Crafting all the way... HEY!

YES, I LOVE CRAFTS!!!  I love any and all things crafty.  Anything from throw pillows to rugs to hair accessories; I LOVE IT!  I have been making hair bows for my daughter for a couple of years now and for some reason, this has drawn attention to my craftiness and others have wanted me to make hair bows for their daughters.  Then, I really got into making "BIG GIRL" hair accessories, especially the vintage looking ones, and this has REALLY gotten attention.  A couple of people told me I should really advertise and make some money doing this... So, I thought, "Hey!  Great idea"!  I didn't even think about the fact that I have NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING.  I just created a blog and a Facebook and Twitter... then there is the glorious WORD OF MOUTH method, which is the best. 
I have already made a few sales.  I have no idea what I'm doing in the marketing aspect of things... And I haven't really taken the time to properly sit up for the photographs of products (*giggle*), but ya know; IT'S FUN!
These are my newest addiction:

I got this idea from Pren, here is her blog: http://convivialcrafter.blogspot.com/  She is AAAAAA-MAZING!!  I love her style and her tutorials are the HEAT!  You can find her tutorials on YouTube here http://www.youtube.com/user/archerpren , Check out her "Talk To Me Tuesdays" TTMT =)

So, this is my VERY FIRST ATTEMPT at making these little cuties, so of course, there are several mistakes I see right off the bat... I've NEVER worked with wire before and that takes some getting used to.  But I'm determined to get the hang of it and have made a couple of really nice looking ones that I don't have pictures of yet.

So, this is what is keeping me busy... New craft addictions, working my way through the craziness of marketing and advertising and tweaking and perfecting...  I'm definitely new to these waters and I'm winging it on my own =)

I am WILLING to accept any advice, critiques and encouragement along the way, so if you feel so inclined... ;)



Handy Dandy Doo....

So, I'm still caught up on this "HANDMADE" kick!!  I would seriously LOVE to hand make EVERYTHING I possible can... I have already tried my hand at handmade totes...my very FIRST attempt of looking at a pattern (reading it was trying to read a foreign language), and actually producing something out of fabric, thread and my sewing machine!
Here's how that turned out:













And then, I had this incredible fabric that was just needing to be made into throw pillows that match my living room really well =)  That was really easy!  Surprisingly so!  And I LOVED it!!!  Something about being at my sewing machine just feels right!!  I'm sad that, at age 34, I'm just now giving this a try.  But, nevertheless, here I am and I'm loving it!!
Here's the pillows:











So, next on  my list is to actually try to make some articles of clothing... I'm sure I will use my daughter as a Guinea pig, but ya know...
I have already had an addiction with making hairbows... Now I'm branching out with other hair accessories as well. ... I've always loved anything VINTAGE, so it is only natural that I try out vintage style hair accessories...which, by the way, people are loving!!!  So, I'm definitely making much, much more of those... I've even created another blog http://thekandyshoppe.blogspot.com/  Check it out and follow me there =)
Here's an example:

                                                                                        











Also my to-do list, LEARNING HOW TO KNIT!!!  YES!!!! I LOVE the look of anything that is knitted, so that is my next crafty thing to tackle.  There is actually a lady who told me she would teach me the basics, so I'm totally going to take her up on the offer!! So excited about that!

So, 2011 looks like a year of craftiness for me!  I'm I'm totally excited about it!!   I have a lot of things in my mind that I want to try out and also some projects that I want to tackle... Any ideas on other crafts or projects I should try out?  I would love to know about them!!  I would also love to see what others are making =)  So, share, share, share... also, any suggestions of other craft blogs, I'm all ears!!  I heart blogs!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

A New Adventure...

I have been making hair bows and such for a while...for my Lil' Diva.  In the process, I have been asked by other mommies to make bows for their little divas... Before I knew it, I'm in the "hair bow business" so-to-speak.  Several friends had encouraged me that I could probably make a buck or two if I offered my work online.  I said, "yeah, maybe" and let it go with little more thought put into it. 
Well, as of two days ago, I created a blog for my handmade goodies!  Yes, I did it!   I figured it would be a good way to start to test out the interest in what I do.  AND it's fun!!  My new blog is called The Kandy Shoppe.  You have to check it out!!
Not only are my hair bows on there, but other things that I enjoy to make as well.  And even my husbands wood-working hobby.  He makes amazing things by the way. 
So, I have been busy the last couple of days getting my thoughts together, creating my blog and other social networking avenues and gathering up materials to rock n roll with!  So much fun!!!!  Two blogs to keep up with and I'm expanding my hobby.  Exciting things on the horizon ;)