Those Round Things

A Very Emily Production

2011-04-23T20:26:00.000-04:00

Add this to my list of interests/hobbies: video editing. Yes I like to edit videos with the little experience and skill that I have. I have been taking photos and videos of my kids for years. My daughter, Emily, has expressed an interest in being on TV or the stage singing and dancing and acting. I don't think she really gets the whole process so I decided to use the footage that I have of her and create these videos featuring interviews, movie reviews and just random hilariousness that comes out of her 5 year old mouth. It's true when they say 'kids say the darnedest things!' is it darnedest? Is that a word? hmmm
She loves watching the videos back and laughing at herself. She also get ideas for future videos so I think its helped her a lot.
So I created a new youTube channel just for her and called it A Very Emily Production. Her username is EmilyBelleM if you want to search for her. OR you can just visit her channel right now! While you're there check out her other video, Teaching Daddy A New Word. So funny! I want to upload a new video at least every week. Don't forget to view, comment and subscribe! The 3 most important things to a YouTuber...so I've been told.
Check out her first video below!

Let's Flea It Up!

2011-04-13T16:10:00.000-04:00

As in flea market that is! I remember when I was a little girl my parents used to drag us to flea markets and yard sales. I would get car sick because I insisted I was too bored and, like the nerd that I am, read my books while driving. Not a good idea. But as I got older I learned NOT to read in the car and actually enjoyed finding new old treasures for dirt cheap prices. I found lots of books especially. I remember my mom buying me the entire Babysitters' Club collection at a flea market. My life changed forever after that.

We then progressed to selling at flea markets and it was so much fun! We got to make money then spend it all in the same day. My inner shopoholic was born!

So it has been literally years since I have been to a flea market, to buy or to sell. I am excited this week because there is a flea market going on this Saturday and I am determined to get a spot and sell my hair accessories as if they were tiny hotcakes. I'm mostly going to be selling my older barrettes that I made a few years ago. I've been wanting to get rid of them so this is the perfect opportunity to sell cheap and get my name out there. Hello marketing plan!

I have immersed myself in making new tags for each barrette so that whoever buys one will have my shop's web address go home with them. It's been a tedious process, but the end result is pretty cool:

Taggy goodness

Do you like it? I used to have them attached to a bright cardstock and enclosed in small ziploc bags. Not every attractive. So I had to take them all out and reattach my new tags. Exciting I know! :/

My Bunny Collection

2011-04-09T19:41:00.000-04:00

Well I stayed up late last night to take photos of my latest yoyos, The Bunny Collection. I wanted to get started on listing them for sale as soon as possible and I knew if I waited to take the photos until today it would never happen. I love my kids, but hey are a MAJOR distraction! Breaking up toddler dramas and fights takes a lot of finesse and timing I have to say ;)
I am really happy with how the photos came out. I used some cream colored tulle circles and laid them atop an open page of my kids' Bambi book. For some reason this particular book ends halfway through the real story and only includes the happy bits. I found it strange the first time I read it, but it was nice not to have to read about him yelling for his dead mother for the hundredth time.
The illustrations are big and colorful and the words are very descriptive talking of hillocks and meadows and what not... like poetry. My kids are totally obsessed with Bambi so it was nice to use it for this purpose. A sort of personal touch.
Ok now I'm way off topic, right? Sorry. Here are a few samples of what you can find my Etsy shop:

I have a lot more finished and even more that I have to put together and photograph. I will be adding new items a few times a day to my shop. I try to keep it fresh ;)
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

My Treasury Lists

2011-04-09T03:27:00.000-04:00

Hello out there! Can anyone see me??

Anyway, I wanted to write a post about what I'm doing at the moment creatively, BUT I got too tired to take any pictures of my 3 hour long creating-awesome-stuff-with-yoyos session. I'm working on my Easter collection right now and I didn't finish since my legs fell asleep from sitting on the floor for too long.

Will post those tomorrow! Cute stuff coming and I'm excited about that. I should really get those up in my shop since Easter is right around the corner. Crap.

