Busy With All Kinds of Things

Crafty Pegs has grown so much since the last time I've written here.  But first, a huge apology for not posting... my bad, honestly.  It's been so hectic lately, it's not that I have forgotten, but I've been working so much, I haven't had time to write.

But today, I do.

Let's see, where to start...

Since July, the Creative Markets at Springwood were sold to another party. So, I stuck it out for a month or so to see how it would go.  But it hasn't gotten any better.  

I haven't been making any money, and the rent is still the same - $50 for half a day - and the people just came and looked then didn't buy anything.  Then, in August, we had our 2nd Birthday, and the owner of the Creative Markets advertised that there'd be freebies and the place was bursting with people!  But they were only there for the freebies and they didn't buy anything... they scored the freebies and went around looking at our stuff, told us we were so clever and our things looked lovely and gorgeous and oh, did they mention we were clever?  Then, they went home.  

I went to a night market at Murarrie - Mama Mia's Mini market - and I made over $70 at that one market alone.  So, that made up my mind.  I was going to have one last market at Springwood and take up any other market I was offered - within reason - and pay nothing over $30 for a spot and make sure it was undercover (and pay extra for that if needs be).  Anyway, I've been booked into two other markets since my last market tomorrow... and they're all at the Murrarie.  I can't wait!  

I also started up a website on wix.com.  It's very cool and I love it.  I attached it to my Facebook page and people have been able to see my work on there better and read the blog there instead of just look at the pictures on my Facebook page; and there's a calendar there too, so they can keep up with where I'm going to be at as well.  I've also made the page cute and pretty enough that people will want to come back and look at it more too.  But it still needs work, as I've only just put it up online.  

Lynda's Crafty Pegs

So, there you go... what I've been up to over the last two months; and why I've been so quiet lately.  Until my next post, keep creating! 

Busy Working On A New Line for Crafty Pegs

Yes... I've been busily working on a new lot of things to sell at the Creative Markets for people to buy.  I'm hoping to get my customers interested in purchasing photo frames, Mega-Pegs and other such things all prettied up, wrapped up and ready to sell by the end of next month.

Also by the end of next month, I'll have a new small table to add to my set-up with a smallish suitcase I'm hoping to purchase from Brighton.  During August I'm visiting my brother and his girlfriend and there's a place not far from their house which sells vintage furniture and wares; and I'll be getting the suitcase from there.  

Anyway, I'm working on these things and my writing and other arty things around the house.  I'm also working on cleaning out my place too - still! - and it's going quite well.

So, what have you been working on lately?  A lot?  A little?  Is there anything creative you've begun and want to share, or is it still on the drawing board?  Until my next post, keep creating!

What a Month and... Where Has it Gone?

We are halfway through July and I'm wondering just where it's disappeared to. 

I've done so much and yet feel as though I've done so little.  But that's how things go when you're having fun I guess.  I worked hard on my Grandma's Glory Box and it's come up a real treat.  Now this Friday and the weekend, I just have to get my butt into working on the lid and putting bees wax polish into it all and getting everything put back together and it brought to my place... this will take a day or so to do, but it will happen.  
During that time, Mum wants to get the table for the basin, jug and wash set that she's given me for my bedroom and bring it to my place at the same time - which sounds like a good idea.

And just last night, I started seriously working on really brightly painted pencils and more pegs to pull together more stock for the Creative Markets.  I've got 5 Cool Pencils so far which are beautifully bright and aimed towards girls - as boys aren't looking at them anymore - and there's going to be a new line of things I'm bringing in at the end of August.

So, I've been very busily working away at my little hobby business to get it hopping along again.  I'm also working at my Secret Santa's present for my craft group; and I'm halfway through it... I'm looking forward to seeing it finished and giving it to the lady who it's going to.  I hope the person who is my Secret Santa is working on something nice for me too.

