Craft Show - Take 2

Mom and Dad came to visit for a few days, so that they could help me out with the booth at the annual High School Music Booster Club craft show. We participated last year, and didn't make enough to pay for the booth, but Tom had encouraged me to pre-pay for a booth for this year. This year, I'm happy to say, we made enough to break even for both years and even walk away with a profit of $16!

I was so worried that this year would be a complete waste of time, like last year. I have never been so glad to be proven wrong, I would have hated for it to be a waste of time for Mom and Dad.

HdG Holiday Craft Show 2013

Well, it's finally over, the Havre de Grace High School Holiday Craft Show. Unfortunately, it was not very successful. I did not make enough money to cover the cost of the space, but from what I hear, this was the worst year in recent history. Some people that we talked to have done the show for four years, and they said this year was horrible, probably because of the economy and sequester. Aside from that, I thought it was a good experience. I got to make new things, and learned how to set up a booth and displays. Here are some pictures:

The last picture is of Joan's items. She's the mother of a co-worker, and I asked if she wanted to participate in the show with me, and she agreed. Unfortunately, she was very dissatisfied with the show, and said she wouldn't do it again. I will not be disheartened, and have signed up for a booth for next year. We'll try it one more time.

More Earrings

Last night, the earrings went over so well, that I just had to make a bunch more today!

I made a pretty decent variety, focusing mainly on the Natty Boh earrings. I even mounted the earrings on a business card, to make them easier to display.

Beer Bottle Cap Earrings

I've been saving beer bottle caps for a while now, initially for an "Eye Spy" photo, but after seeing something on Pinterest a few days ago, I've decided to use them for earrings for the craft show in November.

These were relatively easy to make. What I made today are for a few people at work. I hope they like them.

Wine Cork Keychains

Back on July 4th, I made a few wine cork keychains.

Tonight, I sat down and made some more.

I'm planning on participating in a local craft show in November, and I want to include these in my booth. They're pretty easy to make, and are turning out nicer than I expected.

Hope for Oklahoma

A Silver Bella friend has started an on-line auction on Facebook, called Hope For Oklahoma, to help out the folks in Moore, Oklahoma following the devastating destruction of their town following that huge tornado. I am donating items for the auction.

I am donating two crocheted Ruffle Scarves made out of Red Heart's Boutique Sashay. The colors are Rumba and Waltz, and they are both about four feet long.

Please swing by the Facebook site from June 10 to June 12 to bid in this auction - it's for a really good cause.

Ashley Greene Benefit

Tonight, the Tidewater is having a benefit for Ashley Greene, a local lady who has been diagnosed with Ciliary Body Melanoma. She has been accepted into a clinical trial in San Diego to study this disease. The proceeds from this benefit will assist her with the cost of airfare and hotels so that she can participate in this study.
As with Holly's and Lyn's benefits, $1 from the purchase of every drink in the bar was donated to the cause, and there were raffle and silent auction items in the banquet room. For my part, I crocheted some scarves, and put them up for sale, with everthing except for the cost of materials going to the charity.

Kristen, who organized the Lyn Comer benefit, did the same, but with football team themed wreaths. A couple of bands donated their time and talents, and the Tidewater donated some free hors d'oeuvres. Unfortunately, I had things to do, so I couldn't stick around for the actual event, but I did my part and purchased some raffle tickets.

OMG, Ostentation's First Sale

Now this is just too cool. Ostentation has had it's first sale - on it's second day of business! I can't get over it! Wanda called me at work tonight to congratulate me, and since I was at work, I had no idea. We sold an egg. I have to get with Wanda to see exactly what to do to finish this transaction, but it's quite exciting!

Our First Sale

A Loooong Day

Today was a long day. It started when the day started - some of the girls from the Tidewater were supposed to get together for a midnight screening of "Twilight." We got out of work early and did a little barhopping, waiting for the call that Julia was able to get the DVD. Around 1:15, I decided that it was getting to be too late, so I bowed out and went home.
After getting home and writing yesterday's blog entry, I went to bed, only to get up around 8 to take pictures of items for Wanda's and my new Etsy shop, Ostentation. It's the super secret project that we've been working on. Wanda already has a shop, The Rat's Pajamas, but she sells supplies and vintage items there. Our collective shop is for handmade items. Then I had to edit the photos, and figure out how to post the items. It seemed pretty simple, but it took time to learn. I finished up around 11, and luckily, Tom was tired, too, so we took a two hour power nap.
After the nap, and a quick lunch, it was on to yard work. We finished transplanting the bushes from the front bed. These we just moved around to in front of the garage windows. Then we shoveled up all of the old mulch that was in the bed. We finished up around 7:30, and boy, was I cold and sore!


On a final note, I received mail from one of my Spring Haiku partners. Nathalie M from California sent two haikus, presented as ATCs.

Waiting for Spring

In my breast, my heart
Trembles at the thought of spring;
Small buds awaken.

Early Spring

Blustery cold wind
Blowing billowing storm clouds
Knife cutting through me

Project Items

The last of the items that Wanda ordered from Zipperstop.com for our super-secret project arrived today. The picture below is an incredibly vague hint.

A Busy Day

I had a busy day today. While at work, I dealt with a call back from the insurance agent handling my claim for the accident, and then went out to get an estimate. They came in at around $4000 worth of work, but said the insurance adjuster would come in at less, but they could still do it up right. In the meantime, I talked to Wanda and Mom today, about varying subject matters. I also took the time to sign up for a Martini Glass Swap. At the Tidewater, it wasn't too busy, and when I got home, I found my first of two envelopes from the Pressed Pennies of the World swap, and the third of three sets of recipes from the Recipe Scavenger Hunt 2. The pressed pennies came from Sara Z in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the recipes came from Stephany D in Georgia. I also received a padded envelope from Wanda - and surprise - it included the book "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" by Thomas Gray. How obvious is the reference from Candleshoe? I didn't realize that was a real book. Tom went absolutely gaga over it, since it looked quite old. He wants to save it forever because of it's age. I even had to spend precious time trying to research it on the Internet, trying to find out when it was published. No luck there. I also received tissue paper from Nashville Wraps, which is for a secret project that I'm working on with Wanda. I can't wait to see how that all turns out. Anyway, the recipes that Stephany sent covered all of the fifteen categories included in the swap (we only needed to choose ten to send). As with the other recipes from the Recipes Scavenger Hunt 2, I will post them as time permits. But, these are the recipes that you can look forward to seeing:

1. Received in a swap - Shrimp Scampi
2. Contains ice cream - Spiked Strawberry Lime Ice Cream Pie
3. Cooks in less tham 20 minutes - Tortellini Vegetable Soup
4. Contains some type of alcohol - Margarita Pork Tenderloin
5. Found in a newspaper - Syd Zoss' Orange Juice Crust Pecan Pies
6. Children would enjoy - Elephant Dip
7. Is for drink or punch - Spiced Pomegranate Sipper
8. Contains nuts - Everything Spiced Nuts
9. Found on the Internet - Cornucopia Salad
10. Is for a main dish - Nacho Stuffed Shells
11. Contains beef - Chili Pie
12. Is a tried and true family recipe - Pineapple Casserole
13. Contains seafood - Mussels Marinara
14. Found or bought at garage sale or thrift shop - Butterfinger Ice Cream
15. Contains green beans - Beef with Garlic Potatoes