Look What I Made!

Wowzers, it has been a looooong time since I've posted. I've been a little busy:

I'm so crafty, I make people! Ok, really I had little control over how this particular project turned out.

My daughter, Cora, was born March 6th, and she is awesome. She also keeps me very busy.

With the applications up now for the fall craft shows, I realized I'd practically forgotten that I make jewelry (wait, what did I use to do before I became a mother? I can't remember...). So it's time to reorganize my supplies (the craft room has since turned into a nursery) and create lovely things again.... after I get the little angel to sleep!

Who knows? She might even inspire a new product line! *wink*

My Favorite Earrings!

Many people over the years have commented on the glass raindrop earrings I always wear.

I bought a pair years ago from a catalog, and then when I lost them I tried to track down the artist, but to no avail.

While riding the bus today, another passenger told me she, too, had been trying to find the same earrings!
With renewed vigor I searched, and I'm happy to say that I have finally located the earrings and the artist who creates them!

The artists name is Joy Oxley, and she is amazing with glass.

She makes all sorts of glass creations, but these little beauties are my favorite!

The earrings I have are clear, but she also makes them in colors.

These simple earrings go with everything. They are very stylish and lightweight.

Prices are $16 or $18, depending on color and design.

Visit Oregon Rain Glass Jewelry to order directly from the artist.

Farmers' Market - Summer Hours!

The summer hours for the OSU-OKC Farmers' Market start tomorrow! The market will be open two hours earlier. Operating hours will be every Saturday, 8am-1pm.
The market is indoors, so rain or shine, you can come buy locally produced goods.

I will continue to be there every week unless I have another event (please check the list at right for upcoming shows). My booth is in the back of the building; please stop by and say 'hi!'

Responsible consumerism - a short essay

I had to write this little essay for an assignment today in my capstone class. It is a topic that is important to me, and I felt the need to post it here.
It could be expanded upon, but this is the short and sweet truth.

Big box stores, of which Wal-Mart is one example, have become the destination of choice for most of America’s shoppers. This is a fairly recent development; we didn’t have Wal-Mart in California when I was growing up. Instead, we bought our food at the farmers’ market or grocery store, our clothes at a clothing store, and our records at an electronics store. I don’t remember it being an inconvenience to have to go to these different places to do our shopping, but apparently some people did. The megastores came along, offering everything one could possibly need at the lowest prices of anywhere. People saw that they could pay much less for the same things they were already buying, and they could get them all in one place. Cost and convenience became the bottom line, and customers flocked from the specialty stores to the new megastores.
But we have to pay for cost and convenience, and part of that cost is loosing our connection to the products that we buy and the people who make or grow them. When you buy an apple from Wal-Mart, do you know exactly where it came from? When you tie your child’s shoes, do you wonder if they were made by another child in a sweatshop half a world away?
We must each be responsible for our buying power. Sure, it may cost a little more to buy eggs at the farmers’ market instead of Wal-Mart, but I know exactly where they came from; what the chickens are fed, what part of Oklahoma they are from, how much time they get out of their hen house, perhaps even what the chicken’s name is. A connection with our purchases; that is one item that you can’t find at Wal-Mart.

New Year!

Hello everyone!
I'm back every Saturday at the OSU-OKC Farmers' Market. It is located on Portland Ave. just south of the main campus in the Horticulture Pavilion. Winter hours (until April) are 10am-1pm. As always, check my Twitter feed for news, information and special deals.

Here is a lovely little video highlighting the market!
I appear nine minutes and thirty seconds in:


See you at the farmers' market!

Correction: Closed for the holidays

I know I said I would re-open my Etsy shop this week, but this week is finals, and I don't need any additional stress.
The holidays are upon us, and in order to devote my time to family this season I've decided to not re-open the shop until after the new year.

There is still one last chance to shop Funkybella before Christmas; I will be at the OSU-OKC Farmers' Market this Saturday from 10am to 1pm with all the lovely goodies I have left from the Deluxe show (and free gift boxes for them!). I won't be returning to the market until the second week of January.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Etsy shop closed for the week

My Etsy shop is closed for the week as I prepare for the Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar on Saturday, December 12th in Oklahoma City.

The Etsy shop will re-open next week with whatever inventory I have remaining.

(But seriously, you don't want to wait for that!

You need to come see the full selection of Funkybella's lovelies in person!)

If you are in the Oklahoma area, please come to Deluxe on Saturday!

Admission is free, and the first fifty people through the door will receive lovely goodie bags full of free stuff!

Over eighty vendors will be selling their handmade wares;

everything from jewelry to clothes, home goods, fine art,

body products.... an amazing selection.

You'll be able to get all your holiday shopping done in one stop!

Stop supporting the big box stores! Make the ethical choice and shop locally.

Thanksgiving Weekend

This is a reminder that I will NOT be at the OSU-OKC Farmers' Market this weekend.
Not only will my family be in town, but the OU/OSU Bedlam game is that morning, and that pretty much shuts down this half of the state.

