I signed up for my very first Christmas Craft Fair on November 27 (hosted by a local community league) so I have been working madly to add pieces to my inventory. The vendor fee was relatively inexpensive, so I decided to go for it even though I’m not sure that my work (especially jewelry pieces) lends itself to Xmas shopping. But, maybe, people will be tempted to buy for themselves as they’re shopping for their friends and family. I know I do that all the time.

Lately, I’ve been inspired to go back to doing more embroidery and beading. So I have focused on that, along with some embroidery hoops. Here are some of the pieces I made:

Once the craft market is over, I actually have a few commissions to get done. I am so happy to have people ask me to make them special pieces; it makes the work more meaningful somehow. Because of the time-intensive nature of the work, making a profit on these items is almost impossible. I am usually just happy to recoup my material costs, and creating custom pieces means having an extra bit of satisfaction on top of that, knowing my work will be appreciated and worn.

If you are able to, please consider supporting local independent artists and makers this holiday season. They are probably pouring a lot of themselves into their work, for the love of their craft more than anything; and the things you can get from them will be far more special than anything mass-produced. Plus, you will help to keep alive artisan skills and traditions.

6 Comments on I Did A Thing, volume 41

  2. Can I ask what technique you used in the beaded necklace in the first photo? I used to make a lot of stuff with a bead loom, but it was so structured I ended up moving away from that. Yours has just enough texture, and I love the way it turned out! I have so many beads in my craft closet that I haven’t used in ages, but this may inspire me to get them out again 🙂

  3. Beautiful pieces and I especially love the beading! And thanks for the reminder on supporting local artisans!