That time of year

Yep, it's getting to be that time of year...when I begin obsessing over Christmas shamefully early, listening to Christmas music on Pandora, and trying to order my scattered thoughts into one comprehensive list. I adore Christmas. It makes me happy. The cold weather, snow, sparkling lights, adorable little ornaments, the family and friends, the repetitive music...eggnog! Christmas cookies! Stockings! Garland! Charlie Brown! The Nativity! I don't care how people commercialize Christmas, or what they do with it. To me, Christmas is magical and always will be. Soo...I've been really into crocheting lately, and there are a surprising number of free patterns on the web. I've been getting mine from the Lion Brand web site I shared last time, and altering them slightly to suit me. I made a whole little family of owls, that will soon be dispersed among my family members, a snowman for my Mom, and a tiger for my sister in law. I'm going to make another snowman for Dan's Mom, who thought the little face was adorable. I have to agree with her, as that part was one of my alterations. ;) I have started another project I'm really excited about, but I won't give away all the details until I'm ready to blog about it. I'll just give one little hint...it involves snowflakes!

Christmas stuff!

Well, I've had my first non-payment in my etsy shop. Etsy has an odd check-out process, in which you may click on the "commit to buy" button and purchase an item without actually paying for it. This causes some problems, particularly if the buyer is new and doesn't understand how etsy check-out works. So, I had someone buy an ornament, and not pay for it. It's only been a day, but this person hasn't responded to either of my messages and still hasn't paid. I'll give her another day or two, and if she doesn't pay by then, I'll start the process of cancelling the sale. I've been very happy with my customers so far, they've all been great and their positive feedback has been very encouraging. Here is one of my favorites: "Wow! They look even better in person! Thank you so much, I can't wait to see everyone's smiles when they get them for x-mas. Thanks again for the custom order!" I've been working on another custom request, a poinsettia ornament. I think it will turn out really nice. I'll post pics when it's finished. In the mean time, I love my new Christmas tree, and I have some little gifties underneath, all wrapped up and beautiful! Enjoy the season, and remember to have fun!

More ornaments

I've been creating tons of ornaments! Not literally. But for several days I've been very focused on making them, so that I have a little stockpile of them available for when I'm on Thanksgiving break. Although, I'm still planning to make some then. I had a hack of a time identifying some of them, but I think I've labeled them accurately. Here are several I've listed on my etsy shop:

English Ivy

Freeman Maple


Sugar Maple

Sweet Gum

Silvan Ornaments

I've recently discovered the joys of polymer clay. This plastic-y clay is quite easy to work with, and may be cured in a kitchen oven. After it's been cured, it is lightweight, and won't break when dropped...which is always an important feature in anything I am interested in. I have been making Christmas ornaments out of this versatile substance, all to do with woodsy things. I call them Silvan Ornaments! It has been quite enjoyable for me to work on these, as it both satisfies my inescapable yet way too early longing for Christmas, as well as my creative instincts. I have several leaves, a mushroom or two, an acorn, and an owl so far. I'm going to make some snowflakes, perhaps some little critters, and the requisite snowman for my mother. They aren't all done yet, but here are some photos for those interested. I also have a couple listed in my etsy shop, and more will be forthcoming.