Love Heart Necklace To Be Featured on NBC's LXTV

So, I was so excited a few days ago that my Love Heart necklace was going to be featured on Time Out New York's online holiday gift guide.

I just received an email that they want to feature my necklace as a stocking stuffer on NBC's LXTV.

The episode should air Tuesday, December 15th at 5:30. That's channel 4 for us New Yorkers.

(NOTE: The show is on from 5-6)

I haven't had a confirmation or anything, so we'll see. I'm sooooo nervous! Can I handle a TV promo!!

LOL, wish me luck my friends!

Happy Holidays - Pretty Bow Necklace Giveaway

Hi Friends,

So excited! I will be giving away my Pretty Bow Necklace which sells in my Reyney Etsy shop for $10.

In order to participate, please just leave a comment on this post. I will randomly pick your name out of a hat on Friday night, December 18th! Just think, if only one person leaves a comment, it's yours!

It's a brass bow charm topped off with a vintage AB swarovski crystal, on an 18" gold plated chain. I think the bow is a great giveaway for the holiday season.

Once I pick the name, I will announce it here, and make shipping arrangements. The shipping is on me, too, of course.

Unfortunately, this is only for US residents. I've temporarily stopped all international shipping until after the holdiays.

Thanks again and good luck,

Renee

Secret Sale

Hey friends,

Just a secret sale I have been offering to my Reyney Etsy customers!

Take 15% off your next purchase. Mention code LOVENY15B in the comments section during checkout. I will send you an updated invoice for your purchase. Offer expires January 31st, 2010.

www.reyney.etsy.com

Please check back later on for a free necklace giveaway!!!!

xoxo
Renee

Time Out Ny Press

So exciting!

My Love Heart necklace, found in my Reyney etsy shop has been featured in a Time Out NY online gift guide.

Here's the Time Out NY link:

http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/holidays-in-nyc/80679/holiday-and-christmas-gifts-made-in-new-york-city-locally-made-gifts/4.html

Here's a picture of the necklace:

And here's another link to my Etsy shop:

http://www.reyney.etsy.com/

Love when good stuff like this happens!

xoxo my friends!

Katie: A Pose Doll Collector

Yay for interview # 3!!

Name: Katie Barker AKA ...Posh Totty Designz

Age or Birthday: yuk...........38

Location: Surrey, UK

When did you start collecting pose dolls? 15 years ago approximately

Why do you collect pose dolls? They annoy my husband!! No seriously....I had always wanted to collect something and tried collecting other bits but I was never drawn to anything like I am to these. So many beautiful, quirky, funny faces with THE MOST equisite clothes. Maybe I should have been born in the '60s but I do love the clothes from that era. I also seem to be the only Brit who does collect them so I guess its a little unusual and I have never been one to follow a crowd!

How many pose dolls do you own? That is a scary question and one I will struggle to answer honestly. Ummmmmm, errrrr.....250..300 ...perhaps more...yikes A LOT!!!

Where do you buy your pose dolls? Wherever I can find the little beauties. I have purchased a great deal directly from Japan. I spent most of my young career working for Japanese companies so I guess I got lucky here...so I do have contacts. I also have a very super lovely Japanese friend who buys special beauties for me if I ask her sweetly. I owe her a massive massive hug! I sometimes find a cutey on Ebay...but you can bet the seller is in the USA so I am forever paying large shipping costs!!!

Where/how do you display your pose dolls? I am going to be struck down now by many pose doll collectors. I display a number of them in our lounge...I keep telling my husband..."Oh that one...oh don't worry darling...I am selling that one" or the classic "That one...I've had it for ages". We also have a lovely conservatory where many of them go. Its not altogether ideal as I worry the sun might discolour them but they seem to be amazing little things and put up with a lot before they show any damage or wear. I also have a number of ones I bought a long time ago in the loft...I know its criminal but I literally do not have the space in the house with 2 children and many toys to get them all out. Occasionally I swap them around with ones I have on show and more often I sell them on.

What was your first pose doll? A Bradley bride ready for the nackers yard!

What is your favorite pose doll? I have "favorites" but its hard to find just one. I think it would have to be my Brinn's doll Brynna.

What is the most amount of money you have spent on a pose doll? It was somewhere in the region of £200-£250. I felt quite sick once I had paid for her..I remember thinking...gosh I hope she has a clean face for that price!!!

Do you sell your pose dolls? Where? Yes I do Etsy, Ebay and privately.

