Wordless Wednesday - Almost Dizzying

Stacks of picture frames for a family reunion :)

A Handmade Christmas

This year for Christmas, I wanted to make as many of the gifts as I could. I had special ideas for all the girls on Jesse's side of the family and I love how each one turned out! I just wish I would have remembered to take photos of the recipients with their gifts! But luckily I did remember to take pictures before I gave them :)

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

Jesse's mom recently purchased a home! She had the fun idea to name her new place "The Hen House"...I love it! So I made her a sign that is perfect for her new home :)

I cut it out of wood with my laser and made the wing a separate piece. I painted the wing orange (to match her kitchen!) and engraved the words on the wing. I then glued it together and added a hanger on the back. She loved it!

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

For Jesse's sister-in-law, I made a large 8x10 picture frame with all their names on it. I put their last name on the top and all of their first names along the bottom. This frame matches their other home decor perfectly, so she loved it :)

For Jesse's other sister-in-law I made a super cute Double Name Album! Of course I had a lot of fun making this one since it's in my favorite colors :)

I did a mix of fun/summer/party pages as well as couple/love pages. It turned out great and of course, she loved it :)

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

Did you make any handmade gifts this year? Tell me all about them!

Sales in Unexpected Places

Many times if we're not at a craft show or checking our Etsy shops, we're not thinking of making sales. Our brains aren't in "crafty mode" and we're not on top of our game.

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

In the past couple of weeks, I've made sales in some unexpected places! So I encourage you to always have a line or two ready and ALWAYS carry business cards!

I was at a local glass supplier recently and bought A LOT of beer mugs. The lady behind the checkout counter asked if I was going to use these at a bar. I told her that I actually etch on them and told her a few things I had done. She said her son would love something like that. I said Would You Like a Business Card! I pulled one out of my purse right there and she called last week to buy two mugs :)

And just this past weekend I had a package delivered from FedEx. Usually they just leave our packages in our cars or at the front door because they know we sleep strange hours. This time the guy knocked on the door really loud. I went to see who it was and thanked him for my package. I was about to shut the door when he said...I was wanting to ask you about placing an order! Over the summer he had asked what type of business I run (since he delivers here quite regularly!). I told him all about my laser and he seemed pretty interested. He placed an order for a custom picture frame with both the wood and the glass engraved...how cool! And I was sure to send a couple of business cards with him in case he wants to spread the word :)

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

Have you sold any items in unexpected places before? Do you always carry business cards with you so you're prepared when the occasion arises?

Last Spring Show Review

I was so excited to announce my giveaway and do a review about it, that I forgot to do a review about my show this past weekend. This was by far my best Spring show. It was a 2 day show which helped, but even for a one day show it would have been great. As always, I handed out tons of business cards. I didn't realize how many cards I had handed out until I had to get the ones out of my purse and laptop bag to have enough! There was a nice, steady stream of people all day long. The show lasted from 9am-8pm, so we assumed from 4pm on it would be dead. Not the case! We had steady traffic until about 6pm! And Sunday morning rocked! I had another vendor bring photos in for some custom work and ordered an album while she was at it :) I also sold two more albums within the first hour! I was glad to get the business early as I had to pack up early so I could get some sleep before work that night. (gotta love night shift!) The best part of the show was that a couple that own a craft store in the mall, and the ones who put on the shows, asked me to put some of my items in their shop!!! They are very selective on who they ask, so I was very honored to be invited! I still need to get all the details ironed out and decide what I want to try first, but it's definitely worth a shot! They ask for a 6 month lease, which I think is a nice time frame to see if it is going to work out. That will give me Summer, Fall and part of Winter. I'll definitely do another post when I get all set up and keep you updated on how things are going. This was my last show for Spring, so I was very happy that it went well :) And I'm anxious to see how many of those business cards I handed out bring in more business...fingers crossed!!!

First Lasered Items on Etsy

Picture Frames are Here!!!

I finally got my first lasered items listed in my shop. I went ahead and listed 3 frames and will be listing a few more over the next couple of days to spread out the listings. I have both premade options and custom options to suit every one's needs :)

Custom Laser Engraved Picture Frame

Double Border

Starburst Border

Let me know what you think :)

Lasered Weekend Update

I love doing these weekend updates! I get to show off all my week's creations in one spot :) It makes me realize how much I got done and how many new things I tried too! Eventually I need to quit playing around and start actually getting down to business! But for now, I'm just having too much fun!!!

Bamboo Coaster Set

White Ceramic Tile...Painted Pink then etched

Two Picture Frames (which can easily be customized)

Agate Slice

(I think these would be awesome! But I need to find ones that don't have such difference in the layers so they laser better. I think I found a supplier for these!)

Wood Sign on untreated wood

Bare Name Albums

(These are selling like crazy right now! I think I have 18 on order!!!)

Question: What should I play with next week?

New Lasered Projects

I'm having so much fun with my laser I just don't know how I'm going to get everything done I want to! I want to laser anything and everything!!! I got quite a bit done yesterday and couldn't wait to show off my new projects :)

Glass etched picture frame

Wood engraved magnets Close up of a magnet...so cool!

Wood engraved pendants (and rings to come soon!!!) Live~Laugh~Love Engraved Tile Engraved Tile Coaster Wood Photo Plaque (These are still a work on progress.) Laserable Metal (Gold with Black backing!)

Etched cell phone cover Close up of etched design Etched glass stone (will most likely become a magnet) Glass etched Save the Date Wedding Favor tiles