Clearance SALE!

I have a lot of stuff that I need to move out of here. Take advantage of my desperation and poor planning! Starting Friday, Jan. 2nd I am having an (almost) whole store clearance sale.

FABRIC SALE!
Select Clearance Fabrics $3.99 - $6.99/yd (reg. $8.99-$14.99/yd.)
Holiday Cottons SALE $4.99/yd (reg. $8.99/yd.)
Home Dec 54" wide (Amy Butler and Holiday) $11.99/yd (reg. $14.99/yd.)
All other regular price fabric 20% off Jan. 2nd & 3rd ONLY!

Other Sewing and Fabric Items
Sublime Stitching Kits SALE $19.99 (reg. $29.99)
Sublime Stitching Pattern Packs SALE $2.50 (reg. $3.50)
20% OFF select patterns (excluding Amy Butler, Heather Bailey, and Lila Tueller)
30% OFF Misc. notions (Learn to Sew kits, scissors, emb. hoops, etc.)

Other Crafts Sale
30% OFF all ArtGirlz
20% OFF all books
40% OFF all Paper Crafting (chipboard, glitter, ink, paint, rubber stamps, UTEE, etc.)
20% OFF all resin crafting
Buy one, Get one FREE on all magazines!

My handmade holiday

I didn't make as many gifts this year as I have in some years past but I did manage to get a few things done.

 

I haven't managed to post about Steve's wine making attempt this fall. Someday I'll try to get him to sit down and help me type up a post about the process. He inherited his Italian grandfather's grape press and it has been in our garden gazebo serving as an interesting conversation piece for a few years now. This year everything came together where he had the time, the motivation and the resources to make his own wine in the tradition of his Grandpa Vito.

A couple weekends ago it went from cask to bottle and last Saturday I helped him print up labels. Last night was our annual neighborhood Christmas Walk/Party. I made Holiday Tea Towels and used them to wrap bottles of wine to give as hostess gifts.

After the jump I'll show you what I made for my Mom and my mother-in-law....

DON'T PEAK MOM!

Would ya look at that!

 

Do any of you remember when I used to knit? There was a time when this was primarily a knitting blog. No really! I wouldn't lie this close to Christmas.

Back in October I got a desire to knit again. It happens almost every fall. The leaves turn and I require a fix of Cascade 220 directly to my veins. Last year it was this vest. This year it was the February Lady Sweater (Rav link) that caught my lustful eye. I've been picking (actually I'm a thrower) away at it ever since. Yesterday was my day off from the store and the temperatures were in the single digits, a perfect excuse to spend a few hours on the couch watching tivo'd episodes of House and knitting. I'm probably only a few inches away from switching back to garter stitch for the bottom border. It would be nice to have this finished so I can wear it over the holiday weekend in Michigan next week. I guess I'll have to feed my hypochondria and spend more time with Dr. Gregory House, MD and get cracking on those sleeves.
  
Oh, and my friend Jamie pointed out at our Women's Retreat in November when I was working on it and simultaneously wearing my Millennium Vest that I have a color theme going on. A couple weeks ago at church I was wearing yet another purple lace and cable sweater I knit two years ago...So I'm predictable. (You should see all the gorgeous GREEN sweaters she's knit!) :) I honestly had a pretty turquoise or royal blue in mind when I went to buy this yarn but the LYS didn't have enough of any one color that I really wanted so I ended up with this predictable pretty wine color.

Tree Trimming Time

 
Thanksgiving weekend I entered a tree in a contest at an art fair at the Kane Co. Fairgrounds. I needed to figure out a way to decorate that would tell observers what my business was all about and not cost me much money. Four strings of "thread spool lights" from Moda, 5 yards of white rick-rack, 2 dozen cheapo ornaments with more rick-rack hot glued around, handmade cardboard and fabric scrap "fabric bolt ornaments", and a eleventy billion and one various sized fabric yo-yos stitched together for a cool garland, and I had a tree!

  
The weekend before the craft show I had it set up in the back room and almost all decorated when I remembered that it still needed a topper. I swore I had seen plain paper mache dressmaker's dummies at Joann's or Hobby Lobby. But after a futile search I gave up. I looked online, no luck. Then I found a fabric pincushion dummy at Joann's and decided to paint it to mimic my logo. Awesome.

