August 31, 2010
I declare!
It wasn’t my intention when I set out, but my Minneapolis sojournthis past weekend ended up being an impromptu buying-trip of sorts. Two stops at “Savers” (the US version of Value Village) in Fargo, ND and Burnsville, MN netted me 30 (yes, THIRTY) t-shirts to upcycle and 22 vintage patterns for my stationary line and collage art. Talk about a haul!
The t-shirts are too numerous to list (plus, I don’t want to spoil the surprise), but off the top of my head, I can say that there’s Star Wars, Mario Bros, SPAM, Bruce Lee (another one!), and vintage Winnipeg Jets in there. The discovery of the Jets shirt can be credited to my awesome and ever-patient fella, R, but the rest were the result of flipping through racks of literally hundreds of shirts. Ah, it’s a labour of love, that’s for sure.
As for the patterns, I am STILL pinching myself. Had I bought them on Ebay or Etsy, they would have cost me upwards of $150 plus shipping; not to mention the hours of searching, watching, bidding, waiting. These ones, however, were in my cart withinminutes seconds and cost me about a tenth of that. I have barely looked at them, but two that stand out for me are “two dudes in robes” (always a favourite) and a very odd 70s wrap-jumpsuit that oddly reminded me of Andee from Sew Dandee. She’s getting the second one, but the rest are for meeeee. And you, eventually. ;-)
Footnote: can you believe that all 30 t-shirts fit in my front-load Kenmore washing machine??? Just sayin’.
The t-shirts are too numerous to list (plus, I don’t want to spoil the surprise), but off the top of my head, I can say that there’s Star Wars, Mario Bros, SPAM, Bruce Lee (another one!), and vintage Winnipeg Jets in there. The discovery of the Jets shirt can be credited to my awesome and ever-patient fella, R, but the rest were the result of flipping through racks of literally hundreds of shirts. Ah, it’s a labour of love, that’s for sure.
As for the patterns, I am STILL pinching myself. Had I bought them on Ebay or Etsy, they would have cost me upwards of $150 plus shipping; not to mention the hours of searching, watching, bidding, waiting. These ones, however, were in my cart within
Footnote: can you believe that all 30 t-shirts fit in my front-load Kenmore washing machine??? Just sayin’.
August 27, 2010
A Peek Inside the MREC
Last week, I dressed up in my cutest dress and sat down in front of the Shaw cameras for an interview about my involvement with the Mozy Rue ECO Collective. It was very nerve-wracking (Am I going to say enough? Will I talk too much?), but kind of exciting (Mr DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up!).
I did a demo and talked-it-up for about half an hour and, along with Jody's segment and the shop-tour, they managed to trim it down to a nice and tidy 2:49.
Click here to watch!
The piece is long enough to make us look like we know what we're doing, but not so long that people will be reaching for the remote. I'm really happy with how it turned out...and I am not completely horrified with how I look/sound. (Really? I sound like that?)
Anyway, I think it's just enough of a taste to make people want to check us out. Adding to my 15 minutes of fame aside, that's what it's all about.
I did a demo and talked-it-up for about half an hour and, along with Jody's segment and the shop-tour, they managed to trim it down to a nice and tidy 2:49.
Click here to watch!
The piece is long enough to make us look like we know what we're doing, but not so long that people will be reaching for the remote. I'm really happy with how it turned out...and I am not completely horrified with how I look/sound. (Really? I sound like that?)
Anyway, I think it's just enough of a taste to make people want to check us out. Adding to my 15 minutes of fame aside, that's what it's all about.
August 19, 2010
Does this banner make my butt look fat?
To go along with the exciting* changes to our Etsy shops, I figured I would create a little excitement* of my own and design a new shop banner. What do you think?
Back when I joined Etsy, it was as a buyer rather than a seller. At the time, I chose my username based on my email address. It's been fine for the year or so that I have been a seller, but now that I have registered "Everything is ticketyboo!" as my official business name, I feel that there is potential for some confusion; especially now that the brick and mortar store is open and I am trying to formally brand the business.
So, rather than start over with a new username (and zero sales/feedback), I have decided to integrate the "ticketyboo" name through my shop graphics, packaging and communication. I've seen other people do a similar thing and I don't forsee a problem. It's not like either name is all that common anyway...and yes, you can still call *me* zenbecca.
* Excitement is relative. As this is a slow news week, I am genuinely excited by this. Ask me next week, though, and I might just respond with a "meh".
Back when I joined Etsy, it was as a buyer rather than a seller. At the time, I chose my username based on my email address. It's been fine for the year or so that I have been a seller, but now that I have registered "Everything is ticketyboo!" as my official business name, I feel that there is potential for some confusion; especially now that the brick and mortar store is open and I am trying to formally brand the business.
So, rather than start over with a new username (and zero sales/feedback), I have decided to integrate the "ticketyboo" name through my shop graphics, packaging and communication. I've seen other people do a similar thing and I don't forsee a problem. It's not like either name is all that common anyway...and yes, you can still call *me* zenbecca.
* Excitement is relative. As this is a slow news week, I am genuinely excited by this. Ask me next week, though, and I might just respond with a "meh".