So instead I decided to share something that has to do with me, but also promotes some of my fellow Etsians AKA Etsy artists whom I have dubbed Etsians. Is that an actual word going around? If not I will coin in.

As many of you who are familiar with Etsy know the site has these things called Treasuries. For as long as I've been on Etsy, since 2008, I have never bothered with it. Until now! It's really cool. You create a sort of list with pictures of your favorite items according to a certain theme of your choice. For example I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan and there are so many good HP stuff on Etsy so I made a Treasury based on the epic relationship that is Ron and Hermione. I went looking through Etsy for hours (which is a GREAT way to discover new favorite shops and inspiration). I called it The Good Ship. Clever, non? (note: A Weasley related item is at the bottom of this post.) You can see my entire list of Treasuries HERE. I suggest you do the same if you haven't already. If you would like to share yours leave the link in a comment. I love looking through them!

Here are a few awesome items I found while making my treasuries.

I love Black and White images and this one is so romantic!
Lovely pendant by MadamLili

Beautiful Blue and Red Berries Dishes by hopejohnson

Totally Unique and Quirky Grass Ring by ginazetts

I love the use of the standard yoyo in this brooch by KalliasWonderland

CUTE Cake Topper by emiliefriday

Weasley is definitely MY king!
From the Harry Potter series bring this amazing pendant by MadamePoindextra

Two and a Half Years Later...

2011-04-08T09:47:00.000-04:00

Wow! It has been so long I actually forgot I had this blog! Glad to see it's still up here AND that I was able to remember my password haha!
So what have I been doing since August of 2008? Well I had the baby, obviously, and having two kids has taken up a lot of my time and energy as you can imagine. My daughter, Emily, is now 5 and starting Kindergarten in the Fall. She is just as lovely and precocious as ever.
My son, Ethan is now 2 and is the prince of the house. A loud, funny, cranky, and altogether adorable prince at that.

It was a rare nice day last week so Emily and Ethan took their silliness outside.

I reopened my Etsy shop, EmiBelle Designs about a month ago with a new logo and new yoyo designs. I made them different sizes, use better quality fabrics and now offer a choice of what backing the buyer wants. I have seen so many awesome accessories on Etsy that I would have liked as a brooch or a headband instead of the clip or barrette it was already attached to. So I thought well if I feel that way maybe others do too and would like to be given a choice as to how they want to use the exact design they want. I also make accessories that are already made with backings such as headbands and brooches.

I am so excited about this new approach, but I wanted to get some feedback from potential buyers. What do you think? Should I attach backings to everything and call it a day or keep it as it is and offer the choices?
Go on over to my shop and check out my new items! Tell your friends, neighbors, loved ones...everyone! :D

Buttons and Blisters

2008-08-02T20:15:00.009-04:00

August 2, 2008
Hello! I am so happy today because I was featured on a fellow Etsian's blog today! It feels pretty good :)
So I was able to squeeze out a few pictures from my battery power sucking vampire of a camera to take pictures of my latest projects.

I made these tissue cozies using this tutorial. They're so stinkin easy and I love the instant gratification that comes with one.

Now these button barrettes I love, but I had to sacrifice two fingers and an ankle to make them. I am typing very slowwwly.

First of all my hot glue gun (which I somehow got from my mother) is huge and on the side says that the metal tip heats up to 380 degrees! Who in the craft world needs their glue gun THAT hot? When I apply a dot of glue to the back of a button there is actually smoke...honest. Long story short I have blisters and bandaids holding me together right now.

This is the barrette that caused my injuries. Was it worth it? Not sure about that yet...

On a more lighter and less blistery note I added a new "feature" to my blog. I listed all my favorite Etsy shops. This way they're all right there and I can also share what I like with all of you! You're very welcome :) If you like my shop and want to link to it I wouldn't mind at all! I am still interested in link and affiliates exchanges if anyone is interested.
It is now past due that I put my little munchkin to bed. She's sending me cues that she's ready by laying on the couch with her blankie. I'm so lucky she doesn't put up a fight. Great now I have to knock on wood...
Here is my little Emi Belle acting cute and knowing it.

