Tag: craft

DIY, Uncategorized

“Do Your Homework”

lauraleeimhoff

FullSizeRender“Do your homework,” words I dreaded back in high school.  They were words I lived by in college.  Almost ten years later, I am dusting them off along with other skills from academia for my next venture. That being said, I am a planner.  Anyone that I work with or am super close to could tell you that.  I plan out my week down to the hour.  It sounds a little OCD or Type A, but it’s the only way I can work 50 hours a week and start my own business.

Yes, I said it…. Start my own business. The cat is out of the bag.

I’ve learned over the last few months that I could make money selling my crafts as a hobby, but I am sure that I can make a living if I put forth more effort.  While I am not planning on turning in my two weeks to my employer, whom I love dearly, anytime soon;  I am in the “doing my homework” phase, planning, and spreading the word.

I never thought that spreading the word would be so valuable, but it is amazing the amount of people that have come out of the woodwork to share their experiences and offer their help.  I’m so grateful for the overwhelming support I’ve received in the last two weeks.  I know it’s only going to get better, plus my creative juices are flowing more than ever and I just want to create.  If only there were a few more hours in the day!

Updates since last week:

  1. madebylauralee.wordpress is now madebylauralee.com
  2. I will be hearing from my lovely graphic designer this week with what I hope to be a logo!
  3. I have started my extensive crafting schedule for the next two months for the Starving Artist Craft Fair in San Antonio.
  4. I have acquired two “new” pieces for refinishing.

I cannot articulate my excitement  for these new projects and what lays ahead.  Thank you for your support!

DIY, furniture, Story, Uncategorized

One, Six, The Year of Legit

lauraleeimhoff

IMG_3459Yes, this year, 2016, is going to be my year of becoming just a little bit more legit. I really don’t care that it sounds corny.  I’m making things happen.

I have high hopes for the next twelve months.  Some of these dreams I’m hesitant to share, mainly because I’m afraid that someone will try and talk me out of them or, if they don’t happen by December 31st at midnight, that I will feel like a complete and utter failure.

So… Let’s talk about what has happened since the ringing in of the New Year.

  1. I have moved my work into an artist studio so that I have a place to start refinishing furniture.
  2. I have met with a graphic designer who is going to help me with a logo, branding, and advertisements.
  3. I have received an overwhelming amount of support, interest, new clients, and donated or inexpensive, high quality furniture to start building an inventory.
  4. I have sent in an application to the biggest craft fair in my craft fair attending history for April 2-3 in San Antonio.
  5. I am in the works of landing my first whole sale account for my handmade wares.

12495224_10208666719885058_7315349647363472479_nNot bad for only being 18 days into the New Year, right? I’m so excited.  So excited.  I’m proud of what I am doing too.  I have a lot to learn… like bookkeeping, accounting, writing a business plan. All that fun stuff… It’s a little overwhelming too, but in a healthy way.  It’s comforting knowing I’m getting closer to something I really, really want. It’s going to be an adventure and I hope you’ll enjoy my updates: good, bad, and the crafty.

 

 

DIY, Mixed Media, Uncategorized

Austin’s Got Talent Part 1

lauraleeimhoff

It’s true.  Although, it’s not like I need to be the one to tell ya’ll that.  I think a more specific statement that I am trying to make is… “Daaaaaamn, my friends are bad ass.”

Let me back up just a little bit.  This past Friday, I met with my friend, Lisa.  This girl takes the cake on just about everything: musician, networking, event planning, starting up her own venue, kicking off a new publication, and pedi-cabbing, just to name a few.  After forty minutes of shooting the shit (as they say) we can put together an event with a side of fundraising in less than twenty minutes.  (link is here) Feeling motivated from our pow-wow and my overwhelmingly successful craft fair on Saturday, I have been determined to continue with my own bad-assery.  In fact, I am taking on a lot this week as I am excited to say that I have to restock my entire inventory before my next event, which brings me to….. details on that.

I will be one of the many female vendors participating in the Hysteria ‘Zine Release Party. What is Hysteria ‘Zine?  Well, let me explain.  Lisa, the rad friend I was telling you about, she has put together a publication, or in this case ‘zine, to provide a safe platform to present stories, art, articles, etc from a female perspective. The release party is going to be a huge event!  Woman supporting one another, coming together to express themselves, their views, and share their work.  Seriously, I can’t wait… but for now I’ll have to because I have to get back to crafting for the event!

I hope to see you there!

 

12 Day of Crafting, Canning, Embroidery, Uncategorized

A Partidge & A Pear Tree

lauraleeimhoff

Today is the final day before the Handmade Holiday Show at OPA! I thought I would take a moment to share one more post with you before the big day! As promised in my last post on Wednesday, I have something a little on the matchy-matchy side.  To stick with the “what’s in season” category, I thought it only appropriate that pears should be included.  I will have pear embroidered tea towels as well as a pear canned good.  I’m feeling somewhat mysterious this morning and thinking that I might not actually reveal what the pear canned good is… just to leave you hanging, curious, and inquisitive.  Maybe you’ll feel so inspired as to come out tomorrow afternoon?

Hope to see you there, lovelies.

12 Day of Crafting, Embroidery

Orange is the New Black

lauraleeimhoff

IMG_3350Orange is the new black. Alright, admittedly I’ve never seen the show, but it’s a pretty appropriate title, don’t ya think?  Meaning to say…. Citrus is in season, baby! Not just actually in season at the local farmers market, but on my blog too!  I thought it would be a great idea to have matching towels with the canned goods I have prepared for this Saturdays event!  So, here it is Orange Curd and Orange towels!  Woot Woot!

For more info on Saturdays event at OPA click here!

Stay tuned for what matchy, matchy things I have for Thursday and Friday!

