Friday Features - Fall Decor

Fall is all around us here in Iowa! The leaves are changing and the farmers are already in the fields! The temperatures are very fall-like as well. Now my home needs to look like fall too! I would love to start decorating more for the seasons and love looking at new home decor items :) Look at these great Fall Home Decor items I found this week:

Fall Wreath, Fall Front Door Wreath for Fall Decor

by AWorkofHeartSA

Autumn- The Year's Last, Loveliest Smile Fall Decor Sign

by PunkinSeedProduction

Painted Gourd Primitive Pumpkin Sheep Crow Star Fall Decor Large

by natskreations

Fall Decor - Door decor - Fall Wreath - Fall Floral - Autumn Decor - fall Basket - Farmhouse - Shabby Chic - Country decor - Cottage decor -

by 6miles

Tell me, do you decorate for the holidays? Time to go shopping for fall decor :)

Have It Your Way With Custom Options

One thing I love about the items I offer...They can all be customized! Pretty much everything I make can be changed/personalized/designed to fit each person's needs and ideas. I love doing custom work as each item is special and unique :)

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I recently started making Real Wood Greeting Cards. For now, I only offer them in one size. But that doesn't stop me from making them any size you'd like! I had a custom request for a larger card with a special tree design. I went searching for the perfect tree and made the card 5"x10" (twice the size of my normal cards!) and even made a special printed card with instructions for the recipient.

I also recently started making Wood Guest Books and Photo Albums. Again, I offer these in one size and with 20 pages. But I can add extra pages, make the album larger, etc. I can also customize the font and wording any way my customers like :) Here is a book I just shipped out yesterday with a Spanish inscription.

I sold a Custom Photo Ornament at a show recently and the buyer was concerned because she wanted all three of her boys on one ornament and she didn't think they'd fit in a circle format. No problem...I made it into an oval instead :)

And don't forget about my Custom Name Albums. These can be made ANY way you like! I have yet to come across a request I couldn't fill with these :) I started making these in 4"x12" sizes until I had a customer request an album that would fit 4"x6" photos. Along came my 6.5"x12" albums...and people love them!

I also recently made my first ever 11.5"x12" Custom Double Name Album! This album was so fun and I never would have thought to make one this big if I hadn't had the request :) I LOVE Custom :)

Do you offer custom items in your shop? You just might want to consider it :)

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This is my favorite post from this week, so I'm linking it up at Artful Rising! Come check it out!

Wordless Wednesday - Goofball

Wood Cards Are a Hit

I knew when I started making my Real Wood Greeting Cards that I loved them and thought they were such an original idea...but I didn't know how others would view them. I can never outguess my buyers and I never know what will sell and what won't...LOL :)

But I'm happy to report that my cards are a hit! I've taken custom orders for cards at both fall shows so far and over the weekend I sold two more on Etsy! They got a lot of attention at the last show and people loved how unique they were :) I was afraid people might not realize what they were, so I kept explaining them, but everyone seemed to know and really like them!

I want to ask my readers for your help! What new designs would you like to see? I have several birthday cards and one congrats card, but I need new ideas! I'd like to incorporate an owl in one since owls are so cute :) (Whoooo Loves You)

What occasions do you buy cards for the most? What images would you like to see? I'd like to add about 20 different options for cards, so I'm open to all your ideas :)

Second Fall Show Review

I had my second fall craft show of this season this past Saturday and I have to tell you...It Rocked!!! It was by far the best show I've ever done! There were people there non-stop from the time the doors opened to the time we shut down! And they were buying!!! My booth-mate and I both did wonderful :)

Here are a few of the things that I think helped this show be a success:

*It is well advertised

*It has been going on for several years

*It is in a high-income neighborhood

And here are the things I think helped it be a success for me personally:

*We had an awesome location!

*I have such a wide variety of items to offer

*Most of what I sell is given as gifts...and it's gift-giving season

*I take custom orders

I had someone ask how I do custom orders at shows, and it's easy :)

*Take payment as well as shipping Up Front

*Take down their shipping information as well as phone number

*Let them know when they should expect their item

*Take down any info pertaining to the order...colors, sizes, etc. and keep everything all in one place. I use a small notebook.

