Gracie Bird

Picture Perfect

2008-05-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

Here's what I've been working on... Click individual photos to see the listings and auctions.

New Toy!

2008-05-13T21:33:00.000-07:00

Ooh, I found a kaleidoscope generator and look what I did with a photo of one of my necklaces.

I could spend hours playing with this!

What were they thinking???

2008-05-11T15:15:00.000-07:00

You know the saying "If you remember the 60s, you weren't there"? Well, I've got a new one, "If you remember 80s fashion, you don't admit it"!

Check out these kitschy magnets upcycled from old 80s earrings, they're in my Etsy shop.

Flowers and Ladybugs and Polka Dots - Complete

2008-05-09T20:39:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is how I put together these three seemingly incongruous fabrics.

Ladybugs and polka dots...

Here is the dress reversed- flowers and ladybugs, oh my.

And when it was all done, I did it again! Matching sister sets, how fun is that?

Love This!

2008-05-08T22:09:00.000-07:00

I love, love, LOVE this fused glass brooch by Etsian GroovyGlassGirl.

Breasts in the workplace?

2008-05-07T22:38:00.000-07:00

Here's a question for you. What do you do when a co-worker hangs art featuring nude breasts on the wall in the workplace?

Decadent

2008-05-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this look good enough to eat? Well don't eat it, slather on this yummy looking organic body scrub from Etsian A Breath of French Air for smooth silky skin. Visit this great shop for beautiful bath and body products.

Then stop by Elizabeth's blog where she has a great contest going on.

Sleepwalking

2008-05-01T06:31:00.000-07:00

Yaaawwwn. I'm tired. Still waiting to feel like I've adjusted to working full-time again. Poor Jack with his allergies, he can't help it that he snores to wake the dead. Okay, maybe I do too, when I sleep. And Blue, what? now that mommy is gone all day 2:00a.m. is suddenly a great time to play football? And Chris, with 3:00a.m., 4:00a.m.... bathroom calls? Okay, that one is beyond our control but tiring anyway. And Eric, just because he scored GTA IV on opening day (don't go there- he's 21) doesn't mean 24/7 is a good idea. Robert, at least he got his phone taken away for a bit, so no all night convos with the sweetie.

My window of sleep time isn't that great to begin with... with my mind going over the new job info, the sewing, magnet making, show prep, packaging, shipping, promoting, oh yeah- and the good shows are back on. I hate whining, especially when it's me, but did I tell you I'm tired?

Global Garden

2008-04-28T23:31:00.000-07:00

And Another One

2008-04-27T13:09:00.001-07:00

Flowers and Ladybugs and Polka Dots- Oh My!

2008-04-26T20:53:00.001-07:00

Wait until you see how I am going to put these three fabrics together!

I've Been Busy

2008-04-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

Finally, I feel like I'm getting something done. These are a few things I've finished up lately.

Reversible dress- has matching capri pants in the red floral and dots.

Scalloped eyelet bodice came out sew sweet!

Dress reverse to the same floral as the pants.

Dress reverses to the striped fabric.

Unfortunately I forgot to photograph the sweetest little aqua and lavender paisley set before sending it on it's way.

Grey's and Son

2008-04-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

Yay oh yay! Tonight is the return of Grey's Anatomy! And Ugly Betty! I'll take a pass on Lost. I just had a funny conversation with my 21 year old son. He recently discovered Grey's and has been catching up on the previous seasons on-line. He says his friends laugh at him for watching Grey's. "But hey", he says "there's three really hot chicks on there". He is, of course, counting Addison since he hasn't caught up yet. What tickled me is that for the first time in like 15 years we are watching the same show- even if he's watching for the "hot chicks".

Happy Earth Day

2008-04-22T08:24:00.001-07:00

This & That

2008-04-21T18:17:00.000-07:00

It's been a hectic several days and I been neglecting my posts. I'm sewing like mad trying to finish up all the custom orders that came my way right before I got the new job, which proves the old adage when it rains it pours. In a good way of course. Once the customs are done I'll be able to create in a more leisurely manner and just whatever tickles my fancy at the time. No more pressure to sell, yay, just the pleasure of doing what I love and selling it just to support my creative obsessions.

What Do You See...

2008-04-18T05:34:00.000-07:00

...in the left side-bar? Between the "bloom" picture and the "dandelions Etsy mini". Do you see some pretty pictures that link to cool Etsy shops? Or do you see the empty boxes with the dreaded red X? Leave me a comment, for once I hope I'm the only one seeing them.

