Yesterday, I had a mini craft day. Beth, Mary, and I all had things to do for Silver Bella, so we decided to hang out and do them together. I had a few little gifties for them, some ephemera and a chocolate from See's Candys.
Beth brought a giant tub of jewels, a big box of buttons, and a stack of laces to tag and sort, one of those boring jobs that goes better with company. Although, the jewels weren't boring to me, I loved looking through and playing with them.
She even paid me a dollar to sort them out. She also offered Sugarwings a dollar to sort buttons. Maybe Beth comes to visit for the cheap labor?
It was a day full of finished projects for me, I am thrilled to be getting long neglected things completed!
For a while, I have been buying sewing boxes, jewelry boxes, and other vintage containers to foofify. And hadn't touched them, they've been piling up and overflowing from the tub I had them in. I felt like they were going to bury me in an avalanche if I didn't get around to them soon. So, it was a relief to take an afternoon to whittle down the pile and get a few foofed.
There are a couple million dolls waiting for my attention too. Some things, I just can't pass up while shopping, even though I should… Old dollies can be pretty cheap, and all they need is a bit of love, care, glue, cleaning, millinery and ironing. Well, that does sound like a bit of work, no wonder I avoid them after I buy a pile of them.
But yesterday, I grabbed a couple of dirty dollies and got to work. And learned a trick from Beth. She said that ribbons can be ironed on a lightbulb!!!!!!!
I had no idea, but it sure makes sense and really does work.
So, I pulled off a lamp shade and rolled a ribbon across the bulb, and that took all the wrinkles out immediately. I didn't even have to get out the iron and the board.
So, I figured I'd try it on a doll skirt. That worked great too, just open the skirt, drape it over the bulb and rub it around. It looks very, very wrong while doing it (because the doll was stil in the dress), and elicited a few off color remarks, (I'll leave those to your imagination) but hey, it was easy and the wrinkles are gone!
I just hope these poor dolls don't feel too violated.
I got a good start on earring making too. During the summer months, I collect vintage bits and pieces to remake into pierced earrings, necklaces, and bracelets for the fall art shows I do.
So, I'm planning on devoting most of this week to getting my jewels made up, tagged and ready to sell.
Isn't this a PERFECT display for them!? I hope to have it all filled up by the end of the week. Then, I'll just close the lid, set it aside and it will be all ready to go when I leave for Silver Bella.
Sorting out Beth's jewels not only earned me a dollar, I found this little girl pin that was perfect to put on the cover of the Alice in Wonderland book I'd been working on. Beth also brought me the rings to put the book together with. So I got that finished too.
Not a bad day of production!
When I was done, my son had this meal waiting for me! Roasted red peppers from the garden, rice with cilantro, and grilled tilapia.
Not a bad day at all. Plus I made a whole DOLLAR. There are lots and lots of days that an artist can't say that!
Morning Karla..I`m so exited ….I found a cool old suitcase at a garage sale today…I`ve been looking for ages & there it was!!I have some vintage wallpaper..I got some good hints from you the other day…wish me luck ….Lorraine
Your earring display case is wonderful! And isn’t it great to have a day filled with productivity, good food at the end of it, and knowing you made a little (very little) money besides?
Have a good weekend.
Lorrie
I love the baskets! And the trunk box as a display is so cute!
The crafts are adorable. Love the jewels. Talipia looks so good. I often grill talapia and top my salad with it.
Hope you have a good weekend.
Yoli
Phew! I just finished the cover of Heather’s journal that will need rings when I finally make some pages. But assembling that cover took me a whole morning, without making anything else. I think I need to join your craft day for a shot in the productive arm!!
Oooooo, I almost got chocolate from See’s candy this week. Should have listened to the impulse!
Congratulations on all the finished projects! The earrings look sparkly again this year. ;->
Silver Bella, or any vendor event for that matter, seems to be a love/hate of completed projects and price labeling. I hope that as you finish up preparations all the work will become play for you!
Karla, you are one of those people that gets so much accomplished in a day it makes my head spin! Dang, you have a lot of energy girl!! xo, suzy
hahaha I am cracking up..”violated dollies”! I love your earings busy busy you have been that is great! Have fun Grace
Geez, I feel so criminal- in less than an hour I violated child labor laws, fair wage laws, and watched you violate your dolls…and it was all fun, but Sugarwings is off the payroll until she turns four.
you always look like you gals have a great time. btw, i love your word “foofify” & i’d like some of what you had for dinner 🙂
have fun at silver bella!!
nerissa
Karla, that is a cool trick using the light bulb for ironing…that trunk looks great with all of your jewelry hanging in the lid, what a wonderful display idea…you girls sure get a lot done when you all get together…
Karla You always get so much done. I love the suitcase display case. It is great and unique. Your dinner looked really good too.