I will return to the market next Saturday. The following weekend, December 12th, I will be at the Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar at the state fairgrounds in OKC (see event listing to the right).

Have a wonderful holiday!

Where Have I Been?

The answer is, I've been here all along, just very busy. I decided to go back to school to finish my bachelors degree. Thankfully, OU accepted almost all of my 170 transfer credits, so all I have to do is earn 30 OU credits and I'll have my degree. They offer a multidisciplinary studies option, which basically means they take the courses I've already completed and make a degree just for me. So even though OU does not offer American Sign Language, my degree will be a BA in Sign Language and Society.
I can't wait to be finished!




I've also been doing craft shows; at least one a week! I'm now at the OSU-OKC Farmers' Market every Saturday morning (when there isn't a big show that day). More on those shows later...

"Moo" with me!

Oh, how I love promotional materials!

I recently ordered Moo mini cards for the first time, and they have arrived!

These cards are such a great way to show off my products, and I'm thrilled with the quality and the beauty of them.

For those of you who are not familiar with Moo, they are an online printing company who produce postcards, business cards, even stickers that can be customized with your photos or artwork.

The mini card is an adorable business card option. They come in boxes of 100 cards, and you can upload a different photograph for each card if you like (I used twenty-five different photos).

You can customize the reverse side with your Etsy shop/URL and any other information you like.

Etsy has a partnership with Moo, and often advertises special deals.

For ideas on how to use Moo products, check The Storque.

If you have never ordered from Moo before, use the code 2RB2CK at checkout to get 15% off your first order.

It's a good idea to always have your business card handy for potential customers, but the mini cards don't fit in traditional card cases. There are some Etsians who make products especially for Moo cards.

My favorite is Splatgirl, who makes the best MooPockets. Her pockets hold about 20 cards, and you can get them with a clip or keyring for convenience.

I ordered the MooPocket with a window and an added clip (it is pictured filled with cards above and below). I got to choose my fabrics, and it arrived two days later. She has the fastest shipping of any Etsy seller I have ever ordered from, and her product quality is amazing! She also makes wallets, purses and other durable necessities.

The holiday craft show season is sneaking up on us. Go get yourself some Moo cards, and a cute little pouch to put them in!

New Item: Custom Map Rings

Innovation strikes again!

Last week, I went over to Jemellia's house to pick up some of her merchandise for Live at the Plaza. While I was there, I noticed her fabric buttons. Lately, I find handmade buttons very fascinating. She showed me how to use the simple little kit to cover a metal button in fabric.

I then went to Hobby Lobby and picked out two sizes of kits. Hobby Lobby had them on sale for half off, but they are normally less than $2.00 anyway.

I got home and sat in my craft room, staring at the parts. I covered two with fabric, and they came out lovely; however, that is what everyone does with them. I would hate for someone to copy my merchandise, and I would never knowingly do that to someone else.

What I needed was a new idea.

And then it came to me......

Cover them in PAPER!!!

At first, I didn't think it could be done, that I would tear the paper, but I found that if I crumple the paper it becomes softer and tears less easily.

This can be done with scrapbook paper, too. I've tried it, and ended up with a cute pair of earrings. I just need to remove the button loop with pliers, and glue the button on to whatever I want (ring, earring back, bobby pin).

To protect the paper, I coat the finished product in varnish.

I tested one to see how waterproof it is; while you can not submerge the ring, drops of water will roll off.

So I present to you my newest invention....custom map rings!

Look for select locations at my upcoming craft shows.

Two new, super-cool things

I have two announcements to make!

First, I am happy to be the new co-leader of Disciples of Etsy, Oklahoma's Etsy Street Team. Brigid of Grey Eye Designs is the other wonderful co-leader,I am excited to be able to assist her with our great team!

Secondly, after a lot of sweat and tears (and maybe a little blood), I finally created and launched www.funkybella.com! From my new site, visitors can connect to my Etsy shop as well as this blog and all my Funkybella social networking sources.

I am staying busy this summer indeed!

July 4th in Wichita

For the 4th of July weekend, we traveled North to Wichita, Kansas. Jason's grandmother and uncle live there, and his parents also came up, making it a nice holiday visit with family.

Our uncle said fireworks are illegal in the city, but that didn't stop anyone. Everybody shot off giant displays for an extended period of time. We parked at a strip mall, stood outside of the car and had a 360 degree show for well over an hour. I've seen the best fireworks displays in the country, including good old Las Vegas, and this blew them all away.

In addition, I soon discovered three food-related ways that Wichita is better than OKC.

1. Quick Trip (y'all have 'em in Tulsa; we here do without)
2. Carlos O'Kelly's (I hate to say it, but way more flavorful than Ted's)
3. Village Inn (I had the crepes pictured below; Nutella and fruit. Unbelievable)

We spent some time cleaning the garage of clutter.

I came upon a box full of craft booklets from the '50's, '60's and '70's (Jason's grandma never crafted, so we don't know where these came from).

There are knitting, crochet, macrame, embroidery, weaving and more. I'll be bringing most of them to the supply swap at Downtown DIY on July 25th; make sure to attend if you want some!

