CRAFTS :: Catching up, again... Hear what I found...

What to say about my crafting... 

Mostly, I watch videos and explore other creators on YouTube for now.

I have my tools and supplies getting ready, but not able to use them yet.  I keep working on the process.

I just realized it has been since DECEMBER 2020 that I posted here.  I remember posting at my Facebook Crafts page, sorry that I didn't get to posting here.  I found out because I wanted to know if I already share a great resin artist already.  I found her on YouTube one day and was so surprised.

I found the video link to share here...  https://youtu.be/WYPIz8MhxxM

When I checked for her other links it was a mess, but this FOUR minute video is the main thing.  You will be amazed.  I think "art on the wall" is the best appplication of her talent, but some of the jewelry she created is also very surprising.  I am hoping she is successful somewhere.

I am busy trying to build my silk-screening supplies... making my own screens (learning how to make them), and trying to figure out designs I can do on my own.  I found a nice video channel for some of the learning steps called  "Easy" - but also like another guy called Reyes (something).  EASY is a channel with mostly text, from somewhere else.  I am trying to make the "pads" he shows as aids for printing.  They might work for my small art projects, too.

I guess I shouldn't share too much here.  I am trying to make PATREON my main effort.  I need 20 PATRONS for my page -- ART Patrons.  I am looking for $15 supporters.  All help is appreciated... more money means the ability to buy all the tools and supplies I need, plus find a decent workspace.  Please consider becoming one of my supporters.  You can find the benefit description on my page  ::  https://patreon.com/DebsRetirementPlan 

I will be trying to post on my blogs at least once a month... general updates.  It's a long learning curve, but I am getting further down the path every day.  

Join me.

In Christ,

Deb Martin

CRAFTS :: Getting busier and feeling the pinch of poverty

 I'm working on my goal to post more often, so this month I am trying to make at least one post almost every day.  Every day is too much of a commitment, so almost every day gives me some flexibility and takes away that "failure" issue.  :-)  

Today I want to share some of the things that I have been working on in my ART and CRAFTS efforts.  I noticed it has been awhile since I was here.  I have been doing a lot of supply gathering, thinking about what I can sell, what I can make and ship easily, and lots of details that go with my online selling quests.

I recently purchased a UV Light and some UV Resin to try out.  That is next on the list of things to do.  I understand that UV Resin dries (cures) very quickly under that UV Light, but stays liquid until you place in the UV Light.  I also understand that the layer of resin you use in your projects have to be very thin.  These are some important differences between 2-part epoxy resin and UV Resin...and the kind of project you are doing will let you know which kind to use.

I am in the learning and experimenting phase with resins.  I don't know what my final choices will be for selling products made with resin.  I have tons of ideas to try... and I have to find the space to make things out of resin.

Last month, I think it was, I tried painting on a stretched canvas.  I was surprised at how different it is.  I used acrylic paints that I had available and started a flower design.  I still have lots to do on it.  I am thinking I can gesso my canvas to use it again... as I practice.  I don't know if that will work for long, but we'll see.  :-)

I need to set everything aside and focus on one thing at a time... somehow, housework and paperwork get all my attention.  And the internet. 

One exciting thing that I started last month was getting my designs into products that are manufactured by others... like Vistaprint, and Moo, and other places like them.  Below are two products I can share graphics about.

This is an updated version of my CHOICES design, but I had it made into refrigerator magnets.  I like them.  I'm working on getting this design produced.  (This version has my author and contact line.

This design turned out much darker than this photo... so it isn't good for selling.  I had it created on "paper coasters" to see what it would look like.  I like the idea of creating designs on these coasters.  I'm working on what to do next, trying to find out what designs would be better.

I also created ONE window cling to see how that might work.  I used this design for it ::

I LIKE IT!  I will eventually create more designs for this format.  I put window clings on my fridge and other smooth surfaces.  I think I first had them on my metal filing cabinet.

My biggest hesitation is trying to find the best design options... And it may have to be ADOBE's suite of products.  They require about $60 a month to subscribe.  I also need a better computer system, and printer, and other equipment.

This is one reason I started my PATREON page... to see if I could find funding options beyond my approximately $400 retirement income.  (https://patreon.com/DebsRetirementPlan)   If you can afford $5 a month, I would love to find your name on my membership list.  The $5 tier is my General Support tier, and the benefit is keeping up with all my tiers via updates.  This tier will let you explore my other tiers and help you decide if you want to support a different tier in the future.

I am working on making POSTCARD designs at Printful, too.  My first one is below.  Getting better designing options is part of this product quest, too.  I guess we need to remember this is a (the rest of my) lifetime quest, so it's an ongoing process.  Money is the key... getting more of it to invest in my supplies and equipment and working spaces.  :-)

This postcard design is the discount item at my ETSY shop this month... https://etsy.com/shop/work2gather

CHRISTMAS  is  NEAR !!

That's about all I am working on these days... beyond life needs.

How is your Christmas crafting going?

What kinds of things are you working on?

PLUS, share any tips you have for selling at Christmas and building your retail options every year.  :-)  Thanks for any ideas you can share.

In Christ,

Deborah Martin

work2gather.us

and more...