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I lose faith in Etsy when..

2011-08-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

someone can make more sales cutting up an old sweater than someone who can actually sew.

someone can make more sales piecing together scraps of fabric and calling it a "skirt" than someone who can design and finely craft a quality garment.

someone can make more sales cutting up an old shirt than someone who can design and finely craft a quality garment.

someone can make more sales by buying charms from Michael's and putting them on a chain, than someone who crafts/designs their own charms, jewelry, metalwork, etc.

someone can simply put something like safety pins on earring hooks and call it 'jewelry' and still make more sales than someone who puts time and effort into their work.

I could go on.
It really makes me wanna vom.

/end rant.

by no means am I saying my stuff is amazing, I'm just tired of being discouraged by people who can get away with selling DIY crafts that anyone can make/find in any craft store and not put much thought into.

First Treasury

2011-07-13T01:54:00.000-07:00

I just made my first treasury :O
It's Steampunk themed. Took about an hour to make.

Check it out!

PS: Today's my birthday. You should totally buy something from my shop and make my day.
PPS: Also just put a bunch of pouches on sale in the store.

Lego Jewelry

2011-07-11T21:32:00.000-07:00

Just made some new lego jewelry for etsy!

I discovered this octopus piece about 4 years ago and decided to start making them to sell. I always get compliments on mine.

First Clothing Item Listed

2011-05-13T18:46:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm back from college, I can update the etsy again. I decided that I have enough experience now to start selling my clothes. I worked in the costume shop for the theatre department the entire year and learned quite a bit. Check it out!

Find the listing here

Super Cute Stuff for College

2010-09-14T19:23:00.000-07:00

Going back to school is a perfect excuse to shop. I actually needed most of these things, so I don't feel so bad.

Kitty Umbrella

I got this from the always lovely modcloth. It's kinda small, so it definitely wouldn't fit more than one person. Since I'm in New Orleans now, an umbrella is essential. It's always randomly raining here. I think this is sold out right now, but it's super cute to keep in mind. I think they have a panda one, too.

Kitty Shoes by T.U.K.

I love these; they actually just came in yesterday. It took me forever to find my size in stock.

Fancy Rabbit Field Bag by DeadWorry

I needed a bag to carry my books in and this works perfect. It has a super cute design and fits books perfectly. A backpack would probably be more suitable, but I loved the design so of course, I had to get it.

Early Bird Alarm Clock by Fred

I absolutely hate the sound of typical alarms. Why start your day with an incredibly annoying sound? This one chirps at you! And the little bird on top glows. However, I also have to set an alarm on my phone just in case it doesn't wake me, but it's super cute. I actually ordered it off of amazon. Fred has some really cute, nifty items though; they're worth checking out.

I've now turned my blog into a super cute billboard. Oh well, cute things should be spread to everyone.

College

2010-09-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

This is my fourth week at Tulane. I'm living on campus and was ripped away from rather important crafty things -- like my sewing machine. It's frustrating, most people have sports or whatever they like to do for fun, and now I have (almost) nothing. I brought sewing needles, thread, felt, and some jewelry supplies. I still feel limited. Very limited.

On the plus and minus side, I got a job in the Costume Shop in the theatre department. I think I'm one of the only people that's there because it's my main interest and one of the only students that can sew. That means I've been doing most of the sewing work for my professor (which I'm more than happy about). We've been working on the mock-ups for the upcoming performance, Chamber Music. Lots of period costumes.

I think I would hate for this to be a career. I wanted to be a Costume Designer for film, but if that means all I'm going to be doing is drawing pictures and handing them to someone for them to make.. ehh. That sounds boring. And the other jobs, just sewing pieces of fabric together for a design that was made by someone else. Equally boring. I don't think I'd be able to work for someone else either in this field. My professor is a super perfectionist - which isn't a bad thing, I've learned a lot already. I've just always done things my own way. I'm not used to being handed a piece of fabric, told to sew on an EXACT line not a 16th of an inch off, and work like a machine. It lacks the creative process and freedom. I feel so restricted.

