Friday, September 30, 2011

Natures Frame

Have you ever had one of those moments where you see something that fits into your view just right and looks amazing? The next thought that enters your head is "oh man I wish I had my camera with me"

I am thinking of starting a new series called "wish I had my camera" with all these types of photos.

In this case, the Wendameen ( a locally chartered Schooner was passing right through a frame of trees from where I was standing.

*Click* got it.


It was actually really cool how this worked out.

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Big Day Rap

Here is a music video I made last week. Enjoy.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Self Portrait Sunday - Sculpture


I climbed up this sculpture as part of my latest music video shoot.

It is a pretty cool piece of art. HAPPY SUNDAY!!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Wordless Wednesday - Beach Hunting

Win $100

Anyone who is a member of the Etsy Blog Team is eligible, contest is open NOW!!!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

All Alone


What should the quote say for this photo?

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Break Time

As you know, I have a lot going on. See all these frames, they are each about 20 minutes of work away from being listed on Etsy.

I am also working on some content for The Etsy Blog Team which is about to announce a huge contest with a $100 prize.

School has started, and work is steady. So... Progressions has drawn the short straw in the things I am not paying attention to for the next week.

From now until the 24th, I will still be reading comments and likely still reading your blogs as well.

See you on the 24th.

Mitch

Monday, September 12, 2011

Transition Time

I have been slowly working on my Etsy shop, although it is hardly the focus of this blog, it is something that is really important to me. To me it is simply a hobby that makes some money, here is the problem with that, to others who look at it, I am a business. I don’t know about you, but I expect a business to perform and act like one.

Now by that I don’t mean that you should treat customers poorly or anything, actually the opposite, the product needs to be quality, hobby quality and store quality in my mind are not the same. I have purchased several items from Etsy, and been absolutely floored by the high level of detail and quality.

I have only listed a few frames at a time because I am worried that If they sell, I will not be able to keep up with the packaging and shipping in an acceptable timeframe.

Well now that we have covered that tangent, back to the point. Things have really picked up for J.Crabbit the blog this summer, and The Etsy shop is doing well too. While I am certainly not about to quit my day job, I am making the transition into more of a business model, where I have more inventory available, advertise (a little) and upgrade my shipping to something a little more routine, so that I can package it nicely, but have consistent criteria that go into it.

I am not doing this to try to make more money, but rather to try to provide my customers with a better product, and better service. Thinking of it as a business rather than a hobby should help with that.

All that said, I spent the entire day yesterday creating frames, it felt great, even though I didn’t actually finish one…( the paint and poly have to dry before I attach the screen)

At the end of the day I got a little help from my friends, and a free photo shoot with my work (courtesy of the Wifey)




After all that I worked on the extreme makeover: "filing cabinet edition", stay tuned, you know that is going to be a post soon I am looking forward to finishing the project. Have a great week!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

New Tag line

I did some re-branding recently, got a new blog style set up, changed around the shop, and I decided it was time for a new tag line. "Giving new life to vintage finds" served me well for the last 4 years,




but it isnt really what I am doing any more. All the frames are still vintage frames that I am upcycling and giving new life to, but they are also the only product I am still making.

I do hope to add additional products to the J.Crabbit arsenal in the future, but for now, my updated slogan really speaks to what I do.

I always hated that jewelry makers take so much time and effort making their pieces, then only one is worn while the others sit in a box, or a bowl. So I wanted to take them out of the box. And so was born, "Taking Jewelry out of the Box"


http://www.flickr.com
<a href="http://www.jcrabbit.etsy.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6128088481_d6dfae338f_m.jpg" alt="www.flickr.com" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Come Sail Away

September is the perfect month for a sail boat ride. You can still bring a sweater, but also a cooler for your favorite beverage.

You can still wear sandals, but with a choice of shorts or pants. you can still wear a hat, but you can choose if it is cotton or wool.

The foliage hasn't quite come out yet, so you can see the shore in the same state it has been all summer but without all the tourists, and heat.

I dont have a sailboat, nor does anyone I know, but if you have access to a friend or family member who does...

I suggest on this long weekend, GO SAING!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Yard Sale Loot


We went hunting for yard sales this morning. It is one of my favorite 3 day weekend activities. after striking out for the first hour, I hit it big, so much so that I had to go home and unload. Here is round 1.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Happy Birthday!!

Today I turn 29. Yikes! In a year at 30, I will write the post all about the last decade, and hope you all still read Progressions at that time.

Here is a quick preface on the photos. My co-worker who sits right next to me (Stacey) Took the last 3 weeks off. I decided to fill her cubicle with balloons as a fun prank. I got to the office before 6 am Wednesday, and exercised my lungs for a few hours.

It came out great, BUT... she wasn't scheduled to come back until Thursday!!! I had the wrong day, this caused a big problem, I was not going to be in the office Thursday, I had Kindergarten Orientation (a post on that soon)

I mentioned to several other colleagues, that with my absence, she would likely just refill my cube with all the balloons, and I was right.

This morning my fear was confirmed. Here is the Irony, Today is my birthday, and she filled my cube with balloons... Some people said "I hope she used a compressor"

"that's the best part" my brother who also works here replied, "He blew them all up himself"

Holy Crap, and Happy Friday!