Supplies and Tips

So, I've had quite a few people ask me either on my blog, Etsy or Craftster as to where I buy some of my supplies. So, this is going to be all about some of my favorite products for my ami's, and some great resources on where to buy some of the supplies!

#1. Yarn.
I've had A LOT of experience with this stuff. lol. I've tried all different kinds for my ami's. After testing and playing around, my all time favorite fiber to use for my ami's is a 100% acrylic. I know a lot of people use Red Heart Super Saver for their ami's, but that's just a little too rough for my hands! Have you used it? It's really rough! So, this is my #1 all time favorite that I've found: Impeccable Loops & Threads at Michael's.

This yarn is a Michael's exclusive, but 100% worth the trip to Michael's. This is a basic worsted weight yarn, and is so soft that you could easily make an afghan out of it! I just absolutely love how it works up with ami's! So next time you're at Michael's, I would definitely recommend grabbing some of this up!

#2. Safety Eyes
Ok, this was always the trickiest for me. Have you seen how expensive those bad boys are in the stores?! The packages only have a few pairs of eyes, and they's EXPENSIVE! So, I set out to the internet looking for the best eyes. I bought some on Ebay once, but the washers were so hard to put onto the backs that I needed to use pliers! So, I found my #1 all time favorite safety eye supplier on a little website: Sunshine Discount Crafts.

Their shipping is usually a flat rate, so I like to make big orders all at once. Their safety eyes, plain black eyes, you can get in a set of 100 pieces for $3.99! And they're definitely quality, and the washers are able to be easily pushed on using just your hands and no power tools! :)
I've dealt with this website for a little over a year now. They have always been wonderful. Shipments come FAST-which is quite impressive considering I live in Montana and they're based out of Florida-and if anything has been backordered, they call me immediately and let me know. Do they have the biggest selection? No, they don't. However, if you're just looking for black eyes or cat eyes, this is a great place that you can pick them up!

#3. Boxes
This is a funny thing. When I started selling things on a regular basis, I really was looking for somewhere to get my boxes cheap, something that would be the perfect size so they're weren't too expensive to ship. When I found this website, I found like I hit the jackpot. Ever since, I love to pass the wealth along to other Etsy sellers. I've definitely told some people about this site when I knew they were paying too much by the piece at a place like Michael's for jewelry boxes. So, here it is: Uline.com.

This is another site where I've always had excellent service! My boxes get to me quickly and shipping is minimal. You pay by the box, and the more you buy, the cheaper they are! It's a really great site and if you're selling regularly on Etsy and need boxes, this is the site for you!!

Well, that's all I have for today. If I think of anymore I'll write them down and include another post! If anyone checks out these websites I would love to hear what you think!

New projects!!

I can finally add some new projects to my blog! I'm excited that I'm able to do that!

I was emailed a while ago by a very good friend's mom. She told me that she wanted to order 2 things for said friend. I proceeded to work on these, which I was VERY excited about. Then, about 2 weeks later I was contacted by said friend's sister! haha! I felt so honored that my friend likes my stuff so much and everyone decided to order stuff for her!
And so, here are the 2 that her mom ordered: Jack Skellington and Coraline!






I hope everyone is having a great weekend! I'm going to be back with some tips and hints for where to buy some awesome supplies!

Bad Blogger!

I'm guilty. I know. And for that, I apologize.
My recent projects, I can't post pictures of just yet. But, I wanted to come here and connect, and so, here I am.
This is going to be an Etsy post! I believe everyone should have fun on Etsy for a while each day.
Also, here's something fun Etsy related! Ever heard of Groupon? If so, check out Heartsy.me. It's like Groupon for Etsy! It's amazing. You should most definitely check it out.

Ok, here's some of my newest favorites!

How adorable is this purse? I think it would be a perfect summer purse!
Source.


I've been looking at so many adorable earrings on Etsy! That, plus, I love owls. So how could I not love these?
Source.


Seth and I are celebrating our anniversary in just a couple of weeks! Eek! My present came early, in the form of a Nintendo 3DS! It's amazing, and I think I need something this adorable to hold it in.
Source.


This store is my new favorite! I bought a wallet from them. Amazing communication, quick shipping and great quality! Bonus: Look how cute that is!
Source.


Are you as excited as everyone else for the new Harry Potter? Well now you can buy a wand from none other than the amazing Alexz! She's got TONS, all OOAK and all beautiful!
Source.


I've been looking for some BFF rings, and what would be cuter than PB&J?! (Shhh....don't tell Alexz....it's a surprise! lol)
Source.


