NigatsuBebe - Crafting for a Cause

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2011-03-04T23:13:00.002-05:00

For ten years, my mother spend so much time doing all kinds of shit that she never had time to be a mother.

For ten years, your mother spent so much time being a mother to all of us that she never had time for herself.

So what do you say to that? What can anyone say? Words only express fragments of ideas, fog compared to frosted glass.

Introducing Bebe Taian!

2010-11-02T01:12:00.003-04:00

Bebe Taian is my newest venture. For the longest time I have wanted to sell kimono and Japanese new and vintage items. Now is my chance! Finally, I was able to sink some money into the project. It only fits that I should have a new blog as well! But don't worry, it isn't all talk of sales. A lot of it will be about culture, trends, and kimono. <3

Bebe Taian - http://bebetaian.blogspot.com/

this is a test.

2010-06-14T21:25:00.001-04:00

It is only a test.

I kind of want to do a 'net show.

2009-12-31T23:04:00.002-05:00

You know, a periodic cam show on topics of interest, namely, culture and fashion. Two topics I'm actually pretty big on- while you'll never see me following the latest runway styles, and I rarely shop for new clothes, I do really love my ideas of style.

"High" fashion I see little point to. It's impractical, gaudy, unrealistic, and far too expensive. No one actually wears it! Unless you're a celebrity like Lady Gaga, in which case, you yourself are probably a little impractical and gaudy.

I saw a gold dress in International Mall a few years back for over $2,000. It was two feet too long for me, and the size 0 waist could fit around my thigh. For reference, my actual waist is only about 24". Even if I had the money, it wouldn't work. Besides, if I'm going to spend that kind of money, I want REAL art! And naturally, I have fallen in love with a country of dying art.

Japanese traditional kimono makers, wig and hair stylists, and hairpin makers are almost nonexistent today. I collect antique kimono over modern ones not only because I love the style more, but because I know they were made in Japan by an artist who studied for years to do what they loved and dedicated themselves to. They were artists! And an artist is never satisfied- he is never good enough, never dedicated enough to his work. Every piece is a part of his imagination, every line a careful stroke of dye. Have you ever heard of shibori? It's like tie dye- but instead of a few rubber bands in large, looping circles, it's thousands of minuscule threads endlessly wrapped and resist-dyed to form gorgeous patterns. One day, I hope to be lucky enough to own one of these fabulous pieces.

But it isn't only Japanese culture through clothing that I want to explore. It's various styles of Middle Eastern women's clothing- contrary to what the news portrays, those women in Saudi Arabia have some very, very decadent clothes. The black abaya can be very formal and modest, but the higher-end ones are often hand-beaded in heavy, intricate patterns in gold, red, green, silver... they are beautiful. And gauzy, floating as the person walks. Also, despite how counterintuitive some think it is, the hijab can be very comfortable and wearable, even in Florida heat. It protects the hair and parts of the face from sun damage, something Arabic women knew allllll about. I'd also like to see many styles of Indian clothing! I used to own a few sari that I loved, but I have since given one away, and have no idea what happened to the other. I know I had it when I moved in with my husband over a year ago, but where is it now? I have no idea.

But, I have no idea how to do this. Surely, with a webcam of some sorts- but programs? Editing? I have no idea where to even begin. I've never done something like this before. But at some point, I would like to try. Perhaps a twice-monthly video or something, whenever I get something new or have time to make a good video. I don't want to do something gabby and filled with "you know..." and giggles like some girls' Youtube videos. "OMG I LOVE it!!1" every ten seconds. You know the ones. I want something fun and informative! To write it well, and to demonstrate as well. And most of all, I want to take something back from them too- comments from viewers who have more ideas, corrections, additional information for a second show. Something new and interesting.

Do you think this will be possible?

<3

Taisho Kimono Love

2009-12-20T15:57:00.002-05:00

I'm in love with Taisho kimono. Before, I wasn't- the bright colours and odd patterns didn't really appeal to me at all. I liked faded, muted colours with simple patterns, or black. Thus, why my first few kimono were kurotomesode. I was old before I was elderly. But now, I embrace the Taisho spirit- artistic, flamboyant, at a time when new dyes and colours were first being introduced to Japan. For the first time, use of colour amongst all ages was possible, and gone were the faded grey-blues, blacks, and whites of Meiji era. The pastel days would not return in such vogue again until the 60's-70's, when a stark neon green or deep red was the closest anyone would get to bold, vibrant colour.

Today, of course, colours are bright and spectacular on kimono. However, they do not have the same feel to me- I have owned some contemporary kimono, and it really isn't the same. With the prevalance of unbreathing synthetics, the overdone and repetitive patterns and... they're all the same. I don't know who is left designing these days, but geesh. The kimono are not usually even made in Japan anymore; they're made overseas with Brazilian or Chinese silks and rayons, polyesters, or acrylics. They feel awful to wear, although they may be less prone to wrinkling and sometimes sit nicer. However, they most certainly do not have the ventilation that natural silks and wools do, and they do not move or drape the same way that natural fabrics do. Despite all of their modern splendor, they are, for lack of better terms, inferior.

I realise that today's economy perhaps cannot support the expense of ceremonial kimono made by artisans, however, I think this is largely because of the lack of artisans in the country. There are fewer than ten kimono makers in all of Japan, fewer than five traditional kanzashi makers, and fewer and fewer oboko and professional shoe makers. Many items we see today are mass-produced and machine-made. This drops the price (although not by much, it seems) but the quality and workmanship suffers. It has put people out of jobs, and worse, is causing a massive loss of their unique traditional culture. The last great patrons of these traditional artists are the geiko of Kyoto, who may buy dozens of kimono each year, per person, each one designed and handmade for them. Without the geiko spending so much on these traditional art pieces, there will be no point to produce anymore- there will be no one to buy, and no reason to pass on the trade. Many artists have already given up on training apprentices; it sometimes takes decades to train someone properly in the art, and many artists are elderly. They literally don't have time to train newcomers. The geiko population is dwindling to almost nothing as well, and when they go, so will the last bastions of their culture.

So with this in mind, I have my mission of preserving old kimono as best as I can, and especially showing my love of Taisho-era pieces. They make me feel young. Taisho often had bright, but sometimes more luxurious and sophisticated patterns. Many kimono, of course, had a art deco-modern look with colours and patterns that bordered on gaudy, but many surviving Taisho kimono also have wonderful traditional patterns from when kimono were still changed every month or every season. It is difficult to find them without large stains or damage; Taisho kimono had to survive a lot to get this far!

There was a great earthquake on Sept. 1 of 1923 (Taisho 1912-1926), one of the greatest in world history, that hit the Kanto plain, destroying Tokyo, Yokohama, and many surroundings. Tokyo is the major city we all know, and was capital city even then. It was a major hub of people, of course, meaning that many kimono were stored where people had money. About 140,000 people died in the Kanto Earthquake, either from the quake itself, or the resulting fires and damages. This earthquake was part of the reason kimono wearing fell so out of favour, and the new preference became Western clothing.

Also, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and in general, the war of that era, brought another downfall to kimono and the survival of existing kimono of that age. Kimono were considered to be a luxury item, and fabric was hard to come by. Many magazines had come out, such as Shufu no Tomo, showing how to reuse fabric to make other things, such as altering a kimono that had gotten old or stained into pillows, juban, jackets, etc. Of course, these publications had other practical purposes- it shows the Japanese habit of never letting things go to waste. However I am sure it helped a lot to see what could be done with the fabric when one didn't want to let go of the original article. After those times, interest in kimono generally waned until now, when it is nearly non-existant.

The kimono that survived are obviously damaged in some way; very often, it is staining from various things, water damage, improper storing, and sometimes merely age. Silk turns brown and spotty as it gets older naturally. Some can be carefully removed; some are easily hidden. Some are too damaged to wear, but can still be made into other things, the stained fabric cleaned and used for padding in hems. I try to buy only the kimono I can actually wear for right now because money is so tight. They are my only luxury expense, and I usually manage one or two "new" pieces a year. This year I am trying for a purple or blue Taisho kimono with ume (plum blossom) patterns, but it will depend on financing. I hope to manage one and be able to wear it by February, the end of winter season! I just purchased a very inexpensive but beautiful red and gold ume-patterned obi that I hope to wear with it. The same obi matches a few of my other kimono, so it by itself is a good addition to the wardrobe!

Destashing!

2009-12-18T15:50:00.002-05:00

I want to rearrange the living room, but I feel that I'm stuck until I know how I want things. I sat here looking around at stuff and I still can't figure it out. I think a more functional desk is in order to hold files and office supplies, and the computer, but that's not an option yet. So instead, I'm going to try and reduce my need to reorganise by... reorganising something else.

That's right.

A house-wide destash spree. Well, not house-wide, since it's a small apartment, but even so. I think some of it just HAS to GO. Yarns of all kinds, fabrics of all kinds, one or two kimono, a lot of the jewellery I've made, things I no longer wear, old computer parts can be cleaned up and sold... it's time to get rid of EVERYTHING. Come Christmas, some of the stuff in the closet is going already, since it's wrapping paper and whatnot. But the rest... I just don't know. And most of it's mine, not my guy's stuff. I just think all this space could be used better.

By January, I'll have it all taken care of. I'd like to do a trade or something at some point after Christmas- useful things in exchange for fabrics and whatnot. I need cookie sheets, one of those nut chopper things like my grandmother had, stuff like that. Video games, older ones for SNES or N64, would be awesome. Movies, soaps, shampoos, all kinds of things.

All for now.

Scarf is finished~

2009-12-17T01:38:00.002-05:00

I ended up having to buy a new sewing machine. Unfortunately, the new Singer (on factory settings) still sometimes starts feeding the fabric into the bobbin when it has issues threading properly. Fortunately, I kept the packaging, and I'm pretty sure I kept the receipt. I hope I did. I know I had it when I brought it home... I'm just not sure what happened since then. So I'll just return it, and contact Singer about my old one. It isn't out of the ten year warranty period yet. I should have called them a few years ago when I got it and it started having problems. ::sigh:: This is why I don't sew. At least, I don't sew very often.

But I finished the scarf this morning and shipped it out with all kinds of goodies. Then I went to visit the vintage shop and cleaned up a little after getting home. Made food. Hunneh came home. Made him food. He asked for cookies. I went to store. Came home. Made cookies. Made cookies from 7pm-12:30am straight. OMFG that's a lot of cookies. I have three tins and a large glass tray full, not including all the ones we ate tonight. I'm stuffed with frosted gingerbread. Yes, I made the icing too. Gingerbread needs royal icing.

I get my glasses tomorrow. <3 Finally, I'll be able to see again! w00t~

All for now.

Okay, I lied.

2009-12-08T19:48:00.002-05:00

That scarf project is a piece of work. My hand-sewing is terrible. I can't really see very well to begin with, so it's hard to see whether my stitching is even or not, and constantly having to smooth velvet (which stretches) is not exactly helping, either. Arrgh. Still, I WILL have it done by tomorrow! It's already a week late!

It seems I have not stopped crafting as I said I would, though. I saw some things in magazines my aunt had given me and wanted them... so I tried to make them. It's coming slowly but surely.

Tomorrow, I need to get:

Small amount of orange cotton
Black Velcro
Silver and gold headpins
Gold wire
Chains for necklaces

I also made a few Christmas-y type things, which I never do. It was new to me, so I figured now was the time... I'll post them tomorrow. I also now offer Priority Mail shipping for the hols.

I need to order more supplies. Hopefully, with a couple more big sales, I can do that. It will be much cheaper ordering all at once than having to go across town to the craft store and paying so much for them! In the end, being able to order supplies will cut down costs for the people buying. I also want to one day be able to order more high-end pieces, like sterling silver and gold, stone and such. I need to find less expensive places to do that, since I do not have any startup capital. Everything I have been selling, most of it is from supply stashes I maintained over the years of just making things for myself and for friends. Some was given to me, but not much of it. So I had a little to work with in the beginning. For example, one spool of wire I'm working with now was purchased originally for a school project- ten years ago! It is half-full.

Got to get back to scarf-making. Maybe I can convince the people at the craft store to lend me a machine. <3 Wish me luck!

Yay for trades- again!

