The Celtic Cowgirl-Multi Old TIme Instrumentalist,Druidess of the West

A Merry Samhain To All!

2011-10-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

The Celtic New Year is here,and I wanted to wish one & all a very Merry Samhain. I'm home,will be carving my jack o lantern & honoring ancestors. This morning I was greeted with a very heavy fog. Others in the Northeast got a sudden snow.
I'll be paying attention to my intuition,to see what sudden flashes of insight I get,and am hoping for a beautiful waxing moon this evening.

Homegrown Pleasures.....

2011-10-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like growing your own veggies-I'm shocked at how much I appreciate picking a homegrown bell pepper & using it in my cooking. I've seen for myself just how long it takes a pepper to get to maturity-and in seeing the time it takes,the nurturing you put into growing it,to the end result. You appreciate it because you know the time it took to get there-and that's far more than I ever did buying veggies at my local grocery store!
I'm still using my bread maker-tho it still overflowed at the top and I used it in cool weather-I'm wondering if they are having me use too much yeast. I'm picking up what I need to make pumpkin bread since the oven has went kaput. I also picked up the book 300 recipes for your bread making machine,and there's sooo many different breads you can make. I'm going to be a busy bee this winter!
Musically I'm playing more uke,Irish tenor banjo & mandolin-Yule tunes,in addition to old time ditties like LIberty & Angeline the Baker.

A Blessed Mabon to All!

2011-09-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Wheel of the Year spins once more...and it's getting close to my favorite season of the year-Autumn. Cooler temps,harvest time,and the inner glow I get when this season comes into being-not that I don't enjoy Spring or Summer (till it get really hot that is) but there's just something about this upcoming season that I can't explain....but it's always special!
A trip to Lowes always brings a surprise at the "last chance rack" (as I call it) for plants. I couldn't resist this lovely ornamental pepper plant. Hoping it's a prennial and not an annual. I have it up on a plant stand as it says touching the peppers & rubbing your eyes or moth can burn,I guess & I didn't want the outdoor cats getting into it.

The store has been busy and my other handcrafted store has been even more so. The ads I've been placing in Fiddler magazine has been good for the Fiddlebelle shop as my fiddle dustcovers are being purchased & appreciated. Thank goodness they're easy to make. Been putting more rosin/polishing cloths up too.

Simplify,Condense,And Ride On!

2011-09-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

      I haven't been keeping my blogs up due to one thing: I started too many! This caused me to unknowingly dread updating one cause then I'd have to update all of them. It's stifled my writing and I've really missed not writing. So in order to lift the burden I will keep two and two only. This one as I have the most followers here,and one I started purely for my musicality.
Recently I've become interested in the Cowgirl way of life,and I've been reading "Cowgirl Smarts" & I'm loving it. While I am a proud official Farmgirl on Mary Jane's Farm (#702!) I also confess to being more comfortable in a hat & vest than nearly anything else.
      Cowgirlin is in my genes-my grandmother was a singing,uke & guitar playin cowgirl-tho our tastes in music would've differed,I think-I love Old Time tunes as opposed to Country Western,which I could never get into. I've found myself bein an Old TIme Cowgirl.
Finally I got my bread maker going-one top corner burned,and I found out you cannot use it in a heatwave,which I did. (it would've been nice if the manual had that bit of info in the front,and not the back in the troubleshooting section!) It tastes good tho & is much more filling than store bought breads.
I'm looking at starting to play harmonica again,which I haven't touched since jr high/high school. (Yes they had harmonicas back then!)

Loafing around the House and New Dulcimers!

2011-07-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

      I've been trying to cut back on how many blogs I've started-obviously I'm not keeping them up very well but I just can't let this one go. So-now I've got catching up to do!
      I've been getting back into dulcimer-smartest move so far was my getting a "Rock-It Stick",which is a dulcimer made for travel & playing as you would a banjo or mandolin. I did restring it correctly (the company accidently strings them backwards but is a super easy fix) and use it a lot esp when I'm arranging.
     This led to my hunt for a more casual dulcimer-one I could take places without worrying about who would pick it up,would they be careful,& whatnot. I won a honey of a deal on eBay & neatest thing is this one is a home crafted one.

It needed a lot of cleaning,humidifying,fretboard conditioning and a fresh set of strings. Only thing I'd change is lowering the actiona bit-I'm using a light set of strings to make up for this. It has a good tone and is a diatonic model (no 6 1/2 fret)
Then I wished for a breadmaker. After reading how junky store purchased breads are for you,my wish was granted at a local estate sale! I picked this one up-it's never been used.

I found a seller on eBay who sells reprints of the manual so I got one of those. Next week I'm hoping to pick up the dry milk,yeast,and bread flour that it calls for. The eternal quest of the Farmgirl-going with nature! We'll see how much $$ this saves. I might be looking for a bigger bread maker if this works well & is tasty.
Wanting to wish you all a safe and joyous 4th of July.......I need to start decorating!

I'm Back! Unintended Hiatus

2011-04-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

        I'm back,tho I never intended to leave this particular blog for as long as I did. Worries overcame me,esp about money. I got pretty sick with whatever virus was going around in mid January and it lasted a few weeks. Then my Dad got it from me. My part time job has dwindled to 2 days a month,despite education being in such high demand. The music store has been slow. While all this has been going on I have been reading Dr Wayne Dyer's books-and the latest I am reading is "Excuses Begone!" which is a wonderful read.On top of that I finally picked up the copy of Deepok Chopras 7 Spiritual Laws to Success" that I purchased at a yard sale over two years ago. It all made sense thanks to my learning Japa meditation and having "Manifest Your Destiny" another Dr Dyer book,already in my head as I had also read that. I firmly believe that following the books' advice and using Japa meditation had activated events,like leading me to a wonderful ukulele supplier,getting a much brighter outlook on things,and going with the flow instead of complaining,even if only inwardly. The ukes are selling well and I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
         My farmgirl activities are moving along-I've been clearing the front flowerbeds & weeding the ones in the backyard-I have bell peppers,(red ones!) tomatoes,and crook neck & zucchini squash to plant. I'm also designing a ukulele gig bag for tenor/concert size ukes.
          I have found a new joy in everyday life that I've not felt in years...and the past 9 years since I came home to California have been a blur. The NM move is off,at least for a few more years as we're renting the house instead of moving there. Somehow I am at peace with all this.
          My only concerns now are for what is happening in Japan,for the people,the environment and for the Pacific ocean & it's habitat with all the radiation being dumped in. I have donated what I can so far to help the people of Japan.

Growth,Realizations and New Creations

2011-01-27T08:03:00.000-08:00

It's been an inner growth month for me-I've been reading Dr Wayne Dyer's book,"Manifesting Your Destiny",and it's proven to be one of those books that opens doors for one to look within & do needed "inner tweaking" Along with that has been what to do about my part time job pretty much going down to one day a week. While the business continues to grow & thrive,I have allowed myself to get locked into a pattern-$$ from the biz goes right back into the biz,and what I make from the part time job goes for personal expenses and sometimes also the biz if I need extra money to cover the expenses.
As I was reading and thinking this morning,as I often do in the pre-dawn hours,it suddenly occured to me that having ones own business means part of the money made is supposed to cover personal bills and whatnot. After all,isn't that the goal in being self employed? I nearly wanted to giggle at this discovery-tickled with my own short handed vision. I'd gotten so caught up in my personal account lacking that it never dawned to me to start shifting some of the $$ from sales to cover my own expenses. At the same time,relief-I'm not as broke as my ego would have me believe,tho I'm still watching my pennies and "buying smart". This also opens the door of the possibility of leaving the job altogether,as I know I have outgrown it,and aside from the hourly wage,doesn't fulfill me in any way. I've also had to deal with not letting fears run me-it's amazing what fearful "what if's" can do to you and prevent you from making forward progress.
On the creative front,I had a helpful individual give some advice on the uke gig bags that I make-to start making them humorous. So I came up with the "Rocket Science" one here:

It's currently in my Etsy shop. I had made a 2nd frog gig bag for this helpful individual to buy,as he expressed interest and was outbid on the first one I had on auction. Imagine my surprise when I wouldn't "put myself on sale" and stuck to my price that he suddenly didn't think the gig bags were any good,and too expensive. He offered a pittance and wanted free shipping to boot. Well-I'm thankful to his suggestions and have dismissed the rest. The bags are now selling at $21 each.
The gig bags are about to go even more green! I discovered there's a quilt batting called "Quilters Dream Green" the batting is made of recycled plastic bottles-the ones that all too often go into the oceans,streams,and landfills. Every package of this batting I buy keeps those bottles from polluting the earth,and makes the gig bags more environmentally friendly. I have been using cotton batting,but I feel even better using this. I"m using up the last of the cotton batting as we speak,and I'll announce the first bag made using this wonderful recycled product. Yes,its soft and fine just as batting should be. So I'm really excited and pleased about this.
Other developments include making my own tags. Mary Jane's Farm had a spot in the latest issue on brand tags,old style looking ones,and After not finding what I was wanting for Mandolin Babe's I just received some wonderful unmounted rubber stamps to make my own design. I'll post a pic once it's made.

Good Distractions & New Creations

2011-01-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

Well,I haven't been playing all of the instruments that I study,but the "distractions" have been important ones,like an increase in orders from the store-I've been busier than before Christmas packing up orders and shipping them out. And in the midst of all that,another idea for ukuleles sprang into my head. Dust covers. I make them for fiddles aleady,why not ukuleles? So I've been making these in a variety of prints:

from Betty Boop to space aliens,from jaguar prints to rock n roll,I've been making these an they've been selling! Placed a classified ad at fleamarketmusic.com and that seems to be working well. Easy to do,thankfully.
   I redesigned the banner for my Etsy Store and am very pleased with it. Collecting vintage photos of musicians has helped quite a bit. I'll be having a classified ad come out in fiddler magazine promoting the Etsy store,so I'm finally getting myself in gear.
   I've been playing a lot of baritone & soprano uke lately,and sold one of the soprano ukes I've had for awhile-while it was a good instrument,it wasn't one of my faves,so in an effort to simplify,I placed it up for bid and got a good price for it.
   Getting ready to do another crazy quilt ukulele gig bag-this one in a southwestern theme & in flannel. I also have some wonderfully wacky fabrics coming in for the gig bags-trying out some advice I received form a ukester who says players have a sense of humor,so we'll see.
      I'm finishing up a 2nd bag in a frog print that seems to be popular. WIll be trying stitch witchery on the velcro I use as a closure as it plays with my sewing machine & not in a good way.
New uke books will be coming into the store-one that uses the "D" tuning which is considered to be the original tuning. It'll go nicely with the uke string sets I offer,which are made for a "D" tuning.

Happy,Healthy,& Prosperous 2011,Everyone!

2010-12-31T08:14:00.000-08:00

Here we are at the end of the year-already! Who knew? And as usual,I'm looking back to see what could I have done better,as well as projects for next year. Today is the day I hem a pair of jeans I got over a month ago. Funny how the holiday season seems to relax one into procrastination. I've been asked about New Year's resolutions and like most people,I don't keep them-in my mind once something is a "have to" my inner rebel seeks any excuse to get out of it. So I have decided to trick myself. Instead of the standard list of commands,I am doing a "What if I...." list. Which looks like:
"What if I started stretching,etc,3x a week?" (notice the word "excersise" is forbidden!)
"                        " playing fiddle,etc 2-3x a week & not letting other things distract me?
"    " keep track of finances on a monthly basis instead of saying "I'll do it but I have plenty of time" only to see it's the last day of the year?'
   So the experiment begins. It's more playful,more of a try it & see which of course will tug at my curiousity. Then I'll have to find out how it goes. Three items are enough for now.

