that should put the marzipan in your brainpan bingo

A few pictures of some new items (some custom) that will be posted on my etsy soon and possibly "available at a retailer near you" soon too (read on for more)






and this is the first of my palchemy creations (from a few posts back) made out of a French prepaid phone card with Peter Gabriel on it and some findings that I got from Drew for our Palchemy/Trashion challenge (by the way...Peter Gabriel? old. looks a bit like Billy Joel now...when did that happen?????
(there are more palchemy creations drying/waiting for pictures)


Wow! Where has the 4 day weekend gone?!?!? Actually it's been a great weekend...it wasn't even my birthday and LGK played rummy for 2 1/2 hours last night (and he beat me for the first time ever!!!) It was awesome! Market yesterday was uneventful (and unfruitful)..which led to some serious brainstorming and debate about what direction to take this little crafting venture of mine. The idea has always been "exposure" but short of flashing them my naughty bits, I think I've done all the exposure to the local farmer's market types that they (or I ) can handle...I'm seeing a lot of the same folks every weekend, and they're quite frankly coming to market for their lettuce and eggs...not necessarily for their bottlecap jewelry. We did make some new display racks on Friday (Max even got to use the nail gun!! yikes!!) and I don't regret the new racks because I still plan on doing the professional business women's fair and the spring/earthday fairs next year...BUT if things stay this stagnant at market, I'm not feeling compelled or obligated to continue going every weekend.
Anyway, there was much discussion about wholesale/retail etc. too. I've been "meaning" to get out there and hawk my wares to some local shops...now I just need to ride this wave of motivation and do it. I came home yesterday and made a list of stores in the area that might be willing to do consignment and/or purchase a small "starter" package. We're going to get to work on a brochure this week too (I'll keep you posted) I'm thinking about hitting the owner of the bead store up..and the salvage/recycling place heartwood resources has a craft consignment shop that I think will carry my stuff....other thoughts: my friend JoAnne's nursery/gift shop, the "head shop" in Sutherlin, tattoo shops...(any other suggestions are welcome of course :)
I'm also thinking that if I put together a retail "presentation" we can "write off" trips out of town...to Eugene, Portland etc. Maybe I can talk my mom into brokering for me in NM? and what about SL?! I'm thinking blue boutique? Grunts & Postures??
The possibilities are endless! Now I just have to get to work!!!!!

Also had some email conversation with the buyer for karma charms they specialize in accessories for large breed dogs and they approached me about doing a "drop shipment" of tags/charms through their website. I'm sending them some samples which their puppies will "test" for a month or so and then we'll see what happens with that.

On a personal note, we are still waiting for difinitive news on my Oma's "condition" - gotta love all the "inconclusive" tests that they put one through (charging an arm & a leg no doubt for all of them) I've been in every-other-day contact with her this past few weeks though and her spirits are good (as long as the fluid doesn't build up and make it hard for her to breathe) My mum and I are just kind of waiting now to see what happens next and if one or both of us need to go down there and help her out. Those of you who know me, know that I HATE not knowing what's going on (almost as much as I hate brusslesprouts and the smell of boiling chicken) but I'm dealing as well as I can. Thanks to anyone who sent positive vibes my Oma's way
On a positive note, LGK's business is very portable so we'll be able to pack up and travel on little or no notice if needs be. We'd been planning on a trip in September but we're thankfully able to be flexible if the need arrises.

Went to see a matinee of Indiana Jones today. I enjoyed it. Couldn't help thinking of Spielberg and Lucas sitting around talking..."hey, you know what would be cool?" "Aliens!" "Hell's yeah!!" I mean really, aliens? So what if it's a bit out there! what did they have to lose? And it's their movie so I say goforit! Not any stranger in my book than the thought that the arc of the covenant or the grail are real relics. Who's to say that "space daddy" isn't an alien? And another thing...are refrigerators really lined with lead? and would climbing into one save you from an atomic blast??? I'm just curious.

I apologize for the rambling nature of this here post...and the lack of witty. I especially apologize to my reader(s) in Croatia and Austria (yes, I got a sitemeter/tracker!) today's offering is definitely just journally but hey....I do what I want...call me George Lucas!