So I left you hanging re what I was making. You know, after having spent WEEKS getting ready for a craft show in April I swore to myself I was NOT going to do that anymore. Spend all that time creating and preparing, just to sit there watching people walk by you all day. The negative talk starts in your head, and by the end of it all you just wanna chuck it. I know many of you have experienced the same thing. But this time I got hooked by the Design Collective concept (which I DO like) and the venue of Arts Alive night. So again I spent WEEKS just making and making. Not doing much of anything else.
Here's a crappy cellphone pic of my display. You see a garbage can because I was next to the makeshift bar. I was between the bar and the dj...in my opinion the best spot in the house!
So I made fancy three layer twirly skirts. LOTS of one of a kind twirly skirts. I never got tired of them either because they're just so pretty and fun and each one different. That wonderful 4 adjustable arms wrought iron stand was my main inspiration (aside from our girls) for making these. Aren't they a great fit? My mom bought it several years ago and I grabbed it when she offered it to me. Never quite knew what to do with it but this was a perfect use. I then got it in my mind that I wanted pics of my granddaughters in the skirts blown up to poster size (Costco does that now for $8.99) so I had to do a couple of photography sessions
Adorable Kadence who's started Kindergarten this year and is turning 5 tomorrow! Gosh time flies. I don't think this sweet child is capable of taking a bad picture.
Luckily I have an abundance of beautiful grandchildren :-) so I took some pictures of Madison (plunging headlong toward her third birthday!) too.
She's not quite as easy to photograph as Kadence is, but still; she's pretty cute :-)
Then I walked into Ross for something that I now forget, and there in the housewares stood two easels!! I've never seen an easel there, but the day I realized I needed them they had two! So by now I'm sure you also agree I just HAD to do this show...all the pieces were just there, right? Oh, and the last big idea I had was literally an hour before the show started--I HAD to make the little jkduncan originals bunting you see on the wall behind my display. Just had to!! :-)
Well, you can probably guess the end of the story---I sold one skirt and made back my booth fee. Yep. Got buckets of praise and compliments which I appreciate very much of course, but really; JUST SHOOT ME IF I SAY I'M DOING THAT AGAIN!! I need to start spending my creative time on quality rather than quantity. Make a thing for the joy and pleasure of making it, and then go find someone I would just like to GIVE it to. I've been ruminating on that concept for a while and now I'm there. In the meantime, I'll be selling what I have a few at a time on Etsy. Here's a few pics to maybe get you over there and grab one for your favorite princess.
Oh, and to further clarify that I am a complete NUT, I had to go back out in the studio and make that mini fabric jkduncan bunting before I could get started photographing yesterday. Just had to. (oy, it's hard bein' me sometimes!)
I returned to your etsy site to re-look at the beautiful little skirts you had on there oh say a month ago or longer and to my disappointment they were gone:( But I did order a perpetual calendar :) Your sewing and decorating are just to my taste.
I so enjoy when I accidentally (now bookmarked) run across your blog. Seems I must have run into you at least once since we are both from Humboldt county but no :) Thank you for inspiration Kathie
Posted by: Kathie Bugbee | November 11, 2010 at 05:01 PM
That's how it kinda goes for me if I say I'm going to do a big "shop update". One at time is the way to go for me.
I wish I had some little girls around. I would def. buy some of these!
Don't you think it's time my boys got crackin' on some grandgirls? :)
Posted by: Diane Duda | September 10, 2010 at 12:21 PM
These are so cute! Sometimes I don't think people realize the time, energy & materials that go into making things. I do and I admire your work very much!
Posted by: Sandi | September 08, 2010 at 06:52 PM
So stinken cute.
But I get you on the give it away thing. The pleasure is in the making right?
Anyway the posters are wonderful. Love the little bits of writing. You're so creative. I love your work.
Posted by: pam | September 08, 2010 at 07:10 AM
Oh gosh. Been there, done that. I can't even tell you how many times. YOur skirts are wonderful. Marvelous really. It is fun working on this kind of thing, but it seems to be for such a small demographic. I think Etsy works for me from now on. Great job Jen. I think so!
Posted by: nanette | September 07, 2010 at 04:02 PM
I can totally understand your frustration with all you did to make this wonderful display and the gorgeous skirts. Love the bunting too. I think Etsy is a great idea and I bet they will sell really well!! Your skirts are just too adorable!!!
Posted by: Barbara | September 07, 2010 at 06:44 AM
Absolutely darling!!
Posted by: Bonnie | September 06, 2010 at 06:00 PM
They are beautiful skirts. I will pass along your etsy site to some friends of mine that have girls. I doubt my little guy would like one very much.
Posted by: Dandelion Quilts | September 06, 2010 at 11:11 AM
I really enjoyed getting to know you and your work. I am so happy you decided to do the show!! Thank you thank you!!
xoxo
Andrea
Posted by: andrea | September 06, 2010 at 10:48 AM
What a bummer! A girlfriend and I did something similar last year at Christmas time. We made a bunch of skirts and other hand made items. Thought we were going to sell out....we only sold skirts to friends. Lots of moms loved them but I guess they just would rather buy their kids clothes at Target.
Posted by: Anita | September 06, 2010 at 10:32 AM
Gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Tanya | September 06, 2010 at 10:23 AM