Sew much fabric ... not sew much time

My husband recently got let go from his job, so he's mom now and I'm back at the office more than before to try to make some money.  I've also been sewing randomness; hot pads and placemats mostly and my tree skirts that I sew every year.  I post what I make on social apps, the one that has been most successful reaching buyers is NextDoor!!  I think neighbors really want to support neighbors. 💜

Needless to say, the vending thing didn't work out with my friend.  She decided to stop vending after I started making resin art -- I try to sell that on NextDoor too, but it isn't as eye catching or interesting as the fabric crafts that I'm creating.

The hotpads/trivets are just two pieces of fabric with an insulated piece of fabric inbetween and some pompom trim, the placemats are a simple pattern that I found on pinterest.  I plan to make more with other fabrics/designs.  More pictures to come.  Send me a message if you would like to support a Bay Area crafter -- I'd be happy to sew something for you!   Someone purchased five trivets to give away as gifts throughout the year!

So I got all excited to "vend" my resin art, I had been creating for months to prepare for the flea market event my friend invited me to!  Then I was watching Instagram stories and she posted that she will no longer be vending at the flea market.  I now have a TON of inventory.   BAH!   AND my husband had bought me more resin before all this happened.

My family supports the ACS by participating in Relay for Life.  Many side fundraisers are held before the actual relay.  One of the fundraisers is "ride the rails", it's a train ride from one city to the next and back again.  At the starting train depot there was a little vending area, so I set up shop and was only able to sell two items.  I think I wasn't there for enough time, but it was all I could do; I sold a little trinket tray and a letter keychain -- letter "M", maybe for "MORE" or for "MONEY"?  

Resin is a very slow process craft, sometimes it takes more than 24 hours for a piece to cure.  It all depends on the temperature outside.  If you have questions or possible may be interested in this hobby, shoot me a message, let's talk.  If you're interested in purchasing any items, I can ship to you or if you live nearby, we can meet up.   Also, if you're in the bay area and know of any pop-up events, please share the details -- I'd love to be able to sell some of these items.  Especially right now, my husband is out of work, anything helps.  

Here are some pictures of my keychains and my table at the pop-up event.   And a friendly side note, if you have not followed me on IG, please do so now!  "COQUETACREATIVE"

Also, I plan on sewing some fabric trivets soon.  I got my hands on some really cute Otomi fabric.  Otomi is usually an embroidered fabric, but the fabric I have is just with imaging of Otomi animals and patterns.  If you have an inquisitive mind, please look it up on google -- some of the most beautiful patterns I have seen by native people.   

Be Well, 

Ashley

I'm back! Coqueta Creative Lives💗

It's not that I haven't been creative, it's that we have not had a home computer in ten plus years.  I'm still crafting and creating but at a much slower pace.  The ONLY reason is my sweet daughter Ynez was born in 2022; although she is very much my main inspiration, she is also my main priority and takes up so much time.  

We now live in a home much closer to both of our parents; since Ynez was born we see both sides of our family more.  A few family members experienced life changing events that could have turned out absolutely horrible but didn't (AMEN).  Their stories are not mine to tell, but I can share that it made me change how I spend my time with people.   I have always been someone who has protected my personal energy and I'm very aware of how I spend my time with people; but the events mentioned above cemented this practice for me.  

I've gone back and forth MANY times on if I want to stay at my job of almost ten years, it's been taxing for me.  Right now I need to stay put and grounded due to my husband losing his job.  I will revisit this idea again once he has employment again.   Me questioning my job has brought me to this current post -- I started doing resin art.  It started with little dog tags; I was making them to sell and donating the proceeds to a local animal rescue.  That turned into me making other things; coaster sets, earrings, jars and keychains.  I'm not great at it (yet), but I do have quite the inventory and I plan on meeting up with a friend soon to sell some of the goods at a local flea market.  

I'm not too sure how well this will turn out, but if it does well, I will move forward with continuing to create resin pieces and selling them.  It's a craft I can do while Ynez naps or is at school, I do it outside in our garage so there are no smells/fumes in our home.  I keep it safe!   Let me know if you have any of questions about this craft!  It is fun but a little messy.

Resin art is not the only crafting that I have been keeping busy with.  I have been sewing Christmas stockings and tree skirts.  I have new inspiration every day -- Ynez's energy is extremely colorful, this is my biggest inspiration.  I've also been making watercolor greeting cards and other paper crafts.  

