Hail, frost, wind chill, rain... and it's not even Winter

I must be getting cold because all I can think of is hoodie warmth.
women
men
kiddies
Don't you agree!?!

love, ~*michelle*~

Craft Fair Pictures

Friday night we set up our booth, here it looks so boring, right?

Much better!

Then we added all our stuff...

We had totes and purses,

and more bags,

gorgeous shrines,

ommama and danikai rock!

The aftermath.

Overall it was an awesome weekend! I was pretty much on cloud nine because of Todd's little surprise (see previous blog). I could have cared less if I sold one thing. I sold a good amount though and I was able to buy a bunch of handmade goodies for gift giving. I met lots of really cool artists and saw some amazing work. I would definitely do this fair again but I would start the preparation process in the summer.

love,
~*michelle*~

Todd proposed!

I said YES, of course!

Todd got up when I told him snow was coming down and then made me coffee. I was running around getting all the loose ends together for the craft fair. He gave me a big hug and then BAM! I don't remember all the details except there was lots of joyful tears.

I never knew...

...that there were so many different types of sewing needles! This whole time I thought my sewing machine was giving me a hard time and all I had to do was buy a variety of needles for a variety of fabrics and projects. I was getting so frustrated and beginning to doubt my machine but turns out I just needed to make it happy. Now I am sewing with the pros!

You might have noticed my shop is on "vacation mode" that just means I will be back in action on December 15th. I am almost ready for this weekend and a bit nervous because I am not quite sure if I have enough bags. Wish me luck!

Also, pictures of the booth to come!

Craft Fair Booth

This is just a small sample of new bags I have that are not posted on my shop. I have lots of new totes and shopping bags that I think everyone will enjoy! If they don't sell at the fair they will be posted on the 15th for your viewing pleasure :)

Theresa and I staged our booth for the craft fair this past Saturday. I think it is going to be quite lovely. For those of you who won't be able to make it :( I will be sure to get some pictures. We were not sure what to do and then it just all came together thanks to a shiny piece of gold fabric, trust me it looks awesome! I am so excited to show off all my creations.

My shop will be closed (i.e. "on vacation" mode) 12/10-12/14 in preparation for the craft fair. I have lots of organizing and inspecting to do so I think this will make things easier for me. Things will be up and running soon after, don't fret!

Did everyone have a family fun filled turkey day?!?! Todd and I went to see Role Models it was hilarious well at least the first half was then it just got silly. I am so excited to see my family in a few short weeks at Christmas. Oh and my little brother is turning 21! What kind of shenanigans could we possibly get into....

love,
~*michelle*~

p.s. I think I might throw my bobbin winder out the window for Hops to chew on, this thing is driving me insane!

Craft Fair Countdown Has Begun

Come see me and Theresa at this year's Holiday Craft Market. We'll have bags and shrines and bags and art and bags for sale!!!

love,
~*michelle*~

Tilly & the Wall + Sesame Street = AMAZING

Tilly & the Wall on SESAME STREET from Team Love on Vimeo.

Not normally something I would post but for those of you who don't know... I have been obsessed with this band for about three years. Also Sesame Street was where I grew up! So this makes sense to me :)

love,
~*michelle*~

Just in time for the @#$%&* holidays

If you have a sense of humor at all, you have to check out these greeting cards:

Mature Holiday Gift Cards

Hilarious Gift Cards

love,
~*michelle*~

Amp Cover for Todd

Um ya, I made Todd an amp cover for his vintage '65 Ampeg Jet and it is pretty awesome. The color in the photo came out bad unfortunately. Imagine Padres colors in the 80s: gold stitching on a nutmeg color canvas. I am hoping others may be interested although I don't need to add to my list of things to do.

love,
~*michelle*~

Your Thoughts

Dearest friends,

I have a new banner at the top of my shop... any constructive criticisms? I am still playing with format and getting it from photoshop where it is crisp to the world wide web where is becomes blurry. Any useful tips on that are much appreciated.

Also, FREE SHIPPING through the new year! "OMG" is what you just said when you read that.

All purchases now come with a little special something and it is all wrapped up using recycled packaging materials and fabric scraps. Not in a janky sort of way but in a way that will make you all warm and fuzzy inside.

love,
~*michelle*~

Sew What

I have been going non-stop for the past few weeks... babysitting for five different families, work at the museum, and sewing. I can't believe I haven't got sick despite less sleep and poor eating habits.

