A Day at the Zoo

Today, while Sue was at school, my Mom (Nanny Sue) and I took Izabella to the Santa Ana Zoo. If you aren't familiar with this zoo, it's a little one that houses mainly monkeys and birds. The elephant was available to ride but Izabella didn't want to, "Him too big Auntie". Here's a racap of our fun.

This bird was so bright, and so orange. His wings were beautiful when he spread them.


The Emu was sleeping. Who knew them slept with their legs stretched out behind them?



Izabella gave him "thumps up"



This guy was swinging ALL over the place. She thought he wasn't the funniest thing since Elmo.



Then, we were off to see the elephant. We waited...



And waited...



And waited...



FINALLY it was time to see the elephant!



Then we went to play on the slides. While we were playing Nanny Sue decided to put Izabella's sunglasses on...silly Nanny Sue!




While we were by a bird exhibit there was a really intricate sculpture carved out of wood.





Sometimes I like taking pictures of flowers more than anything else.

Handmade District benefiting Music Saves Lives March 14th!

That's right! The next Handmade District event will be held on March 14th and it will benefit Music Saves Lives!! So come on out and support some local crafters (and a great cause) for a day of fun.



Vendors include: Abyssal gems, AJz Delights, AM-PM Creations, Annie Rexic, Artwistic Creations, By Belinda, Chantal deFelice, Cherry Tree Lane, Clippity Do Dah, Delightful Trinkets, Designs By Steppies, Double-Sided Tape, Forest Nymphs, Funkie Fresh, Handamade, Hearts and Laserbeams, Honey Child Designs, Jam Baby, Jane Clothing, Jewelera, KD Kreations, Kelso Doesn't Dance, Kristen Craft, LT Creations, Lucky Find Designs, Melissa Hill, Mini Maniacs, My Friend Roze, Namaste Designs, Nancy's Threads, Natural Lathers, Nina Gibson Deisgns, OCHSA, Roscata, South Wind Design, Spun By Ver, Tangent Designs, Twinkle Berry, Voz Clothing and Art, WhatAKaracter, Wolves and Willows, Yolandas Clay


See you there!

What to Bring to a Craft Show / Fair

The craft show season will be here again before we know it. I always see people asking what they should bring to a craft show. I have searched high a low and came up with a HUGE list(sorted alphabetically) of the most common items mentioned.

Some of these ideas are location specific so feel free to take out what you don't need. I usually go over my list the day before and set everything in one spot by the door. I also have a small box that I have put all my "tools"/small things in so they can be located easily.

Happy selling!


- 2-3 projects to work on during slow periods
- Allergy Medicine
- Baby Wipes / Wet Ones
- Bags for purchases (I reuse grocery shopping bags for mine and have never had a complaint)
- Banner or sign
- Binder clips
- Book/Magazine (for the slow times)
- Bug Spray
- Bungee Cord
- Business Cards/Promos to give away
- Calculator
- Camera (who knows who you may see at your show, plus you can upload them to the craft fair groups in flickr)
- Cash box/Apron with change (Don't forget 1's, 5's and maybe even a few 20' I usually bring $50-$60 total)
- Cell Phone
- Chairs
- Clothesline
- Clothespins
- Cooler with lots of water and easy-to-sneak snacks (some shows don’t provide food or water)
- Credit Card Imprinter
- Deoderant
- Displays (baskets, stationery racks, card spinner, coat rack/purse display)
- Duct tape
- Extension cords
- Extension plugs
- Feminine hygiene products
- Gridwall / hooks / shelves
- Gum/Mints
- Hairbrush and ponytail holders (especially if you are outdoors and it might get windy)
- Hand Sanitizer
- Hangers
- Inventory (Don't forget to bring all of the fantastic items you have made!)
- Jacket/Sweater (if weather may call for it)
- Lighting (if inside)
- Lip balm/ Chapstick
- Lotion
- Mailing list sign-ups (great to offer a raffle prize to entice people to give up their information)
- Makeup for touch-ups
- Mannequins / Dress Form
- Markers
- Mirror (for customers and yourself to use)
- Nail clipper, for loose threads on clothing or in case you break/rip a nail.
- Needle and Thread
- Paper (in case extra signs are needed)
- Paper towels/Napkins
- Pens (I usually bring a couple, I always seem to lose at least one)
- Photo Album (for examples of sold pieces)
- Poles for improvising clothing racks between gridwall
- Price tags or cards (don't forget to make signs/price things before hand, a lot of people are too scared to ask)
- Receipts - the carbon copy type so you can keep one and give one to the customer
- Scissors
- Scotch tape
- Seasonal décor
- Sign saying you accept credit cards
- Small Toolbox (hammer, screwdriver, nails, screws, wrench)
- Small trash can (or something to keep trash in)
- Someone to help you (you never know how busy/slow you will be. They can help you keep an eye on customers and pass the time)
- Stapler
- Sticky lint roller
- String
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Supplies and tools for custom orders/resizing items
- Tablecloths
- Tables
- Tax information / Business license
- Tent / Tent Walls / Stakes / Hammer / Weights for the legs (if outdoors)
- Tissue or newspaper to wrap your items in if they are fragile
- Tissues
- Tylenol/Advil/Ibuprofen

Also, if you need to set up for an account to process credit cards click this link. It will take you to Propay (which seems to be the most widely used service) and there is a discount! http://www.propay.com/?refid=ETSYOLCM


Special thanks to http://www.joyfulabode.com, http://ycmt.wordpress.com, http://beading.consumerhelpweb.com/, http://omglia.blogspot.com for helping me with this list.