Christmas was groovin-I got a small Bodhran from my Dad,which means I can start drumming again as a meditation. I've had a whopping 18" bodhran forever that needs a new head on it,which I have. Problem is no matter what I do the thing won't go on right when I try applying the bracket & tightening them. So that one will be going on eBay as a "fixer upper" for someone more skilled than I to get into playing condition. But back to the new one I got-beautiful deep tone,a Walton's. Now I gotta dig up my tutorial books & get back to reading "Drumming the Spirit Alive!" a book on spirit drumming.
Yesterday was great as well. This house has been freezing the last couple of days,& my hand knit slippers just weren't cutting it as there's a chill on the floor. Wound up at a Sears outlet,and while slippers weren't on the shopping list I did come across a pair of Isotoners. In my size! (I have small feet which is a pain for footwear shopping.) In periwinkle with cute little embrodered flowers. For $6.00. Was $20. They keep the chill off the soles off my feet & I'm a happy camper!

My newest invention for uke-a dustcover that I need to get a catchy name for. I have two in my eBay store right now. I think they're swell! And-I finally finished this:

     That's a gig bag for my baritone ukulele-fully lined & padded-Now it has a safe place to be and I can take it places! (If you're wanting one for yours please contact me-I made a pattern for it)
   Ads will be in Fiddler magazine for the Etsy store as it needs a bolstering. In the main store,I'm seeing tenor banjo books are in demand. Will be adding a few titles early next year as well. Set your goals and work towards them in 2011! And drive carefully tonight (or not at all if you're sipping bubbly!)

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

   It's Christmas eve and I just had to include a snapshot of the tree this year! Got the bubble lights on it with decorations from childhood,along with more modern Hallmark ornaments & ones I had cross stitched in years past. The heavy rains have passed,thankfully,and we're back to sunny blue skies.
   I got brave & opened a Utube account under the name "SherrieBariUkeDiva" as I figure if all those other folks can make video of themselves playing,then so can I. Videos forthcoming of mandolin,ukulele, & 6 string banjo playing. (fiddle will be later!) I can't believe how this month has swooshed by. I have a to do list while the college is closed which includes hemming & sewing. I've placed an ad in Fiddler magazine to promote my handcrafted musical accessories.
    One thing I've learned this year is to start shopping for this holiday in spring-in case the budget gets extra tight like this year has been.
    I'm grateful tho,for being able to make so many things for myself like slippers,neckwarmers,etc that my budget has been to tight for. Next years list will include adding things to my wardrobe like a new pair of rainboots,cowgirly boots,and starting the purchase of thermal wear. And maybe splurge on a cowgirl hat or two.
    My thoughts go out to all those who lost their homes in CA,AZ,UT,&NV due to the rains,floods,and mudslides. Of all the times of the year this had to happen,something about it happening during holiday season makes it all the worse.

Stormy Weather Yet Full Of Cheer!

2010-12-18T08:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas is getting closer by the day. It's a little unusual this year as there's a series of big rainstorms upon us here,and Californians are not used to inclimate weather at Yuletide-rains usually hit in January-February. I don't think the outdoor lights will be put up due to the weather but thankfully I did get a new strand of colorful LEDs to go around the window. One or two more cards to be sent,packages are already out,But the decorating remains to be done. In a bag is new yarns I had purchased at my favorite crafts store to make myself a new cowl and fingerless gloves. I'll be doing that while watching football. Overall the universe has blessed me big time this month-I received the issue of "knit Simple" I wanted but thought my subscription had run out on,I found a wonderful 15% off entire purchase online,(Good all Dec long!) in that trip I found the last ball of yarn in the right dye lot to finish a gift for a friend,I picked up a pair of reading classes in a bright see thru pink frame that I had my eye on the last 3 times I was there,and a batch of yarn in cheery colors for a cowl for myself. Biggest surprise is when I was checking my receipt to see how much I saved I saw that the cashier never rung up the glasses.
I'm still working on carols for the baritone uke and have decided to self publish a book of them in tab next year as well as start arranging Irish tunes. Looks like baritones are the most neglected ukes of all as far as songbooks,etc.

Joys of the Season!

2010-12-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

Goodness! I hadn't meant to be away for so long. My part time job at the college went from nearly laid off to full time-at which point I was too tired to do much computer-wise after coming home. Decorating still needs to be done-and I'm arranging carols for baritone ukulele.
   Unexpected surprise-thumbpicks are now a hot seller in the store-I have nearly sold out at this point and I need to place another order. Weather here has been a mix of near 80's with cool cloudy days and forecasts of rain for later in the week.
I love this time of year and a full moon on the Winter Solstice will make this a most magical time indeed! I'm buying more LED lights to make my celebrating more green-I picked up a new strand at Big Lots! last night to go around the frontroom window.
    The economy has reminded me of how much we equate the joy of this holiday with how much we have to spend on things-and with so many of us on a tighter budget than last year (myself included) I had to readjust my thinking into what really brings joy at this time. Dad will be getting fewer gifts this year but the real joy is being together-decorating the tree,the twinkling lights,the music,and for me,the special enchanted feeling and the return of the sun and longer days-tho I am a "Holly King Girl" I have come to love springtime.
   Another unexpected seller has been crocheted fingerless gloves that I've been making. I hadn't crocheted in ages- but I stumbled upon two easy patterns that have done well.
   I made my trip to Hallmark & got a card or two,in addition to "splurging" on a beautiful small stained glass suncatcher of a pointsettia surrounded by ribbon,pine,and holly. It's up in the window of my room & adds a festive touch.

Going to be livin the Farm/Cowgirl Life in NM!

2010-11-17T19:42:00.000-08:00

Dad & I have been wanting to move out of Southern Ca ever since we went to NM and just fell in love with the place-it's not called "The Land of Enchantment" for nothin! We saw a wonderful piece of property that had been foreclosed on in Southern NM with a lot of land,and after working with a most wonderful realtor,the place is ours! Plans are to move in about 2 years-we have a lot of simplifying to do here before going over to the new place. I can live the Farmgirl way at long last. Of course,there'll be some adjustments to be made-I've never dealt with having ones own well,propane tank or septic tank in my entire life. A gas fireplace,a wonderful view,fresh air,and I'll be able to have chickens at long last-I can gather my own eggs instead of wondering if the store bought ones are safe.
So now I'm working the biz more than ever-I'd like to be fully self employed by the time the move happens. I'll be able to rehair bows,refurbish fiddles,and not hear helicopters every night or wild partying every other night.
I'm greatful to the Earth Mother for all of this!

Knittin Needles are Clickin,Fiddlin,and Carols!

2010-11-12T19:59:00.000-08:00

The knitting bug hit me full force recently,and of course this is helping me unclutter by using up some of the yarn that I have in a big bag in my room. Found this pattern for what is called a "scarflette" and it gave me a good reason to use my big vintage buttons that I've been wondering what on earth to do with. More scarflettes are coming. Not to mention cowls. I'm knitting my 3rd one,in earth tones.
My fiddling needs tending to-yet I've been arranging carols for Baritone uke as well as 6 string banjo. Been writing them down in tablature. The Bodhran I have has the new drum head halfway on-the brackets are giving me a problem. So a bit at a time,I hope to have a working drum. My part time job has slowed down to being as close to unemployed as I can get without actually being there-well I'll never be there as I have Mandolin Babe's,and sales are perking up. Having a run on fiddle strings lately!

Halloween Thoughts The Morning After

2010-11-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

For the first time in many years,I got a bigger pumpkin due to the fact there were no smaller ones left,and for whatever reason this year was in many ways,a last minute preparation. My only slight disappointment was Michaels was completely our of pumpkin scented candles,but I filled the house with the scent of pumpkin bread-I baked 3 loaves,and then turned my attention to baking my first ever butternut squash. Thank goodness for free recipes on the web! Turns out this squash will be finding it's way to my dinner table again. The pic of the jack o lantern is the one I carved for last night. I used a free to print template of a bat,and traced a small circle using a spice jar for a full moon. All in all I think it turned out great!
As I sat watching the Sunday night game & hearing the kids outside on their trick or treat,I pondered inwardly about what makes this time so magical to me. I believe it's one of the few holidays we have that embraces mystery,a glimpse of the unknown,and acknowledging that there is indeed "something else" out there that we can't see,but can sense. I always make a food & candle offering to my ancestors with thanks for looking over my shoulder & being there when needed. Last night was an offering of a piece of cornbread with a candle. (This practice goes waaay back into my Celtic ancestry). So it was a quiet evening all in all. Only thing that went bump in the night was a pair of opposums in the driveway that woke me up hissing at one another & climbing around.

The store now has fiddle rosin in stock (light) and I've been making flannel bags to store them in using flannel,some upcycled from pajamas like the one above. I used a vintage decorative button and ta-dah! A useful high quality & attractive item that won't end up in a landfill somewhere.
    I've also knitted some rosin bags and will post pics of those soon. Seems bloggers photo upload just went wonky.

Haunted Instruments and Tools of the Dead.....

2010-10-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

    Well I figured that would get you here & reading! A lot has been afoot since my last entry,a big change is coming,but I don't want to spill the beans just yet. I want to be sure this is an all systems go before I make my announcement. Now that you're wondering what is going on over here.....I'll change the subject. *Giggles*
   Rain has been hitting hard here all week,and I can't tell you how happy I am to see the sun shining this morning. We needed the rain badly,but 3 or 4 days of gloomy all day weather & I start getting lethargic. I planted a cauldron planter with the cutest orange pansies you ever wanted to see-I'll take a pic in the next few days and share it with you. Luckily I did this before the rains hit!
   I've been getting into the Cowgirl lifestyle these past several months,tho my taste in music hasn't wandered into country music. Instead,I discovered Gypsy violin music and have fallen in love with it. I'm learning my A minor scale as we speak,so I can learn my 1st gypsy tune.Oddly enough,I remember as a grade school girl wanting to join a gypsy caravan as a fortune teller in traditional gypsy garb & jewelry. I also won a Glasser bow for a wheel of a deal on an online auction. Breaking it in is going to be tricky as I'm having a time getting the rosin to stick to the bow hair.
Seeing as Halloween is drawing near,I thought I'd share with you a secret:most of my tools I craft with such as knitting needles,crochet hooks,fabric,and sewing notions come from the dearly departed. That's right. It happens when you go to estate sales. Some are freely given,too-I've had knitting needles thrust in my hands more than once with the seller of the goods telling me to just take them for free to get them out of the house. Did they catch the ghost of their loved one attempting to knit? Did they hear the footsteps & clicking of the aluminum needles in the other room? Did they spy a ball of yarn rolling across the floor by itself? If they did they're not telling.
   Which brings me to musical instruments. (I see your eyebrows raising already) Has anyone ever owned a haunted fiddle,guitar,or banjo? Have you ever sensed a presence from a particular instrument,as tho it had a spirit of it's very own? Has anyone ever purchased an instrument from an estate and once you got it home,oddball unexplainable things start happening around the house? I would imagine this must happen every once in awhile but have never heard a tale about it.
On the storefront I have rosin coming in so I can offer that as well as nylon guitar strings. Gift packages are also being assembled for Yule that will involve no wrapping. How cool is that? And I'm knitting neckwarmers & will more than likely post one or two to sell. Perfect for fretted instrument players as you never have to worry about it sliding off your neck or getting in the way. Makes me feel productive while watching TV at night,and football on the weekend.

Holiday Crafting,Music Making, & Other Delights!

