Now, Let's See If We Can Try This Again.

I find it totally hilarious that its been over a year since my last post. My family and I have been through a lot these past 12 months. I had a sweet baby boy, Bryce Kaden. I got married, so Im now a Robinson, and, we moved again. Not to mention DH being out of work still. This raggedy economy has beaten us up.

All in all I feel blessed to have seen another year. I celebrated my 35th Birthday on the 31st and I don't mind telling my age. I mean, big deal. My kid thinks I'm old and lame but I think I'm pretty cool, so there!

So anyway I need to set some goals on what I want to accomplish this year. I would like to loose 52 lbs... 1 lb for every week of the year. Since I typically don't stick with anything past 20 pounds this may be my biggest challenge to date. Im not feeling good about my apperance these days and cant stand to look in the mirror so I'm ready to commit to doing it Full Throttle!- ( I say this as Charlies Angels 2 plays on the TV in my office) Weight Watchers is on the horizon. Its the only thing that has worked for me in the past outside of taking a pill, so Im going back... Wish me luck.

I will try to get back into constant crafting with a purpose. I've been too depressed and busy here lately to fully concentrate on crochet. Ive been meandering aimlessly into one project or another not really finishing anything. The Atlanta Craft Mafia kinda busted up after the original ladies quit leading and that was a bummer because I felt really inspired by those ladies and they all motivated me. I need to figure out out to balance my love of creating with family responsibility. Humpf! I've found inspiration in the work of some of the original Craft Mafia Ladies like Jennifer Perkins and Jenny Hart. I read their blogs regularly and they always have something new and fun to try... hence my meandering. Either way, I promise myself I will do better.. maybe I will even find time to blog once a week....

SO there it is. Loose weight and craft my goals for 2010 not to advantageous I think. Happy New year y'all.

Long time no see!

Its been forever and a day… What can I say life gets in the way every now and then. I didn’t feel so bad until I recently received my first blog comment/compliment from a complete stranger. I thought “Whoa someone I don’t know is actually reading my blog…perhaps I should do an update.” As usual I’m short on time but lets do a recap of the last 8 months….
*My Granny passed away in May right after her birthday…She, along with my mom taught me to sew. She also taught me to embroider and was the first person I knew that owned a glue gun. She helped to raise me. Mattie Mae was 84 years old and I miss her oh so dearly.
*I successfully vended at my first Indie Craft Experience (I.C.E) show at Centennial Olympic park in June…it was hotter than Hades (or so I’ve heard)
*We moved into a new place in June- I like it so much better than the previous place.
*E lost his job in July – we are still holding on despite the reduction of income…Only by God’s grace.
*My car got wrecked shortly after- It’s fixed now, I love insurance!
*Taylor started 8th grade at new school in August.- Middle school is a hot mess…
*I had a very successful craft show last month The ICE Holiday Spectacular- If you are a local crafter you should attend or vend at an I.C.E show it’s a blast and you will be hooked.

*I suppose the biggest news of all is the fact that I am going to be a mommy again 14 years after the 1st.- A summer surprise!

I am having a boy in early March. Actually my due date is the same as Taylor’s birthday. Which she isn’t crazy about, lucky for her my doctor considers me a candidate for induction since I’m a high-risk gal due to my previous history of high blood pressure…..So chances are she wont have to share that equals less drama for us all….

I have tons of details about this and other junk. Maybe some of which I can catch up on as I get back into the swing of blogging again…..at least until the baby comes…..

Good News!

Today's beginning was a bit shaky but had started to look up. I did a little cleaning, a little working, and now a bit of cookin. Since my Blackberry acts as a device mostly for work I hardly look at it on the weekends but as I was waiting for the water for my pasta to come to a rolling boil I decided to take a look at it.

I've received glorious news!


Now the real work must begin. As if I am not consumed enough already... I am super excited!!!! Thats all for now, I've gotta go stir that pasta!