Any interesting stories about pose dolls you'd like to share? There is a lovely pose doll seller who often invites me to purchase her dolls privately. This one time she asked if I was interested in a particular doll and she had obviously won it a week before on Ebay as I had actually been bidding on it and been outbid by her. I couldn't bring myself to purchase it from her at the higher inflated price. Made me smile though.

Any interesting pose doll photos you'd like to share for the blog? I laid on the floor so long trying to get this photograph just right that I had to sit down for about an hour after taking it to stop myself from being sick. I felt as rough as a dog.

Are pose doll collectors crazy? Hee Hee No they just have impeccable taste and are amazingly friendly.

Do you collect anything else? Cranberry glass. If I could afford to I would like an original Mark Ryden painting.

Thoughts, questions, comments? Anything else you'd like to add? Thanks Renee...I look forward to hearing from all the other pose lovers!

Thanks so much Katie!!! XOXO

Juan: A Pose Doll Collector

Here's interview #2!!! YAY!!!

Name: Juan

Age or Birthday: 22

Location: Singapore

When did you start collecting pose dolls? Just last month!

Why do you collect pose dolls? Fell in love with them after seeing so many lovely pictures on flickr! A pity I was born in the 80s when pose dolls were not popular then, or maybe not found in the shops.

How many pose dolls do you own? Erm...currently 2 only. Hope to collect more!

Where do you buy your pose dolls? Both were from Ebay

Where/how do you display your pose dolls? In my room!

What was your first pose doll?Dakin Dream Doll (my buddy icon)

What is your favorite pose doll? Big head pose dolls! Love both of them alot, but if I were to choose it would be this one:

What is the most amount of money you have spent on a pose doll?About 40 usd

Do you sell your pose dolls? Where?Just started collecting so no selling at the moment

Are pose doll collectors crazy? Hee Hee I wouldn't think so when it comes to collecting things that you like. But sometime I do feel that it's not really worth paying so much especially from ebay.

Do you collect anything else?I used to collect kawaii san-x stationeries (I have a whole big box of collection!), animal plushies from Japan, but now becoming more of a dollie fan--Vintage pose dolls & dollies!

Thanks again Juan!!! You can find pictures of her handmade pose dollies here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40834622@N04/sets/72157621958969907/

User Sunnydaffodils on Flickr!!

Gina: A Pose Doll Collector

Special thanks to Gina of San Antonio, TX for being the first to complete the Pose Doll Survey!! Please keep checking back every couple of days to hear about others! XOXO

Name: Gina

Age or Birthday: 6/7/80 (hence the 678 in my flickr name)

Location: San Antonio, TX

When did you start collecting pose dolls? June 2008

Why do you collect pose dolls? I saw one in a Livejournal community post. I tracked one down on eBay and became hooked as soon as she arrived.

How many pose dolls do you own? About 80

Where do you buy your pose dolls? Ebay & Etsy

Where/how do you display your pose dolls? I have 2 makeshift bookcases that I keep the majority on. I arrange them by color/style because I'm super anal.

What was your first pose doll? (See pic below)

What is your favorite pose doll? (See pic below)

What is the most amount of money you have spent on a pose doll? I don't think I've ever spent more than $100 on one, though I have been tempted. I would feel way too guilty!

Do you sell your pose dolls? Where? Yes. Ebay. My mind changes frequently, and I like to make room for new ones.

Any interesting stories about pose dolls you'd like to share? On my birthday this year, which was totally coincidental, I received a message from a random lady on eBay. She told me she'd noticed I'd won several pose dolls recently, and she had 4 she wanted to get rid of because she only collects Ginny and they were just sitting in her closet. I thought she was asking if I wanted to buy them, but no, she insisted on giving them to me absolutely free! She wouldn't even accept the shipping fees! She said someone had done that for her one day with her Ginny dolls and she wanted to do something as kind for someone else. Made my whole birthday, and month for that matter. They arrived a couple weeks later, and were mint Holiday Fair dolls that I'd actually tried to buy at seperate times in the past but was always outbid.

Any interesting pose doll photos you'd like to share for the blog? The first makeover dolly that I actually liked.

Are pose doll collectors crazy? Yes!

Do you collect anything else? Barbie is my first & foremost collecting obsession.

Thoughts, questions, comments? Anything else you'd like to add? I've met the sweetest people since I began collecting pose dolls.

Thank you GINA!!!

Do You Collect Pose Dolls?

Hello friends,

Do you collect pose dolls? I know there are alot of us out there and we all manage to find each other online somehow. I thought it was so cool when I found out that another pose doll collector half way around the world has the same birthday as me!! Kooky, right?

