Well, craft show season is winding down

Thank God!!! LOL

Things have been crazy, but good. The Eastown HollyDay was a good show, as was Rogers. I have our show coming up (WMA), and then a home show and that should be it, with the exception of Cande's open house.

Things to do this week:

1. Soap leaves
2. More lotion
3. More lip balms
4. More GMA

And as soon as my calendula extract shows, I need to make more Quinn's cream.

I should have done more yesterday, but I went to the grocery store in the morning, then I just kind of pooped out. I'm a little concerned about my blood pressure. I tested it again at the store, and its 157/92, which is in the high range. I've never had this problem before, so I'm not sure what's causing it. Might just be the stress I'm under. Who knows. If it continues after Christmas, I'll worry.

Well, two down

two more to go.

Finished the Rogers High School show this past weekend. I did very well. I was impressed by the number of shoppers and the fact that they were actually buying, unlike in years past.

Next is Eastown HollyDay and then our group's show, St. Cecilia's downtown.

I'm ready for it to be over, to tell the truth.

Well, the big one is over

One down, 3 more to go.

The Christmas through Lowell was a great success for me. I did over $1300 in two days, not a bad take.

I sold out of my goat's milk cream and my new nose balms. They were a big hit.

Anyway, on to Rogers High School. It's the most expensive show I've done, and I hope it does okay.

Well, I'm famous!!!

Okay, not really, but I did get my stuff written up in the local newspaper.

Check out the article about me in the Grand Rapids Press here:

http://www.mlive.com/grandrapids/stories/index.ssf?/base/features-0/1194765335111030.xml&coll=6

Thanks, again, to Jennifer Ackerman-Heywood for all her exposure. Just about all the web orders I've gotten in the past year were because of her.

As an interesting side note to the above story, when the UPS guy came up to have me sign for packages at work today, he said "I didn't know we had a celebrity on my route".

Turns out, he saw the article in the paper, and recognized the name before the face, since I sign for packages every day. LOL

This week is going to be crazy, getting stuff ready for the Christmas Through Lowell.

Check them out... www.christmasthroughlowell.org

That's about it for the day.

Some catching up....

Here's the picture of Quinn and Spencer dressed for Halloween....


Quinn really 'got' Halloween this year. It was great.

Josh made me so proud as Will Henderson in the Rogers HS production of 'Teach me How to Cry'. He had the male lead, and was really good. He's bummed that there are no more productions in his future, as he's finishing high school in January.

Being the mother of 5 boys can be trying, though. Especially now, with conferences and Christmas coming up.

I feel bad because we can't afford to send the boys to driving school. It really sucks.

My article in the GR Press comes out on Sunday. I hope business increases because of it.

Anyway, that's where things are now. More news later.

Tis the Season

Well, here it comes, Craft Show Season.

Starting this Saturday, I'm doing a show every weekend for the next 5 weeks.

The big one is November 16 and 17, the Christmas through Lowell.

Oh, and I had my interview with Jennifer Ackerman-Heywood from the GR Press. That's supposed to be out this Sunday, so hopefully that will increase sales a bit.

Tonight is my niece's 21st Birthday, you go Lerin. We're going to dinner for it. Should be fun.

All I can think about is shows. I've got so much to do, and so little time to do it in.

Happy Halloween

Well, got the costumes done, and I am very happy with the way they turned out. I'll borrow the camera from work and get some pictures of those cuties posted tomorrow.

I was worried about Quinn keeping the hat on, but looks like he doesn't mind it too much. I think once he's out there, trick or treating and having fun, it will be fine.

Nick wants to take them out with his girlfriend, but I kind of want to go out, too. Maybe I'll go out for a little, then let Nick take over. He does love those kids!!!

I'm going to take some time on my lunch hour to pick up some last minute items, and see if I can find some of those pumpkins to put candy in.

Been taking it kind of easy these last few nights. Last night Quinny kept waking me up, so I'm going to be DEAD tonight. But I really do need to get some soap made. I'll probably end up doing it this weekend. I also got to work on some glass, but I need to get some supplies first, so...

Anyway, that's about all there is to say for today.

One more day to go....

Until my first craft show of the season. What I don't have done by tonight, it ain't gonna get done.

I have 2 surrounds that just need to be soldered. That goes pretty easy, and since one is a Christmas theme and the other a 'Fall' theme, I really should get them done.

