Santa is on His Way

All of the snow has definitely melted. It's raining. If it wasn't for the wind, the weather would almost feel warm. The photo below may be the closest I get to a snowflake. 

Oh well. 

White, or not, there are more important aspects of Christmas than the weather.

So I would like to take this moment to wish everyone the happiest of holidays...ever.

I hope you are with the ones you love, or lovin' the ones you're with.

I hope you're drinking Egg Nog, eating Gingerbread Cookies, playing a Board Game, singing Carols, and cooking a Big Dinner; all at the same time. It's not Christmas if you don't go overboard.

Much Love.

And Happiness.

All In A Saturday's Work...

Make. Make. Make.

Talk. Talk. Talk.

Sell. Sell. Sell.

Shop. Shop. Shop.

The Holidays can be so predictable. Luckily, they are only once a year. I miss them when they are not around. I try to take full advantage of them when they arrive. The best way to do this is with an early start. (Man, this sounds like a bad pitch for Black Friday...or Cyber Monday...)

I'm not changing the subject here, but it is going to sound like I am......

What do police, riots, and soccer rivalries have in common with an artist's market? Nothing. Why do I ask? Because not only was today my first German bazaar in Fürth, but it was also the day (long time) soccer rivals Fürth and Nürnberg went toe-to-toe. As luck would have it; there is a violent history there, and the streets of Fürth were barricaded just in time for our market to open. The buzz around the bazaar was that the soccer game, or the avoidance of the soccer crowd, was going to influence attendance at the artist's market, severely.

The bazaar was in the Volkshochschule in Fürth. A Volkshochschule is a building of continuing education. Adults go there and take classes on anything from language, to cooking, to yoga. This school plays an active role in its city's community. So it would only make sense for the school to host a bazaar during the Christmas shopping season. Normally the event is well sought, and has many shoppers. In the past the vendors have benefited greatly. Today I think it was a bit different.

For me it was obviously a victory, as it has been a priority of mine to sell in a German bazaar. (It ranks up there with while we live in Germany I want to ski in the Alps, see Paris, and shop in Italy) I did it. It happened much sooner than I thought it was going to. The whole scenario was pretty normal; despite what I was anticipating. I had no trouble finding the venue; thanks to the GPS. Parking was annoying because it was in the city, but that is to be expected. I am happy it was as close as it was. I only had to schlep my merchandise two blocks. Many of the other vendors were chatty. This was great for getting more (culturally) familiar with my peers. I sold a handful of scarves too; not many, but a few. Could this have been better? Yes. I think my sales would have benefited from a better knowledge of the language. As you know, Katharina came with me, and she seems to differ in this opinion. She seems to think many Germans do not want to be engaged in conversation. They just want to look, and if they have a question they will ask. Maybe Americans like to shop more, and want to be convinced of their purchase. (or wooed) Whatever the case, I believe it was a great start to a relationship between me and the German handmade consumer.

My knowledge of the language got me farther than I thought it would. I spoke to almost everyone that stopped by the table. If I got confused Katharina was there to back me up. Do Germans love Florida? Yes. Have they been to Florida? Yes. Do they make the same joke that Americans do...that Florida is too warm for scarves? Yes. Do they, despite that fact think that my work is lovely, and fun, and colorful, and unique, and awesome anyway? Yes. I think my little scarf business is still in good company here in Deutschland.

I received two other invitations to participate in more handmade markets. I think I will refrain from anymore last-minute sales opportunities. I would love to get more settled in the culture, and more acquainted with the language, and then “sell my socks off.” (as my father in law would say)

Actually, now that I mention it. I did sell my hoodie off today. That hasn't happened in a while, but it is quite customary for someone to like what I am wearing so much, that they ask to buy it off my neck. I am always surprised, but I always say yes. So anyone that was familiar with my current hoodie (the blue one lined with the bright floral print, with sweater on one side and a fake flower brooch) It's gone, but not lost. It is owned by a lovely vendor from the bazaar who made very cute items herself (including little knitted rings with shiny buttons for gems.) Her work was pretty adorable. I hope I see her again at another market.

If anyone in this area is interested, there is something called the Oscar Selbstgemacht. Oscar Selbstgemacht is (obviously) a character that makes all of his wares himself, by hand. This character heads up a one-day, indoor, artist market that tours a couple of cities. It will be in Fürth on 12/8 and in Nurmberg in the Hauptbahnhof 12/15 and 12/16. You can find information at www.oscar-selbstgemacht.blogspot.com

The flyer is featured above.

Lots of people today were talking about www.dawanda.de. It is a place, on the German Internet for small businesses to set up shop. I don't know if my German is ready for this. But my point was to pass the info along to you, my German-American community, in the event you would like to check it out.

I continue to ramble on, about Germany, here.

I Just Love Y'alls Lights

I woke up way too early this morning. So I decided to go on my Christmas Lights Round Up. I enjoy a good holiday lights display, and love capturing it on film even more. The problem is you get crappy photos if you take them at night. Being there predawn is key. These are a couple of shots from an R.V. park just around the corner that I've been surveying for a while.