So, what makes us tick? Why do we obsess to no end about these little beauties? I've created a bunch of interview questions for all of us crazy collectors. If you're interested, please send me your answers to the below questions. Odds are you probably already have my email address. If not, you can leave a comment, find me on Etsy or on Flickr.

I will then feature you and your answers in my blog!! XOXO Renee

Name:

Age or Birthday:

Location:

When did you start collecting pose dolls?

Why do you collect pose dolls?

How many pose dolls do you own?

Where do you buy your pose dolls?

Where/how do you display your pose dolls?

What was your first pose doll?

What is your favorite pose doll?

What is the most amount of money you have spent on a pose doll?

Do you sell your pose dolls? Where?

Any interesting stories about pose dolls you'd like to share?

Any interesting pose doll photos you'd like to share for the blog?

Are pose doll collectors crazy? Hee Hee

Do you collect anything else?

Thoughts, questions, comments? Anything else you'd like to add?

Thanks so much!! I hope we get to learn a little bit more about one another!!

XOXO again,
Renee

Pretty Lady Felt Necklace

Pretty Lady Felt Necklace
Originally uploaded by Reyney

This little lady was created after the other batch of felt necklaces I recently made! I've seen this button used to make lot's of different kinds of jewelry. I made her and a similar one in black into pendants for my personal jewelry collection a few years back.

I came across the buttons again during a recent craft shopping outing! LOL I juat had to buy them again!

She's a shank button sewn to felt. She's a little raised, so the sequins and seed beads fit nicely under her. I love her eyes and the little dots that make up her nose!

Now available in my ShoeFlower Etsy shop.
www.ShoeFlower.Etsy.com

XOXO
Renee
www.

New Felt Necklaces

New Felt Necklaces
Originally uploaded by Reyney

Hello friends! Just sharing a photo of ny new felt necklaces! I had a surge of creative energy last night - I made five - just couldn't stop until after 2am!!

Clockwise from top left:
Deer in a Meadow Felt Necklace
Beatrix Potter Felt Necklace in Ivory
Mr. Squirrel Felt Necklace
Follow the White Rabbit Felt Necklace
Beatrix Potter Felt Necklace in Pink

They are all so sweet!! Some of my favorites ever!! All are currently available in my ShoeFlower Etsy shop!

www.ShoeFlower.Etsy.com

XOXO
Renee

Heart and Star Doll

Heart and Star Doll
Originally uploaded by Reyney

Say hello to my newest creations!! Heart and Star dollies!

The one on the left is "My Heart Grows for You" and the one on the right is "My Star Shines for You".

I started with cotton. Drew the patterns. Sewed them on my machine. Stuffed with polyester fiberfill. Hand sewed them closed. Sketched the girls and painted them with acrylics. I finally coated them with some glitter and a gloss for protection.

As you know, I love any kind of big eye art and dollies, so these are my tribute to them! XOXO

Thinking of selling them, but not sure I want to part with my first. I might have to make more.

<3Renee

Pose Doll Head Ornament

Pose Doll Head Ornament
Originally uploaded by Reyney

I have a bunch of these vintage pose doll heads that I won on Ebay a while ago. Three blonde and three brunette. I had always intended to make cone dolls with them, but nothing ever really sparked my interest.

So, last night I just started sticking pins and sequins in her head. Added a little chenille collar and topped her off with a polka dot ribbon for hanging.

I heart her so much! She's a disco funky flower power little lady!

XOXO
Renee

Cleaning House - Dollies for Sale

Cleaning House
Originally uploaded by Reyney

Every now and then I like to clean out my collection to make money and room for some new dollies!!! Nice logic, right??

All of these dollies are available for sale in my Shoeflower Etsy shop.

www.shoeflower.etsy.com

Let me know if you are interested!

XOXO
Renee

I'm Back!

Hi Friends,

Well, I've been married for over a month now, and just getting back into the swing of things! Everyone has been asking me, "How's married life?" and all I can say is so far, so good! I have nothing to complain about!!

I've been crazy shopping and uploading lot's of pics to flickr. I'm also getting back into crafting and have been uploading lot's of things for sale in both of my Etsy Shops!

I go back to work in just over 3 weeks! ARGH! Summer flies! I'm starting my 7th year as an art and music teacher in an elementary school, but I always get those September butterflies - never knowing what to expect! LOL

xoxo

Renee

19 Days

Dear friends,

I'm so sorry that I have been away for so long! Planning a wedding is no joke!

