Washroom People

I've made two pairs of these in the last little while.  Beth took one pair because she really wanted them.

So I made another.  Then I started wearing them. 

Of all the jewelry we've made, these receive the most comments from strangers.  Now I'll have to make a few more pairs to sell, which was the point when I started this!

And for $8 I'd be happy to make you a pair too.

Catalog of sorts

Crayon Rolls    $7.00

Lunchbags    $12.00

Reusable cotton sandwich bags  3/$10.00

Book & Journal Covers    $7.00



Twisted Wire Necklaces   $15

Twisted Wire Earrings   $8

Twisted Wire Bracelets    $10

Click on any of the above images for more information or details. 

I try not to keep many items in stock so that you can customize them as you'd like.  Maybe you want an orange lunch bag, or your name twisted into a necklace.  Or your crayon roll needs to fit 5 crochet hooks instead of 12 crayons.   Talk to me and we'll try to make something uniquely you. 

Back in business!

Okay, so I depleted a lot of my Christmas stock, but the girls and I are busy restocking for a spring sale on April 14.  I'll start posting my new products soon. 

Here's what I'm hoping to sell this time:

• Aprons
• Bracelets (I have some new ideas for these)
• Newsboy hats - I love these!  I'm going to make one for myself too.
• Fabric organizer boxes
• Beaded bookmarks

I've got two months to work on it all and I'll keep you posted on items as they come up.

Another lunchbag

I made this bag on Friday for my neice.  It's the same price as the other lunch bags, but I just wanted to show you what a difference the fabric can make.  If you need one for someone in particular, let me know who it's for, what you'd like and I'll search my stash for something suitable. 

This is for a little girl and we wanted something fun.  I love the way it turned out. 

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Insulated lunch bag      $12
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Half Aprons

I couldn't pass up on these cute napkins when I saw them.  I have a soft spot for chickens.  And linen. 

I do realize that it's a rooster, but it's close enough for me.  I have nothing against roosters and they are particularly quiet when in an embroidered format. 

It was an easy thing to turn the nice linen into half aprons.

I have three of them.  One with a green cotton gingham band, one with a burgundy silk band and the one below with a wide blue ribbon.

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Rooster Half Aprons     $12 each

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Post sale

Attending craft sales is new to me.  I like to shop at them, but you don't notice what's really going on at the tables that way.

What really goes on is that all of the vendors just buy from each other.  We all have different talents and abilities and enough knowledge to admire what others can do.  We bought a lot of Christmas presents during the day.  There were not many shoppers so we had plenty of time to roam around. 

That maybe doesn't sound very profitable and it wasn't, but we did get some shopping done and ended up a bit ahead of the game.  And the wise young lady beside us pointed out that that is how community really should work anyway.  I help you and you help me...

I think what I learned about sales is that people want custom things done.  I sold more necklaces than anything else, and most of them were made on the spot.  I spelled someone's name, Beth drew three versions of a cat for a customer to pick and then I twisted it, another girl wanted a specific word.  I don't know if I work well on the spot like that, but it was kind of fun. 

So, the upshot of this is...

If you see something here that you like, but you'd like it different (blue instead of pink, "smile" instead of "hope", etc.), let me know and I'll see what I can do.  At least I won't be stressed out by having you watch over me shoulder while I make it!


I also learned not to haggle.  As it is, crafters don't make much money.  If I can make a lunch bag in an hour, that's about minimum wage.  Why should I let a cheap shopper haggle me down?  It won't happen again!  If I gift you with something because you're a friend or I just want to, that's different.  That's my choice.

Upcoming Christmas Sale

If you live in the area, all of my items (plus some gorgeous concrete leaf sculptures of Rosa's) will be available at a local Christmas Sale.

Dec. 3, 9:00 - 4:00 pm
High Park Community Hall
11032 - 154 Street
Edmonton

Maybe I'll see some friendly faces there!

Book and Journal Covers

I started making these last April when I was stumped as to what to make or buy from my book-lovin' daughter.   She loved her cover.  She now uses it daily for her dictionary at school.  It looks so much better than the icky printed softcover it came with and it makes the much-used book more durable.

