for Monday’s blog post it will just be a photo. Easy, simple & takes the least amount of work. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tips & Tricks Tuesdays</span> - These posts will feature ideas, short-cuts and tutorials. This is the day to watch for if you’re curious how something is done.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What’s Up Wednesdays</span> - Wednesday will be the day we review what is happening in my little room. You can see what projects are in the works and what is ahead for the week.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Time Traveling Thursdays</span> - This will be a fun day, trust me. I’ve been crafty as far back as I remember. Thursday will be the day we look back at my previous craftiness (Barbie clothes, anyone?).<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">“Fan of” Fridays</span> - This will be the day I shine a spotlight on other crafters/cool stuff/news/blogs/etc. <br /><br />I won’t post five times a week, quite yet, but the goal is at least 2-3 times a week. For sure, you will see the first post tomorrow.<br /><br />Thanks for reading so far... I hope the journey gets better from here.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-30241816546522130502010-05-16T14:40:00.003-04:002010-05-16T15:05:29.679-04:00Back to Normal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S_A95AMj93I/AAAAAAAAAbg/Puo8BhLH8Uk/s1600/magnets.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S_A95AMj93I/AAAAAAAAAbg/Puo8BhLH8Uk/s320/magnets.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471941596769679218" /></a><br /><br />Whew!<br /><br />I've been working on a few large projects. <br /><br />One was that crazy magnet order... 320 magnets. They were being used as wedding favors. It took a few weeks, but with my husband & mother's help we pulled it all together.<br /><br />Then I accepted a quest to make 5 foam bags for a piece of medical equipment. I finally finished the demo bag (just to make sure everything was the correct size) and I've got the official order to make 5. <br />That is a continuous thing I will work on, but the demo was the main hurdle to get over.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S_A9-gvqIZI/AAAAAAAAAbo/yRtRWOBaNxw/s1600/foambagtrouble.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S_A9-gvqIZI/AAAAAAAAAbo/yRtRWOBaNxw/s320/foambagtrouble.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471941691406164370" /></a><br /><br />Now I'm trying to get back to normal.<br /><br />I finished an actual <a href="http://www.mranaedesigns.com">m. ranae designs</a> bag yesterday (the first in a month) and I'm looking into some craft shows for this year (I believe I have a November one set up already). <br /><br />Hopefully, in the next few weeks I will meet with the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/AshevilleEtsy">Asheville Etsy Street Team </a>group to plan our own show.<br /><br />On top of all this, I've decided to start selling <a href="http://www.avon.com">AVON</a>. That I decided because I was having a hard time keeping an AVON Lady and I love, love, love AVON. All but one item in my makeup bag is AVON and I really like their jewelry. So... if you're in the area and want to look at a brochure HIT ME UP! I'm doing this to support my habit, but it can't hurt to sell some stuff to others.<br /><br />That's the plan for now... to keep on working. <br /><br />Oh! I am working so hard that it's time to hire a bookkeeper and possibly an Intern. More on that to come...Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-40517379807332748222010-03-20T16:46:00.003-04:002010-03-20T17:28:31.164-04:00In Like a Lion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S6U8IfebLoI/AAAAAAAAAbY/WcosZYGhWiU/s1600-h/Dandelion2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S6U8IfebLoI/AAAAAAAAAbY/WcosZYGhWiU/s320/Dandelion2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450829040587583106" /></a><br /><br />What's up with me?<br /><br />About everything!<br /><br />March has been crazy and I'm seeing some more craziness in my future.<br /><br />I've sold two items so far this month, which is nice. It's been so slow on Etsy and I hope this is a sign that business is gonna pick up! <br />Also I sold a huge custom order on Etsy. A lady from California bought 320 custom <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21105560">magnets</a> to give as favors for her wedding. I've ordered all the supplies and those should all be in by Wednesday. After Wednesday, I will be elbow-deep in magnets & gems & glue & loteria cards. I can't wait!<br /><br />Also I've decided to spearhead an Etsy Craft Show. So I've been e-mailing back & forth with other Etsy sellers in the area and we plan to meet in a few days to start planning.