I don't know what I want to do for the future. Working for myself -- selling things online -- would probably get me in a box on the street corner. On etsy I make MAYBE 10$ a month on average. Yeah. I dont know. I don't know what I want to do.

An Interview!

2010-07-25T09:33:00.001-07:00

Check out Oh, My Darling to see my first interview ever about A Peacock Picnic!

I've made new wallets that are up on etsy

I've also made some new clothes that I posted on flickr.

A Night's Work

2010-07-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

So this evening, I found the light in my sewing room to be dead. I was going to change the lightbulb but thought it would be wiser to wait for my mom to do it, just in case (she wouldn't be happy coming home from work in the morning to glass all over the room)

So, unable to continue working on a peter pan shirt I started friday, I decided to make things that didn't require a sewing machine. While watching my boyfriend play another run of Dragon Age, I made some hairbows, pins, earrings, and a necklace. The mushroom, key, and blue anchor ones will most likely be listed on etsy. I think they're super cute.

PS: Today is the very last day I will be 17!

Delicious Sale!

2010-06-15T15:54:00.000-07:00

Hey, I'm back! The convention went well and I definitely learned a lot. For one, I should bring items that fit the theme of the event. I only had one anime themed item and that was a Totoro pin (Which did find a nice home!) However, I did make a profit, got lots of smiles, lots of "OO cute!"s, and new homes for my creations. It was good.

Now, in celebration of anything and everything you can think of, I'm putting on a sale until the end of June. EVERYTHING that's on the etsy will be marked down atleast 10%. I'm also listing a lot of new items that I made for the convention that didn't sell.

I'm still here

2010-06-03T04:15:00.000-07:00

And though it would seem I have abandoned the blog, once again I have not!

This is actually one of the most busiest crafting times I've had. (it's 6 am! no I didn't wake up early, I havent gone to bed D: That's summer for me.) My first appearance with A Peacock Picnic in real life is finally almost here! I reserved the spot at a local anime convention over 6 months ago and have been soooooooooooooooo excited about it. But now, things have been quite rushed. One of my friends just requested at the beginning of this week that I make her cosplay for her for the same convention. I've also had to make my cosplay. All in two weeks! But! I'm already done with my cosplay (cooking mama!), have organized everything for the booth, and am halfway done with her outfit. Yay!

I've cleared out the entire drawer of past creations that haven't sold on the etsy since I first opened in January '09. There's A LOT of stuff. So that means after the convention (hopefully most of the items will sell!) the entire store will be restocked with new, improved, handmade(duh) creations. I'm pretty excited about it, and I hope what folk are reading this are a bit giddy as well. You totally should be.

I uploaded quite a few photos to the flickr. The pictures include pictures of my prom dress (which I wrote about in the last post), some other clothes I've made, and of course things listed on the etsy. Check it out http://www.flickr.com/photos/apeacockpicnic

I've also created some new wonderland necklaces that are listed in the store.

you should take a look!

My Dress

2010-04-13T22:05:00.000-07:00

I love the feeling of finishing a project I've been working on for a long time. I was especially happy when I finished my prom dress a few days ago.
Everytime I make something new, it always becomes 'the best I've ever made'. Well, I would say that's definately the case with this project. (I guess that means I'm improving :O)
I designed the dress myself, inspired from Rococo and designs from the Marie Antoinette movie.
I've never liked using patterns, infact I think I have only once or twice.

Anyways, this was my original sketch [which lacks the sleeves]:

From there I just went right into cutting, pinning, and sewing. I like to take pictures as I go to see my progress and feel even more awesome when I'm finished.

annnnnnddddd!

Finished!

Prom is next weekend and I hope to have more pictures which I most likely will post.

Alice in Wonderland

2010-03-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

I saw Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland last night, and I must say I liked it a lot. The movie was very visually appealing all around. I especially liked Colleen Atwood's designs for the costumes.

I want to try to make the Red Queen's crown as a part of my prom outfit. I also want to try to make the top part of Alice's dress. I think it'd make a cute shirt.

I thought it was really cool how Tim Burton incorporated Machiavelli into the movie. The Red Queen brought up Machiavelli's question, "is it better to be feared or loved?" Obviously, she believed fear was the answer while her sister, The White Queen, said love. Machiavelli said in The Prince, “It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, it is much safer to be feared than loved.”