I really am looking forward to it. Set up tonight, then it starts at 9 tomorrow. I hope I do well, I really need the money....LOL

Sunday I'm hoping to get Spencer and Quinny's costumes done. I will definitely get pictures. They are going to be Patrick and Sponge Bob. Should be pretty cute.

The rest of my Sunday I'm hoping to relax and unwind. I've been so keyed up lately, trying to get projects finished, stuff labeled and wrapped, that I've been snapping at my husband for no apparent reason. He's losing patience.

Oh well, that's all for now.

Been so busy....

Well, I got a bunch done last night and this past weekend.

Got 6 business card boxes cut out and soldered together, now I just have to patina them, and 1 candle surround soldered and 2 others cut out. Tonight I'll concentrate on getting those last two cut soldered.

I've got a plan about some Christmas style surrounds, doing them in green and red glass, and maybe some Thanksgiving style surrounds. So far, I'm really liking doing the surrounds. Kind of instant gratification.

I just keep thinking about all the stuff I have to get done. I need to take one evening and wrap soaps. Maybe tonight while watching Bones? I don't know.

Heroes last night rocked.

Today I'm giving a class for work. That should be fun, and getting out of this hell hole will be great, even for an afternoon. Have I mentioned how much I can't stand my boss? I mean, he's a nice enough guy, but he so ignorant of our industry, and every time HE learns something new, it's like he knows more then the people who have been working in this industry for YEARS. It's very annoying.

Anyway, gotta get to work. Just keep saying to myself, "I love my job, I love my job...."

Lord, when am I gonna get things done?

Of course, right now, before craft show season starts (my first show on October 27th), NOW everything decides to get busy in real life.

Last night, Zack's last football game (they beat Greenville, Yeehaw!!!), tomorrow night Parents of the Band night and banquet, Saturday Nathan wants to spend all day celebrating our anniversary, brunch, movie, dinner, then Monday is the football banquet, Tuesday a choir concert.....

When am I supposed to get MY work done?

LOL

I did get another piece cut out last night. It should be beautiful, purple and clear glass.

Anyway, work is calling.

Will life ever slow down?

At this point in time, I doubt it.

I'm so busy getting ready for different craft shows, I'm not sure which way is up.

Last night I made a batch of cucumber melon soap, then finished my latest glass piece. I just have to mount it in the frame. This was after working 11 hours, cleaning the living room and straightening the kitchen.

Then I went and designed a new glass piece to get started.

Projects to get done:

A bunch of stained glass items. I need to do some smaller pieces that sell easier, suncatchers, nightlights, candle surrounds, maybe some more ornaments.

I also have to get made some more soap. It takes a couple weeks to cure, so I really need to get off my but and get these done. I have 3 more to do to make sure I have plenty stock for upcoming shows. White tea & Ginger, Green Clover & Aloe, and a bay rum that I'm doing for guys. Gonna call it Pirates of the Carib-Bay-Rum...LOL

The wrapping, lots and lots of soap wrapping. I have about 10 dozen bars that have to be wrapped and banded, but I do a lot of that while watching TV.

Speaking of TV, HEROES ROCKS!!! Best show on TV right now, IMO. Bones is a close second.

Oh well, so many projects, so little time. God, I wish I didn't have to work. Anyone care to donate a million dollars to an overworked crafty mother of 5?

Okay, so, I'm a quick study...

Think I might just have this baby figured out.

Okay, so thought I'd post some items that I've recently worked on.



Here's a stained glass piece that I'm especially proud of and the original :

Not too bad of a likeness, huh?

My sister Mary, a very talented artist, is the one who painted the original.

Now, for some of my soapy stuff....

These are some of my favorite ones. Top row is Berry Blast, Sportsman's, Cotton Blossom and Lemongrass Sage. Bottom row: Lilac, Out in the Woods, Apple Blossom, Candy Cane, Lovespell and Sometimes You Don't.

Soap on the Side

Well, finally broke down and decided to play with creating a blog.

This is my life, welcome to it.

I'm not quite sure how these things work, so I guess I'll just wing it.

My name is Dee Bellini, and I'm a working mother of 5 wonderful boys, Josh, 19, Nick, 171/2, Zack, 15, Spencer 6, and Quinn, 3. They are the joy of my life and I love them more then anything. I also dearly love my darling husband of almost 8 years, Nathan. Hi, honey!!!!

I think I wanted to start this to document my evolution as a crafter/artisan and the many different things I want to do. Right now my most current love is making my stained glass. But I also love my handmade line of bath and beauty products.

So, this is just a start. I'll be posting here and there where time permits.