Custom Challenge

   Last week I was offered a custom order for pop-up cards for orchestra leaders. I can say I was super happy with how they came out and I have only ever created one pop-up card before.  I have a short video of the card inaction on my Instagram page.   

   I created some of the cards with a lady pop-up and some with a gentleman pop-up. 

    I love when I can create something to help someone else's vision comes to life. If you want to check out my Etsy shop check MJ's Kraze. I am always open to custom orders. 

Me Update

   I thought it has been long over do on a progress report of what I have been up to.

• I am still working hard on my Etsy shop. I just redid over 120 listings tags and titles. It looks like it is paying off since I am getting picked up in searches more often.
• I am officially done with the eye doctor for this year unless I have a problem. I am now in soft contact lenses. All I can say is I am in love with them and I am taking in all the views that I can. It feels like I am seeing for the first time. 
• I am finally learning to shoot in manual mode on my camera. I am enjoying walking around the town taking fall photos. 

This is a photo that I took Sunday at the historical village. 

• I am still freezing the last of the fall goodies I have been buying at the farmer's market.
• Last but not least, I am looking into doing my first craft show. It would be next year sometime in the summer. If you know me I am a big planner so I know I will have to plan for this months in advance to make sure I have enough products to last the 8 hours it runs. 

That is what my life has been this past couple of weeks. I am hoping to end the year on a high note since the year started on the lowest note possible. 

Studio Update

   Today, I just did my first very quick video tour of my studio. Sorry it is so dark but today wasa very gloomy day. Later on, I will do a more in depth tour. 

Merging

   The holidays are fast approaching so I am preparing my Etsy shop with lots of handmade items. I have been listing Christmas cards and ornaments this month. I also have already have some cute dog toys listed because we all need to give a special toy out fur babies.

   With all the shop work on listings I am constantly working on marketing. I have been trying to incorporate my blog, shop and instagram account to give me a more cohesive look so when you see the name "MJs Kraze" it will be able to stick into ones mind of handmade items and a designer.

   So what do you think of the new blog look. I am loving the more clean and simple design on my sites it allows the items to pop.  On thing about the blog, I am still trying to find the happy medium of posting shop updates. I am sure no reader wants to just see items for sale.

   Speaking of items for sale I am working on a For Sale section on my blog to sell some stash items of supplies.  I had one up before but it was outdated so i am revamping it. Be on the lookout for this later this week.

Foiled Happy Birthday Card

I am trying to go more clean and simple when it comes to cards I am planning to mail and  list on my Etsy site but still stay try to my design style. This card I am about to share with you today was based off the #181 CAS(E) card sketch that was revealed last week. 

   I am absolutely in love with this card. When I created this I had in my mind that it will be sent to my grandma next month for her birthday. I am sure she will love it. Of , I even did a matching envelope seal. 

 Supplies cardstock (American Crafts), washi tape (The Paper Studio), embossing folder (Project Life), ink (Umbrella Crafts and Tsukineko), die (Heidi Swapp) manual die cutter (Spellbinders), stamp (Stampabilities), punches (EK Success), foil (Heidi Swapp) and foil adhesive (Deco Art)

   Here is a closer look. Since I don't have the Minc I just covered a piece of cardstock with the foil glue and let it dry before applying the foil. I then just man that foiled paper through my die cut machine. 

 I love all the embossed papers on here.

Identinty Crisis

   While you might say I am having an identity crisis if you head over to my Etsy store "MJ's Kraze". I have over 50 listings but I am sure you won't expect to see dog apparel and toys in the same shop as paper crafts except at my crazy shop. I think the "Kraze" in my branding is a perfect description of my shop and my creative brain since I am always doing something different each day. Plus,I didn't want to run multiple online shops.I did that a few years ago and one of them always got neglected.

So far my shop has been steadily growing and I am at the most listings I ever had. My most recent category added were the planner clips.

• Cards37
• Memory Keeping2
• Notebooks2
• Wall Art3
• Pet Toys1
• Pet Apparel5
• Planner Accessories7

   This post my confirm your suspicions of my craziness but being normal is very boring. I am totally embracing the wandering brain that finds me creating totally out of my comfort zone crafts.

P.S. I might be going on a metal stamping jewelry binge soon. I just ordered some supplies.  

You Are My Favorite Memory... Love Card

   Over the weekend, I found myself in my studio with nothing to work for a design team. Since there was no "work" I was able to play with some challenges that I never get to do. 

    

   This card I am sharing with today was one I created for the Simon Says: Touchy Feeling challenge, this was my first time playing along with one of their challenges. 

 Supplies: cardstock Bazzill Basics and The Paper Studio), journaling card (Project Life), embossing folders (American Crafts and Mometo (sp)), ink (Close to My Heart), twine (Bella Creationz), doily (Studio Calico), wood veneer (American Crafts), brad (American Crafts), washi tape (My Mind's Eye), manual die cutter (Spellbinders), die (American Crafts) and glue (Ranger)

    My take on this challenge was adding different textures to the card. I embossed cardstock, faux letterpress cardstock, wrote with twine and added some fun embellishments. 

Here are some close-ups. 

   Since the inside of the card is a dark gray I added a journaling card to the inside to write on.

    If you like this card and want to own it, stop by my Etsy store. 

Settling In

  I have been busy this past week settling into me Etsy store, again. I gave it face lift with a new banner, shop icon and even made some business cards. I decided to do two different sets so I can slip them in with orders. For the cards I did a paper version first and scanned it into the computer to add the info. So much faster and better looking than anything I ever did on the computer.
This one would go with the people items.

This would go with the pet orders. 

I am slowly adding more items everyday. I have cards that need to be listed and even dog coats.
Here is what the dog coat looks like, socks not included.  I will be offering it in three sizes and two color choices, green camo and pink camo.

 However, at the moment, I am working on this stack of cards that need envelope seals. This is about 200 cards.

   Be sure to like my facebook page to stay up-to-date on shop info and there might be some giveaways posted there in the future.