So much has happened!

It has been a long time since my last post... I have been busy!

I have wanted to add a new post for several weeks now and haven't because I'm usually on my little laptop that doesn't have very many pictures stored in it and I knew I would want to post pictures too... so, I'm using my husband's computer today and remembered that I need to catch up on my blog.

I want to pick up where I left off, which was in October - I think. So, in November... I was selling my Sugar Cookie Doll Christmas ornaments at the Columbia Museum of arts Artisans fair. A nice lady walked up to me and asked if I made snowmen. I, of course, said "yes" eventhough, it had been years since I attempted that and from what I could remember about them - they were really primitive and not something I would be interested making. So, I thought I would try it again, in a different way.

I was so excited about my finished product... I listed it on etsy and it sold very quickly...which led to me making many others, all different, all selling quick. After Christmas, I made some Valentine related snowmen, the I made St. Patrick's day snowmen. I think it is so great when a customer gives me an idea like that. It pushes me to step out of my box and then I grow as an artist... Thanks nice lady! I will surely be fully stocked with some happy, whimsical snowmen next November when I sell there!

The snowman in the picture was the first one that I made. The base of her is a vintage, silver glass ornament that had belonged to my grandma Cookie. I attached a pink ribbon sash around her as a mamogram reminder.

Holidays Are Coming!!!

I do love Fall! I'm ready for cooler weather and all of the fun upcoming events. I've recently discovered a new design for Christmas ornaments. This is just one example of the many ways to use a simple ball ornament for the base.

Happy Fall Y'all!!!

Mammogram reminder boxes

After I had shouted from the roof tops for every girl I know to get a mammogram and after I had attached a pink ribbon to everything I was making and everything that I had already made, I knew it wasn't going to be enough. I thought that it would be such a great idea for me to sell them at the upcoming Breast Cancer Walk that would be taking place downtown a few weeks from that time, so I made an appointment to see the person that is in charge of that event. I showed her my pink ribbon creations and told her my story and how I would love the opportunity to sell them and donate half of the proceeds to the event. She loved what I had made, but that vendor's at that event have to pay a minimum of $1,000.00 - so, sorry... we won't be able to accommodate you and your pitiful little 50% donation - we only take BIG money. Ok, she didn't say that last part, but that it what it sounded like to me. Oh, and by the way, she asked if she could have one of them. Of course, I smiled quite politely and said that of course she could have one. It just doesn't make sense to me that they could be raising more money if they wanted to - it made me feel like my donation wouldn't have been good enough, like it would be too small to make a difference.

I left there that day feeling frustrated. I went to my friend's house to tell her what had happened and she said that I could just pass the pink ribbon fairey dolls out to my friends as a mammogram reminder. I thought that sounded great. So, I gathered up some boxes, include my story and a journal for them to sign, if they want to, and I made up a poem...
Here's a little message from the mammogram reminder fairey:

I'm here to deliver some cheer, it's true - but, mostly I'm here as a reminder to you. It's crucial that you don't delay! "Get a mammogram" is what I say. Please don't become too attached to me, I have a very important job, you see. I must keep moving or my work will never get done. I'll keep on going 'til the war on cancer is won! So, please pass me on, I hope you won't wait. Joining this life saving crusade, will make you feel great!

So, I give a friend a box, it hopefully reminds them to get a mammogram, they sign the journal and pass it to a friend, then so on until the journal gets filled up. Then I'm supposed to get the journal back and I would send out a new journal so that the fairey can continue her journey.

Have you had a mammogram recently???
xoxo *Toni Kelly*happy happy girl