Cherrybombe: Crafty Life

Back to Reality!

2008-11-02T22:14:00.001-08:00

Scrabble tile pendant by B. B. Bellezza.

This is rather how I'm feeling right now (lol), or something. Re-entry is always a pain, yes? Ahhh back to 'real life', post conference/gaycation.

The zine was a hit at IDKE, as I figured it would be! Ditto the magnets. There was some interest in my hair fleurs and fascinators among the femme set, but only one purchase. At any rate, I was thrilled with the sales and level of interest.

Other big things are a-foot this fall! I applied to be a vendor at the BUST Craftacular, at the urging of a NYC-friend. I applied under the name Cherrybombe, but we'll be hosting an all-queer/genderqueer/femme table. I hope we get in, and I'm also kind of terrified of the sheer amount of crafting I will have ahead of me to get ready for that event.

I've also been talking to a venue here in Austin about hosting an indie holiday craft bazaar, but I'm having trouble now getting in touch with the owner to finalize details, so we'll see if that actually comes to fruition. I sure do hope so.

And also also, if you're in Austin, you can find Cherrybombe hair clips at Secret Oktober! They are big supporters of small, local designers, so stop by, if you're in town and need some goth or rockabilly or punk-type things.

I'm back to my usual "Leave a comment and get entered in a drawing for Friday's Featured Seller," so comment away!

Ohio or Bust

2008-10-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving tomorrow for IDKE: The 10th Annual International Drag King Community Extravaganza, which is returning to the place where it all began, Columbus, Ohio. I'm giddy with anticipation! Drag kings, femmes, queers of all stripes, oh my!

But that also means that I won't be posting my Friday Featured Seller this week - I promise to return with one next week! And more posts, in general.

XOXX!!

Cupcakes!!

2008-10-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

I just got notice that my new dessert magnets are in an ADORABLE treasury of cupcake-themed items. Too, too cute!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=14179.

Check it out!! There are some incredibly cute things, like cupcake soap and bath bombs.

Featured Seller - Second Sister

2008-10-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

To steal a great idea from a friend, every Friday I'll be featuring a seller drawn at random from anyone who left a comment during the week! This week, it's Second Sister, a maker of stunning jewelry, out of Southern California. You can also find her at www.suaviloquy.blogspot.com.

I love these earrings, which are named after Parley's Canyon. Second Sister says this is one of the most beautiful canyons in the world, especially when it lights up with the sunset. I think these earrings live up to their namesake.

I'm not religious, but I do have a bit of a thing for crosses. My father's family is Cajun, and rosaries and other cross jewelry were a part of the landscape growing up, and the attraction remained. Maybe it's because they were Catholic but my mother's family raised us Protestant. I don't know! At any rate, I have a bit of a fascination with religious iconography. And this piece is a real work of art, with pearl and tourmaline strung to accent the garnet cross.

Religious iconography not quite your cup of tea? Check out this charming pendant, in one of my favorite color combinations (even if it is a bit trendy, I know) - cherry red / robin's egg blue. Love it.

Remember, I'll be featuring a different seller each Friday, chosen at random from that week's comments! XOXX!!

First Thursday Photos

2008-10-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

As promised to my fellow Danger Ladies, here are some photos of my set up from last week's First Thursday event! I had so much fun getting everything together for this event - making my banner, playing with my new stamp, and I was excited to see how it all came together.

I stumbled upon this fabric in my pile! I'd forgotten all about it. Now I can't decide whether I'm going to make something out of it or keep it for my fair tablecloth. I think the pattern in the fabric especially enhances the gorgeous oil stain on the pavement!

Wow, the lighting was so weird! I must have taken this close to sunset. Anyway, I really like how the mini-easels turned out. It was such a good purchase; I'm going to order a bunch more for upcoming holiday events. I got these from PettmanArt - he makes the easels! I know I could get something like this at the craft store, but handmade supplies are even cooler, right?

I stayed up way too late the night before the event making a ton of the matchbook notepads. Now, I have a ton still!! I'm not sure whether to list them, though.

ETC - First Monday Sale!

2008-10-06T00:05:00.001-07:00

I'm a member of ETC (Etsy TX Crafters), a huge team because, well, everything's bigger in Texas! The First Monday of every month, ETC runs a big ole Texan sale, and jeez, this Monday we have 80 shops participating in the sale!

You can find the entire list here, but here are a few of my favorite picks!

I just love this bag from Little Ellie. So very charming! Little Ellie is doing 15% off every purchase for First Monday.

Yum yum yum. Besem Natural Scents is doing 20% off.

Elleeeeephant! A sorta purplish elleeephant. How cute is he? Or she? Or ze (gender-neutral pronouns rock). Thank you, jmday, for making me grin. And jmday is doing 25% off for First Monday!

How about this prettiness? Stunning, yes? I'm really loving Apachemoon's work today, and they're doing 20% off their entire shop.

