Necessity is the mother of invention

I know towels that hang from the stove handle aren't a new "invention" and there are lots out there.  But it's new for ME and that's what is important right?

It drives me crazy when I have a towel hanging from my oven and it slips off.  I usually just have them there for aesthetics, but it's still frustrating to always be fixing them so they look "just right."  I've been meaning to whip something up that will stay put and match my kitchen.  Here is the first pass and it met half of my requirements (my kitchen is more green and burgundy but I wanted to try my idea out with some ribbon that I had on hand).  A few more tweaks and I'll love the outcome! I did do a search on Etsy and there were similar items, but nothing that I saw quite like this with the ribbon along both edges.

I'd love to hear what you think.  Is this a product you would be interested in?  My goal is to also use some fabrics instead of ribbon so the possibilities for matching color schemes is greater, plus with fabric the towels become more functional.  Many of my fun ribbon prints do not hold up very well to repeated washings.  However I do think some lined with my favorite New England teams (Patriots, Red Sox and Bruins) would be adorable for a sports fan!  

So, is a new product line for Joatmon Creations born again???

My reputation precedes me

Today my four year old needed to take something to preschool for their "Leprechaun Trap."  Apparently the class has a pint size pixie wreaking havoc on their classroom at night.

At first I made the little guy a new bow tie to wear, thinking that would be intriguing to him if he saw it in the trap.  "Oh no, mommy.  That's much too big!  he is only this size" (squeezing his thumb and index finger within an inch of each other).  So back to the drawing board!  We searched through all of my craft items and my son, "CD", was picking out any small green supplies that he could find, whether they would be appealing to a leprechaun or not (but then again, who am I to determine what a mythical creature would enjoy, right)?

Finally he decided that maybe the leprechaun needed a new bed.  So we searched around for the perfect sized gift box.  We found one that formerly housed jewelry, so it already had the padding which served as a mattress.  We then added a green speckled bed spread and a felt pillow, which he helped me sew (he handles the pedal while I maneuver the material through the machine).  Finally he went through all of my miniature pieces and picked out two items that served as stuffed animals for the new owner. It was pretty cute and I was proud of him for coming up with a different idea.

He brought it to school today and the teachers told him how much they loved it.  He then said "maybe some day my mommy can come into school and do a craft with us all!'  As he told me this idea he ran up to me and gave me giant hug around my legs with a look of pride in his eyes.

So...tell me, how can you resist that?  Now to come up with something to make with a group of 4 year olds!

The bow tie I originally made for the Leprechaun

His new bed and "stuffed" animals

Everything is coming up DISNEY!

I love making custom creations for people. They always make me happy.  But the ones that make me the happiest...and the saddest...are the Disney items.  So many people seem to be taking trips to Disney lately and they want to be all decked out in Mickey!  I can't say that I blame them!  My Mickey and Minnie headband covers have exploded over the past few months.  I have yards and yards and yards of ribbon that were special requests from customers and it's waiting for new home (or vacation).

But as I said, it also makes me sad because I really miss the Magic Kingdom.  After all, it holds a very special place in my heart.  A little over 8 years ago, on December 31, 2004, my now-husband proposed to me in the gazebo at Port Orleans!!

We were on a family trip and heading to dinner on Pleasure Island when we stopped for a photo.  My dad was fumbling with the camera (which was unusual since he always set it up without incident to take group photos using the timer).  So while he was trying to figure it out my guy stepped forward and thanked my family for inviting him on the trip even though he wasn't part of the family.  Then he added "but I would like to change that," as he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him in front of my parents, sister, brother in law, aunt, uncle and cousin.  And for a family oriented person like me....that was just PERFECT.

Oh, and you may be wondering if my dad ever figured out the camera.  Well he was actually video taping it the whole time.  My husband met with him a month earlier to ask his permission (very old fashioned) and they concocted the whole plan.

So.... maybe now you will know why every time I create something with a Disney theme, it sends me back in time just a little bit!!  And I love every minute of it!!!

Diaper Derby, February 16th

A new year, a new venture!

I spent 2012 building up my business to a bigger level than it was the year before (isn't that how it is supposed to be anyway)?  I got my name in the local newspaper for my Patriots headbands last February.  I started a number of new product lines that really took off (key fobs, reversible interchangeable headbands, dog collars).  I even got my feet wet with some craft fairs again (it had been years since I wanted to do another one).  It really got me excited for things to come in 2013.

One of my goals for this year is to get my products into a few shops.  I have a some contacts that are interested in different items and soon I will be visiting them to see how we can help each other.  It's exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time!

But first I will be setting up a table at a local MALL during their annual Diaper Derby event.  How fun will that be?  My son is a bit old to participate since he is four :-)  but it will be hilarious to watch those little diaper clad bums scoot down the "track" to their awaiting parents.  And I will be right there with my pacifier clips and tooth fairy pillows encouraging them on!  Crazy to think about!!

So, if you are in the North Shore area on Saturday February 16th please stop by the Liberty Tree Mall to see me.  You need to go to the mall for other things anyway, right?  I would love to meet you!

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!!