Beckymae's Journey

Scrappy Wallet!

2011-04-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

Scrappy Wallet! I have been making handbags from scarves for several years now, and have a huge collection of scarf scraps. I had a bag on hand that I made several months ago and needed a wallet to finish off the project. I gathered my scraps in the color scheme of the bag and began piecing my scraps together. Now, I have a cute new wallet. I made a place for all those important cards we carry, special spot for your photo id, and plenty of room for all the hard cash I carry around. J/K. I did not have a dollar on hand to place in my new wallet.

Spring Time Poppy for MOMMY or Me!

2011-04-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

Spring Time....Poppies for Mommy or Me!

Found a satin white pillowcase at the thrift store and a small woman's satin skirt in dark deep red....and my love for poppies I created a beautiful dress for a sweet little girl. After completing the dress...I feel in love with it. So I try it on and the way I made the arm holes and neckline...it fit me too! So now you have a shirt for you or dress for her...all for the cost of......$3.24.

Shirt for Mommy! Details of the flowers!

Dress for Her!

Date Night Clutch Handbag

2011-03-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

Date Night Clutch Handbag.....made from dollar store items!

Two woven place mats (I chose tan and green place mats to match the napkins I found,) 3 satin napkins, some Velcro, felt and some random buttons and pearls found in the craft room. You'll need a sewing machine, glue gun, fabric tack and needle and thread!

WOW, look what you get after to put it all together! Two great clutches for the night out with that special someone...guess what it only cost me 6 bucks to make both clutches.

Here is a up close shot of the green clutch with two pretty flowers that even the beginner crafter can make.

So when you are in a pinch and want a cute new handbag and don't want to spend a ton of money, head to your local dollar store and look around..you will be surprised what you can find to make any outfit look like a million bucks! Now take that new clutch handbag and go show it off to all your friends...and they thought you could not craft..boy they were wrong! Even your husband will be amazed what you can do with a few buck!

GO VOTE!

2011-02-28T11:31:00.000-08:00

GO VOTE TODAY!

2011-02-23T15:02:00.000-08:00

BEST BRAG BOOK EVER! I GOT in so stay tune to whats next....

Made from scrapbook paper and some glue...double stick tape, envelops, some cute spring stickers and my creative juices! Perfect fit for your purse!

Would make a lovely gift for anyone who loves to show off their family.

But wait there is more...you can turn it into many other things too:

your favorite recipe holder, place to hold some scripture you need to

memorize, cute sticker book for a pre-teen, or anything your heart

delights that need some organization!

christmas

2010-12-08T20:36:00.001-08:00

Pine Cone Toile Christmas Card

Make unique Christmas cards with Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

craftyyyyyy!

2010-03-29T12:21:00.003-07:00

craftyyyyyy!

2010-03-29T12:21:00.002-07:00

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craftyyyyyy!

2010-03-29T12:21:00.001-07:00

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New Creations!

2010-03-20T16:45:00.000-07:00

With Red Poppy Fest just around the corner my creative juices have been flowing fast even with a 3 month old in the house and I am still managing to create atleast one hour every night before I head to bed!

2010-03-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

Life

2010-02-21T19:58:00.000-08:00

Well its been a little while since I last wrote.... had a baby, struggling with no sleep, miss crafting everyday, wish it was more sunny so I can take pictures of my new products that I made before the baby was born, trying to figure out breastfeeding while my son is wearing these special shoes to correct his clubfoot that he was born with and finally trying to exercise after having a baby to get my old figure back. So I will try to make it a goal to start writing again about my creations!

Fall Leaves

2009-12-01T19:15:00.000-08:00

Well its that time a year when you are looking for cute inexpensive decorations for the holidays, I ran across a simple design that you can do with your kids or having a relaxing craft moment alone. My design is even more simple than the one I found, they used brown yarn and glue to make the tree, but I chose to make it simple and paint the design.
Fall leaf placemat for your holiday decor- you also could do a Christmas tree shape and do different color dots for Christmas bulbs. Here are the easy step by step directions!
Cut with pinking sheers a light weight tan fabric the size of a standard placemat, I just laid my over the top and cut the shape out. I also did a double layer and did a simple stitch around the edge, but you can skip this step if you are using a heavier fabric. (I wanted cheap so I used what I had around the house)

I used a basic black acrylic paint to paint the shape of my tree. The paint is thick so you only need to do one coat!

Paint the trunk first the length on the placemat.

Add branches to your tree.

Here's what it looks like on the placemat! (if you wanted to do a Christmas tree, I would use green paint for the tree, and make a center line for the trunk and do three horizontal lines across the tree making a triangle shape in the process.)

Now let all the trees dry completely before starting the next step. I waited about three hours, did some dishes, made some cookies J/K but be sure to wait!

Next, I used some great fall colors for leaves!

The next part is the fun part you can have your kids help you with, my son who is four helped me with about 3 of them and then he was done, so I was left with 9 of them to complete! Place all the colors of paint onto a plate and start using your fingers to make thumbprint leaves! Kids love to get their hands messy, so let them have fun! On this mat my son did all the green leaves first!

Now you are all done and now its time to set up for dinner! (Be sure to let them dry over night to make sure all the paint is dry before using them at your next family gathering!)

thanks, enjoy crafting simple...