I just started reading Lewis Carrol, so I don't know how much was original input from Mr.Burton. However, I think it's worth seeing.

Hat ideas?!

2010-02-08T14:26:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone.
So I have this yarn that I like quite a lot, it reminds me of a lamb. I'm making hats with it, and I usually make kitty hats like so:

Okay so that picture is super blurry. You can see the ears, bow, me, and a cat on my shouldar yes? Well that's basically the hats I usually knit.

Here's a picture of the hat I need ideas for:

See the wooly texture? Well if you don't, it has a wooly texture : )

I was thinking of putting lamb ears on it.. But how many adults would wear that?

Goat ears and horns?

Bear Ears?

Bunny Ears?

What do you think? Something cute, but adults would wear!
Thanks!

outta the oven.

2010-01-17T17:58:00.001-08:00

I just finished baking some of my first polymer clay creations. They'll be made into lots of different jewelry soon.

Dirty tooth, tooth brush, lollipops, icecream..

New Stuff :)

2009-12-28T20:15:00.001-08:00

I finally got around to finishing this skirt. It started as a dress.. but I didn't like how it was looking.

I also finished knitting this bonnet:

For Christmas, I got some polymer clay to start with. I recieved Fimo and Premo and I love it. It's so easy to work with, unlike Kato which I got a long time ago and didn't have much luck with. Here's my first creation. This is Riley, the Magical Octopus.

You can read about him further, and even buy your own on my etsy.

Winter!

2009-12-20T17:47:00.000-08:00

Greetings everyone! I hope you're having a grand winter break- if a break is what you're on. I know I am. Two weeks off of a school is always nice. I love buying and making gifts for people; and recieving them too (who doesnt?). I've also had some extra time to make some new things for the store. I've been knitting a bit and put up a new scarf [click]

The Etsy Team I'm on -The Etsy Tea Party - had a secret doll gift exchange. I dont have photo's of what I sent, but here is what I recieved:

I think it's pretty cute. It's from laceybabydoll (on etsy)

I made a facebook fan page for A Peacock Picnic. Please fan us! Facebook tells me I need 100 fans to have my own special URL. Click here!

Thank you!

New look? I need opinions please!

2009-11-26T09:48:00.000-08:00

I decided to draw an idea for a new picnic banner.
I used pastel pencils and sharpie. I wanted it to be all hand drawn, unlike the other one that was colored in photoshop.
Should I use this for A Peacock Picnic's logo, or the old one?
Here's the old:
(click to enlarge)

And here's the new:

And the blog banner is already on here. I wanted to see what it would look like.

Please tell me what you think! I'll change it depending on your opinions.

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween : Maleficent

2009-11-02T17:50:00.000-08:00

Maleficent is my favorite Disney villian.
If only I could've made my costume transform into a dragon. You know?

Unfortunately, I don't have that technology.
Also, I cut the dress I made WAY too short.. I was too lazy and didnt measure it. Half my butt hangs out so I wore 2 layers of tights under it and my cape covered it for the most part.
Also, I didnt have a crow.
Also, my staff was wayyy too short.

This was a learning experience.
For OMGcon (the local anime convention) I plan on using the same headdress but remaking everything else. I have until June :)

Tonari no Totoro!

2009-10-24T16:07:00.000-07:00

I had an abundance of time today while ignoring my Calculus homework and decided to make a totoro hat.

He's pretty warm :D

I've also made some new pouches today that are on etsy:

Take a look!

Kitties and flowers!

2009-10-19T16:17:00.000-07:00

I had a random urge at about 7 pm yesterday to make a skirt out of this fabric I had bought in the summer. I'm quite pleased with it, I've finally got out to install zippers correctly into clothing. I hope I can start selling clothes soon. After teaching myself the past 2 years, I think I have it down.

This is really simple compared to the other clothes I've made. I thought the fabric was detailed enough to not put any lace on it.
i sorry for bad photo quality.

You see the little kitty faces?

Cheers!

New Layout!

