Thursday, November 4, 2010

Cool New Big Stockings!

Okay so Halloween was kind of crazy.  I think it really hit me how nuts it was while half-listening to TLC  and wondering when baby reality shows and insomnia infomercials had gotten so popular, then realizing they hadn't, but the only other people up with me night after night at 3 a.m. were new parents and insomniacs.  Those of you who went to college and worked full time, you know that feeling right after finals?  Sort of the mental equivalent of running a marathon.  That's where we are right now. =)

So a big thank you to all of our customers, we learned SO much over the past couple of months and are really excited to get started on new things.  For right now we're kind of focusing on mini stockings, something we're pretty comfortable with, and are hoping to get most of our new product out by this weekend.

Last night I finished our very first BIG stockings.  I'm so stoked on how they came out. For right now we're doing these as custom requests.  I'm trying to figure out the best way to handle them, since I can only get pretty much 1 stocking per design, it's going to be a little tricky.  In the meantime, if you're interested, just send me a convo at the etsy shop with the color you're looking for and I'll send you pics of available fabrics.



Thrifty Thursday tip:  This ones a little different, but pretty useful for just about anyone, even if you're not into crafting.  Get a Staples rewards number and return your empty ink cartridges.  They give you $3 for each cartridge, up to $9 a month, and more if you start a business account.  It really adds up if you go through ink like we do.=)

Thursday, October 7, 2010

It's Thursday already?

The weeks are serioulsy flying by. So I was talking with a friend of mine who's thinking about opening up an Etsy store, and realized a lot of people don't know about this:  the Jo Ann's mailing list.  If you sew, and your near a Jo Anns, this is one of the best things ever!  I think they still send out flyers in the Sunday paper as well.  There's usually at least one 40% off any item coupon, and every so often they do something called coupon commotion, which is literally pages of 40% off coupons.  Plus, if you have a resale license you can sign up for tax exempt status and a VIP card, which gets you 10% off your entire purchase every time you shop.

Check it out here:


Mailing List:  https://www.joann.com/joann/profile/login.jsp?contactPref=true

Friday, September 24, 2010

My very first Giveaway!

So I'm kind of excited, I've decided to do my very first online giveaway!  Winner chooses their prize of either:  A big ghostie, a small ghost card holder and 2 mini pumpkins, a wine bag and small ghost card holder or a fabric pumpkin of your choice. 

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment with a link to your favorite item in the etsy shop and why it's your fav!  I'll pick the winner using a random number generator on Friday, October 8th.  Make sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you win (it will not be displayed).  Earn extra entries by liking B&B on facebook to the right.










Good luck & Happy Halloween!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

It's Officially Halloween Season!

Wow, Halloween is in full swing at our house.  I almost took some pics of the craziness, but there was no way I was going to publicize that.  I honestly was worried that someone at Hoarders would be calling.
So, instead, here's a big group of ghosties in progress.
So I think I'm going to attempt to start doing some regular posting.  So how about a Thrifty Thursday post?  Kind of lame, but hey, I've learned a lot in the past year, a ton of it from other bloggers sharing tips so I guess I should start sharing the wealth, right?

This ones local, but you can probably scout out something similar in your area.  Wednesday is now my favorite day of the week, and yes, I'm a weirdo, but here's why:  Half off all clothing at the Salvation Army.  This is where I get nearly all of my stocking fabric.  I come from a long line of junk collectors.  My grandma actually remembers scouring local dumping grounds for treasures with my great grandpa.  He would take things home, clean them up and create things like fishing lures and walking sticks.  I was about 3 years old when he passed away, but I can vividly remember walking through mazes of tables showcasing his finds, organized into categories only he could decipher. It was the coolest thing. 


Anyway, that being said, the hoarding instinct thankfully dwindled to controllable in my case, but I LOVE looking through peoples stuff. Estate sales, yard sales, thrift stores.... I love that something has a story to it before you even begin, it makes it a lot more interesting.  When I was in school, blank canvases would really freak me out.  There was something foreboding about them, and honestly I kind of still find painting a little stressful. But when I start with something that was found, it's totally different. Instead of creating something, I'm kind of just exemplifying it, taking something that someone didn't appreciate it and making it beautiful, in a way rescuing it.  And I don't get the blank canvas freak out.


