www.KennaKristine.com

 
 
The holidays are upon us! Where did the time go? I wanted to share a few of my favorite things that help me get through the holidays effectively and efficiently.
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#1. My new sewing machine that I am in love with! My friends and family all pitched in to get me the Brother innovis 80. It is like dream compared to my old machine. I can sew so much faster. I love it!
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#2. A rotary knife, pattern weights, and a cutting board. I was using pins and scissors to cut out all my patterns, but I recently discovered rotary knifes and pattern weights. These are traditional used in quilt making. I was amazed to find them so much faster and easier to use. My newly discovered tools also allow me to cut stacks of patterns at once and the edges of my pattern's come out much cleaner than the would have with fabric scissors.
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#3. World Famous; How To Give Your Business A kick-Ass Brand Identity by David Tyreman who dose branding for all the big names such as Apple, Ralph Lauren, ans Virgin Atlantic. This book takes you through multiple branding exercises to help your business authentically stand out from the crown, and attract your target market.
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#4. The Handmade Market; Place How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online  by Kari Chapin. This book has lots of great advise from successful crafters in the business. It also gives longs lists of very helpful resources. This book is a great general overview to get any crafter started.
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#5. My giant paper pad. If it is not right in front of my face it doesn't exist. To stay organized and on track I use a giant paper pad. I hang it on the wall in my studio. I use this to make lists of what I need to get done each day and check things off as I finish them.
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#6. My MacBook Pro! I recently upgraded from my 7 year old iBook G4 and I am so happy I did. My MacBook Pro keeps me so organised and runs all my art programs seamlessly. For me it was on the pricey side, but it is totally worth all the money.



What keep you organised, on track, and happy? I would love to know the tools others use to navigate the entrepreneurial world.
 
 
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Multi Color Tea Light Tin Molded Crayons
Sometimes I need a break from sewing so I come up with other little projects to do.  Upcycling old broken crayons was an easy project and now I have lots of little kid friendly gifts to add to my "ran out of time to go shopping" gift drawer. I had a great time making them so I will share my method.


What you will need:
-Old bits of broken crayons with the papers peeled off
-Toothpicks or another type of small stick like utensil 
-Old Cookie Sheet you wouldn't mind only using for crafts from now on.
-Some form of many metal molds. I used the metal cups from tea light candle tins (With a butter knife I was able to carve a simple peace sign in the bottom of the cups. You can put any letter or symbol you want)
-A Conventional Oven
-Freezer 

How to do it...
Step 1: 
After removing all paper Break Crayons into smal pieces about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch
Step 2: 
This is a good step for the kids. Separate crayons by color, this allows for easy mixing later in the process. I used plastic cups to hold each of the color groups.
Step 3: 
Place metal molds on to cookie sheet. The more you do at a time the faster the process will go.Leave at least a 1/4" space between so they are not overcrowded
Step 4: 
ADULTS ONLY Set oven to Broil !!!WARNING FIRE HAZARD!!! (This is the fast way but it is very important that you stay with the crayons while they melt. I left the first batch a little to long and the caught fire.) 
Step 5: 
This step is a good one for the kids to do.Place broken bits into metal molds. Fill to top edge of molds. Mix different shades of the same color along with a few white or black pieces for a swirling effect. Mixing primary colors also has a cool effect. easy color combos: red+blue=purple, yellow+blue=green, yellow+red=orange
Step 6: 
ADULTS ONLY Now you are ready to place crayons into oven to melt. Once in the oven crayons should only take a minute to melt. Stay with the crayons while they are in the oven do not leave the room. I have to say it again !!!WARNING FIRE HAZARD!!! (This is the fast way but it is very important that you stay with the crayons while they melt. I left the first batch a little to long and they caught fire. I used a wet dish towel to smother the flames) 
Step 7: 
Remove melted crayons from oven. Some may not have melted all the way due to varying temps in oven. Some times you can simply stir these ones with a tooth pick and they melt into themselves fairly easy. You may have to put the stubborn ones back in the oven.
Step 8: 
Stir melted crayons slightly with a toothpick. These will create a swirling effect in the mixed colors.
Step 9: 
Let crayons cool to room temp. If you don't wait for them to cool the might crack in the freezer.
Step 10: 
Place hardened crayons into freezer. This will allow you to remove the crayons from their molds easier.
Step 11: 
Enjoy your new crayons or wrap in wax paper or cellophane to give as a gift. If you used the tea light candle tins they will stack very nicely on top of each other
 
 
Generally, creative people are a little shy. This makes it hard to promote your creations, much less to sell them. This is why online shops are great. But even though you are online, you still need to put your self out there. Doing local craft shows, talking with people in line at the grocery store, and getting involved in the crafting community, are all important factors in weather your online shop will succeed.

I am one of these shy creative people. I can put on a brave face when I have to, but most of the time, I close myself off from others. I tell myself everyday, “be more open”. I need to be more open to criticism, more open to meeting new people, and more open to customers wanting to buy my product. But doing this is harder that it seems for someone like me.

I found this article online and it gives many great tips on how to stay open. I hope you will find it helpful.

http://positivelypresent.typepad.com/positively_present/2009/04/are-you-open-.html


So, keep loads of business cards on hand, make connections, and grow. I know I will.

-Kenna
 
Vegan Leather 05/18/2010
 

I am proud to announce that I am now adding Vegan Leather to my list of green materials.

What is  Vegan Leather (polyurethane faux leather)? Is it like vinyl? Compared to PVC vinyl and traditional leather, Polyurethane faux leather, is made using a greener process. PVC vinyl contains chloride and does not biodegrade. It leaches toxic additives in landfills and emits carcinogenic dioxin when incinerated. Traditional leather production is linked to large amounts of water pollution from waste, and the process of tanning uses numerous chemicals, including heavy metals. Naturally soft and flexible, polyurethane faux leather does not require the solvents used for softening PVC vinyl and leather. Comparatively, polyurethane is much more environmentally friendly. Also the polyurethane faux leathers I am featuring use polymer resin that is biodegradable.

What about the manufacturers?
The company I buy my Vegan Leather from, chooses only the most responsible manufacturers. These manufacturers understand the need for the green movement. For example, one manufacturer has reduced the use of solvents by using a distillation tower to reuse then recapture the same solvents. Additionally, manufacturers must either comply with local pollution protection laws and/or seek third party certification, such as the International Organization for Standardization(ISO). All chemicals and pigments used in manufacturing comply with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance.