TastyLinks Saturday

Illustration Copyright Enoch Bolles

This has been a busy and somewhat stressful week. I'm hoping things are a little less chaotic next week...but one never knows! I'm attending Ranger U next weekend and I'm really excited to check out their new products and get my final certification. I'm officially certified in Perfect Pearls and Inks and Embossing Powders. Yes, I'm certifiable.

I subscribe to "Google Alerts" which are little web crawlers that email you whenever key phrases you've submitted are posted on the internet. One popped up in my in-box earlier this week and I followed it to discover I'd gotten a very nice write up on the HGTV Design Happens Blog! Wow! Check it out!

My friend Rachael Strange Morris recommended a site called Instructables to me. I decided to go ahead and create an account because they take absolutely no ownership of your projects. I always read the fine print, some of these websites try to lean in on your rights. I've uploaded one video and I'll get some more stuff up there soon. It's a really cool site...check it out!

I'm on QVC Silver Style tomorrow with three items in the show. It starts at 8am EST!

Here is this week's Linky Love shower from The Crafty Blogger gang with a full platter of TastyLinks for your crafty edification.

Until next time...craft on with your bad selves.

xoxo
Madge

Cathie Filian Whip up some flirty summer fashions with Cathie as she dyes slips.

Blisstree Arts Cyndi has been featuring some awesome polymer clay artists recently. Check out Dayle Doroshow's work!

Aileen's Musings Are you looking for a new party invitation idea? Aileen has a mini tutorial for a banner invitation in a tin! Stop by and download your own freebie banner!

CraftyPod Sister Diane's been making some interesting stuff with her Cricut and Cuttlebug...

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy reviews a book that may have answers for your crochet questions.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside's got the latest episode of the video series Look, Learn & Create with Amy Hanna author of Rejuvenated Jewels, 1 of the tips from the book: 100 Habits of Successful Freelance Designers, a sneak peek in Book-Art with more info about Swap-o-rama-rama at Maker Faire this weekend and how to make a stencil portrait from L. K. Ludwig's book: True Vision.

Cross Stitch at About.com Meet Mr. X Stitch - Learn more about the man who helps put the X in x-stitch. Mr. Cross Stitch aka Jamie Chalmers designs and supports modern Cross Stitch and embroidery.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Old metal disk earrings get a industrial makeover with help from the new book- Chic Metal by Victoria Tillotson.

The Artful Crafter Eileen shows you how to make beautiful roses from paper clay. Paper clay is fun to work with and very easy on the hands. For this project the only molded shapes you need to make are balls and cones. Then you flatten them to make either rose petals or leaves.

Vickie Howell Download a free Pop Goes Crochet pattern for the "Doris" summer scarf!

The Crochet Dude Kick off summer with Drew's latest free pattern, "Brain Freeze"!

The Impatient Crafter It's Flip Out Flip Flop Summer madness at The Impatient Crafter. DIY a pair of lace up Goddess sandals with Madge!

Mangolicious

Image Copyright K. O. Munson

I’ve been working on some big ideas and yesterday one of them was shelved. It’s a really cool idea and I think folks would love it, but at least for the foreseeable future it’s not going to happen. It’s frustrating sometimes knowing that the people in charge of approving your big ideas and getting them out to the masses are often entirely lacking in vision, but what’s a gal to do?

You never quite know if you fit the suit, Johnny Bravo and it’s often got little to nothing to do with your talent. More often than not, it’s one or two people who have decided they want oranges and if you’re a mango you can forget about it. So what do you do when your big ideas get shelved? What do you do if you’re a mango in an orange world? You have a good cry. You feel really bad about your big idea and yourself for a moment or two. You beat yourself up a little for not being taller or smaller or younger or older or curvier or skinnier or more orangish...and then you shout out...as loud as you can...

“SCREW THAT! I AM FABULOUS!”

You have to believe in yourself and your brilliance. You have to be willing to take rejection and keep on moving forward. You have to know that if oranges are popular right now with the ‘not visionaries’ in charge...mangos just might be the next big thing. So be ready to knock their socks off when that day comes...which might be sooner than later because the winds are constantly changing direction.

I have a page from a magazine taped on the shelf next to my desk with ghastly movie reviews of some of the most successful and well loved films in history. This page reminds me that even if you’re not everyone’s cup of tea...if you make great tea someone will love it. Maybe lots of folks will love it, but no matter how delicious you are someone will think you tasteless. C’est la vie. It’s a damn good thing Elvis didn’t listen to the person who told him to keep driving trucks...and Hemingway kept trying to sell books after over a hundred rejection letters...and Dr. Seuss didn’t listen to the children’s book publishers who thought his books too weird for the masses...because without that tenacity and self-belief the world would have missed out. All because some ‘not visionaries’ were looking for oranges instead of mangos.

I’ve got some other big ideas simmering right now and I do believe that one of them is going to cook up really nicely. Onward and upwards. Success happens when the right big idea and the right visionaries come together at the right moment. I’m a mango and I’m going to be as mangolicious as possible because when it’s my time to shine I’ll be ready.

I’m mangolicious. How about you?

Until next time...craft on with your bad selves.

xoxo
Madge

Flip Out Flip Flop Summer Free Craft Project from The Impatient Crafter Margot Potter

When I was a kid, rubber flip-flops worn anywhere but at the beach or on the boardwalk were considered to be the height of tacky. Somehow we’ve become so utterly casual that rubber flip-flops are everywhere these days. They’re flipping through the office corridors. They’re flopping along the shopping malls. They’re slapping and slopping their way into every location...even in the dead of winter.

Flip. Flop. Slap. Slop.

So...am I okay with that?!

