blood spatter

this is what happens when I try to make headbands and blood spatter paintings. It's not real blood. only paint :)

blacksmithing

How was everything while we were away? I hope it was as wonderful as my trip.
I got back into the blacksmith shop. For those of you who don't know, I learned how to blacksmith for my job on Mackinac Island. I then volunteered as a blacksmith at a place around here, but didn't continue because of some issues (including distance to get there, etc).
Anyway, I got back into the shop and this time I brought Keither with me.

Handsome Keith, suiting up.

Dave, the blacksmith, teaching Keith the trade

Me blacksmithing.

What Keith made


What I made. the leaf is a necklace.

We are on a mini-vacation. Back Monday with inspiration!

Craft Fair

I want to post more of my photos from the craft fair, but they are in my boyfriend's dad's camera back in Kzoo, Michigan. So these two will have to do until then:

My booth.

First sale. (to Keith's mom!)

All-in-all the craft show went pretty well. For my first show, being at the end of the fair with at least 12 other jewelry tents, and the same weekend as Lollapoolza, I think it went really well!

More photos later.

embracing my child-like personality

I have been using my Etsy account regularly now for almost 4 months (oh my goodness!!!!) One of the first shops I found, is also one of my favorite shops ever!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CharlieCarter

Charlie Carter makes some amazingly adorable things. They focus on jewelry and charms made out of polymer clay which I promise will put a smile on your face! I have gotten two things from their page:

boo earrings

I wear all the time! They are always ready to go with me when I go on vacation, which has been a lot this summer. I get compliments on them. They are lightweight, anf are a very fun dangly earring to wear.

I also got:

A custom order Bender and Fry Cellphone charms from Futurama.

My boyfriend and I are super adorable and get best friend keychains/charms when we see them. I order him this for this birthday. I got Fry (my favorite!) and he got Bender. We both love them and wear them at work (him on his ID, and mine on my keys) It was a PERFECT gift.

I plan on buying more of CharlieCarter's stuff very soon, and for presents. They are perfect and remind me of all good things. Here are some more of my favorites:

http://http://www.etsy.com/listing/52925548/beaker-and-bunsen-cufflinks-muppets

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50705972/4-piece-sesame-street

http://www.etsy.com/listing/24176484/bigger-glow-worm-charmface-glows-in-the

Cute cute cute! CharlieCarter is a great etsy seller. She's prompt with replies and shipping. She also has really quality products. Well, keep up the hard work CharlieCarter. Your stuff is amazing!

getting ready for a craft show

I'm slowly but surely getting ready for this craft show this weekend. I am doing a craft show in the Chicago region, so I quickly made up these little gems to sell.

As well as some more resin pedants. I also painted my cork board to get ready for the necklaces.
I also made some new hairpins! Look how cute!!!!!

I'm preparing for this thing. but! if you need anything custom ordered let me know lokisjellybeans@gmail.com

crafting in small spaces

So, I have a tiny apartment. like small. I live in Chicago, I live in a one bedroom so I am in a bigger apartment then most in studios, but still...

I'm having a hard time finding places to craft in my teeny, tiny apartment. I have my computer, bed, clothes, gamecube in my bedroom. then I have a big table in the "dinning room" which is more like a nook, or overflow from the small kitchen. I then have a TON of stuff in my living room.
So what is a girl to do?!

Well, I like messy crafts. One of those, being blood spatter. I usually lay garbage bags on the floor, then try to remember to walk over them and not to step in the paint the rest of the night. I tried a different approach this time....

So I painted in my bathtub! I keep my bathtub super clean, so why not. I put an sheet of paper under my "work of art". Then, I mixed up my paint, and went to town spatter paint onto this paper to look like blood. (I teach blood spatter patterns). The clean up was a breeze too. I just washed up.

So, hopefully this helps with crafting in small places. be creative! :)