It Was An...

It was an
Average day in the market place,
An average day in the market place,
Would you buy something?
Could you buy something?


*sigh*

On Sunday Rosey and I had our second market stall, (which we will now be having every 2nd and 4th Sundy of each month at the Petrie Markets) and unfortunately it didn't go as well as the first time sales-wise. I didn't even sell half as much as last time, and only made back the cost of the site plus $2 : /  This has disappointed me, but I'm not a quitter, and I've made a commitment to at least give this a really good go for one year to get a good understanding of the markets and how my stuff sells. I'm told by experienced market stall holders that sometimes you have good weeks and others aren't so good, so hopefully that's all it is. Hopefully next time we'll do a bit better. Please come along and support Australian Handmade products by buying things at these markets, it's so much nicer to recieve something that's been carefully hand crafted by a local than to just get something that was made in bulk in some factory overseas. Give your home and your family something special.

Our stall on the day, note the cloth hiding our feet this time - a great idea of Rosey's, and the blackboard sign.

my goodies...

and Rosey's goodies. I honestly don't know why we didn't sell much. The table looked lovely, better than last time in my opnion. Must work out what we did wrong. If any kind person out there reads this and has advice for us, please please please share your wisdom, we will be very grateful.

Despite our lack of sales, we had lots of fun again. The weekend seemed to be a special event for the pine rivers shire, and there were antique cars on show, a cadet marching band, another band up at the pub, the Pine Rivers Brass Band were playing up the hill from us, and this lovely trio that I neglected to get the name of, who roamed the markets playing really fun and quirky music that was so my style. They even serenaded us with a french song and posed for this photo for me!

Looking around these markets I'm reminded of how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful and friendly country. I had so much fun at these markets on the weekend and I'm looking forward to the next time we're there. I took my quilling equipment with me this time and made two more cards while we were there, and I might do the same next time, I'm not sure. It didn't seem to attract the interest I was thinking it would and I sometimes felt like I was ignoring the passersby, so I'll just have to ponder on that and decide from there.

 I have an assignment due every week until exam block, and then I have two exams, one on the 14th and one on the 17th, and then A WHOLE MONTH OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my goodness I can't wait. I can't wait to have five successfully completed courses towards my degree, and I can't wait to not have to USE MY BRAIN! It is full. I need to add on or take everything out and reorganise so that more stuff fits, seriously. I want to do more craft, and start painting this silly house, and actually relax occasionally, without guilt consuming me until I give in and go back to work. *sigh*


I will post again soon about a new addition to my market stall: gift tags!

Les passants dans la rue,
Bras dessus bras dessous,
En chantant des chansons,

xnata

(today's sign off is from my favourite french song "C'est Si Bon" by Eartha Kitt :D )

NEXT MARKET: Sunday 23rd of May

That's right, this Sunday Rosey and I are back at the Petrie Markets with another stall displaying her Itty Bitty & Pretty goods and my cards and such. I'm going to try and post again this week but there's no guarantee I'll have time because I have two assignments due on Friday and I'll be busy getting everything ready for this Sunday :)

Learning is hard. At several points this semester I've had to remind myself of "the dream" to stop myself from piking out and leaving it all behind. I have always wanted to get myself a degree, I know it's just a piece of paper but it means a lot. I have to do it, there's no backing out and the compulsory subjects that I don't like (like how to use a computer...I'm sorry, I'm studying via distance, all through a computer, shouldn't that be enough evidence to support the claim that I already know how? Apparently not : /    ... At least I'm acing the darn course.) will soon be over and I can choose my destiny from there.

Anyway, enough belly aching from me, here are some pics of the items that will be for sale this Sunday, that's the 23rd of May, 8-2pm, Petrie markets, Old Petrie Town, Dayboro Road, Petrie. Please come down and buy buy buy!

Don't stop me now,

xnata

 

(today's signoff - Don't Stop me now by Queen)

Quilling, Boxes, Cards and an Awkward Photo Shoot

Who would have thought that making a 'how to' photo collection would be so complex?

Well, if you are smart you'd know that before you even started. I was not that smart, and breezed into yesterday afternoon's task like it was going to be a quick and easy job. Until...

It takes two hands to quill. And another pair to take photos. I am one person. With only one pair of hands. Hmm. I really am bad at maths.

Well, it wasn't easy, but it's done now, it involved a lot of one handed posing and I've finally found a way for my ample chest to come in handy. They really give a view from my own eyes, like a day in the life of Renata the Quilling Maniac. Click on the link above and learn my friends!

In other news, I've made some more cards and done a bit more work on the boxes I posted about yesterday, here's a look:

I've given backgrounds to about twenty cards, and now I'm working through them, quilling as fast as my little hands (and study schedule) can manage. I've finished five so far and am half way through a sixth.

Another happy flower

A flutterby with happy flowers (in the style of the background)

And a vine with pretty blue and white flowers. I'll take pics of the other three once the sixth one is finished.

And Now onto the boxes. I've covered the outside of three of the five, I still haven't found the right paper for the other two yet.

I love all three, but the one on the right is my favourite, it just looks so happy. I've still got to put the quilled roses and such on the tops of the lids obviously.

The light blue has a subtle floral paper, for an elegently understated look.

I expected this to be my favourite, and I do love it, it's fancy and feminine, but some how the next one just makes me happy...

Maybe it's the spots, or maybe it's all the colour, I don't know. I just love it.

What do you think? Or should I save that question for after I've added the fancies to the top? Probably. Anyway, time to go and write the part two page.

Don't worry, Be happy,

xnata