This is very much like her cover.   The girls call it "the pigeon" cover.  (fits 5.25" x 7.75")

I like the feel of the soft corderoy, so I used it for all of the covers. 

Unfortunately, there seems to be no standard for book sizes anymore.  My own books are all over the map in terms of size.   This one fits a $1 notebook perfectly.  The book is 6.25" x 8.25". 

Just because I had some cute rickrack that matched (I love rickrack, even the word), this one comes with a built-in bookmark. 

The tulip is probably my favourite one. It's just a touch bigger than the "pidgeon", which holds my most common paperback.  (5.25" x 8") 

The owl cover is best for a fat notebook, the kind my kids love to have scattered all over the house.  It's short and fat, like the owl himself.  (Fits 5" x 7.5")

And this is actually Beth's favourite, besides her dictionary cover.   She's not a terribly girly girl, I'm thinking. (Fits 5.25" x 8")

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Book and Journal Covers       $7

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Crayon Rolls

Aren't these so cute?  I love them. My own children are almost done with crayons, but it's a phase that lasts for years and worth organizing them.  It would make a great stocking stuffer.

I wish I'd done this years ago for ourselves.  I don't know how many times I had to quickly throw a handful of crayons into an ugly Ziploc bag before going to events or just going on car trips.

If the girls were lucky, I managed to grab a few different colors and not just happen on all of the shades of purple with no yellow, green or pink to mix it up a bit.  These crayon rolls stop that from happening, making life easier, kids happier and pictures more colorful.

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Crayon Rolls    $7   (with 12 crayons)
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Oh, and they also fit mini gel pens nicely if you've got older kids.  I'm going to make up a few for my kids for pencil crayons too.  It's been a special request.

And something a bit more manly!

When placing an order, state whether it's for a boy or girl.  I can email fabric choices then.

Birthday idea:  Give them out instead of candy treat bags to your little guests.

Twisted Wire Jewelry - Necklaces

I know I should price things independantly because some things take more time or silver than others.  However, for now, all necklaces are the same price. 
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Twisted Silver Wire Necklaces     $15
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These are the best selling items at the craft fairs so far.  And the most customizable as well.  Let me know if there is a word you'd like me to try.

Beth made me one of these for our anniversary and it was the protype and test piece for this.  I've worn it for over a month, in bed, in the shower, everywhere and although it seems very bendy it's kept it's shape really well.  I love my flower necklace.

This was a custom necklace for a friend who loves the "Live, Laugh, Love" statement on everything.  I thought it would be too large for a necklace, but it turned out well.  Here it is on my 12-year old, done with copper wire as a test.

Twister Wire Jewelry - Bracelets

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Twisted Silver Wire Bracelets    $10

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I'm always more likely to put on a bracelet than earrings.  I'm not sure why. 

These bracelets are made with twisted silver-plated wire, lots of fun to make and pretty to wear. 

They come with or without beads embedded in the twisted shapes and close at the back with a strand of silver chain (more comfortable than twisted silver everywhere) and a small clasp.

If for a child, let me know and I'll make sure it's sized appropriately.

Twisted Wire Jewelry - Earrings

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Twisted Silver Wire Earrings    $8

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These are all silver-plated wire, very light and comfortable. 

I've also had people request specific shapes (like an initial).  That can be done too.  Email me if you are interested.

Insulated Lunch Bag

Last year I bought a new lunch bag for Laura.  I loved the design, but don't like the fabric.  I've been warned that I can't put it in the washing machine without risking it falling apart.  But I NEED to wash it.  Lunch can be messy sometimes.  That didn't sound like a long-term lunch bag.

So I sewed one out of cotton that Beth has used daily since then. 

I love it for it's cleanability, it's sturdiness and the way it collapses totally flat for storage in my over-full cupboard.  Maybe you don't have one of those.   I do. 

Made of cotton, lined with a coordinating cotton (upcycled in this case from a men's shirt), and it has an extra thick layer between the cotton to help insulate and give it a nice weight and structure.

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Insulated Lunch Bag   $12

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Coordinating sandwich bags are also available (3 for $10).

 Also available in cute orange and brown polka dots.