Debut of my new display racks, and some Knotted Goodness

I can hardly believe I am actually doing THREE SHOWS this week!

The first was a private Trunk Show at a beautiful home. I had never done a show like this before. It was a total blast! Very sweet vendors, and such nice customers! I was one of the few who sold handmade goods, so I was a little nervous at first.  It was quite a success!

I always learn so much at these shows.  Last night I learned that SPINNING DISPLAY RACKS ARE GREAT!   I just purchased two styles online from this site www.storesupply.com/.  Super affordable, and easy to assemble. I got a large free standing version, and a short table version.

ONE BIT OF ADVICE - I'd definitely bring a screwdriver with you to your show if you get a display rack like this.  I thought I had secured the stands before I left my house, and somehow a few screws came loose. Go figure.  I borrowed a screwdriver from the home owner, but I should have brought my own.

DO YOU USE DISPLAY RACKS AT YOUR SHOWS? DO YOU LIKE SEEING THEM WHEN YOU SHOP?

Last night was also the debut of a new piece.  My Knotted Goodness loose circle scarves make me so happy and I was so glad to know they have the same affect on others! Wrapping up in Yummy Yarn is basically heavenly to me.  Here's a few of the pieces I sold last night.

Happy Holiday Crafting and Shopping!

Add some fiber to the table this thanksgiving

My needle felted pumpkin workshop at The Sheared Sheep Yarn Shop was a huge success. 12 people showed up and each pumpkin was adorable and unique!

Fibery Pumpkins in all sizes are so sweet. I think they'll be perfect for our Thanksgiving Table!  You can get them too at Patchwork in Long Beach on the Sunday the 21st!

Craft Show in Long Beach

SO EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THE PATCHWORK INDIE ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL IN LONG BEACH!

Husband and I went to their spring show and I was blown away. So many great finds!  Come check it out! You won't regret it!  

I'll be selling at their LB location and shopping at the Santa Ana location.

WHEN & WHERE:
PATCHWORK LONG BEACH
NOVEMBER 21ST 11-5PM
MARINE STADIUM- BAYSHORE @ APPIAN WAY

PATCHWORK SANTA ANA
NOVEMBER 28TH 11-5PM
2202 NORTH MAIN STREET @ BUFFALO SANTA ANA, CA 92706

PATCHWORK indie arts & festival showcases over 75 local independent artists, crafters and designers in an outdoor setting. Come down and eat & drink from local cafe & restaurant booths as you listen to tunes and peruse goods from the best southern california creators. look & shop... clothing for men, women & kids, handbags, accessories, art, ceramics, home goods, garden finds, plushies, jewelry, paper goods, edible treats, pet gear, crochet & knit goods, kits & patterns, bath & body goodies & more. Check out our bike valet, eco-gift wrapping station & diy crafting tables for adults & kids.

WWW.PATCHWORKSHOW.COM for details and exact location

Just in time for Thanksgiving!

NEEDLE FELTED PUMPKIN WORKSHOP

NOVEMBER 6TH 

12:30

THE SHEARED SHEEP

2675 IRVINE AVE #E

COSTA MESA, CA 92627

(949) 722-7977

COME TO THE SHEARED SHEEP ON NOV. 6TH AT 12:30 AND LEARN TO MAKE YOUR OWN LITTLE FELTED PUMPKIN JUST IN TIME FOR THANKSGIVING.  

FOR 25$ YOU WILL RECEIVE ALL OF THE MATERIALS AND TOOLS NEEDLED TO MAKE 2 SOFT LITTLE PUMPKINS!

Peppermint Headband Tutorial

The peppermint headbands we used in Willy Wonka this summer at The Music Room School of Performing Arts were a total hit. With Halloween and Christmas quickly approaching, I thought you might want to make one of your own.  Here's a little tutorial to help.

MATERIALS 

(These can be found at your local craft store, or at the links I've provided)

Glitter Foam Sheets 1 Red and 1 White 

Styrofoam Disk (this link is for a 1"/3" disc... but a larger disc can be used for a louder look)

Fabric Covered Headband 

Scissors

And a good old Glue Gun

Cut 2 circles (one red and one white) about 1.5 inches larger than your styrofoam circle.  Specific measurements are not needed here, you will trim edges at end.

Fold red circle in half and then in half again.

Take two folded corners and fold them back toward main folded edge.

These folds will give you a cutting guide without measuring. Yay!

