Business and Surviving Winter

This is what you see if you place a special order with Peacox Creations or Peacox Too.  Winter always gives me extra time to build up inventory, even a mild winter like this one.  So I've been hard at it, concentrating on scrubbies, baby afghans, and greeting cards.  When these supplies have been accumulated, photographed and listed in my Etsy shops, I'd love to start on some paper cuttings and pine needle picture frames.  But this is also a good time to place your special orders.

It's time, also, to do some updating and promotion of my shops.  I wish I could get some extra help with promotion.  Of course the ideal person would be one who would take products in trade, but that's only in my dreams!  Publicity is one aspect that needs help as it's not my favorite part of this mini side business!

The up side is that there's time to do some planning and thinking!  Winter is certainly not all bad!!!

Presenting: MagdaleneJewels

 This priceless little baby cocoon and hat is just one of the items that the multitalented MagdelineJewels presents in her two Etsy Shops,  http://www.etsy.com/shop/magdalenejewels and http://www.etsy.com/shop/magdelineknits   As a fellow knitter, I can attest that her work is lovely and her jewelry is stunning, both for the holidays and in all seasons.  Please take a moment to visit the shops of this fabulous Etsy Blogger!

Etsy Bloggers are Natural Authors!

The Etsy Bloggers Team is discussing book writing in one of their blog carnivals this month and asking if we were ever tempted to write a book.  After many years of longing to do so, I finally did!  Of course, it's about crafting.  In "Confessions From A Crazed Crafter", I expound on the ten reasons why I craft.  Some are serious:  some are rather silly such as confessing that it takes precedence over housework! 

I'd encourage all bloggers to try this.  It's easy and fun to do with one of the "vanity" publishers such as Blurb.  I'd look forward to some of  your efforts!

Just six days...

One of the very practical products at our upcoming sale is a set of unusual jar openers.  The soft, rubbery centers are very gentle on hands and offer a great grip.  They're also available individually at just $2.00 each.

Goals for tomorrow include finishing the amigurmi elephant, cutting the final 8 yards of netting and starting the double layer scrubbies.  Hope I'm as successful tomorrow as I was today!

One more week!

Whew!!  Just finished a hippopotamus!!  He came on the heels of 12 scrubbies and a new beanie cap...so all but some organization was completed today.

Above is a thank you note that will be offered at the craft sale next weekend, but it's also to thank all of you who have been following this series of blog posts.

Tomorrow's challenge is another dozen scrubbies, the organizing that should have been done today, and the start of an elephant...big tusks...oops...tasks (can you tell I'm getting sillier by the minute?)

Just Eight More Days!

One week from tomorrow is the first day of our craft show here in Kohler.  Publicity is continuing, projects are being completed, and we're staying positive about the weather forecasts!

Goals set yesterday were completed about an hour ago I'm focusing on three items for tomorrow:

10 scrubbies

                                    Sorting completed crochet projects

                   Making a hippopotamus

Fortunately the hippo is only about 10" long.  He's shown with his pachyderm buddy in the photo above.  Both are part of an amigurumi zoo that will be on sale next week.  They both were completed but sold last week!

See you tomorrow evening!

Nine more days to go!

Wow, time is flying!  Happy to say that yesterday's goals were met and after a "WigWam" shopping trip tomorrow, I hope to make 10-12 more greeting cards, finish another baby hat and  complete another dozen scrubbies. 

The "Thinking of You" note cards and some similar thank you notes will be available at our show in nine days.  We're hoping for better weather than we had today, which included a ton of rain and at least an inch of snow!

Until tomorrow! 

Ten More Days of Challenge

I'm happy to report that my goals for today have been met, even though it means some very sore fingers!  The scrubbies I made today are all the plain round ones, but here are a couple of wreath scrubbies that will be for sale at our sale next weekend and in my Etsy shop.  They make great stocking stuffers or package tie ons.  They're made of the same tough nylon net and just as good for cleaning up everything from dishes to car hoods once the decorative ribbon is removed.

So for tomorrow the new goals are:  12 more scrubbies, 20 greeting cards and finishing the baby Santa hat.  Unfortunately, as hard as I try, this will not be able to excuse me from doing some cleaning...there's never an end to that!

Eleven more days of challenge!