Please stay tuned. I hope to get back into the swing of things in early August. Both of my Etsy shops will re-open and I plan to update Flickr and blog on a more regular basis!

19 days away!! I can't believe how quickly July 11th is coming. I mean, we were engaged on February 29, 2008. I thought this day would never come. I thought wrong!

xoxo
Renee

Paper Clay Bunka Dolls

Paper Clay Bunka Dolls
Originally uploaded by Reyney

Hello everyone,

I am sooo sorry I have been way behind on my blogging and crafting. I've had some personal crafting craziness going on in my head - don't really want to lay that on you - plus we've been kinda busy with wedding stuff, and well life just get's in the way.

In any case, I finised my paper clay Bunka dolls yesterday. Some of the faces are cute, some are kind weird!! But I had fun exploring with them. Look out for some more Bunka crafts in the near future - I have a few new things that are currently drying on my kitchen counter!

Hugs and kisses to all my friendssss!!!!
Renee

Paper Clay Bunka Dolls - Part 1

Paper Clay Bunka Dolls
Originally uploaded by Reyney

So, I don't know why, but I have been obsessed with Bunka dolls from Japan.

I had this little package of paper clay in my drawer for about 3 years. Never got around using it, until today.

I made 7 little Bunka dolls today.

Just have to wait for them to dry. Then paint, and lastly varnish!

I love how they came out!

My First Bunka

My First Bunka
Originally uploaded by Reyney

Whenever I obsess over something, I always try to see if I can make it myself. A few years ago, I was obsessed with my pretty mohair sweaters! I taught myself how to crochet, and now I can crochet anything, with or without a pattern.

Now, I have been obsessed with Bunka dolls from Japan. They're really really hard to get here. So, this is the second doll I have made on my sewing machine.

I made her based on the traditional Japanese instructions. But, since the instructions were written in Japanese, I'm not sure if I followed them precisely.

Thank God for Fabri-Tac!

She's tooo lovely in my eyes. AND I am thrilled that I made her!

XOXO
Renee

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!
Originally uploaded by Reyney

Hope everyone had a wonderful day!

XOXO
Renee

Fred Flare -- Snail Mail Valentines For Charity

Not too long ago I mentioned that I sent my felt heart valentine to Fred Flare. They're selling each valentine for $4 and donating all the profits to Elder Craftsmen - an org. that brings crafting to seniors.

So, just watch this video for fun. My Valentine appears at approximately 2:35 into the video! YAY!

I Finally Made Something on My Sewing Machine

I've had my sewing machine for 2 years now. I never really knew what to do with it. I attempted to use it once, and then I just let it collect dust.

I don't know what inspired me, but I took it out a few days ago, and began messing around with it. After a few setbacks, and almost losing a finger, (LOL, J/K) I made my first dolly! I named her Missy, (aka www.boopsiedaisy.etsy.com )after a dear friend of mine, who, well, makes the most wonderful dolls in the world. AND I know how much she loves dollies with blue hair!

The dolly is far from perfect, but I am soo impressed with myself! AND so happy too. Part of me still actually can't believe that I made something with a sewing machine.

16 Things About Me

Well, I've been tagged by my darling friend Annette to list 16 things about me. Where to begin!? So, here it goes:

1. I'm getting married this July to my best friend. We've been together since January 25, 2002. That is the first day we kissed and it will be 7 years ago tomorrow. I like to refer to it as our "Kiss-A-Versary".

2. I love PIZZA! I could eat it every day! I dislike most other Italian foods. Don't like going to Italian restaurants ever. Unless they have pizza. LOL! I do enjoy Indian, Sushi, Thai and Mexican (homemade), though. And I love bread...bagels, pitas, soft pretzles - love my carbs and not afraid to admit it. (Ooh and I cannot kick the coca-cola habit)!!!

3. I'm not good at socializing. It's really hard for me to initiate conversation to this day. When I was in Kindergarten my teacher told my mom I was going to get left back if I didn't come out of my shell. EVEN though I did manage to be in honors classes my whole life! Take that Mrs. Stelhe - you could never say that this day and age! You cannot leave a child back simply because they're quiet!

4. I don't hold grudges, but I also don't like to forget things.

5. I have always always always been self conscious about my nose. I feel like there is this huge monster protruding from my face.

