Oh Woe is me...

When I was in my thirties and I would listen to older folks complain about their aches and pains and medications, I vowed I wouldn't have those kinds of conversations. I would keep my meds and my tummy aches and my arthritis to myself. Or so I thought.

I've been absent for almost a week and, I have to admit, it's because I haven't been feeling too well.

If you want to hear what my troubles have been, keep reading. If you'd rather not, now is the time to leave. Come back tomorrow because I'm planning on posting something creative.

My biggest problem over the past year has been the arthritis that has taken over my knee. (knees, but mostly the left).. I think I could live with that pain without complaining, but it's the bone spur behind the knee that is causing me awful pain. Because the body is such a marvelous creation, it knows that my knee has lost most of its cartilage. So, it has been manufacturing new material. Only, it is depositing it on a bone (called a spur) and it is a constant problem. It hurts all of the time. I can't bend my leg more than a few degrees. I can't ride a bike anymore. It's hard to get in and out of a car. I hate this! The orthopedic surgeon didn't really give me much hope of any relief in the near future, but I think I'm going to go get another opinion.

To add to my distress, I'm taking Naperson for the swelling and it is tearing up my stomach. I get bad heartburn and discomfort. If I switch to Tylenol, I don't get heartburn anymore, but it doesn't help with the swelling, making it even more difficult to maneuver.

I also need to get to the ophthalmologist because lately, my right eye won't open when I wake up in the morning. Well, it hesitates. It is about 3 beats behind the left eye. It feels like there is pressure behind my eye. I have noticed that if the heat is below 60 during the night, it's not so bad. If it is 65 or higher, that is when I have a problem. Either it's my imagination or that has something to do with it. It doesn't really bother me during the day, so that helps lessen my fears.

Finally, I have a cold. I felt kind of hot and funny earlier today and after school stopped and bought a thermometer. But my temp was perfect. I have been sneezing and sniffling and coughing for days. I bought some kind of flu and cold medicine and am going to try it tonight.

So, that being said, I apologize for neglecting the blog. Sometimes, if you just don't feel good, you just don't feel good!

The giveaway...

I've heard from the following people and will be mailing their items tomorrow.

Polymer clay chick
Silverhart girl
Stacy
Jennifer

I still need to hear from "South""Diane H" and "Rachel"

I'll keep looking for them.

Also, I'm planning on a February contest. Working on something decorative with a canvas. I just got 48 canvases in the mail from Dick Blick..I'm very excited!

Clay is on Sale at Joanns..

In case you don't know, all Sculpey clay is on sale at Joann's. That includes premo and studio clay.

But, you better move fast because the sale ends on Saturday. I went to a Joann's today and the lady in charge of that department hadn't put the sign out (it's been on sale for a couple weeks), so there was a lot to choose from.



I loaded up on a lot of clay, enough to last for awhile (of course, there's always the chance I'll sell a lot of clay babies and will run out).

I came home from the store and dumped all the clay on my table. Tomorrow I'm going to sort it out. The last few days I've been busy and haven't done much in the way of clay. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, I just can not get to it.

Giveaway winners

I've only heard from a few of the winners of the clay baby giveaway. If you won, please send me your address. Tomorrow I'll contact those people. Then I will ship out the clay babies to the winners. Remember, if you haven't sent your address to me, put "I won a clay baby" in the subject line.

Garritygal@yahoo.com

Are you aware of the CPSIA?

Bloggers all around America are uniting today by posting about the CPSIA. Because this affects many of my friends and possibly me, I'm concerned about what is happening. So I've joined in to post this blog, which was written by a member of Etsy. She gave permission for bloggers to post it. CPSIA (website).. Consumer Product Safety Information Act

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA. Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it. The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too. How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples: To the Parents of Young Students: Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12. To the Avid Reader: Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all. To the Lover of All Things Handmade: Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter. To the Environmentalist: Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation. To the Second-Hand Shopper: Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits. To the Entrepreneur: Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America. To the Antique Toy Collector: Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” To the American Economy: Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake. To the Worldwide Economy: Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

Links concerning CPSIA

To save you time researching, I've included some links for you to follow.

Forbes Article

National Bankruptcy Day

Digital Journal Article

Etsy Resource

Craftzine Blog, More Harm Than Good

YouTube Videos

I guess this gives you a start so you can become better informed.

Raggedy Ann * Andy

Here's a little card I made that looks wonderful when printed. Open it up in a new tab, right click and save. You can add text later on. Use it as a card, book marker, on an ATC or frame it.

You can use it for your own personal use.

Pretty Snow and Frozen Pipes

Last night, after I tucked myself into bed, I thought to myself, "I better let the water drip in the sink" My pipes froze a few weeks ago and I've been letting the water drip ever since.

But, somehow I fell asleep and, sure enough, when I got up, my pipes were frozen.

I am so angry at myself for allowing that to happen! Trust me, it won't happen again.

I tried to defrost the pipes with a hair dryer for an hour. I wanted so badly to get those pipes to thaw because I didn't want to bother the landlord; but, it didn't work.

Now, I have to deal with the grumpy repair man later on this evening. He's such a un-happy person. I guess I wouldn't want to crawl around defrosting people's pipes either, but then again, if he hates it so much, he shouldn't do it.

