Karen the Librarian

New dress

2012-02-08T15:41:00.003-05:00

I've been so busy lately with other obligations, I haven't had much time to sew for myself. I bought some fantastic vintage fabric in Toronto's Kensington Market last fall, where it's been sitting on my work table ever since. This past week I finally set out to make a simple shift dress with it, from the Japanese sewing book Tunic and Dress.

It was very quick and easy to make, and I used bias trim around the arm and neck holes and hem. It will be perfect over a turtleneck and tights.

Toy mice for foster kittens

2012-02-06T08:39:00.004-05:00

Inspired by my fostering with Abbey Cats Adoptions, I've started making toy mice for the cats in foster. I never know what to do with my scrap fabric, which I've been saving and can now put to good use. Once I've made enough I'm going to distribute them to the other fosters, and may even sell them in my Etsy shop, with the proceeds being donated to Abbey Cats. So far, my foster kittens seem to like them!

Wise Daughters craft market celebrates three years

2012-01-25T10:46:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, January 28th, Wise Daughters craft market in the Junction area of Toronto will celebrate its third birthday. This wonderful store carries unique and carefully hand made goods from local artists, including myself, and hosts workshops and other events. Proprietor Mary keeps the selection fresh and relevant to the needs of her customers. My Zippster coin purses and magnet sets sell rather well there, and I am grateful to Mary not only for the opportunity, but also for the attention she provides to vendors, which isn't always the case with consignment.

Between 1 - 5, Wise Daughters will be celebrating with complimentary treats, great giveaways and live music by The Measure, a 4-piece acoustic band. Drop by and take a look at the goods!

Cats!

2011-12-21T08:26:00.006-05:00

Meet my three foster kitties: Suzie Q, Polka and Fandango. I recently decided to volunteer as a foster mom after adopting my cat Dexter (seen below, playing with Suzie Q), from Abbey Cat Adoptions.

These three kittens were from a litter of nine, so they're a bit small for their age, but no less energetic. Or hungry. Kittens eat and poop a lot! Each has their own very unique personality: Suzie Q is fearless, friendly, affectionate, curious, playful, and nosy. She seems to be the dominate of the three, and also the hungriest! Polka is more independent and serious, but loves playing with the catnip mouse. She too is curious and nosy, and likes to jump up on the kitchen counter. Fandango is friendly and affectionate, but still a bit cautious. He loves a good tummy rub and cuddling with Suzie Q.

All three play really well together and love playing tag, and with Dexter. In particular, Dexter has taken a liking to Suzie Q. At first I was worried about how he would react with three new kittens around, but he has assumed the role of older brother, making sure they get fed (he yells at me in the morning if I take too long to get them their food!), grooming them, and scolding them when they scratch the couch.

If you know someone who is considering adopting a cat, I suggest taking a look at the cats and kittens at Abbey Cats.

Messenger bags

2011-11-09T21:29:00.005-05:00

My messenger bags have been available at Wise Daughters for a while now, but they are now available in my Etsy shop. I started making messenger bags when I wasn't able to find one that I liked - often that's how I start making a new item, when I'm dissatisfied with what's out there.

These bags are based on my own pattern, after some trial and error. I tested out different closures, strap configurations, and dimensions. The front flap closure is a magnetic snap, which I love - very easy to use. The bag is just the right size for daily essentials: book, wallet, cosmetic case, gadgets, even some snacks.

Remember, I do custom work, so if you have a piece of fabric you would like to incorporate into a bag or pouch of some sort, just let me know!

New Blythe items

2011-08-13T17:05:00.005-04:00

So I finally made some Blythe clothes from the Simplicity Blythe patterns. I've been so busy with my Zippster items, and sales have been slow in my Blythe store, that I haven't bothered making new items. I think the recession in the United States is still bad enough that people aren't shopping like they used to. I made one of each of the outfits, and overall I'm happy with the patterns.

The only pattern I didn't like was for the hoodie. The pattern had the opening at the back but I made it at the front, and used snaps instead of a zipper (anyone know where I can find doll-sized zippers?). I found the hood a bit too big, and the sleeves a weird length - too short for a t-shirt and not not long enough for a long sleeved top. Next time I'll lengthen the sleeves.

The items are now available in my Etsy store.

New vintage fabric clutches

2011-07-20T08:57:00.007-04:00

Before the Canada Post strike/lockout I had ordered some really amazing vintage fabric, which finally arrived about a week ago. As soon as I saw it I knew it would be perfect for my coin purses. The fabric is so colourful and is in perfect condition.

Recently I've been experimenting with larger sizes and shapes for the coin purses. I drafted a new pattern, and the end result is a clutch large enough to be used alone as a purse, or as a cosmetic case. They include interfacing and cotton batting for shape and support.

More to come...

My Fabricland is closing!

2011-07-05T09:49:00.004-04:00

Most of the time I purchase my fabric and sewing supplies from stores along Queen Street West, the "Fashion District" of Toronto. But sometimes I go to the Fabricland at Yonge and Bay, where I popped into last night. As soon as I entered, I realized something was wrong: the place looked empty of inventory, it was very busy, and there were Closing Sale signs everywhere. Closing ... no! A salesperson I spoke to said they're trying to find a new location. A lot of fabric was gone, but I stocked up on batting, and bought a lot of patterns (buy one, get two free!). Sorry to the staff who are losing their jobs.

Back to business!

2011-06-27T09:19:00.004-04:00

Good news! Postal services should resume tomorrow,
Tuesday June 27. As a result, I've re-opened both
of my Etsy shops. I've also listed some new magnet
sets in my Zippster shop, and a new
"create your own magnet set" option,
which I think is a fun idea for gifts.

New sewing machine

2011-06-22T08:58:00.003-04:00

Well, the time came: my old 20+ years-old Kenmore has retired. I've been fighting with it for a while now, and was spending more time unjamming and ripping out bad stitching than I was sewing. I tried out quite a few machines, including Singers, Bernina (nice but out of my price range), and Janomes (I have a Janome serger and really like it). I used this website to do some research and read reviews. This is the machine I bought, the Janome 2030QDC (computerized, how fancy!):

It's actually considered a quilter's machine but has all the features I needed without being overly complicated with bells and whistles. It has good power, is fast, and easy to use - I took it out of the box, plugged it in and started sewing right away (well, the most difficult thing was trying to figure out the auto-threader!). It also came with an extended sewing table, hard case and lots of accessories. So nice to have consistent, even stitching!

Canada Post in full strike mode

2011-06-15T08:58:00.003-04:00

Fortunately, the recent Canada Post strike hadn't affected me until yesterday, when it was Toronto's turn as part of the rotating work stoppage. But Canada Post has now locked out its workers and suspended operations.
Most of the supplies I recently ordered, and a birthday gift, arrived before the work stoppage in Toronto, but I'm waiting for some vintage fabric to arrive, and I just ordered some coloured metal purse frames (!) which I'm very excited about. In the meanwhile, I've put both of my Etsy shops in vacation mode, and I'm working on some messenger bags for Wise Daughters.

