The Hardest Part

Crafting memoir,

People always ask me how long it takes to finish a project or a toy. They say how long did it take you to crochet that? The truth is, I crochet rather quickly. I can make three oranges or monkeys in about 3-4 hours. What takes time, thought, and money is the fine art of finishing. Adding the eyes,ears, smiles, ribbons, buttons, scarves, hats, clothes etc to the creatures I make.

I want to make each toy an individual, with it's look and it's own story. That's what makes them special. When they are their own they connect with prospective owners and find happy homes. Kind've like the adoption process. So I'm working very hard to give each of my toys that "extra something" that'll capture your heart and tickle you funny bone. See you Dec 4th.

Back To Work. Thanks for Listening. 
Niccole B 

Penny My Assistant

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all having a wonderful day! It's a beautiful day outside. After a nice deli breakfast with David I'm back at home working on my toys. I'm switching up gears to make some fruit apples & oranges and bananas. This show they are going to jingle. Jimgle one when you get to my table. lol

I did some PR work yesterday. I met with Sarah Jane Sapang (cool name right?)  of www.bennyville.com. Sarah makes hand sewn heating and cooling pack for all your health care/comfort needs. What makes them so special is they they are in the shape of cute little creatures. She will be at the show as week. Stop by her table and pick up a cute comfort bear.

Check out Penny. She was working so hard keeping me company while I was crafting she fell asleep on the computer. She's my calm kitty, I know I can work and not worry about her getting all tangled in my yarn. lol

Thanks for listening,

Niccole xo

Product Day!

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I've been away for a while. I've had two really great product days this week. "Product Days" are days where all my time is devoted to making inventory for CoCo's Box. Today I finished 3 monkeys for the Holiday show. I don't have a picture of them but I do have a picture of my finished snowmen.
I'm nervous before every show but the reason for my nervousness changes every time. This show, I'm hoping I'll have enough inventory to last me 6 hours. For the fall trunk show I had from July to prepare my things. The holiday show will be Dec 4th leaving me with only 1.5 months to prepare. I've got my wrist splints on and I'm crocheting away. I'm also trying to keep up with my commissions as well. This are really bustling over here at CoCo's Box work shoppe.
I'm sorry I haven't been able to upload the baby blocks picture I know I promised you guys a pic of them but it just won't upload. I'll try again though.  In the meantime. Happy crafting! See you in December!

Thanks for Listening,

Niccole aka CoCo's Box

Brooklynn Baby Blocks

Hello Everyone,

I hope you're all enjoying this wonderful fall day. It is beautiful outside, I'm going to open up all my windows so the sun can shine inside. Today will be a "product day". These are days where I work on making inventory for the next show,commission, etc.
As I create more softies, I'm discovering my very own method for making quality toys at a steady pace. One contributing factor is having a creative collective. A collection of like minded folk who inspire me to work smarter (not harder), crochet longer, and rest when it is due. I'd like to thank Nancy&Shara DelloMonaco for a full day of crafting (and Halloween shopping). As I handed off a bag of cutie lettered blocks to Jal, I realized some projects just wouldn't work out with out my creative collective. 

Thanks for Listening,

Niccole B

Niccole's Busy Day

Hi Everyone!,

I'm home from a full day of buzzing around and I'm ready to get down to the business of running CoCo's Box!
I'm happy to say I made a sale today. Little Witch Sage has found a home with Cynthia Diaz. Enjoy her Cynthia, if she needs mending call me!
Now having said that, I'd like to say this to all of my clients old,new, and prospective, my toys are made tough to handle the likes of busy little tykes. But should a button or seam come loose please,please,please,please, contact me with a detailed description of the Dollie injury so I can fix them up.
Customer satisfaction is business priority #1. Without satisfied clients, there is no business. Call me with any questions or comments.

The next order of business is to start making my inventory for the Creative Women's Collective Holiday show in December. When I think of winter and holiday the first thing that comes to my mind is snow men. They were the first thing on my list of "winter/holiday" things to make. You can see the pic of them chillin on my pc. I know they look more like ghosts than snow men but they are snow men. lol I thought 4 would be enough but I'm thinking of making more. I will make smaller ones. Mimi-men if you will. That way they'll be enough for everyone. :-)

Stay tuned for the finished baby blocks, more snow men, and the latest issue of Stuffed Magazine!

