Another show...

The show went okay,
not as well as the first but that is okay because I learn something new every time:)
My booth for this show was considerably smaller and tested my display skills for sure.


I was thankful for the years I had spent working for a design boutique in Temperance, MI.
The store was small but my bosses purchasing habits were not!
Every Christmas was the same story how do we fit 400 yards of goods into a 20x40 space?
With a lot of imagination, coffee, humor and little sleep.

The booth still needs lots of tweaking and
I have started sketching out some new ideas for the next show.

So many people commented on my hand painted floor cloth, that I may add these to our
product line next year, in a much smaller version of course:)
The other comments that we found interesting were
how many people thought my ornaments were decorations for baby rooms.
I guess it must be my color pallet and whimsical
style?
Lots of folks also wanted baby's first Christmas and personalized ornaments.
I had a few pieces that accommodated their needs.

Like this fun little hat ornament.
I brought it back to the studio and I
added two little paper clay stars for the name and year of birth.

Of course this got the wheels spinning,
and I am already working on new designs for baby.

I have also received some special request via email for these custom pieces.

Two personalized Quilted Tree ornaments
and a new doggy garland with yellow Labradors.



Now with the shows behind me and the custom pieces completed
I can focus on hand made gifts and my holiday decorating.

As soon as I have some holly jolly set out I will share some photos
of our little nest:)
Hope all your holiday projects are coming along well and you are having a jolly good time.

Until next time my dears,
gingerbread kisses and eggnog wishes!

xoxo
Mary

Snow and a Show

Well I guess I can start talking about Christmas now
because it snowed here the other day (just a little)
and I had my first holiday show yesterday.

The show was hosted by my friend Kathy Vantreese
the talented artist and owner of Cold Nose Productions

and her crazy sidekick the ever elegant yet odd Madame Stella.
Stella arrived late and by the looks of it I think she had already been dipping into the eggnog
a bit earlier.
Oh Stella!


Kathy is currently working on her new website
and I have been trying to get her blogging, we'll have to wait and see.
So until she does I will share some photos of her work and provide her email,
coldnose@charter.net just in case you see something you must have for the holidays.
She salvages wool blankets and sweaters,
felts them and turns them into fun and festive creations.
Such as:
Embellished gloves, patched pockets for sunglasses or cell phones,
decorative pillows,


and these super fun felted garlands, that sold like crazy:)!
She also makes rag rugs, felted stuffties and Christmas trees.
Her work is happy and homey with a touch of nostalgia,
truly a delight.

The sweet little plaid flower brooches are the handy work of my talented friend Mary Kushner.
Are these not the cutest, I just love plaid!

Here is a close up.

If you want one or a "bunch":) let me know and I will put you in touch with Mary.

Kathy had me set up my display in the front of the shop with the window as my backdrop.
It was a lovely bright day and my ornaments glistened in the sunshine.
The Perfect setting to introduce some of my new pieces...
A new garland in a Scottie dog theme
New mitten ornaments,


and new wall tiles, take a close look at the ribbon.
Hand made out of a muslin strip embellished with paint and word stamps!

I love how this turned out I think this would be so sweet for a child's first Christmas or an adorable addition to a nursery.


And cottagie fish in fun colors.




The show was a great success and so much fun!
Just what I needed to get me in holiday motion.
My next show is the day after Thanksgiving at our high school in Indian River.
So the next few weeks are going to be a paper mache marathon!


I have more new pieces to share but I have to get some house projects done and packages ready for the mail so that's all for now my dears:)
I can't wait to settle in with a cup of tea later tonight and visit with all of you via blogland.
xoxo,
Mary