I'm walking here!

Drivers in New York really suck in rainy or icy conditions. We like to blame it all on the cabbies but I almost got hit 3 times today by normal drivers coming and going from work: each time I had a walk signal and was exactly where I was supposed to be. Shortly after moving here I developed the thick skin and out-and-out idiocy that is required to shake your fist at an oncoming car and say "I'm walkin' here!" I was in full form this morning when a car came within 2 inches of me (fast) and rather than just run across the street (the smart thing to do) I did a quick sideways jump to dodge the car, then stood in the middle of the street like an idiot, giving the retreating car the stinkeye.

I'm always fascinated by this adversarial relationship that exists between cars and pedestrians, and how easy it is to switch back and forth when you're in the driver's seat. Walking? Cars are the enemy. Driving? All those stupid people crossing the street suck. I'm convinced this is one of those instinctive fight-or-flight responses that ties us back to monkeys.

My story has no moral except... if you're ever in Manhattan in a rainstorm or snowstorm... be careful!

until next time...

smiles,

Quellyrue

And...I'm Back!

I'm back after a looooooong break from blogging. Work has been eating my time alive. At the end of the day I end up an emotionally sogging mess from being spit back out of a monsters mouth. Crafting time as well as business time is lessing. But I vow to turn things around!

Anywho...I have lots to be jolly about this holiday season. For starters, I made my first sales on Etsy! Not one, but two! The iHoot felt cozy and a custom monkey cozy sold minutes after being posted. Hip hip hip HOOOORAAAY!!!

What a wonderful feeling to see my work finally paying off. Many thanks to my first etsy customers Timothy(rustedhouse) and Cynthia (Chinhole127) as well as all my fellow Etsians for your continous support. In addition, I am very pleased with my new undertaking: felt cozies.

These adorable, entirely hand sewn cases can be used to hold all kinds of things! They were made specifically to fit an ipod video(or ipod classic), but it is the perfect size to fit all kinds of gadgets! I also use them for personal items that I would prefer not to have loose in my purse. The cases are made with a double thickness of colored felt and is blanket stitched together with wool yarn. The birds are created using various pieces of hand cut and stitched colored felt. They are hand sewn NOT glued, onto the cases.

Like what you see? Well come along, and visit my shop for many more goodies.

smiles,

QuellyRue

Heaven just got Funnier and Funkier!

I am going a little bit off course today, but it is a MUST for me that I pay my utmost respect to Bernie Mac and Isacc Hayes.

This weekend we lost two legends of black entertainment— Bernie Mac on Saturday, and soul Legend Isacc Hayes on Sunday. I am still in great shock and disbelief. I tell you, there is surely a good show going on in Heaven. At the time of his death, Isaac had just wrapped a film with the late Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson called “Soul Men.” We need to make that #1 at the box office, Period.

After I heard the news, I just sat in the in my room listening to the radio tribute -with people calling in to the station all saying the same thing. “Too soon” and “Tomorrow is not promised.” I recently lost my grandmother at the age of 102, so I know all too well how fleeting this life can be.

As the second half of this year moves rapidly on by, I am pledging to stay focused on the things that make me happy and continuing to remove the things that are not. I don’t know how much time I have left here but I’m going to make the most of it.

Let’s celebrate Isaac Hayes today for all the beautiful music he gave us and all the harmonies he’s going to create up there with some of the greats that are are no longer with us. And Bernic Mac for the laughter and joy he brought while here on Earth. I thank you God for opening the gates of Heaven for these two Angels.

One thing for sure is, Heaven just got funnier and funkier.

Love,

QuellyRue

Bein' a Busy Bee

I know, I know it has been a while since my last post. But I've been working furiously on my Etsy shop over the past few weeks. And I am very pleased to announce my items are now being sold on Etsy! WOOOHOOO indeed! In addition to my joy, I received a wonderful compliment from another Etsy seller/buyer complimenting me on my pieces. I must say, I am extremely excited and hopeful for my new store.

Here's what you can find:

First up is Happy, the elephant. Happy is a OOAK crochet elephant cozy that keeps your favorite gadget safe, clean and scratch-free.

Happy is made with high quality grey and rose pink acrylic yarn. This little cutie is sure to be a show stopper. She measures 4.5" x 2.5" and fits current ipods comfortably. She also stretches to fit older models too.

Swinging upside down is King!

He too is a OOAK handcrochet monkey cozy made to protect your favorite gadgets.

I made him using purple and rose pink yarn, specially fit for king. Like Happy, King measures 4.5" x 2.5," and stretches to fit items that may be a tab bit larger.

Show your style and have some fun with these little cuties! They can be custom made in different colors and sizes to fit your taste. Feel free to contact me with your requests.

Follow the link, visit my shop and fill your basquet with Quellories!

www.quellyruedesigns.etsy.com/



smiles,

QuellyRue

What's a blog?

"You need a blog". That's what I keep reading in all my books about having an online business. Well, here it is. I don't really have any issues with blogs, I just don't think I have a lot to say. And I hate writing, I'm terrible at it. I guess it's a good way to promote my business, which I need to do badly. I don't know how it works (and probably sound like a real dork right now) but away I go.

The deal is, I am setting up an online business selling my hand made stuff. I make cozies, coin purses, scaflettes, hats, altered journals, etc., etc. Anyway, I launched my site early this month and now I'm just doing all the things you do to get it noticed. I get a fair amount of traffic, but not that much. No one knows I'm there.

My next step into marketing my site is to try getting into some craft shows. Aside from the natural downside of grannies in puff paint sweatshirts, it can be pretty expensive to get into the good ones. However, you have a captive audience that is there to buy. I've been to these things and there are packs of ladies walking out with crafty stuff hanging from their bodies. They bring their husbands just to carry the bags. There seems to be a definite opportunity there. I also think people are more likely to buy a higher priced item from some stranger if they can actually see it in person. I don't blame them.

I guess I plan to use my blog as a way to put my ideas down in writing somewhere. Sort of like when you talk to yourself, it just seems to stick better. I hope it works. Ha Ha

smiles,


QuellyRue

A little blurb about me...QuellyRue

Well just when I thought I couldn't be on one more internet community (Myspace, Etsy, Flickr, etc--half of which I loathe) here comes Blogspot!

Born in the Big Apple and raised in Ghana, West Africa, I am the brainchild of a twenty-something living out her dream as an artist and designer.

I am a self-taught crochet and natural fine artist who revels in the possibilities, and lives some where between the dots of etc. The heart of me is creating, whether it is a portraiture, painting, photography, crochet, felt, or jewelry. I've been passionate about art and design for just about as long as I can remember. Crafting is fun and I love nothing better than to spend the day covered in paint, surrounded by scraps of fabric, all tangled up in yarn. The end result, cozies, cowls, totes, headbands and whatever else strike my fancy!

I am constantly inspired by my own crazy imaginations, nature, a smile, colors of spring and fall, African prints, and the beautiful women of Africa and the ways they paint and adorn themselves. Sometimes I find inspiration in memories and conversations gone by.

I am a strong believer that the truest expression of love is art. The purest part of you is that which is created, born and nourished in your heart.

QuellyRue Designs is a place for me to share all the creative wanderings in my mind, my art and my style.

My hands live to create...so I create.

Thank you for getting to know a bit about me.

smiles

QuellyRue