2009-12-06T17:18:00.003-05:00

I'm doing another trade with DivineCanine- she makes excellent dog and sometimes cat treats and other items, like shampoos, deodorisers, and charm bracelets. Which means I get to turn over bead stock and bring in liver treats for happy cats!

In other good news, I made a few sales this week. It's paying for Christmas presents, which I am also trying to buy on Etsy. I'm getting Rick a special surprise of Etsy, too. I think he'll love it. >D

Things have been so busy here, with me trying to get a job and all. If I manage to land one, I may wrap and label all the Christmas gifts early so that I don't get stuck doing it all last minute. I also need to start making the Christmas gifts for the family, which I would also put off til the last minute... considering I should have started them a month ago. Right now, I've been working on a scarf on and off for about two weeks. It was only supposed to take two or three days at the MOST, but my sewing machine is broken... AGAIN. Jeezus christ, I swear, it ONLY breaks when I actually NEED it. And my hand sewing SUCKS. Badly. I can't sew a straight line at all, ever, and I tend to accidentally stretch fabrics in odd ways while sewing so it never comes out right. Which means I have to undo the whole thing again and again until I get it right. Arrrggh. It was supposed to be sent out last Tuesday! At least I have the rest of the package: cookies and candied ginger. ^_^ By now, though, I'll have to make a new batch. And I'll add in some muffins. Banana nut coffee muffins.

So glad I bought most of my Christmas gifts as far back as April. Gotta get started on more projects, and try to finish that scarf. All for now!

I'm in love with my new kimono!

2009-11-27T16:14:00.002-05:00

If I haven't mentioned it yet, I have a new kimono and (finally!) haori. The haori is pale pink silk and may go with my silvery-grey pine needle kimono and it's mint green and pink obi. In any case, I have a way to display my beaded haori himo.

The beaded haori himo trend has not caught on yet, and I'm a little surprised as to why. Traditional haori himo (ties for the kimono jacket) are a beautiful and unappreciated work, to be sure, but these days most are made by machine, not by traditional kumihimo artisans. They are also somewhat intensive to replace- one must either cut the threads to the haori collar to get to the loops the himo are attached to, remove the himo and put a new set on, OR they must cut the straps to the himo and leave them off, not replacing them at all.

Beaded haori himo are not this complex or time-consuming. Endlessly interchangeable and unique, with versatile colouring and patterning abilities, they are easily put on and taken off. On each end is a large jump ring which can be attached to the loops of the haori. Haori are often big enough to where you can lift them straight off without undoing the front, but a large lobster clasp could also be attached to one side for removal purposes. They are also half the price of the average set of new himo, around $7 instead of the usual $12-15. Himo are even more expensive when they are new when buying in Japan! So beaded haori himo are all-around a better choice if one has less than traditional style, as many girls who still wear kimono do.

KimonoHIME is one such fashion trend, originating in the early 2000's with the release of KimonoHIME magazine. KimonoHIME magazine featured many Taisho (1912-1926) kimono and other vintage items worn with modern and nontraditional accessories and alterations, such as velvet collars (a nod to the Edo-era trend of rich girls wearing black velvet collars to show their wealth), lace, tall boots, or a strand of pearls around the waist instead of a silk obijime. Beaded himo fit right in with this fashion!

KimonoHIME is not really about peculiar fashion taste- the magazine shows fanciful examples of what could be done. It is about breaking the "new-old" tradition and making kimono alive and new again, and not being afraid of or looking down on wearing older or secondhand kimono. Kimono-making is a dying art. There are fewer than five kimono makers left in the country. Most designs today are no longer made on the finer Japanese silks- they are printed on Chinese or Brazilian silks and imported from elsewhere. This is heartbreaking, considering that once, kimono were made by a person selecting a white bolt of fabric, being measured in over 30 ways, and selecting patterns or suggesting ideas to an artist before having a fine kimono made. Each were a one of a kind work of art made specifically for the wearer. Now, they are rarely purchased, and more often rented or not worn at all. The KimonoHIME girls and women like Mamechiyo want to bring them back!

I am happy to have my new modern black and orange kimono. Normally I do not buy modern kimono, as I don't like the materials or style. But this one was different... it is very informal, so I won't wear it many places, but the colour suited my taste at the time, and because it is synthetic, it will not break down in the wet, humid days, nor fade in the light. I also have a white, orange, and black obi to go with it. I believe it is Nagoya-style, so it will be easier to wear. Now I just have to get accessories!

From Bolivia, with Love!

2009-11-18T20:22:00.006-05:00

New line: From Bolivia, with Love!

Lots of new earrings that I've made, lots of seeds/beads for sale, lots of bracelets for sale! All on NigatsuBebe.etsy.com . Some designs I will only make a few of due to limited quantities of supplies, such as the earrings shown here! I make them in lime green. neon pink, purple, and orange. I also have a black pair with blue acai.

A two-strand seed choker necklace is also on the list to be posted, in whites, reds, and purples. It's awfully pretty. But shhhh! I'm contemplating keeping it for myself. >D But probably, I will list it for sale.

There is also a set of wire-wrapped stone pendants coming out. I love them! In Wiccan and some pagan practices, each stone has a particular meaning and power. Stones are worn and carried to convey a certain sense of that power- such as pyrite to focus thoughts on wealth and incoming money, or rose quartz to invoke loving feelings. They come on a chain that matches the wire I wrapped it in. So far, I have pendants made from bronzite, raspberry quartz, yellow jasper, unakite, quartz, carnelian, and sodalite. Each is just $10. They can take a little while to wrap adequately so that they won't slip through the wires, and I like trying to make interesting spirals and patterns every now and then. I can't wait to get photos of them all up and on NigatsuBebe!

I also put up a LOT of supplies today, and took hundreds of photos. Bone beads, glass beads, clay beads, charms, and jump rings. I'm not making any more jewellery or other things for awhile, just selling off what I've got at the moment. I'm hoping to do at least one more show live before Christmas! That would be very, very fun. ^_^

All for now.

Crafting is taking a back seat right now.

2009-11-16T15:24:00.002-05:00

Maybe I tired myself out before the last few craft shows, pushing myself to produce constantly. Maybe it is because I've been almost non-stop crafting for the past few months. Whatever the reason, I'm a little burned out on making things at the moment. I have to really focus on making things for the family for Christmas, anyways! Something I haven't made them yet. Something new, different, that they'll like. Hm. This will be difficult.

One of the projects is something I designed for a friend. I just have to find a way to afford the materials and make it in time for it to reach him by Christmas. It will be supremely useful to him, I think. I must also make some things for my aunt and her family... something for my mom and that side of the family... and also for my husband's family. That's a lot of planning and producing, so I better get out of this rut quick! Or maybe I'll use it to do monotonous tasks, like knitting. That might be easier. If I can focus.

In the meantime, I have focused on putting jewellery I have already made up for sale, along with supplies in BebeVintage. I really do need to cut down on the amount of stuff I have. I've done very well so far this year! I got rid of entire buckets and drawers of things I owned. But there's still just a little more that I have to contend with to tidy up the place and keep everything contained in the furniture we have. I am attempting to find a place for everything, places that don't include countertops and haphazard buckets on top of desks and other furniture. The tops of my bookshelves should not be packaging storage units, waiting for that one sale far off in the future when I might need them!

I also really need the money. The job-search thing is not going well, being mostly without transportation and all. Local bus routes are shoddy at best, and at the worst, irregular run times, dark booths in the middle of nowhere, illogical routes that don't quite connect from one to another, and timeliness is of concern. I prefer not to take a job where the route is very long or convoluted for that reason; I like to know where I am and how to get around if something goes wrong. This all means that right now, Etsy and Ebay are my main forms of income! x.x So I need to get that camera fixed, or just work with the lack of focus, and get listing again!

Listed today!

2009-11-04T22:31:00.002-05:00

Sales of the 4mm Copper Jump Rings have been going well! I also got a TON of new and vintage beads from my Aunt recently. I have over 10 boxes of beads now, and I have no idea how to store so many in such a small space... so I'm saving my favourites, and those that I think I can quickly use, and selling the rest. This also means selling some of the stash I acquired on my own!

Today, I took a LOT of photos- and discovered that my last batch was NOT due to my ever-shaky hands, but rather due to the camera not being able to handle close-up views without distorting the photo. So, I'm weeding out the blurry ones and posting the items I have decent pics of. This will include several of my Bolivian bracelets, as well as various supplies.

Vintage glass heart charms in two sizes have been listed- they look like clear frosted glass! There's also a bottle green set being listed, and sets of glass and acrylic leaves. Those, I'm working on now. I may post more throughout the week until Saturday. Sunday I have to be up at 6:30AM to be ready for the craft fair in Orlando. Yay for Japanese CultureFest! I'll be bringing the jewellery totes along as well in case I have spare room on the tables. Mostly I'll focus on the himo and obidome, though.

So, on with the updates!

w00t! Craft fair this Sunday!

2009-11-02T22:35:00.002-05:00

I'm heading to Orlando for a craft fair this Sunday! w00t! Ana's Ikimaru is teaming up with me for kimono accessories, including koshi himo, obidome, and haori himo. I have 50 himo done now- I stopped making them a few days ago. Got burnt out after doing nothing but make himo on and off for a week. I think I'll make a few more things, including sewing the koshi himo, and see how those sell. Maybe I should weave some obijime? ... nah, that would take too long vs. the price I'd get for them. ::sigh::

So, 7 AM Sunday morning, I'll be awake and ready, with my table and supplies packed and ready for craft show-ing! I'll be helping Ana set up at the show, then I'll hang out during the day and see how it works from her end of the business- I've never done craft shows at conventions before! I'd like to see customer turnout, booth rates and locations, what sells, etc. She may be getting out of the kimono business in a few years, so I want to know how to run things if I want to get back into kimono dealing. Right now, it's an on-and-off thing entirely dependant on whether or not I have a lot of extra money. And usually, I don't, these days.

^_^ I can't wait! If you're in Orlando, stop by!

New Stuff on BebeVintage

2009-10-31T16:17:00.002-04:00

Posted a TON of new supplies on BebeVintage! Clasps, keychain rings, toggles, beads- all kinds of new stuff! As soon as I get new batteries for the camera, I'm posting more new jewellery. But frankly, it hasn't been selling nearly as well as supplies... -_- Maybe I should join Project Wonderful?

I'm also posting some books soon. Along with beading and other jewellery books and magazines, I also have some assorted Pagan books.

New items coming soon!

2009-10-28T16:48:00.002-04:00

New items:

Obidome - ornaments for obijime, part of kimono ensemble. I will be making few of these, so don't miss out! Each one is handmade, and one of a kind!

Haori himo - ties for haori, a jacket for kimono. A few of these are up for sale at NigatsuBebe.etsy.com already, but I have 35 more in stock. I do not know if Ana (from Ikimaru.com) is going to be selling them at Metrocon or not, so get them while you can!

Combs - I am making beaded hair combs now, all one of a kind and hand-wired. The combs are no-tangle and don't have sharp edges, so they won't tear your hair!

Bracelets - Yes, I already carry these. But I have a TON of new ones! Many are one of a kind, as I can no longer acquire the beads I used to make them.

Necklaces - Some new necklaces are available, in glass, stone, and Amazonian seed beads.

Look for these over the next two weeks, all at NigatsuBebe.etsy.com!

OMG Craft fair success!

2009-10-24T01:24:00.002-04:00

The past few craft fairs I've sold at have completely flopped. So when I scurried to get ready for todays' craft fair, I was not sure what to expect- but I wasn't expecting much.

The location was not the same as the last few, which gave me some hope. Previous success selling kimono at the coffee shop had shown me that some people carried money, unlike the other place I had been to. However, the fact that the past few meetings on the event (Halloween costume event/handmade fair) did not focus on the handmade part at all worried me. Sure enough, there was little to no advertising of our part of the event- only the cosplay/Halloween portion was well-known amongst goers. Many who approached the table had mentioned that they hadn't known to bring cash for things. In the end, there were only two of us vendors.

