Additional Art Stash From The Mail

One of the arts supplies I bought from Etsy came today and I am very happy to receive my flat-back pearls for my cards. It was shipped only 4 days ago and the shipping I paid for was not even more than $10!

I just love these gems! I am so eager for weekend so I can start with another card creation and hopefully be able to post a tutorial about my project. Just stay tuned folks!

Thanks to Emily of Qrhinestones for these wonderful stash. She handled my query very quickly and I am one satisfied customer. For sure, there will be a repeat transaction coming from me. Thanks again Emily! You rock! (No pun intended...smile!)

Here's my new stash and there are more to come!

Creative Christmas Gifts

My creative juice is not yet back but I am really trying hard to get the groove back in my arts and craft projects especially now that it is the "ber" month. That means, Christmas is just around the corner. That means too, I have to start making my Christmas list as we are spending the holidays back home.

I want to be creative this time with my gifts. Last time we bought things that are a necessity to the recipient. I am thinking of making accessories like necklaces and bracelets to my female relatives and friends. I can check bead suppliers here in Dubai for some nice, chic and funky beads and I can probably start working on the project.

If the accessories does not materialize, I am still thinking of getting personalized items to my family and friends. It will be an interesting Christmas gift list this year. I wonder if I can finish all that I plan to do before we go home.

Lost Creativity

I woke up one day and realized I don't feel like making handmade cards nor anything crafty. The last scrapbook page I made was a gift to a friend last May and ever since that time, I can't spew anything out of my think-tank. I rested for a while, diverted my attention to something else, went on a vacation and when I came back, nada! Still empty.

My daughter said it must be a creativity-block. I just feel empty there when it comes to creativity. Am I not exploring my brain's right hemisphere more than I used to? Or I am just pre-occupied with other matters that I cannot think of anything creative to do?

I hope this creativity comes back. If not now at least soon because Christmas is just around the corner and I need to make great handmade Christmas cards. Aside from that, I am planning to put into full swing my plan to make a small business out of my craftiness.

I have been researching lately on ways to monetize my hobby. I can sell my handiwork as long as this creative juice keeps flowing. I wanted to incorporate bead jewelry making using Swarovski crystals, Black Spinel Beads and other fancy beads but affordable which I can get back in the Philippines. I also want to create more kawaii plushies and other handmade accessories using cute, miniature food items which I can get from Japan.

I do know that to be able to go forward, I have to have my creativity back or else, there is nothing to make and sell. I am not worried about the e-commerce aspect as I have my own blogs and host which I can use as a platform for my small handicraft business. The problem lies on getting my brain revved up and let the creative juice flow or else. I will be stuck with this dream and plan that never materialize.

Let us learn all things from everybody

Crafting Stuff

I was invited by a friend to her daughter's open school day where I can showcase my handmade cards. My friend rented a booth for her paintings and other ceramic arts which she plans to sell. I feel honored to be a part of her activity this February. So, I am having double-time in making cards I can sell in the open school day.

I want to craft some beaded accessories too but I need to have more materials like curb chain, beads, findings and clasps and hooks. I only have few beads here and nylon cords but I don't think those will be enough to make a decent set of necklace and earrings.

I only have a week left to make a lot goods to be sold. I don't want to compromise on the quality of my handmade cards so I may just settle for few but really high-quality handmade cards.

Beads and More Beads

My daughter received a nice jewelry making supplies with lots of glass beads for Christmas. She eagerly opened it and started with the project over the weekend. She took my neck measurement and asked for my preferred colors amongst the selection. I happily obliged because she was making me a bead necklace. She knows how much I love wearing accessories rather than the real deal.

Her project is progressing well. She even asked me to try it just to make sure her beads are aligned and the length is enough for me.

She really enjoys doing arts and craft. She is following my footsteps and I am so proud of her. I hope she continues to make use of her God-given talent and creativity for the good.

Budget Holiday Decorating

Times are hard these days. Even ordinary looking Christmas ornaments can cost a fortune now. Here are simple tips to get you through the decorating mood of the season while not having to burn your pockets.

Tip 1:

Don't throw out those old Christmas baubles. Instead, revamp their look by adding beads or glitters or cute ribbons (those excess from last year's gifts!!!). That should do the trick! Your baubles will look new and gleaming!

Tip 2:

Old socks? Loose garters on those not-so-old socks? Holes maybe? Well, give your socks a second lease in life by using them as Christmas stockings. If you don't have colorful socks to spare, just dye them in Christmas hues of green, red and yellow. If you feel like being girly or boyish, a deep shade of pink or blue will also do. I have old socks here which I converted to stockings. I stitched some scrap textiles I got from old rags that I am about to throw. Now I have a very economical Christmas stockings to be filled with "love."

Tip 3:

Decorate your table with a great centerpiece which will not cost you a cent! Well, this you can only do if you have spare Christmas ornaments you don't feel like putting up on the tree. In my case, I used my spare baubles which I redecorated to look like new, glistening baubles. I placed them on a colored bowl and viola! My very own Christmas mantle decoration. Here is another option, if you live near evergreens or coniferous areas, maybe you can pick up some of those pine cones. Put some glitters or sequins on some of their tips and put them on a colored bowl instead of the baubles. That's another option. Living here in the Middle East does not give me that option to use so I would stick on my old Christmas baubles.

Tip 4:

Going back to ribbons. Use them as additional decors to your Christmas tree. Red and bright greens will be perfect but any other color will be just fine.

Tip 5:

This will require a printer connection and a pc. Download some cute Christmas cartoon pictures and stick them on nice, used card boards. Ask the help of the little elves (in our case, our children) to cut-out the cartoons. Make sure your kids are old enough to handle scissors. Now, punch a hole and put some colorful thread or yarn and put on your Christmas tree or just hang on a clothes line and put little clips on them as Christmas cartoon swags.

Those are just few of the many other ways we can decorate during the holidays in a strict budget. If you have more tips to share, please feel free to leave a comment so everyone can enjoy the Holiday without having to feel guilty by spending on unnecessary things.

Enjoy! Let those creative juice flow.