So, do tell, what have you been up to?  It's Winter here in Australia, so working indoors is something that us Aussies do quite a bit during the colder seasons... but I've been working outside and inside lately.  Have you been working in the garden, working on your craft, or have you been finding you're kicking back and keeping warm (or cool if you're in other climates)?  Love to know what you're all up to.  Until my next post, keep creating.

Grandma's Glory Box

Over the last few months, I've been thinking about getting my Grandmother's Glory Box out of storage and fixing it up for my own uses.  

Well, this week, I did just that, and it's looking great after 4 full, straight days of work.  I spent 6 hours each day at Mum and Dad's house working on this box and have put a lot of shellac on it, and it looking gorgeous!  I love it... 

Now, I have to wait for a week to go back to it.  But that doesn't mean I don't have other projects to do. However, I do have a few other busy things to get done before I get in and work on a box and my Great-Grandmother's Singer Sewing Machine (which still works!).

So, what have you been up to lately?  You know what I've been doing... and why I haven't been on here lately.  I'd like to know what you've been doing with yourselves - art-wise - in your lives.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Frida Kahlo

I absolutely adore Frida Kahlo's work, really I do.  She had such a passion for life and painted with brilliant colours and heart that she wasn't appreciated enough in her life when she was alive... and now she's no longer with us, everyone loves her work.

It's not the most amazing thing about her though...

I watched a movie about her life last night, this movie caused me to think hard about how much pain - physical pain - she suffered throughout her life.  

At a young age, Frida was involved in a bus accident which caused her to be in a full-body plaster cast for a long time because her back was badly damaged.  And due to the damage happening in a time when doctors could do very little for her, she just had to put up with the treatments of the time - the 1920's and 1930's. 

However, she was a determined woman.  She vowed to walk again.  She vowed to make something of herself - and she did.  Frida had to work hard for what she wanted in life; as being a artist was wrong for a woman in the eyes of society.  Frida changed that through a lot of hard work and a supportive family, friends and husband - who just couldn't stay loyal to her no matter how many chances she gave him.
However, she traveled with him when he was given chances to work in New York City and around America.  And they soon found out she was unable to have children when she miscarried and nearly died.  There was so much in this movie that I can't cover it in just this post.  However, I loved its colour, its beauty, how the paintings were mixed in with her life, her loves and her pain.  The whole piece was brilliantly cast and I want to see it again just to enjoy it even more.

What do you love about your favourite artist?  Mine is Frida Kahlo... and for a variety of reasons, I can relate to her.  However, I'd like to know yours.  Until my next post, keep creating.

Creative Minds

I've been very busy over the last few weeks... and have forgotten to write here.

But since my last post, I've acquired my own set of wheels!  Yep, Mum's Pajero is gone and I have a car that is cheaper to run in its place.  It's so much fun to work with and I've done the Creative Markets with it already too.

However, I've been working on getting myself to art stores lately to buy some more mat spray varnish.  And seeing the Garden City store of Riot Art is currently closed, the one at the Hyperdome is the one I've been going to instead for my supplies.

Then, there's cheap stores I've been going to get my magnets too - which only cost me $2.00 for 10... so I grab about 6 packets if they have them.  Otherwise, I'll get these magnets at the Riot Art Store at the Hyperdome instead.  It's further to go, but if I don't, I don't have the supplies to work with.

I have more coathangers than I know what to do with, and I've had a suggestion of painting door stops from Mum to sell.  I'll be looking into these for the next market; and buying the blank ones from Bunnings.  However for now, I'll see how I go with what I have now.  

It's now a week before the next Creative Markets - which are on 25th, May - and I'm relaxing and taking it easy.  I'm reading books, cleaning up and listening to music while I'm writing this.  However, I'm also thinking about what else I can do to make my market stall better.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Easter Coming Up

The weather is changing and I've been working on new designs and other things for the Creative Markets this month.  I'm looking forward to them; and hopefully I'll have as much fun as I've been having over the last few times.

