And Now it's November

I was a vendor at the Fall's Church High School Craft Show that was held last Saturday. My husband, Bob, and daughter, Virginia helped set up - and did a great job! My space looked fantastic - I'd show you a pic - but my batteries died in the camera - argh!

I did well, but I would have done better if there been more foot traffic. The attendance simply wasn't there!

The best thing was I met a number of fellow etsians - two of which were Suzy of georgiapeachez and Beth of Bethsbagz. Just a few days later I was looking around in their etsy stores and had to snag some goodies - one for me and my workroom (see photo), one for a friend and something custom made for Ginna.

Unfortunately, to do this show, I had to give up going up to York on Friday the 7th to help my Mom and the other ladies set up for the church bazaar. I have learned my lesson... From now on it's the church bazaar!

We did go up on Sunday to buy and visit, and help pack up afterwards. They had a very successful two days. YEAH St. Mary's!

And still more...

In October I was fortunate to be featured 0n the front page for two days in the Handmade Showcase blog. I got tons of great comments on my etsy shop and the wide variety of the items I had listed.

Fantastic exposure! Jennifer was the winner of a $25.00 gift certificate to the shop and she put it towards the Lots of Fun bracelet.

I was also busy getting ready for Purcellville's Town Wide Tag Sale. My friend Jennifer (shop at Lucketts) was kind enough to share her front yard with me and another friend, Ann (also at Lucketts).

I made signs from some great images Jennifer had on hand. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.

We sold a ton of stuff those two days - I brought 5 and a half truckloads and came home with 1 truckload and a desk - NOT BAD!

Just a note - see that cool cupboard leaning against the tree in the background? I grabbed that beauty from Ann for my workroom. (currently a work in progress - photos coming)!

More of what I've been up to

In August and September I spent some time up at my Mom's, working on purses made from wool sweaters we had felted. I designed and cut the purses, my sister in law Lisa sewed them on the machine and then my Mom and I hand finished them. We had a lot of fun together while we made these for my Mom's church bazaar.

Also in September the entire Bob Pickett Family got together and we had a family portrait taken. The kids did this for his 50th birthday. It was a great weekend!

What I've been up to

The past three months have been busy, busy, busy!

I was fortunate enough to have one of my products spotted by Lark Books and was given a contract to recreate a project I had made.

One day I was opening our bills, (I guess there must have been a lot of them ;}) and I noticed how all of the privacy printing was slightly different. It looked like Men's Suit Cloth - and fabric in general. I saved them - (OH MY GOSH - what a surprise)!!!! I opened them up and started folding and cutting - pleated skirts, shoes, ties, etc... and either making an envelope from the bill envelope - or lining a handmade envelope with the privacy pattens.

A light bulb went off, and I thought "What a great idea - I should list one of these today in my etsy shop - it's Earth Day"! ------ You know that whole recycling/upcycling thing.

I was contacted minutes afterward (I know, I was in disbelief too- pinchme!) about my cards/envelopes. I submitted my project in August and it will appear in The Envelope, Please - due out in Fall of 2009. Thank you Providence!

My Very First Blog

I am a newbie at this, but just like jumping into selling on ebay and then etsy and now working on my website, oh and let's not forget facebook and indiepublic... - it seemed to be inevitable...I feel like I have been back in school again - all of the time spent on the computer - asking my ever patient 14 year old daughter - how to do this, how to do that. WOW, have I learned a lot!