Pincushions

I've decided this morning to show my pincushions some love.  These are bottle cap pincushions made with felt and embroidery thread.  Each are unique and up-cycled!  I started making them as a way to reuse my plastic bottle caps.  It's a fun little project I find relaxing and easy to do while watching evening tv with the fam.

I've collected so many caps I can't imagine they'll all be made into pincushions.   I need some suggestions! Please send me your ideas if you have any.

Setting up my new shop!

A-Rae's Barn Shop

         My workshop has increased in size tremendously. 

          I've gone from a closet in the spare room to this!  

I'm very excited for this transition.  I can now make a mess and leave it.   A joy every crafter I'm sure can relate to.   Not only is this my new workshop I'm planning to turn it into a small store by spring 2012.  I have a lot of work to make this happen.  


Views of the workshop: 

First project in the works is clearing out the shop for a floor.  The goal is concrete.   I'll post pictures once it's complete. 

Check back for updates on my progress.  

To buy business cards or not to buy?

As the crafter I am before I make a purchase I always ponder the question, "Can I do that?".

So this week I made my way to the craft and office supply stores to do some research.  The craft store had the paper I wanted to print on.  The only problem with this is I do not have a paper cutter.  Future paper cutter needed!  The office supply store had pre-cut ready to print business cards but these were flimsy.  No thanks! The paper I chose is an artists cold press water color paper.  I love the way it looks, a little texture in a creamy organic color and it's stiff but no so stiff I can't use my own printer.  After coming up with my own design and tweaking it on three or so programs I think I have something I like.  I have it printed and ready to cut into cute individual cards.  This took me about 3 days  to finish.  Partially due to the fact I am new to a mac and it's programs.  Lot's of search, find and experimenting going on here.  I'm very happy I've done this myself but it would have saved a lot of time just to pay someone else to do the work.   I will use these for now and maybe continue to improve on them.  Or I may choose to have someone else do the work for me in the future.  Probably on some pretty recycled paper.  Oh I have a new idea!  Recycled paper business cards with seeds embedded.  Ok I may have to learn how to press my own paper.  I'll add this to my growing list of things to make :)

My Morning Coffee and Crafting for Etsy

This is my most recent project nearly done! To the right my favorite mug.  No one is allowed to touch this cup :)

Enjoying some Tully's Kona and listening to Jack Johnson Pandora.  A good way to spend the rainy morning.  

Lots of wine drinking went into this one.  I may need a donation of cork soon... 

This is my next project in the making.  I'm still in the thinking stages on this one.  Found these at the thrift store a while back.  I've sanded and painted each one.  Next I plan to fill with wine cork in some way.  Each of these will be added to my Etsy shop once completed.      

Completed:

  

       

"This Dance Is The Joy Of Existence."  - Rumi

This quote was found on a bottle of Imagine Moore wine "Joy"  from the Finger Lakes in NY

http://www.inspiremoorewinery.com/Inspire_Moore_Winery/Home.html

Yet another way to reuse your trash!

I just love seeing such creative and unexpected stuff like this!!

Blog post on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/read/hitching-a-ride-on-an-earthship-12686/

Reusing a Candle Jar

Keep your old candle jars. Remove the old wax (place upside down in the freezer and it usually falls out) and reuse by placing a votive, tealight, or small pillar inside.  The larger jars are great because you get a pretty glow by placing a small candle inside.

Now that you have emptied your jar it's ready to be given a new use.  You have the option to continue using it to house a candle or try something new.  Some ideas I have come up with are shown here:

  There are so many more uses but I think you get the idea.  These are jars and they can be used to hold many many things.  

Just one more idea...

I have a collection of wine bottle protectors from the wine shop.  I couldn't stand throwing them in the trash so I've held on to them waiting to find a use for them.  Well here's one: fit it around the jar and you have a fun and trendy candle holder.  When it's lit you get this really cool pattern.

Most candles such as the Yankee have jar lids.  These are great tea light holders.  Remove the plastic seal because it's prettier this way.  Drop a tea light in and there you go.  I think a few of these down the center of a dining table would add to a very pretty table scape.