Honestly? On one level I’m horrified and on the other I’m sitting here typing in a pair of rubber flip-flops so who the heck am I to judge?! Besides anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE shoes!

I’ve taken to the DIY Flip-Flop route after sizing up the price points of the upscale variety online and at the mall. When my daughter and I were shopping she mentioned wanting lace-up flip flops and I put on my thinking cap to make it happen. Here’s the 411 on The Goddess Flip-Flops...and stay tuned because this is the first installment in the Flip Out Flip Flop Summer™ Series!

Goddess Flip-Flops
Flip Out Flip Flop Summer™
Copyright 2009 Margot Potter

Tie on these saucy sandals when you want to release your inner Goddess. The laces minimize the flip-flop sound to make them a skootch more office friendly.

Materials
Black Rubber Flip Flops from Old Navy
Pair of long hi-top style shoe laces in light grey
24 black grommets
2 swirl pattern grungeboard by tim holtz™ sheets
2 8mm 5002 crystal AB (001 ab) CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements beads
2 20 gauge silver plated head pins
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Line paint in charcoal black
Ranger Adirondack pigment ink pad in snow cap
Inkadinkado Flourish Stamp 96253-P
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Line paint brush
White pen (to mark hole placement)
Hello Kitty® Daisies Bigz™ Die
Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue

Tools
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Chain nose pliers
Crop-A-Dile™
Ruler
Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine
Bead reamer or other drill with 1/16” bit

1. Die cut your grungeboard by tim holtz™ flowers using the Sizzix Big Shot and the Hello Kitty Die. Make two cut sheets.

2. Paint the four smaller flowers black and allow them to dry.

3. Use snow cap pigment ink to stamp flourishes on surface of flowers.

4. Allow to dry.

5. Glue flowers together.

6. Drill a small hole in the center of each flower.

7. Thread each flower with a beaded head pin.

8. Bend pin flush to the back of your flower and cut to approximately ¼”.

9. Use largest part of round nose pliers to create a large loop at the back of each flower.

10. Measure your straps and mark six evenly placed spots for holes on each side. Make the front holes close to the strap fronts and your final hole should rest on the lower side of your foot.

11. Use your Crop-a-Dile on the larger setting to punch out your holes. (You can opt for a hole punch here.)

12. Set your grommets with the Crop-a-Dile. (You can use a grommet setting tool here.)

13. Thread a lace into the underside of the outside of one of your flip flops and lace through the holes until you reach the center.

14. Thread under over, under and over the toe portion of the flip flop criss-crossing the lace into a small x.

15. Continue lacing down the outside of the flip flop until you reach the final hole.

16. Repeat for second flip flop.

17. Open and thread the looped flower into the top lace in the x design at the front of each flip flop. Secure closed.

18. Lace on your new creations and go have some fun already will ya?!

Embracing Our Flaws

Image Copyright Enoch Bolles

I have flip flops to design, books to review, emails to send, projects to make for my new book and yet...I feel like writing about something else today. So there, straw pile!

Tonia Davenport posted a provocative blog that got me thinking. I like to think, but it can be so distracting, can’t it? Tonia was discussing meeting ourselves where we are instead of comparing ourselves to others and I think that’s a point worth exploring.

It is easier to see the flaws in the tapestry than it is to grasp the beauty in the overall design. The key to success is in celebrating our strengths and more importantly in seeing the infinite potential in the things we perceive as weakness. The ‘flaws’ just might be the point and they definitely contribute something incredibly important to the totality of who we are.

The Impatient Crafter™ began in an email I sent to my husband when I finally and fully accepted that I am innately lazy. This laziness or impatience (or if I’m feeling like a Zen master-my desire to pursue the path of least resistance) deeply informs my creativity. If I can find a way to do something faster, easier and more simply, I will do it. If I can get there sooner and get on to the next idea but still have a rich and fulfilling journey and a worthwhile result, sign me up! So does that really make me lazy or does that make me innovative? Am I a sea slug or am I a visionary?

Does my not wanting to spend a month on one design make me impatient? Yes, yes it does.

Is that impatience a virtue? In my case, yes. Yes, it is.

Tonia brought up a great point and its one worth contemplating deeply. These things we see as personal flaws aren’t really flaws at all. In shifting our perspective we can see them as unique personal traits that can unlock opportunities.

We tend to be our own harshest critics and most failure to succeed begins with self flagellation that is followed by the failure to attempt. Many of us are far more afraid of the possibility of success than we are of the comfort of failure. If we create success...we are making a bigger splash in the pool and those splashes create waves and those waves create ripples and those ripples expand outward and make change. Change is scary.

If we don’t ever try...we won’t have to deal with the complications that result from succeeding.

Plus we all have that inner critic pecking away at our self esteem.

Next time the inner critic starts harping on you about something, see if there isn’t a gift disguised as a flaw in the topic of that diatribe. Crack the nut and see what’s inside. Turn that inner critic into your personal alarm bell for worthwhile possibilities.

The more we become ourselves without excuse or shame or fear, the richer and more fulfilling our journey will be. There are as many pathways to joy as there are people walking them.

Carpe Gaudium.

xoxo
Madge

True Craft Confession

The winner of last week's contest is: Julie Otte. Congratulations! Your prize will be on its way to you soon!

