A Busy Little Crafter!

I've been busy since I got out of hospital. My stitches have healed beautifully; however I do still have a few nerve and muscle twinges from time to time.

This hasn't stopped me from working on new things for next year. 

The bottle cap magnets are one step forwards, two steps back... as all new things are. One of them came apart, so I have to figure out why that is, while the other two are still together.
Then, I started on working on painting door stops. The first one is lovely, but really, I don't think I'll put the rubber on the back, I'll just leave them the way they are - or figure out another way to make them work better.
And just last night, I started working on a newer thing I've been thinking about over the last week: pin cushions. But they're not the traditional type. Well until my next post, keep creating.

Preparing For Christmas

Over this time of year, I kick back, relax and fight the crowds to buy last minute presents for relatives... yep, my present-buying is all done by this time of the year.

However, my grocery shopping continues on... as much as I hate going, go I must as the pantry and fridge doesn't fill itself.

This year, I found myself a very cool thin bookcase at the back of the unit complex and it was left by some Indians in unit 43 before they moved out to be tossed out... it looks a little worn out, but nothing bad has happened to it - so I nabbed it!

I have also moved everything from next to the stereo to my upstairs wardrobe, as this week is the week I get my new/used washing machine from a friend who is moving to Tassie permanently. The machine is only 3 years old and is an expensive one too; just after my 13 year old Hoover/Simpson's timer bit the dust on me... and my machine has never missed a beat in all the time I've had it. I had it serviced 3 times and fixed once under warranty; but it's been a good machine to me. 

Over this time of year, I kinda chill out with a book, or watch a couple of movies, clean up the craft area and look after the garden more... an myself. I have been doing just that by getting all my sun cancers removed on 26th, November and this week the stitches come out... I'm looking forward to that because I can then put up the Christmas tree, decorate the house properly and look after the place better. 

Well, that's all for now. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New and Creative Year. Until then, keep creating!

It's been a While

I have been busy... yep, the creative block melted away and i got busy with learning more needlepoint. 

i also got busy with creating more ideas for the markets next year... yeah my idea factory in my head never seems to run out. just when i think i haven't thought of a new thing, bang! i get a new idea for something...

so, i started collecting metal bottle caps and i asked friends to send me some too from across the world. then, i had my sun cancers removed from my arms and hands - and i got stuck with a bandaged up hand; causing me to not only be brought to the coast for a week, but to be away from my craft table too.

but the ideas have kept on flowing. i'm glad about that... and i can't wait to get home to make my ideas go from just that into things to sell next year. until my next post, keep creating!

Creatively Blocked

I've been creatively blocked - and not in just my writing - it's been in every aspect of my life, from painting to my craft work, and I hate it!

When I get creatively blocked, it affects everything around me - not just my craft work and my writing. It affects my reading habits, the way I sleep (if I sleep) and how I run my life as well. It's really annoying.

This has been going on for about three months or so and over the last week, I've had the opportunity to go to a bookstore and peruse its shelves. Just doing that is relaxing to me; and it gets me out of the house too; and I love it more if it's a second-hand bookstore. The best thing is that I found a great book to read which snapped me out of my creative block and now I'm creating more than ever!

This is a great thing and I can't wait until tomorrow to get myself to my work bench and creating again... I'll be focused to keep working on my next lot of gear for the markets; and it's all new gear too! 

Until my next post, keep creating!

Wet and Rainy Days

I love doing craft things during wet days; even though it takes ages for things to dry. I could sit and paint, glue, stain and work at things until the cows come home - and really it's because I'd be sitting at my work bench (or standing, depending on how I feel) and just working on new pegs, new coat hangers or new little portraits until the light fades from the back door.

And I'd be happy... buzzing with caffeine from the many ice coffees I'd made that day, but happy.

Rainy days are the best time for me to get into the craft and work the hardest at them - and they're also the worst. My arthritis plays up in my right hand and wrist and I can't grip things as well as I normally can on dry days; and that sucks. So, when these days come along, I wish my joints didn't play up so much. But on the other hand (pun intended), I don't mind the grey skies which keep me trapped inside all day long.

Besides, right now, I'm working on a birthday gift for my niece, Riley, and it's taking some time to get finished. Some of it I have bought and hopefully she'll love, while the rest of it I'm making for her as it's something of a special birthday - her 16th - and I'm making sure she has something special to have her whole life. I'm not revealing anything until her birthday comes up... as some of it might not work out; yep it's experimental and I haven't done this before. And if it works out, I'll see if I can work it into my usual works for the markets.

