Tammy Fischer

the stuff I accomplished when I was supposed to be accomplishing other stuff...

Because I don't have eighteen bajillion emails to answer, or seventy-three deadlines to meet, or family flying in to visit tomorrow, or a garage sale happening in eleven days or, or, or...I thought it was high time to take 'er easy and have me a little fun. I need to have my head examined.

Here's what I accomplished on Friday...

It's a cute little hoodie that I scarfed up at Target. I was out shopping with my sister from another mister Jen and we both spotted these hoodies. Stinkin Jen is blond, six foot two and wears infant sizes. I'm brunette, five foot four and do not wear infant sizes (ahem). So, when we end up buying the same stuff (all the time) I'm inspired to refurbish my item just so that I can be way cooler than her. Yeah, it's like that.

Super easy to do...
{1} Choose a coordinating fabric. I used some of Heather Bailey's Freshcut.
{2} Iron some fusible webbing to the wrong side of that coordinating fabric.
{3} Cut out your design.
{4} Iron the coordinating fabric onto your hoodie (or shirt, or pants, or whatever).
{5} Applique around the edges.
{6} Carefully fray the outer edge of your applique (I use my seam ripper to pull the threads).

Saturday I was lovin' me some burlap. Why didn't you people tell me that this stuff is like two dollars a yard at JoAnn's? TWO dollars! And, it frays (yes, I have a thing about fraying) like a dream! Not to mention that it looks scrumptious unlined...super textural. Love love love the burlap.

It does make you a little itchy while you're working on it and your husband might ask you why you're hanging potato sacks all over your house but once everyone gets comfortable with the idea it's all good. I have to wait for stupid the love of my life Kevin to finish the window trim and crown moudling in this room before I can show you full frontal pics. Here's a sneak peek at a tiny portion of my weekend burlap love affair...

Hmmm...let's see, what else. Oh yeah. On Sunday I started a project I've been wanting to tackle for a while. Just another sneak peek though because they aren't completely finished or installed yet...

I know, drool-a-licous aye? There are nine of them and I'm dying to get them up on the wall. I have to wait for stupid the love of my life Kevin to finish the crown moulding in that room before I can hang them though. Sigh.

Now, back to email and deadlines and cleaning and garage sale pricing and and and...

How to ensure you never score a repeat customer...

Hey! Over here! Yeah, I'm talking to you! Want to learn how to drive all of your customers away? Have you been dying to send all of your etsy slash blog slash website friends and customers running for the hills? I bet you're thinking, "Boy, I wish I could figure out a way to keep those pesty folks out of my hair." Well, have I got the tools for you! Pull up a chair. Enjoy this step by step tutorial I've been perfecting just for you...

Step One: Entice a potential customer into purchasing something from you. There are several ways to go about this, I particularily enjoy using the "pretty picture" hook when reeling someone in.

Step Two: Take your time completing an order before sending it on it's way. For example, the necklace I'm using for display purposes today was requested by my friend Carolyn (she's not actually a "customer" per se...I felt it wise to use a friend as an example...I'm sure you understand). Carolyn requested this necklace fifty-seven years ago. But it's all good people! Building up suspense to the point that your customer wants to rip their own hair out is essential to driving him or her away. Once a sufficient amount of time has passed (the point where your customer actually forgot they ordered something from you is ideal) you can go ahead and send the package on it's way.

Step Three: At this point your customer will (in their own words, "finally") have the package in their hands. They will eagerly open the box to discover that you have beautifully packaged their new treasure. Right now your customer is thinking that all the wait was darn well worth it. They can almost understand why it took fifty-seven years to complete this work of art. In fact, at this moment they're feeling quite excited and tingly all over.

Step Four: Your customer will unbutton the cute little package you created for them and remove the contents. They will be charmed by the linen wrap and soft blue velvet ribbon. Why, you even included an information card! Remember, building up suspense is key.

Step Five: Your customer will read the information card explaining all the little bits and bobs you used to create their treasure. But wait! What does that say in the middle of the card? Your customer will lean in for a closer look.

