Wowzers it’s been a long time since my last blog post! How to wrap up the year… New house and a wonderful baby girl named Lilly with several craft shows scattered throughout that time.
So now that things are “somewhat” settling down, Lilly is “somewhat” on a routine, this creative momma will be getting back into the studio. Well kinda back into the studio first I need to finish setting it up and then hopefully my hands will be holding a torch, wool, and heck throw in some beads and sequins too! That is of course if the lovely Lilly will agree to it. Which brings me to the point of this particular blog post, the balance of creating/being an artist and being a full time mommy (as I type as quickly and quietly as possible because I was able to sneak away from underneath her!). The princess will be 4 months soon (ok well she is four months now hahaha) so I know I still have a very big learning curve to handle and luckily I have the opportunity to make my own schedule (seriously I do not know how moms that have a 9-5 job do it! I applaud you!)… ok well that wasn’t long I will be back hopefully in a short bit, this crafting mommy is being beckoned!

Ok where was I… yes the balancing! Well clearly Lilly’s side of the balance greatly outweighs my need to make but I am truly loving it right now. But it is also strange how my mind is constantly going on what will this year bring as far as shows, pieces, new endeavors. I luckily have a few crafty mommas I can console in and figure out this crazy new life. So I may not be getting into my studio as much, well really at all, at the moment but I did at least get to test out doing craft shows last year with Lilly by my side. Between my mother, father, and wonderful husband’s help I did three craft shows with Lilly, since I am breast feeding she becomes my little show stopper at events (Yes she is my most beautiful piece of work I’ve made and no she’s not for sale =P)

So here is to the new crafting year, to many of Lilly’s first milestones, to me hopefully holding onto some sanity… here’s to a wonderful crazy ride that I am on for the rest of my life ~ being a Crafty Momma!!!

Aaaaaand this post officially took me two weeks to complete! I hope this gets easier… but somehow I feel that my crafting life has just started to become beautifully complicated!

Next Event ~ Several reasons why I am pretty excited about this weekend! To start its the first PA Guild Show at Rittenhouse Square in Philly (Friday May 11 – Sunday May 13 Booth 126). It will be a weekend of crafting with the Art Star Craft Bazaar happening as well. Don’t have something yet for your mommers? This is the perfect time to grab that last minute handmade gift or even better yet bring her out to the show on Sunday for a just you and her day! Show some love for your mommers this weekend… And speaking of Mothers Day I will have to say my second reason for being so excited is this would I suppose technically be my first Mothers Day!

My Little Peeplet ~ Well we’ve been thinking and we decided on the name Lilly =D My husband and I are so excited about our new addition to our little family. Which of course got me thinking of her first outfit she would be sporting (as my husband rolls his eyes after explaining it to him hehehe) So the theme being Owls… Hoola is pretty excited about having the theme be after her! So yup it will def have to be a way cute Hoola onesie with oooooh I don’t know maybe some bling with her name?! This may be a new fun adventure with wearableJULES BABY! Oh this child of mine will be so decked out in cuteness I don’t know if I can handle it!! I will post a picture once this onesie has hatched =D check back again to see for yourself.

We Have a Winner! ~ A few weeks ago I had posted a pole of guess if I was having a blue or pink peeplet =) I said there would be 1 lucky winner of a Peep-Peep pin for whomever guessed the right color. Drum Role Please!!!!! Congrats Gerry Baylor you just won yourself a Pink (Fuchsia) Peep-Peep Pin. Please click HERE to contact me and send me your address and your way cute Peep-Peep will be flying on her way.

My Little Peeplet ~ How exciting! We are having a little girl =D She is definitely swimming around quite a lot, apparently she’s just like her mama who doesn’t like to sit still for a moment! I can already tell that some of these shows I am signed up for are going to be a bit difficult not buying all sorts of things for her. Just very very excited for this peeplet to join our lives.

Craft Show Review ~ This past weekend was the first craft show of the year for wearableJULES at Crafty Balboa April Showers. This was the second year of attending the show and I have to admit its a lovely indie craft show. There are 45 vendors at the top of their game. The beginning of the show generally runs a little slow but by the last half traffic picks up (both years). This is not a huge money maker, but for the price of the booth + short hours + low overhead = a pretty good show to get your name out there and add a bit of cash for your business. Major downfall is parking… I was lucky enough to get a prime spot but last year took me 45 minutes to find a spot. All in all though I give this show a thumbs up and will hopefully do the show again next year.

More Shows To Come ~ Happy to announce wearableJULES will be attending for the first time the Baltimore Artscape this year from July 20-22. I have been told several years now that this is a must attend show. Plus I love Baltimore so I always love a reason to go! Once I find out more details about booth location I will be sure to let you know closer to the event!

Fave Gifts To Give ~ Sometimes you don’t need a reason or holiday to give a gift. Check out these artists I saw this past weekend at the Crafty Balboa Show (just in case you couldn’t make it out Saturday)

Imaginative Resilient Jewelry ~ Stevie Lynn

Gotta Love Some Letter Press Goods ~ Mello Press

Screen Printed Housewares ~ Kaye Rachelle Designs

Laser Cut Housewares & Accessories ~ Masters of None

I’ll Be Needing These Soon! ~ Brooki Ellen Designs

My Little Peeplet ~ Lining up shows for this year has been a little tricky but really falling into place! Compared to last year when I was basically doing a show every single weekend, I am trying to be very aware and only do 2 shows a month and leaving August & September open. Almost half way done (19 weeks this past Tuesday!) how crazy is that? Had several midwife appointments and this past one we heard the heart beat and the little peeplet is doing quite well! I’m also finally starting to get my belly too. Here’s to getting back into the swing of things. Hope to see you out in two weekends in Philadelphia!

So it has come to my attention that I have been slacking with wearableJULES and have not been posting or really in the studio for a bit. Yes I definitely needed a break from such a crazy year of many many shows and of course the Very Crafty Wedding. Which I do declare this has been long past due… some photos =D Check out the very sweet and kind words from Miville Photography.

Now onto the biggest news of all… If you couldn’t tell from the title, I will be having my very own little peeplet!! So super excited the due date is get this, our wedding was 9/10/11 and the due date is 9/11/12! How bizarre and wonderful. Right now I am 11 weeks and just starting to feel a little better. There you have it, the very much needed break of sleeping and taking care of my body. Within the next couple of weeks, and keeping my fingers crossed, this little peeplet will let me start working in the studio again with no nausea attached. There are lots of designs flowing through my head so get ready for them once my hands get back to creating.

There are shows lined up starting in May, but for now I just wanted to give my very loving and appreciative supporters of wearableJULES the wonderful news. Keep checking back for new posts about My Little Peeplet news and of course new shows and designs!

Much Love