I forgot to mention a wonderful email newsletter I found while I was up North this summer. The gal who does the writing, Kelly Epperson, graduated in my sister's class in high school. I discovered her writing when Mom and I were out shopping--I had no idea then that she went to my school. I just happened to pick up one of those freebie newspapers at the hardware store and found her column on things that youngsters born recently would never know--like loaf of bread size cell phones, etc.
Anyway, through a strange series of happenstances involving Facebook, Avon and the above referenced article I discovered, Kelly was Sherri Meredith's sister--who was in my class. Sherri mentioned that Kelly had a newsletter on JOY and she sent me a link and the rest is history. Being a very bad, very frustrated writer myself, I was impressed that her content kept me reading all the way to the end AND assured that this was one of those weekly emails that actually got opened and read every week.
Here's a peek at this week's newsletter. There is a link to sign up on the left of the newsletter if you so choose!
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs041/1102224453243/archive/1103869926185.html
So fast forward a couple of months and now Kelly is in pursuit of a paid job to blog for a big company--and it is a well paid gig! So, if she is able to get in the top 20 in the next few days, she has a real shot at winning this job. IF you would be so kind as to visit the link below and vote for Kelly, your day's karma will be assured. Plus if you go back each day until the contest ends and vote for Kelly, she will be a shoe-in!
http://www.sam-e.com/job/entries/559
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
October Craft Shows, 2010
Doing a little catching up here, so I will just give you the highlights of the five shows I did in October.
The first weekend was a show I have done for such a long time. I have been on the east side of Riverside Park for so long, I can hardly remember setting up anywhere else. This is a well run show put on by the Pilots Club of Vero. The show had beautiful weather--but hot on both days. I was fairly slow on Saturday, but, Sunday more than made up for it. I had lots of regulars stop by--Linda, Terri, Victoria and so many of you. Thank you! I did camp in the van that weekend. It was pretty hot on Saturday so I went down to the Mall to catch a movie while waiting for it to cool off and did a little shopping. I found a great tea shop www.tiffanysteacrafts.com. I spent about an hour talking tea with the owner who had a hard to spell name that sounds out to More-Tea...isn't that fitting. And his wife's name, you will never guess--Tee!! I can recommend the House Blend--been drinking it in between my Republic of Tea favorites. Oh the movie--I think it saw that Ben Affleck movie about the bank robbers.
The second weekend I went up northwest of Gainesville to do the Mayo Pioneer Days. I decided to set up and sell on Friday night...but it really wasn't worth it. I camped again and it was the first weekend I had to bring out the blankets! Nice!!! On Saturday, I was really impressed with the crowd, but, it was not a great show for me. Especially since I lost my phone--or it got stolen! I think I dropped it when I was opening up, picked it up and set down on the soap at the front of the table. Then it walked away with someone!! The show was only open the one day, so, it was pretty nice having Sunday off with Rod.
Next up was the Cedar Key Seafood Festival--another new show for me. It had been suggested by several friends, so, I had applied in the summer. Set up was pretty hairy as it was only allowed after on Saturday, but, it all worked out. My spot was on the seafood end of the festival, which I think worked out really nicely. I had several customers from other shows stop by. Many of the customers had been coming to the Seafood Fest for decades. You know it is a good show when it has a dedicated following!! I did fantastic both days and spent a little money on clam chowder and crab bisque for dinner on Saturday night. Lynn the SpiceLady was camping with her boyfriend beside me overnight, so, everything went great. They suggested camping out on Friday night next year--to make setup easier, so, I will be sure to do that!
The fourth weekend I went down to West Palm Beach with Buckler Promotions. I haven't done one of their shows in 7-8 years I think. It was pretty unremarkable, except, I still did have a few good customers stop by...and I got to see two old crafting friends I have not seen in ages. The other great thing about the weekend was my cheap $35 a night Priceline hotel. I stayed in an Extended Stay DELUXE. Never have gotten one of those before and for a cheap room it was huge with lots of amenities. It was about 8-9 miles from the show, but, since I got to stop at Carrabbas for dinner on the way home Saturday--so worth the drive! Plus that female bartender there makes one AWESOME mojito!!!