Fortunately, the owner was kind enough to bring a longer table for the two of us to share. Since others had backed out, it was just us. She sold prints of very, very AWESOME drawings she'd done, and large keychains with an anime theme. I showed up with four reusable grocery bags and a flat sheet for a tablecloth and got set up in no time! I found pre-packing the displays helps. One of the displays is a jewellery box with all kinds of spacers and hooks in it. Packing that one ahead of time made it easy. Got dinner to hold me for the night, since I'd only eating a bagel today.

Since the owner and some of the employees were buying from me, I gave them discounts. They were nice enough not to charge me a table fee or commission, so why not? So, I was happy to provide for them.

All in all, I made about what I'd hoped I'd come home with. Now I just have to work out what percentage of it was profit and record it somewhere. At the end of the year, I have to figure out what percentage to donate to Fix & Feed. I think in November I may approach the Armenia Humane Society about holding a craft auction instead of selling the potentially hazardous poinsettia plants.

Packed up around midnight. Talked to the owner... I'm going to try and get an old friend of mine in there to play music. I was also invited to come vend for the annual Amnesty International meeting, provided I donate a percentage of proceeds to them, which I have no problem with. NB has been branching out, as stated in the various header changes on the blog site and on the sale site. There's about 3,000 people expected in attendance. It's on Sunday. I found out tonight. O.O After getting my order placed tonight straightened out in the morning, I will be crafting like CRAZY to get as much new stock made as I can. I will be bringing my own table tomorrow, so I'll have a little more space to spread out.

Also, the kimono dealer Anna may be buying out a tonne of haori himo for her Metrocon event, if I can make enough, and if her guy approves them for sale. They're cheap, they don't have to make them, and it will potentially save them from having to take apart and resew each haori a person buys just because they want different ties on it. If they bulk-buy any haori without ties already on them, they don't have to worry about putting new ones on; my design negates the process. ^_^ I can only hope this goes very, very well. If it does, I can finally get the engine of our only transportation fixed, as well as afford Bebe's insulin and medical care.

OMG. So tired, so thrilled. So happy. Rick has profusely congratulated me on tonights' success. Although small, I have made much more tonight than during several months of using Etsy. <3 He is finally starting to believe that I can make a little money doing my hobby, my art. And he is very pleased.

FYI, we're getting married on Friday the 30th. ::squee::

Saturday Feature Under $50 Has Returned!

2009-10-17T12:20:00.002-04:00

I wanted to do more with birds, as always, but the leaves were calling me. Leaves that I don't see because I'm in Florida, where foliage doesn't turn colour until the tree dies. Heh. So I needed something to liven this place up! Result? Here's a sampling of a few of the MANY new Favourites of the day, all in the spirit of falling golden red leaves!

1) "His Golden Eyes" Rose Haircomb - $16.00 - BellaStoryBands.etsy.com

2) 5"x7" Japanese Lilies Print - $14.00 - LuxeDesign.etsy.com

3) Art Quilt/Table Runner - $35.00 - SuchPrettyColors.etsy.com

4) Vintage Carnelian Brooch - $10.50 - titsalenabumsquash.etsy.com

5) Handspun/dyed Merino Yarn - $29.00 - TreasureAyland.etsy.com

6) "Rhythms of the Earth" Mixed Media Art - $18.00 - ABrushWithRusty.etsy.com

Yarn by the Yard!

2009-10-14T00:07:00.002-04:00

Scrapbooking/papercrafting fans: tired of spending $3-10 on an entire skein of yarn you only need a few small pieces of? Don't. Just stop by BebeVintage.etsy.com for yarn by the yard, only 50 cents a yard! Multiple yard discounts apply. Buy 5 yards, get free shipping.

I carry yards and skeins of many ordinary acrylic and specialty yarns, some of which were Jo-Ann exclusive yarns long discontinued. All you have to do is pick your yarn or yarns by number. If you would like more than one yard, or more than one yarn, convo me and I will make you a special listing. Often, I ship out the same day.

While I regret that Etsy does not allow for quantity and colour selection the way many other retailers do, I kind of get it. A lot of sellers can't figure out how to make things work on the site as it is, so while they're fixing THOSE issues (and trying to corral the resellers and copyright infringers), it's not likely a priority. As soon as I figure out how to make it work more easily, I'll change the setup!

Breakdown of craft fair stuff so far

2009-10-12T19:41:00.003-04:00

So far, this is what I've got coming with me to the craft fair. Part of me says "take it all!" and put both my shops on vacation. I have learned to take that part of me seriously. But so far, I haven't counted those things in. I probably won't until the last day, since I don't want to inventory stuff that I might not have by that time. I also have not inventoried stuff I plan to make but isn't yet finished because I don't want to inventory things that I can't sell yet if I don't finish in time.

On with the list of stuff!

Glass earrings - $12/pr. - 15
Stone earrings - $15/pr. - 12
Seed earrings - $15/pr. - 9
"Special" earrings - $20/pr - 3
Yarn flower pins/hairties - $5 - 6
Haori himo - $8 - 6
Stone-filled bottles - $10 - 5
Wire-wrapped stone pendants - $10 - 8
Stone clips - $10 - 4
Glass clips - $8 - 2
Power bracelets - $10 - 3
Rings - $3 - 5
Snowflake obsidian necklace - $40 - 1
Summers' Death necklace - $30 - 1
Saffron necklace - $30 - 1
Bolivian seed choker - $40 - 1
Ice pendant - $10 - 1
Acai crucifix necklace - $20 - 1
Deep blue wrap bracelet - $20 - 1
Reese's wrap bracelet - $20 - 1
Stone chaplets - $30 - 7
Glass chaplets - $25 - 5
Stone bracelets - $20 - 4
Bone bracelets - $20 - 2
Seed bracelets - $15 - 8
Childs' seed bracelets - $10 - 3
Glass bracelets - $15 - 9
"Special" bracelets - $25 - 5
Glass anklet - $30 - 1
Vintage jewellery box - $15 - 1

Anything marked "special" usually indicates that it's glass or something cheaper and common, but that there's a lot more work and materials in the piece, such as the Easy Come, Easy Go earrings, which had to be strung, hand wire-wrapped, shaped, and each bead had to be counted and somewhat measured against others to make them as close to identical and even as possible. About an hour or more goes into each pair.

This inventory also does not yet count all the knitted stuff I made. Or the sewn stuff. Or the paper stuff, which I will likely not bring because it doesn't really fit in with the rest of the items. Or the supplies, which I am not bringing- those will be Etsy-only items. This is a handmade show, not a flea market booth.

Oh, did I mention that I will only have a 2x2 foot space to put all of this in? Yeah. I better come up with something pretty quick that I can hang. I already have something in place for the scarves. If I don't sell those, the shop owners can keep them on display for me with my cards for people to contact me. I may be able to do this with a lot of my textile arts. I think this is a good idea- I just need to get to making stuff!

I'm vending at a craft fair!

2009-10-11T17:28:00.002-04:00

My local coffeeshop is hosting a Handmade Halloween craft show next week. On the last day, the 23rd, they're also doing an anime/cosplay event. ^_^ I'm going to be there!

The last meeting on the arrangements is this Wednesday. I can't wait! In the meantime, I've been taking inventory, re-working prices, making more stuff to sell, and figuring out display ideas. My space will be very, very limited- it's a small venue, and they're going to have to make room for vendors AND partygoers. I will likely be sharing my small 4' table with someone. That gives us only two feet of space apiece! Hopefully it won't come down to that, but if it does, I want to be ready. I intend to build high displays that are easily accessable, storable, and transportable. I also intend to build a wall display from foamcore board. I can hang some hair things or pins from there, and hang up the scarves and such elsewhere.

Pricing will be my enemy. Logically, the general formula for pricing when not engaging in wholesale accounts is cost of materials + (hourly wage for labour x no. of hours worked) = x. Multiply 'x' by at least 2 to get retail cost. So, say for my pink and black scarf, that would be $4 + ($8/hr x 4hrs=32)= 36. 36 x 2= 72. But there's no way in HELL I'm getting $72 for a scarf! ::sigh:: If I'm very lucky, I'll get $35 for it. So those are not something I make unless I REALLY want to make one!

So, I'm going to be working on these things over the next few days. ^_^ All for now.

w00t! Two sales today!

2009-10-07T22:41:00.002-04:00

w00t!

Two sales today!

Okay, so it's not a lot of money. $1.50 for flower fabric, another $15 for a bracelet. BUT the online $1.50 can do towards my past-due Etsy fees, and the $15 IRL money can go towards Bebe's insulin treatments. <3

Wish me much luck in the next two weeks- the Anime Festival runs until the 23rd!

I also applied for a few jobs today. Wish me luck on those, too, plz. I need it!

5 for $5- Fabric Deals!

2009-10-07T11:02:00.004-04:00

Okay, so this week, it's all my own stuff... but, I have a LOT that needs to move before the end of the year. So, $5 fabrics! Vintage, new, Japanese and domestic. If they're not at BebeVintage, comment here and I'll make the listing for you!

1) Japanese kimono fabric sample, synthetic. - Two pieces, $2.50 each. - BebeVintage.etsy.com

2) Grey lining fabric, polyester. - $5.00/yard - BebeVintage.etsy.com

3) Stretch sequined velvet. - $2.99 - BebeVintage.etsy.com

4) Pale gold interior decor brocade. - $5.00 - BebeVintage.etsy.com

5) Vintage Japanese kimono fabric piece - $5.00 - BebeVintage.etsy.com

News and New Stuff at BebeVintage!

2009-10-07T00:08:00.002-04:00

The news:

I'm totally flat broke. I'm actually trying to post stuff to Etsy while I can because right now, I'm not going to be able to make the monthly fees. I'm really hoping some of those Ormosia seeds will sell at the local pagan shops, and I hope to get in touch with another to sell more of them. Also, there is a CRAFT FAIR coming up here in Tampa! w00t! So, if you have friends in the area, tell them to come and stop by! Dates are to be announced tomorrow night. There will be some in-person exclusive items!

Also, took Bebe to the vet recently after selling my car, kimono, and a few small sales from Etsy. Her thyroid is slowly correcting itself... but because of how long she was without medicine, she has become diabetic. Normal blood sugar range for a cat is in the 190's. Hers is in the 370's. That's bad. That's very bad. Now I need to somehow come up with money for medicine. ::sigh::

MORE news!:

You can shop directly from me, sort of. Check out the stuff on my Flickr account! The Handmade, Stuff I'm Getting Rid Of, and Supplies sets are all stuff for sale. Often they will have descriptions and prices. Let me know if you'd like to negotiate- leave a comment here or there, or better yet, e-mail me. I'll give you the final price with shipping, and send you an invoice through Paypal. OR I can set up a custom listing reserved for you at Etsy! I usually ship out within three days.

The new stuff:

I love trading, but I need to make sales- even if it's just to cover the Etsy fees. Right now, I have a TON of UNUSED, NEW fabrics for sale, and some VINTAGE Japanese fabrics! I'm posting them tonight and tomorrow. Everything should be up at BebeVintage.etsy.com by Thursday.

Other things are not going up on Etsy yet. I will make custom listings upon request. Why? Simply, I don't have the funding to post right now. Thus, why I post photos on Flickr, and then make custom listings when I can. It's not the best way to do things, I know, but until I get more capital, it's better than nothing at all!

MORE new stuff:

It's coming. Vintage trims, a new Bolivian line in all kinds of colours, and I'm thinking maybe a metaphysical shop when I get working IRL again. I've been doing Tarot for about six years now, and none of that Rider-Waite crap, either; that deck was crippled intentionally after Rider defected from the Golden Dawn. I can do simple readings for anyone if they like, and not expensively either. I've been making some Tarot-inspired and pagan-themed jewellery, as you may have seen on NigatsuBebe, and I have a source for some more expensive and difficult to find plants. I make altar cloths and find unique altar items. So, pagan shop may be on the way. ^_^ I'll let everyone know if it actually happens...

I <3 Trading ^_^

2009-10-05T14:52:00.006-04:00

Sometimes I try to avoid trading if I have no cash to begin with- trading for equal value is of course in practice, but it doesn't help if you don't have the actual money to ship things. Right now I think I do, though. ^_^ I only trade for things I think I'm going to use though, or things that I think people would enjoy receiving as gifts.

