Happy Sunday

Apparently, my dog, Bess, seemed to have gotten ahold of my computer last night and made a post about my new Doggie Sweater. Who knew a dog could do that??? She doesn't even have opposable thumbs! (Go to the previous post to see what she wrote)

In other news, the cyber sale continues until Monday:

***20% OFF ALL ITEMS IN MY STORE THIS WEEKEND!!!***
SIMPLY TYPE "CYBER SALE" IN THE BUYERS COMMENTS AND YOU'LL GET A REFUND VIA PAYPAL

I'm off to go sailing in a minute. If you're bored though, I found this stupid (yet addictive) Fly Swatting Game, I tried it 3 or 4 times and I still suck.

And as always, here's the gratuitous link to my shop

This Blog has been Hijacked!!!

Hello everyone! My name is Bess Houdini Dukore and I'm the dog of the usual writer of this blog. I stole mommy's laptop so I could post all about my new modeling career!

I don't really like to pose for things, but a little pupperoni does the trick. Mom just fed me lots of it while I posed in her new Funky Doggie Sweater. I think it's very becoming if I do say so myself.

I think some little doggie will be very happy wearing it and I really hope it sells because the more sales mommy gets, the more pupperoni I get. I need lots of pupperoni to survive, otherwise I have to go treasure hunting in the garbage...and I'm pretty sure mom doesn't like that too much.

Well, thanks for reading, now back to your regularly scheduled blog.

If you click here, mom might give me some treats...or better yet, human food. mmmm

Life and Books and Sales, Oh My!

Well, I didn't get any sales on Black Friday, but I did get a few hearts...a couple of them were strictly buyers who didn't have shops, so I think that's promising. The sale continues:

***20% OFF ALL ITEMS IN MY STORE THIS WEEKEND!!!***
SIMPLY TYPE "CYBER SALE" IN THE BUYERS COMMENTS AND YOU'LL GET A REFUND VIA PAYPAL

In other news, I just finished reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It was a fascinating book about life on the road after the supposed end of the world. I don't think it's a book I'd recomend to everyone. The writing was flawless, but it was so depressing and gave me feelings of hopelessness...I'm still not sure whether I liked it or not...I'm still turning the story and the characters over and over in my head...but I guess that's what a well written book is supposed to do.

Stay tuned, because the new doggie sweater will probably be finished today and I'll be posting all about it of course...

Also, because of the holiday weekend, you won't see "Friday Favorites" or "Saturday Specials" until next week....But hey, I guess the whole weekend is a Saturday Special.

Save the Scarves!!! They get really lonely without a neck to love.

Just a Great Big Sale!!!

Thanksgiving was fun...The clowns behaved themselves...and I ate waaaay toooo much! It's probably a blessing that I hate Pumkin Pie, or I'd have to roll myself to work since I wouldn't be able to fit in my car.

Anyway....

***20% OFF ALL ITEMS IN MY STORE THIS WEEKEND!!!***
SIMPLY TYPE "CYBER SALE" IN THE BUYERS COMMENTS AND YOU'LL GET A REFUND VIA PAYPAL

Now I'm off to promote this stuff before I have to go to work. Something tells me that they'll be a lot of Thanksgiving leftovers in the dressing room and I, already, can't eat another bite.

In case you haven't clicked here before, now would definitely be your chance to do so

Christmas Scarf and Turkey for Dessert!

Yes! I completed the Christmas Scarf, and thus completed my goal. Now I'm ready for a nice hot soak in the tub.

Later on, I'm heading out with the boyfriend to have Thanksgiving with a bunch of clowns...no really...I'm not being insulting, that's what they do for a living...former Ringling Bros. Clowns to be exact. Afterward, we're off to meet my Vegas Parents (as opposed to the ones who gave birth to me and live out of state) because they always do a late Thanksgiving dinner. There will probably be less clowns there but definitely more magicians...and if you're a fan of the Showtime Show BullS@#$%t by Penn and Teller, you can catch my Vegas Dad doing the most amazing comb-over you have ever seen.

Now the bath is calling me, but tune in tomorrow for the Black Friday thru Cyber Monday sale.

What do you want for Christmas?

Ooops!

I overslept and didn't have time to post anything this morning...I wasn't late for the show or anything, but this was probably due to the fact that I didn't take the time to blog.

I couldn't help it though. I was such a beautiful, cloudy, rainy day and all I wanted to do was curl up under the covers...We don't get too many days like that here in Las Vegas.

I was performing at the Venetian today, and due to the faux cloud ceiling, I couldn't enjoy the rainy gloom that I love so much.