Sneak Peek

2011-06-10T08:56:00.004-04:00

Normally I usually make smaller coin purses, but I've decided to make some larger ones. I already had some larger purse frames in my supplies stash, but I also purchased some even larger frames (over 8"), which I'm going to use to make clutches, but I need to purchase a different frame pincher (the one I use for the smaller frames isn't strong enough for the larger frames). For now, here's a sample of some new coin purses - the three larger ones at the back use either silk or vintage fabric (love the curved antique brass frame in the bottom left, it's my new favourite frame):

Recently I came across some vintage silk kimono fabric, which I'm going to use for the larger clutches. The fabric is really beautiful:

But I'm having major problems with my domestic sewing machine, which is probably close to 20 years old. I've never had it serviced, so that's a start, but I may look into investing in a new one, something that's got a bit more power and features. The research begins...

Canada Post strike

2011-06-03T08:36:00.003-04:00

Well, it happened: Canada Post is on strike, effective Friday, June 3. Their website is currently down so I can't get details, but apparently strike action will be rolled out to different cities in 24-hour increments. Not only does this mean I can't mail out orders from my Etsy stores, but I recently ordered a bunch of fabric and metal purse frames, supplies which I need to make more items for my retail customers. Not good. Let's hope it's resolved quickly, please!

Crafty happenings this week-end

2011-05-26T10:27:00.005-04:00

Lots of fun arts and crafty things going on this week-end!

There's the annual More than just a yardage sale at the Textile Museum, where I'll rummage through fabrics, beads, buttons, patterns and more!

But I also need to clear out my fabric stash so I can take anything I don't plan on using to the Spring Craft Supply Swap at Wise Daughters in the Junction on Sunday.

It's also Doors Open this week-end. This annual spring event is a great opportunity to visit some of Toronto's buildings which normally aren't open to the public. Good for photography and design inspiration.

New Facebook page

2011-05-20T09:13:00.003-04:00

So for some reason my Karen's Creations Facebook group page went 'missing', so I created a new page (still not sure what the difference is between groups and pages), named after this blog. It's more encompassing of all my crafty/artsty activities:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Librariankarenblogspotcom/115385691880796

Come like it so I can get a proper username for the page!

New glasses cases

2011-05-17T09:15:00.005-04:00

I am excited to announce that my new glasses cases are available at Opticianado, an eyewear store in the Junction. Thanks to Mary at Wise Daughters! These are a new item for me, based on my snap frame coin purses. It was the first time using the curved frame for glasses and I'm pleased with how they turned out.

I interfaced the outer fabric to provide more stability and squared off the bottom to allow room for different sizes of frames. The lining is a really soft cotton which should be safe for lenses.

Updates

2011-05-09T09:25:00.003-04:00

Well I'm still settling into my new place after a recent move, so I haven't had much opportunity to do a lot of sewing or add new items to either of my Etsy shops. Stay tuned for a major overhaul of both of my shops and website!

One of my first tasks is to make some new Blythe clothes, which I haven't had a chance to do because I've been focusing on my Zippster store and local consignment. A while a go I bought this Simplicity pattern for Blythe clothes, I can't wait to try out the patterns:

As for craft shows, Zippster will be represented by 100 Mile Finds at two upcoming shows, the first is Friday May 27 in St. Catharines. The next one is June 4 at The Brickworks in Toronto.

I'm back!

2011-04-18T09:36:00.004-04:00

Oh hi! I'm back from a wonderful three week vacation in South America, where I saw beautiful scenery and animals, met some wonderful people, and accomplished a major personal goal (note: if you are thinking of hiking the Inca Trail, I recommend training on a stair master - I'm not as fit as I thought I was!). Although I saw many handicrafts, I was hoping to bring home some textiles for my sewing but I don't like using animal-based fabrics, and most of their fabric is made with alpaca wool. The whole trip was very well organized and I experienced no problems. We had a bit of rain (it was the end of the rainy season), but otherwise it was warm and sunny.

Here's a rundown of my itinerary:

Day 1: Arrived in Lima, where I stayed in the Miraflores district, an upper-middle class area with lots of parks, restaurants, shopping, and bars. The Miraflores area was quite nice and I felt safe. Downtown Lima has some interesting architecture but I didn't feel as safe there (probably shouldn't have been walking around by myself, a young-looking pale-skinned tattooed woman drew a bit of attention).
Day 2: Flight to Cuzco. Our hotel was a few blocks from the main square. I really liked Cuzco and felt very safe there. Lots of handicraft shopping.
Day 3: Travel to Ollantaytambo/Sacred Valley/Pisac. Visited some Inca ruins, handicraft markets, and a local cemetery. Adjusted to the higher altitude in preparation for the Inca Trail.
Day 4-7: Hiking the Inca Trail. Trekked 80km over 3.5 days - 3 nights of camping and no showers (although each morning a porter would bring us hot tea and a bucket of hot water for washing up). Day 1 wasn't too bad, a nice sunny day and we saw Inca ruins along the way. Day 2 was the most difficult, reaching the peak ("Dead Woman's Pass") at 4200m mid-afternoon. Day 3 rained all day, which made the descent a bit tricky because the stones were very slippery (I fell a few times). Day 4 we woke at 3:30am in order to line up to finish the trail and enter Machu Picchu. The rest of Day 4 was spent exploring Machu Picchu and returning to Cuzco. The challenge of the trek was worth it, to be above the clouds in the cloud forest and to see Machu Picchu was truly stunning. For the hike, we employed 25 porters, 3 guides and 2 cooks, who were all incredible. We were well fed and taken care of. The porters carried all our camping gear and food, and would race ahead of us to set up camp before we arrived.
Day 8: Back in Cuzco.
Day 9-10: In the Amazon Rainforest. Stayed in a really neat lodge (no electricity or hot water!) and saw plenty of birds and monkeys. Visited a shaman to learn about natural medicine.
Day 11: Back in Lima. Our remaining group went on a city tour and to a dinner show (La Dama Juana) in Miraflores.
Day 12: Flight from Lima to Quito. By the time we arrived in Quito it was too late to do anything other than going out for dinner.
Day 13-17: Stayed on a boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and visited different islands in the Galapagos. It was very hot and I got a bad sunburn but it was worth it! Fortunately, did not get motion sickness on the boat. The food was fantastic and we had a good balance of day excursions on the islands and rest time.
Day 13: Baltra and Santa Cruz (main inhabited island) islands. Visited the Darwin Research Centre. Really enjoyed the tortoise and iguana breeding centres, and went shopping in the port town of Puero Ayora.
Day 14: Floreana island. Visited Post Office Bay and Punta Cormorant. Went snorkeling for the first time ever - one of the highlights of my trip.
Day 15: Espanola island. Saw plenty of birds, went snorkeling, visited an iguana breeding ground and albatross breeding ground.
Day 16: Santa Fe island. Saw plenty of land iguanas, a bachelor sea lion colony, and cacti. Went snorkeling again.
Day 17: Travel back to Quito.
Day 18: Departed Quito and had a long journey back to Toronto, almost missed my connecting flight in Miami because of being flagged at customs.

You can take a look at my pictures here (I still have 3 rolls of film and an underwater camera to develop).

On Vacation!

2011-03-23T09:15:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow I leave for a three week vacation to South America, the first vacation I've had in over ten years. I'll be going to Ecuador and Peru, including the Galapagos Islands, the Sacred Valley, hiking the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and the Amazon jungle... very excited! It will be a hectic trip but the mental and physical challenge will be good for me. I'm planning on taking lots of pictures - digital and film - and am particularly looking forward to seeing Machu Picchu and to visit the craft markets. My Etsy shops are in vacation mode and will re-open when I return. See you in three weeks!