Yesterday I fully intended to relax, but instead I took on a project that's been lingering on the side lines of my studio for a while. During the better part of the afternoon I destroyed a metal bobbin case, a needle and an entirely innocent spool of thread. Take that, sewing implements! After many juicy expletives, a flurry of stray threads and wayward straight pins and more than a few temper tantrums...I ended up with two not too shabby curtain panels. They actually turned out to be pretty cute, but when you factor in the time, the broken items and the cost of the gorgeous Alexander Henry fabric (and the original novelty fabric I purchased at Reprodepot that didn't work out when I measured the first set of panels wrong)...well I'd probably have been better off not DIYing this project. My sewing machine has some seriously finicky tension, even my pal Jenny Harada had problems getting it to work properly. So it's not just user error...at least not entirely! I was determined to get these curtains finished no matter how frustrating the effort became and thankfully I persevered. I measured twice and I cut once (okay actually twice because they were a little too long the first time!) I think they pull the kitchen together beautifully. Huzzah!

(It's dark and dreary here today so I wasn't able to get a great pic, but you get the idea! I may double up the panels and sew two more, haven't decided if I'm ready for that yet!)

Now I have to buckle up and get to work on my new book. I had to take on some freelance work last week that got me a little behind schedule, but until mid-August all of my attention is going to be on pumping this book out. Don't even think of asking me for anything else because I've got to put the nose to the old grindstone here.

Stay tuned for the first installment in my 'Flip Out Flip Flop Summer project series'. I've also got some book reviews to share soon. Until then...craft on with your bad selves!

xoxo
Madge

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day to my American readers! A heartfelt and sincere thank you to all of the brave men and women who fought (and many of whom died) for our freedom. My greatest dream is that one day, the human race will look back at the brutality, futility and absurdity of war and wonder how we ever participated in such madness.

"Imagine all the people...living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you'll join us. Then the world will live as one." John Lennon

On a totally unrelated note...stay tuned for my first installment in my series on DIY flip-flops starting this week! I'll announce the winner of last week's contest tomorrow, today I'm taking the day off.

Love
Madge

TastyLinks™ Saturday

We hit the local weekly flea market today. My husband and I used to be quite the bargain hunters, but living in a big old school house without closets or much storage has curtailed our junking habits. Well...it’s curtailed his habits, I still seek out old paper and vintage jewelry with a vengeance. Today I bent hubby’s arm after we spied a cool cabinet on the road side and went in to investigate further. We checked out the scene and I scored some great ephemera...Victorian postcards, a vintage children’s book, a never used tracing set from the 30s with some great cartoons and we got three super deals on furniture pieces.

Since then we’ve been knee deep in potting soil. We’re getting a very late start this year...the weather wasn’t working in our favor until today. The veggies are planted, now we’re on to the flowers. I can’t wait for the part when it all starts growing. Yay! We just need to keep those pecky chickens out of everything...

We were delighted to see our Amish neighbors have their strawberry stand back up. There is nothing as scrumptious as a fresh from the ground strawberry. You have to love something so mouthwateringly good AND so good for you! YUMMY! I will be on full force strawberry overload for the next few weeks until they’re all sold out.

Speaking of yummy...here’s this week’s heapin’ helpin’ of TastyLinks™! TastyLinks™ are all the best blogs...all the best blogs wrapped up...in...one!

Here’s a little linky love for dynamic design diva and TV host Kathy Peterson who posted a blurb about our shoot for The Balancing Act on her blog today! Thanks Kathy!

Check out this fab blog from artist Leigh Ann Tenant chock full of great ideas called The Object Project.

Here’s what the Crafty Bloggers gang have brewed up this week:

Aileen's Musings
Get your groove on with Aileen's tie-dyed deli paper background technique. While your at it download her freebie fractal backgrounds!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
How do you brand yourself and your business? Alexa shares how she brands herself and offers some helpful marketing and graphic design ideas to help you build yours!

Blisstree Arts
Many of Cyndi's favorite Photoshop tricks!

Cathie Filian
Forget about "gone fishing" signs and "golf anyone" trinket boxes. Grab some fabric paints, freezer paper, iron-ons and get creative making one-of-a-kind fashions for your pop, pal or hubby.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside has the first in their how to video series, Look, Learn & Create with this week's guest Christi Friesen author of Polymer Clay and Mixed-Media Together at Last, as well as some inspiration and tips for working in series, wordless journaling and a free deer stencil from the new book The Art of Paper Cutting with a how-to for a pattern slider card.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy shows off an oldie but goodie, her old Kenmore sewing machine.

CraftyPod
Sister Diane shares some tips for using Twitter and Facebook to market a creative business.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Connie's Grandmother was a quilter and she's created a special chart to memorialize her. Stitch it up for the quilter in your life.

Naughty Secretary Club
Inspired by Marty Stevens-Heebner’s new book Altered Shoes, Jen gives a pair of white cotton Mary Janes a full makeover.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Stefanie's cross stitched up the 7 deadly sins in Latin with a scissor accent and gives you the pattern so you can make it too!

The Crochet Dude
Drew talks about what could be better than a crochet cruise to the Caribbean!

The Impatient Crafter
Madge is giving away a melange of beads from her Bead Board of Wonders and shares a fun mixed media project!

Vickie Howell
Create earth-friendly vases out of re-used mason jars & twine. This one's for both knitters and crafters alike!

Viral Marketing with Madge

Howdy Pardners!

This has been one of those weeks where the things I've put out there started to congeal suddenly and without warning! I'm all over the interwebs these days and it's been a huge boost for me professionally. The more you can get yourself out there in terms of internet PR, the better your chances of connecting with the right people. I know sometimes my family and friends scratch their heads at the time I spend on viral marketing. It's not like I get paid to make my videos or write this blog or Twitter or FaceBook market. The pay off is in the amount of searchable information that's out there about me. Earlier this week I got an unexpected and exciting email from someone who was doing internet research and kept finding my work, my videos and my information popping up. They were duly impressed, which is a good thing! So now I'm up for a very cool opportunity because I put myself out there. If it actually happens, I'll let you in on the details.