That's what I love about the stockings.  So, check out your local salvation army or whatever thrift store is close to you and see if they have a half off day.  I SCORED yesterday.  So today I'm off to reorganize the whole studio so stockings will be ready to go.  I can't wait to start listing my new finds! 

Lastly, I'm working on a couple of new Halloween items that I should have listed by Saturday.  Mini sculpey pumpkins, Boo Block & Ghostie sets, scarecrows and a bride & groom ghostie.  Check out the store if you get a chance! http://www.bloomandbarnacle.etsy.com/

And here's a peak of some new Christmas items:

Yay, A ghostie made the front page!

Check it out with some other really cool Halloween finds here:
View an Etsy Front Page Treasury List - The Vault on Craft Cult

Monday, September 13, 2010

Bloom And Barnacle In Store Raffle!

The Halloween line is finally in store and available!

If you're in the LA area, please check out the Halloween line at Confetti Halloween Store in Thousand Oaks.

They're carrying everything from my Halloween & Fall Block Sets to the one of a kind sculpted banner ghosts and everything in between.  (Plus they have some really amazing props/displays, you can literally spend hours just looking around!)





Even better, we are raffling off a table decor set!  Everyone who stops in and signs up for the Bloom & Barnacle Keep In Touch list will be entered in a raffle to win a 4' Modern Quilted Table Runner, a set of 6 Card Holder Ghosts and a large sculpted Boo Banner Ghost. The winner will be notified on Saturday October 2nd. 



Confetti is located at the Janns Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, CA just next to the food court, across from Sunset Terrace.
193 N. Moorpark Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA  91360

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Halloween Block Sentiments

So the decorative Halloween Phrase blocks that should have been so easy, were probably my biggest nightmare.  Actually, and I'm not exagerating at all, I'm having nightmares about them almost every night.  That the wood we used is highly bug attractive, and there are huge bug swarms all over the store they were sent to.  That for some unforseen reason the paper is peeling itself off of the wood like crumbly old wallpaper. 

The good news is they are finished, have been delivered, and came out really spot on.

I took this pic just near the end, in the middle of spray sealing.  The fumes had definitely gotten to me at this point.  So anyway, here's how I felt about the Halloween Blocks.

I NNNEEEDDD AN IIIIPPPPHOOONNNEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I swear I would have the coolest posts if I only had up to date technology.


That's all for now.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Things are Getting Real Serious...

So, as Murphy's Law would predict, I was THIS close to having my big Halloween order finished, and right in the middle of one of the very last table runners, the sewing machine needle screeches to a halt mid-stitch, horrible grinding sound, alarms going off, lots of blinking, disaster.  Mind you, I have 2 days left till this is supposed to be delivered.  I run to the laptop and frantically start searching yelp for sewing machine repair shops.  Amazingly enough, one of the top rated just so happens to be about 5 minutes from me. They also just so happen to be one of the few authorized Bernina dealers in the city.

Soooo, I take in my $300 Target special machine.  The tech calls me back the next day and says he can't bring himself to even attempt to fix it, it's not worth the labor in and of itself.  At this point I've come to realize not only do I need a REAL sewing machine, I also need a back-up.  So I buy the most basic one they have knowing I'm coming back to look at a Bernina.  Mimi Kirchner sews on a Bernina.  I mean, lets face it, even the name is exotic and professional sounding.  I don't know how I know this, but somehow I've got it in my head that Bernina is the best of the best.  So I start doing research. 

