A Handmade Business:: Preparedness

Two months of hard work = my website went live!

All feedback and constructive criticism is welcome.

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I've been conspiring with the two crafty ladies behind Madame Platypus and Milton and Margie's to address the need (and want) of members in Chicago's crafting community for greater connections, communications, and networking. We want to meet new people!

We've discussed craft shows and networking nights.

I'm ecstatic to increase my friend and business network by meeting some of the most inspiring crafters in Chicago!

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I've three craft shows in August ::

7th -- Retro on Roscoe [Roscoe Village, Chicago]

15th -- Summer Craftacular [Madison, Wisconsin]

21st-22nd -- Glenwood Ave Arts Fest [Rogers Park, Chicago]

I've been diligent in my work to ::

-- finish totes

-- makes new totes

-- update my inventory

-- plan holiday products

-- eat chocolate ice cream . . . er . . . 

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On the home front, we've ::

-- moved our bed into the second bedroom

(it's smaller and thus uses less energy to cool at night)

-- primed the basement bathroom

-- sanded and stained one shelf for my sewing room (one more to go)

-- eaten a lot of ice cream

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What is keeping you busy this summer?

Thrift Store Score:: the Aftermath

I am starting to prepare for the Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest.

It is my biggest and best festival of the season.

Located in Rogers Park, the dynamic of shoppers is eclectic and artist-supportive.

I plan my year around this fest.

In preparation, I ran to Unique Thrift Store after work on Monday.

I picked up a cart-full of tee shirts and cloth belts.

I bought no vintage goods or things for myself.

Progress.

I conducted a "fashion" show for Jimmyredhed,

which consisted of showing him each purchased piece.

I then removed each tag which created a pretty little pile destined for recycling.

Killer Queen approved.

A Handmade Business:: Etsy's Front page

My Electric Kool Aid UPCYCLED Farmers Market tote made it to the front page of Etsy.

First time ever!

Ponderings:: A Fever and a Rain Storm

It's nearly the end of July. I have a fever that won't break.

I cancelled my evening commitments to come straight home and go to bed.

I woke up sweating despite the air conditioning.

I took a cold shower.

When all else failed, I ate a bowl of chocolate ice cream and watched the rain from the sun room.

I also like to take pictures of my unsuspecting cats.

It made me feel better.

A Handmade Business :: Happy Birthday to me

A very happy third birthday to greenie bean recycle!

This little child of mine was born in July 2007.

 I was a brand new college graduate, fairly new Chicago resident, 

veteran bartender, and looking for a creative release.

My first totes were sewed on a tiny Kenmore in the living room of my Uptown apartment.

My roommate's first reaction was "Like people would pay money for that!"

I sold my first totes that summer from a card table in my front yard.

My first indoor show was that winter and after selling 20+ bags, 

I began thinking that it could go somewhere.

A dear friend of mine introduced me to etsy and I wasted no time setting up.

I've nurtured this idea and aspired to crafting full time from the beginning.

However, it has been a constant learning experience.

It has not happened overnight.

I've made few mistakes and learned from each decision.

I've time and energy into this business second only to my marriage.

It's steady growth.

We've weathered the first three years. I'm excited to see where we go together.


*I apologize for the font size. Blogger is not allowing me to make it "normal" size. 
Only smaller or larger.

A Handmade Business :: Outright.com

I made a discovery that may change my life.

At least my business life.

No, my whole life.

Today, I was scrolling through my google blog reader.

Browsing mostly.

When a post by Meylah caught my eye.

The #4 Time Management clip mentioned a website called Outright.com

I immediately visited the site, lured by Free Online Accounting Spreadsheets.

Um . . . yes, please.

Early this year, I developed an inventory system that really works for me.

I discovered that I am more meticulous at keeping inventory records by hand than electronically. 

However, I had been a consistent Excel user attempting to turn to Quickbooks for my accounting needs.

I never got the hang of Quickbooks.

As a result . . . shhhh . . . I haven't kept a single business account record this year.

Horrible, I know!

But the time was now and www.outright.com offered exactly what I needed.

SUPER easy, fill in the blank, account management.

Then they make nifty little graphs, charts, and reports to use when filing taxes.

Organizing my finances today resulted in an incredible boost in confidence, personally and professionally.

If you're looking for or thinking about business accounting, give it a try!