Finally, it was my second year at the Micanopy Fall Festival. The weather was just perfect for Fall--in the fifties overnight and upper 70's/low 80's during the day. It was Halloween weekend and I thought we would see more kids dressed up, but, honestly I think there were more adults in costume. Soap wise, it was better than last year by a huge amount. So much so that I had to go into Gainesville Saturday night (oh shucks, Carrabbas again!!!) and get more copies of my order form. I was next to Greg Smith the potter again, and, had a new vendor (ApronLady) on the other side. I really love doing shows in the Gainesville area--they really appreciate handmade items!!
I was home in time for some Trick or Treaters at the house...Rod had stocked enough candy for 10 times the number of kids we ended up seeing. But, that's ok--he got plenty of Reese's and other chocolate goodies. I won't tell you home long it took me to devour all that chocolate...not long...LOL! My sister tells me this chocolate craving I am having is not a symptom of pre-menopause. Dang IT! Turns out it is just my sweet tooth which is totally out of control. HELP!!
The first weekend was a show I have done for such a long time. I have been on the east side of Riverside Park for so long, I can hardly remember setting up anywhere else. This is a well run show put on by the Pilots Club of Vero. The show had beautiful weather--but hot on both days. I was fairly slow on Saturday, but, Sunday more than made up for it. I had lots of regulars stop by--Linda, Terri, Victoria and so many of you. Thank you! I did camp in the van that weekend. It was pretty hot on Saturday so I went down to the Mall to catch a movie while waiting for it to cool off and did a little shopping. I found a great tea shop www.tiffanysteacrafts.com. I spent about an hour talking tea with the owner who had a hard to spell name that sounds out to More-Tea...isn't that fitting. And his wife's name, you will never guess--Tee!! I can recommend the House Blend--been drinking it in between my Republic of Tea favorites. Oh the movie--I think it saw that Ben Affleck movie about the bank robbers.
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| Do you see my phone anywhere? |
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| Log House at the park in Mayo, FL |
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| The demonstrators booth in front of mine |
The second weekend I went up northwest of Gainesville to do the Mayo Pioneer Days. I decided to set up and sell on Friday night...but it really wasn't worth it. I camped again and it was the first weekend I had to bring out the blankets! Nice!!! On Saturday, I was really impressed with the crowd, but, it was not a great show for me. Especially since I lost my phone--or it got stolen! I think I dropped it when I was opening up, picked it up and set down on the soap at the front of the table. Then it walked away with someone!! The show was only open the one day, so, it was pretty nice having Sunday off with Rod.
Next up was the Cedar Key Seafood Festival--another new show for me. It had been suggested by several friends, so, I had applied in the summer. Set up was pretty hairy as it was only allowed after on Saturday, but, it all worked out. My spot was on the seafood end of the festival, which I think worked out really nicely. I had several customers from other shows stop by. Many of the customers had been coming to the Seafood Fest for decades. You know it is a good show when it has a dedicated following!! I did fantastic both days and spent a little money on clam chowder and crab bisque for dinner on Saturday night. Lynn the SpiceLady was camping with her boyfriend beside me overnight, so, everything went great. They suggested camping out on Friday night next year--to make setup easier, so, I will be sure to do that!
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| The view from my campsite! |
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| Walking home after dinner |
Finally, it was my second year at the Micanopy Fall Festival. The weather was just perfect for Fall--in the fifties overnight and upper 70's/low 80's during the day. It was Halloween weekend and I thought we would see more kids dressed up, but, honestly I think there were more adults in costume. Soap wise, it was better than last year by a huge amount. So much so that I had to go into Gainesville Saturday night (oh shucks, Carrabbas again!!!) and get more copies of my order form. I was next to Greg Smith the potter again, and, had a new vendor (ApronLady) on the other side. I really love doing shows in the Gainesville area--they really appreciate handmade items!!
