Reminiscing

Fall is coming. It's August 2nd and all I can think about is craft fairs and pumpkins. I have been working on hats and fingerless mittens for the 1 fair I will be at this year. I am repeating the fair from last year in Travelers Rest, SC. It was such a hit last year and I enjoyed all of my visitors.

I will also be opening up my etsy shop again in the next couple of weeks. Be on the look out for new styles and designs. I am so stoked for fall!

I always welcome new, exciting ideas. If you have any please let me know!

The End of Craft Fair Season

Craft fair season came and went so quickly that I didn't post anything for it. Part of me is sad because I don't think I had enough time to enjoy it and the rest is happy because crochet will not be dominating my life for a while. I am working on some holiday items and plan on updating my Etsy account with new and wonderful hats. I have been so lacking in getting that updated. At the end of the day all I have is excuses and a total lack of time.

I other news. I have decided to start my first craft challenge. Usually I just lurk on craft sites and dream about all of the items others have time to create, but this time I have decided to create one of my own. I am working on a Elf on the Shelf challenge though an artist's facebook pages. You can find her and the details here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Deedras-Art/257639572940. She is a wonderful artist.

I am very particular about my crafting and I am not sold on my first elf. His name is Henry and I think his face is what is giving me fits. He was, however enjoyable to make. 

Still crafting away.

B

Art on the TRail, Travelers Rest, SC

Craft Fair This Weekend!!

One thing about gearing up for a craft fair is that the fear of the unknown is always in the back of your mind. If you were selling items that you didn't make yourself I feel like you would be less attached and there for only worry about making money to cover expenses. Selling things you have worked hard on opens up a new level of worry.

It doesn't matter if it is nerves or excitement each fair is an experience. I am gearing up for the 25th Annual Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain, NC. This will be my first festival of the year and I always worry I don't have enough stock. I have been coming close to making two hats a day for the last two weeks and I still feel that I will run short. I wish I could say that I believe I will sell out, but the fear is actually that I will not have enough for people to look at. I have also been working on displays. My display last year was cute and whimsical, but it had three flaws. It only held three hats, it was large and it was heavy.  This year's display has all new possibilities.

I have two more days of pricing, making, sorting, and organizing everything that I have made. I unfortunately also need to clean and pack. Life it seems is never short on stuff to do.

Ta Ta for now.
B

Mediums and Lots of Them

I've been a little scattered with my crafting lately. Trying to produce for craft fairs is a little tedious at times, but at the end you feel as if you created something and the individuals buying them are giving them a lovely home.

A friend of mine gave me some rather disturbing new the other day. She is a fellow craft artist like myself with a few less mediums but the are increasing rapidly. Last year she was my partner in multiple craft fairs. We spent a year producing crochet hats. Our fairs started off slow, but picked up. Anywho. We were speaking about prices and how you never get what you think you will out of art and she stated that she had seen a couple of people wearing her hats around town. Now, this is usually a treat. To have someone buy your art and where it with pride is better times over than the monetary gain. Problem was the hat was dirty, tattered, and torn. I felt for her immediately while wondering, why would someone purchase art and then commence to destroy it?. With this being said my want to make hats have been a little less lately.

What I have been working on has ranged from clothing to toys to paintings to drawings. I am dying to get outside and paint in the yard. Today is the first day in a long while that it has been absolutely gorgeous. Much to my dislike I have spent it inside working but without working I would not be able to afford to craft and that would be a shame.

I am currently working on what was a hush hush project, but I can't keep secrets for long. I call it project Logan. A couple I know have a 18 month old. She is beautiful and unique. With this in mind and the fact that east Tennessee has an entire lack of beaches I have been working on a take along play place. There is a mat that has sand, water, and dirt areas. I am at this point creating one by one little creatures, people, boats and play things to bring the beach to a park near her. My goal is to have this ready for a park adventure in the spring.

That's all for now.
B

Crafting...or Just Art in General

I fell like I should starting this blog as if I am responding to a letter requesting advice. "Dear intrigued and suffering,". Not sure why but it seemed fitting.

For the last two semesters I have taken night classes and taken all of my time. I remember thinking "oh great winter break is here and I should be able to do some new and exciting crafts". PFFFFFFFFT. After setting up my Etsy shop and focusing on crochet I realized this was an impossible goal. I was flushed with orders from Etsy and friends and this was amazing, but I think my creativity is now a little starved. I am still placing items on Etsy and still filling orders, but I would like to start painting/drawing/creating again. Something new. My head is flushed with ideas. I would like people to see that Land of Bor3d is more than just cute hats, scarfs, and fingerless mittens.

After all winter doesn't last forever.

~B

Omnomnom...Zombies

Today's topic, Zombie Apocalypse. What would you have in your Z-Day protection kit? When first aid and food are a given, what else should come into play?

A special place has remained in my heart for zombies since childhood. I have always had a fascination with Halloween and zombies seem to the the only creatures (except evil people) that extend past the "day of dead." I have been working on zombie disguises, hats, shoes and the like, for sometime. I have mainly focused on adult wear. These are zombie disguises act as a kind of camouflage in case you feel the need to hunt. As silly as it may seem this among other forms of art are a focus to release my creative energy.

Last night I began building a baby zombie hat. I know some of the adults out there are too "grown up" to placed this kind of thing on their child, but I must say people surprise me with their need for individuality. I have had requests for multiple interesting hats from zombie, Yoda, and The Punisher to Deadmau5 and the list keeps coming. I love the creative ideas and will continue to support all.

