Rosebud Collections

Family and friends,

As a result of my upcoming foray into the exciting world of urban craft fairs, and taking into account the increasing diversity of my jewelry and crafts, I have decided to change my name from Rosebud Beads to Rosebud Collections. I'm about to be meeting many new people with similar interests and I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach that I shouldn't move forward with the same name but that I should instead reinvent myself somewhat for this new era of my business. It may seem like a simple change but to me it feels like a huge step. I've outgrown my former name, and while it feels good to know how much I have grown and learned over the past couple of years there is a small price to pay for the change.

I will be making a new facebook group (and Etsy page and blog) with the new name. I hope that you will bear with me through this final request to join one of my groups. I know I asked you recently to switch from a group to a fan page, as many people have been doing, but this will be the last. 

You can find the new group here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=14168&id=113617728663606&saved#!/pages/Rosebud-Collections/113617728663606

And here is my new etsy shop (although nothing is up yet!): http://www.etsy.com/shop/rosebudcollections

And blog (There won't be anything there until at least Monday): http://rosebudcollections.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for your continued support. Stay tuned!

Wishful Thinking Wednesday - Wine Bottle Glasses

Usually this post is reserved for things I could never even dream of making but this project is something I feel is only slightly out of reach. I'm sure if I had the right tool I could manage these. Maybe I am being naive??? Either way I fell in love with these amazing glasses instantly. Upcycled wine bottle glasses.  I was pointed in their direction by an Etsy post on Facebook and I adore them!

Toronto Tuesday - Bead Junction

Today I went for an incredible bike ride and happened to pop in to Bead Junction on Roncesvalles. This was my first time visiting the store but it very quickly earned the right to be featured on my blog for one simple reason. They carry E6000. My long search is over! I have been to dozens of art supply and hobbyist stores over the last few months but always left empty handed (or at least, if we're being honest, with a bag of everything but adhesive!). Their prices are reasonable and their selection is large and varied. I cannot wait to return!

Roncesvalles is one of my very favourite neighbourhoods in the city so look forward to seeing many more fantastic businesses from that area highlighted here!

Dye. Dyeing. Dyed.

I had a lot of white lace around the house so I bought some Dylon dye while I was downtown a few days ago. I was REALLY nervous about using it but it turned out wonderfully! Here are some pictures of the before, during and after.

Here are the raw materials.

Dye, salt, water, lace and a little pot that survived the 20 minutes of simmering without becoming pink itself.

And the results. After rinsing the fabric I was pleased to discover that the items had turned out a couple of different colours, depending on the material. I was concerned the long lace wouldn't even dye (fearing it was too synthetic and treated) but it, along with the venise lace bow, turned out closest to the package colour (Rose of Paris). I am super happy about the bright and vibrant red pieces!! It's like I got a two for one deal on the price and the work.

I cannot wait to use these freshly coloured items and to use the other dye colours I purchased!

Finally Friday - Jewellery displays

I have (more or less) completed my first jewellery display. I used an old frame, some foam and some fabric. It's being held together thanks to my staple gun and luck. It turned out reasonably well, but will not hold earrings. Only necklaces. Not too bad a thing though as I have another frame I can put some screen or chicken wire in.

Here is a terrible picture of the front of my display.

And the unfinished back:

I need to get something to stand it up on and I should probably cover up that gaping hole...

I am going to make four smaller ones from trays I found at the dollar store and then painted. I will take pictures of all of the steps as I go and then I will post them here. It's a very simple process and they end up looking really professional.

I never could get the hang of Thursdays. - Crochet

Still no job offers.

Still no sunshine.

Must spend day learning to crochet flower and leaves. Help me out here youtube.

I should also:

-dye some lace so I can use it for necklaces.
-figure out square foot gardening so we can get the supplies.
-sand broken plates to be used for necklaces. (I need a real tool for this please...)
-finish up my craft fair displays (possibly even making a tutorial as I go)
AND
-plan this weekend and figure out exactly what I need to get now so that I may come up with a budget and an itinerary (because shops are so all over the place you really need to know where you are going and in what order).

Also I have to figure out how I am getting to this event. Obviously not because I have talents in the open mic department but so I can meet some like minded people (the woman organizing this event is the woman organizing the craft fair). I might even make a friend! I do love a reason to go to Roncesvalles!

Must go eat breakfast.

Wishful Thinking Wednesdays

Cut out and keep posted this papercut necklace on facebook today.

 I know for a fact I could never make this. Not even with practise. It's just not going to happen for me. But I very much wish that it could. It's so lovely and special! But alas. I cannot even make a nice paper snowflake....