Step Six: Your customer will untie the linen wrap, now with a bit of hesitation. They didn't realize their jewelry was going to arrive with an owner's manual in tow. "Oh well," thinks your customer, "it's a piece of jewelry. How bad can it be?"

Oh, it can be bad. Your customer turns the jewelry card over to inspect the pink threads you've instructed them to clip in order to release their jewels from bondage. It can be very bad.

Now you're in the home stretch. Your customer is rummaging around his or her house looking for some sort of tiny scissors so he or she can surgically remove their jewelry from it's card. He or she is inventing all sorts of interesting new nicknames for you. His or her children are hiding in the basement because they've never heard such language spew from their parent's mouth. Note: Score bonus points if his or her spouse is shaking their head and exclaiming, "If you would just stop buying stuff off the internet you wouldn't have this problem."

If you're beginning to feel a little bit guilty about your deception at this point it's okay; very few see this exercise through to the end. All is not lost. You can move on to...

Step Seven: Send an email (or write a blog post) to your customer (or friend). Explain to them that it's really important to you that their treasure arrives to them layed out all nice and pretty in it's linen. Tell them how you have nightmares about sending jewelry away only to have said customer (or friend) open the package to find their treasure all smushed up in a big bead/rhinestone/chain ball. Beg their forgiveness and hope that, once their jewels are released from bondage and on their body, said customer (or friend) once again loves you.

And always remember, practice makes perfect!

not all internet stalkers are creepy...

It's official. I'm a weirdo. No, this had not been previously confirmed...at least not 100%....until now. You see, I've become an internet stalker. Let me start from the beginning.

Way back in January this appeared as the front page of Etsy one day...

That super scrumpalicious necklace down in the lower left hand corner caught my eye so I popped (I almost typed "pooped" there. I know, I'm a thid grader) over to her shop to have me a little looksie. Oh lordie. I immediately started scrolling through her jewelry, stuggling desperately not to place each and every item into my purchase basket. I loved loved loved everything. She's a patination goddess. I think her work shouts contemporary urban chic with a whisper of vintage goodness. Ahhh, yummy. I wondered if maybe she keeps a blog where she discusses her genius. So I scrolled back up to the top of her Etsy shop and guess what I discovered? NO, guess first!

Are you guessing?

Give up?

Okay...

Her first name is "Tammy"!

Oh. Oh, oh, oh. It gets waaaaayyyyy better.

Her last name is "Antoinette"! You know, like that other Antoinette.

How is this fair? It's not. When I discovered this I just had to know more about her. I bet you feel the same way. So, here's what you'll learn when you visit her blog:
{1} She's drop dead gorgeous.
{2} She's uber talented.
{3} She gets to take the kind of jewelry classes I have been dying to take but cannot find around here.
{4} She sounds super duper cool and I really want to be her friend.

So, yes. I admit it. I've become an internet stalker. But, in a non-creepyish kind of way. I think. Although I do lurk around her blog daily and cannot stay away from her Etsy shop. The problem is this. She seems really cool. Like, super stylish cool. Like, "I can put a flower in my hair and not look insane" kind of cool. Like, "I go to jewelry classes and look pretty while piercing a slab of metal" kind of cool. Then there's me. I'm the "go pick up my kids from school in my pink and purple plaid pajama pants" kind of not cool. I'm the "walk around town with thread hanging off my butt" kind of not cool. I'm a tiny bit intimidated by her. Just a bit. Ahem.

So, this post is dedicated to you Tammy Antoinette (so not fair so not fair so not fair). I love your work, I love your blog, I love your name. You're way cool and I want to be your friend!

How Tammy's Getting Her Groove Back

I know. I have tons of explaining to do. You're not the only ones who have been worried about me. Everytime my lip starts to quiver and the tears start to flow my little Sully shows up at my side with this...

