Sunday, October 24, 2010

Plurkie Pals

There's a great social networking site call Plurk, that my friend Amy of Mama's Little Monkeys describes as "Twitter's really cool cousin from college." I couldn't describe it better! It's a great place where we go to relax, brainstorm ideas and vent. We love it there.


And I'd like to share the list of shops for you to visit if you'd like to see some great stuff. Thanks Amy, for putting this list together for us!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Why handmade crap?


"Yeah, what's with the name? Is it really crap or what?"

No, it's not crap in the sense that it's bad. It's more like the kind of crap you hoard and save to treasure forever. It's like the closet bursting full of goodies that you just don't have time to play with or even try on any longer.

It's all the crap you thought you'd use again. It's all the crap that you just can't give away. It's all the crap that you really want to find a good home for because it's just so dang awesome!!!

And really, it's just a bunch of snarky handmade artisans who enjoy life and are a really funny bunch of people. And it pretty much sums up our sense of humor. Which also isn't crap!

Or is it?? You decide ;)

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

One GREAT Way to Get Your Name Out There

You might think it's something really difficult. Hard to do and maybe even totally unattainable. Well, you're fears are unfounded. It's really something simple, and quite fun to do, actually.

So, what is it? you ask...Forums. Chatting in forums is a great way to get your name out there. Twitter and facebook are okay, but forums give you a chance to meet, greet and show off your wares and talents :) while carrying on a conversation. And here are some of the other forums I am a member of:
My favorite networking site, not a forum, but something in between a forum and facebook is Plurk, where my Plurk pals and I chat all the time. Networking is another great way to get your name out.

What it comes down to is really something similar to a good old fashioned hand shake and introduction. After that, the rest is just fun. So enjoy!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Uncommonly Common....

Do you stand out in the crowd?

No, don't ask, I'm not even sure I know what this blog title means, really. But I was sitting here thinking about life, business, the Internet, taxes. GAH!!

And something made me think...What makes me stand out in the crowd? How can I get noticed? Who picks me over all the others and why? Who would you pick?

So, I think I'll put myself in the shoes of the buyer for a while and see if I can tell if they like what they're seeing. Is my site interesting? Is it catching my eye? Are my items the kind of creations that are common or uncommon?

Because I really don't want to be just your common run of the mill shop. I want to stand out! I don't want to be uncommonly common! And I know after reading this you may start to wonder the same thing.

If you have any tips or suggestions for others, we'd love for you to share. Especially from you buyers, because you know what you want! Right? :)

(See what kinds of crazy thoughts run through my head when the coffee kicks in?)

Monday, February 22, 2010

How did all this madness start, anyways?

I remember as a kid, my mom sewing us matching clothes for family pictures. Macrame jute strung all over the living room. Grandma's knitting sitting by her chair, and her beaded doilies.

My aunt was in a Craft-of-the-month club. I loved it! Because I would get a lot of those little boxes of goodies from her so I could finish them.

*sigh* Ah, those were fine days. Days that I remember very fondly. And when I look back at everything I've crafted over the years! Wow.

Macrame (of course) wall plaques and plant hangers. Embroidery, crochet and knitting, soaps, lotions...among other things. But over the last 6 years my crafts have turned towards glass, starting with stained glass, then lampwork, and now fusing! There's nothing the dangerously hot glass to keep things interesting! Ha!!

What is your crafting history and experience? I'd love to hear it.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

We're having one BIG A.S.S SALE!!

(Edited to add that the sale is over, but click the links to the left for some great handmade studios to visit)

That's big 'A.S.S', OR ArtFire Saturday & Sunday Sale!! Visit these great shops for some totally rocking crap. Come on, start clicking the shop links below for some great deals :)
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GlasstasticTreasures: 35% off Need-New-Glass Sale

CatinaLife: 20% off Sale

DestashNotTrash: 20% off Sale

JennuineCandles: 15% off Help-Pay-My-Taxes Sale

CreativeHaven: 40-50% off Clearanced items &
Save 33% off $20 or more purchase. Use coupon code "Creative Things"

PegasusSoaps: 10-20% off Sale Marked Items

GingerBells: Free shipping on jewelry, and buy 3 get 1 free on soaps

ScruffyQuilts: 20% off Sale

ffmsupplies: 15% off Sale

SpoiledBratzWear: Sale is 50% off All Doggie Snoods, use coupon code "snood half"

AliSuns: 50% off Sale, use coupon code "fifty"

MandiesCandies: 15% off Sale

CreativelyJeweled: Onetime only coupon for the first buyer on her Zibbet Shop, save 20%
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More shops to come! Now go! Shop! Buy some handmade crap ;)

Saturday, February 13, 2010

The Handmade Movement

Handmade has really changed since I was a kid. There isn't anything that we can't do ourselves, with a little training and practice.

When I first started making lampwork my little rondell shaped beads were pretty pathetic looking. Then I caught sight of some lampwork fish. Amazing!! And I knew I had to learn that. Of course, there's a huge difference between a rondell and a fish. So what do you do?

The internet has an unlimited source of information, of course. But books are still my favorite way to learn. I can sit curled up on the couch, under a nice warm blankie, and flip through page after page of yummy lampwork pictures.

Handmade has certainly changed a lot from my perspective. It's gone from crafting for fun (which is what I remember as a kid), to full blown income sources for a lot of independent artisans. But, more so for buyers, I think it's come to mean a special kind of uniqueness and quality you just can't find with manufactured goods. And I think that is a wonderful thing.

I think of handmade as being made with heart, not just with hands. So, what does handmade mean to you? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Here we grow

Like weeds!! The links are filling with shopping carts. And the shopping carts are filled with really awesome handmade crap, the best crap that hands can make. Okay, it's not really crap. We're just trying to grab your attention!! Did it work?

Now go, shop, buy, enjoy!! And come back often just for the fun of it. Speaking of fun....

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Welcome to Buy My Handmade Crap

That's right! If you want to know where to buy some awesome handmade crap you came to the right place. This blog will feature my friends, myself and our handmade crap.

You'll also be able to get a few laughs while you're here. As you can tell, we're a sassy bunch. We hope you will enjoy your visit to our blog. And hopefully you'll find some awesome handmade crap that you never knew you needed!

More to come.....