What I've Been Working On

Surprisingly, as busy as life has gotten lately, I've managed to work on quite a few new items, as well as get a few extra regular items made (so I can hopefully have a bit of an inventory built up that will be ready-to-ship once the baby gets here and I have to get adjusted to being a new mom).  For the last year or so, the 'Bonjour Y'all' tees and totes have been wildly popular, but lately the 'Hola Y'all' shirts have claimed the most popular item position!

Hola Y'all Tote, Hola Y'all T-Shirt

I have so, SO many ideas for new things - screen designs for shirts and totes, jewelry, paintings, etc. - but it's all a matter of finding adequate time.  The next screens I plan to make for shirts and totes will be more graphic in nature rather than having sayings, so hopefully they'll turn out...

What have you been working on lately?

What I've been working on...

Do you watch the show 'How I Met Your Mother'?  If you don't we can't be friends. I JEST!  But really, it's hilarious, and I always feel like I want to start my posts by saying, "Well, kids..." or "Kids, lately things have been..."  But I digress before I even get to the point at hand: I've been busy!  I feel like I've had so many new ideas lately (and lots of others that aren't quite ready to show), and I love when things are complete so that I can share them!

Rings, Tote, Earrings, Necklace, Bracelet, Earrings, Bracelet, Bracelet, Bracelet, Necklace, Tote

In addition to jewelry, and to follow along with the entertainment vein, I feel like I've been living in a less exaggerated version of 'Honey, I Shrunk The Kids' only without kids, of course.  Do you remember how their house was filled with little gadgets and techie, scientific ways of doing the simplest of things?  Chris has been talking for months now about making a generator of sorts so that while I'm riding my exercise bike, my work powers the screen rather than batteries.  What greeted me when I got home last Friday afternoon was 1. a completely disassembled laptop (why, I have no idea as it has nothing to do with the bike generator) taking up one section of our home office, 2. a generator in the works that took up another section of our office (which of course was accompanied by an in-depth description of electrical workings, components, and tech talk I don't understand), and 3. the cherry on top, a completely disassembled exercise bike in the exercise room.  I feel like I'm living in one big science fair project.  I'll be glad to have my exercise bike back since I have yet another injury that keeps me from running, but it's kind of neat to be married to s guy that's so smart and fully grasps the logistics and workings of things I generally take for granted.

And man were my arms tired...

Last week I finally, FINALLY got to work on some tote bags for my shop that I'd been planning to get made for the last two months!  I have several new projects that I'm excited to work on, but I guess planning things or buying supplies right around Christmas isn't the smartest idea because of how busy a time it is.  So here are the two I got made so far, but I have several more in the works...

I think the skull with roses (Mr. Horticulture) tote is my favorite.  The crows look better in real life than they do in the picture, but thanks to the never-ending rain we've been getting I haven't had a chance to take new pictures of it.  Another thing about rain, I wish every drop of it was snow instead!  So back to the bags and to explain the title, my arms get really sore when I make these.  They aren't screenprinted, but instead I use a chemical transfer process so the images are pulled by hand.  It means a lot of elbow grease and, hopefully, some nice toned arms.  I'll let you know how that goes...

This has absolutely nothing to do with tote bags, but remember a few weeks ago when I shared a picture of a total babe and said that because of her hair I made an appointment to get bangs?  Well, as it turns out, I wasn't brave enough to go that bang-y this early in the game, so I don't have babe hair.  BUT, I did get longer bangs, so I may work my courage up!  I guess that's not really important, but I just figured I'd share.  What's been going on in your life?

what i've been working on.

i've been feeling really productive lately, and i think it's because i've been working on so many different projects all at once. and i'm thinking that maybe this is the way i need to work from now on; rather than just focusing on just bullet necklaces for example, i'll work on bullet necklaces, feather earrings, and sewing tote bags all at once! in addition to making things for my shop, i've also been in a cleaning out and semi-organizing mood. i've gone through my drawers and closet and made a blog with some clothes and accessories that are ready to move into a new home. so remember how i told you i was going to start making bags again? here are a few (and some jewelry, too) that i've been working on...

i'm seriously in love with the floral and leather bag. so much so that i might want to get chris to buy it from me for me. i found this cut of vintage floral canvas, and i thought it would make the best tote bag! i'm also thinking i'd really like a duffel bag in that fabric. so yeah, my floor has been covered in fabric, straight pins, pieces of thread and brass studs.

and speaking of making things, look at these BEAUTIFUL crochet covered beach stones that brittan is making! she is so talented, and i swear she can make anything. i can't wait to get my paws on some of those babies!

if i haven't called or emailed you, it's not that i've fallen out of love...

...it's that i've been busy. sometimes i like being busy, and i truly am thankful for the things that are keeping me busy, but i feel like there are so many things i need to do and so many people that are pulling me in different directions. that kind of sounds like i'm complaining, doesn't it? well, i promise i'm not. just getting it off my chest, i guess. anyway, if i owe you a phone call, blog comments, emails, or a large amount of money, i promise i'm on my way! aside from jewelry making, here's what's been keeping me busy...

last saturday i spent a lot of the morning working on designing, redesigning, redesigning again, printing and cutting business cards. i still haven't taken the plunge and ordered any like a real professional, but until i do, and who knows when that will be, this will be my current business cards design. i'm pleased, and i'm really liking the white background as opposed to the brown kraft paper color of my old cards.

okay, i feel like i should always give you some sort of a warning or disclaimer before i show a picture of myself. something like, "1. i do not claim to be a model, nor do i take myself seriously. 2. i feel like a dummy. if you laugh, i might cry." self confidence issues? sure. i really need to find someone to model for me. like one day a week for about an hour or two would be perfect (hint, hint anyone who lives in the lynchburg, va area). so yeah, i've made some turban headbands and i think i like them. just be sure to look at the headband and not the wearer!

next, and maybe most exciting of all, i'm bringing back dinosaur toes totes! you can thank the people who voted yes for totes yesterday on the dinosaur toes facebook page. i'm not really sure why i quit making them, but i see sewing in my weekend plans! i've got some pyramid studs and leather, and that's all i'm saying for now. i'll show you more once i get a few made!

i hope you've had a good week so far. what have you been working on lately? and, have you entered the giveaway yet? you should! you could win a $40 gift certificate!