Otherwise, in the past few weeks, I've been getting into staining any of the coat hangers I have in my wardrobe - to give them a little bit of class. These are the rejected coat hangers I can't paint up but I don't want to throw out as they're not that dreadful, they're just not good enough to use. 

I'm also learning new things at the Queen Beez Craft Group - needlepoint. Now, I'm not much a stitcher, but I'm getting there. My hands aren't used to all the threading and I'm not used to counting all those threads, but I'm enjoying the learning. And Mum's so proud of me for doing this as I'll be getting some other new things done soon... I've been thinking of getting in and working on a pin cushion. So far, I've cut out the squares of material for it, and now I have to decide on the design. This ought to be fun!

Well, that's everything from the last few weeks. I've been meaning to come on here and tell you all about the new things, old things and other craft things I've been doing - but have been so busy lately I haven't had time. What have you been up to? Until my next post, keep creating! 

Ethics

Recently, I had somebody ask me to do a commissioned set of pegs. However, the client didn't ask me to do just any of my designs, they asked me to do original Aboriginal Dot Art. 

I said no.

You see, I'm not Aboriginal, nor do I have any ancestors who are Aboriginal. So, I have no right to produce this kind of artwork and no legal right to sell it to anyone.

Yes, I was taught by an Aboriginal artist - Nevil MacKenzie - to do Aboriginal Dot Painting. He taught a class of us here in Logan City and he also taught us how to read their paintings. It was a great experience... I'll never forget it and have never forgotten my lessons. 

I made lovely work for my family, and they love it all. However, I have never painted anything in the Aboriginal Dot Painting style and sold it because I have no rights to.

I tried to tell this to my client and asked them to pick another design and I'd do it for them. But they explained they wanted a set of the Original Crafty Pegs in the Aboriginal Dot Artwork for her friend in Finland. I still said no and ethically it was wrong for me to do anything like that... and legally I could get in some serious shit for selling it to her. I could lose my business for doing it.

She didn't seem to care less if I got into any shit, so long her friend got the pegs. 

I said maybe, see what I can do.

Maybe doesn't mean yes.. it means no.

If I said no to start with and am pushed by somebody and I turn around and say maybe, it means no.


So, when doing your work - if you've picked up your style from another indigenous style and adapted it to your own - and somebody asks you to do some original works for them (because they don't care about your ethics) and you've said no... don't cave to them, keep to your standards.

Until my next post, keep creating.

New Little Ideas Coming To Light

I have had one idea after another over the past few weeks. However getting them to work quickly is frustratingly slow.

It's not that I haven't tried - it's money that's the issue. I have little of the money I need and a lot of the ideas which are pouring out of my head and I can't seem to keep up with.

I love that I am having these ideas, but it's the time I don't have to make them work... well, I was hoping to get some of the ideas working by next month, and see how they go. But it seems I have to wait on a few things and see how it all happens while I work on other projects I still have on hand.

There's a commission I am working on - which is taking its sweet time to get going as my brain just isn't switched on into is, because it's from my old work from years ago and I don't do the style I've been asked to do anymore. The customer asked me to do Aboriginal dot and in the colours and I told her I legally can't; but she pushed me about it. I'll have to see what I can do. Deep down, I really don't want to do them because I have my ethics and know I'm not allowed to make that kind of art and sell it. I'm not an Aboriginal and it wouldn't be right.

So, I've made the decision and will not do the pegs the customer asked me to do; and I will have to explain again why. Yes, I'm an artist, but no I can't do those types of designs due to the laws and that I'm not indigenous; and I'm not permitted to sell Aboriginal artwork.

Other ideas are going well, yet slowly - as usual - and I've got around seven coat hangers all in some way either in the beginning, middle or ending stages of being painted. Then, there's the picture frames... oh do I have picture frames! I have new ones from yesterday and then there's other ones from a week or two ago and then there's one I'm donating to Old School Tattoo and Barber Shop for their raffle - the big black one with gold and silver flowers I can't sell at the markets. I can't wait to get into that venture with them. 

So, what have you been up to? Now you know why I haven't been here for a bit. Until my next post, keep creating.

Mama Mia Craft Markets For August

Yesterday, I had a market in a new location at Bulimba. This was good because it had more foot traffic and bad because the last time I tried to find it - via the GPS - it took me over an hour to get my butt home.  That stupid GPS took me all over Brisbane before getting me back on the highway.

Damned thing!

