October

I think I say this every month, but how can it already be November! Luckily our weather has stayed gorgeous, so it makes it really hard to believe that winter is almost here! October was a crazy, busy month and things are only going to get busier around here.

I had three craft shows in October, so much of the month was spent prepping for and attending said shows. My first two shows were awesome! I hit a personal best at my first show and did even better at my second show. So the month started out great. My last show left much to be desired. There wasn't the usual advertising, there was construction in the area and it was a pretty sad day for most of the vendors. I'm glad my first shows went so well, but it was a sad way to end my show season for the year.

I introduced some new pieces at this last show. I was happy with the display and will hopefully be adding a few of these to my Etsy shop as well.

The entire month wasn't spent just working though. My mom and I were able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather a couple of times. We attended a craft show at a local winery on my weekend off from shows. It was nice to be on the shopping side of the table...and getting to enjoy wine while we shopped :)

We also attended a wine/craft night at a local boutique with Jesse's mom. We made a string art design that looks like a feather or a leaf depending on how you designed it. I went with my standard pink and teal...of course.

Now it's time to get ready for the crazy holiday rush. I've been stocking up on supplies and hopefully have everything in order.

How was your October?

October BBA Challenge - Orange

This month's challenge is brought to us by Linda from AbigailJayneART ( www.etsy.com/shop/AbigailJayneArt ). And here is what Linda has to say about her challenge:

"It's the Orange month! Create something using orange or a pumpkin shape. Do something different, not just a Halloween holiday item, but get creative with the basic color tone of orange or a shade of orange. Or you could use a color combination incorporating orange. Either way let orange inspire you!"

 I have to admit that this challenge really had me thinking. I realized that orange was a color that I don't use very often at all. But to my surprise, I found everything for this project in my home! I had purchased some mini pumpkins a while back (read, 3-4 years ago!) and was finally able to put them to good use.
 

The little pumpkin kit came with some leaves, gourds and berries as well. And the whole box was tied up in orange ribbon. I had a white acrylic ring left from when I made my clock which worked perfectly for a wreath base.

 

While I'll admit, I'm no home decor diva, I was pretty happy with my little piece. And while Halloween is almost here, I like that this can hang all through Fall.

Is orange a color you use often? Been working on any challenges at your house? 

 

Interested in joining the Blogging Business Artisans? Stop by and visit our team page.

Almost Wordless Wednesday - Unexpected Beauty

This tree normally turns from green to brown with no in between. Imagine my surprise when I looked out my window and saw these leaves!

BBA Challenge - Fall Colors

My favorite thing about fall is the changing colors of the leaves. And I've noticed more red trees this year, which makes everything look even more beautiful! That's why for this month's BBA Challenge, I came up with the idea to use these fall colors to create art.

I was lucky enough to be asked by Sharla of BeadedTail to make her a wooden leaf wall hanging. She sent me scanned photos of leaves from her front yard. From there I created files to cut the exact shape of the leaf out of wood with my laser.

The funny thing about this whole process is me having to ask Sharla what size she wanted these made. I told her the scans must have come through really large because the leaves were over 9" tall! She just laughed and told me that was the actual size of the leaf! Our leaves seem so tiny here in Iowa!

 

After I cut the leaf photo and the wooden leaf with the laser, I glued the two together and added a sealant to preserve them. So far I have one done and I'm working on two more for her to hang on her walls and enjoy the fall colors all year.

What's your favorite thing about fall? Do you have 9" leaves in your part of the country?

Friday Features - Fall Leaves

Okay, I'm sure I say this every year, but...How can it already be fall??? Where did summer go? How is it already time for the holiday rush?

Whether I'm ready or not, fall will officially be here on Sunday. While I'm not quite ready for the cooler temps (or buying new jeans...ugh!). I am ready for the leaves to change. The beautiful changing leaves are my favorite part of fall! Enjoy these lovely Etsy fall leaf finds!

Pair of Oven Mitts - Bright Leaves with Orange - Gift for Foodie

by pasqueflower

Fall Leaves Edible Fondant Cake Decor qty 48 leaves

by SweetTopShop 

Fall Leaves in Glass

 by ravenglassgirl

 Falling Leaves Autumn Harvest Swarovski Crystal 14K Gold Filled Rust Topaz Fall Leaf Earrings

by whimsydaisydesigns

I wish my readers a wonderful fall!

Friday Features - Fall Leaves

My favorite part of fall is the colors of the leaves! I just love driving on our country roads and seeing the brilliant colors! Unfortunately the trees are almost done changing and the dull browns of winter will be setting in soon. I knew I could count on Etsy to help me find some great ways to keep those colors around all year long :)

Check out these beautiful finds...

Autumn Home Decor Photo, Golden Fall Leaves, Seasonal Decor, Wall Decor, 8x8 Nature Photo

by TheShutterbugEye

Family Tree Quilt (MADE TO ORDER) Fall Leaves, Autumn Quilt

 by CottonSheep 

Fall leaf jewelry pale fuchsia pink hand embroidery bracelet crochet lariat bracelet fiber Anatolia oya needle lace jewelry delicate tagt

by LandofDante

Fall Leaves in Glass

 by ravenglassgirl

Treasury Thanks

Welcome to another edition of my Treasury Thanks! Each week I like to thank my treasury curators from the past week by featuring their treasuries as well as an item from their shop. Please help me in thanking them by clicking on their treasuries and checking out their shops :)

BeadedTail featured my Woodland Photo Album in her Ready or Not, Fall is Here! Treasury! BeadedTail's Root Beer - Brown Ceramic and Faceted Glass Beaded Antiqued Brass Earrings would make perfect earrings for fall!

