Merry Christmas!

Wishing all a safe and loving holiday. I'm here at home thinking how grateful I am for our Savior, my husband, children, home, and health.

May your day be filled with blessings and peace.

Joy.

Get Ready, Get Set, GO!

Etsy Shop French Robin Designs

Yes, Virginia, the Holidays are Upon Us

(The Graphics Fairy LLC)

Just like that the calendar flipped a page and the holidays officially began.  Of course, there are still a few weeks of quiet before the bustle of menu preparations, party invitations, travel plans, Thanksgiving shopping, and meal preparation.

All the same, this is the quiet before the storm.  I am taking advantage of this calm to prepare.  Lately my focus has been on gift wrap and package embellishments.  I love a beautifully wrapped gift and it is wonderful to give a lovely gift wrapped with creativity.

Every year I have a color theme for the gift wrapping.  One year it was blue and silver; another burgandy; green yet another and so on.  Having a color theme, for me, keeps everything on track.  I get so distracted with all the cute possibilities my gifts can quickly look like a mish mash of victorian, french, childish, and retro. 

Some gift wrapping ideas are very simple, inexpensive, and done easily with items at home.  To me these are the best ideas -- clever re-use of common items to create something lovely.

Many of my favorite ideas involve kids helping.  One year we made hand stamped gift tags using rubber stamps, ink, and glittler glue.  It was fun to customize the gift tags to match the color theme that year (I think we stamped blue snowflakes and reindeers).

(photo courtesy of seesawdesigns.blogspot.com)

I also love the look of white craft paper and waxed twine.  It is easy to embellish the white craft paper with stampings, burlap, saved ribbon from past gifts, or thrifty finds from the store.  My children have decorated craft paper with cut outs from old Christmas cards.

I am so excited because this year I am making my own gift tags using free (always make sure it is free) clip art.  I found lovely French and Victorian scripts courtesy of The Graphics Fairy LLC (http://www.thegraphicsfairy.blogspot.com).  I have downloaded them (similar to the graphic at the top of the page) and I will print several on a page, cut them out, punch a hole, and tie with a ribbon.  I think they are perfectly unique.  Fabulous!!

Let your imagination take hold.  Gather inspiration from the sites below and create a uniquely lovely gift for your loved one this year.

(The Graphics Fairy LLC)

My favorite places for great ideas and inspiration; sources for great information:

The Graphics Fairy LLC   http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

Seesaw Designs   http://seesawdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/11/holiday-gift-wrap-diy.html

The Gifted Blog    http://www.thegiftedblog.com/

Martha Stewart, as always, has clever ideas to make a beautiful gift.  http://www.marthastewart.com/274678/gift-wrapping-ideas/@center/307035/santas-workshop

Pinterest (of course!)    http://pinterest.com/shesabetty/holiday-gifts-wrapping-ideas/

Creature Comforts Blog    http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/home/2011/12/21/holiday-roundup-20-great-gift-wrapping-ideas.html

Ellinnee    http://www.ellinee.com/blog/

(The Graphics Fairy LLC)

The Funky Monkey: French Robin Designs: Antique Silver Branch Neckl...

The Funky Monkey: French Robin Designs: Antique Silver Branch Neckl...: French Robin Designs believes that jewelry should speak to you in a personal way.  It should also make a statement, change an outfit or give your look that extra special something that no one else has. Bottom line, your jewelry should be an expression of who you are. And French Robin Designs wants you to express yourself with their handmade pieces inspired by fashion, nature and color.

FREE GIVEAWAY CONTEST!  Yes, I said FREE!  The Funky Monkey blog is currently featuring French Robin Designs Etsy shop.  I was so excited I decided why not give away a beautiful sterling silver branch necklace!

Check out the blog to enter the contest.  You may be the lucky winner of a stunning necklace.  You deserve a little treat!

http://www.thefunky-monkey.com/

 

Blue Jade Gold Lotus Flower Dangle Earrings, Stocking stuffer, Christmas, Gift, Hostess, Wedding

https://www.etsy.com/listing/110441032/blue-jade-gold-lotus-flower-dangle

 

 

 

 

 

Black Agate Pearl Fan Statement Necklace, Brown, Gray, Silver

https://www.etsy.com/listing/106962584/black-agate-pearl-fan-statement-necklace

The Goal: 200 Pieces

Oh my goodness!  The last few weeks of summer have been a whirlwind of activity.  My kids all returned to school mid-August which required school shopping, orientations, readiness faires, school supplies, shoes, lunch food, and on and on and on! 

(Two bracelets my 8 year old daughter made -- she wants into the business!)

Now that the kids are settled I can get back to creating jewelry.  A local fellow Etsy artisan contacted me about partnering for bay area craft fairs.  Well, I never had any intention of really participating in a craft fair.  My partner is sweet, intelligent, and talented.  The more we talked over coffee the more excited I became at the prospect of a craft show. 

After our meeting I started researching craft shows.  I came away with so many ideas and one lofty goal -- to stock my part of the booth with 200 pieces of jewelry.  Keep in mind I only have about 60 pieces now. 

The last several weeks have been planning how many necklaces, pairs of earrings, and bracelets to make.  I've been consumed with creating pieces at various price points and artistic perspectives.  A considerable amount of time has been spent sourcing products, stones, and components.

In addition to creating products I must design a craft booth display that is unique and reflects my shop's style.  Countless searches of the internet have been conducted for craft show examples perfect display pieces. 

Of course, I always think about what I can make or use something I already own as display material.  The result is more thinking, planning, and designing.  I tell myself it is good mental exercise!

Despite the amount of work I know the craft shows will pay off in experience and education; if not sales!  I am pushing myself to be more creative with my designs, go out of my comfort zone, and stay true to myself.

Isn't that what design is about?  And having fun!!

Check out my fabulous craft show partner.  She is an incredibly talented artist and photographer.  I am extremely exicted to partner with her.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/wildinspirationart

Wild Inspiration Art

Cheers -- T