Taking a Break

I haven't been around much because of my migraines, and I decided it's just time to officially take a break. I need time to move things around and organize them in my apartment, and just time to let my body heal. I don't want to feel guilty because I haven't blogged or worked on my shop. I just want to be for a little while. I miss you all and I'll try not to be gone for too much longer!

Harvest Days!

This weekend is Harvest Days out in Battle Ground where I participate in the market. That means longer hours, more days, and hopefully a lot more customers! Which probably means absent Ruthie yet again :P *rolls eyes* But hey, if I make lots of sales it'll be worth it right? Here's hoping! I need to go get stuff ready....

Their done!!! Woohoo!!!

I finished working on my new earring cards! 

It was a LOT of work - but they are pretty :)

Don't you agree?

I used vertical cards that I ordered from Vista Print (LOVE their deals!).

Step two was to glue a "hook" type thing to the back so they'll go on the displays.

I obviously should of taken a picture of that, but I wasn't thinking!

Then I used a tape measure to mark where the holes for the earring wires should go.

Then I made the holes with a 1/16th hole punch (did you even know they have those?)

Last I took each pair of earrings, wrote new price and inventory tags, and put them on the cards!

I'm guessing I did about 75 pairs of earrings?

I didn't really bother to count...

But the backs I used came in a pack of 100,

and I think there are about 25 left.

Like I said, lots of work, but I think it's well worth it!

New Books!

We went to Powell's Books today and my Uncle bought me these books! Now I'm all torn. I have so much to do right now....but I want to make beads! I'm changing over all my earrings to new cards, and I need to assemble the cards and transfer everything before Saturday's market. So that really needs to be my priority right now. But it would be so much more fun to play with the beads!

I've been wanting to expand what I offer in my shop. My shop isn't very well stocked at the moment, but that's because I need to take improved photos, not because I lack inventory. I want to branch out into new areas and featuring fun supplies is one of the things I want to do! I already have some paper beads up in my shop, but I've also been wanting to learn how to create and feature beaded beads and fabric beads. I'll begin to use them in my own work of course, but more than that, I want to have them available to sell!  These books will be perfect to teach me some of the techniques I need to expand my business.

Another thought I've had is that I might see if I can wholesale handmade beads, of any type, to my local bead store. I want to make up a selection and then I'll present my idea to the gal who runs the store that I already have jewelry in on commission. That will be awhile before I get too it because life is busy - but maybe by fall?

Pirates Swag!!!

Look at all the swag I got today! And at 50% off or more! Woohoo!

So Tired....

It's been a long day, but a good day. I haven't gotten much done on the crafty front, but I got some bills paid, had a good doctors appointment (plan to talk about that tomorrow), spent some time with my Mom, time with John/Bec/and babies, and now I'm wiped out!

I just wanted to let everyone know, in case you noticed, that I haven't run my blog contest the last two months. (I think that's all its been. I do plan on running it again this month, so comment, comment, comment if you want to win free stuff from my shop!