First Snow!

It was so nice to wake up yesterday to the falling of beautiful snow flakes! There's just something about that first snowfall to get you in the winter spirit :) And every year I have to take a few pictures of the first snow...it's a little tradition I've started the last few years. We didn't get much accumulation...just enough to cover the ground. It's best that way...gives me a chance to get used to it :)

The best part is...when it's cold and snowy outside...I get more work done inside :)

EtsyBlogger HOLIDAY S*A*L*E Featured Items

The EtsyBloggers are having so many amazing sales going on right now that I just can't quit looking at all the great buys!!!

Here are three items you better snatch up before I get to them first!

This gorgeous Red Ice Cube Multi Strand Necklace by Uniquecommodities is new in her shop and won't be there long. The color and style are just amazing!

These Tapestry Chandelier Earrings by Fiveoclocksomewhere would go great with any outfit! I love jewelry that I can wear over and over again...and these certainly fit the bill!

I love to find unique items on Etsy and this Oval Pine Needle Basket by Peacoxcreations is one of my favorites lately. It is made of long leaf pine needles and natural raffia with a beautiful purple agate center....many other colors available also!

And don't forget about me:) I'm still offering 20% off my entire Thanksgiving Sale Specials section in my shop. Lots of items in this section...take a look! Here is one of my favorites...

My Disney Princess Flip Flop Album would be the perfect gift for any little girl (or big girl)!!!

Happy Shopping...I'm off to do a little more myself :)

So Thankful :)

As with many people, Thanksgiving Day gets me looking at my life and the things I am so thankful for. This year I thought it would be appropriate to make a list of all the things that have come to mind in the last few days.

I Am Thankful For:

• My family and friends
• Jesse :)
• My furbaby-Harley
• A wonderful hobby I LOVE :)
• The Internet
• Etsy
• Having a warm home
• Good food
• Bubble baths
• Money to go Christmas shopping
• That Jesse and I still have jobs!
• That I get to see my mom and dad in 28 days :)
• Movie nights on the hide-a-bed
• A reliable car
• Coffee, beer, and Crystal Lite
• A healthy family
• And all the little things that I notice here and there :)

Here is a layout I did a few years back when we first became a big family. Just wanted to share with you :)

For those of you in the US, Happy Thanksgiving! And for everyone, I hope you have a wonderful, thankful day :)

EtsyBloggers HOLIDAY S*A*L*E

Who: EtsyBloggers Street Team

What: Holiday S*A*L*E

When: Black Friday-Cyber Monday (11/28-12/1)

Where: See all the shops participating here: http://etsybloggers.etsy.com/

Everybody loves a sale, right? Of course they do :) That's why the EtsyBloggers is hosting such an incredible online sale starting...this Friday!

I will be offering 20% off items in my Thanksgiving Sale Specials section! Lots of selection here :)

The best part about this sale...No Lines, No Malls, No STRESS :) Just lots of fun shopping of great handmade goods!!!

A Productive Weekend :)

I know it's already Tuesday...and I'm just now writing about the weekend!!! What's wrong with me! Well, my ISP was being a pain Friday through Monday and I wasn't able to upload any pictures during that time. The upside is...I was able to get a lot of work done during that time :) I got one album totally finished, boxed up and ready to send out. I got another done and ready to be boxed (red and white), one cut out, covered with cardstock, patterned paper and waiting to be decorated (black and white...which I completed this morning), and two others cut out and covered with cardstock!!! I was so excited to have such a productive weekend...I hope there are more to come :) Here is a close-up of the one ready to be boxed up and shipped out. (Which I also got done this morning!) It says GRAHAM and is decorated in town/school colors with a family theme. It will make such a great gift for the buyers mother-in-law :) Okay...now off to finish those other two in the picture :) What did you get accomplished this weekend? I hope yours was as productive as mine :)

New Flip Flop Albums in Store :)

I added FOUR new flip flop albums to my Etsy store today!!! I am so excited to get some great new items in there :)

I wanted to show the front and back of this one because I just love that it says "Paradise Princess" on the back side :) How cute is that!

I have Minnie Mouse...

Or Mickey Mouse if you prefer :)

My favorite thing about this one is the cool pink butterfly attached to the thong part of the flip flop :)

I hope you'll stop by the store for a browse and like what you see :) Happy Thursday!

Storybeader: November's Featured EtsyBlogger :)

Good Sunday morning all :) Today I would like to introduce you to this month's featured EtsyBlogger: Storybeader. Storybeader, aka Deb, makes beautiful jewelry for her Etsy store. But the coolest thing I think she does is adds a special haiku with each necklace specifically written for that piece of jewelry! It's that extra little touch that I find so special :) Here are a couple of my favorites from her store:

I totally love all the colors in this fantastic Turtle Treasure Necklace!!! It could be worn with SO many outfits that it would never be left in the jewelry box :) Put this baby on your wish list in a hurry!

