Newspaper Beads

I found this tutorial maybe a year ago.  Basically, it's papier mache beads.  You take some newspaper, rip it into tiny pieces, then you pour boiling water over them to break it down.  Drain the water from the paper.  Use a clear drying glue (like Elmer's, they suggest) to form small balls.  Roll into balls, squeeze out excess moisture. Let them dry.  

Sand em, Drill em.  And then, my favorite part, paint em.  I like how she used multiple colors.  I think it gives it a nice look. Then varnish, let dry, and you're ready to create.  You should check out the tutorial.

http://www.astorybooklife.com/how-to/paper-beads/

New Jack O'Lantern Purse Pattern

I created a fun little purse for the Halloween season. I have the pattern up for sale in my etsy store. It is the first of hopefully many patterns I will create for sale. I think it is a very cute little purse. I like to wrap the handle around my wrist and swing it around. I think it would be the perfect bag for a child this season. Anyway, let me know what your thoughts are on it. It was very quick to make and if you want to make one for yourself, go to this site and buy the pattern. I will make sure to send the pdf quickly.

Busy, busy, busy

The festival is fast approaching. I have been working seemingly non-stop. Gluing, sealing, sewing, and crocheting. I am so busy that this is the only thing I can write. After I finish more items, I will write more about how I made them and put up pictures.

Watermelon Purse

Since I am planning on having a booth at the Watermelon Festival this year, I thought I would do some items with a watermelon theme. I used to make a lot of crocheted purses as gifts for people a few years back. I thought, "Hey why not make a watermelon purse?" So that's what I did yesterday and today. Here I show you the first watermelon purse. It may change slightly, but overall I really like it. I think my customers will like it too. Let me know what you think.

Peach and Watermelon Festivals

Peach Festival is this weekend. I am looking forward to it, but at the same time I am kind of dreading it, because I know it's going to be like 100 degrees out. We have been eating peaches everyday for the past few days, because my husband's mother took my daughter out peach picking the other day. So I probably won't be stuffing myself with peaches at the festival this year. However, I may try something if it looks interesting.

The Peach Festival has me thinking more about the upcoming Watermelon Festival more than anything though. That was a deadline I set for myself and my little business. I wanted to get a table and sell some of my handmade crafts, as well as have a portfolio of my artwork to show people in case they wanted to commission any work from me. I have been making caricatures and portraits already, but I also do graphic design and digital art. Not to mention my jewelry, hair clips, and other assorted crafts.

Needless to say, I feel like I am all over the place and I either need to focus on less or I need to separate these into smaller categories of one larger company. I think I will do the latter, because one company making jewelry or drawing portraits will not do well where I live. I know I would get bored and lose my drive very quickly when things get slow too. Overall, I think this coming week I need to get my butt in gear and start making products, put the money down for a table, and determine how I will organize this business.