I was home in time for some Trick or Treaters at the house...Rod had stocked enough candy for 10 times the number of kids we ended up seeing. But, that's ok--he got plenty of Reese's and other chocolate goodies. I won't tell you home long it took me to devour all that chocolate...not long...LOL! My sister tells me this chocolate craving I am having is not a symptom of pre-menopause. Dang IT! Turns out it is just my sweet tooth which is totally out of control. HELP!!
Long time, no Chat! November 10, 2010
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| Rod and me on my birthday |
In the meantime, we had my birthday (48th), did a bunch of yard work and tried to annihilate and destroy all the wasps that took up residence around the house this summer. Those buggers killed an elderly woman near here last month...so I don't feel too bad about it.
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| This year's Christmas soap--a combo of Plum, Fig and Cinnamon | with | a red and green swirl |
In the meantime, lots of soapmaking is going on down here in Orlando. And that is in spite of rising vegetable oil prices, longer shipping times and a ever growing feeling of being WAY BEHIND! It seems each week the To-Do List grows longer, while the time to accomplish it grows shorter. I am sure you all have those feelings too, right?! I got the Christmas soap scent blend finished and named the soap, "Under the Mistletoe"--check it out if you get to a show, ok?
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| These are cute little stocking stuffers or office gifts--two guest soaps |
I had a bit of trouble with the new sewing machine last month. It was the bottom tension messing up. After several days of trying different things (and too many swear words), I finally took it to a local sewing machine shop--Keels on Edgewater Av. here in Orlando. Keels has been around forever. The third generation owner, Danny, is a nice guy who took one look and had it diagnosed before I even had time to explain what was happening. He still patiently listened to my troubles and then pointed the thread had come out of one of the guides. According to Danny, the bottom tension messing up almost never has anything to do with the bobbin--which is where I was looking for the problem! I can't wait to buy another machine--Danny turned me onto some of the new models--I think this Viking lover will be buying a Janome
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| Painting the bags for the sachets |
I expanded the line of sachets I am carrying too--now I have Rose and Chamomile in addition to the Lavender four packs you will find at shows and online. I love the scent coming from all these together! Time for a trip to Penzey's Spices I think!!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Mom and Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary Pre-Party, September 17, 2010
On Saturday we started the food preparation up at the Church. Bruce and Dad peeled 40 pounds of potatoes, while Jodie, Travis and I fixed the celery, onion and eggs. Once it was all cooked, I mixed up seven big bowls of the salad to go in the church's big refrigerator. While I was doing that, Jodie was artfully arranging the vegetable trays. Then we took a break to go down to the Corner for lunch.
When we got back, we started on the meat and cheese trays. Turns out it was a bit harder than it looked in the food catalogs! We ended up coming up with some creative garnishes and some great ways to pile on the pounds of beef, ham, turkey, cheddar, provolone and colby jack. Whew, when we were all done it was so nice to get out of there and relax.
Wausau, WI Art in the Park, September 11 & 12, 2010
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| My crazy ornament neighbor...where can I get that hat??? |
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| My booth crammed in between the doors! |
Wausau's Art in the Park is just one of several shows going on in town this weekend...it's all part of the Artrageous weekend of events put on by several groups. Our part of the show was inside a couple of the buildings at Marathon Park. Unfortunately, the other part of the show was full of buy/sell vendors which always makes it hard on the artists who make their goods by hand. The fine artists were downtown and it seemed that most customers shopped all areas.
One of the ways that the Wisconsin Valley Art Organization tried to keep customers on the art path was to line the path with butterflies--which were the theme of this years show. Kind of a nice little extra way of helping us out. The volunteers with the group were really nice and constantly checking to see if there was anything we needed. I was a late application, and while I was glad to get in, the spot they put me in was less than ideal. I was really out of the foot traffic path, which is never a good thing.
One of the nicest things the organizer did was have dinner for us on Saturday night. The local Vets group had grilled chicken, pork chops and all the sides for us. I ate with the gal across from me--a potter and a guy who did metal work. Nice company and I got a few ideas for next years summer show schedule. I also got a new bowl from the potter. Hm, I should take a pic...
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| The Rotunda where the other Art in the Park artists were located. |
Coming up next week is all the party stuff for Mom and Dad's 50th. Will we make it?
