in the works / life lately

Just a few of the things that have been going on the past month or so...

I never did put together a craft fair prep post like I'd planned so I'm sharing those pictures here today. I had my first 2014 craft fair at the beginning of the month.

I'm well stocked on button magnets, music magnets, and other small show items again. I have an abundance of bottle caps saved so that I'd like to use for magnets as well, but otherwise I'm in pretty good shape for the next show.

Since the 2013 holiday season, I've been restocking all of my best selling blue and rainbow items. I always save price tagging new items until the week before the show.

I organize all of my show inventory in Tupperware containers with labels on the tops. By the end of the 2013 holiday season, the containers were not very organized. Before the first 2014 show, I went through every single piece of jewelry and made sure that it was in good shape and had an up to date price tag before getting it into the proper container.

I picked up a bulk stash of wooden buttons at some point near the end of 2013, and I've been having a blast creating new pieces with them.

I'm super excited about these new wooden button embellished rainbow bracelets. They'll be heading into the jewelry shop soon.

Edi gifted me some custom buttons for my birthday last year (yep, almost a year ago), and I'm so happy to be putting them to good use at last.

One of the things that falls to the wayside during the holidays is listing new items on Etsy. I try to keep re-listing the best sellers that are likely to sell online, but I don't feel like spending my little free time photographing brand new items that I may turn around and sell at a show the next weekend. As such, I just pack them up and end up listing them later. These pairs of earrings are still on the list.

One of the first photos that I ever shared on Instagram was of this piece in progress. That was back in August. Clearly this is another project that I put to the side for a ridiculously long time. I want to get it finished, photographed, and listed in the near future.

As the weather has been very winter-like most of the month, I'm still making a lot of slow cooker and cold weather foods. I recently made pulled pork for the first time. I make pulled chicken pretty often and would like to get pulled pork into the regular rotation, too.

  

Finally, I couldn't put together a life lately post without a few of my recent SLR kitty pictures. On the cold weather note, they like this spot because it's right by a heating vent.

Everyone loves Michaels.

Ares, my ever present photography helper. I still had the daylight bulbs on in the lightbox, which is why he has a slightly washed out appearance.

What have you been up to lately?

photo share: antique store excursion

Some of you may remember me briefly mentioning my winter antique store photo taking excursion last month. If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen a few of these photos already. I've been taking my time editing this huge set so that I can enjoy all of the individual items. I'm sharing a sampling of my favorites today. Enjoy.

What have you been photographing lately?

Treasury Round Up - 3/21/14

The spring treasuries have kept rolling in these past couple weeks, which has been very refreshing. Please help me thank the curators who featured my work recently by checking out their collections and their shops.

Lynda (polkadottydolls) included my Beaded Cuff Bracelet - Ballet Stripe Black Pink in her pretty in pink treasury. I love the mix of items here. Check out Lynda's Art Doll Plush Modern Black White Stripe.

Arzu (ArzuMusaKnitting) included my Beaded Bracelet Purple Button in her Look Back treasury. This color palette here is fabulous. I never would have put it together on my own, but I love it. Check out Arzu's Hand Knit Nostalgic cloche.

Natasha (StalkingTheWildSnark) included my Beaded Wrap Bracelet - Your Tropical Destination Turquoise Blue Yellow in her Spring Celebrations treasury. This collection is so cheerful. Check out Natasha's Super Cute Guinea Pig Cuddle / Snuggle Sack - Popcorn House Kawaii Fleece Bag for Cavies, Small Pets, Rodents.

Natasha also included my Beaded Cuff Bracelet - Embellished - Turquoise Blue in her March Winds treasury. I love the whimsical nature of this collection.

Lana (LanasArt) included my Beaded Wrap Bracelet - Your Tropical Destination Turquoise Blue Yellow in her Springtime treasury. The mix of items here is perfect for the season. Check out Lana's Paris Print from Original Watercolor Travel Illustration Modern Art Painting titled Rainy Paris.

Sarah (ACatLikeCuriosity) included my Beaded Necklace - Ceramic Charcoal Gray Donut Focal - Maroon Dark Red Brown in her the bronze age treasury. The rich colors here are fabulous. Check out Sarah's Brown Smiley Kitty Downloadable Art Print.

Barbara (allthingsbarbara) included my Lake Michigan Beach Large Rocks Blue Water Waves Sunny Day Photo in her blue windows treasury. This is such a creative treasury theme. Check out Barbara's Natural Turquoise & Silver Earrings.

Treshel (GracefullyTimeless) included my Chicago The Bean Cloud Gate Sculpture Millennium Park Black and White Photo in her Misty Morning treasury. This collection has such a great feel. Check out Treschel's Antique Leather Bound Bible.

Duni (PeriDotbyDuni) included my Button Dangle Earrings - Blue in her Dazzling Blue treasury. I don't think that I'll ever get tired of this shade. Check out Duni's Summer Shorts. Size Small. China Rose blue. Sleep Shorts.

Linara (FeltbyLinara) included my Button Dangle Earrings - Maroon / Dark Red, Gray / Silver, Black, White in her Beautiful day treasury. The colors here are gorgeous, and I love the mix of items. Check out Linara's Grey handmade felted shawl scarf for women from silk chiffon and merino wool.

Margaret (SplendidLittleStars) included my Beaded Bracelet - Button Embellished - Flower Garden Bright Multicolored in her longing for flowers treasury. I'm very ready to see these bright shades outside, too. Check out Margaret's BABY Tie Dye LAP T SHIRT, long sleeve, 3 months, rainbow, colorful, soft rib knit.

Karen (KatieClairesCottage) included my Lake Michigan Beach Water Waves Milwaukee WI Photo in her ocean breeze treasury. If this collection doesn't make you want to go to the beach, I don't know what will. Check out Karen's square mini-scrapbook aqua / green cotton cover.

Linda (lindab142) included my Beaded Bracelet - Button Embellished - Girly Purple Pink Red in her It's Spring - Be Happy treasury. The bright colors here certainly make me happy. Check out Linda's Jewish Wine Charms - set of 6.

Giavere (VGitaly) included my Button Dangle Earrings - Maroon / Dark Red, Gray / Silver, Black, White in her Red is more treasury. The rich shades here are fabulous. Check out VGitaly's Wall art quilt "Egg."