Your Brain and Crafts Part 2

A few months ago I devoted my blog to the effects of crafts on your brain.  Research has shown that crafts actually help your brain, crafting can put you in a meditative state, relieving stress and actually relax you.  It does not matter if you finish your project, it is just the process of doing it that is so helpful.  And all of you know it is so much easier to spend hours crafting and working on a project than it is to clean the kitchen or reconcile bank accounts!  Crafting just makes you feel better.

As Dr. Seuss realized, your brain has a right side and a left side, each half has it's own way of thinking, but they work together to get things done.  The right half is the creative, emotional side and the left half is the more analytical side.   So, the right half comes up with new ideas and the left half figures out how to execute them.

Crafting is a "brain sport", it is exercise for the brain like crossword puzzles and reading.  By trying new ideas, new techniques and doing things a different way; your crafting helps release serotonin, dopamine and endorphins.  These are all neurotransmitters that make us feel better, remember things and relax us.  Crafting can actually change and support the structure of the brain.  Brain exercise can help you learn new tasks, reduce your short term memory loss and help with multi-tasking in your everyday life. So craft away...it is so good for you!!

Want to know more?  Try these links: Brain Creativity  and Can Knitting Give You a Runner's High?

Don't forget Valentine's Day is coming soon.  Check out my Etsy site for gifts for those special someones!  I am always posting new things, so take a look.  Use coupon code FREESHIP to get free domestic shipping for Valentine's gifts.  Below are pics of my new journals, each one of a kind.

Red Heart Button Journal

Woman Journal

See you online!
anne

Croton Spring Arts Fair

Setting up my table for the Croton Spring Arts Fair yesterday

Hi everyone,

Here I am setting up the table for my second craft fair!  It was yesterday in a Croton-on-Hudson park.  What a beautiful setting and a beautiful day for a fair. One note to all of you who are are new (like me) to the craft fair circuit, be sure to have wind proof set-ups.  Displays and even tents went flying in yesterday's wind.

And just like they say, each time you set up your table or booth it does seem to get easier.  I think you are more organized and a lot more confident that it will all work out.   Of course the best part of the fair is meeting other crafters and several "etsyites" too.  I even reconnected with a jewelry maker from the fair I attended last weekend.

Another fun part was the giveaway contest I had.  I ran a drawing with a simple entry blank and picked one name to receive one of my bracelet kits.  It is a good talking point when people come to your table and just filling out the entry slip gives them a chance to spend some time with you and look at what you have. Not to mention, the contact list you build!

For this fair, I made a few more bracelet kits including one Tropical Pink Bracelet Kit, which I just listed on my Etsy site.  Also I crafted some black beads and combined them with beads made from the pages of my French grammar book from many years ago.  I think this bracelet has a completely different look made this way.  It is listed as Vintage French Language Book Bracelet.

Paper Bead Bracelet Kit-Tropical Pink

Vintage French Language Book Bracelet

These items and every thing on my Etsy site is available with FREE SHIPPING until Mother's Day.  So take advantage of the offer.

Later this week, I will be participating in an Earth Day Fair for the local school.  I will be leading a workshop for middle school students, teaching them how to make paper beads.  Sounds like fun, doesn't it!

Talk to you all soon,
anne

My First Craft Fair

Tori and me at the John Paulding School Fund Raiser

Hi to all,

Yesterday was my first craft fair.  It was so much fun.  What an experience to actually talk to your buyers.  They can give you a lot of new ideas.  But I was exhausted when it was finished.

I have a few pointers for anyone doing their first show.  First remember the duct tape and scissors, there are a million things duct tape can fix!  And be sure to bring plenty of water.  If you have wonderful friends like I do, bring them along too.  Having an extra set of hands is invaluable. Try to walk around the show, I saw some great displays and even met some fellow Etsy shop owners.

Next week, Sunday April 29, I will be at the Croton Spring Market.   Read all about it at this link.

And finally the update on the guest room makeover.  Take a look.

I think we all like it; it was a lot of hard work, but worth it.  There are still a few finishing touches to be done.   It's a real comfy guest room now! 

And finally, remember Mother's Day!

Take a look at my Etsy shop, free shipping until Mother's Day

See you soon,

anne



Darkest Before the Dawn!

Hi everyone,

Here's a quick look at the progress we've made on the new guest room!

What a mess! It always looks the worst, just before it is finished.  You can see the new lamp and the new bedside table in the background.  Only a week left to go!  I'll keep you posted.

The tutorial on making Paper Beads has been missing for about a month, it was originally written on January 9th.  Well, I have rewritten it, so everyone can get a first hand look at how I make paper beads.  If you try it, let me know how the directions go; if they need any revisions.

MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL

Starting tomorrow morning I will be running a Mother's Day Special on my Etsy site.  I will be giving free shipping to any items purchased before Mother's Day, May 13th.  Just use coupon code FREESHIP when you check out.  Here are some Mother's Day ideas:

Tropical Pink Paper Bead Bracelet

Pretty in Pink Paper Bead Bookmark

Also I will be posting some new items--PaperBead Bracelets made with chains.  I am sure you will like them.  Go to my Etsy Shop and see what you think.

It is going to be 80 degrees in NY--so everyone enjoy the day.  Get out there and take a walk!!

Thanks for reading and see you soon.

anne