My new craft room....a work in progress!

I'm so excited about this....we're turning a previous walk-in closet into a CRAFT ROOM for me! All for me! John and I moved back into our home here in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, and since we've been back we've been trying to conform to the layout of the house.  We both want a space of our own, and there didn't seem to be enough space for the both of us to have separate spaces.  For some reason it didn't occur to us that the walk-in closet could be turned into a space simply by getting rid of some old clothes and moving some things around! It was funny how it just dawned on us...like "Why didn't we think of this before?!"

So anyway, after emptying it out I ran out to Home Depot and bought some paint! I decided on a color called "Tropical Dream." Pretty cool name for a nice, calming color on the walls of a nice, calming craft room. :)

Canon CREATIVE PARK

Canon CREATIVE PARK.

I have to say, I'm blown away by the amazing resource I stumbled upon just now...

To promote printing, Canon has come up with an fantastic supply of beautiful files that can be printed and made into cool creations. Here are just a sample of the quality and originality that is available.....FOR FREE!

Free Steampunk Clip Art from Dover Publications

Every week I get an automatic email of sample clip art from Dover, the great publishing company with all the cool books of images, artwork, paper dolls, and soooo much more!  I just have to share this week's awesome sample  from the "Steampunk Sourcebook", a new publication.  This link will bring you to their homepage, where you can get on their email list. Take it from me....it's one email you won't regret signing up for.  (I sound like I work for them! But I don't....I just like their stuff.

 Welcome to Dover Publications.

Experience vs. Exposure....wouldn't it be great if they grew at the same rate? :)

I changed the way I do my bluebirds just slightly, and I'm liking them more...

I've made their heads BIGGER, because as everyone knows, bigger = CUTER!

Vintage Style Bluebirds in my Etsy shop: Melanie's Menagerie

Going against this logic though, I made the eyes smaller...but it seems to work!

Also, I'm pretty proud of my deer: (if I do say so myself!)

Now, if I could just get better at taking pictures!!! Grrrr

I feel like I'm getting better at needle felting. As my confidence grows, I feel more confident about raising the prices of my creations (just a little.) I have to say, money is not my main goal, but I compare my animals to others that are for sale on Etsy, and others are way way way higher (for the most part.)  And I look at other stores' # of sales and think "Geez, SOMEone out there is paying those high prices....why couldn't I get a little more for mine?"  Maybe people look at mine and think "She's so much cheaper.... I wonder why?"

I guess most crafters go through this line of thinking....and I would think that at some point this transition has to happen the more experience and exposure you gain.

At this point. as my experience is growing, but not my exposure.  I have to take time out of crafting to focus on different ways to draw people in.  BUT I LOVE CRAFTING! lol  

Guess I'm just going to keep plugging along....because this is FUN! :)

Any thoughts/comments are always appreciated!

My latest Etsy addition...

3 of the Coolest Birdies Around

I've had one of my best months on Etsy and have met some great fellow artists/crafters online! It's so exciting for me when I hear the noise on my phone that lets me know I've made a sale!

I've been working on a slightly new look for my bluebirds...but in the meantime I made these little robin-type birds all bundled up for winter!

I painted their little claws with metallic gold paint...wasn't sure what color would be best, but I like the way the gold turned out.

Everybody have their holiday shopping done? I haven't even started! lol....I'm having too much fun crafting!

Happy Crafting!

New Etsy Additions!

Just listed the needle felted animals and dolls that I've been working on....

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MelaniesMenageriehttp://www.etsy.com/shop/MelaniesMenageriehttp://www.etsy.com/shop/MelaniesMenageriehttp://www.etsy.com/shop/MelaniesMenagerie

OMG! Cuteness for a Cause!

If you know how to knit, then you might feel good about donating your talents to an awesome cause! Endangered animals need sweaters!

Click this link for info:SPRING 2011 Newsletter. How cute would it be to see an animal in an ugly Christmas sweater?!