SOLD

Last week I attended a local fair and sold this skirt.

I bought the fabric form a very well know department store, with the intention of making a skirt for myself, but I hate waste, so decided to make the skirt to fit the fabric, which meant it was too big for me. My daughter was very disappointed, as she thought I should have kept it for me. 

I had decided to take it apart and remake it to fit me, but hey ho, it sold at the fair. I must admit it looked great on the customer, unfortunately this fabric is no longer available, but I am desperately trying to find something similar.  

This week I received a request from Etsy, the buyer wanted this skirt custom made for her, she wanted a different size and colour

 This is the completed skirt, it is made in a blue check fabric which is cut on the bias, allowing it to fall with gently folds around the legs.

I am really pleased with how it has turned out. I would love to hear what you think

If you would like a custom made skirt, visit my shop on Etsy or Artfire and email me to discuss your order

My Ceanosus is Dying

My ceanosus otherwise know as californian blue or californian lilac is dying and there is nothing I can do about it. It has given me years of pleasure, and my neighbours have also enjoyed the beautiful flowers which appear in springtime.

Ceanosus in full flower

Decaying Ceanosus

I planted this beautiful shrub when I first moved into this house and it has grown into a small tree. It flowers in the spring and produces a beautiful show of blue flowers, but unfortunately this shrub only have a life span of 10 to 15 years, and I have had my for 12 years. Another thing that I was not aware of, it does not take kindly to being pruned back once they become established, which I have done, that apparently encourages decay. So sadly I think this will be the last year for my beautiful shrub. My little corner will be bare, it also hides my shed. I will be planting another, but it will take a few years to produce the elegant flowers of years gone by.

Early Spring - just before flowering

My New Clothes Stand

I have got this wonderful clothes stand on Ebay and it arrived today. Having done a couple of fairs with my standard clothes rail. I have found that its difficult to get noticed and I have to keep jumping out at people to get them to visit my stand.

New Clothes Stand

 With this stand I feel I will look more professional and the extending prongs will make it easier to display the clothes and buyers will get a better view and browse with ease. ( I hope).  I am really impressed and excited,  as my next fair is in two weeks time, so it I will get the opportunity to use my stand Yah!, Yes I know little things please little minds

Standard Clothes Rail



Standard Clothes Rail



New Arrivals

I have booked into several handmade fairs for the summer and I have been making some new items for the season, this summer dress has already graced one of the fairs and got very  favourable feedback.

My Summer Shift Dress

I love the shape of this dress, I have added a contrasting sash which compliments the the print. The dress is cut with three panels in the front and lovely pleat detail at the neckline a back zipper and lined in fine muslin.
You can wear my summer shift dress with the sash for a more fitted look or wear without for a more loose fitting look either way it's a great dress.

Summer Shift Dress on Etsy

My Summer Shift Dress is now available in my shop Rose Glen on Etsy

What do you think? Would you wear my dress? How would you wear it?

Craft Fayre

I attended my first craft show this year, the attendance from the general public was below average and this can be disheartening, but all said I learnt something from this.
What you ask did I gain?

I gained an opportunity to PROMOTE my work: I was able to hand out my business card and invite people to visit my shop

I met some lovely people and was able to interact with the general public face to face. I received  ideas from passing customers and custom requests

It’s hard to keep positive when you are working alone and sales are not coming in. Receiving immediate comments from the general public was great it provided VALIDATION of my work and help maintain my enthusiasm.

How did I get this? Through eavesdropping, while customers were browsing, they can brutally honest when they think you are not listening, but it was worthwhile as this validate that I was not waiting my time.

The fayre provided an opportunity to meet other like minded people – other stallholders sharing and learning from our experience

So what next!

PATIENCE, I believe that the sales will come, and it about convincing customers that I am here for the long haul and not a flash in the pan and I believe that my commitment and hard work will pay off

I ENJOY WHAT I DO - AND  - I HOPE YOU  WILL TOO

Easter on Etsy

My latest treasury featuring Easter finds on Etsy

I have been featured

Check this out I have been featured on flattering50 blog, read her amazing review of my shop on Etsy
http://flattering50.blogspot.com/2011/04/unique-fashions-for-plus-size-women.html

Featuring Artsyjewels on Artfire

Get to know the ladies behind  ArtsyJewels

ArtsyJewels is a collaboration of three addicted beaders, Pat,Helen and Ana.

Pat is retired from the 'real world' and enjoys making jewelry for several different outlets online. Her specialty is buying vintage jewelry and gleaning usable parts to recycle into wonderful new items.

Helen is still in the 'real world' and enjoys setting up booths at craft shows throughout the area. She has been a self-employed Manufacturer's Representative specializing in women's accessories, selling to gift shops, hospitals, retirement homes, casinos, museums and pharmacies (to name a few!) for the past seven years.