Friday, September 10, 2010
Soapmaking: The Day the Gremlins Visited, August 31, 2010
I was going to title this entry, "The Soapmaking Day from HELL"...because it was. Let's just say that if this had all happened on my first day making soap, I would not now--12 years later--be a soapmaker.
The day started out nicely. I had picked up my equipment and supplies from the warehouse the day before. So, I thought I was ready to roll. Then I remembered that I had forgotten (!!!) to pick up the Pomace oil from GFS (Gordon Food Services) coming back from Ali's volleyball game last night. No problem, right!? It's just a half hour delay. And, I am only doing one 4 pot session this morning. Easy, peasy.
When I got home, I got the hotplates out and setup the headboard counter in my parents garage. I pulled out a card table and got the scale and all the oils ready to go. I decided to finish pouring the final couple of pounds of castor oil out of a big 50 pound cube box. Normally, I set the box on a table, put a gallon jug under it and turn on the spigot. The oils flows serenely out of the box into the jug...and I am around to make sure nothing goes wrong. This time however, I decided to go in and put a recipe on the Lye Calculator while it was flowing. When I came out, something had bumped the box and it was serenely flowing onto the soaked paper towel I put under the jug...onto my parents very clean garage floor. Dang it!
But a little mess like that is not going to deter me! I got my four stock pots loaded with the oils and shea butter and put them on to melt. Then I poured the lye bowls out--except I mispoured the lye in the first one. I only needed 14.2 ounces and by the time my brain registered how much the scale read it was already over a pound. Oh well, the drain down in the basement sink was running slowly--time for a good clean out! Crap--I hate wasting my precious soapmaking things!
After a bit everything was finally combined, stickblended and starting to cook. This is when I usually turn to my sink and wash out the lye bowls. At my parent's I have to dash into the kitchen to do this. When I give hot process soapmaking lessons, I always stress not to turn your back on the cooking soap. I really need to practice what I preach. By the time I got the bowls washed, the oil/lye mixture was rising out of the one of the pots, splashing onto the floor and everything within a four foot radius. OH SH*T!!!
That little cleanup took about a half hour and used up an entire roll of Bounty paper towels! And it was only done good enough to keep working--the final cleanup would take a couple hours and included washing walls, mopping the floor four times and cleaning up all the gardening and painting tools that got hit with the oily mixture. And, my soap! I ended up having to throw away 12 bars of partially cooked Kumquat soap. But then as I carried a wash basin full of oily, dirty water into the kitchen, it slipped out of my greasy hands and fell...onto the threshold of the back door--some of it going onto the tile kitchen floor, some of it onto the garage steps and runner carpet. Which led to another half hour of cleanup and more cussing. LOTS more cussing!
So, now a normal person would have just shut down the soapmaking operation for the day. After all, ALL SIGNS are pointing to eminent danger. They are at least suggesting that if you continue on the track you are on, it may lead to loss of limb, life or blowing up the house. RIGHT!?!?! But, no. I come from farm folk. Good, sturdy, Scotch/German genes. We don't give up. We ARE NOT sissies. We PERSEVERE! DAMN IT!!!
So, I continue with the soap cooking. Another 15 minutes pass with no problems. Whew! I finish three pots of soap, remove them from the burners onto the concrete floor to start cooling. I give the slow cooking pot a good stir and turn my back...and that dang pot falls off the burner--three feet to the ground and hot soap goes all over. Onto the wet vac, my Dad's big CB radio receiver, the power cords, and more on the floor. Are you F*****G kidding me! I lose another 4 bars of soap, this time my Olive Oil Castile.
By this time, my parents have holed themselves up in the house. They are afraid to come out for fear that my bad mood may fall on their poor shoulders. They are also taking notes to write a new book on current trends in bad language--very bad language. It will be a bestseller for rappers, kids from the hood and Vice President Biden.
But, this story has a nice ending. Four soaps make it to the mold and come out very nicely the next day. I am sure that every other soapmaker that had the good luck to make soap this day had only good things going on in their soapmaking worlds. Every single gremlin, goblin and evil soapmaking devil was visiting me that day. I don't think any of us will have to worry about soaping for a while. I took them all to task and whooped them good!