Anyway, I digress.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day for the markets and I'm happy we had such great weather for what we did. The outdoor stalls had plenty of room to spread out, there was shade as well from the trees and we had more adults coming than children - which is always a plus.

However, parking was a real hassle. I had to park far away; which didn't bother me during the day, but when the market finished at 6pm, it was dark and I had to walk to my car in that darkness. At 5pm, the police came out and booked anyone parked even an inch onto the yellow lines around the place (which thankfully wasn't me) and they didn't wait for you to move your car, they just did it quickly. One of the retailers said he'd never seen a cop pounce so fast in all his life!

But we did have a good time networking and talking - even if we didn't sell many goods; due to being in a new location. A lot of the locals did say that it was about time a craft market came to the area; and some of them wondered if it was going to stick around. I hope we get to that place as a regular thing; as the locals hope too.

We did have some teething problems with setting up - as you always do in a new place - but they were cleared up by the organiser. Her friend, and helper, there came up and handled my gear without clearing with me first; shoving things against the wall and pushing my back table (where I put my cashbook, calculator and hide my water and food away from people normally) into the dressing room, saying I didn't need it, when I did - otherwise I wouldn't have brought it with me.  Of course I defended myself and the organiser came to see what was going on and backed me, advising her helper not to just grab a retailer's belongings without asking first; especially when they've begun setting up. 

So, after all those hours, we all networked, chatted and lived through that earthquake - which had no affect on any of us - and then we packed up and went home.  It was a very exhausting day and I took a little under $20... oh well, next time will be better. Until my next post, keep creating.

Moving On In A Cold Snap

Brisbane is going through a cold snap and I've been very active in my creativeness over that time... and before it too.

However I'm also not well; having come down with the cold/flu that's doing the rounds at this time of year.  Yep, I burnt myself out after 6 months of being on the go without a good rest and caught the first cold that I came up against... oh yay, how fun.

Oh well, it happens to the best of us, and it's just our bodies telling us to slow down.

But I've worked on and finished that large piece of work for my bedroom and it's looking great.  My neighbours who leave their light on unintentionally have yet to do just that to see if it does work out... but I do believe I have this little problem kicked and I'll be able to sleep a full night with a lovely painting on my wall. 

Anyway, I've been taking care of myself with this cold and the worst of it is over... except the cough, which is making me sound like a foghorn, but it'll go away soon too.

Over the last few days, I've been sanding down more photo frames to paint up for the next few markets, looking at working on more pegs, coat hangers and wrapping up more stock for the Lucky Dip for the next market so more stock gets moved on... yep, I'm hoping to get in and work on more things sooner.  Anything not sold in the market in September, is going to be in the Lucky Dip for October.

It seems as though I'm going to be busy, but I'm not really, it's just working out what will sell, what won't and how much wrapping paper to buy at the $2.00 store. So, how has your creativeness be going? Better than mine I hope!  Until my next post, keep creating!

Another New Creation In Progress

Being an artist really does change one's life, and the way you look at things.

Like housework for example. I just don't get the point in my house being totally and completely tidy... because in my mind, the more clutter there is, the more likely I'll be able to create something very cool to work with.

Last week, I started a new painting at a friend's house at Thorneside. I did this because it's a messy process and usually I get paint absolutely everywhere!  So, I used their garage to start it off. Well, I worked from 11am Thursday morning until 11pm that night and I got further in a messy garage than I ever would have in my own place; mainly because of a few good reasons:

1. I live in a unit complex. There's kids everywhere who just wouldn't leave me alone, other kids who would steal things from my carport and then say they didn't do it. And while I've gone and left my piece of work alone in my carport to go to get a drink or to go to the toilet, they'd do something to the painting or poke a hole in the canvas, and well, ... goodbye $40 I spent on a canvas... I may as well throw it out.

2. I simply don't have the space to flick paint all over my house, carpet and I don't think my Dad would like seeing paint all over the wall of the carport (which would also bring down the selling price of my place). 

Anyway, since Thursday, I've really gotten in and worked on this piece. It's gone from nothing to something, and each night, I do work on it more and more to make it better.  

The Beginning

The Framework

So Far, So Good

New Table Cloths and New Stock

It's cold and raining here in Brisbane; and this means staying indoors and keeping warm and occupied with either housework (meh, boring) or arty crafty stuff (yay! Exciting!)...I'm leaning towards the latter, I know you are!

This week, I scored three free bolts of fabric from a friend who's cleaning out his house; and they're just gorgeous! So, I brought them home but left them in the car to take to my folks' place to use.

