Lifesavers

Have you ever had someone in your life that is just always there at the perfect time, exactly when you need them, without even having to call? I do. I met her nearly 3 years ago and I'm blessed to spend a few days of every week with her family, keeping them safe, sound, happy, and fed. Her and I do most of our "hanging out" through the phone, when she calls to check on the kids, plus our 20 minutes in the morning before she rushes off to work. A few weeks ago she showed up at my FSAM show. She was shopping with her mom and the kids, but she took over my booth for 15 minutes so I could meet some of my Etsy West Michigan Team that was at the show. In that 15 minutes I was able to meet some amazing artists, spend some money on cool stuff, and come back to find out she was selling things like crazy! Then last night, at my Grandpa's funeral, she appeared again. Like an angel she showed up as I was dragging my screaming child out of the funeral parlor, tears streaming down my face, and my husband following behind us with a "kid, quit doing this to your mother" look on his face. She had come to pay her condolences to my dad, which she quickly did, then whisked away my kid so fast to spend some time at her house. WHY did I take a 4 year old to a funeral? Who the hell knows. Lesson learned. Don't do it. And if you do, don't be so overwhelmed with the situation that you don't think to bring ANYTHING to occupy him. Somehow in my moment of grief I thought that a small ziploc of cheerios was going to keep my kid busy for hours. Ha. Haven't I ever met this kid? I know better than that. He gladly left with Ami, I think he's either sick of seeing, or just plain confused, why Mommy keeps crying this week. She was truly a lifesaver by taking him off my hands for a couple hours so I could grieve with my family like I needed to. My Grandpa was such a special man, we're all going to miss him dearly. I don't know how Ami does it, but she always shows up when I need her most. I must be doing something right to have people in my life like her! Thanks Ami!

On a sidenote... I will be at FSAM again this Sunday! (Fulton Street Artisans Market) It is located in Grand Rapids on Fulton and Fuller. My twin sis has offered to help me out with my booth too! We'll be there from 11-3 so come on down and see us! I'll be taking custom orders for Ninja Pants, and I'll have everything from my Etsy site, along with a few other things that have yet to be listed! Last time I was at FSAM I learned that I'm becoming known as 'The Pants Lady' so come on down and order a pair! Mention this blog and I'll give you $5 off or free shipping! Hope to see you there!

FSAM Fabulousness

A very blue tinted photo of my booth... without me in it. Ohhh well. I think I need bright blue table coverings. Light blue just isn't circus-y enough for me.

So Opening Day of FSAM has finally come and gone. It was such a great time! Perfect, windless, sunny weather! My Dad showed up before I did and helped a bunch of people put up tarps (he rules! Thanks Dad!) and then helped me do a bunch of set up for my booth before taking off with my bambino for the day. It was so nice to see him and so nice to meet a bunch of the ladies from my Etsy West Michigan Team. I wish I had gotten a chance to meet everyone! It was just too hard to get away from my booth since I was all alone. I saw so many teammates with their husbands there, I think it's time I put mine to work! I wonder what he'll say to becoming my craft show partner? I'm guessing..... no.

SO MANY people stopped by to say "HEY! YOU'RE THE PANTS LADY!" It was great! I had no idea so many people had seen my Ninja Pants on my site. It was such a pleasure to hear all the wonderful things people had to say about my items. One girl even pretended to karate chop me while doing ninja moves- tooo funny!

My boss stopped by and took over my booth for a few minutes so I could go say some quick hellos which was very sweet of her. She sold a whole bunch of things in the 10 minutes I was gone! I told her that maybe on weekends I should be HER boss now.

My scratcher cards were a big hit! I managed to get all 4 winners by 2pm! That means well over 100 people visited my booth! Not too bad!

I have 3 missing items as well. I really hope they weren't stolen. Who does that? I work my little booty off making things, I don't appreciate being ripped off. Fortunately one of the missing items is possibly World's Ugliest Slapash Wallet soooooo Congrats Proud Theiving Owner of an Ugly Wallet. Karma will repay you. :) Maybe that's what I deserve for making a wallet so hideous. Neon green thread... really now? No Delainie, just no.

All in all, I learned a lot, had a wonderful time, met some fantastic artists, got a tan that looks like I've been relaxing on the beach all week, and made some $. Can't complain!

Next on the agenda -- Milham Art in the Park! This show is BIG!! My partner MaryLou has been wanting to do this show for years and finally decided to go for it this year. We are splitting a booth again. I'm still trying to get my paperwork in order for it (the fax # I was given doesn't work) and then I'm in! I've already been juried and accepted, they just need me to sign stuff! I'm thinking I might take on the Avenue for the Arts in Grand Rapids coming up as well. Who wouldn't want to hang out on dirty ol Division Ave. peddling wares? Sounds like the place for me- haha!

What's that thing?

A little sneak peek at the bridal shower gift I'm making for some friends of mine! I wish I could show all of it since I *finally* finished and it's truly awesome. I hope she likes them since she asked me not to buy off her registry but didn't actually tell me what she wanted me to make. I tried to make it not too girly so he would like them too. I think I suceeded. I'm waiting for Dave to wake up and give his opinion...

The Fulton Street Artisans Market (FSAM) is kicking off on Sunday, June 14th! I've been so excited for this show -- and so very busy preparing for it! The gloomy gray weather we've been having has really been helping me get work done, hopefully we get some sunshine for the show! I had some requests for camera cases at my last show, so I whipped up this (and 2 others) today:

I should have 3-10 more Slapdash Wallets done by the end of the week. Depending on how hard I feel like working. :)

Instead of working too much on Monday, I helped the kiddos do one of my least favorite things. Baking. Not even REAL baking, since it was from a box and I only added eggs, water, and applesauce, but I did bake it, so that counts right? M&M Brownies... they weren't cool enough to cut by the time I left work so I hope there are some left when I get to work in the morning! Mmmm brownies and coffee...

Too flippin cute. That was right before we covered the counter with brownie batter dust. What a mess!

Welcome to My Circus!

I've been doing lots of custom work lately! Usually I forget to get pictures, but I finally remembered this time! I made a great trade with MomNMiaQuilts and whipped up a pink Itty Bitty Snap Pouch for her, and sold a personalized one as well!

Thanks to the lovely help from my Etsy West Michigan Team, I have realized that I am ill prepared for FSAM that kicks off on June 14th. In my typical fashion I have now gotten carried away and I'm afraid my booth may resemble a circus. It's got a ton of color! Yesterday, I made a bunting. I didn't know it was called a bunting, I was referring to it as "my triangles on a string." So technical aren't I? It's so bright and fun! I haven't added the "string" yet, just couldn't wait to share it.

I want to get it done tonight. I have a lunch date with my friend Mary Lou from Hidden Gem Studios tomorrow and I want to show her what I've got going for our shows this summer. She's my new show buddy- we are going to bank this summer and have an excellent time doing so!

My FSAM table covering is in the works as well. I decided to go with wide vertical stripes of sea green, medium blue, and tan. Possibly with this satin stitched on in black.

I think it's fantastic, but again with the circus-y feel. We shall see... what do you think?