Charley Harper, how I love you!

Ok, I'm late to the table here. I just discovered the Charley Harper web site. Maybe that's a good thing for my wallet. I bought my family Charley Harper puzzles for Christmas this year; I bought myself pairs of smart wool Charley Harper socks and now, as jennyjen, I discovered Charley Harper fabric! I bought the fat corner sample. They are perfect for coaster sets that I needed to stock up on. I actually ran out over the holidays and have needed some motivation to revamp my design. Here they are! With new hand printed packaging ! Come shop in my etsy store! 

Music in the Baggage Claim?

                                    

We went to see Jenn Wasner played yesterday evening in one of more bizarre places : baggage claim #5 at the BWI airport.  This is another free concert series created by Towson University's radio station WTMD. Chairs were set up in front of a off section by one of the exit doors of the arrival floor. The squeaking of the belts of the bag carriers hummed in the background along with some periodic notifications over the loud speakers. The crowd was a collection of travelers and Jenn / Wye Oak fans. Perhaps the strange weather advisory and freezing cold temps may have deterred some of the fans. I was imaging a larger group, doing five bombs off the baggage carrier.  But that's my punk rock imagination. Jenn Wasner played a combination of new songs she had been working on for a solo album, a new Wye Oak song and very special covers. My favorite was one from Kate Bush's Hounds of Live album. Check out this Wye Oak cover of another Kate Bush song here:

We went to see and had a fun pretending game of let's pretend we're going on a trip to someplace warm! I'd like to know how WTMD came up with this idea, it's kinda bizarre and kinda genius at the same time. 

Stitched Bird Tea Towel Day

Want to brush up on your bird identification while drying up your dishes?

 I know, how crazy that sounds! Who would even think of that? Well, this gal did, that's who! I absolutely love this vintage inspired towling fabric. Not only does it remind me of the days of drying my grandma's dishes with her, but this fabric really does the job! 

I  freehand each bird with my sewing machine on one side and then freehand the name of the bird. A great new item to collect! Machine washable! 

Have a favorite bird you want? Just convo me through my etsy shop! Happy collecting! 

Spring Craft Season...Here I Come!!!!

  What is your favorite Spring Craft Show you like to attend? What are you looking for when shopping for crafts during this time of the year? If its before Mother's Day, then most people have a mission. I've been feeling like spring craft shows can be a hit or miss depending on the crowd, the weather, the timing. Winter Holiday shopping is a major focus once we hit November, but even early fall shows can lack the motivation of many shoppers. Lots of Lookers become the phrase of the vendors along with the funny faces made at each other when a show has turned into a ghost town.

I like to use spring for my trying out craft show time. I have made some horrible choices that I will not do again. Like one that took place in the neighborhood where I grew up, that was behind a strip mall on a grubby old parking lot. Won't tell you what we did there when I was a young lad! SO you learn your lesson and don't do shows because you are curious about your childhood memories! Through many years of trial and error I am hoping that this spring will not be a bust. I am confident and hopeful for a busy and productive spring! I will post shows as I (hopefully) get into them! Look for jennyjen in a new state this season...always a goal for me!

Snow Day!!!

Newness in the Shop...let's Think Spring

I have noticed this somewhat backward method of thinking that I need to make sure I have enough inventory for an upcoming craft show that I tend to not stock up my Etsy shop.  And then I wonder why I'm not selling anything on line.  I've been concentrating on making this jennyjen buisness work. I have a goal to retire and do this full time.

 I love being in my "sweatshop" and I absolutely love making! So I'm posting and using as much social media to get people to look at my wares. The "looks" are improving... Now I just need the sales to improve. 

This time of year is a slow one for any retail. The weather has been crazy snowstorms to lots of rain to a warm day here and there. So getting people to think about spring should not be too much of a challenge, so that is my goal. New spring colors and cheery birdie birds. Give a look and see what you think. 

Three year anniversary in the sweatshop!

Today's photo is pretty self explanatory:

Three years ago: just moved in! 

 

What it looks like today!! 

Think that's called progress!!!

Ready to Work

On my walk to my studio/sweatshop this morning I had this brilliant idea to actual document my making routines. I've been taking a buisness for artist class at MICA and it's making me focus on the buisness side of jennyjen42, so that I can grow this to a full time career that I love! Mind you, I do love teaching, but in this day and age, I am losing steam and enthusiasm for a fast pace, let's just try this, put more and more on the teacher strategies that , let's face it , I'm getting too old for as well as out of that generation of thinking. I'll have my 30 years in before I know it and will be able to retire with benefits at the age of 54! Retire to my full time jennyjen gig. You know I like to travel, and eat well, and drink good wine periodically. I still want to do that! So here goes, I've learned that people want to hear your story. They want to know what inspires you, in hopes that it inspires them to buy from you and continue to support you .

Sweatshop story today is a simple photo documentary of my sweatshop routine in the winter time. I stole this from Mr. Rogers :