First off, you'll be amazed to know that last night, after I wrote my Friday update Newsletter and after 5 days of hysterically searching for that lost tote of 'stuff' .. I found it! In a large SEE-THRU tote bag I'd brought back from Market with me, under several skeins of wool yarn and some felting batt. Dave just covered his face with one hand and didn't make eye contact with me (without giggling) for about 20 minutes.
sigh
This morning started off with my being forced off my country dirt road by three wayward ponies. Called 911 and got Genesee County- they forwarded me to Oakland county's 911 because that was the cross road. After 20 minutes of holding the only one who had a halter on, and being kicked (slightly), turned him loose to rejoin his 2 other buddies (it was a glorious reunion!!). Since we're out in the 'boonies', the State Police are the ones who will be coming .. and it 'could' take them the better part of a day to come out on that call.
Last I saw, they were gleefully trotting across a 30 acre tree/field area ... going who knows where.
Did call local police when I got to the shop .. was told it wasn't their jurisdiction. sigh They forwarded me back to 911 again! We had quite the windstorm last night and I'll bet you that's when they must have gotten loose.
I told 'everyone' that I just wanted to notify them the threesome were heading out of one county into another in case someone called looking for them.
At least the ponies didn't head for my garage to bunk with the squirrels!!
Then, once I turned onto the main pavement which is 45 mph but everyone tries to go 55 mph, I put the brakes on as there was a HUGE snapping turtle right in the middle of my lane heading toward the lake. The cars coming up behind me did not appreciate my caring about nature and it's critters (I was NOT getting out of the car and picking up a snapper that had a shell wider than a basketball who was intent on getting to where he was going!). After oncoming traffic cleared, I was able to cross over the center lane to avoid Mr. Yurtle The Turtle .. and as the car behind me swung out and passed me AT THAT TIME and gave me a 'salute' of one kind .. I waved and gave him a HUGE smile!
Now .. at the shop. No sign of wildlife here today!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Designers are people too!
Had a customer the other day quite outraged that it was taking 3+ weeks to receive the items she had ordered. She wanted two hand-painted frames to go with specific much older designs, and several charts that needed to be ordered directly from the designer and not through a distributor. Even though the frames were quite a bit older, she just couldn't figure out why the designer (1) didn't already have them made, and (2) what was taking the charts so long. It should only take a couple of days she'd figured.
In our needle art Industry, we are really the 'mom and pop' businesses of 'yore. The designers do not have warehouses in which to store thousands of charts and frames. They have a spare room in their home, or part of the basement. When they run out of stock, they do not automatically 'make more' ... it's a supply and demand business. If a chart hasn't sold in 8 years lets say, and the chart needs to be re-printed, it probably won't be. At least, not immediately. Why pay that kind of money in the hopes that someone, rather many hundreds of someone, will now want multiple charts of that design? The same for 'custom hand-painted frames' .. when out of stock, another will be made when there is that call for it.
Plus, in this mom and pop industry we know and love so well, designers do not have 'people' sitting around manning phones waiting for orders to be called in, people packing up orders. They have 'themselves'. They do not have a design studio they 'go' to .. they design in their homes. And, just like you and me, the designers have a life. Sometimes a family illness or tragedy befalls. There is no one in their 'office' to take over in crisis times like that. (I remember one customer who was calling us daily about her order .. and the designer had had a major heart attack. The customer was informed this, but that didn't seem to make a difference .. she wanted her order!) Sometimes a designer is planning for their childs' wedding or college .. and the design part of the business has to be put on a back burner until they can get back to it. Sometimes a designer goes on a vacation. There is no one left at home to run their business for them. It all waits until their return. In this customer's case ... the designer was on a business trip in Europe. We didn't know she was. And said designer didn't have to tell us that she was going on a business trip and since I'd e-mailed the order in, there was no answering machine message advising me of this.
Illness, death, divorce, weddings, college, babies, vacations .. just like us, the designers have these happening in their daily lives too. And since they are a 'designer', it's up to them to balance their business with their life events, just like we are forced to do.
Just thought I'd put in a good word for the men and women that keep our fingers so stitchingly entertained! Designers - I appreciate you!
And just a side line that has nothing to do with this blog ... at the top right hand side of this page is the LINK to my Etsy store - Deb Felt It ... the little 'black sheep with the big Etsy heart'!
In our needle art Industry, we are really the 'mom and pop' businesses of 'yore. The designers do not have warehouses in which to store thousands of charts and frames. They have a spare room in their home, or part of the basement. When they run out of stock, they do not automatically 'make more' ... it's a supply and demand business. If a chart hasn't sold in 8 years lets say, and the chart needs to be re-printed, it probably won't be. At least, not immediately. Why pay that kind of money in the hopes that someone, rather many hundreds of someone, will now want multiple charts of that design? The same for 'custom hand-painted frames' .. when out of stock, another will be made when there is that call for it.
