Handmade Monday - Some Heartfelt Pieces

For those of you who read my last Handmade Monday you will be pleased to hear I'm working my way through my UFO's,  rallied on by CRAFTfest starting on Saturday.  I really enjoyed having the extra time today to get some crafting done and to get my 'Heartfelt' brooches finished.  Now I'm going to get to work on some branding, I've been gathering lots of ideas for packaging.

You should see what some of the other artists have been up to at Handmade Monday.

Happy Crafting

Catherine at The MacsX

Usual Sunday BS - Getting into a Pattern

Well, I've been getting my UFOs finished, some anyway.  More on that tomorrow when I show them off at Handmade Monday.  And it's a bank holiday - so I can spend the morning getting some photos done - I got myself a couple of boxes at IKEA and am hoping they make a good light tent, big and small - we'll find out tomorrow.  If they work the way I hope I will definitely have made a major saving.

The on line Etsy Craft Party turned out to be a party of two - but an enjoyable time catching up with Trudy from Trudy10 - hopefully next time we'll be better organised, not so last minute.

I've been working on my blog schedule and have at least got a daily framework sorted out: Handmade Monday with a pop over to Handmade Harbour; Tuesday's Treasury highlighting pieces by Etsy teams, this week highlighting the CRAFTfest angle; Wishcasting Wednesday with the creative twist checking out the wishing prompts at Jamie Ridler's Studio; Thursday's Thoughtful Thread keeping in touch with my mindful musings; Four Seasons of Friday picking up on a First, a Favourite, a Finish making sure I complete something each week and a bit of Fun; Saturday Sunshine will normally be short and sweet and probably more pictorial so that I spend more time out in the 'sunshine' than on the NET for a day; and finally The Usual Sunday BS a catch up on what I've been up to all week and a shout out on what I intend to do for the next week, giving me a sense of public accountability.  Now that I have some structure I'm hoping the posts will just flow...

What did I learn this week - that Creatives are at their best when they are creating (or at least this one is anyway).  I've really enjoyed being creative this week and am looking forward to doing a lot more next week as I get ready for CRAFTfest.  I'm giving it more of a go this time.  I already know what to expect, I've got my goals together and am already working my way through my to do list.  Keeping on top of my list will be prompted more with Lu from Handmade in Keswick adding a daily task.

I'll be working on tidying up my branding and my Etsy shop - basically getting everything together this week in preparation for CRAFTfest on the First.

Happy Crafting one and all.

Catherine at The MacsX

Saturday Sunshine - A CRAFTfest Plan

I had intended for today's post to be short and sweet - as I am trying to fly without the NET as much as possible on a Saturday, actually getting out and enjoying the 'sunshine'.  However a quick check on my in box brought a wake up call from Lu at Handmade in Keswick about setting goals for the CRAFTfest week.

This was on the top of my to-do list in my CRAFTfest notebook.  But as with many an important and thought provoking task on many of my to do lists I have glanced over it a number of times since booking my place on the September CRAFTfest but not really done anything.

So, I have given it some thought, read Lu's post on the very subject and come up with my set of goals.  I am not expecting to make my first million in the first week in September (that would be nice - but short of buying a lottery ticket and winning) that's not realistically on the cards.

More realistically I want to get my brand out there and make my target market aware of my art.  So goal number one will be to decide on my target market and target the bejeesus out of them.

Goal two is to have a cohesive PR kit together by the end of CRAFTfest.  I have a few plans for blog posts to swing that one.

Goal three is to get the majority of the 101 UFOs (unfinished objects) in my craft basket completed and on sale in my shop.

And my final goal is to promote my first Creative Runway. 

Am I excited? Yes, Am I overwhelmed? Maybe, Is this going to be the best CRAFTfest yet? Definitely or in the words of Mr Big 'Abso..........lutely'.

Happy Sunshine Saturday everyone.

 

Catherine at The MacsX

Four Seasons of Friday - First, Finish, Favourite and Fun

I've been working on my blog schedule and have come up with daily trends - I was a bit stuck on Friday.  I came up with a few ideas, so rather than sticking with one I've gone for four. 

There's  'First' simply because today is the 'First' Four Seasons Friday.  And I'm planning for each First to be a First of experience, at least for me.

'Finish', it's the end of the week and I am so working on getting my unfinished objects finished.
  
'Favourite', a favourite day of the week and a look at one of my favourite Pinterest Boards

and Fun - just because we can.

Tonight will also be my first Etsy Craft Party - all that an a holiday weekend too.

Happy weekend

Catherine at The MacsX

Thursday's Thoughtful Thread - Simple Abundance

I have a book that sits under my coffee table.  I used to read it every day and then I got kind of busy.  It's funny but when you 'get busy' the first thing you tend to do is miss out on those little things that help you through the day.  So this morning I'm going to take me just an extra moment (because moments are more flexible) and read the entry for August 23rd.

The book is Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach.   And the message for today is about music being therapeutic.  Music can make a lot of difference to your mood and can be both calming and invigorating.  I have read this book a number of times now and wonder whether this entry prompted me to create my 'Soundtrack' Pinboard on Pinterest.  It holds a lot of uplifting and memorable pieces.  Some I'm sure will bring back memories for quite a few people.
 
Why not pop over and have a listen to one of my all time favourites, this was 'number one' the day my son was born, and will always bring a smile to my face.

Have a melodic week.

Catherine at The MacsX