A couple more inches on the Christmas Scarf and then it will be done! My goal (notice it's not a promise, only a goal) is to have it listed tomorrow. And I was also informed that I don't have to do any cooking for Thanksgiving, aka turkey day (tofurkey day for those vegetarians out there), all I have to do is show up so hopefully I'll get a good hunk done on the new doggie sweater too (sorry, this one isn't going to be a santa one, but hopefully it will be equally as cute).

Here's where you should go while you're waiting for that pesky turkey to cook

Start of a Wonderful Day

When I woke up this morning, I was tired and cranky...but this is normal before I insert the Coffee IV into my veins. As per usual, I went and checked my email next, and lo and behold....I had another sale! The Santa Doggie Sweater is now sold! Yay for me!

As soon as I finish my Christmas Scarf (which should be today since I'm performing at the Venetian and will be working furiously in between shows), I have an idea for a doggie party sweater. I can see it in my mind, but I don't know if it will look the same when I get it into the yarn...fingers crossed.

In other news, I have 6 shows today at the Venetian...unfortunately, I'll be playing a different role in them than my usual one because the guy who usually does it, is out of town. *Sigh*, no magic for me today...instead I'll be a giant marionette (I'm not big, but it's all relative) with a stilt walker controlling my strings. We will do this little bit five times today...

But what can you do? My mortgage company would be very upset if I refused...They have this thing about being paid on time...go figure.

Want to know how to make my day even brighter??? Click here to find out!

Something Amazing

This is a video of a guy who creates art in the eye of a needle! I know knitting takes patience, but this...wow...this takes patience to a whole new level!

Art for those who own a microscope!

Thanks Velvet for sending this to the etsyknitters team!

In other news, I'm working on a Christmas scarf right now. What makes it really special is that my boyfriend picked out the yarn for me. He came home one day and said that he found a batch of yarn in a thrift store and figured that I could make something with it for my shop. Isn't he the greatest!!! I was overcome by the sweetness.

Just in case you guys think that it's a little wimpy...he also fixed my car yesterday...so he's still got that macho side.

Tearing your hair out over Christmas yet? Click here and problem solved

Something Old, Something New

Yes! The new beret is finished (since the last one sold) and I listed it yesterday. I really love making this pattern and at some point would like to make a few more. I do want to make one in black, but I'm really worried about how it will photograph...It's hard when you know that it would probably be the prefered color and yet you know it wouldn't sell because it would have to be seen in person. Or maybe I'm just talking myself out of it...

Click here if your head is cold...or perhaps if you don't want it to be

In other news, I hosted the show "Wayward Ways" last night. We were running a little short, so luckily I had brought extra stuff to do and was able to keep the show running smoothly with no one in the audience being the wiser. There will be another show on the 13th, but since I was in the last 2 I probably won't be in that one...they like to change it up since we get a lot of regulars in the audience.

Insert clever remark here that will make you want to visit my shop

Saturday Special

This weeks Saturday special is all about the Zipper Coin Purse. I usually sell them for $12 but today only you can buy them for $6...And if you are in the US or Canada, shipping is free...everywhere else it's $3.

There are only 4, so hurry up and get them before somebody else does

In other news, I'm hosting a variety show tonight called "Wayward Ways"...there should be some fun acts in the show. I don't know how much magic I'm going to be doing since I'm hosting, I only need to fill time for acts that have a big set up or clean up. Otherwise it's just me on-stage with a microphone...some of my exes would be frightened at the thought.

My friend Penny is going to be doing comedy, and I think that she's hillarious. Her "real" job is as Psychic Tonya in the Amazing Johnathan Show, so it's nice to see her play herself once in a while.

If you can't go to the show...you can always wander around here...I won't mind *wink*

Friday's Favorites

Before we get to the favorites, I have two bits of news...

First off, every Thursday, my friends and I get together for a home poker tournament. Yes I know I live in Las Vegas, and can go to a casino at anytime, but most of the time I find it a lot nicer to kick back with friends, deal out the cards and let the taunting begin. Well, last night I came in second. Woot! Woot! I do feel bad taking money from other starving artists...well...only a little...besides, they've done the same to me on one or two occasions.

Second off, I got another sale! Yay! My "Shades of Salmon Entrelac Scarf" sold last night...I think I kind of freaked out my dog by doing a happy dance...in fairness to her though, it probably looked like an epilectic fit.

Now on to the favorites! This week I went through my etsyknitters team and at first looked for Thanksgiving items (it's almost time for turkey you know) and since there weren't too many, expanded my search to fall!

Embrace the fall because the winter will soon be upon us!



