Christmas already?

When I was younger (in the 1970's) it was so much fun to see all of the holiday decorations that were put up after Thanksgiving.  It meant Christmas was coming within the next few weeks and all of the parties would be starting.  I loved driving around town and seeing the lights glistening off the snow.  It was a very exciting and happy time.

But when did Christmas start arriving in November? Or worse yet, in October??   I know it's been happening gradually over the last few years, but it just seems like each time it gets earlier and earlier.  My husband was at the airport today and he said they have already started decorating there! It is November 9th!  Slow down a bit and let's enjoy Thanksgiving first!

One of the biggest problems that I have with decorating this soon is the fact that it gets old really quick.  I no longer have that excitement when I drive around town, because it doesn't signal that Christmas is right around the corner.  I know it is still just a little over a month away and that is pretty close, but it's not within weeks.  It just feels like the excitement will be gone by the time I'm really ready to enjoy it.

Well, with all that being said, I'm gradually adding some holiday themed items to my Etsy shop.  Right now I have a Charlie Brown Christmas headband and a Christmas tree key fob.  But that is the extent of my holiday items so far.  I'm still holding out hope that there is still a little interest in my Autumn items. too.  I guess I'll be stubborn for a little while longer.

But I suppose it is time to face facts...pretty soon Holiday decorations will just stay up all year long.

"BOO" Ties

Looking for a little something to dress up a special boy in October?  How about this cute, yet classy ghost bow tie?  The best part about it?  IT GLOWS!!  

The strap has Velcro which makes it easy to put on...and take off, which is important when we are dressing squirmy toddlers.  It will also grow with the child so he can wear it each year around Halloween.

Check out the listing in my Etsy shop:  www.etsy.com/listing/111942002/glow-in-the-dark-ghost-halloween-bow-tie

Truly living up to my name

When I was thinking of company names back in 2004 there was one that seemed to be a no-brainer, which is the one that I stuck with. JOATMON is the acronym for Jack of All Trades, Master of None. I love to create things but I can't seem to focus on just one area.  I start to make something that I absolutely love and then all of a sudden, I veer off down another path.  Many times it's a simple trip to the craft store that causes it. I'll walk in to get supplies for the current project and I'll see something shiny hanging on the wall, which is just calling my name.  I daydream about what I can make with that item...and a whole new product line is born.

But lately in addition to the above scenario, most of my diversions have some sort of link to the project that preceded it.  For example I've been going crazy with the key fobs.  They are so practical and fun to make.  Everyone needs something for their keys, right?  Well that led me to buying so many different prints of ribbon to use.  Then one of my vendors introduced me to something wonderful.  Diamond mesh!  It is actually plastic facets that have the look of diamonds and it is so pretty.  And very lightweight!  It's perfect for key fobs because it gives them an eye catching appeal without adding a lot of heft to them.  Wouldn't you want to show off your keys if they were hanging from something like this:

But of course I couldn't stop there.  I needed to do something else with the mesh, so I decided to make bracelets with it.  And now my jewelry line has begun!

Aren't these so pretty?  I am addicted to them.  I wear them all the time to dress up an outfit.  I don't want to walk away from all of the other projects, but all I want to do it make stuff with this mesh.  Yesterday at lunch I even made myself a silver blinged-out lanyard for my work badge!  And inevitably that is going to start me down the road of another project line, I'm sure..... so stay tuned!!

New items

Joatmoncreations now has reversible ribbon headbands for $6.00 plus shipping!  They are not adjustable, but they are 20" in diameter (14.5 ribbon and 5.5" elastic) and very comfortable.
Check out my Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/joatmoncreations) for a wide selection of ribbons available.

I made this little birdie one this morning for myself.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!

For all of you that are shaping the minds of the future, thank you! I know it is not an easy job!  My son is only in preschool but I have seen a great change in him ever since he met his awesome teachers. Those women have great patience, super kindness and an awesome sense of humor....which is why I made them this sign.

I hope all of the other teachers out there know just how much they are appreciated.

I am addicted

...to ribbon.  I don't know what came first for me, the love of printed ribbon, or the enjoyment of customizing key fobs (key rings).  But they feed into each other and I can't stop buying ribbon...much to my husband's dismay!  There are so many patterns out there and it's so easy to make something that suits someone's personality.  I have a lot of customers that are Boston Red Sox fans, so the Sox ribbon is a big seller.  I make key fobs, belts, hair bows, dog collars.  There are customers that love flip flops, so I have them covered as well.  My flip flop hair bows can even be used as an accessory to dress up their...you guessed it...flip flop sandals!

I'm trying to find more ways to use all of these ribbons I have.  Kids belts are a hit because I'm using a center release buckle that is easy for little fingers to maneuver.  Hair bows are so cute and versatile.  They can put directly in the hair, on a headband, or as above - on your shoes.  I put my Red Sox bows on my sneakers for opening day!  I am even making some ribbon bookmarks!  A customer saw this great, vibrant cooking ribbon I had and she thought it would make a fun bookmark.  So, here it is!  A magnetic bookmark that is perfect for use in your favorite cookbook!!

The other night I made these adorable ballerina bows (on sale in my store: http://www.zibbet.com/JoatmonCreations/artwork?artworkId=831449) which would be great party favors.  Imagine a little girl getting one of these in her goody bag!

I'm still trying to come up with more ideas of how to use this ribbon (and justify my purchase of even more).  If there are any other neat ideas you can come up with, please share them!  Customer suggestions almost always make it into the store!