Have I ever mentioned that I have a secret love of tacky things? You probably will never see me wearing a Bedazzled cowboy hat with rainbow feathers but I have a secret appreciation for that type of thing anyway. (I am such a fashion icon that there is a blog dedicated to watching what I wear. What's that you say? Oh! That Mrs. O! Never mind.)

But vintage tacky I really can't resist. Back in November I attended my church Women's Retreat. Our Saturday evening entertainment was a White Elephant Gift exchange. I got stuck with won a "frog environment". For some reason none of the other women tried to steal that fabulous prize. But at the end of the night I found myself coveting someone else's gift.
 
Lo and behold, when I shared my admiration with its new owner she was more than happy to regift it to me on the spot (no need to even trade my lovely amphibian abode). This beauty is an approximately 11x14" red velvet and paste rhinestone extravaganza of holiday bling!
  
Too bad it is the only one of its kind in existence huh?

Time for a field trip

I was asked to help chaperon a field trip tomorrow to the Art Institute in Chicago. I've never been so I jumped at the chance. I'll be accompanying the St. Charles North high school art students so it should be fun. I think there may be some other little side trips involved but I don't have my itinerary in front of me so I'm just going from memory.

It was a tricky decision to make to close for a day during the holiday season but I don't want to miss out on opportunities like this with my daughters if I can help it. There are going to be fewer and fewer field trips and things to chaperon as they get older and I'll really miss these little things. Plus I like teenagers. No really. I find them very entertaining and often their perspective can be enlightening. I'd much rather spend my day with a room full of 14 year olds than 4 year olds or 4th graders. (But I'd certainly never want to be one again!)

The sky is clouding up now and they are saying that we are in for some winter weather today into tomorrow. I hope it isn't so much that we have to cancel the field trip. On that note I've made an executive decision regarding weather related store closings. If St. Charles schools are closed because of the weather I will probably be closed as well. Now some days I've found that the roads get cleared up mid-day and there is no reason to stay off them. On those days I will probably venture in. So I guess I'm saying if the weather is bad the best thing to do is call ahead (630-443-4770) and make sure I'm here before heading over.

Do the Wooly Boolly!

 
If I had to list my Top Ten craft materials wool felt would definitely be in the Top 5. (Hmmm, maybe I will think on this and actually make a top ten list...)
There is just so much to love about real 100% wool felt (or the 80/20 stuff if you just can't find or afford the 100% stuff).

The rich colors - no neon-not-found-nature-colors here!

Ease of use - no fraying edges to be concerned with, just cut and sew.

Tactile qualities - It just feels so real and warm.

Versatility - I've made dolls, quilts, ornaments, coin purses, embellishments and more with it. Definitely wins the "favorite surface to embroider on" award.

Sustainability - The "green factor" can't be denied. It comes from a natural, renewable source. If you can find natural, plant-dyed felt you are really full of win. (And if you find a wholesale supplier of such please let me know. I've been looking and can't find one!)

 
Last week my shipment of wool felt packs arrived. The fat quarter bundle (7-22"x18" cuts) is $41.99 and the Charm Pack (36-5x5" squares) is $21.99.

Gifts for Crafters on Your List

       

I recently received some great items for gift giving.
These T-shirts are really cute! I have the "Stitch Happens" Tees in pink and white. The light blue Tee reads, "Queen of Unfinished Projects". Rhinestones spell out, "Creative Genius" on black and purple Tees and sweatshirts.

These multi-pocketed totes from Mackinac Moon ($19.99) are great for any craft from sewing or scrapbooking to knitting and embroidery. There is a pocket for every tool, book, and supply with room to spare for your cell phone and wallet. The sections in the main compartment are roomy enough for small to medium projects and aren't so deep that things get lost in the vast depths like some bags. They come in two color combinations; pink and chocolate or light and dark blue.

Stop in soon to fill out a Gift List Postcard. You list all the things in the store that you would like your personal Santa to know about, address it to your Santa, and I'll mail it off to him (or her!) in time for them to fulfill your holiday crafting wishes. I also have gift certificates in any amount available.