2010-10-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

     I rarely brag on my own creations but isn't that ghost pin the cutest? Yep-I made that myself & it's up for sale in my Etsy store!
   I haven't written sooner due to the Universe shaking things up in a good way,and as Joseph Campbell once put it,there's been "a million unseen hands" working on the next chapter of my Dads & my life.
   It started on one of those days where nothing much was happening till the doorbell rang. There's a pair of women realtors who stop by every 12-16 months or so & this was their day to ask the same question they've been asking since I believe 2005......"why haven't you moved yet????" Dad & I usually voice our usual story,being discontent with the neghborhood,etc etc to them every time they come around. Well this time Dad told them of his plans to add on & fix up the place we're in now,tho we still feel the same about the area we live in. "Well,"one of the women said,"you can make this place as nice as you like but you'll still be in the same city." Something in her tone really hit a deep resonating note inside me. She was right and we both knew it. "Why don't you check out some properties online in that area you've been wanting to move to?" She suggested. Hmmm. Curiousity up,I went to the site she recommended and figured it wouldn't hurt to look,but of course we're not even thinking about actually doing the deed.
   Until I spied this one property-one workshop and one modern barn. On several acres of land. Neighbors are somewhat close but not on top of you like they are here. House is newer than I prefer,but nice.Fireplace,house is bigger than what we're in now,a raised vegatable garden,and I could have chickens here just like my great grandmother did in Manhattan Beach way before I was born. I showed it to Dad. He fell in love with the buildings. So did I. I could have a fiddle workshop out there & rehair bows. Dad could do his projects he's been wanting to do,and not have to worry about the cats getting into it.
Next thing I know he's chatting with the woman handling the property. Next thing I know he's making out the paperwork & getting the $$ together to purchase the place after we discussed it & decided it's now or never. We'll find out for sure in early November.
      I never understood what Sarah Ban Breathnach experienced when she found her dream home called "Newtons Chapel" in the UK. She talks about just falling in love with the place and going for it. Until I saw this property. It just swept me off my feet. And the view is magnificent. I'll keep you all posted and my fingers are crossed.

In the meantime I've started putting together these gift sets for my eBay store. I designed the hanging gift bag myself and it's fully lined. No wrapping to do,just buy it and tah dah! Im using vintage buttons for that Old Fashioned Holiday feel,and it makes each one truly unique!

   And the universe has been helping in a huge way with Sassy,(on the left) who I found out after a rather expensive visit to the vet has dermatitis-rather severe & due to her allergy to fleas. The steroid shot she had received in July (which worked magnificently) had wore off & it was starting all over again-the constant scratching,biting,and she was just starting to go back to the rolling off balance as the itching was so severe. I looked up feline dermatitis on the web,found out what natural methods there were to control it,& found a wonderful liquid remedy at Dr Fosters-Smith that I mix in either a small amount of Prego spaghetti sauce or in any other sauce that's leftover when I make chicken for dinner.
   I kid you not,just a 1/2 tsp in the Prego and the next day I could tell a difference-she wasn't in constant motion and the tell tale tiny bumps at the base of her tail are receding.She's been sleeping peacefully and it's cut down on her hairballs as she's no longer constantly grooming. This formula was under $11.00!

Better Business Bureau Likes Mandolin Babe's!

2010-09-28T12:25:00.000-07:00

     Sometimes the Universe hands you an unexpected gift you hadn't even thought of asking about. In my case,it was a phone call last week from the BBB. I thought it was a phishing scam at first,so after screening the message,I looked the phone # up on a reverse directory. Sure enough,it was a legit call. I called back,a little hesitant and curious as to what on earth made them call me.
   The BBB rep was kind,professional,and had a surprising bit of news-"did you know people have been contacting us asking about your company?" In truth,I hadn't. In fact,I had shut down some ad deals I had going because orders just weren't increasing & funds were getting tight. So this bit of news came as a pleasant shock.
So I joined up,and the rep further informed me "you have no complaints against you! Do you know how rare that is?" For that.I have an excellent rating with the BBB! I just wish I could place the badge on my Etsy store,but alas,they don't allow HTML.
   Yesterday was a record breaking day temprature wise. In all the years I've had my cats,this was the first time I could see it was having a slight effect on Lightning. This was with having all the curtains drawn & fans running,aimed at the cats. Today,I'm grateful for mostly cloudy skies & much cooler temps.
   I'm pleased to announce my handcrafted Strap Pals™ have been selling well! I've sold 3 this week. Very pleased about that. Hoping the wave continues.

Fiddling,Customizing,& Accessorizing!

2010-09-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

      Seeing as I now can grow orchids,my Dad picked one up for me from Lowes in gorgeous white! Watering from the bottom has made all the difference in the world.
   Things are picking up in the store,I completed the bottom panels of my curtains mentioned earlier-now I'm just waiting for the eyelet to arrive so I can add that as a decorative trim & make the valance at the top for it. Pics forthcoming after I get it all done. Uncluttering continues as I have 12 auctions running of things I don't use/need/want anymore. Took advantage of eBays 10¢ listing fee special & hope it brings me more space.
   The purple fiddle has been restrung-however,the chunky high set chin rest made it impossible for me to hold it proper to free my left hand. I thought at first the fiddle was perhaps too big,but luckily I have a couple of spare chinrests and one of them has made it possible for me (along with the shoulder rest that came with it) to finally hold it the right way. As this current chin rest is still uncomfy, I have purchased an ergomatic model that lies very flat. Should arrive next week.
   For whatever reason I've gotten an interest in Cowgirl things and the Civil War era. Tho I make an odd sort of Cowgirl....not into "country western" music but I do love old time tunes,Irish music,blues,and classical. Perhaps I'm more of an antique Cowgirl as opposed to a modern one. So I got myself a Union army belt buckle (repro) and a Irish Battalion patch for my mandolin gig bag. I've basted the patch on & will have it all sewn on before Monday. Weird thing is I just don't care for the more girly looking belt buckles that are "cowgirl style" I like the Union army one as it feels more authentically "western style" to me. Go figure-past life recall,maybe?
   Biz wise I cut back on advertising that simply wasn't working for me so I can funnel the funds into more productive avenues. Hoping the string shipment arrives today. Considering closing the Prostore as it simply hasn't done me any good at all. That would be more savings for other directions. I was going to have a printed ad run in a magazine for the holiday season but they seem so flaky in adhering to deadlines that I'm afraid any holiday ad will come out in Jan. & that wouldn't be very helpful.
   The Etsy team I started is doing well-members have joined the group page and exchanging of flyers has begun. Hoping sales increase for everyone on the team. I also started knitting in the NFL pre season & am focusing on neck warmers instead of scarves as I think they work better for musicians-you don't have to worry about a neck warmer working it's way off you as you move your neck,and no scarf ends to get in the way of fingerboards,etc. I need to post my fingerless gloves & arm warmers as well. I'm wondering how cold this winter will be seeing as Summer has been very mild-only 2 hot weeks this year to date (no complaints from me!) In addition there's a legwarmer pattern I purchased last year that buttons up (another way to use up my vintage button collection!) that I want to try-of course I'll be redoing the pattern to fit my legs,but the 1st pair will be as the pattern says to do it so I can see how much tailoring I need to do.
And along going green lines after seeing some sort of documentary on bottled water & how much it isn't tested & all the bad stuff in it has been documented,including trace amounts of arsenic,(oh lovely) I picked up one of those Brita Pitchers at my local Costco. I wish California would ban the sale of bottled water the way Colorado has. Scary knowing how much pollution the plastic bottles have caused. Did you know those little plastic bottles are only recycled if the caps are not on the bottle? It's true.
Fiddle fixin tip of the day-for slippery tuning pegs that just won't stay put,try using a small amount of shavings from a bar of Lava soap. The purple fiddle has a super slick E tuning peg that was gonna drive me nuts. I had read this tip in a beginners book I have & gave it a try-and it worked! I used the curved end of a small bobby pin to get the shavings-then I put my finger in the shavings & placed it on the shiny part of the peg-has to do it twice but it does work.

Mandolin Babe's Becomes a Black Diamond Dealer

2010-09-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

As in Black Diamond Strings! The company has been around since 1892 and meets all my requirements: the strings are made in the USA ,has a wonderful reputation,and there is no minimum wholesale order amount. I have an account with another manufacturer,but their min order was nearly $300,and that's something that's out of range right now. Black diamond also owns "Super-sensitive String" products which makes fiddle accessories & strings as well,so now I have accomplished my goal of finding a string supplier for banjo,mandolin,guitar & fiddle in addition to being able to supply rosin and accessories. I'm hoping to place my 1st order on Monday. I was directed toward sthis company when I received a purple fiddle I had won in an online auction. Inside was a box of fiddle rosin from this company,so I made an inquiry, and Tah dah!
   The pic you see above shows one of my hand knit rosin bags with the rosin I'll be carrying soon in my store. I made the pattern for the bag myself & have made another bag in olive green,and am currently knitting one in white. I use vintage buttons for that decorative finishing touch. I'm hoping to draw fiddlers that want more attractive accessories instead of the mass produced "survivalist" looking items they've been making due with (till now!)
     The Etsy team I formed is gaining members,which is wonderful. Hoping business for all of us on the team starts growing thru a team effort.
      I do need ladies to join my "Song & Season Spinnin Farmgirl Chapter" This is an online group,so location is not important. If you're an organic livin,nature lovin,traditional musician who honors the earth and all her wonders & wants to join up,please leave a comment on this post. This is a "Mary Janes Farm" Farmgirl group.

Happy Labor Day!

2010-09-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

That ironing board you see has a earth friendly new cover-made by yours truly. I had aquired it many years ago from a man who was selling his wife's sewing tools (she had passed on). The original cover was so old it tore with no effort at all-it's so old the board is actually made of wood! So I added a layer of batting,my "save the planet" fabric,and Tah-dah!
I apologize for my absence-the part time job at the college turned full time for a week as it always does-the beginning of Fall semester is the most hectic of the year. But having to earn one's bread doing something you don't like only gives you more incentive to work harder doing what you feel you're meant to do. So this holiday weekend I've been busy at the sewing machine making more fiddle accessories. Today I may actually make those bedroom curtains I've had on my mind since last year in addition to more fiddle bow "bed-rolls" as I like to call them. They look like this:

This was born of necessity-I recently won a full size fiddle (in purple!) with the case,bow, & rosin for a mere $10.49. (plus shipping made it $27 something plus investing in new strings) At any rate,the case will not permit me to really loosen the bow hair as one must when you're not playing-if I did so it wouldn't fit in the case. So this idea got put into my head and I made a pattern. I have it up in my eBay store at the moment.
And as far as the rosin bags go,I made one using the same southwestern flair flannel:

I have one in my eBay store & the other in my Etsy shop. Had to add the vintage button for a little extra snazzi-ness. (Plus it helps me move my button collection out the door)
I've also come to the realization that one can only play so many instruments & play them well. While I will continue to noodle with uke & my 6 string banjo,I've decided my main focus of musical pursuit will be mandolin & fiddle-for their tone,versatility in music,and thier size & portability. When you're petite,it's a royal pain trying to lug a guitar around. The mandolin and fiddle are a breeze to carry.
Other exciting personal news: I got the urge last week,for whatever reason,to look at copies of my Great Grandfathers birth certificate and other documents dating back to 1875. These had been stuffed away in one of those flexible file folders for a few years. My Dad had passed them to me,and at the time,I just couldn't focus on it. Well,at any rate,I discovered that my fiddle playing Great Grandfather was part Scottish. Another relative also has Scottish roots. Clan names of Little and McCown are on these documents. It appears my Moms side of the family settled in Texas coming from North Carolina,Missouri & Alabama. So I'm part Irish,Welsh,and Scottish as far as European influences go. No wonder I loved the UK so much from earliest memory,and King Arthur was among my favorite books to read!

Following Etsy's Lead,Introducing a Product Line,Getting Licensed!

