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Shelbyville, Tennessee ~ Friday, November 21, 2008
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crafty rambling
Posted Wednesday, August 6, 2008, at 12:44 PM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
As most of you who regularly read my TG blog know, I'm obsessed with crafting. I haven't been knitting much, mostly because it's way too hot out to think about woolen items. If I could knit a fan that worked and kept me cool, then things would be different.
So, anyway, I was in a bit of a crafting lull this summer and only recently started making things like crazy again. I thought I would post some of my newest made things - some are not so good, but others I really like.
I'm obsessed with making these. I love that it's so easy and I can do it whilst watching tv or a movie. I also love that it uses up my old fabric scraps.
It's supposed to be a flower brooch. I like that it's decontructed, but I think this design needs a bit more work.
I also tried to make a sock monkey. This was my first attempt. He's kind of wonky, but that did not stop my dogs from wanting to eat him. I think I have a new sock monkey making obsession - you know I'll be scouring the hour looking for matching pairs of socks this weekend (matching being the key word, because at my house, matching socks rarely happens).
Anyway, while still on this subject - is there anyone who would want to maybe get together and do some crafting? I miss having crafty friends nearby and this would be a good way for us crafty types to both meet new people and get some new skills. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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This last fella looks familiar. Those buttons look remarkably smooth. To what are they attached?
A "wonky monkey"? Dang, that domain name's already taken. It would have been a good one though.
It's good to see local people working on crafts though. Maybe we can have some real artisans at the crafts fair this year rather than a bunch of flea market booths.
what crafts fair?
Are you talking about the craft fair at Bell Buckle in October?
Yep. I was really speaking more of the flea market type booths that some people let set up in their yards. I didn't make it over to the school for the juried show, but I will definitely make it there this year. From what my wife said, the juried show was really great. I just think that people should set up booths at a crafts fair for actual arts and crafts.
Steve, in the top picture? They're attached to bobby pins - to use in one's hair.
Thom and Sharon - I don't think my items would pass the jury selction for the Bell Buckle craft fair, and if they did, I doubt I could afford the booth fee (I've heard it's super expensive).
I am crafty but more with the sewing machine. I make baby slings, nursing covers, and now tote bags. I'll see if I can post a picture of my slings. I was set up at the Bell Buckle craft fair last year, and plan on doing so again this year.
cfrich, you should see if you can get a booth next to me! =) Last year I was next to a guy that played really LOUD Poaka(sp?) music, and had a head ache by 10:00am. He is moving to a different spot, so that spot is not vacant. Oh, and some advice on the sock monkeys...if you plan on making then for children, it may be better to embroidry the eyes on, cuz buttons are choking hazards. =)
I did really well last year at the craft fair. I do have to agree that I wish there were more crafters, than flea market dealers. I think there was a purse seller at every turning corner! When I set up at the flea market in Nashville, I saw the exact same people that were at the craft fair!
I think people these days are too busy to put time into crafts the way the older generation does.
Mary -
Do you have a contact name for the craft fair? I never really looked into selling at any craft fairs in this area - I mostly sell in Nashville. When you sold at the Bell Buckle fair last year, did you make back your booth fee? I'm about to call my friend google to ask about the Bell Buckle craft fair in a second, maybe I'll find some information there.
So, the Bell Buckle Craft fair is different than the Webb School craft fair, is that right?
Okay, I think I found it and it is the Webb School craft fair - I missed the application dealine by about a month. I've heard from people in Nashville that it's really hard to get into that craft fair.
Also, Mary, I've been meaning to go to Walmart to try and get ahold of you, would you mind emailing me - hartleby (at) gmail.com - replace the (at) with the @, as you probably guessed.
Hey, ok, I did not apply for the craft fair through the city. They are VERY picky about who they let set up, and turn down a lot of people. I set up in a ladies yard right in front of Webb, and did REALLY good! I'll email you my earnings, but I deffinately made back my money. She charges $100 for the weekend. The city charges $150-$160, I think. You'll need to have your tax information. If you don't have that, then there is a place set up at the craft fair for you to pay taxes on your earnings, so no big deal.
I'll email you the ladies number tomorrow if you want it. I have to work tonight, so I won't have time until then. She is an old woman, and SUPER nice, and her location is superb!
Yeah, I would like the info. Thanks. Are you working at the Walmart? I have to go there to pick up some stuffing - I was going to go tomorrow, I might swing by tonight (so I get the added bonus of seeing someone I know).
I'd like to see more craft pics.
Could we have some kind of craft place (on the square or wherever) where people could take classes,make their crafts and display or sell what they create?
I know the Fly,the Knit Kit and the Arts,Antiques and Collectibles Mall all do a little of that.
I guess I'd like to see some "official" venues for all ages year-round.
I'm as un-crafty as they come but I'd like to buy homemade vittles,artwork,etc.
(Especially items suitable for Red Hats,steampunk and charitable donations such as clothing for preemies,military personnel and others in need.)
We could get a nice synergy going among our different groups if we could showcase people making doghouses and cat gyms and adoptable pets at the same event,gardeners and home decor fans alongside realtors,cooks next to the truck farmers and items for children next to medical or educational booths.
Think of scrapbooking or re-enacting groups next to the history and genealogy clubs.
I'm sure there are other likely links that could be made if we had a certain time or place where we could be made aware of these interest groups and what they have to offer.
I would love to open up my own store selling my slings, and other baby items. I would also love to sell organic fabrics, along with organic foods (locally grown to support local farmers), and other similar items. I would love to teach young girls and boys how to sew or craft. cfrich can vendor in my future store. =)
The thing is, these types of stores are not very popular when you have a lot of competition. I know the store wouldn't make it very long, especially in today's market. So, my dreams are on hold until things get better for the market, and for us. I'll just continue to sell by word of mouth.
Mary - Funny, I want to open a similar store, only it would have crafty items and sometimes food when I felt like making things, and it would have classes on different arts and crafts.
quantumcat - you have some good ideas. I think that maybe if some people in the community partnered up with maybe the Fly and offered to teach some classes in areas that they know about then we could have a vibrant arts community in Bedford County.
Think of scrapbooking or re-enacting groups next to the history and genealogy clubs.
-- Posted by quantumcat on Thu, Aug 7, 2008, at 11:02 PM
I'm all for scrapbooking, or any crafting, I just need motivation. I've LOTS of family history and photos I need to "scrap" but, here at home, there is ALWAYS something else that needs doing.
I'd LOVE to take some sewing, ribbon embroidery or crochet classes also. (I already cross-stich).
Anyone on here belong to an area FCE club?
What is an FCE club?
FCE is the modern equivalent to home demonstration clubs. It is began around 75 years ago. Here's a web site about the history of Bedford County's FCE: http://www.tafce.org/history/bedford_his....
Hope this helps.
ooops, I forgot to check back here.
Thanks Sharon 22!
Thats correct. I think it stands for Family/Community Education now but not certain.
The t-g puts the reports of the different communities FCE club activities in the print edition each month.
The FCE clubs sharing information and teaching people things sounds really fun. I don't think they had those in my hometown (maybe because the town was too big).