New store

At this time I have a web presence with my own website, www.joatmoncreations.com but there is not much traffic to it.  I also have a store on Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/JoatmonCreations) but I find it really saturated and my items get lost in the crowd.  So last night I took a leap and joined a new online sales site called Zibbet.  My new shop (in addition to the other two I already mentioned) is http://www.zibbet.com/JoatmonCreations.  I'm hoping having a presence on here will bring me a little more exposure.  After all, I think my wedding bibs are a pretty unique item.  I want to make sure people can find them!!

What a great day!

Today it was beautiful in Boston.  The weather was just perfect, in my opinion, around 75 degrees with a nice breeze.  My husband currently works four 10 hour days which includes Saturday and soon he'll be switching to five 8 hour days (losing his Wednesday day off).  Since I work Monday through Friday, Sundays are pretty much our only family day.  And of course there are usually plenty of obligations on that day, especially since I have a large extended family.  But not today!  Today was all ours. 

We had high hopes of a family hike.  A walk on the beach.  An ice cream treat.

Instead, we cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. Our three year old made many messes, so then we cleaned more!  But it was perfect.  I had the windows open to air out the house.  I did a lot of organizing and rearranging.  We put up the canopy on our gazebo (not an easy or quick task).  Cleaned the patio furniture.  The list goes on and on.  It was exhausting but I am so happy we did it. 

As odd as it sounds, it was just a nice time together.  Our son had a ball being outside after months of being cooped up.  My husband did the yardwork that he actually looks forward to.  And I can look at my house with a little less disdain. 

Now I need to go clean the bathtub (for the second time today) because the little one actually was so dirty, he left a ring around it.  I guess that is the best indication of a great time had by all!

Dog collars available!

It's no secret that I'm from Boston and that typically means a very loyal sports fan.  One look at my Etsy shop (www.etsy.com/shop/joatmoncreations) or my website (http://www.joatmoncreations.com/) you will see that I love to make items in honor of our Red Sox and Patriots.  I'd be paying homage to the Bruins (my personal favorite) and Celtics as well if I could find the fabric, but that has been quite a struggle.

Recently I posted a picture of a toddler belt using Red Sox ribbon.  One response was "could you make a dog collar like that?"  Well, always one to take on a challenge....I got the hardware and whipped one (well, three) up last night.  Must say I'm very happy with them.  Currently I have two medium size and one large size in my store, but I can do smaller as well.

Now that I have the hardware, and I like how these came out, I'm realizing that not everyone is a Boston sports fan (gasp!) so I am looking into some other cute patterns as well.  Not having any dogs myself, I don't know what would appeal to people.  If you have any suggestions please let me know.  I always love an excuse to buy ribbon!! 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/97527347/adjustable-boston-red-sox-themed-dog

Dog Collars -- soon to be in stock?

Earlier this week I made a really cute toddler belt with Red Sox and baseball print ribbon.  I've been playing around with different styles that will (hopefully) be easy for little hands to maneuver.
Here is one design, using Velcro to secure the belt.  It also allows room for growth, since buying kid's clothing can be frustrating as they seem to outgrow everything within weeks of purchase.

Well as soon as I posted this sample, someone asked if I could do the same thing in a dog collar!  I never want to refuse a request, so it looks like I'll be doing some research.  I already ordered the hardware today but it may not be delivered for a week or two.  That should give me a little time to check out collars and see what they entail.  I am an indoor cat person, and frankly, they really aren't the collar types!

Who knew pigs and cows were a hot item?

This morning I posted some new key fobs and within an hour my pig and cow ones were sold out and had backorders! Who knew there was a big market for farm animals! 

What are some of your favorite quirky prints?

New items to post on Etsy.

Here are the latest things going into my Etsy shop later today. They include a pack of 6 note cards. And a felt covered mini journal that fits in your purse. Great for a wine journal.

New ribbons in stock for key fobs

If you are looking for some fun key fobs (key chains) then come check out my store on Etsy.  I recently got quite a few ribbons that will look great hanging from your keys.

My favorites are the pigs and the cows.  I also have Dora the Explorer which makes a cute headband.  I am thinking of trying the Toy Story ribbon out as a belt for my son. If it comes out well, be on the lookout for one in my shop.  If you have any custom requests definitely send me an email.  I'm currently in search of turtle and wine-themed ribbon for a custom order.  

And have a wonderful St. Patrick's day this weekend.  Even though it's too late to get this for the holiday, you can always show off your Irish pride with a shamrock headband!

Welcoming myself to Blogger!

Well, here I am.  Probably the third blog I have tried, not counting the one I created on behalf of my then-newborn son (yeah, I'm one of THOSE people).  My son is now three-and-a-half and I probably last posted in there when he got his first baby tooth.  I guess I'm not so good at these things.

Anyway.....at this time I am trying to really pursue a side business with the things I make. I work full time at a job I enjoy, but when the clock hits 5 I really look forward to too going  home to see my family, cook dinner (necessary evil), then get creative once my boys are asleep. One is a toddler, the other is my husband, and they both actually have the same bedtime.

Unfortunately for me I have a bit of ADD when it comes to crafting. I fall in love with one type of thing, buy an overload of supplies, then I discover something new. It also seems to happen around he time I try to sell some items but never really move them because I don't have the right forum.

At this time I am making key fobs. Really fun and easy to make. Prior to that it was headbands. Before that, notecards. Bags. Candles. Faberge style eggs. Shall I go on?

So, perhaps by some miracle if I use Blogger maybe I will pique someone's interest and they will search out Joatmon Creations on Facebook or Etsy.  It's worth a shot. Afterall I need to make room for that next big medium that grabs my attention!