You know you've neglected your friends too long when you start receiving the, "Are you still alive?" emails. I promise, I haven't forgotten about you. It's been an excruciating couple of weeks for me. You're probably thinking, "Enough about the cat already, get on with some crafting." But honestly, I have not gotten on with one smidgen of crafting. I've been afraid to post because I've done absolutely nothing except sit on the sofa and cry. I didn't want to admit this to you because I know I'm going to earn myself the reputation as that insane girl who's obsessed with her cat. But, honesty is always the best policy so I thought I would just sit down, write this post and admit that I'm still really really sad and haven't moved forward like I had originally planned.

Yes, that's how much of a freak I am. I actually scheduled my "moving forward" day into my calendar. I told myself that I could sit like a lump and cry up until two Sundays ago. The next day was my moving forward day. I returned two emails and then crashed and burned. I guess you can't schedule your feelings like you schedule a play date. Darn.

Saturday I was manning my post on the east corner of the sofa (I think there's a permanent Tammy butt impression there now) when Sam the mailman came to the door. He gently reminded me (again) that I need to collect my mail out of the mail box from time to time and then handed me my mountain of mail. There were two packages at the bottom of the stack. I had a feeling that whatever was in those packages was going to make me cry but Kevin urged me to go ahead and open them. The first package I opened was from my new friend Alisa. Look what I found inside...

In my last post I explained that the pieces of my broken heart seemed to be scattered every which way. I asked that if anybody found any of those pieces could they please wrap them in pink tissue paper and send them back to me. Well, I opened that box from Alisa and found this heart lovingly wrapped in pink tissue paper and tulle. Of course that got the water works going all over again which sent poor Sully pacing back and forth in front of me with his little kitty book. That beautiful pink heart is now hanging in a very special place in my studio and it will forever be one of my prized possessions.

Then on to the second package. This was sent from the most exquisite mother/daughter team on the planet. They own a spa in Tennessee called "The White Door" and although I've never been there in person just one look at their coming soon web page has me convinced that it's a place I wouldn't mind parking myself in for a long relaxing spell. When I lifted the first layer of blue tissue paper this is what immediately caught my eye...

This sent us all into fits of happy, silly, giggling. Kevin just could not figure out how they knew about my bubble gum problem. It was perfection. Then I lifted another layer of tissue paper and found this...

I wish someone would invent some technology that allows us to send smells through our blogs just like we send pictures and words and sometimes even music. These have the most heavenly aroma. The little bubble bath thingies are shaped like cupcakes! Too cute. Sam and Sully immediately asked for a bath but I put the kibash on that. Those are my cupcakes, hands off! And that candle. I keep moving it around the house so that I can smell it no matter which room I'm in. What a way to pamper a girl!

Then I lifted the last layer of tissue paper and (gulp) discovered this...

I honestly have no words to describe what this did to me. It was downright overwhelming...for all of us in the room. We all got really quiet and when I looked up everyone was in tears. Sully was clutching his kitty book to his chest and Sam was gulping and gasping trying so hard to be a "big boy". I will never, in my entire life, be able to describe what that gift did for me. I can't even begin to try. I now carry the picture around with me where ever I go. I even discovered today that it fits in my purse, frame and all.

You know, I cannot wrap my head around the love that seeps out of each and every one of you. Did I mention already that I've printed out every single email and comment that you've sent to me. I keep them stapled in a book and have them tucked under my pillow so that I can read through them at night. I know it sounds so rehersed and corny but the love and kindness that you've poured over me is what is nudging me back to normal (well, as normal as normal is for me at least). Isn't it amazing what we can do for each other even though we are all hundreds and thousands of miles apart? Really, Oprah should do a show about our artsie craftsie blogging family. I think we could change the world.

So, yes, I promise I'm getting my groove back. I went for a long run this morning, finished up a necklace that someone has been waiting weeks and weeks for, sorted through the rest of that mountain of mail and went for a walk with the boys. I've decided that sitting around crying about the loss of our friend is no way to honor the impact he had on our lives. There's so much more to remember about him than the fact that he's not here. This afternoon I'm going to head over to the humane society (which is like a three second drive from our house, duh) and sign up to volunteer. Who knows, maybe when I win the lottery I can open up a whole new wing in my boy's name!

