These crochet mini-clutch bags are perfect for gift giving. I made the burgundy/dusty rose one yesterday and finished the green one today.

Pattern can be found here.

http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-change-purse/

Here are more photos.

There are sooo many ways to wear this. I had fun being a fashion coordinator during my photo shoot.

From this….

To all of these….

Made with Lion Brand, Vanna’s Choice, 100% acrylic yarn.

See my other post on where the inspiration for this set came from.

This is what I have been working on for a week.

Dusty Purple and Pink Set.

Lion Brand yarn, Vanna’s Choice, 100% Acrylic. Flower center is pink. Scarflet can be worn down or wrapped. I sewed tiny silver snaps to hold the wrap in place.

Brick/Gold/Taupe Set.

Lion Brand yarn, Vanna’s Choice, 100% Acrylic. I used four different skeins. Design is centered around the “blend” in the middle.

I am really proud of how this turned out. I hadn’t tried anything like this before. Was kind of concerned how the sewn ends would look but I think I pulled it off.

I couldn’t decide which flower best complements the colors. This photo shows both. One with a taupe center and one with a black center. I like the black. Hubby likes the taupe.

Black and Brick Set.

I LOVE this set. I took a million pictures and will do a separate post to do it justice. Here’s a few. (Yarn is Vanna’s Choice.)

Brown and Cream (or Brick) Set

This set was made for a special order. I made flowers with cream centers and also brick so my customer will have a choice. I like both. It’s a wrap and can be worn several ways. This is Afghan Yarn and I really like working with it. It is seems thicker than my other yarns and soft to the touch. Also acrylic.

Magenta (Fuchsia) and Pink Set.

I only had enough yarn to make the cowl and flower. May buy more yarn to make a headband. But then may not. The dye lots will be different.

http://ohbabyo.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/free-pattern-friday-ribbed-cowl/

I changed it up a bit. For the cowls, I started off with 103 chains and for the headbands, I used 70 chains to begin. I also made changes to how the two double crochets between squares were crocheted. But the idea came from this original cowl.

Flowers were made using Sharon’s tutorial found here.

http://digipicsphotography.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/crochet-flower-tutorial-for-donna-and-friends/

Headbands were made by altering the cowl pattern.

I love making these sets. I want to make them in many more colors and designs.

For me, it’s Man Up. I hate hearing this.

What the heck does that mean? And WHO exactly is the owner. I mean, does anyone know who first uttered Man Up?

I see it everywhere. In newspapers, on-line. And hear it on TV. It’s probably in music lyrics too, I just haven’t heard it.

Let’s get real. When you can’t offer anything better to say, you say Man Up. Is that it? Is it supposed to soften any criticism, make you seem hipper. Does it mean toughen up, own up? I dunno. I really dislike it. Maybe I am getting irked over nothing, but I think it’s a cop out. Don’t just say “Man Up.” Be a friend. And take the time to tell it like it truly is.

What newest Pop word sends you over the edge?

These look so much better… the ones on the bottom row.

I added an extra center to build up the height to kind of even out what the eye sees. The center was buried and hard to see.

Now.. when making these flowers, I make two middle sections. And you know how sometimes one looks better than the other. Well, no problem. I select the best one, save it for the top.

Problem solved on what to do with the backs, too. After receiving a few tips from my regular readers, I was on my way. I like the fishing line. It works great. And a few I am using buttons. They also work great. Thanks Crystal and Sharon!!

Things I need to do before this coming Saturday. My next craft show.

1. make Santa faces
2. make more beaded eyeglass holders
3. put small necklaces in sealed display bags
4. decide which jewelry sets to display on head forms
5. decide what display props to take
6. yes, call to upgrade to a 2nd table
7. no, don’t call to upgrade to 2nd table (economy too bad)
8. make new signs (selling jewelry at this show)
9. wash tablecloths
10. make sure everything is tagged
11. update inventory list
12. organize necklaces (clearance vs regular price)
13. repack Jeep
14. don’t forget to WEAR something I made
15. AND don’t forget “hottie” husband!!

He should be good for a sale or two. 

“You are about the only one selling handmade items,” she said.

