It's a bird, no it's a plane, no it's the newest super hero capes that I started to make.  I have been racking my brain to find a fun and creative product that I could make up for all the little boys that pass through my booth.  It is not the easiest thing in the world to do. 

I was saiving toilet paper rolls for the longest time, trying to figure out how to make them into cars.  That didn't work out.  Then I started talking with my husband about the comic con that is coming to San Diego.  Then it hit me, I should make super hero capes and masks.  I'm not an excellent seamstress, but how hard could it be to sew a few straight lines.  I did some research and figured out how to make them.  I could have just left them blank, but I decided to to add some of the heat transfer vinyl and added a design on the back of them.  They are reversible and have two colors for twice the fun.

The capes turned out super cute.  It actually looks like I knew what I was doing.  I'm still working on the masks, but I think I have an idea of how to do it....execution will be the problem.  

I was able to make about 7 of them in time for the OB Kite Festival that I am going to be at this Saturday.  I don't know if they will sell or not, but I actually had fun making them.  On Monday, one of my friends brought their toddler over and he tried on the cape and the one mask that I had finished.  He looked super cute.  I was going to take a picture, but my camera battery had died. 

I have to figure out a cool way to display them.  Maybe I will just have to make one for myself and wear it all day.  Now that would be super funny.  I can see it now...me wearing a cape and a mask, and trying to sell stuff to customers.  Maybe I should figure out how to make a luchador mask next time...mmmhhh.  Have fun looking at the pictures.

Recently I started playing around with making those fabric flowers.  Most people burn them with a candle, but knowing me, I would probably burn my house down. 

So I started experimenting.  I had this fabric that I picked at a thrift store and I had no idea what to do with it.  It is that old polyester they used to make pants out in the 70s.  It was part of a larger bag of fabric.  Something I never would have picked up on my own. 

Anyways, I cut out some circles, heated up the fabric with my heat embossing gun, and glued everything together with some hot glue.  I was surprised how realistic this flower looked.  I have it on a clip that can be removed from the head band.  It can be worn as a lapel pin, a head band, a hairclip, or even dress up a pair of shoes or a purse.  I really like the way it turned out. 

I will warn you that if you try this technique, use a pair of tweezers to hold the fabric.  I don't know how many times I burned my fingers before I figured that out.

I made several of these head bands, but every fabric has a different look and feel to it.  Some fabrics work better that others.  I think I need to use up the fabric before I go out and try to get anymore.

Below are some pictures of the other head bands I was able to make with this technique.  The purple one, I actually did use the candle technique and my house didn't catch on fire :)

Have a great week!

So Saturday was my first day to bring out these lovely jars to a craft show.  Well, I never want to do that again.  They look really cool and were fun to make, but it was a pain to drag them out to a show.

I broke one of the candle holders when I went over a bump with my dolly and all of the boxes fell over off the cart.  I was so greatful for all the vendors that stopped to help me pick up the broken glass and the boxes that fell on the ground.  It is a pretty tight knit community and I am so thankful to be part of it.

I was so afraid that the wind would pick up and knock these over, I didn't display it as well as I should of.  Needless to say, I didn't end up selling any of them.  All that work for nothing.  Maybe I will give them away as gifts to unsuspecting friends and family. 

That's how it goes with crafts...you never know what will sell until you actually make it and bring it out to the market.  My biggest sellers at a craft show are my onesies and my hairclips and the ornaments at Christmas time.  Online I sell a whole lot of custom made banners and the favors.  I definately need to get more products in my etsy store.  There are so many onesies, hairclips, and t-shirts that need a new home...especially since my garage is filled with them :) 

Such is my life as a crafter.  It is a crazy handmade life.  I don't know that I would change anything---except maybe I would like my own store so I don't have to keep transporting and breaking all of these craft projects of mine.  Someday.  Someday. 

I'm still amazed that people actually want to pay for something that I made.  It feels good knowing that I helped someone make a lasting impression through crafts.  I guess that is why I will keep on doing this for as long as I can....that and I have so many supplies, I have to use them all up.  One of these days, I will come  up with a great creative idea, but until then, here's some of the other candle holders and jars that I made for your enjoyment.