Two new tops for spring

2011-03-07T10:34:00.005-05:00

Over the past week I was able to sew two new spring tops for myself. This will probably be the last bit of sewing I do for a while, as in about two weeks I leave for a three week vacation to South America, the first trip I've been on in over ten years!

This white top is #44 from the Japanese sewing book "Natural Fabric Summer Clothes & Goods". The fabric is a linen I found in the remnants bin at Fabricland, costing me about $12 to make. I pretty much stuck to the pattern and didn't make any alterations. It was a quick sew - from cutting out the pattern to the very finish I think it only took about two hours.

This blue tunic is dress "I" from the Japanese pattern book "Stylish Dress Book". I shortened it to make it a top rather than a dress. It was fairly simply to make and I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Productive week-end

2011-03-01T09:38:00.005-05:00

For some reason I haven't been feeling very creative lately and it's been a month or so since I've sewn anything. Over the week-end I decided to work on some UFOs and get started on new projects. I was able to finish two skirts and cut out patterns for two new tops for spring.

This skirt used to be a strapless sundress I found in a second-hand shop some time last year, but I didn't like the top, so I cut it off then re-positioned the waistband and zipper:

This skirt was one of those long prairie-type dresses and was too long, so I simply shortened it and added an elastic waistband:

Feels good to get those done! Now I'm working on two spring tops which I'm hoping to finish before I leave for vacation in three weeks.

Zippster now at Wisedaughters!

2011-02-07T08:46:00.002-05:00

I'm very excited and pleased to announce that a selection of my goods are now available at Wisedaughters Craft Market in Toronto's Junction neighbourhood. The store features a variety of handmade items by local artisans and they also put on workshops and other events. The Junction neighbourhood is full of fantastic boutiques and cafes, I suggest a visit this part of the city if you've never been.

New saris for Blythe

2011-01-21T09:43:00.004-05:00

Finally finished three new Indian saris for Blythe dolls for my Blythe Etsy store. I purchased a bunch of silk sari remnants from Toronto's Little India neighbourhood a while ago but hadn't had a chance to make the saris until now. Sales in my Blythe Etsy shop have been slow and I didn't see much need to be adding new items, but I did actually sell out of the saris, they are one item that seems to sell well.

I'm really happy with these, I paid special attention in choosing coordinating trim for the cropped tops and used a metalllic thread to add even more sparkle. Available now in my store.

Tunic

2011-01-19T09:52:00.005-05:00

I finished this tunic over the Christmas holidays, it's tunic A from the Japanese pattern book "Stylish Dress Book." What should have been a very easy project wasn't: I failed to notice that the pattern called for a gathered neckline, which I hate, so it ended up being too big. I opted to put in darts instead, and it turned out OK. Also, I used a size too big and had to take it in a lot, but I had already made the side slits (a variation on the pattern). I'm still not 100% happy with it and may go back and fix the side seams.

For the top stitch I used a metallic thread and had a lot of problems with the thread breaking. I've used metallic thread before without problem so I'm not sure what the difference was this time. After some research I discovered that a special needle should be used, so I had to go out and buy new needles... but now I know.

Sketchbook project: done!

2011-01-18T13:26:00.005-05:00

Well, it's done - my sketchbook for the 2011 Sketchbook Project is in the mail. Fortunately, the deadline was extended by a few days which gave me a chance to finish it. What I learned: I am not artistic. At all. Creative, yes, but not artistic. This is evident in my "sketches". A lot of my pages look more than a scrapbook than a sketchbook. However, I really like working with charcoal, which is very satisfying but also very messy. Plus I spend considerable more time on a charcoal drawing than one done with pencil or another medium. Had I planned my time better I would have done more charcoal drawings. And I would have chosen a different theme. It was really difficult coming up with "happy thoughts"; I noticed that a lot of the pages are of physical objects which make me happy, and not of events or people which make me happy. There's a difference. Not sure if I would participate in this particular project again but it was fun.

My worktable is once again messy. I'm currently finishing up three new silk saris for my Blythe Etsy store. You can see Margot in the background modelling one I've already finished. They should be up in the store on the week-end.

Corduroy dress and other projects

2011-01-05T08:24:00.005-05:00

Over the holidays I had a long list of little things I wanted to get done around the house, most of which I accomplished (updating my finances, tidying closets, re-organizing sewing supplies, all that boring stuff). I was hoping to get more sewing done, I had purchased new fabric to make two tops but I also had some repairs and alterations to do.

This was a dress I had made a few years ago before I had a serger, so the seams weren't very good, and I've since lost weight so I wanted to re-shape it. I also added some contrast trim so it doesn't look like a sack - there's now a black and white floral trim along the hemline and armholes (forgot to take the before pics). Much better!

This week-end I hope to finish up a tunic I've started. My sketchbook is about half done and there's only 10 days left to finish it, to I need to really get some serious work done on that!

Coming up in my Etsy shops: I'm sold out of saris for Blythe so I'll be making new ones soon.

Purse for my mom

2010-12-28T15:44:00.004-05:00

Well now that Christmas has passed, I can show the purse I made for my mom as a gift. It's very similar to the one I had previously made for her. The outer fabric is a heavy weight cotton in a dark floral print. There is an outside and inside slip pocket and an inside zippered pocket.

I'm currently taking a bit of a break from the sewing, and in the meanwhile will re-organize my sewing room, work on updating my Etsy shops and pick some new patterns to make. In the spring I will look for new consignment clients, as The Rage will be closing their doors soon. Oh, and I still have that sketchbook project to work on, which will keep me busy for the next 3 weeks.

Skulls!

2010-12-14T13:23:00.005-05:00

Somewhere in between craft shows, online sales, and Christmas shopping I made this t-shirt for myself. I had some black cotton jersey knit to use up, and I found this awesome skull fabric to use as a coordinating fabric. I used a t-shirt pattern, and copied the kangaroo pocket from a hoodie. I used the skull fabric for the sleeves and pocket (I love pockets!). I think it's pretty awesome.

Shop updates

2010-12-06T13:30:00.004-05:00

Saturday's Movies and Makers show went really well, I'm almost sold out of my small zippered pouches, which I debuted at this show. Both of my Etsy stores have been updated with new items, and some items have been reduced. I'm going to start putting together gift card sets, such as this one here, available in my Karen's Creations Etsy store:

It's not too late to place online orders for Christmas gifts. If you're in the Toronto area, I would also be happy to arrange for local pick-up.

The Workroom fabric sale

2010-12-03T10:28:00.002-05:00

One of my favourite fabric stores, The Workroom, is having a fabric sale, in conjunction with the Sheridan Textile Studio Sale. This means not only is the fabric on sale, but there will be hand printed fabric, aprons, t-shirts, and other texitle gifts for sale designed by Sheridan students. Can't wait! I'm going to stock up on fabric to work on projects over the holidays and cold winter months.

2010-11-29T09:28:00.004-05:00

This Saturday is the Movies and Makers show at the Fox Theatre. This is my second year doing this show, and I'm really looking forward to it - both the venue and neighbourhood are ideal for this kind of show. I can't wait to check out stuff from Coy Clothes!

This is my last show of the season, I've cut back a bit to focus on other projects. So if you're in the neighbourhood on Saturday, come have a look between 11:00-5:30 (free cupcakes to the first 100 people!).

It has begun...

