A Bit Better Today

As you can see by looking at yesterday's post and today's, it is a bit better weather wise in Western New York. The unofficial snow fall total in our back yard for just yesterday was 30 inches. My daughter is missing a day of work today because she couldn't travel back home yesterday. I have to admit, I was glad to keep her one more day. The snow is beautiful to look at, but horrid to drive in.

Today I am planning on ironing, blocking and photographing two of my new projects to put on Etsy. I've done the Scandinavian embroidery called Hardanger for years. It was put aside when I started getting serious about making jewelry. Since I have a stockpile of earrings,necklaces and bracelets just sitting here it was a good time to bring out the sewing again. As with all avid crafters, I had several unfinished projects in various stages of completion. I've finished two and there's one more in the works. I can't wait to show them to you! On our heroic trip to the craft stores last Saturday I found colored thread that is going to turn into a Dutch blue on white and a Swedish red on white mat. Oh my, so many projects... so little time!

The View From My Window

I just had to add a PS to todays's post. This is the view from my window. There is a semi in the picture. Can you see it? Really - it's there!

Sandy

More Joseph Jars

Oh my, but the weather is frightful here! We ventured out in a little snow yesterday to get crafting supplies in the "Big City". Erie is normally 1 1/2 hours away. We got there without trouble. Coming home was a completely different story. A hard lake effect snow hit us just as we got there. We could actually see the lake "sucking" up the water from the escarpment. What a lovely drive home we had! Traveling at 40 MPH on the Interstate and following the path of the cars ahead was not fun! Even worse, I had to drive. Talk about nerve wracking. Once off the main road it was even slower going. Luckily it's only about 8 miles from 86 to our house.
Saddest part of the whole trip was the craft stores were wiped out. I didn't get half the stuff on my list. I should have stayed home and ordered online!

In a moment of clearer thinking, I listed a few more of my candle jars. There is a whole shelf of naked jars waiting my attention. It's on my "to do" list.

Hope you are safe and warm where you are. I'm freezing my patootie off!

Red Jar

Peach Jar

Happy New Year From My Home to Yours

When I went to bed it was still 2009. Now it's not. Funny how a few hours can change things. Really, the only change is I have to remember to use the new date on my checks. I never have understood all the hub-bub over the date changing. It does that every day after all. We're just another day older no matter what.

Never the less, I do hope 2010 is a wonderful year for all of you. It's not looking so terrific here from the start, but who knows what tomorrow may bring. Go with the flow, roll with the punches, pull yourself up when you're knocked down.... let me see, can I come up with any more cliches? How about, just do it? Get out there and have a great year!

Sandy

My Joseph Jars aka Candle Jars Are Here!

I finally got brave enough to list my candle jars on Etsy. My DH keeps shouting "Shipping nightmare!", but I know if we pack them well, they will do fine. They're not going to sell sitting here gathering dust now, are they?

We call these beautiful glass creations our "Joseph Jars" because they wear coats of many colors. Each one is a one of a kind. It is next to impossible to make two exactly alike. I just love making them because I am surprised by each one as the colors blend and it takes on it's own personality. Giving each one it's own piece of "jewelry" is the crowning touch.

Originally, I meant these to be only for candles but through trial and error we have found that they can also be used as vases as long as water doesn't saturate the outside. The inside is solid glass. A fibrous paper is applied to the outside with my secret glue (and no - it's not just Mod Podge). Then DH takes over and coats each piece with multiple layers of varnish. It's the varnish that brings out the final colors. Some shine almost transparently and others glow warmly when a tea light is lit inside.

Here's the link to the brown one shown: Brown Candle Jar

Hope you all have a great day!

Moving The Jewelry Collection Around

A Sister's Love




Victorian Beauty

At last, the holidays are over here. Oh, I know there's still New Year's but we never celebrate. It's just another reminder we're getting older and us old folks are in bed by 9 New Year's Eve, just like any other night of the year. Rip roaring party animals we're not!

The New Year does mean a new approach to my online shops though. I'm the sort of person that gets tired of doing the same thing over and over, so my creativity does not lend itself to jewelry alone. Up until now, I've had no place online to show off some of my other creations. I've decided to move most of the jewelry that is now on my Forbes Farm space to make room for more of my crafts. I'm excited about it. I sure hope you'll check back to see what I've done when I'm finished. I have candle jars ready to list as soon as I can clear space. I'm working on Hardanger linen pieces too. As soon as I can I'm planning on adding some of my soap line. See, I told you my crafts take off in all different directions!

Yesterday I started the move. The two cameos above were part of the first group to make the switch. I'm hoping that The Earring Boutique won't be too confusing to folks when I get all my jewelry there. It can't be any more confusing than Forbes Farm was. At least visitors will be expecting to see jewelry.

Hope you all have a great week. For those of you planning on celebrating the New Year, please don't drink and drive! I want to see you back here next year.

Holiday Sales

Christmas Eve is just dawning here in Western New York. The big buying season is almost over. Have your holiday sales been less than you had hoped for? Mine sure have. I figure it is my fault since I have been so busy with the failed craft show and then closing up the co-op market for the season. The last thing I had time for was the Internet! Just today and tomorrow and then, hopefully things will be getting back to normal.

If your sales have been low, don't despair. I looked at my records and last year I did my best online AFTER the holidays were over. I think all those women who didn't get what they wanted for gifts took revenge and bought for themselves. Another theory is that before the big day they felt they had to buy for others. Once that feeling has passed they no longer feel guilty buying a pretty little trinket for themselves. One can hope, right?

I will be putting a lot on sale soon to try and clear out some of my jewelry that's been here way too long. So, Ladies, get that PayPal account warmed up and ready to go!