Year in review here at Silver Griffon Designs

Well its that time of year again when we reflect on the past 12 months. And make changes for the New Year. I personally will be glad to see 2012 go  bye bye. A lot went on some good and some bad I wont reflect on the bad since that is behind me and I am looking forward.

Lets see I went to see Nickleback for my birthday in April with my brother that was so awesome. Finally got to hear a few of my favorite songs. Had really greats seats too would have preferred a little more leg room but what ya gonna do. That's was the first time I had been to the Wells Fargo Center. Lots of folks don't like them but I do.

Then it was time for vacation in august. That's always a lot of fun hanging with the crew of the USS Sovereign down at Shore leave a annual sci-fi convention near Baltimore. This was the 2nd year we did not have a prop to deal with and it was so nice. We were able to just relax and chill not have to get up at the crack of dawn to check on it. I like shore leave its a nice relaxing yet fun convention where the stars hang out in the bar with the fans or you may pass them in the halls going to your hotel room. If you like sci-fi and are on the east coast I highly recommend it.

This is our table in the great hall where all the fan tables and stars are.

Mini Star Wars fan hanging in the lobby with R2D2

We think this Alien had too much to drink snoozing in the lobby. LOL!!!

Vacation is now over and then it was time to concentrate on the business. Not that I don't think about it every day. Just certain times of the year get extra thought. Usually start going into craftiness overdrive around the beginning of September. Since the holiday season is right around the corner. time to plan for craft shows and other events.

Went on my very first business trip to New York City by myself!!! Very proud of me I hate going places by myself. I will just mention it briefly here since I did write a separate blog post about my trip. Business trip out of the way I got to see another of my favorite bands Three Days Grace for my brothers birthday in October. That was interesting I had never been to the TLA before and will not make any plans to return. The band was great the venue in my personal opinion sucked totally too small for that type of music. But It was great to hear my song and my brother enjoyed himself and we got to spend time on south street at 11 at nite that was cool!!!

Three Days Grace

Now we are in the full swing of craft show season I am going over my list of potential shows for the season.And thinking of new things to add to my list of growing items for sale. while I was in the craft store I can across these storage crafts which I now added. And my new obsession with scrapbook paper is growing because of it.

Halloween storage crates 2012

Favorite storage crate

I love how they turned out with the scrapbook paper. I stayed away from using scrapbook paper for so long. I always felt it was too think to do decoupage. Glad I was wrong I love the stuff now and plan to use more in the future. And I have decided to get a cutting machine either a Cricut or a Silhouette Cameo so I can take my decoupaging to the next level.

And I finally got to make my broom dolls. This was an idea I have been holding onto for so long. And just never found the time to make them and this year was the year. I love how they turned out and were well received.

Here is my Halloween Broom Doll

Christmas Broom Doll

Craft lover Broom Doll

So I narrowed down my list of shows and went with Global leadership Charter School holiday craft show. Nice small show to start and it was for a good cause to help raise money for the school. My whole family stepped up to the plate to help which was totally awesome couldn't have done it without them. I spent 2 weeks straight getting ready running around like a mad woman to prepare. Which I will never do again. Note to self don't wait till last minute to do stuff!!! It was so bad I was drinking coffee to help stay awake. And I don't like coffee LOL!!! But it was a learning experience. So the nite before the show no sleep I am up till 5 am putting the final touches on my items. 7am rolls around time to pack and get dressed.

Now at the show and its show time!! Family is there my brother and niece are my helpers thank goodness for them. They help keep me awake every time I sat down I was ready to fall over I was so sleepy. But everything turned out great. I swore I wasn't going to have enough stuff but I did.

Here I am my niece is hiding behind the pillar in the background LOL!!!

This is the middle of my table jewelry is in the brown dishes in front.

Left side of the table. Love how my headband display turned out it was custom made for me.

Right side broom dolls decoupaged clipboards and fabric bookmarks.

And my new banner not too bad for free.

Well that is some of the highlights of my year in 2012.  I already have a few things in the works for 2013. Silver Griffon Designs will be going in a new direction with our product line. I am thinking about being true to my first love and that's history and reenacting. I still will be making lots of fun things but I want to add a historical and fantasy angle to the line as well. Still working out the details but stay tuned for the big new unveil later in the new year.

To all my fans and readers of my blog. I wish you all A Happy New Year and a most blessed future for all your new adventures!!!

