Makers' Market 2009 Number Two

Makers' Market May 23rd, originally uploaded by Needlings.

Last weekend was my second market of the year. It was the first time the market had been held at this location (in Westdale - a cute little part of Hamilton close to McMaster University, where I graduated from a few years ago) and as a test first I think we all found it went pretty well. Definitely not as busy as some of the other locations but it was an amazingly beautiful day with nice people and we still had a bunch of visitors.

I also listed a little batch of keyrings in the shop this week when I got the urge to use up some of my seemingly endless supply of ribbon.

In other summer news, I'll be taking a couple months off from the markets before my next one in August because I'll be acting as traveling vagabond (only sort of) for a couple weeks in both June and July.
In July I'll be visiting friends in Iowa for a week or two and, coming up sooner than I am ready for in the second week of June, I'll be heading out with my mom and brother to visit family in St. John, New Brunswick on the east coast of Canada. I haven't been for a few years but it really is a beautiful part of the world and it will be nice to see my mom's big family and go on some pretty ferry rides.

Here's a picture from my last visit a few years ago on a rainy day ferry ride to my aunt's house on Kingston peninsula.

I'm hoping to show you some sunny ones when I return but either way I'm sure I'll love it.
I'm really not a boat person but there's something about having to take a ferry to get somewhere you have to be that really excites the kid in me.

May Work

A little group photo for fun, originally uploaded by Needlings.

I've been spending the past couple of weeks getting a few things done so I can have a full table for my next Makers' Market next Saturday.

The little brown Needling in the front in the photo and the pink one in the back with the green eyes will be new additions I managed to finish last week. Lots of little things and some pillows will hopefully also make their way to the table providing I am as productive in the coming week as I would like to be!

That next market will be May 23rd 10am-3pm at St. Paul's - the market's first time at a location in Westdale. I hope you will stop by if you can!
This will be my last market until August as my June and July will be occupied with trips to visit family in New Brunswick and friends in Iowa if everything goes according to plan.

My mom is wonderful enough to come with me to the market again next week so I'm sure it will be a fun day hanging outside and seeing lots of fellow local makers.

Ok, back to work!
Love,
Heather

SugarElf Love

I have mentioned this wonderful etsy shop on a few occasions before
but, well folks, I have further proof of it's wonderfulness!

SugarElf.etsy.com is one of the sweetest etsy shops ever and I have,
(along with a few other items)
four adorable birdies and one nest to prove it!

Aren't they the cutest?

SugarElf's creator Christine is so lovely and I'm so lucky to have
these sweet little birdies to cheer up my work table.
They work like a charm.
You should get one!

Tweet! Tweet!

Giant Owl Mama Pillow

Giant Owl Mama Pillow, originally uploaded by Needlings.

I've been working on this big lady on and off for a bit now and finally finished sewing her up last night!
She's pretty huggable, I think. Just a larger version of my Owl Mama design made with mint green corduroy and felt. And she's in the shop!
I'm excited to see how she looks/fits on my table for the summer markets. She's about the size of four of my original Owl Mamas. Some moves will certainly have to be made to fit her in.
I'm looking forward to making a few more with different fun corduroys and fabrics I have stored away around the Needlings workroom.

May 1 Newities

Naïf, originally uploaded by Needlings.

I spent the week working on this little girl, named "Naïf," french for naive, made as a submission to an upcoming plush art show called, "Mortal Plush: I am not your toy," taking place at Art Whino Gallery in Maryland.
I'm more excited to see the wonderful art that will no doubt be a part of this show as many of my fellow Plush Team members, as well as many other talented plush artists, have already revealed some amazing submissions.
You can view more of the submissions in the Mortal Plush flickr group.


I love being a part of the plush world and I'm proud enough just to have submitted something - so my work here is done!

Happy May!

Teeny Tiny Owl Earrings

Teeny Tiny Owl Earrings, originally uploaded by Needlings.

New little owly item went up in the shop this week! Earrings!

I have fun attempting tiny but I've also been working on a larger version of my Owl Mamas that I'm pretty excited about. Another Needling is also in the works as well so lots of half finished projects floating around the workroom. Still trying to get back in to the swing of things but I'm almost almost there!

I hope everyone is enjoying the start of spring-y weather. The past few days here have been so pretty. It's so much easier to wake up early when the sun is already shining - or even just hiding being some rainy spring clouds.

Love you all.

Makers' Market April 18

Makers' Market April 18, originally uploaded by Needlings.

I know this photo is terrible - my lovely mom went around and took a few pictures during the day on Saturday during the Makers' Market on James North in Hamilton that I participated in but she unfortunately had her camera set to take videos instead of photos so we were left with a bunch of 1 and 2 second videos. Poor thing - she tried!

Anyway, photo debacle aside, it was a beautiful day to be outside and it was just a fun day all around.
I'll be doing four more dates (at least) this year which I am quite happy to do. Lots of sweet people and peaceful locations.