My New Projects

2008-07-28T23:51:00.009-04:00

July 28, 2008

So I finally charged my camera batteries so I can post the pictures of what I've done so far with my nifty sewing machine. Everything came put pretty good I think. They were all made using tutorials I found online. All except the cylinder cup thingy. I just made that up as I went along.
So thee they are. I made some other pillows, but they're plain and boring. This is a quickie post so have a great day!

Tut-Tut-Tutorials!

2008-07-28T01:34:00.004-04:00

Monday, July 28, 2008
I have become obsessed with something new. Tutorials! You know those things where they tell you step by step how to do something and even show the work in progress pictures? Yes I am staring at a pile about an inch thick of these things printed out and no more black ink to show for it.
So I thought I would list some of the tutorials (mostly from other people's blogs) that caught my fancy and maybe inspire someone to try something new. I've done the diaper and wipes case, the fabric flower and... well I think that's it. But it's only been 2 days of collecting these and I fully intend to try each and every one of them.. if possible. Which reminds me I have to get my hands on some zippers and heat and bond stuff...
I will post any more that I find. I am also going to post pictures of my attempted finished projects following a tutorial. Right now my camera ate my batteries so I couldn't post any right now. They're charging as we speak.
Some of the links have even more tutorials if you look on the sidebars for a link.Have fun!

A List of Tutorials From The Domestic Diva
Diaper and Wipes Case
Thread Catcher
Easy Wallet
Hexagon Pincushion
A List of Tutorials from Whip Up
Ribbon Pillow
A List of Tutorials From JCaroline Creative
Little Boxy Pouch
Odd Oddity Dollmaker
A List of Tutorials From CraftStylish
Wonky Log Cabin Quilt
Instructables.com
Simple Make-Up Bag
Fabric Flowers
Girls' Garden Party Apron
Ruffled Skirt
A List of Tutorials From Sew Mama Sew!
Quilted Wallet
Tissue Holder
How About Orange?
Grocery Bag Dispenser

Me and Mr. Bob & Mini Pincushions

2008-07-25T00:44:00.009-04:00

July 25, 2008
I am truly too tired and worn out to even be writing this right now so please stay with me while I punch out these words. I simply had to write a post tonite because just today I got myself a sewing machine! Not just a new one, but my very first one ever in life. It is strictly a beginner machine. I mean it only cost $40 and I can literally carry it in one hand. It only does straight lines and I love it :)
It is perfect for me right now because it's not overwhelming and allows me to experiment with new and exciting projects I've been wanting to try! And look at what I made in only... ummm an hour?

I forgot to look a the time, but it felt like an hour. (It's the same pillow, reverse sides.) I won't be selling this one since I found some mistakes, but I never give away or sell any new first project that I finished. Call it a good luck charm.
Speaking of new projects I found this tutorial on Craftstylish.com for cute little tiny pin cushions using plastic bottle caps. I made my own variations of it.

Cute right? That site has many other tutorials which is a great resource if you ever get bored of whatever you're into and want a break to try something new. I'm not sure if I'll continue to do more of these mini pin cushions since I have my new best friend Mr. Bob...yes I just named my new mini sewing machine.

Fabric Buttons and...Link Exchange Anyone?

2008-07-17T10:19:00.006-04:00

July 17, 2008
I just found about this wonderful idea called a link exchange. Yes I know I'm Jessica Come Lately, but I love the idea. So if you come across my blog and think Hey! I would like to have my link on her page and maybe she might like to have one on mine? Well you would be right! Just send me an email with the text and link you want and I will add it to my blog list.
I would also like to add more affiliates to my page as well. So if you have a banner for your online shop send it to me and we can exchange banners!
I am looking for new ways to market my shop and blog and this way it's a win/win situation for everyone!