Plus, in this mom and pop industry we know and love so well, designers do not have 'people' sitting around manning phones waiting for orders to be called in, people packing up orders. They have 'themselves'. They do not have a design studio they 'go' to .. they design in their homes. And, just like you and me, the designers have a life. Sometimes a family illness or tragedy befalls. There is no one in their 'office' to take over in crisis times like that. (I remember one customer who was calling us daily about her order .. and the designer had had a major heart attack. The customer was informed this, but that didn't seem to make a difference .. she wanted her order!) Sometimes a designer is planning for their childs' wedding or college .. and the design part of the business has to be put on a back burner until they can get back to it. Sometimes a designer goes on a vacation. There is no one left at home to run their business for them. It all waits until their return. In this customer's case ... the designer was on a business trip in Europe. We didn't know she was. And said designer didn't have to tell us that she was going on a business trip and since I'd e-mailed the order in, there was no answering machine message advising me of this.
Illness, death, divorce, weddings, college, babies, vacations .. just like us, the designers have these happening in their daily lives too. And since they are a 'designer', it's up to them to balance their business with their life events, just like we are forced to do.
Just thought I'd put in a good word for the men and women that keep our fingers so stitchingly entertained! Designers - I appreciate you!
And just a side line that has nothing to do with this blog ... at the top right hand side of this page is the LINK to my Etsy store - Deb Felt It ... the little 'black sheep with the big Etsy heart'!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I'm Gonna Go To A Concert!!!
Carole King and James Taylor are coming to the Palace Of Auburn Hills for their one-night only "Troubadour Reunion" concert ... Thursday May 27.
I have been pondering this for the past week (ish) ever since I heard the announcment. Now I don't know WHY I had to ponder it as (1) Carole King is my all time most favorite ever in the whole entire world singer; (2) I've seen her in concert 3 times; (3) I own ever single album, cassette, or cd she's ever released; (4) I know just about all of her songs word for word and tune for tune (I'm not yet quite a stalker); (5) James Taylor is my most favorite male singer even though I've never had the opportunity to see him 'live' (Simon & Garfunkle rate as best duo, and of course, the Beatles reign supreme as my most favorite group!).
So Saturday, once I got the computers back up and running here at the shop, I went into Ticketmaster to see about tickets. Of course, all the 'really great' ones were gone, but .. tickets WERE still available! I thought about calling home to ask Dave if he was interested, but then thought no .. he'll have to ponder that question and if he wants to or not for the next several weeks .. at the shortest. Grabbed my trusty, unfortunately not so dusty, MasterCard and hit PURCHASE TICKETS! ta da .... two tickets purchased ... done!
Then I left for home ... told Dave what I'd done and asked if he'd go with me, and stood there with my arm around his waist ... for the longest time ... while he pondered. (told ya so!) Then he asked me, how long would the concert be from when we got there till when we left. I should have known! Dave won't go any place where he'll be forced to go 2 hours (and one minute) without smoking a cigarette. deep sigh
So there I was with two tickets for the concert ... and no one to go with.
:(
WAIT! I'll check with some friends first to see if one of them would like to attend the concert with me ... I'll 'gift' that extra ticket out! Then I realized, that if someone was going to go with me, even if it was for free, certain requirements would have to be met first .. as that person would be sitting right NEXT to me:
(1) They would be attending AND realizing that I am now like a small child counting the days down till Christmas morning and am absolutely beside myself awaiting this event.
(2) I will probably spontaniously break out into song (although softly) even though I've never been asked to record anything using my own voice.
(3) I will be excited. See #1
(4) And if riding together, they would have to listen to me talk all about the concert we'd just seen all the way home .. in all that concert traffic.
Kathy, with a very LOUD e-mailed YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! agreed to all conditions and even said she has a 'lighter app' on her phone so we can show JT and Carole just how much we love them at the end of the show!
I saw where Amazon has the Toubador cd available for purchase of today and .... decided to wait. I want to be surprised first at the concert, then I'll purchase it so I can hear it over and over and over again!
Whooo Hooooooo
I have been pondering this for the past week (ish) ever since I heard the announcment. Now I don't know WHY I had to ponder it as (1) Carole King is my all time most favorite ever in the whole entire world singer; (2) I've seen her in concert 3 times; (3) I own ever single album, cassette, or cd she's ever released; (4) I know just about all of her songs word for word and tune for tune (I'm not yet quite a stalker); (5) James Taylor is my most favorite male singer even though I've never had the opportunity to see him 'live' (Simon & Garfunkle rate as best duo, and of course, the Beatles reign supreme as my most favorite group!).
