So what's this all about?

Yes, this is the boring introductory blog post, I apologise now for the predictability of it all.

Basically I wanted to be able to share these little ideas and projects that I have with all of my friends and hopefully get advice from all of your fantabulous mega minds.

As some of ye know already, I am now a lady of leisure and, in between looking for employment and getting a tad fitter, my aim is to be more creative in general.

However, being a lady of leisure, I am not awash with coin of the realm to fund this so I am going to be going to be doing this in as "Cost Neutral" a way as possible

(this also fits in nicely with my hope to be environmentally friendly)

This is going to be done in several different ways:

1. Use what I have

2. Use what I am given / can source for free

3. Trade excess of what I have for what I need

4. Sell excess of what I have for currency to buy what I need

For any of ye that have seen (cue scary music) The Room of Chaos ye know that what I have is extensive (which helps with points 1, 3 & 4)

In relation to point 2, my friends in this are, well, my friends (Claire, thank you so much for the art supplies among other very useful things), Jumbletown and Freecycle Cork (Yahoo Group, full list of Freecylce Ireland groups can be found here , I can't recommend these sites highly enough)

And in relation to point 4, I will have various things popping up on ebay to prop up the Paypal balance to make purchases.

There are a few things that will be purchased before the Paypal account is healthy enough to take the hit however.

Firstly I really need a sewing machine in good working order and since I still have a little redundancy money left and I've always lusted after one I'm investing in an antique Singer, complete with table, this will come in at approximately €130.

Secondly, I need a working camera in order to document the craftstuffs as mine is banjaxed and will soon be making an appearance on ebay as spare part fodder methinks. I have a loan of a camera for the moment but I will need to get one quick smart and the budget for this is approximately €100-€150.

I am hoping in time that these two purchases will be off-setted by way of ebay selling etc. and I will be keeping a running tab on the money out / money in regarding all of this, my aim is to have these two balanced at the end of this calender year.

Inspiration for these little craft projects is diverse and I will also be sharing these sources, chief among them: Re-enactment kit and accoutrements (sources vary depending on project), Jumbletown Before and After , Etsy , Design Sponge , Ikea Hacker , The Steampunk Home and many, many more which I will reference as I go along.

I would really appreciate your input on any or all of the above, this is a private blog viewable only to my friends (mostly re-enactor types) so feel free to comment or if you'd prefer email me direct.

Thanks guys!

Néads

PS, first completed project post will be making an appearance in the next 48 hours, once the pics are loaded :)