I can't leave this blog without mentioning my new favorite love...fabric covered buttons. Wal-Mart was having a clearance on these things so I picked up a few. They are so easy to make and come out looking for neat! I already made some into bobby pins and as a center to my new pin cushions. Yes I'm making pin cushions now!

My First Etsy Sale! And Other Stuff

2008-07-01T00:59:00.007-04:00

July 1, 2008
So I made my first Etsy.com sale today! Of course it was my cousin, but hey a sale is a sale right? and she bought two items! I am so excited :D It just gets me revved up to make more things and keep going with promoting and marketing my site. So thanks Xiara! Love ya babe ;)

In other etsy news I have been busy joining all kinds of sites and groups and trying to get my link out there. You can see some of the sites I've joined to the left. I also joined some Flickr groups which let you post your photos for members to see and they have forums where you can get alot of advice on selling and stuff so that's pretty cool.I've also been busy making more yoyos and putting them together. The picture above is actually an older picture to give an idea of what they look like before I decide which backing they will have. Hair ties, clips, bobby pins? Who knows? But, lately the fabrics I am using are brighter and cuter and more modern so I'm looking forward to seeing how they look when they're all done. I'll post them up soon. Right now I have a bunch in a box just pinned together so my next step is to sew it all together.
Oh! And I am also going to be getting a sewing machine this weekend! I am super excited about that! My mother has one and is paranoid about me using it...with good reason lol. Plus I want my own to learn with and then I can make the ideas that are floating around in my head like bags, purses, wallets, pillows, and oh so much more!

Art on the Avenue & My Coffee Table

2008-06-22T11:31:00.006-04:00

Yesterday I went with my mom and daughter to the Art on the Avenue event that was taking place literally a block down from my house. So many artists set up tents to display and sell their paintings, drawing, jewelry, and crafts. There was music by this band named Flux Capacitor...I have no idea how to spell it, but it's based on the Back to the Future movie? Anyways, they were reallllly good!
Then later there was a drum circle and who decided to go down into the street and shake her booty and break it down with them? My very own 2 and half year old daughter Emily. Yes she had a crowd around her and she was loving it! I was a very proud mama.
There was one vendor that stood out to me mainly because she was the only one who made the kind of crafts that I would actually buy. Her business name is Becca Bee Designs and guess what? She has an etsy shop! I fell in love with her clothing and aprons and place mats and baby bibs and toys.

This is what my coffee table looks like when I'm in the creativity stage of my yo yo barrettes....ok maybe not this neat, but you get the idea. I match up what I want and stick a pin in it and move on to the next one until I run out of pins. I have to do this after my daughter falls asleep because she just blocks my brain as I'm sure every parent can attest to. So all I ahve to worry about is my cat thinking they're toys and jumping right in the middle of the table. She hasn't yet, but there is always that possibility.
I am working on a different kind of project that I'm getting excited about. I will post a picture as soon as my lazy butt decides to get it off my camera.
Take care!

Some Inspiration

2008-06-17T12:30:00.007-04:00

June 17, 2008
I am still in love with my dear yo yos, but I am looking around for another new project to spark my interest just as much as these yoyos have. And I may even be able to incorporate those yo yos into whatever I do. Who knows?
So I was thinking of making either bags, pillows or something else . I've been looking all over etsy.com, flickr and google images for inspiration.
I found two things on Etsy that I love. Which, on that site, isn't very hard to do.

I found these bag at madebymolly.etsy.com.
I even added her blog to my blog to the right...
She has many designs to choose from and even lets you choose which fabric you want!

I found this pillow on Etsy as well. It is from a talented crafter names Guadalupe. I love the design and the simplicity of it. And you know I love my circles!

I have many other ideas, but I can't seem to focus on just one. I can possibly do quilts, pincushions, paper crafts...its endless! What do you think I should start out doing?

Uploaded Photos and a Craft Show??

2008-06-15T13:51:00.019-04:00

June 15, 2008

I finally got the new photos off my camera and uploaded them to my Flickr account. You can see all of them there. I wish I had a better camera, but they came out pretty good.

