Chalkboard Paint : Craft Projects

I’ve seen some chalkboard items on Etsy and have come across some awesome tutorials in this new blog world I’ve been playing around in.  Well, I came up with my own chalkboard idea, bought a can of chalkboard paint, and now I’m obsessed!

The Project:

I have one of those simple wire spice racks from Bed, Bath, and Beyond that come with the stickers to write on.  I’ve had it for a long time and the stickers were getting kind of gross, you could almost tell what I’d been cooking. 

The solution – chalkboard paint!  Matt helped me sand down all of the covers, then I taped them up and gave them two coats of paint.  Apparently it’s important to let the paint cure and then prime it.  So I patiently waited an entire week to write on them.  I primed them by rubbing chalk all over and erasing it. 

A chalk pen helped me neatly write all of my yummy spices and now I have a great handmade item in my kitchen!  Does your spice rack need a face lift? This was so easy.

And my new obsession had not only updated my kitchen, but gave me new ideas to start creating.  I just added chalkboard wineglass and beer bottle tags to my shop. 

And Matt might start a tap handle production! A chalkboard tap handle would be perfect for our homemade beer we have on tap.  I can’t wait until he finishes one!

Craft Fair Tips & Tricks : Guest Blog

A have another guest blogger today! Last Friday Claudia taught us about all things steampunk.  This Friday, Courtney has lots of tips and tricks to share with us about being in a craft fair.

Courtney of CMMJewelry has been crafting and making jewelry since she was little.  Along with a successful Etsy shop, Courtney also participates in local craft fairs.  I’ve helped my mom at fairs before but have never done it myself.  I was so glad when Courtney volunteered her expertise.  I hadn’t known Courtney or CMM jewelry at all before this post started – but turns out we graduated from college together! Small World! Courtney, please take it away!

Being part of a craft fair is an exciting part of my jewelry business. Not only is it an opportunity to make some cash, but it is great publicity and an excellent way to meet other artists.
Through online research I have found a lot of information on how to set up your booth to attract customers but nothing really about how to get ready for a show. I am a natural born planner and organizer, almost to a fault. Here is some information that can help you with the planning process:

When you're accepted to the show:

·         Start advertising! Use the shows brochures and fliers – many of them provide these, and don’t forget to keep repeating! Remind your Facebook fans weekly

·         Get a fan club! - It’s nice to have friends and family stop by throughout the day

·         Book a hotel - if the show is far away and packed with vendors, you don’t want to be caught without a place to stay.  Or just stay local, I typically stick with shows that are within driving distance.

Eight Weeks Prior to the show:

·         Get a helper!  I like to have an extra body or two at my booth. That way I can get lunch, take a bathroom break or just sit down and get off my feet for a second. I usually ask my aunt, mom and sister.  I usually thank them with breakfast or jewelry  

·         Is all about inventory!  I start creating pieces in bulk about two months prior so that I have enough pieces in stock. This grace period will also give you enough time to order more supplies if needed.  I also keep my inventory in its own special box away from everything else. It protects my jewelry and keeps me organized.

·         Make a detailed list of EVERYTHING!  I find that a basic spreadsheet is most helpful.
You want to capture descriptions, quantity, and selling price. Leave a few columns blank so you can check off if it sold or not.

·         Make a few order forms for custom or bulk orders

Four – Two Weeks Prior to the show:

·         Pack! I keep all my display stuff in a big Rubbermaid container, I’m always ready.  The best advice I can give about a show is to be prepared for anything. I did a bridal show recently and my table was placed in front of a large column. This was a great opportunity to hang my sign with the tape I had packed.

·         Read your registration info:  What is included at the show? Do you need to bring your own table and chairs? How much space will you have? Outdoors or indoors? Will you need a tent?

·         Business cards and packing supplies: such as bags, boxes, ribbons

Courtney’s Packing list

·         Tacks

·         Tape

·         String

·         Scissors

·         White tablecloth -  it won’t take away from the display

·         Six foot table

·         Two folding chairs

·         My jewelry making supplies -  then I can do a live demo, or if the show is slow I can make good use of my time

Use this time before the show to go out and buy whatever you think you need.

One Week Prior to the show:

·         Clean your car! Make room for your boxes, table and chairs. It is aggravating when you are trying to hustle into a show to set up and your car is a disaster area.

The Day before the show:

·         Go to the bank - I usually withdraw $60 because. Ask for small bills.