2010-11-22T08:47:00.006-05:00

As you can see from my worktable, things are a bit chaotic right now: my Etsy store has been busy with sales and custom orders, I have an upcoming craft show to prepare for, handmade Christmas gifts to make, and some film photography projects on the go. And, my sketchbook for the 2011 Sketchbook Project arrived the other day. In between working on other projects, I spent a lot of time thinking about how I was going to decorate the cover. Why I thought this was important I'm not sure, I guess I'm thinking it will provide inspiration for the rest of the book.

Although it may prove to be not very durable (may have to find a way to clear coat it), I decided to use handmade Japanese paper (washi) for the cover; I buy scrap packs from The Paper Place in Toronto and use them a lot in crafts, although sometimes I think the paper is too pretty to use. I decided to orient the book horizontally rather than vertically; this may affect the digital scanning process and how it's presented on the project's website, but I prefer the layout. Next I need to create a title page, and then the sketching begins.

Participants were asked to choose a theme, or have one randomly assigned. I chose Happy Thoughts... I go through periods of depression which gets worse during the winter, as it does for a lot of people, so I'm hoping this theme will help me in staying positive.

Current sewing projects

2010-11-15T09:09:00.006-05:00

I've been trying to use up some of my larger pieces of fabric, so I recently made two new skirts and a messenger bag for myself.

This is the first piece of clothing I've made for which I drafted my own pattern. It was also the first time I sewed a pleat and used an invisible zipper. yay for me!

This is just a simple lightweight denim skirt with an elastic waistband.

Lastly, I needed a new bag for myself as the other one I made for myself was a bit too small. It has an adjustable strap, outer and inner slip pocket and an interior zippered pocket. I forget what the outside fabric is, I know I ordered it from Tonic Living, it may be Michael Miller?

Remember: I take custom orders for bags and other small accessories!

Sketchbook project

2010-11-05T14:04:00.004-04:00

A friend of mine posted a link to a project I couldn't resist to take part in: The 2011 Sketchbook Project. Participants are sent a Moleskine sketchbook (for a fee) in which they, well, sketch and doodle, based on a theme (not telling you what theme I chose yet). The sketchbooks are then sent back and become part of a touring exhibition, eventually ending up in a permanent collection at The Brooklyn Art Library. This is a great way to stay motivated on a creative level, and I'm really excited about filling up my sketchbook, and seeing how others interpret their theme. Stay tuned for updates!

100 Mile Finds now has e-commerce

2010-10-21T08:59:00.005-04:00

100 Mile Finds, a website which allows you to locate local businesses for unique gifts and services, now has an e-commerce option, meaning you can purchase directly from the vendor. I've set it up for my
Zippster store. Not every vendor has enabled this feature yet, but I'm sure more will get on board soon. In the meanwhile, here are some of my picks for Toronto vendors:

Vintage Paper Parade: whimsical, stylish paper goods with a modern twist for children’s birthdays, baby and bridal showers.

Love, Poetry Corsets: specializing in one of a kind, hand made corsets, often using rescued, recycled, or vintage fabrics. Beautifully hand painted!

Dear Sukie: Handmade wallets made in small quantities using a variety of patterned papers and clear vinyl. Very cool, and reasonably priced.

Yes, it's time to start thinking about holiday gift shopping, so why not support local businesses!

Bazaar of the Bizarre show

2010-10-12T13:28:00.004-04:00

This past Sunday I participated in the annual Bazaar of the Bizarre show, at the Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement, in the Queen and Dufferin area. Despite the fact that it was a long week-end and a day when many were probably feasting on turkey, I was pleased with the turnout. It was a long day, but I'm happy with what I sold. I was very impressed with the quality and variety of goods, much more so than most shows I've done, and especially pleased to discover that the baked goods being sold by Bunner's were gluten-free - yay for tasty treats for me! I have two more shows lined up before Christmas, details to come soon.

Wrap dress

2010-09-30T09:40:00.006-04:00

OK, I lied: I said I wasn't going to make anything new for myself until I was done with the fall craft shows, but I have enough inventory and am on a roll with the sewing, so I decided to keep going. This is a wrap dress from Simplicity (#6674).

I've made a dress before, from the Japanese pattern books, but I have to say this one gave me a bit of trouble. I had to re-do the back collar, and I'm not happy with the front panel - somehow there is a seem right down the middle. I think the skirt pieces were too big and I ended up with a whole panel too much. All the pieces for the trim, waistband and ties were a bit tricky to line up. Overall I'm happy with how it turned out but I'm not sure if I would use this pattern again. The fabric (Katie Hana by the Henley Studio, Petite Flowers) was purchased at The Workroom. My grandmother recently passed, so I'm planning on wearing this dress to her memorial service; I think she would like the idea of me wearing something I had made myself.

Bridge club cards

2010-09-28T13:52:00.003-04:00

Recently my mom asked me to make some cards for her bridge club, named Petticoat Bridge. She wanted cards that would hold their tally sheets. I decided to make each card different so the ladies could pick a unique card. This project was a lof of fun to work on, plus it gave me the chance to use some of my vintage trim.

New top

2010-09-08T19:19:00.008-04:00

This is tunic "E" from the Japanese pattern book "Stylish Dress Book". For some reason, I had a terrible time with this top - I had to re-do one of the sleeves, and although I was as careful as I could be lining up the pin tucks along the front, they aren't quite even at the outer ends, even though it is centered. What I discovered is that my body is not symmetrical, I have one shoulder higher than the other and it also protrudes more forward than the other, which means that my clothes always seem a bit crooked. It was more obvious with this top because of the pin tucks. I don't even know how to adjust for this.

As much as I love pockets, I didn't add them to this top because I felt it would have added too much bulk with this fabric, which is another batik called "Elementals: Lots of Dots" by Lunn Studios. I also shortened the length, and opted to add darts in the back rather than gathers (which I hate doing).

This will probably be the last piece of clothing I'll be able to make for myself for a while, as I'm busy preparing for several fall/pre-Christmas craft shows, including this one:

Annual trip to the Aberfoyle Antique Market

2010-08-31T11:36:00.020-04:00

Every year, I visit the Aberfoyle Antique Market, located just outside of Guelph. This is a huge outside antique market, and I love spending the day looking for treasures. I like this market because the quality of the items is high, and the dealers must sell antiques, so it's not just second-hand junk. It's a great place to find collectibles and unique items - sometimes very unique items, like this truly ugly crab dish (pardon the photos, I didn't want to carry a camera so I used my cell phone); take a guess at the price ...

I recommend visiting either at the beginning (May) or end (September) of the season, as not only is it not as crowded, but not as hot. There is a restaurant and ice cream booth on site (yum!), and places to picnic.

Sometimes I have something in mind to look for, otherwise I just browse. Here's a selection of interesting things I saw (I'll leave it up to you to determine if I thought it was cool or not):

One of my favourite items was this cabinet - I would love to have a house big enough for this!:

I did manage to score a great deal on this set of melamine dishes, which look like they've been sitting in a cottage and hardly used (they happen to go great with our Formica table, which we rescued from the garbage):

We also picked up a fantastic orange stool for our cats, who are 18 and have some trouble getting up onto the couch. Here is Hank, trying out the new stool (this is his chair):

There is always a good selection of dishes, glassware, silverware, art, musical instruments, books, toys, cameras, tools, purses, jewellery, knick knacks and small furniture. I was hoping to pick up some vintage fabric this year but didn't find any. Can't wait until next year!