Cut along each fold without cutting all the way through the circle. Leave about 1 inch across between each slice. Triangles will be slightly uneven. This is good. It gives each peppermint it's own personality.

Cut off every other triangle with a flat edge. Triangles will not come to a point. Glue red piece to white circle.

Make a small cut (about 1.5 inches) into the white circle along the side of each red piece.

Fold and glue the white edges down. They will overlap.

Fold and glue red triangles own and trim edges along bottom of styrofoam.

Glue Peppermint to the side of fabric covered headband.

Place on your own head, or on the head of a real cute kid.

I hope you enjoy this tutorial! Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Craftiness and Musical Theatre Come together to make Willy Wonka Magic.

You might remember this post about the performing arts studio I went to as a kid.  It's called The Music Room and I am so lucky to have grown up in such a supportive loving fun environment. They are now in their 25th year and running stronger than ever.  Now, I'm back at The Music Room as a teacher/director.
 
The production of Willy Wonka Jr. I co-directed and choreographed opened last night at the Fairmont Private School in Anaheim. They were serious Rock Stars!

 We have 2 more shows and they are almost sold out!

With only three weeks to put up the show, we did some seriously collaborating.  Here's how we made a few of the tricky sets and costumes work...

 CANDY GIRLS! I'll Be posting a tutorial on these headbands soon.

 Wonka with a giant Molly Made needle felted flower with wool from Suzoos Wool Works.

 AGUSTUS! The first ticket winner!  Our fantastic set designer David built a giant TV that sat on stage right thru the entire first act. It worked very well. Especially when Augustus leapt out of the screen to steal a kiddos candy.

 Happy Birthday Charlie! I love our little Bucket family and their newspaper birthday hats!

 Varuca Salt wins a golden ticket!

Mike Tee Vee wins a Golden Ticket.

There's no Knowing when you are on Board the USS Pink!  We used a strobe light, black light and disco lights to create this creepy effect. 

Violet! You're turning Violet Violet! We used a Blow up Pumpkin Costume underneath this blue fabric. I can't believe how well it worked! Our parent volunteers are the best!

Oompa Lompas! In the Lion Brand Yarn wigs they made all by themselves! 

SQUIRRELS! These tails really worked after lots of hemming and hawing. There are little slits cut in the back of their hoodies and an elastic band is slipped thru and tied at the waist. They had to quick change out of their Oompa cotumes... hence the green tights : )

Charna and Melissa! An amazing directing team to work with.   Sporting our new Molly Made Peppermint clips, of course :  )

*** Willy Wonka Jr. is available thru MTI if you are interested in putting it up with kids of your own***

Glitter and Sparkles and Candy Oh MY

I'm doing another show! But, this time I'm directing, choreographing... and making a few costume pieces. Along with two amazing co directors, Charna Felthous, and Melissa Martinez, and the help of countless others, Willy Wonka will be opening this weekend!!

Check out the Candy headband I put together for our Candy Girls.   I'll be posting a tutorial soon. 

The Music Room School of Performing Arts, known as TMR is fantastic place to work, and I'm so happy to be spending my time with these talented kids.  For more info contact www.themusicroomtmr.com

The Music Room

714 -639-2470

Back At It!

So much has happened in the past few months.  A cross country move, bridal shower, several new jobs, my first California craft show, a bachelorette weekend in wine country piles of house guests, and a wedding!     I've tried to blog about bits of this all... but a few weeks before our wedding... it all just because too much.

    We had a beyond amazing time at the wedding, and as soon as family left, we both went right back into work.   SO looking forward to our honeymoon in August. As things start to settle down, I'm hoping to post a few bits of joy and inspiration a week.

    For now... here's some pics from my most recent craft show.

I also hope to catch up on your blogs soon! 

Wipe Your Hands... On Your Skirt!

I have this Anthropologie dishtowel hanging in my kitchen. I love it.

BUT I DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO WALK INTO MY BRIDAL SHOWER!

Jen was my roommate for 3 years. She is the craziest crafter I know. I don't know why she doesn't have a blog or a website or a full blown company. 

How amazing is this skirt! I've seen her make skirts out of towels and napkins in the past, but this is my favorite so far. This shower had a vintage kitchen theme.  Jen wins best dressed with this inspired skirt. 

She also makes amazing cards. She really needs to sell them. Someday, when I open a working craft studio, I hope she'll teach a class. Her cards are always a holiday highlight.