This is one of my favorite photography activities. The last time I did it though, it was 2007 and we lived in St. Augustine. It's been a while.

Continuing in the spirit of Christmas I wanted to share this with you.

Phil is fixing his aunt's nutcracker. Isn't it intense?

And sweet? He really took his time in securing it for drying.

I hope this inspires you to dust off your own holiday decorations. That is, if you haven't already.

Have a great day!

Oh, in case you were wondering, the last day to order a Florida Scarf on Etsy and still get it delivered by Christmas is 12/12.

Christmas In July

It's sweltering here in Alabama. And by the looks on The Weather Channel it's not the only place with extreme heat right now. In a counter attack to this situation I have been pouring myself into preparation for Etsy's Christmas In July Festivities. Lots of Etsy shops are participating by offering great sales. The sales event runs from 7/14 to 7/24. You can take advantage of the sale by entering CIJ or christmasinjuly in the search box. It's a killer way to support an independent artist/crafter and save a few $$$. Below I have highlighted some of my favorite items up for grabs at a discount.

'Christmas In July Sale Treasury' by scgeraci

This is a collection of some of my favorite items that are on sale this holiday.

50s vtg red mexican pea... JojosRetroandV... $54.00	1980s TELEPHONE trophy ... ObjectRetro $12.00	Homefront's Christm... HHSIX $10.00
QUANTITY BEER, an origi... jctebeau $500.00	JULY SALE 10% HAPPY Go ... QuiltLover $166.50	Layer Cake: Custom Birt... PetalPetal $164.00
Feather Derby BoringSidney $135.00	Extended SALE 10% OFF C... AlteredEras $17.10	SALE - Peeking Mouse on... TheHouseOfMous... $2.00
Slate and Apple Handbag... dishhandbags $42.00	CIJ Sale 20% Off Chande... waterwaif $19.20	Maple Sugar - 2 oz. - m... CraigsMarket $5.45
Quilled Sculpture - Bac... DazzlingDeligh... $28.00	SALE Les miniature Punk... moonandlion $8.00	SALE - Christmas in Jul... ThongbaiTatong $21.00
Squash Blossom Silver a... worn2perfectio... $4500.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

I myself am participating in the event. You can get 25% OFF Florida Scarf at www.scgeraci.etsy.com
Just enter coupon code FLOSCA2010 at checkout.

Also in celebration of this blessed event The Etsy Homefront Team is having a contest. Our members have specially made items for Christmas In July. They will be posted to on our blog. Stop by, check them out, and cast a vote. The winner gets major bragging rights :)
www.militaryhomefrontonetsy.blogspot.com

Here's my entry:

Find this gem at www.floridascarf.etsy.com

(this item is not on sale. sorry)

Creepy picture, huh? I've been working really hard to hone my Photoshop skills.

Happy Shopping!

Want to celebrate Christmas In July on your own? Here is a great place to start:

http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas_in_july/

Handmade Holiday

Do you like this photo? I made it myself. I didn't just pay a graphic designer to do it for me. Doesn't that make you appreciate it more? The answer to that question is "yes", and this is exactly my point. Never mind that I couldn't size it correctly to fit in the parameters. That is not the point!

People will truely love the gifts you give them this year if you make them. Now I know this sounds ridiculous, so maybe you don't make gifts for everyone. Maybe, make a gift for at least one person. We all have someone we know that we could make something for and they would love. And not just your mom, someone else too. Before you blow me off, it's easier than you think. The internet is full of resources, and so is the library, a book store, a craft store, the supermarket, thrift stores, and hardware stores. People are dying for you to get creative in their name. It's way trendier than buying them a new ipod or Starbucks giftcard.

To give you further inspiration I'll show you what I'm going to make and give out, and no it isn't scarves.

It's a hand-covered light switch! What man on your list wouldn't want these through out his house? All you need is glue and an old issue of Maxim. This is proof that there is a craft for every creative comfort level. A gift doesn't have to be expensive to be amazing.

I could go on with more examples but you get the point.

(I apologize if that example was too graphic)

Despite my winning argument if you still don't think giftmaking is for you, then buy a handmade gift. There are tons of options there. And if you don't mind I'd like to take a minute to plead this case. When items are made by hand they are just, so, amazing. Crafters are passionate and inspired by their world, and they put every bit of their heart into their work. Then you buy it, give it to someone, and you all share in the joy! Unique gifts have character and personality, like the real-life person you give it to. Because artisans are regaining popularity the recipient of your gift will find you more hip and socially aware. And finding a selfish reason to do something is so much more rewarding. 

Seriously, I am going to cut myself off now, but I do encourage you to act on what I've written. Go to the locally owned gift shop in town. Or go online and search "handmade gifts." I can make it even easier for you. Go to http://www.etsy.com/ or http://www.artfire.com/

I can also do you one better. Buy a handmade gift and have all the proceeds go to charity. http://www.rightasrain.org/

I'm shutting myself off now.

                    
http://how2dostuff.blogspot.com/2006/02/how-to-make-secret-hollow-book.html

OK, seriously, get out of here now.