Beckymae

Woodscape with a Cardinal flare!

2009-11-18T09:04:00.000-08:00

A baby room like no other baby room! I was looking through an old Martha Living magazine called Baby and found a baby room so beautiful I could not wait to get it started for our own little guy. All the colors were neutral and had a flare of red as the accent color, I just loved it. I really wanted red as well, so I decided on a red cardinal, which is really hard to find for a baby's room, lucky my mother-in-law had these handmade pillows made by her mother that just made the room super cute. Here is a list of projects I did to create my woodscape baby room!
I striped the chair and painted it white! Added the cute pillow and a red Ikea trashcan. Great little reading nook for baby "E".

I hand stitched two pictures for the room with matching fabric from his bedding, one cute tree picture and a fun bird picture.

Created three hand sewn blocks from felt in red, white and tan colors. I used 1-10 numbers and stars shapes on the blocks, will be great to play with when the little guy gets older.
Here is an up close shot of my hand stitched bird picture!

Revamped lamp shade, punched holes in the bottom of the shade and ran red satin ribbon through it. Then I hot glued a red ribbon on top adding loops to it creating a fun look!
Great find for 4 bucks at the local thrift store, spray painted white and added a red cardinal in the cage, just a fun piece to dress up the room even more.

Got old frames and painted them white, then I added some old pictures, as well as leaves I collected. Great collage on the wall.
Hand stitched mobile, I could not find anything that went well with the room, so I created my own.
Up close details of the bird!

The final area is the crib. All the bedding was handmade by my sweet mother-in-law in white, tans and rich browns. I made a cute flag banner using old linens and we also got a cute name picture that I hung above his bed. (not seen in the picture)

Well I hope you like the room, I do. Creating something handmade makes everything more personal for your family. Enjoy!

Beckymae

What a combo!

2009-11-14T18:14:00.001-08:00

Spiderman, a pirate, princess and a cute butterfly!

Love to eat Woopies

2009-11-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

History of Whoopie Pies
Whoopie pies are considered a New England phenomenon and a Pennsylvania Amish tradition. They're one of Maine's best known and most loved comfort foods. Mainers will even claim that they were weaned on whoopie pies. In Maine, these treats are more like a cake than a pie or a cookie, as they are very generously sized (about hamburger size). they're so hug that you'll want to share one with a friend. A big glass of milk is almost mandatory when eating a whoopie pie.
A whoopie pie is like a sandwich, but made with two soft cookies with a fluffy white filling. Traditional whoopies pies are made with vegetable shortening, not butter. The original and most commonly made whoopie pie is chocolate. but cooks like to experiment, and today pumpkin whoopie pies are a favorite seasonal variation.
The recipe for whoopie pies has its origins with the Amish, and in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, it is not uncommon to find roadside farm stands offering these desserts. Amish cooking is about old recipes that have fed families for generations, with no trendy or cross-cultural fusions or mixtures. These cake-like whoopie pies were considered a special treat because they were originally made from leftover batter. According to Amish legend, when children would find these treats in their lunch bags, they would shout "Whoopie!"

Whoopie Pie Recipe - How To Make Whoopie Pies
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup cocoa
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets.

Whoopie Pie Filling:
1 cup solid vegetable shortening*
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 cups Marshmallow Fluff**
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* Butter may be substituted for all or part of the vegetable shortening, although traditional Whoopie Pies are made with vegetable shortening only
** Marshmallow Creme may be substituted.
In a medium bow, beat together shortening, sugar, and Marshmallow fluff; stir in vanilla extract until well blended.
Directions:
In bowl, combine cocoa, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In another large bowl, cream together shortening, sugar, and egg

In a small bowl, stir the vanilla extract into the milk. Add the dry ingredients to the shortening mixture, alternating with the milk mixture; beating until smooth.

Drop batter by the 1/4 cup (to make 18 cakes) onto prepared baking sheets. With the back of a spoon spread batter into 4-inch circles, leaving approximately 2 inches between each cake. Bake 15 minutes or until they are firm to the touch. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Make Whoopie Pie Filling. When the cakes are completely cool, spread the flat side (bottom) of one chocolate cake with a generous amount of filling. Top with another cake, pressing down gently to distribute the filling evenly. Repeat with all cookies to make 9 pies. Wrap whoopie pies individually in plastic wrap, or place them in a single layer on a platter (do not stack them, as they tend to stick).
To freeze, wrap each whoopie pie in plastic wrap. Loosely pack them in a plastic freezer container and cover. To serve, defrost the wrapped whoopie pies in the refrigerator.

Enjoy your woopies! I had tons of fun making them and so will you!
Beckymae

Shots from the Show!

2009-11-08T20:45:00.001-08:00

Uncommon Women Christmas Show

2009-11-06T11:12:00.000-08:00

http://uncommonwomen.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/uncommon-holiday-show-sale-vendors/

If you are in the Austin area, come checkout the show!

Front Page on ETSY.com!

2009-11-04T08:59:00.001-08:00

This Saturday!

2009-11-03T08:39:00.000-08:00

~You are warmly invited to join me for~
An Uncommon Holiday Show & Sale

This Saturday, November 7th, 3pm-8pm

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce 100 Stadium Dr.

Across from the Rec Center on Austin Ave.

Shop fabulous products!

Sample gourmet delights!