Morning of the Show:

·         Eat breakfast! A big one. You never really know how busy the show will be so it can be uncertain if you’ll get a lunch break. Also, get some bottled water.

During the show:

·         Enjoy! And observe customer behavior.

After the show:  At the end be sure to break down your booth in an organized way to that everything fits back into your boxes and in your car.

WOW – That was a ton of very useful information.  Courtney – thank you so much for sharing.  If you have questions for Courtney she can be emailed at Courtney@cmmjewelery.com.  And if you want to see her in action, CMM Jewelry will be at the Dedham Open Studios this Sunday!

If you aren’t local – please be sure to check out all of Courtney’s hard work in her shop!

Hoppy Thursday: Week 4

Week 4: Still Growing

The hops are continuing to grow nicely. The fourth plant is finally tall enough to need a string to start climbing. We had to put the planters on the floor to give the vines a little more room to climb. Hopefully this should give them enough room until we are ready to transplant them. As the weather warms up, we need to make sure they have somewhere to climb once they get to the great outdoors. 

Here's a quick recap: Week 1 - 1"; Week 2 - 18"; Week 3 - 29"; WEEK 4 - 43"!

Beer Review: Newport Storm Hurricane Amber Ale

Rhode Island’s only craft beer is one of our favorites. We spent many a college Friday night enjoying their free brewery tour and still enjoy visiting the new facility. They too just are starting to grow hops this year. (They also make great rum!)

Buy it if: You want to try a great beer from the smallest state.

Don’t buy it if: You don’t live in New England, sorry folks, it’s a little bit of a local beer, but they’re working on it! 

Buy it for: The Boat! Newport Storm was one of the first craft beers to become available in cans. I guess that's the price you pay when you're brewery is practically on the beach.

My Crafting Hero : About Meg's Mom

This post is a celebration of Mother's day as well as a shout out to all of the crafters out there - do you remember what started it all? Is there a person in your life that influenced you to continue crafting?  Do you have a crafting hero?

I grew up making things all the time.  My mom constantly entertained me and my brothers and sister with art projects.  As I developed my own creative interests, she still seemed to have anything I needed in her craft bins, and always tons of advice.  To this day, I call her every time I walk into a Micheal's or Joanne's because I know she will have much better answers than any of their employees (and she's worked at both - but was clearly over qualified.) 

So meet my crafting hero: My Mom - Elaine!

Meg: Mom, how old were you when you got your first sewing machine?

Mom: I was thirteen - I got it for my home-EC class

Meg: What was the first thing you made?

Mom: a tiny denim tote bag, and it was in home EC 

Meg: Did you DIY anything for your wedding, in 1982?

Mom: It wasn't popular then to make things for your wedding, they didn't have the kind of craft stores they have now, but I did make my own garter.  Two of them, one to keep and the throw away one.

Meg: What was the first thing you made me? being your first born ;-)

Mom: I made your crib set.  It was peach colored and had the bumpers, diaper stacker and a baby quilt

Meg: You've done lots of projects in each house we've lived in, infamously the sponge painting ;-), what was your favorite home project?

Mom: Not the sponge panting!  The stenciling in the Topsfield kitchen and dining room - even though they are all covered up now.

Meg: Quilting or Knitting? which one should you do a book deal for?

Mom: Knitting - because it's more popular right, much more hip than quilting

isn't this the cutest thing?! Mom! - you still owe me a felted pig!

Meg: When are you finally going to open a shop on Etsy?!

Mom:  Sooner rather than later - lets say two months

And she should add these to her Etsy shop - yes?

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Mom: Lake Winnipesaukee, if you can stop it from snowing.

Thanks so much Mom! for being my crafting hero and always supporting each and everyone of my creative projects - it feels good to have your support, and I admire that you've stuck to your crafting love for so long! 

About Steampunk : Shop Local

I’m so excited to be featuring my first guest today!  Claudia from ClaudiaBruno on Etsy is sharing a ton of information about the steampunk movement and the jewelry she makes.  Claudia is an Italian Jewelry Designer in Boston.  She is a regular Steampunk artist at the Independent Designer Market in Harvard Square and will be a vendor at the SteamCity Steampunk Festival in Waltham, MA this coming weekend.  May 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th

Hi Claudia!

Thanks so much for helping me promote local craft fairs on my blog and for teaching us about steampunk.

Meg: What exactly is Steampunk?