I love it the most when the little kids stop by. Very sweet.

Big Sigh

Well hello strangers.

I have been mostly absent
and not necessarily because I've wanted to be.

My dad had an unexpected emergency
triple bypass on his heart on March 6th and with all the
back and forth to the hospital and just trying
to keep things going - I've been a bit distracted.
A lot distracted really.

Happy happy happy to inform you that he is now home
and recovering, though now has a little bit of pneumonia to conquer.
I'm heading out to see him tomorrow and am so glad to say he is doing ok.



So there's my excuse!
Life.

I'm busy working on a batch of Owl Mamas to send to
Young Blood Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia and
getting my wits about me to plan this coming season of
spring/summer markets but I do hope to have some
new projects to show you at some point...though it
may be later rather than sooner, to be honest.



I want to thank everyone for their support and kindness
that I, in some ways, didn't even realize I had.
It has been quite the month but I know there's always more to come.

Love you very much.
Happy Spring!
Heather

Plush Team Plushapalooza

It’s Spring Plushapalooza!

The Etsy Plush Street Team is showing off the newest softies for spring in the Gallery room in Etsy Virtual Labs on Tuesday, March 24th, 3 to 4 p.m. EST! The Virtual Labs can be found here.

The Plushapalooza is just like a trunk show in the real world. Plush Team has come to you to show off the latest and greatest we have to offer. We’ll put up three listings from three different Plush Team artists at a time and everyone in the room can click, browse, and ask questions. Many of the Plush Team artists will be right there in the lab to answer!

Here’s a list of just a few of the Plush Team members sharing their work in the Plushapalooza:

• area thrifty one
• weirdbuglady
• patti haskins
• SLC Studio
• Emily ♥ Follow The White Rabbit
• PterodactylPants
• Needlings (that's me!)
  
• abbydid
• Phil Barbato
• RaggyRat
• Squirrel Momma
• absolutely small
• LittleCritters
• Melissa Stanley
• Yummy Pancake
• Diane Koss



“But the Virtual Labs scare me!” you say? It’s ok, it’s our first time too, but it’s easy and fun. Learn all about Virtual Labs in this Storque article.



The Etsy Plush Street Team is a group of Etsy artists supporting and furthering the ideas behind plush dolls, toys and all the soft areas in between.

The Etsy Plush Street Team Spring Plushapalooza is in the Gallery room in Etsy Virtual Labs on Tuesday, March 24th, 3 to 4 p.m. EST! If EST is not your time zone, here’s a link to help you figure out what your local time is.

See you there!

A Good Cause

The Victorian Bushfire Appeal etsy shop was brought to my
attention recently and I wanted to bring it to yours.

A group of etsy artists have got together to run this
shop where all proceeds go to the Australian Red Cross
as they respond to the Australian Bushfire Tragedy.

Buy some goodies or even donate some
(see how to in their shop profile).
It's a good excuse to shop and a great cause.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Hoot Headband, originally uploaded by Needlings.

Just finished this little headband amidst also working on a batch of Owl Mamas to be sent off in to the world.
I'm very off and on with my productivity but I am still working!
I was asked to participate in the Toronto One of a Kind show (big big show!) in April because they have some spots left but I know I wouldn't be capable of making enough inventory for a week long show so soon. I am a realist, people!
I would like to do it another year though. So that's something new to work towards!

I don't think I care either way if the groundhog sees his shadow...I'm quite happy either way. As long as it doesn't do some scary groundhog magic to make time go faster or slower...I'll be fine.
I hope everyone had a good January. Talk soon!

I'm going to go watch some Bill Murray.

New Postcard Samplers!

Owly Postcard Sampler, originally uploaded by Needlings.

Just listed four brand new postcard samplers in the shop:

The Owls Postcard Sampler

Penny Postcard Sampler

The Needlings Postcard Sampler

Mixed Needlings Goodies Postcard Sampler

I'm super excited about them and I hope you might like them too!

Love,
Heather

January Owl Mamas

Owl Mamas, originally uploaded by Needlings.

I've been working on another batch of Owl Mamas that are now currently on their way to Atlanta, GA to be sold at Young Blood Gallery and Boutique.
It was hard to get myself going - surprisingly not feeling as much beginning of the year motivation and instead more of that feeling you had in your last few weeks of the school year.
Must just be a little worn out from the busy-ness of the last few months of 2008.
I really kept myself pretty busy. I'm still excited for another year with Needlings and everything else is looking pretty good too.

I hope everyone is feeling much more motivated than myself - and I hope that turns around for me quickly!

Happy New Year!

Olive Branch Cowl, originally uploaded by Needlings.

Yep, it's 2009 now. I hope everyone had a fun night ringing it in.

I wanted to show off more of my mom's shop items! This cowl has been the most popular in her shop lately...I must say it is my favourite.

On the Needlings shop front - lots of already sold snap pouch designs have been relisted for sale and new items are still being worked on in my little workroom.