Connect with excellent services

All provided by local women in small business!

Click here for a list of our wonderful vendors and get some early shopping ideas!

Join us for a fun evening of classy Christmas festivities!

I'd love to see you there!

Visit UncommonWomen.net for more details!

Baby is almost here!

2009-11-02T11:56:00.001-08:00

I dear friend of my took some great fall pictures of me being 7 1/2 months pregnant, I was so excited to see them! She did such a great joy capturing me in the fall with this cute little bundle of joy growing inside me. I have been working really hard this pregnancy to stay fit and it pays off after looking at the pictures she took of me. My husband really enjoyed my look, especially with my hair blowing in the wind!

Well we are to report about 6 to 8 weeks left before baby "E" arrives into this world, and we are all ready and waiting.
Room done: check
Clothes washed: check
Birth plan done: check
Diaper bought: check
What's left to do....I do want to make a cute swaddle wrap, so I have been drawing up designs for the creation...

Being Inspired!

2009-10-29T15:24:00.001-07:00

The great look of the fall is so much fun! My favorite things I now see on clothing as well as jewelry. It's the mix of a modern look with a vintage flare! Lots and lots of lace, pearls and mixing chains! I just saw today at Old Navy that they had tank tops with ruffled lace and ribbon down the front of the shirts which brings me back to my point, mixed fashion is great!
In other News......
I will be doing some show early November if you would like to see more of my new creations.
Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Christmas Fest
November 7
from 3-8 pm
Totally free...I may even have some wine
Over 35 vendors!
Also...
Christmas Fest
First Baptist Church on HWY 29
November 12-14
from 9-4 pm
Over 65 vendors.....door prizes hourly and great big gift baskets that they are raffling to help raise money for my son's Mother's Day Out program.

So I saw on Anthropologie these great new necklaces that I was so inspired by that, that I decided to whip me up some for my shop to sell at my up coming shows. I tell you the price for a necklace on Anthropologie you can buy like 5 necklaces from my shop on etsy.
Plus mine are really handmade...I love how that's always added to the description, but yet there are probably thousands available.

Another Inspired creation..
Enjoy,
Beckymae

Becky Mae Poppy Fields Necklace and Earring Set GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-10-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

Becky Mae Poppy Fields Necklace and Earring Set GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

What I have been up to Lately!

2009-10-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

Roses are red... you know the saying! Well, I am working on a special project for myself, which I never do, so I am needing to make about 20 of these beautiful roses in two shades of red that I will be adding to a black scarf. I can't wait to see how they turn out. After I am finish maybe I will write something up so everyone else can make themselves one for the winter season...

I love poppies, I now will have poppy headbands at my two shows (look for details soon on the shows!) in November as well as poppy earrings, poppy necklaces, poppy phone charms, poppy hair clips and whatever else I can come up with that is poppy!

Happy Halloween, look at these cute little witches legs coming out of this fun pillowcase dress I made for one of my dear friend's daughter. It was so easy and fun, since I only have a boy and will only have boys is always fun to do some girly stuff, if you need anything just stop by the shop and make a request, I am always looking for new things to create!

Here is that sweet princess and her beautiful halloween dress! What a smile!

Anyone want to eat scary dirt! We went to our first halloween party of the year and I made some yummy dirt pudding! It's so easy to make and kids love the idea of eating all kinds of weird stuff!

Recycled Flower Pin

2009-10-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

Handmade Recycled Flower Pins! Find some cute sweaters you don't wear anymore and start cutting them up into squares to have on hand. For an up coming craft show, I wanted to create some cute winter pins. Here a simple way to create them in less than 30 minutes!

Pick color choices for your pins, I pick some great colors for winter that will look great on any jacket or top!

Cut circles is to several different sizes so they will layer on top of each other. I use only 3 or 4 depending on the fabric thickness, otherwise your flower will be really large and sticking out too much on your jacket.

Here is the flower layered on top of each other.

Next pick a cute button to hand sew on top of the flower and through all the layers which will hold your pin together.

Next you will need a piece of felt, your color choice, I picked green so it would look like a leaf from the back. You will need a pin also that you can find at most every craft store.

I cut my felt to a round shape or you can make a leaf shape. Next cut to little slits into the felt and feed your pin through it. Close the pin so you won't have to worry about it fall out before gluing it.

Everyone loves Tacky glue and you know it will hold about anything together. So Add the glue to the back part of the green felt and pin.

I lay my pin closer to the top of my flower so it won't fall forward when I wear it on my jacket. Let it dry over night so it will be completely dry to wear!

Pick your favorite flower pin to wear and you got a really cute new accessory that will add fun to any winter wear!

Baby's love toys

2009-09-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

I found a blog a couple of weeks ago showing you how to make cute tag toys for your baby... I gave it a try and was able to make three cute tag toys that make fun sounds for baby "e". Now if I can rememeber where I found it so others can make it too! Well I will come back and list it later...presenting tag square toy!

Robot birthday Bash

2009-09-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

To Celebrate my son's 4th birthday, We did it in Robot Style!

The food displayed with cute name tags.

I had a handpainted robot banner to take cute pictures.

( Later I plan on using each guest picture to make my thank you cards with plus I think mom/dads will like a new cute pic of there child)

I made this really cute banner of my son over the years to display across the counter so people to see how he has changed over the years!

