Valentines Coming Soon!

Stocking mania has finally calmed down, and I've been super busy  finishing up Christmas presents, unfortunately I can't post anything for obvious reasons!

I just got in my new napkins and should be receiving a giant order of ink tomorrow.  I have some really cool designs in the works for Valentines Day.  I agree that this is a totally contrived holiday, however, I love it because I love pink and it's a great excuse to make some really girly stuff! Right after New Years' I'll have a bunch of really fun tabletop items in the shop, as well as some cool new wine bags.

Stay tuned and Happy Holidays!

Stockings, stockings, stockings!

I've been super busy making stockings and haven't had a chance to get to any of the clothespin dolls.  Sunday was eaten up by a little excursion to get the best Christmas present ever that ended up being about an 8 hour trip. So worth it though.  After Christmas I'll post a pic, no hints just in case the lucky recipient is reading.=)

I did get a new batch of stockings finished and will have them listed by this evening, as well as a new wine bag.  New bag designs are in the works, a little different than the ones listed, they'll be posted by Saturday night.

Erik, being the great display maker that he  is, went all out last night after bringing out all the tubs of decorations.  I don't even try to help.  He gets in the zone and I would really just be a hindrence.  Last year Erik's mom brought us giant plastic bins of things she had left over, it really was amazing.  I'd never seen so many cool Christmas decorations.  Our living room looks like an Anna Lee Elf bomb went off.

We also went all out with the tree.  We got the biggest one we thought we could fit in the house.  Somehow the two of us got it up the stairs.  I think it weighed 200 lbs.

So tonight is tree trimming time! We have some really cool new ornaments we got over Thanksgiving.  So exciting!

Will post pics tonight!

Clothespin Dolls Coming Soon!

Everything's been a little nuts because November is always crazy for us.  We don't go anywhere all year, but somehow we're always gone almost all of November.  So vacation's are now officially over and it's time to get to work!  Vacation was great, but it's actually kind of exciting to focus on getting things done.

We found probably one of my favorite stores ever while in the Ballard area of Seattle.  If you get a chance, go to this store.  The best collection of Christmas ornaments I've ever seen.  I could've been in there for hours.  I'm not really a HUGE Christmas nut, but I do really love the Christmas season, especially the decorations, the scents, the drinks and food.  However, I cannot stand Christmas music.  I think it started especially early this year.  Kind of weird, but then, I guess I'm kind of weird.=)

I've been really fortunate and am staying busy making stockings.  I'm out to the Salvation Army tonight after work to pick out some sweaters for a new batch.  I had no idea these were going to be so much fun to make.  Picking out the sweaters is one of the best parts.  A lot of them are really kind of hideous when looked at as a sweater, but are fantastic as a stocking.  It's like going yard sale-ing, it's the thrill of the hunt.=)

I'm really excited about my new project.  I'm working on some clothespin girls that are actually made out of the stocking scraps.  I have one almost complete, I'm hoping to have a few listed on etsy by this weekend.  I had a little trouble gettting the faces worked out and for whatever reason couldn't figure out how to make a good paper cone. Seriously? It's like the easiest thing to do ever, I remember making them in like 2nd grade, but could not figure it out, to the point that I had to google it.  Anyway, finally got it and should have some done by Sunday.

We also have a suprise Christmas present that we're super excited about but can't post yet.  It's nice how as you get older it really does become more about giving then receiving.

Etsy Treasury

One of the new stockings made the front page on Thanksgiving!  Check out this great list:

New Stocking Ornaments on Sale!

I just listed some new stockings, please take a look!  More to follow, in the meantime we're off to the Pacific Northwest for Thanksgiving.

Also, new dolls in the works.  Here's my latest inspiration ....(sorry, can't remember where I found this)

Happy Turkey Day!

View from the Balcony

There's been a serious lack of posting the past couple weeks.  I was considerably lucky the week before I left for the honeymoon in that the Craft Fair was a "great success" in Borat terms, and the nice people at Etsy put me on 2 gift guides which is so awesome and finally got my sales into the double digits.  I think I slept about 10 hours all week.  Then we left for the Honeymoon on Thursday night.  