Thank You

Just a quick post to thank all of you for listening, commiserating, lending a helping hand (Mom & Dad!), supporting, buying, and just plain being here for me this year. It means a lot to me. I'm also so very thankful for all the new friends I've made via this blog and the store this year. It's so nice to know there are more of us out there in the world and in the Fox Valley. I'd love to name each and every one of you by name and say what you mean to me but I'm sure to forget someone and then I'd feel like a bewb.

Another thing that I am grateful for is my life. Growing up I dreamed of traveling, living in a big city, having glamorous friends, eating fancy food and other "worldly" things. My dreams have mellowed over the years. I no longer dream of a Manhattan penthouse and nights out on the town. But I'm so thankful that even though I live a moderate lifestyle, I've had many opportunities to "live the high life." Here is a meme I found today that illustrates that:

Bold the things you have done, strike out what you will never do:

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (Marlette Red Raiders marching and concert band!)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower (One time in a cemetery with a college beau and many years later with Sarah in our backyard.)
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain (Mt. Katahdin in Maine!)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo (Not well!)
11. Bungee jumped - (But I did jump off a 40 ft. cliff into a Minnesota lake!)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child -
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - (one of the benefits of owning your own pool!)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run - (me + hand eye coordination + athletic ability = not likely)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors - (not specifically but I know that there had to be some Wood, Boyne, Doyle or Swailes ancestors from Scotland and England so I'm going to count this one)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - (this is a toughy. As almost everyone, it is easy to always want more but most of the time I do realize that we have more than we really need.)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing - (I'd love to but I have fear of heights issues)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke - (again not well!)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - 9even though it was so foggy the visibility was zero!)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - (as a leader not a scout!)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason - (Steve brings me flowers all the time. Plus the freaky stalker guy at the mall back in the day that sent me a dozen roses that I "thought" were from Steve until I called Steve to thank him and they weren't!)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - (used to be a regular donor but anemia and other weird issues have kept me from donating lately. )
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - (not in Washington DC but I have visited his tomb in Springfield, IL)
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - (been to London but didn't have time to go stand around in a huge crowd to see this, we did see the ravens at the Tower of London.)
77. Broken a bone - (I think I have freakishly strong bones, I was kicked in the chest by a horse, fell out of a loft bed in college and had two nasty snow/ice accidents with nothing more than bad bruises.)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible - (TWICE! Once with my mother, we made it our New Year's Resolution (I think we may have only done the NT) and again in college when I took Religion:OT & Religion: NT)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life - does donating blood count?
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - 9but I have swam in at least two of the Great Lakes!)
97. Been involved in a law suit - I did take someone to Small Claims Court in college after she "lost" my bicycle that I loaned her to ride to the bar on a Saturday night.
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee - AND bit by a chipmunk! How many people can say that?
100. Rode an elephant

Holiday Craftogethers

I had this idea to put together little mini-classes for the holiday season that sisters, friends, mothers & daughters or other couples could come do together. My first idea was to call the "Crafternoons" but I opted for Craftogethers instead. I guess it is a good thing I did because I've since found out that Crafternoons was already taken. Great minds and all that I guess (I think I should just write a book.)

Would you like to make gifts or holiday decorations for yourself and others but just don’t want to bother with getting the supplies, making a mess in your house and then having to clean up that mess? The holidays are hectic enough without the added hassle of all that. Instead, take an afternoon off and join us at My Eclectic Mess in St. Charles for two hours of crafting fun. We’ll provide all the supplies, know-how and best of all, the clean up!

This is the perfect activity to share with your child, sister, mother, best friend or neighbor. You’ll get time together to share in the making of memories as well as the cool crafts you’ll complete.

November 22, 2-4pm: Wool Felt Mitten Ornament

Join us to make a cute wool felt mitten ornament. This ornament makes a great tree decoration or gift tag. It is open on the top so you can fill it with a gift card or monetary gift.
 

December 6, 2-4pm: Home Sweet Homes

In this mini-class we will each make a tiny chipboard and paper "gingerbread" house to hang on our tree or decorate our table top.

December 13, 2-4pm: Stamped Gift Wrap

Make unique, one of a kind wrapping paper using hand carved stamps made from inexpensive materials and techniques.

December 20, 2-4pm: Polymer Clay Votive Holders

Celebrate the winter solstice and help bring some light back into your long winter with this special candle holder. Learn polymer clay cane making techniques in this fun and informative class.
 