Stacey
Silver Griffon Designs

Martha Stewart American Made Event

On Wednesday the 17th I boarded a Megabus bound for New York City to attend the Martha Stewart American Made Event. I was very proud of myself because I was by myself.  I really hate going long distances by myself and I really don't like NYC. So like most folks I am on a half empty bus which is very nice I take a little nap and before I know it I am in NYC!! So with directions in hand trying hard not to look like a tourist I start walking to Grand Central Station.

Main corridor of Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station Clock

Arriving at my destination which is Vanderbilt Hall I take in the scene before me. There are people everywhere!! Which doesn't bother me in the least especially crowds that come together for a common purpose and that's for the love of crafting, Martha Stewart and creating. So I start on the left hand side checking out the make and take sections and the cool folks demonstrating the various Martha Stewart craft supplies you can purchase.

To me this is a good time to be immerse in the creative world with like minded people. I love craft shows or any type of crafting event. I love making stuff with my own two hands. And I love knowing that someone is going to be on the receiving end of my love and hard work by either getting my craft item as a gift or spending their money and making a purchase.

The welcome sign for all us crafty folks!!

And there I am in front of this really cool sign!!

The sign was made out of all sorts of stuff really cute the way they did it.

There's where I wrote my name on the big chalk sign that was on the other side of the sign. Doing graffiti in NYC Awesome!!!

Big chalk sign!!

Some of the activities they had were you could make your own pom pom keychains. This was cool but not any thing new. I remember making these back in the 70's. but hey everything old is new again. Then i saw a guy showing folks how to make scrapbook envelopes. Which was nice to see those who had never done anything like it try their hand. Its good to see folks receptive to a new crafting skill. I spoke to a young lady who was demonstrating scrapbook punches, stencils and she even had a pair of fringing shears!! I was happy to play with those!! Its one of those crafting things you just gotta have whether or not you even use it. You don't care its just so cool and you kick yourself for not thinking of it first!!!

Making pom pom keychains

More pom pom keychains

Helping some ladies make their own envelopes 

There were other stations as well but I wasn't able to get pics the space was kinda small and very crowded. They had a paper flower station. They showed you how to make paper flowers out of hang tags. Cute idea especially if you have leftover tags you don't know what to do with. Waste not want not! a few other things I dont even remember. But they did have these guys called Manic Pumpkin Carvers actually carving pumpkins very cool!!

Manic Pumpkin Carvers at work

Pumpkin carvers

After I walked around for a bit I decided to go grab some food in the food court. Ate some pizza which wasn't too bad. Even though the crust was frozen crust and the price was reasonable 6 bucks for 2 slices about the same as here in Philly. After lunch I walked around Grand Central Station to kill a bit of time. That place is quite impressive. they have some cute shops tucked in there. I came across a cute stationary store that had these really cool Halloween decorations in their window. And I watch one of there staff wrapping gifts for someone.

Seeing all there was to see I headed back to Vanderbilt Hall. Heading over to the crafters corner I was surprised to see some familiar names one was Matt from Mystic Knotworks he is one of the sellers on the website Artfire that I belong to as well. Great guy although I didn't get a chance to meet him personally he is always pleasant in the Artfire forums. I did see one or two of the finalist there from the contest. I guess the other were going to be there on Thursday.

Once I checked out all the crafters I stood in line for a screen printed bag sponsored by Toyota and then it was time for my panel on Success On Etsy. which was the main thing I came for since I just opened my shop on Etsy a month ago. Figured why not I will give it a try. That was cool to actually see people behind the Etsy brand and to talk to successful sellers who started just like I did at the kitchen table with a budget of whatever was in your pocket at the time.

All in all I am glad I went it was a good experience to get me out of my shell and to start working on my networking skills. Although I am a little disappointed that I did not see more of the finalists of the contest. And that the sellers area was a bit cramped for my taste makes shopping that much harder.  but I did get to actually see Martha Stewart and I was able to get a picture of her while she was doing her book signing. Now that I know what to expect next year I will be ready to not only go to it again but I will be entering the Martha Stewart American Made Contest

Screen printing gentleman doing his thing cool to watch!!

Some of Etsy successful sellers doing a Q&A session. So funny I was sitting behind  and off to the left of the balding gentleman. I knew I should have moved over!!

.

And here is the woman herself Martha Stewart!!!!

 So that's my trip to the big apple by myself to see the crafting queen. A lot of my pics did not come out which is ok. But the event has a tumblr page you can see more of the Event

Until next time Happy Crafting!!

Silver Griffon Designs is having a sale!!!

