I'm running into some time issues with these bows. While they are taking me longer to make than expected, not all of it is billable hours. I am getting paid for 1-1.5 hours of work per bow, but it really takes me longer. What is the problem? Glue dry time.
It is very annoying to me that glue dry time does not count as billable hours.
Don't get my wrong, I totally understand why they don't count, I'm not actually doing work, I'm just waiting around until I can do work.
Anyway, I ran out of time to open my bead package, so no fun picture to share.
A place where I talk and rant about the things I make.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
My packing list seems to have grown...
My (and The Accessory Lady's) original plan was to get all the bow variations done before I left for NC. This did not happen. This definitely did not happen. The other part of the plan was for me to take what I needed for a chain design down with me.
My crafty packing list went from:
My crafty packing list went from:
- chains
- pliers
- glue
- metal mesh
- laptop
- chains
- pliers
- glue
- metal mesh
- laptop
- fabrics of various kinds
- sewing needles
- thread
- interfacing
- mini-ironing board
- glues of various kinds
- cutting matt
- cutting ruler
- rotatory cutter
Saturday, July 21, 2012
So happy that the mail-system loves me!
As you might have heard, I have been a bit busy making someone else's designs. However, I have been making notes about all the ideas I've been getting because of this. While I have been taking my few-and-far-between waiting-for-glue-to-dry breaks I found this website with super cute beads.
I am in love with most of the things they are selling. The problem? The beads look perfect for some of my ideas, but I've been bitten in the bum by that before. I took a chance and sent them an e-mail. One of the two owners sent me a reply to my inquiry about the possibility of getting samples. While he hinted that it would be nice if I bought a lot of beads from them (in a cute way) he said they would be happy to send me samples! I went from asking for 4 samples to 8, and there was no angry e-mail about abusing the system!
It took a bit longer than I thought it would be for them to process my samples, buuuut... they arrived in the mail a day early!
I knew I couldn't look at them right away. They would distract me from making the samples I needed to make to pay for my bead habit. I put them in my suitcase (more about that below) and will look at them once I get there. Pictures will follow for all to see!
So more about why I need a suitcase. I have signed-up for an engraving class! I took it last year and had tons of fun. There will be a new teacher this year, and I'm excited to see what new things I will be learning. My "Partner in Crime" is not going this year, and this makes me sad, but I hope I will see a lot of the other friend's I made last year. I'm hoping to someday be able to engrave some small things to put in my shop!
I am in love with most of the things they are selling. The problem? The beads look perfect for some of my ideas, but I've been bitten in the bum by that before. I took a chance and sent them an e-mail. One of the two owners sent me a reply to my inquiry about the possibility of getting samples. While he hinted that it would be nice if I bought a lot of beads from them (in a cute way) he said they would be happy to send me samples! I went from asking for 4 samples to 8, and there was no angry e-mail about abusing the system!
It took a bit longer than I thought it would be for them to process my samples, buuuut... they arrived in the mail a day early!
I knew I couldn't look at them right away. They would distract me from making the samples I needed to make to pay for my bead habit. I put them in my suitcase (more about that below) and will look at them once I get there. Pictures will follow for all to see!
So more about why I need a suitcase. I have signed-up for an engraving class! I took it last year and had tons of fun. There will be a new teacher this year, and I'm excited to see what new things I will be learning. My "Partner in Crime" is not going this year, and this makes me sad, but I hope I will see a lot of the other friend's I made last year. I'm hoping to someday be able to engrave some small things to put in my shop!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Good News!
I managed to talk The Accessory Lady into less of each design. Initially we were going to make four of each, but that was when I thought it wouldn't take long to make each bow. Once I started working on it, I discovered that each bow is going to take about an hour to finish. With as many variations as she gave me, that would be 36 hours worth of work.
While that doesn't sound like a big problem, there are other things to consider.
I'm almost half done with the other items I needed to get done for our Fri meeting. I'm feeling a lot better about this.
While that doesn't sound like a big problem, there are other things to consider.
