Saturday, 3 September 2011
Friday, 2 September 2011
First sale next weekend and some new creations
I've been crafting like a fiend the last few weeks and am really looking forward to my first craft sale in Aylmer next weekend (September 10th if you're in the area).
In my crafting frenzy I've rediscovered my favourite holiday ornament - customizable snow-people! I've been making a bunch of them and crocheting them each little mini toques to keep them warm. I've also been working on some stockings AND rediscovered how much fun it is to make chocolate suckers. mmmmmmm...
I celebrated another successful navigation around the sun the other day and spent the day sewing some new dolls I'm experimenting with. I've made a number of gals and have figured out how I want to change my pattern. I also made two in after the image of my partner and a friend and I think they turned out pretty cute.
I've also been working on some new Boogedy Shoos and have been having fun playing with them - there's big ones and little ones and orange ones and purple ones.
Now that I'm writing it down I'm realizing just how busy I've been over the last little while. On top of all this crafting goodness I've also been working on a new website. My poor old computer has been sick for awhile and has been really struggling the last two weeks...soooo I got myself a new laptop, which just arrived today. I'm excited to have it, but there's a bit of a learning curve from my old one (2006) to the new model. Hoping to have my new site up soon and then take some time to work on some tutorials that I've been thinking about for awhile and would like to post.
I'm learning so much every day and am amazed at how much time is involved in getting a wee shop like this up and running from scratch. If anyone out there has some tips, please pass them my way.
Have a great day!
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Christmas Crafting already?! oh my!
Sooo, the time has come to start making ornaments. I've already got a bunch of sketches and some good old favorites, but am wondering if anyone has any kooky suggestions for some creatures I can make. Looking forward to my first sale September 10th in Aylmer!
Featured in Treasuries!
Here are a few treasuries I've been featured in over the last few weeks. Very exciting! This whole world is still so new to me and I find myself still trying to wrap my head around the whole Etsy, Blog, Twitter world...learning day by day.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Feed the hungry
I am not hungry. If I'm thirsty I can simply turn on the faucet and pour myself a drink. I am a very fortunate gal.
I thought about what I can do within my means to help the millions suffering across the ocean. I've decided that 10% of all Kokobaru sales for the foreseeable future will go to famine relief. I made a donation of $50 the other day to Unicef. I know it's not much, but it's something and I hope to be able to donate a lot more. If you are interested in making a purchase or a donation straight to an organization please be aware that until September 16th the Canadian Government is matching donations dollar for dollar. So if you want to make a donation be sure to get it in before then to make the most impact.
If you want to donate on your own here are a few links:
CIDA: East Africa Drought Relief Fund
Unicef: Horn of Africa relief fund
Oxfam Canada
When people are so hungry they are dying and we know there is more than enough food on this planet to feed us all, then we must acknowledge that there is something seriously wrong. And we must act in whatever way we can.
Big changes need to take place all around the world, less money towards military, more money towards sustainable living and peace. Who knows if these changes will ever happen, but I believe the possibility exists. I know there is a constant barrage of catastrophe on the news - people suffer, natural disasters wash away time, ruined lives break our hearts as war wreaks chaos, and on and on, but I don't think that means we have to become apathetic to the pain we see.
We fight apathy within ourselves.
We do what we can with what we have.
We believe that change is possible.
We imagine.
We act.
I thought about what I can do within my means to help the millions suffering across the ocean. I've decided that 10% of all Kokobaru sales for the foreseeable future will go to famine relief. I made a donation of $50 the other day to Unicef. I know it's not much, but it's something and I hope to be able to donate a lot more. If you are interested in making a purchase or a donation straight to an organization please be aware that until September 16th the Canadian Government is matching donations dollar for dollar. So if you want to make a donation be sure to get it in before then to make the most impact.
If you want to donate on your own here are a few links:
CIDA: East Africa Drought Relief Fund
Unicef: Horn of Africa relief fund
Oxfam Canada
When people are so hungry they are dying and we know there is more than enough food on this planet to feed us all, then we must acknowledge that there is something seriously wrong. And we must act in whatever way we can.
Big changes need to take place all around the world, less money towards military, more money towards sustainable living and peace. Who knows if these changes will ever happen, but I believe the possibility exists. I know there is a constant barrage of catastrophe on the news - people suffer, natural disasters wash away time, ruined lives break our hearts as war wreaks chaos, and on and on, but I don't think that means we have to become apathetic to the pain we see.
We fight apathy within ourselves.
We do what we can with what we have.
We believe that change is possible.
We imagine.
We act.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Random acts of kindness...
Years ago I found this bumper sticker (but with a black background),
When I read it, it hit me like bold of electricity and became a kind of mantra in my life. I put it on my old Westie and took it with me wherever I went. Eventually I had to let my Westie go, but I pulled off that sticker and put it on an old guitar case so that it's always kicking around somewhere. From time to time I find I forget the simple lesson of the bumper sticker, but inevitably life reminds me and I get re-centered. Be nice just because you can.
A few months back I found this great organization called the Toy Society. It was created in June 2008 in Australia. Over the last few years it has spread around the world and now has more than 3200 members. The goal of the organization is simple - to anonymously give away homemade toys. Beautiful thought eh?
When I read it, it hit me like bold of electricity and became a kind of mantra in my life. I put it on my old Westie and took it with me wherever I went. Eventually I had to let my Westie go, but I pulled off that sticker and put it on an old guitar case so that it's always kicking around somewhere. From time to time I find I forget the simple lesson of the bumper sticker, but inevitably life reminds me and I get re-centered. Be nice just because you can.
A few months back I found this great organization called the Toy Society. It was created in June 2008 in Australia. Over the last few years it has spread around the world and now has more than 3200 members. The goal of the organization is simple - to anonymously give away homemade toys. Beautiful thought eh?
"The Toy Society is about giving someone something and expecting absolutely nothing in return."
So in addition to making toys for the Kokobaru shop, I've been taking a bit of time to make a few little toys for the Toy Society. Today I did my first drop! It was SO exciting! I felt a bit like a spy or possibly a ninja. I was uber stealthy and I successfully left them in two different playgrounds, one under the slide and the other hanging from a tree.
I'll take a walk later to see if they've found new home's yet. It was a hot day, so I wouldn't be surprised if the parks didn't get a lot of action today. All that to say, it's fun and a surefire way to make somebody's day. If you're interested in joining you can check out their blog at: www.thetoysociety.blogspot.com
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Shop now open on Etsy.com
www.kokobarucreations.etsy.com is now up and running!
I've been working on some toys for the last little while and recently sold some work to a local museum, which was rather exciting. In the next little while I'll be adding some quilts and wool products to the site. Today I found an amazing wool shop in Ottawa with a huge selection of wools from all over the world. I'm looking forward to crocheting and knitting some nifty new stuff soon.
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| Stuffed white polar bear |
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| * Stuffed blue 'monster magu' doll/toy with child safe doll eyes and blue/green accents - Scooter |
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