tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58619080300435080912024-03-05T07:23:34.943-06:00itsy bitsy cute . blogThanks for visiting my blog! Here you will find lots of itsy bitsy cute things that are handmade (by me!) and details about my design process. Almost anything you see here can be purchased through my etsy shop! Enjoy!Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-42534814513579415452011-03-11T09:52:00.000-06:002011-03-11T09:52:23.317-06:00London Calling<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipruo6-cPTqLllqnTV93Ao4z65KMMyrx-9PRvrVRDX-mq3-FV-RU-NKfjFdv-nt27SOjpVQt58XQVpcVX1hnlbLbBsBGIpqxRGCdh2ohlB4eaO1sVV9Fm2Cs0PRkOKy9EYAxm2AAC3iUE/s1600/londontreasury.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipruo6-cPTqLllqnTV93Ao4z65KMMyrx-9PRvrVRDX-mq3-FV-RU-NKfjFdv-nt27SOjpVQt58XQVpcVX1hnlbLbBsBGIpqxRGCdh2ohlB4eaO1sVV9Fm2Cs0PRkOKy9EYAxm2AAC3iUE/s320/londontreasury.png" width="312" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I was featured in an interesting "London" themed treasury - <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d79efd6eda38eef0f54cd19/bye-bye-artinvenice-off-to-london-for?index=2">check</a> it out! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>More to come - I'm working on a wedding topper custom that I'm excited about!Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-32161628806784248072011-01-31T20:01:00.000-06:002011-01-31T20:01:11.409-06:00Custom Lion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDaxFJre0Om2P1ynilpkOQPMtr3UCy8m5oeDpyfrYWJkmIDlTX0GjqZOsH0uhLYcfE9jTwqAzSgKYNyfVHTJnSqeL3ZpL0c73Br51c5yYSJ3zbg_1t-C1H3rEFqEAskjZ_-a9Y2whwTw/s1600/Lion.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDaxFJre0Om2P1ynilpkOQPMtr3UCy8m5oeDpyfrYWJkmIDlTX0GjqZOsH0uhLYcfE9jTwqAzSgKYNyfVHTJnSqeL3ZpL0c73Br51c5yYSJ3zbg_1t-C1H3rEFqEAskjZ_-a9Y2whwTw/s320/Lion.png" width="320" /></a></div>Last week I was asked to create an itsybitsy lion for a person's lion collection. His body was pretty easy, but the mane took me some time. Thin pieces of wire finish him off with some cute little whiskers! <br />
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And yes... I need to get back to work with some blogging and itsybitsy-ing. Thinking up something cute for Valentine's day...Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-23838155371700561472010-09-14T22:07:00.000-05:002010-09-14T22:07:41.921-05:00Shoe disaster makes for good findings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">So, back in August, I was in my friend's wedding:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaFOrJ7Qah8IsJ5tXikreJ24JODpxIy0IribN8yzznDkEgmiLDGBeYhgwDGb9zanHzud8qBKaR-RIUu2bltMtGk_l_D9NS9e_ZcDwLaz7caS0-JqvYeM0U6ZWzOdmReGWxFFo6Df60yk/s1600/100_1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaFOrJ7Qah8IsJ5tXikreJ24JODpxIy0IribN8yzznDkEgmiLDGBeYhgwDGb9zanHzud8qBKaR-RIUu2bltMtGk_l_D9NS9e_ZcDwLaz7caS0-JqvYeM0U6ZWzOdmReGWxFFo6Df60yk/s320/100_1251.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> It was a great day and everyone had a blast. I was excited about the lovely new pair of heels I bought for this wedding:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttOw4rPhYfkc3ZTRVngHfxyTzAllAys57Pn8hQaWZDTTrmU51_jP_ynUZe5cBPoKPL8YjIDf1lbttDGRuf4Y9srLmqtUbe4MLKISAC5QXHwEMMzQUv6n0T-ynQPp0ChPg3lImBhy2NSc/s1600/IMAG0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttOw4rPhYfkc3ZTRVngHfxyTzAllAys57Pn8hQaWZDTTrmU51_jP_ynUZe5cBPoKPL8YjIDf1lbttDGRuf4Y9srLmqtUbe4MLKISAC5QXHwEMMzQUv6n0T-ynQPp0ChPg3lImBhy2NSc/s320/IMAG0266.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">But after a long night of ceremony and celebrating, it slipped my mind to protect my new heels from my energized puggle that had been locked up in his little house all night. This was the result:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3SveEY8XZE2RIzy0P8TKrZq80uhYCoOrCtK-7pNrHVjBJiOKqME13LIB9IAbrdsKan8YsD2NZMaMtS7-NV22_Xc166YtxsQZHmzXDn2e5WLkedseMPlpo8OAgU6CKZ9SXWb0ePd75uE/s1600/IMAG0265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3SveEY8XZE2RIzy0P8TKrZq80uhYCoOrCtK-7pNrHVjBJiOKqME13LIB9IAbrdsKan8YsD2NZMaMtS7-NV22_Xc166YtxsQZHmzXDn2e5WLkedseMPlpo8OAgU6CKZ9SXWb0ePd75uE/s320/IMAG0265.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Bad Dog!! :( My pretty heels were destroyed. But all was not lost! Before I threw them away, I managed to pluck off all of the golden rhinestones and now I can use them for crafts!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGOqfdIHNsEdjlPv0OU6B0vs1RJJdQEE2k2RIRCJPPrNXIo1O23skPL5QdFspElsCmumQJIQrjki93bJsboa8sUdbZA1q6GsRaRDZE25nrNRJeqV51Bk0MC9-vfi3nxQoYRZ5l6B76hA/s1600/IMAG0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGOqfdIHNsEdjlPv0OU6B0vs1RJJdQEE2k2RIRCJPPrNXIo1O23skPL5QdFspElsCmumQJIQrjki93bJsboa8sUdbZA1q6GsRaRDZE25nrNRJeqV51Bk0MC9-vfi3nxQoYRZ5l6B76hA/s320/IMAG0274.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure I'll make enough dough off these babies with crafts to cover the cost of my heels, but it's a good story of recycling and finding the good in the bad!