It's my Birthday...

Hard to believe I am starting the last year of my 30s.  Weird. I don't feel almost 40, well except my knees but that's a different story.

And things have been crazier than usual for the past few weeks.  All should be back to normal for a while so posting can get back onto a somewhat regular schedule.  My goal is to post 2 times a week, that may not always happen, but it's good to have a goal. So there it is!

Some things coming soon - or here now.

• I've started making Mini Witch Hats!  They are super cute and are a blast to make. I've completed three and one is already listed on Etsy - go look, go look!  I'll post the other 2 I've finished in the next day or two.  I've got 3 more in the works and we'll go from there.  Any fantabulous witches out there? I've got the hat for you! 

• I've also got mini derby hats... but unfortunately they are a few inches smaller than anticipated... Okay so an inch and a half smaller but that makes a huge difference, they are more of a 4" hat as opposed to my regular mini tops at 5.5" or the witch hats which are 6" (witch which, witch which, hee hee).  These are more doll sized... or maybe child-infant sized.  I'm going to play with them and see what my twisted mind can come up with;  earmuffs, hair bun covers, a hat themed bra? Maybe hats for cats?  It's a work in progress. 

• Post coming soon on How I make Mini Top Hats with lots of photos of the process. Maybe someone will enjoy seeing how these mini creations come into being.

• New Styles - I am also toying with some other new hat styles, looking into mini versions of cowboy/girl hats, padre hats and stovepipe top hats.  Any other suggestions?

• For that matter, any suggestions on hat themes? Anyone? McFly?  I'd love to hear any suggestions, challenges, or ideas. 

• Also, my fabulous husband got me for my birthday, classes in making "real" (adult sized) hats - most likely without a glue gun even. I will be starting out with making straw hats and progressing from there. I am super excited about learning true millinery skills. I've always loved hats - at one time even had an extensive vintage hat collection hanging on my apartment wall. What ever happened to them? Now I get to learn how to make them. Yay!

So I think that's it for now. Lots of fun new stuff coming this way.

Changing the Way I Spend My Money

Having just recently entered the handmade business world, I have been thinking a lot about how I spend my money. I've always given handmade gifts - handmade by me - but now is the time to expand that beyond just my own crafts.


I LOVE to shop. Retail therapy is my friend. I am a shop owner's dream; impulsive, given the resources I have great taste and there's no such thing as too many. What's that? It helped me to survive college and bankrupted me by graduation - I did learn my lesson I swear.  


I have to say - while not excusing the behavior - this is an inherited trait from my mother; THE Supreme Shopping Queen. She starts buying the following year's holiday gifts DURING the after Christmas sales. For her it is her expression of love. For me, it helps to calm the chaos and fill the void for a time.  


Over the years, I finally figured out some self control. Having my son really helped to put such things into perspective. This was especially true for the 5 years following my divorce, when I was doing it all, and I mean everything, on my own, until I met my fantastic husband and everything got better.  


Given my new circumstances (handmade shop owner), I find myself feeling more guilty than in the past when buying from big box stores.  So I am in the process of changing my behavior. My goal? To spend much more of my money locally, in independently owned shops and on handmade items. I also want to inspire and teach our children to value handmade items. I believe this is important to pass along.  


My inspiration for this post is Tara from Scoutie Girl's recent post called:
change the world with your money 


I love what she has to say here: 

You know I think buying handmade is one of the best ways to change the world with your money. Your hard earned dollars go directly to people who make the thing you’ve purchased, the money stays in your community longer, the profit helps a mom stay home with her kids or an artist realize the dream of creating for a living.
Hopefully, you also know that I think paying what things are worth and earning a good income are important too. It’s hard to change the world with your money when you don’t shell enough out… or have any to use. 


Great food for thought.  I'll report back on how I'm doing in this endeavor as I go along. Setting goals is good. I like it. 

More New Hats...

Peacock Blue Green - Back

Peacock Blue Green - Front 

I've been working my way through creating those 15 new hat designs I brainstormed two weeks ago. I have made 5 of them so far.  Here are some photos.
 These have all been listed on my Etsy site, I would love for you to check them out.

Eternity Blue - Front

Purple Pirate - Back

Pink Rock n Roll - Front

Pink Rock n Roll - Back

Purple Pirate - Front

Eternity Blue - Back

Peace Pink & Purple - Front

Peace Pink & Purple - Back