Workin' My Butt Off....

Only a month and a half or so until the Cathedral Arts Festival, and this is all I have. Argh.

It's That Time of Year Again....

As per usual, the Arts Festival is but a few days away, and I am positive that I did not make enough "stock" over the winter.

I have a few bags left over from last year, and I have about six that are "almost done". I have not made any jewellery to sell, and never did get around to finishing the journals I was making, because I don't have a drill. I have 4 of my weird springy vase holders, and I actually did buy vases for them, and I should have about 6 summer dresses completed before the 23rd arrives.


I know that if I use all my extra time to make bags, I could pump out a shitload in the next week. However....

I think the reason that I don't have as many wares ready to sell this year, is not because I was lazy, but because I decided quality was better than quantity. But, now I am afraid that the few quality items that I do have, won't sell...and then what?

Due to my awesomeness (hehe), I am raising some of my prices this year, and am afraid that will turn some people away. Hopefully it won't, but that's the way I am, I worry about these things.

And on that note, I should really do some sewing before I have to head off to my real job for the night. I'm working on a crazy looking dress, that I hope someone will adore.

Artsy Fartsy

I have really been upset lately, over the fact that I never seem to have time to sit and do my crafty projects. Real "have to pay the bills" work has taken over my life. Even when I do have time to sit around and sew, or make jewellery, journals, and all the other project ideas that have been popping into my head, I am just too damn tired. I can't find the brain power to concentrate on anything more than online Scrabble or trash TV.

But, I realize now, that I need to take the time. Somehow, I just need to fit it into my day.

Festival season is coming, and I want to be prepared well in advance, and would love to have some of my new creations ready to sell. I have also been neglecting my Etsy shop, and should have taken new photos, and added what new items I do have long ago.

So that's that. Time to get my arse in gear.

But until then, check me out at the virtual craft sale over at http://cafehandmade.blogspot.com

Good Labour Day

Labour Day weekend usually marks a time in the year when I start to dread the upcoming Winter, and start thinking of things that are less than Summer-y. I put away the camping gear, drag out the sweaters and start thinking about buying socks and shoes that aren't of the flip-flop variety.

Knuckle Toes and I had, what we thought was our last festival, yesterday. The weather sucked and sales were less than stellar. As she put it at the end of the day, the problem was that there were no teenagers, which seem to be our market. But, it was a good day in the end.

Knuckle Toes introduced me to a wonderful woman she had met at the Ness Creek Festival, and in turn, she introduced us to the organizers of the Field Music Festival near Craik, Saskatchewan. They asked us to come and be vendors at their festival in a couple weeks.

Later in the day, I got to talking to this woman about how Smyrish and I are looking into buying land, and building a straw bale house in the future, and found out that she was actually one of the first developers and organizers of the Craik Sustainable Living Project and Eco-Centre. She was really excited about our idea, and has invited us to come and tour the community while we are at the Field Festival on the 13th and 14th. On top of that, she said that as long as I kept in touch with her, she and her crew would help us build our home, wherever we decided to settle.

So, maybe summer isn't quite over yet. I have one more weekend of camping, selling and socializing to do now, and something to look forward to. And, although I didn't do well when it came to making money yesterday, I did meet some people and learn some new things, and that's priceless, if you ask me.

Cramming for the Arts Fest

With my three week vacation starting on Monday, I realized today that time is a tickin', and I don't have much time to get ready for the Arts Festival on May 24th. Currently, the only stock I have is what is listed in my Etsy Shop and a few things that I have had forever and have never sold at any festival, which is why they aren't listed on Etsy. I have decided not to take my Etsy items to the festival, because that would make life a tad more difficult than I would like it to be, what with all the de-listing of items the next day, when I will most likely be hungover.

Every year, I worry about not having enough stock, and this year is no different. However, I have decided that quality will rule over quantity, and I would just like to have a bunch of cool bags/purses and a handful of jazzy jewellery to lug around and sell, rather than a crapload of well, crap. It is only a one day affair, so I figure, the easier I make it, the better.

Over the past few months I have started quite a few bags, but haven't finished them, and they are now in a pile I call, "almost finished."