</div>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-42983645212910180802010-09-13T15:14:00.000-05:002010-09-13T15:14:08.275-05:00More Halloween Treasury Featurery<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bekker16"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bekker16</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for great </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c8e7e93ee1b8eef925a778a/halloween"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Halloween Treasury</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that features my </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55703256/halloween-mummy-girl-and-boy"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mummy couple</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E4frvPApuCv0mbNQmDTBdRrfMYhAcEynpCq7mrHO5G8VHltSmSSpdrDnK2XgTv22DViivN1tOGr8amhNIXPtK-3OC5-wg_E8Lka-lCf_VsjRprzhd1v8nCyIS1YgEBj2DMaQrIsbYgc/s400/halloween+treasury.JPG" width="382" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love Halloween, and love this treasury! What a great variety of items. My weekend really slipped away from me and this makes me want to get to work on more Halloween inspired items... especially my second series of monsters... Darn this 9-5!</span></div>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-46343790021075900442010-09-07T11:10:00.001-05:002010-09-07T11:11:22.249-05:00Productive Weekend Goods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsaruvrCgB_ynOoukXs51LpO7HO0IQM5FPhNbBqgz4JBS45fJj6hufJrGC239i5iomsNAAr2pidXkMNvjhB375HMC1OJrwp2olVmOjmseY4XAvfhM5hQNNx8PkMzf7a99P8Mu-Nok48E/s1600/spooky+items.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsaruvrCgB_ynOoukXs51LpO7HO0IQM5FPhNbBqgz4JBS45fJj6hufJrGC239i5iomsNAAr2pidXkMNvjhB375HMC1OJrwp2olVmOjmseY4XAvfhM5hQNNx8PkMzf7a99P8Mu-Nok48E/s400/spooky+items.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>SOLD!</strong> </span></span></div><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three individual sets of halloween holiday items in a single sale! This was a very exciting transaction for me because it is allowing me to finally purchase the </span><a href="http://www.containerandpackaging.com/item.asp?item=M511"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">round tin containers</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that I have spent extensive time researching to package my orders. Hooray! I have to buy them in bulk, so it's a big decision.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once I receive them, I'll be working on some round labels to go on them to optimize the professional look of my products. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I definitely need to work on some custom orders which include - a custom pair of fat black cat earrings and the custom see no evil </span><a href="http://itsybitsycute.blogspot.com/2010/09/monkeying-around.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">monkey</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> set. Time to crack open a bottle of wine in the evening and scuplt like crazy. <br />
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I'd really like to design a few new monsters for the season as well. Many of my monster have been a hit in recent monster treasuries. I have yet to sell one, but I'm sure it will happen soon.</span></span>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-54989239007065336082010-09-06T11:46:00.000-05:002010-09-06T11:46:36.480-05:00More Monster Features!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAqKBxhha67ackaa3rzX4vJZ5Jw_HyEzQCUHuOOZhISqQxEMO3g5ZU3_5SunCLTsPh6WtN4HD9b3NtbMypmC_uIBAPWrCFM_OMzgmzXhWvKwsPxdhVw2FA2VMHg2AbdVNCcWi07SuEGA/s1600/DSCF6530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAqKBxhha67ackaa3rzX4vJZ5Jw_HyEzQCUHuOOZhISqQxEMO3g5ZU3_5SunCLTsPh6WtN4HD9b3NtbMypmC_uIBAPWrCFM_OMzgmzXhWvKwsPxdhVw2FA2VMHg2AbdVNCcWi07SuEGA/s320/DSCF6530.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/KnitFrekkles">KnitFrekkles</a> for featuring my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/30918874/purple-halloween-monster">purple halloween monster</a> in her monster <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c82723d6d3d6d91743fde1d/monsters-incorporated">treasury</a>!</div>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-62809048912194795752010-09-01T21:34:00.000-05:002010-09-01T21:34:57.286-05:00Monkeying Around<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhKOwEIuQEWRx7h_fNGPu8M9dtb0zixmbTEppSjelgAdAXk_0AyThp5UbRsBcun6FxJtf17v5SpfvRLYpIFMNHYvi8SU7kz0pVnZQHC-PIxDMhUtDulXfEDHuNPK5FpiI6myO2LkHR1w/s1600/DSCF7859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhKOwEIuQEWRx7h_fNGPu8M9dtb0zixmbTEppSjelgAdAXk_0AyThp5UbRsBcun6FxJtf17v5SpfvRLYpIFMNHYvi8SU7kz0pVnZQHC-PIxDMhUtDulXfEDHuNPK5FpiI6myO2LkHR1w/s320/DSCF7859.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A few days ago I got a request for a fun new custom! After seeing my see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil penguins (above), an etsy shopper asked if I could make the same set but with monkeys instead. The photos below is my "sketch" sculpture for the monkey set.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been wanting to try my hand at a monkey design for awhile, what a great excuse! A set of three itsybitsy's is practically sold! She also asked if i could do a chimp... Hmm... </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWsDgKPcSBUE4wZGsHfM-mt6gDztQEs4fywrCDKCv0B2t1KXCt0UzOHt9BZctRFtfVnOmbrFNRzEYgbw6-pTFo2N4LCY7AsA6OqRkQg8kQflo4BHEBf8wxUUVqUl_JHzmcFejzZFxcsc/s1600/100_1493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWsDgKPcSBUE4wZGsHfM-mt6gDztQEs4fywrCDKCv0B2t1KXCt0UzOHt9BZctRFtfVnOmbrFNRzEYgbw6-pTFo2N4LCY7AsA6OqRkQg8kQflo4BHEBf8wxUUVqUl_JHzmcFejzZFxcsc/s320/100_1493.