In other wish related news I applied for several jobs yesterday so I am hoping they call me or email me back soon! There is a store hiring at Duffeirn Mall that called me for an interview the last time I was looking for employment but it's a shoe store and it doesn't look like a great place to work (I have seen a VERY pregnant lady climb a ladder too many times to think they give a damn about their employees). So it's in my back pocket for now. Two options I am rooting for are Costa Blanca and Lens-Crafters... but only because I really want new glasses and it would be a super easy and fun job to help others find nice glasses. It would be nice to find a "grown up""real" job but I'm happy to do retail for the summer.

Ultimate wish for today.... I want the sun to come out! It's so dark it feels like it's 8pm!

Toronto Tuesday - Rush Hour

Rush Hour is a sweet little Portuguese restaurant that literally sits across the street from our couch house in Davenport. All that stands between me and a delightful dining experience, a quick pint or a bowl of comforting soup (for days when one of us is sick) is our outdoor loving neighbours and the traffic of Dufferin Street.

The restaurant is self described as Casual European dining but to a small town girl like me, it's pretty fancy. The atmosphere is relaxed with a mixture of antiques, a large gilded mirror (antique, not tacky), dark rich colours, a glorious wooden bar, flowing drapes, candles and wonderful soft music (that altogether avoids an air of cheese).

The food is always fantastic. From the heavenly fresh bread and hummus (that I always fill up on!) to the filet mignon to the pork tenderloin to the wide array of pastas to the $4 soups (large portions served in very unique bowls), you are sure to be pleased. They also have a varied tapas menu and even the fries are wonderful! The only thing I didn't absolutely love was the seafood. But to be fair I am an Island girl who grew up on the Atlantic and I am used to having the finest seafood. I would say the same about any restaurant here that serves even Pacific salmon. It's just different from what I grew up on.

I am not much for wine lists and generally go for a moderately priced white (never red) so it suits me just fine that they have a small menu of reds and whites and a Vinho Verde that is, to my pallet and wallet, divine. They only have two beers on tap, which to my hubby is a sort of tragedy, but sensible for a smaller establishment. They are always microbrews and for most Steam Whistle is a great choice here in Toronto. I prefer Mill St. but have noticed many visiting musicians from the East Coast with a green bottle in hand. Perhaps they do not know about Mill St.? Perhaps this will educate a few. Check out this feature from March on Rachel McAdams website Green is Sexy. which I was directed to initially by my friend Andrea. The other tap is usually reserved for a Barrie brew, Flying Monkeys, which my partner thinks is pretty darn good.

All in all it is a wonderful place to eat. The chef is very talented (not to mention CUTE) and the owner is extremely friendly and a wonderful server!! Our relatively frequent visits have put us in his good graces which often results in unexpected extras (such as surprise desert delights!!). It's nice to know your neighbours.

Finally Friday - Necklaces.

These lovelies were so quick and easy to make. I don't know how many will make it to my Etsy shop as I plan to keep most of them for an upcoming craft fair. Many do not yet have clasps (must return downtown to get more) but I will be looking for the lobster claw style. Sorry the pictures are not really the greatest. Didn't put much effort in, admittedly... It's just for a quick sneak peek after all! (Also some of them got turned sideways and I cannot get them back to normal...)

This necklace is a collar piece with a sweet vintage button in gold and blue. Strung on a brass tone chain.

This one is a venise lace bow with a white vintage button. Strung on a brass tone chain.


This is a large venise lace decal cut into a large and small piece strung on silver tone chain.


This is a simple left and right collar piece strung on brass tone chain. I may put something in the middle if I can find a suitable item.


A golden anchor decal on brass tone chain.


A large white venise lace decal on a silver tone chain with a soft yellow lace bow.

I never could get the hang of Thursdays.

Ugh. It's a nice day out and I should be looking forward to a long weekend with my honey but instead I am annoyed and uninspired (and highly unattractively sulky)!

I have a total lack of materials, which is perhaps what I deserve for buying so many things on Ebay. But it's so very hard to find reasonably priced hardware here in Toronto that is of any sort of decent quality. Almost none of the major shops sell sterling silver headpins or hooks. I would love to be able to make my own and am fully aware of the process but I would need a blow torch that could slightly melt the silver and that is entirely out of the question for this little place. Also I would have to find sterling silver wire and that would certainly prove impossible. Wah wah, I know. I really just need to make some good contacts in Toronto and find out about some shared studio spaces that I could get in on a couple of times a month. Hopefully the craft fair will prove useful!

Speaking of which. I am sitting on a large quantity of new pieces but don't know if I should bother putting them up on Etsy. I could just keep them until the craft fair (where I feel they have a damn good chance of selling) or I could put them on Etsy for the (almost free) advertising but maybe not have them move. (Once I get the shop full I will really have to invest in some advertising. There are a few sites already that I would gladly pay for exposure.) I have about 20 lace necklaces that no one has even seen yet. They are so quick and easy to make that every time I get supplies I use them up the very same day! I always end up with more ideas than supplies. Perhaps I could put up a few simple ones and save the very special ones (with vintage buttons or crystals) for my table.

Oh well. I will figure it all out eventually!