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Archive for March, 2012

A Piece Of String

Posted in Craft Business, tagged on March 8, 2012| Leave a Comment »

I’m on a new kick lately.  Well, not new per se; let’s say I’m revisiting an old passion.  I’m taking a short break from the wax and wicks, momentarily stepping away from bottle caps and beads.  My latest material of choice?  String.  Size 30 string, to be precise.

Size 30 string is pretty thin.  Narrow?  Dainty?  I’m not really sure how to describe what size 30 string is.  To be technical it’s thread.  But I don’t like to get caught up in technicalities here.

I’ve been known to whip up a nice little lap throw in my day, and many a doily.  Intricate table coverings and pillow embellishments can be found around my house as well as around the houses of people I know.  Crochet is what I do with string.  I crochet with yarn too, but I prefer string.  Thread.  Size 30.  Woven with a teeny, tiny hook.

A work in progress.

I’m having a marvelous time, and have an idea or two in my head on how I can incorporate my crochet work into the crafty biz I’m trying to grow.  Doilies are nice, but I’m feeling a little more creative than that.  Can you imagine what this project might ultimately be?

If it turns out I’ll show you the results.  For now I’m happy just watching that small piece of string work its way to a thing of beauty.

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Featured Shop ~ Gingham Life

Posted in Artists and Shops, Etsy, tagged , , , , , , on March 5, 2012| Leave a Comment »

If there’s one thing that inspires me it’s nostalgia.  I usually romanticize the past, thinking how marvelous it would have been to live in those times.  OK, so I don’t know if I could ever live without some of today’s conveniences, but there is definitely a comfort in “the good old days,” even if those days were before my time.

I’m so glad I found the Etsy shop of one of my fellow HandmadeMN members; it takes me back to those good old days in the form of textiles.  Gingham Life caught my attention and my admiration.  I’m completely in love with the aprons!  (Click on the pictures – they’re direct links to your purchasing pleasure!)

Handmade Smocked Apron, 1960s Pattern and Vintage Gingham

How much do I love the smocking?  Much!  And smocking paired with gingham has got to be the cutest thing there is.  Such fanciness for such a useful accessory!  Gingham Life is contributing to the rebirth of American-made aprons and clothes and uses vintage and repurposed textiles.

Floating Hostess Hand-Smocked Half Apron, Vintage Gingham and Hankie

This next apron is cute enough to be a dress!  (Except don’t do it because the back is completely open and you’d embarrass yourself terribly in front of your guests.)  How wonderful, the pink and brown, the buttons and pockets ~ I think it’s just adorable.

Handmade Apron, 1960s “Country Calico” A-Line Pattern, OOAK, Vintage Fabric

Not only does Gingham Life offer aprons, there are vintage linens and patterns, clothes, and other accessories made from repurposed fabrics.

The things at Gingham Life make me feel nostalgic, and even inspire me to do the vacuuming in one of these great aprons and high-heeled shoes, just like June Cleaver would.

This article will soon be published on the HandmadeMN blog, a blog I’m sure you will enjoy. Not only do they publish my Featured Shop articles, there are lots of giveaways and interesting articles presented by many Minnesota artisans like me.

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What A Dreamboat

Posted in Drink Charms, Nostalgia, tagged , , on March 1, 2012| Leave a Comment »

By now everyone’s heard the news that Davy Jones, age 66, has died.

Are you kidding me?!

I’ve always been a Monkees fan.  I remember, when I was just a young girl in the late ’60s, seeing a commercial on TV advertising a Monkees double album set.  I knew I had to have it.  I also knew my mother would never approve of spending that much money on record albums much less through the mail.  So secretly I met with Charlotte and we gathered enough of our little savings and mailed CASH through the mail to receive our Monkees records.  I wonder if those records are still somewhere in my mom and dad’s house?  If they are I know they have a lot of wear as Charlotte and I listened to them a lot.  I also know you cannot stop a starry-eyed, pre-teen girl from having her heart’s desire, so sneaking behind my mom’s back to get the albums was definitely forgivable.

Davy Jones.  Boy he was a heart-throb, huh?  Yep, I thought he was pretty groovy, but I wasn’t the only one.  Marsha Brady was way more in love with him than I ever was.  She promised her entire school that he would be at her prom because he responded to her fan mail!  I thought that episode of The Brady Bunch, where Davy Jones makes an appearance, was just about the coolest.  I saw that episode on a rerun not too long ago.  (Yes, I will watch The Brady Bunch whenever I can because they’re just so, well, far-out!)  I noticed this time around that Davy’s manager in the show was completely head-over-heels for Davy, giving him dreamy eyes and everything.  He even got a little jealous when Marsha came in to the recording studio and kicked her out, knowing that Davy would give his affections to her if he caught a glimpse.  Tres funny!

Well that just goes to show Davy Jones was a dreamboat to everyone.  True, he died before any of us were ready for it, but he left behind many a fluttering heart and a small contribution to the music world.  RIP, Davy.  You made me a believer.

P.S.  If this post got you thinking about the Brady Bunch, be sure to check out the ultra groovy Brady Bunch drink charms available in my shop.

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