Inspiration - Never too Late

Sometimes I think I must be nuts. What was I thinking...trying to make a mortgage and bill paying living as a craftsperson. After more than 20 years with a regular biweekly pay cheque it is a big switch to go to dribs and drabs of cash. But you'll never know if something you want to do will work unless you try so here I am.
So the reason I'm rambling here about my choices in life is that every once in a while you meet someone who proves crazy dreams can work out.
Last weekend I booked a couple for Some Good Market in Makinsons. He made fused glass jewellery and she was a travel writer. They travel all over Canada going to markets and having all sorts of adventures. Well, I was to learn that these few sentences were only a drop in the bucket. 
I met them in person when I went to set up SGM on Friday evening. I also got to meet their canine buddy named Pali (which is Romany for small). What's Romany for teeny-tiny cute? He's the size of a baby bunny and is a cross between Shitzu, Poodle and long-hair Chihuahua. I talk their ears off and then get to work.
A chance remark by Dave leads to a fused glass demonstration. He takes his kiln on his travels so he sets up and makes some jewellery during the day long process.
At the end of the day I ask Barb if she would like to barter...you know me and books...I want them but cash money always gets put towards bills. Thankfully she is game for a trade and signs all four books to boot!
Now I gotta tell ya...I really enjoyed all four...informational and fun. Each book details the Geriatric Gypsies travels and resulting successes and disasters.  I guess considering my lifestyle it was nice to know that other folks can live from market to market and be happy for the little things. I think whether you travel by RV or not, attend markets or not, are young or not so young you would do well to have a read of one or all of the series. I personally enjoy reading back to back...no waiting!
You can learn more about Barb and Dave's travels on her website www.write2dream.com

The books:
RV Canada on a Dime and a Dream
ISBN: 0-9736198-8-0
RV Canada With Boo the Menopausal Van
ISBN: 978-0-9811808-0-9
RV Canada's Far North on a Dream
ISBN: 9-780981-180816
RV Canada and the Polar Bear Dream
ISBN: 9-780981-180823

Oh and if you've read this far...something to think about...Barb was 57 and Dave was 60 when they started out...that was 10 years ago and they don't look to be stopping any time soon...so get off your arse and do whatever it is you want to be doing. No excuses.

Cotton Dishcloths

I had someone ask me the other day if I knew anyone who would be willing to knit cotton dishcloths for wholesale. Now it was actually more like consignment but still. I know plenty of people who probably would but let me just do some math for you.
I am a fast knitter. If you don't believe me go watch the Land & Sea episode "Wool Whisperers"...its online. Now it takes me almost 54 minutes to knit a regular dishcloth. I used a stopwatch. The cotton yarn to make a dishcloth can range in price from $1 to over $2. With the minimum wage in this province at $10 an hour a dishcloth should cost $10-11.
So when someone asks me if I know anyone willing to knit three for $7 (that works out to $1.48 an hour after buying the yarn) I am going to say no. Emphatically no. And you should too.
Please share this blog. Oh and if you need any dishcloths...I have some for sale. How much do you think my time is worth?

A Tale of Three Roosters

Yes there are three. Rooster Prime is Nacho Grande aka Red aka King Henry VIII. His son is Onesie who just had his first birthday on May 12. Then there is CoCo's consort, Nut, who is a Silkie. Now before you ask...yes that's a couple more than needed.
So the boys have been getting along...mostly. There was a good bit of chasing but that was about it. That changed yesterday.
I let the flock out yesterday morning and Nacho didn't seem himself...now considering his age I thought might be on his last legs. Well, Onesie saw his chance to overthrow his father. They had words.
Onesie is now in segregation with a bloody wound to his head/comb. Nacho staggers like a young fella on George Street.  Nut was also put into lockdown today as he went after Nacho. So. Now I wait.  The big guy might not survive but he doesn't seem to be in distress so I'll see what happens. Might just have a concussion.  Keep your claws crossed.

PETA has to go

Shocking Photos: PETA's Secret Slaughter of Kittens, Puppies - The Huffington Post

Now I didn't post this directly on FB because I hate seeing horrible pictures of animals in my feed BUT you should really really read  this.These are the people who condemn the seal hunt and meat eaters and pet owners. Donate your money somewhere else.