So many trade threads on the Etsy forums are bust- a few people reply, and then it peters out to nothing. This one, however, is now hundreds of pages long! I am hoping to make quite a few trades for things I need to overturn stock. So far, I've gotten dog treats, pet shampoo, a ring, a purse, and a Christmas stocking for the cats. Much success in this one morning! I've also got a few things that I'm asking for, but I'm waiting for information or responses. Most of the things I'm shipping out for the trades come with free samples from SarahsSmile, since she was nice enough to send me a stack of the Halloween cards I featured awhile back!

When it gets closer to Christmas, I'll take stock of what I've got and who is getting it, and start looking to trade again. There's a LOT I'm not immediately using that I own, and really, it's taking up space and driving Rick crazy. I've got to learn to let go of some of it in order to create a more peaceful environment for both of us!

Some of the things going tomorrow (when I plan to ship out the first round of trades):

SO many unposted items!

2009-10-04T12:28:00.007-04:00

I have SO many unposted items on Etsy... so, so many things I've made and am making that haven't been put up for sale online! But really, I don't have the money or views to justify doing that right now...

A lot of them are various earrings, mostly glass, but some of stone. A lot of reds, browns, blues, and greens. The stone is mostly flourite in greens and purples, and rhodonite in rosy, dusty pinks. Most of them are made with purely silver findings and charms...

A lot of Bolivian seed bracelets- now in neon pinks and yellows! My dad exports them to me, which can be very expensive. Most of them are found nowhere else in the world except for the Amazon! The last one I made has bright yellowy-orange dyed acai beads, some kind of bright brown streaked seeds, and dark wooden beads with glass spacers in purple and orange. So pretty! I have variations in pink/blue/gold, blue/orange/brown, pink/white/silver, and green/red-brown/red/gold.

Dad also send huayruro (ormosia amazonica) and Job's Tears. Both of those are occultic seeds, undrilled. I may be able to package some and send them to local pagan shops to sell. Job's Tears are known for absorbing pain and illness. Three are worn strung for good luck. Also, it is said that if you concentrate on your wish while counting out seven "tears", and throw them into running water (or alternately, worn for seven days), and your wish will come true! Huayruro (ormosia), while somewhat poisonous, are known in South America for being symbols of good luck, warding off the Evil Eye. This is why in places like Bolivia and nearby Peru, you will see bottles of these seeds in windows of people's houses. They, like the sirara, are frequently worn as jewellery for this purpose as well.

The sirara in these earrings are the deadly abrus precatoris, the source of the poison abrin, which is 76 times more deadly than ricin if ingested. However, they are absolutely harmless when worn! The shell of abrus precatoris is also one of the hardest in nature, protecting animals somewhat if they should happen to swallow it. Most people will become ill if swallowing a seed, but will not die, unless the shell is broken and the seed is ground first. In Bolivia, these seeds are most frequently worn in bunches as earrings because of their uniform weight- 1/10th of a gram apiece. They are also bottled or woven into handbags like the ormosia.

Another recent fascination is that of the three-stranded bracelets I've been making. Actually, since the first one shown here, I have much improved. It helps to have the proper findings! So far, I've made four or five others, even better than the first. The subject of the first four has been the Major Arcana of the Tarot. The last was just pretty and needed a cat clasp. :P The cat clasp thing started as a theme for the Leon County Humane Society, and I'm going to keep going- I think in December I will be doing a 100% charity run with jewellery with the cat theme. Anything with the cat clasp or charm theme will have the proceeds 100% donated to local animal shelters or programs. If I actually work on it this month, I may be able to convince the local Humane Society chapter to stop selling poisonous poinsettias to animal owners to raise shelter money! Granted, most animals won't touch them- they're smarter than they act sometimes. But even so, I think it's kind of ironic that they would sell a plant hazardous to the animals they purport to save. I think there's a better way- and Leon County is a good example! Having an annual art show with proceeds benefiting Hills. Cty. may also raise artist awareness in our city, where there is almost NO art community to be found!

Anyways. Need food, coffee, and to make jewellery. Art festival being planned for the end of the month! Need to be prepared! All for now.

Bolivian Seed Beads, Occult Items

2009-09-29T10:20:00.004-04:00

I just got a HUGE stash of seed beads from Bolivia today! More of the seeds shown in previous posts, and a lot of new stuff too!

Some of them were very dusty though, so I'm rinsing and baking them all to make them dry off faster. It takes time though! Some of the new ones are grey-blue and brown. They look like those little snapping fireworks, the kind you toss on the ground and they pop! The other largest set are ormosia seeds, which can be poisonous. They're a little bigger than kidney beans and naturally bright red and black! The red can vary from deeper geisha-lip red to a bright orange red.

I also have a pound of ormosia seeds which are NOT drilled, for occultic ritual uses. They have been used in South American ceremonies to ward off the Evil Eye, for good luck, for protection, even fertility! I found a website selling the seeds, 2 seeds for $2.40 + shipping! That's a lot of money for seeds, but considering the cost of importing them, I suppose it's reasonable. Even so, I'll be selling mine 7 (a lucky number) for $5 + $1 shipping. Shipping is free when combined with another item. You can order them through NigatsuBebe.etsy.com, or simply leave a comment on this post and I'll work out details with you.

I can't wait to get batteries for the camera so I can take lots of pictures! Until then, I'm looking through my jewellery to find something to wear to an interview... NigatsuBebe may be getting a job! Woohoo! If I do, it'll still be a month before I see a paycheck, but hopefully...

All for now.

India Inspiration for Under $50!

2009-09-26T15:45:00.002-04:00

Last Wednesdays' post was inspired by the doll in the photo- a vintage piece from India. Naturally, I had to follow up with this weekends' feature! Especially fun (to me) were the fabrics and the lightswitch plate! Although, the cricket cage is an awfully interesting item... they're so hard to find, too!

1) Sari Change Purse - $15.00 - TiaChia.etsy.com

2) Pick Your Organic Fabric - $22.20 - NutmegClick.etsy.com

3) Vintage Brass Bangle Bracelet - $2.50 - OwnBackyard.etsy.com

4) Vintage Indian Sari Doll - $10.00 - EclecticRetroLand.etsy.com

5) Ganesha Lightswitch Plate - $8.00 - MODestDesigns.etsy.com

6) Vintage Choli-style Outfit - $5.00 - VioletteSlippers.etsy.com

7) Vintage Bollywood-style Earrings - $10.00 - LuncheonetteVintage.etsy.com

8) Silk Drawstring Pouch - $12.00 - WithAnIndianTouch.etsy.com

9) Vintage Metal Cricket Cage - $6.99 - JShangHailil.etsy.com

WEEKEND SALE! 10% OFF!

2009-09-25T20:58:00.002-04:00

NigatsuBebe.etsy.com WEEKEND SALE! 10% off the whole store!

Actually, it runs a little longer than the weekend- it runs until the last day of September, which is a Wednesday. I'll combine shipping if anything is purchased from the sister shop, BebeVintage.etsy.com.

5 Under $5 - Fuschia and Gold

2009-09-23T14:08:00.003-04:00

I saw this Indian sari doll, all in caramels and deep browns and gold and bright pink! Probably, I'll feature it this weekend- India seems to be the theme this time. Fuschia is not a usual colour for me; it's very rare that I get into the pink spectrum. I own extremely few pink-ish things, actually. Maybe this is a sign that I should change things?

As always, I tried to pick people for excellent ratings, relatively few sales (while still not excluding high-volume sellers entirely), well-written descriptions, and good photos!

1) High Tea Cupcake Cups - $5.00 - CupcakeFlair.etsy.com

2) Vintage Indian Glentex Scarf - $5.00 - Corrnucopia.etsy.com

3) "Mercy" Eye Shadow - $4.90 - ITouchRoses.etsy.com

4) "Three Gold Droplets" Handmade Card - $4.80 - CartedeSoie.etsy.com

5) 6 Vintage W. German Beads - $3.50 - A2ZDesigns.etsy.com

NigatsuBebe SALE!

2009-09-22T19:59:00.002-04:00

I have too much stuff for the space I'm in, so starting 9/25 until 9/30, everything at NigatsuBebe.etsy.com will be 10% off! Just convo me before purchasing so that I can adjust the price for you, since Paypal takes fees for money transferred. It's cheaper for both of us that way!

Also, new supplies, vintage items, and vintage books listed all the time at BebeVintage.etsy.com PLUS special blog-only deals every month!

Check back Oct. 1st for next months' blog-only deal!

Leon County Humane Society Benefit!

2009-09-22T11:12:00.002-04:00

The Leon County Humane Society in Tallahassee (FL) is having a benefit and silent auction fundraiser to make money for adoption ads, pet ownership classes (yes, people actually need to be taught that animals feel heat, pain, etc. and need food and water), and spay/neuter programs. It will be held on Oct. 17th. Giveaway winner Lynsi let me in on it! ^_~ So if you're there, you'll probably be seeing some NigatsuBebe/BebeVintage pieces, many of them one of a kind!

If you'd like more info on it, leave a comment and I'll send you the flyer through e-mail.

I'd like to get my county HS in on this- they sell poinsettia every year for fundraising at Christmas time. Animals are often poisoned by these plants! WTF?! Chances are, if you're in a Humane Society, you own an animal. Chances are, that animal is a cat. Chances are, that cat is kind of dumb about munching on greenery- including that poinsettia you just purchased. Now you've got a vet bill and a very, very sick cat on your hands. Good job. ::rolls eyes:: I'd like a safer way for them to make money. I'm sure all of our pets would appreciate it!

I love my cats. That's why I gave up one of my favourite plants- english ivy. In fact, I've given up growing a lot of plants I adore, because all of them are poisonous to my furry kids. No oleander, no belladonna, no foxglove, no onions, no ferns (although, I don't like those anyways)... the list is pretty long. I check against the list I got from my vet before I buy anything at Lowe's or Target (used to do Wal-mart, but so much was half-dead or overgrown/stunted, why bother?). My garden will be cat-friendly, even to strays!

Saturday Feature! Goth Stuff Under $50!

2009-09-19T11:34:00.003-04:00

I'm in an airy-faery Goth mood. <3 I kind of want that flower ring for myself, since it matches Bebe's eyes... hehehe. All items are under $50, and many have deals or specials running! Purchase soon in time for Halloween- it can take at least a week for something to arrive through American standard post.

1) Ouija Wristlet - $17.00 - QueenBeeHandmade.etsy.com

2) Royal Serindae Swarovski Earrings - $17.00 - DKJewels.etsy.com

3) Sandalwood Incense - $3.50 - WhiteMagic.etsy.com

4) Clock Hairpins - $24.00 - GhostLoveJewelry.etsy.com

5) Altered Art Witch Tags - $3.29 - ShornSheep.etsy.com

6) Flower Ring - $15.00 - JennifersFamilyJewels.etsy.com

7) Collage Art Print - $18.00 - StilletoHeights.etsy.com

Very happy about the new line!

2009-09-13T20:44:00.005-04:00

New product line coming out soon- Bolivian seed jewellery, from the Amazon! Seed beads (literally) purchased at fair-trade prices from local artisans in Samaipata, Bolivia, and brought to America to be made into jewellery for you! A preview:

Acai seeds dyed bright blue, orange-red wili-wili (coral tree seeds), pachiuba seeds (brown) and white beans seeds, which I haven't found a name for yet. I have more types of seeds, I just haven't gotten around to making stuff with them yet!

For these bracelets, I spaced the seeds with carved, dyed wooden beads in bright complimentary colours and glass beads. Each one is one of a kind, due to the nature of seeds and natural materials used. Because it costs so much to import these seeds to America, I think they will likely be around $20 apiece. Each one is adjustable up to two inches difference.

I have a few rings available with red and black Sirara seeds (in Peru, they are Huayruro). They have been marketed by many Peruvian-based sites online as Ormosia, but ormosia tend to be larger... Abrus is probably the correct English/Latin for the plant. Either way both seeds are poisonous if eaten. Abrus is one of the deadliest seeds in the world if ingested, but is widely used in South America for rosaries and jewellery because of it's natural bright black and red colouring and light weight- almost a uniform 1/10th of a gram. In Peru, the colouring wards off evil and brings good luck! I can make them in your size for only $5, which includes shipping in the United States, while supplies last.

