Trying to get back into my crafting

Well, as you can tell from me not keeping up with my blog, I have been on a crafting hiatus - not for a lack of inspiration but more of a lack of time. Two munchkins at home and a part time job that pays the bills will do that to a girl I guess!
Here are my ambitious plans for this holiday season. I am planning to start a new line of origami wall decals. My first trial will be in my office so we will have to see how it goes but I think they are going to turn out really nice. Hopefully I will have pics up soon. Also, the shop where I consign has been asking me to do mobiles for over a year now ( have I ever mentioned how much I dislike mobiles and never wanted to make them again after making them for friends and family one year for Christmas?!)
Well happy crafting everyone! Let me know what you are up to - it keeps me motivated!

Panda Treasury

Have you ever seen so many pandas in one place?! Check out this adorable panda treasury on etsy.

Panda Bear Shadow Box

Another panda shadow box. Similar to the last one posted. Same border but different background. I love this pale yellow gold flecked momi paper! Still haven't used any of my new paper but you know I'll have lots of pics once I do!

Found the greatest place for handmade paper!!

I am an origami artist so it is probably no surprise that I love paper. I especially love handmade papers. The textures and vibrant colors... I could go on and on. But I have always had to order my paper online. The patterns are beautiful but they are sometimes limited and you never know what the true texture or weight of the paper is until it arrives in the mail. Well, today I discovered a store, Paper Source, that has a huge selection of papers from a variety of countries that are stunningly beautiful. If you like paper half as much as I do (I know I'm a little crazy about paper) you need to check this place out! I could have spent hours in this store and spent alot more than the $40 that I did spend. The paper is a great price compared to the prices I pay online and I don't have to wait for it to be shipped to me or pay for shipping for that matter. There are several different store locations but i went to the one in central Philly on Walnut and 16th street. Check it out!!

New Origami Crane Cards

These are my new origami crane cards. The are designed on a high gloss finished heavy cardstock. The last one has a gold background.

Red and White Checker Pattern Crane Ornament

New Ornament on Etsy! I love this ornament. I know that it is only March, but this ornament reminds me of a country Christmas.

Custom Panda Shadow Box

Here are pics of the custom panda shadow box I have been working on for an Etsy customer. Hopefully, the design is good and I will be sending it out this week!

New online marketplace for fine arts and crafts!!

Check out this site. It is a new online marketplace for arts and crafts that is juried to ensure quality handmade items! http://threesistersmarketplace.com/home

Origami Dinosaur

Have you ever seen a dinosaur inside of a glass ornament? This friendly yellow origami dinosaur is one of a kind and wants to come home with you :)http://www.etsy.com/listing/69007580/a-yellow-origami-dinosaur-inside-of-a

Confetti Origami Crane in Festive Red

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69005844/a-single-white-crane-with-confetti-print

New origami crane ornaments posted on Etsy shop today. Will have new crane cards folded from hand screened washi origami paper and elephant cards posted soon. http://www.etsy.com/listing/69004454/an-origami-crane-inside-a-glass-ornament

New Origami Crane Ornaments!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68880396/origami-crane-inside-glass-ornament

New Origami Crane Ornaments

http://www.etsy.com/shop/decorativefolds

 These are two new crane ornaments I have for sale on Etsy. More will be posted soon. I am still working on editing and cropping pictures. Let me know what you think! Custom orders are welcome and encouraged as well!

New Origami Crane Card

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68601150/handmade-mini-origami-crane-cardThis is an origami crane card with mini cranes folded of vibrantly colored washi paper. The cranes are approximately the size of a nickel and are handfolded from one inch squares of origami paper. This is the first card in my line of Happy Crane Cards. Enjoy!

Finding Time to Craft

So I have all of these ideas and friends inspiring me to make wonderful origami creations but I feel I have no time to create. I want to make shadow boxes and ornaments and cards but I am sitting here with two sleeping boys trying to type as quietly as possible for fear of waking them up. I need to find more time in the day.

Crane Folding Party at Out of Our Hands Gallery was a Success!!

