Show Season...Yay!

First two shows of the season are in my rear view mirror.  The first show was a tough one, in Colorado Springs.  It was a first year show and I think the promoters have a few bugs to work out.  Colorado Springs is a two hour drive from here which would normally be dreadful, but my sister and travelling companion, Susan, was also doing the show so we were able to carpool.  We did not travel the interstate but rather a scenic windy road with beautiful sights of fall colors and wild turkeys.  Yes, I said wild turkeys!  We saw flocks every day.  Nature at its finest.

I took my photo with my phone.  I think it looks like the trees are full of glitter.....and you know how much I love glitter!

This weekend I was at the Simply Vintage Fall Market.  This takes place at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo.  I love this market except for the fact that it takes me nearly 3 hours to get there.  I went down on Saturday with my mini van packed to the gills and went back on Friday morning to finish set up and take a few extra pieces.  I had a huge booth, compliments of Nicole Jones the promoter.  And I sold ALL of my furniture.  (Except for the two white chairs that I scratched up on the way there and had to bring back home.)  There is nothing more satisfying than having someone love your work.  I met so many amazing vendors and customers.  But the one drawback was that my helper and sidekick, Skylar was not there.  She is up in Montana studying to be a great artist at MSU. 
 I sold a couple of my insulator lamps, this one was my fave.

And though I love this desk, I was glad to see it go to a great home.  Note the chalkboard on the desk part....And I chalk couture'd it up on the back.....

My white table was snatched up and I even had a bidding war on the little red table.  

My booth was HUGE!

Maybe next time I will have to do like this vendor and drive a tractor trailer....lol....not!

  

There were beautiful things, vintage treasures, and handmade items.  But there were some weird things too.....like this rocking animal....horse?  dragon?  donkey?.....for sale for $275!

So I am home and today I am hibernating, watching football and working on a special order for a doll.  Next week I am off to the  Sugar Plum Festival in Colorado Springs at the event center.  Come see me!  You can go to their website for discount tickets!  http://sugarplumgiftmart.com/  

And watch my facebook page for more info!

Pumpkins, already????

With all the fall shows that I do, I start early on my fall and winter items.  These little pumpkins are a variation on the ones I did a couple of years ago, these being more prim.

These little guys are great to sit in the dinner plate for each guest at your Thanksgiving meal.  And they are very simple to make.  There is a tutorial on this blog;  just type pumpkin in the search bar.

And I redid the lettering on my angel:

Better huh?  I stamped and then painted over the stamp to make it darker.  Both the pumpkins and the angel are listed in my Etsy shop.  I sold all my corn on the cobs this week and the carrots that I had listed.  I also sold my long-legged bunny at my friend Dawn's show as well as some of my bunny sachets on Etsy.  I always feel so grateful when someone enjoys my work.  And I do appreciate all of the comments as well. 

Have a great week, my bloggie friends.  More to come.

Terrific and thrifty Thursday

One of the things that I love about this time of year, in addition to all the good food, is the giving and receiving of Christmas cards.  I know that this is a lost or dying art to many but now, as postage has gone up and up, I think of Christmas cards as little gifts sent to all the people I care about.  And there's nothing better than getting a card in the mail, expecially when it contains a handwritten letter or photo.  But what to do with the cards after the season is over?  I hate to waste the glittery card stock, or the shiny Christmas scene.  So here is what I do.  I pack all the cards away with my wrapping paper for the following year.  When I start my holiday wrapping, I take out the cards and enjoy them once more.  Then I cut them into tag sized pieces and use them again for hang tags on my gifts.  You will find the most beautiful scenes, pictures, and even some verse.  Cut them with fancy paper scissors that pink or cut in a wavy pattern or if you have edge punches, that's perfect!  If you have large craft punches, you can use them to cut out tags too.

And don't stop with recycling cards!  I keep boxes from year to year and bows and ribbon as well.  And we have recycled gift bags forever!  Sometimes when the handles break, I will weave ribbon or twine for new handles to prolong the life of the bag.  I even recycle wrap if it is in large enough pieces to be used.  Did you know that you can iron some wraps?  You want to use a warm iron on the back of the paper.  If the paper is metallic or glittery, you don't want to do this.  If the wrinkles won't come out by finger pressing, you may not be able to reuse.  I like the way the gifts look under the tree when all the paper is different. 

And don't be afraid to ask recipients of your baked treats to return the container when finished.  If they expect to get additional refills, they will be delighted to do so.  I love to share my cookies, breads and canned goods and I always let the giftee know that I would like the containers returned.  It, in no way, diminishes the giving.

Hope these ideas help to make your Thursdays and everyday a bit thriftier.