I tend not to make resolutions but I am definitely looking forward to another Needlings year and will be happily putting in lots of work and time in to making new items and doing more shows. It's always exciting to think of what is to come.

I hope you all enjoyed your holidays. They always fly by fast, don't they?

Merry Christmas!

and happy holidays!

I hope everyone enjoys a nice day off
and maybe some time with family and yummy food.

I feel so lucky to have the lovely people I have around me.
I will definitely be enjoying a completely relaxed day.

Love you all,
Heather
xoxo

December

Owl Baby Pocket Mirror, originally uploaded by Needlings.

These new little pocket mirrors are up in my shop - among a few other new things. I'm hoping things will slow down so I'll be able to sew a bit more and get a few more things in the shop - new tote, new pouches, new Needlings - lots of stuff on the go. I'm excited for January when I'll have a bit more Needlings time.

But...

December has been a busy month...
as I'm sure it has been for a lot of people!

I'm using today to wrap presents and get ready for Christmas completely since I will be at work all day tomorrow.

I hope everyone is doing lots of fun holiday stuff and enjoying some time off if you have it.

The year is almost over...see you in the next one!

Mom, Markets, and Computer Hate

I've been keeping quite busy lately in terms of Needlings

goings-on as well as helping my mom start her very own

Etsy scarf shop.

So we present you with, the very sparce, currently, but not for long,

The Nature Of Mary Jane

She's working on lots of pretty, pretty scarves featuring

the yarns you see in the photo. I'm helping her out

as much I can until she gets the hang of it but

it's very nice to see her excited.

She's always been a "maker" who would love to have

a shop of some sort but I think wasn't sure where to start.

On the topic of markets,

I will be participating in the Holiday Makers' Market

here in Hamilton this year taking place at Christ's

Cathedral Church downtown - which is a beautiful old

church that allows it's usage for such events.

I'm excited to see how it goes considering it has more of

an "indie," for the lack of a better word, vibe than

my first show did (that I was still happy with) earlier this month.

Now on the combo topic of computer hate and why

I haven't been very present on this here blog lately

My firefox browser has decided to disallow me

access to certain features such as my email, flickr blogging,

and other fun things that make my life easier for them

to all be in the same place.

My computer has decided to take a bit of a speed break

on top of that so we'll see what I can work out.

Perhaps Santa will bring me a brand new spiffy working

computer...and if he doesn't - I may just have

to bring it to myself.

I hope to see you more often than it has been.

I shall be working away on new items (Owl Mamas currently)

and organizing for the market next week but I hope

everyone in the U.S. has a happy Thanksgiving

and end of November in general for everyone else.

Love.

Free Shipping and New Moo!

Needlings Notecard Set, originally uploaded by Needlings.

These are my new note cards featuring my product photography printed by moo.com!
I thought they needed a little home so I made a felt envelope to hold the little set of 4 cards and envelopes. It's fun trying out new things. I'm still working on a few more holiday-y items so look out for those if you are so inclined.

I spent today doing a little Christmas shopping for my mom...I seem to always start with her because she's just the easiest. I love shopping for her. On the off chance she reads this I won't say what I got but I will say that I think she'll like all of it. My dad and brother always require serious spying, prying, and list-making. Thankfully, I am a cool-headed late shopper so I still have some time!

Speaking of holiday shopping...
I'm officially letting you all know that I have free shipping worldwide in my shop until December 1st! No excuses to empty out those favourites now. (wink wink)

I hope everyone is enjoying the starting signs (or full on pleasant/unpleasant effects) of winter coming.

If you hate winter...don't fret - it always goes away eventually. And if you love it...enjoy it until it is over and then don't fret - it always comes back again.

MacFair finished!

MacFair 08, originally uploaded by Needlings.

I've had a busy beginning of November getting ready and finally actually doing MacFair at the Museum of Art the past few days.
It was an overall pleasant first show for me and I was lucky enough to have my mom there the whole time.
This photo is of my set up before the show started and only experienced a little shifting and replacing of items over the span of the three day show. Definitely happy with how it turned out!
It was busier than I thought it would be and there really were no disasters or even almost disasters and I am now feeling ready to agree to more shows...which is exciting!
It was super nice to be able to talk to a few people who are really right there with me in a lot of ways. I'm really too much of a homebody most of the time so I really liked meeting some really sweet people.

Oh, and tomorrow is my birthday! Not a bad November so far.

It's a Necklace!

It's a necklace!, originally uploaded by Needlings.

In the middle of all my tagging and pricing prep for MacFair Thursday, Friday, and Saturday...I decided to make a tiny owl.

Added a little ring and ribbon and I think he makes the perfect little owly necklace!

I hope everyone's November is starting out as pleasant as mine has been.
Busy with work but definitely good.
I'll be spending the next couple of days frantically working to prepare for my show but I hope to see you all following the weekend with some good words (and photos) from my first big show!