2010-08-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

    It's been a busy and somewhat unsettling month-nothing horrible,nothing catastrophic,but unsettling all the same. Mandolin Babe's is now an officially licensed as a business in the city of Gardena. This drama started unfolding right around Yule of '09 when an outside agency hired by the city started sending me letters wanting information-at first I wondered if I was being phished for info. Finally a call to the city after receiving a bill for nearly $500 and a visit to the Community services dept cleared things up. Quite simply,once you have a resale permit,you are considered a business. I experimented until the fall of '09 when I got Mandolin Babe's going.
    Until then,it was try selling this,that, & the other and it all failed. Thankfully,as I couldn't afford the hefty bill,the fellow in charge cut it in half. I wondered as I came home while I was grateful for the reduction in fees,why wasn't I more joyful about this important step? The answer came this morning as I was reading a book: because in doing so I made a commitment. A commitment to my life's direction as far as creating a living goes. No more dabbling,no more getting distracted,no more wondering if I should be doing something else. At the same time,it is a blessing from the Universe: a sign that this is what I should be doing....a validation. I passed go,I collected my $200,so to speak. I got the green light. Of course,when the orders are slow in coming,I start to worry:what if I made a mistake? what happens if I end up shutting it all down? What happens if I fail? Just having arrived in the "past mid 40's stage" of life,I fear I need to find something that works,that guarantees success. Yet there's a still voice within me that tells me everything will be ok,be patient.
     In the meantime,I read an article on Etsy on starting one's own product line. It so happens that I've made more accessories for fiddle than anything other instrument to date. The ideas fall from the heavens into my head. Then they come out thru my hands & sewing machine. So I followed an idea I had months ago & started making fiddle chin rest covers.

   The one above (and off center as far as the pic goes-couldn't figure how to center it) is the first one I made for myself. I thought them silly until the humidity & heat hit this month & I didn't want to be sweating all over my rosewood chin rest. I wound up making the next few longer in length,and have posted one in my Etsy store and one in the eBay store. At any rate,I followed Etsy's advice and started the "FiddleBelle" line of fiddle accessories. We'll see how it fares. I've made rosin bags,Fiddle Flyers,now the chin rest covers,and rosin/cleaning cloths so far & who knows what could be next. Here's a pic of the one I have presently on eBay:

I'm also making holiday ones,and have decided to focus on the sharkfin style of chinrest. Easier to fit,and I have a couple to test fit on. Here's one I made for myself using a scrap piece of Fall fabric I simply adored:

Don't mind the print in the pic-I also made myself a Holly one for Yule. A Santa one will be forthcoming.

A new way to unclutter!

2010-08-03T20:54:00.001-07:00

I like this approach as it gives you instant room-and with the "out of sight out of mind" approach,you're only going to think about an object if you need it. The stuff you don't need or want is already packed up & ready to donate,sell,etc. Why didn't I think of this?

Amplify’d from zenhabits.net

tuff. Clearing away obligations. Deleting old emails.

If you’re having trouble deciding when to hold on to something and when to let it go, try doing things backward. Learn to add responsibly instead of subtracting.

I call it the clean-slate approach to simplifying. Here’s how it works, in three steps.

Step one: Take all the clutter you’re facing, useful or not, and put it away. All of it. Put the pile of clothes in a box; put the old emails in a hidden folder. Now you have a “clean slate” to work with, but you don’t have to throw anything away. Yet.

Step two: Go about your business as usual. As you discover a genuine need for something (genuine being the operative word), take it out of storage with a clear conscience. No more agonizing over what to keep. Life will show exactly which things you actually need, and which things you only thought you needed.

Step three: When you’re ready, sell, donate, or throw away the stuff in storage. It’s easier now, since you’ve had weeks or months to overcome your attachment to it.

And here’s a bonus: if you develop the discipline to only put stuff back in your life when you absolutely, positively need it, you’ll find it easier to keep from buying, collecting, or accumulating unnecessary stuff in the first place.

4 Ways to Simplify with the Clean Slate Method

How can you put this method to use? Here are a few ideas:

2. Pare Down Your Library: Clear off your bookshelves and put all the books in a box. Now you have empty shelves to work with.

If you discover you need a book to read or reference, pull it out of the box and put it back on the shelf. Books that you need and love will naturally come back into your life; books that were just nice to look at or think about reading will stay out of your way. This also works well with DVDs, CDs, or cassette tapes, if you have them.

Eventually, you may feel ready to donate or sell that box of old books entirely.

4. Simplify Your Closet: Take all your clothes and put them aside. Most items can go in a box or a drawer. If you’re worried about your nicer garments, just push them to one side of the bar or use a placeholder hanger to divide your “storage” section from your “useful” section.

After a while, you’ll develop a cycle or routine of clothing that shows you exactly which clothes you actually need, and which clothes are just closet eye candy.

Setting a Purge Deadline

To really make the clean slate method work for you, it’s helpful to set a purge deadline. This deadline is how long you allow yourself to keep all your old stuff in storage before you get rid of it for good.

When you set the deadline is up to you. You might decide to eliminate anything you haven’t found a need for within 60 days, or 90 days, or a month. Whatever your number is, it’s a good idea to commit to it in advance, so there’s no second-guessing yourself later on.

The clean-slate method is just one way to simplify your life and your stuff, but it’s worked very well for me. If you find it difficult to simplify the “normal” way, give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Read more at zenhabits.net

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/8bh1

2010-08-02T08:51:00.001-07:00

cooking breakfast-fried potatoes,turkey bacon,& eggs in my fave cast iron skillet- with hot buttered toast....love to hear the skillet sputter & sing. http://amplify.com/u/89j6

It's Lammas!

2010-08-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

My favorite time of the year has arrived....starting today,we have Lammas,the first of 3 harvest festivals. Autumn is near,veggies are harvested,magazines abound with fall & Halloween decor. Soon I'll be burning pumpkin & candy corn scented candles & loving the color orange. Tho this is the first time in many years I actually am kinda bummed at the near end of summer. It's been a mellow one here at the cottage so far,and it's been relaxing for the most part. I gotta find those mini pumpkin seeds & plant them.
My birthday is also this month and as an early gift,my Father got me a baritone uke! I'd been wanting one for quite awhile,and I absolutely love it. Very mellow tone,sweet,soft,great for medieval & ren tunes as well as Irish.

It's a Savannah brand. I'm getting a strap for it too,from Uke Star Straps!
Other things going on are the forming of an Etsy team for those of us who make musical instrument accessories or instruments,and realising I need to work on my prostores & do some needed tweaking there. I also joined Amplify to work my social networking in a more in depth way as well as being more efficient. Oh! I'm moving some of my musical interest pages to Squidoo. I even started a baritone ukulele page and I need to tweak the soprano uke one I have there. I'm probably moving the banjitar page there as well,but am keeping this blog right where it is.

Opened Etsy Store for Handcrafted Wares!

2010-07-26T07:20:00.000-07:00

For whatever reason,the Gigulele Bags & Strap Pals™,fiddle cloths,fiddle flyers,& pick pouches I make just don't move on eBay. I have no idea why,I sell the uke gig bags fine in person,but put em on eBay & I get lookers & nothing else. What to do? I decided to place them in a handcrafted friendly environment on Etsy & see how it goes. I'll be placing the embellished violin tailpieces there too,in addition to hair bands. Here's an environmental/go green soprano Gigulele Bag™ I have up on Etsy as of this writing:

If any of my readers are interested,please click on the Etsy widget I placed to the left side of the page,or visit my Etsy store where you'll see more ukulele gigbags made with Hawaiian prints,froggies,and more! They are lightly padded,and while not of the caliber you'd use to throw in the cargo hold of a jet,they are simply divine for taking around town,to a jam,to a lesson,music fests,and so on.

Introducing: The Gigulele Bag! ™

2010-07-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

A co-worker recently asked if I would make a gig bag for her soprano ukulele- a pineapple one. First I tested one of the ones I was making with side handles. Thankfully,it fit! Then came out of nowhere a request. "Can you make it where I can carry it over my shoulder like a purse and perhaps put a drawstring closure at the top?" Hmmmm. I told her what I could come up with,but a drawstring closure was out of the question as it wouldn't work with batting. And it had to be Hawaiian print. Luckily,I had purchased a yard for a sweet deal online. It's not my fave pattern fabric,and I realised I had placed my personal taste ahead of the customers wants. As ukuleles are seen to be hawaiian,of course it should be in the coordinating print gig bag! So when I got home,I worked with my usual pattern & I had a thought-make it to where the uke goes in head first & place a strip of velcro across the top. It worked! She loved it so much the uke now stays in it's gig bag and she doesn't play it at all. (Something wrong with that picture) Well,thanks to her this is the new standard design and I had come up with a name for my gig bags but didn't want to use it till I got domain names for it. I call them "Gigulele bags". Rightdown catchy,isn't it? I also made this one:

Both will be up for bid in my ebay store this evening. And I have more planned.
I got an early b-day gift-a baritone ukulele! Went to a local store that was running a BIN on ebay. Dad prudently wanted me to play it first-good thing I did cause I didn't find the Lauren too hot or high quality. I got the floor model Savannah BU-200 at a discount because of "shop wear" ie little dings & scratches from being sampled by prospective buyers. Here tis:

She's a beauty,and all for $50. Sounds great tho I need strings for it-I didn't realise the ones on there are as old as the hills-the lighting in this little store was by no means grand. Has great sustain and a very sweet sound. Good volume,action & feel. Been playing ren tunes,Irish music,Yule carols,and the next project will be TJB tunes. (for those of you younger than 40 that stands for The Tijuana Brass. Loved em as a kid & had no idea their videos are on Utube. I didn't know there was any videos of them at all!) Hopefully I'll have 2 of their songbooks by the end of the week.
New books will be coming into the store soon-baritone uke & dulcimer books. Tinwhistles continue to be a hottie.

Freaky Mist,July Shower,and Redesigned Uke Gig Bag

2010-07-12T08:13:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday we had increasing clouds-the type of clouds I would see gathering when I lived in TX many years ago which always meant a sudden strong shower. Well guess what-we had a sudden shower that lasted for about 15 min or so. I was watching my every Saturday "Celebrity Ghost Stories" and when I looked outside I saw this low lying mist rising from our street. I went outside & it was the entire street with this low lying,wandering,floating mist. So I grabbed my camera & started shooting. (One bright neighbor thought it was from a neighbors bar b que)

It was delightfully mysterious in appearance and danced with the slightest breeze. How ghosty is that??

   Aside from freaky weather patterns,at the suggestion of a co-worker & ukulele player,I redesigned my ukulele gig bag pattern and it's turned out to be much better. Less pieces to cut out,you carry it over your shoulder,and it has a good strong velcro closure. And I've given in to Hawaiian prints. Personally I don't care for them, but this woman insisted it had to be "that print" and I'm wondering if that's why I hadn't been able to sell any except to her.
My orchid continues to thrive and I'm getting the "Orchids for Dummies" book. So far so good. Another huge help has been on Twitter I'm following @OrchidCareLady and she's offered great watering advice. I think I was drowning my orchids I had before & didn't know you water em early in the day so they can dry out.
   I'm also lending encouragement to @ukestarstraps on Twitter as she makes the most groovin ukulele straps you ever wanted to see. She's a little shy on Twitter,but does perform here & there with a Ukulele group.
   Speaking of ukes,I'm hoping to get a baritone for my upcoming b-day. Being a guitarist since I was 11,I figure I know how to play one already. I'm ok on soprano but it requires effort on my part to do well melody wise tho I've memorized a lot of chords.

Thank You's Mean So Much....

2010-07-04T08:22:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I work a part time job at a college. Every so often I get to play receptionist/help desk sort of thing. A student had called in the morning,and I did what I could to help her out on the phone. She asks me if I ever shop at Costco & tells me she's bringing me flowers. I tell her she doesn't need to do that,I'm just "doin my job" and she insists. I'm imagining a cute cut bouquet. She arrives an hour later with this drop dead gorgeous orchid plant! It's over 2 ft in height,planted in a narrow tall ceramic pot. (and in my fave color!)