Since I am in the process of trying very hard to move. I have decided to have a sale on my wares. Everything in my store is on sale at 10% off now until June 15th. So now is the time to stock up on headbands for those hot summer months, cute earrings and a cool piece of chainmaille or two!!
Its all on sale!!!!!

Scalemaille earrings

Fabric flowers ID/Badge clips

Spring Fling Flower earrings

My fav woven grosgrain headbands

So come get it while the getting is good and help me raise much needed funds to move!!!

Chainmaille gotta love it!!!

Well I have fallen in love with another obsession and that's chainmaille. Ah yes chainmaille that strange clothing that most people associate with Ren Faires and knights in shining Armour. Chainmaille is a lot move versatile than you think. Did you know there are several forms of chainmaille. Most people are familiar with the European 4-1 version. Which is 4 rings attached to one ring and is commonly seen on folks from the middle ages like knights and such. And then there is Japanese Maille which is to me a bit easier the European Maille. And there is Byzantine Maille as well. Lots more cool info can be found here. History of Chainmaille

Here are some of my creations using European and Japanese Maille techniques.

These are my Japanese Flower Earrings designed with copper rings and enameled copper rings in seafoam and turquoise.

   

Here is another pic of my Japanese Flower earrings the bottom pair is done in reverse colors seafoam on the outer rings and turquoise is on the inner rings.

These lovlies are  Japanese Cross earrings done in copper, seafoam green and gunmetal enameled copper rings. And accented with matching gunmetal niobium earwires.

These are my 6 Point Celtic Star pendants. These were created using bright aluminum rings and anodized aluminum rings in peacock blue,purple and bright blue. Each one is a little different than the others. And the bail on each is made from bright aluminum as well.

So yes the next time you think of chainmaille just remember its not just for knights anymore. you might spot someone wearing it walking done the street.

And here is my other new love. Scalemaille

 According to wiki

Scale armour is an early form of armour sometimes erroneously called scale mail consisting of many individual small armour scales (plates) of various shapes attached to each other and to a backing of cloth or leather in overlapping rows. ^[1] Scale armour was worn by warriors of many different cultures as well as their horses. The material used to make the scales varied and included bronze, iron, rawhide, leather, cuir bouilli and horn. The variations are primarily the result of material availability.

Pretty cool right!! well here are my modern versions of scalemaille made into earrings.

These are my berrylicious scalemaille earrings. the bright colors wont protect you in battle. but they will get you noticed walking down the street.

These were a custom order for a friend who wanted a solid color and shorter earrings.

And finally cicadas scalemaille earrings.

Thanks for stopping by!! Now go forth and make chainmaille!!!

Made it into Artfire collection

I was quite surprised the other day when I went to check into my shop on Artfire and to my surprise one of my fabric flower ID/Badge clips made it into a collection. I was so excited that someone would include my clip into their collection. Here is a pic of said clip. Which are very popular on my job and make my boring work ID rather special.

This is my hot pink butterfly clip which made it into a collection by  Shangralicraft on Artfire.

This is my Apples flower ID/Badge clip. would be great for that favorite teacher.

English Garden ID/Badge clip. Who couldn't use more pretty flowers in their life.

And this is my Pink Paisley ID/Badge clip.

These are just a few of my Fabric Flower ID/Badge clips that I make at my Artfire shop Silver Griffon Designs. Plus a bunch of other cool things like chainmaille jewelry, fun hair accessories and I even like to make stuff for my favorite holidays like Halloween and Christmas. And when you stop by please make sure you visit Shangralicraft and all the cool stuff they have in store.

Oh one more this is my favorite. Save the best for last!!!

Ladybugs got to love them!!!!

New Headbands designs for 2012

Well the new year is finally here and we have made it through January and halfway through February. Its been slow going with the crafting unfortunately. Between working 2 jobs, a family and personal/neighborhood issues. I haven't been much in the mood to create anything. And of course longing for my own crafting space away from my house doesn't help either. But of course I plugging away regardless of my circumstances. Got around to making a few things and taking pics. They are available at Silver Griffon Designs Now if I could only figure out how to make the batteries last a little longer in my camera.

Gothic Black and Red woven headband. One of my new favorites I have always loved this color combination.

Hot Pink and Black Polka dots in a 3 pane design.

This is my Argyle collection of woven headbands. The blue one is called "A Blue Menagerie" the red one is called "Casino Royale" and the blue and tan one is called "Preppy"  I find if I name my pieces its easier to remember them. Not everything has a name though.

These are cool I love Polka Dots period. Its a shame most women don't wear Polka Dots they are a lot of fun!!!