Because of the difficulty involved in procuring these seeds outside of South America, I will only make and carry them until my supply of these seeds, which is not large, runs out! The proceeds of course go to Bebe's vet fund and to the National Humane Society and other local animal welfare prorams. Please read the listing to find out where the money for that listing is going.

Kimono, supplies, and the Humane Society! <3

2009-09-11T23:34:00.003-04:00

I went to a kimono event on Wednesday- it was fun! Ana's Ikimaru held the event, and the Boba house hosted it. They graciously gave me wall space for the week to display some of the pieces I had for sale. I actually didn't wear kimono that night; I went in a pair of grey and black pants and a black long-sleeved shirt with some purple, grey, and white jewellery I had made. Unfortunately, I ran out of business cards early in the night. Fortunately, I ran out of business cards- because I was talking to actual people! Met a nice couple while I was there, gave them a lift to the bus pickup down the block. Sold my blue omeshi kimono- it was so, so pretty, but I couldn't figure out how to make it work on me. A nice Japanese lady bought it for her friends' daughters. I wanted to take the money and buy one of the haori I saw, a pale purple one with small white flowers and hints of green, but I knew that we were broke until Monday... so I kept the money on me. Poor honey was sick, so some of it went immediately to milk and banana pudding that night. I'm always happy to make him food!

I also sold my odori furisode and my kakeshita on Ebay. I netted a nice $250 for them! Sadly, it's already spent. Bebe's bloodwork and Ebay/Etsy fees are now paid off! I'm very glad that I was able to raise money for Bebe though- it was coming SO slowly on Etsy. Although, I'm not done yet- that's only ONE bloodwork appointment, not the medicines and treatments she needs! Even so, I'm glad it's some progress. I'm hoping that I can manage an extra $150 out of DHs' next cheque to pay for some thyroid treatment pills until I can afford the lifetime treatment. I am also selling haori himo, ties for Japanese kimono jacket (haori). These are one of a kind, beaded, and reusable- no cutting and re-sewing required, unlike the traditional way!

::sigh:: I think I'm shifting into a manic phase... I suddenly have a LOT of energy, even on very little food, and I need to shift between lots of things quickly and not sit still. This would be a good time to scrub floors... if I hadn't forgotten to pick up washcloths at Wal-mart. That's OK though- I'll get to it tomorrow after doing the laundry! I have to pick up the bedroom anyways. And reorganise my craft table and cabinet. And go through the dresser. I want to list as much as possible these next two months and do more trades, in the hopes that I will get rid of some of the old stock (and make money)!

Lynsi, the winner of the last giveaway, has invited me to do some work for the Humane Society's silent auction. Luckily, I went to the craft store for her turquoise yarn today (to make the giveaway prize with) and found... cat clasps! Really cute ones! OMG- and only $1 for five! <3 I am SO THRILLED. I know that part of it is the mania speaking, but HOLY FREEKING JEEZUS I wanna go back and get more before Jo-ann's stops carrying them. I'm in craft stores less and less these days, so I miss out on a lot of great stuff! I wanna work in one again, even though I know I'd be making half of what I did at the computer company... too bad it's not close by, where I could walk and cut costs of gas while getting exercise... ::sigh::

So, lots of projects to post, lots to be made. Will be posting tonight and for the rest of the week, I hope. If not, I'll be making even more stuff... ::sigh:: ^_^ I've got so much made already! Over 100 items not listed anywhere! I need to turn over some of it!

Someone tell me to get to work...

5 Under $5 - Golden Days!

2009-09-09T22:46:00.006-04:00

1) Buttery Caramel Corn - $5.00 - JustBHandmade.etsy.com

2) Bee Creative Card - $3.00 - BitoArt.etsy.com

3) Dragon's Blood Roll-on Perfume - $5.00 - TenDigitCreations .etsy.com

4) Complextion Bar - $2.99 - AmethystSoap.etsy.com

5) Vintage Pot Holders - $4.99 - BebeVintage.etsy.com

Giveaway Winner! - Lynsi

2009-09-05T11:59:00.003-04:00

So, not nearly as many participants as I'd hoped, but I'm still new. ^_^ So, with four people, that's a 25% chance apiece! Good odds, guys!

The winner by cat-powered paper batting is... Lynsi! Congratulations!

To the rest of the participants, thanks for entering... and have a cat on this awesome Caturday:

Lynsi, I'll contact you for details on the flower!

Adia

2009-09-03T05:09:00.006-04:00

A few weeks ago, the Etsy Forums got word of a very small child being starved by her family for profit. The child looked like a Holocaust victim, so shrivelled that the joints could be plainly seen with no muscle mass left on them... except for the bloating, which is one of the last stages of starvation before death. Normally, I do not get involved in these things, firstly out of sheer rage that I can't let out at the responsible parties, and secondly because the child is so close to death that even if she DID live, there would be lifelong developmental issues. As someone living with relatively minor developmental issues, I HATE what I have to go through. I would never wish it on anyone else. To me, it would be better to die and get a chance at a new life.

But of course, I am divided... I think I am swayed by the fact that to ignore a chance to do something is my issue with the authorities around the girl: they have ignored their chances to step in and stop this bullshit, time and time again, not just to Adia (the child), but to ALL females who endure this treatment in India. Indian culture still views women as being next to nothing, worthless. So, I cannot be a hypocrite. Even if this one person cannot be helped, perhaps there is something larger, on a grander scale that CAN be done- such as funding for women's schooling (education amongst women is severely lacking) or prevention programs and services for endangered women and children.

So, I must do what my heart tells me to, no matter how stupid my head thinks it is. Amongst other things, NigatsuBebe.etsy.com has a few ADIA items listed for her cause. Not all items tagged ADIA are for the charity fellow Etsian NutmegClick is running for her, but if you search the items for "Adia in India" or something similar in name, tag, titles, or body as going to her charity, many Etsians are getting together for the cause.

More items for Adia's cause:

Etsy
Buy Handmade
BebeVintage

5 Under $5 and Focus on Joy de Vivre Design!

2009-09-02T18:45:00.005-04:00

This week: 5 under $5: Odds and Ends! and focus on Joy de Vivre Design!

Joy de Vivre Design is a shop headed by Heather, an interior design student and artist. She paints some pretty bright, bold stuff! My favourite is "Peacock"- imagine the golds brought out by bronze mirrors or wall sconces with deep blue or teal candles! At only $45 plus shipping, it's a good way to add flair to your lair! You can also find her on Blogspot!

As for the 5 Under $5, it's hard to think of what to do with all of those small pieces and odds and ends laying around... unless you get crafty!

1) Odds + Ends Tassels and Frogs - $2.50 - GilligansGate.etsy.com

2) Scrap Craft Ideas Vintage Book - $5.00 - RickRackShack.etsy.com

3) Sticky Stitches Scrapbook Trim Scraps - $3.00 - OhDaisies.etsy.com

4) Surprise! Fabric Scrap Pack - $4.99 - BebeVintage.etsy.com

5) Vintage Ephemera Scrap Pack - $5.00 - SecretMe.etsy.com

Blog Giveaway!

2009-08-28T21:29:00.002-04:00

Since my success on JoyDeVivre's blog, I have decided to hold my OWN blog giveaway!

Starting tonight, instead my usual Feature, I'll be hosting my giveaway- all you have to do is leave a comment! At the end of the next week, I'll toss every name into... something, since I don't own a hat, and have my husband or my cat choose one.

If selected, you will win a custom-made yarn flower pin or hairtie like the ones in my shop. After the winner is announced, they will be e-mailed asking for a list of potential colours they would like for pin/hairtie, and what backing they want. I will e-mail back photos of the yarns I have matching that description. Pick up to two, and I will make the pin/tie that day. I will e-mail a photo of the finished product for approval before sending it out. If you choose one that is already posted at my flickr account and it is available, I will send that one instead of a custom one, so it's up to the winner!

Good luck, everyone!

NEW supplies! Very cheap!

2009-08-28T17:55:00.003-04:00

Woohoo!

I got off my lazy butt and dug out some of the supplies I've been meaning to sell. So far, I've posted a lot of charms, beads, yarns, and fabric, both by the yard and in scrap bags. Some are as low as 20 cents! If my kimono do not sell on Ebay, I will be listing the vintage ones on Etsy as well under my other shop, BebeVintage.etsy.com.

BebeVintage is set up entirely for Bebe's health fund. It carries vintage items of all sorts and supplies. There's a link on the right side of the page here, or you can click the link in this post.

In the next two weeks, I will be replacing the normal Saturday Feature with an actual interview with another Etsy seller! A few have been so awesome as to feature me on their blogs, so expect to hear from them. ^_^

I also made a custom piece for a blog contest winner this week- Etsy seller JewelsofIndia! She won a custom yarn flower hairtie. This one was made with black-to-white variegated Rainbow Boucle and Moda Dea Dream yarn in black, with a new no-tangle, metal-free ponytail elastic in black and a white plastic button.

Unfortunately, it seems like some of my own health issues are getting worse. This is somewhat preventing me from getting things done. But I WILL continue to keep trying, making and posting new things in between making Christmas gifts for family members! So make sure to look for more updates to both stores soon! Especially in BebeVintage, since I'm trying to unload some of my supplies... it's been too long since I had "a real job"...

All for now, you lot.

10 Under $5 - Halloween!

2009-08-26T18:43:00.004-04:00

Since I missed last week (sorry again guys!), I think it's only right that I should post 10 Under $5 this week! I know Halloween/Samhain is still a two months away, BUT when buying online, please remember Halloween rush for shipping, and thus, mail delays in October. It's better to buy early, especially if you intend to send any lovely handmade note cards or use hang tags on any goodies being mailed before Halloween!

1) 12 "Happy Haunting" Mini Note Cards - $2.75 - SarahsSmile.etsy.com

2) Vintage Pewter Cat - $3.95 - RunOnTheSun.etsy.com

3) Deliciously Evil Femme Fatale Digital Sheet - $2.50 - Sinister Concept.etsy.com

4) Silver Skull Charm - $1.35 - SnookyBootzi.etsy.com

5) Witches' Brew Incense Sticks - $3.00 - GrandmaFrank.etsy.com

6) 3 yards Orange 6" Tulle - $1.50 - BirdNestsAndPaper.etsy.com

7) 10 Tibetan Carved Bone Skull Beads - $4.00 - NigatsuBebe (leave a comment!)

8) Faerie Magick Herbal Spell Dust - $4.50 - MoonlitHerbals.etsy.com

9) "Witch in Autumn" Cross-stitch Pattern - $4.50 - FashionWitch.etsy.com

10) Altar & Spell Candles - $0.30 - SpelledWithaW.etsy.com

I made birdies!

2009-08-26T01:10:00.002-04:00

I have this book, "Last-minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts". It's great! It gives me big, clear colour photos, step-by-step instructions, and most of all, inspiration. I had a ton of scraps, and some gorgeous fabrics that I couldn't figure out what to do with, and all these things to get people for Christmas. So, really, it was a great mix of circumstances.

I started cutting some of the fabric and hand-sewing the pieces together. So far, I have three birdies! I like them so much. I still have to stuff them... I have to get stuffing tomorrow or sometime next week. I've also hand-sewed a large(r than I'm used to) section for a quilt with these really gorgeous cottons I got from Wal-mart of all places! The colours are in deep, vibrant pinks, purples, and blues with silver and white highlights. I think the backing will be the plain mint green cotton I've been saving for years. Really, this would have been a LOT faster if I had done it by machine, but... I just didn't feel like setting it up. Photos of all this stuff will come as soon as I'm done making them!

I keep all kinds of scraps of fabric and threads and stuff. I have a huge stash of stuff. Stuff that I need to get out of the apartment. I think next week I'll go through some, take a ton of photos, and destash it. It's not making any money sitting around the house! So expect some sparkly things for low prices soon!

Later today: 10 Under $5 (Five extra to compensate for last week's update)!

Ack! Sorry... Saturday's Feature Now Up!

2009-08-23T13:23:00.003-04:00

Ack! Sorry I've been gone (or minimally on the computer) for about a week. I totally missed the two Features! Let's remedy that now, shall we?

I'll do a double-$5 feature on Wednesday, as regularly scheduled, but as for today, let's see Saturday's picks! This week, "Get Clean!" with handmade Etsy products. Fluffy scrubs, cotton reusable (washable) cloths and makeup removing pads, bar body lotion- excellent for travelling, and much more.

