my little big dream.

Let me tell you a little story…

Once upon a time there was a young girl who had big dreams. She dreamed of being a singer and a song writer. Many people thought she was crazy and had delusions of grandeur. Although she was supported by many and laughed at by most, she pressed on. Eventually her dreams faded. Life takes its toll, and that was okay, dreams do change. The now young woman decided to discover a new dream. That is when she discovered Etsy. It was a whole new world of art and creativity that she had never seen before. It gave her wild ideas and let her imagination sore to new heights! Yet she was afraid to let her dreams go too far in fear of letting herself down once again. The young woman’s dreams grew even further into the atmosphere when she discover shops in her hometown like Wild Card, a shop that sells and support local and handmade artists. This was too much excitement for one person to bear! Thoughts and ideas of opening her own store came rushing into her mind like a tsunami wave. Then as her family moved across that country she discovered new inspirations like the fabulous Butter Toast Boutique and the up and coming GROWop. People actually do this AND make it work! That’s amazing! The young woman was truly inspired by all the lovely and talented women she was discovering every day.

Okay, so, if you didn’t guess it this story is about me, duh. I’ve had dreams of owning my own business for a while. Before it was a coffee shop while I was working at Starbucks but once I discovered Etsy, my whole world changed! So, why am I telling you this? The other day I discovered the cutest little corner shop in this beautiful strip mall near my house! I would just die to open up a handmade boutique there! I, mind you, am not in the least bit business savvy. I have worked in the retail industry all my life really. I understand the ups and downs off business and have been researching every detail for years now. Someday I really do hope I can open a shop to support the artists I truly love. I want to share with everything the wonderful things I have discovered as much as I possibly can. I feel like so many people are missing out because they don’t have their eyes open to find it. That’s why I want to open a store. I, myself, am not an avid online shopper. I like to see, touch, feel, and even smell what I’m going to buy before I spend my hard earned money on it. I think a lot of people feel that way even in today’s cyber world. Sometimes I feel like I sound crazy when I think about all this, but I know other people must feel similar to the way I do or there wouldn’t be any other handmade shops out there.

First, I think it would be very important for me to start my own Etsy shop to get a good feel of business. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but I think I’ve read to many horror stories about it and chickened out. I want to make sure I have everything in order before I start up shop. So, this is my call for help to all the Etsy shop owners out there: I would like to create a series called “Journey to Etsy.” I want to document the steps I take to opening an Etsy shop for anyone out there, like me, who might be a little intimidated to start. If there is just one, or a few things that you’ve learned from having an Etsy shop what is it? Any lessons you learned? Things you thought you needed but didn’t? Happy success stories? I know there are a million stories on the Etsy blog about success but I want to know from everyone else out there! So what do you say? Help me out! You’ll get full credit AND a feature post for any advice you give while I’m doing this blog series. You can leave a comment or contact me at withachanceof{at}gmail.com. I’m very excited about this whole process, was it exciting for you?

Thanks a million! Happy Thursday!

adventures in craftiness: spring flower pin or hair clip

I should probably be working on homework, but I’m brain doesn’t seem to function of that level in the morning, so instead I decided to work on a little tutorial. You’ve all probably seen the little flower pieces that I make, today I’m going to show you how to make a fun spring brooch. The techniques I’m using can also be translated into a hair clip or comb. It’s very simple; you probably won’t even need the steps to figure it out, but just for fun:

Supplies:An artificial flowerbuttonScrapbooking BradsScrap fabricStrong glue (E600 or a glue gun)Pin back or hair clip


Step one
Carefully take apart each piece of your flower


Step two
Take your button and push your scrapbooking brad through the two holes.



Step three
Slowly reorganize your flower slipping the pieces over the scrapbooking brad. I didn’t put the plastic pieces back into my flower this time. I felt that this flower was full enough, if you would like it to have a fuller look, put the plastic pieces back in. After your done, flatten the points to the brad.




Step four
With the flower facing down place a small amount of glue in the center. This is to add some leaves to the back for an interesting effect. You can skip this step if you’d like. You could also add ribbons or feathers at this point. Be creative and have fun with it.


Step five
Place a line of glue on the back on your flower and press your pin back onto it. Make sure the clasp is open. You would use the same idea for the hair clip, but make sure the clip stays open so you don’t glue the clip together.


Step six
Cut a small circle out of a piece of scrap fabric and press it over the back of the pin to give it a more finished look. You can do this also with the hair clip. Just insert the piece of fabric into the open clip and then place it onto the glue on the flower, this way you will keep the pieces from being glued together.