Getting ready for the fall

2010-08-27T10:21:00.005-04:00

The fall and pre-Christmas craft show and shopping season is quickly approaching. After a slow summer, sales have started to pick up in both of my Etsy stores, and I have a few shows lined up. I was able to make a few items of clothing for myself over the summer, but now I need to focus on building up my inventory.

I just added a whack of new buttons and magnets in my Zippster store, many of them made with either images taken from vintage magazines or beautiful Japanese papers.

I've been shooting more on film lately, and hope to use some of those prints on a new line of greeting cards.

Show info to be posted soon.

New Top

2010-08-24T08:47:00.004-04:00

Tunic "O" from the Japanese pattern book Stylish Dress Book. The fabric is a batik called Willow (Aspen), by McKenna Ryan. I chose this top because of the shape, but I also wanted to learn how to do an elastic gathering. I hate sewing gathers, especially with elastic - I don't know how to gauge how much fabric and elastic is needed, or how to space the gathers so they look natural. I ended up removing the elastic after my first attempt because it was too tight, and replaced it with a longer length. This will be another nice top for fall; I love tunics, I find them really comfortable, and they help hide some of my more curvy bits.

Small zippered pouches

2010-08-10T11:31:00.008-04:00

Just listed in my Etsy store - small zippered pouches, the perfect size for helping to keep your bags organized or for carrying the essentials.

[As a side note, I love the robot fabric - it's one of my favourites. This is the last of it.]

New Dress

2010-08-08T12:35:00.004-04:00

Dress Y from the Japanese pattern book Stylish Dress Book. I'm so happy with how this turned out. Although I have to say, I found drafting the pattern more difficult from this book compared to other Japanese pattern books: all of the pattern lines are the same colour and the same pieces are used for variations, so sometimes I didn't know where the lines ended. And even though I'm using the next size up to accommodate for seam allowance, I still find it a bit snug around the bust/back, so for the next project I'll have to make some adjustments.

My craft room/office

2010-08-04T08:39:00.010-04:00

A few people have asked me about the space I use for sewing and how I stay so organized and on top of things, considering I work full time, have two Etsy shops, have two retail consignment customers, do craft shows, and make a lot of my own clothes and gifts for people. Sometimes I think I'm crazy for taking on so much, but I'm not busy all the time, so I like to make sure I have projects ready to go for when I'm bored. I've been meaning to show off my space for a while but haven't had time to take pictures; it was a lot of work to get it the way it is, and even though it's not perfect, I'm very lucky to have a whole room to myself. I've been more productive creatively than ever before, which, as someone who has struggled with depression my whole life, is important.

In December 2009 I moved from a tiny downtown condo to a 1 1/2 story house in East York. This was a big deal to me, as it finally meant I had a dedicated space to work on projects - my condo was so small I used what kitchen counter space I had as an ironing board and would cut my pattern pieces out on the floor. I had little piles of boxes and projects all over the place. Not ideal. At my new place, I took over a small second bedroom and use it as my craft room and office. This is the before picture, but after we had already ripped out the carpet.

Here's the corner by the door. The small door is for a small closet - because the
house is 1 1/2 stories there is no attic, just a crawl space under the roof. My clothes are in there.

The dormer window (need to make curtains one day, I hate those plastic blinds!) is a bit of an awkward space, but I rescued an old metal card catalogue which fits perfectly. It holds all my photography, drawing, painting and card-making supplies, and other craft supplies (adhesives galore!). The white bin holds all my fabric: my rule is that I can't buy more than what can fit into the bin. And of course, because I'm a librarian, it's all sorted and organized in a very specific way.

This is my main workspace: it's actually IKEA kitchen cabinets and a counter top. All my tools, sewing supplies, mail and packaging supplies, Etsy inventory, patterns and current projects fit here (and yes, everything is labelled). The IKEA cabinets and counter tops were the only items I needed to purchase for this room (well, and the paint).

My two sewing machines (a domestic and a serger) sit on a IKEA countertop, which is on casters, making it easy to move out of the way in case I need to get to the stuff jammed in the corner (big rolls of cotton batting, and a big Rubbermaid bin holding all my craft show display items). The two windows let in lots of natural light.

And lastly, the "office" area. The crawl space closet holds all my junk - I need to make a curtain to hide it. Behind the desk on the opposite wall is a filing cabinet and my printer. I replaced a really awful ceiling light with adjustable track lighting, which is necessary for taking photos - the light bounces off the sloped ceilings and make weird shadows. Painting the room was a challenge because of the sloped ceilings, and one day I would like to put down new flooring, but for now it's fine.

Another top

2010-08-03T09:13:00.005-04:00

Here's another top I made from the Japanese pattern book "Tunic and One-Piece". It's actually a pattern for a tunic, but I shortened it for a top, and altered the neckline. Because the Japanese pattern books don't include seam allowance, I've discovered that using the next size up is an easy way to accommodate for this.

New batch of coin purses

2010-07-14T11:08:00.009-04:00

The other day I dropped off what may be my last batch of snap-frame coin purses at The Rage: the owner has announced that the store will be closing as of October 1st. This makes me sad, for several reasons. Not only is it a great store, but the positive feedback I received on my purses was a huge source of ego-boosting for me. Knowing that complete strangers liked what I made certainly helped improve my self-esteem, and making the items gave me a sense of purpose that a professional career doesn't always provide. I need to have a creative outlet in my life, and the store provided that for me. I'm really hoping that the business is purchased and continues, even if at a different location.

So, I am on the lookout for new retail opportunities to fill the gap. I've already contacted a few stores and hope to have something in place soon. If anyone has any suggestions, please contact me.

Top from Japanese pattern book

2010-07-12T08:16:00.004-04:00

I'm slowly getting used to making clothes from the Japanese pattern books, so much so that I just ordered two more books. This top is from "Natural Fabric Summer Clothes & Goods" (ISBN 9784834725506). This book has patterns for household items, such as cutains and bags, along with clothes.

I altered the pattern a bit by lengthening the sleeves, and at the collar: I opted for a small V opening rather than button details. It will be a perfect top for the fall.

Purse for my mom

2010-07-07T08:58:00.003-04:00

A while ago my mom asked me to make her a purse, and unfortunately it was a while before I was able to start it. It's now done; the outer fabric is Amy Butler, and it has a padded strap, inner and outer slip pockets and an inner zippered pocket.

Finally bought a dress form

2010-07-05T10:14:00.006-04:00

For a while now I've wanted an adjustable dress form, but they can be pricey. I happened to be in a Fabricland this past week-end and noticed that they were on sale for 50% off, so I bought one. Originally, based on my size according to off-the-rack clothing, I got the smaller form, but the hips and waist didn't go high enough (!) so I ended up with the larger form, but the bust doesn't go small enough (!). I can't win! The dress form will certainly make sewing my own clothes a bit easier.

New magnet sets

2010-05-28T09:21:00.003-04:00

New magnet sets in my Etsy store! I really enjoy making these sets; coming up with the theme and choosing a coordinating paper to line the tin with is a lot of fun. They are a great gift idea if you need something small and inexpensive.

Blythe updates

2010-05-12T19:35:00.006-04:00

Wow, I've spent so much time on my Zippster products that I haven't been doing much for Blythe, but I do have some udpates. Recently I made a doll wrap with a really amazing fabric suggested by the customer:

I've also been able to sell some older Blythe clothing stock, but I don't anticipate making new items any time soon. I do however, plan on making some new saris, since those seem to be my most popular item and I really enjoy going to the Little India neighbourhood in Toronto and looking for the silk remnants.