6. I love my Uggs boots because they keep my toes warm. I don't care how "Staten Island" they are.

7. I always thought my mom was crazy for collecting dolls. Somehow, I too, got sucked in! I love my dolls, and they make me so happy, but I am really embarrassed about what other people might think. (See 8)

8. I worry too much about what other people think of me. I get nervous a lot. BUT my blood pressure is 110/70!

9. I stare at the computer too much and it gives me crazy headaches sometimes.

10. I do not have a lot of friends, probably because of #3, but I adore and cherish and value the ones that I do have to no end.

11. I teach art and music in an elementary school. I really do have a good job and enjoy every aspect of it. I love those little boogers, even though one of them just gave me the worst illnesses I have ever had.

12. I can crochet anything. But haven't picked up hooks in months.

13. I don't like wearing last years clothes. It bothers me. Lint bothers me. I hate creasing my pants with the iron. I like clothes from the Gap and Forever 21. I never mix black with brown.

14. I've had many instances where I think of a person and wind up seeing them later in the day! Totally freaky - I think I will dedicate my next blog post to this.

15. I am not a BrideZilla. I am so excited about my Marriage - but the Wedding is only one day. It's not the be-all-end-all of my existance. I don't even like to think about "wedding planning"! There's so many cooler things I could be doing!

16. I am happy!

So, if you're reading this, anyone, consider yourself tagged!

Save the Date - July 11, 2009

Our wedding is less than 6 months away! I started making my save the dates last February, but didn't mail them until recently. One thing I neglected to do was take a picuture of the whole bunch - because they're all slightly different. I ran short of my Save the Dates so I had to make 8 more today. Here's a pic!



I love them sooo much, wish I could keep them all!

HUGS,
R

Pretty Valentines Day Card - Sending to Fred Flare

Pretty Valentines Day Card
Originally uploaded by Reyney

I made this card to send to Fred Flare. They're selling one of a kind Valentines online and in their Brooklyn store. All proceeds will be donated to Elder Craftsman, an org. that brings craft workshops to local senior citizens in NYC. Read about it here: www.fredflare.com/blog/?p=3196&source=elder I found out about it a little late. The postmark deadline is this Thursday, January 15th.

I glued my felt piece to an already existing heart card.

HUGS,
Renee

How to Make REAL SnowFlakes

As an art teacher, I find that many of my students do not know the real way to make snowflakes. Often we find them making square snowflakes with mostly triangles out of them!

Sorry these pics aren't great, but I had a little fun with Flickr and Picnic graphics to help with the tutorial below.

STEP 1: Start with a piece of copy paper and fold the corner up. The thinner the paper, the better! Tissue paper can rip easily, but the results are still quite beautiful!




STEP 2: Fold up the second corner.



STEP 3: Cut off the excess at the top. You now have a square that is folded in fourths (the triangle in pic.)



STEP 4: This triangle needs to be folded into thirds. Why are we folding fourths into thirds? Because snowflakes have 6 points and the points are symmetrical halves. So, technically, when you open the triangle, you'll see twelfths.

Start by folding in the left side.



STEP 5: Then, fold the right side over it.



STEP 6: Cut off the excess paper at the top. I tell my students to cut off the "bunny ears" at the top. They are left with an ice cream cone in their hands.




STEP 7: Draw a pretty design. There's nothing wrong with sketching your design with a pencil first. Since the snowflake is folded, it's best to draw half shapes on the creases. Half circles and hearts are quite easy to draw. The more details you draw, the more delicate the snowflake will become, and the harder it will be to cut out. If you draw a line directly across the snowflake, you will end up cutting it in half.



STEP 8: Cut out your design carefully!



STEP 9: Open your snowflake carefully, and enjoy!




DISPLAY YOUR SNOWFLAKE: Snowflakes can be taped to windows and mirrors. Hang them from pretty ribbon. Glue to construction paper or pretty cardstock paper. Add glitter. ETC! Have fun!

Thanks for reading!
Hugs,
Renee

Honeymoon In Japan!

It's official! Bill and I just booked our Honeymoon to Japan! We'll be gone for a total of 13 days!

We start off in Tokyo and make the rounds. We will be visiting Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kurashiki and Osaka. Thank God we're taking a tour, because I think I would be lost.

We can participate in lot's of neat stuff with the tour. A calligraphy class. A cooking class. Kimono painting. Hopefully we can squeeze in a Dream (UFC Japan) fight for Bill.

I'm so excited. Nervous. Curious. OMG!

So, if anyone has anything to recommend, etc, stores, shops, places of interest, places to eat, things to see, things to do - please don't hesitate to share your ideas.