Where I've been, and where I am now...

The past few months have been...well, they've been scary.  

We still don't have a permanent place to live. We DO have a temporary, long-term place staying with my In-law's in their spare bedroom.  

We still don't have a vehicle. My father-in-law drops me off at the bus stop and I ride the bus to school for 1 class, 4 days per week (I dropped down to 2 classes).  

We found out, thanks to a trip and fall I had, we found out that we're expecting #3 sometime in April.  Blessing in disguise, perhaps, but I'm not viewing this in the negative.

We also realized that my husband's unemployment will run out around the same time.  So, we've definitely got a timeline, and still aren't getting any calls back on jobs we've applied for.

I've had a LOT of wonderful support from friends, and I can't thank you guys enough.  Seriously.  

I've also kept taking orders during this time.  Most have made it to their destinations.  I've STILL had problems with shipping, and I am SO FRUSTRATED by that.  I don't ship enough to have this many problems.  I feel like the only way to make sure everyone gets what they ordered I have to frakking hand deliver every GD package myself.  I've tried EVERY SINGLE shipping company that I can find around here.  EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM has lost packages.  *sigh*

And, on top of this...I can't load my facebook page for Sugarbomb Designs.  I haven't been able to load it for 2 weeks.  So, the only way I can post is via twitter (@SugarBombHooker).  THIS IS BEYOND FRUSTRATING.  I know it's there.  Other people are getting into it.  I've got screenshots!  So, facebook has been contacted, let's see what happens. *sigh*

So, in short, I know where I am now.  Kind of between a rock and a hard place.  I REALLY wanted to make this a successful venture.  I created this venture because there were no jobs in my area.  There are still no jobs that will hire me, now that I'm pregnant. (yes, GM and Ford are hiring.  Line work.  They're not going to hire someone who has to take maternity leave in less than a year when they can hire someone else.  And, yes, Joe has applied there, too.)

Hopefully, school will help, at least on my end.  I'm going for Computer Programming (AS), and there are a lot of open jobs in that market in the area.  In the meantime...I'm just doing everything I can to move everything in my life forward. Because I'm tired of being dependent simply because I don't have that magic piece of paper (for customer service!!) or because I'm overqualified (TO WORK AT TACO BELL????).  

Maybe next week, I'll have a brighter story for you guys.  Or, at least I can open my Facebook Like Page.  Until then....know that I appreciate EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU.  

Alright, DDOT. Enough is Enough.

Ok, DDOT. I can handle a late bus once in a while. Actually, I can handle it when the bus is late on a regular basis, I just adjust my schedule accordingly. This is what normal bus riders do, in fact.
But today was literally the last straw. I left my house at 1:15pm to catch the 265 SMART bus east into Detroit, where I got off at the corner of Warren and Southfield.  From there, I normally catch the 46, headed north, to get to Wayne County Community College in time to make my 3:30pm class. Yes, I like to get there early. BUT, that's not the only reason I leave for school so early.
On a normal basis, the 46 headed north is at least 8 minutes late.  Sometimes, it's been 15-20 minutes late. All too often, a scheduled stop goes by, passes with no bus. The next bus comes, it's standard 8 minutes late.  This doesn't just happen today. I pretty much bank on it happening.
So, what DID happen today?  I got to my stop at 1:45pm. There were two women and an infant who had been waiting at the stop for 15 minutes. The 1:46pm bus never showed up.  Neither did the 2:23pm. Or the 3:03pm. Or the 3:43pm. Or the 4:23pm. That's FIVE SCHEDULED STOPS THAT NEVER HAPPENED.
I checked the DDOT site, and while there is a note about extra stops during the mid-afternoon to pick up students from Cody High (which is a GREAT thing, btw), nothing about completely skipping the stop at Warren and Southfield.
I depend on your bus to get me to school. Note, I didn't say on time. I just depend on your bus to get me there. I leave early to get there, not depending on your drivers to be on time, because it's my responsibility to be on time, not yours. I DO expect them to show up to the stop.
I'm publishing this. I am going to write letters to as many officials who have anything to do with DDOT as possible. I have the phone numbers to call and bug officials who deal with DDOT.