My pipes have heat tape on them, but I'm having some electrical problems. So the landlord is going to inspect the outside electrical box, to see if the breakers need to be replaced. For once, the landlord was kind towards me. It's like he was giving me a break.

While I was outside I took some pictures.

Snow covered chair and old stove I use for decorations.
The white box is filled with petosky stones.

I love this big old tree. The sun is right behind it.

Another prop in my back yard. It's fallen down the hill a bit.
I better fetch it before it falls further and floats down the river.



This is where I sit in warmer weather to relax, watch nature, get inspired and be rejuvenated.

I've seen deer splash across the river and ducks lead their babies up stream. From this spot, I watched a baby raccoon, high in the trees, fret for it's mother. I've heard owls, coyotes and fox.

Once I saw a big ball of snakes, slithering in the warm sun. Sometimes I see spiders that are so big, I quickly retreat inside.

I don't own the property that slopes down to the river. But, it's nice to be so close to nature, and still be in the city.

While I was outside taking these pictures, it was bitter cold. But, I know that it will only be a few more months before the snow melts, the birds return and I go back out side and enjoy the view.

I'll be back later with some creative ideas.

Free Graphics

I found these old photos in an antique shop in Northville, Michigan a few weeks ago.


I'm trying to build a library of graphics on my computer (I better start backing up files!).

I also found a magazine with over 200 ads in it and lots of images of women. The magazine is dated 1899.Open the pictures in a new tab, right click and save.

Improvements to my work

In an never ending attempt to make my work the best that I can, I've discovered that when I take my clay the extra mile, it sells. Well, not all of the time, but I have a better chance at selling it.

For instance, I just had a few sales on eBay. The clay that sold had extra details giving it that little punch!

Sometimes it's hard for me to get that through my head as I'm making something. I made a gingerbread with a cupcake. Looked pretty cute to me. But it sat on eBay without many views and no bids.

Instead of re listing it, I took a look at it and re-designed it.



Above is the original and below is the redesign. I added a few more cupcakes to her.


Here's another clay baby I tried to sell.




I added another monkey and put it on etsy. I only increased the price by $1.00, making it $7.00, which is a good price.

I'll see if that makes a difference in sales. I think I'm going to look at several of the items I have and see if I can liven them up a bit. It can't hurt.

Indie Crafters

You no doubt have either heard the term, Indie Crafters or you are one yourself.

I have been trying to find a definition of Indie crafters, because when I see a site that offers Indie crafts, I'm confused. Other than the occasional pink skull and crossbones, or odd looking hand stuffed toys, most of the items look like "crafts" to me.

According to the Urban dictionary Indie means the informal use of the word independent.
"Also, for many, it has come to symbolize originality and forward-thinking, especially in music and design.

By this definition, indie is any business or designer that is not associated with a large company. Indie can also define the consumer who chooses to support small business, independent record labels and handmade items rather than shopping at big-box stores."

By that definition, I guess that anyone who has made things by hand is an indie crafter.

Sometimes though, that name implies the younger generation. I once tried to get into an Indie/urban craft show in Detroit and was turned down. My first reaction was that I was insulted. My second was that I must be too old. Of course, they didn't know how old I was, but that was my reaction.

When I first went to etsy to check it out, I thought to myself, I think I'm too old to be here. But, I didn't let that deter me. I'm still trying to build some success there and I'm sure my age has nothing to do with it. But whenever I see a profile where I think the artist/crafter is close to my age, I feel a little better.

In your opinion, what do you think Indie crafts or crafters implies? Leave a comment, I'd like to better understand.

Pioneering!

The bottom line is that it doesn't really matter about the age issue. Or if a person calls themselves an artist or a crafter or an Indie crafter. It's more curiosity on my part. It's very exciting to me to see the interest that younger people have in crafting. (My daughter was knitting the other day, and I was ecstatic!)

Sometimes I wish I was 20 again, only in this decade. How valuable the Internet would have been to me when I was younger and more ambitious and when I could stay up till 3 am crafting and had the stamina of a horse!

When I first found out about Polymer Clay it was 1982. I was at a craft show and a lady had made fruit from colored clay. Now, I had seen white clay in the art stores, but colored??
She was kind enough to tell me it was from Polyform Products. I found a package of white at the art store, and wrote down the address of Polyform. I called the operator, who gave me their number. I found out they could sell me colored clay, but I had to have a sales tax license. I had to go downtown, get a name for my business and get the tax license. I finally ordered a box of clay, (8 or 10 colors, 10 colors each)..That whole process took about 6 weeks.

No stores in Michigan sold colored Sculpey in those days. In fact, when I had a little gift shop in 1987 through 1989, I sold Sculpey III and taught classes. The UPS man would deliver my clay on Thursday and there would be two or three customers hanging around the shop to grab up their favorite colors. Look how easy it is to buy clay now!

I guess you could say that I'm a pioneer in crafting. Or at least claying. Plowing the way for others, making their journey a little easier. Hey, I like that idea. I think I'll use that term to describe myself.

Debbie Garrity, Pioneer Crafter.