Some great finds

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

The month is almost out and I haven't had time to post as much as I had wanted to. Where does the time go? So much to do and so little time.
There are a few things that I happened across that I want to post about because they show the work of some very accomplished artists.

I came across this site somehow and I am quite amazed at what is on it. Glitter and Grunge has a selection is very unique to say the least. Missy Ballance makes lots of things crafty and I am so inspired just looking at her excellent work. Missy's abilities are not only in the vein of craft as she is also running a thriving business revolving around her work. Her work which includes possibly the cutest little bears and bunnies and other creatures that I've seen in a while. A bonus of it is she has created a venue for other crafty-types to sell their wares as well in Glitter and Grunge. To see more about the artist co-op check out Indie-o-Rama for an interview with Missy.


I would say it is similar to what Etsy does for crafters, bet WAY better because you can actually see the details of work for purchase. I find Etsy to be to overwhelming with choice and things definitely tend to be very underpriced in my opinion. I much prefer the stylish and streamlined look of Glitter and Grunge.

Lunch and Learn Reviewed

Saturday, January 20, 2007

The event that I went to today was very inspiring. Sandra Wilson was a great speaker and so down to earth. She explained how she took a great ideas and took it to a new level using some very basic but sound business practices. Hard to believe that the business she started in her basement a few years ago has flourished into a booming enterprise that has netted millions and is still growing. Sandra remains a very real and approachable person despite her fame and fortune!

The Lunch and Learn was also fabulous because I met so many great people that are all women and (for the most part) Moms. It was really a great networking experience and wonderful to see so many people that were genuinely interested in each other's goals and so sharing and supportive of each other. This was one of those days that makes me breathe a sigh of relief and reminds me that I am on the right path in my venture. Kelley must be very proud and happy that the luncheon was so well received.

There was quite a bit of interest in my wares and I got some great feedback. The demographic was right on target too, so I was again reminded that there is interest in the area that I am forging head-on into. Sandra and her PR assistant, were quite forthcoming with some great tips on how to get the word out without having to fork out the high costs of advertising.

I also met some other great exhibitors and other contacts. Jennifer and Melissa have some awesome products in their uber-cute line of baby goodies, called Goober Baby Designs. There was also Jane who has the Bra(g). The travel bag for your intimates! Always a conversation piece, I'm sure. There were others too, but maybe I'll save those for another post.

Big Thanks goes out to my "Holmesy", Jodie for her help. I think she was equally inspired by the whole experience as well.

More on The Tag Project

Monday, January 15, 2007

Got Seasonal cards hanging around and don't know what to do with them? Why not send them to someone who can put them to good use! I have started a great project that reuses previously enjoyed cards, turning them into lovely gift tags that can be used next season! Kids are going to be running the show on this program because the older kids can do the actual work and learn a thing or two about making something useful that incorporates recycling and raises funds for a good cause.

So help us make these -







Into these fab tags. This bunch of tags was made from just one Christmas card. Imagine what we can do with a whole lot more! Tell all your friends and family! Leave a comment and I will send you an adress where you can send us your cards.
The tags will be sold next season for cash that will go into the pot for extracurricular programs. One set consists of 10 tags and the price next season will likely be $1 per package of 10 tags. You can rest easily knowing that your previously enjoyed seasonal cards will be going to a worthy cause that demonstrates the value of recycling to grade schoolers.
Thanks and I hope to see those comments soon!

**Update: You will have to email me to get the mailing address. Email here:
ds4334 at yahoo dot ca
Thanks for all the support!

It's De-Lurking Week

Friday, January 12, 2007

Apparently.
January 8th to 12th is National De-Lurking Week. (Who knew? Not I, I tell you until I went here.)
Last day for any "lurkers" to comment. Coincides nicely with my Cozy Contest, no?
So get to it, my loyal readers.
(Did you get my sarcasm there? Anyone?... Echoe?.......Echoe,..... Echoe....)

Wow!
Three posts in one day! Are the planets aligned or something?

A New Recycling Project

I have started a new recycling project that is meant to raise funds for our local Community Association (read school, preschool and related programs).

I posted on Craigs List requesting people send in their used seasonal and holday cards for a project that will turn the cards into great gift tags using my tag punch. After working at it for 10 months we will have great stock available for purchase for next season.

The project is easy enough that the kids can do most of the production work. This will also teach them the value of recycling and finding valuable resources (read ca$h money) from what would otherwise be at the very least blue-box filler.

Thanks to Moe who responded to the CraigsList post, I also got a tipped off to the ChangeEverything.ca site. I have signed up and started posting for the resolution challenge, assuming I completed the steps right. Hopefully there will be some more interest as the CraigsList post did not get the response I had hope for but I will continue to post there as well.

Pics of the Tag Project will be up soon. Momentarily even.

I Am Officially Published!

So a while back I wrote a dandy little article on the benefits of hemp as a fashion-able fibre. (I think I "coined" a new one there!) It was for Re:Connection Magazine which is an online publication from the fabulously talented Nicole Carere here in Vancouver. The winter issue is finally up and running and my article can be seen here. Nicole also put up a great little profile of me with some more pics for all too see here.

As a little test to see if anyone actually reads this blog, I am putting on a little contest. If you read my article on the Re:Connection site and email me some info about the Chinese symbol for hemp you will receive one of my fab and famous coffee cozies for your enjoyment. The first 5 (that's five) people who respond who are not related to me or I have not dated (you know who you are!) are the winners as I only have five cozies to spare at the moment. (Can't keep the darned good things on the shelves!) Email with the heading "Cozy Blog Contest" in the subject line.

I am late in posting this tidbit but the Lunch & Learn event that I am exhibiting at in WhiteRock is fast approaching. My loyal readers might remember something about it back in November but that got postponed due to a snowstorm. The new date is on Saturday, January 10th from 12:30 to 3:30. The event is being put on by author and "mompreneur" Kelley Scarsbrook and featured speaker is Sandra Wilson, founder of Robeez Footwear. I am busy sewing for that big event. Thanks to Babyvibe.ca for putting me onto that one in the first place.

Wow, look at all the links in this post! And not (quite) all back to me. I love linkage.

Can You Believe It?..., I am Mystique!

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Too funny! I would agree withthis if it didn't say the part about being a deceiving vixen. Honestly!


Your results:
You are Mystique



































Mystique
96%
Dark Phoenix
69%
Apocalypse
67%
Poison Ivy
61%
Juggernaut
60%
Magneto
59%
Dr. Doom
57%
Green Goblin
56%
Catwoman
55%
Venom
54%
The Joker
51%
Kingpin
49%
Two-Face
48%
Lex Luthor
42%
Mr. Freeze
36%
Riddler
35%
Sometimes motherly, sometimes a beautiful companion, but most of the time a deceiving vixen.


Click here to take the Supervillain Personality Quiz