Since last year they've added free WiFi, so I've been able to check on things which is totally fine since the husband is surfing all morning anyway.  We've made a couple of trips to Barnes & Noble, had a really nice day laying out an reading, and yesterday hiked a  new trail they built along the coast.  It happened to be a little longer of a trail than we thought, and it also happens to be pretty windy and rainy up north, and we got caught in an almost torrential downpour. No problem, we warmed up by getting in the water at the beach at the end of the trail.  Seriously, the water is that warm this year.  I was in serious need of a burger (I only eat burgers about once every year or two.  The last time was when we ran the Rock & Roll marathon.  When I need one,  I need one.)  We found the only place around that was open, and got some apps and aforementioned burger, then decided to run all the way back.  A serious adventure, but that has been an integral part of our relationship from the beginning.  We really should try out for the Amazing Race.

So things are great here.  It's already halfway over, I can't believe it.  Then we go home for 4 days, and off to the Pacific Northwest for Thanksgiving, always a fun trip.  Then it's back to serious work.  I'm going to try to get as much done as possible the first week of December seeing as USPS first class Christmas deadline is Dec. 11.  I'm hoping to have a few more designs/products up by Dec. 6.  Aloha!

Front Page!

Such good luck!  The red rose wine bag was featured on the front page last night! I'm so excited, I sold 2 afterwards! Yay!

Peddler's Fair This Weekend!

I'm super excited, this weekend will be my first true craft fair as B& B.  I'll be attending with my Mom, who has a booth next to mine and makes some really rad retro aprons.  I'm trying hard to convince her to open an etsy shop, maybe after this weekend she'll be a little more into it?

Anyway, I've been crazy busy working on some new ornaments and haven't taken pics yet (the time change really sucks, stupid  DST, screwing up my whole schedule.)  But I'm really having a good time with them, I will definitely try to post some pics by tomorrow.

Barney is feeling much better, he's been getting walks early in the morning with Dad which he's super stoked about.

B&B Featured in Etsy Gift Guides!

One of my wine bags was just featured in Etsy's Hostess Gifts gift guide, along with some other really cool gifts, check it out here:



Hooray!

Bloom And Barnacle's First Craft Fair

I've been hard at work trying to get ready for my first craft fair! Of course it was a last minute decision, so I'm scurrying as usual.  Good news though, I have this weekend off!  This will be the first Halloween that I haven't worked at the store in 6 years.  In fact, I think it will be the first Halloween I haven't worked since my freshmen year of college.  We have no idea what to do?

I started making these really cool ornaments from thrift store sweaters.  There's something so fun about having to hunt for things in thrift stores and at yard sales.  I remember my great grandpa had about 4 banquet tables in his backyard, covered in junk yard findings, sorted into piles, that he used to invent all kinds of things.  It's in my genetics, I can't help it.=)

Anyway, you know how sometimes you're making/painting/baking something and you totally screw up what you're supposed to do, but then somehow it turns out even better than it would've had you not?  So it goes with the ornaments.  I don't have a pic yet, will post tomorrow.

So I'll have some cool ornaments, some dolls, napkins  and winebags for the fair.  And possibly some clothespin doll ornaments if I can get supplies in time.  I love making ornaments because there's such a wide variety of things you can do, and most of them are fairly quick. 

In the meantime, Circus Lady Napkin pics.

I Made Etsy's Front Page!

Thanks so much to Bayanhippo.etsy.com, who put Poppy in her treasury that just so happened to make front page! (See right) I was so excited, I was dancing around and I think I scared poor Barney!  More tomorrow!

Some Good News, Some Bad News

I wouldn't say I'm a pessimist, however, I'm definitely a realist, so let's do bad news first.

Poor Barney has a (hopefully) mild case of pancreatitis.  He's been acting really funny, not eating as much as usual, had that look on his face like he really didn't feel well, actually got up in the middle of the night and hid in his crate, which he only does if he thinks he's in trouble, or something hurts really bad.  So I took him to the vet yesterday and she did some bloodwork, I guess his pancreas is irritated. So he gets boiled chicken, rice and cottage cheese for a week or so.  She gave him some anti-naseua meds yesterday and last night he was a whole different dog.  I was worried that it was a reaction to the previcox (for his dysplasia) but it doesn't look like it.  I guess it's usually caused be eating high fat foods. The only thing I can think of is a neighbor gave him a bone that was possibly fatty? Or he got into the trash or something outside that we didn't catch.  But he seems to be feeling better.  So scary.=(

Good news, I finally took some decent pics. I'm pretty happy with about half of them, the others came out slightly blurry. Work in progress, but definitely getting there. 