<br />I don't know when the show is gonna be, but I'll let you know when I know.<br /><br />So between magnets & craft shows... I looks like March is gonna go out like a lion too. <br /><br />I'm happy to be busy!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-76847203622049229562010-02-25T22:44:00.012-05:002010-02-25T23:18:33.295-05:00My Snow Project<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dE_IwI0yI/AAAAAAAAAYs/RFtcO1pBcNc/s1600-h/MixedPaperJournal2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dE_IwI0yI/AAAAAAAAAYs/RFtcO1pBcNc/s320/MixedPaperJournal2.jpg"border="0"alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442394526172369698" /></a><br /><br />Everyone has been hit with snow... even Texas! I say that not even knowing if Texas normally gets snow.<br />We here in NC haven't been hit the hardest, but since we're not at all used to it... it feels hard!<br /><br />Often I was snowed in or it was just too damn cold to leave the house. And yeah, I could've made a <a href="http://mranaedesigns.com">m. ranae bag</a> or wallet or something... but deep inside I needed a personal craft to help pass the time.<br /><br />I've been feeling the need to journal more... or write more poems... or document my adventures... or all of the above. And I was super-duper close to buying a journal made by someone else on <a href="http://www.etsy.com">Etsy</a>. But after looking at the journals the DIYer in me said "you can totally make that yourself." So I put down the credit card and instead, picked up some paper.<br /><br />I decided to make a mixed-paper journal, similar to the ones I saw online. But I made my pages bigger (8"x5") and I put more pages in it (which I later decided was a little too much). I used a lot of the paper items I had on hand (I'm a packrat, you know). And I used a junk piece of pvc plastic (sign materials) to make the cover. It was all pulled together with large binder rings.<br /><br />Below is a look inside my new journal and a little insight to why the pages are mixed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dE6OCeL4I/AAAAAAAAAYk/ty08XWKt0BQ/s1600-h/MixedPaperJournal3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dE6OCeL4I/AAAAAAAAAYk/ty08XWKt0BQ/s320/MixedPaperJournal3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442394441692098434" /></a><br />I used cards & other smaller bits of paper that had meaning or were beautiful in some way. It will make for a short journal entry, a drawing or maybe a haiku.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dEydZuM_I/AAAAAAAAAYc/vBWAB1AosN0/s1600-h/MixedPaperJournal4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dEydZuM_I/AAAAAAAAAYc/vBWAB1AosN0/s320/MixedPaperJournal4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442394308377195506" /></a><br />I used many different colored papers & scrapbook papers. Many were picked at random and I hope that when I get to those pages the colors or design will inspire my writing.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dEthvq2EI/AAAAAAAAAYU/m0Sz5HN_82E/s1600-h/MixedPaperJournal5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dEthvq2EI/AAAAAAAAAYU/m0Sz5HN_82E/s320/MixedPaperJournal5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442394223643646018" /></a><br />This picture shows a page with "blue" written on it... again that's a springboard for my writing. The other page is a piece of file folder, cut to fit the book. Honestly, that was just added for fun.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dEoeLp_FI/AAAAAAAAAYM/xFDxUIIDeLY/s1600-h/MixedPaperJournal6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dEoeLp_FI/AAAAAAAAAYM/xFDxUIIDeLY/s320/MixedPaperJournal6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442394136787942482" /></a><br />This is a great page! It's part of an old calendar. I put mailing decals on it so I'd have somewhere to write.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dEgutdNEI/AAAAAAAAAYE/B09SxKuLYcg/s1600-h/MixedPaperJournal7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dEgutdNEI/AAAAAAAAAYE/B09SxKuLYcg/s320/MixedPaperJournal7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442394003785724994" /></a><br />This is my version of one of the ideas I saw online. It's an envelope. I put three or four envelopes throughout the book... this one has a photo inside. Again the photo is to help springboard my writing.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dLbm9GGpI/AAAAAAAAAY8/N_L1kxLmNk0/s1600-h/MixedPaperJournal9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dLbm9GGpI/AAAAAAAAAY8/N_L1kxLmNk0/s320/MixedPaperJournal9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442401612385884818" /></a><br />Top view of the whole book. As you can see... lots & lots of different paper.