Wednesday, March 31, 2010

take a bow


teeny chunky bows, originally uploaded by neverfeltbetter.
check out these leeeeeeetle chunky cotton bows i crocheted last night for headbands, pins etc. i am loving the look of 'em. i need more cotton yarn and a trip to my local yarn shop (LYS) is on tap. (something funky (now i don't want to point fingers or lay blame *looking at both the cats AND the dogs*...) happened to a small stash of yarn i had mistakenly left laying around in the back prior to the last clean up. i usually have my yarn in covered bins, but this stash was in a kind of basket and god only knows what happened to it but it was el-funko. i thought 'oh i can just throw these skeins into the washer on gentle'. well, that did not work and what i could salvage from the tangled mess i did. gee golly...i need to go to the yarn store? DARN. lol.)

oh and the earrings and purple card wallet are up on neverfeltbetterbyjen.com. won't you go and check them out? <3

Monday, March 29, 2010

in the bag


perfect for cards, originally uploaded by neverfeltbetter.


yesterday was a good day for catch-up in NFB headquarters, aka my couch. i finished the chunky crocheted card pouch and about 20 pairs of new post earrings. i photographed everything and i just need to list on the site sometime this afternoon. but, seeing as though it's spring break for L3, i will most likely spend my time refereeing between her and little J :) perhaps if the nap gods smile upon me and it's a long one for little J i can bust it all out. i found some more vegan yarns stashed (acrylic and some cute chunky cottons) for more pouches. i make these lined with eco-felt and i found more cute vintage buttons for closure.

it's 9AM and they are begging for popsicles. this can't be a good sign of what's to come LOL.

i hope to get some more crochet time sometime today...it's about all i am good for on this monday. after a full weekend, i stayed up WAY too late last night discussing life with shawn, who i feel like i never see with him working two jobs now. my little moonlighting hunny...he's a good man, charlie brown! we waxed on about plans and dreams. those who love us and those who would love to see us fail. ah sweet life...mi dolce vita. i think i will put on a movie and chill until lunch. everyone looks like a zombie and looks like they need about 5 more hours sleep. and by everyone i mean me! :)

happy monday!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

chickens are friends not food


fair oaks, originally uploaded by neverfeltbetter.

we made a small trek out to fair oaks, ca to pay the fair oaks chickens a visit and have lunch at our favorite vegan friendly indian restaurant udupi. their weekend lunch buffet is amazing. things are clearly labeled vegan and we found out that most of the breads/dumplings are GF, making shawn very happy! if you are in the sacramento area you ought to check this place out :)

when we got home i went a little crazy on some huge hedges outside the front porch. it was reminiscent of the rose garden scene of mommy dearest. even though i am not a professional landscaper i must say i did a decent haircut on those bushes. i came in covered in pollen and the migraine ensued. i feel much better this morning after some hot chai and a few excederins lol.

yesterday i received the rest of the supplies i had ordered online and i made some cute vintage inspired post earrings this morning. i love these ones so much i am ordering more and making them available on neverfeltbetter. i hope everyone else loves them as much as i do! i finished up a crocheted card pouch and i am preparing to hand-sew the lining in and affix the button later on today. it feels good to be making things again! <3

Friday, March 26, 2010

sacramento's 1st ALL vegan cafe


sugar plum vegan, originally uploaded by neverfeltbetter.

i got word that the brunch is starting easter sunday, so i thought i would put a shout out to my friend melissa's new spot sugar plum vegan cafe. it's located at between 23rd and 24th on Kst in midtown sacramento.

along with her usual variety of delicious vegan baked goods found around town for over a year, there is a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, pizzas and nachos. i am very excited for the brunch menu TBA but i bet it's going to be delicious! (waffles, pancakes or biscuits and gravy would float my boat, personally, but don't quote me on the menu quite yet!)

she is using the famed daiya brand vegan cheese and match meats (the chicken on the nachos was delicious). along with the food, you will find fair trade teas and coffees which are amazing--try the raspberry lemonade, it's my daughters fav .

they just opened less than one month ago! the atmosphere is casual, kid friendly and the staff is kind and helpful. please check them out if you are in the area and support your local vegan scene in sacramento!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

crafty shot in the ass

i am so happy to have some new cute supplies coming in the mail...it's been, uh...too long since i have gotten anything new. some new materials are just what the dr. ordered for a crafty shot in the ass! along with some seriously awesome vintage cabs for post earrings being en route, i picked up some plaster of paris to pour some day of the dead skulls (remember those?) and i unearthed some long lost cotton yarns i squirreled away at some point in time. so cleaning and rearranging my craft area has definitely been a "good thing". time to dust off my crochet hook and make some new lined pouches and coin purses.

i am looking forward to april. in so many ways...oh brother! it's going to be a righteous spring! ;p

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

viva spring!


saved, originally uploaded by neverfeltbetter.

it's that time of year again: garden time! unfortunately for me my garden is still in it's planning stages. i had a decent veggie garden last year but this year i need it to be better. i have two raised beds that came with the house, but i had zero luck with one of them that is placed in a mostly shady spot. i am reading up on what i can plant there to have better results, such as all the leafy greens etc, saving the more sunny bed for the sun-hog tomatoes :)

just like last year i saved some seedlings from the garden and compost pile that were just too hearty to trash. i just don't know what they are! i am not sure that big one isn't a weed but i think the other three are leftovers from last year's crops (identities yet to be determined lol).

i can't wait to get my hands dirty and get in there and start the actual planting, but like i said first comes "the plan" and getting the supplies i need.

viva spring!