Thanks for listening!

Niccole xo

54 Squares

Hello Everyone,

Today's blog title, is referring to my latest project. It's a commission from my sister for a bay shower gift. They are going to be soft baby blocks with the little one's name on it. Which happens to be Brooklynn. 9 letters to the name means 9 cube with 6 sided to each cube (6x9) equals 54. 54 SQUARES ah aha ha! (Laughing like the Count from Sesame Street).They don't look like much now but when I'm done they'll be squishy lettered cubes.

It between working on the cubes I've started my holiday work. Which will be snowmen, I had to go to AC moore and pick up more safety eyes. I'm glad I decided to stop by because Christmas colored yarn is on sale now. I got one of those 1 pound bundles of yarn for 6 dollars! It's 700+ yards of Holiday crafting fun. If you are a fellow crafter and are in need of some yarn I'll be glad share some yards.

Thanks for Listening.

Niccole B

The Joy of allergies.

Hello everyone,

I know my title is confusing. There's really nothing joyful about seasonal allergies. They can make even the happiest person a miserable ol'prune. Now that fall is in full swing my seasonal allergies are on the job, giving me a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, itchy throat, sinus pressure and congestion. Not nice.
The good thing about the whole situation is it's giving me time to stay home and work on my projects. Namely a baby block gift set for my sister and snowmen for the Christmas trunk show.
I didn't realize so much work went into making these little baby blocks, crocheting, sewing and stuffing. Nancy of Stitch Witch me has agreed to assist me in making the blocks so I can make my Oct 16th deadline. Actually I want to be finished before then because......(drum roll).......this weekend is the NYS Sheep and Wool festival! And I will be there! (Yet another reason to take it easy and feel better.)
I love the NYS Sheep and wool festival I went last year and I had a ball! I'm planning to go this year and do the same!! Stay tuned for pics of the baby block in the making, and info on Rhinebeck!

Thanks for listening,

Niccole B

Creative Women's Collective 2010 Fall Trunk Show

Hello everyone,

If you don't already know, this past Wed was the Creative Women's Collective Fall trunk show. It featured CoCo's Box, The Sewing Loft and Stitch Witch Me. This was my very first craft show and needless to say I was very nervous. Not only was I unsure of my set up, pricing, and inventory but because I am a new artist I wasn't sure if anyone would show up......because well...I have a very small client base. (For the moment).
Thankfully I have a great group of friends and family who all came out to support me this week. And I just want to thank them! Co-workers, old and new, family, friends they all came in to support me and I had a great time at the show! Much to my embarrassment Christina made the show with Susan and Julia in tow. As I was breaking down my table. Oops! But they still got a chance to see all the CoCo's Box cuties and take home new friends. Thanks ladies!

If you missed the show, have no fear! CoCo's Box merchandise is available at Kari's Cafe in Maplewood NJ. The Cafe is located at 1883 Springfield Ave Maplewood NJ 07040. You'll also find handmade hats and scarves knit by the owner herself Kari. Who is an EXCELLENT knitter.
When my left wrist gave way to carpal tunnel in 2008 Kari taught me how to knit so I could give my wrists a break. Did I mention she offers knitting lessons?....and she makes a mean cup of coffee to boot! Thanks Kari

Thanks for Tuning in,

Niccole B

Welcome

Hello Everyone,

I'd like to welcome you (and myself to my very own blog). I'd like to thank Google for allowing me to own one for free, and Nancy DelloMonaco for giving me the idea to write one. I've been told by many a crafter and small business books that a web presence is necessary for a successful business. It allows your clients to see what you're working on, so that you can receive valuable feedback for new products!
I can dig that. I just have to make sure I post regularly. I was never good at keeping a journal but my business is a worthy cause. Stay tuned for more fun and progress at CoCo's Box!

Thanks for Tuning in,

Niccole B