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!!