Bit of a bad day.

Today I found out that I'm rubbish at my day job! Last week we had interviews at work to find out who would be made redundant, who would lose some hours and who got to keep their job as is. Even though I didn't get made redundant (which I guess I should be grateful for) I lost 5.5 hrs a week because I sucked in my interview which seems a little unfair to judge me solely on that after 5 years service! So if my experience counts for nothing then the only conclusion I can come to is that I must be rubbish! You could look on the bright side, like I originally did and say 'Hey that's not so bad, at least I can spend more time crafting!' But this loss of hours means not just less money but no more weekends off! I will have to work every single weekend and I usually do my best crafting on a Saturday afternoon, so this really sucks!!! My main point is that I need to really get working on my shops as I'm really going to need to supplement my income now as I can barely manage as it is. Overall I think I'd rather have made redundant!!

Anyway on the bright side my flatmate and I had some friends over on Saturday to watch Eurovision and I managed to sell two brooches!! Before you think it, I don't try to flog my stuff to every friend and visitor who comes round to the flat!! It was just that I had a lot of my brooches on display ready for photos and everyone commented on how nice they were and asked how much. It was hard, I really had to restrain myself from giving them away but in the end I sold a Skully and a Leafy Ladybird brooch. Result!

HULK SMASHED....

I made little fella for a friend's 30th birthday. I named him Hulkenstein as he was meant to be The Hulk but ended up looking more like Frankenstein (or Frankenstein's monster if you want to be a little pedantic!) He found he was very popular at the pub and was looking rather worse for wear when the evening was over as was the person who's birthday it was!!

Holiday. Celebrate.

Well I've closed my Etsy and Folksy shops and tidied away all my crafty things so I think I'm just about ready for my holiday to Egypt. I leave tomorrow and it will be my first trip out of the UK in four and a half years and I'm starting to get a bit excited (it's about time!). I'm sure I'll have a great time, though I can't help feeling a little nervous as it's the most money I've spent on anything, so I have this weird vision of it all going horribly wrong - like some Watchdog holiday from hell!!! I know I shouldn't be so negative but I really want it to be great so it will live up to my mum's expectations (as she is very excited). With all the running around, sorting out money, buying suitable clothes etc I can't help the slight feeling of dread especially when people keep saying things like it'll the 'holiday of a lifetime'. Too Much Pressure!!! I think my main problem is that I find going on holiday abroad extremely stressful! For a start I think my expectations are usually too high so the place can never quite live up to what I've imagined! (this is my biggest worry about Egypt as I've wanted to go there since I was a little kid!) The other problem is I always want to do to much, fitting in as much I can (with the thought going round and round my head that I have to see everything because I may never get to come back again!) so I'm not really enjoying the holiday experience. I'm pretty sure this time it will be very different and I can relax! As it's a proper package holiday with all the food and excursions included, it means that all the organising is someone else's problem and all I have to do is just follow along (which will be really, really nice!). I think what I need to keep telling myself that this is my mum's holiday as long as she enjoys herself then it has been a great holiday!  Well I'd better be going as I still having packing to do. 

Bugs, Buttons and Brooches.

Simple but I like it.

I was just replaying in my head a conversation with a colleague at work from a few weeks ago. Basically she was hinting (very unsubtly) that she wanted me to make her a brooch. I was talking about the Buttonfly Brooches I was making and she seemed very interested in seeing them when they were finished. She attempted some flattery by saying she'd really liked some of the brooches I'd made (presents for other friends at work). Basically she was asking if she could have one but didn't mention anything about payment, I know that seems mean (but even if it's just a gesture) as I probably wouldn't have taken any money but you have to at least offer. (I've decided to stop giving things away for free unless it's a special occasion it feels horrible to be mercenary but I guess I'll never get anywhere otherwise!) Anyway back to the story, I decided I wouldn't give her one of the buttonfly ones but as I'm easily guilt tripped I decided to make her a simple heart brooch like the ones in the picture below. It was actually really worth it as I've never seen anyone so secretly chuffed in my life (even though it was only something small) It felt pretty good to see someone so pleased with something I've made, I guess it's a selfish thing - giving gifts - we feel happy because others are happy. It's weird!

Anyway the reason I mentioned this was the woman at work in her hinting said something that was sort of a back handed compliment - she basically said (though not as tactfully) that she liked my work because it was 'simple' (my word here not hers). I must admit I was a little taken aback at the time (especially seeing as she was trying to get something from me) but she's right my stuff is simple, it's not perfect, it will probably never look professional but it looks handmade because it is handmade and I'm proud of that fact.  

Heartfelt Brooches

Today I mostly made some little heart brooches. Unfortunately my photo taking skills don't really do the lovely colours justice. I'm still deciding whether or not add them to my etsy shop.

Yay! I'm famous!

I was interviewed for an American blog here it is - http://indianaetsy.blogspot.com