Ana makes jewelry for home parties - she excels at making elaborate sets. Once introduced to a style or concept new to her, she practices it and embellishes lavishly.

All are avid bead show attendees.

They are members of the Beady-Eyed Women of Lancaster (PA) a group of local women who meet twice a month to have bead swaps, show & tell, learn new techniques and just generally ooh and ahh at each others' work 

If you would like to see more of Artsy Jewels click on the link below

http://www.artfire.com/users/ArtsyJewels

Check out the others artist story below

http://richmixfashion.blogspot.com/2011/04/featuring-sewingfromtheheart-on-artfire.html

http://richmixfashion.blogspot.com/2011/04/featuring-sja-paper-beads-on-artfire.html

http://richmixfashion.blogspot.com/2011/04/featuring-redroseconfections-on-artfire.html

Featuring RedRoseConfections on Artfire

I am featuring RedRoseConfections today who sell delicious confections on Artfire, but mind you keep reading or you will be covered in chocolate.

RedRoseConfections

I've been in the cake and confections industry for 15 years and in June 2010, struck out on my own to unleash all my creativity.

Sometimes the greatest things come from unfortunate events. After all those years doing cakes, I was promoted and was in a corporate job for about a year and a half and unfortunately, the entire department was laid-off. Amidst all the sadness, my wonderful husband asked me, " What would you like to do to make you happy, truly happy?" I told him that I wanted to find my passion again for food and that is when I decided to go back to what I loved.So, that is how RRC was born.

All my candy is made with that love and if you don't see what you are looking for it just means I haven't photographed it yet or just didn't get that special request from you! I always love a challenge. I love to give an edge to chocolate by making anything from your typical chocolate roses to zodiac symbols, and fire breathing dragons. I also make a line of signature chocolate barks and I'll cover anything I can in chocolate. Chocolate covered marshmallows, pretzels, cookies and more!

Chocolate Fire-breathing Dragon Lollipop

You can find RedRose here:

My website: http://www.redrosecakespittsburgh.com/

ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/RedRoseConfections

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/RedRoseCakes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Rose-Cakes/152539144773848

Check out the other featued artist here
http://richmixfashion.blogspot.com/2011/04/featuring-sja-paper-beads-on-artfire.html
http://richmixfashion.blogspot.com/2011/04/featuring-sewingfromtheheart-on-artfire.html

Featuring SJA paper beads on Artfire

Samantha is the owner of SJA paper bead on Artfire, read below and find out how she makes her beads.

SJA paper beads
Hi My name is Samantha, I live in a small tourist town in Australia where the koalas live right across the road in the bush right next to the beach where the native birds fly over and squawk all day and the air is fresh and clean


I love bush walking,photography, blogging reading and most of all i love to create one of a kind paper beads and paper bead jewellery.

Making paper beads is a long process but well worth the effort .

I start with a piece of paper, my favorite papers to use are scrap booking paper and card in pretty patterns so I can get lots of detail and texture on my beads. I occasionally use recycled papers such as newspapers,magazines and Christmas cards.I have also started painting my papers so I can have a one of a kind design. Each piece of paper goes through a long process of measuring and cutting each strip of paper. I than roll each bead and coat every bead in thick coats of a non toxic sealer and non toxic varnish. This makes them water resistant and very durable. The end result of my paper beads often amaze me and keep me thinking of new designs and techniques to try so I will always have a supply of a variety of different colours shapes sizes and styles in my studio.

I also enjoy trying new crafts, at the moment I am experimenting with bead weaving , I am trying to make many different styles of bead woven bracelets to suit all occasions.

Thank you for taking the time to read, I do hope you enjoy visiting my studio.

Vintage Paper Beads by SJA paper beads

http://www.artfire.com/users/SJApaperbeads

Thanks very much

If you like Samantha story click the linkd below to read other crafters story
http://richmixfashion.blogspot.com/2011/04/featuring-sewingfromtheheart-on-artfire.html

Featuring SewingfromtheHeart on Artfire

This great crafter sells on Artfire and she has an amazing story, read about her below.

SEWINGFROMTHEHEART
Sewing and writing to me is an art. It is relaxing and I enjoy it very much. The things I sew are what I use myself to make things easier, and thought others would like to as well. I was born with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and ADHD. Neither of the diagnoses was made until later in life. I am permanently in a wheel chair and can not walk. If it was not for the proper medications I would not be able to move my fingers or be able to write or sew. God is the reason I have the strength to write and sew and live each day of my life.

Many of my items are one of a kind. My home is pet friendly. My cat Zorro is my bio picture.

One of my focuses is kids, teens, and young adults with disabilities from birth or from injuries due to accidents. There are so many younger people that live with disabilites, myself one of them. I chose fun, bright, bold colors and fabrics for that very reason.

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=92961&op=new&body=1