Another Road Trip

I just returned from another road trip, this time to NY to see John's Dad who is almost 93. We're great together in the car. John drives well on the highway as opposed to local driving which gets me crazy! We take 2 days to do the 800+ miles so the total trip is a little over 1600. We had great weather although a bit chilly and virtually no traffic delays which is a major miracle. His Dad is doing well and it was fun to see other family members and good friends.

We did do a sizable chunk of holiday shopping for the devoted Mets and Jets fans down here. We can't find the paraphernalia for those teams in SC so we loaded up in NY. I will finish those gifts off with handmade goodies.

And possibly the most productive part of the trip was this pile of 21 mini purses, tissue holders and cell phone holders that I was able to knit...obviously not when I was driving! Some are sewn already but they all need buttons which I did not bring with me. Then onto etsy they will go. Unfortunately I didn't make any sales while we were gone

but hopefully this week will bring some orders. Good to get away...

great to be home!

An Accidental Great Idea

Promoting yourself, your products and your etsy store can be time and money consuming and I have tried to follow all the suggestions of more seasoned sellers when I can. The other day I was mailing a personal card and accidently put an All About The Buttons return address label....hmmmm, I thought. I went right to the computer and printed up some labels that now say "Buy Handmade" with my etsy address beneath it. I intend to put these on every piece of mail I send. Any reason not to?

Looooong Day

Yesterday was the harvest fair and the big question...how was it? The fair was a roaring success for the school and they just about made their goal money. And me? Well, great response to my things. Talked up ETSY and made about 8 sales. I am pleased and figure I probably would have spent at least as much if I hadn't gone! It is an exhausting day...my bones are still screaming!

What tickled me the most was the balloon artist that was there. He created such amazing 'sculptures' for the kids I was fascinated. He made a halo piece for one little boy that looked like a giant spider with legs tickling his face. Another was a helicopter sitting on the child's shoulders. Great fun!

I didn't sell any but wanted to share my new item. I have been intrigued by felting and tried this:

It's made with red wool, gold thread and a snowflake button. It can be a Christmas ornament on the tree or a 'gift' attachment to a package. I'll post the others later this week. I'm pleased.

Time Flies

I haven't posted for a week because................? I feel a bit like my days are very short and are whizzing by but I do get a great deal accomplished. I am now preparing for my first (in over 7 years) little show which is on Sunday. It's a harvest festival, a first annual and a donation is all that it costs to show. There will be loads of kids activities, pumpkin decorating, food and about a dozen crafters. I had forgotten how much there is to do to get ready with deciding what to bring, pricing, packaging, set-up, etc. Sunday morning I will de-activate some things that are on etsy so I can bring them. It's hard not to be excited but I don't want to be crushed if there's a poor outcome so I'm trying to be level headed. With kids expected (and parents, of course) I'm bringing mostly my less expensive items like bookmarks , barrettes, and magnets but the purses and hats as well. Maybe 1 or 2 clocks...we'll see.
Wish me luck!!!

Memories

Just 'met' Erin from DinnerTimeChimes on We Love Etsy and the unexpected happened. Erin makes wonderful chimes and keyrings using old flatware. I randomly clicked on her etsy mini and this keyring popped up. This was my Mom's everyday flatware that we used while I was growing up. What a rush of wonderful memories of food, dinners, and fighting with my brother came rushing back. (Yes, good memories of fights with my brother...I always won since I was younger!!!)

I wonder if in today's world of take out/go out will an old spoon trigger any memories for our children or grandchildren. I think I have to buy this keyring!

I also love when anyone repurposes stuff! I feel I do that with my buttons to a degree but Erin certainly takes it to the max. Thanks for the memory rush!

Is it time for Christmas shopping?

I have posted several things on etsy with a Christmas theme but wonder if it's too soon. Realistically it's not, but so many people seem to be December/last minute shoppers. If something has to be mailed, that creates problems. As I get older I like even more so to be done early. So have I started? Well, yes, in the card collections I am amassing for some friends but I have not one gift, or thought for that matter, for family. I noticed in one of the boys' rooms yesterday that his father (my son) purchased the one idea I had. Neither of the boys nor their parents "need" anything but that's besides the point. My daughter-in-law is dieting and I know I'll buy the wrong size. Son is VERY fussy but he did love these cufflinks from blockpartypress. My husband...possibly the most difficult guy on the planet. UGH!!!

Better get started...74 days to go!

Road Trip

I have only lived in South Carolina for 5 years. I spent the previous bazillion in various parts of New York. My close friend just came down for a week and we went on a girls road trip. Thinking Thelma and Louise? Nah, more like Lucy and Ethel. Anyway, our destination was Charleston and the beach. We left here on a glorious day weatherwise and drove straight into a watery onslaught! We couldn't even go look at the beach due to high tides and flooding. It stopped 3 days later when we were about 30 minutes from my house. Ugh, were we soggy! We wound up shopping till we dropped at an outlet center that had our personal favorite, Eddie Bauer. Their clothes just fit me well, last forever and are always in my favorite shades. We shopped so much that she had to borrow a medium sized suitcase to take her loot home. But great fun nonetheless. We also ate like pigs...some great meals and great snacking as well. That's what you do when you're away from home, right? She bought some Christmas presents but she stopped when I told her to shop on ETSY.
And now reality but with great memories!