Can't say I'm really a 'fun in the sun' type of person, but I do enjoy sitting out on a deck or patio when the weather is nice. I found these plastic chair frames at a supply store, and they are the perfect size for a chair for Blythe dolls. Let the BBQs start!

So I decided to make some slight modifications to my three Blythe dolls. On all three, I changed their eyelashes, and on two of them I replaced some of their eye chips. Previously I had opened their heads to remove their faceplates, but figuring out how to remove the eye mechanisms and change the eye chips was not easy!



I soaked the eyeballs in warm soapy water for about 10 minutes to loosen the glue, then used the hot glue stick method to remove the chip. They came out with no problem. To remove the eyelashes, I also soaked the eyelid mechanism in warm water, and pulled them out with tweezers. To stick the new ones in I used a sewing needle to poke them into the eyelash slot. Very tedious work!

With this particular brand of eye chip, I didn't realize that I had to paint the stub of the chip in order to get a black iris.


My third doll still needs to be sand-matted, so I'll add pics of her when she's done. Here is Penny and Margot with their new eyelashes and eye chips (clothes made by me):

New saris

I absolutely love saris and Indian silk. The saris I make for Blythe are my best-selling item in my Etsy shop, and it was time to make new ones:





The red material I've used before, but the blue and purple combination is new. I kept it simple and only added the silver trim along both ends of the wrap, and along the bottom of the cropped top. Silk is a bit tricky to work with as it tends to tear, which I'm trying to learn how to avoid. The silk is actually sari remnants I find in sari shops in Toronto's little India neighbourhood.

Since Christmas I've been in a bit of a slump and haven't done anything crafty. But I'm starting to get restless and it's time to start making stuff again. I have lots of ideas and supplies, now I just need to do something with them. My list of things to do includes learning basic bookbinding and making a garment for myself.

Oddly, despite all the grumblings of slow sales from other Etsy sellers, mine have increased. My inventory is well stocked, so I would like to focus on making unique items that aren't available in other shops for Blythe. My saris sell very well and that's one thing I need to make more of. I'm actually thinking of opening a second shop for non-Blythe items, for which I already have purses and pouches. Last year I took a class in fabric design and was able to produce what I think are really interesting pieces, which I could use for new items.

Perhaps after viewing Handmade Nation, screening next week, I'll feel motivated and inspired.

Hand made Christmas gifts

This year for Christmas, I decided to sew two items for my beau. The first was a padded carrying case for a portable DVD player. I basically made a messenger bag but inserted thin sheets of foam instead of interfacing.


The second item was a shirt - this is the first garment I have made.
It's not perfect, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

Second craft show

Well, unexpectedly, my second craft sale on Sat. Dec. 6 in Streetsville went swimmingly. Despite the event not being widely promoted, there was a good turnout, and it seemed that people were there to actually buy and not just wander around looking.


Now begins the task of adding my unsold items to my Etsy shop ...

First craft show

On Sat. Nov. 29, I did my first craft show in Mississauga. The event was very well organized and promoted, and I had done a lot of preparation myself, so although I was nervous I felt confident that the event would go well. Unfortunately, attendance was low and by 1:30 the show was pretty quiet. I only had two sales (to other vendors) but received a lot of positive feedback on my work.

Next Saturday I have another show and will have to decide if craft shows are something I want to continue doing.