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