Life on Mars - Busy as Hell

This one will be brief because there is no time no time.

Last week my son's lung collapsed again and he had to go back and have it re-inflated. I get little enough sleep, and he called me at midnight to tell me he talked to the Dr and they thought the bruising in his chest might be his heart bleeding. I told him to get to the ER immediately (he is on the other side of the country). He called back at 2 am. No bleeding heart but X-rays show his lung collapsed again. They sent him home and   put in a chest tube the next day. One day with the chest tube and he was good to go and now (knock wood) everything is working like it should be.

My DD's sales have hit the roof and there is no peace here. I have to handle everything else while she sews, which means I have to work on my merchandise at midnight and get no sleep training the new puppy. I do get a few hours to a) sew buttons on her costumes b) lace her corsets c) clean the house and do dishes and laundry and d) watch her baby and teach her boys.

We are trying a sitter this week. She is a mom with a girl in school. The girl is our mother's helper, so we're hoping that the Baby will love her and stay with her for at least 4 hours a day. THAT will help a LOT.

School is still crazy, but the younger boy finally has some programs that he can do all by himself (phew).
Both boys have much higher grades than they had at their brick and mortar school. And it isn't that the program is easy, it's just easier for them to learn.

Hope this was entertaining, I have no more time. See you again next week. Can't wait til Halloween season is over.

Poppy's Soapbox - May Giveaway

Since I'm a slacker(for those of you who know me feel free to LOL) I didn't get a review together this week! Why, because with my 30 other orders I was designing and making the Gilda The Griffin Hoodie(My little Pony for you non Bronies) http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/4701457 anyways since I promised a giveaway I'd better at least follow through with that:P
How Does a $25 Poppys Wicked Garden Gift Certificate sound?

Each step equals 1 entry! (I'll be checking) Be sure I have a way to contact you too!

#1 Follow this blog and add a comment, I follow this blog

#2 follow my Facebook http://www.facebook.com/PoppyClothing add a comment that you follow me!

#3 go through my shop  and let me know what you would like to see me design (or your fav design) in a comment! http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/PoppysWickedGarden

#4 Tweet Want to win a $25 PoppysWickedGarden gift Certificate? Enter here http://cinderssays.blogspot.com/2012/05/poppys-soapbox-may-giveaway.html and post that you tweeted

#5 Facebook Want to win a $25 PoppysWickedGarden gift Certificate? Enter here http://cinderssays.blogspot.com/2012/05/poppys-soapbox-may-giveaway.html and post that you tweeted

Winner will be picked by Random.org on June 1st

Bonus contest on Facebook Tag to win this Cherry Tutu is still open:)
http://on.fb.me/L5Jy6z

Shops I Like - Halloween

I know I'm a little late getting together Halloween, and there is so much I love. Most custom sellers have removed their items already. I just love Halloween, because it's the one day you get to be something else with everyone's approval. I wonder if Actors get the same rush we all get at Halloween. If you don't "dress up" for Halloween, you should try it some time. Break out of your shell and have some fun.

Anyhow, here are some shops I like that really get into the SPIRIT. And even though it's not scary, I just love the Sushi Baby. And HOW could I leave out my DD Poppy ;)

        Smarmy Clothes            TINYBULLY            repurposeful PUNK            Desert Rubble

                                                   Haut Totes            HappyGoLicky

       Glasstastic Treasures                  The Wishing Elephant               Poppy's Wicked Garden

Buyers Paradise - Poppy's Wicked Garden

I haven't done this post in quite a while. It's a lot of work contacting the seller and setting up dates. I've
decided to just Blitzkrieg sellers and not advise them in advance. Just too much extra work. So you may be surprised to see your shop here some wonderful Thursday. I'm not planning, I'm just posting.

I thought I'd refresh everyone's memory about my DD Poppy's shop today. She not only sells the Greatest Genre reconstructions, and now has her DH Optic's Airbrush designs, she has just so much more. Poppy also has the cutest and most awesome Costumes. Perfect time of year for this post.



I just love her Dr Horrible Lab coat, that is available in Adult and Child sizes and in Red, White, and even Black if you twist her arm.



How about her Cute Animals. She started with that adorable Panda and from that made the cutest Critters for a lodge that wanted them for their Youth Ski program.

I must say, the girl has quite an imagination. I think my favorite has to be the Little Red Monster. That she made for a special request. So freaking cute. 

But my favorite could be this New Harley Quinn Costume. It's so great and the Photography is so fun.

Poppy has a Cheeseburger Dress, Nyan Cat, Red Fox and Where the Wild Things Are Max Hoodie too, and more. You just have to go to PoppysWickedGarden.artfire.com to see them all.

And Have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN.

Putting it Together - Collaboration

It's come to mind that I've never really mentioned (well once a long time ago) that one of the ways you can accomplish great things is through collaboration. Take these fantastic photos My DD Poppy just got of her Harley Quinn Costume.

This Costume and other Great ones can be found at PoppysWickedGarden on Artfire.

Poppy doesn't really have a budget for photography, but she does have friends. Her model loves the costume and sells the makeup to make the mask. She sells really wonderful mineral makeup at GothCupcake on Etsy. It's the best. She's on a little vacation but she'll be back soon.



The Photography is so fantastic. All the pics were done in collaboration with TharnPhotography on Etsy. The photography is so fun and fantastic. I think they all did such a wonderful job. Wow, these pics look better than the ones Poppy had of the clothes on her Mannequin.

If you're not the greatest photographer, make friends with someone who is. It doesn't even have to be a professional, although if you want pictures like these you will need one. Sometimes you can find people who will do great photos for a trade.

Modeling is often the hardest thing to find, but if you have jewelry or clothing, a plastic person is not the same as a real model. Look at the Front page of Etsy and see how many pictures of plastic people, or poor photos are there.

Is there any other way to get good photography? Yes there is. If you are near a school that teaches photography, you can often get some nice work done by students to add to their portfolio. A photographer needs to have a portfolio of good work to show to potential clients, just like you need good photography to sell your product. This goes for all product, not just modeled product.

Often it is very hard for students, or even professionals, to get their hands on product to add to their portfolio. If the merchandise will be sold on a web site, even better.

But what if you need a model? You can find great models (and even photographers) at a site called Model Mayhem. Poppy has found great models there who were willing to do shoots in exchange for clothing and photography for their portfolios. There are models all over the country on that site.

But don't forget your friends and neighbors. Many of them would be thrilled to model your product. Don't be afraid to ask, and don't feel hurt when some say no. If you sell children's clothing, many parents don't want their children's faces publicized, many do. You can use friends and children as models without showing their face. I do it for my jewelry photography.

So grab yourself some great pics. And don't forget to stop by Poppy's Wicked Garden for some Great Costumes and clothes, Goth Cupcake for Fantastic Makeup and Tharn Photography for some wonderful Prints.