Re:

Convex necklace
Originally uploaded by lpdesigns

Okay, first, because I can't believe I waited this long to alert the world...I sold that necklace at the market today! *faints* The buyer was a really nice lady who had stopped by my table before and was actually hankering after a different necklace. But she'd had a bad vacation and needed to cheer herself up. I'm thrilled to bits. It got a lot of 'views' and compliments everywhere it's been shown. I'm trying to amass supplies to remake it. But it may have to be OOAK.

Yesterday, a question was posed in the comments section of this post. What did I learn from making potholders as a child? What, if anything, carried over?

I had to think, turn back the hands of time, and try to remember what I thought at age 7. I was going to leave a comment, but it got too long.

I learned that with a little effort and some resourcefulness I could make something better than what the stores sold...so the ladies who bought my potholders told me. That has been a part of my thinking ever since. Can I make that?

That gave a sense of pride. I was helping people...on my way to taking over the world.

I learned discipline, too. I need a reason, but when put to it, I can get anything done. Like making those 10 sets of potholders, sewing the three-piece outfit for 4-H, making about 80 angel ornaments for a church benefit, sewing a floor-length tablecloth with only a tape measure and a marking pencil.

It was fun for me, my little childhood business. I enjoyed digging through the piles of loops for ones unsuitable for weaving but perfect for shooting at my little brother, collaborating with my mom for new pattern ideas. I couldn't believe people would pay me for what I made. Part of me still can't as evidenced by my complete exuberance at the beginning of this post.

So I hope that answers the question. Thank you, ashok and jessicajane for asking me. Sometimes, it's good to look back and remember...especially good times. :)

< / era >

I sent those potholders off yesterday as part of a trade with knittydirtygirl, an old Etsy chat friend. They were the last ones. So ends an era.

I started making potholders years ago, when I was about 7. My mom used to make them when she was little and figured I would like to as well. Those are the woven kind, made on a square loom. We were buying loops to make them at a craft store/nursery. That closed but she wrote the address on the bag and we got the directly from the company. That was exciting.

I don't remember how or why, but I started selling them. I sold some to my mom and her friends. My grandmother acted as my broker to her friends in NYC. She would order a whole bunch and sell them for me. I think my biggest order was 10 sets. I would weave while watching TV, scrunching the loops down when they got tight. I had dreams of having a potholder-selling store, figuring out how I could sell a set to everyone in the world. Yeah, I didn't know how to dream small- I wanted world domination or bust.

I had a book of patterns. I named them, had style numbers and wrote down the colors I used, how many of each, the layout, if the laying was different from the weaving. I still have that book actually. The potholders above were made later and therefore aren't in the book.

I don't really remember why I stopped. I got involved with sports and after-school things and just didn't have time I guess. I picked it back up when I found Etsy. Surprisingly to me, they didn't sell as well as I would have liked.

So when I tell people that remember those days they smile and say, "I still have the potholders you made me. Do you still make them?" It warms my heart.

I was an entrepreneur of handmade things from the get-go. They were other things I made and sold along the way, popsicle stick frames, angel ornaments. Guess that explains why I can't give it up.

Weekend Blurble- [tomne]

[tomne]
Originally uploaded by lpdesigns

This Monday has started off nicely. I -posted on Sweet Figments. I signed myself up as guest writer. Today I featured clocks.

Today, I'm also featured on the Etsy Spolight On blog. It's an interview post. I think I sound confident, more than I have. I'm also having a sale associated with that post. Do read it and find out.

The Olympics are over. I watched pieces of the closing ceremony. I don't think I like the closing ceremony, like ever, as much as the opening. The opening is more a grand welcome. The closing more a grand party, that's slightly confusing and this year, felt very long. The opening was so concise and well-thought out. I was riveted. The closing lost me shortly after the athletes came in. Though the London bit, prior to Leona Lewis twirling out of the bus, was pretty interesting.

I hope to get some sewing and wood-cutting done today. I also must go to the Post Office. I have trades to mail.

Post Picture: The tomne bracelet. I made a necklace like this as well. I have an idea for earrings. I seem to be consumed with making sets. Getting a color scheme, however basic and running with it.

Thinkin' 8.23

When I was 16, my dad lost his job. He ended up being out of work for 2 years. During that time he had an offer to transfer to Michigan. If we had, the brothers and I would have gone to public school. We were homeschooled at the time. My imagination ran away with me at the thought. I could reinvent myself. I had no fear of being the new kid. I'd done it before.

For some reason, while cleaning up the kitchen tonight, I was wondering what would have happened if we had moved. We didn't. He found a job here. The sudden recollection was just so sudden and random. Maybe it's my subconscious screaming at me, I need to move on.

Finding Me 8.22

[elle] short
Originally uploaded by lpdesigns

Hello, g'morning, yeah!

I did the market yesterday. I made three sales, met an Etsyan, LAAdesigns, and generally had a good time.

Yesterday did mark the first time that a person complained about my prices in real life. I had a feeling it would happen soon, just to get that experience out of the way. It was weird. At the time, I was fine, but I keep hearing her comment. She took a business card anyway.

I also found out that my mother and I are pretty much opposites. She doesn't see the stress of shows, thinks they're easy. I'm not of that opinion.

Semi-incredibly, I won't be able to do a big show in a nearby town because...my temp job called me back. I really need that money, so, it's 'no' to the show. I'm more okay with this, I don't think my display is up to do an upscale craft show. Not in 3 weeks. Not a two-day show.

Maybe I'm a wimp. Maybe I shouldn't say that. It's not easy having my mom as a boothmate. It's wonderful at times, she talks about my products superbly. But...I don't know. It's all very confusing. *sigh*

Post Picture: Short Elle earrings. Long ones are also available. Part of the Elle subset of Minta.