Now that you've whetted your appetite with these appetizers, click here for the main course!

Chores? What Chores?

Well, today I was supposed to be working at the Comedy Festival at Caesar's palace, but now I'm not. I was kind of bugged about losing the money, but I didn't really want to do it in the first place...It's not as glamorous as it sounds...I did it last year. But now what to do with the time?

Chores? Probably, but I don't have high hopes that anything will get done.

I do need to send promo dvd's off today as well as some balls of yarn that I'm donating to one of my etsyknitters team members for her senior center. Apparently their knitting classes lost their funding, so a lot of people are sending her some supplies that they can spare.

Due to the running out of yarn fiasco, I should probably go and buy some more while they still have it, but I started on a new berret, and now I want to finish that...and there are a million other projects I want to get started on, all the time, the house work is staring me in the face...taunting me...daring me to get started.

What I'd rather be doing instead of chores

Back to work...

I'm almost out of the sock yarn I'm making for the fingerless gloves, and I probably won't have time to get any today, so I'll probably start on a new project. Depending on what's in my stash, I might start a new beret since the other one sold...but if I don't find a yarn that moves me, then I'm making a fancy doggie sweater with black fuzzy trim.

I'm performing again at the Venetian today, so all of this will be done in between shows...it makes the day fly by....I can't get too used to it, though, pretty soon we'll be adding shows and then I'll have to do all my knit work at home.

I have some time off coming up, since my show at Krave will be taking a short break and I'm hoping to be super productive during that time (hoping being the opperative word)...not only with knitting but I really need to do some spring...er...winter cleaning.

This is where you should be browsing when you have other, more pressing, chores to do...it's lots more fun!

And lastly...Friday favorites are fast coming upon us. If you see something that you think should be featured, please post the link in the comments page...I'd love to see it.

At Sea...

Yesterday, not much work got done. My dog, Bess, and I went sailing with my boyfriend on his boat. (you may remember her as the model for the Santa Doggie Sweater) It was her first time out on a boat, and she was so well behaved and loved it so much...I of course have to post some gratuitously cute photos of the event.

She was nervous at first but got her sea paws rather quickly.

There wasn't any wind, so we were motoring rather than sailing, but we "sailed" all the way to Hoover Dam (sorry, no pics of that because Bess was cuter than the dam to photograph) and then found a little cove and bbq'd hot dogs and relaxed for a while.

On the way home, sunset was so beautiful. The reflection of the sky in the water turned everything purple...It was so surreal that I was half expecting My Little Ponies to start frolicking accross the water.

Now it's back to work...I'm performing at the Venetian today and in between shows will be furiously working on the second fingerless glove. I'm hoping to have a new project soon!

Don't forget, Christmas is creeping up on us and Bess needs to finance her sailing expeditions!

Ramblings...

Well, right off the bat, I'm going to tell you that yes, I did finally finish that fingerless glove, and now I'm working on the second. I know it's not a great picture of it, but it's more to give you an idea of what it looks like...when both are done, much better ones will be taken. And I must say the second should be much easier, since now I have more of a feel for the pattern.

Next, I was pointed in the direction of this blog (for the life of me I can't remember who led me there), but it's about knit grafitti!
check it out, it's worth a chuckle!

And now in the real world, I'm starting to become convinced that the mop companies are out to get me. No sooner do I buy a mop than the mop heads become obsolete. When shopping for them, I always look at mop head availability as one of my deciding factors...but god forbid I try to buy a replacement head....it's a conspiracy I tell you...I think it's the same government agency that steals one sock out of my dryer...ooooh! They are crafty! (and not in an etsy kind of way).

Click here to find out what I've been doing when not shopping for mops!

Saturday is Special!

Isn't Saturday special? (and not short bus special either)
This Saturday's special is 20% off anything in the store!
If it has "Halloween" in the title, it's 40% off!

Just convo me before and I'll adjust the price, or convo me after and I'll refund the discound via paypal!

What do you get when you cross a magician with too much yarn?

Let's see...what else is going on today...
Well aside from the show, I'm off to the library today (I'll admit, I owe some overdue fees) but I also have to get the next book for the bookclub that I'm in. We're reading "The Road"...the author's name escapes me right now...I mean, I have it written down, but it's all the way accross the room and it's 8:15am so I'll have to let you know later.

I also see a finished fingerless glove in my future! Miss Cleo I am not, but I think I can make this one happen!

And as for the picture...I just love visual puns.

Friday's Favorites!

I have a couple of things for Friday's Favorites this week...first up! A very funny link that a member of my etsyknitters team posted...this is great not only for the computer geeks out there, but also for anyone who's ever been frustrated with there computer.

