Happy Monday to you all!!!  It's been awhile since I last wrote.  A lot has changed in that time.  Last Friday I went on a job interview and I am now the newest member of Accent Care---I'll be helping the elderly with their daily needs in their homes.  I couldn't make ends meet with crafts alone, so I have to go back to work.  They are going to work around my schedule so that I can still go to the weekly Farmer's Markets.  It will be kinda nice to be around people again, because working from home does get lonely.

Last week I found these cute little make-up bags.  I decided to take them home and see if I could dress them up some more with my Cricut.  I love the way the turned out.  I used the sayings from Home Accents and Pink Journey.  I love these cartridges.  They have such cool designs on them.  Actually I was reminded again how much I loved my Cricut when I tried to sketch a drawing out for a customer last week.  I cannot draw worth beans.  Even a drawing impaired person like me can be creative with the Cricut. 

Instead of buying another Cricut cartridge, my next purchase will be the Make the Cut software.  It is a program that works with the Cricut to cut out JPEGS, .svg files, and a whole lot of other stuff I don't understand.  It works with your computer to cut out graphics.  Once I get enough money to buy it, I'll show you some of the cool stuff you can do with it.

Have a great week.  I have a ton of other ideas in my head that can't wait to get out and greet you.  Until next time.

Hello!!!  Hope you are having a great weekend.  This weekend I have been coming up with the samples for some special orders that came in at the last two Farmer's Markets that I went to.  I don't know if you know it or not, but more than half of my business comes from special orders.  Here's how it works. Some one tells me they need help with a birthday party, or baby shower, or some other event.   I tell them I think I can make it for them and get their contact information.  I will go home and make up 1-2 samples (free of charge), and then I e-mail the sample picture back to the customer along with pricing information.  The customer decides whether or not they want the item made.  If they don't like it, the transaction is done.  If they do like it, then I will make the order.  When everything is made, I will send a picture of the completed project to the customer.  The payment will be due at that time and the payment will need to be received before I can ship it out.

I've made quite a few baby shower banners and favors using this special order method.  This week a couple wanted me to make some shirts for their annual family walk.  They needed the shirts by Saturday and they met me on Thursday.  I was able to get them ready the next day.  Another customer wanted some birthday invitations.  I made 2 different sample cards with her theme and e-mailed them to her in a couple of days.  Another customer wanted a welcome home banner for his friend that was coming back from Iraq.  I made up different options of what the letters on the banner could look like and the images that can separate the words.  I'm waiting to hear back as to whether or not I need to make the birthday invitations and the banner.  It seems like I'm starting to build my reputation through the farmer's markets and hopefully I'll be able to grow my business through satisified customers that purchase my products.

I've uploaded the sample pictures of what you can expect if you'd like to make a special order.  Just let me know what you are looking for, and I'll do my best to make something customized to make a lasting impression through crafts at your next special occassion.  Have a great weekend!!! 

Hello!  Yesterday I received the sample pack of glitter heat transfer vinyl that I ordered.  I didn't know what to put it on, so I made more bibs.  You'd think this was a baby speciality shop or that I had kids of my own.  Actually, I don't have kids and I do other types of crafts.  I think over half of my friends recently had a baby or are preggers right now.  Besides, these turned out so cute.

I'm trying to decide whether or not I like the glitter vinyl or not.  I love the look because it makes the projects pop.  I'm not so sure I like the way it cuts out everything because it is not as detailed and it is harder to weed out the excess glitter.  It is also more expensive.  One of the sheets of the glitter paper I received actually seperated from the plastic backing and made it difficult to work with.  I still have some left, so I'll have to play around with it some more today.

I have to start looking for a real job.  As much as I love doing this, it isn't enough to pay all the bills yet.  I'm going to try to find a part time job and continue doing the Farmer's Markets on Wednesdays and Thursdays.  If I don't find anything by the end of the month, then I'll go back to the school and see if I can get a job as a substitute.  I'm also looking into brainsotrming ideas for home shows, working as a activity director for a nursing home or with kids or with people with disabilities.  If you know of openings in these lines of work in the San Diego area, e-mail me and let me know.  I'm still going to do the craft shows around town until I find something.  I actually have a show this Saturday at Flora Vista Elementary School in Encinitas.  It is a fundraiser for breast cancer and it is called "Boobs on the run".   I thought it was a weird name, but it is for a good cause.  I always try to help out with the breast cancer fundraisers, because my mom is a survivor.  She actually had to go to the ER this past Friday and stayed there until Sunday.  It's been a rough year for her.  I'm just grateful that I've been able to help her out more since I stopped working at the school.  It makes me more grateful for each day she's here and for my own health.  It's easy to take our health for granted, until our bodies start falling apart.

Well I better post the pictures, so I can start adding more stuff on Etsy and making more crafts for this weekend.  Have a great week and I hope all is well with you and your families.