A Day of Fun

It was my boyfriend's birthday about 1 week ago. He hates birthday's and didn't want to do anything on his birthday so I planned a "day together day" a few days before. We both took the day off from life to hang out and had fun together.

He loves the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach so we went there to look at the fishies and feed the birds.

After seeing the movie Seven Pounds we have both decided it would be really cool to have a jellyfish for a pet, although we never will.

We also came across this guy. I know he's some sort of ray, but for the life of me I can't remember what kind. He was HUGE though! I wanted to sit on his back and go for a ride but Chris said I couldn't :(. Hehehe

Next if was off to feed the birds. These guys were nuts! One of the sneak attacked me from the back and landed on my shoulder. Another landed on Chris, pooped on him and the proceeded to use it's beak to climb around on Chris' shirt collar. There was another one that drank most of the nector we bought and after each drink would wipe his tongue off on Chris' thumb.

This octopus tried to eat me through the glass. I thought I was a goner for sure! At the last second Chris saved me and pulled me away to safety. My hero!

Then we found this guy. Most of you don't know, but I LOVE turtles. We had a desert tourtise named Lightening when I was little. He is my favorite pet that we've ever had. Anyhow, I tried to keep this guy too. I think he would go nicely with the jellyfish and the ray. Once again I was told, "No". He never let's me have any fun I swear! hahaha

After the aquarium we decided to walk around and see what else was in the area. Did you know that Long Beach has a pier? Either did we! Granted, it wasn't like the one in Huntington Beach or Santa Monica, but still. There were pirates (tour guides dressed like pirates) out on the pier teaching each other how to tie knots and throw ropes properly. We stopped and watched for a bit and continued on our walk to explore other near buy businesses. Unfortunately I didn't take anymore pictures.

After our walk we decided to head back to avoid some traffic. All in all it was a fantastic day and I'm glad we were able to spend the day together. We both had a great time and were able to take much needed break.

What a crazy life!

It's been a few weeks since I've updated my blog...OK, almost a month. Life has been crazy, but fun, lately. Each week seems to get better and better lately.

I'm organizing another Handmade District event on March 14th in Tustin. If you are a crafter and would like more information, please check out www.HandmadeDistrict.com. We'd love to have you join us!

As always, I've been searching for future gift ideas on Etsy. Why is it always easier to find something I like? Anyhow, check out the great stuff I've found!

This card is for my Mom. It's from NeatThings and has to be one of the funniest cards I've ever seen! Make sure you check out both pictures and read what the inside says. Even though I do have a point of reference (my Step-mom) it'll still be great to give her!


I also found this totally perfect seller's apron from RedPaperRecord. I believe it will be my next purchase as soon as I have some extra cash. I can't wait to wear it!


What else?....Oh! This dress made out of ties from Glamarita is ABSOLUTELY crazy and I wish I had the body to wear it!


These Valentine's Day card will be absolutely PERFECT to give my friends! They're from JeanFrancisBean and I need to remember to hurry up and order them before it's to late!

Then, there's this awesome hand painted vintage purse from VozClothingAndArt. I love the way the umbrellas look like they are blowing away and the rain drops are "sliding" down the purse.



What are some of the fun things you've found lately? I'd love to see them!

Look where I showed up in Google today!

I added my store to Google Base a couple of weeks ago. Today I went to search for bike basket liners and look where I showed up!! I'm SO excited!!!!



(If you click on the picture it will get bigger)

The Gift of Giving

Less than 1 week 'til Christmas and I've been a busy little bee! This holiday season I tried to buy as many handmade gifts as possible. Also, when people asked me what I wanted I gave them links to things on Etsy. We'll see how well that works out :).

One of the reasons I really like buying handmade is because you know that purchase really matters to the person you are buying it from and it could actually keep them eating for another day.

Here are some of the goodies I bought for friends this year. I wish I had bought more handmade gifts, but some people are just incredibly hard to shop for!

This first little necklace is for my friend Linda. It's one of a kind (which makes it even better in my book!) and made by Envisage. I've already given it to her and she absolutely loved it!


Next on the list is my brother, David. He's one of those guys that loves all things manly...fishing, hunting, off-roading and so on. You are probably thinking to yourself, "What the heck do you get someone like that and still have it be handmade?" Well, dear reader, you get him soap made from beer, of course! David will be getting soaps made from PBR, Guiness, Newcastle and Sam Adams. They are all from Dennis Anderson and I have a feeling he's going to laugh his ass off when he opens his gift.



Last on the list is my friend Michelle. Michelle is one of those girls that's "a dude's dude". She loves riding her fixed gear bike, kid robot, listening to any music she can get her hands on and the majority of the year she lives in a van full of guys. What do you get someone like this? You get them a zipper pouch that's made from recycled bike tire innertubes that also has a sweet print to it, naturally. This pouch is made by Urchin Bags and is sick as, well, (insert obsene adjective here). I was so excited when I found this I couldn't wait to order it!


What are some of the handmade gifts you are giving this year?