Looks like it comes down to this.  Avid sewers are either in Camp A-Bernina, Camp B-Pfaff, Camp C-Viking, Camp D-Vintage Singer, Camp E-Babylock.  Another interesting thing I learned.  Almost everyone writing a review of a top of the line machines cites buying from a good dealer as being as important as the machine itself.  So I find a reputable Pfaff dealer.  They happen to be about 15 miles away, only open from 10-5 and in the worst direction possible for me to ever get there, even leaving work early.  I go check them out on a long lunch break anyway.  Very nice ladies, nice machines.  Go home for more research.  Review of Pfaff TOL's seem to be about as good as Bernina TOL's.  Looks like most people love them,  a handfull got lemons, and some bad reviews seeminlgy due to user error which is understandable when you take a look at these things.  HOWEVER, the Bernina software is really a step above.  You can digitize Jpegs, embroider on top of embroidery, and the coolest freaking thing ever, they have a Cutwork tool, basically a blade that replaces the needle and cuts out anything you want. I have been looking for this since I bought my Silhouette die cutter, which I LOVE, but it doesn't cut fabric.  So, I need a Bernina.

So back to the Bernina dealer, which is open till 6 (makes a huge difference).  Pricing is more or less about the same as the Pfaff's, excepting the TOL 830e.  I narrow it down to either the 640e or a used 730e they have in the shop.  Then talk to my husband.  Now there's a long list of great things I love about him.  One really important thing I've learned from him regarding business in the recent past is to not skimp on business equipment.  If you're going to use it, get the best you can, you'll get your money back.  He says he wants to go with me to check them out. So, we get there, and they happen to be demo-ing the 830e.  I can see it sucking him in.  The guy is trying to tell us all about the 640e, and he's all but falling out of his chair in the other direction, watching the 830 embroider. 

So, God love him, he is now convinced I need the 830e.  I'm by no means arguing, but not completely 100% sure it's worth double the money.  What in the World, the things you can do with this though.  I can't think about anything else at the moment.  It would literally open up a whole new world of product.  The ability to personalize things in and of itself is amazing.  If anyone has any experience with an 830e or 640e, I'd definitely appreciate any opinions/advice.

In the meantime,  here are some pics of my upcoming Halloween line in progress.  I'll let you know when these are available on Etsy, I'm shooting for Labor Day weekend. 

P.S.  If you're looking at sewing machines,  this site has plenty of reviews on just about everything:

Friday, June 25, 2010

Wholesaling 101

So I'm currently in the midst of some serious research on how to get some wholesale accounts.  I love it when I find a blog that has a whole list of articles, so I figured I'd round some up here just in case some other people need some help too.  If you haven't checked out Design Sponge's Biz Ladies posts, they're definitely a must read.  I think it was an article there that got me inspired to start my online store. Anyway, here's a list of some good articles on how to wholesale:

Etsy: Approaching Boutiques

Littleput: (Long time highly successful Etsy Seller)

ModishBiz: Selling your work in stores

Craft Inc. (If you haven't read this book, buy it now!)

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Some Things I Learned at the Marathon

My first marathon was a success!  I'm alive, 4 days later I can walk down stairs without people staring, and I have 2 toenails that might fall off any day, and I am ready to sign up for next year.

I don't know what it is that makes sick people like me want to do this.  The fact that all it really takes it determination?  The urban legend that less than 1% of the population will ever do it?  Bragging rights?  Proving something to yourself?  I think for me I kind of just thought it would be fun.  I like running, I like getting to see things at a slower pace and not out of a car window.  I like being outside.  The cool thing about a marathon is you get to be on foot places you never will be otherwise. Anyway, we had a great time and finished a good 20 minutes earlier than I thought I would. 

Some things I'll remember for next time:

Bring toilet paper.  You'd think they'd have stocked extra.  Nope.

Vaseline in between the toes.

Reapply sunblock.

Tighter braid.  I had dreads that looked like they'd been there for 10 years.  Not fun.

How awesome last year was.=)

Now that that's checked off the list, back to Halloween!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Memorial Day Sale!

So stoked that a long weekend is coming up!!  The first week of June is probably my favorite time of year, lots of family birthdays, super long days, and it's finally almost summer.  On that note, I decided to celebrate and have an etsy sale! Now's your chance to grab some last minute grad gifts, all napkin sets and wine bags are 31% off and all dolls will ship free on purchases made Thursday May 27th through Monday May 31st.  Check out the store to do some shopping.

