Back on line and finally cooling off!

Well, I'm finally back on line. At least for the moment. I approach the computer with caution each day as our internet service has been extremely fickle. I think I was going through withdrawal today!! Late this evening, we finally got connected again. Service went out part way through me working on this post on Sunday night and, while we regained pieces of service, I could not access Blogger at all dince then. Keep your fingers crossed for us, that we'll stay connected from here on in.

I hope y'all have had a good week. For numerous reasons, I just haven't been able to post quite as often as I want to lately. Life keeps getting in the way and it has been really frustrating. This is a new week and I hope to get back on my old schedule of about 5 posts a week. Please wish me luck!

The Big Guy has found some unique ways of keeping cool!
(That's the freezer pack from a cooler.)

We've all just been trying to stay cool lately. The heat here has finally broken some. We're still hotter than normal but at least we're down below 100 on a daily basis although the humidity has been very high so it's still somewhat oppressive outside. Our temps are still running about 10 degrees above normal and this has gone on for over three weeks now. I wonder if we ever will get used to this sort of weather.

While holed up inside, I've done some creating.

This is one of my newest designs and has already proven to be a popular shower gift!! In fact, I've even had a tween request a special design based on this for herself. I'm calling it the "Babe of the Month" and it can be ordered for any month. It's in my Etsy shop now.





I've actually been producing quite a bit of merchandise for the last week or so. Some were for specific orders, some were gifts I needed and there's been lots of leftover pieces that have found their way into my etsy shop. I had neglected the shop for a few weeks and it seems
happy to get some attention. I've still got quite a few to add in the next few days, too. Won't be too long and it will be time to get busy adding holiday merchandise. Christmas is, actually, just a little over 5 months away!!


The hot weather did prove inspirational and gave me a few ideas for some summery outfits. This onesie is now in my Etsy shop. (You'll have to come up with your own bottoms, though. these are just plain red shorts.)




We've got a new addition to the family coming soon and she's already being called a priness so I designed a special outfit for her. The pants are plain in front but have the word "princess" across the bum!



I showed it to a few folks who liked it so much, I've also added this item to the shop.





This onesie has been in my shop for a while, but a customer wanted to expand on the theme for a more complete shower gift, so i added a matching hat and some socks to complete the look. I'm always open to such ideas and concepts. Many folks have requested extras to match a particular item. The onesie is still available in the shop.





This is just a small sampling of all the new items I've been working on. there are still more that are now in the shop and more to be added each day. Please stop by and see what's new!

Working the Shows Wednesday - It's HOT! HOT! HOT!

So there you are, at an outdoor show in the middle of July or August and, Baby, it’s sweltering out there! Around my end of the world, the temps are probably hovering around 90 degrees (or more) and the humidity is usually in the 85%+ range. What do you do to manage sitting out there for two full days without dying of heat prostration?

No 1 Rule - Stay hydrated !!!! The best beverage to drink at such times is water but any cool, alcohol-free liquid will help. Caffeinated beverages should be a choice of last resort. (This does create a pottying problem for those of us trying to do shows alone, however.)

No. 2 Rule - Protect yourself from direct sun to the best of your ability. If you are not using a canopy or tent, find an umbrella, use a big hat, etc.

Get some air moving. If you have electricity, be sure to have a large fan with you. I find one placed under the table, blowing on my legs to be quite helpful. There are numerous battery run fans available. Look for them at your local Target or Walmart. When all else fails, pick up a personal-sized battery run fan from your dollar store. They are better than nothing!

Bear in mind, when using a canopy or tent, keeping three sides down will create shade and keep you out of direct sun, BUT, that will also block air flow and increase the temp under that cover. Be sure to determine the direction of any breeze (if there is one) and try to keep the appropriate sides open.

Using one of those “cooling neckties” available at most sporting goods stores and often sold at craft shows and festivals will definitely help and they are good for many hours. They are filled with water absorbing gel and you soak them in water for a specified time and then refrigerate overnight. Tie them around your neck in the morning and they do refresh for most of the day. Don’t have one of these? Using a roll of paper towels, make your own necktie by rolling them into a long tube and dipping it in cool water. Place it around your neck and secure with a large paperclip, pin, etc. Rewet as necessary. Dip a sponge in water (I find the melting ice in the cooler a great source for this.) and cool the back of your neck with it.

Most importantly, dress for such temperatures. We are constantly bombarded with advice to “look professional” at shows, however, there is nothing professional about being well-dressed on the paramedic’s stretcher or dripping with sweat because you are overdressed.. Wear loose fitting, natural fiber clothing that allows air to circulate. If you do a lot of these hot, outdoor shows, consider in investing in some of the tops sold for athletes that have an inner layer that wicks the sweat from the body.

Do not make the mistake of dressing too bare. (Bare does not necessarily equal “cooler.”) I once did a show on an asphalt parking lot in wide open sunshine (before the days of pop-ups) and thought wearing a fairly bare cotton sundress would keep me cool in the 100°+ temperatures that weekend. By mid-day on Saturday, I was extremely sunburned despite 30 SPF sunscreen. I generated heat at that point. I was unable to return on Sunday as I had sun-poisoning. I was barely able to do the mall show that started on Wednesday of that week as clothing was hardly tolerable and I experienced chills for a full week.

Sometimes, just as with rain, you simply need to admit defeat. I have now created my own rule. If the temperature tops 95° before 2 p.m., I go home. I am no longer hanging in there with triple digit temperatures. I’ve let them make me sick more than once and it simply isn’t worth it. Shoppers do not stroll a show when it is that hot. I’ll admit to not really paying much attention to the 40+ juried, high quality crafters at a music festival I attended last weekend. It was simply too hot to wander that area. I was more concerned with finding the next shady concert tent and a cold drink. Hopefully, the next 8 days weren’t as hot. (That was a 10-day event.)

Be sure to know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat prostration. It CAN be dangerous.

Be prepared if you are doing summer shows.

Stay cool, my friends.