I wear so much turquoise that I couldn't help but show you this beauty :) This Turquoise and Coral Necklace would add a new color combo to my wardrobe with that rich coral...I just love it :)

Also, check out Storybeader's Blog where her latest post shows one of her wonderful works in progress, the finished piece, and of course...the haiku to go along with it :)

Stop by and see storybeader...and have a wonderful Sunday :)

10 Tips for a Successful Craft Show

I was very pleased with both of my craft shows this year and would definitely call them both a success :) So, to help out some newbies (and some seasoned crafters) uniquecommodities mentioned in a comment that it would be a good idea to blog about some Tips for Success.

So, here is what I came up with:

1. Offer a variety of items: the same item in multiple colors, variations of the same item, coordinating items, etc.

2. Have enough items to last you through the day: This will vary depending on the show, the items you sell, etc. Not everything has to be out all at once. Just keep your extras in totes under a table or behind a display for easy access when you need them.

3. Have items at eye level: This is something I have done new this year and I got many complements on my pink box display. People don't want to have to bend over to look at everything, so have levels, raise tables, whatever it takes to get things up so people can easily see them.

4. Have plenty of business cards on hand: By the end of my first show, I only had 2 cards left! I made sure to print many extras for the second show. People were so excited I had a website that they immediately took a card. I have already had 5 additional orders and they all got my info from the cards :)

5. If you do custom orders, bring display items: Many of my sales come from custom albums (particularly my custom name and word albums) and I think it is important for people to see what they will be buying rather than trying to explain it to them. I had several variations of these albums out on display. I am hoping to do a laminated flip book for next year with all the different styles of custom albums I offer and just have one or two actual albums on display.

6. Bring a friend or something to work on: I know some people will say not to bring someone with you, but I have a friend who helps me at every one of my shows and she is such a big help :) Be sure to bring someone who is knowledgeable in your area of sales. Personally, I hate to eat lunch at my booth, so this gives me the opportunity to get away for a bit and see other booths as well. (And take a bathroom break!) If you don't have a friend to bring along, bring something easy to work on. Customers can get uneasy if you're just sitting or standing there eagerly waiting for them to come shop. And, working on a project can get people interested in what you're doing and draw them into your booth.

7. Rearrange items periodically and play with interactive items: People may come back by and see an item they had missed the first time by. I try to move things around and flip through my books now and then. I have sold more flip flop albums while looking through one than at any other time. They are an item that can sometimes be overlooked by customers unless you catch their eye. Once one person sees them, they tend to draw a crowd after that :)

8. For repeat shows, get the same booth: This way people know exactly where to find you every time. I have people come to shows just to buy my albums and leave. They want to know exactly where I am so they can get in and get out. People like consistency. Also, having the same booth can help you in setting up and knowing how you want things laid out. Corner booths can be set up very differently from interior booths...something to keep in mind.

9. If you offer a newsletter or have a mailing list, craft shows are a great place to get additional readers: This is a tip I need to follow myself. I had three ladies ask me if I had sale fliers or regular newsletters with new items. I would like for this to be my next marketing step.

10. Some of the obvious: Be friendly and welcoming :) Have enough change. (Keep in mind if your items are even dollars or if you are charging tax.) Be friendly to the vendors next to you :) And always clean up your area and help others if possible :)

Your next craft show is sure to be a success :)

Thanks again to uniquecommodities for the great idea :)

Successful Craft Show Today!

I had a great craft show today :) I thought I would share a few pictures of my booth with everyone and see what you think. It is still a work in progress, but it seems to be working out well for now. I added the display boxes on the card table to put things more at eye level and create more areas to display albums. I also added the card tree to put my wedding invitations on. Last year I had them in an album they could look through, but I really like them being out and visible this way.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear suggestions of how you think I could make this better :)

Red Cross Craft Show-Shenandoah, Iowa

Just a little reminder to you local readers: The 3rd Annual Red Cross Craft Show will be held at the Elk's Club in Shenandoah, Iowa tomorrow from 8am-3pm. You can see the attached flier for all the fun events that will be going on all day :) Stop by and say hi! And for all you online shoppers, just a note: I will have several of my one-of-a-kind scrapbooks inactive in my Etsy store while I am at the craft show. Please check back Saturday night or Sunday morning to see all my items. Thanks :) Oh yeah...and...TGIF!!!

My New Nephew

I am so excited I get to meet my new great-nephew tomorrow :) We are having the baby shower and of course I had to make him a name album and a card! Cute little Hayden....I can't wait to see him :)