A Very Naughty Blogger

Oh my I have been terrible at keeping this updated! Mainly because I got a job in January and it turned out to be pants! I was never home and being winter when I was home, it was dark! Today is day one of my new job with hours of 7:30-9 then 2:30-6 so I get daylight at home! I am planning to make the most of this time and get Etsy up and running again as it has fallen into disrepair! I also plan to sort out my chickens for spring breeding season and to finally break in my horses. Though Barney has been ridden a few times I want to get him pulling the sledge!

I have been instagramming a fair bit, but with the awful weather it's been hard (also called eksterhuis on there).

A few images from the past few weeks of rain!

 One of my beautiful Silver Laced Wyandotte pullets

 Kristin doesn't like the rain!

Barney in the flood waters!

Barney's Bath Day

After having time off for my foot to not to be so broken Barney is back in training. Rump roped and ready to go! Ended up giving him a bit of a bath. Next time will get the shampoo out on him. Finally getting him used to having his back legs handled so will be able to sort out his mud fever. Vicious circle of sore legs so not letting me touch them and because I can't touch them (and treat them) they are more sore!

Anyway dead proud of my big boy! He copes with new things so well!

New Years

So went out to a party last night, starting on the old resolutions (being social) a day early. Went in a sort of modern 50s kinda get up... First time with cat eye makeup in a VERY long time! Lovely to wear this dress again, even if its a bit too big... With a belt it work! Rocked the MAC Ruby Woo lipstick, which has to be my all time favourite!

Had a great time, caught up with some old friends and think I've stated the process of making a few new ones! Go 2013!

Resolutions...

Happy New Year to anyone out there who may happen across this...

It's that time of year when you do that sort of thing... This year I am hoping for things to be less stressful. Last year was a pain in the arse. Too many things went wrong or badly. Here goes, the 2013 list...

• be more social... try and meet new people and reconnect with old friends. 
• get in control of my eating, try and end the year at a lighter weight than I start!
• break in Barney.
• enjoy my job, and if I don't find one I do.
• update things more, blog and update Etsy at least once a week, connect Etsy/Twitter more, use that social media!
• de-clutter, go though all the boxes in the shed and chuck out/sell things I don't want any more.
• make my bed in the mornings (oldie but a goodie)
• make my lunch to take to work (healthy and cheaper)

I guess that's it...

Oh no it's not! 

• wear jewellery more often
• keep track of my chickens

Favourite Shops -CheriseDesign

I love reading about fellow handmade Etsy people. I'm always surprised to hear how much I have in common with them... Like this time with CheriseDesign I find common ground with shoe collecting though my huge clod hopper feet won't fit vintage shoes, I have to stick to modern shoes and old hats.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Leea and I live in Tampere, Finland with my boyfriend and 2 kitty-cats. I'm a bit of a vintage enthusiast and a shoe hoarder and I love to dance.

Describe your craft
I basically make and sell clothes. I I design and draft most of my patterns scratch, but I also use authentic vintage patterns that I alter to modern sizing.

3. How did you get started with your craft?
Well I've always been into clothing: dressing up as princesses and making little dresses for my Barbies. I guess I can thank my high school student councilor for introducing me to the idea of actually studying clothing design. I was planning to become a psychologist, but now I couldn't think of doing anything else. It was clear to me soon after I started my studies that I wanted to become an entrepreneur.

What is your earliest crafting memory?
I got one of those pink children's sewing machines when I was a kid, that I used to making clothes for my barbies. When I was old enough I got to use my mother's real sewing machine and iron.

What are your favorite materials to work with/favorite mediums?
I love the feel of silk satin, but it's a pain in the behind to work with. The most I like sewing with medium weight wools and cotton fabrics.

How did you come up with your store name?

My name was meant to be cerise (cherry in French), but I mis-spelled it and it stuck :D

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I take ballet lessons and learn to speak French. I also enjoy rummaging flea markets and sipping coffee with my friends. I also enjoy baking and trying new recipes.

I also work part time at a coffee/candy/gift shop at the local market hall. I only work there couple days a month, but I enjoy being there.

Where does your inspiration come from?
Mostly my inspiration comes from the fashions of 1930's to 1960's. My favorite decades are 40's and 50's and I love browsing magazines of the era, looking at pictures and reading blogs inspired by the era. I also enjoy reading books about vintage fashion. I also get inspired by modern people and designers, movies, music videos and fashion magazines.

What does handmade mean to you?
Handmade doesn't mean every stitch would have to be stitched by hand, but merely that the item was made by its seller and not some faceless corporation in a factory producing thousands of copies every day. That the item is unique or produced in small series. When you buy handmade you know your item was attended to with the utmost care and that your money goes to the person who deserves it.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?
I have a few pairs of vintage shoes and I love every each of them. They fit and feel so much better than any modern pair of shoes I own. I know someone put their heart in to making the shoes and that it's a proof of their craftsmanship and skill.

How do you get out of your creative ruts?
I feel the best you can do is simply take a break. Do something completely different. Many times when I have been in a rut for several days the idea finally comes to me in my sleep when I stop thinking about it. I work best after a couple of days of rest and not thinking about business, with fresh ideas and new enthusiasm.