This is me venting my frustration, but this won't be the only thing I do.

Jeni Burns

*to my regular readers: Sorry for the rant. I'll be back to regular craftiness soon!!

Tomorrow is going to be the BEST DAY EVER!!

Because I have the day off of school.  It's not that I don't like it. I'm loving it so far. But, let me level with you.

You've seen photos of me. I am fat.  Without a car, I'm riding Metro Detroit's AMAZING(ly horrible) bus system. I walk a mile to the bus stop, get on, get off to catch my transfer and wait 50 minutes, walk ¼ miles after getting to my last stop, and THEN walk around construction to get to class. 

Don't get me wrong.  Many people walk. I...I hate it. I was never a runner.  I used to fake run a lap at track practice in h.s. (I threw shot and disc. The hell did I need to run for? I wasn't being chased by something that wanted to eat me.)  So, let's go with "I'm lazy". That and cupcakes also explain why I'm fat.  I own it.

My thighs hurt. My back hurts, and both feet have blisters. I can't WAIT until tomorrow.

I have been contemplating this post...

For weeks. 
The last 6 months have been really hard for us.  And, right now, they've led to where we are now.
We are officially homeless.  That's not to say that we're living on the streets. Galen and I are staying at my mother-in-law's house, and Joe has stayed with a few friends. Our only problem right now is that I start school Tuesday. If I don't go, I don't get my financial aide.  If I don't get that...well, we have nowhere.  And I am at least a 20 minute drive from the nearest bus stop, with no car.
I would like to think the fiasco this past April wasn't as big of a player as it was, but...I lost $1000 right off the bat. When our income is $1200 per month, that's one month behind. Not to mention refunding roughly $750 in orders, and sending $300 worth of replacements. And we've never really caught up.
At this point, I don't know what to do.  So, right now, I'm asking for help.
But, not without the prospect of giving back.
I have yarn.  I have hooks. I can still offer something.
So, here's the deal.  I am going to work today on updating my store. Everything will be 25% off, still with free shipping.
Please, if you can't help, pass this post on to someone who can.  If you would like to donate, without buying, you can send via paypal to jenicrafts@gmail.com. I will probably still send you thank you presents.
I don't ask for me.  I'm asking for him.




*edit*

I have made a coupon code, which saves me time, and lets me get to making things that have been ordered today.  Win-win ;)

on Big Cartel and StoreEnvy, the coupon code is GALEN and you get 25% off.
http://sugarbombdesigns.bigcartel.com/
http://www.sugarbombdesign.com (StorEnvy)

I should be writing. I should be blogging. I should be updating. But DAMN, I have no brainpower.

I am ALMOST caught up on refunds. Seriously. I think I have 3 left. w00t! (If you can read this, and have waited for a refund, it IS coming.)

I have ALMOST re-written the cosplay beanie pattern, and redid things to make it more sturdy. I like it a lot better.

I am working on this:

It's coming along well. I'm at the hood. I've been working on it basically when Galen goes down for a nap. Which has been maybe 30 minutes lately :/ I envy moms on twitter and facebook who have kids that nap for hours. One day, I hope to have one of those. My kids probably won't do that until they hit the age where they're expected to, ya know, DO THINGS around the house.

For now, I think I need a Pepsi. And to do a little more packing. And make some dinner for the little tyke. :)

So, you want to find me on the internet...

Before I made fun and fancy hats and toys for kids and adults alike, I focused on my art. Mostly my 3D art.

Here's a conglomeration of my 3D, photography, and, well, one ink drawing (ok, doodle).

http://jenxdigital.deviantart.com/

If you're into making sigtags, I do have a small collection up at MTA, and, once things get back to normal, I'll have more there ;)

http://www.mytubedart.com/catalog.php?category=242

I also have more than one store for my crochet goods.