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dFETbc5vI/AAAAAAAAAY0/YwvvdJI2FCk/s1600-h/MixedPaperJournal1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S4dFETbc5vI/AAAAAAAAAY0/YwvvdJI2FCk/s320/MixedPaperJournal1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442394614937741042" /></a><br />And... the cover. I just picked a piece of scrapbook paper that I liked.<br /><br />Overall, it took a few days of work to put it all together. But it's a beautiful project that has brought me much pride. As of this post I've only written in it once, but I'm really, really excited for writing the book will inspire.<br /><br />Want to make your own? Write me and I'll gladly guide you!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-51968370693658822302010-01-20T19:25:00.004-05:002010-01-20T23:08:27.539-05:00Belated ResolutionsWell, I'm a sucker for peer pressure. <br /><br />All along the web I've seen people (bloggers and such) talking about their New Years resolutions, in the crafty sense. Some talk about all the things they want to accomplish and all the things they want to create. Others talk about things they'd like to avoid or things they'll change.<br /><br />And I'm usually a firm believer that resolutions don't work. Blah, blah change... blah, blah diet... blah, blah bigger boobs.<br /><br />But secretly, I've been finding my hate towards resolutions softening. I now see that a new year is like changing the sheets. It's so fresh and crisp and it smells awesome! <br />Plus, everyone else is doing it (don't worry, this never worked on me with smoking).<br /><br />So here are a few of my resolutions. Some are personal, but most involve m. ranae.<br /><br />-- <span style="font-weight:bold;">Blog more.</span> No surprises here... especially if you actually read my blog and wait patiently for the next post (which sometimes takes a while).<br /><br />-- <span style="font-weight:bold;">Upload to Etsy more frequently.</span> It's a known fact that the more days you upload stuff to Etsy the more "seen" you are. I use to upload tons of things at a time... now I pace myself (like a seasoned runner... running, of which I know nothing about).<br /><br />-- <span style="font-weight:bold;">Do at least one craft show.</span> This may be harder than I think, because you have to be accepted to do it. <a href="http://mranaedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/10/bummer-dude.html">I was recently rejected...</a> so maybe my rejection streak will continue. Nonetheless, I'm gonna try.<br /><br />-- <span style="font-weight:bold;">Keep track of my papers.</span> I don't sell tons & tons of stuff, but the bit I do involves some paperwork. This year I'm gonna keep my files organized and easy to locate. Yay!<br /><br />-- <span style="font-weight:bold;">Keep track of my life.</span> I'm forgetful and scattered and sometimes I don't have a clue what I'm doing. I have an iPod with all the right apps... I just need to use them.<br /><br />-- <span style="font-weight:bold;">Learn more about running a business.</span> I feel the key to success is <span style="font-style:italic;">know your enemy</span>. My enemy is bookkeeping and other business related voodoo. I bought a "Gardening for Dummies" book and now I can actually grow things. I plan on buying "Small Business for Dummies" and start growing my biz.<br /><br />-- <span style="font-weight:bold;">Play more <a href="http://www.popcap.com/games/pvz/">Plants vs. Zombies</a>.</span> Nuff said. Really.<br /><br />-- <span style="font-weight:bold;">Get healthier. </span>I take a lot of vitamins and I try to be conscience of what I eat and do. I got into the habit of exercising last year, but fell out of it. This year I'm gonna conquer exercising.<br /><br />-- <span style="font-weight:bold;">Perfect my art.</span> Every day I get better and better are making my <a href="http://mranaedesigns.etsy.com">bags, wallets, pouches & such</a>. But there is still room for improvement. There are still things to learn. So I'm gonna keep on keeping on.<br /><br />Well that is it for now. I'm sure along the way I'll decide that exercising sucks, Plants vs Zombies is time consuming and it's more fun to play games on my iPod than work. But I'm a winner as long as I <span style="font-style:italic;">try</span> to follow these resolutionsMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-6016293597401517742010-01-10T10:08:00.006-05:002010-01-10T10:49:08.394-05:00Eureka! Fabric Flowers!