My bed is now housing the pile of material I bought at Value Village today,


And I put my clothes in my dresser drawers, so I could place all the patterns I cut out on top of it.
And yes, Swiss Cheese crackers help me in my quest for creativity. As well as a couple cans of Labatt Lite beer.

So, in the end, I didn't get any sewing done tonight, but I now have 8 "patterns" cut out, 6 bags that are almost done, and my what-I-assume-are-shitty-because-no one-will-buy-them older wares are sorted and ready to be ironed.

And that counts as work too. From here on, the fun begins, as I get to sit at my sewing machine, and put these piles of scraps together into funky accessories that I will stuff into a Rubbermaid container until I get to show them off and hopefully make some money, honey.

It's a Little Late,but, I'm Just Learning How to Work my Camera.....

Here are a couple photos from the Arts Festival last week. Our booth kicked ass this year, I think we've got the set-up almost down pat. It was a super fun day! Knuckle Toes and her brother Zed had a good time too, although from this photo, you could never tell.


We did really well when it came to sales, the weather was just perfect, and we were so lucky to be right by the stage hosted by the local community radio station! Thanks to everyone who came by and visited!

I can't wait until Folk Fest!

The Weekend Has Arrived......

I can't believe it's Friday already. This week really has flown by. I haven't had a week that flew by in well, I can't remember when. This most likely has to do with how busy I was this week. For someone who only worked 2 days this week at her 'day' job, I sure have been a busy bee, getting ready for this festival.

So, I am relishing this last hour of relaxation I have today. I am going to drink coffee, and watch Law & Order. Once it is over, I have to hop in the shower, pack up my car, and get my butt over to Knuckle Toes' place, so we can spend the afternoon running around picking up mannequins, bank floats, shower curtains, business cards, and all the other last minute goodies we need for tomorrow.

Although it's been a busy week, it hasn't been bad in any way. Sure, I woke up this morning with something that is hopefully not pink eye, and I haven't had time to sleep for more than 4 hours a night, but other than that, it's been A-OK. I did a happy dance when I saw my bank account on payday (unlike last payday, when I called my boss and told her I thought they had made a mistake with the direct deposit!). I'm ecstatic that I now have enough money to buy a new camera, and a new stereo and back seat for my car! Work was super productive this week, and I think I am falling into place as the big boss lady quite nicely. I realized that every single guy that works in my field, is H-O-T, and had the pleasure of meeting a whole shwack of them over the past couple days. My brother the JukeBox Hero, has gotten the Canada Day camping trip plans under-way, and although we don't get what we want this year, he has been patient with me in making other plans, and I am confident that it will all work out. After this festival is over, my priority will be getting the camping trip plans finalized, and tracking down the elusive filmmaker that has my tent. Yay, camping!

And on that note, I need to get my butt in gear, and get this day over with, so I can sit and relax some more, on a hopefully sunny patio, with the ladies and enjoy and beer or two.

Ah! The Festival's Coming!

One good thing about all this rain we've been having this week, is that it is keeping me at home, and forcing me to be productive.

As of right now, there are only 3 more sleeps until the Arts Festival, and I have about 20 different things I need to do to feel as if I am prepared. Like find my stapler, get a float, iron everything that's been sitting in bins all winter, price items, and so on. None of it will take all that long, thank goodness, since I'm back at work tonight and tomorrow, and Friday will be spent with Knuckle Toes , gathering last minute supplies and getting ready for set-up on Saturday morning, so today's the day to get 'er all done.

I have been bouncing between my sewing machine and the coffee table the past two days, busting my butt, trying to get enough bags and jewellery created as to make it look like I actually have some stock to sell. I didn't do much all winter, which would have been a perfect time to do such things, and here I am, week before the festival, driving myself mad. I really need to work on being less of a procrastinator. But not now, maybe another day.

I spent all day yesterday worrying about the amount of items I have to sell, but an email from Knuckle Toes this morning made me stop worrying so much. She reminded me that I always think that I don't have enough stock, and that the festival is only for one day, and I definitely have enough for one day of sales. So the worry is starting to subside, and the excitement of hangin' at our booth all day, selling our wares, and chattin' it up with customers is starting to kick in.

Now, if only the weather man can be wrong about the forecast, and let it be bright and sunny on Saturday, and retract his statement that there is a possibility of rain and snow, it'll all be good.