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0AXiTJvCs8bFPuQcElaJqMHEzRHuk4GkDYomFbS61iqNVe2PQc0f09Q1iWIQal1pdWxRKNgUI-SvKy8Jj-kU2Pkn6PodQ61vKsPpYWveuP0DyTDqoQfG-Cl_9TIwbhKGLQ3XDMtEhwA/s1600/100_1494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0AXiTJvCs8bFPuQcElaJqMHEzRHuk4GkDYomFbS61iqNVe2PQc0f09Q1iWIQal1pdWxRKNgUI-SvKy8Jj-kU2Pkn6PodQ61vKsPpYWveuP0DyTDqoQfG-Cl_9TIwbhKGLQ3XDMtEhwA/s200/100_1494.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-42909385003290825192010-08-29T19:46:00.000-05:002010-08-29T19:46:02.873-05:00Getting Organized<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8k-2E8z85D2bROgakWJ_ua_7f6yNwJ63Vpm1cvvfdhq6MGiEFwfY6xlqJlbEDvNHTjF_1w2Q28YeGZMtkpWW0AKsAP_NnS1rX-SLS0pZfX4B94RthWqCZxox1veYZIfP3hBU4KlCne_Q/s1600/100_1471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8k-2E8z85D2bROgakWJ_ua_7f6yNwJ63Vpm1cvvfdhq6MGiEFwfY6xlqJlbEDvNHTjF_1w2Q28YeGZMtkpWW0AKsAP_NnS1rX-SLS0pZfX4B94RthWqCZxox1veYZIfP3hBU4KlCne_Q/s320/100_1471.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After lots of looking the last few years, I finally found an organizer that I think will work great for all my sculpey! It can have up to 28 compartments, but for half price, I should have gotten 2! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I think this will keep dust and dirt out better than my old record player box, which is vintagey and great, but better for my tools than my sculpey. The vintage record player box has since begun it's rehabilitation with a little hot glue and paint. Looking better already, but not quite done yet.<br />
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It feels good getting organized. Now if i can only get that laundry going, and the rest of those boxes unpacked... <br />
</span>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-85661812735051921152010-08-10T16:33:00.000-05:002010-08-10T16:33:57.074-05:00Puffin Time<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you google " tropical puffin " my etsy shop turns up! Exciting? YES.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also got a custom request this week for an artic puffin that matches the puffin from the movie Elf. That little puffin was actually the inspiration for my tropical puffin, so it was fun to make one like the real thing. He's a little more itsybitsy than my usual stuff because he's for a necklace charm. He comes in at about 3/4" tall, cute, cute, cute!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9RyAQda7SeTBPoSyiUVTAOAI5_c5rcqYY_WBSe_RNY1fxIKBIpBA-S1lGWj7q6YLGQNion99XRKE54wYof5ZwQISJNpkcuLg3m7eCIm0ChwYr6zj2GYkHVCvm32ayszg4ExXQ4VwIWI/s1600/Puffin+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9RyAQda7SeTBPoSyiUVTAOAI5_c5rcqYY_WBSe_RNY1fxIKBIpBA-S1lGWj7q6YLGQNion99XRKE54wYof5ZwQISJNpkcuLg3m7eCIm0ChwYr6zj2GYkHVCvm32ayszg4ExXQ4VwIWI/s320/Puffin+003.jpg" /></a></div>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-43297750653214380272010-08-04T19:02:00.000-05:002010-08-04T19:02:46.146-05:00Recyled Packaging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn8Usa1F3licZ0s9iK3HdhT39Pa8494Eskdw3iJF27PYLWj6Df_PlnwM0c0I_AFA-eZFJiYMnXYqxKeY_rqNvyI6yVe0b6IkOTwSiR4a7JM0qDvtK3CjSvDcMIdxnzHqaY3kcVOMaZP8/s1600/100_1237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn8Usa1F3licZ0s9iK3HdhT39Pa8494Eskdw3iJF27PYLWj6Df_PlnwM0c0I_AFA-eZFJiYMnXYqxKeY_rqNvyI6yVe0b6IkOTwSiR4a7JM0qDvtK3CjSvDcMIdxnzHqaY3kcVOMaZP8/s320/100_1237.JPG" /></a></div>I'm excited to have sold an itsybitsy I've had for a few years. My walrus with heart finally sold and I'll be a little sad to see him go. He was one of the first items in my shop, and was part of my inspiration to start a shop on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">etsy</a>.<br />
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He sold at a perfect time, because I just bought 3 months of web hosting today to get my itsybitsycute website back up (finally). <a href="http://www.etsy.com/transaction/32413116">Walter </a>paid for my web hosting! Nice job Walter... I'll need to make another one of you.<br />
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In fear that he might break during his travels, I needed a tough package for him to ship in. I've been struggling with what kind of packaging to invest it. It seems like I'll have to buy something in bulk and it needs to be somewhat rigid, but small and somewhat flat. But not too flat! It's a toughy. <br />
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When I got home today I saw an old livesavers fruit tarts container that I have been moving around the house every time I clean since we moved in a month ago. It's a neat container, which is why I kept it in the first place, but I'm sick of seeing the thing. It haunts me. <br />
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So it's the new home for Walter to get him to his destination. Loaded with a little tissue paper and a few pieces of cotton, he'll be safe from harm in a nice rigid vessel. I need to start scoping out small metal containers at shops and stores, then each one can be different and interesting.<br />