2009-10-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

So, you may notice I made a new layout for the blog.. or you may not. Teehee.
Either way, I did make a new layout.
I want to make a new look for A Peacock Picnic. I want to make a website off of Etsy before I graduate high school this year.
Yes! I said it, I'm 17. I've been afraid to tell anyone on the etsy/selling community as I dont want others to think any less of my skill due to my age.
But, I've been making some pretty cool looking friends in this community and hope not to be judged by my young age.
I need everyones opinion(s)/help. I've been applying for several different colleges and I'm not sure what I should do. I want to continue with making clothes and handmade things for A Peacock Picnic, however, I'm afraid not studying something with Fashion/Costume design will hinder my focus. Have others been able to study something else in college and still keep up their stores/work?
I'm looking for colleges that have Japanese and a costume technology program or Fashion design. I've applied to Purdue, Bellarmine, Washington and Lee, Washington University in St.Louis, and DePaul.
Any suggestions or personal experiences are appreciated. I'll be living in a dorm several hours away from home and don't want college to prevent me from doing what I love.. and that is A Peacock Picnic.

I've added many new Halloween Accessories to the Etsy. Please take a look if you please!

Thanks! Keep Cookin'
lulz, what?

My New Bag!

2009-10-01T19:17:00.001-07:00

EEEEK!

I haven't updated in awhile. I've been lazy. And school kinda drains me. :/

Anyways!
Along with the fabric I used to make the red riding hood dress I posted earliar, I ordered this snow white fabric to make a new purse.
(Sorry if the image quality isnt the best. My camera broke so I'm using my lovely phone :O )

Its a messenger bag with green victorian damask styled fabric on the inside. It's pretty thick as I used super firm interfacing. :D

I hope it will last me awhile.

I also just listed a new pair of earrings. Take a gandar, if you please:

New Halloween Accessories

2009-09-14T15:52:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd make some things to go along with the season.. sorta.
(click the pictures to view the listing, if you wish)
I started making these little bonnets in the spring and I think they'd work nicely for a halloween costume:

I can also do customs on these.

I listed this the other day. I thought it was rather cute myself. I plan on making more headdresses, depending on how much you like them...

And then this little thing.. I listed it last night. It's a little batty top hat. I think it'd be fun to do in different colors as well.

Hope you like!

My favorite thing I've made thus far!

2009-09-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

I was so excited last night when I finished this. I ordered some Japanese imported fabric with Little Red Riding Hood on it by Kokka, and this is what I made:

It's the first shirt pattern I've ever attempted (for the top of it, of course). It was difficult and I improvised a lot. It's a tiny bit tight, but hopefully the next time I attempt something similar it will be better.

I've also uploaded some new things to etsy. Here are a few:

SUSHI!

2009-08-12T16:20:00.000-07:00

2000 years ago, Sushi began as simply a method of preserving fish, now it's considered fine dining.

Eat it with chopsticks!

Eat it on your friends!

Or you could buy some from A Peacock Picnic and put it in your hair or your ears.

Me?! In a treasury?!

2009-07-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

Tennyoceres put me in my first treasury! I think it's expired now so I cant link it :( These things brighten my day.

I made a new skirt! It's the first one I've made like this.. Usually I make foofy lolita-ish skirts, but here's a somewhat mini zipper cupcake skirt. I was too lazy to put it on to take a picture (I stupid) so I took this crappy little picture to show you:

Yay :)

Its the same fabric I used to make these:

Kawaii fabric?

2009-07-15T01:42:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to find sellers with japanese fabric. I really want this; I thought it would make a really cute skirt. I've been wanting to make a nautical-ish skirt for awhile.

but it's out of stock :(

I'm going to get this though for a bag for myself:

If anyone knows any stores online with japanese imported fabric, please tell me :) I've been searching for quite some time.

New items..

2009-07-11T23:28:00.000-07:00

I just listed a few new items...

Click the images to view them.

Hi Der

2009-07-10T00:05:00.000-07:00

I'm back from my trip! :)

Of course, I can't resist the urge to make things, so I made these while I was gone!
I haven't listed them on my etsy yet. I'd like some people's opinions first. From the few pictures I'm posting, can you tell me:
Do you like them? Or do you know someone that would?
Please comment with your thoughts!

