dragon's spark

Shop-a-do note #2

Dear me, I'm so absent-minded these days...

A special note for the enthusiastic young lady who bought two pairs of fingerless gloves from me: I should have told you those gloves are made from wool, so don't wash them in hot water. Wash them gently (no rubbing them together!) in cold water, press the water out between two layers of towel, and let them dry flat. Hot water + agitation applied to wool = felting & shrinkage.

Shop-a-do wrap up

The Shop-a-do is finished, and I'm tired, but happy. It was a good show for me; in the company of lovely people, surrounded by beautiful art and crafts, and finding my own wares appreciated by others. Thank you to modmoxie, Woolies, and Moira Geoffrion, you ladies were wonderful companions... it would be hard to summon the energy to do these shows without friends to share the time with.

A special note to nice man who bought the two green baskets, if you should happen to read this: when I said the baskets were "waterproof," I misspoke... I should have said they were non-absorbent. Knitted things are full of holes; there's no way they can be waterproof. ;)

Shop-a-do this Saturday!

Still have some last minute gift shop to do? Come to the Tucson Banditas Shop-a-do this Saturday! I'll be selling, as will modmoxie and Woolies... But speaking as a shopper, it's well worth coming to the Shop-a-do. I did a good bit of my own Christmas shopping at the last Shop-a-do on December 6. The variety and quality of booths was wonderful--and the things for sale are beautiful handcrafted items that you couldn't get in a department store. I picked up some wonderful pottery items by Lauren Allen and sweet little "healing" gifts from an artisan named Lisa... (I can't remember her business name). And there were lots of other things I may pick up since I have a second go at them... cute little pillow-shaped vases for tiny flower arrangements... adorable skirts and aprons with monster patches... yummy handmade soaps and body products.

The location may be a little hard to find at first, but it's just one street east of 4th Avenue, behind the Surly Wench pub. When you find it, it's like a surprising oasis of handmade delights. :)

6 bits about me

Woolies tagged me and I didn't notice until just now. So here are six bits about me:

1. My middle name is Rae because I was named for my dad, Raymond.
2. I have an addictive personality: when I get a video game I really like, I'll play for hours at a time. If I get into a book, I'll stay glued to it until it's finished, even if I have to stay up all night. That's partly why I don't drink... I recognize that there's something in me that will continue behaviors even when they're not that good for me.
3. I'm a little bit like Mr. Micawber (in David Copperfield) - I work to better ends when I'm working for someone else. When I'm working for myself I tend to drift a little. I'm not as motivated as when I'm working for someone else.
4. My honey Michael and I met when we were in middle school. But we didn't get to know each other until our 10-year high school reunion.
5. I don't have a favorite color. Or a favorite band or favorite food. The things I like best change depending on the day and my mood.
6. I'm a Tucson native. Sunshine is a real necessity for me. If it's cloudy for too long, I have really low energy and low spirits.

free desktop cute

I've added a little something to the dragon's spark site—free desktop wallpapers. Two are inspired by my favorite fabric patterns, and two are original designs. I'll probably be adding more as inspiration strikes.

Time to replace that picture of you and Rover at the park? Want to add a little indie pizazz to your computer desktop? Download one of these wallpapers! They're like gift-wrapping your computer ...in love ...from the inside out. Something like that. Anyway, they look cool and they've got my Web address on them, in case you want to pick up a gift of the non-virtual type.