XOXO

Bag Lady

I've been very busy. After meeting my ATL Craft Mafia Familia last month I was super-charged to apply for I.C.E (Indie Craft Experience) SO I did and now I wait....... The Mafia was so nice and had a fit over my crocheted plastic bag bag. Not a totally new idea but I havent followed one pattern yet and feel pretty good about being able to be original. I've also taken to crocheting cut up sheets and bed linens. I'm almost on a first name basis with the folks at the Goodwill near my job. I have also discovered some cool ways to use all kinds of recycled stuff in my work..... I wanted to do a quick post just so you could see what Im up to. Im way to busy to correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure so forgive me. Here are some photos of my new work, hopefully comming soon to etsy. I present to you Plastique Fabrique my new line of pures and bags made from cast away stuff! They are one of a kind and made from original patterns.

I am a CRAFT GANGSTA !!!

Before I gush let me vent...

• I am SO over the squirrels in my ceiling. Whatever the hell they are doing it is hard work cause they never stop. I feel like I should be paying them.
• I am already kinda sick of American Idol...geesh!
• Can winter or whatever this is just go away.
• I am so terrified of getting the flu again. After being off work 1 full week, I'm afraid of what germs may still linger there.
• I am starting to despise unfinished projects...
• There just aren't enough hours in a day (in which to craft)

I'm just sayin........

Ok now, here are some funny, happy and (sometimes lame) things I have had on my mind lately.

• I love that I can plug my ipod into my car stereo now...cool.- Thanks E!
• My friend B and are are planning to take a hip hop dance class this weekend- I LOVE TO DANCE!....GO do it ! http://www.dance101.org/
• I love my new Chuck Taylor's
• I love podcasts
• Michael Jackson's Thriller is 25? That just can't be..am I that old?
• I'm so hooked on 80's music these days....I'm lovin me some Steve Perry and Jermaine Jackson...oooh and Billy Ocean! - LOL
• I watch way too much youtube with my family
• I would like to make and wear an apron all day long- like part of an outfit (Thanks to Jennifer from Craft Sanity http://www.craftsanity.com/)
• Finally, I got MADE...and I am now a member of the Atlanta Craft Mafia! so freakin cool....

Anywho, business is going pretty good. It's pretty consistent. I have been blessed and highly favored. These days my customers are mostly friends and co-workers. Etsy sales have been slow but I havent posted a bunch of newness. I have been trying to harness the spirit of a new innovative product. I haven't found it yet but Ive been toiling away on some cotton stuff for spring wear. I got a new
Get Your Crochet On book and got some cool ideas from there. I have been really dying to get my hands on some patterns from Jenny Hart over at Sublime Stitching. However, I can't bring myself to start a new hobby. Plus since I draw I kinda want to do my own embroidery patterns....that would be cool.

At the end of my week long bout with the flu I ran to HobLob to find something for Taylor to do. I was totally not trying to be bothered with yarn so you know I was sick.... But since she was out of school on Monday I needed a plan to keep her from whining about being bored....SO I got a soap kit..... She had a blast and I did too. I helped her melt the soap and pour it into molds. She added color and scent and was so proud of her creations.... I think if she maintains interest in it I will give her a department in my etsy shop....She seems pretty excited so we shall see...

Well back to the CRAFT MAFIA. You have got to visit the site at http://www.atlcraftmafia.com/ I am too excited to have been accepted. Modeled after the successful Austin Craft Mafia the Atlanta version has been re org'd and is back in full effect. The mission is this... "The Atlanta Craft Mafia seeks to provide support and resources for other members of the Atlanta crafting community through public events, networking opportunities and collaborative marketing". I love the idea of being connected with like minded crafty people serious about the handmade way of life. The women involved are incredible artisians doing some amazing work. Please visit the site mentioned above and support the cause! hummm maybe I am more of a craft nerd than a gansta.... either way I love it so much and I look forward to being a part of the familia!

Ok well it's late....I am still working on doing better in my blogging. I have a tendency to stay away from the PC too much these days, by the time I get home from work I'm so sick of the computer I can't bear the idea of being on it another second of my day. Even my dear ibook has been neglected and I love that thing......

If you do actually read my blog ever please feel free to email me or comment. I would love to feel like someone actually cares (at least until the paparazzi starts to stalk me)

Nothing but XOXO to you!

SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS?

