the teacup incident

Time for A Change

I've been writing The Teacup Incident blog for over nine years now. Social media is so different from when I started blogging and I've changed too. Fast media sources such as Instagram and Twitter have replaced blogs as go-to sources for the latest news. There are also many other types of online competition such as video streaming.

We all have a limited time to spend on social media and blogs like mine have fallen to the bottom of that list. This feels like a good time for me to say goodbye to blogging.

I'm putting this blog on hiatus until I can come up with a compelling reason to restart it. Follow me on Instagram if you are interested in where I'm headed next. Thank you all for your interest and support over the years- its been a joy meeting you through this blog.

Warm regards,
Sharon

 

August Summer Break

Its been really nice being offline after closing my Etsy shop. I have been enjoying activities around Boulder: flea markets, gardening, farm stand visits, art painting and weekend trips to the mountains. I read or go for a walk after dinner rather than work on "content". I've set up my easel on my back porch to explore acrylic painting techniques.

I've also re-read a few of my favorite creative books (Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Joyful by Ingrid Fetel Lee, Creative Illustration Workshop by Katherine Dunn) which lend sparks to my process. If you're looking for a little sparkle, visit Ingrid's Instagram page for ideas to make your days more joyful.

Time outside the internet feels supple and sweet, shaped by my curiosity and interests rather than stretched over arbitrary boundaries set by FOMO (fear of missing out) and optimal posting times. Taking a break from the internet is a great way to relax and recharge - I highly recommend it if you are feeling burnout.

I'm extending my break through Labor Day. See you back here in September!

PinkGingerKitty Clearance Sale going on now

PinkGingerKitty is having a 50% off clearance sale through the end of July. My shop will close on August 1, 2019.

Etsy.com has mandated that all its stores offer "free" shipping for US orders over $35 starting July 20th or find themselves outside the search range of its algorithms. Their recommendation to sellers is to add shipping costs into the item price but that doesn't make financial sense for many of the items I sell.

My toys were always more a labor of love more than a profit center. After much thought about various business strategies I have decided to close my Etsy shop. I've lost the passion I used to feel for sewing so this feels like a good time step back and try something else.

If you are interested buying one of my dolls or accessories, you have until July 31st to do so. Everything is 50% off at PinkGingerKItty, so stock up! On August 1 my shop will close.

Thank you to all who have purchased my handmade toys over the years. I am taking the month of August off to rest and regroup. When I embark on new creative adventures I'll share them here and on my Instagram page.

Happy summer to you!

Sharon

New Garden Party Girl doll: Elodie Edwards

There's a new handmade doll in my shop! Meet Elodie Edwards. Elodie is made from a mix of new cotton and muslin fabrics with ribbon details. She is 23" long, 13" sitting height (59 cm, 33 cm). She is stuffed with hypoallergenic Polyfil.

Elodie's multi-color floral cotton dress has a blue fabric belt with a pink grosgrain bow. Her shoes match her dress and have dark blue grosgrain ties. Elodie's knickers are blue and white gingham. Her dress, shoes and knickers are sewn securely to her body.

Elodie comes with a removable light blue felt coat and matching folded felt hat decorated with a felt flower embroidered in place.

Elodie has dark blue wool yarn hair attached securely in a flattering bob. Her hand-embroidered face features blue eyes and an azalea red heart-shaped mouth. She has double stitched internal seams so she can be posed several ways. Her arms open wide for hugs or can be crossed to show a bit of spunk.

Elodie's story: She owns a dog grooming salon and has several celebrity clients, including a dog that is a star in a kid's TV show. Elodie's own dog, Peaches, is a Cavapoo, a Caviler King Charles Spaniel and miniature poodle mix.

Find Elodie and many other handmade dolls and accessories in my Etsy shop, PinkGingerKitty.

Have a great weekend!

Last day to save at PinkGingerKitty's Summer Sale

Today is the last day of my summer sale. Save 25% off on every handmade doll and doll accessory in my shop, PinkGingerKitty. Sale ends at midnight tonight.

Happy July 4th and a Summer Sale at PinkGingerKitty

Happy Independence Day! To celebrate, I'm hosting a summer sale at PinkGingerKitty. All my handmade dolls and accessories are 25% off, today through July 7th. This is a great time to buy cute and stylish toys made with love in Boulder, Colorado.

Summer Sale at PinkGingerKitty!

