Summer Is Not Over Yet

Over the last couple days, I have found myself getting sucked back into my studio.  This is a good thing - especially since there were many moments over the summer where I believed I was ready to put eieio to bed.  I think, though, that that had more to do with the sweltering heat in my studio and close to zero time for work than a lack of desire.  For the first time this summer, I've had a babysitter come in for a couple hours just so that I could get some work done.  And I have gotten some work done.  Now all I want to do is more...

But there is still a little bit of summer vacation left.  And I don't want to waste that. Ella starts next Tuesday and Ollie starts the week after that and then there will be plenty of time.  I have a little mother/daughter time this morning and as much as I would love to take her fabric shopping, I know that that really isn't the best way to spend our time.  Some day it will be, but not today.

So, there is a brand new batch of Lunchbox Napkins in the shop.  And hopefully another Reversible Roundabout and some Trick or Treat bags coming soon.  And after September 12th things should get a lot more regular around here.

Today I have a lunch date and some hair accessory purchasing to do with my 2nd grader.  2nd grader.  That just blows my mind.  And a Kindergartener, which blows it even farther.  I'll wait until they are both settled in and I am sitting alone in my house to think about everything that comes next...

Shop Update and Weekend ReCap

Is it really Thursday already?  Which really feels like Friday since we are going into a four day weekend?  I swear it was just Sunday...

So I did the Highland's show last weekend.  It was fun.  And a bit different.  It was a show where you had to pay admission (a fundraiser for the historical gardens) and the bulk of the exhibitors do this full time, travelling the circuit of higher end shows.  I have to admit that at the end of the weekend (technically 3 days with set up Friday morning and a preview party/opening that night), packing up, I felt a bit like a Carny.

And then all the sudden the weekend was gone and it was Monday.  And then we said good-bye to The Dad as he set off for conference #1.  And tonight we welcome him home.  And tomorrow is Friday!!

While the week has flown by, the skies today cooperated and time stopped for a moment. I found this perfect spot of sun on the side of the house with a picnic bench conveniently placed right in front to stand the mannequin on, and I grabbed some new dresses and my camera and snapped and snapped.

And then, with still some more time before I had to pick up the boy at school, I actually sat down at the computer and got them posted in the shop.  Five of them.  I think I may be on a roll.  Now if the weather could cooperate tomorrow, too, so I could get the bibs shot and then the Treasure Totes, and then the SnackMats (formerly the Lunchbox Napkins)...  Whew, I'm tired again already.

Happy Long Weekend!

It's A Crafty Advent - Day 22: Moo Cards

 I've needed new business cards for a while.  I've printed my own, done the basics from Staples, and ordered a pre-designed one from an Etsy seller, but hadn't found anything I loved.

I started thinking about a unique logo and had a friend come up with a couple ideas.  But then I hmmd and hawed and lost momentum.

I'd heard about Moo Cards here and there on blogs and in Readymade Magazine but didn't have a collection of photos I was prepared to put on the back.

Then I was almost out of the hodge podge I had left.  And saw someone else's Moo Cards in person at an art fair.  The feel, the quality...  I took the plunge.

 

And I am so happy with how they turned out!  On top of the customer service, super fast shipping, and fabulous quality of the paper, printing, and packaging, their variety of available artwork has something for everyone.  And, you don't have to pick just one!

As you can see, I picked a variety.  Some of them I really like.  Some of them I love.  I'd love to mix some of the premade designs with some of my own photography next time.

Because, for sure, there will be a next time.

It's A Crafty Advent - Day 8 : Noel Gnomes

Besides the tree and the advent pockets, we don't do a whole lot of Christmas decorating around here.  One thing I added this year, though, is these little Noel Gnomes I fell in love with at the Waldorf Holiday Fair a couple weeks ago.

Every once in a while they get pulled down and played with  - especially the "O" one.  For the most part, though, the kids have been good with my explanation that these are mine.  They're not always happy about it, but they're learning...

"The Felt Lady", as I call her, was talking about all the ways these could be modified - including birthday ones that spell out a child's name.  I look forward to seeing what else she comes up with!

Small Felt Crayon Roll

I've seen these crayon rolls floating around the web, mostly fabric ones in various Etsy sites. 

A friend showed me a felt one the other day that looked even easier. 

So after some hmming and hawing procrastination, I tried making one this weekend for a 4-year old's birthday. 

It still needs some tweaking, but I like it!  And really, pretty easy. 

I'd still like to try a fabric one, too.  Hopefully in time for Christmas.

Santa's workshop (also know as my studio) opens this week.  My shopping is done and now it's time for a little handmade mama love...

Lighting Woes

I have a couple things to list in my shop today, but am not having much luck with the lighting out in my yard.  It's a beautiful day out, yet my yard is filled with shadows and even the spots that seem to be bright are dissapointingly grey.  Hmmm...  I may have to take a fieldtrip.  Or wait until later in the day when the sun has moved.