XO XO XO

Hello Heart, Are You Still There?

I've been walking around with a bucket for the past week trying to pick up the shattered pieces of my heart. It seems my bucket has a hole in it because I'm certain the pieces are falling right back out of the bottom. Tomorrow I will stroke my friend's soft fur while he drifts away. I'll bury my face in his neck and listen for that purr one last time. He's been such a brave boy. Dr P. says bone cancer is one of the most painful diseases a person or animal can suffer through. She said I would know when it was time. Today, I could see it in his eyes. He's tired. He hurts. It's time. If any of you come across the missing pieces of my heart would you please wrap them in pink tissue paper and send them back to me?

The emails and comments you've been sending my way have been invaluable to me. Truly, there is no way for me to express to you what your words have meant. I've tried to sit down to answer each and every one of you because I desparately want you to know how much I feel you. I've failed at doing that though because every time I try to write the flood of tears starts all over again. This morning I cried so hard that I ended up with a bloody nose that would not stop. It looked like I had performed some sort of sacrifice in my bathroom. Please, please, please know that I have taken all of your words and tucked them in a special place in my heart (one of the few places that aren't missing right now). When the swelling in my eyes has gone down, and I can see again, I fully intend to properly thank you all.

So, just trying to get through this day without falling into hysterics. Mailman Sam came to the door and politely asked me to empty out my mailbox. He couldn't fit anything more in there. Seems I haven't opened that box in, um, a week. Look what I found inside...

I know, I know. Catch your breath. I'll wait a minute. One mississippi, two mississippi, three ... Ready? My most bestest blogging sister Dede sent these pretties my way. They're the makings for a Marie book. And, she made the cover for me (you have to read that in a really excited voice). Honestly, it's so beautiful I almost wanted to lick it (I said almost, I'm not that weired). What I love the most is that she made the cover. When the book is finished it will have both of our souls intertwined in it. It makes me want to weep (why not, that's all I've done for seven straight days now). The funny thing is that we arranged this swap a bit of a while ago. I think she felt bad that it took her a teeny tiny little while to get everything off to me (even though I told her not to sweat it). Now, here it is, one of the absolute worst days of my life and there's that package waiting for me in the mailbox. It's like she knew to hold off on sending it until I really really needed it. That's how you know you've got one fantabulous friend in your pocket. Here are some close ups of just a few of the yummy bits and bobs she sent for me to play with...

Am I one lucky girl or what?

And, I have something for all of you. I've received lots (many many...lots) of emails from people asking how I distress my jewelry photos. It's super easy and thought I might whip up a little tutorial for you to try. My instructions (and pictures) are written for Photoshop Elements 5, but I'm certain you could nudge things a bit if you have a different version. Feel free to print the instructions, copy them, share them...just play around with it and have fun!

I find that I always fall back on one set of distress brushes and one set of scrollie brushes. I purchased them from designer digitals. There are tons of great tools to choose from but if you want the exact same ones that I use you can purchase the distress tools here and the scrollie tools here. But, be careful! All that digital stuff is A.d.d.i.c.t.i.v.e. With a capital "A".

Well. I'm going to sign off. Which means this day is one step closer to being over. I know I'll feel you all holding my hand tomorrow and I cannot thank you enough. You're the bestest crafty sisters a girl could have and I love you all!

I Forgot To Tell You...

So I guess the next few days will be days full of "lasts" for us my friend. I just carried you out to the front yard to lie in the sun...for one last time. I watched that little bug crawl past you and could feel how every fiber of your being wanted to jump up and pounce on him. I laughed when you managed to lift up your paw and give him one good whap. He still got away. You didn't mind. We've been partners for so many years. Still, I realize that there are too many things I forgot to tell you along the way...