1) Mocha Bath Scrub - $12.00 - UrbBody.etsy.com

2) "Bliss" Healing Soaking Salts - $1.00 - MysticMoonElements.etsy.com

3) Tea & Ginger Lotion Bar - $3.25 - MyNaturesArt.etsy.com

4) Makeup Removing/Exfoliating Scrubbers - $1.50 - MelpDesigns.etsy.com

5) SLS FREE Shampoo + Conditioner - $8.50 - Crystalwood.etsy.com

6) Soap Saver + Face Washcloths - $5.00 - AprilAdriance.etsy.com

7) Organic Cotton Washcloths - $16.00 - AmyAmbrose.etsy.com

8) Bergamot Myrrh Bar Soap - $4.00 - OwlmoonGoddess.etsy.com

9) Flower Faerie Bar Soap - $4.50 - FantasiasGarden.etsy.com

Bebe Update

2009-08-17T21:16:00.003-04:00

I'm starting to sell Bebe-related things to help raise money for the Bunnehcats' medical care. One is up now. The other two ideas are in between being jokes and serious considerations, including but not limited to selling small quantities of freely-shed fur and whiskers of the cats for people to use in their Pagan-y things.

But seriously, I did stay up for an hour or so last night making a collage of 1"x1" photos of various cats that I've owned in effort to raise money for Bebe. These collage photos are often printed out and used for tile necklaces, cut and pasted as buddy icons, etc. They're only $2.99 a copy, which covers listing fees and selling fees. All of the proceeds go towards getting Bebe the medical care she needs.

There is a second one up, too, of photos of Arkansas in November. That one is also to benefit Bebe.

I recently spoke to a vet while picking up her food (which costs $50 a month, by the way). While the one-time treatment does cost over $1,000, there is a short-term but daily treatment which is cheaper up front to give her until I can afford the more expensive treatment, which would last for the rest of her life. But even the short-term treatment is very expensive! ::sigh::

So tell your friends to check out the one of Bebe, or the one of Arkansas! The collage that gets e-mailed to you will NOT have the watermark on it, of course.

Victoriana Collection - Everything Under $50

2009-08-14T22:31:00.007-04:00

It's a few hours early, but what the heck? Everything under $50, including shipping!

With my vintage interest in full swing, it inspires me to go back to my Victorian-esque item hunting! Victorian homes did not always mean tons of pink roses and frilly white lace. Sometimes it meant stark, beautifully carved dark wooden chairs upholstered with rich, plush deep red or olive green velvets. Jewel tones were much in favour- think amethyst, emerald, garnet, pearls... Lavish frames to hold cherished photos, increasingly common but still expensive to produce... So this week, some easy items to add to your collection- an easy reminder of decadent times gone by.

1) Pale Pink Scalloped Lace - $2.99 - NigatsuBebe.etsy.com

2) Victoriana Trade Card - $1.35 - EricaDaley2.etsy.com

3) Pearl and Amethyst Hat/Lapel Pin - $11.99 - AllStrungOut1.etsy.com

4) Framed Print of Victorian Beauty - $10.00 - FifthQuandrant.etsy.com

5) Glass Heart Cross Pendant - $4.99 - NigatsuBebe.etsy.com

6) Brass Letter-carrying Bird Charm - $1.50 - BebeVintage.etsy.com

7) Victorian Art Noveau Mirror and Brush Set - $24.00 - MitziCollectibles.etsy.com

8) Vintage Goldtone Pearl Brooch - $5.50 - VickisVintageLane.etsy.com

9) Benrose Italian Capodimonte Trinket Dish - $15.00 - EchoArt.etsy.com

10) Honey-coloured Quartz and Brass Earrings - $16.00 - VeraRodriques.etsy.com

11) Vintage Ceramic Planter - $15.00 - EmberSidhesGirly.etsy.com

Not so much jewellery next, time, I promise! ^_~ Next Wednesday- another 5 Under $5 feature! Look forward to it!

Natural Hair and Body Care- Why?

2009-08-13T13:57:00.006-04:00

Do you wash your hair? Look at your shampoo. Can you pronounce even half of those ingredients? Didn't think so. Most of them are unnatural, toxic chemicals; some of them are banned in other countries because they're dangerous. But they are still in our shampoo! Our skin acts like a sponge, so it's absorbing some of everything you get on it, even if you wash- and while it's impossible to get away from ALL chemicals in this modern life, that only means it's THAT much more important to limit your exposure through means you can control! Here are some common ingredients in daily-use items, and some awesome alternatives.

One common ingredient, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), is used as a degreaser in shampoos- and in heavy-duty oven cleaners. So far, studies are showing that it can cause chronic skin hypersensitivity, canker sores (when used in toothpastes), and skin and eye irritation. Its relative, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), is also somewhat problematic: in people who suffer from recurrent oral ulcers (canker sores), SLES has been shown to increase the frequency in which they occur. These oral ulcers are extremely painful and can last weeks. Both chemicals (SLS and SLES) have been shown to exhibit low levels of the carcinogen 1,4-dioxane, which the FDA has encouraged manufacturers to remove from their products. It is not, however, required by law that they do this.

Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate, is a foaming agent. That ingredient does not actually help your hair get any cleaner, but because the psychology of soap dictates that it does, it's often on the list, driving up the cost of your shampoo. So far, in the minimal studying that has been done, very few people have complained of reactions to ALS in concentrations up to 31%- however, there have been no further studies to show environmental impact aside from a short-term study in the 80's, which lasted two years. Cocamide MEA and DEA are two chemicals that are also foaming agents, although these are a little more insidious. They have been shown to be deadly toxic in aerosol forms, and irritating and potentially unsafe in levels exceeding 10% in rinse-off products.

Fragrances are often also chemical synthetics, as the real thing would be far too expensive to use, as are colours put there only to make it look prettier. Vitamins are another expensive additive only put in because people feel better about them- vitamins are GOOD for the hair, right? Ah, but what they neglect to say is that hair is dead. It's dead! It is no longer living. You cannot give new life to hair, only repair what you've got. Vitamins are often too large in their natural compounds to work their way into the hair follicle to begin with, so the whole idea is pointless. Also, Tresemme fans, there is NO SUCH THING as "vitamin H", as they claim on the bottles. I guarantee it. None! So what's in the bottle?

I could go on and on about the crap that's in your (and my) daily products, but I'd rather get onto something better: a solution! Cheap and effective, these items will take care of most of your skin and hair problems without the filler crap!

VITAMINS:

No, not in your shampoo. Get vitamins in your FOOD! The body only makes hair and nails with the supplies that it has, and if you don't have enough iron, E, and K in your diet, it's not going to turn out well. Raw, fresh spinach is excellent for this, but don't bother with multivitamins- too many vitamins fight for the same receptors, so you end up absorbing almost nothing for them. Spend the money on the real stuff!

One of the best things you can do is to eat a grilled chicken wrap on tomato flatbread, stuffed with spinach, some red bell pepper, and a drizzle of spiced olive oil. It's a light, filling, and nutritious snack! The grilled chicken gives you lean fats, animal proteins (the body absorbs 15% of these, as opposed to only 3% of plant proteins), and B-complex vitamins. The tomato flatbread gives you lycopene (an antioxidant) with low carbs (instant fuel). Spinach gives you a HUGE amount of vitamins- E, K, iron (which helps digest the protein better!), more B-complex, and beta carotene! Spiced olive oil gives both flavour and some good fats to your diet, good for the skin, heart, and hair.

WITCH HAZEL:

Witch hazel is a natural astringent. It cleans without stripping away the scalps' natural protective oils entirely- another problem harsh SLS has. When the oils the skin naturally creates are stripped away, the body thinks that what it's producing NOW isn't enough- so it starts to produce MORE. This leads to the body constantly over-producing oils, leaving you with lank locks and greasy skin. Witch hazel rids you of excess oil and even tightens pores, so it's wonderful for the face too! Witch hazel is all-around good for the body. Gargles with witch hazel and cloves reduce pain from sore throats, and some witch hazel preparations can shrink swollen tissue, making it ideal for some types of injuries.

A cup of witch hazel astringent (found next to the rubbing alcohol in stores) and a cup of very reduced rosemary tea can be excellent for oily hair when the scalp is soaked in it.

CITRIC ACID:

A little lemon juice or anything with citric acid could be used in small, watered-down quantities to give lustre and shine to hair. The acidic properties cause the hair shafts to fall into line again, giving the hair a softer, shinier look. Plus your hair will smell excellent! Although, lemon juice in the sun could cause hair to grow lighter- if this is a worry, use it at night, or use a different compound containing citric acid.

ALOE VERA:

Aloe vera doesn't just heal burns! It has also shown promise in treating dandruff and is a good moisturiser for the skin. You can get bottles of aloe vera juice in many spanish markets, where it is sold as a refreshing drink the way other places sell tea. The properties these drinks claim are unproven as of yet, but a cooling rinse in it after hours of gardening in the sun is most refreshing! It soothes the skin, even when it doesn't LOOK burnt, and might be able to help repair some of the damage.

OLIVE OIL:

If you have very dry skin, I have two words for you: olive oil. I was in Walgreens last week when I saw a new product on their impulse purchase display at the front- Extra Dry Skin Hand Moisturizer, for only $4 for two and a half ounces. I checked the ingredients on the back. The ONLY ingredient in the bottle? Olive oil! This method has been used by Middle Eastern women for centuries. Many Americans may not know it, but under the hijab, burqua, and other clothing of the vast and varied Middle Eatern countries, olive oil is a consistant remedy for the dry hair and skin problems faced all over the hot desert area. Those women are often very concerned about their appearance, and olive oil is a daily helper in maintaining that beauty!

Women who have very dry, fragile hair might want to try a lighter oil, such as grapeseed oil, at the end of their locks. Some essential oils are safe to infuse with the base oil (not all oils are for human consumption), and they smell EXCELLENT! Try peppermint oil, rose oil, neroli, or jasmine oil. A few drops per ounce is all it takes; essential oils are EXTREMELY concentrated!

GO ORGANIC!

One more way to avoid chemicals in your environment. I also contend that any all-natural, organic shampoo or product out there can be made at home if need be. A good supplier will be able to tell you every ingredient they use! You can get them in stores everywhere, and also on places like Etsy.com from many users. Read reviews and feedback about various products. These things don't have to be expensive- many are not, especially when the company does not use money for advertising (thus passing the cost to you). Some of my favourites are soaps by OwlMoonGoddess.etsy.com , and a local seller in Florida who makes ground coffee-citrus bar soaps for getting kitchen or garden smells out of the hands!

5 Useful Things Under $5

2009-08-12T21:39:00.006-04:00

1) Eco-Friendly Reusable Snack Bag - $4.75 - theENDpeace.etsy.com

2) Cute Business Card Envelopes - $1.99 - Annie42.etsy.com

3) Chiyogami Aluminium Tins - $2.50 - MaJentaDesigns.etsy.com

4) Tangello Clothespin Magnets - $3.00 - ScrapLoft.etsy.com
SOLD OUT! ^_^ Similar item for the same price, same person.

5) Colour Range Glass Magnets - $4.00 - x3InspireMe.etsy.com

::sigh:: So broke.

2009-08-11T08:54:00.002-04:00

Yeah. Totally out of cash this week. I sent out a few of the trades late- I gotta let those people know still... actually, I ran out of money to ship, and that's why I was late. I cashed in a few last-resort savings bonds to get us through the week. We had an unexpected $500-something bill for a major car repair that put us in the red. I REALLY need a job; we can't afford to have something like that happen again!

I think this week I'm going to try to promote my shop more, and do some more networking for a job. I got a few offers, but I think they're all scams. Seriously- sending me money orders to cash and send back to a chauffeur so that I can clean your TWO mansions and an apartment complex? Seriously? I don't know of anyone who even OWNS a mansion in these parts. I've seen the nice three-story houses on Bayshore, but no mansions. They're big houses- don't get me wrong! But no mansions in these parts here. The part that gets me most is the getting a money order, cashing it, and sending money back to them part. Sounds fishy. And I don't live on the ocean.

