Happy 4th-Take Liberties This Weekend!

      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....

      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.