It's Spring Craft Fair Season!

We've been working hard to get into the swing of the Spring Craft Shows.  So far, we've participated in 3 shows, Custer, WSU, and Shadle Park High School craft fairs.  The picture above was from Custer, our first show.  We did pretty well and receive a lot of great feedback.  WSU was not what I was expecting.  I found out there was a HUGE craft fair being held on campus (which I thought I was participating in).  Unfortunately,  we were in a smaller show dedicated to Fashion and Beauty.  There were NO signs to direct people to the upstairs gym we were located in.  It was pretty slow, and I was a bit disappointed with the turn out, so I didn't take any pics.   I met some really nice people though, so that was good.  Last weekend, we did the Shadle Park show.  Mike had made some little side walls for the display.  It helps with stability of the main wall, and gives me a little more display area.

 The weather was beautiful, which I think kind of worked against us.   I'm beginning to think maybe Spring shows are just going to be a little "lighter" in attendance.   Once again, I met some really nice people, and was even approached about being a guest artist at a Gallery in Priest Lake.  

Here are some pictures of some of the signs and accessories I brought to the show.  Many have sold, so I'll busy over the next 3 weeks preparing for the Garden Expo at Spokane Community College, May 9th.

Thanks for checking in.  Please feel free to contact me if you have something you'd like custom made.  I love doing special pieces for people.  I am also planning on listing some of my work in my Etsy shop soon.  I will post a link once I get that going.

If you are in the Spokane area, I'd love it if you stopped by my booth at the Garden Expo and said hi.  It should be a great show.  I'll post more details when I receive them from the show promoters.

Buffalo Girls, won't you come out tonight?

FINALLY!  

It only took 6 attempts, several tools, most of them completely inappropriate for the job, and a few tears, but it's finally done.  I'm really pleased with the final piece, but boy, oh boy, did this test my tenacity!  

It looks simple enough, which is why I thought it would be a complete breeze.  I guess I needed to be brought back down to earth and reminded that I really don't have a clue what I'm doing with most of my power tools, LOL!!!  Oh well, I'm learning, and that's really the most important thing, right?

Here it is:

I dug through my scrap wood, game pieces and rulers and old belts to get the patchwork stripes.  There was quite a lot of trial and error to get this worked out. In fact, the first go round, the wood scraps I put together ended up being too wide, which didn't give enough contrast for my taste.  I knew when I took the first picture that I was going to distress the light blue board, cuz that's just how I roll, lol!

That's all I have for today.  Hoping to get a lot done tomorrow.  I hope, I hope, I hope.

Oh, The Frustration!

I had such high hopes for getting a million things done on Friday.  OK, maybe not a "million", but I planned to get a lot more done  then I did, that's for sure!  It seemed as though everything I tried to do backfired.  I've been trying to create a Buffalo piece of art, and I had a couple designs I wanted to try.  Well, lets just say I'm back to the drawing board.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not stranger to creation through trial and error.  In fact, that's pretty much how I work on a daily basis, lol!  But, for some reason, Friday was more frustrating then productive.  

I guess I should preface by saying that I work with the most rudimentary tools, all of which are second hand (like most things in my life, lol!) .  I was raised to shop thrift stores, yard sales and pawn shops for usable items.  This has worked just fine for me, as I wouldn't have most of the things I have today if I only bought things brand new.  Really, the age of my tools isn't the issue.  The issue is I'm trying to use the wrong tools for the projects at hand.  The Buffalo piece I mentioned before has a very narrow piece for the tail, which in EVERY attempt so far has broken off in the cutting process.  Nothing breaks my spirit more then to have a project go wrong, time and time again.  I tried at least 5 times to cut this Buffalo out, first using a jigsaw, then Mike suggested I try the Rotozip.  Both did fine until I got to the tail.  The Rotozip was better, but the tail still broke off.  SO FRUSTRATING!!!  I suppose I should also say that I am not an experienced wood worker.  I honestly have no real clue as to what I'm doing, lol!  I just pick up a tool and start playing with it.  

Now, in addition to the frustration I was having with my lack of skills, I also had Spock and Bob (the goats) running around part of the time, to get their daily exercise.  They are notorious for knocking stuff over, stealing chunks of wood and whatever else they could get their mouths on, and just, in general, a source of constant mayhem.  I know, not my smartest move!  Anyway, once they were good and tired, I put them back in their temporary pen and went back to work.  At some point, I noticed Bob was out running around again, and when I took a closer look, I saw that Spock had somehow gotten himself trapped between the feed trough that is attached to the barn and the pallets that make up the temporary pen.  I had to stop what I was doing and go out and rescue poor Spock.  I always joke that he's cute, so he doesn't have to be smart, lol, but I'm beginning to think he's even "simpler" then I originally thought!!!  Anyway, after completely tearing apart 2 sides of the pen, I was able to get him free.  More time sucked away from working on my project, but at least Spock didn't get hurt this time, and I was able to put the pen back together fairly quickly.  

Anyway, about the time I was ready to give up, in tears, I looked out the window and saw this:

Princess Bertha Belle!  She always seems to know when I need a little love.  I put my tools down, and went to the window and rubbed her pretty face and ears, and she snuggled right up to the window and offered wet, slimey kisses.  If you've never known the love of a cow, you've missed out.  She is so sweet and affectionate.  I really needed that lovin' right at that moment!  

The critters here at the ranch give me so much joy and happiness.  Yes, even Spock and Bob!  They are young, and full of energy and curiosity.  That is always a recipe for chaos, but for the most part, they are sweet and loving little gentlemen.  OK, gentlemen is pushing it, but they are typical little boys, full of mischief and always looking for something to get into.

Anyway, Mike felt so bad for me that he looked on Craigslist for a scroll saw and we picked it up yesterday to try making the intricate cuts I was having trouble with before.  Wish me luck!  I don't know if I'll be able to master the scroll saw, but what I do know is that I am blessed, even when I get so frustrated I want to cry!

I will post the results of my first attempts of using the scroll saw, provided I don't accidentally cut of a finger or something, lol!

Spring Cleaning!

After the crazy week prior to the Custer Show - working outside, in cold, sometimes snowy weather, we decided to clean up the barn and make room for working on the building portion of the crafting business.  The goats were ready to move back outside, so the first thing was to take down the temporary pen we built with pallets and start shoveling out the bedding.

This was NOT fun, lol!!!  I am so fortunate to have a wonderful husband that offered to do the worst of the bedding removal.  Since he was kind enough to work on that, I decided to tackle this:

Can you say YIKES!  It was getting a little difficult to maneuver in there, lol!!!

Anyway, here's what it looks like after 2 days of cleaning.

I just realized I didn't take a picture of the wall of shelves.  It has been cleaned up and organized too, but to the "untrained eye", it still looks messy, lol!  I'll try to get a picture of that area tomorrow.

  It's been raining non-stop for the past 2 days,  and it got a little chilly out in the barn.  Even though we fired up the kerosene heater, it was still a little cold.  Probably should have thought of it first thing instead of waiting until we'd been working out there for several hours!  After fighting off the chill for the the better part of the day, we decided it was time to head into the house.  I have to admit, I'm ready for some "curl up in a blanket and watch movies" time.   Tomorrow, it's right back to cutting wood, sanding, painting and waxing!  

Custer's 40th Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show was a SUCCESS!

Hi Everyone!!!

I'm really sorry it's taken me so long to update my blog.  I was crazy busy getting ready to participate in the Custer Spring Show.  I was super fortunate to get a space due to a last minute cancellation.  I had 10 days to get everything ready, INCLUDING DISPLAYS!  I had a few pieces ready, but for the most part, I would say about 90% of what you see in the picture above was created in those 10 days.

Here are some close ups of some of the items in my booth.

I've been taking the week following the show to regroup, and am hopeful to get right back to creating starting next week.  I will post any upcoming shows I will be participating in as I get confirmation.  I was encouraged by several of my fellow vendors to apply to some very prestigious shows, (which I found very complimentary!) and have been contacting them over the past few days.  