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S0nyrLED7JI/AAAAAAAAAW0/bRROUw4YpJQ/s1600-h/fabricflowers3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S0nyrLED7JI/AAAAAAAAAW0/bRROUw4YpJQ/s320/fabricflowers3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425134049662594194" /></a><br /><br />So I had a dilemma... <br />My new Pockety Bag needed something. <br />What did it need? I did not know... but something.<br />The overall look was good, but something was missing.<br />Wait...<br />Wait...<br /><br />Eureka!<br />I need a little flower! Yes, a cute little flower pinned to one side. <br /><br />And I thought about it for a while... I honestly wasn't sure where to start making a flower. I messed with some ribbon and scraps of fabric, but I wasn't coming up with something I liked. I searched <a href="http://www.etsy.com">Etsy</a> for awhile looking for brooches & fabric flowers. All were great, but I didn't want to jack up the price of my bag because I purchased something from someone else. I needed to figure out how to make one.<br /><br />So I considered using someone else's pattern. After searching the internet I finally found a flower I could be proud of... <a href="http://blairpeter.typepad.com/weblog/2006/03/fabric_flowers.html"> Wise Craft's Flowers</a>. There is a downloadable pattern and full instructions. <br /><br />These were created by this awesome lady named Blair. She's even more awesome because she let me use the flower pattern on my bags. And I so, so thank her.<br /><br />I made my first one... the yellow one for the bag and I loved it. Wise Craft even says in her blog how addicting they are... and they are. I ended up making four total that day, but as I type this I get the urge for more... one in every color!<br /><br />Anyhow... the flower was what was missing from the bag. Now it looks awesome instead of just "great." This exact bag is now for sale on <a href=" http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38164931">my Etsy</a>. You can check out the rest of the Pockety Tote here. And check out <a href="http://blairpeter.typepad.com/weblog/">Wise Craft's blog</a>... it's one of the best crafty blogs out there... I swear. I'm not just sucking up 'cuz she let me use her pattern. She <span style="font-weight:bold;">is<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> super-crafty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S0nzZWOaIvI/AAAAAAAAAW8/-iLAkHxgtQc/s1600-h/PinkBeigePocketyTote2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/S0nzZWOaIvI/AAAAAAAAAW8/-iLAkHxgtQc/s320/PinkBeigePocketyTote2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425134842932765426" /></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-12495067408652534592009-12-28T16:35:00.005-05:002009-12-28T16:47:52.375-05:00Who? What? When? PART TWOOkay... so I did some searching on this <a href="http://mranaedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/12/who-what-when.html">"Featured on Etsy" thing</a>. I learned that there isn't really a notification system. <br />But other Etsians have had this problem and they've found a solution; either Google Analytics or Craft Cult. I used <a href="http://www.craftcult.com">Craft Cult</a> (cuz it's cool).<br /><br />So... below you will find the list I was in. Mine is the orange & paisley makeup bag.<br />Yay!<br /><br /><script src='http://www.craftcult.com/vault_widget.js'></script><script> document.write (window.ccvault_widg.framehtml(7822,3,2,4,1,0,0)); </script>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-58234314456715687982009-12-27T10:00:00.003-05:002009-12-28T12:46:15.387-05:00Who? What? When?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/Szju2thTcoI/AAAAAAAAAWs/c1m6ST2-uGg/s1600-h/orangepaisleybag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/Szju2thTcoI/AAAAAAAAAWs/c1m6ST2-uGg/s320/orangepaisleybag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420344775240020610" /></a><br /><br />Okay... so apparently sometime over this weekend I was featured on the front page of <a href="http://etsy.com">Etsy</a>.<br />Woo hoo! Right?<br />I'm not so sure...<br />I didn't find out about this from Etsy. I found out because I had posted it on Facebook. But I didn't actually post it... a computer (somewhere out there) did it for me.<br />So I was excited... until I logged into Etsy. I didn't have a message there telling me I was featured. And I looked at the front page of Etsy and I didn't see <a href="http://mranaedesigns.etsy.com">my shop</a> there. So I'm baffled. I figured I'd get some e-mail somewhere along the way. But all I got was the automatic post to my Facebook.<br />Weird, huh?<br />Again, I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth... I'm just confused. Strange system they have in place over there at Etsy.<br />Strange.