Hearts

Sorry for no post on 4-9...Blogger issues!

I love hearts, LOVE them. I have been wearing one around my neck for over 14 years. It took me almost 2 years to find what i thought was the perfect one. I have other pieces of heart jewelry as well. So today I'm just sharing some heart photos from my collection and others. Ya' gotta have heart!

I Love Hearts...♥♥

I do love hearts. I have heart jewelry and wear a gold heart all the time. I love heart shaped wall decor, house decorations and ornaments. I even have a heart shaped wrought iron piece outside that I am training a vine to climb and cover.

I am not a particular fan of Valentine's Day but enjoy the heart displays so I thought I'd display some from my shop for you...♥! 

Hearts & Buttons

I ♥ hearts! And of course, buttons! To incorporate the two is such great fun. For the first time, I'm sharing with you a simple button heart project that will not come out identically as mine but will have your ♥ and button stamp of approval! My hoop measures 8" and this time I chose all white and cream, mostly vintage buttons. I used over 100 buttons. But don't let my choices stop you, go for color, go larger or smaller in the hoop measurement....go for it!

Materials:
1 wood hoop, any size
fabric piece at least 2" larger than hoop. Best not to use a knit but a woven like linen or cotton.
assorted buttons-2 or 4 holed work better, not shank as they will wobble!
needle & thread
pencil
white glue

Lightly freehand a heart shape onto your fabric piece using a pencil.
Fit fabric in your hoop and pull to make sure it is snug.
Begin sewing and placing your buttons within the heart. You can just sew them side by side and have the fabric show through or you can slightly over-lap to not let the fabric be seen.
Continue until the heart is filled.
Trim excess fabric to within 1/2".
Turn hoop over and lightly layer some white glue on the inside of the wood hoop. Work in small sections and roll the excess fabric onto the glue. You can use clamp binder clips for a few minutes until set.

Ta da!!! You have completed a one-of-a-kind heart hoop button sampler.
Tie a ribbon at the top for decoration if you wish.
Hang on the wall or place on an easel for display.
Wonderful gift or room decoration for a fellow heart and button lover...you?!

Hot Numbers

There is always tremendous talk on Etsy regarding item and shop views and how they relate to sales. What is the thinking behind hearting an item? For future purchase? Kindness? Bookmarking? There are even outside sites where you can clearly see those numbers.
My independent research shows little or no correlation. I have sold items within 5 minutes of posting and just 2-3 views which leads me to think right customer, right moment when it was posted. Period! On Zibbet there are no public views and the internal counts can be confusing. I've been going through my items and while renewing, I found some startling numbers of items that have been around for a bit and have high view counts and hearts. A sale is a sale whether it has 2 views, 22 or 222!
Here's some great 'old' stuff, high views, numerous hearts and without a rhyme or reason, they're still here!
Groovy Clock

Cigar Box Clock

Heart Clock

Chenille Scarf

Retail World

Okay, the Christmas shopping season is virtually over and now we must gear up for the next selling push which I guess is Valentine's Day. Got a note from the store that I'm in to try and get them things by January 6....that's only 10 days away....better get to the studio!!!

Blech!!!!

Still have the drips and am self medicating to oblivion! Tried an old faithful-NyQuil-and it does knock you out so at least some sleep is being had. Day-Quil doesn't seem to do anything to alleviate the headache.

Off to a concert tonite with DH which will probably put me to sleep but am supportive of my honey's eclectic music taste. It is incredibly rare that he's not working on a Saturday so out we go.

Made this pin the other day...a little cutie, if I do say so! The base button is made from coconut shell.

Hearts

I love hearts and not because of Valentine's Day. I just love the shape and endless variety of sizes. I love to find them in nature, like rocks and stones and leaves. I even have an end piece of bread from a loaf that is heart shaped. I love heart jewelry and have worn a heart charm necklace for over ten years now. Despite, prodding from my husband, I do not want a new one. I still love it as well as the 3 heart bracelets that are always on my wrist. I don't care for heart clothing but do wear heart pins.

I love to find new ways to work hearts into my crafts and just came up with this felted heart wall pocket.

It's even reversible!

Shadows in a shadow box!!!

This is my latest shadow box and if I do say so myself, I love it although it was a nightmare to photograph. The first 3 rounds had my striped shirt reflected on the glass. Then there were deep shadows from the sun. The colors here are not quite true as they are more washed out & faded in reality. I never realized how tricky it is to photograph things to post online. Some people are not just talented crafters, but amazing photographers as well. I am in awe. Despite my troubles with the camera, I am pleased with this piece.

Heat.......

It couldn't be hotter and it's only June 28th!!!
Got a note that I was mentioned on Sew Bettie's blog which is very cool-http://www.bettie.typepad.com/. Her shop isn't open yet but one to keep an eye out for. Looks like a very talented lady! Love the button ring she made. Of course I do!
I also discovered and bought from a new etsy seller rickzx
Gorgeous things! I'll show you what I bought...