What I have been working on is greeting cards using my own Blythes as models. Although I started using a light box, I find that nothing replaces natural light. I've decided on a "hobby" series using Re-Ment miniatures as props. There are lots more to come, but here is a preview:

2010-04-26T09:23:00.003-04:00

I've been trying to catch up on some projects for myself, since there seems to be a lull with both online and retail sales. I made this top using the pattern provided in the t-shirt class I took at The Workroom. This purple fabric was not the easiest to work with, as it rips easily, but it's very lightweight and will be great for summer. To add some contrast I added trim to the sleeves.

Zippster now at Fresh Collective

2010-03-29T10:24:00.004-04:00

I'm very excited to announce that Fresh Collective on Queen West is now carrying my greeting cards and magnet sets! Fresh Collective is a designer-run store featuring lots of cool clothes, jewellery, accessories and even hip clothes for moms-to-be and wee ones.

New top for me

2010-03-15T13:34:00.004-04:00

Recently I took a class at The Workroom on how to make a t-shirt using jersey fabric. Jersey and I don't get along: I don't get it, it doesn't get me. I figured this would be a good opportunity to get to know it better. We were provided with a pattern with variations, and shown how to make fit adjustments according to our measurements. Mine fits perfectly, and I think it looks rather good!

New messenger bag

2010-03-08T08:38:00.006-05:00

For the last week or so I've been working on a messenger bag with adjustable straps, which I've never attempted before. I actually really like making bags but my sewing machine really isn't robust enough to handle heavy-duty fabrics and sewing through 4 layers of fabric plus lining.

A few minor mistakes were made along the way because I wasn't using a pattern, but I love how it turned out. The outer fabric is a lightweight corduroy called Carnival Bloom by Michael Miller. There is an outside and inside slip pocket, an interior zippered pocket, magnetic closure, padded strap, and it's large enough to hold vinyl LPs.

Oh, I'm having a contest with a friend to see who sells a specific button first from their Etsy shop, go take a look ...

New website

2010-02-16T14:35:00.003-05:00

Well, I've gone and done it: after looking into dozens of hosting and website design companies, I've created a website which will act as a showcase for my work. My plan was to have a simple but attractive site which will act as an online portfolio and to drive traffic to my Etsy shop. I still need to add a lot of pictures, but so far I'm happy with how it looks. Take a look!

T.E.S.T. Etsy shop for charity

2010-02-11T08:19:00.003-05:00

In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, The Toronto Etsy Street Team has decided to open a collective Etsy shop. 100% of the sales will go to a charity. I donated one of my zippered pouches, and will add more items as they sell. There are other charity shops on Etsy, so next time you're looking for a gift, consider buying from one of these shops.

100 Mile Finds

2010-01-29T08:59:00.003-05:00

Sometime last spring, I was approached at a craft sale by two women who were in the process of setting up a website which would promote local small businesses. I'm pleased to see that the site has launched, and I now have Zippster listed as a vendor. If you want to find a local business or service within 100 miles of your postal code, try 100 Mile Finds.

Here's to 2010!

2010-01-05T09:04:00.004-05:00

Well, the hectic 2009 holiday season is behind us, and I could use a little breather! November and December were busy months: craft shows, wholesale orders and Etsy orders from both of my shops, not to mention moving and trying to get my own Christmas shopping done. Every Christmas, more and more so, I try to make handmade gifts for people; I really dislike shopping, but I like to think that the recipients appreciate a handmade gift more than one found in a mall.

My plan for the next couple of months is to focus on finding more wholesale partners, and to weed through my supplies stash - I'm still setting up my new workspace, and I feel the need to evaluate what I have, and to pass on what I don't need to a community service of some sort, such as a seniors centre.

Craft show tips

2009-11-23T10:05:00.004-05:00

During November, I've been a vendor at 3 different craft shows, all of them very different. Although there are more shows in December, I have other commitments and felt that it would have been impossible to do any more. But, to help out other Toronto crafters, I contributed a post on craft show tips on the Toronto Etsy Street Team blog. Good luck to my fellow crafters for the remainder of the 2009 Christmas craft show season!

Craft show this Saturday

2009-11-18T08:47:00.002-05:00

My last craft show of the season is the Movies & Makers Art & Craft Show, this Saturday, 10-4 at the Fox Theatre in Toronto. The show is full of talented Toronto crafters. I love the Fox Theatre and am excited to see how the venu will be used for a craft show. Come drop by if you're in the neighbourhood!

My new favourite fabric store

2009-11-13T08:46:00.004-05:00

Someone recently told me about the Toronto fabric e-tailer Tonic Living; after placing and quickly receiving my first order, they are now my favourite source for fabric. All of their prints are fantastic, and reasonably priced. They offer swatches, which are the perfect size for the little pouches and purses I make. Take a look - I've already used most of this fabric!

Next craft show

2009-11-09T08:42:00.003-05:00

Thanks to all of you who came to see me at the CBC Charity Craft Sale, it was a great day! My next show is this Saturday, 10-4 in Newmarket at the Newmarket Community Centre. The craft show is part of a winter theatre festival and there will be lots of entertainment for the kids.

CBC craft sale tomorrow!

2009-11-04T08:56:00.005-05:00

The CBC Charity Craft Sale is tomorrow! I'm very excited - lots of new items to debut.

Today after work I am dropping off another wholesale order at The Rage - my coin purses are selling very well there. I am hoping to get a bunch made ready for the Christmas shopping season, which is right around the corner, it seems!

First fall craft show

2009-10-14T09:16:00.003-04:00

My first craft show of the fall season is the CBC Charity Craft Sale, on Thursday, November 5, 9-5. Proceeds from the table rentals go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Details here. I'll be debuting lots of new items!

New bag for me

2009-10-09T08:53:00.004-04:00

I needed a new bag, and rather than buying one I thought this would be a good opportunity to try making one myself; in particular I wanted to learn how to make an inside zippered pocket and insert a magnetic snap closure. Along the way I made a few execution errors (probably because I wasn't following a pattern), which made the dimensions a bit smaller than I had originally planned, but overall I'm very happy with it and am already using it. I had wanted an adjustable strap but didn't have enough of the navy fabric - I'll know better for next time. The outside is a navy lightweight canvas, and the inside is a Japanese mushroom and hedgehog print.

New Christmas cards

2009-10-05T09:17:00.004-04:00

Here's another new item I've been working on, a result of trying out typing onto fabric:

I personally don't like traditional Christmas cards, so I think these will be a good option for people who want something a bit different, or who don't celebrate Christmas but want to send out a holiday card. These too will make their debut at the CBC craft sale Nov. 5.

New item

2009-09-30T09:31:00.004-04:00

For the last couple of weeks I have been busy sewing, trying to build up my inventory for the fall craft shows. In line with my theme of trying new things, I made these business card/credit card holders; I'm very pleased with how they turned out. They will make their debut at the CBC craft sale Nov. 5.

New stuff

2009-09-17T08:52:00.006-04:00

In preparation of the fall craft shows, I'm trying to branch out and make new things, rather than repeating the same item. I've decided to focus on small pouches and accessories - as much as I love them, purses and totes don't seem to be my thing (bag construction is something beyond my skills). This week I made a few flex frame pouches:

I had two different set of instructions to go by, but in the end came up with my own pattern. I'm happy with how these two turned out. More to come! They will have their debut at the CBC craft sale November 5.