It's not enough to just have a blog or a website, it's about how many ways you can connect yourself. I call this the "Googleability Factor." It's important. No one is going to discover you sitting at a lunch counter or blogging in the wind. The chances of them finding you increase exponentially if you put yourself out there as much as possible and if you create connections. It's crucial that you do so in a productive way, meaning everything you do should reflect your brand.

Who are you?

What do you want to build?

How do you want other people to perceive you and your work?

Ask yourself these questions over and over again. Then ask yourself if what you're about to put out there reflects your answers. Don't put pictures of yourself surrounded by empty beer bottles, three sheets to the wind and mackin' on your best friend on the net. That isn't going to serve your brand...unless your brand is Drunkin' Idiot. Which could work for some folks I suppose. There's also such a thing as the 'over share.' Ask yourself before you blog, tweet or post on FB if what you're about to say is more than anyone really needs to know...unless the 'over share' is part of your brand. Shock value has its merits and can certainly get you noticed. I admittedly 'over share' on occasion-to a degree. If it's not going to help you sell brand you, it's not worth it. There's a whole generation of people who are going be surprised when it comes time to job hunt that those half naked Spring Break pics and the sexting they've been doing might become problematic.

I have to tweak my message on a regular basis. I'm here on the internet to build something. Everything I do has to serve that...and a big part of my brand and my message is transparency. I also hold back far more than I reveal, I'm selective.

Think deeply and often about your message and how to best get it out there. The internet is a powerful medium. Use it well and use it wisely my friends!

And now I have a couple of fun links to share!

Here's a guest blog post I wrote for Craft for Health that went live yesterday.

Here's a link to an interview I did with the delightful folks from The Vintage Indie Blog that posted yesterday.

I'm honored to have two designs in the upcoming book Steampunk Style by Jean Campbell. The roster of artists who've contributed is impressive and I can't wait to see it! Here's a link to the Amazon page with the 411.

I've also got a design slated for the intriguing new book Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton. Check out their Facebook Fan Page with lots of fun stuff to explore!

The folks from Create Your Style posted info about Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed by yours truly, Fernando DaSilva and Katie Hacker on their site. Check it out here!

Until tomorrow...craft on with your bad selves...and remember you're not just making crafts...you're crafting your reality.

xoxo
Madge

American Idol...yeah I got sucked in.

I admit it.

Even though I mostly don't watch TV I got totally sucked into the American Idol season this round. Why? Because I heart Adam Lambert. Plus my kid is performing now and it gave us something over which to bond...we both heart Adam.

The following post has absolutely nothing to do with crafts, but check out the crafty goodness in Adam's outfits in these pics! He obviously knows his way around a glue glun and the glitter aisle!



I'm an actor, a theatre geek and a former front person for several bands. I have always been a believer in putting on a great show. If you're just going to stand there in an old t-shirt and wrinkled jeans, meh. Being a crafty gal, I was always making funky outfits to wear onstage. It's SHOW BUSINESS...give a little razzle-dazzle AND back it up with some kick ass vocals and I'm all over it! Spruce it up a little, look like you actually made an effort!

Kris is a talented, handsome and utterly endearing young man. He wasn't the best vocalist or performer in the competition, but I do give him props for playing instruments, arranging music and staying true to himself. I understand why he won because he's quintessential teen idol material and Adam is unapologetically androgynous which makes him rock star material. It's like Pat Boone versus Elvis...or Donny Osmond versus David Bowie...apples to oranges and both have their merits.

For all of the blather about Adam being too over the top...he was the most polite contestant I've ever seen on the show. People are saying Kris was unassuming, but Adam was too. Everytime he performed he took time to thank the band and he was absolutely gracious in defeat last night. His confidence never reeked of smugness or self satisfaction, he was always incredibly polite when taking feedback. They both seem like genuinely nice guys and they're polar opposites in terms of their performance styles. Viva la difference!

I'm quite sure they're both going to be just fine.

I have been blathering on and on to my family about how Adam should have done a Queen song on the show and quite frankly I wish he'd have sung alone with Queen instead of Kiss. He's got that Freddie Mercury/Robert Plant rock star swagger. Theatrical?! Uh, yeah. That's the idea. He was a champion last night for sure. If only he'd have sung Killer Queen...I'd have been in glam rock heaven.

Oh and that shoulder dealio he had on last night with Kiss?! What the?! AWESOME! I want to make one!

I know that he's not everyone's cup of tea. Looking at these photos I can see he actually did try to tone it down for AI, but I'm glad he stayed true to his inner glamazon! I hope he has an amazing career and gets to make the kind of music he loves, put on incredible live shows and that he gets to act too. He's the true triple threat.



Actually he's incredibly lucky that he doesn't have to sing that insipidly nauseating mountain/hurricane/higher/deeper cliche ridden song as his first single.

So there's that!

Okay rant concluded.

You are free to disagree with me...but you're wrong.

So there.

Ha ha.

xoxo
Madge

The Real Secret

Image Copyright Enoch Bolles

"When negotiating, you have to be a pirate AND a diplomat"

Over the past five years I have worked tirelessly to create a presence online, on-air and in print. It’s been an incredible amount of work and blood, sweat and plenty of tears. It’s been triumph and it’s been tragedy and it’s been a wild, wild ride. Five years ago I was a woman who had exhausted her options, sitting in my kitchen at a tiny table between my refrigerator and my stove, fully believing in my talents, tenacity and vision and sending out signals into the galaxy via my computer.