All these little occupational inconveniences I'd never really thought of a year ago.  I have the pieces, I finally have the time, I need the sun too cooperate!

Stay tuned.

30 Days of Summer :: Day 26 :: Attempting to shoot the Storybook Skirt

To re-open my shop, I need to get some pictures done.  Which means I need some cooperation - both from the weather and from the kids.

Usually, I attempt some pictures on a sunny day when the children are playing quietly.  Although this usually ends the playing quietly piece.

So today I thought I would try to incorporate them into the shoot.

I may just have to wait until school starts...

I Missed A Meeting This Morning

I was supposed to be part of a meeting this morning right after I dropped my daughter off at school. A meeting to plan an event next week. The meeting was at school. I didn't even need to go anywhere else for it. And yet, 20 minutes after the meeting started, I found myself across town in the parking lot of the children's museum pulling some papers out of my purse before O and I went in. I glanced down. Nursery School Valentine's Tea... Oh. No. I had missed my meeting.

Before I had children, I had some version or another of a palm pilot. I took it everywhere with me. I consulted it constantly. My time was scheduled down to the half hour, sometimes to the 15 minutes.

And then E was born and I stopped working. I continued to use my palm pilot but it was kind of a joke. Really? Mom's group once a week? A Dr.'s appointment every couple of months? One more thing to carry in the diaper bag? I tossed it aside and never went back.

For 2008 we had a calendar hanging in our kitchen. It was used mostly to mark when The Dad was traveling. Shows we had tickets for. Dr.'s appointments and the occasional playdate. I consulted it somewhat regularly and it sufficed.

At the end of the year, I found this great weekly planner on Etsy. I love the art. It's simple enough for the few things I put into it. I don't consult it regularly.

That is all about to change.

Suddenly, with the kids now almost 3 and almost 5, with one in school and a very small and very slowly growing business I seem to need something again. I will start checking it every day. I will start carrying it with me. And I will not miss another meeting.

I Am a Rule Follower

I am a Rule Follower. I think I always have been.

My senior year of high school, a bunch of friends were back from college on winter break and going to go into Boston to the Hard Rock Cafe. I knew my parents would never say yes, so I told them I was going to go down the street to a friend's house for dinner and movies. I went into Boston. I don't think I enjoyed a moment of that night. I spent the whole time worrying that I was going to get hit by a car and my parents' first reaction was going to be "What the hell was she doing in Boston?!!"


Have you heard of the CPSIA? Trying to understand all of the legalese and listening to the panic of the many blogging handcrafters of children's items with a grain of salt, I've boiled it down to this (at least in how it applies to me and eieio):

• The legislation came out of all of the toy recalls over the last year.
• The law mandates testing (for lead and phthalates) of all items marketed for children under the age of 12. This includes handmade toys, bibs, blankets, and clothing.
  
• It is not enough to have certification that each of the components of an item (in my case the 100% cotton fabric and Made in the USA colored stainless steel snaps) are lead free.
• For each batch of an item produced, one must be dismantled and all components must be tested by a certified lab. Each individual test costs at least $60. So for one of my dresses using two different patterns of fabric and 4-part colored snaps, it would require 6 tests for a total of at least $360. (My dresses sell for $30) The CPSC has said that XRF (a handheld test that can be done without destroying the product) testing for lead is permissable for now, but rental of such an instrument can be $800/month.
  
• As of February 10th, items that have not been submitted for testing and have certification of passing CANNOT BE SOLD.
• This affects both retailers and manufacturers.
• This legislation also includes books - think of the effect on the children's sections of our public libraries.
• The testing is so cost-prohibitive to independent artists and crafters that February 10th has been deemed National Bankruptcy Day.
• The law that had the best intentions and truly is trying to keep our children safe is eliminating some of our safest alternatives.
  

Forbes did a good summary here.

The Handmade Toy Alliance started by Dan Marshall from Peapods (one of my all time favorite toy stores!) in St. Paul, MN has lots of great resources.

So what am I going to do?

I am going to follow the rules. This means that after February 9th, I will no longer be selling my handmade children's clothing. I will not close my Etsy shop, in hopes that the legislation is amended soon, and will be sampling some new items with more of a 'home decor for family spaces' focus. And I'll hope that people come to their senses soon...

What can you do? Etsy's CPSIA Action Kit has all the contact info for letting the right people know how you feel.

And please sign these petitions:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/reform-cpsia-hr4040.html
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/RepealCPSIA/

And hope that someone is really listening.

Friday night, 9:00pm. They were listening! The CPSC has issued a one year stay of testing and certification requirements for certain products. This stay still upholds important safety requirements while giving the CPSC, congress, and manufacturers some time to sort everything out.