Christmas was much fun! Being with my family is always the best part. I was working until the very end to get all my crocheting done. Instead of trying to make gifts for EVERYONE I enlisted some help from DesignHer Gals. I purchased a membership and made note cards for family and friends (females). The personalized element of the cards were a big hit. Each set included their name and their likeness.... Check out their site designhergals.com for more info. I didn't make any gifts for the kids this year it was all about the LADIES.

I made hats and scarves for my aunts, cousins, sibs My Mom however got the "wrap". I had been promising her a wrap or shawl of some kind for the past 2 or 3 years, really since I learned to crochet. So 3 days before the big day I started. I only had to frog one row. It was painful but I take pride in the fact that it was only one row, one time. She loved it! See..

Pattern from Crochet Today Magazine July/August 2007

Well that's all for now I'm going to cut it short because tomorrow is January 2nd and I have to go back to work. Back to reality. *sigh*

I have resolved to loose weight this year, and to blog more. Wish me luck... I'm gonna need it.

Much love, wealth, health and fun to you in the year ahead.

XOXO, Kimberly

Craft Fair Success!

Well I did it! I successfully showed at my first craft fair. Me, Mom, Taylor and Auntie Joyce traveled 4 hours to Savannah November 17th. One gas stop and one Waffle House meal later. We got off the freeway and only had to turn around once before we found the Mutation venue. I was only a little nervous but soon found my table and made myself at home.

A few weeks earlier I found out the baby I was carrying was not to be. I had a miscarriage. Feeling sad and discouraged I spent some time healing and giving myself some craft therapy. I finished my table banner during that time. I also worked on some felt ornaments when I wasn't sleeping. God granted me so much favor and grace during a time of sorrow I feel so blessed to have hands that can create so that I may have an outlet for such stress. It made be feel better to be busy.

Anywho I had a table next to another polymer clay artist and Brenden from Langoats Junkyard (landgoat.etsy.com) I hope he doesn't mind the mention. He was really nice and had the coolest painted t shirts. I love the PeeWee Herman one the best. He was giving out Star Wars Pez dispensers with purchase. They were stenciled graphics as opposed to screen printed. Check him out on Etsy he was a cool guy.

If I had been smarter I would have enlisted one of my entourage to take more pictures. I didn't, so I'm kicking myself now. In the end I met a lot of cool people and fellow Etsy sellers. I sold lots of stuff. With the cool weather I sold a good bit of hats and scarves, some Christmas earrings, ornaments and some felt flower brooches. I made way over what I thought and still profited after paying for gas, food, hotel and gifts for myself and Taylor.

Since my Auntie came we decided to stay overnight. Mom reserved the room, when she went to check in the room wasn't ready so we got an upgrade-sweet! Then we went to dinner at a popular "Italian" restaurant. They were super slow and the service wasn't great and my Mom's order was wrong. (She got the right meal for free) Our free "sorry for the trouble" dessert never came so we left. It was just a mess but didn't spoil our good time. I went to the bookstore that night and got a new crochet pattern book and spent that evening starting on a new scarf.

I will seriously consider doing this show again in the Spring if they have it. It was a good time. I better break out the cotton yarn and get to work huh?

xoxo

OK So I am going to Savannah in November...the 17th to be exact. To participate in the Mutation Craft Fair. Go me, go me! I don't know how much time I will have to blog between now and then. I am so freaking excited. I am preparing new items to sell there and I will do my best to track them here. I had a really good week I sold like 4 baby blankets and a set of greeting cards...I'm busy folks! Working my arse off!! As a matter of fact I need to go finish up on a scarf I'm working on. I will try to keep you posted. And if you are in Savannah November 17 . Come see me at my first craft show! yee haw!! More later... gator!

Business, Booties, Buttons !

A brief post about some new stuff. Business has picked up a little. I recently made 2 baby blankets which sparked orders for 3 more. I sold some stuff on ETSY. Namely my Corny Ears Earrings and little Frankie Stein. Glad they will have a good home but kind sad to see them go.

I got a nod from Kristen from Craft Leftovers. I entered a contest she was holding and got an honorable mention. I won a discount in her etsy shop and a button. I feel like I won! She's like a craft celebrity so its nice that she acknowledged my work. I took one of her patterns, some denim scraps ,and homemade bias tape, and made my new favorite crochet hook case. See.....