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-57889529332223342972009-12-23T11:58:00.003-05:002009-12-23T12:34:08.063-05:00Etsy Favs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/SzJPLh-JKwI/AAAAAAAAAWk/ExEnrDa3XmQ/s1600-h/mranaeEtsyFavs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/SzJPLh-JKwI/AAAAAAAAAWk/ExEnrDa3XmQ/s320/mranaeEtsyFavs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418480361196301058" /></a><br /><br />OK... I love <a href="http://etsy.com">Etsy</a>. No joke. <br />I log in every day to see what's new. Today I saw these beautiful <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35899435">Tidal Pool</a> earrings on the front page. They sold out quick!<br />Most days I just add the things I like to my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/favorite_listings_public.php?user_id=6415122">favorites</a>, but I have been noticing a new pattern lately... I'm starting to buy.<br />Oh! I love it too. I run across all kinds of things that catch my eye. Sometimes they are supplies for <a href="http://mranaedesigns.com">m. ranae designs</a>, but other times I just want something special for myself or I get someone else a little something.<br />Now I totally cruise for the best deals. Thankfully, you can search fairly easily and sort by price. Sometimes I'll shop and not buy... I just want to window-shop (or computer screen-shop). Nonetheless, it is fun and Etsy is full of unique, awesome stuff.<br />Check out my favorites list... and if you're really inspired you should create an account and start your own favorites list.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/favorite_listings_public.php?user_id=6415122">m. ranae designs' Etsy favorites</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-5146369721445366892009-12-06T16:47:00.002-05:002009-12-06T16:51:10.059-05:00I've Gotta Table, I've Gotta Table, Hey HeyI'm so excited! <br /><br />We received a free dining table/chair set from our neighbors and we're gonna use that one in the dining room. We already had a table, so that is now going in the craft room and I'm very excited about it!<br /><br />I've been wanting a table to spread my fabric out on for a long, long time. Now I just cut in small parts (slide it over, cut some more) or I lay a box on the floor and cut there. I have plenty of room for a table in my room, so this is gonna be a very welcome addition.<br /><br />I'll try to get some new pics when I'm done!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-42364088980864196082009-12-05T12:36:00.003-05:002009-12-05T12:47:56.131-05:00Wild November<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/SxqaZqNgF3I/AAAAAAAAAWY/ttgsRZUlFAY/s1600-h/BacchanteTurtleBagWalletCombo1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/SxqaZqNgF3I/AAAAAAAAAWY/ttgsRZUlFAY/s320/BacchanteTurtleBagWalletCombo1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411807667857397618" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">A custom order of mine.</span><br /></span><br /><br /><br />November was an ass-kicker and I learned a few things.<br /><br />It started out quiet and then BAM! I had order after order after order. And along with me being thrilled I was suddenly juggling two jobs.<br /><br />I was working the "9-5", embroidering during my breaks. Then I'd come home for hours at the sewing machine. I made lots of shipments and I even had to trek out to the fabric shops to get supplies to fulfill my orders. <br /><br />It was wild. And I was having trouble sleeping through it all. So I was tired.<br /><br />But being busy at <a href="http://mranaedesigns.com">m. ranae designs</a> was awesome and it gave me a small taste of the good life... that meaning that I'm doing something I love & making money from it. Ah... the sweet life.<br /><br />I learned something that may be good/bad for my customers... I learned that I am not charging enough. Boo! Hiss! But I learned it the correct way (selling cheap, then adjusting prices) instead of the incorrect way (not selling any of my expensive items).<br /><br />I also learned that timing is everything. I had two items in my <a href="http://mranaedesigns.etsy.com">Etsy</a> shop that expired because no one ever bought them... then on a whim I relisted them and they both sold in day.<br /><br />Lastly, I learned that listing stuff often is a part of being successful. When I listed weekly, I made sales weekly. Huh... who knew?! <br /><br />So I hope that I can keep some momentum up through this next year... I plan on being a little more consistent and I plan on adding some awesome stuff.<br /><br />Now... back to the machine!