And I'm doing a buy one, get one free sale on any item $8 or under! Anything you buy, $8 or under, you can pick out an item of equal or lesser value that will be yours, all yours, for absolutely nuthin'. Just send me a note in the notes to buyer at checkout with your selection. No revised invoice needed! You can click the Etsy Mini on the right to get to my shop, or clickie here: Cherrybombe Designs.

Updates

2008-10-04T10:39:00.001-07:00

It's been a busy week! I'll share some pics soon from my First Thursday event soon - when I get a chance to upload them. Anyway, I was busy getting ready for that event and finishing a big custom order. Oh, and getting distracted with making magnets, my new crafty endeavor. I'm trying to make a bunch for IDKE (the International Drag King Community Extravaganza), my next big vending event. Well, I was going to IDKE anyway, with my troupe - and it's the 10th IDKE, so that's very exciting. But I'm especially excited to be vending my wares...

And the zine! My zine, genderbent: notes from the drag king community, is a little pet project of mine, documenting drag king culture and community.

I have two issues out so far. Issue #1 deals with birth, beginnings, genesis, and Issue #2 is The Femme Issue. Issue #3 will be about community. I had originally planned to have Issue #3 done for IDKE, but I decided instead to make it an interactive zine and allow people to contribute AT IDKE. So we'll have paper, pens, and collage materials at our table, and we'll also be collecting submissions all day and for a few weeks after IDKE. I'm excited to collect some on-the-spot submissions that directly document our community in action.

Etsy Queer Street Team

2008-10-01T11:32:00.001-07:00

If you identify as queer or anywhere on the GLBTQRSTUV spectrum and are an Etsy seller, there's a new Etsy Street Team - Queer Team!

Team chat is every Tuesday, 9-10 pm EST. Come find us in Etsy Chat! Join the team by contacting queenofqueens! We are still a new (and small) team, but I think we have great things a-foot, and we all feel passionately about bringing queer/GLBT visibility to Etsy.

And in the meantime, a few queer things!

"Pretty Boi" cards! Just what I need to distribute to all of my favorite drag kings. By SimonSaysCrafts.

Flamer! Courtesy of teaseshirts.

To say it with class! Trashydeluxe also has corresponding "Sissy", "Pervert", and "Gaywad" necklaces. Divine!

I don't think this button will help me and my partner actually find a domestic butch to come and stay with us... but it sure is cute. See also the Femme Daddy pins! Thanks, Buttonhead - dismantling stereotypes, one band pin at a time!

Lock up your sons... or something

2008-09-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

(From seasprayblue)

I (finally) am a licensed driver again. No, I'd never had my license suspended or anything like that - I just moved to a different state and then it expired and then I never got around to getting a new one. Because my out of state license had expired, I had to go through the whole ordeal again: the written test, the driving test, parallel parking. But yes, yes, I did it, and I am licensed driver once more!

In honor of me achieving something that every 16 year old does... here are some car-themed finds!

This is totally what I look like in my new car! How did fauxtograph know?

I had been wondering where to find a monster steering wheel cover. Wonder no more! Check out PeculiarCreations.

Fuzzy dice? Or not? Courtesy of bananablossom.

Maybe a holly car decal to proclaim my yarn love, if Mr. Bombe consents (it is his car too, I guess).

What a busy weekend!!

2008-09-28T19:09:00.000-07:00

I spent hours tidying up my "studio," because I was having people over (and my studio is half of the living room)! Since I love seeing where other people do their work and make art, I thought you might enjoy seeing mine. It's already a disaster again!

The entire dining room nook of our open layout apartment is mine.... all mine. I obsessively watch Netflix On Demand from my laptop while spreading out my work and supplies over both tables.

I'm surprised when I see this picture! Surprised that the majority of my supplies all fit in this beautiful red bookcase. I do make small things, I guess. I also clean things out regularly and pare down what I'm not using.

I do love when my space is this organized. I think it's time to tidy up again. What's your workspace like? If you put up your own pics in a post, let me know! I love peeking into other crafters' crafty lives.

Recent finds!

2008-09-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

Etsy seller KarmaRox recently bought some cards from me. I was browsing through her shop, and she has some stunning vintage, with some especially rare finds, like this vintage plus-size coat. It's beautiful!

I also recently found Boojiboo. I think I saw this seller on the front page, and she/he was there for good reason. With something like 1700 sales, I can see that everyone else loves Boojiboo as much as I do! I want this apron....

Late, late nights

2008-09-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

Here's what I've been staying up wayyyyy too late doing: revamping my packaging and display things. A few projects, just in time for next week's First Thursday craft fair.

I has bags! Look at me, all grown up and profesh.

Display cards - I found this gray medium weight mounting board at Hobby Lobby. I cut it into squares (each sheet was about a buck and 16 or so squares). Then I used my new stamp!

And my banner for the show. I just made this one out of paper. So much fun! I have to make more of these banners for parties. Now I'm trying to figure out how to hang it at the craft fair, in case I don't end up getting a spot up against the wall.

