Happy Anniversary Busy Little Elf!

I totally missed *our* 5th anniversary! It was five years yesterday that I became joined with the name *Busy Little Elf*. For whatever reason, I have always felt like this business entity was a separate being and that I am married to it. As if the *elf* had it's own life, and in a way it does.



Wow! Have I grown as a person and an artist being linked to this name and this business. I've had ups and I've had downs. I have had quite a few struggles but I've also created some incredible pieces that I didn't realize I had in me!

I have met so many lovely and incredible people. I feel so honored and blessed to have been accepted and encouraged by all of you dear folks over the past five years. Thank You for your support and encouragement!


Here's to another 5 years!

Cheers!

New Item - Brag Book Meets Scrapbook

Here is my latest work in progress. I'm working out the details. Basically it is the classic brag book with fabric cover. The photo pages will have scrapbooking paper to highlight the photos within(that way if you are like me and have a bunch of wallet size photos, you aren't looking at the ugly white page!) I was inspired by the cute designs on the paper so I hope to translate one of the figures into a fabric applique to coordinate with the patterned paper within. When I work out all the details I will post the new photos and finished product!

Snow Fort Brick Molds Packaging Art

Snow Fort!

Taking pictures of snow forts is not the easiest of tasks!! Here are some better pictures that I have adjusted the contrast on. If I had a tripod I could probably get even better pics but these will work just fine for now! Coming next: the packaging preview!

We're Getting There!

There is actually space on my work table to WORK! Shocking!! It needs fine tuning but the bulk of the work is done. Next photo should be the fully organized space, decor will be a while but I shooting for organization at this point!

more progress

although it may not look like it, I've made some progress. All of my recycled materials have been sorted and categorized so now I just need work on my supplies and how I want things organized and I should be good to go! Note the pile on the table is getting lower!

let the changes begin...

Well I've started the transformation of the blog with a new template and a paring down of extra stuff. I don't know why but I feel like cleaning house and getting rid of the extraneous crap that is cluttering my life. It's happening in my home as well as on my blog. My 'studio' is also beginning to get reformed. I'll try to snap pictures of the process, it should be frightening but also rewarding when finished. Keep in mind that my 'studio' is the spare room which became the catchall in the house so frightening is an accurate word! But enough, I can't get anything accomplished in the real world if I continue to play in the virtual one!!

Where Do We Go From Here?

So, I'm assessing how the two shops did this year and what I will focus on in the coming year.

BUSY LITTLE ELF

I have noticed that it is very difficult for me to draw and paint with the toddler running around so, while I would like to add more illustrations, that may not happen.

The play items did very well and I loved making them but with the current legislation that is going into effect in February 2009, I'm not sure if I will be able to continue to offer them but until someone tells me I can't, I will continue to develop ideas and offer them on etsy! I have great ideas for boy's imagination play. The items may actually be collectible for men also. And if some of the things can't be sold already made, I will offer patterns and plans.

BUSY LITTLE CHRISTMAS ELF

This is where I plan to make the most changes and offer the most new items. I will offer many more elves and ballerina ornaments and will start creating angel tree toppers. I am going to start developing different themed ornaments to go with the standards I started this year, a little less traditional, whimsical and fun. I hope to have a few designs that can be personalized. I also want to get the Santa keys (along with the legend of Santa's magic key) and Letters from Santa worked out and available. I had so many ideas this year for the Christmas shop but so little available time. I have decided I need to allow more time for this shop earlier in the year so when the mad rush comes during the holidays I'll still have a full shop (and if I don't it won't be because I couldn't keep up with it, it will be because I had a very successful season, and there's nothing wrong with that!LOL)

Overall, expect a whole lot more papier mache and felt creations! I'm looking forward to the new year and have plenty of supplies to keep me busy during the quiet months! I'll post photos as I can. Oh, and don't forget the blog will be getting a whole new look, too!!

Cheers!

My table assignment at Laurel School is....

In the front hallway-right wing, table 59.
YIKES!! Hope you can find me, last year I was in the main dining hall!
Look for the little Christmas tree and navy blue busy little elf table cloth!!

Coming Soon!!

I'm finally getting ready to list the gingerbread ornament decorating kits as well as the other mini play dough kits. They will be listed first in the Christmas shop and later in the regular shop. I also am working on a couple of felt food items for the busy little elf shop, I think they are going to be very cute, I hope to have at least one of them done by Monday. I'll post photos as soon as I have something!!

Camo Play Dough Collection Package Graphic

Here's the newest graphic for my play dough packaging.
I will post photos of the complete set when I have them (in the next day or so)

My Completed Christmas Projects

Okay, here are the final results of some of my projects.

It’s a slow go but I’m getting there!!bzlittlechristmaself.etsy is filling up!

Ribbon Candy in progress

SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING SALE!

MAKE A LIST , CHECK IT TWICE!

15% OFF ALL ORDERS PLACED
BETWEEN OCTOBER 1 AND 31
(shipping excluded)

Christmas Gift Wrap!

My shops new Christmas wrap!

Of course, my son found the empty box to be the most fascinating of play toys!

Where the name 'busy little elf' came from

We recently had a post on our CafeMom Etsy mom forum asking where we came up with our business names and thought I would share my answer here on the blog. (Just in case you ever wondered!) Here was my response:

I was working in retail at Christmas. Something I had done for 20 years but this time I was a manager at a MediaPlay that was liquidating.Working for a store that was going out of business was something I had never experienced and at Christmas, I think an even worse experience. I watched people grasping for anything they could buy cheaply so that their kids could be indulged at the holiday while all the kids that worked for me were faced with losing their jobs. At one of the absolute lowest points in my career, I had an idea for a book about a jaded Christmas elf who wonders if it is all worth it. So The name"Busy Little Elf" is the working title for that book, I had to shelf the idea for a little while since I proceeded to get pregnant and moved shortly after starting it. I decided to use it as my business name, especially since my long range plan involves a family friendly Christmas tree farm and spectacle(holiday activities, sleigh rides, window displays,etc.).