Sunday To Do's

It is a chilly Sunday morning here in Missouri so I started going through my drawers to change out my summer clothes and get rid of things I don't really need and store things for next year. But, this fall I am making three piles; One for shop rags, one for storage for next summer, and another for the cocktails and clothes swap. I decided I am going to invite my female family and friends to the shop one evening and we can swap out our clothes that we would otherwise take to the goodwill. Also handbags and accessories. Then leave the rest and make one one trip to donate the unwanted ones. I think it sounds like a ball!

I am trying to get myself in canning mood and then one of my favorite blogs posted a strawberry jam tutorial. The pictures sucked me in http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/08/canning-101-and-strawberry-jam-part-1/ after I put my 10 cents worth in the long list of comments (goto your edit list on the top of the page and then goto find and put in jennifer and hit next a couple times till you see my comment by jennifergoode, if your curious) I found a link to another blog that has cute little downloadable jar lables; http://tinyurl.com/nsazry

I am also getting the shop organized today and some projects finished up and pictures taken and listed. Should be exciting! Here is a picture of the first halloween gourd of the 2009 season! Enjoy

I made a Blog

I have some fun new painted things to list today so I am excited. I also have a couple recent mentions. I made a treasury http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=75824 and a blog also. What a beautiful blog. I only have a minute to post this then I'm off to box up some stuff. enjoy the links

The picture is a sneak preview of my new etsy site www.epicepoch.etsy.com where I will feature vintage style prints in mats and on cards. It will be a way to inexpensively bring more vintage to your space and share your style with friends. I hated the idea of another site but I wanted to avoid some confusion and frustration when looking a products vs pictures of products. enjoy

I Made the Front Page

I made the front page! I saw it was a collection of cottage style decor and thought I might get some extra hits on my site this morning, then as I was looking at them I saw it! The suitcase I listed just last night. I'm so glad I worked late! I could scream I'm so excited!

July Numbers are in

Well, I was down in sales in July, but I wasn't as hard as it as June. The Kiddo's and I had a lot of fun and play time in July and there were trees to be trimmed. But, I think I am back with a vengeance. I got my items over 100 for my Etsy site and that seems to be a good goal, because whenever I get over 100 products listed I sell a bunch and then the process starts over. So, I'm over 100 and back to painting in my little shop. LOVE THAT. Gourd Season is beginning so I am ready to start some halloween gourds. Let me see what I can dig up for a picture. Oh, I know; Henry, the giant bullfrog from the creek that now lives in our pond. Goodnight Henry.

Vintage on a Blog

Look I made a blog! http://etsylounge.blogspot.com/ Mine is the teal sewing drawer that is holding little gourds. Gourd painting season is almost here. Can't Wait! I'll have weekend Lake pictures later today, just wanted to share my little mention in the blogosphere.

Early Blogging and the Smell of Diesel

You couldn't tell me 5 years ago when I put on high heels every morning and went out to sell marketing that this is where I would be. I got up early and made coffee and packed lunches for John and his crew. He said I didn't need to be on the crew today because it was a lot of heavy dragging and he had enough help. 2 no shows later it is just him and his nephew headed to the jobsite. Someone is still supposed to show up and pick up the truck, so I filled it up and filled the extra gas can with diesel for the loader. This was right after I got out of the shower, applied my new/old Channel #5 and put on a fun summer dress. So, of course, the diesel fuel sprayed me and here I sit, funny on the fumes!

Let me tell you a little about my new perfume. I had the 3 youngest with me at the lake house last week and we went to church, then to the coffee shop to check email and then we saw my favorite 4 letter word; SALE. Even better when it follows the word Garage. I thought that strange on a Sunday, but I needed to find some treasures to list to pay for the attorney to keep our kids at home where they belong.... sorry, short rant. So we meandered down a fun lake road and sure enough. It was like Hansel and Gretel finding the house of Candy and Gingerbread. Everything was bagged, vintage and went on for ever! This woman was so wonderful and I think we both had the same sadness and worried look. As I left with a trunk full of treasures and fun stuff the kids had picked out for themselves also, I told her a little of my story and she expressed what a blessing it was for her to have a big sale. Sometimes things happen for a reason, and going to church definitely makes you luckier. I had looked at a gorgeous straw hat several times, but my funds were running low and I didn't want to bargain with her for such a neat item. She went into her garage and brought me that hat and wanted me to have it. We hugged and she told me it was her mothers hat and her name was Aida. Aida's hat has a fun place decorating my studio now and it ends up in pictures a lot too. Have a great day! I am going to do some shipping, but I bet I will end up on the job site.

Saying Goodbye to Goode Feed

Saturday was the last day that my brother in laws feed store was open. It had been in business for 20 years. It is strange to think we wont go there for dog food or seeds or rent equipment and trailers for jobs, or even just stop by with the kids and get a soda. I think this will be a good thing for him and his family but you can see how hard it is in his face and seeing his customers stop by was hard too. So I just wanted to do my part to make the transition a little easier for him. I brought back a couple items and told him I would store them in my shop and try to sell them for him. So today my post is to show off this really cool bulk seed bin. It is 62 inches long and 52 inches tall by 12 inches wide. It has the wonderful metal scoops also. It is a huge piece but we can talk about delivery. I just wanted to spread the word because I feel like I am in a circle of organic, tree hugging, artsy fartsy, friends who would rather buy something to help an individual than to buy it from a large corporation. I also thought it would make a very cool display for a soap maker or yarn shop.