Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to you all!! This year has been a crazy one (and we’re not even done yet!) and I’m so grateful for all of the opportunities that I’ve come across as well and the wonderful friends and family keeping me company and all of you for your support. Sorry I had to get cheesy, it’s just the holidays. It’ll do that to you. But I just wanted to let you all know that I’m very happy and it’s all because of you!

Happy Holidays!

For those of you who follow my Facebook and Twitter updates, you know that I’m going to be in my first big craft/indie show, letting thousands of people see my toys up close and personal. *deep breath* Just the thought of it is so nerve wrecking! But, I digress.

Luckily, the owner of a consignment store where you’ll be finding my toys in next year (let’s say she’s my friend too since she’s so sweet!) is hosting a trunk show in Burbank to give the community a little teaser of what her store will be like and she invited me to be a part of it! If you live in the LA area, or will be here December 3, come check out Bare Sole (from 5 pm – 9 pm and meet me and about 11 other artists/crafters that will be in Papermoon Boutique (coming soon!) early next year.

And, if you live in the LA area, or will be here from December 5-6, please make sure to also check out Unique LA. I know that a $10 cover charge sounds steep, but here are a list of pros and cons for you to consider.

Pros:

• Variety. You’ll see me and about 300 other vendors.  That’s right.  Three Hundred.  So you’re bound to find something you’ll absolutely fall in love with.
• One Stop Shop. Get all your holiday shopping done in one place.  As I said, there are 300 vendors, and there are even 50 eco-friendly vendors for you tree huggers (or the tree huggers in your life).  So, what I’m trying to say is that you’re going to find something there for just about everyone.
• Freebies. Every guest gets a cool tote bag designed by the same folks that brought you those iconic Obama posters.  Not a Democrat?  Well, it’s not like it’s going to have Obama’s face on it, so no worries!  Also, you’ll enjoy free drinks, workshops/classes, and a photobooth with awesome props taken by a professional photographer.  And just so we’re clear, all of those things listed in the previous sentence were FREE.
• Trendy. This is not your granny’s craft fair.  Most of the artists and designers there are young people like myself.  I know this because I met at least half of them last weekend.  So, don’t expect needle pointed cats with butterflies resting on their noses, a quilt designed with Billy Rae Cyrus’ mullet in mind, or Precious Moments inspired paintings of children.  DO expect, lots of unique tshirts (most are on limited runs), dia de los muertos paintings, lots of eclectic jewlery, and cool toys *ahem*.
• Locally Made. 99% of the wares you find at this fair are made right here in the U.S. of A.  None of that China stuff.  And the only sweat shop labor you’ll find is from the artist themselves.  But not in the depressing sweat shop connotation, but rather in the “I am the person that made this and I put my blood, sweat, and tears into this… in a non-gross way.  Ya feel me?”

Cons:

• You may have a hard time deciding what to buy because of all the good stuff there.  It’ll be like AM/PM for your aesthetics.  Too much good stuff.

Lord knows I can go on and on about this, and really anything else, but I’m not going to.  I think you get the idea.  It’s going to be awesome.  I’m going to be there.  And you need to be there too.

Living in L.A., I’ve grown extremely tired of “pet people”. Don’t get me wrong, I love animals, but I think it’s a bit excessive to carry your dog in a stroller, put rain boots on it (in LA! When does it ever rain here), etc.

But when I saw this, I couldn’t resist. If I had a furry friend, I would definitely be tempted to order this from IttyBittiesForYou.

My toys love each other.

I know.  I was M.I.A. for… oh, I don’t even want to count how long it’s been.  It would depress me.  But I come with good news.

I’ve been busy preparing for the Unique Los Angeles show I got accepted to.  (woo hoo!)  I’ve been sewing up a storm in the studio (a.k.a. garage, a.k.a. extended kitchen–we have an extra fridge there…6 people in a household need all the fridges we can get!).  I have a few  new toys to add to the collections, all fruits and veggies.  Now that the show is about 2 weeks away and I’m just about done sewing all the toys, I’m starting to think of little tiny things I can bring… you know, to widen the price brackets.

OH, so much to do, but it’s nice to see my blog again… It’s like coming home and telling my family about my day.  Except that I can’t see you guys and I have no idea if you’re listening.  But it’s just about the same in real life.  haha.

Anyway, check out my store!  I’m still working on it, but here’s what I have so far!

http://janiexy.bigcartel.com

Oh, and since you are all lovely readers, enjoy 25% off your order when your enter “janiexyrox” in the discount code field.  :)  Tell all your friends!