Design of the week 3-2 and 3-9

It has been too long! I will start by apologizing, but I don't want to go overboard so I won't launch into a long explanation. Suffice it to say I have been busy, and I have been avoiding doing things online that take up time and get me all caught up.
I don't know if I told you, but a friend of mine suggested me put up "designs of the week". She suggested this several months ago, so I have no idea how far behind I am, but we can only do what we can do. I will start by putting up two sketches (not technical at all) that go along with what I would love to make now that we are moving into Spring. They're not the greatest because I scanned them on using tracing paper and a drawing paper-that has a grain-behind it.

The left is a dress...the part that looks like a vest is actually an attached bodice of the dress. It is made of a nice woven (not sure what fiber), and the skirt, sleeves, and "undershirt" are made of a cotton knit-soft and comfy. 

The dress on the right is a basic retro style dress, mid-calf, woven (possibly cotten) with short cuffed sleeves and a ruffle piece from the neck of the bodice to the waistband. Both dresses zip in back. 

Elisabeth Arona

Handmade Christmas in a leisurely way

Handmade items are the best for Christmas! I think we've already agreed on this, right? I gave mostly handmade myself last year and am very proud of that fact. Naturally, we don't all always have time to make things ourselves. Here is how to have a leisurely handmade Christmas. To help you as you go about your merry present-buying way, I have found some great shops and sellers for you to remember even after the Holidays for their quality wares.

First shop is Julia (also known as Jeweleighab.) Her shop is as cute and unique as she is. Interestingly, she is pregnant with her third child-which is a random fact, but who doesn't love those? It should be pretty convenient to take out your nesting on something other than just house cleaning though, right? For a card shop, this one is pretty varied. You will find them for every occasion, she even made a custom karate one for me to give to someone special! Julia is in Canada, so please be aware that if you're in the U.S. it may not show up as quickly.

This second shop is by Niki who lives in the UK. Remember what I said about remembering that if you're in the U.S. especially. Niki's specialty is drawing and painting. I love her work, it's very whimsical and--well just look at it! I'm in love with her Christmas tags, but another idea would be to buy someone an art piece! 

 This third shop is run by Sheila. I love her to death, she creates very vintage-type things for children and I know that right now her fishing game is crazy popular among her shop visitors. I personally would like to vouch for the Lizzi doll myself (which as it turns out is named after me.) What little girl wouldn't love that doll? *snick*

This last shop is run by Sara. I am d-d-dyyyyying to buy from this shop. Her stuff is just so cute and still very much necessary during the winter. I have to wake up early and leave the house for my job, and I think her hand warmers would definitely help out with my cold hands. 



Thank you for checking out these shops...Eventually you may thank me :-) Feel free to check out my shop too. I have added a few things, and will be adding more in the next few days! Elisabeth Arona

It was custom made-for me.

"That is so cool! Where did you get that?"

I finger the conversation piece, "Oh, it was handmade, it's one of a kind." 

I try to say it casually, like it's not a big deal, but as usual there is a moment of silence-then,

"Oh. So someone made it that you know?" 

Here is where things change. Sometimes I say yes, and tell them it's someone that sells online, other times I say that I bought it from etsy, other times, I didn't know the seller and just smile mysteriously while saying that I can get the the info if they want one "almost" like it. 

This all happened to me once again on Friday. I never know when it's going to happen, I just know that when it does it makes me happy. You see, there is something special about handmade or NOT mass produced items. 

A unique way each person leaves their fingerprint on their craft

A special story behind why every crafter creates

A touch of pride each artist has in making sure their item is just perfect

Each piece is different no matter how much they were made to resemble. 

But back to my story...

Where I work I have to wear a uniform, and for certain reasons we're not supposed to wear acrylic nails, any earrings that aren't studs, or any shoes that aren't black (to name a few little rules).  Basically, we all look somewhat alike. I think we all want to be unique, but my way is usually to put on some sparkly aqua nail polish or a pair of custom made earrings. 

Friday, it was the necklace. This adorable bottle cap necklace was made by an online friend Ingrid who you can find by clicking that name or going here . I can't remember why she was having a giveaway, but I won this necklace from her on her facebook fanpage. Around lunch time, about three co-workers gathered around me. One-a guy-said, "Can you turn it over? I want to see what it has on back." another said "Is that really a bottle cap?" a lot of "wow"s followed.

While we were all standing there another strolled up and said "That necklace is really cool..." Everyone looked at him and said "Duh, we were just talking about that." 