Well!  I've made some table cloths with them, and began a curtain for the bathroom (it really needed a curtain for some privacy). 

Anyway, after three and a half hours at Mum and Dad's house, a lot of measuring, pinning and tacking, I got my table cloths all sewn up on my machine on their kitchen table.  I used their house because of the space they have in the living room - which I lack greatly - and that they're not there right now... plus the wild birdies loved it that I was there to feed them today too (man, they're such cuties!).

Well, my idea worked out really well, as I came home with all my gear, left the rest of the material in the spare room at Mum and Dad's place and pulled out my tables to see how it all went... and you know something?  The table cloths worked out just fine!  

The major one was a under-cloth - a double-sided one! - of my original calico cloth sewn to the new green material so I could use the green cloth with the new overhanging floral design one market and the calico and the red/white flower overhanging designs at another market... give my stall a bit of fun and elegance if needs be.  A bigger plus is that with the cloths sewn together like this, it will also make the cloth heavier and more sturdy when I'm outside at school fairs.

Well, what have you been up to which is just as creative as this? Until my next post, keep creating.

A Busy Time

The last few weeks have been crazy. 

Honestly, it has.

I have had markets to prepare for and writer's block to contend with - damned thing! - and then I found a very cool chair in my unit complex; and I mean it's retro!

So, I took it to my folk's house and refurbished it!  It took me about a week and I loved getting to know it.  And seeing it wasn't all that aged, Dad helped with the sander - a tiny little one - which worked hand in hand with the hand-sanding, I found the work just moved smoothly.

Anyway, before I knew it, my chair was off to the upholsterer's at Slacks Creek where I picked out a fabric and they took 2 weeks to get it done... now? Well, it arrived home last Thursday; and I haven't had any time to get to know my chair.

It's sitting here in my office waiting for me to snuggle into it... and isn't it the most lovely Reading Chair you're ever likely to see?

Anyway, the Murarrie Mini-markets were on yesterday and even though there were lots of stalls, not many people showed up.  So, not many of us made as many sales as we had hoped. There were three factors working against us: the long weekend, the Life Line Book Fest and the Scrapbook and Craft Show in the city... yeppers, they were all working against us; as people were either in the city or taking off out of the city to have that great long weekend either down the coast or up the coast.  Either way, nobody wanted to go to a craft market this weekend...

Oh well... there's always next time. 

Until my next post, keep creating!

Been Busy!

Oh, yes!  I've been busy indeed!

First off the Murarrie State School Organic and Craft Markets were great!  The day was gorgeously sunny and lovely - our first Winter's day too - and the crowds were bigger than last time. There were plenty of foodies there, as well as other great things for the kiddies to do - like a huge jumping castle!

We had a few stall owners who complained that they didn't know about the market until a few days before. 

Okay... I'm going to say something that might offend some people:  if you don't do you homework - you don't follow up on your inquiries and e-mails and look on Facebook - you're not going to know anything about where the market is.  Just sayin'.  We were informed that this market was postponed for two weeks.  We were told last week about it all still being on too... so when I showed up and everything was in full swing at 7:20am, I wasn't surprised to find parking difficult.

Even though I broke even, it was a lovely day.  It didn't rain until the very end, when we were all packing up, and even then, it was just a light shower and it went away. But we all had a wonderful day.


Earlier that week, I had found a great chair in my unit complex. It was all wrapped up and shoved into the recycling area up the back.  After unwrapping it with one of my neighbours, we looked at each other as a lovely chair was revealed. I asked if she wanted it; and she said no.  So I took it home.

Over the weekend, I've been moving it from one place to the next and sanding down the arms to prepare it for varnishing.  That was on Sunday.

Today, I Dad and I took to their place where I finished sanding it and put two coats of varnish on it... and wow!... what a difference this has made to it so far!

This week, I have to put on a couple of coats of clear top coat and then drop it off to the furniture guy to get cushions made for it... now that's going to be fun! And... well, by then, there'll be more photos to show off!  So, how was your week? Busy like mine?  Hope so!  Until my next post, keep creating!

Busy Times Ahead... And Now...

Wow... it's starting to get really busy really quick and it's at the right time of getting really busy too.

I have markets starting up fast, a new line of work being included into 'Crafty Pegs' at my markets and a recycle/reinvent challenge my craft group online have introduced for us to take part in which has just started up for me today.

