August

Yesterday was thankfully uneventful. We discovered that the delay on the landscaping was that sand and concrete are on back order...really. Of course don't get me started on how easy t would have been for them to simply call us and tell us that rather than just not show up for two days with us in the dark, but anyway. Since I have so few mundane details to share, I'll take the opportunity to share something less mundane.

You might recall that last month I made some rather unexplained items. If you don't remember, go ahead and refresh here...I'll wait.

Well, the final project has been revealed by its creator the lovely and talented Diana of Paynesgrey. She has created this amazing art doll named August. He needed some accessories and I was asked to create what I imagine is the first tatted whip. I also made him a hat band.Clearly, my contribution to this amazing piece was small indeed, but I'm honored to have had a small part in his creation. Please visit her shop and read the story of August, it's a good one.

After all my recent whining and ranting it is really nice to share something pleasant that has little to do with me really. Let's see which direction the weekend takes me in...will Monday bring rant or rave? I'm taking bets.

Riding On Coat Tails

I've never been one of those people who lets pride get in the way of a great opportunity. I've never minded getting help from others to pimp my wares. Maybe it's a sign of weak character, but I'm fine with it. Just a few months ago I was offered the chance to loan out some tatted pieces for a photo shoot and as I've already showed the results of that event, you know I did. The photo shoot was put together by Kim Brown-Dye for her amazing hats. You may know her better as the milliner behind TopsyTurvyDesign. She is not only a super talented artisan, but a really great person as well and I have enjoyed working with her immensely.

Part of the deal with the photo shoot was that we would cross promote with the photos in our listings, a mutually beneficial arrangement. These pictures have already gotten my pieces chosen for tons of treasuries and have landed me on the front page more than once. The benefits of this collaboration have already far outweighed any effort on my part by a mile. I'

Well, she just got the featured seller spot on Etsy this week. That means a prime front page location that guarantees scads of views, hearts and sales. You would think that this does nothing for me, but you would be wrong. While I've seen only a minuscule fraction of the attention that she gets, I now have clear evidence that the cross promotion works. Whenever I get a new heart, I check out their other favorites and yesterday three of my hearts were received right after they hearted TopsyTurvyDesigns. That means they saw her on the front page, hearted her, saw my pieces, went to my store and then hearted me as well.

I know it's not direst sale evidence, but it is still the clearest indication that I'm being seen via her site. I had a feeling that associating with such an amazing artist would be good for me and I have no problem riding on her more successful coat tails just as far as they will take me. So thanks Kim, I hope you don't mind the extra weight!

Photos: Silent Shudder Photography / Model/MUA Beaux Deadly / Hat & Styling - Topsy Turvy Design