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Hey, it’s Black Friday! If you’re getting ready to go out shopping, why not hit up Market Day in Des Moines at 9 AM today for some great deals?

In case you forgot, I’m doing a giveaway that ends at 5 AM on Monday. Be sure to check it out!

And if you’re going, you could buy me a present … here’s my local Christmas wishlist (click on the images to go to the etsy listing):

White topaz ring by Jen Lawler Designs

Hand-sewn tank by Hard Love Apparel

Vintage Lion Mug by TheSaraInitiave (BIG MUG … I realllly want this and it’s only $6!)

Milla Hand-knit cowl by HeyJenRenee

Champagne and Rhinestone Statement Necklace from Bean and the Sprout … out of your price range? I like this too …

Poppy and Blue necklace for only $40

Fabric covered button earrings by SRenee Design

Natural Cherry Cutting Board by KopperKitty

U Printed Card by YelleFont

Convertible Cowl/Sleeveless Shrug by LisforLiz

Expletive Hearts (custom made to order) by No Tengo Miedo Clay — I have one in mind that I just haveeeeeee to get made. For a friend.

Handspun yarn by MaraJane Creations

Classic Glam Peacock Earrings by DaniAwesome

Make your own long dog kit by JuneCraft — obviously I have been wanting this FOREVER.

Seaglass Elephant Pincushion by VeronicaMade

Audrey Vintage Lace Pouch by Florence Oliver

And the Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar by Kate Funk

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After stuffing yourself silly with turkey and cranberries, it’s definitely time for a day-long shopping trip. After all, that is the new American tradition.

How about shopping locally instead of hitting the big box stores? Market Day’s Black Friday sale is from 9-2 on Friday, November 25. I’ll be there and I’m going to have a couple crazy sales.

All dishes are 50% off. And most are already a crazy low price because they are last season’s pieces. So snag a handpainted decorative plate or a mug for $5 or less.

My new wallets will be on sale for $25. Normally these are $35. $10 off is a STEAL for these. If you haven’t seen these awesome new wallets, they’ve got hidden magnetic snap closures and dividers with card slots. I may have kept the middle one (below) for myself. I’ve been LOVING this wallet and have gotten a ton of compliments on it since I started using it.

I’ll also have a couple of random things on super-duper sale. These are my old wallets, old teeny-tiny wallets (I changed the size) and a few miscellaneous items.

Come on down and check it out. This event is going to be chock full of awesome vendors!

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There are so many craft and art shows this season there isn’t any excuse not to support local makers and get some of your holiday shopping done at these local events. Unlike buying from a franchise store, when you support your local makers the money goes directly to them and directly back into the community. Who knows where the money goes when you pick up your gifts at Target, Wal-Mart, or any other big box or franchise store. It doesn’t go to the person who made it. That’s for dang sure.

How about instead of buying an over-priced scarf at The Gap, pick up a lovely cowl from Hey Jen Renee!.
(click the images below to go to the etsy listings)

Or what about those sweatshopped items at Urban Outfitters made to LOOK handmade? Instead of getting faux-crafted items, pick up the real deal. Like this gold rosette headband from Bean and the Sprout.

And thinking about shopping at Pottery Barn for bedding? Instead how about this lovely quilt — perfect for a little girl — from Whoopdedoo Crafts?

Oh and what about a gift for your lovely but sassy daughter who just moved out on her own for the first time? She probably doesn’t want your old tired set of Corelle dishes from 1995 or a new cheap set from Target. She would rather have these hand-painted upcycled dishes from chimesdesign.

Can’t make it to a craft show? No problem if you live in Ames. There’s a handy-dandy art vending machine, aptly named ArtVend, set up at Wheatsfield Coop. Things found inside this machine are also all handmade by local makers (extremely local — you have to live within 50 miles of Ames to vend). Pick up some stocking stuffers and while you’re at it, pick up some local food and support local agriculture (hey, I have to plug that now too!).

These are just a FEW of the many many many reasons that you NEED to try to shop local for your holiday gifts.

Want to meet some of these makers and get a chance to shop locally? Hit up Craft Saturday’s Handmade Holiday Show tomorrow from 12-6! Be there or be square. I will be there with my dishes, wallets, and zip bags.

