Things We Found in the Fair.

Behold my stash from Felt Club:
Silent Partner and I got to Los Angeles City College 20 minutes before the event began and were probably around #400 in line to get in. I lost all resolve as soon as I entered the hallowed gates.

Bottom Row, left to right: "I Heart Alpacas" and "Monkey Poop" stickers from Sappy Moose Tree (both gifts for friends), free earring kit from Susan Beal (more to come on that!), penguin ornament from Sewing Stars, freakin' awesome pickle ornament from My Paper Crane, and One-Eyed Alien With Butt bead and Cupcake bead by Cathi Milligan (SP and Cathi had an in-depth chat about knots).

Middle Row, left to right: Tiny "nerdy birdy" pin by Tsai-fi (gift from SP), "Long-Waisted Bill" the stuffed...um...animal from Bigger Krissy (gift for future Godson), who is modelling my Film Noir tiara I wore all day, a puzzled bear from Hotdog N' Bun and a larger penguin also from Sewing Stars (note - do not tell SP things are adorable; he will buy them for you when you are not looking!), baggie of fun plastic charms by Buzzard Brand.

Top Row, left to right: "You Crafty Mother *&%!er" postcard from rar rar press (gift for best friend who has recently discovered crafting, to my total delight), stupendous box of goodies from The Sampler which has too much cool shnit to mention but which currently displays the almighty teal ceramic squirrel from Kitsch Niche.

Here's a detail of the beads and the pin:
And that's not all!
Meet Squiggy the Wonder Squid, Silent Partner's Christmas gift. Trust, people, there was no way to deny SP this squid unless I was completely heartless, and that, I am not. Squiggy was also made by the fine people at Sewing Stars, and we were unable to walk 30 feet without getting questions about our squid. I sincerely hope Sewing Stars brought like 200 squids. As one can see, Squiggy makes nice with bears, although this bear remains unconvinced.

And speaking of making nice....
Susan Beal, y'all! I went up to her at the Sampler booth and fangirl'd her, and she proceeded to be so cool. She called my technique for teaching wire-wrapping "total genius" and was genuinely touched to be recognized from her blog. Her class to teach beginning jewelry sold out; fortunately I iz good with ur plierz so I just stuck my head in at the very end and she gave me the aforementioned earrings kit. Susan, thanks a bucketload for being so awesome. (And yes, that's Squiggy leaning on me.)

Seriously, people, magic happens at events like this, and crafters are such a great group of people. SP and his best friend both insist I have to sell at Felt Club next year. I want to. I can do this. I can has Felt Club.

In the meantime, next stop: the uploading of my Noel Tiara to Etsy and my web site!