Pre-registration required one week in advance of the event. A $10/person non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot, space is limited. Classes will be cancelled if a minimum number of participants (4 persons) are not registered on week prior to event. Deposits will be refunded in the event of cancellation.
All classes will be held on Saturdays from 2-4pm. Register with a friend and save $30/person or $50/couple.

More information and a sign-up form available: Downloadable Brochure

How I Shop for Fabric

    
My Freespirit rep dropped off a half ton of fabric samples for my enjoyment today. I think I'm getting better at this fabric selection thing. I'm much faster and not nearly as overwhelmed by all the choices as I was the first time. I can unroll some of these fabric headers and give an immediate "meh" or "nope" now. Sometimes my reaction is more of a "Hmmmmm?" and I set it aside and come back to it with fresh eyes after looking at others.

Above are the selections from Amy Butler's latest, Midwest Modern 2. I hate to say it but her newer stuff is quite often as not getting a "meh" reaction from me. I only selected five from the new colorways and added two from the original Midwest Modern to round out my current selection. I also added four prints from her Daisy Chain to match up some of the orphans from my first order from this line. I still think some of my numbers must have gotten mixed up on that first order because I *know* I ordered some of these dark blues and pinks that didn't come in my first order. (That's why I'm taking pictures this time so I know what I decided on!)

I'm also a little frustrated annoyed disappointed that her colors don't match across collections. She has an olive in her Midwest Modern and one in her Daisy Chain that are close but not quite. Also I've found that often she'll have a pattern/colorway in a collection that doesn't really *fit* with anything else in the collection. I read on a fabric blog recently that Kaffe Fassett keeps pretty much the same color palette from one collection to the next and adds and subtracts to keep things fresh. But that way if you have an older fabric in your stash you can still find something new to coordinate with it. Of course my impression of Kaffe Fassets collections is that he just uses ALL THE COLORS so it doesn't really matter!

A new line and new to me designer is Snow Flower by Dena. This was one of those bundles of fabric that I opened and my reaction was, "oh yeah!" I wanted it all, but you know that isn't happening. :( So instead I did what I've learned is the best way for me to stock fabric, I select one or two of the colorways in a collection and go from there. (I'm sorry I can't find this collection online anywhere yet.) After I decided which colorways I want I pick and choose from there. I loved the brights and black set in this collection so I chose a wide selection of these. I really don't have a lot of really vivid brights and no black at all right now in my stock so this will fill in some much needed holes.
   
I'm also really in love with acid green and chocolate brown right now and aqua with green is a hot combo too. I think this collection is going to be really popular. I know I'm looking forward to sewing up some bags or girly dresses out of it this winter!

My Moda rep was also in at the end of last week with her bag of goodies from Quilt Market. I don't have pictures of what I selected from her but rest assured, it is awesome! They have added some new designers who are really adding a fresh face to their collections.

Pimping out my customers!

One of my best etsy customers is threeyellowstarfish. Margaret is in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and makes the cutest baby outfits. I remember making similar bloomers and pinafores for my girls when they were little. So versatile and CUTE! I love how they are all reversible too so you get a lot of bang for your buck. Imagine if you will the ability to reverse the outfit mid-day after an unfortunate strained pea incident. She also mentions that she will be listing reversible overalls soon for little boys. Can't wait to see those too.

This adorable pinafore was made with Sandy Gervais' Pumpkins Gone Wild line from Moda.

(Isn't that model too adorable for words too?)

You can also go to her blog to enter to win a free bloomer and pinafore set!

There just so happens to be a little person of the female type on my shopping list this year. If her Mommy (you know who you are, MYLENE!) happens to read this go to Margaret's shop and let me know which one you like best!

Mess Kits!

Since I first started thinking about this business I've wanted to put together my own kits. But I had no idea (still don't really!) where to begin. But I just went ahead anyway. Based on some suggestions from friends I started with one of my free patterns and one project that was suggested to me.

I put together kits of my eco-tote shopping bag a while ago. I've had them here in the store and I have sold a few. But I finally got my act together and photographed them and listed them in my etsy store.
 
A couple weeks ago one of my online friends sent me a link to a rag quilt with the suggestion that these would make great holiday projects. Of course I ran right out to the front room, grabbed some bolts and started cutting and sewing!
 