My customers also commented; one noted that it matched my nail polish. I beamed...But casually, y'know? 

I will wind down by saying this: I know you're a fashionista, a trendsetter, and all that. Prove it to everyone else by wearing things they couldn't copy if they wanted to! Nothing burns a girl up like being told that something they complimented can't be obtained by them. They won't be so upset that they will dislike you though, they'll just go find something similar, but never the same. See how that works? You're welcome. 

Feel free to go check out my friend's shop...and of course with Christmas coming soon I'm working my poor fingers to the bones and I will once again be posting a bunch of great etsy shops for you to buy handmade/custom made from!

Also important: My website is coming along; I'm so excited to show it to you--when it's ready. 

Elisabeth Arona

Belt loops and young love

Here I am in the middle of making the belt loops for the bridal gown I'm altering. Fun, right? I actually did secretly enjoy doing the chains from thread, no real sewing required. I did it all while watching old episodes of project runway! :-)

So here is something a little different from what I normally do...But alas, that's what love will do to you. I made this for my boyfriend and was so anxious for him to see it that I didn't do some of the extra things I could have to clean it up and make sure it looks extra nice. I have to admit though, I did LOVE the final product. At first it was going to be a sketch, then I decided to do it as a silhouette then I wouldn't have to explain to him why I couldn't get his face just right (btw the reason is his looks so good I couldn't do it justice *winkwink*.) I put this silhouette up as a custom listing in my etsy shop FYI and will give a good deal to any fellow CAST team member. 

More pictures hopefully before the end of the week...

Until then,

Elisabeth Arona

To-Do (or not to do.)

Up for this week:
1. I borrowed a tool from my friend for hot-fixing/heat-fixing (*confused face*) crystals onto things. I'm making a sash for a bridal gown for a friend, and also altering the dress. Hopefully I will make TONS of progress this week. Pictures are guaranteed!

2. I am in the middle of making a shirt for another friend, and hopefully will be finished this week.

3. I have a skirt that I need to hem and possibly embellish for my younger sister. The pink polka dot fabric is too cute, but I just feel like it's missing something. We will see what I can come up with!

4. I would really like to get some illustrations/sketches done this week and listed on etsy.

Hope this week is productive for you! To-do lists people!

Lizzi

Insta-wha??

InstaGRAM! Instagram!

It seems that there is always something new that comes along and makes us lose our senses. For me, that new thing is instagram. I could ramble on, but in case you somehow -is that even possible??-didn't click the link that you saw up there ^^ I will explain what it's all about.

Instagram is a program/app that is on iphones and androids that allow you to share pictures on social networks. If that were all it was I know we'd be like *yawn*, but one tiny detail somehow has made everyone fall in love: You can make all these pictures look like they were taken years ago like in the 70s almost polaroid-ish (I know it's not a word.)

ANYWAYZ, I have taken to sharing things on my instagram (lizzisays) that you won't see on my other pages and online hangout spots--like works in progress among other things! It may seem petty (yeah right), but everyone is doing it now. You should too! If you would like to follow me, feel free...I will walk slowly hehe. I figure that those people who spend all of their online time on either twitter/tweetdeck or instagram may check out what's going on with me too!

The picture in this post is one I posted on instagram but without the cool effects, and it has a cute little story attached. I'll be brief. The kiddos broke the screen in the bathroom window, then they left the inside window up. Little birdies came along and made a nest and hatched some eggs and the babies put up a lively racket until they flew away about a week later. I believe these are our state birds (GA.)

Elisabeth Arona

My new love...and shirts.

Here is a tiny tiny clip (that will leave you begging for more) of my nephew Michael. He had the hiccups and was still smiling. 

Oh, and for those who can't view the video, I wouldn't want you to miss out on my precious:

I can't help but fall in love more and more every time I see him. I mean, just look at that face!

In other news...I have a couple new listings in my shop. It's two more men's shirts redos. I'm on a roll and just excited about making more :-) Ironically, I'm having a hard time concentrating because now I have to keep playing that video of Michael lol. So anyway, the shirts. They're too cute. I do custom too, so if you're looking for a specific size, I'm your girl. I'm also happy to do business outside of my etsy shop. I've sold straight from facebook before too. I appreciate your thoughts and opinions as always. 

Oh oh...p.s. I got a new phone so now I'm on instagram...and the pictures of these latest listings were actually taken on it. It's so much better than my old one (maybe a contributing factor was how many times I'd dropped that one though....) 

Elisabeth Arona