Made recycled robots out of tin cans, painted bolts and nuts. Hot glues them together for a very cute silverware holder for the party!

Had a train come, my son loves trains and has had two Thomas the train parties, so it was a nice change to have a different theme, but just for his love we had a train as well. It was a big hit and all the kiddos got to ride atleast once around the yard before the conductor got over heated and had to go home!

Well my cake was really plain and not very creative, but I had over 50 people coming and who had time to bake that many cupcakes when you can get tranformer cupcakes from SAMs 30 of them for 13.00 bucks you can't beat that deal. Plus I wanted to spend more time coming up with cute crafty ideas than baking all day!

Well lets hope next year he changes the theme again, it was really fun searching for ideas for the party, there are so many people that are very creative and I loved search for new ideas as much as making them.

I say go cheap and have fun, no since spending a ton of money on one day when there are so many great inexpensive ideas out there waiting for you to use them in your next bash...

I will be updating on all the new things I have made lately for baby "e"...two hootie hiders one for winter and one for spring, cute cloth toys, burp clothes, changing pad cover, hot sling, baby holder and some great shots of the baby's room as decoration comes along...theme woodscape. color theme: tan, white, browns, and red

LoVe ya,

Beckymae

Carseat Cover

2009-09-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

I have been working really hard lately getting ready for baby #2 to come into this world, making burp clothes, a changing pad cover, diaper holder, hootie hider and much more... I really wanted a new carseat cover so I began to look around etsy and discovered they are very expensive. Why, its just a cover, so I decided to take up the challenge myself and make one for my sweet new boy. Poor Ethan he only started getting fun stuff about 9 months after he was born, for one I was not in the mood to create and for two I did not even own a sewing machine until he was that age, praise God for my wonderful mother-in-law.

Now back to the cover, I began to take apart the old cover to use for a pattern as well as the batting, it was a long night in front of the TV with my seam ripper and the cover. When that was all finished I then had to cut all the pieces and start putting it all back together, note to self always take a before picture so you know how thing work, I am a very visual person but with a pregancy brain, you tend to forget something. I did only have to redo one part but the rest was all done correctly....and now the finished project!

Traveling to Spain

2009-06-11T11:01:00.001-07:00

As I began to think about our trip in one week, I started having wonderful memories of our year in Spain. It's been 5 years since we were in that beautiful country, but it seems like forever. This time around we will be taking our 3 year old son and a friend's daughter for our 20 days of Spain. We will be spending the first half on a mission trip helping in northern Spain. Mostly labor, feeding pilgrams, cleaning, washing and sharing our faith. Here a picture from the Camino de Santiago, when we walked the journey 5 years ago!

I will be closing the etsy shop during my time away from the US, it would be easlier for me and my loyal customers!

Its amazing how you make a decision about something and then it happens with hard work and lot of faith in God!

We will miss our family and friends but this chance to go again and is what we both have wanted for a couple of years now!

Please think of us during this 20 day journey, remember to say a little prayer each day to ask God to protect us during our travels.

The Zoo

2009-05-23T17:53:00.001-07:00

Well this past week we decided to take an adventure to the waco zoo. It was a blast, and Ethan had a super great time directing traffic and telling us which animal we will be seeing next. He is becoming such a great boy, and big too! I really enjoyed him saying "mommy, this way to the monkeys, or here comes the fish pond", thanks to the handy map the zoo supplied at the beginning of our tour! It was fun hanging with our buds for the day, I am really glad to have found them at such an awesome time in my life raising our little man!

We did not take a nap that day, which has been really sad for me lately, I loved when he use to take three hour naps so I could have some alone time, now alone time is only in the evenings which is great because I get to spend it with my husband too, but the long naps in the afternoon gave me so much time to work on my shop and stuff, I miss those days! Now its a new chapter and he will be in school soon enough and I will be asking for the days back when he was with me all day!

Listing Baby shoes

2009-05-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

I finally have found some time to start listing my baby shoes made from vintage fabrics!

Checkout my etsy shop to see all the new selections I have in stock now!

Red Poppy Festival

2009-05-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

Over 100 handmade crafters from all over Texas come together in late April to show off their handmade goodies! Checkout my booth this year!

2009-05-05T13:35:00.000-07:00

Ethan flying his first plane at Kiddie Acres, it was a very cool thing I found the same picture of his daddy 26 years ago doing the same thing, even in the same blue plane. Son like father. They even have the same cute face and smile.

Looking I am flying. Michael, age 3 1/2.

Here's a close up of my cute kid, he had a great day.

Look here are some of my cute baby shoes modeled by my good friend's cute baby girl Addie Grace. Checkout my etsy shop to get your own pair of cute shoes. Come in 2 sizes. 0-6 months, and 7-12 months.

In my garden I have watched my poppies come up each day. Look at the crazy one on the left. Not sure about that kind.

Here is a beautiful poppy that opened mid April, I just love the colors and can't believe how God made such beautiful flowers. I wish I could have these flowers in my garden all summer, but they will soon pass because they are only in the spring here in Texas.

Things in my Crazy life!

2009-04-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

I love to bake, I created this yummy cookies for my mom friends! I hope they enjoyed them.

Here is a great picture of my son about to pick a blue bonnet, the TX flower. It is a sweet sign of spring.

