Make This Steampunk Clock Mini Book

Steampunk Clock Cabochon Mini Book from My Porch Prints*
*Not a real clock
This cute little Clock Mini Book is easy to make!
All you need are: 

• Crafting Supplies (glue, scissors, ruler, etc)
• Make-Up Sponges or Distress Ink (optional)
• Glass Cabochons (25 mm/1-inch circles)
• Da Vinci Mini Book Printable
• Clock Circles printable from My Porch Prints on Etsy

Book Cover
To begin, print & cut your book cover, pages, & chosen clock circle. Next, fold the cover as shown (cutting off any extra) and glue the inside cover to the outside cover. If desired, use a black marker to color on a make-up sponge. Then lightly rub this along the edges of your book to cover any white edges and add a vintage effect. You can also use Distress Ink for this.

Adding the Pages
Cut your pages into three strips and fold them accordion style. Glue the pages together to create three sets of three pages each. Clamp the pages together. I used a clothespin for this. Then apply glue to the edge of your clamped pages and insert them into the cover, pushing them inside the spine as shown. Hold for 30 seconds or so until the glue sets a bit, then clamp the book closed and set aside to dry.

Clock & Cabochon Cover
Once your book pages are dry, cut out your clock face (or whichever design you choose) and glue it to your book cover. Use a drop of clear glue to attach your glass circle cabochon to your clock face. Rub the glass circle around a bit and press down hard to get out any air bubbles. Allow to dry.

All done!
Now you have a cute little Steampunk Clock Mini Book! Use it on its own or as an embellishment for a junk journal. Could also become a cute necklace, charm or ornament.

Get the Mini Book Printable & Clock Circles from My Porch Prints on Etsy.

Teen-Ster Baskets: Easter Basket Idea for Teenagers

Easter Baskets for Teens
Easter is awesome. And while I don't want to lose sight of celebrating our Lord Jesus rising from the grave, I do have to admit I have an obsession with the more commercial Easter traditions. When my girls were little, we would dye eggs, gobble chocolate bunnies, and I would dress them in brand new, fluffy pink and purple gowns, parading them for all the world to see. Eventually those poufy dresses gave way to more modest skirts, then slacks and even blue jeans as my little girls became teenagers.

While the dresses have gone away, one thing does not change, and that is the need for the Easter basket. In times past, the Easter basket was a thing of magic and wonder, filled to the brim with delicious candies, chocolate bunnies, and toys that signaled the end of a cold and snowy Iowa winter and the ushering in of warmer days... toys like jump ropes, bubbles, and sidewalk chalk.

Eventually, though, my girls outgrew such toys and suddenly the conundrum of the Easter basket was upon me. What to do? We couldn't afford to fill a basket with movie tickets and i-phones. Even make-up can be expensive when you multiply it times two. A little online research produced some fun ideas.

I bought two packs of soda, orange and grape Crush, and removed three bottles from each. Yes, I gave them to the Easter Bunny. No reason the Bunny shouldn't have a little fun, too. Then I filled the empty slots with Easter grass and goodies. These included things like:

• new funky socks
• inexpensive jewelry
• nail polish
• gum
• candy
• fruit leather
• and of course, a chocolate bunny

I wrapped it all up with a bow on top.

Of course, the "baskets" were a big hit when they were discovered outside the girls' doors bright and early on Easter morning. And while I couldn't convince my teens to wear poufy pink and purple dresses, I didn't have much trouble persuading them to gobble up those chocolate bunnies. Some things never change.

Markets & Shows: A How-To Guide for your Booth

I just finished doing my second ever market booth/stall. And while it is fresh in my mind, I wanted to share my experience with all the first-timers out there who are thinking of selling their wares at a market or show.

First of all, a little background: What's On My Porch is my part-time, home-based business. I spend the warmer months junking for items to fix up and sell - mainly furniture and home decor. As I was growing this business, I received an offer from a nearby shop asking if I'd like to be part of their Spring Market - a gathering of vendors selling everything from furniture to jewelry and goat's milk soap to alpaca rugs. Yes, seriously.

I thought, "This is a great opportunity!" So I junked like I'd never junked before, went into a furniture-refinishing frenzy and ended up with LOTS of items to sell. Along the way, I made lots of mistakes but also had lots of triumphs. Here are a few nuggets of wisdom I have to pass on to you:

1. Get Ready

You will need plenty of inventory, yes. Whether you're selling handmade jewelry or candles or big ole furniture, you  need stuff to sell. But you also need ways to DISPLAY those items. Think outside the box. Pinterest is chock-full of ideas for this. For instance, hang your jewelry on a potted tree-branch. Use vintage furniture (wink, nudge) - like a chippy dresser to display your cupcakes. Price tags are also a good idea. If you sell beauty accessories, bring a MIRROR. Or buy one from me. :)

2. Get Ready Some More

You have items and a way to show them off, now you need a few more things. If your show is outside, you NEED a canopy. Yes, need. The sun is merciless and so is the rain. Wind can END you. So, anchor your canopy with a couple cinder blocks or bricks. Be prepared for the weather. You also need a cash drawer or pouch. I keep my prices in dollar increments. No messing around with a roll of quarters for me! Also: calculator, blankets, chairs, SNACKS, more snacks, water, sunscreen, a book or i-pad, etc. If you have access to electricity, bring a string of white lights. Paper/Markers. You want to make "Sold" signs and mark whether or not that person paid. (Hint, if you mark it SOLD, they should have paid.) Nobody wants to haul a dresser around while they're shopping. Save it. Mark it as sold. And write that person's contact info down.

3. Haggle Happens

People expect a little haggling at a fair. Often they will bring a pile of items up to you and offer $___ for the whole pile. I'm usually a little flexible, especially if someone is buying a pile.

Hint: Don't shout at people. I let people peruse at their leisure. No pressure. If someone seems interested I might say, "Feel free to make me an offer on that." But that's all. I don't like to be badgered when I'm buying items. If I want it, I buy it. If not, then being harassed by a seller is not going to change my mind.

4. Decorate Your Booth

Make it pretty and keep in theme with what you are selling as well as the season. My market had a "spring" theme. I came with pots of flowers with little signs saying "for display only." Also, I made a pretty lace garland to draw attention and decorate my red Nebraska Cornhuskers canopy which brings me to...

5. Disasters Happen, Don't Freak Out

We could not find our regular canopy and were forced to use alternative options: mainly a big red one advertising a sports team from a rival state. Yay. We got a little flack for it, but we laughed it off, and hey... It kept the rain and sun off, so I was happy. If you face similar dire circumstances, remember it's only STUFF. If the wind blows over your glass display, it will suck. You will want to cry. But try to keep a smile on. People will think you are brave, and that's better than hearing you blurt out a nasty word in front of a soccer mom and her brood of little ears.

6. Pricing

This is so tricky. I usually keep my prices pretty reasonable. You can get an idea by walking around the fair and seeing what others are pricing their items for. Also, keep in mind the market. Mine was in smalltown Iowa. These are quilting ladies, moms, farmers... We don't usually sell $8,000 coffee tables here. It's more like sixty bucks, max.

7. Bring a Buddy

Help is invaluable. I was lucky enough to have my kiddos and hubby to help me through. This could not have happened without them. I can't lift furniture alone. I can't load and unload a truck myself. And when you have to go to the little girls' room... you really need someone to watch your money drawer for you.

8. Finally, Have Fun

Bad things will happen. Good things will happen. But your attitude makes all the difference. Try to relax. Hopefully you'll make a little cash and have some stories to share. Like I did. :)