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I'm sure I'll break down and buy some sort of bulk container at some point, but for now, it'll be fun to work with some findings. See ya Walter! Enjoy your new home!Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-82260538382761262362010-07-30T10:15:00.000-05:002010-07-30T10:15:14.508-05:00New Listing - Siskel and Ebert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUDbw8ODyJy3Jvm3JX6ozDF7hD9DwgWNlvkaeGD31YoFJItavpuFbj1i2E9Q61yMIt5WMa-3cj9mluSKY0gaJC8IOfhTOPeACCfBh7Uwo5HT1OxlbNoMhREhVTUritsZkBtt1T65ZUwo/s1600/100_1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUDbw8ODyJy3Jvm3JX6ozDF7hD9DwgWNlvkaeGD31YoFJItavpuFbj1i2E9Q61yMIt5WMa-3cj9mluSKY0gaJC8IOfhTOPeACCfBh7Uwo5HT1OxlbNoMhREhVTUritsZkBtt1T65ZUwo/s320/100_1165.JPG" /></a></div>Encouraged by my friends, I have finally listed a new item in my shop! It's about time, huh?<br />
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I was inspired by a movie loving friend to try sculpting a miniature Siskel and Ebert! Check them out in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/52672384/mini-movie-critics-siskel-and-ebert">my etsy shop</a> !<br />
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What do you think? Thumbs up? or Thumbs down?Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-5216051572421902472010-07-27T12:05:00.000-05:002010-07-27T12:05:19.434-05:00Featured in Treasury!Thanks to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Killeracrylics">killeracrylics</a> for featuring my mummies in her treasury of mini's...<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c4e07b951086d916dcbd905/mini-etsy#4c4f111b83ce8eef4d147f44">Click here</a> to view the treasury in it's full effect!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYA-VbvHnKTRt7vGHV2NCw5qmcGpfcWkjETV6LX579t_926z284gkhs5pj5OF2spgYsQOEYqUdvcCrsCzMCvhsl3Lq1yOUNjc74-uTve2IL39Gb8XA5oF_CZOUwuw4MxgStXkl_VLPNA/s1600/Mini+Treasury.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYA-VbvHnKTRt7vGHV2NCw5qmcGpfcWkjETV6LX579t_926z284gkhs5pj5OF2spgYsQOEYqUdvcCrsCzMCvhsl3Lq1yOUNjc74-uTve2IL39Gb8XA5oF_CZOUwuw4MxgStXkl_VLPNA/s320/Mini+Treasury.JPG" /></a></div>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-83481043119728817182010-04-29T12:41:00.000-05:002010-04-29T12:41:56.160-05:00Featured!I was featured in an etsy treasury again, fun! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=128757">Check it out</a><br />
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Thanks to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/catlovesbear">catlovesbear </a>for featuring my puffin!Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-72802938019864274252010-03-14T13:04:00.000-05:002010-03-14T13:04:37.402-05:00Banner Refresher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_QJRgpHPgsi6oDgJnea8ksYTY4FuZkA392_9DEbcYsh3ad-MCH4NZDDrw8oAK6ef0ZWhfj1hqprLUMoNmlnTG_TIdrn0aWSIL9aza5W3bJWbN1338lUwLjeZ-1_FxzgaNe3tBS9OvmM/s1600-h/etsy+banner+031410.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_QJRgpHPgsi6oDgJnea8ksYTY4FuZkA392_9DEbcYsh3ad-MCH4NZDDrw8oAK6ef0ZWhfj1hqprLUMoNmlnTG_TIdrn0aWSIL9aza5W3bJWbN1338lUwLjeZ-1_FxzgaNe3tBS9OvmM/s400/etsy+banner+031410.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">'ve been working on some designs for my business card, stickers, and other marketing materials, so I revamped my etsy shop banner. What do you think? Check it out on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/itsybitsycute">my store</a> site too! This was my old banner... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFIihEUNPYOFpJl1Yw2Or876Nm9SQIWZprjbE9YwSPYqFh1lksbnaNczdio_DI0TZhFgjlj3tFEnapM88_1GnPUdVZx6xSs-d8pYN1s3BAfPTwiAMBw7WNj5uuldtWX6cSWm_U2lFYM0/s1600-h/etsy+banner+051009.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFIihEUNPYOFpJl1Yw2Or876Nm9SQIWZprjbE9YwSPYqFh1lksbnaNczdio_DI0TZhFgjlj3tFEnapM88_1GnPUdVZx6xSs-d8pYN1s3BAfPTwiAMBw7WNj5uuldtWX6cSWm_U2lFYM0/s400/etsy+banner+051009.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Improvment? I think so, but I also like having the graphic image of one of my items on there too. Which is better?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I got my 2" kraft boxes in the mail, so I'm debating on sizes for stickers. 2 inch or 1 inch? square or round? I'll be working on those ideas next! In the meantime, I need some sunshine so I can get quality pictures of some new items! Rain rain go away...</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-46967874323838514252010-03-10T13:24:00.000-06:002010-03-10T13:24:27.291-06:00Packaging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This past week I had my first custom packaging opportunity! A friend wanted a pair of championship puffin earrings for his girlfriend's birthday. Since it was a custom order for a friend, I threw in gift wrapping for him. Plus, guys can't wrap presents, so i figured he could use the help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also had an item break during shipping for the first time, and that was a wake-up call for packaging. In addition to offering a variety of gift wrapping, I also need to perfect my general packaging - probably add more bubble wrap. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Here is an idea of the levels of gift wrap that I will soon offer in my store.