Today was productive

I made a couple of things today. The first was eight pairs of earrings made out of bottle caps. These were all collected (along with a thousand others) by my kids while we were living in Kenya. Tuskers is a beer made in Kenya. Notice how most of the tops have 16ks (kenya shillings), which is about 25 cents here.


I finally was able to get them all listed on Etsy. Here is one link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29117658

The second thing that I made today was a fabric bowl. This is the first time I tried this pattern. I started pretty simple, but I have lots of ideas for more. (Thanks, Mom, for the fabric!)

The other thing that I wanted to mention was that one of my guilds put this list together and I wanted to share.

A few of the great stores at ArtFire:

Cards & Gifts - www.valmade.artfire.com

Cards, Gifts & More - www.bullygrrl.artfire.com

Crocheted crafts - www.crochetedlittlethings.artfire.com

Crocheted creations - www.rosetreecreations.artfire.com

Crocheted handbags & gifts - www.franciebagsetc.artfire.com

Crocheting, Knitting, sewing - www.nothingbutstring.artfire.com

Handbags & totes - www.radicalrecrafter.artfire.com

Hand dyed & spun Fiber - www.fibercycle.artfire.com

Hand painted Fabric crafts - www.studiojules.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.jewelrybyfyfe.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.ilmare.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.jewelryworksbykim.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.beadyourhabit.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.annrose.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.silver-soul-designs.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.twitterbird.artfire.com

Jewelry, candleholders, décor - www.exquisitestudios.artfire.com

Jewelry & Gifts - www.Gwynstone.artfire.com

Jewelry & Wine charms - www.gristmillcreations.artfire.com

Origami décor - www.origamibysisi.artfire.com

Pattern dyed Fabrics - www.5oclockcrows.artfire.com

Pens, baby items, jewelry - www.onpensandneedles.artfire.com

Pottery & Jewelry - www.liquidambar.artfire.com

Quilting - www.vabeachquilter.artfire.com

Unique Gifts - www.bragginrights.artfire.com

Tjaps = Chops Two new ones!

Last Christmas John tried to buy my two Tjaps (pronounced chops).

Tjaps are approximately 50 year old tools that have been made and used on the island of Java (Indonesian) for over a century. They are handmade of copper strips, carefully cut and shaped and soldered into fabulous shapes and patterns. They are used by Batik artists in Java by dipping them into hot wax, shaking off the excess, and then stamping the wax onto the cloth. Aligning the edges of each consecutive stamp creates patterns which run the length and width of the fabric. (taken from Dharma)

They are so popular with artists and collectors that as soon as someone receives a shipment they almost immediately run out. And that is what happened this past Christmas. I found two that I liked, but by the time John got online on Dharma Trading Company (http://www.dharmatrading.com/) they had sold out of 350 of them!

Luckily, I receive their emails and was notified when more came in. That time we didn't waste any time in buying a couple. There were so many to choose from, but I settled on two. One is a lizard on a leaf and the second is a fox with stars.

I cannot wait to start using these. Both Nancy (my oldest) and I took a fabric design class in Kenya, so I want to put all that to use. So many ideas and so little time!!!!!

The next picture is of Nancy (2006) in Kenya working on one of her designs.