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?

Wordless Wednesday - Fun With Macro

Uncork & Unwind

Friday Features - Staycation

Last weekend, Jesse and I had a nice long weekend...at home! It was perfect! They offered some extra vacation at work, so we jumped on it and took both Friday and Monday off! We had a little staycation and enjoyed some quiet time at home and got lots of work done too!

Today's features are inspired by my idea of a perfect staycation and how we spent our weekend :)

Pizza, Movies and Wine pretty much sum it up :)

Pepperoni Pizza Ring - Miniature Food Polymer Clay Jewelry

by TheMenu

Home Theater Decor Movie Reel and Film 21" Metal Wall Art

by jnjmetalworks

(oh how I wish my laser could cut metal...this whole shop is great!)

Love and Wine Sign Wood Painted Wine Lover Plaque Burgundy

by CountryWorkshop

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What's your idea of a perfect Staycation?

Wordless Wednesday - Enjoying My Latest Creation :)

Wordless Wednesday - Make Me Wine :)

Friday Features - Upcycled Wine Bottles

I recently added a Wine Bottle Candle and Matching Champagne Flute Set to my shop! A big thanks to my mom as the candle was her idea :) She's always so great at giving me new ideas!!! I like the idea of upcycling items so they don't end up in the landfill...and there are so many fun things to do with old wine bottles. Check out these fun and unique ideas using upcycled wine bottles... Recycled Deep Blue Wine Bottle Garden Bell Style Wind Chime by glassgaloregal Recycled Wine Bottle Hanging Herb Garden Planter by hmsc93 Wine bottle clock with wine glass pendulum by admiralglass Wine Bottle Chandelier (Metal) by ByGordonCompany

Open House at the Winery

Thursday night a friend and I did an open house at the local winery we began selling at. The show went really well and we had a great turn out! It was nice that people could browse, eat, drink and then browse again. It was a very laid-back setting and people enjoyed that :)

My lasered items were by far the hit of the night! And coasters to be exact. I sold 14 set of coasters and had already sold another set the day before the show! People loved that they could customize the coasters and the ideas started flowing! I had several people tell me they would be ordering more for up-coming weddings as well!

Here is a set of coasters I made special for this winery. They have this painted on their patio wall and people just love it! This is the set of coasters that sold right away, so I've made more to take down! I also made a lasered wood plaque with this image on it as well. She just so fun :)

We're hoping to do another open house/craft show this fall or winter at the winery. I love their set-up and the location is perfect! The owners are great people and I'm happy to be working with them :)

Friday Features - Wine + Custom

I recently started selling my items at another local winery! And last night they had an Artists Premier night for myself and another crafter and it went great :) It's so fun getting to talk to people and tell them about your work! I made several wine-related items to bring to their gift shop including coasters and picture frames with their logo on them. I also made some cool coasters and a wood plaque to match a painting they have on their wall...the coasters have already sold! And as you know, custom work is my favorite! I can customize pretty much anything in my shop! So today's features are both wine-related and custom as well :) Enjoy... Custom Wine Bottle Invitation by KatherinePaigeDesign Personalized Wedding Invitation Cheese Board by PJsGlassCreations Custom Wine Cork Letter by MyMamaMaria

How I Unwind

Angela of Alice's Owl is our blog carnival host this week and one of her themes for us is Stress Awareness: April is Stress Awareness Month. How do you take time for self-care and help reduce stress in your life? Is there something you do each night? A practice that you do each morning? Something you do weekly or monthly? How does it melt the stress away for you? How does it make your body and mind feel? A great way to spread the awareness!

My favorite way to unwind and destress is with a nice hot bath and a cold glass of wine! I turn on the radio, read a magazine and just relax! I would love to have a hot tub, but I don't think I'd ever get anything accomplished! I'm so relaxed when I get out and I'm able to fall asleep right away :) I like to do this at least once a week. It's a great way to let my mind rest for a while and do nothing but relax!

You should try it sometime! And if you're not a wine drinker...hot chocolate is great too :) How do you relax?

Winery Consignment Success

I recently took some of my scrapbooks to a local winery to try to sell in their gift shop. I wasn't sure how things would go or if it was even the right area to market my albums, but I figured it was worth a try. I spoke with the owner over the weekend and I have sold 4 albums!!! And the best part is, 3 of them were ones I made specially for the winery :) I sold 2 Wine Albums, 1 Vino Album and 1 Family Album!

I'm so excited that this is going to be a good match for my albums :) I'll be busy making more albums to replace the ones that sold and may bring a few others over as well! With Christmas just around the corner, I think a few Holiday Albums would be a good idea!

Got Wine?

While my parents were back, my mom and I went to the winery where I will be selling my albums on consignment. We had fun walking around and seeing all of the places to sit and enjoy the views. (I can't believe I didn't think to take any pictures!) The view of the orchard is amazing!

I'm excited to see how the albums sell! I made some WINE and VINO albums special for the winery and also brought over some FAMILY and FRIENDS albums as well.

I'd love to hear what you think of the colors I chose or if there are other colors you think would go well at the winery as well. If these sell well, I will be adding other color combos and other words too!!! Fingers crossed :)

Friday Features-Wine

In honor of my latest consignment deal...I bring you Wine Finds :)

HummingBird and Flower Wine Goblets- Set of 2

by SwirlyGarden

(She's even an Iowa girl!)

Wine Bar Rack Recycled Record Albums-Sing Me A Country Song

by RetiredRecords

Handsculpted Glass Bottlestopper- Pink Twist

by tannerglass

VINO Scrabble tile Wine Glass Charms- DOUBLE SIDED (set of 4)

by mandyrae3883

Mmmmm...I'm off to find a glass of yummy wine now :)

Winery Consignment

I went to a bridal shower for my cousin's fiance yesterday at a very cool winery. As I was looking around at their little shop area, I noticed that everything was tagged differently. I did more looking and found out that they do consignment! Luckily I had given the bride to be one of my Custom Name Albums so I could show it to the owner. She just loved it!!!

I'm going to sell some of my Family and Friends word albums and make some that say Wine and Vino. If anyone has other ideas that would sell well at a winery, I would LOVE to hear them :)

My tip for today: Don't be afraid to approach people about your work! It could turn out to be something wonderful :)