You know my bigcartel store:
http://sugarbombdesigns.bigcartel.com/

But, I also have one at Storenvy

http://sugarbombdesign.com/

And I put my patterns up on Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/stores/jennifer-burns-designs

I put them there for 2 reasons...one, they take care of everything, including hosting. 2, it's WAY easier to keep track of what you have, and 3, YOU CAN REDOWNLOAD THEM IF YOU LOSE YOUR ORIGINAL FILE INSTEAD OF EMAILING ME. Not that I don't enjoy talking to people via email. I do. I love you all. From a customer's perspective, I HATE having to get in touch with a designer to ask for a new copy because I lost it, or they advertise that they updated the pattern. Ravelry takes care of ALL of that, and it's in one place. It's a no-brainer for me, and ALL of my patterns will be uploaded there.

Anyway, so, there's that. I am back to pattern writing, and store updating. And waiting for the Phineas and Ferb movie to come on tonight.

Lesson of the week

ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR WORK.

All the writing I did for the patterns is gone. *sob*.  That's what I get for only writing them on my phone and not saving them elsewhere. 

A lot behind :/

I'm catching up on emails and postings and patterns and...

Ok, it's been a long weekend. Seriously. After having dealt with Joe being sick (and now giving his stupid black plague to me) all weekend, apparently this was the best time for Galen to decide that he is going to be Godzilla every time I'm on the floor. (Ok, not Godzilla. Some sort of wrestler. No, we don't watch WWE in this house.) I'm tired, I'm sore, and, dammit, I just want my throat to not be sore. And, I'd kind of like my voice to go away.

So, catching up on emails today. Sorry for being incommunicado. Hopefully, I'll have the patterns mostly written by the end of the day. *le sigh*

4 New Items

That's right! 4 new items are going live in the morning. Most of them are old photos, re-edited, but they're still good photos :) All I really have to do is write the item descriptions, but THAT is the part that takes the longest. I am NOT an ad-writer, by any stretch of the imagination. I have friends in Marketing, and, frankly, I envy their talent, lol. I can't winningly describe the stuff I make, which is sad.

Anyway, it's 12 after midnight here. I am off to bed!

So, I finally get a minute to update the store...

And Big Cartel goes down. *sigh*

In other news, almost finished writing out the pattern for the cosplay hat, just have to type it all up into a PDF and upload it.

More hours in the day, plz?

I wish I were a photographer.

I wish I had access to a baby.

Because, really, a cabbage patch doll does NOT do this justice.

But, it'll do.

These were meant to be uploaded last night. Right now, it's on its way to its destination as a present :)

I used to imagine Detroit smelled of coneys. Now I know better.

I don't have the energy to make much of an update. So, Hi.

I spent all day (starting at 9:30am!!!) starting in the first line to SIGN MY NAME and then sit down until my name was called. By the time I was able to sign up for classes, my one elective was full. And I didn't even pick it (the hell do I need Intro to Theater for when my major is PSYCHOLOGY???). So I'm just going to take either another psych class or Japanese. Because all the other fun classes are taken.

But, this was literally my day:

Wake up, feed the Little Chief.
Get into the van, drive to Detroit.
Get to the school, start in the line that snaked around the inside of the building.
10 minutes into line standing, the A/C in the building goes out.
Lots of complaining between myself and about 5 other people in line about how freaking long this is taking, and, really, can't SOME of this be done online?
Galen complaining, and Joe walking him around campus so I don't lose my place in line.
This is where I realize I left my wallet at home.
Sent Joe home to get it.
I FINALLY got to the part of the line that was cordoned off with rope.
I get to the desk, and SIGN MY NAME. It took 2 hours to get to this point.
Now, I get to go sit in the common area, which is also the area around which the line snakes.
At this point, it's almost noon. I figure, I'll be called soon. I was, but it was for financial aid. It is here I find out that they haven't even looked at the paperwork I submitted. 2 months ago. **Headdesk**
Go back, sit down.
Waste battery so Galen can watch Phineas and Ferb on my phone.
FINALLY get called to talk to my student advisor...
Who decides my classes for me, gives me the sidelong glances, and doesn't attempt to answer any of my questions.
Then, he sends me across the campus to have them input his decisions into the computer. One of my classes is full, I have to pick another.
At this point, it's almost 7pm. I joke with the people around me that most of the people I had talked to in the morning had already gone home. We all make jokes about the security guard who has decided that in order to be served, we need to play musical chairs.
After finding out my class is full, I ask if I can come back. Idea is a go, and I freaking leave.

