Counting down the days...

The Saint Paul Craftstravaganza is coming up in 2 months! Just in time for Mother's Day, the epic craft fair will be held on Saturday, May 12 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. I have been busy making jewelry and fiber accessories, as well as creating some new marketing materials.

My new business cards, shipping labels, and stickers are on their way, and I am loving the rubber stamp I had made. I am using the stamp on kraft paper boxes and bags. It also makes simple business cards or jewelry cards for my post earrings.

Each day I try to work on some aspect of Arsenal of Buttons, be it updating my blog, my Etsy store, or my Facebook page, or making at least one pair of earrings, a crochet flower hair clip or brooch, or a pair of fingerless mittens. I cannot wait to set all of the items out on my table at the Craftstravaganza. Seeing it all come together is such an amazing feeling.

I have some wonderful, yet naughty company in the studio. Lucca enjoys exploring every nook and cranny in the space, climbing into grocery bags filled with various craft items, pawing at my jewelry tools, ingesting bits of wool roving or a button here and there. Eventually he finds his way onto the couch or under my feet at my work table. If he gets too goosey, he gets escorted out of the studio.

Lucca thinks he is going to go unnoticed taking my chair. 

The next two months will fly by, time seems to be moving so quickly. My hope is that I make enough work for the show, and that there is enough variety to interest people. I want people to come up to the table and feel invited to pick things up, try them on, and ask questions. The only way that will happen is if there are items to pick up and try on!

Enough blogging. Time to go make a pair of fingerless mitts...

New Year, New Work

It has been fairly busy for the last couple of months. I have been accepted to participate in the Saint Paul Craftstravaganza, a large, well-attended craft show at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on May 12. My time has been spent creating many new jewelry pieces, mostly earrings, and crochet accessories, focusing on quick and simple gifts for Mother's Day.

My husband and I spent the beginning of this year enjoying the company of good friends. We love gathering together for a big meal or just to sit and visit. We both feel so blessed to have such a wonderful and supportive collection of friends.

A full day of cooking and the reward of an amazing meal with good friends

Lunch with my husband, brother, and his wonderful girlfriend 

Two of the most fulfilling things I have spent my time doing includes volunteer at some of the local Jewish organizations in my community, making potato knishes at the Shalom Home, a care facility for the elderly, and making fruit filled cookies called Hamantashen at my Synogogue, and spending time with my 96 year old grandmother. She is full of energy and has a brilliant memory. I love listening to her recall events from her life. Every day I am able to spend with her is a blessing. 

Making potato knishes for the residents of the Shalom Home

Sunday visit with my Bubby and my beautiful cousin

One of the bigger decisions made this year has been to go back to school this fall so I can try a completely new career. I am looking forward to the experience, the challenge, but to be honest, I just can hardly wait to buy school supplies again. I am currently working through the application process, and will have a much more clear vision of the rest of this year by the time summer arrives.

Once I begin school this fall, I will most likely pause making items, but will hopefully still have a great inventory to sell for the holidays. I have also halted taking custom orders at this point so I can focus on cranking out strong work for the Craftstravaganza. 

       

Diving into Arsenal of Buttons the last few months has been so rewarding and satisfying. I split my time between crocheting flower pins and hair clips in my family room, to hiding out in my studio working on jewelry. The focus for this spring is simple and modern, but not too contemporary- I still love an organic and imperfect aesthetic. The shapes I am focusing on are simple circles, horseshoes, teardrops, and I'm also making some twig earrings and bezel set button earrings set in sterling.

I hope you can come check out Arsenal of Buttons on Saturday, May 12 2012, Just in time for Mother's Day. I have been working hard to build my inventory and improve my branding, and I would love to share it with everyone. Visit http://craftstravaganza.com/ for more information on time, place, and the many talented vendors!