My Own Jack Russell

To my bulldog and sheepdog paintings, I've added a Jack Russell.  It was a learning process for sure.  I liked the head and profile of one dog picture, and the coat and coloring of another.  So, I thought I'd just combine them.  Very much easier said than done.  I almost gave up on it.  But I was determined not to waste the canvas.  So I reworked it, and by golly.. I like him now.  Without further ado.. here he is.
I've had the other two dog paintings made into 8 x 10 prints.  I'll do the same for "Jack" when I find out how well received the other two are.  I added them to Rhoadworks on Etsy today.  I'll be thrilled if they sell.  
Wish me luck.. Thanks for looking.   

Painting with a Brush!

Just thought I'd check in..is it already January 21st!!  In my last post I mentioned that I love to work on dogs.  Well, most of that has been via computer.  I do love "painting" with my new electronic pen.

But, guess what, I can paint with a real brush too.  I got out a bunch of acrylic paints that I've had stashed away, along with a few canvases.

Here are the results. 

 Now my personal task is turning these paintings into viable prints that I can hopefully sell on my site.  I'm learning the process as I go.  I've had copies made.  But realize I need to have them copied onto "good" paper. 

I can't wait to Paint some more puppies!!

A New Year..Some New Dogs

Happy New Year.  My New Year came in very quietly.  In fact it was so boring, I won't even bore you with it.  The next morning I remembered that a customer had asked me before Christmas, to do a Yellow Lab design.  I had promised that I'd start it after the holidays.  So, I started on the design. 
You have to know that I LOVE working on new designs, especially my dogs.  For me it's a guilty pleasure to sit and devote all my time to using my computer pen and drawing.  I feel like I should be doing something more important, like the laundry, or cleaning house.  But I do occasionally give myself permission to block everything else out and draw.

The result was not only a neat looking Yellow Lab, but also a Black Lab.  I like the way they turned out.  And the Yellow Lab design got more hits on my site in one hour than some have gotten in one week.  I'm hoping that results in some sales.  In any case I'm glad everyone seems to like it. 

Now that my drawing is done, it's time to get busy with the laundry and the house cleaning. While I'm doing that, you can look at my new dogs.  Happy New Year!

My Christmas Craft show experience

I have two craft shows under my belt now. And a lesson learned.  Winter Craft shows can be very "iffy".  Both shows were internal company shows.  That is, not public, but for company employees.  the first show was not advertized very well.  So not many people knew about it.  

The second show was better.  But the weather didn't cooperate.  Snow and ice shut down the city and the buyers.  So not many sales occurred. I got a lot of "I'll go get my money", or "I'll just look around and come back".  But I don't regret a thing. 

In preparing for the two shows, I got my inventory organized, made a new sign, and got everything packaged.  I'm now ready for any upcoming Craft show.  

And the people..I love the people.  I love talking to the customers and the crafters.  It's such a great thing to have in common...creativity.  I don't care if your craft is simple or silly.  To create something, put it on display for the public to judge, and then hope for sales.  That takes guts.  

I many not want a goofy bottle stopper or a piece of beaded jewelry, but I sure admire what it takes to get it there.  

I'll just say that I'm looking forward to Spring for more than just the sunshine.  People are happier, and the weather is great for craft fairs.  Customers are renewed and ready to shop. 

Spring Craft Shows..here I come.   

Back in the Craft Show Saddle Again

It's been almost two years since I participated in a craft show. And next week I'll be in two! The opportunity came up and I decided to go for it. First of all I love being in craft shows. The people are the best. And talk about a boost to your ego..it's guaranteed to make you feel better.

Having said all that. I'd forgotten how much hard work goes into it. I have in excess of 300 onesies and tees to sell. I've pressed them all, and put them in plastic sleeves. (to keep them clean) Just that has taken me several days.
I wanted some cute baskets lined with fabric to display them in. I was in for a financial surprise when I priced those things. I need at least 8 and they were around $10.00 each. Ouch. So..I found some cute fabric and "cuffed" the clear plastic shoe boxes that I use to store my garments in. Bingo! It's super cute, and cost less than $30.00.
I also needed a sign. I had a piece of foam board the right size. So I covered it in some of the "cute" fabric, got some wooden letters, painted them, glued them down, and Wha La! A sign.
I dug around and found my old tableclothes I used to use to cover my plastic tables. I washed them today and tomorrow I'll iron them.
I'm just about ready. I want to press some extra Christmas designs. I'm selling my inventory from when I was "Twin Sisters Ink".  So most of my garment designs are one of a kind.  Not a lot of multiples.  But, I do want to have several sizes available for some of my more popluar designs.  That will take some time too.

Tuesday was Oliver's (my grandson) first birthday.  And I babysat him today.  So for the next three days I need to put my nose to the grindstone.

The show is on Monday and then I have another one on Thursday.  Maybe my hard work will pay off.  I'll have a little Jingle in my pocket and I won't have so many garments to store.  But mostly I'm looking forward to just being in a craft show again. 

I Hate it When I Loose a Sale!

I messed up on my Rhoadworks site.  And, as a result...I lost a Sale.  Note to self: When you correct one listing, be sure and correct them all.  

But, I corrected the listing, apologized to my customer (who was very understanding, by the way),  and refunded her money. Lesson learned. 
But as you small business owners know, any lost sale these days really hurts.  Let's hope Cyber Monday ends well. 

Doesn't Anyone want to Cyber Shop?

Thanksgiving is over..No more cooking..and maybe your company is gone.  So..isn't it time you got on line and did some Christmas Cyber shopping? 

Since the media was pushing Black Friday and Cyber Monday..I decided to put a Cyber Weekend Sale on my site.  Free Shipping Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  But so far, no takers.  Maybe people are tired of being inside their houses and are out running the malls. 

But I have to feel like in the wee hours of the morning, or evening some  price savy shoppers will realize some savings are to be had on the computer.  Is Free Shipping not a big enough carrot these days??  Maybe we hear it too much.

Or maybe customers are waiting for businesses to dig deeper and really cut prices to the bone. Well, I'm not there yet.  Give me another week or so.

I donated garments and participated in a couple of events this past couple of weeks.  A few lucky people even won free oneses.  Free.  Have I heard from them yet??  No.  Aren't we still in a financial depression?  Are people too lazy to take advantage of a free gift that they could at least donate?  Maybe so.

I'll just have to be patient...

Until then I'll just continue to put new designs on Rhoadworks and hope for the best.  And I'm excited to start participating in Craft Shows.. more about that later.