This month I've been more relaxed and working a little less, however there's a good reason for that.  I've had to go off to my optometrist to get myself another set of glasses for close-up work.  He saw the kind of work I've been doing and said it's a good idea to get myself a pair for what I'm doing; instead of straining my eyes.

So, there's that.

I've also been back to Bunnings and looking at getting a clothes line and a basket to make my Crafty Pegs stall more authentic-looking.  It didn't cost me much, but it'll look a lot more peggy and fun now.

So, what have you been up to lately?  A lot of fun stuff or just kicking back and enjoying the cooler/warm weather?  Until my next post, keep creating!

Been Busily Creative

I've been busy and haven't had time to blog.

Must apologise for this.

However, I have some great news!  I'm a permanent member of the retailers at the Creative Market!  Yay!  How cool is that?  Very cool, if I do say so myself!  I was called 'The Peg Lady' by almost everyone I talked to at the end of March, and I was also told that I pushed out the last peg lady... I didn't mean to, but I took all her other customers.

Well... I have been busily working on other things since the markets.  I pulled apart the Sprung Pegs and put them into their own set collections of all vine flowers or dotty flowers or inverted dots or all squares, and will see if they sell next month.  

And just today - while I was at Bunnings - I got a great idea.  I bought a real clothes peg basket for $5.40 and a 24 meter length of white clothes line to string up on my stall so I could hang up my pegs all along the table... show people what they could hang up with my pegs.  Pretty cool, eh?

Also today, I was off to the optometrist.  I had to get myself fitted up for a pair of glasses for close-up work.  Graeme saw the kind of work I do and thought it was a good idea I came in and saw him for a new set of specs for my kind of detailing work... so my eyes were feeling like they were hanging out of my head all the time.  Besides, my reading glasses aren't designed for this kind of work; but the ones he's ordered for me are.  And he's thrilled I've created a job for myself - and he liked my Facebook page of Crafty Pegs too!  Very cool!

Anyway, what have you been up to?  I've got about a week before I can use my new glasses with my work - and not feel like my eyes are always tired.  And yes, I'll show you what my new specs look like too; they're very pretty.  Until my my next post, keep creating!

Who Wants Bon-Bons?

Yep.... sounds like a whole new kinda crazy, but you read it right.  

I was falling asleep at around 1am the other night when an idea flashed under my lids... it was pretty, it was cute... it was Magna-Peg Bon-Bons!  I painted up 6 pegs of the one design - different colours - and attached them to some cardboard in the shape of the centre of a Christmas Bon-Bon!  then, I wrap this centre piece in celophane, tie gold or silver tie around the ends and there you have it!

A Magna-Peg Bon-Bon! 

I've made one ... and it was a great success!  So, I'll be working on making more for this month's Creative Markets and see how they'll sell.  And the price?  Well, $8.00 each... they'll be adorable enough to take off I think. 

Otherwise, I've been working on coathangers, new storage and getting my butt into working on other things for the market, to make things easier for myself.  Money's been a little tight this week, but next week, I'll be okay.  So, what have you been up to in your creative arts?  Until my next post, keep creating!

This Week of Work

It's been a busy week of work for Crafty Pegs.  I've had plenty of ideas running through my head and they've worked out in the last few days of this past week.

On Thursday, I bought some treated pine at Bunnings and dowel and went to Mum and Dad's place to run past my Dad an idea to make a display rack for my new product of painted coathangers.  I had two done up for last month's markets, but this month, there will be more.

At first, I suggested we make a coat rack-like thing, but Dad said that it would fall over, even if we tried to make it as light as possible because the feet would have to be out wide.  So, we had to sit down and figure out another possibility; and came up with two stands that worked out a treat!

When I got home that night, I painted up the stands as much as I could and then got in and did some serious work on the my coathangers.  Right now, I have four all wrapped up and ready to sell; with another four in the process of being half-painted.  I just have to put designs on them and I'll varnish them, wrap them and they'll be ready to sell too for $10 each or two for $15.  Until my next post, keep creating.