This is my first one made with squares of all the different holiday flannels I have. It is so soft and cuddly! But then I looked at all the coordinating smooth cottons I have and had to make another.
 

This one is made with the Jennifer Paganelli "Bell Bottoms" line. I added batting to this one too but I don't like it so I won't suggest that to anyone else. Maybe a layer of plain flannel sandwiched between the regular cotton would be nice. Flannel would add a little body and warmth without making it stiff like the Thermolam did on this one.
Today I added my first kit for these to my etsy shop: Rag Quilt Kit
Tomorrow I hope to have time to put together a kit out of the Bell Bottom fabric and get that listed too. Of course if you are local and would like a kit you can always stop in the store and pick out your own fabric combination.

Happy Sewing!

Out of Town!

In about two hours I will be leaving town for a Woman's Retreat for our church. I'm on the planning committee and in charge of a few of the activities so there was no staying home to man the store on this one. I think a couple days away with other gals is just what I need right now. I'll be back rested and rejuvenated on Tuesday morning. I may even come into the store for a few hours on Monday because I have some things to get done and an extra day wouldn't hurt. But I also know I am having a little get together at my house Monday evening so I'll probably spend most of the day getting the house clean for that.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Help Wanted

I’ve been trying to figure out how to write this post for a long time now. I don’t want to sound whiney or ungrateful. I’ve tried hedging around the situation. I’ve tried denial and avoidance too. As to be expected, those tactics haven’t worked. So I’m going to go back to what has worked for better or worse for me in the past, the direct approach.

Things at My Eclectic Mess aren’t going great. Some days they are barely going at all. I’m in the midst of trying to figure out how to move forward and what direction to take. The projections and plans I made a year ago are worthless now. The money I had to start with is all gone and the bills and credit card balances are piling up. Things have cost much more than projected and sales still haven’t reached even the barest minimums that I had projected. I spend many a day here at the store all alone coming up with great project ideas, classes, and events with no one to share them.

The biggest glitch in my planning is that classes, clubs, and camps didn’t get filled up like I had proposed. I had projected a couple different scenarios when doing my budgeting. One was worst case: 10-20% enrollment in scheduled classes, summer camps, birthday parties and sew-by-the-hour. The other was best case: 90-100% enrollment. What I didn’t plan for was zero enrollments. The plan was that with summer camps and budgeted start up money, I’d get through the summer months. By fall I was supposed to have my classes paying the rent at the minimum, and sales of merchandise paying for new inventory. Best case scenario was that by Halloween I’d be able to add another teacher or a part-time salesperson so I could be open 6 days and have someone to cover the front room when I was teaching classes. All of these projections have fallen short and I’m barely covering expenses let alone having anything left for reinvestment in new inventory.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is just getting the word about what I do and what I sell out to the right people. Advertising costs a lot of money and needs to be eye-catching, informational and motivational to do the job. I’m telling you now that it takes a lot more to accomplish that than I ever thought. I still haven’t found the perfect mix. I did work with a local small advertising group to try to find a way to do this but I had to pull back on that because the cost was way beyond my current budget. We will be implementing a few small changes to the front of the store in the next few months to try to take advantage of my Main St. location and communicate what I do here more clearly to passersby.

Currently I’m looking at two different directions for the future of My Eclectic Mess. I see now that I cannot fulfill my original vision by myself. This doesn’t make that vision any less viable it just means it is beyond my abilities as one person. So I must now decide whether to give up complete control of my dream in order to see it realized in some manner or to scale back my dream to a size and scale that I can handle alone.

The first option is to continue moving forward with my original vision. In order to do this I will need help. I’ve come to the realization that I don’t have the skill set, financial know-how and marketing knowledge to do this all alone and I can’t afford to hire professionals to help me do it. I need a partner to fill in my weak spots. What I do bring to the table are innovative ideas, creative talent, customer service know-how, retail experience, merchandising abilities, industry knowledge, the ability to teach my skills in an approachable way and a great passion for what I know this business can be. I had a vision and I know in my heart of heart that it can be a success. Every week someone comes into the store and tells me how much something like this is needed in the Fox Valley and how happy they are to have these products and my expertise available to them. A week doesn’t go by that I don’t receive some kind of supportive comment or expression of admiration for what I’m doing here. Believe me, these are what keep me going and keep the anxiety and worry at bay.