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Out of Our Hands Gallery in Emmaus, PA in support of the National Crane Project and David Heard's dream of folding 1000 cranes for each of the pediatric cancer centers across the country. The event was a great success and over 200 cranes were folded during the 3 hour event. If you were unable to make it today but would still like to fold for the cause, Out of Our Hands will be serving as a drop off site for crane contributions. You can find directions online and start folding! Thank you

David Heard has died

It is with a sad heart that I inform you that David Heard died last night of the pediatric cancer that inspired him to strive to provide hope for others. The National Crane Project will continue to accept cranes for his goal of having crane mobiles of 1000 cranes in each of the 220 pediatric cancer centers across the country. David is an inspiration and brought people together for a common cause. The crane folding event at Out of Our Hands Gallery in Emmaus, PA will also continue as scheduled this Sunday from 11-2.

Card Pricing and Comments

Okay, so maybe I'm just in a bad, bitter mood today, but I'm going to go with it. Has anyone ever looked at the back at a Hallmark card and considered what they are spending for a mass produced card that is reproduced a million times over (this may be an exaggeration) year after year?? It's around 3.50 a cards, just in case you haven't looked recently. So you should expect to pay more for a handmade, original card or anything that is handmade for that matter. Am I right? Please give me your feedback. Maybe tomorrow will be a happier day :) 

New Origami Crane Cards by Decorativefolds

The origami crane folding event for David Hear and a friend inspired me to create these beautiful origami crane cards. The cranes are handfolded from an assortment of papers and would make anyone's day a little brighter!They are for sale at my Etsy Shop and at the Out of Our Hands Gallery.

Turtle Cards

My friend ordered 30 turtle cards from me last week. I have 6 left to finish. Pictures will be posted soon. He also asked for crane cards which I have never figured out how to get on a card, but I finally did! That look adorable if I do say so myself! - I am a little partial after all :) I have not had time to take pictures but I will post them as soon as I can.
Also the benefit for my friend Helana was Friday night. It was wonderful to see everyone out having a good time in memory of her. Just a reminder that I will be selling purple crane ornaments in my etsy shop with all profits going to her family from now until the end of February! www.etsy.com/shop/decorativefolds

Update: Crane Folding Party details in support of David Heard

There will be a Crane Folding Party at the Out of Our Hands Gallery on Main Street in Emmaus, PA on February 13th from 11-2 to benefit David Heard and the National Crane Project. Come out and learn how to fold origami cranes and support pediatric cancer patients at the same time! I will be hosting this event.

Out of Our Hands Gallery in Emmaus, PA - Crane Folding Event

The Out of Our Hands Gallery in Emmaus, PA will be holding a origami crane folding event in honor of David Heard (see previous post). We invite everyone to come out and support the 1000 Crane Project on February 13th. I will post more details when they become available. The gallery is located on Main Street in Emmaus and sells an assortment of amazing handcrafted items from local artisans. Come check it out!

In Memory of Helana - The Purple Cranes are Finished

The first (hopefully of many) purple origami crane ornaments made in memory of Helana are finished. I will be selling them through my website and through my Etsy shop from now until the end of February. All of the profits from these ornaments will go to Helana's family to help them during this time. I thank you in advance for your support!

David Heard's Origami Crane Challenge

This story is dear to my heart being a pediatric cancer survivor myself. There is a young man in Easton, PA with terminal cancer with the goal to fold 1000 paper origami cranes for each of the roughly 220 pediatric cancer centers across the country. Please check out this inspirational story!
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-easton-national-crane-project-20101225,0,5124580.story

Helping others - In Memory of a Dear Friend

A friend of mine passed away tragically a day after her wedding this past October after marrying the man of her dreams. My friend lived a very medically complex life having survived cancer as a child and dealing with the complications of experimental cancer treatments there after. I have been trying to figure out how to help her family in this trying time.

Her family has sacrificed a lot to keep her healthy and happy. My friend always gave back and volunteered; she was involved with Alex's Lemonade Stand and Relay for Life; and I want to do the same for her family now. My friend's birthday is in February and her favorite color was purple. I will be selling purple crane ornaments to honor my friend's life, the compassion she showed others, and the love she had for her family and friends. All of the proceeds from these ornaments will go to Helana's family. I thank you in advance for your generosity. Please visit my etsy site at www.etsy.com/decorativefolds

Happy 2011!

I am excited to start the new year. I wish everyone health and happiness in 2011. I have started working on new products. Hopefully, I will have pictures posted soon!