12 Day of Crafting, DIY, furniture, Uncategorized

Blue Christmas, Blue Dresser

lauraleeimhoff

IMG_2753Ok, Ok, it’s no secret I’m completely head over heels, and googly eyed over refinishing furniture.  Like most projects they need a home.  A stack of embroidered towels is one thing, but a collection of furniture seems to build up a lot quicker in a one bedroom apartment.

I reached out to my friends to see if anyone was interested in having me refinish a piece for them.   I cast my line and I waited, waited, and finally got a bite, or in this case, a dresser.  I couldn’t be more thrilled!

A couple days later, Melissa dropped off this unfinished pinewood dresser.  She gave me her guidelines of what she was looking for and I ran, ran, ran with it.  I think I was just so excited to finally be able to work with an item that I could put new hardware on! I mean, let’s be real, who hasn’t stood in the home goods section of Anthropologie and ogled the various knobs and handles? I mean, I even have my best friend saved in my phone as “Lindsey Door Knobs” because of our first bonding moment of Anthropologies gorgeous door knobs.

I digress… back to the dresser.  It was fun to work with a completely blank slate. After priming it, I painted this it bright blue with a top a little bit more neutral to be able to tie it into it’s surroundings. The blue was really blue, so I put a nice coat of walnut stain over it to mute the blue and give it some texture.  I lined the drawers with the teal and white patterned paper and screwed in the glass knobs for the final touches.  This piece is so far my favorite that I’ve done!

If you need a piece of furniture refinished, contact me today! lauraleeeimhoff@gmail.com

One more thing, while I have your attention: I will be in another craft fair this coming Saturday at OPA Coffee & Wine from Noon to 4 PM.  Details here.

Before & After, Story

Finding Balance

lauraleeimhoff

I’ve been sitting at my computer for the last thirty minutes surfing the internet, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.

“Geez, there is something I need to be doing right now, but I can’t remember what it is.”

I know I have lots of work I need to do: updating menus, creating how-to guides, itineraries, checklists, blah, blah, blah.  I realize, now, thumbing through the pages of the web, that I need to take care of me.  I haven’t written something for me, you, a post in general, in weeks.  In fact, it’s been so long that I don’t really even care to check.

Don’t get me wrong, a promotion at work is always a good thing.  I’m thrilled to be working with wonderful people (I cannot stress that enough), a boss that cares about her business, employees, and that trusts me to do the right thing, and of course, a raise.  The thing that sucks me in the most is I have the opportunity to make a difference, like my furniture projects, I will leave it better than I found it.  The drawback is that I go head first with such gusto that I lose myself.

The not sleeping has started, my craft projects are collecting dust, my guitar.. ha!  I haven’t touched it since my last show.  Let me say this first: I am not complaining about work.  Nope. Not here.  What I am expressing is my disappointment with myself.  There needs to be balance: if I’m going to polish of a pint of ice cream, I need to do some yoga the next day; if I’m going to stay up late doing god knows what, I need to make sure I rest up somewhere; and if I’m going to throw myself into work 7 days a week, I need to schedule some time for me.

This initial workload will dissipate, but I can’t burn out before then.  I’ve been down this road before (flashbacks of working a 8-7/6 days a week in a windowless office, come to mind). Today marks the day that I will refocus and start balancing.  Okay, maybe not today as I am taking a break from steam cleaning the carpet in my apartment, but tomorrow.  Yes, tomorrow.  I have my music, my furniture, my embroidery, and more.  Thanks for listening and reading and your support.

12 Day of Crafting, Embroidery

Something New!

lauraleeimhoff

FullSizeRenderI’m excited to announce I have a new towel for this Saturdays Bluebonnet Bazaar.  My herb towels were such a big hit in December, so much so that I decided that I would add more to my collection.

With warmer weather here Basil and Cilantro are making their appearance at Austin farmers markets, it seems only appropriate that they do in towel form as well!

For more updates on new items follow me on Instagram @lilmisslauralee

12 Day of Crafting, Embroidery, Mixed Media

12 Days of Crafting: Day 9

lauraleeimhoff

IMG_1448Day 9: Lots & Lots of Ornaments

The other day I briefly mentioned projects that were once started, forgotten, and found to finally be finished… today I would like to revisit that topic.  Over a year ago, I had begun to fashion these adorable little ornaments out of spheres and scraps of fabric.  The idea was to string to them together to make a garland of sorts.  As the glue dried, the thought occurred to me that the fabric I used was bold enough for these little critters to stand alone as individuals, but to do so they needed just a bit of flair.

Unfortunately, they got packed up in boxes when my lease was up, put in storage, moved, unpacked, and then sat waiting for the day to be completed.  This past week, they all had their days.  The combination of the pressure of a craft fair, fumbling through craft books, and an already nagging idea that I had, my vision finally came to life.  They needed dangley bits! (yes, I meant for that to be as ridiculous as it sounded.)

A little bit of embroidery floss, pom poms, and tassels were just want the doctor ordered.  They are a bit over the top but I think that is what makes them so fun!  The little bling bling that your Christmas Tree needs!

 

Embroidery

12 Days of Crafting: Day 8

lauraleeimhoff

Day 8: Embroidered Towels

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Today, I have been an emailing mad woman trying to get all sorts of events and gigs lined up for 2015.  All my coffee started to set in and I got so wrapped up that I completely lost track of time and forgot that I hadn’t posted Day 8!  Yikes!

I will have lots of embroidered hand towels available this coming Saturday at the Bluebonnet Bazaar!  Make sure to click through the slide show!

Again, I apologize for the short post.  I need to get ready for work.  (Yes, work work.  Not quite ready to quite the “day job” and start crafting full time)