AboutDodie Casey Expertise I am able to answer questions regarding: ceramics, beeswax candles, cleaning things from other things, working with wood/pinecones/etc. in the making of centre pieces & wall hangings. I also have a Christmas Village that is approximately 60 square feet in area & takes, at this time, 3 days to assemble for the Christmas Season, but only one day to take down. I also am a great baker & cake/cookie/cupcake decorator (I made my own wedding cake, my sister's for her 25th wedding anniversary, & for two of my friends weddings) & chocolate user for fancy stuff. I have done some small quilting projects & am starting something known as a "Farm Quilt". It requires taking pictures of people, animals & farm buildings on the farm you are using for a model. These pics are then transfered onto the quilt & "quilted" into it. Great fun! Great Family Heirlooms! I know a little about bisque, but more about ceramics. I also do sewing pictures. No, I do not do needle point. The pics are drawn & then various stitches are used to create a three-dimentional appearance.
Experience I have made many presents for others--Christmas, Birthdays, etc. Also, I sold crafts for several years. I have also worked with 4-h-ers for several years as a craft leader, goat leader, woodsman coach, & photography. Now, a friend & I have a business (more hers than mine:) making several varieties of pure beeswax candles. Not the cheepy ones you buy in the dollar store. We go through several hundred pounds of high-grade beeswax every year. It is more a natural, life-styles choice than just candles for burning. They are all natural in style although they take on various shapes as we learn more about versatility.
Organizations I am still a 4-H leader in crafts & gardening. "The Garden Bee" is the name of my friend's company. You can view it at www.thegardenbee.com on her website, should you so desire. Also, I have recently retired after 16 years of directing our Church Choir.
Education/Credentials I have a BSc in Psychology/Computer Sciences. As well, I have taken a couple of courses in ceramics & basic painting which have come in very handy over the years when doing various things with students & friends.
Awards and Honors Absolutely none, unless you count the numberous children & adults who have shown their gratitude for the teaching/coaching/helping/providing that I have done over the years.
Question Hi Dodie
I was delighted to read your profile as it appears we have done a lot of the same things.
My question
Our little group run a very successful Fall Bazaar each year in October.
The rest of the year we make crafts to sell.
We have run out of ideas.
Can you direct me to any web sites that may help with ideas.
We like things that are cheap to make in multiples, fast to make and look good LOL.
We have tons of tree cones, ribbon, greenery and trimmings but the usual wreaths are hard to sell and have become old hat.
We also like to make fall items as we find in October, the fall things sell better than the Christmas things.
We have lots of fall supplies also but not the ideas.
Any help appreciated.
Kind Regards
Eileen
Answer Dear Eileen:
There is something that I make for presents or to sell. It is a candle holder that is relatively cheap to make, looks really good, & can sell for as much as $20.00 each. Once you get a little practice, you can make four of them up by doing each step four times, in about 30 minutes!
You need:
8 in. diameter X 1/2 inch plywood circles
About 30 tiny fir/spruce cones
10 large pine cones
a glue gun & clear glue
6 inch foam circle
simple candle holder (try Zeller's or Walmart)
(try to find holders that will fit variable candle sizes--maybe even try the Dollar Stores. I buy them there at 2 for $1.00)
Decorations: Walnuts, red berries, etc. Avoid plastic as the holder
is supposed to look "real" & it looks tacky anyway:)
Method:
Sand your wood cirle smooth & even.
Glue the foam circle onto the wood.
Glue the tiny cones laying flay outside the foam circle, so that they
form a little circle outside the rim of the foam.
Glue your candle holder into the centre of the foam circle.
Attach the large cones, upright, by sticking the stem into the foam &
reinforcing them with glue. Attach as many as you can--at least
six standing up, leaving them intact. Fill in between those
cones with others. Break off the tops of some of your "fillers"
They will resemble flowers in the centre. You may add any type
of decorations to it that you like, some of the ones given above,
or think up your own. I just visit my local flower shops &
craft stores to see what's in this year:)
Add a candle--pillar, votive, or taper, and "Voila!", you have a
beautiful candle holder to sell that has cost very little to
make accept your time!
You can make candles. For the making of those you would have to look in a craft store. I prefer that to "googling". You don't necessarily have to buy the book in the craft store. Just take a pen & paper with you & jot down some ideas. One such is making cards with pressed flowers. I once sold tiny cards with "Belly Button Dusters" inside-- really just a piece of pipe cleaner--for $1.00 each!!
I hope this will be helpful. I used to do varied crafts, but I'm really busy these days with beeswax candles & ornaments. Anyway, good luck!
