I have been busy! Making dresses, sprouting plants, making and selling jewelry and aprons, and time to blog seems to have gotten away from me in the last week. But I was reminded of some things I typically do to make my projects a little easier, and I'd like to share some of them with you :)
With sewing, I do a few things differently. I buy multi-sized patterns, and cut out all of the pattern pieces so that all the sizes can be used, in case the next time I need the pattern I need a different size. That way I'm not buying a pattern for my daughter's size and one for mine. That presents another problem though, and that is cutting the fabric in the right size without cutting the pattern. I pin the pattern to the fabric a little bit into the pattern, not right at the edge, and with a little practice, have become pretty good at cutting the fabric underneath the correct lines on the fabric. It takes a little time and practice to get reasonably good at doing it this way, but when I'm done, I still have a multi-sized pattern. I also store my patterns in manilla files rather than trying to get all the pattern pieces back into the envelope. I have patterns from my mother and grandmother, and over the years the tissue has suffered considerable wear being taken out, used, and reinserted into the envelopes. So I put all the pattern pieces, instructions, and original envelope into a manilla file that can simply be opened, and I make note on the file tab of the pattern make, number, sizes, and what sort of garment it is. If I'm in the process of choosing a pattern for a project, it's as simple as flipping the file open and looking at the pic on the envelope inside so I can make a decision. It takes up a lot less storage space in my file cabinet also :)
I have also been working with the plants. One of the things that is very important is not letting potting mix dry out, as it is very difficult to get it to absorb water again once it dries out, and it's not kind to the seedlings roots if it dries out either. I start seeds in yogurt containers (reduce, reuse, recycle), but then I put them in waterproof trays with about an inch of water sitting in the bottom. This keeps the potting soil moist through the bottom, but doesn't waterlog the seeds. Once the seedlings have sprouted to their first set of primary leaves, I transfer them to cardboard boxes lined with plastic wrap or plastic bags, and start introducing fertilizer to their water to promote strong root systems. I use a commercial fertilizer (Miracle-Gro), and in the spring there are often larger garden size containers avalible. I use the small scoop end (included in the fertilizer package) to a gallon of water, which is a little on the light side but prevents fertilizer burn. Once a week I mix up fertilizer and soak the seedlings in my sink for 15 minutes in about an inch of water, then 2 more times a week I water the seedlings from the top with plain water just enough to keep the soil moist. I currently have 21 bush beans and 5 bell peppers sprouted, and they just moved outside because the evening lows are supposed to stay above 40 degrees. They are still in partial shade with good indirect light exposure, but I will move them into more direct sunlight next week, after they've gotten used to being outside.
On business, I am to the point of working to find a very part time photographer for my jewelry listings. I am an ok photographer, but not a great one, and I don't have high-end photography equipment or the desire to acquire it. I have also gotten to the point where I can put a couple weeks or a month's worth of production into one photo shoot day, and plan on doing the listings for that production the next month. I have a son (in Seattle) who is willing to acqire the photography equipment, software, and devote the time to working on photographs, but if that were not the case, I also have a local community college that offers photography classes, and I'd be able to contact them and offer a bi-weekly or monthly photo shoot at a reasonable cost to me, which would also help them increase their professional portfolios as they're completing their education. This relieves me of two days of production time every couple of weeks being frustrated in working with photographs also, which lets me concentrate on what I do best--design and make jewelry, and at a reasonable cost.
Ok, that's all I have today. Enjoy :)
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