It's really that easy. Just think of all the info you would collect from someone on Etsy and write it all down. I took 7 custom orders and everything went smoothly :)

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Luckily I have three weeks until my next show so I have time to get all my custom orders done and get my inventory stocked back up!

Friday Features - Sweater Season

Happy First Day of Fall!!!

Here in Iowa it has felt like fall for a couple of weeks now! I've already broke out my sweaters and now I'm wanting some new ones to add to my wardrobe! Of course I went straight to Etsy to find some great new sweaters. Here are three sweaters I'm loving right now...one in each of my favorite colors :)

Hot Pink Raw Edge Lace Cardi

by SheerFab

FEATHER womens wrap cardigan in crocheted wool with shirring - made to order

by sandmaiden

One of a kind Open design Braided Jacket Coat Cardigan Sweater in pure wool in Teal color

by LunaPortenia

Just Around the Corner

I know it's not even fall yet, but before we know it Christmas will be just around the corner!!! I have already started receiving a few orders for Christmas presents! I think people are trying to spread out their shopping this year and are starting earlier :)

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I recently started making Custom Photo Ornaments

I have already sold one of these at my first craft show last weekend and hope they do well on Etsy as well :) Everyone loves custom items and this one is extra special with the photo :) I know it would be my favorite ornament!

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What holiday items have you started listing?

Wordless Wednesday - Chillin'

Cute Kitty Alert

Okay, so maybe I should use the word handsome instead, but Simba is stunning none the less :) After hosting a giveaway over at Beaded Tail's blog, I had the pleasure of working with the winners, Simba and his mom, to create a custom pet engraving!

Here is the original photo:

And here is the engraving:

I took out the background and edited the photo as needed and Simba's engraving turned out great! It helps that I had such a handsome subject to work with :)

And I know I don't have any kitty samples in my shop, so I'm happy to now have one I can add to my listing :)

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This is my favorite post from the week, so I'm linking it up at Artful Rising! Stop by to see others' favorites from the past week :)

First Fall Show Review

I had my first show of the fall season this past weekend. All in all, it was a good show. There was a lot of traffic all day, which is a lot to be said for an 11 hour show!

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I shared a booth with a friend that I do a lot of shows with. We had an end space, so we each got 1.5 sides of a 10'x10' booth. Here are my displays:

This was the first show I took my glassware to. I only sold 2 beer mugs, but I had a lot of interest in custom orders. So we'll see if I start to get orders on Etsy (whenever I get my glass listed!)

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I sold a good mix of items. 5 or 6 scrapbooks, a pendant, 2 mugs, a set of etched glass in frames (my first sale for this too), a wood greeting card, two set of coasters and some other items. Usually one item sells better than others, but this time it was a little of everything. I'm glad that people like everything I have to offer :) But now I don't know what to make more of for my next show...LOL! I guess this will give me time to work on the custom orders I received from the show.

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Look for another review next week as I already have my second show next weekend!

Priorities and Time Management

I am this week's host for the EtsyBlogger's blog carnival. Here are the two topics I gave our team to write about: 1. How do you prioritize your time? How do you get more hours out of the day? 2. Are you a multi-tasker? Or do you prefer to finish one project before starting another? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I start each day with a to do list. I make my list at work that night so when I get home in the morning, I know exactly what I need/want to get accomplished for the day. Having a list and having priorities helps me stay on task! And I love crossing things off my list :) I try to get as much computer work done at work on my breaks as I can. The more I can get done before I get home means more time to create :) And now that I have my smart phone...I can read and comment on blogs anywhere I am! (Like waiting for Jesse to get out of Napa!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I am a huge multi-tasker! I do as many things as I can at once! I love my laser machine because it works while I work :) I can be working on scrapbooks while it's cutting out guest books for me! How cool is that! Or I can be printing earring cards while I'm updating my blog! I also don't spend much time doing leisure things like reading or watching TV. Our TV is rarely on and I'm about 6 months behind on all my magazine subscriptions! I do spend time browsing the net, but I try to do this while I'm eating breakfast or lunch. (Yes, I eat all my meals at the computer!) One more way I can multi-task :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So, share your tips with me! I'm always looking for ways to get more hours out of the day! It seems 24 just isn't enough :)

