Hello everyone!
Finally the countdown is here for the last days of the housing project. It has been a grueling 8 months but it is almost over! I am so happy I have tears of joy when I moved the first 2 boxes to the new house: a portable kitchen setup and cleaning supplies. More tears of joy will come in when the new appliances arrive. We got tiles done in the kitchen and one of the bathrooms. The rest will follow.
If I can only move in the other boxes I will be all set! Most of my studio is packed up but nothing else. The husband and I had no time to do such a thing.
Now for a clay question (for those who still read my blog): premo or kato or both? Got lots of premo here that I have been using but since the formula for premo went to mush I don't know if I want to keep using it for my minis. Then Cindy (Snowfern) told me that kato is hard as a rock and seem to be really good at only caning. With my constant tendonitis I am not sure if my hands can take the beating of kato. I heard that Donna Kato runs her clay over with her car! If the worse of premo is leeching the clay until it is hard for a few days then I rather have that than running it over with a car!
Any thoughts?
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hello everyone!
It is not quite yet Thanksgiving yet in the states but I just want to let everyone know that I wish everyone a very Thanksgiving in the states and a good Thursday for everyone who does not celebrate Thanksgiving.
This year we are NOT cooking at home. That would be Christmas this year after we move in. My husband is the king of the kitchen! He usually spend 2 days to cook everything: turkey, stuffing, side dishes, and pies, lots of pies. Unfortunately since he did not move yet he cannot flex his creative urges like he usually do. We managed to have 6 pies. We usually donate half of our pies to the neighbors, the landlady, and my own parents. This is a sample of the real pies (and miniature) pies that we made.
We might have an oven emergency again! Our house has only 30 amps for the stupid oven, and we have quite some trouble finding a double decker oven that uses only 30 amps! I hope we can fix it so that we can get the baking back!
It is not quite yet Thanksgiving yet in the states but I just want to let everyone know that I wish everyone a very Thanksgiving in the states and a good Thursday for everyone who does not celebrate Thanksgiving.
This year we are NOT cooking at home. That would be Christmas this year after we move in. My husband is the king of the kitchen! He usually spend 2 days to cook everything: turkey, stuffing, side dishes, and pies, lots of pies. Unfortunately since he did not move yet he cannot flex his creative urges like he usually do. We managed to have 6 pies. We usually donate half of our pies to the neighbors, the landlady, and my own parents. This is a sample of the real pies (and miniature) pies that we made.
We might have an oven emergency again! Our house has only 30 amps for the stupid oven, and we have quite some trouble finding a double decker oven that uses only 30 amps! I hope we can fix it so that we can get the baking back!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Moving musings
Hello everyone!
This is one of the last weeks before moving. I am sure as heck sick of the delays on packing, weird house problems (like the house's roof tiles got blown away), and mothers. Things are on its way and the packing is moving along with the cleaning and the sorting. I am very happy it is progressing, even though there are moments when I want to crawl into a hole and hide.
So during weirdo delays I have been staring at Japanese embroidery again (and sewing in general.) I did a trade with my dear friend Alisun from Alisun's Crafted Jewelry and got this:
It is a beautiful book, much better than the one written by the Japanese Embroidery Institute in Atlanta. I got 3 embroidery books now and I find this one to be the most helpful in terms of images. Then again this is the beginning embroidery book and not the institute one, which is taught along with a class.
Along with embroidery the husband requests that I sew all the house's curtains. That is at least 12 sets of curtains since we have 12 windows. It sounds like fun and I can practice my sewing skills on those.
I also have been staring at buying new purses too since the only purses I ever had are hand me downs or gifts from other people. I know it is silly but I have a weakness for cute Japanese things. It was probably leftover from my days collecting stationary but I want to get at the moment:
Since I am not making minis I have been staring at miniatures instead. Cindy just sent me this link for a Japanese artist. Darn she is good at finding these things!
The pictures in the blog are not very big but it is still a treat to look at.
Anyway time to go back to the long grind of packing but I just wanna say hi to everyone before the Internet is cut off. I am not sure when but it will be soon to transfer the Internet and the phone service. Will poke back when I can!
This is one of the last weeks before moving. I am sure as heck sick of the delays on packing, weird house problems (like the house's roof tiles got blown away), and mothers. Things are on its way and the packing is moving along with the cleaning and the sorting. I am very happy it is progressing, even though there are moments when I want to crawl into a hole and hide.
