Google Eyes and Hats Galore

So I have had this obsession with google eyes of late. It all started when I found a vintage google eye in a jar of vintage buttons I purchased at an estate sale. I used it to create my first Monster Eye Hat. I subsequently created a line of Monster Eye Hats using a really yummy chunky yarn and I named them after Greek female monsters and mermaids.

When I couldn't satisfy my google eye lust with Wal-Mart, I searched ebay and purchased 3 packs of 155 assorted google eyes each. Honestly, it wasn't as many as I thought it would be but it was enough to create the Spy Bag.


And so now I am on the prowl for my next google eye victim.

Sales on etsy have been a little slow of late. One can only hope that folks are gearing up for some big holiday shopping. I did have my first wholesale order. I shipped them off yesterday and I hope they are well-received.



I did take a couple of new paintings up to the gallery. They are not currently listed on etsy but they are based on an ACEO I did. One is on the canvas formally known as Chicken a la Larry King and the other is one a scrap of wood Scott found:

What is this wet stuff falling from the sky?

So it rained yesterday and its currently raining. We are in the middle of the worst drought in recent history so this is big news.

In other news, I painted another goat painting yesterday. Not quite as happy with it as goats go but I love love love the impressionistic style that I acheived. Its for sale in the shop if you are interested...

I am currently negotiating a wholesale deal for a dozen hats. I am beyond excited because a) this means a chunk of money, b) it means getting my name out there beyond etsy and to a funkier crowd, more of my target audience and c) I HAVE to go to Hobby Lobby today for yarn. Hahaha. Gotta love the day that going yarn shopping is part of your 'job'.

I also have 24 cupcakes to bake today for the Fall Festival at Lulu's school. She made cute little cupcake toppers for them.

Art from found materials...

So, a few weeks ago my friend Christine and I were riding down the road. While at a stoplight, I spotted a nice piece of plywood in the road. I warned her I was jumping out of the care to get it. She said, "What the hell are you going to do with that?" I replied that I didn't know but that it would be good to paint on for sure.

Yesterday, I painted a sign for her soap business. It turned out really well. I have quite happy with the goat but I wish I had done more of a stylized font for the lettering. I didn't want to take the chance on messing it up though. I hope she likes it! Its pretty big, about 20 inches tall and about 3 feet wide. I think I am going to paint the back in a darker blue and do "Handmade Soap" in a while stylized font.

We finished making the muscadine jelly last night. I had to add 2 cups of regular grape juice to the last batch to get a full 4 cups of juice. That is a lot of jelly! We'll give most of it away at Christmas to teaches, bus drivers, etc.

Etsy Commercial!

OMG This is wonderful! If only it was aired on TV!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=v2g31xjdfhQ

Just got home from my trip to Athens. I had a nice visit with my friend Sondra. She has a gorgeous new home in Madison County. What a wonderful house for her family! Her kids are so great. Lucy loved seeing Kyle and Kelly again, and Fern was quite smitten with Kelly as well.

I need to take etsy pictures but I am wiped out!

Fall is here!

I still don't have the hang of pictures on this thing but the Picasa program I downloaded from google makes it so much easier to upload a batch of pictures to my blog. I highly recommend this program!

I've added several pictures of the girls. I cannot believe how fast they are growing up. They are a couple of goofballs.

Scott and I processed the muscadines last night and with the exception of the exploding jelly bag that flung purple pulp all over the kitchen, it went well. We now have 16 cups of juice, which will make 32 small jars of jelly. I found a package of Certo in the box of canning supplies from Nana's house but its dated 1989 so I think I will splurge on some fresh.

Yesterday, I received my order from SugarLips (http://sugarlips.etsy.com). OMG how decadent. The Brown Sugar and Fig vegan deodorant smells good enough to eat. I also got some body butter samples and a couple perfumes. I think the Chinatown perfume is my favorite. It really smells 'right' on me. It has just enough patchouli to remind me of my youth but with some floral and citrus notes to update it. I love the Olive Blossom too. Hilary has the very best customer service and I am already planning my next order since I got a coupon for 10% off. It will probably include a Brown Sugar and Fig perfume and an Olive Blossom perfume for sure. The body butters are to die for and have made my skin sooo soft. I cannot recommend her stuff enough!

The other day I was, ummmm 'shopping' the trash heaps in town and came across 3 awesome pieces of wood from an old bed. I came home and painted them up with a Christmas theme. I hope to post pics this afternoon. They will be on sale at Aunt Faye's Attic - they are too odd to ship easily.

Festival Mania!

What a wonderful weekend! I shared a booth with two friends at the 2007 Turning and Burning Festival in Gillsville, Georgia. This festival celebrates the pottery of the Hewell Family. My friend Christine makes goat's milk soap (www.threesisters.ecrater.com) and my friend Tina is a spinner and knitter. I was sort of the wacky tagalong with the funky stuff. We had a blast! I sold some hats and scarves, a few dishcloths, some magnets and a painting. Our booth looked wonderful. It was fun talking to folks and people watching. Scott brought the girls up and they got to ride the ponies - always a hit.

Yesterday, we took the girls to Suches, Georgia for the Indian Summer Festival at the Woody Gap School. This is apparently the smallest public school in Georgia. Lulu got to hit a teenager in the face with a pie as part of a fundraiser. She also got to to the bungee jump. Lulu and I bought some homemade lip balms made with local beeswax and Scott bought 2 lbs of local sourwood honey. We had a great time.

I am working on some new stuff for the shop, mostly scarflettes. I need a neck (real or not) to photo them on. I am also working on a top secret project that is sure to be a big seller on etsy.

When 20 mo olds blog....

Fern hit the keyboard and got my entry posted before I was ready.

So I am in the process of listing 8 or so more Monster Eye hats my etsy shop (see linky-poo to the right). I have had a good response to them so far. I guess the google eyes are now my 'thing'.

Sales have been wonderful. I just missed my September goal of 10 sales by 1! I have set a goal of 15 for October.

I sold a painting last night - Little Miss Voltrina is heading to Colorado this morning. I am sort of sad to see her go, but I think she is going to a very good home. I have to get her from Susie's gallery this morning and ship her out! In fact, I need to pull all of my art.

I am going to be at the Turning & Burning Festival this weekend in Gillsville, Georgia. Its going to be a blast! I am setting up with two friends, Christine of Three Sisters Soap and Tina, a knitter and spinner. Susie from Aunt Faye's will be there as well. Its my first big festival and I am so excited. I hope to meet some other etsy artists. I hear 50,000+ folks are expected!

I am trying to talk my mom and dad into having an etsy shop. My mom is all about ATCs and ACEOs right now.