Here's the first update!

Today was busy, but things worked out well.  All goals were accomplished except for 2 jar openers.  In addition, the friend that will be adding her jewelery to the sale stopped over to show me the cute earrings that she and her daughters made.  She'll also help with publicity and make the outdoor signs we'll need.  That will be a big help!

So for tomorrow I'll aim to finish a dozen scrubbies while I'm baby sitting...above you'll see the little cutie modelling one of the baby hats that will be in the sale.  Also, I hope to pick up some last minute supplies and continue working on the Santa hat as well as finishing the last two jar openers.

See you tomorrow night with the progress report!

Summer Time in Bookworm Gardens

The Magic School Bus welcomes young and old alike to fabulous (and free) Bookworm Gardens located just a couple of miles from us near the University of Sheboygan Campus in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  My dear neighbor and her darling daughter accompanied me on a sweet visit last week.  The school bus can be "driven" by the children.  They can also open and shut the doors, read a copy of the book inside and even look through a kaleidoscope at basket of flowers as the young man in the photo is doing.

Bookworm Gardens was conceived by a local landscape designer and master gardener and is constantly expanding due to a huge contingency of volunteers and community support.  More than 25 children's books are illustrated in individual garden settings and thanks to generous individuals, corporations and public service groups, more is being added.  Several stone pillars hold copies of laminated books that children can read or parents or volunteers can  read to them around the gardens.

They can read Is Your Mama a Llama? in both Spanish and English, and enjoy Jack and the Beanstalk near a metal and natural bean stalk in front of Hansel and Gretel's cottage.  The cottage also serves as a visitor's center.  My neighbor couldn't resist sitting in Papa Bear's chair. It was vacated by Papa Bear as he and Mama Bear try to coax Baby Bear out of a tree.

So many more books are illustrated that it will take several more visits to experience them all.  If you're ever in the area, don't miss Bookworm Gardens!

                                                                  Is Your Mama a Llama?

                                                             Jack and the Beanstalk

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

July Fourth Traditions

As another July fourth has flown past with its parades, picnics and fireworks, I'm amazed at how little our  personal traditions have changed.  In most ways, I take comfort in these celebrations.  It is with gratitude that I enjoy the company of family and dear friends on this joyous occasion.  But in another way, with each year's closing fireworks, I reflect on the true sacrifices made by so many others that allow me to have such lovely experiences in such a safe environment.  The flashes , bright lights and booming noises that fill the skies seem more and more like battlefields in my mind.  And though I continue to enjoy the day, there is also a sadness and longing for a world more at peace.  Although I will not see that in my lifetime, it is my sincere hope that those who follow will catch a glimpse of that world.

The Esty Bloggers team asked us to share an item in our shop that reflects Independence Day.  The best example I have is in my peacoxtoo shop...a flag afghan with a large yellow ribbon gracing the blue field instead of the stars.  It is in honor and  memory of those who serve and have served this most blessed nation.

Fiber Art

Fiber art has always seemed daunting to me, but in the skilled hands of Tammy, of http://www.tamdoll.etsy.com it come alive with color, texture and style.  She creates dolls, jewelry, bags, clothing, and much more from largely upcycled fiber materials and offers them in her Etsy shop.  She loves the challenge of unusual materials that most of us would not think of combining to form lovely, original design pieces such as these fiber heart charms in shades of pink, white and green.  They're 1 1/4" across and have a ring at the back so you can add them to a necklace or bracelet.  They would also be darling as a pin on a hat, coat or sweater.  Take a few moments to browse her shop;  you'll be glad you did!

Must Love Dogs

What could be cuter than a beagle puppy, even if he's snatched a calla lily from the neighbor's yard?  This little guy is actually a polymer clay bead made by Nancy of http://nanjodogs.etsy.com  He's shown here in a bracelet with other beads as an example of how he might be used in your own jewelry.  The detail on this bead is amazing!  Please visit her shop for this sweetheart and other breed of dogs and puppies.  Enjoy!

Dreaming of Down Under

The Etsy Bloggers team carnival is featuring a "down under" theme.  It is a place I've always dreamed  of visiting!  Isn't it funny how we romanticize far away places?  But I have the feeling that the southern hemisphere offers much more than I can imagine!