"Hello, hello, hello is there anybody in there?" Pink Floyd

Had ANYONE told me that I’d be an author, consultant and a design expert ten years ago, I’d have guffawed heartily. I had other plans. I was going to be an actress. In the theater and on film. But like all of the best laid plans of mice and men, real life has a funny way of intervening.

It took a long, long year for me to reinvent myself, but I created something tangible and it was unfolding beautifully. Then suddenly after five years of unfolding ...inexplicably...everything came to a full stop. You literally could have heard a pin drop in my studio.

We were all there, something about the economy...she says with her tongue planted firmly in her porcelain cheek...

I was casting my line all over the place and not even getting a nibble. I was trying to figure out how to reinvent myself, yet again. Then without a warning notice it all went into hyper speed. If only I could create pockets of time and take those slower periods and add them into these crazy times so it evened out. Alas and alack, I’ve neither been able to defy the laws of physics nor bend the time-space continuum to suit my needs.

If you figure it out, let me know.

So it’s looking like I’ve got my work cut out for me for the next few months and I’m hoping I can manage to juggle all of the balls without dropping any or many. It’s almost summertime and my kid really wants to spend her summer with me rather than at Camp Snoopy...so there’s that. That’s important. She’s a big part of why I do what I do. She’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that when I start feeling self important or special or I neglect to connect because “I’m busy doing something important.” It’s very easy to forget that what we do does not define us. How we love and are loved in return is the full measure of our existence.

The rest is just the stuff we do to mark time.

Well...and if we’re smart...the rest is what we do to pay it forward, to love and celebrate ourselves, to explore our passions and to bring that joy we’ve sown back into the love we give to others.

Now there’s the rub.

I’m balancing the things that matter with the things that pay the mortgage and trying to find some semblance of normal in this reality and these dreams I’m spinning with the straw. Is it turning gold or merely turning?

That remains to be seen.

Here's the real secret. It's not enough to dream big dreams. Dream big dreams and then get up each and every day and take the small steps towards them. Even when you feel like nothing is working, keep taking steps. It's when you think that nothing is working, that those seeds you planted are beginning to quietly sprout beneath the surface.

1. Do what you love.

2. Do something for which you have a true proclivity.

3. Be willing to do the hard work to make it real.

I can’t quite resist a resounding “WOO HOO!”

Yeah, I said it and I meant it...but I’m not ever taking myself or reality seriously...and if I start to do so please feel free to shower me with raspberries...and not the tasty kind.

“Human folly does not impede the turning of the stars.” Tom Robbins

xoxo,
Madge

We Have a Winner!

I have been utterly remiss in announcing the winner of the two signed books! Egads! Yes, time slipped away with the travel and the sinus infection and some last minute deadlines that hit me fast and hard and suddenly it’s foreverandaday and I’ve still not spilled the proverbial beans. Please, please forgive!

The winner is...

Sandy of Auntie Sandy’s Art!

Congratulations! My daughter and I just got the same haircut Sandy!

Please email me at theimpatientcrafter@gmail.com to claim your prize.

Peekaboo...I see you!

Peekaboo Mixed Media Necklace Copyright 2009 Margot Potter

Sometimes the muse is with you 100% and can take you from inspiration to fabulous finished designs in seconds flat! Yay Muse! Yay fabulosity! Yay something else but I’m not sure what so I guess I should stop typing now...

The folks at Rings & Things just keep coming up with wickedly cool products for the jewelry making afficionado. Here’s a design I whipped up super fast using their new hammered oval footage gun metal chain, black rattail #1 weight and some random stuff I had lying around the studio. I have a bead board on the sliding component of my work desk (the one the keyboard should go on...were I even marginally normal) and it’s my catch all for the beads that didn’t quite make it into a design. This bead board is constantly overflowing, but it’s a great one stop shop for accent beads! I rummaged for some beads that matched and added them to the chain and the top of the rusty vintage keyhole I decoupaged with a flapper image peeking through. I have a keyhole collection I’ve been slowly amassing over the past few years...I have plans for them. Yes. Yes I do. I added a gunmetal key and one frayed rattail bow accent and that was all she wrote. The plan is to let that rattail keep unraveling...so this piece gets cooler with age.

Rings & Things also sent me a copy of their extensive and information packed Gemstone Bead Index. I have always felt they have THE best website in the jewelry making biz in terms of information about what you’re actually buying and extensive gem history, lore and fun facts. Love them for that.

They sent me three cell phone lariats and a serpentine necklace in both gold and silver plate. Leave a comment and I select someone to receive these goodies along with a generous mix of beads randomly selected from my Bead Board of Wonders! I’ll announce a winner next week, please check back to see if you won and email me at theimpatientcrafter@gmail.com if you have problems leaving a comment and if you win so you can claim your prize. I can’t hunt you down all over the interwebs...it’s up to you to get that mailing address to me!

xoxo
Madge

TastyLinks™ Saturday!

The Balancing Act on location for Beadalon with Kathy Peterson and Margot Potter

(Photo courtesy Meredith Dobro)

It's time once again for your weekly Linky Love shower! Grab your umbrella, ella, ella's and get ready for some crafty good fun. I've got a back log of stuff to share and rather than throw it all at you today, I'll be sharing throughout the week. How much link clicking can one do before your fingers start to get tired? Today I shall be attempting to be the 'soul of wit' by remaining brief...as difficult as that might be for me!

I do have one tasty tid bit for your edification. The picture above is from the TV Shoot I mentioned. You can read all about the shoot at the Beadalon blog.

And now it's TastyLinks™ time! Here's what the Crafty Blogger's Gang has whipped up for your craftertainment this week:

Vickie Howell Need a home decor, quick-fix? Vickie shows you how to use fabric scraps to over those otherwise drab, light switch plates!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Sweater Surgery in the Pratt Institute Magazine and Bookmarks You can make at Maker Faire with me!

