Re-purposed DVD's and CD's and other talk

We finished the three day craft fair.  Many talented artisans were there.  If I can shop local for unique fun crafts, or purposeful crafts, I do.  What about you?  We had a politician come by our area at the craft fair.  Todd Tiahrt was there.  He was the U.S. Representative for Kansas's 4th congressional district from 1995 to 2011. He is a conservative Republican.  His wife bought a bar of soap from me.  I was spinning wool on my spinning wheel and they stopped in.  She thanked me for keeping heritage crafts alive.

Not long ago, I saw an idea on the web where a lady crocheted covers for DVD's and CD's.  I don't know if she was  using them as coasters, or hot pads.  She was selling her crochet pattern.  I seldom follow a pattern and I tend to play when I crochet.  With crocheting, if I make a mistake, it can be ripped out easy enough and re-done.  Crocheting goes much faster than knitting.  They are similar to the old covers for asbestos trivets seen on our grandmother's tables.

Have a great week!  Dawnie

You are able to view my web store at: http://www.custercottage.co

And my Etsy shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterCottage

Getting Ready for a Craft Fair

I am trying to get ready to go to a craft show over the 4th of July weekend.  I am packaging and pricing items.  I am still trying to enter items into Etsy and update my website.

Fourth Of July Craft‑Flea Market

July 4 - 6, 2013

Train Depot - El Dorado, KS 67042    

I have made the art soaps and played with the fancy tops, etc.  I have changed the way I make soaps, and make a more triangular bar without fancy tops, but always swirls and twirls or a little something inside to give it a little pretty umph.  Obviously the main reason for making soap is to make it mostly natural with extra skin conditioning butters, (such as shea and cocoa) and oils, using lovely fragrances and making the bars pretty.   I also like to use raw milk or goats milk in my soaps.  Any herb, fruit, vegetable, or other additive is fun to use.  I enjoy using raw milk from an Amish dairy in my soaps.  Part of using the raw milk is the nice drive in the country to purchase the milk and that may influence my decision.  LOL  I have delicate skin and I don't like to itch or have a rash.  I bet you don't either. 

Due to the change in soap making style, I am discounting all of the soaps that are not newly made.

At the craft fair, I will be selling soaps, bath fizzies or bombs, pot holders of all kinds, hats, tea cozies, knitted wash cloths and dishcloths, etc.  Come by and take a peek.  I will be at the old train station.

New tags for the show.

Have you watched television or a movie and noticed a hand knitted item or a hand crocheted item?  I do.  I watch a lot of English shows and I see tea cozies on them.  Today I noticed a knitted shawl on the movie Coppers, season 2.

When I showed you photos of my trumpet vines, I failed to show you how it took over the side of my cottage home.  When you drive up to the cottage, it looks like one of those English cottages that have all of the vines and flowers growing all around.  I love English things, but the middle of Kansas is far from England!  It has been raining quite a lot which is like England, so my flowers have stayed green. 

Does anyone need any trumpet vines???

You are able to view my web store at: http://www.custercottage.com

And my Etsy shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterCottage

Have a great weekend!  Dawnie