Oh, and look at this. I fell asleep at the computer. Keyboardface!

Goodnight internet. I'll make something pretty tomorrow.

Crafting from afar...

Today is the day our craft group gets together, and I'm not there. It was supposed to be here, but a whole host of things went wrong.
Anyway, Galen's got a fever, so I'm here. I had been working on finishing the cosplay hat pattern, but, well...yeah. Crocheting the same rounds over and over is beyond boring. So, I changed it up a little.




Here is Baby Wrap 1. 24", square, and freaking soft as bunny fur. Ok, so it IS Angora. Which is combed rabbit fur (usually gathered in the same humane way wool is).
This is about half the size it's going to be. Which means, I need to put the phone down, pick up the hook and yarn, and get back to "I Saw The Devil", because I couldn't handle "Insidious". Feel free to laugh.

posted from Bloggeroid

What I did during the heatwave

So, I broke a plastic hook. On the last of some really CRAPPY acrylic yarn.



I made a racoon hat with some super bulky Lion Brand yarn my mom gave me a few years ago. I do believe I'm gonna make a listing for it :)




I got some pretty great baby bath shots, none of which are nekkid.



I used a LOT of my scrap stash to start a blanket. I still have a way to go.



And, the Little Chief and I managed to actually get a tan at my mother in law's pool.

Also, NONE of the yarn sold, so I'm going to make and list some Ready To Ship stuff with it. So, keep an eye out in the next few weeks!!

posted from Bloggeroid

Around the back, the long way....

Yeah, the title didn't make sense when I typed it. Oh, well.

I am begrudgingly going back to using the USPS for shipping.

(Did you hear that? That was my pride. The last little bit of it, dying.)

After pricing things out online, and then getting a HUGELY different price in store, neither Fed Ex or UPS are viable options. Yesterday, I sent Joe to FedEx to ship what was QUOTED ONLINE as costing $12 all together to ship. IT COST $38. THIRTY EIGHT DOLLARS. To ship 3 hats and a ball of yarn.

UPS wasn't any better. A 6 oz. hat, sent from Detroit to Spring Arbor, MI cost me $10.00.

I can't afford this, and I can't make you guys just pay more for shipping. So, I'm going to have to go back to USPS. Besides the one screwup (and it was HUGE, do not think I'm minimalizing it AT ALL), I can ship Anything That Fits into a Priority bubble mailer for $5. And I can go back to offering free shipping for standard mailing. I've sent other items to family, friends, and customers, and not had anything go wrong since.

Do I think they'll screw up in the future? Of course!

Do I think they are going to continually gouge me on shipping? Nope. Their price is their price, and I can print out the labels right here, in my living room.

Did I learn my lesson about insurance, and am I gonna buy it every time? You bet your ass I'm gonna!

So, give me about an hour or so. No prices on any goods are changing. But, everything gets free standard shipping from now on. You want priority or express? I'll charge market price for it. I won't charge you extra, and, depending on what and how much you order, I'll give you a break on it.

I maded a yarn. Let me show you it.

Here they are!

I am, seriously, so in love with dyeing the yarn I have. Well, granted it's all wool, but, man...it is SO yummy smelling in my house right now! Strawberries! Pineapples!! LANOLIN!!!

Ok, so that was a bit much and kind of creepy. Maybe.

2 new things.

I have lots of stash to rid myself of (seriously), so there will be dolls coming soon, and one that I've been wanting to make in some art form or another for pretty much 2 years. Well, since I was pregnant with Galen. And he's 1. So that will happen. :)

But, back to the yarning that is happening in my kitchen As. We. Speak.

I have a lot of wool that has needed to be dyed for going on 6 months now, so that is going to be dyed, and all proceeds are sadly (for me) going to pay back the 12 or so people who still need to be paid back.

I've gotten a few angry notes from people about not being paid back. I'm not doing it on purpose. There are people who have been paid back, and those who are still waiting. To those who have been understanding, I truly thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate you.