I have been doing some free hand, my son asked me to create a Thomas the train with a red caboose, it hangs in his room now, I hope he will keep it forever and remember how much his mommy loves him.

Poppy

2009-04-11T11:43:00.000-07:00

Life is like a beautiful Rose!

2009-04-11T11:40:00.000-07:00

Baby Fever!

2009-03-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

Well it been a rough couple of months, but now we are back and trying again for God to give us another precious life. Our son asks us often when he will have a brother or sister to play with, so the plan is to keep trying until we are.

So in the mist of all the baby desires, I have created 20 cute little pairs of shoes for the Poppy fest in late April, they are all made from vintage fabrics that I have found over the past few months.

I just love the way some came together, so here's some pairs. Enjoy!

The finished Products

2009-02-10T20:16:00.000-08:00

Here is just some of what I made, checkout the rest in my shop!

Recycled Creations

2009-02-10T20:07:00.000-08:00

Well I made over 25 necklaces last week, Here the start of my work, if you want to have one of these beautiful creations go to my online shop now!

Working on some NEw StuFF

2009-01-30T13:59:00.000-08:00

Well I have been slaving away for the last several days on some new creations, I have been revamping some old sweaters as well as creating some new jewelry, I have a pile of purses to be sewn, in which needs to be done like yesterday, if you have been to my etsy shop lately you will see that I have only 13 purses left. Spring is coming and everyone wants a new purse for the spring especially a Becky Mae. They are really light weight and make great accessories to any outfit in the spring or summer. So I am really trying to get my mind in sewing mode. I once sewed 20 purses in one day, 5 hours it took...but it was great having them done. Also I plan in being in the Red Poppy Fest here in Georgetown, TX. Last year I sold over a $1000 worth of stuff in one day, so the plan is to start getting ready for the big weekend in late April. Come to it if you are close by so you can see all my fun creations. Here's some new pics... enjoy!

2009-01-16T14:19:00.000-08:00

Little late, but I made the front page of etsy on Jan 11, 09 with one of my beautiful handbags. Got 22 new hearts that day and over 450 views to my site... keep it coming etsy.

2009-01-16T11:32:00.000-08:00

Checkout our new family pics!

Can you believe this?

2008-12-16T19:31:00.001-08:00

Well after getting the gallbladder removed on Dec 4, 5 days later and only 20% of people this happens too, I get a leak from my liver spiting bile into my stomach. Talk about pain above all pain, I was rushed to the ER and transferred to the hospital in Austin that I had the procedure done, Drs looked for the leak, then they decided to place a stent in the bile duct to keep this from happening again. Finally two days later home sweet home, well at least I thought so until I started having more sharp pains. Now back to the ER, this time we went to the hospital were I had the surgery so I would not have to take another ride. They discovered I had pancreatitis which happens in 5% of all people who have there gallbladders out! Should I really have had it removed, it seems that it would have been easier to be on a diet then go through the hell I have been in the last 7 days. Well I am finally home, and have had a few sales to ship out in my shop, but most of all I am glad to sleep in my own bed tonight. ( Hospital beds move all night to keep you from getting bed sores, and you can't really sleep well with movement all night.) Well I was hoping to have a busier Christmas season on ETSY, I have only done 10 sales for the month, very slow. I am hoping to make some new jewelry for the NEW YEAR holidays....we will have to see how I feel the next few days. I did list some new earrings before the gallbladder mess...so check them out..at my shop.

New Creation

2008-12-09T14:06:00.000-08:00

Well I have been working up this new creation for a couple of weeks now, and now I think I have gotten the design down. Its similiar to what we all know as the scrabble tile pendant famously done by several other etsy people but I think I may be the first to create it with old vintage fabric laid on top of the wooden pendant. I have looked and researched for some time and have found no one has done this idea yet, its so me too. I use soooo much vintage fabrics in all my designs, so why not add some to the pendant as well. It may be so cute you will have to get yourself one for christmas. I am listing it on my shop today. I have only one right now, but more to come in the weeks ahead. Here it is...the cute fabric pendant.

New Day

2008-12-08T13:13:00.000-08:00

Well its been 5 days since surgery, post gallbladder removed. I am feeling tired still, but feeling hungry for the first time in 4 months, I hope to keep my 40 extra pounds off, but its going to be hard when you have to the desire to eat everything insight. Well still running a great Christmas sale, free cute little poppy earrings with your purchase. Oh, by the way got on the front page of etsy and sold the item. and got 10 hearts, but why only one sale when thousands of people saw my purses, not sure on that one.