I also had the wonderful good fortune to meet the lovely ladies of Buffalo Girls Vintage Jewelry the other day while out looking for salvage material for new creations.  These beautiful ladies create amazing jewelry from salvaged metals, leathers and other quality materials.  While talking about our mutual love of all things old, crusty, rusty and salvaged, we found that our styles blend beautifully.  I will be working on some custom signage for them, and they are working on a new line of doggy jewelry (I had Harley with me, AS ALWAYS, LOL) and it is possible that Harley will be the spokes-dog for this new line.  

I mean, seriously, who wouldn't find this little guy irresistible?

I can't begin to express how blessed I am feeling right now.  I have been struggling with what direction to take my life recently, feeling as though the extreme amount of work I've been doing over the past year and a half was being done in vain.  I have spent an inordinate amount of time (and personal finances) using my "creative obsession" helping others make money, whether intentionally, or not so much, while not even coming close to covering my own costs.   To finally, personally have some positive results, has truly given me the motivation I needed to continue down the path that has been set before me.

  

I would like to thank all of the wonderful friends and family that have been so supportive.  Without you, I NEVER could have had such a great show, or be looking forward to all the bright and shiny fun times ahead.

I am BLESSED indeed!

I spent a little time this morning playing with some scrap boards, pretty papers and vinyl.  This is what I ended up with.  I'm really happy with the distressed, antique wall paper look as a background for these cute signs.

Because of the poor lighting I've been struggling with, the detail is a little hard to see, but I tried taking some close up pictures of the background.

I am hoping to get my lighting situation fixed soon, but until I can, I will continue to do the best I can.

I had myself in mind when I made this one, lol!

And this one, tee hee!!!

I've been submitting applications for several of the large craft shows in the area.  I've been accepted in the Junk in My Trunk and Junk in the Park shows in Newport, Washington (I'll post dates shortly).  I'm waiting to hear from the Custer shows at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds, and (fingers crossed) Farm Chicks.  Sadly, for me, Farm Chicks is booked through next year, but I will be sending my application for 2016 soon.  I can't wait to start working on my booth display.  I'm hoping, with a couple sunny days, I'll be able to get it put together.  I also plan to use it for outdoor photo shoots, with I hope, I hope, I hope, will provide much better pictures!

I've got several more signs drying at the time of this post.  With any luck, I'll get them posted in the next day or so.

As always, comments and questions are welcome.

Ever had one of THOSE days?

 I have never been accused of being a graceful person, and for very good reason.  Today, I had hoped to finish the 4 signs I started a couple days ago, and I was making decent progress until, as usual, my natural clumsiness took over, and I spilled about a quart of paint from the gallon I was trying to move.  I hadn't put the lid on tight, and somehow I managed to catch the bottom of the can on my work surface and it tipped over.  Sky Blue paint splattered all over the floor, as well as onto my shoe, another can of paint and my vacuum cleaner!  I work in a somewhat confined area in my house, and on a good day, it can be a challenge.  Today, I had about 12 cans of paint all sitting on the floor around my work area, and I had been tripping on them all morning.  I had just finished telling my husband that I needed to put a little book case or something next to the area where I do all the painting, to hold all the cans of paint I keep dragging in the house.  I guess I'll be making something from some of the Pallets I have in the barn to hold the paint!  Anyway, because I had to stop EVERYTHING I was doing to get the paint mopped up, I decided that after cleaning up my mess, I was going to call it a day.  I managed to get 2 of the 4 signs completed.  

The first one is simple, and I really like it that way!  I love the Deer Silhouettes I made a couple weeks ago, but I'm noticing that same silhouette is showing up EVERYWHERE!  I decided to do something a little different, and went on the search for a nice Caribou Silhouette.  I'm really happy with how this turned out.  Very simple, very rustic.

The other sign I finished today is a sentiment near and dear to my heart.

I was working on the other "Life is better on the Farm" sign, done on pallet boards when I had my little mishap, So it will be a day or so before I can get it posted.  I'm also making another "Life doesn't have to be Perfect" sign, which will also be posted in a couple days.  

 I am  hoping to have several new signs to post in the next few days.   That is, provided I don't trip and break something, which is ALWAYS a possibility with me, lol!

As always, if you have any questions, or would like to discuss a custom order,  just click on the "contact me" button.

Thanks everyone!