Now back to your reguarly scheduled program,
~B

Etsy and Me

Land of Bor3d is new to Etsy and results are still questionable. When asked to describe my items I draw a blank. Of course I know that hat, cap, beanie, scarf should come into play, but I am at a loss for what consumers are going to type in. I am reading all the blogs and trying to get my views up, but I still feel like I am missing something. I take joy in everything I make and I still am constantly in amazement when people look at what I consider art and think "what is the point?."

One of the things I struggle with is trying to explain the differences between knitting and crochet. When questioned about the difference between knit and crochet I find myself "dumbing down" for people. I explain that the difference between the two is two needles vs. one, when truly there is more to it than that. Answer me this, do people really want to know the difference?.

It also seems that the masses think that store bought, factory made, cheap items are of the same quality or better than handmade items. On one side it seems that people are becoming more interested in unique, handmade gifts, but on the other side I don't see anyone dawning these items or placing them in their homes. I constantly debate on the idea of buying a $200 print from Pier One that are no where near "one of a kind" or searching for local art that is unique and refreshing. Reprints feel so impersonal, but every house I go to I see them hanging on the wall. Does anyone else feel this way?

Lost in Thought,
~B

Cowls, Cowls and More Cowls

The weather is turning cold, the leaves are falling, and the air smells of fall. The winter clothes will come out of the closet soon and everywhere I turn I see lovely shiny ladies and handsome men in cowls. Cowls are completely in this year and I am in cowl land this week. I am currently working on my third cowl, forth scarf of the week and I can't help but be overly excited/inspired by the lovely colors of fall. As I see these brilliant scarfs I feel the urge to make/own them all. In so many colors these cowls dance upon the necks of lucky individuals and I want to be a part of it.

I will be adding more items to my Etsy account this weekend and among the items will be some lovely cowls, fantastic hats, and probably a fingerless glove or two.

The craft fair madness is in a lull. I am new to this and am fumbling my way through finding appropriate fairs to display my items. I attended two this fall and they were both equally amazing. I have always loved seeing individuals interested in my art.

Thanks again to all that came to the fair.
~B

Fall Festivals and Etsy Accounts

I will be at the 22nd Annual APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL this Saturday, Oct 15 - 10am-5pm.

Also I have a new Etsy account. http://www.etsy.com/shop/landofbor3d?ref=ss_profile

Check us out
~B

New Shop!

Hello Everyone,

Land of Bor3d now has an Etsy store. After the craft fair last weekend, where I was asked dozens of times where I had an account, I felt the need to open one. And so I have. I only have 5 things posted at the moment, but way more is to come. Thanks to all.

Land of Bor3d Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/landofbor3d?ref=pr_shop

~Brandy

New Designs Comming Right Up!

This past weekend was my very first craft fair and it was a success. It had a slow start, but at the end I think all individuals involved were satisfied. I will give a piece of advice to anyone who plans on putting their art out for all to see. Don't take anything personally. Not everyone has your vision. With that being said I will move on to bigger and better things.

I have a few orders for fall and some will be more challenging than others. Keep your eyes pealed for a Deadmu5 hat, a baby Yoda, lady Angry Bird and a piano hat. These are special orders and things that I working on designing now. I will post photos as soon as they are finished.

A special thanks to all customers who came to purchase from us while we were at Oktoberfest in Old Fort NC. You made Katie and I very proud of our work.

~B

CRAFT FAIR MADDNESS!!1!

I am gearing up for my very first craft fair this weekend. I am not entirely sure what to expect but I hope things go well. I have a display to finish and I need to pack, but then I am off. I want to send out a very special thanks to all the individuals that ordered hats. I appreciate all my customers and want them to know that without their orders this craft fair would not have been possible. You guys are fantastic.

Lots of Love,
B

Newest Batch of Hats

Ah new hats. I have been working diligently to build my supply of crochet items for the craft fair in October. Night and day I work....well almost. The process is going well and I have about 70 pieces in my collection for sale. I hoped to have 200, but given I only have about 2 months left to finish up for the fair I don't think it will happen. Most of the hats are characters which have taken a lot longer than a regular hat to make, but the upside is that each one is special. I have had lots of fun designing and I hope to sell out :).

Tiny Models

So I have been working on creations and some individuals were kind enough to be models.

Working little by little

I am working on hats as much as I possibly can. Next week is vacation week which should be mega fun, but I'm thinking not really productive. I did, however, have two lovely children model my hats.

Valerie and Sophie Migacz

Advertising and Stuff

I am off to a running start with organization. Fliers are created, tags are made. It's looking awesome. I am behind, however, on my inventory. I have only 45 pieces so far. I am hoping to have lots to take to the craft fair in October so I have to get moving. In the mean time. This is my new flier.

We are on Facebook too!

Advertising is a beast. I have been working non stop on advertising and making hats for this craft fair. I am hoping to have at least 100 pieces to take to the craft fair and I am at about 40 now. I want to also make lots of fingerless gloves. The fair is in October so these should sell.

Here we are
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Land-of-Bor3d/144476748950748?sk=wall#!/pages/Land-of-Bor3d/144476748950748

Land of Bor3d Designs View book

Viewbook, a set on Flickr.

I am working vigorously on designs for my hats. This is what I have designed so far.

Up and Running ...Slowly

I've been creating a crap ton of logos and designs lately. I am by no means a professional, but I think I can take care of my own stuff for beginning business purposes. After all this isn't a profession but a hobby. I created some stuff for a 4x4 club I am a member of, knoxoffroad.com. I am looking into creating shirts for them among other things. If you care to take a look-sie its www.cafepress.com/landofbor3d.

Work and school keep me way busy these days. I am still on the hat making madness kick. My friend Katie talked me into working an October Fest craft show in Asheville, NC. In a nut shell we will both be debuting our crochet items for the public to gawk at and hopefully buy. I think, at least on my side, I just see this as a way to have fun with friends.