She is also President of the International Special Events Society of Los Angeles and the Special Events Coordinator for the Catalina Conservancy.  And... I wonder why she doesn't have a blog/website/company. Ha!  I don't know how she finds the time. 

A Week of My Crazy Crafty Friends!

My amazing sister who tumbles brilliant things here threw me a bridal shower this week with the help of my Mom, my Aunt, and four of my amazing Bridesmaids.

Not only was I reminded of how amazingly creative and inspired my sister is. I was blown away by my friends.   So, this week, I'm posting about their bits of crafty loveliness!

First things first -

My sis planned a Vintage Kitchen themed shower - which, couldn't have been a more perfect theme.

I hope to have lots of pics to post soon. Here's just a few to inspire.

My bridezilla other half, Ashley (who is getting married in July) made FIFTY mini pies as favors!!!

I mean - how happy are these!? Fiance and I shared the mixed berry last night. MMM MMM Good!

Ashley Anklets - My solution to the Socks and Heels Dilemma

    I often think about the silly questions I've asked throughout my life.  When I was a kid, I remember being cast in a production at The Music Room School of Performing Arts and asking if I should wear lacy socks with my heels.  It was clearly ridiculous cause adults didn't wear lacy socks with heels, and I would be playing an adult part in a children's theatre production.  I learned that I should wear tights with heels, and didn't look back. 

Then...

    Roughly ten years ago, I went to England on a theatre tour with my college theatre department.  On our flight home, something magical happened.   Dancer in the Dark had just been released and they played it on our plane. Mid trip we realized Bjork was actually on our plane, in first class and in the flesh.  I will always remember sobbing my brains out as I watched that amazing movie, knowing she was on the flight with us.  Pretty surreal.

    I will also always remember seeing her in the airport waiting for her luggage.  She had little ribbons tied around her ankles. I've seen millions of anklets, but this was different because she had the same ribbon on each ankle. I fell in love with the idea. I know she can be 100% crazy with her fashion choices, but this was super duper cute. 

   A few years later, while working on a cruise ship, I frequently sported this Bjork inspired fashion choice.  Loved it.

Now...

   I've been thinking a lot about this "wearing socks with heels" trend that seems to be back in style.   I busted out a pair of socks to wear with my heels last time I was in New York, and I realized:

A -  It makes heels much more comfortable.  Especially for walking all over NYC.   

B -   It draws attention to the ankle, and therefor the shoe. And... I happen to love several pairs of shoes, so drawing attention to them is not a bad thing.  

BUT... I don't know if I'm always going to want to go for the whole sock in heel thing because:

A.  It covers up a new pedicure (when and if I take the time to get one)

B.   I wanted ruffled socks in a last minute fashion decision and couldn't find them anywhere near our apartment in NYC.  I ended up going with plain ankle crew socks which worked, but left me a little unfulfilled.  (I eventually found them here a few days later and have since seen them all over the internet... but still at the time it was a fashion emergency left resolved)

C.  I don't want to be mistaken for one whose wearing socks with birkenstocks.  

      The cons started to outweigh the pros in the Socks and Heels Dilemma.  

      I needed a solution. 

      I turned to my trusty crochet hook for inspiration, and decided I needed to crochet JUST the ruffled trim of the lacy sock.  Take the childhood sense of sockwear and combine it with what I learned from Bjork so many years ago.  

    While Mulling over this design in my head I read SnaggleTooth'dTrippleStep's recent blog post about socks and heels.  I knew something needed to be done... soon.  

     Knowing that Miss TrippleStep's Bridal Shower was approaching I thought this'd be the perfect time to bring these beauties into existence. So... I put these together for her and I'm totally in love.  

I loved them so much... I even made myself a pair!

Expect to see these in all sorts of shades on the shelves of my shop.

        

Beauty

A beautiful shower for a beautiful bride to be. 

Today was my dear friend Ashley's shower!  She's planning all sorts of crafty goodness for her shower. Handmade napkins, bunting and more.  (seriously check out her napkin post, it's so lovely!)

More photos to come from the photographer and fiance Sean.

Other fantastic photos of his can be found here.

And, what shower would be complete without a llama and...

a goat!

The day was planned by these beautiful maids. Hillary, Jen and Ash's wonderful momma Lulu. Great Job! Can't believe I didn't take more pics and I can't wait to see the photos Sean took.

lovely day