Small monopoly pouch, big enough to fit a couple of credit cards, folded money, etc

Monopoly velcro wallet. An expandable area to put money and a space for credit cards. Folds closed. The $50 monopoly bills is the front closed.

I have one I made out of clue game pieces, but I dont like the pictures I took for them.

and now...

All of these items are now on sale!

Please visit my etsy to see!

Away for awhile..

2009-06-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

I'm sure there are bajillions of blog posts out there pertaining to the death of Michael Jackson.
Well now, there's a bajillion and a half.

I've always liked Michael Jackson since I was a wee lass bopping about in my tap shoes. However, there a few things I didn't know about him. Some things I thought I knew but were merely judgements made by the ignorant public.
For example, I truly thought he had bleached his skin. I didn't do any research about it. I thought it was just a fact everyone knew. I feel really bad now. I hate being judged. Doesn't everyone? Watch >> THIS <<>I really like him as a person. A lot of people think he's creepy. He rather is with his talk of "children"; he even has a great pedo voice. However, I dont think he ever molested any child or what have you. He seems too nice, caring, innocent, and simply longing for a childhood to want to touch some kids weiner. It makes me sad that there are people alive that would try to accuse him of doing such a thing when he just wanted to be nice to their kid.

I watched Edward Scissorhands earliar and all the stupid neighborhood women is so similar to our society.

Anyways, I'm going on vacation to Tucson starting tomorrow until July 9th. That means any orders placed in my store will be sent out immediately upon my return home.

In preparation for the event, I made a few new things to wear. Some photos:

-takes a deep breath- An alice in wonderland style cameo bunny necklace with a drop on the side I added with glass beads and a metal key charm.

And a terrible picture of the dress I just finished.. :/

annnd! Thats all. I'll be back July 9th.

I wish I could say I'm making a Whale Wallet today

2009-06-24T01:04:00.000-07:00

I think it's really annoying how whenever I look in the alchemy section on etsy, I see 100 requests for Twilight items.
I don't get why the series is so incredibly popular. I read the first book, and I can't say it's a fine piece of literature. I'm not claiming to be a literary genius, but I am claiming I think Twilight isn't something to make this big of a fuss over.
I haven't seen the movie, but I read this and I think it covered it: click

oh, I feel mean.

Anyways.

I hate how I get so excited when I think of something new to make, and then after I cut the fabric and maybe get through making 1, I'm bored.
I wanted a new wallet, and somehow I had the idea to make a whale wallet. I thought it was such a good idea that I would make one for my etsy (click above whale to see listing) as well. However, I got through making the one for my etsy, and my whale sits in several unsewn peices of fabric on my sewing table.
I was so excited.
Boyfriend: What are you doing?
Megan: Making whale wallets! You?
Boyfriend: Oh.. playing The Witcher.
Megan: Thats fun
Boyfriend: I wish I could say I was making Whale Wallets. That sounds so much more awesome to tell people. "hey guys! I'm making whale wallets!"

Someone buy the whale wallet, he hates to see a potential friend in pieces.

Thar she blows! Dead whale explodes
Thats quite an interesting article. Poor whale. Click the image to read.

FINALLY!

2009-06-22T23:30:00.001-07:00

One of my summer goals has been completed: Make a new creations/etsy blog.

But now I can't figure out how to do anything. It took me FOREVER just to make this basic layout. And I dont think its very satisfactory D:

<<<<>
I want that sewing machine!

I made my favorite pouch ever! It's a wristlet I made for my phone. The bunny charm on the zipper is one of the one's I ordered from oversea's recently. I have it listed on my etsy as well so you can have one too! I only have 4 more of the bunny charms though. I also have some onigiri ones that I was thinking about making a new choker out of.

I'm about to upload a new item to etsy right now. I made it last night.... It took me forever because I couldnt decide exactly which beads to use, but I really like it. I almost wanted to keep it.. but it's for ssalllleee!

-----one moment as i upload and list it-------

boooooooooop!

-Click on the image to see the listing-