Happy Summer! I'm having a sale at PinkGingerKitty and you're invited! Receive 25% off everything you purchase from my shop today through July 7th, no coupons necessary. This is a great time to stock up on my handmade dolls and accessories.

DIY Tassel Necklace for Dolls

Note: This post first appeared here in July 2017

Tassels are a fun addition to jewelry and perfect for summer. Here is an easy way to make your doll a wood bead and tassel necklace using embroidery thread for the tassel. See below for my step by step directions on making the tassels which I found on the Sweet Lulu blog here.

For each tassel you will need a full skein of embroidery thread in any color you like, scissors and an embroidery needle with a big eye. I also used a needle threader. For the necklace you will need a couple of wood beads or pompoms in colors that coordinate. Wood beads and pompoms from Target.

Here's how to make a tassel:

1. Cut a piece 4" piece and an 10" piece of embroidery thread from a skien. Fold the rest of the thread skien in half and tie in the middle with the 4" thread piece. Remove the paper sleeves from the thread.
   
   
2. Wind the 10" piece of thread around the doubled thread bundle, about 1" from the top of the tassel. Tie ends in a knot.
    
3. For the doll's necklace you won't need the tassel's tie ends. Using the embroidery needle, weave the ends of the top tie into the tassel through the middle of the bundle.

Trim the tassel thread ends evenly, brush the threads smooth with your fingers and you have a pretty finished tassel!

To assemble the necklace, cut a piece of embroidery thread the length you want to fit your doll and thread it onto your embroidery needle. Thread on one wood bead, your tassel and a small pompom and position them in the middle of the necklace length.  Measure length on your doll and tie a knot in the thread to close necklace. Trim thread ends close to knot.

You now have a trendy tassel necklace for your doll!

Make as many as you like to match all your doll's outfits!

Note: This post first appeared here in July 2017

Tassels are a fun addition to jewelry and perfect for summer. Here is an easy way to make your doll a wood bead and tassel necklace using embroidery thread for the tassel. See below for my step by step directions on making the tassels which I found on the Sweet Lulu blog here.

For each tassel you will need a full skein of embroidery thread in any color you like, scissors and an embroidery needle with a big eye. I also used a needle threader. For the necklace you will need a couple of wood beads or pompoms in colors that coordinate. Wood beads and pompoms from Target.

Here's how to make a tassel:

1. Cut a piece 4" piece and an 10" piece of embroidery thread from a skien. Fold the rest of the thread skien in half and tie in the middle with the 4" thread piece. Remove the paper sleeves from the thread.
   
   
2. Wind the 10" piece of thread around the doubled thread bundle, about 1" from the top of the tassel. Tie ends in a knot.
    
3. For the doll's necklace you won't need the tassel's tie ends. Using the embroidery needle, weave the ends of the top tie into the tassel through the middle of the bundle.

Trim the tassel thread ends evenly, brush the threads smooth with your fingers and you have a pretty finished tassel!

To assemble the necklace, cut a piece of embroidery thread the length you want to fit your doll and thread it onto your embroidery needle. Thread on one wood bead, your tassel and a small pompom and position them in the middle of the necklace length.  Measure length on your doll and tie a knot in the thread to close necklace. Trim thread ends close to knot.

You now have a trendy tassel necklace for your doll!

Make as many as you like to match all your doll's outfits!

Family Vacation

I'm in California this week visiting my family, spending time with my sister and friends I haven't seen in a few years. I can't wait to catch up with everyone there and visit my favorite Bay Area cities.

I'll be back next week with new content. Until then, have a great week!

Celebrate Summer's Arrival!

 1. Basket tote  2. Butterfly earrings  3. Hummingbird necklace  4. Truck welcome sign 5. Turquoise necklace 6. White succulent planters

The summer solstice is fast approaching and we're finally feeling the heat here in Boulder. Celebrate summer's relaxed vibe with seasonal goodies. I've curated a few examples found in Etsy's varied shops.

Click on the links below the photos to find out more about each product. All photos are property of the Etsy shops named below them.

 1. Ice tea glasses  2. Vintage sun tea pitcher  4. Yellow plaid napkins  5. Cactus paper cups  6. Pineapple paper straws

1. Bear with cocktail print  2. Motel print  3. Surfs up prints  4. Popsicle print  5. Slay print

Celebrate summer with a cute update to your home or body. Use it as a reminder to savor this joyful season.