*I am in no way compensated for this blurb. I'm just extremely satisfied with the service!

isms:: Lilith Fair

I was twelve. My room was painted black. I hung black light posters and shopped at thrift stores. I'd shut the door to my bedroom and sing every word to Jagged Little Pill and Pieces of You. I wanted to be something more than myself.


I was nineteen. Filled with a longing to give something great, but lacking an outlet to do so. I'd shut the door to my dorm room and sing every word to Building A Mystery and I Will Remember You. I wanted to be something more than myself.


I was twenty-one. I moved to Chicago to attend the Chicago Urban Studies program. I cried the first time I heard The Rape Of The World and consequently began the struggle to embrace my role in my local society as a lower-middle class, white female. I wanted to be something more than myself.


I was twenty-three. I got married and began creating my own home, my own life. My mind expanded, my heart grew. For the first time, I sat in a crowd of people and felt comfortable in my own body and around the bodies of other women. Non-judgemental. Overcome with love and appreciation for the non-conforming, un-perfect beings in me and around me. Utterly freeing. I am a woman. I discovered other women . . . Natalie Merchant, Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, Alanis Morrisette, Sarah McLachlan, Patty Griffin, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Melissa Etheridge. A decade late. Been there and done that. Proud. I am a link in chain of world changers. I am more than myself.

I am twenty-five. Sitting unnoticed in a crowd, on a hill, a small blanket between my body and the earth. Women walking and talking and dancing past me. Holding hands, sharing embraces, kisses, drinks, smokes. Women in all forms and shapes and sizes. Proud of who they are, who they were, who they might be. Perfectly unperfect. I have arrived. truly. Heart, Mary J. Blige, Sarah McLachlan. I sang every song as clearly as I did at twelve and nineteen and twenty one and twenty three. Grateful. Proud.

I am myself.

A Handmade Business :: Holiday Sneak Peak

I miss the "holiday" boat every year.

I perpetually scramble to make totes for fall/winter shows.
I've never thought about Christmas.

I am ahead of the game this year.

*fingers crossed that it continues*

A few ideas for new items are taking shape.

Here's a sneak peak ::

Sewing [Room] Notions :: A Saturday Morning Peek Inside

I woke up without an alarm this morning. Even at 7:30am, I was refreshed and felt ready to be awake. Contrary to week days. I ran a broom through the downstairs and headed into the sewing room.

Today, things will get done.

I finished seven totes and cut out twenty+ more.

Those are the totes I finished, those that I have yet to post to my shop, and those I cut out. I set out my old Kenmore this week hoping it will work again.

These are totes I am finishing for our photo shoot in Bloomington tomorrow.

These are all the totes I sewed together . . . without pockets. Ooy.

Can I blame it on the heat?

DIY:: Upcycled Produce Bag

We have accumulated numerous mesh, canvas, camping chairs over the years. These chairs are on sale every summer and we inevitably buy more as they break from season to season. The frames are flimsy and accident prone. Nevertheless, our household boasts quite the collection.

like this one from Target.

Jimmyredhed and I held a yard sale the last weekend in June. Like clockwork, one of us splayed out in the grass as a result of a collapsed chair. We tossed the metal frame in the alley (a joy of Chicago culture) and it was gone before we reentered the gate. The canvas and mesh cover is very durable, however. I absolutely could not justify throwing it out. It resided in our front hallway until tonight when I decided to whip up a produce bag. 

This is not exactly a tutorial as I did not take any before pictures. Oops.

The mesh is a breathable yet sturdy material. I have been wanting a mesh tote to take to our local fruit market for produce. I don't like tossing my fruits and veggies in the cart as they get smashed by boxes and jars.

I laid out this one-piece material with the right sides together. After determining how wide I wanted the tote (based on the natural seems), I sewed double seams on each side. I trimmed the extra and stitched on an extra long strap I had previously sewn. I wanted it to be long enough for Jimmy as well. 

It's rough and raw, but will work splendidly for our purposes.

Your thoughts?

A Handmade Life:: Goals and Redirection

Daily joy has defined the large majority of my days over the last six months. I am living the life I desire :: a handmade home and business. Historically, transitions are stressful periods in my life as a rush to end one thing (be it work, friendships, or moves for example) is immediately followed with a jump into the next . . . with both feet. This current life transition has been slow and has allowed me the time, energy, and insight to choose daily joy. I am grateful.