With the craft fair quickly approaching, I am feeling the pressure and find myself dreading sitting down at my sewing machine. I try to avoid it by doing anything but sewing. This little game does not last very long seeing as there is not much to do when it rains for a week straight. I have about 20 finished bags I haven't posted on Etsy and even more cut out just waiting to be all stitched up. I am really focused on grocery/shopping totes.

In a perfect world all my bags will be sold so I can buy all the sweet items I have been collecting on my Etsy Favorites page! I have completely gone from finding things I want to get for others to selfishly looking for myself. I am sorry but I can't help it with all the cool handmade and vintage goodies.

As I mentioned it has been raining, a lot. It will pretty much rain until May with short bursts of sunshine and rainbows. On my way home the other day I saw a double rainbow over a pasture. I could see the whole thing! I pulled over to take a picture and my camera battery was dead, so sad. Here is a cheater picture I didn't take...


love,
~*michelle*~

IPA Homebrew

Some of you know we homebrew. Todd is more the mastermind and I am more the one who helps out whenever four hands are needed. The goal is always an IPA which is a hoppier version of a pale ale. Not a beer for sissies thats for sure. Super bitter and, when well balanced, perfectly sweet. Tonight we tapped another attempt at an IPA. We have made a few before but we really super charged this one. At around 90 IBUs of perfection I am not complaining. If you're lucky this will be making a trip down to San Diego for sure! ...if it lasts that long ;)

New (to me) Fabric

I went down to San Diego to visit family a few weeks ago for my brother Andre's 25th birthday! It was so so so much fun. In 72 hours we packed in birthday celebration, fabric shopping, beer, hugs, etc. I wish I could do it every weekend. Actually every day would be better.

I also had time to rummage through my Aunt Susan's sewing room for fabric. This seemed overwhelming but I was up for the challenge! In three hours or so I managed to go through maybe a third of it and scored on some awesome fabric for my purses and bags. I have already made a few and posted them in my shop. I could only get half of it on the plane so I will definitely making another trip.

Using rare fabrics gives my bags a little extra something special. Now I am on the hunt for vintage fabric with funky mod prints and patterns. I have been experimenting with new designs and am open to suggestions.

love,
~*michelle*~

I Finally Made A Shirt

This is my first real shirt. I am pretty stoked on how it turned out and it wasn't that hard at all. I pretty much just started cutting around a shirt I have that fits me well. The fabric is some sort of soft synthetic knit in a magenta color and I used my favorite fabric ever to add a little something extra. Now I have an excuse to go out, hint hint Todd ;) So I am getting ready for this craft fair. This means sleeping less and sewing more. I have never been so productive and experimental. Just today I made the tiniest little handbag just to practice some stitches and work out the kinks in a couple new techniques. So far so good! I am hoping to make some really nice totes and purses from this design.

Hmmmmm what else is going on with me...??? Oh ya last night and this morning there have been little earthquakes. Hops has not been too happy about this and seems concerned about the fact that we live on top of a pool. Not sure how it will hold up if a big earthquake was to occur. You are probably wondering, "Who is Hops?", well he is my border colllie. Just the other day the chickens got out and he helped herd them in the coop. All of his herding instincts just kicked in and from what I hear he did a good job. I am going to take him on a walk now.

What a cutie!

love,
~*michelle*~

Kids and Babies

Here are some kids and babies gift I picked out for this round of handmade goodness holiday gift giving guide ;)

Too cute

I will be adding to this list so check back!

love,
~*michelle*~

Men's Holiday Gifts

So apparently it is a bit tricky finding items on Etsy that are for the men in our lives. I managed to find only 20 and you can view them here. I hope you find a unique handmade gift for that special guy in your life, he deserves it!

Still to come Kids & Babies and Pets, check back soon!

love,
~*michelle*~

Gift Ideas for the Ladies

Hello Friends and Family,

Just wanted to give some gift giving ideas. I hope to spread the word of handmade goodness this holiday season.

Once you click the link below you will be taken to my Favorites page. You can then either click on the ITEM name itself or the SHOP name just below that.