Where would you like to be in ten years?
I would love to have a steady income from my business and I would like to have my clothing sold in at least 5 places abroad. I would also love to have a little boutique somewhere, where I could also sell other items such as shoes and purses to compliment my own collections. I hold it a possibility to move to France, where my boyfriend is from, someday and open a shop somewhere near Paris.

Where can you be found on-line? (besides on Etsy)
I have my own web shop at www.cherise.eu. You can also find my items in England at www.pinuppolly.com and in Sweden at www.butikprimavara.se

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
Humm, that's a tough one. I appear shy to new people, but I enjoy performing enormously. I love to act and dance on the stage, but holding a speech in front of a crowd would be a nightmare.

Favourite Shops - Chick-Lit Designs

 Oh gosh wow I want to buy so many things from Chick-Lit Designs store on Etsy... It makes me want a iPad, just to get a cover to match! I have a bit of a soft spot for the White Stallion of Lipizza!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

 My name is Michelle. I’m a first generation American with roots in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. I live in a little house in the suburbs of Gilbert, AZ, with my husband. I love to travel the world and study different cultures. In the past few years, I have found that creating handmade items is a huge passion for me. I am constantly thinking of what I can make next, and I spend hours in my studio – it is like therapy to me. I can hardly wait to see the finished product. When I do finally finish a project, I’m so completely excited that I have to run to my husband and show it off!

Describe your craft

   make handbags, clutches, ereader covers and iPad covers out of used books!

How did you get started with your craft?

 I discovered Etsy a few years ago when I was trying to find a way to make extra money to send to my parents during a difficult time. I have always been interested in turning old objects into something unique and different- so i opened up my shop and would send my parents the money I would receive from the profits. Eventually, my parents told me to stop sending them money, but I couldn’t pull myself away from my shop – it has become a part of who I am.

What is your earliest crafting memory?

  I've always been crafting! It's hard to say what my earliest memory was... I think when I was about 5 years old I made a little dinosaur out clay in grade school. I still have that little dinosaur- I'm still surprised at how good it turned out!

What are your favorite materials to work with/favorite mediums?

  Definiately books and fabric. I love finding a fun,unique old book and then finding the perfect fabric to match the book!

How did you come up with your store name?

 I used to have another shop with a horrible store name- so i just recently re-openend a new shop called "Chick-Lit Designs" . I wanted something catchy that was related to books. And I Love my Chick-Lit's!

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

 I have a full-time job as an advisor working for a company that sends American college students abroad to study other cultures in the foreign countries.

Where does your inspiration come from?

 I’m inspired every day by vintage items, bookstores, colors and patterns. Just looking at an interesting pattern can really drive my creativity. I’m also inspired by Etsy. It’s a complete melting pot of creativity and a place where I can be myself and create. Not only is it allowing me to follow my dreams, but I see the community it has created with other sellers.

What does handmade mean to you?

 Handmade is my life. It’s where I came from, it will always be a part of who I am. Growing up, I remember my father making everything. We would get handmade gifts for Christmas. If my mother wanted something from the store, my dad would simply make it for her instead. Handmade to me is the passion, love and effort you put into an item: something that comes from the heart; something to remember a person by. It carries with it a history and a story.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

One Christmas, my mom asked what I wanted for Christmas. They were about to lose their house, and I didn't want them to spend any money so I asked her to make me something. She sent me a painting she made of Slovakia. I love it because of how much time she spent and all the care and thought she put into creating it. It’s now the central feature of our guest room!

How do you get out of your creative ruts?

 I try to do something relaxing — I go to the pool, watch a movie or just go somewhere to let my mind rest. After having had some time to myself, I pull up Etsy and read Quit Your Day Job posts. After reading some, I almost immediately find myself getting up to go find new books and start new projects!

Where would you like to be in ten years? 

 I would love to spend about a third of my time living in Slovakia and the rest here in the US. In both countries, I see us nestled in our own little haven surrounded by beautiful greenery, trees, and streams, but never too far from civilization. I can envision living in a peaceful area with my husband, raising our kids and making a home as special as my parents did for me. I imagine my business being even more developed, eventually leaving my day job behind and making my creative passion a full and complete priority. I’m so interested to see what exciting things will develop for me, my business, and my family in the next ten years!

Where can you be found online? (besides on Etsy)

 I'm currently only on etsy, however my husband is helping me create my own website. I'm not sure when it will be fully running... but hopefully soon!

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?

 I was an extra in the movie "The Notebook". I was also a Stand-In for Judy Greer in the Lifetime mini-series "Maneater". :)

What did you like to do when you aren't crafting?  

 In my free time, I am obsessed with international travel. I love to read, watch movies with my husband, and do geeky things like visit waterparks or play mini golf. I love going on picnics and visiting local cultural events like the Polish festival or Oktoberfest.

Baby chickens and Instragram

 Splash Silkie Chick

Belgian d'Uccle Bantams

Blue Silkie Chick