Monday, November 22, 2010

Sooooo, about the bags...

You may have noticed that I've switched gears in my shop and have been listing doll after doll and nothing in the way of bags. I started preparing for a boutique a few weeks ago, focusing on dolls because I already had a good back stock of bags. And the boutique hostess specifically mentioned that she thought dolls might be a good seller at the boutique. Now I've become totally addicted and don't really have any desire to go back to bags so I need to think about the future of Crafty Mama Creations.

I've been making and selling my bags for almost 6 years. Damn, I hadn't really thought about it until I typed that sentence and didn't realize I had been "Crafty Mama" for so long. Back when I first started on Ebay (where I "met" Jona!), there was far less competition and dare I say less crappy, under-priced product out there. I love Etsy and it provides a great part-time income for me but it's so over-saturated by bag makers now, it's really hard to make and sell something original.

Making dolls seems to be working a lot better for my family's lifestyle. I already spend 10-15 hours a week at my sewing desk for my other work at home job, it's nice to be able to work on something more portable than bags. I can cut and stuff doll bits and pieces in my yard while watching the girls play or on the couch at night while watching "Modern Family" with Crafty Pops (I just re-watched Mitch's flash mob this morning:) ). My girls have gotten involved with the doll-making process too, helping me choose hair color and outfits.

So, I'll be doing a lot of thinking over the holiday week and trying to determine where I see Crafty Mama Creations going. I have an excitement and enthusiasm for these dolls that I just don't really have for bags anymore. I mean, who wouldn't want dozens of these smiling faces in their craft room?

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Scenes from our yard today

Hanging out
Enjoying our awesome beach weather
Cutting bits and pieces for more dolls
Playing "store" with Matea

Sunday, November 14, 2010

He's Rockabilly, Baby!

Is the whole rockabilly thing popular all over the country or is it mainly a California thing? I mean, I'm totally young and cool and know all of the trends everywhere, I'm just wondering if you do:)

My in laws are way into the car show scene and the rockabilly thing is huge. On the rare occasion that Crafty Papa can convince me to attend a show with him, I mainly people watch and check out all of the rockabilly outfits, hair and makeup. Some people are really, really serious about the look and go all out.

Anyway, here's a little rockabilly baby boy who I think is just adorable (and he looks a little like Crafty Pop's without the goatee).

I made him using Wee Wonderful's Eddie pattern and discovered that he's smaller than the girl doll pattern which is a bummer. If I put the two of them next to each other, she kind of looks like she's going to lean over and take a bite out of his head. I'm totally seeing some girl-boy pairs in the future so I'm working on making my own boy clothes patterns to fit a larger doll. Then I'll have to make myself and Crafty Papa into dolls and set them on our bed. He'll be creeped out but it's just the kind of cheesiness I love.

I've been getting lots of emails for info. on custom dolls, especially for Christmas gifts. I love all of the awesome feedback and am really happy customers are finding the dolls just as adorable as I do. Thanks!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Crafty Mama Featured in Etsy Treasuries:)

'A Handmade Doll For Christmas' by OhSewNice

Thinking of my daughters who want baby dolls for Christmas!


Fairy in Pink handmade ...
$32.00

Girl Doll, Cute Dress, ...
$42.00

Hearts O Plenty Pink Pi...
$25.00

Anna the Gnome
$75.00

Lulu the Dollie
$65.00

Tooth Guardian Angel Ke...
$42.00

Organic Sleepy Bunny in...
$75.00

Custom Hand Painted Woo...
$48.00

Organic Waldorf Doll 10...
$38.00

The Pearl Girl
$55.00

Toy Pouch Sling Baby Do...
$13.00

Security Blanket Lovie ...
$30.00

Mitsie the New Modder D...
$52.50

Garden time Annie Doll
$36.00

My Little Dolly - Blond...
$25.00

Jonesy the Pirate
$38.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.




'Candy Canes for Kids - minus the cane!' by BBsForBabies

Let your kids enjoy everything about candy canes - without the sugar!