Today I'm going to get some different colors of fabric paint and should have the first set of napkins finished tonight.  I also finished shoes for 3 dolls last night, hopefully I'll get some good pics this evening and can list tonight or tomorrow.  No more days off until Nov 2.  So only 1 weekend off then we go to Hawaii.  I'm going to have to figure out how to get more done on workdays!=)

Photography Woes!

Good Resolution, Not so Good color

Decent Color-Bad Resolution

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but I suck (sorry, there's no alternate word that conveys such frustration) at taking pictures.

The only C grade I was given at UCSD was in photography.  And the sad thing is, I actually tried, and honestly didn't know what I could have done differently.  It just doesn't click in my mind.

So taking pics for Etsy has been rough.  I read through my camera manual the other day, figured out how to change the white balance and EV and actually in the last few pics the color came out much better than the first round.  However, somehow I'd adjusted the pixel size so everything came out blurry. It wouldn't be so bad, except that the best light I get is right before sundown, so it's race home, get everything set up and shoot, shoot shoot.  I hate being in a rush to do things.  But I have tomorrow morning too, so hopefully I'll have some decent pics posted by tomorrow afternoon.

Sidenote, we're going to family dinner tomorrow night and it's a costume dinner.  I haven't gotten to truly dress up for Halloween since Erik and I started dating, and consequently working at the Halloween store, 6 Halloween's ago.  We're so excited.  I've decided I'm going as Amy Winehouse.  It would be weird to dress up super hot & sexy since it's family dinner, and if you're not going hot and sexy, you've got to do something fun.  Can't wait!

My first sale!

I made my first Etsy sale yesterday, so exciting!  It was actually a wine bag, which I started making as gift bags for the dolls but then thought they would make a good side project, plus a nice excuse to paint a little.

It really is a lot of work figuring out how Etsy works.  The tagging, the listing, the shipping, etc.  Very cool and really exciting though.  I didn't realize how many great tools there are for checking stats.  Here are some great ones:
http://www.craftcult.com/
http://www.cr8tvity.com/

However, it's been hard getting new things done in the meantime.  Tonight I'll be working on new pics of existing dolls (I finally read through my camera manual and figured out how to adjust the white balance) and  on finishing four girls that just need shoes and shirts.  I'm also working on a doll for my psuedo niece that I'd like to have shipped off for her this weekend.  I had a hard time finding the right colored plaid, so I'm dyeing the undershirt to sort of liven it up.  Some samples:

And finally, I'd really like to finish the two witches by next week, seeing as it is almost Halloween.  That really is hard to believe.  I feel like summer just started yesterday.
Almost Finished:

And I almost forgot, I also need to reorganize the loft:

Etsy Shop is Open!

I can't believe it, I finally opened my etsy store!  I  have 8 dolls listed and am working on wine totes/gift bags right now.  Please click at the right to check it out.

Doll Boots!

Okay, so I had to push my etsy deadline back one last & final time.  It WILL be open, with multiple listings, on Saturday Oct. 10.  I finally figured out how to make the boots I wanted.  That was a serious, serious process.  I swear I spent almost all day last Saturday running errands because I kept finding out that I needed this or that.  Those days can be so frustrating sometimes.  So I ended up buying a clay "pasta" machine (for about $12 with my 40% off Michael's coupon) a bunch of sculpey, and a tacky glue pen.  My main problem was that I didn't make the feet in the form of the shoe I wanted, which meant I needed to make a mold of what I wanted the shoe to be shaped like, apparently called a "last" in the shoe making world.  Once I got that part figured out, everything kind of came together.  Once I get it all nailed down, I'll put up a how-to.

Regardless, I should have about 10 dolls done by tomorrow.  I've taken a long weekend starting tomorrow (so exciting!)  We finally got a silkscreen in workable condition.  I forgot what  process that was as well.  Lots of trial and error. 