And don’t forget about the mega-awesome Market Day Black Friday Sale on November 25th. I won’t be there selling (unless they can squeeze me in) but I will be there buying (assuming I don’t have to work … I haven’t quite figured out my vacation schedule yet!).

P to the S: Guess who’s on the front page of the Des Moines Register today? ME!

They just randomly picked a photo file to represent all the holiday craft shows … so I guess it was a good pic.

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A while back I talked a bit ’bout making new wallets. The first one was cute, but not what I wanted.

Well, I sketched and sketched and put together another few before I finally got these down. And I had two days this week between jobs (I’m unemployed for 2 whole days! whoopeee!) so I got to sewing.

Introducing my new and improved wallets!

PS the one in the middle is MINE. 

How are they improved from the old version of my wallets? Well, for starters, they are sewn better — all thanks to my NEW sewing machine that I got on Wednesday. This Janome DC1050 solved all my problems of skipped stitches and weird tension happening with my old machine. AND there is a stop/start button, so I can use that instead of the foot pedal. This feature comes in handy when sewing a lot of the same thing in a row. Hit start, feed everything through the machine, then hit stop.

Also, there is one additional feature that my old wallets didn’t have — a divider with card organizing slots. And the closure? It’s not a button anymore. It’s a magnetic purse snap. It’s like my wallets went and got all grownup on me!

[one of my old wallets for reference]

I’m thrilled to have all these wallets ready for Craft Saturday next weekend. I also made a bunch of revamped teeny-tiny wallets. They’re a bit bigger to accommodate cards (which was the ORIGINAL idea … but my math skills got in the way) and they’re more nicely put together. Again, thanks to Ms. Janome. All of my old inventory will be on MAJOR SALE next weekend to make way for the new stuff.

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Due to summer being INSANELY busy for me, I just got involved with Market Day  this year.  It’s only a few months late …

My first experience this year was last month. They have an amazing new venue this year — the Kirkwood hotel.  It’s bright, clean and has climate control.  And all the booths are indoors.  On carpet.  SUPER fabulous.

Last month I experimented with a new setup. I added shelving, courtesy of my roommates and their video game addiction (normally this shelf houses some of their games — yes, I said some).

Also, I made an epic butt-ton of zippy pouches. Shown here are a small amount of what I had or inventory that day, as well as the last of my wallets.  I’m going to be revamping my wallets for next year.  Wallets 2.0.  There will be zippers or snaps involved.  Potentially lace, flowers or rhinestones.

Sadly, I sold this adorable pouch.  Well, not sadly. I made a sale (this was not ALL I sold that day, thank you — I actually sold about 60-70% of what I brought that day). I love using selvege edges in my zippy pouches to keep the scrappy look going and because the concept behind the pouches is to use EVERY BIT of fabric scrap possible.

This month’s Market Day was a suitcase showdown (ie. they were only able to reserve the front part of the building).  I really enjoyed this idea — for one, I always use a suitcase.  Two — I didn’t have ANY time last month to make any new items, so I just brought what I had left from the previous month.  Three — I didn’t have to bring a table.  Four — it was less expensive for me.  And five — I got to network with so many more people.  We shared a booth, so there was less pressure to stay at your space the entire time as there was somebody there that could talk about your work and hopefully help sell your stuff as well as their own.

That being said, I sold ONE item — to a coworker.  It seemed like that was the general vibe of the day.  I don’t think it was due to a change in format. I think it just happens to be a slow month.  October and November will be busy, but September is kind of weird because it’s too far away from the holidays and the weather is changing and colder so not as many people were probably out at the Farmers Market (which is where a good portion of our crowd comes from).

I shared a booth with Meg, who makes fabulous needle-felted creations. Although she makes hats and other winter gear, this month she brought home decor.  I love that fox pillow. And our stuff meshed so well together!

There was definitely a bird theme at our table.

My friend Kyle, who formerly created White Boy Burritos, had a booth with these really sweet antler decorations.  This one was burnt, painted a bit on the end and clear-coated. Sooo pretty!

Here are more of his creations.