Okay, how did that happen?  I found a chair at the back of my unit complex.  This chair wasn't just any chair.  It was all wrapped up, looking like it was going to be moved or had been delivered or something, and the people didn't want it; so they dumped it up the back still wrapped up.
Today, I happened to put out my rubbish and chat to a neighbour who was told me that her next door neighbours just dumped their crap there, and something that was wrapped up (and who would wrap something then dump it?).  So, I went over and looked at it, unwrapped it and - OMG! - what a gorgeous chair! 

Okay, it doesn't have its cushions and it does have a little wear and tear on it, but I who cares.  I'll fix all that needs fixing on it.

It's going to become my Reading Chair... and I love it that it's got all that wear on it; that means it's got history.

Otherwise, I've been knitting up a storm of dishcloths.  People love them.  I've got a commission to make three for a lady who is an artist at the gallery; and I'm currently halfway through the first dishcloth she's asked me to make for her.  Very cool.

Well, there you have it.  I'm busy, busy, busy.  But I'll keep you updated with the chair, photos of what's going on with it, and how pretty it's going to look too.  

And the market for this week is at Murrarie State School; it was postponed from 2nd May due to bad weather conditions.  This week, it'll be back on - without a doubt! - and I hope to see you there.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Working Up A Storm!

I've been working hard on my new line of dishcloths over the last month or so.  They've come up a real treat!  The display looks wonderful!

Dishcloth Display

And today, I got back into working on my actual Crafty Pegs workbench where I sat down and painted up some pegs and pencils to some good hard rock music. 

What a great afternoon! 

I painted up 3 pencils, got some pegs all sorted out and cleaned up a lot of plates in the fridge ready to be used over the next few months.

By the time all this got done, it was around 4pm and I had started at 1:30pm.  So, there was a fair bit of fiddly word done and I sat down and did at bit of knitting for another hour or so before getting in and figuring out what to have for dinner.

I've been knitting for the last 3 hours... now that's a lot of work between two different patterns and colours to be done.  Tomorrow, I'm off to Spotlight to find a few more counters for myself.  This is so I can do more patterns on other needles and get more done.  I have only one counter, and so if I want to get in and do another complex pattern I can't while I am using that one.  

Well, what have you been up to in your craft lately? Until my next post, keep creating!

NB:  The Murarrie State School Organic & Craft Markets were postponed over the weekend due to the harsh weather conditions preceding it.  It will be held, instead, on 16th, May from 9am - 2pm.  I will still be there.

Opening Night!

Last Friday night was opening night for the Workshop Wonders Exhibition at the Logan Art Gallery.  My piece - along with the other pieces - was there, and the gallery was packed!

I saw my script up on the wall with my photo and found my Mum had just arrived too.  It was a great success for us all to have so many people looking at everything we had done.

A few people thought we had been given the plaster casts and we worked on them, but I told them that we made them from scratch and how it was all done.  Quite a few of the parents were impressed at how brilliant and thought-provoking everyone's work was. 

One lady said that mine was very relaxing and she said she loved books the same way I did... and it was good that somebody out there enjoyed them as much as I did in the same way.

Before long, Mum and I were both off home.  It was 7:30pm.  The speeches had been made, the other exhibitions has been opened and I had a Dawn Service to attend the next day for Anzac Day, so an early night was called for for me. 

Opening Night

It was a great success.  The Workshop Wonders Exhibition will be in the Logan Art Gallery for 6 weeks before I can bring it home and find a place for it here in my home office.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Plaster Torso Workshop At the Logan Art Gallery

Over the last two weeks, I've been working hard on some workshop things... well, just one thing really.  It's a plaster cast torso - no, not of my own body, it's of a mannequin base with 3 layers of plaster on the inside of it, then we all cleaned it up, painted on a hardening resin and started our work on it... of a 3D piece of more plaster.

Well, it's day 3, and I'm up to my finishing touches.  I just need to get in and find some quotes and opening lines from famous writers to write onto the torso in paint after I finish up the flowers and make them look better, then glue on the bling and then?  Well, I gotta sign the thing!  

On 24th, April, there's an art opening at the gallery and my piece will be in it.  It's about my passion for books and how much it takes up my life, my mind and how far back it goes into my soul... and how much I find reading and writing like oxygen; and if I stop either one, it would destroy me, so to me it's like living in my own self-designed dreamworld where I hope I never wake from.

Well, that's kind of what I'm hoping to put across in my piece.  It's been fun doing it... and my 3D piece of a book is going to be hung in my office... well, somewhere here anyway... if I can find a place for it.  So, what have you been up to lately?  Until my next post, keep creating! 

