TODAY'S THE DAY

I can feel it. Today's the day I'll get a bunch of sales at the show :) Yesterday was the first day of the Durham Art Walk and while I got lots of 'ooohs' and 'aaahs' I didn't sell a thing! Everyone who stopped by would say wonderful things, so very sweet, and then move on. When I did the Art Walk in November, it was a huge hit for me so, I guess I was hoping for the same success this time around.

I know my prices are high to some people. I get that. For a long time I've sold items for so much less than they cost me time-wise. I can't do that anymore; give away my time. So, I guess it follows that not everyone will buy. I remember one lady who purchased 3 of my mini albums in November's show saying 'I feel like I'm stealing from you'. I love that lady. I hope she's there today and steals from me again :)

The silver lining? I've met some great people, put my name out there to potential new customers, and had another one of life's learning experiences. That's never a bad thing.

So, friends, I'm gonna get ready for my last day at the Durham Art Walk. Wish me luck!

I'll leave you with a few of my new mini albums. These little paper bags are so awesome! I've only got a few left so I might try to hang on to them for a while. :) I made these with Mother's day in mind...

The Good Life

Domestic Goddess

Simple Pleasures

SHOW TIME

Spring has Sprung Tag

Happy April! Hope this new month is bringing you some sunshine and warm weather :) Can't wait to open up the windows and let some fresh air in! We had some wonderful summery weather a couple of weeks back but this week has been so COLD. Can't wait for Spring to come in again...

Next weekend, April 9th & 10th, I'll be at the Durham Art Walk in downtown Durham, NC, selling my wares. If you're in the area, I'd LOVE for you to stop by and say hi! I've been working frantically all week to create lots of fun stuff for the show and trying to keep up with sales in my Etsy shop. I had a sale this week - bad timing on my part 'cause now I have nothing to take to the show! LOL I guess that's a good problem to have.

I did manage to create a mini paper bag album. It's been FOREVER since I'd done one and I was just itching to do another! I really loved the way it turned out and was just a tiny bit sad to see her go to her new home where I'm sure she'll be loved, too :)

I've gotta get back to work now but, I'll leave you with a few of my latest creations...including the pretty little girl who's no longer mine...

Altered Jar

Spring Tag

Beautiful Girl Scrapbook

Garden Girl Scrapbook

Miracles ACEO

Happy Friday, friends. And a happy April to you :)

WELCOME, SPRING!

It's finally arrived! The weather has been just gorgeous here lately. I even got a bout of Spring cleaning done a couple of weeks ago. Ah, Spring.... :) How I love to declutter and reorganize!

I don't know if it's the weather but I've been on a butterfly kick lately. Seems everything I'm making has a butterfly on it. Maybe it's just that my butterfly punches allow me to use even teeny-tiniest piece of paper. And, heaven knows I can't bear to throw away even the tiniest piece. Whatever the reason, here are some of my butterfly creations :)

An ACEO

Wedding Sampler Set

Wedding Sampler Set

Gift Tags

More Gift Tags

I also made another one of those altered printer's tray - SO FUN!!

I'm doing the Durham Art Walk Spring Market on April 9th and 10th. I'm so excited but I've got LOTS of work to do! So, wish me luck. I hope to see you there!!

GOODBYE FEBRUARY

Man, this month flew right by! I've been busy entertaining a steady stream of out-of-town guests and loving every minute of it :) Which is great because there are more on the way!

In the meantime, I've been trying to squeeze in an occasional project here and there; like this wall art:



Don't you just ADORE that little hanger?? I bought a few of them about 3 years ago and I'm having a bear of a time finding them again.

Here's one of those mixed media tags I love to make:



And then some simple little place cards:



I've gotten a few custom inquiries from brides lately. Wedding season must be upon us! I've already completed a custom order for wishing tree tags, too. Now...I'm not up on all the trends. I just make what I like and hope for the best. But, I'm thinking there might be something to this 'wishing tree' thing. So....I'll be designing some of those too! :)

And, of course, craft show season has begun. I've signed up for the Durham Art Walk again. It's being help on April 9th & 10th in downtown Durham. I hope to see some of you there! I also applied for my very first juried show. I won't know till the end of the month but I'll keep you posted if I hear back. Wish me luck!

That's all for now, friends. Hope your Monday is spectacular and your March is fabulous!

HELPING HEARTS

I learned this week of the terrible loss suffered by a fellow Etsian, DesignedByLucinda, a talented jewelery artist. On Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 an accidental fire took her home, pets, and claimed the life of her 11-year-old son, Kevin. My heart is broken for her - there are no words to express how deeply sorry I am for her loss.

The Etsy community has come together in support of our fellow creative. A shop has been set-up with donations from other artists and artisans - all proceeds will be donated to the Boardman family. Each item is shipped from the artist directly. Stop by and have a look at all the wonderful things available. It's a win-win :)

Helping Hearts Shop - for Lucinda Boardman and family.

So, take a minute and hold them tight. Let them know how much you love them.

Please keep the Boardman family in your prayers.

OOOOH LA LA

Just a quick post to show you some more of the tiny treasures I've made using the My Mind's Eye Lost & Found papers I love so much. I used them on that altered file folder I showed you a few posts ago and these projects:

Altered Altoids Tin w/Calendar




Mini Album w/Coin Envelopes & Tags






And these 3 fashion inspired ACEOs. (each listed separately) I really love how they turned out - I hope you do too!





I still have tiny bits of the paper left and I'm thinking I may alter a glass jar. Because, Heaven forbid I throw ANY of it out!

Have a wonderful week! Until next time.... :)

INSPIRATION

I can't get enough of these 7gypsies printer's trays! I love them. I loved them the first time I saw them. But it's taken me a few months to figure out just what I wanted to do. And to have the time to play with them.


It turns out I love for them to be inspirational. Both times I had no idea what I would have them be. Both times they turned out to be frilly, girlie, shabby, cottage-y sources of inspirational quotes and saying. Sure, they take many hours to make. But, I love how they turned out. I hope you do, too.



I'm going to see what other shabby treasures I can create using these perfectly gorgeous paper from Webster's Pages. You can find this tray and (whatever else this paper decides to be) in my Etsy shop.

Have a wonderful night!