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-63279282671012408062009-11-03T22:38:00.004-05:002009-11-05T22:50:42.669-05:00Happy Birthday m. ranae designs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/SvObmknc5oI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/E61HJQhkPf8/s1600-h/A046.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_ZE-8SFoog/SvObmknc5oI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/E61HJQhkPf8/s320/A046.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400831465113839234" /></a><br /><br />Yay! I've been selling on <a href="http://mranaedesigns.etsy.com">Etsy</a> for a year now! Woo!<br /><br />And I haven't sold enough to quit my job, but it has reinforced how much I love making and selling stuff.<br />And I've grown so much in the past year. I get better everyday at sewing and being creative. I've learned a few tricks and I've found some great vendors for supplies.<br />I made up all kinds of different things... things that sometimes come to me when I should be sleeping (and then I want to get up to start making them).<br /><br />Honestly, it's been good. I'm about to really dig my heels into Christmas and I'm hoping this next year is even more fruitful and exciting.<br /><br />To celebrate I've discounted everything in <a href="http://mranaedesigns.etsy.com">my shop</a> by 15% for the rest of the month of November... and I'm gonna add new stuff every week this month!<br /><br />So check it out & keep in touch. I'll see you next year!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-24823731037626767022009-10-28T18:14:00.002-04:002009-10-28T18:23:33.181-04:00Bummer, dude...So... I am very sad to say that I did not make it into <a href="http://www.thebigcrafty.com/">The Big Crafty</a>.<br />I got my rejection notice yesterday after spending most of the day checking my e-mail (every 3 minutes) waiting for the news. And the news was bad.<br />So... I am sad.<br />But at the same time, relieved. That sounds crazy but I was a little freaked out. So maybe, just maybe it was for the best. Maybe I wasn't ready for The Big Crafty. Maybe I just need to start with a little crafty.<br />Like I told my husband, I've only been doing this a year. And even though I've grown a lot in a year I may be even more bad-ass next year. And then maybe, just maybe I'll be better Big Crafty material.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-4360784671600854572009-10-22T09:34:00.005-04:002009-10-22T09:41:16.293-04:00A fun Halloween how-to from EtsyI stumbled upon this and thought it would be fun to share!<br /><br />Here are the links for downloadable templates of the graveyard & dead guy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2008/10/template_1b_p1.jpg">Gravestone Shadow Puppet</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2008/10/template_2b_p1.jpg">Dead Guy Shadow Puppet 1</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2008/10/template_2b_p2.jpg">Dead Guy Shadow Puppet 2</a><br /><br />LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE WITH THESE LINKS!<br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://blip.tv/play/oF7WmwsC" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="299" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565587321740789404.post-769291787988272262009-10-22T09:09:00.002-04:002009-10-22T09:19:45.833-04:00Cough, sniffle, cough...I am home sick from my 9-5. This is good and bad in so many ways.<br /><br />I am actually sick enough to not work, whether it's at my 9-5 or at my sewing machine. Trust me I tried last night, even though I wanted to sew it became tedious and painful after a few minutes. <br /><br />But my brain is moving! I received a general, mass letter from the Big Crafty peeps about the show. To summarize, it said if you were <span style="font-weight:bold;">for sure</span> not accepted you would know by now, if you still don't know then they are waiting for all the applications to come in before making the final decision. So I'm either on the "maybe" list or my rejection got lost in the e-mail. I choose to believe I'm on the "maybe" list. Woot!<br /><br />So my brain is going over the show, if I get in. <br /><br />How is my table gonna be set up...<br />Do I have enough stuff...<br />What stuff should I make...<br />Do I have enough things to help make my table look awesome...<br />Can I afford my current list of needed supplies...<br />Can I do this...<br /><br />So even if I can't slave over the machine, I am still plotting my possible show and how I want it to go down.<br /><br />And BTW, according to my general, mass letter from the Big Crafty... I should know if I got in or not by this coming Tuesday, October 27th. Gulp.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02237705084598208943noreply@blogger.com0