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Level 0: no upcharge, small baggie for item,bubble wrap and padded envelope </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Level 1: $1.00 - small recycled kraft box (with a sticker label closure)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Level 2: $2.00 - small recycled kraft box, gift wrapped with a ribbon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Level 3: $2.50 - small recycled kraft box, gift wrapped with ribbon and embellishment</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what i did for my friend and it would be indicative of a Level 3 gift wrap:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsUv53a1LyluD3YWdVYg96UJivGkLp8V8CEiP8yz8CgywNVoLXEJn2rzDtvILXQJm8PuGr-bF52ZQZcZjhAWNaDzvrNFX0mNP-6bl-KgTXIPPuY6LPpwGrzM0-kGXu1Vx0PETe0zXB_I/s1600-h/DSCF8535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsUv53a1LyluD3YWdVYg96UJivGkLp8V8CEiP8yz8CgywNVoLXEJn2rzDtvILXQJm8PuGr-bF52ZQZcZjhAWNaDzvrNFX0mNP-6bl-KgTXIPPuY6LPpwGrzM0-kGXu1Vx0PETe0zXB_I/s320/DSCF8535.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apparently - it was a hit! The gift and the wrapping!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have been researching boxes forever trying to find what I wanted and get it for the best price. Most places online you have to buy a case (of 100 pieces) to get a decent price, and then pay quite a bit of shipping. I don't want to buy 100 of something unless I am SURE it is the exact thing that I want. So the other day I found what i think is very close to what i want, and only had to buy 10 of them for a reasonable price. Bonus, it was from another <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/cdkane59">etsy shop</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They are 2x2x2 recycled paper kraft boxes. I like the recycled part, and I like the size. I think it will fit most of the items i have. This is also a very cute size to wrap as a gift.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I really need to work on my label designs now. No matter what the packaging level, I want to slap a 1" round (or maybe square) itsybitsy label on everything. I like doing graphic stuff, so this will be fun. If i can get some ideas going - maybe i will do a poll and have people vote for their favorite design! Keep an eye out!</div>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-3300037881889341332010-03-03T16:08:00.000-06:002010-03-03T16:08:12.549-06:00FindingsI've been doing some thinking about how to make my itsybitsycutes a little more versatile and marketable.<br />
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When I started sculpting tiny things back in 2004, they were solely Christmas ornaments. Seasonal gifts. Now that I'm trying new things and making itsys all year round, I've got to get creative about how people will use them. Why would you want an itsybitsycute?<br />
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Today I had to pick up some jump rings for my championship puffin, he's sold already! My buyer wants to make him into a necklace, so he needed a jump ring and I was out. While I was at the craft store, I perused for other interesting things in the jewelry aisle. Here is what i found:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjc6WgGU17w3qxs6irTN4uOXtuG0VqOcHumki_jgBS4pUsIUoQN1Xy0b1R2aCl_rAlNO9hqEVKtkME8E9Vfvz-5xzyzCfnvHbfwwUYdWklJjzEI4c4Yj-yHEOA7BAFhVHecOGeVxZeGg/s1600-h/DSCF8496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjc6WgGU17w3qxs6irTN4uOXtuG0VqOcHumki_jgBS4pUsIUoQN1Xy0b1R2aCl_rAlNO9hqEVKtkME8E9Vfvz-5xzyzCfnvHbfwwUYdWklJjzEI4c4Yj-yHEOA7BAFhVHecOGeVxZeGg/s320/DSCF8496.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On top is a package of "cellphone straps"... These are the little straps that you can loop through a small hole if you want to add a charm to something. I'm pretty sure this trend is on its way out by now. I know my google phone doesn't allow for me to add a charm to it, nor would i want to. I think the trend started in started in Japan with Nokia cellphones way back in the day. Maybe kids still think it's fashionable to bling out your cellphone, if so, great! However, I envisioned them holding little uker charms onto ukulele's like I made for my friend <a href="http://itsybitsycute.blogspot.com/2009/07/itsybitsy-press-on-youtube.html">Dominic</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another thought - Charms for dog collars. I've toyed with the idea of making some dog accessories (once i can get a sewing machine). Custom or modern dog collars seem to sell well on etsy, and i love <a href="http://puggleinparadise.blogspot.com/">dogs</a>, so it would be fun to find cute fabrics to make leashes and collars out of. But for now, I could take a stab at selling some charms for pets. Is it trendy to bling out your dog? Maybe just in LA... </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also got 6.5 ft of small figaro style chain. I'm thinking charm bracelets, chains to hang from rearview mirrors, and necklaces. Maybe more kid-friendly stuff is in order? I think kid items would be marketable at a local shop here called <a href="http://www.pursuegoodstuff.com/">Stuff</a>. They sell a lot from local etsy shop owners and other local artists. I've never really been a sales person for my art, but it might be getting to be that time soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My final thought of the day is packaging. I've been in search online and in person for practically a year to find the perfect packaging for itsybitsys... i want to offer gift wrap and custom packaging as an option, but i need to decide what it will be first, not to mention i need to design my logo still.<br />