Just click on play and leave the mouse alone...then prepare to laugh!

Then, in honor of my Santa Doggie Sweater, I decided to make these favorites all about pets and the clothes they wear...enjoy!



And finally, in other news, I made a sale yesterday...Yay me!
click here to be sale number 3! Come on...you know you want to!

Send in the Clowns!

Last night I had a gig with my boyfriend who is a clown...no really, I'm not just calling him names, he's a former Ringling Bros clown. Anyway, I got booked to do table magic and he got booked as a mime. It was our first gig together since New Year's Eve...The previous one was more fun because I was booked as a mime too, and so we could have fun together...It's a lot harder to play when someone is dressed up goofy and the other looks relatively normal.

I've almost finished the cuff on the fingerless gloves...the patern is looking very cool. I'm going to post some pictures when I have one finished, the first is always easier than the second, you really have to rebuild the motivation to get it finished. That's one thing that's really great about having an etsy shop...You think to yourself, "I need to finish this so I can add another listing...I need to list!...I must list!" It does help with the motivational factor.

Of course I could go out on the boat...then I'd be listing the entire time! (Ba dum dum...crash)

Feeling down today? Click here and feed your shopping addiction!

Update

Well, I must admit, I was a bit lazy yesterday and didn't post for the first time since I started this blog...which for my blogging track record ain't bad.

I started work on a new pair of fingerless gloves...same yarn as the other pair I made, but totally different pattern, and longer too! I TiVo Jepardy and Cash Cab all the time and watch them when I'm working on new projects and can listen to the TV but can't actually watch it...my boyfriend gets mad when I shout out the answers before the questions are finished though.

I also finished the book I was reading "The Devil's Teardrop"...it was kind of a pulp thriller, but lots of fun. Now I'm reading a magic book...always got to keep up to date on the job that pays the bills.

Now I'm off to wake up the boyfriend! And later on, we have a gig together! That hasn't happened since New Year's Eve, so it should be lots of fun.

Don't forget to look at the countdown clock, panic, and click here to buy stuff!

Prepare for the Cuteness!

Yes! The Santa Doggie Sweater is finally finished and listed! My little girl, Bess, looks so cute in it...but I'm biased...I don't have human children, so it's all about the dog...at least I don't carry her around in a purse...well...not too often.

Anyway, if your the parent of a fur-kid, or if you know someone who's the parent of a fur-kid, this is the item for you!


Buy in now here...you know you want to!

And it all went wrong...

Sigh...

I had a show last night (magic, not craft), and it was probably the worst show of my life. When one does magic, it takes a bit of, shall we say, "rigging"? Well I was using a new costume which meant all of that had to be changed...and well...it all kind of self combusted...magic balls rolling everywhere...and that was only the beginning...I still had to keep on going for another 8 minutes which can seem like an eternity.

Luckily, the rest of the number did not rely on anything but my hands and that went just fine...aside from the red glow coming off of my face. I don't know if the audience was applauding because they liked me, or if they were just relieved that the rest of the act was capable...

Oh well, it's been 10 years since I've had a show that bad...I guess I was overdue.

In other news: I finished the purse I was making and decided to felt it (my first time) and it looks pretty cool! Only now I have to rethink the clasp for it, so it might be a little bit before it makes an appearence.

Plus, I got the belt buckle for the doggie sweater, so you will definitely be seeing that in the near future.

Saturday is Special!!!

Before I get into what the special is for Saturday...I really must thank Dikla Felner/ for putting my Etsy mini in her blog for the featured shop of the day. Please go check her out!

Now...for the specials!

Today, buy any item in my shop and receive 25% off any additional items purchaced!
Not bad huh?

"How does one redeem this?" you might ask...well it's simple. Go to My shop (click here) and find some lovely items that you like. Then simply click on contact seller, and I will reduce the price for you before you buy. It's simple and a great way to get started on all that Christmas shopping!

New listing too!

First off, if you haven't seen the Friday Favorites, scroll down and take a look! There are some beautiful things from the etsyknitters team.

Secondly, I finished and photographed and posted my beret. And in a timely manner no less. I'm really proud of this one and I hope others like it too. I really do try to make things that I would like to wear...my taste can't be that far off, can it? My friends might beg to differ on that one though...

Beautiful Beret seeks nice home!

Friday Favorites!

So for this Friday Favorites, I did a search for items from my Etsyknitters Team and then went to the very last pages and perused items that might not get seen as often and I found some absolutely gorgeous buys! Check them out!