The second option I’m considering is to scale back and regroup the business. So far the thing that has been paying the bills is fabric sales. The fabric industry is seeing big growth right now and I’m really excited by the new designers and lines I see coming out now. I am considering finding a smaller place or even seeing if I could rent a partial space from another retailer in the area and focus solely on fabric sales. This would enable me to continue to bring what I do to a local market and to work with customers face to face while putting more focus on selling my fabrics online through my Etsy.com site and also move toward setting up my own e-commerce site. If I took the classes, sew-by-the-hour, kids programs and camps out of the picture I would need much less space and thus, less rent and utilities. In September and October Etsy fabric sales were the only thing that enabled me to pay rent without having to dip into the family savings. I could also generate some much needed operations money by selling my classroom equipment.

I’m still trying to decide which of these scenarios is the right answer for me and My Eclectic Mess. The first one really depends on the universe delivering the right person at the right time to be the partner that I need. The second one is only slightly dependant on my finding a new location that costs about half what I’m paying now in rent and utilities while still being somewhere that my local customers can find me.

A third option that is somewhat related to option two is to find another small craft-related retailer or two that is facing similar dilemmas who would like to group together. Because I will probably have to at least temporarily give up the dream of being a truly eclectic craft store, I’d love to share my space with a bead/jewelry maker, yarn shop, stamp store, clay or glass studio, etc. Maybe the future of My Eclectic Mess is to become a craft retail cooperative rather than an independent multi-craft store. I know that many if not all of my customers do multiple crafts. They knit, sew, stamp, scrapbook, bead, weave, spin, collage, paint, and on and on. If they could go one place (other than the big box stores) to get it all and to find unique higher end supplies, they’d love it. I thought that was what I was going to be but I know now that I can’t at this time. If there are other entrepreneurial minded crafters out there that have thought about opening a store that caters to their specialty but have been afraid of jumping in alone, maybe we could work together. Or if there is another small retailer who thinks that what they do compliments what I do and is facing similar challenges as I am maybe we can combine forces and knowledge and help each other out.

This post is not about me whining about how tough things are right now. I know they are hard for most of us in this economy. This is not about me wanting to make money. I don't intend to make an income from My Eclectic Mess for many, many years, if ever. One doesn't go into small retail business with that intention. I just want to keep it and my family solvent so I can continue to bring the products and services that I love to others and to know that I am contributing to my community and using my skills and knowledge in some way. It also isn’t about making anyone feel guilty for not doing more. If you’ve stopped in to the store (buying anything or not!), posted a comment here, sent an email, given me an idea for an event or class, made one of the projects from my tutorials, told someone else about my store, or even just read this blog regularly, you’ve done something to support me and I appreciate it.

What this post is about is me assessing the situation and making an effort to find solutions to the problems I’m facing. It is also about me being honest with myself and with my friends and customers (who I’m happy to say on many levels are most often one and the same). I’ve spent the majority of my 40+ years on this earth being staunchly independent and trying to muddle through life on my own power. I’m finally learning that sometimes I need help and the only way to be sure to get it is to ask for it. So here I am being very Oprah-like and asking the universe to give me a gift. I'm putting my wishes out there and hoping the universe sends me the help I need.

Handmade Holiday Open House

Well, aren't I the bad business blogger? I've been running around here like a chicken with my head cut off all week preparing for my Open House today. But I failed to mention it here on my blog! Duh.

So anyway. If you are in the area today stop in for cookies, apple cider, and wine. Plus I have in store specials and product demos planned for this afternoon.

You can do it too!

 
Earlier this week customer Cammie called and inquired whether I knew someone who could sew an awning cover for her. After talking with her for a few minutes I told her to just bring it in and I'd take a look at it and I thought that with my guidance she could make this herself.

Today she brought in the fabric and the wooden frame her carpenter built for her and we tackled it together. We did some math, measuring and digging around in the basement for a few little supplies until we completed this awesome awning!
 
And we had a lot of fun doing it too. She has very little sewing experience but she was perfectly capable of "following the scalloped line" and sewed the little edging perfectly on the first try. Then we had to get "Girl Scout creative" with our staple gun with a too short cord and no working extension cord and a little more garbage picking to put it all together.

