Plans for the rest of the year

Things have been a bit busy lately. I'm glad I was able to get a few things finished and up in my shop before things got hectic with work.  Now that our big conference is over, I'll be making things and posting more regularly.

I'm planning what I'll be working on for the remainder of the year.  It seems a bit early to be thinking about the end of the year, but I know from experience that time sneaks up and whizzes by way faster than you think.  I recently found out that there is going to be an Artomatic even held in Frederick, MD. It wasn't on the main Artomatic site, and instead has its own site. I've been wanting to do an Artomatic event for a while now, so I was considering participating in this one.

But I've decided not to this time.  I've got a lot of projects on the "to do" list. I'm in a few craft swaps, and I've got a few craft fairs coming up. Not to mention holiday items and more plushies.  I've sold my two ready-to-ship Sharkoplushies, and already have a customer who bought a made-to-order one. Plus there is another show I want to do coming up soon as well.  So timing wise, its just not right.  Hopefully, I'll be less busy and more prepared next time an Artomatic show comes around.

I also am considering sending some of my work, like my ornaments for Art Star to look at and decide if they might like to sell them in their shop and on their website.

Besides all the art and craft things I have planned, I'm looking at teaching myself more about designing websites in WordPress.  I need to learn more about WordPress for work anyway, and I'd really like to learn how to design sites in WP.  I've hand-coded sites, and do web editing for my job, so I'm already familiar with HTML and CSS.  I'd like to get used to using XHTML coding, as well as learning a little PHP, at least enough so to be able to create customized websites and templates through WP's system. I look forward to making a Suzannah Ashley website, and my wedding website.

Moving - Almost finished

I'm almost finished moving. There are only a few remaining odds and ends at the old place, and today I dropped off all the donation items/clothes. The new place is coming along. I'm about 40% unpacked. The kitchen is mostly set up. I still need to clear out some of the cabinets and reorganize them. There is a laundry backlog that needs to get worked on...oops.

The craft room is currently full of boxes and misplaced furniture. :( I really want to get that set up and get things started. Unfortunately I got sick recently, and have spent most of the past 5 days sleeping. Today is the first day I'm feeling well enough to get around.

I was really disappointed in myself. With all the packing, moving, unpacking, I didn't have time to work on my Olympic Plush Challenge entry. My sewing machine and fabrics are still hidden amongst the pile of chaos in my new craft room.

So I'm trying to get myself well (see above about sleeping for 5 days) and do what I can to get things rolling. I've got soooo many ideas in my head. Its like my brain knows I'm currently unable to make anything, so its being impish and being at its most creative right now. Oh brain!

I had some labels made up by the wonderful Priya Creations on Etsy, to sew onto my plushies. They should be arriving soon. I've only got a couple more things to get ready business wise, and then I should be ready to go forth with my Etsy shop. And hopefully I'll get the craft room set up in the next few days so I can begin making all the things swimming in my head. Maybe by the end of April I'll have several things listed in my shop.  Only a month later than I was expecting. :P  I can't wait!

Too busy to update! Oh no!

More snow this weekend makes me very happy.  Did I mention I LOVE snow.  :D
*does a snow dance* 

I've gotten a bit busy with the day job so haven't gotten to work on my art and crafts as much as I would have liked. I did work on a painting, and got a good under painting on the canvas. I've also sketched up some other ideas for pieces that I really like and have a good solid plan for my Olympic Plush Challenge entry.

I've got a really cute idea (I think) for something else, but I'm not quite yet ready to share it. So far I've not seen anything exactly like it yet, so that makes me really pleased. I should have a prototype finished by this weekend, along with my Olympic challenge plush.

I may or may not get enough done in time to submit to Stuffed Magazine like I had hoped, but I can always submit at the next deadline which is August 15.  It might be better, because by that time I should have a few more things completed, and hopefully I will have opened my Etsy shop by then.

I do want to have things finished up so I can submit an application for the LA PLUSH YOU show.

More later. I'm exhausted from Zumba class, and the kittehs want to play Laser Pointer Chase Extravaganza!