Ladies Gifts

A version for the guys in our lives is coming next. Then kids and babies. Stay tuned!

love,
~*michelle*~

A good day.

Good news this week! That's twice in a row and I am on a roll...

Last night I just happened to design and print business cards. Mostly because I didn't feel like sewing and plus I guess it couldn't hurt right?!?

Well today at work I was notified that I got into the Arcata Holiday Craft Market. I was getting kinda anxious so I was very relieved to here that I got a booth. I will be super busy for the next two months sewing until I can't see straight.

My friend Theresa will be joining me which will be fun and I won't just be sitting there talking to my bags. Theresa makes super awesome bags for your yoga mat, and also meditation pillows. You can click to see her shop Om Mama.

Don't forget to stop by Danikai too!

Enjoy!

love,
~*michelle*~

Visit My Shop

Finally

Fabric and labels are on there way to my house as we speak. I am so excited to post new bags, it has been way to long! My shop should be all updated by this weekend. I have lots of cute new styles so check my shop when you get a chance.

love, ~*michelle*~

Too many things going on in my brain

I have been sick with a pleasant little head cold we in the Northwest like to call "the crud". I pretty much feel like my head is full of air and mucus and a dash of tickle in the throat. I have seen the worst of it and am on the road to recovery.

Danikai labels are still not in my possession. As soon as they land in my mailbox I will be able to complete 17 bags (as of today). My sewing area has turned in to a disaster area...

I have been a sewing machine these passed few weeks and it is only getting worse, or should I say better? Anyways, I am really getting some good techniques down and streamlining my production time. I made these little tote bags for Todd's band, all hand embroidered designs he picked out...

I am in the process of obtaining a seller's permit so that I can buy and sell wholesale. This is apparently just something you do when you have a product to sell which I do, in case you didn't know.

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I told you about our hops plant? Well, so far we have a pound and a half!!! That is just one plant we have probably 6 more that we can put in the ground next year. If only we had our own land to grow commercially.

love,
~*michelle*~

Poll Results

I hope for a better turn out this November than my little blog poll... but the results are in and you want to see clothes! I should get busy and make some sample items. I mean besides the really horrible dress disaster and the shirt I didn't measure quite right. Although one lucky lady loved my fashion flop... pretty cute huh? That's my awesome cousin Tessa and her amazing fiance Dan.

Fall is here and I have been working on some great designs. My site will feature bags, purses and totes in warm colors and awesome textures. Let me know if you have any particular requests or suggestions, I love your input :)

I am going to keep an eye out for working professional cuteness and then make a bag that would go with that outfit. I have had my eye on this for awhile...

love, michelle

Vote Now

<-------------- See that little poll? Vote for what you want to see next from Danikai Designs.

Garden Goodness

We have chickens now and here is a picture for all to enjoy. In April we are going to have eggs to eat.

Also, I think this is going to be our best hops year yet. Todd thinks we might get close to a pound!

New Bags Posted Tonight!

oceangrrl.etsy.com

Museum

This week the museum has been closed and I have been there doing special projects that need to be done. Today I will be on campus as the museum representative for the Job Fair. I am so excited that I get to where a little professional outfit!

Wish me luck!

http://www.humboldt.edu/~natmus/

P.S. We have the coolest blue frog!

A girl can dream...

Fun Stuff I am saving up for:

*A Singer Commercial Sewing Machine
*Thread Cutter
*Dress Form
*Nice Jewelry Tools
*Fabric Pen
*Super Rad Awesome Iron
*Spool Holder and Every Color of Thread Ever Made
*Rubbermaid Drawers
*Photography Light Box
*Sewing Books

Down to Business

Researching about setting up a small business is oh not so interesting but here's what I have learned so far:

• Take some classes: Small business Management, Web Design, Book Keeping
• Decide whether I want the business in my name or under a Fictitious Name
• Obtaining a Resale License will allow me to buy wholesale (woohoo!)
• Home Occupation Permit = No city business taxes
• Learn Quickbooks

Any more suggestions?

Trying to Keep in Touch

Hi Friends and Family,

I am going to start this little blog so we can keep in touch more often. Living 800 miles away can really bring a girl down but I am trying to stay up so here it goes.

You will be able to read about what's been going on with me and I will post pictures I take along the way.

Doesn't that sound fun? More to come ;)

love,
~*michelle*~