However, stress inevitably reenters my life uninvited. This usually occurs when things are falling into place and moving along really well. To me, stress manifests itself in busyness and an overwhelmed spirit. It is difficult to view the road ahead of me clearly and concisely. As I get overwhelmed, the motivation and positivity lends itself to tiredness and complacency.  I lost interest.


It takes a few days or weeks to notice this shift in my spirit for what it is :: uninvited stress. When it becomes clear, I have a very simple remedy. I stop. Literally. I stop what I am doing. I clear my calendar to the best of my ability. I begin tuning into my body by focusing on its need for rest and good, nourishing food. I try to treat my body well by taking in yoga, long walks, even time in the garden to reconnect my hands with earth. Literally.


Then I turn to my mind, my spirit. As a visual and experiential learner, I write out and categorize my thoughts to organize my thoughts. I first focus on the positives -- the things I am currently doing that I enjoy doing.

Currently, I am enjoying sewing, my home, my non-shopping pledge, and visiting my family in Cuba (IL) once a month. I am choosing every day happiness and I am proud of that. Renewed by that.

The identification and naming of each stress helps me deal with each one and rid it from my mind. I recenter my long-term goals and focus on short-term goals to help me get there. 

Once on paper, everything seems manageable. My mind is clear, my abilities focused. I'm ready to enter another day. Motivated.

Daily Snapshot:: Day Off

I am on Day 18 of not spending a day at home. 

My current desires are sleeping in (in air conditioning), wearing pajamas all day, showering after noon, cooking supper, laying on the couch and reading, taking a nap (x10), sitting in the yard, mopping the floors, cleaning the basement . . . 

My home is calling me.

Happiness in the midst of a trying two weeks has manifested itself in the form of two scraps of paper.

My husband's to-do list (which he created himself) that he has been plowing through and enthusiastically crossing things off! This means many things are being done in the yard! The huge pile of wood is gone, I mowed and raked the debris last night. Jimmy also cut down one of our bushes!

A little note that was tucked into this booking I have been anxiously waiting to read! 

Daily Snapshot:: Heat.

some days the heat is overwhelming. other days it's the daydreams. 

A Friday Ritual

{this moment}

my very first homegrown eggplant.

A Friday Ritual via soulemama

A Handmade Home:: homesteading 101

15 and hormonal found me daydreaming in geometry class with my friend Andrea, drawing pictures of farmhouses and mile long driveways, swearing to marry redheaded farmers. Although the dream was never forgotten, I married my redheaded city boy and moved to Chicago with crops and tractors the furthest from my mind. Imagine my happiness when we up and moved into a huge red converted barn house, smack dab in the middle of the Windy City last December!

In the past couple years, the draw of the "simple life" has been a constant beckon and one I have slowly embraced through the seasons. We began vermi-composting in our apartment, stepped up the efforts in our house, and added a raised bed to the mix. The plans for the rest of this summer include adding more raised beds, planting raspberry bushes (which I did), and preserving some of my produce for our winter meals.

This past weekend further cemented (or planted -- depending on whether you're from the city or the country). Four days full of family, old friends, sharing, bartering, and lessons in slow-living, homemakin', and homesteading.

I met up with my former girl scout leader for a nice chat and took home some beautiful fabrics that used to belong to her mother-in-law.

Joyce and I

I spent the remainder of Friday with my mom, stopping by yard sales, a trip to Goodwill, and running out to Farm King to pick up some canning jars.

                               

We woke up early on Saturday to run out to the Amish Homestead Bakery. I scored big on dried lavender and peppermint. Then we headed out to Dawndra's for our Homesteading 101 course. Dawndra is a beautiful soul I met at Coal Creek Bible Church circa 2001. She lives way out in the country and has been a practicing homesteader for essentially her whole married life.

                                              

She taught my mom and I how to make and can peach jam and presented us with a wealth of information on food preservation, gardening, and canning. Even my mom was interested!

She let me try my hand at making spinach noodles using some of my own harvest and her oldest daughter Megan was quite the mentor, teaching me how to make egg noodles. She gave me so many great pointers and was really inspiring. It brought a seemingly unobtainable practice into my kitchen!

                                     

The weekend was further enriched with baking bread with my mom, fishing with my dad and making my own laundry soap (which works great)!

Today, I find myself extremely reflective (as I get after new experiences), wondering how I can incorporate and keep some of these practices in my daily living. I appreciate those who teach me valuable skills and hope to get to a place where I can pass on these skills down the road.