Monday, March 22, 2010

view from my booth


indiesacramento 3/20/10, originally uploaded by neverfeltbetter.

saturday's craft show was a pleasant surprise! the crafting pendulum swung my way and i had a really nice day all around. packing light is key, and i brought my three best sellers which did well again. i love being able to pop up and break down in a flash but still feel like i had a full interesting table.

this next two weeks are all about making more to replenish my table stock and perhaps try out one more item on 2nd saturday craft shows, as a test. one thing that was apparent...the packaging for the soldered pendants was a great idea, as much as i wanted to avoid it. it's a trade off, with the packaging people pass on a paper bag. at least i reused all the little plastic bags i have collected over time. :)

i am having a love/hate relationship with sacramento's craft scene. on the one hand, i am really happy with *park your art* and that 2nd saturday in midtown scene. but something is missing...something is most definitely missing. i will have more thoughts on this missing link in upcoming posts; believe me the wheels are turning! i don't know if i can sit idly by all the while bitching and moaning about what sacramento does not have. i don't want to be part of the problem anymore!

Friday, March 19, 2010

indiesacramento is tomorrow!


indiesac march show, originally uploaded by neverfeltbetter.

indiesacramento.com

hope to see you there! today i am going to make more logo earring cards for more leeeetle vintage post cab earrings ($7 each- such a deal for so much cute) and tweak some of my signage. again there will be a sale bin of winter clearance scarves and scarflettes to make more room for spring and summer styles.

today is supposed to be in the high 70's and so that means one thing: sun tea lol. i made two batches, one peach and one blueberry, both extra strong. :)

Thursday, March 18, 2010

vegan chocolate oatmeal treats


chocolate oatmeal treats
Originally uploaded by neverfeltbetter

looking for a no-bake sweet treat for that nagging sweet tooth? and hey, it's got whole oats and peanut butter so it's basically healthy for you too, right? ( lol, that was my sweet tooth talking!) i made these yesterday, and half the batch is gone already!

recipe:
bring 2 cups organic sugar, 1/2 cup soy milk, 1/4 cup cocoa and 1/4 cup earth balance buttery spread to a rolling boil for 1 1/2 minutes.

take off the burner and quickly stir in 1/2 cup organic peanut butter and 3 cups whole (not the quick cooking variety!) oats.

spoon onto a cookie sheet (using parchment paper makes for easy clean up) and cool completely. makes anywhere from 12-18 treats depending on how big or small you make them.

eat. enjoy!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

happy spring!!!


bow headband
Originally uploaded by neverfeltbetter

just a few days shy of the real start of spring i thought i would dust off this blog and try to keep it at least SEMI-updated!

there is a lot going on with neverfeltbetterbyjen.com ! first off, i am signed up for the entire season (mar-oct) of 2nd saturday's down at mcmartin realty's *park your art* .

this saturday, march 20th i will be doing one more installment of indiesacramento.com. this time at the california museum in downtown sacramento. admission is free and there are quite a few awesome vendors selling, so please check it out! make a day of it with the kids...i haven't been there so i am excited to see what it's all about. i have a ton of vintage fabric pendants two-fer sale, and a "winter clearance" bin on crocheted scarves and scarflettes.

i have been working on more bird headbands, and some pint cozies (as always made with vintage fabrics and felt!) along with more soldered pendants. i was down for the respiratory count for almost two weeks with bronchitis the last time i tried to solder anything. i have to be really careful about having enough and proper ventilation when i do the soldering--the flux fumes are really nasty. i really love to make a little workspace outside and now the weather is turning lovely i will have more opportunity. breathing is important...and i don't like taking it for granted! :)

i am updating my packaging a bit for earring cards and pendants...my goal is by next month's 2nd saturday to have a new look going on for both packaging and display. i am on the hunt for a new display piece for my pendants--they aren't getting the attention on the table they deserve.

happy spring and i hope to post come great pictures from the indiesacramento show--it's going to be a good time and hope to see you here if you are local!

oh and i want to make sure everyone in sacramento knows about my friends new ALL vegan cafe called sugar plum vegan. it's sacramento's first all vegan cafe/bakery and it just opened this week. it's on kst between 23rd and 24th and the hours vary but generally around 8-8. check the website for details and specials! support your local vegan business and tell them jen from neverfeltbetter sent ya! :) melissa sugar is rad and a force. support her!

*jen