I forgot to tell you that you were so little when we brought you home that you slept in a cup for the first few weeks. I still have that cup.

I forgot to tell you that I wasn't really angry when you would always, without fail, hack up a hairball every single time we had people over for dinner...and you would hack it up within a five foot radius of the dinner table.

I forgot to tell you thank you for moving to seven different homes with us. I still think it was wrong that you had to ride in the luggage hold all the way from Wisconsin to Oregon.

I forgot to tell you that you aren't really a dog. As much as you fancy yourself the canine variety you truly are a cat. The other dogs in the neighborhood will back me up on this.

I forgot to tell you that I'm sorry for all the times I pushed you off the bed when you wanted to sleep on my face in the middle of the night. What I wouldn't give to open my eyes to find you staring into them again.

I forgot to tell you that I love the way you ache to be around any human being who will have you...even smelly, loud, crazy little boys.

I forgot to tell you that it was not strange that you once dragged your butt all the way across the kitchen floor leaving a poopie smear from one end to the other...heck, we watched you do it. We weren't laughing at you, we were laughing with you.

I forgot to tell you that I'm sorry for all the times you begged me for attention with your head bump and rub...and I ignored you. Most of the time you would even throw in the purr and chirp and I would still ignore you. You know the value of stopping the clock for a few minutes. And I ignored you.

I forgot to tell you that it was okay that you stole my chair every time I got up to move to the sewing machine. I now know that the soft green chair is yours, the hard wood chair is mine.

I forgot to tell you that I was so wrong to complain about a few stray cat furries on my clothes. Next week, when you're gone, I'll probably be digging through my clothes looking for any tiny strand I can find.

I forgot to tell you (well I did tell you but want to say it again) that I'm so sorry for kicking you in the face that time I was cutting fabric for my new drapes. I honestly didn't see you there and it killed me that you were afraid of me for three whole days.

I forgot to tell you how I always marveled at your ability to contort your body to any shape in order to match the stream of sunlight pouring in from the window...my little sun bathing beauty.

I forgot to tell you thank you for always being by my side for thirteen years...for always trusting that I would do right by you, even when I didn't. Moving on without you is going to be like writing a whole new chapter in the book of us. I don't know if I'm going to enjoy this chapter as much as the first.

Dr P. says that it will just be a couple of days now. I can't fathom how I'm going to manage driving you to her office, carrying you into that room, laying you on that table, watching you close your eyes. Forever. For a teeny tiny second I considered not being there, too hard. But I know you would hold my hand if I was leaving. I can't not hold yours. I'm on standby. When you're ready to go you let me know and we'll take that walk together.

We Interrupt This Blog For Breaking News...

Beep Bee Dee Beep Beep Beep Beep...This just in...I'll be listing new jewels on Etsy tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon-ish. Remember my afternoon-ish is on the west coast...so it will probably be night-ish for all of you east coast friends. As per your requests I'll have several new earrings for your viewing pleasure. Here's a little sneekie-peekie...

Pretty As A Picture

May I Have This Dance

Kaleidoscopes

Hope to see you tomorrow! Now, back to our regularily scheduled blog...

While you're waiting for my items to pop up why not mosey on over to a few of the other vintage repurposed jewelry divas that I find so luscious and inspiring. Here are a few of my absolute favorites...

~ Debra ~ at Maake & Co. ~ Tons of sparklie vintage goodness. Sigh.

~ Elizabeth Williams ~ A totally fresh take on the vintage craze. Sigh.

~ Amy Hanna ~ What's not to love about Amy? She will forever be a favorite to all of us vintage-o-philes. Sigh.

~ Alillian ~ at Age Before Beauty ~ Her pieces not only look scrumptious, they all tell such an interesting story. Sigh.

~ Cindy Forrester ~ Totally unique, totally vintage, totally Cindy. Sigh.

~ Jamie ~ at Simply Me Art ~ Infused with that warm love that always pours from Jamie. Perfection. Sigh.

So much prettiness, so little time. Enjoy!