While I simply work the part time gig to support the budding biz & pay for my own medical insurance,it is for the most part a pretty thankless place to work. Only time you get attention as a cashier is when you don't balance,and when you balance 99.9% of the time not a word is said. But that's not why I'm writing this entry.

I can't tell you how good receiving this gift made me feel. To know someone out there appreciates the good you do,that you made a positive change in their lives,is just awesome. It's why we're here on this planet at this time. To help & nurture others in our own unique way. To connect with each other in the great "web of lights" & keep the light show going & make it brighter! And if you've ever been in a really dark place in your life & emerged back into the sunlight,you're even better equipped to help those who are in their own "dark spot" because you've been there & have a good idea of what it's like.

Personal project wise,I obtained a 6 string concert uke in an online auction for $5.00 as it was labeled as a miniature guitar. I need to get a saddle for it-but have the strings on & hoping it'll sound decent when it's done. Unusual that it has a tailpiece. No brand name or anything like that.

I'm back to making ukulele gig bags to sell again and am going to be changing the design a bit-I'm going to be including a loop in the back so you can hang the bag on the wall with the ukulele inside. That idea occured to me yesterday as I'm making a custom order for a woman using a surfer/Hawaiian print. In the meantime I'm keeping one I had made previously for me as my old Hilo needs a bag. It's got comical kitties on the fabric. I also made a pattern for the concert size uke & need to make one to see how it turns out.

Fiddle playing wise I picked it up after about a week of now sawing and was pleased that I can now play "Mary Had a Lil Lamb" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star",making it not only recognizable but meaning I've learned my D & A scale. (DNA scale?) *laughs* Not that I'll get any requests for those hot tunes,but it does mean I'm progressing. And that's what counts.

Happy 4th-Take Liberties This Weekend!

2010-06-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

In a good way, of course!
Start learning that song you've been meaning to work on or take up re-learning that instrument you've been wanting to play but putting off cause "duty is calling". Our ancestors & founding Fathers & Mothers sacrificed an awful lot just so we can sit on our behinds & surf the web & Tweet. Perhaps you've been wanting to start knitting a project or finish sewing that garment you started months ago. Well guess what-it's time to start taking liberties & get to it!
      I've been expanding the stock at Mandolin Babe's & have added some flatpicking books,basic mando books,and have gotten more children's books in for banjo,mandolin,& fiddle. I still need to make a pattern for a banjo cradle strap (should I make that my liberty this weekend??) and I've made a gig bag pattern for a concert size ukulele.
   Reading wise I'm into "The Handmade Marketplace: How to sell crafts locally,globally, & Online" by Kari Chapin. One of the best books on the topic I've read so far. She really gets into the details in an easy way that doesn't make you feel weighed down. I got the book as what handcrafted items I sell gets accolades from who ever buys them,but the prob is they sell so slowly. I want to find out what it is that I need to improve on in the promotion dept.!
     Wanting to wish all my readers a warm,safe,& Happy 4th. Celebrate!

A Rose By Any Other Name....

2010-06-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

      This rose really surprised me. I picked up 4 bare root roses at my local Big Lots,who had discounted them an additional $ just to move them out. The bag showed a deep red,but this is just absolutely delightful. I've never seen a rose this color,and all for $2 something!
   I've started up the 6 string Banjo Blog again-tho I have an itching to get a banjolin or a tenor banjo,I keep getting outbid on any that I'm eyeballing,& I'm gettin the clue to stick with what I have. So I've been playing the 6 string and it's great because now I feel like my guitar playing skills aren't going to waste. I should write a book on tips for beginners for it.
      Summer has finally arrived at the cottage-not too sure I'm happy with the heat aspect of it-I love the flowers blooming,seeing the carpenter bees,honey bees & dragonflies but if we could just turn the temp down 8 degrees or so it'd be perfect!
      I've been winning more antique musician photos for the store. At wonderful prices. I'm still tweaking the Prostore that I now have. It takes a lot of effort,but it's a gorgeous storefront.

Here's my latest "for me" project:a violin case for my fiddle. Needs a lot of work,but what a win at $9.99 + shipping! Found out thru an antique dealer on Twitter, @OldMotherRiley, that it's a good bet it's 19th century. Made in England. Here's a pic of the inside that I need to redo:

It'll fit my 7/8 very nice & snug when I'm done. Want to put a little compartment for rosin & a cleaning cloth in as well.

More Tailpieces,Banjitar,and Junkin!

2010-06-07T14:58:00.000-07:00

That adorable hand carved moon face is on a 16 1/2" viola tailpiece I have up for bid in the store,in addition to 2 other viola tailpieces I embellished. I have contacted my supplier for more fiddle tailpieces,and I have some beautiful cabachons to add to those.
I re-rediscovered my banjitar after joining the banjo players hangout-I've been picking Irish tunes on it at night & just plain enjoying myself!
    The fiddle is going to be practiced on again now that I'm mostly over making myself sore under my chin while I was working with my new shoulder rest and switching chin rests-trying to adjust & see what was right for me so was no longer supporting the fiddle with m left hand. Aggravated a gland or something but it's nearly gone now. I've really missed not fiddling! Mandolin needs plunking on & so does my ukulele.
I'm awaiting my antique fiddle case that I got from a seller who was taken nearly 3 weeks to ship it. I reported him to the site,then he gives me a tracking #. Hoping the case is worth the wait. It'll be a relief to have the fiddle in a case,safe from the cats & dust.
    Went to the semi annual neighborhood yard sale extravaganza last Sat & got 2 small frames-on for a pic of Dad & I,and one for an antique hand tinted pic of a fireman fiddler I have. Other prizes were sewing notions,a bag of buttons,2 Oscar De La Renta scarves,one paisley scarf,a harp CD by Carol Thompson,a fall sign for the kitchen,and 2 pairs of sterling silver earrings-one having quartz crystal points. I made sure whatever got I would have a use for-I don't want to start cluttering up the house again with items because they were a steal or cute. My unloading of previously gained goods is working-people are bidding on my stuff and helping me clear out more clutter.
     The store will be having an increase in selection of Mel Bay books once the latest shipment arrives-will see if it comes today *crosses fingers* I ordered banjo,fiddle,mando,and guitar books. Trying to cut the drop shipping way down as I like packing the items myself and givng away a business card magnet. Plus it does help to be able to thumb thru the books if I get asked something.

Playin Ren tunes & Other Creations

2010-05-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

I've been noodling a lot with mandolin since my music reading skills are improving,(well mandolin/fiddle as they read the same) and decided to start checking out some of the books I have in the store-Online descriptions only tell me so much,and seeing as I've always loved Ren & Medieval music,I ordered a copy of the book you see above for a review.
In short,I've fallen in love with the book! It's spiral bound for one,so it lays flat on it's own-perfect for my ottoman/music stand when I'm playing mando in my rocking chair. The music is printed in a decent easy to read size,and the tunes are simple and magnificent. Each one has that "Ren Sound"! I'm addicted to the book. Once I have the basic melody memorized,I can easy add a 5th,an octave,a chord to fancy it up if I wish. Chords are given if anyone wants to merely supply rhythm. A lot of the tunes are short.there are long ones,but I like the selection of little tunes as it's easier to memorize. Hardest thing is picking a tune to start memorizing-they all have sounded good so far! You can find it in my store at Mandolin Babe's Pickin' Parlour

If that wasn't enough,I've come across a good supplier of violin tailpieces that I can embellish. I did this one with an onyx cabochon & beads. It really turned out well.and I'll be working on more-including viola tailpieces. Bothers me terribly that hardly anything is done to customize fiddles as they sound so pretty. Everyone loves a distinctive looking instrument,and it doesn't have to be an expensive thing to accomplish. Plus it gives me a chance to start using up items I've had for longer than I care to say. Hit the link above and you'll see this beauty is up for bid. Yes,I'm still simplifying my life by getting rid of extras,tho some of these items are being a little stubborn in leaving. (ie no bids yet!)
Do stop in the store if you haven't visited lately............

Summers on it's Way!

2010-05-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

And I'm finding myself enjoying the light half of the year more & more as I get older. Another amyrillis makes a beautiful display in the backyard-this is one of my favorites-gotta love the multi hues in the blossom! We had a good steady drizzle on Sunday night & on Monday for the first part of the day. Which means I need to get back outside & start weeding.

If you asked me what colors remind me of summer,I'd have to say the good ol red,white,& blue. The 4th of July was always a special time when I was in grade school thru jr high. Seeing the fireworks show at the local park,lighting sparklers,moms fried chicken,it was just a time for celebration. But as I don't have a flag pole and seeing as the house is supposed to get worked on this year,meaning there won't be one for this summer, I found this cute piece of decor at my local Michaels & used the 40% off coupon I printed up. I 've always loved the look of bunting,tho I've never used real bunting in my decor scheme. Something for next year,I suppose!
Last but not least-I opened a 2nd store due to a deal Prostores was having. So do visit the Mandolin Babe's Flagship Store
to see the new look with the wonderful looking cottage with the green door. I've linked it with the eBay store,which will continue to stay. Knowing how there seems to be just as many people who like eBay as don't,I figure I'd make both groups happy.

Photo Opportunities in the Yard!

2010-05-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

I'm learning the hard way to take my camera out with me in the yard because I never know what I'm going to see while I'm out there. Top one is of one of Dads cactus' that bloom once a year-the shade of pink is gorgeous!

And then there's these Amaryllis that are just the most beautiful red you ever saw-there's a metallic sparkle to the petals-reminds me of nail polish!

Then there was this little guy (or girl?) I found today while whacking away at weeds. Didn't want to it to get hurt,so I gently nudged it up onto my gardening glove & walked it to the petunia pot on the porch. It liked the glove,so I took it off gently & went & got my camera. I couldn't believe how long it sat there,and it started warming up it's wings gradually. Dad was able to go get his camera & snap shots as well-until it flew away. The detail on the body is amazing-like little beadwork!

And The Inspiration Keeps Flowing!

2010-05-04T08:16:00.001-07:00

I gotta say I never knew there was so many handcrafty things I could make for musicians-and fiddle accessories seem to be the biggest catagory I get ideas for. You're looking upon a flannel bag I made to hold rosin. (I used a bag I already had & made my own pattern using scrap pattern paper) The flannel is "re-purposed" as it used to be a pair of my PJs. Very new flannel tho-the sewing job was so poor on these well known brand pjs that after 3 repair jobs of re sewing seams I realised I'd be better off to just start making my own. So this pair,after being all freshly laundered & softened,went into my fabric bag where I completely forgot about it. Yesterday,I was questioning as to whether I could make the bags out of cotton,tho flannel is a traditionally used fabric for this. While I stuck my hand in the over flowing bag and was groping for what I could find,out came the pajamas like a rabbit out of a hat. I was delighted! I had totally forgot I even had them. Best of all the plaid is an applicable to either gender fabric,and it assembled so easily. You can see my listing for them here and it should show at the top of the page in the new item slide show. I'm doing my best to give folks a chance to get away from the cheesy cheap mass produced imported items and start buying handcrafted,folky,made in the USA instead.