Been Some Time

So its been months since I blogged. Not because I didn't want to be. There has been tons to be talking about. But my poor ole phone couldn't handle it after the excursion down the well. Don't get me wrong I'm happy it worked at all.
Headed into town yesterday evening to get a new phone...I had sort of wanted to hang on till the Galaxy 4 came out but it was not to be. Galaxy Note II instead and its fun fun fun.
Okay so lots of things have been fun lately.  Operation Homespun patterns were released.  I got to do a live radio interview on CBC. Some Good Market went to Town and is going back Big Time. Oh and there was Land & Sea. Holy bazoly it couldn't be better really.
So fair warning that I'll be back yammering about anything all the time..oh and happy first day of spring...whatever that means here in Newfoundland lol

He's visiting on his Blog Book Tour!

Note: Thanks to Laurie Legrow for posting this and for helping me promote my book. If you’re in Newfoundland (and near St. John’s) you really owe it to yourself to check out Some Good Market, for some excellent handmade items (and my book) also please check the end for a prize! 

Writing Tip: The Importance of an Outline (Two even!)

    It is one of those simple things you learn in school early on (at least I did), the importance of an outline for a story. The funny part is that for all my time in high school and university (I have a Masters) I never bothered to do an outline. It was only the past few years when I started writing my book that I finally saw the benefit of it. When you have an idea for a novel/short story/blog post/whatever you just want to go with it, get it down as fast as possible. What I have discovered though is that once you get the first few chapters done you need to come up with a plan, you need to know where you’re going and as the writing continues, where you’ve been.

At first I was content just have an outline which contained four things, chapter titles, dates when the story happened, a brief description of the chapter and of course the chapter order. I found that by always at least having ideas for two or three chapters ahead I had an idea where the story was going and it always gave me something to think about in terms of scenes, characters and the storyline in general. What I’ve discovered though, with the help of my most excellent editor at Penumbra (Pat), is that it helps a great deal also to have a detailed outline. A detailed outline contains all of the above details but also describes briefly every event, small or big, that happens in each chapter. Why go to this level of detail you ask? Consistency, logical flow and evenness of the storyline and characters in your story is something that may be hard to keep straight otherwise.

    Two examples from my own experiences: when I wrote my first novel “The Newfoundland Vampire” (available now ) I just had a basic outline. It gave me an idea of what happened in each chapter but with editing and changes I lost track of a couple of things. The sequence of days, while it may not sound important, if you’re going to have your characters follow the regular week that it has to be correct, otherwise readers will become frustrated and taken out the story. Another thing I missed was the time of day that the sun would set, for a vampire novel that’s important. Without a detailed outline I had the sun setting at the wrong time for September and it needed to be changed to October.

More recently while working on book two (tentatively called “Killer on the Road”) I spent a few hours and did an outline for the entire novel. While I’m sure this will change, chapters will be removed, edited and moved around but I have an idea now of where the story will go and a plan. As I complete each chapter I add to the more detailed outline discussed above.

    While writing is a creative process, I have found it invaluable to be organized when it comes to writing anything beyond a short story. If you are going to create your own world it needs to make sense and outlines (at least one) make sense to me.

The Prize: You’ve made it this far so here’s your reward. Today (November 22st, 2012) my book “The Newfoundland Vampire” is free on Amazon Kindle. I hope you’ll check it out and if you do read it, I’d love a review. Feel free to get in contact  with me through here. Thanks and have a great day/afternoon/evening!

Busy Times Upon Us

This is the time of year when thoughts for most turn to shopping for the upcoming festive season. For those who make many of the things people buy its the time of year we wonder where the year has gone and how are we going to be ready for all that is coming.
Some tips for getting ready for whichever end of the spectrum you are on (maybe both?):
- Tea is key.
- Its never to early to buy a handmade something from a local craftsperson. Many times if you wait you will miss out.
- Breathe. It will all get done.
- Smile.

And with that out of the way... here is a list of places you can go to buy lovely local somethings! (And I will be at all of them...come say "Hi")

Nov 4 The Little Christmas Fair at The Rocket Room (supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Atlantic) Check out Pink Days in Bloom on Facebook

Nov 10 Some Good Market
http://facebook.com/SomeGoodMarket

Nov 14-18 The Christmas Craft Fair at the Arts and Culture Center ( Newfoundland and Labrador Craft Council juried members)

Nov 24 Some Good Market

Dec 1-2 No Idle Hands at the Quidi Vidi Village Plantation

Dec 8 Some Good Market

Dec 15-16 Anna Templeton Centre Tea and Sale

Happy shopping!