In addition to being a habitual crafter, I'm also a lover of all things vintage. I'm having so much fun looking through all the awesome retro photographs.



Which brings me to this photo:

WTH?
"OK. You're going to model the sweaters while feeding peanuts to this squirrel. It will look cute and outdoorsy!" That is not awkward at all!

(please feel free to add your own captions)

Etsy items I adore this week

Custom Map Necklace Giveaway!

Seriously, what’s better than customized jewelry?!?For my first blog giveaway, I will create a one-of-a-kind necklace showcasing your favorite place. Do you long to visit Paris? Did you grow up in Santa Fe? What about that vacation to Fiji?

I have lots of vintage maps, and can make a necklace of just about any location your heart desires. They also make very meaningful gifts.

These necklaces are one of the best-selling items in my Etsy shop. They retail for $18.
Want to get one for FREE?
Here’s how:

How to enter:

For each action below, you will receive one entry. Please leave a separate comment for each one.

• Leave a comment telling me which location you would choose to be on the necklace and why (you can change this if you are the winner).
• Follow my blog, or tell me if you are already following.
• Follow me on Twitter (use the box at right).
• Tweet about this giveaway. Comment with a link to your twitter profile.
• Blog about this giveaway. Leave a link to the post in a comment.

This contest is open to everyone, U.S. and abroad! The giveaway starts now and will end at midnight (U.S. central time) on Sunday, June 28th. I will draw a winner using a random number generator and post the winner on the 29th.

Necklace comes on a 24” ball chain, which can be shortened to any length using scissors.

Good luck!

Eco-Friendly Packaging

I love getting things in the mail, but I cringe every time I find I've been sent another plastic bubble-mailer. When I send out my orders, I like to use mailers that are less harmful on the environment.

These padded mailers by Caremail are made of 90% recycled content and can be recycled with mixed papers.

They are padded with recycled newspapers (instead of plastic bubbles) to cushion the contents.

They come in several sizes, and are available in cases of 25 through Amazon for a very reasonable price (with free shipping on orders over $25). I have had many of my customers thank me for using these mailers.

Remember: Plastic does not go away...ever!

And what about gift boxes?

Nashville Wraps is your best source for all gift packaging materials (they even have food safe biodegradable cello bags).

I use (and adore) these 100% recycled jewelry boxes for all my Etsy orders:

Visit the Nashville Wraps website for a free catalog, or save a tree and shop online!

Do your part for this world we all live in! Sustainability is so important (and it's not that hard).

Trip to Austin

I know, it's been too long. What with teaching swim lessons, summer adventures, and everything else the start of summer entails, I've neglected you, dear blog. Did you miss me?

A few weeks ago, my friend Chelsie from high school in Oregon (and, coincidentally, from Vegas, too) came out to visit for a week. I decided it would be a perfect excuse to hightail it down to Austin, so....ROAD TRIP!!!

There are several things I love about Austin. For one, it's artsy (in the cool, edgy way). Second, there are so many things to do outside, many of them for very cheap (or free!).

I'd love to live there, but Jason says as a true Sooner, he can not be in the same town as UT.

I had to show Chels the amazing event that is the Congress Ave. bats. It took a while for them to figure out the sun had set, but once they started taking flight, it was quite a show.

(These are the bats leaving the bridge for the night)

The most important reason why I love Austin so much, outweighing all others:

Barton Springs

If I lived in Austin, I would never get anything done. I would be at Barton Springs all day, every day, rain or shine. I live for open water swimming, and the long, freshwater pool at the Springs is heavenly; I can swim a long way without coming to a wall and having to turn around.

Look at the clarity of the water! I chased some small fish for a while (I'm easily amused).

I swam twelve lengths of the very long pool. It felt sooooo good.

Chelsie got stung by a bee, and we both got sunburns, but our trip was still wonderful.

Chelsie is preparing to go on The World Race in January, which is an eleven month mission trip adventure. You can read more about it Here.

Dolls for orphans in Nicaragua

I found out about this project through several Oklahoma crafters. The folks over at Craft Hope are currently collecting handmade dolls to deliver to children in an ophanage in Nicaragua.

This is the first doll I've ever made:

Want to make a doll or two? Check out Craft Hope.

Deadline for dolls is June 13th.

Happy sewing!

Favorite item of the week: Avant-Gardener T-shirt

This is my first planting season with a yard to call my own, and I'm attempting to gain control of my land and mold it into the backyard oasis I envision. More often than not, the earth wins the battle; but I still try.

This very cool shirt from Black Sheep Heap adds a little wordplay to your weeding. And it's 100% organic!

Black Sheep Heap also carries shirts, reusable totes and lunch sacks emblazoned with other thoughtful sayings.

Check 'em out!

My new phone!

I'm so excited I just had to share this!

My new phone came today! It was driving me nuts not having a
keyboard for texting. This is a Samsung Gravity. I recently downsized from my Sidekick (the monthly bill was too high).

I put this beautiful hard shell on it; Van Gogh's Starry Night.

Love it!

Thank you, Chelsie!