So in other news I've been looking around for craft shows in my area and I think I found a good one. I've never done one before since I'm a newbie crafter so I
had to call and get some info.
It's in Leesport and I've heard some good things about it so I would be really excited if I can make it. The fee is pretty cheap (only $25 for a 10x10 space in the open) and its all day.
As I said before I've never done a craft show before so I wonder how much inventory should I make and sell for and if I should make something other than hair barrettes.... I just don't know. More research time! If anyone has ever done a craft show and could pass down some wisdom I would love to read it!

CupCake Time!

2008-06-15T00:00:00.007-04:00

June 15, 2008

I LOVE cupcakes! Anything made that looks like a cupcake I am in delicious love with.

This yum yum delicious looking felt cupcake is made by a very talented crafter, Amanda Graff, also known as Smarmy Pants. It's a pin cushion! How cute is that?

It is 12AM, June 15th and...it's my birthday! Yes well don't all get up at once :)
I am 26 today. Yikes! I have no plans for the day. Maybe eat a cupcake or twenty...who knows?

Yo Yo Time! I have been making yoyos all day... well in between moaning about being prego and taking care of daughter. That's life!
So I already had alot of circles cut out so today I just sewed em and threw em in my yoyo box. Which, in fact, I had to convert to a bigger box because I have so many. And let me say a box full of just yoyos gives me such satisfaction...that I think it might not be normal actually.
I completed and took pictures of some finished yoyos this morning and have yet to get them off my camera. I'll have to write a post-it to remind myself for tomorrow. With this prego brain I forget EVERYTHING. So note to self: upload pics and post to blog....got it. oh yea and make cupcakes...

My First Sale!

2008-06-14T06:52:00.005-04:00

June 14, 2008
I made my first sale yesterday! It wasn't through the Etsy site. I still have lots of work to do on getting some potential customers to my shop. No it was my daughter's therapist who comes every other week. She noticed my cramped (but stylish tyvm) crafty corner of my living room

I literally just took this photo as I write this...so no my house is NOT crooked.

and asked what I was working on. She fell in love with the hair barrettes and bought 4 for her daughters. So I made my first $12 yesterday! Yay I'm so excited :)
In my excitement I forget to remember which ones she actually bought LOL. Since every item is so different I have to make sure that I don't have the same one that I sell in person in my shop to sell. Yikes! So I had to go through all my inventory last night (thank god I numbered all of them!) and assign the numbers to the photos in my computer and see what was missing. And get this I have 5 numbers missing...and I only sold 4 which is what was left over after numbering everything! So I have a rogue hair barrette. I'll find you damn ...thing.
Ok so that was that, but I'm still happy about my sale. I bought shampoo, conditioner and a huge pack of chewy chocolate chip cookies....yum so worth it :)

My First Post

2008-06-13T16:35:00.003-04:00

June 13, 2008
This is my first post on my new blog and I am pretty excited!
I will use this post to introduce myself and stuff like that. Let's just get it out of the way shall we?
My name is Jessica and I love art. I am a very visual person and have always appreciated looking at things and making things to look at. I am a pencil artist at heart...

but I have ventured into the craft world with my obsession of yo yos as you can see from my online shop. Here's an example of what I make:

I am a mother of a 2 year old sweet and kooky little girl, Emily Belle

and I am expecting another one this Fall.

Baby's ultrasound at 16 weeks. Rubbing its belly, dancing to "My Baby Does the Hanky Panky"...I swear!

We live with the father of my babies and life is pretty...interesting to say the least.

I have a beautiful and funny mom who lives across the parking lot from us.

She's single! Eat your heart out.

She actually might be moving soon which she claims I am trying to hex...and so what if I am?? She is my sanity and I can't let her go that easily you know.
I have 4 other brothers and sisters, lots of cousins and nieces and nephews. A big family that keeps getting bigger!
So this one was all about me yes I know, but I want to showcase other cool and artsy things I find online and my process in making new things in future posts. Come back now ya hear?
Anyone can leave comments here so gab away!