I also decided to make a table banner for my new Etsy store, Zippster, since I will be selling a combination of items from my two stores. To reflect what I actually do - sewing - I made a sewn banner with fabric remnants, many of them hand dyed or painted by me:

Etsy sales have been slow over the summer but have just started picking up again. Lots to keep me busy!

Typewriting on fabric

2009-09-10T08:29:00.004-04:00

Typewriting on fabric is something I've always wanted to try, and my crafty task this week was to see if it works: it does! I'm going to experiment with different fabrics but it seems to take better on more lightweight fabrics. I hope to make use of this technique to make tags, or to make patches to sew onto my pouches.

Etsy Anniversary

2009-09-02T09:49:00.002-04:00

September marks my two-year anniversary on Etsy! Has the store been a huge success? No, but I am very grateful for the sales I have made; it is such a wonderful feeling when I get a sale notification. Sales overall on Etsy have been slow during the summer, so I'm hoping things will pick up over the next few months. I'm doing everything I can to promote my shop but people just haven't been spending.

To celebrate, I am offering free shipping on orders over $10. I'm hoping to clear out some stock to make room for new items.

Sewing project: summer top

2009-08-20T08:25:00.003-04:00

This top was made with a wrap I bought at a props and wardrobe sale. I liked how the ends were already finished (less work for me!). I used pattern pieces to make the neckline but but then winged it for the front and back. Nice and breezy!

Buy my stuff at The Rage!

2009-07-31T08:27:00.003-04:00

I am super excited to announce that some of my sewn wares are now available for sale at The Rage in Toronto's Kensington Market. The store features local designers and artists. Here's a selection of the new zippered pouches and coin purses I made for the store:

The store will also be carrying some of my greeting cards and pinback buttons. This is my first experience selling wholesale to a retail outlet, so this is a big deal to me. Thanks to Sarah for providing me with this amazing opportunity!

Sewing project: summer top

2009-07-27T08:19:00.004-04:00

Finished! I've always wanted to make something from one of those Japanese craft books (which are all in Japanese). I've found a few web sites which provide translations of some of the sewing terms, but from what I've heard, if you have some basic sewing skills you can pretty much just follow the diagrams. I finally invested in a roll of tissue paper for pattern drafting (the books come with the patterns but they all overlap, so you need to draft the individual pieces). This top was very easy to make, except that I found the neckline too big, so I had to gather it a bit.

Sewing project: MP3 player holder

2009-07-15T08:22:00.005-04:00

Slight detour from my list of things to make. I don't know why I didn't make this sooner, as I certainly need it. The material was hand-decorated in a fabric design class I took last year. Using a bleach pen, I drew the design directly onto the fabric and let the bleach do its work (you then rinse in cold water with PH neutralizer, which stops the bleach). Then I used a fabric pen to fill in the design. Quite easy and fun to do! For the holder, I basically just took 1 piece of fabric and made a little pouch. Closes with velcro.

Second Etsy store

2009-07-06T08:45:00.005-04:00

For a while now I've been considering opening a second Etsy store to separate my Blythe and non-Blythe items. This second store, Zippster, will contain sewn goods such as zippered pouches and snap-frame coin purses, pinback buttons and magnets, and greeting cards. Karen's Creations will now focus exclusively on clothes and accessories for Blythe. Over the next several weeks I'll be adding lots of new stock to the new store. I'm really happy with my banner, which has made me realize that I need to improve the banner for Karen's Creations. Another online store (I'm now at three - ack!) means I now really need to stay organized!

Announcement

2009-06-29T09:01:00.005-04:00

I'm very excited to announce that I have been accepted as a member in the Etsy team Blythe Handmade Collective - a group of handmade artisans, crafters, and artists inspired by Blythe and have taken the pledge to buy and sell handmade. The group's mission is to spread the love for Blythe, support fellow Blythe shops, help guide shops to success within Etsy, and to award Better Blythe Business awards to shops that show exceptional Etsian business philosophy and actions. Go Blythe!

Etsy treasury

2009-06-17T10:10:00.003-04:00

It's such a nice feeling when a fellow Etsian includes an item of mine in their treasury. One of my Blythe greeting cards was chosen for this one:

Another completed sewing project

2009-06-09T08:43:00.012-04:00

The first project on my sewing list is now complete: a pipe pouch for my beau. In total I think this took me under an hour:

There's a pouch for the pipe, and a pouch for the tobacco. It folds up and can be tied closed. The silkscreen print was made in the printmaking class I took - I finally made something with the fabric I silkscreened!

Finished dress

2009-06-05T09:06:00.006-04:00

Ta da! Here is a pic of the finished dress I made to wear to a wedding reception. Accented with a piece of vintage costume jewellery. I was going for a 50s style with the collar ... not sure if I pulled it off, but the dress was super comfy and I know I'll wear it again.

My next sewing projects include:
1. pipe pouch for my beau - DONE!
2. gardening apron for moi - DONE!
3. new tote bag for moi
4. summer tunic for moi - DONE!

Craft show = failure?

2009-06-02T09:05:00.004-04:00

Ok, so it wasn't a complete failure, but it was disappointingly unsuccessful. The show was at a large community centre and featured over 50 vendors, so I assumed it would be well attended. It wasn't. I did not make enough to cover my table fee, which fortunately was very reasonable. However, I received lots of nice compliments on my work, and met some great sellers. I'm taking a break over the summer, but will apply for the pre-Christmas shows.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be adding listings for my new pin-back buttons and magnets - I'm going to focus on sets because it's not worth selling them one at a time. My plan for the summer is to create some sort of business plan and marketing strategy with my partner for bulk and custom orders for the pins and magnets. And I do need to make more Blythe clothes - my inventory is getting low.

Silkscreening results

2009-05-27T09:49:00.004-04:00

Sadly, my printmaking class is over. It was great fun, and a good introduction to several printmaking techniques. In particular, I really enjoyed silkscreening, and will probably take an advanced class in the future. Here are some highlights of what I made (the coffee cup prints are linoblock):

I was able to produce quite a few prints on paper and fabric; some of the paper prints I've made into cards and will have them available at the craft sale this Sunday. The fabric pieces I plan on using to make bags or pouches of some sort(when I find the time!).

Craft show = success!

2009-05-19T09:06:00.011-04:00

Saturday's craft show was a great success! It was busy non-stop all day. I debuted my new pins and magnents, and some new cards. My robot magnets and pins were such a I hit that I sold out.

I have another show in two weeks, so I need to get busy making more pins.

Snap-Frame coin purses

2009-05-15T10:35:00.005-04:00

Oh how I love these little purses! But, they can be a challenge to make. Here's the tutorial I use. (This site is great for other bag and purse tutorials, take a look). I buy the frames from Sussman's Bridal Supplies on Queen Street West in Toronto (a deceiving shop name, as they carry many different sewing supplies). The trickiest part of making these purses is knowing which glue to use; I use a gel-based heavy duty multi-purpose glue, suitable for metal and fabric. I recommend sanding the inside track to help the glue adhere better. If you pinch the frame, remember to use rubber-coated pliers so you don't leave marks. Here's one of mine:

Current sewing project - update

2009-05-14T14:18:00.005-04:00

I'm almost finished my dress:

Just need to make a few minor adjustments, and it will be ready to wear! I found the pattern on Burda Style (it's the Mushroom Dress pattern), but made some changes. For example, I put darts at the bust and didn't put elastic around the neck.

lithography prints

2009-05-13T09:30:00.009-04:00

Here are some of my lithography prints produced in my night class. The one on the left is from the first edition, the one on the right from the second edition (I used dry point to make some adjustments to the plate). Overall, although I really like the effect, I'm not happy with my image. I drew it freehand, not knowing that you could transfer an image with a grease pencil (the instructor told us this after I had already done mine. D'oh!). This method is more complicated and time consuming, and chemicals are involved, so I'm not sure I would do it on my own, but it was fun to test it out, and to use a printing press!