So during weirdo delays I have been staring at Japanese embroidery again (and sewing in general.) I did a trade with my dear friend Alisun from Alisun's Crafted Jewelry and got this:
It is a beautiful book, much better than the one written by the Japanese Embroidery Institute in Atlanta. I got 3 embroidery books now and I find this one to be the most helpful in terms of images. Then again this is the beginning embroidery book and not the institute one, which is taught along with a class.
Along with embroidery the husband requests that I sew all the house's curtains. That is at least 12 sets of curtains since we have 12 windows. It sounds like fun and I can practice my sewing skills on those.
I also have been staring at buying new purses too since the only purses I ever had are hand me downs or gifts from other people. I know it is silly but I have a weakness for cute Japanese things. It was probably leftover from my days collecting stationary but I want to get at the moment:
Since I am not making minis I have been staring at miniatures instead. Cindy just sent me this link for a Japanese artist. Darn she is good at finding these things!
The pictures in the blog are not very big but it is still a treat to look at.
Anyway time to go back to the long grind of packing but I just wanna say hi to everyone before the Internet is cut off. I am not sure when but it will be soon to transfer the Internet and the phone service. Will poke back when I can!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Gingerbread cookie class
Hello everyone!
If you are a member of CDHM (Custom Doll Houses and Miniatures) then you would love to know that I got the last slot of miniature food class this year!
Last year people were pretty wowed by this piece here. It is a gingerbread board that I made. Now I am not teaching people how to make the board, but how to make the base gingerbread cookie color (and how to texture the cookies to make them more realistic.) I feel bad because I did honestly rush to finish that class for CDHM. After all that toaster oven is unplugged now so I only had old photos and things to go with.
If you can come join all of us on November 14 at 12 noon PST I would be happy to show you how to make this on there. It is the last class of the year so I hope you can come on in if you can and learn with me!
If you are a member of CDHM (Custom Doll Houses and Miniatures) then you would love to know that I got the last slot of miniature food class this year!
Last year people were pretty wowed by this piece here. It is a gingerbread board that I made. Now I am not teaching people how to make the board, but how to make the base gingerbread cookie color (and how to texture the cookies to make them more realistic.) I feel bad because I did honestly rush to finish that class for CDHM. After all that toaster oven is unplugged now so I only had old photos and things to go with.
If you can come join all of us on November 14 at 12 noon PST I would be happy to show you how to make this on there. It is the last class of the year so I hope you can come on in if you can and learn with me!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Negative marketing? (A rant)
Hello everyone!
This is kind of a pet peeve of mine but I am seeing more and more of this.
Over many years of wandering (both online and not) I saw people with very negative advertising on their shops, saying that "I am the TRUE maker of (insert item here.) Don't buy from my competitors! They are just hobbyists that don't know how to appreciate the (items that I am making and copied me.)" I seen this on online stores, etsy, forums, etc... I don't wanna name names because I am sure everyone can name at least a few stores that do that online and off.
For some reason I seem to notice more of it during this time in handmade shops and the like, and even get featured on etsy and other places for these believes!
Here is my question to people who put that out there: Why are you so negative about hobbyists? Does it really help customers decide if they want to shop your items to say don't buy things from my competitors? Come on! I can understand that you (imaginary seller who sell things) spent a lot time learning how to make things and yes it is heartbreaking to see people lowering their prices because of a variety of reasons. If there were people who stole your ideas and make things out of your patterns, designs, etc... I can understand. Telling someone where to shop when they are browsing I think is downright rude and does not bring anything to the table for the customers, whom might be people who are learning to make those items or just appreciates your particular craft.
Personally, I believe in a community of knowledge and competition is healthy. I could not learn the things I learned without many wonderful people encouraging me to try new things and spread the word around. Despite the fact that many people like my work, believe me, I know that I am no expert in any of the mediums that I am working with and will continue to expand and improve through the help of friends, family, and strangers. When I have time to write down my techniques I would be very glad to share it with you. No need to elevate to become a meanie just because you have more experience or opportunities than the next fella or be in the "right culture" for your particular craft.
Even if you believe that you are the best and "the only one trained to do (insert craft here)" I would keep that to myself and not say "don't buy from my competitors."
Besides, how does a work evolve and grow if it is stuck in the mindset of a few that thinks their way is "the right way?" Like all things, art evolves all the time. Sigh...
My apologies for the long rant but I am kind of tired of this negative energy in the artist world.
This is kind of a pet peeve of mine but I am seeing more and more of this.
Over many years of wandering (both online and not) I saw people with very negative advertising on their shops, saying that "I am the TRUE maker of (insert item here.) Don't buy from my competitors! They are just hobbyists that don't know how to appreciate the (items that I am making and copied me.)" I seen this on online stores, etsy, forums, etc... I don't wanna name names because I am sure everyone can name at least a few stores that do that online and off.