On a sidenote, it's so interesting how the really frustrating things can end up being the most fruitful.  I was thinking about it, I'm always reading stories or watching interviews about highly successful people who beat the odds, and they're always noting "hard work" as the main force that got them there.  (An great book on this is Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.)  It's such an over-used term that I kind of just took it for granted.  Well of course it took hard work.  School took hard work.  Relationships take hard work.  But I think a lot of the "hard work" they're talking about is not giving up when something doesn't work out, not taking no for an answer in a sense.  When I look back at certain things, I would say the most life changing, good things, they happened once I had reached a point where I should have given up and didn't.  I think you know when you get to that point.  And you think, okay I've been working on this for so long, I've tried so many different ways to make this work, and it's just not happening for me.  It's when your mind-set changes to, "I know that I can do this, and I'm not quitting until it does" that things start to come about.  Another interesting thing, I've noticed that this has happened a lot more often since I hit my late 20's.  I remember my Mom telling me that she enjoyed her 30's much more than her 20's because she was much more certain of herself, and it seems to be the consensus that women are generally much more confident in their 30's.  I would say it definitely rings true for me.  Phew, okay, off my soap box. 

So, dolls should be done by tomorrow, as well as the gift/wine bags they'll be packaged in.  Then I'm hoping to make more wine totes to sell individually and once I have enough of those, I'm on to dinner napkins.  Of course, this will involve more silkscreen making, and a lot more hard work-determination.=)

I do have to say though that the dolls seem to be coming along much more quickly now though, so I'm hoping to have quite a few new girls (and possibly some guys) by November.

Etsy, we're almost there!

(More pics on Flickr, click on sidebar at right.)

New Dolls!  I've gone a little plaid crazy, I've never really been unordinarily drawn to plaid, but there's something about it on the doll clothes that's so sophisticated and amusingly absurd that it makes me really happy.  That and I love the colors.  You can find almost any combination of complementary colors in a plaid, and somehow they look chic.  It's really fun to make the outerwear, then pick a couple of colors out of the pattern that seem so wrong, yet somehow they work when layered underneath.  So there will be more plaid girls to come.

Okay, so I've pushed my etsy deadline back soooo many times now.  It's like construction.  Take the deadline, then mutliply the amount of time by at least two.  My first deadline to list was August 1, that seems hilarious now.  Of course, Halloween ate up most of July, but we got to do some really cool stuff so it was worth it.

Regardless, my goal to start listing is now October 3.  Last weekend I took Monday off of work, Erik went fishing so I had the house mostly to myself, and believe it or not actually got a lot done.  My last tasks for these week are to figure out how to make doll boots, finish some sandals, clean up a few loose ends, make up some gift tags, screen images onto the bags and sew them up.  I have all the silkscreen transfers ready, I'm hoping Erik will show me how to make the screens tonight.  The bags are fairly easy to sew, they take a little time,  but I think if I make a bunch at once I should be able to get quite few done in a short amount of time. 

Last week I got all the boring business stuff done, license, permit, etc. etc.  So all is official now. 

I have this weekend off, I'm hoping to get the dolls listed Saturday morning, afternoon at the latest.  Then hopefully I can work on some napkins and bags on Sunday.

Recently Clothed

A pic of the most recently completed ensemble.=) I wanted each of the dolls to have a tangible personality, and I can't help but think of her as the school snot. I didn't dress her that way for some reason though. Her clothes are more beachy, down to earth, nature loving, but her face has condescending snottiness written all over it. Maybe she's going through period of transformation? Or maybe she's just having a bad day.

I just noticed that it might be time for a shoe making day. I'm calling a lot of these guys complete but they're shoeless. Now I'm affirming my earlier point. Her clothes look complete without shoes. She looks like she's about to go read on the beach. But with a smirk like that doesn't she need some super trendy sandals?

Sign of things to come.

I hate, hate, hate admitting this, because I really despise the idea of fashion and things being "in" or "now", but unfortunately that's how the world works, and I caught myself carefully scrutinizing all of the fastidiously fashionable OC housewife Halloween clientele this weekend, to see what I am missing out on hiding in my seen by few breathing mammals hermit recluse I call an office.