Contest win $750 worth of ETSY prizes

2008-12-03T07:37:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of sponsors, and I need to pick 6 that I love to win! (if they pick me!)
The Sponsors:
Children
This and That - $20 gift cardRed Pajamas - Little Man's Tie ($8)Baby Luv Gifts - Cute Custom Beanie ($15)Baby Bears - $25 gift cardMy Custom Baby Boutique - $25 gift cardBaby Goin Places - PocketChanger Diaper Changing Pad ($25)Layla Legs - $15 gift card & free shippingSecond Story Window - $10 gift cardInspiring Color Tie Dye - Youth pullover hoodie rainbow diagonal or swirl ($30)Baby Peas - boy or girl cloth play blocks- set of 4 ($18)Abby Chase Designs - Lotus Hair Flower ($13.50)Tadpoles and Tutus - $20 gift cardMake it and Love It - onesie/bootie set of choice (14.99)
Jewelry
Four Dog Day - Cute Pink Key Ring ($8)Jupita - $20 gift cardZeba - Coin Pearl Earrings ($20)Jodi Horgan - $25 gift cardOne of a Kind Custom Jewelry - $20 gift cardAcross The Pond - choice of any vintage button ring ($14)Kerstin Hanson - $20 gift card
Bath and BodyKrug's Eco-Logic - $15 gift cardIndulgent Creations - Soy candle travel tin, soap and lotion ($16.50)koko candles - holiday brownie cupcake candles ($25)Dazzle Dott - $20 gift certificate
Especially for Mom
Mary Zoom - Pink Polka Dot Glam Cleaning Gloves ($10)Maggie Sue Designs -A cup cozy and coordinating set of Tame Your Mane ponytail holders ($12)Gaia Conceptions - "My Everything" piece (clothing, $40)BoojiBoo - apron of winners choice (only ones in stock, $28.75)
Yummy Treats
A Sugar Affair - $10 gift cardCakebox Cookies - $20 gift cardA Thyme 2 B Comforted - $25 gift cardDouble Dipped Sweets - $20 gift cardKE Cookies - One dozen chocolate chip cookies ($8)AngelPie Cookies and Cakes - One dozen decorated sugar cookies ($18)Meg's Creations - 2 pack of cookie and brownie mix ($24 including shipping)Cookie Art by Sarah - One dozen sugar cookie snowflakes and $25 gift certificate ($53)
Paper Crafts
Paper Treasures 4 U - 2 page 12''x12'' Christmas layout ($9)Inkspot Workshop - 1 Set of 6 Snowman Gift Enclosures 1 Set of 6 Tree Bird Gift Enclosures ($12)Take Note - 1 set of personalized notecards ($15)Articulations - 6 lunchbox love mini cards ($5)

My top 6 picks:
1. Red Pajamas - Little Man's Tie ($8)
2. Across The Pond - choice of any vintage button ring ($14)
3. Indulgent Creations - Soy candle travel tin, soap and lotion ($16.50)
4. Gaia Conceptions - "My Everything" piece (clothing, $40)
5. A Sugar Affair - $10 gift card
6. Take Note - 1 set of personalized notecards ($15)

For you to pick you need to go to this blog and follow the instructions on how to win!
http://www.busy-mommy.com/

CYBER MONDAY shopping

2008-12-01T08:11:00.000-08:00

Well today its the big day to shop online and get great deals. I am trying my hardest to get some sales today too! I am hoping to make some extra money so I too can shop online for Christmas. Sooooo here's the big sale... I am giving a free pair of poppy earrings with every purchase. Also I have free USA shipping always, so you save money always when you shop at my place.. so you are wondering what the earrings look like, well here's a cute picture so you will now know what you are getting, give them to everyone they are so cute and prefect.

Good News

2008-11-24T09:58:00.000-08:00

Well for all those who were wondering if the gallbladder is getting removed, it is Dec 4th at 3:30 pm. I am having surgery in Austin, TX at Seton Hosptial. Finally after fighting with doctors, its coming out and then I will be able to eat again, not fatty foods but real food, I am very sick of this plain diet, no good stuff.

DYI fashion show!

2008-11-17T12:49:00.000-08:00

Well this year I was able to participate in the DYI factory fashion/craft show! I was a great so much fun and a great turn out. I sold lots and enjoyed meeting some new vendors from all over Texas. I got to participate in the fashion show, seeing my pieces on the the runway so so cool. I really like the models they were all super cute and modeled the dresses great! Here are some pictures I took of them before the show. WOW!

2008-11-12T14:41:00.000-08:00

Gallbladders

2008-11-03T13:52:00.000-08:00

I am still having the worst time with this gallbladder thing. I am not sure why the Dr is taking his sweet time to help me resolve this horrible pain....I mean pain. Well on to other news, I am doing two shows this next week, one is here in Georgetown and other is in San Antonio. I hope to have my gallbladder out this weeks so I will be ready for the shows. Please for the love of GOD, helpme get over this pain. Here are some pics of my new purses...hope you like them.

Craft Shows & Christmas shopping

2008-10-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

Well its the Christmas season again and I am getting ready for two great shows coming up, one is on the 13th and 14th of November at the First Baptist Church in Georgetown, It's at my son's preschool and I did the show last year and loved it. Please come out if you are in the area during those days, from 11-3 pm. (The church is located on east HWY 29 pass the wolf ranch shopping center.) I will have all my goodies there, and they make great Christmas gifts, especially if you like one of a kind handmade items. I do have my winter collection of purses done, I made 50 this year and I am getting low, this means I may have to do a bigger collection in the spring, happy dance! Also I am doing another show THE DYI FACTORY on the 15th of November, in San Antonio. Guess what, I am in a fashion show, can you believe I am having five minutes of fame, I am sooooo excited.
Please come checkout the show. If you need a discount card, email me and I will send you one in the mail before the show.

New stuff on ETSY

2008-09-08T14:51:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share with all my new items I have added these past few weeks. In September I will be donation 10% of my sales to a friend of my son's therapy. He has been going through therapy and the cost is very expensive, so please shop in my store this month to help the family.