All else is well. I started a myspace page...www.myspace.com/artistikdiva...what was I thinking? I had to get over my doubts about the whole myspace craziness and go for it. I thought this was hard to maintain...whew I really have no idea what I am doing. I need to remember to cross reference the blog , etsy, myspace so all the work I put into getting out there is seen. Ive made friends out of all the crafty people I can find. It's all about who you know people!

I ordered some buttons from AmyLynn at kittycrossbones18.com. She has an etsy shop too. I love the buttons so much I cant wait to order some more. I may design a line to sell....the ones I bought are intended to promote my business... I also started on a new baby bootie project this weekend. I was so inspired by my best friends pretty new baby girl I had to make something. I intend to post them to etsy soon. They will be known as The Nia bootie after that sweet baby girl.


So anyway, I am going to publish a zine. It's really only for my friends and family. This will be a Christmas gift for some. I am sending out an email this weekend if not sooner giving you all the details. I am asking for help from friends so if you want to help drop me a line at artistikdiva@gmail.com. I will be posting the info here soon! In case you didnt know its all about DIY and other crafty-ness. I had something else to say.....but it totally sliped my mind just now. Dang! I hate when that happens. Well I guess thats it then. Until next time...remember

Creativity takes courage!

August Thoughts

I haven't blogged in a while. Why? because I'm totally intimidated by all the creative blogs I see. I'm starting to wonder, maybe this isn't for me, but I will keep trying. Really, I find it hard to maintain a blog when I work full time, create part-time, etsy part-time, and keep up with housework. There are terrific people doing great work all over the web. I'm not so sure I can etsy, blog, and flicker and still create quality items. I will make an attempt to blog once a month and see how that goes.

That's me looking especially orange in my guest bathroom. I'm tryin' to show you the new camera E got for me but I can't help but be aggravated by how the peach on the walls casts this gross color on the photo. Look people I'm no photographer. But I do enjoy learning how to use my camera to take photos of my etsy items....

Anyway, I woke up this morning mortified at the sight in my bathroom. Ants! lots of ants. I literally gasped at the sight of them covering my counter and all in my sink. My counter was filled with my various sundries. Deodorant, mouthwash, makeup, toothpaste and brushes. They were all over everything even the soap my comb, my earrings! I felt most violated that they were on my earrings. I'm mean come on! I figured that because its so freaking hot out they decided to come visit me in the coolest part of my house. Of course I wasn't thinking that way while I was spraying down my counter with bug spray. Spray I just bought for the ants in my garage around my trash can. Spray that claims to be safe enough to use in your pantry- Yikes! I later felt bad because E said, "You killed them? That's messed up they were just trying to cool off!" What was I supposed to do? I apologize to all the critter lovers, I will repent immediately.

SO, I have all these hats I've crocheted and need models all the time I'm going to start asking people off the street soon. Styrofoam Stella (my foam hat model) Just ain't getting' it! I do have one model however. The handsome Mr. R, the cutest kid I know is shown here wearing a pumpkin hat I made. I'm going to post it to etsy today. The pattern is my own then I used other pieces of patterns in my library to make the stem and vine. He is so super cute and gives the best "blue steel" look around. A shout out to his parents for letting me exploit him and for being supportive of my hat making venture, you rock!

Well that's all for now! I've got tons of etsy-ing to do and plenty-o-pictures to take. Wish me luck, I'm headed outside to swelter in the name of craft as it has become clear to me I am only a good photographer in natural light!

XOXO

Post Haste!

A super quick post!
Ok! So I'm up a and running on Etsy...finally in one week I sold 5 items. Yay for me- Im very excited. I got in my shiny black gift boxes and package my earrings on ear cards and tie a ribbon around the box Hot Pink of course. I sold a greeting card yesterday and and have gotten lots of positive feedback from family and friends. I have decided to commit myself to buying more and more handmade- I totally understand the plight of so many itching to make a living being creative, and while I too would LOVE to do that too. It does seem like the impossible dream at times.