All in all a very satisfying project and now Cammie can tell all the visitors to her basement Ice Cream Parlor that "I made that!" and be deservedly proud of her achievement.

Something Wicked This Way Comes

     

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE HALLOWEEN?
Artgirlz has such cool stuff anyway but I just fell in love with their special Halloween items. Friday after school Emma and I played with the mixed bag of black and orange felt balls in various sizes. They call them their pumpkin and spider collection. So of course I made a few of each of those! I used the teeny-tiny balls with seed beads to make eyes on the big spiders. Strong thread and a short piece of brown pipe cleaner makes a really cute pumpkin.

The Witch Kits are my favorite. (I also have two similar kits for Christmas, an elf and a tree.)

Sometimes I impress even myself

 
Last week Emma sketched out what she wanted her Halloween costume to look like. She decided she wanted to be a fairy but not a "Disney Princess Fairy". More like a Woodland Sprite kind of fairy.

She came into the store with me today and on our way we stopped at Joann's (yes, even I still shop there on occassion!) for materials. We found this metallic stretchy fabric that looked like magical tree bark or something. I added three colors (black,brown and tan) shimmery tulle and some dark olive green cotton knit and we had the makings of a Woodland Fairy costume.

Going by her vision and sketch plus a few ideas of my own this is what we came up with today. The gathered tulle and petals didn't have enough give to fit over her head so I had to come up with a way to close up an open back. I refuse to put zippers in Halloween costumes so I decided to make loops and lace up the back of the bodice with black satin ribbon. This left the problem of the "hospital gown effect" in the back of the skirt. I solved that by making one more green petal and hand sewing it to one side of the skirt and putting a hook and eye closure on the other side. She also plans to wear a pair of black stretch velvet gymnastic shorts under it on Halloween.

It was a lot of fun working together on this project and coming up with an original design. This will probably be the last Halloween costume I'll get to make for one of my girls so I had to go out with a bang!

Fall brings changes.

 
Yesterday I got another wild hair and decided to rearrange the entire store. I moved all the fabric to the front room along with the purple table. Now all the sewing things are in one room and it is more open and bright. I also redid the big table with a small fall display and the mantel with a holiday display.
   
Now the smaller room has all the other non-fabric crafts and supplies. I also managed to find room for the cutting table so I don't have to go in back to cut fabric for customers anymore.
 

I found this general MeMe this morning on my blog reading rounds.
1. Do you like blue cheese? Not really.
2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? Yes.
3. Do you own a gun? No. You'll shoot your eye out!
4. What flavors Kool Aid was your favorite? Cherry, with a LOT of sugar in it!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Sometimes.
6. What do you think of hotdogs? Koegel hot dogs are awesome! Wish we could get them here in IL.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story (see #3)
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? water & tea
9. Can you do push ups? Not military style! Maybe one "girly" pushup.
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? The diamond tennis bracelet Steve gave me for our 10th anniversary.
11. Favorite hobby? Making stuff, the medium depends on my current mood.
12. Do you have A.D.D.? No. Well maybe. Probably. Uh, no! Oooo! Shiney!
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? I did for the majority of my life and was blind without them. But I got Lasik surgery a few years back and it changed my life.
14. Middle name? Anne
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
a - I want a cup of tea.
b - Am I going to get any customers today (this week?)
c- XRT is the best radio station in Chicago.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? water, milk, vodka
17. Current worry? Will my business survive the first year? Will I?
18. Current hate right now? Hate is a strong word but I really, really, really don't like a certain VP candidate and that as a relatively conservative woman I'm expected to fall down in joy at their nomination.
19. Favorite place to be? Scotland
20. How did you bring in the New Year? Uh. I don't remember! Knowing us there was alcohol involved and making snarky comments about Ryan Seacrest.
21. Where would you like to go? Prague and back to Scotland.
22. Name three people who will complete this. No idea.
23. Do you own slippers? Yes, handknit felted clogs in two shades of purple.
24. What shirt are you wearing? I wildly patterned top from Lane Bryant I bought this summer. This is probably the last time I'll wear it. It is getting too faded. But it is comfortable!
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No.
26. Can you whistle? Yes, but I can't carry a tune.
27. Favorite color? Purple with green as a close second.
28. Would you be a pirate? A silly Johnny Depp style pirate? Yes. An evil hostage taking bandit style pirate? No.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't.
30. Favorite Girl’s Name? Regina Mulva
31. Favorite boy’s name? Charles
32. What’s in your pocket right now? lint?
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Something I read on a Ravelry board this morning.
34. What vehicle do you drive? 2001 Volvo station wagon.
35. Worst injury you’ve ever had? Deep tissue bruising on my hip from a fall.
36. Do you love where you live? I'm not sure I go as far as to say I LOVE it right now.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? I think 6. But only 2-3 of those ever get watched.

