Craft 52 Week 3...

It's official. I have my first craft card class scheduled for my neighborhood club house!

     I moved to Merritt Island from Panama City Beach Florida about 7 months ago. It has taken that long to manage a new house, a new location for work, and life just in general. You see with me, I need peace, calmness, and balance to craft effectively. I like the results that come from the least amount of stress possible. And in this day and age that is hard to get sometimes. So since my studio is set up and everything has its place (even though they may escape from time to time) I felt it was time to feel out my neighbors and see who is crafty. With Valentines Day around the corner that timing couldn't be more perfect. Who doesn't love a card for V-Day! <3

     Now without giving away to many details right now, I borrowed some inspiration from Pinterest, modified it a touch and am currently in the process of getting the kits together. I dusted off my Cricut Explore and dove into the Design Space using just basic shapes *Circles and Hearts*. You see for the first card class you do in a new area you want to be simple with just enough imagination not to intimidate your students.

      Hang in there with me, more details to come! Full details of my 'borrowed' kit Sunday!

Week 2.1 the Bean Stitch!

     As promised a complete detailed blog about craftiness!

Week 2 of Craft 52 presents The Bean Stitch!

     This wonderful slice of crafty paradise is ran by Angela Hromanik and let me tell you she is one to inspire. This woman must eat, sleep, and dream embroidery designing. Now before we get to much into the process, what is a Bean Stitch you may ask? Well if you have expressed self control from pressing the link above they are embroidery designs. Yup its that simple (to you, maybe not her, she does design them after all). Angela provides you with a design for a very reasonable fee to use as you see fit and you make it into what you desire. Anywhere from key fobs, cord wranglers, gift card holders, luggage tags, and she keeps putting out more designs that you never thought you needed but really do. :)

     But how does she know what files my embroidery machine uses? It's magick! Just kidding she has that covered. Her standard file once purchased contains the following files for EACH SIZE of that design which usually come in 2 to 4 sizes. DST, EDR, EXP, HUS, JEF, PES, VIP, VP3, XXX, and if your machine file type is still not there all you have to do is contact her and she will take care of it. And if this isn't enough to set The Bean Stitch apart from the crowd, it has to be her "Do Whatcha Wanna" angel policy. Here is the Terms of Use for the Bean Stitch:

     There have been some inquiries about how customers are "allowed" to use our original purchased designs.
     We ENCOURAGE our customers to create physical items for personal use AND/OR sale - at their discretion and without limit.
     PLEASE promote products made from our original designs through your businesses and enjoy the sales that follow!
     Our sole request is that you do not re-sell or share the actual digital file downloads of our original designs.
     You may also use our product photos if they will aid in the sales of the resulting physical products of the digital files you have purchased.
     We are always happy to answer any inquires, so please do not hesitate to message us with your specific questions.
     We don't sweat the small stuff at The Bean Stitch, we enjoy putting forth new designs and look forward to seeing them in the marketplace!

Happy Stitching!- Angie

     What we love about Bean Stitches is that they are a small craft that is easy to do with a great reward at the end. Even the most novice crafter when it comes to embroidery can make these and feel like a pro. No matter if you have a single needle embroidery machine with a  4 inch hoop or a multi needle beast, a Bean Stitch can be done!

     Angie Thank you! For doing all that you do and for being a wonderful part of our handmade community. The 'how to' to make our key fob for this week after the break!

Week 2 of Craft 52...

     How many hours do we spend as crafters looking at other crafters.. well, crafts? We research techniques, oO and ah over the flair choices, and admire the use of detailed creativity. Would you consider that crafting? I would...

is my go to. As well as YouTube.

     Every night I enjoy snuggling up with my iPad and flipping my finger across the screen viewing tons of glorious DIY's and tips and tricks of some helping sort. Its amazing what we use for inspiration. What adhesive was used, what angel was cut, all this information is astounding. No one should ever run out of ideas. So why is there no pictures of my current project posted?