Scrubby Cloths and Fine Crochet Yarn

I'm really enjoying the knitting of my new line I've taken up.  It's only been a week or two and I've already made more than 4 dishcloths. 

There's two scrubby cloths, 2 ordinary dishcloths and one that has been started with a checkered pattern and another scrubby cloth started on crochet yarn.  I'm really getting into this.

I'm also still painting stuff as well.  But seeing I have so much of the painted stock, I've really sat down and started on my knitting to get enough for next year.

Here's a few photos of my cloths.  Aren't they the cutest things?

dishcloths

Well, anyway, it's just the beginning.  I'm hoping to make them in different sizes, styles and patterns.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Hand-knitted Dishcloths and Other Such Things

I'm looking forward to the Easter Markets this weekend.  Not only am I completely oranised, but I'm also working on a new line of little things to add to my stall - which are also hand-made, just like everything else I have on sale there.

I was taught to knit aged 12 when I was only holidays at my Grandparents' house at Tarragindi here in Brisbane.  It was a wet day and my brother and I were both bored and so Grandma taught me to knit and show my brother how to crochet (not that he'd let on that he picked it up as he never kept up the skill).  
When we returned to school, I remember in Home Ec., we were asked if anyone could knit or crochet.  Only two girls put their hands up - me and one other girl - and we were set to work on a 10x10 stitch of knitting.  While we both found this skill hard at the time, I have kept up my practice of knitting and have been making scarves and beanies for the last few years.  

However, I've begun making dishcloths and washers to sell at my market; deciding over the last few days to start making them.  So far, I've completed two and I'm onto my third one.  Each one is individual and are of my own pattern, being made from yarn I've had for years and wish to get rid of - so the yarn is perfect.  

This will take time though.  I'm not going to put any of them out on the stall until next year.  So, even though I'm making the first few now, I've got the rest of the year to get in and make well over 60 by Christmas.  And during the New Year break, I'll be making even more while I'm down the coast too.  So, it'll be nice to be able to enjoy making them there.  

Well, what have you been up to lately?  Anything new?  Anything old that you've picked up from years gone by?  Until my next post, keep creating!

Easter Markets

This Saturday coming I'm attending my Easter Market at Murarrie Progress Hall.  There's going to be a lot of fun things there from food stalls, a coffee van, a sausage sizzle and other great stalls where you can do and buy wonderful things for your loved ones this Easter.

Crafty Pegs has an All Ages Lucky Dip... yes, you can pay $4.00 and dip your hand into the gorgeous box and pull out something beautiful to take home with you.  

I've also been creating a new line of goodies to sell at the market too: a hand-knitted dishcloths.  They're lovely, colourful, bright and very pretty to use around the house.  I've only made two so far, but I'm hoping to bring them in at around Christmas-time and then over the NYE break, I'll go away and make a whole lot more and bring in the New Year with a lovely lot of new stock to sell to you all!

I also have a few other plans on the drawing board which aren't completely set in concrete just yet, but if all goes to plan, I'll be selling more than just pegs, coat hangers and cute little pencils and magnets to you all.  So, keep your eyes on this space and on my Facebook page as well as my website for updates... you never know what might show up on those places before here. Until my next post, keep creating!

March Creativeness

Wow!  It's been going on here for the last few weeks; so much so that I've been meaning to come in here and chat, but putting it off.

But I've been working on quite a few things since my workbench has been put into my house.  

Firstly, my chair has been driving me nuts... the gas in it isn't what it is supposed to be.  But then, I'm standing up more, so that's a positive spin on that.

Then, I've been painting up a very cool tiny set of drawers for the bathroom linen closet.  I'm trying to keep things neat and tidy.  so, to do that, I'm hoping to put my hair things into this set of drawers - you know hair ties, clips and bobby pins - to keep them nice and neat. 

I'm also doing an ANZAC Day painting for an online art group.  It's going well, and I'm more than halfway through it, so I'm hoping to take a day or two off from doing work on it.  
While I've been doing that, I've worked on 3 picture frames, almost got a 4th one finished and then I've gotten another 15 or so magna-pegs all bagged up and ready to varnish too.  

Yes, I'm working hard on my gear.  However, the next market isn't far off - on 21st, March - and I'm looking at doing a Lucky Dip to move some stock out and about for the kids and adults.  It'll be $2.00 per dip and each person will get something worthwhile... I may not make a lot of money from it, but then again, it'll move stock I haven't been able to move for a long time; mainly small stuff.  Well, that's about all from me, what have you been up to?  Until my next post, keep creating.