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Gosh I have a lot to do... One thing at a time.</div>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-71018380022080228512010-03-01T19:39:00.000-06:002010-03-01T19:39:43.730-06:00Sell Sell Sell!<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pudgy Penguin found an owner last night! Hooray! He will happily ship out tomorrow.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This sale has encouraged me to get my butt in gear tonight, and clean up the office. Again. My boyfriend is now officing from home full time, and he's not the tidiest of office users. I've at least got the desks clean, and now there are just several stacks of stuff organized by who it belongs to. That is the best I will manage for this evening. I'm listing 3 items tonight, including my new "championship puffin." </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He is inspired by a college mascot that happens to be my alma mater. You can put the rest together.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYqEtjK4lOlwHxqhtDPeewcrMyOLDVwEqndeExoH6_ruACtWHDWvkSojjt8lxBWzmVyQ1tWSI0vNern0tZJIsKZuSkKbPhcH1u2Mb-pHN3LJE4n6669BLtzioRuPZ72QIOZHiAPp2ZMA/s1600-h/DSCF8417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYqEtjK4lOlwHxqhtDPeewcrMyOLDVwEqndeExoH6_ruACtWHDWvkSojjt8lxBWzmVyQ1tWSI0vNern0tZJIsKZuSkKbPhcH1u2Mb-pHN3LJE4n6669BLtzioRuPZ72QIOZHiAPp2ZMA/s320/DSCF8417.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is how he started out... several simple shapes and pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ccwiEIvSjZO8FKSZSbVIIRv7OdVtTQ9iSSm31J-VMG2cKlcfP4_jmA5AqTFzyG2H7gQs3raXUKhVhCC5_ivrMatWbeDVev2Rl4lStOeZKha8zJEl9aUpulvVOp_ZW0x4puYpVjP3E_w/s1600-h/DSCF8471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ccwiEIvSjZO8FKSZSbVIIRv7OdVtTQ9iSSm31J-VMG2cKlcfP4_jmA5AqTFzyG2H7gQs3raXUKhVhCC5_ivrMatWbeDVev2Rl4lStOeZKha8zJEl9aUpulvVOp_ZW0x4puYpVjP3E_w/s320/DSCF8471.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And he turned into this! Well... almost. This one has a yellow face, not white, but you get the idea. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I may be trying other renditions of mascots for March Madness, got any good ideas for me? Custom orders welcomed!</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-91384793080302087112010-02-18T09:12:00.000-06:002010-02-18T09:12:03.304-06:00Motivate and Conquer?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdi0v4B8KE_4vDudj3bQaczkKy579nhvlJ2ubYJIqYNotKwyvqPe3qCb4WvXZ93JT4EgsHziHadvuhokql3UhisU4HF6jzPPIr3UCW_5KAqtxu6G9G9vHj93CRnUZZ3LSqRu_mWYJtyk/s1600-h/itsybitsycute+animals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdi0v4B8KE_4vDudj3bQaczkKy579nhvlJ2ubYJIqYNotKwyvqPe3qCb4WvXZ93JT4EgsHziHadvuhokql3UhisU4HF6jzPPIr3UCW_5KAqtxu6G9G9vHj93CRnUZZ3LSqRu_mWYJtyk/s320/itsybitsycute+animals.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So here we are fully into February, and I've got nary a sale to wink and eye at, let alone enough to quit my day job (which is my new life goal by the way). I did give away a heaping handful of itsybitsys at Chirstmas, and I have been thinking a lot about design for an itsybitsylogo and business card, but something just isn't working.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been thinking lately that maybe I don't want to work exclusively in one medium (sculpey). What else can I make that is itsy, bitsy, and cute? Should I get a sewing machine? Can I even sew? Will I put the time toward actually setting goals and accomplishing them?<br />
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My mind tells me yes on all accounts, but I am missing a key piece - motivation. I need to find and grasp on to some small success and give massive energy to it. I am partially motivated by the fact that I absolutely hate being told to "be at work and be seated by the scheduled time"... in fact, that almost fully motivates me lately. I want to feel good about doing work every day, and lately, being at my current work feels completely miserable. Every day.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, with that being said - I need to read more blogs for inspiration, I need to subscribe to more podcasts that will motivate me, and I need to get to sculpting and putting up items in my etsy store. I am hoping that these things will keep pushing me to think outside the box and figure otu how i can work for myself somehow and enjoy every moment of everyday.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
Oh the thought of spring... and not having to sit in my cubicle everyday... </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The picture at the top is a quick sketch I did yesterday of some animal ideas... </span>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-80575057066067975662010-01-11T21:47:00.000-06:002010-01-11T21:47:10.559-06:00New Items. At Long Last<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTgTiY69VwI_P5tBGt3W9dYVu0wK5eYiYAObdfIS6tG2PdVWyZy0sc74uux8ZSvzNrse_tl_GvZdSV1D3oWk1R1jIF_houMZ_f8jIeNRxchDJb-_IWQGVYHX22tOwrxoV0orEOW4XINo/s1600-h/DSCF7773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTgTiY69VwI_P5tBGt3W9dYVu0wK5eYiYAObdfIS6tG2PdVWyZy0sc74uux8ZSvzNrse_tl_GvZdSV1D3oWk1R1jIF_houMZ_f8jIeNRxchDJb-_IWQGVYHX22tOwrxoV0orEOW4XINo/s320/DSCF7773.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">New items are now up for sale in<i> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/itsybitsycute">my store</a>.</i>.. post christmas shopping abound!<br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These cute little christmas sea creatures are not for sale... they were destined to be Christmas gifts, but if you really like them, let me know and I can make you a custom listing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy Shopping!<br />