Naughty Secretary Club Love the look of the groovy spaghetti string lamps from the 60’s? Make your own with Jen, some yarn, a balloon and a little fabric stiffener.

Cross Stitch at About.com Connie's been in a Sci-Fi mood lately - check out her Out of This World Patterns.

CraftyPod Sister Diane shows you how to make a quilted fabric pendant.

Crafty Princess Diaries Are you cutting coupons these days? Then make this simple little crochet coupon holder to keep them organzied.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Inside peeks into the new books: Mosaics: The Art of Reuse and my shotgun and sea shell stepping stones, SKETCHBOOK and a few of my sketchbook sketches and their end result, Re-Bound and the story behind this month's San Metao Maker Faire (30th and 31st) "Makeready" journal we will be giving away in our booth, and a Sweater Surgery Hello Kitty Sunglass case how-to.

Cathie Filian Cathie whips up a "no calorie cake" with a few items from the dollar store!

Blisstree Arts Digital art calls for a creative framing method!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner Swelldesigner shares with you why you need a mini idea book !

Aileen's Musings Aileen has a new tutorial perfect for teen birthday parties!

About Family Crafts Discover how you can create your own fancy, garden stepping stones.

The Impatient Crafter Style Guru Brini Maxwell and The Impatient Crafter Margot Potter want you to join them on their Crafty Cabaret Carribean Cruise in Fall of 2010! Here's the 411!

News!

Dazzle copyright 2009 Margot Potter courtesy of FW Media/North Light Books from Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed

The ink is dry and I can share some good news! I sold my sixth book yesterday. It's official! I'll be working with the folks from North Light Books/FW Media again. We've got a good thing going so we're going to keep it up! I'm not spilling the beans on the book title or topic until we get closer to pub date. A gal has to have a few tricks up her sleeves...besides a little mystery is a good thing.

Later today you can watch a video I shot at CHA Winter with the delightful duo of Ana and Megan Araujo of When Creativity Knocks. I share the Dazzle necklace (see image above) from the new book Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed with Katie Hacker and Fernando DaSilva. It's a pretty cool idea using Beadalon Memory Wire, so check it out! While you're there read up on their WCK Cruise this Fall...I'm teaching along with the fabulous folks from Diva Craft Lounge and Ana Araujo! Come play with us!

I've got a very quick turn around on this book so I'm afraid my blogging is going to be shorter, sweeter and more to the point until the August deadline. Think of it as The Impatient Crafter Lite! I did want to mention that we've decided to move the Beads and the City trip to Spring of 2010. It gives us more time to fine tune things and let's face it...NYC in August is misery. I'll keep you posted on the details as we get them nailed down.

I also wanted to say how proud I am of my amazing daughter Avalon. She was a Student Ambassador last night at a program for the entering students. She had to give an extemporaneous speech to the parents about the various classes offered in her grade. I wasn't the least bit surprised to hear she loves public speaking because she's a natural. She's also been invited to next week's award ceremony and I'm excited to see what award she receives. What a great kid! I'm the luckiest Mom ever!

xoxo
Madge

Big Hair

(I'm recovering from my travel today and am really exhausted so I'm sharing a little video clip. I'll pick a winner for the books tomorrow...I promise!)

Back in my wayward youth, in another incarnation, I sang with a 'cow punk' band called Big Hair in the Bay Area alt music scene. We had a huge following and probably could have made something of it had we been able to get along behind the scenes. We were young. Yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. That is until I pen my memoirs, which will of course be mostly fictional.

This is a video clip from (gasp) 1985 of Big Hair playing at a San Jose institution called The Works Gallery. A lot of crazy stuff happened for me personally around this particular venue, so it's apt that this footage was shot there. I'm sporting a neon yellow hip length braided Heidi wig, a bright red pleather short motorcycle jacket and a pencil skirt. Back then most of my 'crafty' nature went into the kooky outfits I wore, which were intentionally unconventional even for punk standards. I've got a problem with following the rules. Quel suprise.

This video starts with the tail end of Caryl Miller's kick butt version of Nancy Sinatra's classic 60s hit "These Boots are Made for Walking". We did some really fun and unique covers and had a lot of great originals too. I'm singing a tune I penned called "12th Street Blues." I spent a number of years in a house at 345 12th Street in downtown San Jose, before it got a makeover courtesy of the Silicon Valley days. Back then it was a gritty, funky city with a serious multiple personality disorder and a fairly large punk scene. The thrift stores in that town were legendary, I can't believe some of the stuff I scored for pennies!

I wrote this song to intentionally sound like something you'd heard before and it has every country music cliche in the lyrics. I can't tell you how many people asked over the years if they could record this song. It's the kind of little ditty that gets stuck inside of your head. I apologize in advance if that happens to you!

(A huge 'THANK YOU!" to ERIC PREDOEHL for editing and posting this video. It was a labor of love indeed and I'm so happy someone had a record of Big Hair live. What a treat!)

TastyLinks™ Saturday!

Image Copyright Enoch Bolles

I am off to shoot a segment for a TV show tomorrow morning. I'll fill you in on the details when the air date approaches. I've been frantically whipping up samples and jewelry for myself and the hostess. I searched high and low for a solid blue dress...finally found a lovely simple Grecian affair at Forever 21 this afternoon and got it into the car only to realize it was a color somewhere between cobalt blue and royal purple. Let's call it blurple. So I just had to make another jewelry design to coordinate with a blurple dress. Yippee. I'm recovering from a last minute sinus infection (it's always something isn't it?) but I'm forging on to get ready to jet out tomorrow early. I won't be back until Wednesday...so there won't be any new posts or comments approved until after then. Do forgive. I don't feel like lugging the old lap top.