So Saturday, once I got the computers back up and running here at the shop, I went into Ticketmaster to see about tickets. Of course, all the 'really great' ones were gone, but .. tickets WERE still available! I thought about calling home to ask Dave if he was interested, but then thought no .. he'll have to ponder that question and if he wants to or not for the next several weeks .. at the shortest. Grabbed my trusty, unfortunately not so dusty, MasterCard and hit PURCHASE TICKETS! ta da .... two tickets purchased ... done!
Then I left for home ... told Dave what I'd done and asked if he'd go with me, and stood there with my arm around his waist ... for the longest time ... while he pondered. (told ya so!) Then he asked me, how long would the concert be from when we got there till when we left. I should have known! Dave won't go any place where he'll be forced to go 2 hours (and one minute) without smoking a cigarette. deep sigh
So there I was with two tickets for the concert ... and no one to go with.
:(
WAIT! I'll check with some friends first to see if one of them would like to attend the concert with me ... I'll 'gift' that extra ticket out! Then I realized, that if someone was going to go with me, even if it was for free, certain requirements would have to be met first .. as that person would be sitting right NEXT to me:
(1) They would be attending AND realizing that I am now like a small child counting the days down till Christmas morning and am absolutely beside myself awaiting this event.
(2) I will probably spontaniously break out into song (although softly) even though I've never been asked to record anything using my own voice.
(3) I will be excited. See #1
(4) And if riding together, they would have to listen to me talk all about the concert we'd just seen all the way home .. in all that concert traffic.
Kathy, with a very LOUD e-mailed YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! agreed to all conditions and even said she has a 'lighter app' on her phone so we can show JT and Carole just how much we love them at the end of the show!
I saw where Amazon has the Toubador cd available for purchase of today and .... decided to wait. I want to be surprised first at the concert, then I'll purchase it so I can hear it over and over and over again!
Whooo Hooooooo
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Felting and Banging Head Against Computer Screen
Computer down .. main computer of course - the one all our emails are accessed from - and we can't get on line. This has been all day and still the problem continues. Wish I was a better computer geek, but so far .. have done everything I can think of. Oh well. There's always Monday!
Did some felting this past week ... waiting for Dave to cut down this huge dead tree limb so he can then cut 'disks' about 1 1/2" thick for me to 'mount my birdies' on. Been asking him for 3 days now ... did you cut my wood for me yet? sigh I'd do it myself, but somehow the idea of 'me' with a chain saw in hand ... well, we'll just say the visual of that would involve probably self-dismemberment. Maybe tonight they'll be waiting for me when I get home for glue and acorn embellishing?
Not sure how long leggedy they'll be when they're mounted, but the legs will still be long!
I've added the rest to my Etsy store ... bunny, frog, and goose girl.
The man - Ivan - needs a bit more work still needs a bit more work.
His legs were too skinny so I gave him baggy pants. Now his feet look too dainty, so he needs to go 'shoe shopping' for bigger boots. And of course, the armature I used wasn't the kind I normally use for 'free standing' sculptures, so he's a bit wobbley. Perhaps a fence support or something? His jacket is absolutely marvelous ... thick and soft .. alpaca wool ... so it looks LIKE a fur coat!
More later!
I've added the rest to my Etsy store ... bunny, frog, and goose girl.
The man - Ivan - needs a bit more work still needs a bit more work.
His legs were too skinny so I gave him baggy pants. Now his feet look too dainty, so he needs to go 'shoe shopping' for bigger boots. And of course, the armature I used wasn't the kind I normally use for 'free standing' sculptures, so he's a bit wobbley. Perhaps a fence support or something? His jacket is absolutely marvelous ... thick and soft .. alpaca wool ... so it looks LIKE a fur coat!
More later!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Felted Bowls and Forgotten Design
And .. I remembered in time to actually order one for me .. the chart I'd seen on the Needlework Show ... from Ladybug Designs and entitled "Want Some Milk" .. it's the stitch version of one of my framed art posters by Steinlin. (mine, mine .. it'll be all mine!)Added a couple more items to my etsy store this late afternoon too. We'll see what happens there.
Dead day at the shop today, customer wise .. but that was ok! Shorthanded today AND had to stay chained to the computer in the back (dungeon) most of the day while I sorted, compiled, and placed orders with The Needlework Show. Tomorrow will be quite a bit busier .. shipments to get out!
Hey .. does anyone know how to spell check on blogger now? The text box has changed and I can't find a way to do it at all! (as you may have noticed)
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Saturday in the shop ...
... doesn't feel like the 4th of July!