</span>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-54436090897396039762009-12-31T15:43:00.000-06:002009-12-31T15:43:40.616-06:00Lazy Sculpter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfBb9uOnEOSDcWBhOxM1JLhx20ID7Fp3I8X2n5DrAG_wwKdLTr9vjW9jZn2ZaJM9mvlVrMxJ5uc5_EeYVfug_5woQCu_VCGi360yoq0GUsHG8fQG8eeyGihi0w7eCg4H9mv_9LaWJgEc/s1600-h/DSCF7855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfBb9uOnEOSDcWBhOxM1JLhx20ID7Fp3I8X2n5DrAG_wwKdLTr9vjW9jZn2ZaJM9mvlVrMxJ5uc5_EeYVfug_5woQCu_VCGi360yoq0GUsHG8fQG8eeyGihi0w7eCg4H9mv_9LaWJgEc/s320/DSCF7855.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, Christmas has come and gone and I have nary an itsy bitsy cute profit to show for it. I did spend quite a bit of time Thanksgiving weekend making Christmas itsy bitsys... but time flew by, and not a one made it on to my etsy store. Shame on me... shame.<br />
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I'll be putting some up soon anyway, and hope to have several cute figurines for valentine's day. I'm thinking of offering custom gift wrapping for an extra fee, and I still need to get my stickers made and find the perfect packaging to offer.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnpFjcPaYJxGWf6_Fp62E3hsDdrG5wAR6BAx7Ck852v4Pl-XReLjjbodmoWdKQI_DOVTSPpeG5aN20a-LO2co-Rd2N1Wrz4jnFC6vnWYsXTQC0JMDRD9EiU4ho5OBC-cyPJ4rteVrJMc/s1600-h/DSCF7841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnpFjcPaYJxGWf6_Fp62E3hsDdrG5wAR6BAx7Ck852v4Pl-XReLjjbodmoWdKQI_DOVTSPpeG5aN20a-LO2co-Rd2N1Wrz4jnFC6vnWYsXTQC0JMDRD9EiU4ho5OBC-cyPJ4rteVrJMc/s320/DSCF7841.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You'll see a few of my cute holiday creations here, and I will end up posting them on all on etsy too for an after christmas sale. I like to call the penguin "Mangino", and if you know anything about KU, then you can maybe see why. :)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This coming year I plan on experimenting more with some acryillic painting, and work on keeping the fuzzies out of my sculptures. I also need to get my web hosting fixed, because my website is down. Man... I better get on the ball for 2010! Stay Tuned!</span>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-6138937572979374902009-12-14T15:26:00.000-06:002009-12-14T15:26:18.943-06:00Slow and LowNo, I'm not talking about how to cook a pork loin... I'm talking about the speed and amount of time I'm spending on Christmas itsybitsys<br />
I did spend a fair amount of the Thanksgiving weekend making new treasures for the season, but had a small hiccup when my <a href="http://puggleinparadise.blogspot.com/">puggle </a>decided to massacre my laptop power cord. I am now back in business, but with the light of day disappearing at such an early hour, I've yet to drag myself out of bed early enough to get pictures of things in the right kind of light.<br />
Excuses.<br />
Ornaments are perfect itsy bitsy gifts... I need to get on it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORlJlf4XAIakYBJl0Bg9GsfrNZVDKSOxm1Uwbu5IXrip0VKCI4Q7tbSfD7z6rB5e3xUgIozgMy5dVGkhbbig6S5p_x8TTLywvYFoLi7cC2OGQ7r2_hI99-AgGZ79lYuEBgXxQKFmkEzM/s1600-h/DSCF7632small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORlJlf4XAIakYBJl0Bg9GsfrNZVDKSOxm1Uwbu5IXrip0VKCI4Q7tbSfD7z6rB5e3xUgIozgMy5dVGkhbbig6S5p_x8TTLywvYFoLi7cC2OGQ7r2_hI99-AgGZ79lYuEBgXxQKFmkEzM/s320/DSCF7632small.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>I did manage some creativity at a friend's wreath making party awhile back, tons of fun! But not making me any extra cash on etsy...Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-48009503840429675552009-09-22T10:38:00.007-05:002009-09-22T11:12:43.798-05:00Feature me silly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u99/izabegraphicdesign/girlindie/150featured.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u99/izabegraphicdesign/girlindie/150featured.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I've been working hard on some holiday items lately - especially with my better half out of the picture for the weekend. You'll be seeing a few more exciting Fall itsybitsycutes in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7347645">my store</a> very soon!<br /><br />In the meantime, I hope you will check out some great props I've been getting lately. <br /><br />I'm thrilled to be a "featured chick" on <a href="http://themommydesigner.blogspot.com/">The Girl Indie Blog</a>! Take a minute to check out this great blog that's all about great women owned businesses. <br /><br />There is also a fun feature of Etsy that I have recently been featured in. It's called Etsy Treasury. Etsy shoppers and shop owners alike can set up their own collection of shops/items that all share a common theme. Sometimes it's material, sometimes it's color, this time, it was penguins! Etsy store owner <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7121419">thegoblet</a> was kind enough to include one of my penguins in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=83239&show_panel=true">her treasury</a>. Definitely <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=83239&show_panel=true">have a look</a> for some penguin cuteness!