Finished!
You can pin this new beauty onto a spring jacket or your favorite bag! I decided to make my camera bag a little more girly.


If you decided to make one I’d love to see it, Please share!! Don't forget to be creative, use any size, shape, color flower, and accessories you want. Happy Crafting! ^_^

baby bump: 14 weeks 5 days.

I promise to not let my blog to become all about baby, but there is bound to be a lot about the bun in the oven. I just got back from the doctor and things are going really well. I got to hear the babies heart beat today which was insanely adorable. I don't know how a heart beat can be adorable but it was!

Early for my appointment.

There was some surprising news though. I don't know how but I lost 2 lbs since my last visit! That brings my total weight lose to 12 lbs. I'm told this is completely normal, but its so weird. I feel like I'm eating all the time and I really haven't been sick at all. I'm going to take this as a blessing. I think I learned from mistakes in my first pregnancy so I'm not eating that bad, and we walk A LOT! So all is good!

Where's my feet go?
Baby bump or "beer" belly? Not that I drink mind you!!! lol

For my next visit I'll have my full scan done and we'll find put the sex and all that good stuff. Granny Play, Marc's mom, will be here for that as well as Aurora's 3rd birthday. Crazy, time is flying by!

Piston, just because he's cute! ^_^

case of the mondays.

This morning is a little strange for me. My husband is off work and I'm completely off my groove. I'm very thankful that he's off, and he can really use an extra day, it's just strange to have him around on a Monday. Him being off sometimes makes me wish that I had a day off, stay at home moms never have a "day off." Some may disagree that everyday is a day off, but that's so not true. I always have laundry to do, dishes in the sink, a kid to supervise, a dog to walk, there's no end. It's worth it though.

I feel like I've been slacking a lot lately, hence the reason for all the time management organization. I'm really trying to get it together before the new baby comes, because I know as soon as that happens everything will go out the window again. Every mom I talk to says the second one is so much easier. I can understand that, with the second kid you pretty much know what to expect, but what do you do with the other kid? It's just a crazy swirl of questions in my head. I guess I'm just going to wing it.

Thanks to all the lovely ladies who commented on my "crafting with kids: drink thermos" you all about made me cry! You said some really sweet things, thank you! Aurora can get on my last nerve sometimes, but she can always make everything alright.

Are you having a case of the Mondays? Just wanted to share a little something I found the other day that made me smile!

Dance in the Rain by Penny Wishes

Sorry about the random rambling. ^_^ Happy Monday!

final product.

Last week I showed a painting I was working on. I haven't been painting for a while so I was excited to start again, It took a few days to finish, but I'm happy that I did it. I wish the lighting I was better, I'll hopefully capture some better photos of it soon. I didn't think I was going to be happy with the final product but I have to say I really am. It's getting my creative juices flowing again, and I have so many more ideas to work on!

"I think I love you."

Close Up

the paintings new home in our bathroom room above another painting I did called "The house that nature built."

I'm just flexing my painting and collage muscles a little bit here. I can't wait to see what forms on my next canvas!

crafting with a kid: drink thermos

If there is one thing I really love doing with Aurora its crafting. Something that has helped us continue to create new things on a regular basis is the dollar store! I love the dollar store. I can walk into a dollar store with just a few ones in my pocket and I know that I will always find things to keep us entertained for hours! This last trip we scored! We got a fishing set, a cooking set to go with her tea set, bubbles, stamps, and two create your own thermoses.

I thought that it would be fun for Aurora and I to each make one for each other. It didn’t take up that much time or resources, just a few stickers, some crayons, and love.

They aren't very large cups, just perfect for a little girl

Just trace the inside sleeve. They even have little characters you can use to decorate with

My little artist.

She's very into drawing circles right now.

Aurora's before it went into the thermos.

My attempt at a wood pattern.

As always, the place is a wreck after we craft.

Finished Products. We're pretty proud. I had to chase Aurora down with hers so I could take a picture of it! ^_^


It’s the little things really. What have you been busy making?

quirky characters.

I don't know if you know this or not but I LOVE Nan Lawson's art work! I love the colors she uses, her lines, and funny characters. She is also a very gifted photograper, she's a total inspiration package.

Feathers

I was so very excited when she announced she was going to be making wearable art. It made me squeal like a little school girl! I just had to share because they are so cute.

Feathers Brooch Pin

My Little Keyboard Brooch Pin

Grunge Typewriter Necklace

Adorable right? Maybe I can hint to someone to get one of these lovelies for my birthday, *hinthusbandhint*

Have a great day!