I must away...but before I take off here is this week's sampling of TastyLinks™: All the good blogs wrapped up in one!

Vickie Howell In preparation for Summer break, Vickie shows a simple craft for bringing a little magic into your kids' vacation!

The Crochet Dude Drew finally announces his latest news; plus video!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery A plain glass bottle gets a makeover with an engraved plaid jackalope following the great directions from the new book: Glass Engraving by Sonia Lucano.

Naughty Secretary Club Jen shows how she whipped up a coordinating fabric covered photo album to match the curtains and the cushions in her daughter’s nursery.

Cross Stitch at About.com Stitching on dark Cross Stitch fabrics is challenging for most of us. Do you stitch on dark fabrics? Vote in the poll, read Connie's tips, and share your own tips and tricks.

Crafty Princess Diaries Even if you missed making this for mom this Mother's Day, the Crafty Princess has a great combo gift idea for your next gift-giving need. Part of it you can make and part you can purchase, but both are inexpensive and perfect for lots of folks on your list.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside's got a cool scratching photo technique, 2 ways to weave an eyeglass case, an interview with the author of Art Doll Adventures: Lisa Li Hertzi, a tutorial on how to needle felt a bird and as always questions of the day that if you answer you're entered to win a free book!

Cathie Filian Cathie is Mod Podging thrift shop plates to make unique collages and mini works of art.

Blisstree Arts Cyndi has compiled her favorite posts on creating collages and art quilts

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner Make your own mini Moo-like business cards from junk mail postcards!

Aileen's Musings Aileen has another blog giveaway! Stop by and enter to win 1 of 3 original hand-drawn ATCs she's giving away.

About Family Crafts If you are looking for an almost instant Mother's Day gift or activity, check out these free, printable Mother's Day projects.

The Impatient Crafter Caution: Madge's new book may cause you to dive into a craft binge. She's created a form excuse letter so you can skip work and craft to your heart's content!

Crafty Cabaret Carribean Cruise with Brini Maxwell and Margot Potter

I'm a little under the weather here, but it's nothing a course of antibiotics and more rest won't cure. Before I crawl back under the covers I have something exciting to share!

I'm thrilled to finally be able to announce our cruise! We've been working on this for months with Jim West and the folks from ScrapMap and it's taken amazing amounts of self restraint for me not to spill the beans...but...finally...I CAN! Follow this link to read all about the Crafty Cabaret Cruise with your hostesses with the mostest(est) Style Network star Brini Maxwell and The Impatient Crafter Margot Potter!

We're going to entertain you with our sensational song stylings, share our style tips and tricks and help you get your craft on while we cruise the Carribean for eight fabulous fun filled days! Let us entertain you...let us...make you craft! Come along and join the crafty fun!

xoxo
Madge

Queen Barksalot Free Doggy Collar Project for Beadalon

Queen Barksalot Doggie Collar Copyright 2006 Margot Potter for Beadalon

Beadalon is posting a ton of new free projects on their website! This is a fancy occasion mixed media doggie collar I created for them a couple of years ago, it has a most fabulous matching leash that's going up on the site later this week. Follow this link to get the instructions. Let's face it, this would look just as cool on a person as it would on a dog. You don't have to tell anyone it's really a dog collar. I think my family might insist that Queen Barksalot is an apt title for me.

Snark.

My straw pile increased exponentially this past week so I'm afraid I must away and spin, spin, spin the straw into gold. Rumplestiltskin has been MIA forfreakin' ever, that nasty little troll. If you see him, you can tell him I've got a few choice words reserved for him.

Ah, if only there really were magical studio helpers willing to work for sparkles! Until next time...craft on with your bad selves.

xoxo
Madge

Dear Margot

Dear Margot,

I just picked up your book Beyond the Bead and I LOVE IT!!!!! It has been a long time since I bought a book and have been SO inspired!!! I have been crafting for the past two days and can't stop!!!! (I don't even want to go to work tomorrow!!!) I love the fact that your projects are easy to do and don't cost a lot of money. That is my kind of crafting! Once again, THANK YOU!!! I love your work!!!!! Brainstorming my next project,

Stacy Clayton : )

Thank you Stacy! You made my day. In light of Stacy's predicament, I've created a form letter anyone can present to the boss if they need to take a day or more off for a Beyond the Bead craftsravaganza.:

Dear (insert your boss's name here)

Please excuse (insert your name here) from work today. She/he purchased my new book Beyond the Bead. I had no idea when I wrote this book the power it might have to inspire binge crafting marathons. Do forgive. (Insert your name here) is not the least bit responsible for her/his need to craft beyond the bounds of decency or the regular work week.

Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. Hopefully (insert your name here) will be able to return to work fully crafted out in the near future, but it make take up to three full days to experience crafty saturation.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Warmest regards,
Margot Potter
The Impatient Crafter™
'Impatient, Imperfect and Impetuous, a craft expert for the rest of us'

I'm giving away one signed copy of each of my new books Beyond the Bead and Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed along with some super studio swag in celebration of their most auspicious sales figures. Leave any old comment here and I'll select a winner next Tuesday.

xoxo
Madge

Bliss Necklace and A Very Soggy Carriage Drive

Copyright Margot Potter 2007

It was my sister-in-law's birthday on Sunday. I made this necklace a while ago for the Cantata Books website The Chick's Guide. Since my SIL is a yoga instructor, this seemed like a perfect fit. I whipped up some matching earrings and it was ready to go. Funny thing is that I wasn't quite sure if she'd love the colors, but she was wearing a pretty paisley peasant top that matched perfectly! Serendipity!