The Garden Delights

2008-08-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

Here are a few examples of the Garden Necklace choker. You can find them at Becky Mae Designs online to order one of your own Garden Delights!

Garden Delight

2008-08-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

Here are the basic steps in creating an one of kind garden choker necklace. I always make sure I have a clean work space with all the supplies I need to make my jewelry so I can focus on creating not trying to find my tools.
supplies: 19 inch brass chain
brass circle 1/2 inch
jewelry tools, round nose pliers, flattening pliers, wire cutters
beads, floral pearls different shapes and colors
brass leaf charm
head pins
jump rings
clean work space

Step1: Layout your necklace so you can start planning your design. I like to have an idea of what I am going to create before I begin putting together my pieces.
Step2: Connect your circle and handmade flower to the chain of the necklace with a jump ring. Then at the other end of the chain you can add your charm leaf, I also add a pearl to my charm leaf. I also pulled my chain through the circle so I could see the start of my necklace.
Step3: I now begin to gather all my beads I want to add to my necklace. I begin by laying them out next to the chain, once I decide on the design I like, I begin to start making the necklace.
Step 4: Take your head pin place it through the bead, bend wire one direction, then take your round nose pliers and make a loop with the wire then cut off extra wire you don't need. Close the loop after you have add the bead to the chain.

Step5: Continue step 4 until you have added all the beads to complete your necklace garden.

Lost track of Blogging....

2008-04-20T21:12:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy this month making stuff for the Red Poppy Fest here in Georgetown, TX, I have forgotten to blog all this month. Well I am on my last part of getting ready for the show, pricing my jewelry. Yes, everything else is completed, 100 purses priced and tagged, 34 pillowcase dresses done, and some jewelry done, I have about 60 necklaces left to price. I am enjoying the fact that there is a week until the festival and I can rest Thursday night and not have to worry about making product to sell on Saturday. I took some pictures of some finished product to share, you get a sneak peek before Saturday. Boy, did the poppy necklaces and earring come out cute, I hope to sell out and have to take orders for later.

What this month look like for Beckymae?

2008-04-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

This is a very exciting month for me, I am participating in a local craft fair called the Red Poppy Festival. It is a very large festival that happens every year right here in my hometown, Georgetown. Its made up of all different kinds of things to do, craft booths, food, fun stuff for the kids, a parade and much more for two days, April 26, 27 th. I have been working really hard to get ready for the two day event, I plan on have over 100 purses, 40 vintage pillowcase dresses for little girls, and tons of revamped jewelry I have been creating daily. I am not sure how this event will turnout for my business, but I hope to put it locally on the map here in Texas. I have been selling mostly internationally on my website so I hope to generate more here in Texas. Check back to see my progress on my items I will have, and if you live in Texas and want to come by and see me, your are welcome anytime during the festival. thanks!

Have new purses!

2008-03-28T13:38:00.000-07:00

Started working on some new purses today, I have gotten 4 done and boy are they cute!

New Jewelry LOve them!

2008-03-10T15:53:00.001-07:00

Here are some new necklaces I have been working on this week....my spring/summer purse line is in the making right now. I am working on 42 purse this time in my spring/summer collection....the biggest collection yet. My plans are to have it done by March 30th, so be sure to checkout my shop then, BeckyMae.

Etsy Swimmer

2008-03-04T19:52:00.000-08:00

Here is my one of kind vintage fabric swimmer I sent to ETSY this week. I hope they like it. Its made from an old Vera scarf with red thread at the bottom of the fish. It has a cool vintage white button. I am not a good stuff-animal maker but I tried. Everyone should be making a swimmer for etsy, its a good way to get your name out there in ETSY land. So go swim my little fish. Heee Heee

New necklaces for my friend's wedding and some new purse pictures I took today

2008-02-29T14:32:00.000-08:00

Look at these beautiful necklaces I have been creating for my friend's wedding. She wanted something different so I offered to make her some necklaces my style. I really think them. Especially the swallow bird. Perfect for a wedding.

Critique On ETSY today!

2008-02-29T11:06:00.000-08:00

Well its been an exciting day in my world, I just got critique by ETSY lab ladies, it was soooo great to hear what I need to do to improve my shop to be a top seller. It also put me on the front page of the website, as well in the Storque, the online etsy magazine.

My new work space...

2008-02-19T07:44:00.000-08:00

Well its been a long February, my dad came at the beginning of the month to convert our garage into my personal sweat shop. I finally no longer have to use the living room or kitchen to create my stuff, I will have a room of my own. I am so excited about the change. Today the carpet is being laid and the painting is done....Then will come my stuff. I never realized how much craft stuff I owned until I moved it into our storage area for a brief time. I hope to go through and get what I really need and can the rest to ebay or a thrift store. So if you need anything let me know, I just might have it and be willing to almost give it to you for free. I will be adding picture of my progress, so please stay in touch and see what a new craft room will look like in the making.

Under the Weather

2008-02-11T09:44:00.001-08:00

Its been a rough week, my son was sick all last week and now I am under the weather and not able to make much of anything. I did do a local Sweetheart show on friday night, we saw about 30 come through the door and made about 100 bucks is 3 hours. I wonder really how sucessful a house show can be, but some money is better than no money. I sold mostly my cute retro summer dresses for little girls, I made a ton last season and plan on starting again soon. They are made from vintage pillowcases and cute new ribbon and come in all sizes. I sell them cheap, $7 a dress on my etsy shop Beckymae.