I am totally inspired by everything these days. Nature most recently and have started a list of things to sculpt for earrings . Eric suggested peanut butter cups the other day, and Ive been thinking about acorns, cherries, leaves, and fall things like pumpkins. This is SO my second job right now. I spent most of my profit buying more supplies. It's just so much fun I may only be working this 2nd job to support my habit- Oh well.

I discovered the wonder of digital cameras again- I have an old 3.0 mega pixel dinosaur. I can NOT take close up pictures of my jewelry with that thing so I borrowed my mom's to shoot photos for the etsy site and whoa, its good. All the right settings and everything....I could write that off as a business expense...huh? Did I mention Ive started a little light bookkeeping?
Any who I'm rambling and sleepy. - Off to nite nite, ahh, who am I kidding, I'm gonna make at least one pair of earrings before I hit the hay!

Hugs and kisses, love and best wishes!

Mama said there'd be days.....

Well my deadline for opening on Etsy came and went... My stupid debit card company locked down my account because Paypal posted some test deposits into my account. They had me in tears...I tried to set up this Paypal thing so a sista could get paid but now I need to reevaluate my Paypal options. In the meantime, for being bad business I dumped the previously mentioned "stupid debit card company" for a REAL bank. Complete with tellers and deposit slips. Whoo hoo! I wanted all my ducks in a row before I posted product so I am starting over this week. Eric in all his wisdom said something like"Did you think it was going to be easy and you wouldn't have problems? The devil is not happy that you are doing something you love and he's trying to mess it up. Consider it a minor setback and move forward". Then he vowed to take care of me until the I got the account unlocked .....Wow who knew I was dealing with a philosopher ova' hea'.

This weekend I worked, then went to some friends of mine baby's naming ceremony. It was nice, very sweet and that baby boy is a doll. Just cause he's cute I make him stuff-beanies, a tam, and most recently a teddy bear, that I sewed on the machine..... His parents appreciate the art of making stuff and are supportive of my handmade endeavors. These parents had a friend who is also an artist, shes on Etsy already. They introduced us at the event so we could discuss the possibility of sharing a booth at a local craft fair. She does really nice paintings on vintage fabric. I will include her link here once I get her permission. She's inspired me to sculpt some birds of some kind.....hummm

Eric got an ipod for Dad's day(which was quickly filled up) and the kids painted a big banner that read "Happy Father's Day" and we hung it over the kitchen door.
Creatively speaking This weekend I made a handful of skulls (from poly-clay) and some beads that look like little pillows, all to be made into earrings. And today, I sold 2 pair to a co-worker.
I also ordered some black jewelry boxes and got some hot pink ribbon for packaging. LOVE LOVE LOVE Pink and Black. Can't wait to impress people with my fancy packaging... lol

Abruptly, I'm ending here so I can work on this Paypal craziness before bed. Stay tuned

"I Don't No Nothin' 'Bout No Blogin' Honey-Chile"

Well this is my first attempt at catching up with the world and its excitement about blogging. I'm so scared of myspace. Its the fear of the unknown really, and frankly looking at it gives me a headache. My kid is begging me for a space or some nonsense and I'm trying to be cool but I'm still very careful....Its the ol' skool in me.

So I thought I would try to chronicle my adventures in my little business venture, Artistikdiva Designs. My goal was to have my Etsy site up by June 15Th...and waddaya know its this Saturday. Its become very time consuming. Even more so now that my family is glued to the computer on itunes or Stardoll.com. I'm learning everyday. A week ago I listed my banner and avatar on Etsy...and created what I think is a kinda lame yet educational profile. A few days ago I was photographing products, yesterday it was getting to know paypal, and the US postal service. Today I started a blog at 2:15 am. In the next day or so I will write some product descriptions and move ahead...All the while I am busy creating with clay, crocheting sewing and driving people nuts with yet another craft project...

You don't know how much I hate it when people say " You have WAY TOO MUCH time on your hands" ...as if I have nothing else to do. I do what I love and I make time for it...creativity keeps me sane....

Having said that I'm so excited at long last to have a way to justify all my crafty whims and obsessions. Etsy will be coming soon....I will keep the blog updated with my ongoing projects, more info about me, my crazy family, life and business. I am FAB-U-LUS....please believe it! and if you don't believe it, stay tuned.... you will!