And LeAnn of pasqueflower featured my Woodland Baby Shower Guest Book in her Autumn Hues Treasury! If you're looking to spruce up your home this fall, LeAnn's Autumn Foliage Accent Pillow Cover 16 x 16 Fall Colors would be so pretty!

 Thank you so much ladies for featuring my work! I'm loving all the fall treasuries!

Wordless Wednesday - My View of Fall

Friday Features - Fall Sweaters

The weather has been amazing here the last week or two. The temperatures are great and I've dug out my jeans and sweaters since fall is here! I think that's my favorite all time outfit...jeans and a comfy sweater! I'm sure it's time to restock my wardrobe with great handmade sweaters and you know Etsy can hook me up! I found a great mix of comfy, cool and classic sweaters. Which one is your favorite?

Hand Knit Woman Sweater - Eco Cotton Oversized sweater in Charcoal Grey

by MaxMelody 

Vest Top Sweater Hand Knit Ruffled Sleeveless Purple - ORCHID, PRICE REDUCED

 by JacBeNimble

Women Gray Cardigan / Women Gray Jacket / with big pockets light green Fall Fashion Women Sweater

 by idea2wear 

Blue Pixie Upcycled Sweater-Small-Ready for Ship

 by LunaBruja

Friday Features - Boots for Fall

Fall is sneaking up fast and it will be here before we know it! Last fall I saw so many cute boots and I'm determined to get myself a cool pair this year! Etsy has so many great choices. Some are great for every day wear and others aren't quite as practical, but they're all so fun to browse! Check out my favorites :)

Glitter Doc Martens Vintage 1990 Magenta Pink Glitter Doc Martens Boots UK Size 9

by purevintageclothing

Vintage Brown Leather Campus Boots / Braided / size 6.5

by badbabyvintage

Vintage Country Blue Cowboy Boots...

 by madistaraffair

size 8.5 or 9 Vintage 70's 80's Shearling Brown Leather Suede Tall Boots winter snow bunny hipster

by fancyantler

Friday Features - Fall Leaf Art

My favorite thing about fall, by far, are the gorgeous colors of the leaves! I can drive around town for hours just looking at all the beautiful colors! And I love how they change everyday!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have always loved trees in art and would love to get a huge painting for our living room some day with a tree...or maybe one for each season :) Here are my favorite fall finds...

Fall Leaves Paris, LG original painting

by ChellyHarkness

Fall Leaves Nature Art 5x5 Print of Original Painting

by JPuzWilson

ORIGINAL Modern Palette Knife Oil, Acrylic Painting fall Leaves And Love Birds

by QiQiGallery

Original Abstract Large Modern Impasto Trees Landscape Acrylic Painting AUTUMN LEAVES

by LUIZAVIZOLI

Friday Features - Fall by the Blogging Business Artisans

I recently helped start a super fun new team on Etsy. We are the Blogging Business Artisans :) Our team is all about support, promotions, blogging and business! Throw in a healthy dose of friendship and we're the perfect team! I'm having so much fun being a part of this wonderful group and I want to show you some great fall items from some of our newest members!

Moody Blue and Mossy Green Lace Agate Earrings By HoneyFromTheBee

Halloween Korker Bow Black and Orange

by ForLoveofCupcakes

Contained Series- Mini (Green)

by nfall2rt

Forest Floor: Olive Green Wood and Brown Glass Beads Earrings REDUCED PRICE

by greenbead

3rd Fall Craft Show Review

On Saturday, I had my third fall craft show. This is a show that I've done for many years now. I had to miss last year, but it was sure great to be back! I was at a different location and was unsure if I was going to like that. There are 4 or 5 locations for this craft fair and this location was the furthest away from all the others. But it turned out to be a great show!

One thing that makes this a great show each year is the fact that it has been going on for over 50 years. It is a huge show and people plan all year for it. It can be snowing and icy or 90 degrees out and there is always a great crowd :) It is also a well-organized and well-advertised show as well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I like that this is a more local show than the others I've done so far this year. That means I know more people that are shopping and more people stop to talk. That always draws more people into your booth :) And many people didn't realize I had added my laser engraved items and stopped to talk and saw all my new products!

I am always surprised by what sells and what doesn't at different shows. My engraved photos always get a lot of attention, so I made sure to put my sample in the middle of my table and higher than the other items. It got a lot of attention at this show as well! And hopefully lots of orders will follow :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This was the first show that I brought my etched glass candle votives to. And I didn't sell a single one! I was really surprised by this because they are an item that got a lot of interest from friends and family and from my blog when I posted them a while back. But I'll be sure to take them to the next show and I hope to get them listed in my Etsy Shop soon.

As with my other shows this fall, I handed out a TON of cards! I only had about 3 cards left at the end of the show! And I think I started with almost 150!!! I got lots of custom orders at the show and I hope by handing out cards that I'll get even more :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another thing I found interesting is that I didn't use my Square credit card reader one time! I didn't even have people ask about using a card. I think this has to do with the fact that this show was in a smaller town than my other two shows this fall. People are used to using cash and didn't think about using cards.

I also got the biggest complement at this show :) I'm not used to having other people make similar items to what I make...usually I'm the only one with Name and Word Albums and Engraved Items. This time there was someone at another location making my Word Albums! But I got told on two different occasions that my albums were much nicer! They were much better quality and they could tell the work and detail that I put into mine :) This made me feel awesome!!!

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 :)

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

Almost Wordless Wednesday

I love that the trees are still changing! These trees in our front yard went from green to red in a day's time when the cold spell hit last week!