Well, really just singular.. Supply.  lol

Up until now, I’ve been using my dad’s fabric scissors (he works in the garment industry) but now that he has a new job and a spanking new company, he had to take all his supplies because they had nothing at their new offices.

I didn’t find out until I went over to the garage and was ready to cut up 40 toys or so and was left with this old pair that only had one tiny spot that was still sharp.  So, I went to downtown with my mom on one of our days off and bought my own pair!  They’re a tiny bit smaller than my dad’s but I’m a lot smaller than him too (I’m 5′7″ compared to his 6′2″ height–I know, imagine, a 6 foot Asian man lol).

I’m so excited to now start collecting my own “pro” supplies!  :)  And look how fancy they look in the box they came in. Nice.

My good friend, Jeannie, emailed me to let me know that I got into LAist.  Our booth is pictured in their article about the awesome shopping at Unique LA.  Take a peek!

But can you blame me? My days have been something like this for the past few weeks:

Wake up 7 am, sew what I can before going to work, come back from work, put on a Golden Girls DVD and sew some more until about midnight. As the days got closer to Unique LA and my trunk show at Bare Soles, I would be waking up at 7 am, and sewing until 2-3 am.

After about 14 hours of sewing straight, I can guarantee you that you start becoming a zombie or at the least hallucinating. I started thinking that the past month was all a big dream and that I never even got into the shows… and there was one night I was convinced that I really didn’t teach myself to make a toy. Crazy.

Now that I’ve gotten an acceptable amount of sleep, I’m still pinching myself. I couldn’t believe the response I got from my toys and my booth display! LA Weekly came by to take a picture, LAist, a few blogs, and people with huge cameras that didn’t introduce themselves… so please, if you find a write up about me somewhere, please let me know!! (Comment, or email me at jane@janiexy.com) I was totally flattered when my fellow vendors were shocked to find this was my first show ever. It reassured me that the sleepless nights I had trying to think of a display had finally paid off.

Our table at Unique LA

And, if that wasn’t awesome already, I met some really awesome people there. Customers as well as vendors. More on that later…

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.

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!

I need to get this off my chest.  THE ETSY CHATROOM IS THE BEST.  

Because:

1. No perverts present.  Well, there might be, but it's all in good spirits.  No one attempting to virtually graze your buttock or anything like that.
2. Creative minds.  Everyone there is so creative, and the way the chatroom is set up (there's a feature that allows you to check other people's stores and feature IN the chat which items you like) you really start to see what other great talents are out there.
3. Everyone is down to Earth.  Sometimes, I am intimidated when the thought runs across my mind that I should probably call myself an artist.  I panic thinking about all the murmurs floating around about what a "poser" I am.  But here, everyone is so supportive!  If you ask for help, you'll get more than one person volunteering.  And I mean that in every aspect.  Once, a girl had problems with her boyfriend, and there were over 15 "etsians" rushing by her side to lend a shoulder to cry on and offer some optimistic points of view. 
4. Small town vibe.  Everyone in Etsy-ville seems like the weather is a consistent and comfy 75 degrees F and there are rainbows projected on their bright blue skies.  You enter a chatroom, and it's like walking into Cheers.  You're always welcome in conversation and you usually end up leaving with a new friend.  And, if you're really on a roll, maybe a new sale or trade (which, if done right, will appear as a sale in your Etsy store).  

I’ve been a long time admirer of the Domestic Goddess.  Now don’t get me wrong, I certainly don’t think she’s the only (Brini Maxwell is another favorite of mine) but if I have a goal–why not shoot for the stars?  Or, you know, something far that seems unattainable, but is actually realistic (we have astornauts don’t we?).

Think:  Crafts.  Food.  Entertaining.  Home.  Other than your mom, I think it’s safe to say, we all think of Martha F-ing Stewart.  And I say that with all the love you can squeeze into that statement.

I’m 21-years-old.  A student.  A crafter.  A magazine editor of an indie magazine.  A self taught baker.  And I think it’s time to take it to the next level.  So, here I am, trying vowing to learn all things domestic.  Learn everything I can to become the next Martha Stewart.  Consider this a journal documenting the successful projects, the ones I may never attempt again, and everything inbetween.

Won’t you join me on my journey?