Santa's Helper Mons...
$35.00

Candy Cane Ribbon Woven...
$6.00

Red and White Candy Can...
$11.99

Pair of layered red and...
$9.00

Handmade plush polar be...
$35.00

Candy Cane Stripe Chris...
$48.50

MINI Boutique Doubled L...
$12.95

Vintage Cowboy Baby Boo...
$28.00

red and white check pea...
$40.00

Santas Little Helper St...
$21.00

Baby brogue - white / ...
$26.00

BABY n RED...vintage re...
$10.00

Candy Cane Christmas Do...
$25.00

red white striped baby ...
$42.50

NEW Merry the Christmas...
$26.00

2 to 4 years Childs Sco...
$20.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Blood, sweat, tears and...



skin in every bag?

Yeah, it's gross but I seem to have a habit of burning myself badly on the iron. I burned the top of my hand today and it bubbled and blistered within an hour. My new battle wound is just a few inches away from this summer's burn scar on my wrist.Crafty Papa says I need to start wearing protective gear when I sew.

In other news, it just occurred to me this week that I actually need to make the handmade gifts I'm giving this holiday season. Funny how that works. I made this funky Christmas wreath today for a gift. It might be too funky for the recipient since I added a few feathers but I just couldn't help myself.



I wish my front door wasn't so ugly so I could hang a huge, funky wreath. Unfortunately, it would just draw attention to weathered paint and splintered wood.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Recipes please!

This weekend we went out of town to visit family and steal their home-grown produce.

My Grandma has three apple trees with tons and tons of fruit and a sad little pear tree that isn't producing much. We picked as many apples as we could carry which ended up being almost 20 pounds! Crafty Papa kept telling me to stop and that I was taking more than we can eat so now I have to prove him wrong. Maybe he thinks apples spoil quickly?

So now I'm on the hunt for some yummy apple recipes. Bonus points if it's low calorie and triple points if it uses pomegranates too. Why? Because we also took 8 huge pomegranates from my in laws.
Any tips for getting the seeds out without splattering red juice all over my tiny kitchen?

I'm determined to get my Grandma's pear tree producing so we're going to do some online research about pruning, pests, etc. And don't feel bad for my family, we have our own garden so we can trade with them. We've harvested an entire dozen pinto beans that we accidentally planted so we can give my Grandma and inlaws three each. If they save their beans, they may end up with a whole serving in a year!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Friday Freebie

Who doesn't love free stuff?!

All orders placed in my shop by midnight tonight will receive a free mini zippy wallet!

Mini zipper wallets area a new product I'm offering. Great for times when you don't want to carry your purse and the perfect size for children too. Buy them as stocking stuffers or give them with gift cards tucked inside at Christmas (that's what I'm doing for my niece).

The main pocket is closed with a zipper and intended to hold cash and change. The front pocket is secured with a snap and holds your drivers license and other cards. You can find more details here.

I'll be listing lots more of these today but please note that I cannot take any fabric requests for the freebie. Happy shopping!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Babies




I am so loving making all of these dolls.

The possibilities are endless...pink hair, little buns, piggies sticking up, piggies hanging down, striped legs, polka dot dress...I could go on and on. I have a stack of dolls all cut out and waiting to be sewn this week. There's one little lady with bright teal wool felt hair - the color is called "peacock". Meow!

Call me crazy but I think these little babies have so much personality. Lately, I've been stuffing them at night while watching tv and then Crafty Papa and I end up with a row of leg-less, naked flannel babies on the couch with us. The other night I said to him, "Look at them all sitting there. Don't they all look so different, like they have their own personalities?". I was surprised when he agreed. Maybe we're both a little kooky?

For Christmas, each of my girls is getting a doll that looks like them and an embellished tshirt to match their baby. Handmade. One of a kind. Made with love by mama. I do take custom orders so feel free to email me if you'd like to order something similar for your little lady.

After my next batch of baby ladies is finished, I'm going to work on some little boy dolls and some kitties! I'm doing an event next month and hope to sell a bunch of these sweeties so if you have your eye on one, don't wait to buy it. Check back soon!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Happy Halloween!



Hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween!

Super Girl and Cat Woman were royal turds for most of the day, but then they put on their costumes and looked too cute to be naughty (almost).


Check my shop later today for new dolls. Super cute new dolls. Think Christmas with candy cane striped legs and fire engine red hair.