Omphaloskepsis

2008-04-17T17:14:00.001-07:00

-noun
Contemplation of one's navel as part of a mystical exercise.

Over The Hump

2008-04-16T18:18:00.000-07:00

I've made it over the hump in my first week on the new job, come on, Friday! I am beat. It's been 22 years since I have had to learn a new job from the bottom up. And while I am still at the University, and know alot (ALOT) of the inside stuff, I have a ton to learn.

Grant and assessment administration is uncharted waters for me, coming from academic faculty and student support. I do have to admit though that I'm having fun putting together an office from the four walls in, and end-of-the-fiscal-year budget restraints are putting my creative skills to work. It's fun too that it's a brand new position in a new department so I get to make it up as I go. Flying by the seat of my pants, hey, I am gooood at that!

Connections

2008-04-14T20:38:00.000-07:00

Two recent discoveries have me feeling particularly connected to the world beyond my little sphere. I met a gal, don't remember if we first chatted through Etsy or our blogs, they are sort of intertwined. But we have been exchanging stories about our respective disabled sons- my 24 year old with Friedreich's Ataxia(FA) and her 5 year old with Cerebral Palsy.

Then I discovered The Mom Blogs with a whole blogroll related to parenting special needs children. Wow, what a wealth of information, love, sharing, and downright understanding. My son's diagnosis came before the information super highway and finding medical information, not to mention community was nearly impossible. I haven't found one yet specifically about FA but if I don't they will find me.

Driving In Circles

2008-04-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

I was getting really tired of hanging out in the promo forums trying to get folks to look at my Etsy shop. I mean they are there trying to get me to look at their shops. It was getting really redundant and not producing any sales.

So... okay, everyone seems to have a blog, thought I'd give that a try. I wasn't sure what I was doing and often still get things right quite by accident, but I have this blog. I spend time on it every day, tweaking and updating and adding little widgets. And now I seem to spend all my time in the promo forums trying to get people to look at my blog!

Reborns

2008-04-12T22:31:00.000-07:00

Beautiful reborn baby dolls on Etsy.

What's Missing?

2008-04-11T19:33:00.000-07:00

Yay me!

2008-04-10T06:04:00.000-07:00

I'm starting a new job Monday, whoohoo. After taking a year off from a real job and then working part-time for the past 5 months, it's back to the real world. I wasn't really looking for anything but this position just kind of came out of nowhere. It sounded like something intriguing although I didn't think my interest in it would be taken seriously. Surprise, surprise.

I still don't think I'll catch many sunrises but I will miss sitting with my coffee, Etsy, blogging, etc. all morning, and leisurely lunching with Mom or my RCA gals but a real paycheck is going to be a good thing! So, when (not if) you see me hanging around the forums at 1:00a.m. tell me to go to bed.

Critique...

2008-04-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

...my blog. I'd love to know what you think, I'm pretty sure I would, about the content, the look and overall feel. What would you add? Subtract?

Love to hear from you.

Charmed

2008-04-08T22:09:00.000-07:00

-adjective
Marked by good fortune or privilege.

Color Practice

2008-04-06T17:47:00.001-07:00

Anyone that knows me knows I am all about cool colors. I surround myself with green, blue and purple- preferably all three at once. So, I've set myself a little goal to step outside my color comfort zone and try something new, starting with this little Etsy favorites collection. Links to individual listings are below.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5669141

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10711209

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8147183

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9759992

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6550834

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6937416

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10695774

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7747146

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8113452

Craft Fairs

2008-04-05T20:22:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned my mixed feelings about doing craft fairs and boutiques? Today was my first in a long time and I did okay. Made back my table money and some for my pocket. Did I make enough to be worthwhile? Yes and no. I made enough to be worth the time I spent there- setting up, selling, packing up, etc. When I think about the prep time before the event- getting displays put together, pricing things, making signs, the actual inventory (although I'd be creating it anyway)- probably not worth what I made.

Will I be doing it again? Yep, no doubt, for several reasons. Meeting my fellow crafters and artisans is always great, I met a fellow Etsian today, that was cool. Sharing upcoming events is informative, grumbling about the current crumby market reminds me I'm not the only one. Meeting my customers face-to-face is the best. I love what I do and I love sharing it. I don't hoard my skills and knowledge, I love explaining how I created something and encouraging someone to try it. So yeah, this one is done, I'll have an early night tonight and a day of rest tomorrow, then start gearing up for the next one. Maybe I'll see you there!