First Thursdays

2008-09-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be vending at First Thursdays down on S. Congress, starting this month. I'll be in the White Crane parking lot, and there will be an Ararat food cart, fire dancing, hula hooping, and other fun stuff. I'm really excited, but oh my god, I still have so much to do to get ready!

First thing on that list - Hobby Lobby, for supplies. I still need to make a banner! Most importantly, I need to get a folding table still. And now I have the further challenge of getting one to fit in the backseat of my Toyota Yaris - the tiny little car that I bought yesterday. However, I won't complain, because I previously had NO car, and now it will be much much easier to get myself and all of my things to First Thursday in the first place!!

I'm excited to get my banner and pretty packaging together and share pictures.

My favorite things

2008-09-23T22:50:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my recent favorite Etsy finds... if anyone is in the mood to buy me presents! ;)

From beehart (who is also in Texas!). I seriously need this bag:

Cool wall decal from MonkeyThreads. I want this for my studio:

Considering getting these for my shop! From zoopri - lots of cute stickers and address labels.

And last but not least, the most romantic photo, from my fellow Danger Lady teammate FlashFrame. I'm so glad she made this into a wedding / anniversary card!

Tool Shed Toys

2008-09-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

Color me excited! Laura at Tool Shed Toys, the only lady-owned sex toy shop in Milwaukee, just placed an order for a whole bunch of my new sexy xmas cards. If you're in Milwaukee, stop by her shop! She already has some of my other cards, but now you can pick up a cute little xmas greeting to go with your sexy presents!

Like this one! There are four in all.

Treasury!

2008-09-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

Check it out - I'm in a treasury! This is a treasury put together by one of my favorite Etsy sellers, FlashFrame. It's all members of the Artsy Danger Ladies Mod Squad, one of the Etsy street teams I'm a part of. We're a hella talented bunch of danger ladies!

That's my red fascinator in the upper left!

Craft Goals

2008-09-22T16:57:00.001-07:00

I had a goal to get to 50 items in my shop by the end of September. I'm at 58 now, and we're not even through September! Woo-hoo!

New goal: Let's see if we can get to 75 items by the end of September, instead. Maybe.

Other goals:
-Get sales tax forms taken care of (should happen this week sometime).
-One more wholesale customer.
-Have work in 3 shops on consignment basis (or wholesale, but consignment is more realistic around here!).
-Steadier sales on Etsy: 4 per week?
-75 items in shop on a regular basis
-200 hearts!

I'm really excited because I ordered this stamp from Jackbear:

I can't wait to get it in a few days and start using it to make my display cards for my fascinators and clips, and using it to stamp the backs of my cards. Oh, and I think I'm going to get a bunch of brown lunch sacks and stamp them for 1st Thursday. I kind of love stamps.

Sunday, Sunday

2008-08-24T13:05:00.001-07:00

Ah, it's a lazy day for me. Lounging, laundry time, still trying to get everything back in order after my Chicago trip. But it was worth it. Femme Con was... amazing. Powerful. Transformative. I came back energized and politicized.

It also was great to meet some kickass femmes who are also on Etsy. I met and talked with the owner of CherryBerryBunny, who was vending at the conference. Everywhere I turned, someone was wearing one of her necklaces!

I talked with various femme ladies about starting an Etsy Queers (or maybe Etsy Femmes) team. There's interest out there, and one vendor I talked to (I think it was the femme behind QueenofQueens had said she was thinking of doing the same thing. Anyway - if you're on Etsy and queer or femme and interested in being on a queer or femme street team, let me know! Ms.bombe@gmail.com.

I'm posting new things soon, too. I haven't yet been able to figure out how the hell to post photos in this blog. The usual way I post images doesn't seem to work. Anyone have any idea? My google fu is failing.

Heading to Chicago!

2008-08-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

Mornin'! I'm giddy with anticipation, because tomorrow I'm heading to Chicago for the Femme Conference. Check it out if you're in the Chicago area! I'll have some zines and maybe some other merch to sell, but I opted not to get a vendor table for the conference because I'll be traveling by myself... this is one time when I didn't want to be tied down to a table. I'm too excited about all of the workshops for this event.

But - I made one of these for myself:

And I think I'm going wear it all weekend.

That ever-awkward first post

2008-08-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I've kept a blog, but I've been crafting like it's going out of style (which it most definitely is NOT), and I figure I'll jump on this crafty-blog train. Hello!

Most recent adventures in craft?
I have been completely revamping my Etsy shop.
I think I finally learned how to take a decent picture (natural light is your friend!).
I've been extremely excited by freezer paper stenciling.
I've been obsessed with my paper doll (a paper doll I am making, not like one that I play with. No making fun.).
Also, loving my zine (Genderbent: Notes from the Drag King Community). J & I finished Issue #2 (the Femme Issue) this weekend. I want to make more and more zines, about any and every topic. A craft zine. A zine about making zines. A zine about my love for zines.