Pumpkin PDF added

Here is a link to the downloadable pdf of the fabric pumpkins I made last Saturday. I'll also add the pattern to the Free Pattern page and to the original post.
 
pumpkin-pattern

New Products: Hemp, Spray Fabric Paint and UTEE

I was finally able to add a couple new product lines that I've had my eye on since CHA this summer.

  
First off is a selection of hemp twine and hemp jewelry making books. The panel of teens and 'tweens I had the pleasure of listening to tell us old folks what was cool with Generation Z were all about the hemp jewelry. I have large balls of twine for big projects of for those of you who want a budget friendly way to make lots of pieces for gifts. I also have variety packs that include colored hemp for special projects or for those of you who would like to try your hand at the old/new craft without investing in a lot of materials.

This seems like a good time and place to insert a little story and warning. A few years back my daughters got into making friendship bracelets out of embroidery floss and eventually, hemp twine. They had one of these big balls in a bag along with some beads in their bedroom. After a while after they had moved on to other creative pursuits (the eclectic crafter thing is hereditary!) the hemp was forgotten. Fast forward a few months when I take the dogs in for their annual exams. Heidi, the Bernese Mt. Dog, needs her teeth cleaned. I make an appointment, take her in on the appointed day and nervously wait for the vet's call. Any time a big dog like her is sedated it is scary. A few hours later I get a call from my vet. It seems that when they began the teeth cleaning she discovered a string wrapped around one of Heidi's back teeth. When she went to pull it out it wouldn't budge and fearing doing great damage she x-rayed her. Turns out the string continued down into her stomach where on the x-ray there appeared a large mass. With my okay they performed emergency abdominal surgery to remove the mass which appeared to be a large "mop-head" like clump of string. Yep, you guessed it, it was the long forgotten ball of hemp twine. Had it not gotten wrapped around her tooth it probably would have continued through her digestive system and cause irreparable damage. This episode earned Heidi the nickname, Bernese Mountain Goat and is still Dr. Dodd's favorite vet story. So if you decide to get into hemp jewelry making and have a large canine with goat-like eating habits be warned!

The next cool product I just got in is Spray Fabric Paint. I haven't had time yet this week to test it out but it looks so cool. Watch a demo video HERE Imagine being able to make fabulous looking Tie-Dye shirts without worrying about the chemicals, messy rinsing process, and time! I have individually packaged colors plus party packs that will make up to 24 T-shirts.

The last new product line that I've been looking forward to for months is UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) and EasyCast Resin. Both of these products can be used to make one of a kind jewelry along with lots of other cool craft projects.
  
The UTEE is a coarse powder that can be melted, poured, cut (when still warm) and used to coat paper, cardboard, metal and many other things. Suze Weinberg is the goddess of all things UTEE.
 
I made this gorgeous pendant using clear, violet and platinum UTEE by following the directions on the Amate Studios website I will be ordering more pewter jewelry blanks from Amate soon. Right now I do have the large rectangle as shown here.
 

The EasyCast resin is also really neat. It can be used to make faux glass and beads as well as used to coat or fill metal, wood or chip board findings. I have a nice selection of reusable molds that can be used with either the UTEE or the resin to make one of a kind jewelry pieces or decorative elements for collage. I haven't had time to play with these yet either but did find some awesome online tutorials:
Resin and Silver Jewelry
Cute Resin Coated Dominoes
Jennifer Perkins Video Tutorial (And hey! unlike her you won't have to go to two Big Box craft stores for your supplies, I have it all right here!)

I would love to give demos of any of these new products so if you are interested and just want to see how it's done stop in and I'll have show and tell!