I'm so excited for my new Halloween line!  I'm hoping to start putting items in the shop early September.  They'll also be available in store, I'll list the info as soon as I have all the details.  We've been working hard and have really broadened our range of products.  I have learned SO MUCH in the past few months.  Lots of trial and error.  There is a huge pile of some really kind of hideous attempts in the studio, everybody needs a scrap pile, right?  There are some really fun things that came out quite nice though.  Really different new wine bags, table runners, place card holders, utensil holders, napkin rings, witch stockings, decorative blocks, etc., etc.  I'll start posting some teasers here shortly.

In the meantime, Barney licking a fish. I never thought I'd be one of those crazy dog people, then I bought a boxer. =)

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Studio Pics

My loft desks are finally finished!  I'm so excited!

Here's the studio in it's current condition, and some real sneaky sneak pics of Bloom & Barancle
Halloween 2010.







Friday, April 30, 2010

MIA

I really need to start posting more regularly!  Things have been way more chaotic than ususal.

Halloween is in full swing for me, I'm swimming in witch hats and mini ghosts.  Lots of things in the works!

I'm also finally going to run a full marathon, so I'm in training for that as well.  Very, very busy!

Currently trying to figure out:

How to make high quality decorative blocks from 2 x4's.  Not as easy as I thought.  I think my main issue is I haven't been sanding them correctly/enough. I may have to get a hold of a belt sander, that would be fantastic.  We did make one of the best purchases we've made in a while though, finally bit the bullet and got a router table.  So fun!  Also need to get some Matte Mod Podge, the glossy is a little cheap looking.  Will post some sneak pics once I get it nailed down.  Maybe I'll do a before and after.=)

Best way to make a stocking hanger.  Or, more accurately, a witch boot hanger.  We've almost got this one down, I think the actual hook just needs a little tweaking.  Here's a great post if you're interested in making stocking (or witch boot, you never know!) hangers:  http://themanyfacesofmom.blogspot.com/2009/12/best-stocking-hangers-ever-tutorial.html  (Thanks for the tutorial!)

Estate sale season is sneaking up on us.  One of my favorite times of year.  This is when we get to go hunting for Halloween props.  So fun!

Before & After's this weekend.  Happy Friday!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Creepy Nostalgic

I've never been a "Circus Freak" in the sense that I was crazy about the circus, in the other sense possibly at times.  But there's something very mysterious, kind of creepy nostalgic that is really intriguing to me about the early American circus.  I love looking at old pictures of clowns and trapeze artists, they must've been the most interesting people.  Anyway, before I start to ramble, please check out this awesome circus post at I Dreamed I Saw.  One of the best collections of creepy nostalgic circus I've seen.  Plus it features B & B Trapeze Lady Napkins!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Moon Face Blog Wine Bag Giveaway!

Please check out the very sweet Cassie's blog Moon Face here to see some really great stuff and enter to win a Trapeze Lady Winebag!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Revamping for 2010!


(I"m really excited about my recent Amazon purchase above, you'll see why below!)

So after much deliberation, I've decided to kind of revamp my plans/goals/Etsy store.  When I started I had an idea that I figured probably wasn't going to make me a millionaire, but would be kind of fun regardless.  In other words, I knew that I probably wouldn't sell a lot of dolls, but as any artistic type knows, sometimes you get something in your head and it has to be made.  Nothing else can be achieved until it does.  So they're made and out there and it's time to move on.  Not to say there won't be more, they're just not going to be the main focus.

I really think, and I know there's a lot of debate about this, that one can make a living as an artist/creator/craftsperson if enough time and thought is put into the process.  I knew even when I was in school that I would never be a painter.  Even at 21 I just didn't have enough angst to do it.  I didn't really have any huge statement/argument I needed to make.  I just wanted to make really beautiful things that would make people happy/nostalgic/warm & fuzzy, whatever the mood of the piece was.  Fortunately, I think that can be done in so many different ways.  In my case, I just want to make pretty things.  I digress.  My point is I would like to diversify my product line and eventually have all day every day to work on art. 