I think it's a great price for a play dress, I would hate to spend 20 bucks on something my child could ruin in an hour.

A random moment......Also the weather has been very warm for this time of year. I found this picture while looking for one of my summer dresses, I took it last year in May. I hope to have a ton of poppy flowers again this year.

Gem Story from Juliettesjems

2008-02-10T11:47:00.000-08:00

What a great story I learned about from other fellow etsy seller. Read all about it......

True story! I have spent my life in service to others. In 1981, as my 4 children were beginning to fly the nest I became a special needs, single foster mom. Thirteen years and 60 children later(1994), when I retired from foster care, I was age 50, had adopted nine children and was starting my third year of college. Whew! I graduated in 1996. (late bloomer) I sewed nearly every day of my life for 30+ years, but shortly after my 8 daughters all flew the nest there were no more prom or wedding gowns to make, and I found JEWELRY! It all started in a craft store when I followed a lady around the store trying to find out where she got her beautiful earrings - and she told me she made them. "Well, surely I can do that!"I practiced on friends and family for three years, and when I had so much jewelry it was obscene, I wasn't ready to stop creating. Then I found GEMSTONES and I was a goner. I have to work several more years because I haven't built up enough retirement to live much better than a bag lady, so I am the director of our local Boys & Girls Club (Hmmm, imagine that). I've been selling locally and by word of mouth for about three years now., and teaching classes for children at the Club, ages 9 to 13. They are amazing. I signed up on Etsy, but chickened out. Finally, in January I worked up my nerve and listed some items. Lots of lookers, no sales yet. I do get wonderful responses from people, which is very encouraging, so I study "promotion" and spend time in the forums. I'm learning a great deal from the generous souls on Etsy. My most amazing sale? I was in a craft store looking for a toggle clasp and a woman bought the gemstone necklace I was making - for $95. I went to your blog and I think it's great - quite lovely and original. So nice to meet you, Beckymae. One of my daughters is named Becky.Kindest regards, Juliette

Be sure to checkout her shop on etsy.

Got some stories to share....

2008-02-05T15:02:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to share other etsy sellers stories, I got several people who have responsed to my post on etsy this week. I am in the process of getting them together to share with everyone else.

The New Beginning

2008-01-27T14:53:00.000-08:00

I thought 2007 was a good start to something that's been even greater so far in 2008. I discovered ETSY. I loved being at home with my two year old son, but I needed something more to still make me-- me. I thought selling makeup or some other online fake stay-at-home job would work. None were good or even worth my time. I only had a little bit of time with a baby at home and I wanted to do something creative. I have loved making things forever now. So here is the story of how http://www.beckymae.etsy.com/ became a reality. I received a bunch of vintage scarves and old vintage fabrics from my mother in law and thought: now what, I really have not sewn since high school and you can't make jewelry from fabric, so what is one to do with all this fabric. I began trying different designs, thinking "I am not a fashion designer but I will sure try to be one." I wanted to make something different, creative, unique and functional. So I created the square purse. My design was sloppy and my sewing was worse. But I kept at it until Wow!, a purse that looks cool and is functional. I really likee it, but my husband said, "are you really going to sell that?". It was my worst nightmare to think of trying something else and have it not work either. Then I made a few more with different fabrics that turned out better, Ok. My friend asked me to come to her house for a trunk show, a what?... I went and brought my jewelry that I knew would sell and some of those "purse things" that I liked but was not confident in YET. I sold one piece of jewelry and 4 purses and had orders for 4 more to make. That's right, I did say 8 purses. I told my husband that night, he was surprised, very excited and happy. I think I found my creative outlet. I also was at a loss. What would I call my new creation? I thought of several different things but my name really stuck. I was not into my middle name much, but it was different in spelling and looked cool on a label. So it stuck. Now knowing I had a cool thing that would cost money which we did not have a lot of and that I was almost out of fabrics, I became worried that it would not pan out. But my mind was still going fast, I wanted it to be big. I wanted it to be in every store in America, then I realized I only sold 8 to my friends. They probably bought them because they were my friends not because I had come up with the next Kate Spade. So I desired to be big, and I went crazy, buying scarves and fabric from everywhere. I lost control and got way too much to start with and lost sight of the idea. I kept making the purses though and sold a few more that Christmas. Then, in January 2007 I wanted to really make the business happen. I got my tax ID number and all the stuff to be a small business. I even got a better sewing machine. Now in debt to this business, hoping it would work....I began to sell a little bit more. I think I was at purse 40, not too bad for only being in business a couple of months. I ran out of word-of-mouth contacts and needed something else to make it happen. I looked everywhere on the internet to sell-- no luck. Then, I found a shop locally to sell my purses. She took a few and made some suggestions on how to improve my design...that was in March...but still no online shop. I did not really have the money to get a website. So I used ebay and craigslist. Not much production and not much profit. Then one day I searched craft websites and found ETSY. I was not sure what I really discovered, saw that it was cheaper than a website and I could list my own prices and have a kinda real shop online. I started to create Beckymae online. 150+ purses later, I begin the 2008 journey...