Treasury West

2008-04-04T15:01:00.001-07:00

Wow, I was gathering Etsy favorites thinking it would be nice, albeit unlikely, to get hold of a Treasury spot. I finished my gathering, popped over to look at the Treasuries, then went about doing something elsewhere in the house. I came back to my computer about an hour later and VOILA it was waiting for me to assign a name to my Treasury! I am thrilled with how it turned out.

Sedona

2008-04-03T23:19:00.000-07:00

I was honored to have my Sedona necklace pictured in the Fall 2006 issue of Belle Armoire magazine. Once this weekend's craft faire is passed and I get caught up with half a dozen custom outfit orders, I am going to run a tutorial on this piece. I'm going to be working it up in my signature color palette of blue, green and purple. Pick your colors and check back soon to follow along.

Puppy Love

2008-04-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

I was peeking through Fuzzy Logic's blog, admiring her beautiful Mastiffs and figured I should share some puppy love. I went to the shelter a few years ago looking for a male lab-mix and came home with Blue. Not a lab, not a male. About three months old at the time, she leaned up against the bars of the pen and turned her goofy blue eye on me and I fell in love. She's not the smartest dog in the park but she makes up for it in character, personality and love. Blue loves strawberries-n-cream frapuccino, riding in the car, hogging the bed, and her daddy.

This is Blue's everyday collar, I made it for her a couple years ago. It's the one she always wears with her tags. She's about due for a new one, which I'll finish up sometime soon, but this one has held up remarkably well.

Stoked

2008-04-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! I am lovin' my third column even if it's naked right now! Thanks so much to Amanda at Blogger Buster for the great tutorial, she made it sooo simple.
Now that I have my nifty left column I'm thinking I'll offer up some ad space- free for now since this is a wee fledgling of a blog. Details to come...

Karma

2008-04-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Argh! So I was playing with my blog trying to add meta tags without fully understanding what I was doing. Suddenly it was gone! Not all of it, my posts were still there. But my colors (which I agonize over) my links, all of my little widgets... everything except the actual posts and archives just poofed. I am so un-savvy about all e-things that every step of my blog has been one forward and two back. I was torn between crying and throwing up but as I was at work I could do neither.
I managed eventually to get it all back, except my lovely colors. I have no more understanding of how and why it came back than I do of how and why it went away, but I am sooo glad it did.
Lesson learned: Blogging at work = Bad Karma.

The Learning Curve

2008-03-30T22:41:00.001-07:00

So, back to The Best Laid Plans. To do for this week, in no particular order:
1. Almost everything from last week's list.
2. Learn about Meta Tags. What they are, why I should have them, how to use them.
3. Study Timothy Adam's advice.

20,000 Beads Under The Sea

2008-03-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

According to Greek mythology Amphitrite was the sea personified. As Poseidon's wife, Amphitrite's offspring include seals and dolphins.

I finally finished Amphitrite's Garden and just in time for it to be successfully auctioned off at a gala event last night. About 20,000 beads including lapis lazuli, crystal, aventurine, freshwater pearls, copper, sterling, mother of pearl, paua shell, Czech glass, many, many size 8 seeds and several hours later I am very pleased with how it turned out. A substantial and lush piece Amphitrite's Garden makes a bold statement.

Although this piece will not, indeed can not, be duplicated the style will be offered for custom orders in the buyer's choice of colorway and theme.

Artist Feature

2008-03-27T01:15:00.000-07:00

I found Diana Brennan today on Etsy. Well, actually Diana found me looking for blog ideas, in turn I found her shop, D. S. Brennan Photography.

27-year-old Diana is a native of Rhode Island where she and her husband are new homeowners. As a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Environmental Science and Management she works as a Wetland Scientist (that sounds interesting).

Following Annejulie's work on DeviantART led Diana to Etsy, where she set up shop on her birthday in 2007. Diana chronicles her new work on her blog.

I asked Diana what motivates and inspires her:

Well, one might say I'm obsessed with photography. Even when it's stressing me out, I love to take photographs and work on them... I can't stop! I'm motivated by my friends and family, who support and encourage me. I'm inspired by nature, architecture, and music.

Diana believes she will one day make a living with her art and looking through her shop it's easy to see why.