The day started out nicely. I had picked up my equipment and supplies from the warehouse the day before. So, I thought I was ready to roll. Then I remembered that I had forgotten (!!!) to pick up the Pomace oil from GFS (Gordon Food Services) coming back from Ali's volleyball game last night. No problem, right!? It's just a half hour delay. And, I am only doing one 4 pot session this morning. Easy, peasy.
When I got home, I got the hotplates out and setup the headboard counter in my parents garage. I pulled out a card table and got the scale and all the oils ready to go. I decided to finish pouring the final couple of pounds of castor oil out of a big 50 pound cube box. Normally, I set the box on a table, put a gallon jug under it and turn on the spigot. The oils flows serenely out of the box into the jug...and I am around to make sure nothing goes wrong. This time however, I decided to go in and put a recipe on the Lye Calculator while it was flowing. When I came out, something had bumped the box and it was serenely flowing onto the soaked paper towel I put under the jug...onto my parents very clean garage floor. Dang it!
But a little mess like that is not going to deter me! I got my four stock pots loaded with the oils and shea butter and put them on to melt. Then I poured the lye bowls out--except I mispoured the lye in the first one. I only needed 14.2 ounces and by the time my brain registered how much the scale read it was already over a pound. Oh well, the drain down in the basement sink was running slowly--time for a good clean out! Crap--I hate wasting my precious soapmaking things!
After a bit everything was finally combined, stickblended and starting to cook. This is when I usually turn to my sink and wash out the lye bowls. At my parent's I have to dash into the kitchen to do this. When I give hot process soapmaking lessons, I always stress not to turn your back on the cooking soap. I really need to practice what I preach. By the time I got the bowls washed, the oil/lye mixture was rising out of the one of the pots, splashing onto the floor and everything within a four foot radius. OH SH*T!!!
That little cleanup took about a half hour and used up an entire roll of Bounty paper towels! And it was only done good enough to keep working--the final cleanup would take a couple hours and included washing walls, mopping the floor four times and cleaning up all the gardening and painting tools that got hit with the oily mixture. And, my soap! I ended up having to throw away 12 bars of partially cooked Kumquat soap. But then as I carried a wash basin full of oily, dirty water into the kitchen, it slipped out of my greasy hands and fell...onto the threshold of the back door--some of it going onto the tile kitchen floor, some of it onto the garage steps and runner carpet. Which led to another half hour of cleanup and more cussing. LOTS more cussing!
So, now a normal person would have just shut down the soapmaking operation for the day. After all, ALL SIGNS are pointing to eminent danger. They are at least suggesting that if you continue on the track you are on, it may lead to loss of limb, life or blowing up the house. RIGHT!?!?! But, no. I come from farm folk. Good, sturdy, Scotch/German genes. We don't give up. We ARE NOT sissies. We PERSEVERE! DAMN IT!!!
So, I continue with the soap cooking. Another 15 minutes pass with no problems. Whew! I finish three pots of soap, remove them from the burners onto the concrete floor to start cooling. I give the slow cooking pot a good stir and turn my back...and that dang pot falls off the burner--three feet to the ground and hot soap goes all over. Onto the wet vac, my Dad's big CB radio receiver, the power cords, and more on the floor. Are you F*****G kidding me! I lose another 4 bars of soap, this time my Olive Oil Castile.
By this time, my parents have holed themselves up in the house. They are afraid to come out for fear that my bad mood may fall on their poor shoulders. They are also taking notes to write a new book on current trends in bad language--very bad language. It will be a bestseller for rappers, kids from the hood and Vice President Biden.
But, this story has a nice ending. Four soaps make it to the mold and come out very nicely the next day. I am sure that every other soapmaker that had the good luck to make soap this day had only good things going on in their soapmaking worlds. Every single gremlin, goblin and evil soapmaking devil was visiting me that day. I don't think any of us will have to worry about soaping for a while. I took them all to task and whooped them good!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Schaumburg Septemberfest, September 4-6. 2010
My fourth year at Schaumburg was awesome. It was my best year in both sales and FUN. Mom and Jodie joined me for the long weekend. We decided it was officially a Girls Weekend! Unfortunately I forgot to document the festivities for posterity...and the blog! So no pictures.
