Dance Africa 2010 NY

Today I went to the Dance Africa 2010 Fair. I go every year and every year it just gets better and better. The vendors are so creative! I could spend hours just walking around looking at all the items for sale. I just wanted to buy everything! So inspiring.

But funds were low right now so all I could do is take business cards.

I did see a doll I wanted so much. This lady is so creative and everyone loved her dolls. I wanted to talk to her but there were quite a few people talking to her already. So I picked up one of her business cards.

I tried to get a good picture from her business card but it's a little dark. I believe everything on the doll is handmade. Even the shoes. It also had on jewelry and some of the dolls had real hair. I love dolls and always wanted to have my own little collection of unique dolls. I also love making dolls.

I made a series of christmas tree toppers a few years ago when my kids were little. Money was very tight at the time and christmas was not far off and there really wasn't extra money to buy gifts for my children. I started sketching doll designs and came up with the angel tree topper and a few small ornaments. I took them to my mothers job and sold everything and took orders for more. I already had the supplies I needed so it cost nothing to make. I was shocked when I made $300. ! Everyone tried to encourage me to continue selling but I was in a very bad marriage and all three of my kids had asthma. I just couldn't focus at that time. Ten years later I'm happily divorced, my chidren are now grown and I have a beautiful 4 year old grand daughter.
Since getting laid off from work my creative flow has returned and I plan to start selling again. If not this year hopfully early next year.

This is one doll I'm working on. Along with so many other designs I have yet to start on. I hope to at least finish her this week.

I'll post her when she's finish.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!

Project For My Last Bead Class

My last bead making class is this Tuesday and for the last class we have to bring in at least 2 pieces of jewlery made from the beads. It was very difficult for me to pick out the beads I made because I wasn't happy with any of the beads I made. I really wanted to make flower beads but everytime I tried it, it didn't come out right. I did like the blue beads I made so I decided to use them.

This was supposed to be a flower bead but it didn't come out right. But I liked it. Reminds me of one of those mod retro beads. I thought it was a little plain on the chain so I added a blue crystal bead and it was perfect. I almost lost the necklace a few minutes before taking this picture. Nicolas was watching me arrange the necklace to shoot the picture and thought it was something he could play with. He jumped out from under the chair and had it in his mouth that quick. My daughter came in while I was trying to pry my necklace from his mouth. We finally got the necklace from his mouth and she carried him out my room. Thank goodness he didn't break it. I tell you, having a cat is like having a 2 year old. Into everything and putting everything in their mouth.

I decided these blue beads looked nice so I made earring out of them. I wear a lot of red and blue so I added red pony beads so I can wear them with almost any outfit.

I really enjoyed making these and will continue make beads. I hope by the end of this year I can sell some to earn a little extra cash this holiday season.

Glass Beads

I've always wanted to try learning glass bead making. The classes I found were just to expensive and my work hours got in the way. While surfing around on the net last year I found a scholarship program for economically disadvantaged women who are interested in learning glass bead making to supplement their income. The program was called The Bead Project. I sent in my registration form and a few weeks later I was in. But when I asked the days and times of the classes I had to decline because my work hours got in the way. Seemed like my job got in the way of many things I wanted to do. I had to decline the class.

I was laid off last year and since the class was only once a week for 3 hours. It wouldn't get in the way of looking for employment. I signed up again and I was accepted.

I met some wonderful people and learning so much. It can be frustrating sometimes working with hot melted glass and the heat, whew it gets hot in there. But I love it!

These are the first beads I did. Yes, that tear drop shape one is supposed to be round. LOL!!!

I'm getting better. At least my beads are coming out round and not tear shaped.

My plan is to have beautiful beads by this christmas to give away as gifts and by next year be set up to sell my beads.

Too Many Greeting Cards

I love the greeting cards! I'm sure you do too. But after a while you start to rack up a lot of them and if your like me you don't want to throw them out. I had them packed up in a box in my closet. But then I started thinking, what good is that. If I want to look at them I would have to move things around pull other stuff down to get to the box.....just to much work. Some of my cards were just to nice to not look at. I tried a few times to think of different way to display them but it never worked out, until last week. I gathered a few cards, glue, ribbon, and a small and large circle punches.

I punched out curtain sections of the greeting cards I liked. I punched out two circles, a front and back.

Then I laided out a long piece of ribbon. I placed one circle behind the ribbon and dabbed on some glue. I then placed another circle on top of the glue. Like building a sandwich.

And just keep doing that until you've used all the circles you punched out. And tada! This is what you have.

A pretty garland made from all the special greeting cards you can hang on your wall. The best part is now you can display the cards without taking up shelf space and you will always be reminded of a special occasion.

Now I just have to figure out how to keep my daughter's cat Nicholas from playing with it.