April Showers,& Giveaways for Simplifying

2010-04-28T08:43:00.000-07:00

I'm still on course to simplify my life. And I'm amazed at how much stuff I've accumulated over the past several years. Things that I swore I'd fix up,use,or get into. Well,thanks in part to some of the Farmgirls who are also thinning out the excess,I've gotten back on track and am giving away patterns here & there to those who want them.
Also putting things up for bid that I never did anything with. A small restart,but it feels great. While I wouldn't say I'm a hoarder,I do have a tendency to be a packrat. (OMG am I mincing words??? *Giggles*) I've also discovered healthy new ways to make sure that anything else I bring home is something I'll want or use-this only works with online auctions but I thought I'd share here. I think the watchlist on any auction site is a wonderful gift. Why? Because it lets you look,look again,and question "do I really want/need that?" Shockingly enough for me,about 98% of the time it's a no,and I delete it off the list. A tiny percent of the time the item goes beyond what it's worth to me. And then there's the times I honestly forget about it & it's over. Which tells me I wasn't interested. This also enables me to get the item I really do want if I spy one. Things I've learned: don't get it just because it's going for waaay less than it's true value........unless you truly want it. Somehow I think this has become a way for a lot of us to feel like we have more than we do in these financially challenging times.
Showers & cool temps continue to bless the area. First time we've had an actual spring in years. Last year this time we were thrown into a terrible summer scorcher & I hid in the house as much as possible until the coolness of Fall came back.
Remember that space for a room to "breathe" in is indeed a valuable and cherished thing to have-so is being able to get to your closet in your bedroom without moving a single item out of the way. :-)

Ukulele Gigbags A Success!

2010-04-20T15:06:00.001-07:00

That's my personal ukulele gigbag you see there-I used a western themed fabric for the lining as well as a tribute to Grandma Ruthie who was an old time country singer & guitarist-who also played banjo-uke. I'm also making these in various colors & prints & you can see one up for bid here
It's exciting to finally have the pattern & know how to do this myself! I'm planning on making some with crazy quilt fronts,as well as Christmas ones-perfect for giving a gift uke in & using every year for caroling. Knowing me, I'll also make a Fall,Halloween,Yule, & Winter themed ones for myself. Fully padded,velcro closures,just wonderful & so much better than those cheesy black ones!
And-in the luthiery dept.,I finally got up the nerve to work on my own fiddle-I had done a BIN on ebay for a 7/8 fiddle (just under full size,also known as a "ladies violin") and it came with a blank bridge. Well,I invested in a precut or ready made bridge & put it on myself,restrung it and placed a different chinrest on it that suited me better than the one that came with it. It sounds wonderful & is easy to play. I was shocked I could do a "d" scale so readily as the neck is bigger than my 1st fiddle,a 3/4 size. I was playing "joy to the world" on it this morn using clothespins as a mute!
If that wasn't enough,I had also won a vintage Hilo uke that needed new tuners. I got em in the mail yesterday,placed new strings on it & it's the sweetest sounding uke I've ever played. Action is fantastic,nice slender neck,mother of pearl dot inlays,whoever got this new probably paid good money (for the time) for it. While it sports it's fair share of little dings & scratches,it's a gem.
Went to Michaels today as I printed a 20% off your entire purchase coupon & got batting & some notions for more gigbags. I love Michaels,but I really miss the old time "mom & pop" craft stores that used to be all over the south bay here. Each one was very unique and had it's own style. I really miss the old time fabric stores like "Cloth World" in which you could get lost in the vast array of fabric to be had. So now to the ironing board I go to make more wares to place up for bid!

Never let an opportunity get by ya!

2010-04-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

That is a crow I got a pic of sitting on top of the street light closest to our house. Now it took me sitting on the porch for a time sipping coffee for this photo op to happen!
I'd like to share something with you that's been on my mind the past few days about not letting an opportunity go or worse,pushing it away. A few months ago I was browsing online sits and I spied a very nicely handcrafted ukulele gigbag. Well made,adorable fabric,I really wanted these in my store. A look at this sellers booth had mandolin gig bags as well-very eye catching.
I wrote this individual introducing myself,telling her about Mandolin Babe's and how much I wanted to have her gig bags in my store,and asked her what would she wholesale them to me for. Well the response I got was paradoxical to say the least. After telling me she is a single parent & needing money for both her and her child,she went into fear mode. First,she was terrified I'd remove her "made by" tags. Then she was afraid I'd buy one & copy the pattern. Then she was afraid that she'd be losing business to me. In short,I was getting a mental picture of her clutching the item to her chest and saying "you can't have it but I need $$ for me & mine!"
I wrote again,telling her what a shame it was that here she is establishing a biz of her own and turning away potential avenues of income-which she stated she needed. I assured her I would not take the tags off nor copy the pattern. After all,she was going to save me a lot of time & effort by making them for me and all I needed to do was take a photo & resell them.
She wrote back,apologetic, but now there was a sudden crisis with a relative-she would get back to me shortly but this now needed all her attention. Well you guessed it-I never heard from her again.
Just this week I was wandering around online shopping again when I found the patterns for the instrument bags she was making-funny thing was I wasn't looking for any patterns-I was just wandering about. So I purchased them and upon receipt,will be making them myself to sell in my store.
But I feel sad for the opportunity that woman shoved away from herself with all her strength. She could have well wound up supplying other music stores too,and the much needed money would be coming in from more than one direction. She could've done craft faires & folk music festivals. But because she was so scared of losing something she wound up losing quite a bit anyway. The reason I'm writing about this is because I know a lot of readers out there are creative & sell their wares online. But should an opportunity like this come your way,don't be afraid that you're going to lose anything. Just set a fair wholesale price & a min order,if need be and watch the prosperity flow your way!

What's Mandolinbabe Knittin?

2010-03-20T16:08:00.000-07:00

Joanna wrote asking to see some of the armwarmers I've been knitting-the pair above I custom did for myself using sportweight yarn on a circular needle-sure keeps the chill of your wrists!

The next pair you see here are knitted using worsted weight yarn-purple camouflage yarn-I wear these when it's really chilly out.
Here's a work in progress-this pair will be up for sale when they're done-made with sock yarn that's a merino wool/nylon blend. Love the circular needle from knitpicks!

Unexpected Junkin!

2010-03-19T15:47:00.000-07:00

Who'd a thought that on a Wed afternoon one would find a big "Estate Sale" banner on a house? Not me-until running by one while doing errands with my Dad. It was later in the afternoon,they were closin up for the day but I did spy the mold you see in the pic above and I couldn't resist. So that was nabbed along with a pile of classical guitar books-some for me & some to sell,Dad found some Japanese art,and we came home. However-I spied a double boiler pan I wished I'd grabbed and Dad was regretting he didn't grab the 2nd piece of art that went with the 1st piece of Japanese art. We decided to go back this morning. I read the article in Mary Janes Farm mag on double boiler pans & really wanted it-so after a visit to an ATM,back we went. And I found more goodies like this cat bed (just the wicker basket-I added my cats bedding after a cleaning with Murphys oil soap) (See below)

Well thankfully they did have the double boiler pan set-it was still there- a Pyrex "Flamewear" set.
I just discovered you can do scrambled eggs in them! Even the handles are glass.
Other little goodies I picked up were a glass butter dish and a totes umbrella so I have a rainy day and summer heat umbrella. Dad did get the other piece of Japanese art-it's a mask set mounted on wood. Makes me realise how much I miss not gettin out there & bargain hunting.

Plane to see

2010-03-14T09:25:00.000-07:00

One of my Dads friends who I've talked to on occasion but had yet to see in person finally had a free morning so we all set up a meeting place at an airline history museum near LAX. It's a fun place that make me with I could've been taking trips in the 30's & 40's-the stewardess uniforms looked classier,you got a real meal on your flight,and everything just seemed nicer. No hectic check ins,no worries about your flight having a bozo on board. I was born at the beginning of the jet age and missed the "golden era" of flight,tho I do miss not being able to take a trip on a DC-10 anymore. Don't ask me why,but they were my fave plane to fly on growing up. it made for an interesting end of the week.
My bargain violin arrived and the only bummer is I do need to take it in to be worked on-the seller wasn't exactly what I'd call "up front" a bridge came with it alright,but it's a blank,meaning a luthier needs to custom fit it to the instrument. A different chinrest came along with it too-the pic of the instrument showed one already on. My hopes of restringing & playing came to a halt there,but I have found a local luthier that will get it into playing shape. It's bigger than I thought it would be-amazing how an inch or so makes such a difference-I think this will be as big as I go. Glad I listened to my instincts & didn't go full size. So now I'm awaiting a new set of strings so I won't be charged for any materials & hopefully $30 will do it. Hoping to take it in next week sometime. But I have been humidifying the newest member of the family like crazy-amazing how fiddles are like plants-they need moisture!
The store will be in an article in an upcoming online magazine as it is a member of a co-op of farmgirls who have their own businesses. Looking forward to seeing it & sharing with you!

March comes in like a lion-sorta!

2010-03-10T08:30:00.001-08:00

We've had March rains and lately we're getting very heavy winds blustering their way thru the valley,causing some pretty sleepless nights as it whooshes against gates,knocks over cans & bric a brac,and then howls in delight! The photo at the top is of the apricot blossoms on my tree-we'll see how many are left after the winds & rain are done.
Other adventures this month have consisted of the Universe dropping what I'm wishing for in my lap-I've been hunting for either a 7/8 or 4/4 violin-unsure if I can handle the full size,I was watching auctions on different sites-and for the first few weeks it was discouraging-I'd see a beauty right in my price range till the auction closed in on it's ending-and then would shoot up to $200-$300 winning bid. However,I also knew that these instruments weren't for me. And I kept looking-remembering to be patient.
Well on eBay I spied a new 7/8 fiddle,never played, "new old stock" as they call it,up for a BIN of $30. I looked at it suspiciously-and hesitated-and after about an hour I realised the Universe was handing my a deal & here I am just going-"should I?" So I went ahead & got it tho I hadn't heard from the seller (I just emailed him with questions) I did hear from the seller & my fears were put to rest-the bridge was there with it tho not put on it,no cracks,and soundpost is in place. Huzzah!
I'm now bidding on an old case that needs fixin up as it doesn't come with one-If I win it,I'll be taking you on my journey of refurbishing that in a most Farmgirl way!

2010-03-02T09:05:00.000-08:00

Spring is in the air-despite my not seeing my first robin yet,I'm feeling the energies shift from the laid back,cozy up vibe of winter to the intense "get out there & do something!" of the coming season. So with the help of mother nature bringing rains to my area,I have been weeding out the flowerbeds (long overdue!) and planning the planting of annuals,pansies and petunias becoming fast favorites. Cosmos seeds have been planted in pots,and the daisies I purchased from the "last chance"discount rack at my local Lowes last autumn are making an effort to blossom. What amazes me with myself is how I initially have to really make myself go out into the garden to do anything-then once outside,even in weeding & doing the tasks often considered to be "not fun" I enjoy myself. My mind gets to wander while I do the task in front of me,as I ponder next steps for the store,creative projects I want to do,or mull over a chapter of a book I've read.
The apricot tree is blooming once more-no leaves as yet,but those beautiful little blossoms are telling me there will be another year of a booming harvest in early summer.
My fiddle playing is improving and I'm thinking I can handle a full size after all so I'm window shopping-and I just received a book on Irish tunes that is I think out of print-much bigger than I thought & loaded with new tunes to explore on mandolin as well as fiddle . I'm wanting to bring the front porch in order so I can sit outside & play on a delightful looking porch-right now it's messy,and I'm clearing out the junk that has gathered there over winter. I'm enjoying spring more & more each year!

Old Treasures & Fiddle Work Continues

2010-02-21T09:38:00.000-08:00

I spotted this on Ebay & couldn't resist! It's an old 8x10,and her name is/was Gina- it's written in pencil on the back. The seller was at an estate sale & picked it up-while I'm glad to have it,it saddens me for her living relatives that they'll never get to have this in their family. I'll be buying a frame with UV glass so the daylight doesn't do damage to the photo. I'm wondering what decade this was taken in. She sure has a pretty inlaid tailpiece on her fiddle-wonder where that went off to? She certainly looks spunky.
Speaking of fiddles,I worked on my project fiddle yesterday-my Dad showing me how to gently scrape the overly thick coating off the fingerboard. Here's what it looks like as of this moment:

I don't mind telling you this is messy work and I've already cut out pattern pieces for an apron-my 1st apron,which will be my "fiddle fixin" apron. I need to sand the white milky stuff off & have ordered a stencil or two for the widest point of the fingerboard. Good thing I did the scraping outside!
And yes,there will be a 2nd cookin apron on the way once the other one is done. Luckily,I have a simple pattern & lots of fabric.
The weather has held beautifully-very little rain,partly cloudy skies,and the birds are singing like crazy in the mornings. No robin spotting yet.