Coathangers Getting Painted

I took a bit of a break from painting pegs - or anything really - as I've been very tired lately.  And so I got in and did some of my housework, looked at the types of paint I needed and jumped at some of Riot Art Garden City closing down sales (the place is closing down for around 6 months until Westfield Garden City finishes its extensions).  Dad and I are also looking at cars... but we're not buying anything solid right now, just window-shopping.

Today, though, I sat down and worked on two coathangers.  I painted one up with gold paint, with an undercoat of bright yellow.  It looked gorgeous!  And then, I painted another with a few coats of white... it looked just as pretty.
Tonight, I painted onto the gold one a few silver flames.  It's just a first coat, I still have to work on it and get into finishing it up with a second coat and really get some detail work done on the flames.
The white one is all dot work - curly ends dot work.  It's only a quarter done so far, but I'm confident it'll look good.  So, what have you been up to lately?  Until my next post, keep creating!

A Retro Change...

This blog needed a change - a good retro one - and I think it looks great.  I love retro designs and I hope you do too.  

Well, it took me a little while to get this pulled together with the colours and style, but let me know what you think of it. 

Does it need anything? 

Until my next post, keep creating!

An Arty Week!

This week, I'm tired; very tired.

But there's a good reason for it.  I've been busy and today has been my first day off to sit down and pretty much do nothing much but paint.

Sunday's Creative Market was small but I made $21.50.  I don't really count the rent on my stall as I've paid it 3 weeks previous, and it's been paid out of another account.  However, not for long.  My sub-account for that will be my main account to be using for the rent and my float and rent will be coming out of that.
Anyway, the Creative Markets were down by 12 stalls this time around unfortunately.  However I was told by other retailer that this isn't anything out of the ordinary when it comes to the beginning of the year, it will pick up when the Markets get going again next month.

I had my lovely little stall working well and quite a few of my friends showed up to see what I had on sale.  Mum showed, but Dad didn't.  Geoff Treagus - a friend of mine - showed but he didn't have any money on him.  And three ladies from the Queen Bees Craft Group showed too.  They were really impressed with my little stall, but they wondered why the markets themselves were so small.  I said that next month will be better.

Yesterday, I went to Garden City and bought some more paint for a commission I had been asked to do by a neighbouring retailer.  She asked me to paint up 24 Crafty Pegs for her in Zig-Zag partial pattern for her in burgendy and silver on mauve.  Very pretty.  I'm halfway through the commission and needed more paint.  I also had to buy some more string for the Cool Pencils so I thought to go for gold and silver so that they looked good when on display - eventually.  

So, what have you been doing lately?  Do let know as we'd love to know about your progressing arts here as you know about mine.  Until my next post, keep creating.

Slow Down Week A Good Idea

This week has been a good idea.

I've had time to think about what other things would make my stall at the Creative Markets better.  What little things would make it stand out, what details would make my life easier there for the day.  And how I could easily make my display pop!

Just last week, I bought another card table.  This one is going to be for wrapping things from the display table.  I'm not going to have plastic bags with me this time, no... I'm using the good, old-fashioned paper lunch bag.  Last week, Mum and I put our heads together and I said to her that I've been looking into getting myself a rubber stamp with 'Lynda's Crafty Pegs' on it for the craft markets.  I'd stamp it on the paper bags and it'd look all very retro and old-school.
Well!  She thought that was fantastic!  I told her that people at the last market told me about the bagging people at Rocklea and I had checked them out online, but the companies were far too expensive.  So, I thought to go cheap, but not nasty, and give people something they could relate to... and remember having when they were young - and what better way to go but the old paper lunch bag you used to have you tuckshop money put into when you went to school?  

