A Little Bit of Configuring and See What Happens!

It's done! I finished the first one and I like it! Yes, I had to use my fluffy neck to model it but, I kind of like that most of the "fluff" is hidden by the collar. I may just start wearing collars all the time now! Lots of sterling silver, garnet, fresh water pearl, antique glass, and lovely lace to balance this all out. Next collar in line is one made with lavender suede, black leather, and the most gorgeous piece from an antique Victorian hat band. Sparkly good times to be had!

Easter Madness!

So Easter was a pretty good time this year. LOTS of candy, ham, and eggs! Ciaran was so excited to get his working truck set and a bunch of jelly beans and m&m's from the Easter bunny. I had to cut him off after he ate an entire bag of peanut m&m's and then started in on the jelly beans. So he decided to fill up his big yellow truck with all of the jelly beans and cruise around the living room with one of his hot chicks that his auntie sent him. Little chick is quite a daredevil climbing out of the sunroof like that!

Since there were many festivities I didn't really get to work on much other than finish Edolie's little Easter dress. It turned out really cute and although it was a bit too big for her still, she looked pretty cute in it, if I may say so myself. I tried to get a good picture of it but she had to be all bundled up and every time I took a picture of her she came out all fuzzy. Oh well, I tried!

So now I get to get my butt going this week on sewing, designing, and of course I am always cutting and gluing. I have a few wallets done, a few almost there, and a collar that is just about ready to go! I wish I had someone with a pretty and less "fluffy" neck than mine to model it for my photos. Maybe I can think of some fun way to shoot it without having to have it modeled. It would just be so nice to see it as it is meant to be worn. I guess I will just have to see what happens.

Bubbling and Boiling

yes, things are bubbling, brewing, and boiling over here in my secret laboratory. Mostly in my head at the moment. The ideas are fighting with a nasty cold I picked up somewhere this week. Ciaran's got it too, so no sleep for me the last few nights, which is making me a very grouchy lady. I am using my "grouchy time" to draw up new designs and reconfigure old ones. Since my eyes are pretty much a wreck when my sinuses are all messy and wrong, I don't do much as far as sewing. I do however, do lots of drawing, cutting and gluing. I managed to plow my way through a pile of coin pouches and wallets yesterday and once my head is a bit clearer, I plan to sew, sew, sew and get these babies listed!

I am also collecting more and more for my collar project. I was going through my stash this morning and thought I would snap a pic, just so I could show you all what I have going on. I forgot how much I love antique and vintage items, so full of mystery. I am crossing my fingers that I can finish up the initial collection of antique beads and baubles by the end of the month so I can get this show on the road. I am still looking for the perfect black buttons for closures, a bunch of little teeny tiny black beads, and a handful of beaded trim and applique, then it's full steam ahead!(here's to hoping anyways!)

The Start of Things

So, this piece is one I started many, many, moons ago and finally dug up the other night. Its a lovely piece of embossed black leather with embroidery that I added a bit of lace too. It is soon to studded with little garnet diamonds and sterling silver seed beads and some antique buttons to add a little zip to the closure. I am very excited at the possibilities and I will be using some of the beads, baubles, and lace that I have been furiously hunting for in a series of cuffs and collars along the same lines. This is a different path for me to walk down so I am crossing my fingers that I am up to the challenge. I look forward to showing off the successes and/or failures soon.

Building up my Shops

So, after this weekend, I should be able to concentrate on strictly building up the inventory in my shops. I am thinking about cancelling my icraft shop and just concentrating on Etsy and artfire for now. I just need a spot for my handbags for now, and that's what I am doing with icraft. I love the site, but I spend way more time on the other two. Although, I have promised myself that I will work strictly on leather bags, since the fabric ones don't do very well for me. So, I will be finishing up the few custom orders that I have and a couple of other projects(collars, belts, etc.) so I can get a bunch of wallets, cuffs, and etc. cut out and ready to put together. My plan is to be prepared for the arrival of baby Ed(that's her new name) and the holiday season this year, so I am starting now. I want to get my already established designs ready to go so I can focus my time in the early Fall on a couple of new ones, mainly guitar straps and belts, and a few smaller items. I hope to have lots of pictures of my progress to share over the next few weeks, wish me luck. Happy Fourth of July all! Enjoy your festivities!

Vicicous Nose.

Vicious nose, Vicious nose, Birthday cake, Daddy gone, Oh, Etsy! Camping, Doggie, Suddenlink, Oh, Etsy!, Vicious nose. - As written and sung by Ciaran. This was his song today. I am not sure what it means but he was really rockin' it.

In other news, I finished a new cuff and I am working on a new collar. Very dark and goth, not exactly what I usually do but fun none the less. I also finished up a few little projects, mostly custom pieces for friends or orders. It feels good to be done on a Friday. Now I am off to mail off a few things and peruse the thrift stores. It should be a fun time! Happy weekend all!