When I was in Hawaii our good friend told me that my creativity bank is way too full.  I need to get organized and/or get help.  She was right on.  There are so many things I want to be doing, so many things that need to get made.  I actually took this week off from making anything at all, so I could kind of just think.  We're going to a show this weekend that I'm very excited about, and I should be able to come up with a very organized, detailed and solid plan after this weekend.  Here's what I'm thinking:  flowers.  I love flowers, have always had kind of a weird obsession with them.  They were the very first thing I painted.  My college graduation invitation was a flower illustration.  Our wedding invites were covered in a flower print.  Our wedding "logo" if you will was a rose.  I bought and transported about 25 dozen fresh flowers to our wedding site and made all the bouquets myself.  I'm kind of nuts, I know this.  But that's the direction I'm heading.  That's all I can tell you for now, I'll have more details as things get fleshed out a little better.

Have a great weekend!

Monday, January 25, 2010

What I did this weekend.


Last week was a little insane, what with the hail, thunderstorms and crazy wind and rain.  Then both of us getting sick. Then, this is really weird, but my husband and I were talking on Saturday night and he told me he'd woken up with really weird feeling the night before and couldn't go back to sleep.  Barney had been acting kind of weird earlier that night, barking at something that we couldn't find, and kind of sniffing around the perimeter of the house.  He's pretty predictable so when he does things out of the ordinary we usually pay attention.  We attributed it to the weird weather and went to bed.  The next morning when we went to get coffee, I noticed weird handprints on my car, then saw they were on all the cars on our side of the street.  My car was fine but E's GPS was stolen and after talking to the neighbors it appears over the last couple of weeks there's been some shadiness going on and stuff being taken.  We then realized we actually heard them shut the car door but had thought it was the heater turning off.  Point is, if you have a gut feeling, go with it.  We should have checked it out.  For whatever reason our street seems to be prone to theft in the wintertime and we need to be more diligent about not leaving stuff out.  Still infuriating though.

Regardless, I did get some stuff done.  I'm working on some felt flowers for the Halloween store, this is new for me so probably going to be a little frustrating for a while.  Pretty much everything I'm working on right now is new stuff, that can be really hard.  I need at least one project to work on that I'm comfortable with, and I don't have one right now and that can make it a little hard to stay motivated.  Anyway, I think I finally have the Heart Garland figured out, I listed the first one in the Etsy store this morning!  I'm hoping to finish a few more this week.  I also finally finished my poor niece's doll that I've been promising her for months.  I hope she likes her!   I was hoping for more napkins but the screens need to be remade (they should be a little bigger) so I'm not sure if there will be any more before V Day, we'll see.   Regardless, here are some pics of things accomplished.=)



Sunday, January 17, 2010

New Napkins this afternoon.

I'm so excited about these.  Theres been a slight delay due to some photography issues, but they will be posted by tonight.

Hope you like them!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Napkins Listed Tomorrow!

Sorry for the delay!  Cool new Valentines Napkins will be listed by tomorrow morning (possibly tonight).  Here's a little hint:


Saturday, January 2, 2010

A Few Hiccups, but V-Day Items Soon!

Unfortunately somehow my memory card ended up in a pocket at the dry cleaner, so posting has been delayed! I've been working hard on some new items and would love to post studio pics, however.......anyway, memory card issue should be solved tomorrow and new wine bags listed, soon to be followed by new napkins and some super cute flatware holders.  Thanks for your patience!  In the meantime, here's a pic of our super exciting Christmas surprise for my dad, Ruger the German Shorthaired Pointer!  We had him for 3 weeks and it was sooo hard to keep it a secret.  Dad was really happy and really surprised, and we were stoked, but a little sad to see him go.  I'm sure he's happier in his new home with a real yard and real  birds to chase after.

Happy New Year!