Now that we have a new computer, I'm excited to continue to my blogging journey.  I will be sharing pictures and projects along the way.  I will be sharing some posts in the weeks to come of my resin art and sewing projects.  Send me a message if you have any questions or want to share any creative ideas with me!  Let's make this world a better place by being kind to one another and spreading positive energy.   

xO

Ashley

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

To keep on Hand

Its always good to keep things on hand.... cards included.  Made these the other day for my cousin.  I need to make myself some to keep on hand, sounds like a fun weekend project, if time permits!  Let me know if you want some!!! I give good rates for good people!  My card making skills have become really good and more "neat".  Help a girl out and I will hook you up.  Lots of love and smiles to ALL!

Interview with Linda from vintage chic designs

I was interviewed, via blog, a few months ago and thought it was such a cool idea that I wanted to try my hand at it.  I had a very brave pilot who agreed to be interviewed.  The interview is for ALL the blog readers to get to know more about fellow crafters and artists!  I am Linda's friend on facebook and I look at all her cool stuff and thought most, if not all of you would enjoy her creations as well.  Check out what she had to say!


In a few sentences, tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Linda and I am a cetified aromatherapist who makes vintage style bath, body and home decor. Crafting is my passion it keeps me sane! Someday I hope to run my business Vintage Chic Designs & Essentials full time.

What or who inspires you to be creative?
Growing up living with my grandmother I was inspried by  grandma's ambitions and talent of making her own soap and sewing our clothes She was a very crafty woman and taught me everything about crafting.  The vintage style touches home for me and comes from deep within. I like the old fashion style and antiques. I try to keep that Vintage style in all of my crafts.

Are there any favorite materials or tools that you enjoy working with?
I My favorite materials are Burlap and Lace and of course I use alot of Lavender in my bath & Body products which I grow myself. I grow most of all my herbs I use in my Tub Teas and soaps.

How long have you been creating/crafting and what are you favorite projects that you have worked on? 
I have been creating and crafting projects as long as I can remember. It's been the last 5 years that I have been making soaps, Bath & Body products that I have perfected. I have been sewing recently the last year trying to come up with my own Vintage Style. 

Was there ever a project you attempted, and stopped because it was frustrating to complete?
Growing up with my grandmother I never once saw her use a pattern or recipe.I tend to do the same. Im not really good at following patterns or recipes. I tend to make them up myself. I find it sometimes frustrating to follow patterns that make no sense.
That to me is the true meaning of one of a kind when you just make it! I love doing that.




If you want to find out more about what interests Linda or more about her in general, please visit her facebook page here:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-Chic-Designs-Essentials/241663442528272

Thanks, Linda, for letting me interview you.  I plan to interview others, so we can all get a feel of what inspires us!  If you would like me to interview you, send me an email "coquetabonitacreations@gmail.com".  Really easy as you can see, also helps others get to know what your up to!  Happy Crafting, everyone!  

Addicted to Pinning

I know some of you may have heard of a site called "pinterest", a live pin board where you just pin pictures or ideas of randomness.  I know it sounds really boring, but you can find TONS of inspiration for fun ideas there!  Also, I link my blog to it whenever I post pictures of my creations!  Check it out!

http://pinterest.com/pin/192247477813476556/    (click on the link, it will take you to one of my pins of one of the more recent key fobs I have made)   By the way, these might be the last keyfobs for awhile, as it was last four pieces of my hardware.

Check them out, they came out reallllllly cute!

http://pinterest.com/creativecoqueta/ 

Zip This... flower

I bought my mom something she will like for her birthday, but she likes when she gets something MADE just for her!  I saw a really cool idea on pinterest.com for a rose brooch, there are similar brooches, but there will never be one exactly like this!  That's the cool thing about making something yourself, although someone else might have completed the project, the outcome is always a little different.  It's supposed to look like a rose, but it can basically be any flower.  You can use almost any zipper that is longer then seven inches, I used a green zipper because St. Patrick's day is coming up and I figured my mom can wear it on that day... plus any other day she would like.  The tools used for this project are: rotary cutter, thread, needle, hot glue gun, scissors, silk flowers (used to cover brooch pin on back), brooch pin, and a fancy button.  I used a button that I already had, (really it can be any button).  I'm pretty sure she will love it, not because its cute, but because I made it.

♥ you mama