Sloooooow day today. Hope it's because everyone is shopping The Online Needlework Show and making their selections to send to us before the show ends at midnight Sunday/tomorrow night. I know I've found several new designs that the shop CANNOT live without having .. and one that I must do .. now (yeah, like that's going to happen). I collect the poster art prints of Theophile-Alexandre-Steinlen and found one of my larger framed posters converted into cross stitch! Now if I could ONLY remember WHO it's by!! I'll have to cruise the entire show designer listing again to find it (note to self .. should have written it down. where's the paper? what happened to my pen? what was I doing??)
Did get creative though. I had some wool batting here and .. showed LouAnn how to create a wet felted vessel - bowl - container - whatever. It's drying in the bathroom right now. Didn't have my steamer with me but managed to 'create' some defination to the sides without it.
it's quite plumy-purple and is shown here "upside down" while drying out.
I also decided to open an Etsy store (today) with some of my felted sculptures, pincushions and vessels. Just a few things in there right now, but more will be added as they're created.
I have such second thoughts about an Etsy store ... it makes ME think that by doing so, I "think" I'm really good, and I don't feel that way about me at all. Don't know .. maybe this will bring some extra monies into the shop, maybe not. We'll see. My store name is Deb Felt It and the address is http://www.etsy.com/shop/DebFeltIt
Sloooooow day today. Hope it's because everyone is shopping The Online Needlework Show and making their selections to send to us before the show ends at midnight Sunday/tomorrow night. I know I've found several new designs that the shop CANNOT live without having .. and one that I must do .. now (yeah, like that's going to happen). I collect the poster art prints of Theophile-Alexandre-Steinlen and found one of my larger framed posters converted into cross stitch! Now if I could ONLY remember WHO it's by!! I'll have to cruise the entire show designer listing again to find it (note to self .. should have written it down. where's the paper? what happened to my pen? what was I doing??)
I also decided to open an Etsy store (today) with some of my felted sculptures, pincushions and vessels. Just a few things in there right now, but more will be added as they're created.
I have such second thoughts about an Etsy store ... it makes ME think that by doing so, I "think" I'm really good, and I don't feel that way about me at all. Don't know .. maybe this will bring some extra monies into the shop, maybe not. We'll see. My store name is Deb Felt It and the address is http://www.etsy.com/shop/DebFeltIt
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Felting Fla-looza Weekend ...
... is over .. so I'm back to the real world of cross stitch.
Finished up Blackbird Designs' Cardinal from their "Joyeux Noel" booklet and measured it yesterday for framing. Going to order a double frame from Eastside Mouldings ... Valentine Red for the outer frame and Chalk White for the inner frame .. will really make the 'writing' and snowflakes pop!
Saturday night started All Through The Night's "Blackbirds" using the fabric and fiber they did. My first time stitching with Valdani floss and I'm not sure I like it .. seems to knot/tangle quite a bit along the 2-ply 18" lengtht I'm using. I like the color effect .. just not sure 'yet' about the actual fiber. So far, the verse is complete and about 1/8th of the border .. so further stitching time will tell.
Finished up Blackbird Designs' Cardinal from their "Joyeux Noel" booklet and measured it yesterday for framing. Going to order a double frame from Eastside Mouldings ... Valentine Red for the outer frame and Chalk White for the inner frame .. will really make the 'writing' and snowflakes pop!
Saturday night started All Through The Night's "Blackbirds" using the fabric and fiber they did. My first time stitching with Valdani floss and I'm not sure I like it .. seems to knot/tangle quite a bit along the 2-ply 18" lengtht I'm using. I like the color effect .. just not sure 'yet' about the actual fiber. So far, the verse is complete and about 1/8th of the border .. so further stitching time will tell.
Had the time of my life at my felting weekend with Sharon Costello at Raven Oaks Farm in Howel. I'd like to take this moment to Introduce You To ..... Gunter! Day One we did the head and face, built the body and started dressing him. Day Two we did the hands and feet, finished dressing and put on the hat and hair/eyebrows. I absolutely LOVE him .. he looks like he's in the best mood after going to Market and either selling OR buying Wool!
Day 3 our class was entitled "Go Felt A Fish". And that's what we did .. we made fantasy fish. But what the class ACTUALLY taught was 'how' to make a 3-dimensional figure or bag that has NO SEAMS! We also learned how to work with other fabrics and fibers and glass beads to 'decorate' our 'fish' without sewing, all during the Wet Felting process. I now understand 'how' to make purses or bags or whatever else, and embellish with traditional and totally non-traditional materials.
MY "go-felt-a-fish" was embellished with 'locks' of wool, so I'm thinking of Felting a Bagel for him to 'swim' on ... that way I'll have a ... get ready .... a ... gofeltafish with lox on a bagel!
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