To those who like nothing more than to post rude things to the wall of my facebook page or send rude emails....

This is going to be mean for a second. You are out $30, max. Multiply that by 12. That's how much I have LEFT to raise to pay people off. You may not be first in line. You may be behind 2 people. In the place I live (Detroit) right now, getting a new job isn't as easy as it was 5 years ago. They want bachelor's degrees now to hire you as an assistant manager at McDonald's. Even if you've been an assistant manager before. I've tried getting jobs pretty much everywhere, and so has my husband (the only one pulling in actual unemployment). I have gotten us behind in bills, to the point of getting utilities cut off. Unless I get a refund by the USPS (which would be laughable) or Coates and Clark (for MY order of $400 that never materialized), we're all playing a waiting game. It's not like I'm selling like gangbusters. I've had ONE sale in the last 60 days. I'm pushing wares to MAYBE get a sale or two to pay you guys back faster than waiting for my husband's unemployment to get here. (Of which he was cut off for 2 pay periods due to having to refile).
I'm not dicking you over. I just have nothing else left. Unless you want to take product in exchange for the products you didn't get. If you're interested, email me at sugarbombcrochet@gmail.com and I'll make you a deal.

in other news, I'm on Twitter.
@SugarBombHooker

So, now, all product previews will go there, instead of clogging my friends' feed up with yarning. Which I do a lot. And, it'll be easier to keep you guys up to date on the random things I do, because I've hooked it up to the facebook page :)

I am headed back into the kitchen. Some yarn needs to be hung up to dry, and some more yarn needs to go into the pot. Hot pink! Orange! Green!! Denim Blue!!!! LOVE.

Technical Difficulties....

Winners will be listed as soon as I can! Facebook is being a jerk and not letting me find Sugarbomb with its Droid app. Lame! I'll try to get to a computer later to update :)

posted from Bloggeroid

So, who's in the mood for a contest/giveaway?

Today feels kind of like a Monday. Not because it sucked, because it mostly didn't. But, Monday night, my friends and I met at another friends' house to craft and be goofy, Tuesday was spent with my husband, and yesterday we had some friends over for dinner. (I had eggplant for the first time and I LOVED it!!!) So, Monday-Wednesday felt very weekendy. Just sayin.

Anyway, Monday night, I was going to work on this:





It's a shawl out of hand-dyed cotton :) It's growing!

Anyway, what I ended up making this:





Cute, right?
It's a skater beanie, and it says 'Zombie Snack' in glow-in-the-dark nylon!!

Anyway, contest. Yeah.

1. Go to Sugarbomb Designs, and click 'Like' on the post asking who wants a contest/giveaway.

2. Tell your friends! Tag Sugarbomb in the facebook post on Facebook, or mention @jeniburns on twitter!

3. Make sure you tell them to tell you where they found me! Every new member gets an entry, and whoever sends the most new fans ALSO gets a prize!!

Contest ends Midnight EST Sunday, June 26, 2011, so get your entries in!
Winners of entry 1 and 2 will be chosen by random.org

posted from Bloggeroid

Open For Business!!

Check me out on Facebook.

And here's the actual store!

Yarny Fun!

This mass of tangles will be a shawl :)

This will turn into rainbowy goodness! :)

Questions and Answers :)

Ok, since I've gotten questions on facebook, twitter, email, and other places, here we go!


Q: Are you ever opening your store again?
A: Well, my artfire store never closed. I throw things up on eBay once in a while. My new store on Big Cartel will be opening, officially, on June 13, 2011.


Q: Are you caught up with refunds?
A: No. And, I can't just wait for my husband's paycheck to come in every two weeks so I can pay 2 people back. So, I'm being pro-active, and re-opening my store. Some people won't agree with this action. I can't do anything to make you feel better about it, honestly. I made no action to actively screw anyone over. I still haven't been refunded by the USPS, and, quite frankly, they play a great game of phone tag. Not to mention that $400 worth of yarn is floating about in the ether, and Coates and Clark is of the "Well, we sent it, once it leaves our warehouse, we're not responsible" mindset, so I won't be getting THAT refund (or using Red Heart yarn for anything anymore!)


