Friday 9 January 2009

Heart Beat

January used to be my worst month.
I hated getting up in the dark and going out to work or taking the children to school in the dark and returning home, feeling so down.
Now because I work mainly for myself I can avoid it.
I just stay in bed till its light!
I don't mind staying up late at night sewing to make up for lost time.
Having a project or two on the go has helped to stave off negativity for the past couple of years too.
This year its hearts.


I am making things for a Valentine and Burns Night event at a small Gallery in Mid Wales.


No matter how many hearts I made before Christmas, I am still finding ways to vary them.
These have much bigger rings on them which I quite like.
I enjoy these little discoveries.


I do wish the red would photograph better. It the most beautiful of all my silks and velvets but it just looks flat here.


Willow has been creative too.
I leave newspapers for her when I go out because she has taken to 'digging' in my absence.
If its not papers its CDs and books.
This is what she did with them while I was out on Tuesday, she included the plastic wrap from a six pack of bottled water. (NOTE.our tap water tastes truly disgusting, and I do understand the environmental implications..sorry. This six pack will last me ages..I use tap water for tea and coffee)

Now to ETSY.
First point: I have reduced the dollar price of the things in my Etsy shop to reflect the change in the exchange rate, so its now a bargain for Americans and not such an expense for UK residents. The 10% refund sale is on till 18th January.
Second point: PLEEEEEASE if you have ever bought anything from me will you log on and leave feedback? My rating is 78 and my sales are 104. People might smell a rat and think that 22 customers are not satisfied.
There are no rats.
(But I did send the wrong cuff to one of my valued customers in the USA..so sorry, the right one is on its way, Lorie)
Thank you to the two people who rated my blog on blogger. I believe they only change the editors rating when 'it differs significantly' from the others.
I'm a bit too keen on all these stats. Top blogs by Crafters, Technorati, Sewing blog list, Crafty blogs...you name it I'm there giving myself grief because I'm not higher up or my rating isn't better.

27 comments:

ferinn said...

I really love the greys ,they are so subtle and luscious.Have you tried a jug filter?Our water in Bristol is hard and never tasted too special so I used to buy bottled then someone said they are not really regulated and you could be drinking anything.I swopped to a filter and it made a difference both to the taste and stopped the kettle getting "furred"with lime-scale.

Jackie said...

Yes I have tried a filter jug. But the refills aren't re cyclable and have to be replaced often.

hens teeth said...

Jackie....sorry, but Willow's antics made me laugh out loud!
The brooches look so textured with the larger circles.....gorgeous.
I know what you mean about the feedback on Etsy, I may put a plea out too. Folks on E Bay are paranoid about feedback but it does help to boost confidence, as you quite rightly say. x

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Our dog ate my daughters science exercise book that she had left on the stairs the other week!
I'm not at all with it, as I have never seen top blogs by crafters etc...
Your hearts are so beautifully made,I love the patterns.x

jennyflowerblue said...

You are No.1. I love your hearts. Could I possibly buy a manly coloured one for Simon for valentines as he absolutely LOVED the cuff he bought from you. I am off to check we left you Etsy feedback.

Gina said...

The hearts are beautiful Jackie. I think it's a good job I don't know about stats. I did have a visitor counter for a while but was becoming obsessive about checking it so took it off.

Kitty said...

Wherever those guys say you're ranked, rest assured Jackie - you are one of the MOST talented crafters I've ever seen. And I've been around for a while, and seen quite a few.

Beautiful hearts.

x

Lindsey said...

*hangs head in shame* I'm just off to etsy to leave some feedback. Be back soon...

Lindsey said...

OK. Done it!! Sorry I forgot.

The new hearts are gorgeous. I don't think the red looks flat. It glows. Scrummy

I have tried to wean myself off all the stats. I got rid of British Crafty Blogs and I try not too look at Technorati or any of those. I can get a bit obsessive too. Maybe when I finally get round to selling on a regular basis I'll make more of an effort.

Mary Poppins said...

I love yur hearts they are truly scrumptious, you have some lovely pretties on Etsy, I have my eye on one of your pretty cuffs, the purply one Mmmmm, though dont have paypal which i know is a drat

Wishing a lovely and inspiring January :)

X

hippopip said...

You are one of the best so did leave feedback,should have done it before like a lot of things,we all like to be appriecated dont we.

Victoria said...

The hearts are beautiful, ( but don't let Willow find them!)

Robin Mac said...

I don't know what all the stats are about, but you are way up at the top in my estimation, i love your hearts. Cheers, Robin. PS - I am so glad you can now stay in bed till it is light, I can't imagine having darkness for several hours after you arise, and then losingthe daylight again so early!

Michael House said...

I love the hearts,and Willow's work is wonderful! We have Barney, a chocolate labrador, who is into everything, everything he thinks will be edible, and his definition of edible is very catholic.

steviewren said...

I will log on and leave you some feedback. I bought a brooch and I'm very pleased with it. In fact it is featured in picture 4 in your 2008 mosaic.

Lorie McCown said...

Darling Jackie, quit appologizing! Your work is beyond delight, and I can't tell you (well, I guess I can!) how many compliments I get on the brooches! Chill, sister, chill! Aren't doggies nice :-p

Purple Missus said...

I'm one of the guilty ones Jackie - sorry. :(
I looked before but can't work out how to leave feedback.
Can you email me with an 'idiots guide' then I will do it.
Thanks. :)

Anonymous said...

I love all the brooches they are stunning .My Mum loved hers so Much ,thanks .Im glad you are having a better January .
You have a naughty bow wow .I bet hes cute though and he gets away with it .
Love from sesga xx

Anonymous said...

Do I need to leave feed back ??

Daisie said...

Hi, there's a tree of happiness waiting for you on my blog :-)
xxx

Shelly said...

Just found you through late, late night Flickr lurking.
You work is phenomenal. I'm new to fiber arts, and will surely find much inspiration in your pieces. Must have a look at your Etsy now . . .
Happy New Year.
:-)
Shelly

Lorie McCown said...

Hey! I've tagged you on my blog, a short one, I promise! happy weekend!

kristin said...

i don't know why i just swoon at your work all the time when i could actually be WEARING some of it!! off to etsy i go...

Annie B said...

lovely hearts, lovely blog. don't worry about the stats - the comments tell you all you need to know!

Heather said...

I love all those hearts. The swirls, circles and spirals are so simple but effective. You can't really improve on a decorative motif which has been used and adapted for thousands of years - it still works and still looks fresh. Who cares about ranking - we all think your work is amazing and so did all those visitors and clients at the pre-Christmas craft fair.

Woo Gilchrist said...

Hi there,

I just found your blog after noticing that you also state 'Diary of a Nobody' as one of your fav books. I really love the things you make, they are gorgeous!

Woo

Jacky said...

Those silks and velvets... YUM!!!



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