Saturday, December 20, 2014

New in 2015

With 11 days left in 2014, I am looking forward to 2015. I have been working on my "what I would like to accomplish" list. One of them is to more regularly introduce new items into my shop.

I probably averaged 1 new item a month in 2014, if I were to guess, I know it felt mostly like I was skating by with re-circulating old stock.

And while, I wouldn't re-list items I no longer felt passionate about keeping in my shop; I do know that it is not smart business practice, and I wouldn't attract new customers, if I wasn't creating new work. So, I want to make that a priority as I move forward.


The vase above (HERE) is the first in my Farm Animal Series I am working on for 2015. I hope to have all of the animals completed and listed by the end of February.


I am breathing a sigh of relief that the holiday rush is over and I am going to enjoy the holidays with my family.


I wish you all Happy Holidays and Peace and Love in the New Year.


xo

Friday, December 5, 2014

Not nearly summer...but..

....I am already dreaming of it!

And obviously it is nearing Christmas, so I should NOT be feeling this way, but I can't help it. I am ready for flip flops and the sound of ocean waves.



This is especially strange coming from my mouth, as I do love Christmas: the traditions, being with friends and family. And tonight, we are taking the girls to see Rudolph onstage...I am excited about it...

but.. can we move the show to the beach?

Friday, November 14, 2014

Staycation

Bobby took this week off from work. The girls are out of school until December 8th, they are in year round school here, which is essentially 9 weeks in, 3 weeks out, throughout the entire year.

We had originally planned to take a vacation somewhere, but ultimately we decided on hanging out here, doing day trips, getting things done on the seemingly never-ending list we have for what needs to be done around the house.

Here we are at a State Park called Raven Rock.
What a place of beauty, a great hike, the perfect autumn outing.

And it has been a great week. I think we will be planning more staycations in our future!

There is no place like home!

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Halloween 2014



Allison was a devil this year, a la red shirt, skirt, tights, horn headband, and red hair paint. Emily was a witch - a costume we already owned from Allison wearing it 2 Halloweens ago, and black hair paint. Easy, peasy, and they loved it!

I hope your Halloween was great too!

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

My Why.

I recently went to a small business seminar put together by an organization called Vend Raleigh . It was very informative to say the least. And I am still processing all of the information gained, and trying to implement them into my business.

One of the things discussed was the very personal reasons behind the why you have your business.
These are my why.

What actually started out as a happy accident when I decided one day, I want to make a vase! And then it turned out kinda neat - leading to months of experimenting better techniques - making it up as I went

It gave me a hobby, something to do when the girls were having naptime. And this whole entire creative side of me that I wasn't even entirely sure was there - well.. it was there!

And then came the little, very very little bit of extra money. My confidence growing - OTHER PEOPLE like this TOO!!

And the sheer love loooove of this artwork, of getting my hands dirty, of creating something beautiful that someone may want in their home -how cool! And my kids saw that and they love this about their Mom. They say I am an artist. And even though I am still working on calling myself that, when I hear them say it, I get chills.

And I know, without any shadow of a doubt, that if I didn't have the full and unending support of my husband, that I could not be doing this.

Here we are a few weeks ago:


My family is my Why.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

One of a kind.


I have been really trying hard to focus on creating more one of a kind pieces, and the above picture is an example. It can be found HERE.

They don't make good "practical" business sense, and they are probably the opposite of what I "should" be doing.

Because if they don't sell, well, I would have "wasted" money, in creating the piece, and the time in making it.

But, I feel that I have been in such a cycle of creating the "same old things" and the filling of orders, that it took me out of my creativity for a while.

And I love each piece I make, and when I get an order - - whether is is something I have made a dozen times, or something I have only made once -- I love making them. But, there is just something to be said for creating that which I have not made before - or will again.

So let this be a lesson for me. To not let me lose the creativity, that I sometimes have to search for to find.

Friday, October 10, 2014

The story of 3 bottles and this blog


These bottles have been sitting on a shelf in my office, in their original glass form, glaring at me, for quite some time. Me, with an idea of what to do with them, but of the just "not getting around to it."

Much like this blog. I have always had ideas for it. Ideas for posts, my thoughts, what is happening. But, there is just no follow through. I recently attended a small business seminar. And it is time to put some actions behind my thoughts.

I started with these bottles. I turned them into a trio of bottle vases, painted them happy colors that make me smile.

And then I turned to this blog, and here I am, after a too long hiatus. Let's see if my good intentions will have some follow through.

Thank you for reading along, and I hope this finds you well!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

LOVE

Combining my love of FREE ways to decorate my house, my love of the beach, and my love of my family equals this large piece of wall art that now hangs in my livingroom. Collected over many walks on the beach, this feels like the perfect fit for my coastal-inspired home. If you like it, and you are lucky enough to live near the beach (I don't....but I like to pretend I do!) I promise it is super easy to make, just add some hooks to the back of each piece, and voila, there you have it!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Better Homes and Gardens - February 2014 - Yellow Ombre Vase - Kristin Malaer

I am so excited to share the news that my Yellow Ombre Vase is featured in the February 2014 issue of Better Homes and Gardens! They actually contacted me though Brika, working with Brika has been a true pleasure!

This month is also my 4 year anniversary of selling my vases. What a ride it has been! I have learned a lot, had many ups and downs, but I love this job!

Balancing family life and putting work away when the kids get home has been an ongoing challenge for me, but one that I feel I am getting much better at. But, there is always room to grow!


Thank you to my customers - past, present, and future - I obviously wouldn't be doing this without you!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!