Friday Features - Peacocks

As I told you a few weeks ago, I'm loving the feather trends lately! I'm especially loving peacock feathers and peacock images! I've been making quite a few peacock items myself lately and can't wait to show them to you! Look for champagne flutes, blue pint glasses, wood wedding invitations and wood guest books!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For now, take a look at these great Etsy finds with peacocks! Peacock Headband-All Sizes by MayaJAccessories Peacock pillow covers - pair of 16 x 16 in turquoise by LifeCovers Peacock - 11x14 PRINT by GreenGirlCanvas PEACOCK FEATHER TATTOO gorgeous thigh-high stockings by post

Big, Bigger, Biggest

I had a request recently for a really fun album! My friend Re's daughter is getting married and taking a Caribbean Honeymoon. She wanted an album to fit both words! My creative mind got to work and made this XLarge Album! It measures 11.5"x12"!

This is one of the funnest albums I've ever made!!! I enjoyed the challenge of something new and my mind started racing with tons of other ideas these albums could be used for!

I currently have two more of these in the works. One was another custom request for the words Rogue River. The R will be 11.5" tall and the other letters will be stacked like the album shown. The other album is a gift for a friend, so I'll have to wait to show you that one :)

I think these would make the coolest guest books! Using the bride and groom's first names and decorating it to match their wedding colors! Then leaving room for photos as well as lined pages for guests! Oh the ideas!!!

What words would you use if you were to request one of these? I love hearing your comments :)

Wordless Wednesday - Nap Time

Treasuries for Tuesday

My Aqua and Lime Green Friends Album has been featured in quite a few treasuries lately! I think people are trying not to let go of summer and are searching out cool, beachy colors to hold on to summer as long as they can :)

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Wanna know the best part? I sold this album over the weekend!!! And even better, it's already relisted :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank you to both curators for featuring my album :) Click away and stop by and leave a comment on the treasury page!

Fall Wedding Planning

It's that time of year when fall weddings are on our minds! The temperatures are cooling off and it's the perfect time to enjoy an outdoor celebration!

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I recently made some Wood Guest Books that would be perfect for fall and outdoor weddings!

Or any other celebration as well :)

These guest books are made from Real Wood and they are custom engraved any way you like! They can be a guest book, a photo album or a combination of both. I love the kraft pages in these books :)

I have added a Wedding Section to my Etsy Shop and plan to add a lot more too it soon! I have more great ideas for guest books and wedding decor as well!

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This post is for the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival. Thank you to Rose of RandomCreative for hosting :)

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Update 9/19/2011: This is my favorite post from last week :) And I'm linking it up at Artful Rising! Stop by and check out the fun!!!

Giveaway Winner

Congrats to Rose of RandomCreative!!! She is the winner of the My Memories Suite v2 Giveaway!!!

I can't wait to see what Rose creates with her fun new software!

And if you didn't win and would still like to purchase the software, you can use this code for a $10 off coupon!!!

STMMMS57969

Thanks to everyone who entered :)

Friday Features - Candles

I've been working on a new engraving design for candles. I can't wait to show them to you! They are a fun and unique design :) But you'll have to wait til I get some pictures...LOL!

Until then, here are some other fun and unique candles from Etsy...

Flameless Henna Candle, Gothic Style Swirls, - One of a Kind - Unique -ORIGINAL

by mehndiart09

Pomegranate Rose Garden Pillar - Pure Beeswax, Rose Petals

by ForestCandleStudio

Cactus Margarita Candle

by slugger1st

Teacup Candle - Vintage Aynsley Royal Blue Floral Bone China Soy Wax Tea Cup Candle

by pinkfence

Giveaway Reminder

Just a quick post to remind you of the giveaway I have going on :) I'm giving away some really awesome digital scrapbooking software that I think you'll love!

Stop on over to THIS POST to be entered to win!

Today is the last day to enter!!! So hurry over for your chance to win!