August 18, 2010
Ready for My Close-up
I just dropped off 5 new pillows to the "Everything is ticketyboo!" shop-within-a-shop at the Mozy Rue ECO Collective and just in time, too; my section desperately needed a shot of colour (much in the same way that I could use a shot of gin right about now). I was down to greys, beiges, and more greys, so in went a green Moog, a brown Smokey the Bear, a brown "Gimme My Timmies*", a yellow Bob Marley and a red Sonic the Hedgehog. Fair warning - they're all exclusive to the store for one week, and then they'll go up in my Etsy shop. (So, go get 'em!)
And, speaking of the store (and why i could use some gin, thanks for asking), Jody and I did an interview with Shaw TV which will air in the very near future. I think I spazzed out (especially during the demo), but we'll see....it could still be saved in the editing. The interviewer seemed ok with it, though, and might give me a call sometime for a piece on my stuff. I offered to take her on a hunt for treasure, which I think would make for some very exciting reality TV, don't you?
(*no, really...you can have your Timmies. I've got my 'bucks.)
And, speaking of the store (and why i could use some gin, thanks for asking), Jody and I did an interview with Shaw TV which will air in the very near future. I think I spazzed out (especially during the demo), but we'll see....it could still be saved in the editing. The interviewer seemed ok with it, though, and might give me a call sometime for a piece on my stuff. I offered to take her on a hunt for treasure, which I think would make for some very exciting reality TV, don't you?
(*no, really...you can have your Timmies. I've got my 'bucks.)
August 16, 2010
Girls with Glasses
When I first found the image of this cute little hairbanded, bespectacled gal (below), I was immediately smitten and knew I had to have her for my new line of stamped Scrabble pendants.
I think she looks a little bit like Lisa Loeb:
...a little bit like my girl-crush Tina Fey:
...and, ok, a little like bit me:
But, resemblances aside, it's her bored/bemused expression that kills me. Maybe it's because I spend 79% of my day with the exact same look on my face (and the other 21% rolling my eyes), that I feel a certain kinship with her. And, hopefully, someone will see her in my Etsy shop, feel the same and be compelled to buy themselves a pendant...or to pick up one for their favourite "girl in glasses".
(Speaking of my Etsy shop, check out the new "Pocket Shop" widget by Craft Cult to the right of this post. That thing is rocking my world!)
I think she looks a little bit like Lisa Loeb:
...a little bit like my girl-crush Tina Fey:
...and, ok, a little like bit me:
But, resemblances aside, it's her bored/bemused expression that kills me. Maybe it's because I spend 79% of my day with the exact same look on my face (and the other 21% rolling my eyes), that I feel a certain kinship with her. And, hopefully, someone will see her in my Etsy shop, feel the same and be compelled to buy themselves a pendant...or to pick up one for their favourite "girl in glasses".
(Speaking of my Etsy shop, check out the new "Pocket Shop" widget by Craft Cult to the right of this post. That thing is rocking my world!)
August 12, 2010
Everything is ticketyboo at Mozy Rue!
X-posted from the Winnipeg Eco Craft Collective blog...
Goodness, I've barely had my morning pail of coffee and I'm already starting in on the bad rhymes. I'm a poet and I...oh, nevermind. ;-)
Seeing as I will be working in the shop tonight, I thought I would make today's post about me, myself and me. And, seeing as I am the only one with the password to this blog, no one can stop me! I'll keep it brief, though, and just share with you a couple of the things that I have in my little section.
The two things I want to share with you have a couple of common threads (pardon the pun)...can you spot them? First of all, they both share a bit of an Asian influence; a style that I am always drawn to, which is no doubt due to my 8+ years living on the West Coast. Secondly, they are both "upcycled"; the pillow spent the first part of its life as a t-shirt, and the wood and silver pendant once graced a Scrabble board. Thanks to a little stitching, stuffing and stamping they are ready to decorate your couch or your cleaveage (I'll let you dedide which is which).
David Bowie "Serious Moonlight tour" t-shirt Pillow - $25
Cherry Blossom Scrabble pendant (with black cord necklace) - $12
~ Rebecca
Goodness, I've barely had my morning pail of coffee and I'm already starting in on the bad rhymes. I'm a poet and I...oh, nevermind. ;-)
Seeing as I will be working in the shop tonight, I thought I would make today's post about me, myself and me. And, seeing as I am the only one with the password to this blog, no one can stop me! I'll keep it brief, though, and just share with you a couple of the things that I have in my little section.
The two things I want to share with you have a couple of common threads (pardon the pun)...can you spot them? First of all, they both share a bit of an Asian influence; a style that I am always drawn to, which is no doubt due to my 8+ years living on the West Coast. Secondly, they are both "upcycled"; the pillow spent the first part of its life as a t-shirt, and the wood and silver pendant once graced a Scrabble board. Thanks to a little stitching, stuffing and stamping they are ready to decorate your couch or your cleaveage (I'll let you dedide which is which).
David Bowie "Serious Moonlight tour" t-shirt Pillow - $25
Cherry Blossom Scrabble pendant (with black cord necklace) - $12
~ Rebecca
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