What I noticed was plaid shirts. Really?? Wasn't it only the post-Nirvana midstream acceptance about 1994 that these went out? And they're back already? Mind you, not the grungy, I stole my hunter dad's flannel shirt because I don't care what you think plaid. They're more of a preppy, ivy league, catholic school, tailored plaid shirt. And long jean shorts. They look like skinny jeans, cut off at the knee. Ironically, I had just made some of these for the last back to school doll, without even really thinking about where the inspiration came from, I kind of just had them in my head. Now I realize how they came about.

Regardless, both look horrible on me. Another thing I've realized, I have a tendency to make the dolls clothes that I would love to wear but just aren't going to happen for me.

So, I found myself at Joann's on Sunday morning ( I snuck in an hour before the Halloween store opened) buying 3 different plaids and 2 new denims. I should have pics of completeness by Monday. I have 2 days off this weekend! A real weekend! So excited! I'm opening my etsy store Monday, regardless of what I have done. I have to get it open before October.

On another note, completely unrelated, I was reading this post today, and decided this is the book I need to read now. I had to drive to Fountain Valley & back today to deliver something for work (a 3 hour drive) and realized a couple of things. 1) I haven't had any completely indulgent me time in a long time. 2) The lack thereof has kind of made me feel like I'm losing a part of my identity that I really like. Like I'm actually losing good, unique parts of myself. 3) I enjoyed the day so much more than normal because I was OUTSIDE. It's beautiful here in the fall. I completely missed out on the summer, and I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to start being more selfish and do things I enjoy more whether it seems responsible or not.

Back to School Girl

I hate to name dolls, but need to refer t0 them somehow, and I've been thinking of her as dressed up to go back to school. I'm so jealous of everyone getting ready to go back to college right now. Its in the air, everywhere you go. Computers and calculators on sale. Dorm organizers & backpacks in flyers in the junk mail. I find myself turning green in the aisles at Target, watching all these kids gathering up school supplies. So horribly jealous! Hopefully it will be me again, but for the time being, I'll have to live vicariously through my crafts!

Surfer Beanie!

Surfer Beanie
Originally uploaded by Bloom And Barnacle

Doll Beanies!

Soon To Be Embroidered Pockets!

I finally got to work on the girls' clothes yesterday. It's been really hot in the loft and I find it hard to concentrate anywhere else if anyone's home. I realize how lame it is to complain about heat in San Diego. I'm from the hottest place on Earth (okay, maybe just the US) for cryin out loud. However, the highest room in the house, lots of west facing windows, no AC, and no breeze makes for a hot day in the studio. Okay, done with the excuses. Moving on.

So E had a great idea for the short felt haired dolls. Surfer Beanies! I spent a little while yesterday trying to figure out the best way to do this without actually having to crochet or knit them. (I'm having a hard time recalling how to crochet, my great grandma was amazing but I haven't done it since the last time I made Barbie bikinis at about 11.) I'm trying to learn how to knit, but have found it kind of frustrating. So I just used some knit fabric and I think it actually came out pretty nice. I'm working on doll jeans with fun embroidered pockets. The jeans are taking a while because the dolls don't really have any booty, but need a slightly curved inseam, and they're being really picky about the fit. I guess jeans are never easy for anyone.=(

I've been sidetracked by cooking this week. I don't know why I always get a weird cooking fetish during a heatwave, but it kind of happens a lot. Last night was Shrimp & Scallop linguine (I substituted scallops for clams and linguine for spaghetti.) I'd never made it before but was really easy. Love the food network site, the reviews seem to be pretty reliable.

I get to leave work early tomorrow, our office is going to the Del Mar races to celebrate the 5 year anniversary. I however, am not going because it's the last weekend at the Halloween Store before the Grand Opening. It's incredible this year. I think we're all really proud to have been a part of it. So I'll spend this weekend sewing pirate skeleton costumes and distressing said skeletons along with various other macabre tasks. I'm hoping I can post some pics soon.

In the meantime, some progress pics of Short Haired Surfers!

Mimi Kirchner Handmade Portrait on Etsy

Mimi is one of my biggest inspirations in doll making (besides my grandma=)) and her new handmade portrait on etsy is really great. When I first started thinking about making dolls her Purl girl pattern was one of the first patterns I came across that I was really interested in. I love how each one of them is so unique, and such a simple basic pattern, but the personality that comes across in the details is so intriguing. Anyway, I could go on and on, but this is really cool if you're into sewing or really any kind of craft.