Really Red

2008-03-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have about 300 yards of fabric but when a customer asked for red I had to go shopping. Look what I found! I love, love, LOVE these fabrics together.

The Best Laid Plans

2008-03-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

I am a list maker. A huge list maker. I spend way more time planning and listing than I should. There is something about the sense of accomplishment that comes with crossing something off the list. So here's my list for the week:

Finish Amphitrite, pictured in "Work In Progress below. The event that it is being donated to is Saturday!

Finish up the 500 or so marble magnets that are in various stages of completion. I need them for a craft faire on April 5.

Sew, sew, sew... I hope to have 20 outfits done for the faire on the 5th. Would like to get through these fabrics in the next few days:

Balancing Act

2008-03-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

Whoever said "build it and they will come" couldn't have been a crafter. I'm struggling lately to find a balance between actually creating and promoting my creations for sale. What a great tool the internet is and isn't it awesome to be able to share your work worldwide!

But remember when crafting meant creating then doing the craft show circuit? Now we create, photograph, edit, post and list, promote, promote and promote some more, package, ship, track, leave feedback, and hope we've earned a repeat customer!

So, let me know if you have found that elusive balance, for now I'll keep "building it", they will come, I'm sure. Sometime...

Comfort Food

2008-03-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

I don't really like to cook. I used to, but not so much anymore. When I do cook it's generally not something too healthy so it's just as well that it doesn't happen too often. I do make some really yummy mashed potatoes, but the the cholesterol will practically stick to your arteries just reading this.

Scrub up some plain old russet potatoes. I feed a houseful of testosterone bearing individuals so I do about twelve potatoes. I peel half of them, this is my concession to the one or two of my guys that don't love the skins. Dice them up and put them on to boil. While the potatoes are cooking, mince a couple cloves of garlic and pan-roast. When the potatoes are fork tender put them in a colander to drain. I toss a stick of margarine into the pot while it's still hot, then dump the potatoes back in on top of the margarine, toss in the garlic. Mix just enough to melt the margarine and distribute the garlic, then add one or two cups of shredded cheese. I use the cheddar-jack that my market carries. Mix again to melt the cheese. Next add a container of low-fat sour cream- I know the low-fat seems a bit silly at this point, I just like the taste better than full fat. Mix again and mash as much as you like, I leave them a little lumpy. Enjoy.

ADHD or Diversity

2008-03-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure I have crafter's ADHD. I started digging into the piles of stuff today, trying to bring it to some semblance of order. Things were moving along well while I refolded and stacked fabrics. After that- not so well. Trying to sort things into logical categories is proving to be a challenge. I must have tools and equipment and materials for a hundred different crafts.

There is the fabric of course: regular and fleece and flannel and quilted and some fancy ones. Then there is the yarn: the regular and the cottons and the fancy ones and the little spools of fancy fibers for my jewelry that I could also crochet or knit if I were inclined. The glass, flat for mosaic and wire wrapping, rods for lampworking, marbles for magnets. The polymer clay, the modeling clay, the paper clay. The acrylics and oils and watercolors. The Crayolas and pastels and colored pencils and watercolor pencils and markers. The paper and embellishments, plus all the stuff to make more paper. All the stuff I bought thinking I would make kaleidoscopes. The nuts and bolts and washers and o-rings for jewelry.

And I don't even want to think yet about the beads...

Spring

2008-03-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

According to The Old Farmer's Almanac:

"The word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning "equal night." The vernal, or spring, equinox is the point at which the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator from south to north, signaling the beginning of nature's renewal in the Northern Hemisphere."

...the beginning of nature's renewal... I love that.

The Maze

2008-03-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

My guys are starting to get a little tired of the maze through the house- it's still there. Birdie is having fun with it though. I'm hoping to get it all confined into neat stacks instead of piles on Friday. We'll see.

Overwhelmed

2008-03-19T00:28:00.000-07:00

I got tired of moving boxes stacked on more boxes to get to other boxes to find what I need in order to be creative. So I started hauling those boxes and things out of what I fondly call my studio and piled them on the dining table, around the dining table, on the kitchen counter, in the entry hall, in the living room...

How Did I Get Here?

2008-03-10T16:43:00.001-07:00

I have no clue what I am doing here. Every one has a blog, figured I should too. I don't know what I will do with it but I'll figure that out after I figure out how to make one.