My Fabulously Flawed Life: commission

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Handmade Gift Exchange Linky Party!

It's that time!! The time where all the handmade gifts are finally in their new owners hands. Now we all want to share our new items so we've been busy taking pictures and uploading them in a linky party! It is so exciting to rummage through all the links and see what people have come up with. You can browse too just visit this this link to Craftaholics Anonymous.

First I want to show you what I gave to my partner. She loves lots of colors just like I do so I thought it would be fun to put a little spring in her kitchen during these short winter days.

A lime green Wash Blossom (dish cloth), a bright pink ChrysanthePad (hot pad or trivet) and a bright blue Scrub Bud (pot scrubber). The wash cloth and hot pad are both made with 100% cotton. The pot scrubber is 100% nylon and works GREAT on pots, rough feet and getting the grim off your precious tire rims!

Now for my gift! :) My partner did great at reading between the lines of our email conversations and picked up on the fact that I teach yoga. So she gave me a yoga mat carrier, with POCKETS!! I think the pockets are so cool because you can fit your yoga belt, keys, lip gloss, drivers license; all together in one and head to class. How AWESOME is that?? Check it out!

Ready for class!

Check out the pockets...ALL THE WAY AROUND!
And you can see the pretty green material on the inside...super classy.

It was a hit!

I love the colors and just the idea that it's handmade. I mean really...who would have thought to make a yoga mat bag?? MY PARTNER, THAT'S WHO! Kudo's to my partner Jody...best handmade, surprise gift EVER!

Have you ever participated in a gift exchange for someone you didn't know? If not I suggest you do!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Commission Work Meanderings...

So I was reading through some of my favorite blogs the other day and I came across a post from Handmade Crafts Done While RVing about doing commission work and how it really can be a way of life. I have never thought I could maintain a living (although secretly wanted to) based on my crafts and talents. Don't get me wrong, I'm not fishing for compliments here, but who would want my stuff? My crafts? My talents? Thankfully I have had some very satisfied customers and I feel sooo blessed when I can share my God given talents.

I sat at a farmers market nearly every Wednesday afternoon this summer in a small mid-Kansas town. I would say that over all I had minimal success. I sat in the heat of the sun, chatting and crocheting. But when I sold something my heart lept! I was so thrilled and I almost felt guilty that I was getting money for something that made me so happy. But no matter how happy I am, it doesn't feed the belly...ya know?

Christmas is coming and there is a lull in sales....like zero in over a month. I keep telling myself that it's the economy...but maybe it's not?! Maybe my fear of no one wanting my stuff is coming true? So I make more stuff, out of nervousness...and if any of you have ever been in an RV you know there is very little storage space....SO BUY MY STUFF!! LOL

I enjoy crochet so much that it consumes many hours in a day. I probably give away more than I sell, but it all gives me joy. I love to watch someone's eyes light up when they see their creations I made just for them. I love the smell of a new skein of quality yarn. I love the feel of the fibers sliding through my fingers. I love creating and learning. I love that God trusted me with this very special ability and no matter what I make, sell, or give away I hope that I never take it for granted.

When you shop this Christmas, think about shopping handmade. Items made with love and passion reflect in handmade work. Get a true one of a kind item instead of something that everyone on the block has. Buy from your friends, from their friends, make a connection, feed a belly. I will do everything possible to make a customer happy, can you say that about the local chain store?

Some favorites I've made....