I used an image from Art Chix Studios and a Ranger Memory Glass frame. I accented the image with a Ranger Inkssentials pen. The beads are freshwater pearls, sterling, Czech glass and dyed agate carved flowers. I like the simplicity and balance of this design, which further supports the focal image and the Zen like vibe.

Yesterday we went on a very soggy and cold carriage drive. The skies opened up from the moment we hitched the horses until we put them back into their trailer. Would that I could share pics of fancy hats, opulent carriages, gorgeous scenery and the hoi polloi, but we all looked rather drenched and horrid by the end of the affair. I never got to eat yesterday, we weren't sure until the very last minute the event was on and didn't have time to stop for picnic snacks. I had literally taken one bite of my dinner when I was asked to give up my seat. I quickly scarfed down a roll, but it was impossible to eat standing up in a crowded room, plus the main course was a roasted pig. Although I have no problem eating pork, seeing a whole suckling pig laid out on a platter made this pig owner feel terribly bad about eating it, so I refrained. My lack of food, cold, wet clothes and boots combined with a few ill advised glasses of wine made for a rather unpleasant ride home.

Thank you, hubby dear for your boundless patience.

Until next time...craft on with your bad selves!

Cheers,
Madge

Check out my NEW BOOKS!
Website: www.margotpotter.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/margotpotter

TastyLinks™ Saturday!

Click here to get the instructions for my Simply Lovely Bracelet at the Beadalon Website, you'll learn how to use scrimps and wire guardians! Copyright 2006 Margot Potter for Beadalon (You can find the bird charm at Ornamentea)
Join the Beadalon Fan Page on Facebook!

What a wild week! Up and down and all around and by Friday I was feeling like crawling under my covers with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and a trashy novel. Then I got some stellar news I can share as soon as the ink is dry and that perked me up a skootch. I was still feeling kinda bleh until I got an email from my publisher. Both of my new books Beyond the Bead and Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed have sold through their first printings! Beyond the Bead sold through within the first three months! That’s rockin’! Plus the email included a little Press Release they’d whipped up that said some awfully super nice things about me. I’m a Leo, we love compliments. In fact we eat them for breakfast every morning. Please pass the ‘pretty please with brown sugar on top’ and a side of ‘gee you’re swell’s.”

So thank you to everyone who has purchased both of the books, thank you to folks who’ve written up some great reviews and helped get some buzz going. Kudos to my fabulous co-authors Fernando DaSilva (check out Nando's great post on pricing your jewelry line) and Katie Hacker (Katie's got a great post on Bead Artists against Breast Cancer)! We popped the cork on some bubbly last night and celebrated. This just confirms my belief that folks are hungry for inspiration and for creativity in these trying times. So if you’re a creative, take heart.

I'll be riding on a horse drawn carriage in a fancy (and probably soggy due to the rain) hat this Sunday! My SIL invited us along to schmooze with the uber elite at a prestigious horsey event. As Joan Rivers would say, "Fohn, fohn, fohn...fohn." Just call me "Lovey" dahling.

Super Linky Love thank you to the gals from ScaryCraft for featuring my Mixed Media pin last week! Check out their craftalicious blog!

Ms. Jennifer Perkins did a very fun blog round up of crafty red heads this past week. She included yours truly, I'm a red head at heart no matter what color is on my locks. Thanks Jen!

A Linky Love 411: The folks from Max and Chloe emailed me a hot tip on a great giveaway! They carry some really innovative costume and fine jewelry lines. Click here to enter a sweepstakes for a 500 dollar shopping spree!

My friend Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio did a gorgeous design for Rings n Things last week. She was inspired by my simple wire wrapped lava rocks to make a mind blowingly cool wrapped design integrating her beautiful keyhole pendant as a focal element. Plus I love how she showed you first hand how to be inspired by something and then make it your own. Great work, Melanie! Also check out her thoughtful post about artists’ rights and copyrights here.

Without further ado...here’s this week’s sampling of TastyLinks™ open wide and say “AH!:”

Vickie Howell Create customized cards out recycled fabric and keepsake images!

The Crochet Dude Drew talks about his latest hook/needle find in an All Boye Review!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery See how to make stitchless embroidered fabric from the cool new book: Fabricate by Susan Wasinger.

Naughty Secretary Club Jen does a little painting, searches for vintages images and boils a pair of eyeglasses all in the name of creating a necklace with a little specs appeal.

Cross Stitch at About.com Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Connie's latest fun, fabulous, and did we mention FREE Cross Stitch pattern.

CraftyPod In her latest podcast, Sister Diane interviews Sarah Hodsdon about the future of the design profession in a global, digital economy.

Crafty Princess Diaries Go shopping in style with your own crocheted tote bag. The Crafty Princess shows off her latest finished fiber project.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside's got a crochet pattern for a pop art roll of toilet paper cozy, a detailed tutorial on how to make a photo based painting, a free dress silhouette template from the new book: Cloth Doll Artistry, and a couple of necklaces made from some very unusual recycled elements.

Cathie Filian Cathie volunteered to make 40 centerpieces for an Awards Gala - Check out her trip to the flower district and step-by-step instructions on how to make the arrangements.

Blisstree Arts Cyndi has rounded up all of her favorite posts on making background papers and fabrics for your projects.

Aileen's Musings Aileen offer's another great Mothers or Father's day gift idea using more bottle caps!

About Family Crafts Help needed: Looking for creative graduation decorations... Ideas anyone?

The Impatient Crafter Learn how to make beaded wire circles with Madge!