Earlier in the week, I bought another card table from Bunnings.  I was thinking of taking my craft table along with me, but it was too much bother packing up everything and storing it in the car overnight.  So, I bought another one - what harm was it going to do?  None.  
I picked out a different coloured table and made sure it fitted in my storage facility and then threw out the box.  Otherwise, I've been working on the small detail stuff... I've been getting together the doilies, the extra table cloth, making sure all the rest of the stock is wrapped and ready.  I've marked the boxes I'm taking with me to the markets.  I'm even going to buy extra milk on the way home on Saturday so all I have to do is buy a paper on the way to the markets... there's no running around.  I also have to make sure I have enough veggies with me to make a slow-cooker stew on Saturday afternoon/night for Sunday's dinner.  I know that sounds like an overkill; but last time, I didn't feel like cooking - so this time I won't either.

And I'm excited about the markets this time - whereas I was terrified last time.  I have the right tables, the right gear, the right prices... the right everything... it's been a great learning experience and I'm happy I've tried it out and like it.  And Mum is excited that I'm doing something I like too; that it's something I enjoy and that I'm not giving up all because I made next to nothing last time.  This time, I have some new things people may like which are going to be surprises; and that's going to be the fun part.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Busy Saturday... Next Week? Slow Down.

Today, I woke to my alarm and didn't want to get out of bed... yeah, I had a late night.  Really shouldn't have, but I did.

Next weekend is the Creative Markets and so I thought to get in today and do my last varnishing day.  I painted up a second coathanger and a few more pegs, then I jumped in and spray varnished everything in the varnishing box.
It didn't take long, but I did tick off a few neighbours with the slight smell the spray varnish puts off.  However, I can't help that.  The wind wasn't strong and it was quite hot, so everything dried in record time... thank goodness.

Anyway, I'm happy it's all done.  I can catch up on sleep, put away everything and organise my tables, and work on getting it all done up for the day.  

This next week, I'm expecting something in the mail.  Mum offered to help me out with the ordering and purchase of a rubber stamp.  She ordered it in and yesterday and I'm totally stoked that it may arrive before the day of the market!  Yay!  It'll be 'Lynda's Crafty Pegs' stamp for my paper bags that I've bought... which are just ordinary brown paper lunch bags.  Yep, I've decided to keep it very retro and plain and basic; keep my costs as low as possible so my artwork speaks for itself.

Well, I hope to you see you guys there - who can make it.  Sunday 23rd, February.  9am - 1pm.  Springwood State School, Logan City.  It's the Creative Markets... until my next post, keep creating.

Busy Week - Especially Today

Today, I was hoping it would be a good, slow day of catching up with the small stuff.

I was wrong.

Instead, there was a lot of small stuff, but really it was just fiddly crap I didn't like dealing with, and other stuff I needed to do before the Creative Markets started up again this year.

So, I was out the door before 10am and off to Logan Central Plaza to Go Fabrics where I bought 4 metres of white polycotten to make a throw for displaying the little jugs this month.  I'll reuse the fabric to display the coathangers next month or so that I'm working on; so that won't go to waste.

Anyway, I was off to the Op Shop around the corner to collect a book for an overseas thing I was doing online with Bookcrossing.com.  This didn't take long, but I did get chatting to the lady there.

Once I was back on the road, I headed to Springwood, where the really fiddly bits started for me.  First:  the bank.  I had to get some money out.  Second:  Sam's Warehouse for a box.  Third: the doctor's to drop off a cheque from Medicare.  Then, I was off to Coles where I bought some chocolate and then I was off to Mum and Dad's house after running into some of ladies from Queen Beez Craft Group.  We chatted for a while, and then we went on our way.  

While at Mum and Dad's, I told Mum that I really wanted to get myself a stamp to put on the paper bags I had bought last pay - to make it look cool.  She thought it was a nice idea.  So, she looked up the stamp company she used when she worked at Mt Gravatt Primary School and then we made a plan about the stamp and she called for me, and we had to wait for an e-mail with a quote.  

Not lot ago, we got the e-mail and between us, over the phone, we both talked it out on what the stamp should look like and found it was going to look great.  Well, I hope so... it's just going to be a plain old rubber stamp where I'll need a stamp pad and ink (these two things I can get from Officeworks; easy!) and so I'll be more into the markets than last year... I can't wait!