A tip of the hat...

Yes, right now it's hat time. I've been working on a berret style one...haven't done that before, all the other's I have are beanies/skullcaps. I really hope this one turns out...but hey, if it doesn't, I'll post a funny picture of the disaster.

In other news, I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off...the Magic biz has been very busy of late, which my mortgage company really enjoys, so I've been trying to keep abreast of all of that...I might even be doing a film shoot soon of some of my stuff, the people liked my website, now lets hope they like my price...*fingers crossed*

The picture, of course, has nothing to do with the post, but I found it on the web, and I think if has a nice combination of cute and creepy.

Just in case you forgot where my shop is, click here

Christmas Socks are here!!!

Yes! The photos have been taken and they've been uploaded to etsy...now all that needs to happen is these socks need to find a loving home! I hope someone out there has a place for them in their hearts...I do want to keep them, but I made them to big for myself on purpose so I wouldn't be tempted!

Step right up for your very own pair!

Coming Soon...

I know I keep saying that I'm going to be listing new stuff, and then time gets away from me and the next thing I know, the day is over and I have nothing new to show for it...*sigh*...but this time I mean it...no really!

Socks are done, all that's left is the photography! I'll be posting them later today...no really!...I am!

I installed a celing fan on Monday, and the good news is that it hasn't fallen on my head yet...I call that success...

More to come soon!

Until then, here's a random picture of the cast of the show I'm in called "Find Your Sexy"...daily shows in Las Vegas at 3pm.

Happy Voting Day!

Yesterday was an odd day, and it didn't go quite how I pictured it...I did get one of my projects almost completed, and then it was off to Lowes for a new ceiling fan and then the fish store for some fish (for the tank, not dinner).

The celing fan took longer that expected to install, in fact I did most of it myself...I hope Benny doesn't feel like less of a man...and now my back is quite sore today.

In other news, something really strange is happening at my shop. I got over 1,000 views yesterday out of nowhere! No sales from those views, mind you, but when I saw that, I nearly fell out of my chair...

The only things I did differently was had it rated on stumbleupon and joined a livejournal community, and I'm not sure that all those hits came from there...*shrugs*

Also, in today's photo, that's what the new housesocks will look like when they're done, only they'll be in red and green...these ones I made to match one of my sweaters.

Stop on by and beat the Christmas rush!

Happy Monday!

Monday is now my new day off! I'm hoping to finish my Christmas House Socks and get a belt buckle for the doggie sweater! If I finish something during the daylight hours, I'll definitely take pictures and put them up!

I also added a bunch of stuff to my queue on Ravelry, so I can keep focused on what to make next...for those knitters and crocheters that haven't discovered the joy that is Ravelry, I suggest you check it out...tons of information and such a great way to keep track of all of your projects.

I've been reading a few articles and blogs that are supposed to help get the shop's name out there...if they work, I'll definitely be posting about them...if they don't pan out, as many of these things do, than I'll just save you from wasting your time...

That's all for now!

I'll admit it...

I'm evil...and here's the proof!

No Beginner's Luck...

I thought my first special would at least generate some interest, but so far, not so much...I guess I'm going to have to be more creative next Saturday.

My doggie sweater is almost done! I just have to finish the belt...it's going to look like a Santa Sweater when it's done. The boyfriend thinks it's funny, but I think it's cute...and most guys don't really like to dress up Chihuahuas anyway...and yes, that's her in the picture sporting her Obama shirt...she's quite the model.

I also started on some super warm christmas house socks...the cuffs are almost done and I'm hoping to be finished with them in a couple of days. Sometimes it's really hard to list stuff on etsy because once it's made, I want to keep it! But really, I have so many things that I made, that I just suck it up and try to send them out into the world.

Shopping anyone?

Almost Famous in N. Las Vegas

There's a small paper in the North Las Vegas area that a friend told me my picture was in...I went to the site and lo and behold! There I was! Cool!

North Las Vegas View

Don't forget about Saturday's special...see the post below!

Saturday is Special

I see so many wonderful sales going on at etsy, I thought I should do a Saturday special! Saturday used to be special to me because it was my day off...now, not so much...but I do have Monday off now so I can spend some quality time with Benny on the Boat...

But I digress...

Todays special is...first four sales of anything in the shop gets a free zipper coin purse! I usually sell them for $12, so I think it's not so bad a deal!

Click here to take advantage of Special Saturday

I also took some new pictures of some of my scarves last night...I think they look better than the original ones...I love these scarves and I'm really trying to capture their beauty with photography...alas, I am a knitter not a clicker, so there's definitely going to be a learning curve.