<br /></span></span>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-48599331024509690182009-09-14T13:58:00.002-05:002009-09-14T14:01:45.132-05:00New Listings! Halloween Items<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMHqTem5fd2cgNtDC3DweOSp7TcxsgQwigijhPIy4Ti8oQK9Jmax-wco9Fun-08KUK5-GmsHa6gLaAdapxK2r-Kutn5-fzmLLZsBhC42TKHpi6vZsS35Krv1ydbxzJj5K3e-7DliNT6c/s1600-h/DSCF6542.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMHqTem5fd2cgNtDC3DweOSp7TcxsgQwigijhPIy4Ti8oQK9Jmax-wco9Fun-08KUK5-GmsHa6gLaAdapxK2r-Kutn5-fzmLLZsBhC42TKHpi6vZsS35Krv1ydbxzJj5K3e-7DliNT6c/s320/DSCF6542.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381400305018203634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Hello All! I have my new halloween monsters and pumpkins officially up for sale on my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7347645">etsy store. Check them out!</a> There are hopefully more creative mini-monsters and pumpkins to come, and Christmas is sneaking right up on me, so prepare for some christmas things to come soon!</span></span>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-18773582726892512512009-09-10T14:04:00.006-05:002009-09-10T14:49:25.942-05:00Cute Monstrosities<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClFLF002d7KcVMYpO-EJdwjX7BPm2VgS2wCCACdr6ui7i72hLk5Wns64MaH_IvvKy7ixuv36fpNSAGCDK82-i8kEP7ae2NByJZ3VBRya9t3Rr8PZYoTC7P_MjojR5K_pcGeLvvC-rhTk/s1600-h/DSCF6497.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClFLF002d7KcVMYpO-EJdwjX7BPm2VgS2wCCACdr6ui7i72hLk5Wns64MaH_IvvKy7ixuv36fpNSAGCDK82-i8kEP7ae2NByJZ3VBRya9t3Rr8PZYoTC7P_MjojR5K_pcGeLvvC-rhTk/s320/DSCF6497.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379925085553123298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Now that Labor Day has come and gone, and I start to see a few leaves falling from trees, thoughts of ghouls, goblins and crisp fall nights enter my thoughts. </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Fall is in full swing in itsybitsycute land... I've started a series of Monster and Pumpkin ItsyBitsyCutes! Check them out, and watch for them soon on my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7347645">etsy store</a>!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMwCkVqyna_XFWLZkM5U4rfmvVKqHHRFYJlDCxodNCRBmo0SHBOod62ttuXA2_6GdjYADe71PIpK9ZIKSu_jW8RMp5H-RTSVFgea6VjT-CfDTXJWdNWDCCHf-LNaXU-9UTppuUIW6IGM/s1600-h/DSCF6495.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMwCkVqyna_XFWLZkM5U4rfmvVKqHHRFYJlDCxodNCRBmo0SHBOod62ttuXA2_6GdjYADe71PIpK9ZIKSu_jW8RMp5H-RTSVFgea6VjT-CfDTXJWdNWDCCHf-LNaXU-9UTppuUIW6IGM/s320/DSCF6495.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379916901136803682" border="0" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861908030043508091.post-77021538548151041792009-07-22T09:00:00.006-05:002009-07-22T09:26:08.323-05:00Commission Central<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uCvMty7AUTm5SrcbFZvTKVKFrNw3PcSvsyLyOWhzzXRLsN2O2FAqyS5BV4iT74OU5B4iw4fKnU5XF9TfQpCUbtEqvkG49kGAIHzUMxXGRltuJjrSQy3T-R-cwt8hiuKJlu8onV68tBk/s1600-h/DSCF5942.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uCvMty7AUTm5SrcbFZvTKVKFrNw3PcSvsyLyOWhzzXRLsN2O2FAqyS5BV4iT74OU5B4iw4fKnU5XF9TfQpCUbtEqvkG49kGAIHzUMxXGRltuJjrSQy3T-R-cwt8hiuKJlu8onV68tBk/s320/DSCF5942.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361286378796685794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Last night I started my 4rd ever commission project. This is definitely the most complex one yet, I'll be making a series of itsy bitsy musicians, but not just any musicians, these will be caricatures of some friends of mine that are in a band called </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://freestaterevival.com/">Free State Revival</a><span style="font-family:arial;">.<br /><br />They are an awesome local bluegrass band. This weekend they will be traveling to my hometown to play for a second time at our small town bar, and camping in my mom's backyard. I've promised at least one itsy bitsy Free Stater by the weekend, but out-did myself last night and finished two of them. To the left is </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Al with his dobro (slide guitar) and </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Corbin with his mandolin.<br /><br />Below is a photo courtesy of freestaterevival.com of Corbin and Al. </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqzddPstFvQs-PKv0W-weVbtupxJYbYNos9vNASk_9PiYV_iR982cYbwzecwhU7UAcFMsuUIA2NrVT5vSD9Oy6Pa9oOWaz6koCK7NOtvjn8J5HYtjsprJcgf0hjRiiiUKqBYugFAIlEk/s1600-h/al-and-corb-screaming.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqzddPstFvQs-PKv0W-weVbtupxJYbYNos9vNASk_9PiYV_iR982cYbwzecwhU7UAcFMsuUIA2NrVT5vSD9Oy6Pa9oOWaz6koCK7NOtvjn8J5HYtjsprJcgf0hjRiiiUKqBYugFAIlEk/s320/al-and-corb-screaming.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361290439701002594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />These custom itsy bitsy's are a challenge, but it's fun too!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Feel free to contact me for your own custom caricature itsybitsycute! </span></span>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156984465195795841noreply@blogger.com1