Who knew crafting could be stressful?

You know, until you experience it, I bet many people think certain 'jobs' are easy. Lets say, stay at home moms. I am not a mom, but just watching a child for a couple of hours wears me out, I can't image what a SAHM feels like. Not only does she have to watch her kid(s) she is also doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, entertaining her kids etc.

This brings me to a stay at home crafter/artist. This summer I decided to stay at home and work on my crafts while doing different festivals and shows rather than working a crappy summer job somewhere at the mall. Yes, I can make my own hours and stay in my pjs all day, but honestly, it's hard work! I can't just clock in and clock out like I did working retail or waitressing. This is an all around the clock job! I'm constantly looking for festivals, applying, remembering to send in logos, payments, updating my shops, and of course, creating things! When you have a dog that acts like a toddler and constantly throws the ball in your hands when you are making things, well, it's tough to ignore it.

I have to make sure that I have enough pieces made for a show depending on how many days/hours I will be there and the popularity of the show. This week I'll be leaving for the West Virginia State Fair. I've never done one of these nor have a done a show that is 8 days long! And apparently from what I hear, this show is crazy busy and people come there to shop! For a simple 2-3 day show 250 pieces of jewelry/hair accessories is a good number. I need quadruple that for the state fair. And while preparing for the state fair I have other festivals or jewelry parties that I'm doing so my inventory goes down constantly. Sometimes I even hope I won't sell anything so that I have enough inventory for the state fair.

Not only is the state fair stressing me out, but the day after I get back, I start student teaching. I still don't know what school I'll be at or my schedule. The education department is not very good at giving things to students ahead of time. Then throughout the fall I have at least 5 shows planned so that means teaching, taking care of home and my dog PLUS making things for these fairs! Man, I will be exhausted after this semester, but hopefully it will be worth it all.

These are the shows I have set in stone, though there are 2-3 more that are tentative:

★ WV State Fair, Lewisburg (Aug 13-21)
★ Mound Arts fair in S. Charleston (Sep 11)
★ Oktoberfest in Montgomery, WV (Sep 18)
★ Pumpkin Festival, Milton WV (Oct 7-10)
★ Craftin' Outlaws in Columbus, OH (Oct 16)

Being poor sucks!

So, being back in the US for a few months now, I finally had to buy a car. You need a car here... it's not like in Europe where you can take a tram/bus/walk to where ever you need to go. So Last week I finally bought one... a 2008 Scion tc. And I love it. But now I'm in debt to my parents (they were pretty awesome of loaning me a butt load of money!)

And then I decided, since I have a car, and am 23, I want my own apartment. I convinced my parents of this and then they actually thought it was a good idea lol. So yesterday I signed the lease to my first apartment (and by first, I mean, I'll be the only one living there.) So now I have visions of decorating, sewing up a storm and shopping my heart out at target and other places that have awesome home stuff. I wish Ikea was closer!

So because of this car and apartment (had to put a deposit on the apartment and borrow money from my parents), and my student loans, I am one of the poorest (but some how well off) people I know. Because of this.... I have been going trade crazy on Etsy. I will be shipping out all the stuff people traded me for today, and I can't wait to get all my stuff! Trading is such an awesome thing to do when you need retail therapy but don't have the money for it! When I get all my stuff in, I shall post pictures! Now stop reading this and go trade!

I'm still here!

I know, I know... I have not been updating my blog. School got incredibly busy and it just gets put on the back burner. I promise though, this summer I shall be updating more often and posting some new goodies in my shop. I will also be taking more custom orders.

This summer I will be taking two classes and working, so things will also be busy, I will make sure I have time for some sewing. Next semester I have 3 clinicals to go teach in schools so I will probably be just as exhausted, if not more, than I am now. But I will definitely try my best to keep my blog and shop updated. I will also be getting my own apartment this fall, so towards the end of the summer I will be busy moving and getting settled in before school.

And the Season Begins...

Well for me it begins after finals are over. I have one last final to take tonight at 6:30 - the last final on the last day of finals. Man I got lucky this semester, especially with all the crap surrounding my transfer. Hopefully by the time the Spring semester starts though, I'll have it all sorted out. All in all, I think I did really well this semester. I won't have my grades until the 19th but I think I'll end up close to a 4.0 this semester. It does make me feel better when I hear kids around me complaining on how hard the class is and I'm acing all the exams. Today I'll be selling back my last textbook, taking my final and the Fall term will officially be over!

On another note, I will be going away the 17th until the 27th but I'll still keep my shop open. I just won't be able to ship anything until I get back, but because of that I'll probably put up a small sale for those who don't mind waiting on getting their orders after Christmas. I also have plans for New Years, but that won't mean anything as far as my store in concerned.

Now that practically school is over this semester, it's snowing right now (and has snowed many times this past month already), I can just sip on coffee while listening to Christmas music. I don't like listening to the same songs for 2 months, but once in a while, when the timing is right, it just puts me in the holiday spirit that I'm ever hardly in. So what is everyone doing during this holiday season???