We arrived at the Marriott after a quick trip over from Rockford. We had to take two vehicles to get all the soap here. The room was nice, but, small--with two double beds. So, I brought my sleep mat in and made my sleep cubbie on the floor by the window. No one believes me, but, I sleep great on the floor. Actually I sleep fitfully the first night while I decide if the floor and room are clean enough. Then I sleep like a baby the rest of the time. I may be the luckiest traveler in the world--I haven't stayed in a room yet that had bedbugs. At least not yet.
Friday night we hit Lou Malnattis for their classic salad and a thin crust pizza. Mom was reluctant to believe us about it being the best pizza and salad in the WORLD. But she is now a believer. We got to bed early as we had a 6:15 call to line up for setup. We had a little problem with parking in the school lot--apparently it is ONLY for volunteers now. But Jodie was able to find street parking with no trouble after we unloaded. Set up went great. We were next to Jeff, Deb and Pops of LB Wood Shoppe once again this year. They are the nicest people--I look forward to seeing them at many of the shows I do up this way.
Saturday was gorgeous and the great weather brought out tons of shoppers. The day went quickly and before we knew it we were heading out to Cheesecake Factory--after a quick stop to get some copies of my order form made. Dinner was yummy, cheesecake was awesome. Mom tried the Splenda Classic Cheesecake--actually we all tried a bite--and it was good enough to order again. I had my usual CHOCOLATE and more CHOCOLATE cheesecake--something like their Anniversary edition this time. We finished off the pieces of cheesecake at the hotel--feeling properly sated and sick at the same time.
Sunday was another great day and we had dinner at Ruby Tuesdays before trying to get back to the hotel to watch Mad Men. Of course the hotel did not get AMC on their cable. Damn! So we got to bed pretty early as we had early breakfast plans with friends at a local place. The day was definitely nice with a bit of rain, but, the shoppers were fewer and further between. I ended up doing really well for the three days, and, I think my helpers had a good time too!
We arrived at the Marriott after a quick trip over from Rockford. We had to take two vehicles to get all the soap here. The room was nice, but, small--with two double beds. So, I brought my sleep mat in and made my sleep cubbie on the floor by the window. No one believes me, but, I sleep great on the floor. Actually I sleep fitfully the first night while I decide if the floor and room are clean enough. Then I sleep like a baby the rest of the time. I may be the luckiest traveler in the world--I haven't stayed in a room yet that had bedbugs. At least not yet.
Friday night we hit Lou Malnattis for their classic salad and a thin crust pizza. Mom was reluctant to believe us about it being the best pizza and salad in the WORLD. But she is now a believer. We got to bed early as we had a 6:15 call to line up for setup. We had a little problem with parking in the school lot--apparently it is ONLY for volunteers now. But Jodie was able to find street parking with no trouble after we unloaded. Set up went great. We were next to Jeff, Deb and Pops of LB Wood Shoppe once again this year. They are the nicest people--I look forward to seeing them at many of the shows I do up this way.
Saturday was gorgeous and the great weather brought out tons of shoppers. The day went quickly and before we knew it we were heading out to Cheesecake Factory--after a quick stop to get some copies of my order form made. Dinner was yummy, cheesecake was awesome. Mom tried the Splenda Classic Cheesecake--actually we all tried a bite--and it was good enough to order again. I had my usual CHOCOLATE and more CHOCOLATE cheesecake--something like their Anniversary edition this time. We finished off the pieces of cheesecake at the hotel--feeling properly sated and sick at the same time.
Sunday was another great day and we had dinner at Ruby Tuesdays before trying to get back to the hotel to watch Mad Men. Of course the hotel did not get AMC on their cable. Damn! So we got to bed pretty early as we had early breakfast plans with friends at a local place. The day was definitely nice with a bit of rain, but, the shoppers were fewer and further between. I ended up doing really well for the three days, and, I think my helpers had a good time too!
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