This booth had some beautiful wooden art.  I didn’t catch the vendor’s name, but I love the green piece in the center.

Best part of the day? As usual, the dogs.  Shown here is a long haired doxie WITH A MOHAWK. No, Barney is NOT getting this haircut.  Unless one of my roommates is drunk and has the clippers out.

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Hey, Des Moines! Come downtown today (from 9–2) for Market Day’s special September Suitcase Showdown. Be sure to hit up the Farmers Market while you’re at it … we’re right next door. Thirty vendors with everything they can fit into suitcases or whatever they can find. Don’t miss it! See you there.

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Hi. I’m chimes.  If you’ve been reading my blog and are just now figuring this out, well howdy. I’ve decided to try Craftzine’s 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Profile questions.  Enjoy!

One Project You Are Particularly Proud Of

1. My musical flowers pitcher. And the resulting photos of it.  I really miss my little brick wall porch at my old place in Des Moines.

Two Mistakes You’ve Made in the Past

1. Not saying no when I should.  I’m to proud to admit when I can’t take on a project — I love being a jack of all trades. I recently took engagement photos of my friend’s little sister and her (now) hubby.  I really shouldn’t have.  I’m not a photographer.  And I said yes to taking her WEDDING photos too.

[okay, so they didn't turn out too horrible]

2. Using parchment paper to bake these amazing brownies.  The result?  What my roommate coined “reverse brownies” — gooey on the outside, done in the middle.

Three Things That Make Your Work Unique

1. I’m cheap — but in a good way.  I use EVERY scrap of fabric — including the selvedge edges — every discarded dish, every possible inch of batting and use cereal boxes for patterns for sewing projects. I’m currently making a map of the states quilt out of pieces of fabric that are less than 2″ big. Partially because I’m a fabric hoarder too.

2. Asymmetry. I hate symmetrical and being matchy matchy.  I will never make a quilt from a traditional pattern — it has to be wonky.
3. Obviously, I love handmade objects. And as a graphic designer in my professional life, I try to incorporate hand-done items into my work as much as possible — whether it’s my own illustrations, found objects, fabric or paintings created by a friend.

[album cover for a band I was in that never took off]

Four Tools You Love to Use

1. Rotary cutter. I have no idea why, but there is something so damn therapeutic about cutting fabric and placing it in neat piles.
2. Adobe Creative Suite (especially InDesign — use it daily at work)
3. Sewing machine — I sometimes think I need a fancy one with more bells and whistles, but the freebie one I got from my aunt has been kicking out great projects and working just fine. I actually got a new Janome in October and it has been rocking my world! I even completed a quilt last month using that machine with no blips in the fabric or dropped stitches. I’m saving my old machine for threadbangin’ more crafty projects.

4. Sketchbook + Prismacolors.  I don’t just do things. I think them through first and find several ways of accomplishing what my desired end result may be. It’s surprising what you come up with when you take some time to brainstorm.

Five Inspirations

1. Quilters like Fussy Cut and Oh Fransson!
2. Michael Jackson. Yes. I’m serious. If you’ve not read my blog before, then newsflash: I heart MJ.
3. Every DIY and craft blog out there. ever. I think I follow all of them in my google reader.
4. My granny — she left a TON of unfinished projects when she died and I’ve been randomly finishing them up in the past several years. Here’s a quilt I completed out of blocks she made from what we think may have been old clothing (she was also cheap and thrifty).

5. And I have to mention my boyfriend. He’s constantly helping me refine my work and offers up suggestions and critique as well as an incredible amount of support.

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Hello bloglings. Tomorrow is my first Market Day of the season.  They’ve been going on since May, but I’ve not had a chance to do much crafting until this last month.

For those of you who don’t know and are around Central Iowa, you should come check it out.  It’s pretty awesome.

Actually, for you newbies, here’s a description from their website:  Market Day is an indie craft market: their vendors craft — but they don’t make your grandma’s crafts. At Market Day, shoppers find screenprinted posters and tees, postcards of monsters, stenciled paintings of mermaids, kawaii earrings, macabre pottery, and more. And? They’ve got their share of vintage housewares, clothing and jewelry, too.

