Hot and Cold

I seem to be running that way this week. Good days, bad days, hot and cold flashes, sales and no sales, time to kill and crazy jam packed moments, then again, what else is new.

Well, this is new. SonniandBev are not to be missed. They have been in the jewelry making business for decades and I have had the pleasure of being their booth neighbor for about ten of them. Veterans of the Chicago area art and craft show circuit, they have sold their wares at the Merchadise Mart, Michigan Avenue and throughout the suburbs. I hear they will be traveling all the way to New York City this fall for the One of a Kind Show.

If you don't live near one of these areas, not to worry. They have made their on line selling debut this week on etsy. After much discussion (and prodding), they ahve tested the waters and are wading in more and more each day. We spent the day together recently in a cram session of etsy basics. Listing, descriptions, shop set up, etc. , not to mention lingo. Steampunk, upcycle, recycle, repurpose, destash and many other bits and goodies. Little do they know, it just scratch the surface of etsy's layers of fun and excitement. They'll be addicts like the rest of us in no time. Who knows, before long, even Bev will be a computer guru.

So check them out and even drop them a line. If you get a chance to see them in person, make a point of it. The truth is SonniandBev is just one of many layers of the onion that is, LeBouton. Vintage inspired pieces, antique buttons, brooches, buckles, watches, snaps, game pieces, even pool balls are known to have become phenomenal pieces of artistic jewelry in their hands and are a lovely complement to the unending array of Swarovski crystal pieces, as seen on etsy.

So, join me as I raise a toast; to Sonni and Bev, here's wishing you all the best on etsy and elsewhere

New is Good

I admit I like vintage, I Love antiques and there's nothing like a story that reminisces about the "good ol' days" but this week is true testament that new is good too.
I don't think it any longer needs to be said that my week was busy. By now, that's pretty much understood. This week has however been full of new. New customers, new listings on etsy, new adventures being planned and even some new "old" music being played.

My Studio Open House was not new. It's been around for about the last 7 or 8 Februaries, at least. However, it did have many new customers visit and that's a great thing. It took many a year and much prompting to get me to host such a show but I must admit I do enjoy it. More for the enjoyment than the sales, I think. I love the less hectic environment and being able to show all my customers just how much I appreciate them by providing refreshments and opening my house to them. I think it is important to take the time to really get to know them and spend time listening to their stories is inspiring.
Preparing for the Open House while working and juggling a multitude of other tasks left little time for new listings on etsy or handmadefuzion. Suffice it to say, this led to a slow storefront. Finally, with the arrival of some great NEW beads, this week saw some new creations and some new listings. Well, booya! sales followed and I did a little dance (privately, of course).
As if this wasn't enough new for one week or one month for that matter, I finished plans for a new adventure. It seems to be the right time for a family trip to our nation's capitol for so many reasons. A new era, a new president, a new hope for a better future (eventually) coupled with a graduating grade schooler and a budding middle schooler just seemed to scream road trip. I worked on DH and scoured more travel websites than any one person should and there you are. A trip for 3 of the 4 of us to see new things for the first time. Mark may not be thrilled but for a museum guru, he has no idea what lies in wait. It's only a matter of time until he stops referring the The Smithsonian as just another museum.
This sounds like a pretty full and exciting week, doesn't it? Well, let me tell you, the best tale is yet to come. An utter surprise that brought me a joy I would not have imagined in a really MOM kinda way. and yes, I'm gushing. and yes, I'm being nerdy and sentimental, and yes, I have no life but at least once in a while I have the little things. So, hold on to your poncho, have a seat in your over sized papisan chair and take off the huge, cushy headphones! I fostered a musical epiphany in my meanager! It was stupendous! The best President's Day I've ever had. Can you say that?
Kids off school and me at my workbench left the day wide open for possibilities. Seeking inspiration, I reached for the CD player, of course. A few discs and one saxophone practice later, Alex was looking to hear the entire Sgt. Pepper album from which his concert music stemmed. Low and behold, the deep dark depths of the basement coughed up not one, not two, but 3 large cassette tape holding briefcases. (the cornucopia of destroyed LP's by DH will have to be its own post someday). 8 hours later, my meanager, the one that barely speaks to me and definitely struggles to believe I am/could be cool found it in his heart to applaud my taste in music. Everything from Warren Zevon and Elvis Costello to U2, the Beatles and some Talking Heads. I would have to say, he lost his music virginity that day, possible to Chrissy Hines, or maybe it was Stevie Nicks. It doesn't really matter. I knew I had reached a common ground. A sacred ground in my book. We definitely have a common interest in our love of music. He thinks I have good taste and he looks to me for advice on a good tune. Hell, what more can I ask from a 14 tr old angst ridden stomach that walks

Snow, Snow, Snow!

Blech! Enough already. Today, January 11th, Chicago will surpass it's average snowfall for the winter. 39 inches. It's not even mid January yet. We have been known to get snow as late as Mother's Day (on rare ocassion, but it has happened). A foot yesterday and more on the way tomorrow and several days this week.

After clearly marking our territory, Chicago style
(see the chair that says, don't even think about parking here. I earned this spot!)

I was relishing the excuse to stay indoors and make jewelry. Of course there's always bitchwork to be done, but I can multitask. I'm a mom, I am wired for multitasking. We could eat out of the freezer (a good hot bowl of homemade Chili) and we had some wine. No vodka, but some good red wine.

It worked. I made some cool, new favorites.




Ran a sale that wasn't as productive but that's okay. We still have plenty of time to shop and ship for Valentine's.


Now, if I could just get the kids to stop bickering. Why are they not out snowboarding, sledding and snowball fighting? UGH! Kids today!

Low Fat and Delicious

Not to mention, you are sure to show up with a dip most have never had. This is not an easy task to accomplish. This recipe is easy and if you crave that sweet/salt balance like i do, it is a sure bet.