Have a great rest of the weekend.
Jean in virginia
ohhhhh how beautiful ! Have a wonderful time at Silver Bella !
I want to go someday so very badly ~
xoxo
Lori
I sure do wish that I had a crafting friend that lived near enough to come over and craft and antique and flea market shop! I know that you ladies have a ton of fun! Great little display for your earrings! Oh….and isn’t it nice that at the end of all of that fun that someone cooked dinner for you!
Oh, how I would love to come sort buttons and play with you, Sugarwings & Beth! Wow, you really are a cheap date!! LOL
Happy PINK SATURDAY!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Oh Karla:
Everything you touch is beautiful !
You really should have an antique shop, then again it is alot of work !
You are BLESSED, to be sure. Would love to stop by your house and do some crafting, sometime.
If only I lived close enough !
You find the most amazing things !
Then you re-create them ! The doll clothes, ironing idea, is fabulous !
Wonderful crafting day with friends and yummy dinner made by loving son….you are a lucky lady!!
I love to visit here. So many beautiful things to inspire me! I wish I could go to Silver Bella. Maybe one of these years I’ll make it!
Another wonderful day (and I finished my pages today – yea!)Thank you Karla!!!
Glad you had fun. Happy happies.
You never cease to amaze me with how much you get done, Karla. Love your trunk case display for your jewellery – brilliant idea. And you always get such wonderful meals made by your son – it looks delicious!
I am looking forward to buying some of your fablous jewlery at SB…..
Lori
So looking forward to your fabulous booth at SB! It was one of my very favorites!!
Hi Karla!
Love your earrings and your trunk! Do you guys have Sees out there in Kansas? It is a Calif. company…my favorite chocolate!
hugs! karen….
What a wonderful day crafting with friends. I love the old suitcase as a display case. And lunch sounds absolutely perfect!
Don’t you just love days where lots gets accomplished? Thanks for the lightbulb ironing trick! “Why didn’t I think of that??”
rosie
What a wonderful post!! It sounds and looks like you had the perfect day!! : )
~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Hi Karla,
Ohhh such pretty baskets and jewelry!!
Love the Halloween Sees Candy. I had
some when I was in California and even
purchased a Sees Candy Barbie (Special Edition) while I was there. I had to purchase another small piece of luggage to bring my “goodies” home! 🙂
I love your dolls too! Thank you for
sharing the lightbulb iron tip!! Great
idea.
Hugs,
Janis
Bless Beth for such a great tip with the light bulb. I’ll be using that one for sure.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
I love your adorable Alice in Wonderland book!
Blessings,
Christine
Ms. Nathan:
Your blog is wonderful and you are so creative! Every day I open it up and can’t wait to see what wonderful thing you will come up with next. A special request: could you please put up more Sugar Wings pictures? Your stories about her are just fascinating and she is most likely the cutest granddaughter in the entire universe.
Pop Pop
sounds like such a fun day! i think those boring tasks like the buttons are much better when done together! i love all your earrings!! thanks for visiting my blog 🙂
Yes, you’re so right! Lots of days we don’t make a dollar — but look how much fun we have! I love your earrings and their display suitcase! You know, I love your posts about how you work (“foofify”) your stuff! Have a great morning!
Oh, yes! The lightbulb trick is a great one! I happen to love to sort stuff like buttons and jewels! LOL! I don’t find it boring at all! Sometimes I go buy a big mixed up bag of buttons JUST so I can sort them! But then again….I’ve been told that I don’t have issues, I have the WHOLE SUBSCRIPTION! LOL!
I just love seeing all the great things you make. They all look great.
Ribbons on a light bulb? No WAY! How cool is that! Isn’t it fun to be productive with friends!
What a great tip from Beth! I always find several bits of helpful information on your blog. And dontcha just love how dogs have to be right in the middle of everything? Whenever I lay something on the floor to measure or cut, one of my dogs plants itself right in the center.
Love your vintage sewing boxes. I’ve got a couple of them here – just sitting on the shelf holding old thread and buttons. I adore how you’ve dressed yours up. good idea, my shelf would look prettier too.