First Luthier Project Arrives!

2010-02-17T19:05:00.001-08:00

And isn't she a beauty? Another win from an auction site that has the $$ go to charity. This one came in a beautiful case-and obviously needs parts,which I'm shopping for now. I want to take the rest of the finish off the fingerboard-the natural wood looks much more beautiful than the overly thick "traditional" finish it's sporting now. And I won a how to repair violins DVD to boot so I'm waiting for that to arrive. This will be my "performance" fiddle. You wouldn't believe the size of the box it came in-it was so big & boxy I thought I was receiving the wrong item at first-it could've held a decent sized A/C unit it was so big-and I had to go thru a ton of styrofoam peanuts just to find it. Luckily for me,the sound post is in place. I've been treating it with a humidifier so the wood is nice & plump for when I start working on it. Needless to say,I'm anxious to hear what she sounds like.
It's feeling like spring-and the apricot tree in the back is beginning to bloom already-hoping I don't lose blossoms in the predicted rain for this Saturday. I haven't seen my first robin yet tho!
If that wasn't enough,I received my sample issue of "Fiddler Magazine" yesterday and it's wonderful-definately subscribing with the next issue-has article s for players & luthiers alike. SO I'm reading away,and continuing to study my mandolin & fiddle.

Makin Yo-Yos.....Becomes Fiddle Fashion!

2010-02-13T09:03:00.000-08:00

Honestly folks,I don't know where these ideas come from. It's like the Universe just plops em in my head,making sure I have the tools I need first-even if it means I buy sewing tools for no apparent reason!
For instance-last year I got a bee in my bonnet and simply had to have a set of circle templates. I had no idea what they were for aside from cutting circles out of fabric. Into the sewing box they went,and stayed there for months.
Some time later I got a copy of "Mary Jane's Stitching Room" on sale & was leafing thru when I spied the chapter on yo yo making. An "Ah-ha!" flashed thru my mind as I thought of those circle templates immediately.
I've been wanting to gussy up my fiddle-mandolinists,guitarists,banjo players,etc get to do that by using different colorful straps. Needless to say fiddlers don't use straps,and the only decorating that I could do in my opinion was on the headstock,on the scroll,and make sure there was nothing used that would scratch. So I came up with 2 different sizes for 3/4 size & under (in the picture above) and a larger size for those playing full size. I'm wondering if other "fiddle chicks" would want these on their fiddles,or am I just wierd?

Fiddlin,Superbowl and Sewing

2010-02-07T08:13:00.000-08:00

I always enjoy making items that are useful for musicians,& I'm acting today on an idea that cropped into my head last week sometime. Fiddlers always need to wipe the instrument & bow down after playing as the rosin dust that flies off the bow can damage the varnish of both if left to rest on the instrument. However,I've noticed my commercially made cloths are feelin very grungy and look boring & dirty. However,they're not machine washable. Where's the sense in that? So today before the Superbowl I'll cut out a template and sew some. I've got some lovely cotton prints that'll do the trick.
My fiddle is completely restrung and I have the luxury of having two different types of rosin. My fiddle library is growing as I absorb tips for beginners. I'm hoping the fixer upper I got off Goodwill Auctions comes tomorrow-she looks lovely in the pic and I can put my budding luthier skills to work,not to mention I'll have a decent case for the one I'm learning with now.
I'm for the Saints today-really hoping they'll win the game and have their 1st Superbowl win. Then I get to deal with my annual case of football withdrawl.......and remember what I do during the off season,then become grateful for all the seemingly extra time on weekends!

I've Become a Fiddler!

2010-01-31T18:10:00.000-08:00

Well,I'm actually following my "what I want to learn" list-and after refurbishing my fiddle,restringing it,and dippin the bow into rosin for the 1st time,I set about seeing what I sound like.
Honestly,for a beginner,not bad-not anywhere close to performance or recording level,but I was playing most of "Joy To The World" within 20 min of starting to play. I was tryin to get "Oh Those Britches Full of Stitches" to come out,(I play it frequently on mandolin) but that's a little beyond me right now.
So I'm working out of my "Fiddle for Ignoramous'" book and my bowing needs more working with. But that's ok. I'm really feeling accomplished that I took a $39 fiddle and made it come alive-a decent student model that some of my fellow Tweeters were having cows over.
Common beliefs are "if the fiddle is too cheap,it's bad news" If I was in a music store,I'd agree but the auction site I shop on has no idea most the time about what they've got. Or maybe they simply don't care & want the stuff gone.
I've fallen in love with refurbishing fiddles! I've already bid on another one-mainly I'm after the case for the one I'm playing now,but it happens to contain a fiddle needin some TLC & replacement parts. I've ordered a book or two on fiddle repair.
Playing wise I've ordered a mute so I can play at night or early in the morn-maybe in the kitchen as not to wake the family or annoy the cats.

Fiddlin Around the House-Literally!

2010-01-26T08:10:00.000-08:00

I've threatened to do this for years. Always loved the sound of violins and fiddles. My Dad was forced to play one in childhood-and promptly gave it up once he moved out on his own. My interest was started as a kid and I remember asking my mom once about learning to play one.
She was a wierd parent-she gave the classic reaction reserved for parents whose child asks for an electric guitar or announces they want to start a punk rock band. I was persuaded into playing acoustic guitar instead-which I also had an interest in and don't regret learning to play. Upon arriving into my 40's I decided I'd start picking up interests that were put off by over influencing others. (and I take my part of the blame in that) I had developed a hankering to learn mandolin in the 90's but my then hubby would have none of it. some years later after divorcing & arriving back home,I picked one up off ebay-a Kentucky. I didn't know they needed to be set up and due to fret buzzes & not being able to fix it,4 long years later for my bday I had it set up-and I'm playing!
But the interest in fiddle wouldn't leave,no matter how many times I told myself I couldn't keep aquiring instruments to learn-I had enough, $$ would be wiser spent somewhere else,etc. that little urging grew until this year I finally succumbed to the calling.
I came to realise that to live life you need to do as many things as you desire as you possibly can,as long as it doesn't harm anyone else,and you're physically able to do it. I didn't want to turn 80 & say "why didn't I do that?"
I went shopping on Goodwill auctions,and found this one-wound up paying $39 for it. Needs new strings and rosin.(which are in transit as I write) While waiting I decided to start cleaning it up & treating it to a good healthy fingerboard treatment and daily rounds of polishing-the polish having oils in it which the wood has been slowly drinking in-and the wood is looking slightly richer everyday.
I've also been pouring good vibes into it-and at the risk of sounding overly mystical I do believe the vibes you put into an object changes that object-blessing it in a sense.
They've proven this in the lab by having people concentrate and sending thoughts into water,the molecular structure of the water is changed permanently. Think about that-it's now scientifically proven that your projected thoughts do indeed affect things!
So with "How to play" books on the way,I patiently wait,tend the garden,and continue to nurture my new found friend.

Tin Whistle Cases & Lost Connections Found

2010-01-15T19:25:00.000-08:00

As some of you know,I like to work with yarn-knitting,crocheting,and weaving-I have a small backstrap loom that I got away from over the summer & have "rediscovered". At any rate,I found it makes a simply splendid case for an Irish Tin Whistle. Lo and behold I got my 1st order to make one for an "A" or low tin whistle (these are bigger than the typical-and a lot more pricey) So I'll be starting that tomorrow. I'm pleased the first one I did came out so well. That's a pic of it up at the top there. Even put a small loop on the back so you can carry it on one of those metal thingys peeps use for their keys & whatnot. (I have a tin whistle and just need to learn to play it :-) ) Did a stop at Michaels today & was taken in by yarn,yarn,and more yarn! I have to applaud my self control-I only got 3 skeins. One for a hand knit washcloth (sugar & cream brand is perfect for that 100% cotton!) and two others to weave cases out of. Went with a green varigated (Irish,you know!) and a blue "Tye Dye". We'll see how it all pans out.
Dads cataract procedure is this monday,and with my novice driving skills not where I want them to be for heavy rain,a friend of the family will be taking us,which is a huge relief. I love my Rio,but it has a habit of hydroplaning in a light rain,(this happened while I was driving-I thought the car was possessed or something) so I feel much better that she'll be sitting home while I'm in more of a sure footed car. I can't wait to see how improved Dads vision will be-this has been a long source of frustration for him,and after rescheduling twice,it's nice to know it's finally going to happen.
Last but certainly not least.....a co worker from my past found me on Facebook! it was good to catch up with her (it's been 9 or more years,I believe) Found out we've been through some pretty tough times and I believe we've both come out of them as more mature & improved people. It was wonderful to hear from her. It was a shock to see her daughter all grown up! (and beautiful,I might add) Funny how years fly by & you really don't really realise until you see someone that was in grade school last time you saw them. I feel old now :-) .

A Clean Slate-January is Here!

2010-01-12T18:59:00.001-08:00

That's a pic to the newest member of the family-a Christmas gift from Dad-an Ovation Acoustic/Electric mandolin! Whooo Hooo! And this new instrument has really gotten me to want to reinvent myself in different ways. I've come to realise I don't work on certain things I love as much as I should-over the past year,I'd say if I practiced mando twice a week I'd be doing good. More often than not it's once a week,and I want that to change. Excuses are so easy-and I don't know why I would be making excuses about not doing something I love. It's usually I need to be doing _____now & I'll practice later. (that means 9 times out of 10 I won't be playing but going to bed instead) I think a lot of this programming came from my mom & my crazy making ex. I'm also wondering if I'm afraid of musical success. I mean-if I get a good amount of tunes down,well goodness-I could be recording my own stuff online & you'd be hearing it! Gadzooks!
TV is another downfall. I have a love/hate relationship with every new TV season. I love when the season ends in a sense as I'm no longer servant to my fave TV shows-Navy CIS,Heroes,NFL games,Criminal Minds,it can all go by the wayside as I busy myself with other projects. So with this new slate I've decided I want to practice -er -play mando at least 3x a week,and get ukulele in as well. So here's to a fresh start!

Carol of the Bells....

2009-12-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

The picture of the "door bells" you see there has been in my family since the early 1970's. The bows you see on them aren't original-they were originally done up with fake berries,gaudy paper gold leaves and a couple of pine cones. As much as I loved it,it had really gotten to look shoddy even tho my mom had redone it at some point-the pinecone in the center was her addition. It came off a tree that was in the front yard of a house we rented in the late 70's. I believe the bells were purchased at Stats in the beach area-a very "in" crafts store during that time-sort of like Michaels is now. At any rate-after Yule last year I had purchased the ribbon at Michaels after the holiday with the intention of refurbishing the bells with new bric a brac early this year-I even kept the bells down in my sewing area. Well,this week I finally got to it & added the home made bows with vintage button accents. Glue guns are wonderful! The bells are now hanging on the inside of the front door-hearing them when the door opens & closes brings back a lot of good holiday memories. While I have tossed or donated a lot of the older ornaments to simplify things,I couldn't part with these.
The annual Holiday letter is done-I just need to figure how many copies to print & in the cards they go! I really enjoy doing it and wish more people did-it's a great way of catching everyone up on what's been going on in the past year.
The hunt is still on for the outdoor holiday lights. The attic really needs to be organized! If all else fails,Big Lots isn't far from here and I'm wanting to convert to LEDs to be more green.

Talkin Turkey....