Current sewing project

2009-05-08T09:10:00.003-04:00

One of my most favourite stores in Toronto is The Workroom, a sewing studio and store on Queen West, near Dufferin. Every time I go in there, I end up buying stacks of fat quarters, which are a good size for making Blythe clothes. Last year I purchased a serger, with the intention of making my own clothes. Well, the time has come: at my last visit to The Workroom, I purchased this lovely fabric:

It's called Moondance, by Jenean Morrison (take a look at her design work - oh!) for Free Spirit Fabric. I'm making a dress with the fabric, which has already been cut and basted so I can adjust the fit. I'm hoping to finish it by the end of next week.

The art of self-promotion

2009-05-05T09:18:00.003-04:00

Admittedly, I'm a rather private person and do not enjoy talking about myself, nor do I feel the need to share the minutia of my life with others, whether in person or virtually. (Who are these people who have such interesting lives? Not I!) I would rather express myself through creative means, which, when lacking confidence (not to mention time, self-esteem, momentum, support, the skills or tools to do so), can be challenging.

My little sewing hobby is starting to become more than just a hobby, and I take great pleasure in knowing that people actually like what I make. My daydreams consist of being able to sustain myself financially with a part-time librarian job, and dedicating the remaining hours of the day to creating wonderful things in my (currently non-existing) little studio. In my fantasy world, what I sell in my online shops or at craft sales would supplement my part-time income. But to get to that point would take a lot of work. To achieve such a dream, one must be prepared and able to take care of the business aspects, which can be daunting and overwhelming. There are so many tools available, many of them free, but how do you know which ones are worthwhile?

As a way to promote my two online shops, I currently have this blog, a Flickr account to showcase my creations (one must be careful with Flickr though, in not linking to commercial sites), and Facebook fan page. I have a print business card to hand out in person and at craft shows. I also participate in online forums and groups, and am a member of several guilds or teams. All of this takes time and effort, but is necessary. Google Analytics helps in deciding where I should be investing my time and effort, but I know I need to do more. (Although, one bandwagon I have yet to jump on is Twitter, and I don't plan on using it). I know I need to 'sell' myself to other bloggers and to make better use of my own blog; what I need to do is devise a marketing plan. And time to implement it!

Lino block prints

2009-04-30T17:59:00.003-04:00

For the last month I've been taking an introductory printmaking course, where we learn an overview of several printing techniques. The first technique we learned was relief, using lino block.

This method is rather easy to grasp and I really enjoy the process. I'll be debuting some of these cards at my next craft show (which is quickly approaching!). Stay tuned to see my lithography prints.

Buttons-a-go-go!

2009-04-15T17:56:00.004-04:00

I bought a button machine! The machine is a Tecre 100, for making 1" buttons, magnets, keychains... the possibilities are endless! These are some magnets I made - I really like the robots.

Another craft show

2009-04-08T11:28:00.004-04:00

Karen's Creations will be a vendor at the Creators' Marketplace Show & Sale, Sunday May 31, at the Thornhill Community Centre.

Details and map here.

Spring Craft Show

2009-04-02T09:36:00.006-04:00

I am pleased to announce that I will be a vendor at the Spring Handmade Market, Saturday May 16, at the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen Street West (at Dufferin). This show features Etsy sellers from the Toronto area. It's my first show of 2009, and my first in the downtown area - I'm very excited!

For a list of vendors, visit the event's website.

New online selling venue

2009-03-22T15:06:00.001-04:00

So I've decided to try out Artfire, another online selling venue for handmade items that is gaining in popularity. The terms and set-up is different from Etsy. I'm using the same shop name, Karen's Creations. I've just spent the last 3 hours setting up my shop, so let's hope I get some sales!

2009-03-17T19:00:00.005-04:00

Can't say I'm really a 'fun in the sun' type of person, but I do enjoy sitting out on a deck or patio when the weather is nice. I found these plastic chair frames at a supply store, and they are the perfect size for a chair for Blythe dolls. Let the BBQs start!

2009-03-12T21:04:00.007-04:00

So I decided to make some slight modifications to my three Blythe dolls. On all three, I changed their eyelashes, and on two of them I replaced some of their eye chips. Previously I had opened their heads to remove their faceplates, but figuring out how to remove the eye mechanisms and change the eye chips was not easy!

I soaked the eyeballs in warm soapy water for about 10 minutes to loosen the glue, then used the hot glue stick method to remove the chip. They came out with no problem. To remove the eyelashes, I also soaked the eyelid mechanism in warm water, and pulled them out with tweezers. To stick the new ones in I used a sewing needle to poke them into the eyelash slot. Very tedious work!

With this particular brand of eye chip, I didn't realize that I had to paint the stub of the chip in order to get a black iris.

My third doll still needs to be sand-matted, so I'll add pics of her when she's done. Here is Penny and Margot with their new eyelashes and eye chips (clothes made by me):

New saris

2009-03-03T20:56:00.004-05:00

I absolutely love saris and Indian silk. The saris I make for Blythe are my best-selling item in my Etsy shop, and it was time to make new ones:

The red material I've used before, but the blue and purple combination is new. I kept it simple and only added the silver trim along both ends of the wrap, and along the bottom of the cropped top. Silk is a bit tricky to work with as it tends to tear, which I'm trying to learn how to avoid. The silk is actually sari remnants I find in sari shops in Toronto's little India neighbourhood.

2009-02-19T08:33:00.003-05:00

Since Christmas I've been in a bit of a slump and haven't done anything crafty. But I'm starting to get restless and it's time to start making stuff again. I have lots of ideas and supplies, now I just need to do something with them. My list of things to do includes learning basic bookbinding and making a garment for myself.

Oddly, despite all the grumblings of slow sales from other Etsy sellers, mine have increased. My inventory is well stocked, so I would like to focus on making unique items that aren't available in other shops for Blythe. My saris sell very well and that's one thing I need to make more of. I'm actually thinking of opening a second shop for non-Blythe items, for which I already have purses and pouches. Last year I took a class in fabric design and was able to produce what I think are really interesting pieces, which I could use for new items.

Perhaps after viewing Handmade Nation, screening next week, I'll feel motivated and inspired.

Hand made Christmas gifts

2008-12-27T14:24:00.005-05:00

This year for Christmas, I decided to sew two items for my beau. The first was a padded carrying case for a portable DVD player. I basically made a messenger bag but inserted thin sheets of foam instead of interfacing.

The second item was a shirt - this is the first garment I have made.
It's not perfect, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

Second craft show

2008-12-08T21:15:00.005-05:00

Well, unexpectedly, my second craft sale on Sat. Dec. 6 in Streetsville went swimmingly. Despite the event not being widely promoted, there was a good turnout, and it seemed that people were there to actually buy and not just wander around looking.

Now begins the task of adding my unsold items to my Etsy shop ...