And that's all for tonight! I hope everyone is having a great week. Seth is traveling to Chicago to visit family, so I'm doing lots of crocheting and I will try my hardest to take some good pictures of some projects. :)

Spooky Pooky

So, for anyone here that is new, or rarely reads my blog, I would like to introduce you to someone! Ladies and Gentlemen, the amazingly talented and super-awesome girl, Spooky Pooky.



So, in case you didn't know, I'm going to give you a little background on this amazing girl.
A little over a year ago, I was one of the special chosen ones that was messaged on Craftster to do my very first personal swap. I must admit, I had never swapped before, however, this wasn't just any swap. Craftster has a few, let's call them, elite, people. Spooky Pooky was DEFINITELY one of them. I will honestly say that I was honored for her to even ask me!
And so, I set off to make my very first personal swap package. She asked me for a large yeti and a Nessie. I decided to make the very first mini yeti for her. That's right, she has the first ever Mad Crafter mini yeti! And I also made her a bigfoot.

After this, we started messaging a lot more. We started swapping more stuff, giving each other ideas. That's when the fun really started! We really got to know each other on a personal level. I am proud to say that my stuff was even at her wedding! We became Facebook friends shortly after, and the rest, is pretty much history. I can honestly say that even though we have yet to meet (we totally will very soon!), she is my BFF. We talk about EVERYTHING, and whenever we don't talk for a few days, we both reconnect and share everything and promise that it will never happen again. LOL! I believe it's an amazing friendship that all started over nerdy crafting!

Well, the amazing Alexz had a birthday yesterday. I KNEW that I had to do something great. She told me some things that she wanted me to make her, but I just felt like I had to do something more...something....EPIC.

So, I narrowed it down to 3 ideas: Alice, The Mad Hatter and Jack Sparrow. After talking to another one of our friends (I love my Craftster friends!) it was decided that I would make Alice. But, about halfway through making the head, an idea came to me and I KNEW what I had to do!
This was something that I knew would be epic simply because of how personal it is. Alexz created her logo the same time she created mine. She has such a love for Alice in Wonderland, that she made her logo into it. I also know, crafting is this girls life. Her love and passion for these things, is why I had to make her. I had to make her very own mini me. :)
And so, I present, Alexz in Wonderland.




Alexz, I had so much fun creating this for you! I hope you had an absolutely amazing birthday, and I just wish I could have been there!
Happy 25th Birthday Spooky Pooky!!

New things!

I finally have projects that I can post! I have a lot, so I'm going to probably overwhelm you with some pictures. Enjoy. :)

So, this was a TOTALLY FUN project! See, I have this SUPER awesome and huge jewelry box. Alexz made it for me and I just love it dearly. My problem is that I have WAY too many earrings and they get bunched up. So, after looking online, I found this pattern to make my own! I used sock yarn that I've had FOREVER, so it was put to good use. I cut out a few rows which I'm ok with, and instead of a stick to hang it by, that's right, that's a knitting needle. :)




I love it! It's hung right above my jewelry box (and my chupacabra). :)
And this project was SO MUCH FUN!
In case you don't know, or read my blog much, or live under a rock, you should know I have this super awesome BFF, Alexz. Well, her birthday is the end of this week, and I wanted to make her something epic. I thought of some fun things (she's into Doctor Who now! Yay!) and just couldn't think of anything that really stuck out to me. So, I thought, what better idea than to let her pick out her own gift! So, I directed her to Etsy (as if she didn't know that it existed for patterns! lol!) and told her to pick out ANYTHING she wanted and I would make it for her! I must admit, I was a bit surprised when she sent me this pattern. I was expecting something like Alice or the Mad Hatter, but no, a penguin. I knew that couldn't be it, I mean, I know this girl and she DOESN'T want a simple penguin!
So, her one request, ZOMBIFY IT!!! DONE AND DONE!!
I couldn't wait to get started, and I didn't wait. I must admit, I don't want to part with him now!




He's complete with stitches, a head wound, blood and a bone. :)
I did make her something else EPIC, but it's the one thing in the package that's a total surprise! haha.

And just a quite update, here's my Doctor Who scarf! It's currently about 35 inches long and it's about 1/4 of the way through to the full 16 feet! haha!


That's it for now! I hope everyone has a good night! I must go work on some more projects now. :)

A-Z

I've found this on a few blogs lately and thought I would do it too!


