special request

I had a fellow etsian approach me about helping her with felt lettering and pieces for an interactive calendar for her kids. what a great idea! We're still working out the details, but it's a project I'm very excited about playing with. When doing one, I may as well do more.. I think I might have one hanging on my wall before long, and maybe another posted in my shop.

First things first, we're working on some samples to make sure we're on the same page. I guess I better go get to work!

I'm still stuck on Christmas

I've shared this with a few, already, but I'm absolutely in love with this product photo from the shop of Nest Pretty Things.

For the last several years, we've either had a live tree, or stayed with family for The Big Day, so we've never invested resources (including storage space) to an artificial tree.

The thing is, they just aren't the same. There's a lot of practicality in them, sure, but having grown up with "tlc" trees, they always look a little too perfect, a little too full. They smell way too much like clean water, and not enough like pine.

Oh, you can buy candles to make up for it, but you still miss out on the lovely raining mass of needles after you forget to water it for a week, and the thrill of the fire hazard that help you remember to check the batteries in your smoke detector.

I'll probably break down and do it, someday. Kids are really good at pointing out the alleged necessity of such things, but as of right now I still hold a monopoly on influence over them. Well, that is, I do as long as i keep Troy convinced of the truth and right of everything I think, do, and say. (wish me luck?)

Add to that influence their love of pink, and I think we might make ourselves a bare branch Christmas tree of a similar color palette this year. Maybe. True, it's bound to consume even more storage space than a typical artificial tree, but look. It's pretty. And pink. And my girls are afraid of the dark. And so am I.

Maybe it would find a permanent home in their bedroom.. or mine.


It's definitely on The List, anyway.

Creating with and for kids.. interested?

I have had a thought somewhere in the back of my head for some time about putting together kits that would include materials and instructions and allow buyers to make and personalize some of my toys. This would reduce costs for the budget conscious, and allow buyers to share a bit more of themselves in their gifts. As for ho0w much it would cost? That depends on the toy and degree of pre-assembly required.

Then a few days ago I helped my girls make six-sided snowflakes. We had a blast. :)

This had me considering how much fun it would be to sell a dozen or so sets of pre-folded paper, all ready for cutting, at a minimal cost. After all, it's always fun to get something in the mail, and better still if it means spending time together on a little project, right?

From there I was considering selling other small and inexpensive craft kits, and perhaps even a subscription. They could include items such as ribbon wands, silk flower fairies, and sun catchers, and each kit would include all special materials required, plus an idea/instruction sheet.

So I am putting the following questions into the wind:

Would you be interested in purchasing a DIY toy kit?
Which toys from my shop would you be most interested in making?

Would you be interested in childrens craft kits? (kept between $3 - $5 including shipping)
Would you like to subscribe to 6 regular mailings of kits? (each kit would be slightly discounted)
Would you prefer monthly, or weekly mail-outs?


So, new blog = my readership presently consists of 2 Jessicas. (thanks guys!) Because I want to get some serious input and expand my readership, I'm making a little giveaway of this and posting it in my shop announcement. yay!

Leave me some honest feedback, and you may be one of two lucky souls chosen at roandom to receive a little pack of 10 colorful folded papers for making snowflakes!

C'mon... you know you want to. ;~)