Handmade dreams...

My workplace and every workplace on the block was evacuated by the bomb squad because of a "suspicious package" yesterday evening. It reminded me of anthrax threats post 9/11 7 years ago, and as I left the building and hurried to a subway station far away to go home, I thought to myself "is this worth it? is it truly worth it?"

I enjoy my day job. I don't want to do it forever, but for now, it pays the bills and supports my craft supply addiction pretty nicely.



I couldn't help thinking about how an alpaca farm in rural middle America would be less of a target for terrorists or angry Americans. I could have alpacas and angora rabbits and spin yarn and weave and knit. I could get huge tax deductions for being solar or windpowered, sell my wares online, live a quiet life crafting, enjoy the outdoors, drive a Prius, and not worry about bomb threats every day.



I never used to really worry about these things before having a penpal. I like sending my penpal something in the mail every day. This is hard when the blue street mailboxes surrounding my workplace are sealed shut for fear of bombs when contraversial political figures are in town. Sometimes the mailboxes are completely removed from the sidewalk, vanished into thin air. Garbage cans are also removed, but I rarely throw anything out in them when they are around.



I don't know. I would love to retire and have a cupcake bakery with nice comfy chairs and lots of craft books around, friends artwork displayed on the walls, good music, a community place. I can't do that here in NYC, it's too expensive. As I get older (almost 27 1/2 this month), I can't help but think more and more about my future. Some place where I don't have the cloud of doom over my head.

<3 Always,
--Taina

Crafting for me...

This week was a good week as far as Etsy goes. I sold 2 pillows and a makeup bag, shipped them out yesterday. I made a few things as well.

I like turning my sales around and purchasing things off Etsy. I most recently found a pattern for an Amy Butler tanktop in CatyLouQuilts that I have been eyeing. I finally purchased it yesterday:



I looked through fabric in FabricStash's Shop and picked out one of my favorite prints, the VW Sole in the blue colorway:



I have yet to find 1" buttons and I still have to purchase the interfacing, but I am so excited about this project! I've never sewn any adult clothing before and have definitely not sewn anything for myself. I used to knit things for myself on occasion, but sewing? nope. I'm SO excited about this project. I will definitely post photos once the pattern and interfacing arrive, as I have a feeling this project will take a few more weeks. =)

So that is not where my Etsy shopping spree ended. I bought a few postcards from EricHou but can't show you which ones as my Etsy penpal reads my blog on occasion. (I'm such a tease!)

And I finally FINALLY purchased two buttons from ButtonEmpire. I've been eyeing Button Empire's buttons for quite some time. Can you guess which ones I purchased? Fine, I'll show you. =)





I am SO excited about the "The Revolution Is Being Handmade". It'll be more exciting once I make myself a tote bag.

I'm currently sporting a not-so-handmade but eco-friendly bag from MoMA. I just realized it isn't for sale on the website. That's too bad, it's a great design. I will try to describe it. It's a black flat tote bag made of spun fibers from recycled plastic bottles. It's got a great graphic white image of four different types of plastic bottles on one side. Just bright white silouhettes, I've gotten lots of compliments already and I only purchased it a week ago.

Today I am meeting with a friend in SoHo for some shopping. I'm looking for a bathing suit, a pair of shorts and a gift for a friend. I hope to find some cool postcards or notecards for my Etsy Penpal, and maybe some fabulous prints for inspiration so I can come home and make more things for my shop.

I should probably shower and figure out what to wear. I'm meeting her early afternoon.

<3 Always,
--Taina

Hooray!

My customer loved the custom order and purchased it the minute I listed it. Yay!

Also, here's the latest pillow, I love this fabric, I bought it from CatyLouQuilts. It's so bright and fun. I may make some pillows for myself out of the left overs!


[click the photo for more info!]

Oh, and I forgot to mention, in June I made two etsy goals, I hit 250 sales and the 300 mark in positive feedback! I hope the second half of this year is as good if not even better.

I organized my workspace yesterday, including taking everything off of my sewing table and cleaning it and reorganizing fabric/zippers/etc. It feels so good!

Well, I'm at work today, so that's all the time I have. Later, gators!

<3 Always,
--Taina

random thoughts.

Hey ladies & gents!

I've been sans internet for 2 days and finally got back online. I have no idea what the problem was, but I actually had to call the cable company and set up an appointment to get it fixed. The cable guy said that out of 100%, my connection was running at about 2%. He was surprised I was getting any cable channels, also. Man, catching up on a billion e-mails is NOT fun. Today was supposed to be my relaxing day.

Sans internet/my favorite tv channels, I went to Borders and bought David Sedaris' latest book, cleaned my apartment and organized my new fabric into my bins. I also made ::gasp!:: a new pillow for my shop! I will post it later, I have to get a custom order listing posted first.

I also bought sculpey and started thinking up ideas for magnets and such, so stoked.

Someone said something interesting yesterday. She said something about being self-supporting, and I'd never thought of that before. Sure, in the monetary sense, I'm self-supporting, and my etsy shop is self-supporting. But I had an epiphany of sorts. Sometimes I go through these periods where I don't make anything, and I fall into this terrible rut. When I'm not productive, I feel like garbage, a terrible downward spiral.

So July? Is all about being self-supporting. I'm going to be as creative as I want to be, make things, sketch, design, and support the artist inside me. I'm very excited by this idea, and a little nervous!

Oh, and if you've ever wondered what I listen to while making things?
Today's playlist includes: Young Love, Maroon 5, Metro Station, Rilo Kiley, and later this evening? Some Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald.

Yup. Oh, and I had half a toasted bagel w/ peanut butter on it & orange juice for breakfast, and am eating the other half for lunch.

There, the innerworkings of Taina on a Saturday afternoon.

<3 Always,
--Taina

Vejigantes (Inspiration Part II)

I don't know if I've mentioned this before...I was named after the "Taino" indians of Puerto Rico. They were a pre-Columbian tribe killed off by slavery and disease once the Spanish came. All that's left is the cave carvings and stone artifacts.

My mother is Puerto Rican, my father is Caucasian. I think my being drawn to the bright and bold prints in the fabric I choose is probably influenced by my month-long stay in Puerto Rico in 1996. Twelve years ago, and I can still envision the crystal turquoise waters of the Caribbean, the neon fish, the boldly painted houses...

I have been thinking about my Puerto Rican family a lot lately. Starting with attending the Puerto Rican Parade here in NYC earlier this month. My great aunt on my mother's side "Tia Fina" passed away last week.

As I've been battling anxiety and depression for months now, I cannot get the image of the vejigantes from the parade out of my mind.



A vejigante (pronounced "bay-hee-gahn-teh") is a horned character meant to scare away evil spirits.

And I want to paint them! I've been wanting to paint a series of vejigantes for a month now.

I have another etsy username: MiVidaLoca.etsy.com that I took in case I wanted to do only hispanic-themed items. I never set up shop, but it's there in case I want to set it up. Mi Vida Loca means "My Crazy Life". Which I think is perfect if I am making vejigantes to ward off evil spirits (like depression and anxiety).

My mom makes these great little mask pins and I've been dying to get her to make some for Etsy. I wonder if she'd be interested in this idea.

I wonder if anyone would want a vejigante pin, painting or fridge magnet. hrmmm... I looked them up and didn't find anything already on Etsy. If I can make a pillow today and post it, then I will reward myself by going to the store and buying canvas and some paints.

Love Always,
--Taina