Featured Artist- Alicia Mae

Alicia has many talents and many shops (three, if you count them), so there there is something for just about every kind of taste.
Her photography shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop_sold.php?user_id=5152176
Her eclectic shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5096340
Her supply shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5354811

Subway- The Way It Used to Be

Ok, I used to work at Subway, but that was back in 90-91 when life was simpler. There was only white or wheat; footlong or six-inch. There were only like six different sandwiches: turkey, ham, BMT, the crappy one with the crappy meats, meatball, and roast beef. We cut up our own tomatoes, lettuce, and green peppers. If someone asked for extra tomatoes, you didn't just look at them like they were a terrorist trying to smuggle six ounces of shampoo onto an airplane, you just gave it to them. And you gave them more than one. The only thing I was ever stingy with was the hot peppers and that was because they were HOT PEPPERS and I just couldn't fathom that anyone would really want those on there. The only condiments available were(in separate bottles) vinegar and oil (blech), mustard, and extra thick mayo. And I wasn't a "sandwich artist," I just worked there. We used to cut the sandwiches in the "U" shape so the stuff didn't fall out. They don't do that anymore either. That was why they called it Subway, by the way, because it was revolutionary to cut the bread like a "tunnel" so the stuff didn't fall out. We cut them with these weird knives that looked "kid safe." But I guess now they decided they can save money by not doing that because less stuff fits in there if you cut it the flat boring way. Oh yeah, we didn't wear gloves. We touched money, the bread, food, meat, and whatever else we came across. We did have a little sink where we washed our hands after we touched the money (most of the time.) And we cooked bread and those yummy cookies all day long.
Inspired by:
http://yeahtotallyright.blogspot.com/

Stitches and Mom Guilt

So while I was at the flea market and my son was at summer school, he fell off the playground equipment. He cracked his head on the curved ladder and had to go to the emergency room for stitches. It was a disaster because the school only had our contact information and we weren't home. Luckily, the teacher's husband works with my husband, so she called her husband and he got a hold of my husband's parents and they were able to come and take him to the ER. Then, my daughter was able to tell them the phone number for my mom, so she could explain what happened and tell her that he wouldn't be there when she went to pick them up. When they got him to the emergency room, there was a lady there who was suspicious of his injury (and checked out his whole body) and she said, "I'm going to call the school to find out what happened." My in-laws felt bad because they thought that she must have thought that they did something to him. I told them that they must do that for all injuries to children. They gave him a CAT scan and told us we had to wake him up every four hours at night in case he had a concussion. I felt so guilty for not being there. When we finally got home, I asked my son how school was. He said, "Good."

The Sweet Flutter of Success

What is success? It took me awhile to actually feel it. But there were a few moments that gave me a special feeling.
1. Opening my Etsy shop. It just sort of validated what I was doing.
2. Selling my first $100 plus set. I didn't want to part with it. (The Green Amethyst Necklace that is pictured above.)
3. Having customers tell me that they couldn't get to my booth at a previous show because I was too busy.
5. Selling my first $200 plus set. That one really made my stomach churn.
6. Having people call me asking for jewelry. I didn't have to call them.

I'm Knot Crazy!

Or maybe I am.;) I started making quite a few different varieties of my knotted necklaces for the flea market because I don't think the guy who copies me can do them. I have to step up my game a notch. I think these are unique and they can appeal to both genders, so I made so tribal-looking ones (Maori Hook), some flower ones, the very popular celtic knot ones, and the fish. I also made some really big and bold ones with danglies. I also designed some earrings with grade A Amazonite and fresh water pearls that really pop! Gotta really put on my "A" game now, especially with the 4th of July cominig up soon.

Tomato Garden

Well, we have to start growing our own food to save a little money, so my husband built me a cute little tomato garden. It has to be fenced in because the deer and rabbits would munch it in a heartbeat. It's my daughter's job to weed it and my son's job to water it. We also put some sunflowers in it.

Karma is Kool

Well, my "alleged" friend who "allegedly" copied my designs at the flea market has been banned from the local gem and mineral show because he has backstabbed a few other people and apparently, they don't like it either. And, to add an extra cherry on top, I have been invited to the gem and mineral show. Ha ha. Hee hee. That's just cool.

Oh yeah, and I went and looked at his designs. First of all, they weren't even right. Second of all, they weren't very good. His wire-wrapping is loose and messy and he doesn't have articulated bails like I do. He's already cutting corners on my stolen designs, so any customers he stole from me will be sorely disappointed in the quality. I'm not even worried anymore. I'm still upset that he did that, but not I'm not worried.

Mom and Dad are Awesome

My Mom and Dad are awesome. Sometimes I have to remind myself that although they have the amazing ability to annoy me in .06 seconds, they are incredibly caring parents. I had to work last Monday, so I was unable to go to my flea market which is an hour and a half away. My Mom went instead. I'm surprised my Mom even found the flea market, much less my correct spot. I know she was nervous. I know it was really difficult for her (and she's almost 64) and she doesn't know anything about gemstones. Because I was so worried about my mom, I asked my dad to go too, who lives an hour and a half away in the other direction. Together, they managed to pull it off. My Dad sabotaged my booth a bit by putting out some of his fish decoys, but that's ok. Unfortunately, after all that stress and planning, it was a total bust. But I sure know my parents love me and that's worth all the money in the world.