Just Bead It

I still love working with lace, but lately I've been addicting to working with beads. Many of these are in the Sample Sale section of my shop. I just bought more beads last night so expect even more coming to the shop soon! Image links to the shop listing:

Catch Up: February in Phone Pix

I'm sorry, readers; life has been crazy lately (not necessarily in a good way). I figure the best way to recap is with the cell phone photos I've been taking (marco-blogging at its finest). In roughly chronological order.



I got my new pink glasses (they are a bit pinker than shown here). So adult, but I like them.



For Valentine's Day Michael gave me roses and cheese curds. Because he's the best.



We went out for dinner on the 13th and I curled my hair.



I've been very crafty lately. I taught myself to wire-wrap beads and use headpins, these will be in the shop soon.



I also knit this hat with a pattern I made up myself. I might sell it in my Etsy shop in the fall. I'm knitting this same hat in green now, but sans earflaps.



I'm also making my first dress. I'm probably about half done with the muslin. I am going to use this fabric.



Last week I framed up my business certificate, just need to hang it in my study.



I painted my nails a new color this past weekend, MacArthur Park from American Apparel. I really like this color and it matches my couch!



Tuesday I took the Metra out to Joliet and sat at the top, something I don't think I've done since high school. I got anti-depressants...I'm now taking a generic of Wellbutrin. February has been especially rough for me and I finally decided to try medication. People have been more supportive than I thought they'd be, which is comforting.



Nevertheless I'll always have kitty cuddles to cheer me up. :)

Possible Skirt Fabrics

In about two weeks I'll be taking my first fashion sewing class! I'll be making a bias-cut skirt and I'm excited to finally begin sewing my own clothes. I need to find a fabric that looks good diagonally so that makes my decision a bit harder. I also want something I'd actually wear, and dark so I don't need to wear a slip. Here are a few I'm thinking about:

















UPDATE: I went with the fourth!

My Life Right Now In Webcam and Phone Pix

Sorry blog, I've been meaning to write! Life has been incredibly stressful and tiring the past two weeks, and I haven't had a lot of down time to sit and update.

I'm already getting in the groove of holiday shop-updates. I'm doing a craft fair mid-November and then the Etsy rush begins so I need to be on my toes! I am going through all of the lace I've amassed, I have tons and tons of lace that I've been either waiting for seasonally, like these snowflake earrings:



...pieces that might not work as jewelry that I've been meaning to turn into brooches, or Christmas ornaments! I'm selling lace ornaments in sets of three, and I'm excited to announce that half the proceeds will be donated to the ASPCA after they all sell. I am very passionate about animal rights and I felt especially compelled to donate after having a scare about my kitty, Seymour. Thursday was a really rough day for me; he may or may not have a lump on his back, and the vet did not have time to examine it during his annual check up.

Anyway, I've also been getting more brass and silver findings to incorporate into my work. I'm always looking to make more smaller earrings and here's a new design I'm rather smitten with:



I just have lots and lots of ideas for new lace jewelry and accessories, and I'm always interested to hear what colors or any other suggestions you have for my pieces. My winter palatte, besides black, white, gold, and silver as usual, include hot pink, ice blue, red, burgundy, and forest green.

I've also taken up knitting for the shop. I just completed this headband, my own creation (pattern and all!):




I'm in the process of a second one, and I've had a few requests for baby-sized ones too. Knitting is perfect for me to work on when I need a break from jewelry, or while I sit with the boy and watch tv.



Like the other day, when I still had some lingering bad feeling from a stomach flu. Wonder Years on Netflix and a simple project to knit in the round is a great way for me to veg out and still feel like I'm accomplishing something. ;)

Last but not least, last Saturday I took a sewing class and made this pillow:



It has a zipper and everything! I'd love to make more, and I might also take a tote bag class there, too. The purchasing of my own machine is highly possible in the near future, once I have time to stop all this crafting and rearrange my study! And I need to get on that, too, I don't know how I'll be able to navigate my study as is when I'm flooded with holiday orders.

What have you been working on lately? What has been inspiring you?

Knitty Gritty

Even though I have a million scarves already I want to make the above cowl, whose pattern is from good night day (photo above is from her her flickr). I need to do some serious yarn destashing, but I don't have time for any patterns that are too complicated or time consuming. I started a sweater last year and even after months I wasn't even close to finishing and the winter before that I tried knitting stockings.

Something mindless I can knit in front of the tv is good, and I've done feather and fan before so that's not difficult. I also am thinking of knitting some fingerless gloves and sell them in my shop...any thoughts? How do you like to destash? Fave easy patterns? Anyone know an easy sock pattern? ;)