Progress!

Okay, finally some new pics of the witches. The Magic Circle girl is close to being finished, she just needs the front of her dress seamed, a bottom hem, and her collar and waist shawl put together. Oh, and I'm stoked, I finally have a reason to make ribbon flowers. I was reading one of my current fav books (Cloth Doll Couture, Patti Medaris Culea) last night and got totally inspired by a dress with ribbon flowers at the hem. (Love this book, definitely check it out.)

Lady of Shalott is getting there, I'm trying to figure out exact sleeve placement and what to do with her collar. Plus the dress just seems a little bland to me. I'm thinking the sheer fabric should maybe have a really slight tinge of a pink-peach color. I like to think of it as 50's pink. I'm really into 50's colors right now. Weird. Anyway, I like how her face turned out. Pretty funny, she really does look like she saw her life flash before her eyes.

More pics (I hope some complete dolls) by Thursday. In the meantime, I'm also on the lookout for some cool fabrics for 80's glam metal costumes. I swear people must think I'm a real freakin wierdo. That's alright, I kind of like it that way.=)

Finally some sewing time!

Wow, last week was insane. Family is back home, Barney is a million times better since he got his new medicine and we switched food (I wish I would have known how important premium dog food was sooner), and I took the afternoon off on Thursday to work on dolls! (Had to make a hair appt. though, which cuts in on my time and is really irritating because I hate getting my hair done, but my roots are looking pretty bad and we have a big family birthday party on Friday. But I should still fit in a lot more time than last week.)

Anyway, spent all weekend at the Halloween store, which is going to be incredible this year. I could have the weirdest resume ever. This weekend I:

Distressed skeletons

Sewed Wednesday Adams look alike dresses

Painted a 4x 8 foot haunted house mural

Painted tile for a scary dentist's office

Painted tile for a fortune teller's room

Sewed and painted numerous other deranged projects

Loved every minute of it though. I do miss painting every day.

I started my online accounting class today. I'm hoping by January I can start picking up bookkeeping jobs. I think it'd be a great way to make more money in less time, hence more art/craft time, which is my main goal right now.

I will definitely have progess pics of the witches by tomorrow. For now, an inspirational pic (from Vogue) I'm thinking about for dolls.

On the verge......

Soon to post more pics. Halloween is in full swing for us and has caused serious delays in getting the etsy store open. I'm slowly making progress, albeit in bits and pieces. The seriousness of Barney's hip dysplasia has started to set in as well, and that's been quite heartbreaking. Although the vet says he's still in very good shape and should have a long road ahead of him before surgery. We've had family here all week, to add to the stress, not to say we haven't had a day off in over 6 weeks. A serious vacation is in order.

In the midst, MC Witch is almost finished, her dress just needs to be seamed up the front and hemmed, and her collar and shawl need to be put together. Oh, and I need to order some crows.

Lady of Shallot is coming along too, just trying to figure out the last details of the dress. Hoping to find a small candleholder somewhere also.

Some beach ladies are on their way as well, hair is finished, just need to get started on clothes.

I'm leaving work early Thurs. next week, hoping to get much done that day.

In the meantime, a Barney pic.

Coming Along

I've decided I'm never going to reach my goal deadlines unless I get up earlier and work on things before I go to my day job. I'm not a morning person. I wish I was. I'm not one of those people that want to sleep until 11 a.m., but I'm not one of those people who wake up and the crack of dawn ready to go either. So I'm starting slowly, I'm getting up at 7 (45 minutes earlier than I absolutely have to.) I digress. On to Dolls!

I finished everybody's hair last night. These pics are from yesterday morning. Tonight is clothing night, my favorite part! Hopefully more pics tomorrow!

New Dolls!(And a great Barnacle Shot)

Yesterday I finally had a day all to myself. I sat on the deck and worked on dolls from 10 till 7, it was fantastic! So I have about 12 dolls that should be done within the next week or so. These pics are from last week, I'm taking new pics tonight. I'm hoping to finish everyone's hair tonight, and get started on outfits tomorrow. Oh, and just for fun, I threw in a picture of Barney (Barnacle) at a beach near Big Sur from our honeymoon.