2009-11-28T09:24:00.000-08:00

A little late,I know-I've been caught up in uncluttering,organizing & discarding what I feel is no longer "me". But-I had to share this fellow with you-my best garage sale find in Thanksgiving day decor! I found him this past June in the neighborhood yard sale fest I go to. He sat on my mantle till just after Thanksgiving. I found a similar one on eBay & the seller felt it was fro the early 1950's.
No chips or cracks,tho it does look like he's missing some red on his waddle. I have no idea what he is supposed to be used for-a tiny planter,perhaps? I've also been getting some very reasonably priced Yule goodies for the kitchen-a spoon rest for the sugar spoon and I'll be bidding on a Christmas sugar bowl (that will be holding Splenda) I won one last year but it was just too tall & awkward-I discovered I like short & stocky sugar bowls. I love decorating the kitchen to go with the seasons & holidays. Next years goal will be making valances for the kitchen window for Yule,Fall,Winter,and spring. I could do an old looking patriotic print for summer.
I got the shelf above my computer desk dusted & re organized-I moved the printer & phone up there too as it's more practical & no more stooping over to grab a page while it's printing. Totally redecorated & am goin farmgirl in my tastes. Using a little feng shui in my re organizing....

Discovering Ukulele as a Cowboy/Farm Girl Tradition

2009-11-22T07:59:00.000-08:00

No one was more surprised than me by getting into ukulele. My grandmother got this one I believe in the early 1920's- a banjo ukulele made by a guy who sold them at a roadside stand in San Jose,CA. Unfortunately,this one was made before they standardized the measurements & so forth and it doesn't sound good from the 7th fret on. But it's what I started noodling with & playing Christmas carols a little over a month ago. My mom had the banjo skin replaced nearly 30 years ago & I have no idea why-she never played it.

I finally broke down & got a good inexpensive model made of nato (eastern mahogany) wood as it gives a good tone. Not the fanciest uke in the world,but it's a perfect instrument to take to my part time job,plays excellent & sounds wonderful. I'm not a Hawaii/Island type person,and found that you can play blues on it (I have the book!) and was even more surprised to find there is a cowboy tradition (that started back in the 1920's?) of making music on the thing. It made perfect sense-it's small,inexpensive,easy to learn,perfect for one who's life is on the go and living in the great outdoors. I can't believe the positive reaction I've had at the part time job I have at the college when I'm playing. Mind you so far I can pluck "Good King Wenseslas" and do some melodic scale stuff plus a few chords. I'm far from what I'd considered to be "good" yet my boss has asked me to quit playing outdoors on break & play in the break room as she likes what I'm doing. I've started making gig bags for these out of colorful & fun fabrics as the one that came with my uke can only be described as "cheesy"! I'm hoping this will become an instrument of the farm girl-perfect for having along when you take a break from yard work,waiting for the baking to get done in the oven,or just need a musical time out. So I'm off to learn more tunes!

Lifes' been on a whirlwind lately.....

2009-11-04T07:34:00.000-08:00

And while I've been trying to make the best of it,it's been challenging,to say the least. My part time job has become more than part due to a billing letter going out to students for past semesters,and this invited nothing but chaos & negativity along with a constant tugging on the sleeve by my supervisor to come in nearly every day. The light at the end of the tunnel will be a nice Dec paycheck. None the less I'm hoping this ends soon!
Dads infected tooth was pulled yesterday,and I found out I have a cavity,so I get to have a small filling put in. But while all this unexpected stuff has been swirling around me,there have been delights,too! My strawberry plant is bearing fruit,I see a ripe lemon on the tree,I've discovered ukulele playin,along with the fact my grandmothers banjolele was made in the early 1920's. A no name model that she had purchased at a roadside stand in San Jose when she was a young girl-the stand owner made these instruments.
So having a lil extra $$,not wanting to take a family heirloom out of the house,I ordered a ukulele for myself along with a gig bag that I can take with me places. I'd worry too much about taking the mandolin,esp now that it's set up proper, I wouldn't want anything happening to it. It should arrive around the 5th.
Thankgiving dinner plans are cluckin in my head. I'm thinking of breaking tradition & going with roast,potatoes & carrots along with dressing this time. The libbys pumpkin bread kits are wonderful,and that will be dessert.
I'm reading about crazy quilting & how to do it. I'd like to start making instrument cases for ukes & mandos. We'll see. And now,for another busy day........

Yard Sale Delights!

2009-10-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

It was that time again,and lookie what I got! This wonderful looking Farmgirl knitting basket with 2 seperate compartments,one on either side. This will be perfect for my smaller knitting projects,& I can sit on the porch if I want while I'm knitting. I also got some knitting needles,knitting notions,beautiful multi-shade brown yarn,and for Yule decor in the kitchen,I picked up this plate to hang on my wall....
I'll be picking up a plate hanger next time I'm at Michaels. My fellow farmgirls have really inspired me in the area of interior decorating & trying new things. Thank you all!

Halloween Decor For the Porch!

2009-09-30T06:49:00.000-07:00

I've had this idea for a couple of years in my head-and I finally did it! I picked up the plastic cauldron candy bowl at a yard sale,got some gorgeous marigolds at a nursery,drilled holes in the cauldron,and viola! A Halloween planter! Marigolds are used extensively in celebrating "The Day of the Dead" and the colors on these are just awesome.
Ever notice how there's a lack of Halloween songs? For Yule,music a plenty-but for my favorite holiday,there isn't much aside from Bachs Toccata & fugue in D minor. But I will be watching Vincent Price DVDs! I picked up the Better Homes & Gardens Halloween annual (a tradition of mine) and love leafing thru it.
I've still got a ways to go on the front porch-hopefully today-seems we have a nice wave of cool cloudy weather and I really want the porch to be nice,neat,and a place that I can sit & pluck mandolin in a comfy chair.
Good grief,it's Oct 1 tomorrow and I need to get out the Halloween decor-I celebrate all month long and I'm in disbelief that it's that time already. I always remember my ancestors & friends that have passed over during this time,and I have a few "new" additions to remember this year-a longtime neighbor,a co worker,and one that I used to babysit as a boy and was "extended family" as an adult. This is the only area of life that I don't appreciate getting more of.
Michaels crafts stores are selling the most wonderful pumpkin spice candles in a tin for 99 cents! I'll be picking more up next time I stop in. They also have Sugar Cookie & other assorted seasonal scents. I like the metal container as I don't have to worry about accidents & the tins are always handy for something like knitting stitch markers & the like. Long lasting too! I can feel the chill in the air-that wonderful Fall feelin!

Richmond St Fair in El Segundo

2009-09-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

Was yesterday and while I didn't plan to go,I did anyway. Very festive and family oriented fair-there was some live talent,one woman sang beautifully and played guitar. Lots of crafts,jewelry,clothing,and a couple of country decor stands. While there were lots of lookie loos,very little actual shopping was taking place-seems the economy has yet to pick up for the everyday citizen,including yours truly-tho I did buy a dusty purple beret that had caught my eye when I first started looking about. However,it would be fun to do next year-perhaps being a participant for either Mandolin Babes or if I could find other musicians to play with,we could do folkie sets. While guitars were abundant,no mandolins,fiddles,banjos or dulcimers were to be seen. It was beautifully cool overcast weather-towards the end of my visit I found myself drooling over this Mustang!

A Finished Skirt!

2009-09-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

Well I did it-thanks to my sister Farmgirls-I made a skirt from a pair of jeans! Went over huge at my place of work-(where the pic was taken) I'm starting to rip a 2nd pair to make another skirt. Not to mention I started knitting a washcloth using "Sugar & Cream" cotton yarn.
Got my teeth cleaned today-good grief my mouth was sore afterward-that chick really seemed to be scraping for all she was worth. Was somewhat drained for the rest of the day.
The weather is back to being HOT and I'll be sooo glad for Fall's coolness & slight chill. The yard needs work but it's just too broiling to even think about pulling weeds. So I sit in front of my fan & knit while drinking a cold glass of milk.

Catching Up!

2009-09-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

I received the back issues of MJF and I'm having a ball reading them! (the Simply Bee issue & the Holiday issue '08) I'm amazed at how I've seemed to find where I belong at long last. I very much enjoyed the article "Compassion" in the "Learn to Live" issue. How timely that article was...I had just completed my 1st day of the week at a community college that I work part time at,and It's been made more challenging lately due to a co worker "Ida" (not her real name) who has become a constant complainer and is very into criticizing others for....you name it. It was particularly draining to work around her on Monday as it was busy. Part of the critique was involving yours truly as I'd taken extra time to help a student & Ida was outraged I was doing this because the more time I took with the kid,the more work Ida was having to do! (and she announced it!) Heaven forbid. What made it worse is her voice carries and she was working the window right next to mine,and he heard every grumblin word. While I can normally shrug it off,the negativity Ida was spewing really wore me down-it had an amazing level of toxic-ness to it. What a delight to find the magazines had arrived in the mail when I got home so I could start reading them & shift gears as it were. The Compassion article jumped out at me not so much because of anything I'd done that day,but because it pointed out the negative talk I'd experienced that morning,how widespread it's become in society,and I agree that it's impacting everyone who is in earshot of it. Somehow the Stink bug invasion must be stopped. Peoples jars are overflowing with them. I think some people have two jars of em. I want my jars to be filled with lightning bugs,ladybugs,butterflies,all things delightful & lovely to look upon. The article really helped me and couldn't have come at a better time!

2009-09-12T11:32:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh the colors of fall-the apricot tree in the backyard has leaves that are starting to turn,and there's a slight coolness in the air. I'm also thinking more about knitting & other projects I'd like to do for All Hallows & Yule. Currently I'm working on a shrug for myself-called a "nightingale" the pattern is from the '60s. I love those older patterns for their simplicity!
I'm getting a keen interest in churning my own butter and found a wonderful supplier for the supplies. Perhaps next paycheck or after the holidays (resolution for 2010-make my own butter instead of buying!) My mom had me make some using a small jar & shaking it till the cream turned into a lump of butter-the taste was wonderful-made store bought butter seem awful.
In the yard,(which has been neglected except for watering-it's been scorching out here) I'll be needing another 6 pak of marigolds for my cauldron pot (I got one of those med sized plastic cauldrons,drilled holes in the bottom,and it's now my Halloween planter-marigolds look fantastic in it-very festive and the proper colors. I'll post a pic here after the new flowers get planted in it.

Slipper Project from Hay Makin Issue of MJF!

2009-09-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

I've always had probs finding slipper my size (size 2 kids) without some cartoon personality on them,so when I got my 1st issue of Mary Janes Farm at my grocery store I got my knitting needles out & wheeee! made the fancier pattern (which is a cinch) A great way to use up yarn that's just sitting around,and believe me,I have a huge stash. (The bad part of going to yard/estate sales) So here's the pic of me modeling one of the slippers. (Good thing I shaved my legs that mornin! ;-) ) Left off the strap. They fit great and I'll be making more pairs & digging out vintage patterns for winter wear. Happy Labor Day,all!

First Farm Girl Posting!

2009-09-05T14:04:00.001-07:00

From Southern California,of all the unlikely places! The other Mary Jane Farmgirls' blogs have inspired me to finally start a blog of my own-I have other blogs aimed at music,but none that's focused on what vintage treasure I aquired lately,knitting projects that are finished,or what the cats are doing. I love vintage goodies,and my great grandmother lived the farmgirl lifestyle here in Manhattan Beach,CA raising her own chickens & rabbits,and I imagine growing vegatables, & canning. She was an avid crocheter,& I have many of her beautiful doilies. (It's a wonder she wasn't blind after!)
The pic you see here was taken by my Dad-the butterfly was resting on our apricot tree & he got the shot. I have no idea as to what kind of butterfly it is,but it's beautiful. So I will be posting here with more pics,and with Fall arriving I'll be re doing the front porch to celebrate the season. (Yes,I'll post pics!)