- She would like them all done by Fri
- I have to work my "day job" during this time
- We finally decided on sizing on Wed night
I'm almost half done with the other items I needed to get done for our Fri meeting. I'm feeling a lot better about this.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
I have a bad feeling about this...
...as of right now...I'm pretty sure I'm not going to make the deadline if I take time to do the following: eat, drink any kind of liquid, sleep, go to bathroom, act in any kind of personal hygiene.
This job might kill me...
This job might kill me...
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
So many glues!
I've been working on the accessory job I mentioned before and I've managed to go through a while 8oz bottle of glue just on one design! It is about $6.99 at Ace Hardware. I love the stuff. Weldbond is one of my fav glues.
Since I used so much, and it was mostly gluing fabric to ribbon, I was wondering if it would make more sense to get some fabric glue at work, since I could use a coupon to make it cheaper. A bottle of Elmer's Fabric Glue caught my eye. I got the 4 oz bottle and went home to go and do some more gluing.
When I used it I found out that my bottle needs to be opened all the way, or you only get a tiny amount of glue. You can squeeze until you feel like you are going to burst the bottle, but nothing much comes out. Another thing I thought was weird was the smell of it seemed familiar. It wasn't until later when I realized what it smelled like.
I have some glitter-glue that is glitter in a gel kind of glue. This one smells just like that! It also acts like it too. It seems to be a white glue mixed with a clear gel glue. It also says on the bottle that it takes 24 hrs to dry. If you spread it thin, it goes clear before 24 hrs, but remains a bit tacky feeling. Not tacky feeling that makes it feel sticky, but kind of like rubber that is grippy. I have a bit of ribbon where it oozed out a bit and it still has that tacky-rubber feeling.
I've a bit torn about it. I do like it, and it seems strong enough, but it takes so long to dry. It also takes a bit to grab (which is more important to me than the actual dry time) but that would give you a bit more time to mess with things.
I'm going to have to play around with it some more to decide if I would use it for my things.
Since I used so much, and it was mostly gluing fabric to ribbon, I was wondering if it would make more sense to get some fabric glue at work, since I could use a coupon to make it cheaper. A bottle of Elmer's Fabric Glue caught my eye. I got the 4 oz bottle and went home to go and do some more gluing.
When I used it I found out that my bottle needs to be opened all the way, or you only get a tiny amount of glue. You can squeeze until you feel like you are going to burst the bottle, but nothing much comes out. Another thing I thought was weird was the smell of it seemed familiar. It wasn't until later when I realized what it smelled like.
I have some glitter-glue that is glitter in a gel kind of glue. This one smells just like that! It also acts like it too. It seems to be a white glue mixed with a clear gel glue. It also says on the bottle that it takes 24 hrs to dry. If you spread it thin, it goes clear before 24 hrs, but remains a bit tacky feeling. Not tacky feeling that makes it feel sticky, but kind of like rubber that is grippy. I have a bit of ribbon where it oozed out a bit and it still has that tacky-rubber feeling.
I've a bit torn about it. I do like it, and it seems strong enough, but it takes so long to dry. It also takes a bit to grab (which is more important to me than the actual dry time) but that would give you a bit more time to mess with things.
I'm going to have to play around with it some more to decide if I would use it for my things.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
New ideas
I haven't been able to do as much as I have wanted with my Etsy shop. It is not for a bad reason, it is for a very good reason.
I was approached to make some samples for an accessory designer. I have been very busy trying to meet her dead-lines. While I have been mostly focusing on that, I haven't forgotten about my own stuff.
I have a ring idea that is floating around in my head, and I'm also thinking of a fun new bracelet design.
As of right now, the sample-making job will go through the beginning of Aug. I will then be able to focus more on making my own items.
I was approached to make some samples for an accessory designer. I have been very busy trying to meet her dead-lines. While I have been mostly focusing on that, I haven't forgotten about my own stuff.
I have a ring idea that is floating around in my head, and I'm also thinking of a fun new bracelet design.
As of right now, the sample-making job will go through the beginning of Aug. I will then be able to focus more on making my own items.
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