In the meantime, more stuff going up on Flickr for trade or sale! Can't afford the Etsy fees until I make another sale on there, so that's where it's all at for now! They'll be up by the end of the night, since I'm going to have to wait until around noon for optimal light on this side of the apartment complex before I attempt getting good photos.

All for now.

Oh, wait! Tomorrow- special bonus feature. ^_~ Gonna let them know today!

"Grawr!" to Polyvore, I say!

2009-08-09T13:49:00.005-04:00

I am not a fan of Polyvore AT ALL. I like the idea of being able to easily make the composition pics that I was hoping to do with the weekly features, BUT I can't take them off the site, AND their site makes it hellishly difficult for *anyone* to get their content removed if they disagree with the post. It also does not inform the artist that their work has been used- the person using it doesn't necessarily have to link back to the place to get it, just the URL of the image itself.

I have a problem with all of those things.

I have a major issue with people who can't respect things like copywright. GRAWR!

For the record, all of the "collages" you see on here were made with Paint on Windows 7. Techie as I may be, I can't for the LIFE of me figure out Photoshop or GIMP. ::sigh:: So, no pretty magazine-like collages, which is what I was going for. On the other hand, this doesn't take as long. I also let each person featured KNOW that they're on here, via Convo on Etsy, with the option to have their work removed the same day. No paperwork or other BS. A simple "no thanks" will suffice. That's all it takes.

In the meantime, my next two week's worth of features are already written and ready for posting... maybe I should try to do this twice weekly? Once every Saturday and Wednesday? I could make a ton of them today and just have backups waiting if I can't do it one week... hmm.

EDIT: The tech in me figured out how to get the photos off the site. Full-size them and 'print screen' them. Hahaha. I win, bastards. But I'm still not going to use your service on principle!

Fab Fall Finds for Under $50

2009-08-08T17:31:00.006-04:00

I've been hunting around Etsy for the past couple hours looking at hundreds of handmade items. I wanted something specific- well-written descriptions, good photos, unique and interesting items, and when I could, low sales. The Etsy jewellery market is, to say the least, oversaturated. I wanted to help someone stand out! But of course, this is not always possible, in the interest of giving EVERY seller a fair chance. So in the end, I looked for a variety of pretty fall things, all under $50, including shipping! Enjoy!

1) Falling Leaves Autumn Hair Comb - $30.00 - WhichGoose.etsy.com

2) Autum Leaves Earrings - $12.99 - NigatsuBebe.etsy.com

3) Smoked Topaz Swarovski Crystal Woven Ring - $9.00 - YouAndMeAndBead.etsy.com

4) Autumn Tree Pocket Mirror - $5.00 - BeeDazzlesGifts.etsy.com

5) Fall Muse Handknit Scarf - $40.00 - FashionTouch.etsy.com

6) "Lanterns" Photograph Print - $15.00 - Ara133Photography.etsy.com

7) Knit Clutch in Desert Sunset - $34.00 - NFall2RT.etsy.com

8) Hand-dyed Lace Merino Yarn - $25.00 - TJTUnraveled.etsy.com

Kimono Pics and Autumn Leaves

2009-08-08T15:41:00.007-04:00

I'm a sucker for kimono. And I finally got dressed up (casually) the other day in the new kimono I ordered a few months ago. In the photos it looked like a silk iromuji in pale pink, but it actually turned out to be a modern synthetic ro hitoe in buttery yellow and pinky-peach stripes! I found a way to make it work anyways. I have a modern silk juban in bright orange, and a very old antique maru obi that has been cut down and sewn into the extremely informal hanhaba obi style. Worn as thus, the kimono set is only slightly* (but not by much) more 'formal' than a yukata set. Therefore, with this particular outfit, suitable for cleaning house and walking around the garden, no accessories such as the obi age or obi jime are needed.

Unfortunately, all photos are taken by myself, and we don't really own any mirrors except for the small one in the bathroom, so I never do get the full outfit in pics! Dante, of course, always has to be in the action... freaking Takehisa cat! ::sigh:: ... one day, I want to cosplay that famous Takehisa painting... ^_^ I found the perfect kimono/obi set at one point, but I didn't have the money for it... ah well. Dante is the perfect cat for the cosplay too; she loves doing the paw-on-the-shoulders thing. Hehehehe... silly bearcat.

I got this kimono, and a bright gold former maru-obi that seems to have been cut down to hanhaba obi length. Although I'm not sure how to wear it yet. It was going to coordinated with a few things, originally, but I also worry about the short length... Obi seem very long, until you try tying them. Then, often, you find out that you really DO need all that extra fabric! The gold obi also has a few tiny stains on the embroidery, but I don't think I care much about it. I figured out why it had happened when I unfolded it- it had tiny red flower buds pressed into the fabric! How sweet! I have to wonder what person thought of that- hiding flowers in such a gorgeous obi. Not many people wear maru anymore. They are for weddings or much older women these days because of their bulk and weight. This one was very new and youthful looking- maybe a young bride preserving some of the things from her wedding? Perhaps.

It's the beginning of August, and I'm stuck in Florida- the place where the sun never freaking sets. Daily UV ratings are between 11 and 13- so bad the EPA puts out warnings for people to stay away from sunlight at all costs. No, seriously- it's so bad that going outside for even a few minutes causes heat rash, burns, and the general feeling of the skin's natural oils frying. Mainly because they ARE. The sun has burnt almost all the full-sun plants my friend and I put in the ground over the summer, even though they mostly had shade and were watered frequently! The only one that really survived well was an African violet meant for full-sun that was planted in full shade beneath a dense oak tree! I want very much to move up north, but without my husband or myself having the money, it's just not possible. So I'm ready to see fall colours- they're my favourite!

Oranges, deep reds, blacks, greys, browns- they make me so happy. Maybe in winter I'll start thinking in terms of blacks, greys, greens, and dusty purples, but right now I can't wait for an explosion of colour! Colours that frankly, we never see in Florida. I'm working to fix that. I intend to talk with some Japanese gardeners about trees that withstand very high temperatures that stay in golds and reds all year round, as some types of momiji (Japanese maple) do. In the meantime though, it's fall crafting for me!

My inspiration is largely a small town in Arkansas. Actually, it's a major city over there, but it's a major city of 82 people. Wrought iron and stone everywhere, and plenty of gorgeous fall foliage over grass so lush and green, it's like seeing a real-life anime, where everything is perfect! The photo is of just a section of the yard where my grandfather's old house is. At the time, he owned a three-story stone house with hardwood flooring and stained glass windows. Oh, and the attic was also a livable space as well, complete with a seat in the window. I loved that house...

I think I might do a feature soon with fall colouring/autumn leaves as a theme from other Etsy users. I just have to sit down and start sorting through stuff!

I <3 Trading!

2009-08-05T18:53:00.002-04:00

I prefer sales when I can make them, but let's face it- no one really has any money right now. Employment in Florida is at 11%, and most of us no longer qualify for any benefits, if we even qualified to begin with. There's a nice, easy way for companies to get out of giving you unemployment- all they have to do is say that they laid you off for unsatisfactory work. Yep, that's right! They can bogusly say that you just didn't meet their criteria and standards, which is impossible to disprove, and then they don't have to pay for unemployment. Ugh.

So, I accept trades, when it's something I can use. I ESPECIALLY start looking in the late summer/early fall, 1) because it's a slow time for everyone, 2) because it's good to start getting Christmas stuff early, and 3) because I love fall colours most of all! When I can, I still donate to charities, but if the money isn't there, it isn't there. Today, I left $5 to Fix and Feed Feline Feral, and next week, I'm dropping off another donation to the National Humane Society. I try to make those bi-weekly, since it's quite a drive!

This week has been a trading week. Fabric for buttons, possibly, necklaces for cotton soap bags (excellent for all those ends of bars; one side to lather up softly, the other side for exfoliating- and they can be washed!), jewellery for jewellery... it's really fun. ^_^I just have to make a list of all trades and potential trades tonight sometime, where everything is supposed to be sent to, and have it packaged and waiting to be sent out so that after I get the car fixed tomorrow, I can mail it all!

Trading is easier than some people think, although it helps to check that person's feedback first. I've noticed that people on Etsy usually don't do a whole lot of feedback. I'm not sure why this is. I ESPECIALLY want feedback on my handmade items! I need to make them better! If it's negative, Convo me first and I'll see if I can correct it first, and after that, post feedback!

My basic MO is to look for a thread on trading. I'm on the Etc. Forum at Etsy.com all the time. If there hasn't been a recent one, search for one. If it's more than a month old, I leave it, since that person/those people may already be done with trading. If this is the case, it's easy to start a new thread. Just post what you've got, what you're looking for, and open yourself up to trades! There's a LOT of people out there who have a lot of stock and not a lot of buyers! Then, keep up with the thread. Check out what people are selling. If you like it, Convo them and ask if they'd like to trade. If not, cool, no problem. If they do, awesome! Here's the best way I've made it work on Etsy:

YOUR STUFF: Item price + Shipping price= Total
THEIR STUFF: Item price + Shipping price= Total

Make them about even. Since it's on Etsy, you may want to make a custom listing for the items the other person wants. Mark them as 'Reserved for: ____' in the title. Then "purchase" them to get each other's addresses (but confirm the address through Convos), and ship out. This way no one gets screwed and there's still opportunity for feedback- plus, no one on Etsy can accuse you of fee avoidance, which can get you kicked off.

Most people are good about shipping and will let you know if there's any delays to be expected. Negotiation is key, and so is communication. Some people are better at this than others.

Right now, I'm looking for things for various family members. It's tough when I'm broke, have a ton of family to cover, and end up trading for things- it's not like shopping. You have to find shops that fit what you need/are looking for, ensure that they are trade-friendly, and hope they want to make a deal. And some of the family, my husbands' family, is VERY high-end. I want to ensure they receive elegant things that also show handmade quality! I want to prove that not every gorgeous thing is bought in a Pottery Barn or some expensive designer store. And I want these things to be functional on a day-to-day basis. If I can't have handmade, I will at least go with very exquisite vintage or like-new secondhand when I can, for ANY gifts, simply because things like baskets second-hand are often exactly like what's in stores for a tenth of the store price! Many shops are increasingly stocking new jewellery and accessories to supplement the secondhand items in thrift stores, and old editions of hardcover books are often valuable and prettily bound to last ages! So, this is another reason why I am starting to look early.

I really hope these trades come through. If not, I'll keep looking of course, but if they do, woohoo! I can start arranging who gets what ahead of time to minimise work and confusion come December, when there's four family units plus friends to ship to.

About Bebe

2009-08-03T17:13:00.008-04:00

Bebe (of NigatsuBebe) is a cat. =^.^= She's a very special cat!

She loves colour. She rolls happily in chalk in preference to plain cement. Once she turned her fur blue for a week. She also rolled in the drippings of some orange hair dye a friend used, and after we wiped it off, she was happily orange-spotted for the next year!

Bebe has a thing for craft supplies, too. She adores beads, since they're shiny, and likes to dig and paw around in the bead boxes. She's a klutz though, and accidentally spilled a very full box all over the apartment! Some of her favourites have been agate coin rounds in pale pink and white, and seems to be drawn to anything blue, green, and sometimes gold. She also tends to jump into buckets of yarn, burrow around for a bit, and sometimes pops out with a skein. She just likes to paw it and pull it apart! She's a fat kitty though, so it's getting harder for her to get into the buckets on her own...

Which brings me to the next thing. Bebe is a heavy kitty. When we first got Bebe, she was a skinny little shelter kitty, about one year old (although, no one can really tell the age of a cat unless they were around for it's birth...). I was looking for my first cat in years, after my mother gave up our other three to get with some cat-hating abusive douchebag. I was thinking Siamese, or something fluffy and lion-like with expressive features, like a Maine Coon. But Bebe picked me out! I was walking by her cage when she stuck her paw all the way out and grabbed my shoulder. I took her out to get her some attention. She put one paw on each shoulder and didn't let go. I figured, well, if she wants to be out THAT BAD, we'll take her home!

She hid under the bed for weeks. She learned about music first, from the stereo I had on the floor by the bed. She likes Savage Garden, Rush, and Stevie Nicks. She does NOT like Heart, AFI, or Linkin Park. :P She slept on a towel on top of a craft-stuff bucket (I only had one of those at the time) and ate by the bookshelf. She liked looking at the outdoors, but was terrified of actually going outdoors. Eventually she started coming out of the bedroom. She also started eating more often.

