Friday, October 28, 2011

New listing



I made ornaments! In my stucco-ey style. Yes, I realize that is not a word.

This is my first Holiday season on Etsy, so I have no idea how they will do. I have no idea how my vases will do. If I had to guess, based on my experience thus far? I would say not well. Even saying that, I am still hopeful.

There is just this invisible wall up. I can not translate hearts into sales. I love my vases. Obviously, I am a bit biased... but I just need to get other people to love them too. And that is proving to be a hard nut to crack.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Stamp It.

I hope this post finds you all well! It has not been the greatest week here. Emily was sick with a stomach bug for the last 2 days. Then, last night, she seemed to be feeling even worse, so we all hopped in the car to head to the urgent care. In an effort to be sensitive to what does or does not gross you out. Let me just say, that Emily got sick WHILE we were driving there. All over herself, in her hands, hair, lap... She sat there stunned, and Allie sat there screaming. I have never heard Allie scream like that before. Well, Emily feels a whole lot better. And I am sure that smell in my car will eventually go away....eventually....

Anyway, so, I found a site where I can purchase self ink stamps. I was originally thinking about purchasing stickers with my shop name on it. However, I have not found any within my budget. Then someone had suggested using stamps, and I found that this is much more economical. There are also date stamps available. Date stamps excite me (Yes, I am a nerd at heart.. well, probably a nerd in plain sight as well..) But I can think of a thousand uses for date stamps. One use, is when I get a bill, I write the date that it is due and then file it in the date-due folder. Well, if I had date stamps, I could just stamp them!

And in the future, when my vase line takes off, I can use inspection stamps on the boxes ready to be shipped.

Ok, well, maybe I am getting ahead of myself. But, one can dream.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Carriage Oak Cottage

(Fluted Blue Vase)

My new shop name is Carriage Oak Cottage.
I have been thinking about this for a while. I really wanted to sound more shop-like. And I wanted a name that had meaning to me.

We currently live on a street with Carriage in its name.. And I love this house.. just renting, yes, but I love it.. and I love the street name. Oak because the street that I lived on while I was just dating Bobby, was called Oak Forrest.. and now, the subdivsion we live in, is called Heritage Oaks.

And cottage, because, it holds memories from when I was a child.
My Nana and Pops had a cottage on a beach in Connecticut. We spent many days and nights there. That cottage now, only exists in my memory. The cottage, along with all of the other cottages on that beach, have since been demolished. It is really a sad story, but you can read about it here, The beach was called, Pleasure Beach. I can cry when I think about it for too long.

Californication

Californication

Thanks for the article from Robin Woodard

I love cable since it supports my tv watching addiction. There seems to be a proliferation of men-children these days, but in tv and movies, and in real life. It's like a new male archetype. But there is one man child who I love. It's the character of Hank Moody on Californication. The show recently had its series finale (which was pretty well done, by the way). That character is someone who I would love to meet in real life. Totally flawed, but has so much heart and is so funny. A lot of the characters on that show are hilarious, actually. I'm sad the show is over, but I'm looking forward to seeing what David Duchovny does next!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Etsy on Facebook

I could not have been more surprised if I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet...Christmas Vacation, anyone anyone?....

....when lo and behold this vase was on Etsy's Facebook Page!
The views and hearts it brought me were insane..I got a few inquiries for custom orders, and I am hopeful that those that have found me on Sunday, will remember me in the future!

In other news - Allison goes on her first field trip tomorrow! My Big Little Kindergartner! She is so excited!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Lone Star Gifts.



Not the best picture - but that is the store where I moved some of my vases into this week! I am not setting any expectations for what I hope to sell. But, I am excited that I am stepping into the world of retail sale with my creations. I will keep you posted on this new venture!