Claudia: Steampunk jewelry is a mélange of found objects, rusty machine parts, keys, watch movements and typewriter keys.  It is based on science fiction concepts at the time of late 1800’s beginning 1900’s when all power was steam-based.

M: Can you describe Steampunk fashion?

C: Steampunk fashion has slowly been creeping in and can now can be found in large chain stores such as H&M.  It comprises of Victorian undertones: bloomers, corsets and lace accompanied by hard elements such as broken watches, mechanical moving parts, suede and brown leather. Spectacles, opera glasses, top hats, aviator caps and goggles along with full wrist fabric cuffs can all be incorporated.  Of course, less is more, and by that I mean let’s try not to look like we came out of a costume shop in 1907 or like we belong alongside Amelia Earhart, but you get the picture!
I shop at the Steampunk Emporium.

M: When did you first get into Steampunk jewelry?
C: I started Steampunk jewelry several years ago.  I was a punk in the seventies, a cyberpunk in the early nineties and a Steampunk in the new millennium. As long as it reflects the punk principles of being out of the norm, innovative, and unusual, you will always find me signing up to the club.

M: Claudia, I’ve visited your ClaudiaBruno shop on Etsy. Your Steampunk cuffs are so intricate. Where do you get the materials that go into the art?

C: The cuffs you mention belong to my Black Magic collection.  It is all in the patina, so to speak, which is a black patina used on hot metal.  The objects that I use to decorate the black cuffs are always vintage, broken typewriter parts, rusty keys, and vintage crystals.  I make my own cameos using altered art and decoupage vintage images and resin. EBay is a never-ending source for my findings as it is the world’s biggest estate sale!

M: The New England Steampunk Festival will feature all kinds of vendors including you. Have you been a vendor there before? What are you looking forward to the most during that weekend?

C: This is the first time I will be attending the festival. This is their second year but the biggest one yet. The entire city of Waltham will be participating and the Museum of Industry, a Steampunk Mecca, will be donating some of their artifacts which will be parading through the streets of Waltham. I understand there will be a Victorian picnic at Mt. Feakes Cemetery and several lectures and exhibits on the Steampunk movement. Music will delight us all as a couple of big stages are set up by the Watch Factory where the main events will be taking place.

Claudia – again, thank you so much.  I’ve loved having you on my blog and hope you have an awesome weekend.  If you’re local and can visit – do try to find Claudia, she also knows of another Etsian participating, Venus in Furs from Rhode Island.  And if you aren’t local – check out Claudia’s Etsy shop – it’s filled to the brim with all things steampunk!

Hoppy Thursday : Week 3

Week 3 : Getting Taller
The hops are doing really well.  We have one strong shoot from each rhizome now and three of them are climbing up the strings.  The tallest is now just over 29".  We planted these only 18 days ago!  The color of the leaves is an amazing bright green, and I love having bright green plants in the house.

Beer Recommendation:

Samuel Adams Boston Lager

This local Bostonian brewer is the largest craft brewery in the United States by volume.  Boston Lager is a well balanced beer that features both a malty smooth texture and a floral hops aroma. Sam Adams has even developed a glass - just for tasting their beers.  You can read about it here.

 Buy it if: You are looking to get your toes wet in the craft beer world - this doesn't taste a thing like Bud or other similar mass produced beers.

Don’t buy it if: There is really no reason not to buy and try this classic craft beer.

Buy it for: The game - whether that be basketball playoffs, hockey playoffs, or the baseball game.

Average Cost: $7-8/6pack

Two for the Summit : April

My husband Matt and I decided this year as a way to stay active together to hike one summit each month.  We started last month in California when we hiked Mt. Lee (where the Hollywood sign is!) it was about a 600ft elevation gain from where we started.  This month we chose Mt. Wachusett.  A a ski destination near Boston.  The hike was about a 1000ft elevation gain from the ski lodge.  We broke out our new adventure toys - our rugged waterproof camera, and our gorilla pod, we took the picture below ourselves!

It was fun hiking around a ski mountain.  Part of the hike went straight across three trails, and of course, there was the chair lift right before the summit.

It only took us about two hours for the round trip.  It was such a clear day that from the summit we could see Boston and Mt. Monadnock.  We're planning on hiking in Connecticut in May, and hopefully doing Monadnock again in June gearing up to attempt Mt. Washington 4th of July weekend.  We've wanted to do a big summit for a while now and want to make it happen this summer.  Do you hike? What summits are in your area?