For some reason I seem to notice more of it during this time in handmade shops and the like, and even get featured on etsy and other places for these believes!
Here is my question to people who put that out there: Why are you so negative about hobbyists? Does it really help customers decide if they want to shop your items to say don't buy things from my competitors? Come on! I can understand that you (imaginary seller who sell things) spent a lot time learning how to make things and yes it is heartbreaking to see people lowering their prices because of a variety of reasons. If there were people who stole your ideas and make things out of your patterns, designs, etc... I can understand. Telling someone where to shop when they are browsing I think is downright rude and does not bring anything to the table for the customers, whom might be people who are learning to make those items or just appreciates your particular craft.
Personally, I believe in a community of knowledge and competition is healthy. I could not learn the things I learned without many wonderful people encouraging me to try new things and spread the word around. Despite the fact that many people like my work, believe me, I know that I am no expert in any of the mediums that I am working with and will continue to expand and improve through the help of friends, family, and strangers. When I have time to write down my techniques I would be very glad to share it with you. No need to elevate to become a meanie just because you have more experience or opportunities than the next fella or be in the "right culture" for your particular craft.
Even if you believe that you are the best and "the only one trained to do (insert craft here)" I would keep that to myself and not say "don't buy from my competitors."
Besides, how does a work evolve and grow if it is stuck in the mindset of a few that thinks their way is "the right way?" Like all things, art evolves all the time. Sigh...
My apologies for the long rant but I am kind of tired of this negative energy in the artist world.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Happy November (and contest winner!)
Hello everyone and Happy November!
This is the month that I feel it is truly the start of fall or winter depending on the rains. At the moment it is more like fall: cold, crispy, and windy.
Random.org has decided its fate and... here it is: Huck!
Congratulations Huck! You have won a random gift bag from me! E-mail me at shop(at)live-mini(dot)com for more information. I think Karin had won the previous contest but I lost her address too, so there are 2 winners this month! Thank you both!
Since at the moment it is T minus 2 weeks before moving what little time I can make posts online will definitely be silent until moving is complete and well... it might be a month before I am back with Internet and phone so the contest once again gets postponed and the shops are closed for November. Can't sell or give away something if it is in a box right?
Thanks for reading everyone and I hope November for you all will be peaceful and happy, especially Thanksgiving.
This is the month that I feel it is truly the start of fall or winter depending on the rains. At the moment it is more like fall: cold, crispy, and windy.
Random.org has decided its fate and... here it is: Huck!
Congratulations Huck! You have won a random gift bag from me! E-mail me at shop(at)live-mini(dot)com for more information. I think Karin had won the previous contest but I lost her address too, so there are 2 winners this month! Thank you both!
Since at the moment it is T minus 2 weeks before moving what little time I can make posts online will definitely be silent until moving is complete and well... it might be a month before I am back with Internet and phone so the contest once again gets postponed and the shops are closed for November. Can't sell or give away something if it is in a box right?
Thanks for reading everyone and I hope November for you all will be peaceful and happy, especially Thanksgiving.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Packing time!
Hello everyone!
If you have seen my shops and stuff I have been busy posting all the goodies that I have up there. Resin, clay canes, miniatures, you name it I put it up there. I mainly did it because I know I have been very experimenting (and I love it) and just wanted to share with everyone! But even with all my efforts experimenting it is time to put away the clay and start packing. :(
So with this note I am letting everyone know that I will continue to do things with my etsy/artfire and read everyone's blogs and things but I will not have the energy to reply much (again.) The house now has 3 weeks before it is ready and I am super excited! I have been packing like crazy now but I have not packed my art stuff yet. Listing the art stuff takes a lot of effort honestly but it is worth it.
I will be back (and more active than ever!) I promise!
If you have seen my shops and stuff I have been busy posting all the goodies that I have up there. Resin, clay canes, miniatures, you name it I put it up there. I mainly did it because I know I have been very experimenting (and I love it) and just wanted to share with everyone! But even with all my efforts experimenting it is time to put away the clay and start packing. :(
So with this note I am letting everyone know that I will continue to do things with my etsy/artfire and read everyone's blogs and things but I will not have the energy to reply much (again.) The house now has 3 weeks before it is ready and I am super excited! I have been packing like crazy now but I have not packed my art stuff yet. Listing the art stuff takes a lot of effort honestly but it is worth it.
I will be back (and more active than ever!) I promise!
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