Wet Weekend of Work

This weekend is going to be a wet one... very wet.  Cyclone Marcia is going to affect everyone within coo-ee of it - which includes my city of Brisbane and all the way down past the New South Wales border.

However, this also gives me plenty of time to work on more art and craft than ever.  Now I have enough paint and plenty of magnets all set up, I can have everything worked on at my bench for as long as I wish - even if the power fails on me, as I have a headlamp stored away nearby to attached to me.

So, what do you get up to when the weather turns foul?  After I run out of things to do at my work bench (which will take a while), I'll be reading, writing and cleaning out the house.  Well, keep creating - no matter what the weather!

Murrarie Mini Markets

For those who couldn't make it to the markets last Saturday afternoon and evening, they were good; for a first market of the year.

I arrived in time to be able to set up with about 20 minutes to spare, to make sure I had everything looking good.  And despite having the place next door doing some noisy building, we had a good turn-out.  

However, nobody really made any money... I sold a few little things.  But I wasn't the only one who didn't really sell anything big.

I had flowers on my stall, and tiny roses on my table as well as a vase of fake roses on there too.  Everyone loved the way I had dressed up my stall and thought my new lot of Magna-Pegs in gold, silver and all colours of pink were delicious!  I sold a few of those... and I also sold a picture frame; but not the new ones I had done up this past week.

Well, I'll be there next month.  Just go and have a look on my Crafty Pegs site on Wix.com and you'll see it on Calendar Days for March.  If you can't find me there, jump on Facebook, look up Crafty Pegs and on the left of the screen, as you scroll down a little, you'll find my website... click on it and it'll show you the rest! Until my next post, keep creating!

Photos of the New Bench!

At long last, the new work bench has got everything happening for it... I have everything attached to it I want and it's looking great!

And I have my Dad to thank for helping my pipedream move from the sketch pad into my art/craft area next to my back door... he's helped me work on it so that it'll last me a long time. 

... and well, here's some photos for you all to have a look at:

photo collage 1

photo 2

photo 3

photo 4

I hope you have enjoyed the photos of how my bench has progressed into the work station I am currently loving to jump into in the afternoons and at night... so, do share.  What kind of work station do you have?  Is it like mine, or smaller and more portable?  Until my next post, keep creating.

My New Work Bench - Completed!

A few days ago, I talked about my new work bench for Crafty Pegs being worked on with my Dad.

First off, we ordered the pieces being pre-cut at a kitchen place - so it was cheaper for me and the pieces were square.  This was a good move.  I picked them all up on Saturday morning, took them to my folks' house and we started putting edging along the edges of it with a dry iron.  

However, Mother Nature had other plans for us... and it nasty!  A huge storm was brewing and it came up fast and ugly.  So, we packed up quickly and I headed off home.

Today, I was back there again, armed with a light and a few other little things to work on the bench again.  

And man!  Did we work!  We got right into it!  The bench was put together today, and before I knew it, lunch had been and gone, we had been back to Bunnings and picked up a few last minute items and needs for it, and I had spend all the money I had saved up for it - every last dime!  

I'm so pleased it's happened this way.  I saved up $140 for it... and spent exactly that amount!

Very cool!  There's one photo and one collage for you guys to look at.  I hope you've been as busy as I have.  I got the chair from Officeworks for $88.00 and it was easy as dirt to put together! 

Now, the legs on the bench are little long, but it's nothing my Dad and I can't fix... anyway, welcome to the beginning of another yet... another lot of fun times of me showing you more photos of my new works - this time, on my new workbench! 

Photo No.1

Photo No. 2

The Work Bench - Part 1!

This morning, I was up by 8am and out the door by 9:15am.  Yes, today was the day Dad and I started on working on my Crafty Pegs Work Bench.

After I got in and took some donations to Vinnies at Springwood, then went to the bank to get out the much-needed money, I was off to Mum and Dad's place where we got ourselves organised to go out and have a look at kitchen counter tops at the industrial estate, not far from where I live.

But the place Dad had in mind was closed today, so we found another kitchen place nearby and they told us where they supplied for, and we took off there.

We showed them what we wanted and we were offered a very good price, and informed we could pick it up on Saturday.  Great!  After I paid for it, Dad and I walked around 'Total Kitchens' on Compton Road to see what else they had - and did they have some stuff!  I'll be going there to look at a new drainer for my kitchen because mine's on its way out.