So, she used to be a very skinny kitty. Years later, she had filled out quite a bit. Likely, she was eating too much- cats are only supposed to have one cup of food a day. But by then, there were a LOT of cats on one feeder. Vet told us she was getting too heavy, and to cut back the food, so over the course of months, we did. She wasn't losing weight. He told us to cut back more. So we did. Wasn't losing weight. When she got down to where I KNEW she was only eating 1/4c food a day, and STILL wasn't losing weight, I called the vet and told him so. He basically told me that I must not be watching because she's getting food from somewhere. So I told him to kiss my fat white ass and took her to another vet.

The other vet ran blood tests the day she saw her. Three days later, results: her thyroid had completely stopped. A normal cat's thyroid reading is about 1.5-1.6. It's considered stopped at 2.0. Hers was 2.6. She was hungry all the time because her body couldn't get any nutrients out of the food she ate, and instead stored it all as fat. This caused her teeth to corrode. Not only that, but she had food allergies. Cat allergy testing isn't like people's, where you can figure out the allergy by a series of scratch tests. You have to do elimination diets and figure it out the hard way, while still keeping the cat healthy. Her specialty food that works for her is $50 a month, plus she needs extra nutrient pastes.

She needs a one-time thyroid treatment that costs $1,000. The bloodwork to ensure that she can handle the procedure will be $200, and also counts as a yearly physical if done together. The dental work is estimated by the vet at $400. She may not need extra bloodwork for THAT (read: more money) if we get it all done at the same time. Which means I need about $1,600 for her medical treatments.

We had half of it saved up recently, but then the only car we have between us (and the only way to my guy's job, since I lost my car and job) has a major repair issue that needs to be taken care of... oh, like NOW. Which costs about exactly how much we have saved back.

... this happens every. freaking. time.

... I'm sorry, Bebe... but it's fix the car, or he loses the job. No job, no food for any of us...

but, if anyone wants to make a deal, I am more than happy to do trades for some household stuffs like soaps, gift cards (that I can verify have value) for grocery stores, etc. to help pay for stuff while I save back more for her vet bills. I am also looking into local vets to see if they have monthly payment options. I have a TON of non-Etsy stuff for sale/barter here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nigatsu_bebe/sets/ . I also do other trades for holidays like Christmas, if I know it's something a family member would like!

New stuff!

2009-08-02T11:27:00.004-04:00

So, I made the leaf the other day, and I still have to repair it, but I'm waiting on gold-coloured pinbacks since that's what I've decided on. I got a beaded pin from an Etsy trade the other day that gave me the inspiration for it, and I thought it looked really cool, but when I tried to put it on, the clasp didn't work! Arrgh. The wire attaching the pin was so thick that the pin wouldn't open or close. Ah well. I may be able to fix it up yet! But I don't wanna ruin the design, so I'm thinking about how to go about it first...

Just now I finished making a pendant from wire wrapping techniques. It's something I'm kind of teaching myself by looking at other stuff. Most of my wire is pretty old, actually. I bought my last spool of really thin wire years ago... and the gold thin wire came from an art project in 6th grade! That was... ten years ago already. ::shakes head:: Geesh, I feel old sometimes...

This pendant I made from bronze/twilight purple cathedral beads from Blue Moon, purple AB and gold seed beads, and a few one-off glass beads bought in bulk from the Czech Republic. I used soft brown (bronze?) wire with some kind of clear rubbery coating on it for the base, and wrapped the silver wire over that. I think it came out rather well! The design originally was MUCH different (and more complicated) than what I ended up doing, but it wasn't out of laziness. It just... looked right, when it got to a certain point, you know?

Sorry the pics are so bad- my camera is dead, so I'm stuck with crappy camera phone pics!

Project Projects

2009-08-02T04:32:00.003-04:00

Project Projects is a thing I've started in the past two weeks. Basically, I have a horrible, horrible lifelong habit of getting something started and then never seeing it through. I'm great at getting other people motivated... terrible at followup. Gah!

So I went through ALL of my craft stuff and looked for all the projects I've started over the years. I was able to find three shirts, two sweaters that needed repairs or modifications, a bunch of garments that were cut and partially or never sewn, some knitted projects stopped halfway through (which I may finish or pull apart- haven't decided), etc. So now my project is to finish up all my projects!

Today I started by picking up an experimental piece that I made with the Red Heart Monet yarn. It's a GORGEOUS yarn- too bad it's so rough! I talked directly to the manufacturers, and apparently it's the dying process that makes it like that. However, I'm not sure I buy that; Caron also has a 100% acrylic yarn that is so, so soft, like angora almost without the fluff. So... why not RH? Anyways, I guess that wasn't the point. It was to have an experimental project for the Knifty Knitter. I usually can't understand the projects other people make for it because I suck at knowing the difference between knitting, perling, and types of stitches (what the hell is a garter stitch anyways?). All I wanna how is how to make each stitch and maybe some patterns with interesting effects. I don't get it, so I'm gonna have to figure it out on my own. I picked up an awesome honeycomb stitch! ^_^ Basically, instead of doing a whole wrapped row at once on the KK, do three on each peg before moving to the next. It comes out this nice, big honeycomb-shaped stitch. I'll have photos soon. Oh- side note: SO HAPPY. Someone started carrying the Periwinkle RH yarn again! It's my favourite colour, so I was hoping to pick up a skein.

I made a... something, the other day. Practicing wire-wrapping techniques, which I haven't done since like, seventh grade. Unfortunately I ended up using an orange leaf bead from the lot of Blue Moon beads that fell apart easily. Gah! After the piece was finished, the leaf snapped in half right down the middle. Almost half the leaves on that strand have done the same, even with no pressure on them. The acrylic is weak in the centre where it's drilled. They're GORGEOUS beads, but that particular strand lot was damaged. Blue Moon was great about sending me a new strand though, so now I have to rewire the piece. Maybe I'll just leave the old wire and use it for support for whatever I use... should it be a pinback? A pendant? Hmm... that's the real question I have left.

I got my yarns!

2009-07-25T00:34:00.004-04:00

Jo-Ann's is doing a TON of clearance products this time of year! So naturally, I had to look at just about everything. ::sigh:: Spent more money again...

But I'm justifying it! I intend to make a few things for Christmas for family members. I found a LOT of awesome items at a local thrift store for Christmas as well, including some baskets and shells and things for wrapping/crafts! I also traded some things for soap to OwlMoonGoddess.etsy.com - they're tested and fabulous! I <3 vitamin E soap, and bergamot soap!

I got yarn! I didn't get the Thick n Quick, but it's Wool-Ease in the green colour listed. I also got a light brown for a couple different scarves... the green will be an alternate green to the other two in the current brown/purple/green scarf, but it also works beautifully with the brown and the clearance brown yarn with strands of pink and green in it. I don't recall exactly what it is, but it's Red Heart that looks like Lion Brand Homespun. That RH is actually not rough like the others of it's brand, and I'm looking forward to acquiring more. It will work well with a few other yarns I have, such as the Pooch yarn (Paton's?) in reds and pinks. I can't wait to see how it knits up!

Naturally, I couldn't stop at yarn... I had to go off and get beads too. I found a LOT of awesome things, but I still haven't found anywhere near here that sells Blue Moon Noir series! I want the snake charms! ::sigh:: The good side is that I DID find more of the Cathedral beads that were discontinued under another line. Apparently, my discontinued leaf beads are now about five to a strand for $1.99 under a different line now, too, where they WERE on a long strand for $4.99 under the Color Coordinates line a few years ago! Hahahahahaha... so, I'm going to think up some new jewellery ideas.

A seller called TangoCatGems.etsy.com gave me a lot of inspiration- she makes some GORGEOUS items. I totally want to get wire now and start working it into beads! <3 oh, bright shiny things, how I adore thee...

Yarn and Vintage Japanese pretties

2009-07-21T09:22:00.006-04:00

I have to get this out of the way: I'm in love with Japanese clothing and jewellery. <3 Actually, traditional Japanese attire lacks jewellery in the Western sense- the closest thing they may have is netsuke, small carvings of things to hang pouches/wallets from, obidome, which is a beautifully carved or metalworked piece for the obijime, or kanzashi, hairpins. I hesitate to refer to obijime or obiage, sashes for the obi (belt) as jewellery because they actually have a function and are not just decorative. A bride, or sometimes other women, may carry hakoseko- for a bride, it's a set of items including a wallet full of tissues and a mirror, a fan, a small dagger and sheath, and an unwearable birabira kanzashi-like item that must be tucked into the front, usually in the wallet.

Amongst other pretty things that I can look at and never have, I've been drooling over a deep plum silk kimono from the Taisho era (my favourite era by far- 1912-1926) with a red lining and red and gold accents. Oh, to wear that with a gold obi and red accessories... ::drool:: Also, a gold fan-motif birabira hairpin (birabira is an onomatopoeia for the jangling sound of the kanzashi) that I lost an auction on last night, and a hakoseko birabira piece from around Early Showa (1926-1944). ::sigh:: One day, I will have a gold birabira sensu kanzashi... one day...

Today though, I have to get laundry done. And then I can think about yarns for the scarf I want to finish! I want two textures of yarn, one in an acid/bright leaf green, the other in vibrant brown. I have boucle in purple, green, and brown, but I don't want the scarf to be entirely in boucle- I want it to be an odd mixed-texture style like many of SillyLittleLady.etsy.com's items. I'm thinking about going with Lion Brand Jiffy yarn, or something similar, since it's on sale at Jo-Ann's right now. Maybe it will wait. I'm torn- money for hairpins, or money for scarf? I can't have both!

I need a job. That will solve this dilemma. And pay for Bebe's desperately needed medical care... that's $1500... At least she's a happy cat. Just kinda fat from the thyroid condition. =^.^=

I totally caved.

2009-07-17T23:03:00.005-04:00

Yeah. So, I've had blogs elsewhere f-o-r-e-v-e-r, but not one specifically for my Etsy store. I had been resisting getting one for some time. But... I think the constant updates on my crafty stuff might be pissing people off on my public personal blog, so it's probably for the best that I get one just for crafty things!

The shop, BTW, is http://NigatsuBebe.etsy.com , which sells handmade jewellery and accessories. I also have a sister store, http://BebeVintage.etsy.com that sells vintage items and supplies.

My cat is happy about it- the longer I sit on the computer, the longer she gets to sit next to me. She never, EVER wants to leave me alone. Not to sleep, not to eat, never... such a needy cat. You know she goes into REM with her eyes half-open? Weirdo cat!

I've been doing lots of crafty things that will never make it to Etsy today- I replaced buttons on two jackets, repaired the necklines of two shirts, embroidered the couching on a scrap quilt, finished a scarf, started ANOTHER scarf... oh, and made a pair of earrings, plus wire-wrapped a set of beads for an upcoming pair of earrings. Holy Jeezus it's been a weekend!

I can't wait til Sunday- big sale going on. I'm really inspired by Umeha's kimono right now, so I'm hoping to translate it into beads or something soon. I'm going to look for ideas then. Umeha, for the record, is a famous geiko (geisha) of Kyoto. I think she's from the Kamishichiken okiya. She's so, so beautiful- and just as pretty without the makeup! She has very dark, soft, expressive eyes. For a geisha, she's often seen in very bright kimono! One photo I have of her, she's dressed in pale purple silk; another, dark sapphire blue. I'm wondering if I'm going to be able to get silk online cheaply- I'd like to make a scrap quilt with recycled kimono silk...

I don't approve at ALL of cutting up perfectly good kimono for their silks- kimono, once upon a time at least, were one of a kind wearable works of art. They're not easy to come by outside of Japan. If there was a stain in a prominent area that could not be hidden while wearing, absolutely- save the silks by reworking them into something else! But otherwise... I would still wear them. I was somewhat saddened to find that the thistle kimono I wanted is no longer for sale, but oh well. That usually happens. But small scraps of silk are much cheaper, and I can make them into things. One idea was to frame pieces of silks that are particularly beautiful, and other wallart. Or not. At least, not until I get through my other crafting supplies!