Q: Will you ever offer the bunny bundle again?
A: Maybe. I'm very burnt out on everything yarny and bunny-y. Only that combination, though. My real-life pet bunnies like it that they're currently the only bunns in my life. If you crochet, you can get the pattern at Ravelry.


Q: Any new designs?
A: Yup. Some kids, some grown up, some for both, most even wearable!


Q: Gonna show us?
A: Nope :P


Q: Secrets don't make friends!
A: That's not a question!!


Q: Will you be selling anywhere that has a physical presence?
A: I'm hoping for my app to the Redford Farmer's Market to be approved (read: The Check Cleared), and I'll be there every Sunday :) I'll see how that pans out :)


Q: I live less than 20 miles from you. Can you deliver to me?
A: No, because, sometimes, that can cost more than shipping, just in gas. However, I am so totally down with meeting maybe halfway or even having you drop by the neighborhood. Meet for coffee? Sure! It's on me ;) I <3 meeting cool new people.


Q: Can you make "X" that this other crafter makes?
A: It all depends.
If there's a pattern available, and gives re-sell rights, sure.
If it's an original design, and there's no pattern, probably not, especially if it's super unique.



Q: Are you going to make anything besides hats?
A: Yes. Lots. :) For instance, I'm going to be hand-dyeing yarn. A LOT of yarn. I'm also learning to felt, and there will be stuffed toys and blankets and shawls and....well, you'll see :)



For now, that's pretty much it.




So, I'll leave you with this:

A little teaser

Just a little tease...

The last time I got something like this in the mail, I just sat and cried.

Then again, I'd been off my meds for a week. Everything made me cry at that point.

Now? I am SO LIVID. But, the upside? THIS IS PROOF, right here. They aren't just going to random places. They are being stolen. The front of the envelope wasn't torn off, the envelope didn't blow up. It was cut off. CUT OFF. With either short scissors or a box cutter.

I will never use USPS for business mailing ever again. Yes, I filed an official complaint. This is ridiculous. I am so mad, I'm spitting nails right now.

Minty Fresh Handbag!

So, I decided that I needed a purse. But, I HATE the big ginormous purses. I just need something to hold my wallet, phone, checkbook, keys, and a tube of chapstick. A larger bag means I'll just shove more crap in it.

Etsy

I'nit cute? It's all tiny, with it's cute little bow. Plus, it's got the brown and the aquaness. And it's cute! ^_^

This lining is hand-stamped, so no two linings will be the same! Plus, it's cute! :P

Yes, there are times when I'm a girl. Deal with it.

Don't worry. I nerded it up!

New Blog for a fresh start!

I've been working pretty hard the past few weeks on updating my work so it's more unique, and less of what everyone else is selling. I've gotten some really cool ideas from friends, and have even decided to pick up and restart some projects that have fallen by the wayside.

So, here are a few things that I've got to show for right now. Stay tuned for more fun :)

Here's Galen modeling his cute little Heartbreaker Hat
(Available at Artfire AND Etsy) He's an adorable, but not wholly cooperative, fashion model. :)

I had this idea for a Mother/Daughter hat combo...but, I don't have a daughter. So, instead, I tried to get Galen to model it. No dice. I couldn't get a good picture of him in it...and, no matter how many people say "He's so beautiful, he could be a little girl!", it doesn't make it so. As a matter of fact, he could NOT be a girl. He's very much a boy. Much to my modelling chagrin. I'm going to have to assume someone else's daughter as a model, LOL.

I don't have anyone modelling this because...well, I didn't have a head available, and my sinuses have me looking like something from a 70's B-Movie. Which would be awesome, if this were Halloween. Unfortunately, it's January, so no such luck. This IS, however, superfantastic warm, and very cozy. I've had a few wool hats in my time, and I HATE how itchy they are. By using wool roving (usually used for felting) instead of spun and plied wool, I got to keep a lot of that softness. Plus, it's SUPER easy to put accessories on it, and, once I start selling again, I'm going to sell some with accessories right on them :)

Well, that's all for now. I'll try to keep this updated, at least more than a little. :)