     To be honest I had a whole project planned. Unfortunately I will have to save it for later. I required one key element in my project for this week and the typical 9 to 5 got in the way. Not my job that is but the person I was purchasing a supply from. Why couldn't I just go to the craft store and purchase it you may ask.. Well its not something you can buy in bulk at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. You will just have to wait and see. But in between trying to pick out a time to meet up, going around each others work schedule, and finally making a plan for Monday, I was out of options.

     So until then I will make you a promise. Since I was postponed in my project endeavor, let me make it up to you tomorrow with a full detailed blog post. Keep in mind that I do work tomorrow, have a sick hubby, and very little time, but I will do this for YOU! You, my future crafty followers! Trust me you will not be disappointed.

My very first... Bazaar?

     Craft 52 should start strong, don't you agree? Well how about with my first Craft Event to attend for the new year! I caught an ad of Craigslist for a small community craft bazaar with just a $10 table fee, and all proceeds go to feeding the homeless. So while my heart swelled at the chance to donate to a great cause and then see what the locals fish for when it comes to crafts I had an absolute blast. My crafty neighbor Bobbie Jo bought a space as well and you know that crafting is always great with friends!

     It was held in a small common hall of a local church from 9 until 2pm. Snowbirds are in peak season this time of year so the foot traffic was fantastic. Keep in mind the small investment of a table fee can let you in on a lot about your area, and since I am new to the Atlantic coast I needed to do some research to see what the 'locals' prefer in the world of art.

     For my first week of Craft 52 I give you the small town craft bazaar. I have been creating for a week straight and with 3 hours of sleep managed to do quite well in my opinion for my first event. Here are just a few pictures to show you what it was like. I enjoyed the quaintness of it being small and local. It was less intimidating rather than a huge professional production. I learned what I needed to bring, how to set up and tweak displays, how to price in an open market and not just online, and what to expect on a grander scale if I ever choose one. I will post some do's and don'ts to share what I have learned, but for now I am off to bed. Goodnight all and Happy Crafting.

$10 for an 8 foot table is plenty!

My humble table!

Bobbie Jo's wonderful spread!

Craft 52...

the resolution...

     So we know that every year for the new year we all want to do something profound. Something to set our sights high and goals alight. To get the creative juices going after the long holiday. Some will set a New Years Resolution to loose weight, start eating healthy, stop something that was a habit for a long time. But this year I think I will set something different. I thought about a Crafting 365, but I wanted to be realistic with my lifestyle. I work a full time, sometimes demanding job that may not allow me to keep the resolution afloat. So I decided with a friend to rework it.

     Craft 52 it is! 52 weeks of projects and crafting to keep us creatively busy throughout the year.

     What to do first? This is where having a big space gets overwhelming. Well that and the fact I am a crafter of many types. Paper crafting, Cross Stitching, Button/Badge making, and that is just to name a few.

     Remember that friend I mentioned before. She is an amazing crafter named Nancy! You can find her Dancing in the rain blog HERE. She is also a Close to My Heart consultant and a very good one at that. Her CTMH website you can find HERE. Keep an eye on her, she has been inspiring me for a long time.

     We have made a vow to post something by each Saturday to keep this Craft 52 going. Feel free to join in and let us know what you are crafting. If you choose to sit back and watch that's great too. It will keep us on our toes! Happy crafting.

Resurrection...

     Welcome! again... to the newly renamed Eclectic Craftiness. A blog for crafters to either pass the time by and maybe learn a little something or to just join in on the fun.

     It has been years since this blog has come to life. Years since the posts viewed were appreciated. Years since we let out our creativity on to the world. So lets brush the dust off and get some inspiration in here shall we? So lets start where the magic happens...

     Let me introduce you to my space. It's been a long time coming to have a space that I can call my creative home. And thanks to my husband never wanting a 'man cave' I now have my studio! I have had small tables, cramped spaces, and even a tackle box I would break out every now and then with just a few supplies to make something. No space is ever to small, sometimes they are even to big that you never know where to begin! What matters is that you have a space to call yours so you can let your imagination go!

Where does your crafty space call home? We would love to see your spaces. No matter if its a kitchen table or spare room closet.