At my craft show today, one of my customers pointed this out. I hadn’t even noticed.  After she left my table, I glanced around as far as I could see and she was right. Tupperware, plastic toys, books and more books, gift fruit baskets, leather purses, blankets still in the manufacturer’s zip bags, etc, etc. I was among a handful selling actual “handmade” craft items.

But I held my own.  I ended up selling 41 items in 6 hours.  I am thankful for that.  I know the economy is bad in some areas and crafts take a backseat to food and shelter. That’s why I thank my lucky stars for selling anything at all. THANK YOU, to all of my buyers!!

I took most of my macrame stuff, trying to reduce my inventory and some of my crochet things.  Only a few pieces of  jewelry, since I signed up for fiber crafts.

I sold pencil holders, baskets, one wind chime, half of my cell phone shoulder bags, the last few eyeglass holders.  Rudy the Rectangle sold. (Remember him? He’s gone to a new home. )  Also sold crochet beanie caps, a couple potholders and two eyelash yarn bracelets.

How am I doing with my headbands, you probably are wondering. Not good. Only sold 6.  Am hoping they catch on at my next shows. And want to know what colors are selling? Brown and black.

Oh, and speaking of brown and black…. I got orders for a crochet hat and scarf in either color. She didn’t care. Said whatever color I already had.

Also got orders for a prayer shawl and 24 clip-on crochet flowers for Christmas presents.  Like these.

I love making flowers.  Hope I still do after finishing all these.

I have always thought, the more you pay for something, the longer it should last.

And then there are times you WANT something to fall apart. So you can buy a new one.  Like my current washer and dryer. One is yellow and one is white. I am waiting for them both to go kapluey so I can rush out to buy a spanking brand new red side-by-side pedestal set.  I keep listening for a roar or rumbling sound but nothing.  No clue how long they will last. Have had them forever.

But good news….. my microwave died on Friday at 4pm.  It was making a loud noise and smelled like burning wires. How do I remember the exact time?  Because I had been running errands and was expecting hubby to return home at 5pm.  I was trying to bake some potatoes to go with the baked chicken I had just bought.  Now, don’t know about your household but mine can positively NOT function without a microwave. We use it constantly. All day. Morning. Noon. Evening. And night. I am surprised it lasted as long as it did. 23 years.

So… with a smile on my face, by 5pm I was browsing the Appliance aisles in Best Buy and by 6:30 pm I was back home. I had a new microwave with all the bells and whistles. It even has a lock on it as a child’s safety precaution and all kinds of Express this and Express that. It does more than we will ever need it to do but I wanted to get the best one they had. Maybe this one will last 25 years.

And while I was at it, I got a new vacuum.  My Christmas present to myself. That Bissell Lift-Off you see advertised on TV with the little talking people riding around on it. The one with the middle canister that detaches and you can vacuum the stairs. That’s the one I got. In blue.  It replaces another relic. A 20+ years old Panasonic Hepa Filter.  Lately it was taking too many “passes” to get the rug clean. It lasted a long time but it was time for it to go.

Well, BBL. Going to play with my new toys. Also going to check my washer and dryer for cracks and flaws. I just need to look harder. 

Thought I had better review this list I made some time ago. Always a good idea to mentally go over things in your head as well as checking off items on your check list.

Having a successful show begins with organization.

CRAFT SHOW CHECKLIST

In addition to your tables, display props and stands, don’t forget to pack the following..

1. inventory (items for sale)
2. inventory list
3. extra price tags
4. cash box
5. change (coins & small bills)
6. invoice receipt book
7. sales tax chart
8. calculator/cash register
9. charge card processing machine
10. pen/pencil/marker pens
11. paper pad
12. business cards
13. mailing list
14. bags (different sizes, paper & plastic)
15. wrapping paper
16. table covering (and bring an extra one just in case)
17. chairs (if not provided, check first)
18. scissors/knife
19. signage/poster board
20. tape
21. paper towels
22. garbage bags
23. extension cord
24. power strip
25. light source/bulbs
26. camera/batteries
27. toolbox/tools
28. dolly/cart
29. rubber bands
30. glue
31. mirror

Have a very successful craft show. Happy Selling!!