The Merced County Fair

We live in what many would consider a small town.  It doesn't seem so small some days, on others when I run into someone I know every where I go, I think, sheesh....this is small town living.

One of the neat things about our town and county, is the Fair.  It seems like everyone is abuzz with Fair anticipation.  The week of the Fair, the questions being lofted are all Fair related...have you been, did you see, when are you going, did you get your exhibits in?  There is something nostalgic about the whole Fair atmosphere.

I belong to a Needle Arts Guild, so the frenzy is on.  We need to get our projects done and in on time.  Then once the Fair begins, we of course want to know if we've won anything.  There is almost childlike excitement, the feeling is akin to the first day of school.

Saturday, I finally was able to head to the Fair, I'd heard other Guild Members had won ribbons, and I was anxious to find out how I'd done.  I was gobsmacked!  I had entered six items, one third place, five first place and one best in division.  I had to stop myself from skipping!

I'm a Packaging Geek

I'm Marina, and I'm a packaging Geek.  There, I've admitted it.  I'm not sure how many other people ooh and ah over take out containers, bakers twine and chalkboard tags.  I do!  I am always thinking about how I can use those cute little clothespins and where I can put a sticker.  I wonder if it's a disease or if there's a 12-step program for it.

Recently, I decided to organize all of the "packing supplies" I've accumulated.  Initially, I thought I could put it in one bin.  But, then I realized it would be easier if I divided it up and was event specific, such as Valentine's Day, Birthdays, or Christmas.  I'm sure you can get the idea.  So armed with plastic bins, and my label maker, I began to sort.  Twelve bins later, I had a better handle on things, not a great handle, mind you, just a better one.

There I was surrounded by bins filled with wonderful packaging, and I solemnly promised, that was it, I would purchase no more!  Well that lasted until the next day, when I found these wonderful Kraft mailing containers on clearance and just had to buy at least three, because wouldn't they be great to use to send to David when he was at Scout Camp this summer.  Well of course, you just can't have a plain container, so I searched the sticker aisle for "camping" stickers, and sure enough, there were some on clearance.  So much for my solemn promise that I would buy no more.

Recently, I've discovered Amigurumi, and I made some fortune cookie key chains.  But, can you just sell the key chain?  How could I make it better?  Enter my packaging habit.... and this is the final result-

So, how cool is this -

I think I'll let my Geek Flag fly for a while.

Back to Life!

I abandoned this poor blog about two years ago.  There never seemed to be enough time and I was constantly over stressed and busy.  I didn't abandon knitting and crocheting, I could never do that, it would mean I'd abandoned my sanity.

Well, what's changed that I've come back to this poor lonely blog?  We've purchased the mailbox and shipping store, I've left a job I hated behind, and I've gotten older.  Perhaps it's the advancing of age that made me decide I could no longer get up and do something that was emotionally and physically draining.  You just have to be happy with your life choices, otherwise, why bother living?

So, now I'm at the shop for 4-5 hours a day, and in between customers I stream Netflix and stitch away!  Life couldn't be better!  Our customers are always curious about what I'm working on, and many of them purchase items as well.  I spend some time explaining the difference between crocheting and knitting, but I love that they ask.  I see people my age and sometimes older smile and a far away look comes into their eyes as they tell me their mother or grandmother used to do that.  It brings us together, and their smile becomes my smile.

I'm still selling online and am stepping outside of my comfort zone and joining facebook groups as well.  It's a new world out there, even though my craft is old.  If you're interested these are my store sites:

https://handmadeartists.com/user-home/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FromtheHeartWest?ref=hdr_shop_menu

So, beware.....I'm Back!