The problem w/ money in my paypal account...

I sold a handful of items in the last 8 days and am feeling quite good. The problem? I am in the middle of switching banks, so I don't want to transfer my money in my paypal acct. to my bank account before closing and opening a new savings account.

So I've got a little bit of money in Paypal and I keep seeing things on Etsy that I want to purchase. Not things I need, just...well...VERY impulsive items.

Dorian (one of my roommates) and I have talked about taking a burlesque class for months now. I have never thought of myself as sexy. I think maybe I had one instance where I felt powerful and female and ::gasp!:: almost sexy. I think a burlesque class might do wonders for my self-esteem. Dorian and I talked about it again today while she read my current issue of "Bust" magazine (it's a feminist mag, not porn!)

Well, I'm browsing Etsy and came across these:


If you click the image, you will see the first photo of the model, and she looks H-O-T. I am not posting that photo so that my blog continues to be work-safe.

If I were a burlesque dancer, I'd definitely want a pair of handmade sequined heart pasties that are "easy for twirling". Seeing as though I have money in Paypal, I almost bought them. What would I do with sequin heart pasties without a Burlesque class? I'm not even currently seeing anyone! lol.

So I think this is the plan: Continue to exercise and do 30 mins of Pilates daily, find a Burlesque class once the holidays are over, and support the handmade revolution by purchasing sequined heart pasties from Etsy.

I already know the song I'd want to do a Burlesque skit to: Blondie's "Rip Her To Shreds"

<3 Always,
--Taina

Hooray for sales!

Now that I'm listing something new everyday, sales are picking up a bit! I sold 3 items this week, not too shabby for the economy being as awful as it is currently. I sold two pairs of baby shoes (one custom order). and couldn't be more thrilled!

Here's my latest pair of baby shoes, I <3 the dragonflies!


(as always, click the photo for more details!)

I'm currently making origami boxes for them out of thick square baby-themed scrapbooking paper, to make them as adorable as possible when I ship them this afternoon. I just think they'd be perfect with shoe boxes to match.

On the list of things to do today?
1. photograph latest baby shoes.
2. make one more pair of baby shoes and photograph them.
3. make origami shoe boxes.
4. package up items to be shipped.
5. Go to the Post Office.
6. Take an hour nap?
7. exercise with new Pilates ball & dvd.
8. Meet up w/ Bette this evening

<3 Always,
--Taina

New Shoes!

I'm on a roll with the new shoe pattern!

My migraine is completely gone and I couldn't be happier!

I've got a kids showcase date on Etsy for the 13th and want to load up my shop w/ lots of stuff. I'm SO GLAD I get out of work @ 5pm. I'll be home by 6pm, make apple butter and sew more booties. w00t!

Here's the lastest pair:


(Click photo for more info)

I can't wait to make more! I just ordered some organic cotton/bamboo fabric from CatyLouQuilts and hope to get my hands on some polartec fleece (it's recycled) to make organic baby shoes.

I can't think about my fulltime job because my mind is clouded with visions of handmade things dancing in my head.

<3 Always,
--Taina

Baby Shoes - my first pair!

Yesterday I had the worst migraine, I'm not going to go into details but it was NOT pretty. Once the migraine started to subside late afternoon, I found myself very down that I hadn't been productive, so I cut lots of fabric and made a few pairs of baby shoes. I photographed 3 pairs this morning but only had time to list 1 of the pairs. They are super cute! I brought them to work and my coworkers all "oooooh"'ed and "ahhhhh"'ed at them. I've got a few orders already for custom sizes!

Here's a photo and link to the pair I just listed this morning:


(Click photo for more info)

They are fleece-lined, so warm and snuggly for colder months and made to fit 0-6 month olds! I'm so thrilled with them!

I can't wait to get home from work tonight to list the other two pairs!

I want to make origami boxes for them out of scrapbooking paper. I think they'd be super cute.

<3 Always,
--Taina

Back to the Drawing Board

Hello everyone!

I've been neglecting "My Handmade Life" and for that, I apologize. It took a while for my roommates to get settled to the point where I felt comfortable sewing while they are home, and I was spending lots of my free time promoting our new president-elecct before election day. But I'm back! With lots of patterns floating around in my brain.

First? I went to Pennsylvania this past weekend to celebrate my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary. I don't have photos yet, I will post some when they are e-mailed to me. I had a chance to go to Joann's with my cousin's wife April on our last day there and took it! I wish there was a Joanns Fabrics in NYC! I bought SO MUCH STUFF! So be on the look-out for new fabric prints in my shop in upcoming weeks!

Here's a photo of one of my latest makeup bags in the new fabric:


(Click photo for more info)


Second? I won 2nd place for my photo in the Lomography contest I posted about a couple months ago! Yay! I won a Pop 9 camera, I hope I receive it today! Again, photo to be posted soon. It's early in the morning. =P

Third? I'm going to be making sewn baby booties and retro aprons finally! I couldn't be more thrilled about these two. I'm all about the retro aprons, since I've always wanted to make one for myself.

So that's it. I'm off to sleep for another 30 mins before work.

<3 Always,
--Taina