Three weeks to go before the first Creative Markets on 23rd, February at Springwood State School.  9am - 1pm.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Preparation Is The Key

My brother was a boy scout.

Really he was.  But he didn't stick it out and become anything like one of their leaders or a Den Leader or anything like that... he was just a boy scout.  But he did teach me the most important thing about being scout:  Be Prepared.

And that is something I'm doing just a little under a month from the first Creative Markets of the year.  Yep, I've begun to really knuckle down and work hard at preparing my stall for what it will look like next month by working on it now; well before the stall even gets set up.

Today, I went out and bought two business card holders from Officeworks for $2.99 each.  They're black mesh metal business card holders which will make my cards more likely to look better and more interesting to customers.  I also have bought a bigger plastic 6 litre box for the stuff that's going to go on the table and easel which will make my stall look good.  I don't want to be running to and from the car for box after box for this and that; so one box with all the gear in it will do.
I'll have two boxes of stock if I have to and then, the easel, small tressel table and my soft esky and chair.  It won't be much, really.

The best thing I've done is creat an event on Facebook and invited all my friends on there - even the ones overseas - so they all know when, where it is and what time it starts and finishes and how to get there (yep, it's got a map there too) and then, they can come if they can fit it into their weekend.  

Now, all I have to do is work on my stock and make sure I have everything all ready to sell.  I can't wait to start up the Creative Markets again, it'll be so much fun.  Until my next post, keep creating.

So Much Work For My Love of Pegs

Over the last few weeks, I've been working hard on painting my pegs, pencils and making magnets.  I've also been offered some tiny little jugs to decorate by Linda Fountain; they have turned out to be great little things!

My next go at The Creative Markets this year is next month, 23rd, February actually, from 9am until 1pm.  I'll have a 2x2m stall this time, as I found a 3x3m stall a little too big for my needs. 

Anyway, since my last post, I've gone out and bought a small tressle table, 3mt of Calico and found some fabric I bought a few years ago that I thought would go well as a table cloth.  I hemmed up the Calico and am using the lovely, silky Rayon with a lovely red and white pattern on it.  I had bought around 3 metres of it then another 2 metres and still didn't buy enough of it to make a skirt and little shawl combo... and by the time I wanted to get more, they didn't make it anymore.  So, I was stuck with this fabric; until now.

Now, I have this lovely red and white speckled table cloth.  I want to do more and put together a set of shelves for the jugs... but I might just little boxes for them and throw doilies on them instead or some leftover Calico over them and make them look good with the Doilies - now that sounds good!

Anyway, I'm up to my ears in ideas, as you can see, and there's still a few weeks to go until the Creative Markets at Springwood State School.  And this time, I'm more relaxed about it as I know what to expect from them, I know what's expected out of me, and I know how to work my wares as well.  The best thing is that I'll have a smaller stall and it'll be more enjoyable for me, and I'll be able to keep an eye on everything better too.

So, there you have it:  less than a month out from the Creative Markets, and I'm working out even more ideas than I know what to do with!  But I'm loving how this is all going.  So, how's your creative processes going?  Is your creative world in a great spin?  Or are you working on something great?  Do tell!  Until my next post, keep creating!

Creative Markets... Here I Come!

Yep!  I've put my name down for every month this year for the Creative Markets so if you'd like to come to see my wares, you're most welcome.

My stall will be at the Springwood Creative Markets, which are on the last Sunday each month.  They start at 9am and go until 1pm.  I'll be having a Discount Box every second month for those who would love to find a great bargain, and the prices in that box start at just .50c!  How cool is that!  

So, if you'd like to come and see my Crafty Pegs, Cool Pencils and Magna-Pegs, you're most welcome to - and you might find a bargain too - at the Creative Markets... the first ones are at the end of February; that's where the first Discount Box will be!

Until my next post, keep creating!