Soldering 101

Road trip to solder...sounds like a movie title. You know how those great road trip movies get started. Someone comes up with an idea, someone says, "yeah let's do it" and next thing you know your on your way. However, Jill and I weren't going to a KISS concert or running from the law, or on a mission from god, or trying to find our stolen bicyle we were going up north to learn to solder and meet Ms. Kecia . So, it's 90 degrees, early morning and we're loaded with coffee from Dunkin Donuts and we hit the road. Our car suddenly veers off an exit and we land at the flea market for a quick shot of stuff...loaded up, ran to the car and kept heading North. Finally we arrived jazzed and ready to be inspired. Our gracious host/instructor met us with a warm gypsy welcome.
Entering the classroom we were met by our tablemates Holly and Abbie. Every place was set and personalized with our own initial scrabble tile and grab bag of goodies and a personal notebook to scribble down the secrets we'll learn throughout the day.

After a quick tour of Kecia's amazingly inspired home and incredible gardens we got right down to business. She instructed us with detailed information as well as personal tips and tricks and a wealth of information only a seasoned artist like herself could have to share.

Although the day was filled with laugh-out-loud ruckus and new friends we learned a serious amount of information.

Kecia's class was so worth the trip I would so recommend it to anyone! Check out her blog for more info. on her classes....

Needless to say the next day was a hunt for soldering supplies....oh, no! another obsession! Turns out my hubby has 5 soldering irons of various sizes and a huge supply of solder and flux he was willing to share. Who knew? So he gave me a few much needed supplies so I could stop obsessing and make something! 24 hours later I finished my first little project !!!!

I need alot of practice but I can't wait for the challenge to try again! I gotta get these ideas out of my head and into my hands! Don't know if this is the end of the road trip or just the beginning of one....hmmmmmm?

The Gypsy Fish Story

Summer is winding down, and I'm starting to get that fall tickle in my tummy. Looking back (which I try not to do as a rule) I realize that it's been a year since Gypsy Fish opened. So, I thought maybe it's time to tell the story.
There was another store here on our little corner of Main St. we called it LeShab. It set sail in May 2008. Things started out fast and furious with two captains at the helm. Soon the boat hit a snag, one captain worked diligently to keep the boat afloat while the other left to tend personal issues. Then, surprisingly, one captain abandoned ship and the other was left standing having to make the decision to jump or start repairing the ship. She started to paddle and realized the weight of the old boat is what was slowing her down. She needed a speed boat so she fixed up and repaired the old ship and renamed her. Now we all know renaming a boat is, of course, not something to be done lightly. Since the beginning of time, sailors have sworn that there are unlucky ships and the unluckiest ships of all are those who have defied the gods and changed their names. But, yes there is a way to change the name of a ship and still stay in favor of the gods. You must erase any and all past identities to the previous name. So all links to leshab or any similar names have now been erased.

The new ship came to pass as Gypsy Fish. She shined her up gave her a new and improved look and away she sailed, into the sea of success!

The Gypsy Crew: Without this conglomeration of special and true friends plus supportive family Gypsy Fish would have never stayed afloat. They are the fuel that keeps us moving through the ever changing waters!

What an eye opening experience. A glorious year of ups and downs, name changes, merchandise changes but all positive! Shopkeeping is a job and a labor of love and passion. I've learned so much and will truly forever be grateful to the crew as we move on and stay afloat. We all need magic in our lives to give us a break from the mundane, nothing is more magical then living your dream. So lets raise a toast and celebrate passion and creativity.!

Feelin' The Etsy Love!

I just want to give a big Gypsy Thank you to 3 awesome bloggers.We were featured on all three blogs this week and feeling very honored!

First up Sweet Harvey. Sweet Harvey is a small design studio specializing in letterpress printing and original illustration. Combining modern illustration with vintage printing techniques to create a truly unique product for you. Check out her new etsy shop site it's truly fabulous!

Thanks Brandi!

Next we were honored by a feature on Kellyssimas fantastic blog. She has amazing jewelry. Kelly's designs are kellyssima (very Kelly). They reflect the passion she has for the romantic art, architecture, and fashion from the late 1800's. Check it out, her work is goreous! Thanks Kelly!

We also had another very cool feature by Andria of etsy lounge. Awesome blog filled with Andria's compilations of unique etsy finds. She has such a flair for putting together the most amazing items. Thanks Andria!

((Gypsy Hugs))

Beth