Find Market Day at the Des Moines Social Club in the Kirkwood Theater — at 400 Walnut Street in downtown Des Moines, IA. Click here to get directions.

What am I selling? Why dishes of course. But actually, since I moved twice since the last craft show I did, I don’t have any new dishes.  I do, however, have a metric butt-ton of new zippy pouches because these are super easy to transport and are reallllly fun to make.

Zippy pouches are $10 (at Market Day, $12+shipping on etsy). Dishes range from $5-15 for single items and $35-75 for sets (again, 10% more expensive on etsy + shipping).

Also, did I mention that Market Day is from 9 AM-2 PM? COME ON DOWN.

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This week’s Humpday Blog Love installation is dedicated to The Hipster Housewife.

The Hipster Housewife is a blog started somewhat recently by Des Moines’s  own Cat Rocketship. If you live in the Des Moines area and haven’t heard of Cat, get out from that rock you’ve been living under.  Cat is a huge mover and shaker in the Des Moines Art scene. She’s a painter. A director of a local indie craft show (that I blog about often — Market Day). And she’s just recently embarked on her latest endeavor: housewife.

Well — not in the sense of the word you would think of — she’s not a June Cleaver or a Roseanne.  She moved her painting studio to her home and does an array of housewifey type things … like cooking, cleaning, and other things.  You can read all about it in this fabulous guest post she wrote over at small strokes.

Anyway, The Hipster Housewife is where Cat chronicles her adventures. Some of my favorite posts include figuring out that you can EAT the honeycomb (I did not know this!) and making cheese with her friend Kyle.

I’m a little bit jealous. I would love to have a studio at home and do all these fun housewifey things. That, and I love Cat’s idea of feminism — I DO WHAT I WANT TO DO. Don’t tack on “… as long as I’m a doctor/astronaut/physicist”.

Anyway, go check her out. I’m sure she’d love to have more than my daily comment on her blog. I’m wondering if she’s beginning to think I’m stalking her …

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So remember that time a week or so ago when I was all like “I AM ONLY MAKING DISHES FROM HERE ON OUT. PERIOD.”

Welll after careful thought and monitoring, I’ve decided I can’t really do that because things OTHER than my dishes are usually what constitute at least 50% of my profit at craft shows (specifically my wallets). However, I can market myself much differently.

1. I can remove all extraneous items from my main etsy site — ie. things that aren’t dishes. This will let customers know that chimesdesign is focused on handpainted vintage dishes.

2. I can use my other etsy site for wholesale lots of other items that I make My other etsy site was formerly for my punk rock items that I don’t really make anymore except for myself and VERY special requests. I plan to list lots of my wallets, camera cases, fabric cards and other things that I have made. This leaves my crafting time open mainly for my dishes BUT if I want to explore something else, and say, make 5-20 of them, then I have a place to list the items, with no obligations of ever selling these full-time.

3. BE MORE FOCUSED. Instead of doing random designs namby-pamby on my dishes, starting today I will have 2 main designs with a 3rd and possibly 4th design added in depending on the seasons. I will always have the little birdies design and the teabag with lace design but will have a seasonal design that I will only make so many of and will only be available for so long.

What does all this mean?

It means that I will always have my dishes at my craft shows because those are my main focus — but I will always have a SMALL inventory of OTHER items that may change month to month. These items will go in my trunk — so they’re a secondary focus. I will likely always have wallets because those are popular, but there may be something else sprinkled in from time to time. BUT I am limiting it to 1-2 other items per craft show.

It also means that if you want something BESIDES dishes and want to purchase it on etsy, you’ll need to go to my wholesale shop. There are lots of 5 wallets up there currently, and I’ll be posting lots of 10 camera cases as well as a couple of other things.

I realize this doesn’t leave room for people who just want ONE of one thing. For right now, just convo me and we can set something up. Ideally, I don’t want to sell one of one thing unless it’s dishes or at a craft show. The purpose of the wholesale shop is to get my stuff into retail stores. But — it could be used to purchase several similar items for gifts.

Anyway, I hope this all makes sense. It finally clicked in my head on Saturday when a fellow vendor told me about wholesale lots.

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