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The new display set up looks OK
There are some changes I'm considering...but I like it & it was an improvement.
Now to ponder what I should do for the 6 foot tables...which are also 8" lower..,.that will work with this...and replace the earring display which I have become less enamored of...Next show is in 9 days...should I work on display or work on work...hummm
Have been working really hard on a new display set up.
Meeting tonite to continue planning a holiday team show
need to remember to post about "perks" thing to see if someone can run with the group web site (not just blog) set up.
need to follow up on trip to NY
want to try really hard to not order more stuff before I have touched stuff from the last order
annnndddd
have these designs percolating in my head - i've sketched & re-sketched - and now I need to pound them out!
phrew
The Boston Handmade team held a materials swap this past week. It was a great time, Kristin brought fabric (Understatement) Amy & Betsy brought jewelry display & beads, Jessica had an old printer, patterns, there was paper from Dawn, fur from Jennifer, all great stuff!
It was pretty cool to see folks get reinvigorated and interested in something you had no idea what you were going to do with...ever.
Having something new to you can be as inspirational as anything else...I had a great time and didn't actually come home with any MORE than I came with...
We also had snacks! I prepared buffalo chicken dip & was asked for the recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This basic recipe was shared with me by a co-worker, who received it from a friend...
I did some experimentation with it and found that this is a very flexible recipe - you can alter to suit what you have on hand, your tastes, or your diet. A full recipe makes enough for a large gathering - use a 9x13 baking pan (like for brownies); I often only make up 1/2 if there is other food planned or a smaller group. This is also de-lish as left overs in sandwiches hot or cold.
3lbs chicken - breasts, thighs, whole is OK too - you want 3 lb of meat
2 packages cream cheese - lowfat versions work OK
12 oz bottle Franks Red Hot Sauce
8 - 12 oz dressing - ranch, blue cheese, french - lowfat version work OK here too - if you don't have dressing, it's OK to substitute 1/2 c mayo & 1/2 c ketchup, splash of Worcestershire.
8 - 16 oz shredded cheese - motzerella, cheddar, mexican style mix, Monterey jack, etc. - you guessed it, low fat/sodium versions tasted just fine.
small amount of oil for pan for cooking chicken
Optional: garlic powder, red pepper flakes, white pepper, cayenne pepper, Tabasco, etc - just depends upon the audience & tolerance for Zesty foods!
Preheat oven to 350, bake time is about 45 minutes for full pan.
1. If whole, bake chicken as normal/directions suggest. De-bone and chop up meat. If parts: Cook chicken in a fry pan with a little oil & shred or chop into small pieces. Place chicken in baking dish & sprinkle with any or all of the optional ingredients.
2. In large bowl, mush or otherwise mix together the cream cheese and hot sauce. It should be smooth, but small lumps will cook out just fine.
3. Add and mix in your dressing of choice. More dressing, more mushy, less heat. Ranch dressing makes a dip slightly sweet - blue cheese is tangier - and french is more neutral to the over all taste, but my favorite.
4. Mix shredded cheese into cream cheese sauce, reserve some for decorating the top. (If you use more dressing you might want to use more cheese; less dressing less cheese....) I like a mix of Monterey jack and mozzarella cheeses.
5. Mix chicken and sauce together.
5. Bake until bubbly and edges are turning golden, or cover & refrigerate/freeze until ready to bake.
Serve with bagel chips, pita, or pita chips, matzos, corn chips are OK too. A side of celery, carrots & blue cheese dressing completes the dish.
Chicken image is from a real product! I hope to see them on Etsy soon!
You can't print postage online for first class packages at the post office web site. Ugh you can at PayPal, but then you also have to pay the small fee for delivery confirmation - it's only 18cents....but it's not an option.
So I thought I'd try Stamps.com - which looks like a decent service; but it is distressing to me when the subscription prices are hidden and barely indicated behind the "FREE" postage, "FREE" scale adverts on their site.
I don't ship enough yet to make the service worthwhile - it's $16 a month - plus the fancy stickers for stamps and labels - tho you can use plain paper. So now I have to find out how to cancel the service! Ugh - I'm guessing that will be a chore.
It is super exciting to get the email that reads "You Made a Sale!"...yet for some pieces it can be a little sad to package them up and ship them off. That's how I felt this morning putting this sweet pendant in the mail.
It's hand cut copper and brass with sterling rivets and bail. Then textured, patinaed and the back smoothed like a baby's bottom to rest against your skin. While a little wistful, I am really quite pleased and proud that the lovely person who purchased it seems so be a collector of other fine Etsian work.
Sugar shopping - pour it on!
Planning next years gardening early
Image presentation fun - even use flick!
Zesty Beads - my de-stach shop!
After the short busy break gettin my sweet situated and recovering; I'm into the re-org mode
Making lists of things to buy; things to do; dates on the calendar; jewelry sketches to review; data entry & business purchasing tasks; and a grocery list for living alone (I can get goat cheese, and pesto, figs and swisse chard - what ever I want (wonder if I'll lose or gain weight cooking for only myself?))
Things to buy:
more silver stock 1/2 in strip 24-22 ga?
custom stamp with ZB in my fav type face
a small range of chains/necklaces for my pendants
vacuum cleaner (no fun, but too much cat hair is disgusting.)
price out new display ideas
(tax free days this weekend...do I need anything big?)
Maybe I'll take a trip to MetalWerx...
The love of my life had surgery this past week. I've not done any updates to street teams, blogs, stores, Ack...I wrapped some stones at the hospital - that's it.
Did you know that for some back surgery they go in from the FRONT!!! I guess it's easier to get to some parts after you move your guts around.
And they made him get up an walk the next day! Wow. It's pretty amazing.
Now perhaps I'll have some time to update my line for fall & holiday shows...I've stashed my sweet with Mom for recovery. woo hooo.
Showing in Jamaica Plain this evening from 5-8pm at the South Street Outdoor Mall in front of the Tennis courts is a selection of art & craft talent. Prints and originals, jewelry and fashion clothing.
The Boston Street Team group is a gathering of colleagues who support one another in the pursuit of creativity made by hand. All members of Boston Street Team are registered sellers on Etsy and are all maintain independent arts businesses in Massachusetts. Members create a wide variety of handcrafted goods including: jewelry, soft sculpture, photography, bound books, note cards, collage art, clothing, accessories, dolls, and home décor. The twenty-two artists within the group collaborate regularly on group shows and support fellow group members’ creative pursuits by hosting workshops and gatherings geared towards learning and sharing arts and business skills.
Today's exhibitors:
Amy Olson Jewelry
Cozy Cottage Creations
Glamorpuss Creations
J. Hill Design
MuchachaK
Reclaimed To You
Relaxation Works
The Hole Thing
Zesty Betsy