Aaaww, Shucks...Right Back Atcha!

Just how fantastical are all of our friends? Today I was honored to be awarded the "You Make My Day Award" by not one, but two of our crafty sisters. I don't know what I did to deserve it but I'm not ashamed to grab it and run!

The worst part of this award is that I have to pass it on to five new people of my choice. "Hey! Why is that the worst part?" you're asking. Well, how in heaven am I supposed to pick just five other people who make my day? I really feel that since I was awarded the award twice today I should be allowed to pick ten others...don't you think? Don't you? Don't you? Okay fine, I'll stick to the rules...

First thing first. I received this most distiguished award from (in randomly selected order)...

The exquisite Karen of "A'Musements". We have quickly become new BFF's. Karen is gentle and kind and loyal and, and, and, just all around fabulous. If I were to custom order a friend she would fit my design perfectly. Her mixed media pieces are so delicious...look at this Marie under glass. I just want to climb right in and set up house with her in there...

And the sublime Deryn of "Something Sublime". Sometimes I look at her jewelry and think, "Is she for real? Can someone truly be this talented, in real life?" The answer is "YES", and that someone would be Deryn. These nuggets of lusciousness say it all...

Who makes my day? Well, let me tell you (in randomly selected order)...

Kathy has the most dreamy, soft, soothing blog on the planet. Just yesterday she posted pictures of one of the most handsome guys I have ever laid my eyes upon. He's a bit um, furry, but I can see past all that! Not to mention she's wildly talented in the art department. Kathy, you make my day! Your turn to pass it on!

My other new BFF Lisa just received this award last week from someone else. I don't care, I'm sending it to her again. She totally gets me. We've got plans to meet up for some serious thrifting...she'll be the one toting the rosie fabric lined wheelie basket thingie wearing the barkcloth embellished denim jacket complete with lavender sachet tucked in the pocket and danglie button earrings sweeping her shoulders (her exact words, almost). And I'll be the one in the pink and purple plaid pajama pants talking non-stop at fifty seven miles per hour while smacking my gum and flapping my bra around. Won't we be divine? Lisa, you make my day! Want to pass it on again?

Oh, Meg, Meg, Meg. I'm absolutely positively certain that we are living parallel lives. She enjoys cleaning her shower in her underwear, participating in topless art (she says that wasn't her but...) and indulging in burritos at all hours of the morning. I would bet big money on the fact that her brain whizzes and whirrs at the same speed mine does...all the while keeping her toenails painted perfectly pink. Meg, you make my day! Your turn to pass it on!

What's not to love about Jamie? Her exquisite jewels have always and will always make my heart shimmy and shake. Her loving spirit literally oooozes from the pages of her blog and any person who reads it will instantly fall completely in love with her, I sure did. Jamie, you make my day! Your turn to pass it on!

If you have not yet met Sarah I highly suggest you scurry on over to her. She's new to blogging but boy oh boy oh boy...she's definitely someone to know! I personally insist that you not go another day without reading about the surprise her daughter created for her (have your hankie ready). Sara, you (and your girls) make my day! Your turn to pass it on!

What are you still doing here? Go visit my friends and have your day made too!

My eyes are happy today...

The sun is shining here...rare for Oregon in the winter. When the sun does comes out I seem to see things in a whole new light and just had to share the prettiness with you.

Here's what I woke up to this morning...

I got dressed...

Wandered into the studio to hang out with some friends...

Ruby

Matilda

Turned on some tunes...

Was inspired...

Made a few of these...

Had a snack...

What a day! I hope pretties are popping up all around you too!

Hugs & Smooches!

Will you be my Valentine? I'll share my chocolates with you...what's left of them anyway. I discovered my gum bowl empty today. Good thing I had a back up!

8:50 a.m.

12:25 p.m.

4:10 p.m.

See, I saved you some! I didn't even stick my finger in them yet!

Hugs & smooches to you my crafty sisters!

XO XO XO (on the lips)!