Anyway, I digress...

We had done all we could today.  Now, we have until Saturday to get things sorted out.  Yesterday, I cleaned up, cleaned out and threw out a lot of things in my craft area; so it was ready for the new bench.  I have the rest of the week to myself... to get what I need done; that's mainly varnishing and wrapping and organising myself for next month's market on 7th, February, at Murarrie Progress Hall, from 3pm - 8pm.  Until my next post, keep creating!

A Busy Few Weeks

Crafty Pegs have been coming along well lately.  I've been working on more black pegs - with some gorgeous little bright designs on them.  Some of them are their own peg collections, while others have been turned into magnets.  

Then, I had to take off to a cheapie store and find things for the Valentine's Day themed market I'm going to next week.  If found garlands, little bunches of roses, itty-bitty tiny roses, hearts (to put into my bags when people purchase anything) and then a few single roses to place on my table just to make it look nice.  All these flowers are plastic and can be put away for next year - or Mother's Day - and I'll put them into a larger box for when I need to make a themed market stall.  

My work bench is coming along well.  Dad and I have looked at my finances - and I have a good enough saved up to get what we need for it.  Tomorrow, we'll hopefully be getting the money out and buying the things we need for it.  Dad's looking forward to this as much as I am.  

Well, that's all the news about Crafty Pegs for now.  Keep and eye out for new markets I'm attending on my website - on 'Calendar Days' - and I'll keep you updated with any news that comes along.  I have been offered to return to the Murarrie State School Organic & Craft Market on 2nd May; and I've accepted their invite to it.  So that ought to be fun to do that one!  Until my next post, keep creating!

The Devil's in the Details

Today I went out and bought the last two boxes that I'll be using to pack away things when the time comes to move all my gear out and install the new work bench in.  

The time will fly by when we build it, and it won't take long to get it all done and it'll be at my place.  So, I have to be prepared to have it moved in and all my stuff moved out; along with the bookcase for my neighbours.  

This is going to be so good once it's all done and installed.  My work will look amazing, I'll have more room to be creative and there'll be better storage space for my craft items too.  I'm keeping money aside to buy shelving for the walls too, not just buy timber for the bench... and I think I've impressed Dad in this aspect that I have the money to do this, and will work on it too with him.

Well, tell us all what kinds of projects you're getting into this year - big or small - and keep us updated about them.  Until my next post, keep creating.

The New Art Area

Today, I really started in on the new art area.  I went out and bought a box that is big enough for all the small stuff and will be used for the coat hangers later on when the bench is finished.  Most of the gear I have boxed up already is ready to be moved out and cleared out, but there's little things that need to be put away.  I also need to have probably two more boxes with lids for rags for cleaning brushes and another to hold all my other bits; but I'll see what I really need first.

I will be looking for a new chair next week and so will be searching the charity stores to see what's available.  It's gotta be a nice bar stool with a gas-lift style chair so I can sit on it when I really need to.  Otherwise, I'm ready to start in on this piece of work once the money is pulled together.  

I'm really looking forward to doing this bench.  I hope Dad is... it'll be fun to do.  This weekend, I'll be working on cleaning out the drawers in the wardrobe in the guest room and taking them outside to sand down and paint them up with a couple of coats of colour.  It should look good... or maybe just leave it the way it is after I clean it out and let the spots of paint I drop on it give it character.

I did some new work tonight, and really ran out of space fast... I am looking forward to getting this new work bench put together and here at my place before March.  It ought to be a good thing to have here.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Happy New Year!

Okay, you may have noticed a few new changes to 'A Natural Background's blog... like, it's not called that anymore.

Yep!  I've changed the name of it to 'Crafty Pegs' so it can reflect what I'm doing on my Crafty Pegs Facebook page and on my website too.  

Do you like the colours and font?  I thought to go with something fun and colourful this time around so you love to come back here again.

This year, Crafty Pegs is moving forward again.  I've been planning on working on a work bench for my craft area; and my Dad is going to help me get it done.  It's going to fit into the spot where my original table and bookcase has been sitting for the last year or so and will be a standing table.  It will also double as an easel for when I want to do other canvas'.

Sounds good, eh?  I'll show you pictures on my other sites and here when it's finished and put into place.

Anyway, I've begun working on other things to do with the Markets and other projects this year... I hope they work out the way I imagine them to.  Well, until my next post (and that will be soon), keep creating!