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Did you know that button makers are really, really, REALLY fun!?!? (I couldn't think of a "button themed" song, so you are all saved from a soundtrack today (ha ha.) These are just a few pin-back button sets I just put in the web shop. There will be more to follow, oh yes. (Did I mention that button makers were REALLY, really fun?) Really.
Ok, so the whole blog-soundtrack thing is totally obnoxious....but I'm doing it anyway! This song is really annoying and un-clever, but it's the best I could come up with for this post. Be grateful, I almost used "If I knew you were comin' I'd a baked a cake"..... consider yourselves lucky.
SO, click that red button, and enjoy a gallery of pictures that are long overdue! Can you believe that I've had these miniatures sitting around for so long, and this is the first time I've played around with them? Scandalous.
Ok, so these last two pictures are how I decorated cupcakes in the past, before I could buy plastic forest creatures made in China. Violets are pretty too, they grow right in the back yard and they are actually edible, but it's just not the same as a gaudy gnome ,watering giant mushrooms. Actually, I love both styles equally well....depending on my mood. I used paper nut cups for the liners (saw it on flickr somewhere) and I really liked how they looked. The sprinkles, sugar flowers, minis and liners all came from the Wine and Cake shop, .....how I love them so. They have changed my life. (I still have some of these miniatures available over in The Emporium, if you need some magical cupcakes in your life too.) Happy weekend everyone! I'm going yard saleing with this little sharp-shooter tomorrow. Lotsa good sales in the paper....I'm so ready.....
This post comes with a soundtrack! Just hit the red button, put your feet up and realx......
Shhhh....don't tell anyone, but I snuck in a shop update early this time (for a change!) There are some miniature deer in the Emporium and Creatures, totes and more over in the Studio. I will most definitely combine shipping if you find you need something from both of the shops! I've got a few promotions going on as well:
Free shipping to all Virginia Residents through the end of April! (because Virginia is for handmade-lovers, too!)
And a new "friend of the blog coupon" (good only in the A. Bel Studio shop)
***Just mention this coupon in the "notes to seller" section during checkout, or shoot me an email after you order to let me know you're hip to the coupon! (I won't know unless you tell me, I can't read minds....not YET anyway.) I will refund you the discount right away! Same goes for VA residents, who could make out like bandits by using both promos at once! You can email me here: abelstudio@gmail.com
I've got lots of things to chat about tomorrow (my roses are blooming!!!!) So, bye for now!
Look! It's me!! I'm in Paris! (Click on "bags " to see my totes and "accessories" for the pins.) This is so strange for me. I'm torn between being ridiculously excited, and feeling like I'm going to break out in a rash...or maybe throw up. (How very unprofessional of me.) Anyway, I'm not gonna put on a front. Sometimes selling things I make, and just putting myself out there can be kinda stressful. Especially at shows sometimes, I can't explain it. It's like I want to grab all my things up and screech, "You can't have them! They're not good enough, and they're MINE! Stop looking at them! Just stop looking and let me THINK!" Then I run off flailing like a crazy person. At least, that's how the scene plays out in my head. Anyone else feel like that? I'm guessing I just wasn't born with a head for business. You have to be prideful (in the best sense) and maybe even a touch arrogant, I think, to be successful. If you don't believe in yourself, why should anyone else? I'm not wired like that. I'd rather stand in the corner, with my head down, shuffling me feet. I hope I grow out of this. I'm starting to annoy myself.
I just hit one thrift store, but look at the cute goodies! I love these little, brass ducks so much. I think they are paper weights ('casue they're heavy.) And look at all the pretty, spring-y fabric! It looks like my washing machine threw-up (*wharf*) And, hey Amber, does the green fabric look familiar, or am I just crazy?
This is the view from Max's window. Nice.
Just some random pics from the studio. Some things I'm working on for the show....some things that I worked on while I SHOULD have been working on things for the show..... I'm really looking forward to this gig in Richmond on Sunday. It's the Spring Ba-Da-Bing Indie Craft Show (there is a link on the left, if you wanna check out the other vendors.) There are going to be so many talented people there, I will really have to restrain myself from buying cute things like these...and...these.
Brown and aqua is my new favorite tote color combination. The one on the left was in my wholesale-to-Paris order. The one on the right with the little hearts may have to stay with me.
Oh, and I got an email from France and my order made it safe and sound! Whew! I was worried after the whole Kitchen Swap fiasco! My swap buddy did FINALLY get her package, just when I was about to send her a new one! Yay, (and about time!!!) Speaking of swaps, I just sent out my First Aid Swap, hosted by Missy. I'm dying to post some pics, so if you are my partner (and you know who you are!) then STOP READING NOW!!!!! DO NOT SCROLL DOWN!!!! YOU"LL RUIN THE SURPRISE!!!
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Is she gone? Ok! Here is what I made......
I must be spending to much time at the Sanrio store these days, because my things are developing a Hello-Kitty-Japanese-Anime style. I really did like how it turned out, though! Just a little pouch for your glove box with all the essentials: band-aids, tissues, lip stuff, mints, chocolates(!), and even a little flower pin...in case your outfit or handbag needs some first-aid too. I really hope that she likes it! This was a very different swap, with lots of room for "interpretation." I had some crazy ideas, but I went with a more traditional design. ( It's fitting that I took the pictures on my paper cutter, which is the source of many first-aid related disaters for me!) Anyhow, this was such fun, and I still have a softie swap and a color-ific swap on the horizon too! Better get back to work.
It's a cold, sad day here in Virgina. The wind is howling outside. You can feel the sadness in the air. It aches. There's something about being so close to such a tragic event, it just seems more real. More awful. More empty. Max and I are gonna light some candles, maybe listen to some records. What else is there too do?
I can't possibly be the first person to blog about this. I found it last night night at the mall, from Williams Sonoma. It's an itty-bitty tupperware holder for one, single serving cupcake. Note the little grip-ledges on the inside, they cradle your cupcake gently and safely on your way to work, school, park....whatever. Isn't this the darnedest thing?! Another fine example of something totally and utterly useless, yet also completely necessary. I couldn't even begin to resist. And, at $3.95, I didn't even have to justify buying it. They also came in light-blue plastic, but I prefer the clear.
I never knew how deeply I loved cupcakes until I started blogging. I can't wait to test-drive this puppy.