A. Age: 27
B. Bed size: Queen
C. Chore that you hate: LAUNDRY! We live on the third floor and the laundry room is in the basement. It's SOOO annoying to go down there every 30 minutes. UGH!
D. Dogs: I love them, but don't have any.
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee and checking email/Facebook
F. Favorite color: Red and blue
G. Gold or Silver: Silver
H. Height: 5'9"
I. Instruments you play: Uh oh, here's where I show my nerd! I was in band all through middle school and high school. I started playing clarinet and moved onto flute and the occasional saxophone.
J. Job title: Software services/badass crocheter.
K. Kids: I don't have any, and we're not sure if we want them at all. But we can love and spoil the hell out of our nieces and nephews!
L. Live: Central Montana
M. Mother's name: Linda
N. Nicknames: I've allowed a few people to occasionally call me Ames.
O. Overnight hospital stays: Nope.
P. Pet peeve: Grammar! In case you didn't know, I'm definitely a grammar Nazi.
Q. Quote from a movie: I can't choose a favorite, but because I spent a good 3 days watching all 5 hours of Bob Dylan's documentary, No Direction Home, I'll stick a quote from there. (F.Y.I. you should totally watch it.) "Hey man... I don't mind being shot, I just don't dig being told about it. "
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: 1 pretty awesome sister
T. Time you wake up: 6:45 or 7 on the weekdays. Whenever possible on the weekends.
U. Underwear: Um, yes?
V. Vegetable you hate: Peas.
W. What makes you run late: Not picking out my work clothes the day before, or making my coffee.
X. X-Rays you've had: Wrist, ankle, elbow and teeth I think.
Y. Yummy food that you make: I make some awesome chicken dishes! Do I have to pick just one?
Z. Zoo animal: I love the big cats!! I do love to see all the lions and tigers. So pretty!

If anyone else does this definitely leave the link so I can check it out!

Imitation is the best form of flattery?

I will go ahead and post some of my newest projects before going onto my rant that I feel I need to get out of the way.

These are a few things that I'm going to start making for the store! I've been totally bogged down lately with custom orders, and quite a few that I can't show, but I was able to make a few quick patterns for new stuff for the shop. :)
I know we all have come to love and become addicted to Angry Birds. If not, then you must be living under a rock! I can't wait to make more of these and put them in the shop!



And now, here is my rant.
First and foremost, I would like to 100% thank every one of my followers and my Facebook fans. You guys seriously make my day. I look forward to any blog comments, or picture or post comments on Facebook. Because of you, my rant coming up, isn't so hard to deal with. I posted something briefly on Facebook and the outpouring of comments seriously just made my day.

Lately, I've been finding copycats.
This has been devastating to say the least. The newest one I found today on Etsy, selling things INCREDIBLY similar to mine, for cheaper.
I also happen to know that both of these recent copycats are on Craftster. Sadly, because of this, I've decided to no longer post my crafts on Craftster.
It's a truly sad day when creativity is gone, and has turned to stealing.

And so, this is what I have to say to all of that.
#1. I understand that I do charge more for my items. My mini's are about $25 plus shipping and handling. I would like to take a minute to explain why. I don't think I ever have, and I would like to explain the amount of work that goes into this.
The basic head, body and arms on my mini's takes me AT LEAST 2 hours to make. This doesn't include any color changing. Hair will take at least 1-2 hours as well. I make wigs for every one of my mini's that has hair, and each strand of yarn is individually threaded through a wig cap. Any accessories on them (skirt, jacket, etc.) takes even more time. This is all time, not even mentioning the amount of money spent on yarn and safety eyes and/or felt for any accessories. I do charge more, but I promise, I put my heart and soul into them. Most of the time, it's really hard to part with my creations because I kind of grow a bond. lol.
#2. In the time I spend actually crocheting everything, I want you to know that I put EXTRA CAREFUL time into sewing any and all parts onto my mini's. If I'm making something that I know is for a child, I make sure that everything is good and sturdy. I've been told that my stuff can easily go in and out of a washing machine due to children's wear and tear. I loved hearing that knowing that what I make is safe for children!
#3. I genuinely love what I do. I love sitting down and being creative, writing notes and drawing doodles for next projects. I love the mistakes made when writing patterns, and I love even more when I finally feel that I've perfected a pattern. I love making stuff that will make someone out there smile. I love the thought of my art being in people's houses, being conversation starters or just being there to make someone smile. I am 100% serious when I say that I LOVE to crochet.

And so, to anyone out there that has decided to put their own "spin" on one of my creations, I DARE YOU to be able to proudly stand up and say all of those things. I am PROUD of my work, and I'm proud of MY OWN CREATIONS! I'm proud to have some of the best followers ever, and proud to say that I've made so many friends through Craftster and my blog. If you think you can do it better, then go for it. Want to know why? Because while you try and imitate my work, I'm going to be here, having fun, and hopefully still making stuff to put a smile on someone's face, somewhere in the world.
After all, you know what they say, "Imitation is the best form of flattery."