Right now, as we move

 into the spring and summer months here in the northern US, they are preparing for the winter season.  So, I'm featuring some of my fingerless gloves which ship free...even to "down under"!

There's something "mystic" here...

Generally, jewelry is not my passion, but there is something about the creations of Karen at http://mysticwynd.etsy.com that speak to me in a poetic way.  Her passion for designing and making each individual piece in her shop is evident even at first glance.  The ring that I'm sharing with you here shows an incredible elegant simplicity.  Please visit her shop for the piece that speaks to you.  Whether your taste is floral, ethnic, fantastical, whimsical or spiritual, you'll find something that you can't resist!  You'll be pleasantly surprised at her reasonable prices and free shipping as well. 

Diamonds are forever...

...at least according to James Bond!  As we can look forward to April, the month of diamonds, I thought I'd share a different kind of diamond with you:  the diamond stitch.  Not long ago, a bride contacted me to commission a pine needle basket which will carry the Stefana (Greek wedding crowns) at her approaching wedding.  After some research, I found that the number three is important in many Greek ceremonies, including a wedding.  The center of the basket begins with two walnut slices tightly joined to symbolize the bride and groom.  Then three circles of stitches surround them, two in chain stitches and the center in the diamond stitch so that the sparkle of their love will always be chained together. 

After she received the basket, she was gracious enough to send a photo of the basket with the stefana inside.  These stefana are especially precious to her as they were worn by her parents as well.  I've included her picture as well as one of the basket before it was mailed.   I'm thrilled that she is so pleased!

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Ready for St. Patrick's Day

Are you one that "wears the green" on March 17?  If so, here's just the perfect new addition to your jewelry wardrobe!   From the shop called Faerie Garden Fancies, this polymer clay sparkled shamrock is sure to bring good luck whether you wear it or use it as a bit of decor.  You can enter this delightfully eclectic shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/BunnyKissd  Enjoy!!

Going green

As the green movement becomes increasingly important in our world, the Etsy Bloggers Team has asked us to tell how we are participating in this vital initiative.  In our home we recycle and reuse as much as possible.  Hopefully our efforts will help preserve our fragile planet for ages to come.

In my Etsy shop, the pine needle baskets, such as the one shown here, are another example of recycling.  All the pine needles used in this art are harvested after they fall and would otherwise have been burned or put in land fills.  This 4" pot is an original design and a great example of going green.  Even the broom corn that accents the rim has been dyed green.  It is available in my Etsy Shop, http://peacoxcreations.etsy.com

"Joy" to you and me!

Here's great news for those of you who like to print your own greetings.  Just visit http://theartofjoy.etsy.com/ for absolutely adorable original art designed for you to purchase and then use with your own computer and printer.  The example I've chosen to the right is one of her precious Kokeshi Doll designs, but there are so many more from which to choose.  She'll even help you personalize the items.  Take a chance on looking soon;  you'll be glad you did!

MMM...Mustard!

No, you're not seeing things!! Those are apples to the right. However, the latest Etsy Bloggers Carnival has asked us to tell about a favorite fall activity. We just happened to extend it past the wonderful Lapacek Apple Orchard in Poynette, Wisconsin, where this first shot was taken, to...are you ready for this...the one and only (perhaps thank goodness) National Mustard Museum!!

That's right, folks, inside this seemingly unimposing building lies a true treasure, for you mustardholics that is! It truly spices up the lovely town of Middleton, Wisconsin. Here you can learn about (and sample) hundreds of mustards amidst the "tongue in cheek"...after you stop sampling mustard...displays orchestrated by the museum's official curator.

A good example is a visit to the Poupon U book store where you can gobble up t-shirts, books, and even diplomas! My fav was the "Doctor of Diddly Squat" degree. You can also take mustard quizzes, view more types of mustard than seems possible, and pay a visit to Mustard Piece Theatre to view a film that will have you salivating as you laugh. Not really a pretty picture!!

After exploring and sampling many mustards on such delicacies as mini-hotdogs and pretzels, we made our purchases. We send our thanks to Barry Levinson, the curator (and sometimes preacher) and his staff for a smacking good time.

If you're ever near Madison, Wisconsin, it's worth a visit. And be sure to sign up for the occasional newsletter from the curator or visit the website!