They still need our help

Hello! I continue to lend a hand in Etsy's Hearts For Haiti shop. Donations and sales have slowed, as the devastation in Haiti has moved further behind in the headlines. I am saddened by this, yet proud of all Hearts For Haiti has accomplished in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. We are striving to promote the shop as we climb toward the $30,000 mark. I believe we can do it, together!

Hearts For Haiti on Etsy

The Official Hearts For Haiti Blog

Haiti Brooch $12

Ceramic Beauty In Hearts For Haiti

I have been truly honored to be a part of the Hearts for Haiti team on Etsy. I first heard about the Collaboration Shop in the Etsy Forums. I knew immediately that I wanted to donate some items from our Etsy shop, and also help with the work behind the scenes.

My first job was to open new Forum threads to promote the shop. Next, I took on listing some of the many donations that were being sent in. This was a big deal for me, because I secretly HATE listing items on Etsy! In our shop, I take the photos, and Mom does the listings! But because I had a purpose, to help those in dire need, I sucked it up and did my part, listing some unique and lovely items.

Recently I have started working in the Hearts for Haiti inbox. I go through donations, tag them, and send them out to volunteers to be listed. I also help tackle lost listings, relistings, and any problems that may come into the inbox.

My favorite part of being a part of the Hearts for Haiti team is the sweet friendships that have been cultivated while working so hard on a common vision. I am blessed to be a part of something bigger than myself. We are making a difference. Together.

Featured here are some gorgeous ceramic items on sale now in Hearts for Haiti on Etsy.

Dove Lidded Ceramic Ring Box $22

Nesting Hearts Ruby Red Set of 6 $42

Ceramic Red Floral Pendant $16

Handmade, trying to save the world...

A Heart For Haiti ~ Hammered Copper Bangle

My heart is broken for Haiti. I have been working almost non-stop as part of a great team of Etsians in a collaboration shop called Hearts For Haiti. Due to the giving hearts of the Etsy community, we have raised over $3000 so far for Doctors Without Borders!

If you are an Etsy seller- please consider donating to the shop. Donation instructions can be found on the shop's Policies Page.

If you are a lover of handmade- please take a look around and see if anything strikes your fancy! So many gorgeous items have been lovingly donated, and all have free shipping, most world-wide!

I feel so honored to be a part of this! ♥

Hearts For Haiti on Etsy

Vacation Time!

My husband and I are heading to Ontario tomorrow evening! This is our belated honeymoon trip (married last March). Steve is from Ontario and so I will be meeting all his relatives, most for the first time! We are stopping at Niagara Falls on our way and I can't wait to see that!

I made an ETSY Treasury out of excitement for my trip!

This will be my last post for a week or so. I'll be home for Christmas though, so look for me then! ~Angie

Decked out

Our Holiday Tree, full of handmade ornaments by the children and hand painted ornaments by Mom. Full of joy and love and memories. Just like this time of year.

Showing Off!

My youngest "baby" got a haircut tonight! Isn't he sweet? His name is Punkin.

It cometh quickly...

I've been thinking a lot about the upcoming new year and our ETSY shop. I'm starting to make a list of things I want to do. For one, I think I'm going to set up a DESTASH section to move out some vintage and antique items I've collected. These are items I intended to use on birdhouses, but then found out they just wouldn't work. I also want to go through and mark down some prices on some of our oldest houses. I would love to move them out of the studio to make room for new work. I am also thinking of expanding our line to include paper products such as cards and tags featuring birds.

What are your ideas for the new year?

Mom and Pop Shop

Porcelain!

Mom and I found these wonderful, weighty porcelain ornaments at Michaels the other day! I love playing around with them! This one turned out nice enough to list on ETSY!

Pink & Brown Dots On Creamy Porcelain Ornament

Nathan turns 10!

Here's a post on a personal level. My oldest son turned 10 yesterday! I've been a mom now for a decade! How did this happen? Time goes by so fast. I am so proud of my boy. I thought I would share these photos with you! Enjoy!

It's Black Friday!

FREE SHIPPING SALE!

Harmony House

Look at the stunning job Mom did on this custom order! The woman wanted her family home painted on an ornament, and supplied a photo. Mom worked so hard on this and I think she did an awesome job! Look at the detail!

Want to order your own custom ornament? You can do so at Ornaments By Deb on ETSY!

A Love For The Holidays

Click here to view my latest Treasury up close! Lots of unique and wonderful holiday items!

The Details Won Me Over

Don't you just adore my splendid vendor apron!? I do too! It was made by the talented team of ETSY's Strawberryona! Kathy and her friend are so talented. The true beauty lies in the details of the apron. And the fit is so good. Strawberryona takes your measurements to be sure your apron fits like it should! Each seam is expertly sewn, leaving you with a high-quality garment you can use for years and years!

If you're in need of a cute vendor apron, hand crafted crocheted goodies, or holiday ornaments, head on over to Strawberryona today!

Craft Show Blah

I look happy in these photos, but that just reflects my pride in my booth. Sales were a flop at the craft show this Saturday. I was sad about the turn out and even more disheartened about the lack of sales. People were interested, yes, and we received a lot of great feedback, but purse straps were held tightly.

At first I was afraid it was the birdhouses, or the prices, but after all the great comments and watching many other vendors go through the same thing, I realized it's just the current state of the economy. People are being very careful with their money and let's face it, a birdhouse doesn't fall in the "need" category for the average family!

I'm chalking this one up to experience and I feel good about what I've learned. I look forward to doing more craft shows because now I know I CAN do it! Next time we will choose one in a larger town, though.

Loaded up!

Tomorrow Mom and I are doing a Holiday Craft Show in Lamar, MO! We have the SUV all loaded up! We have our display screens strapped to the top, and the inside is full of birdhouses, ornaments, bags, giveaways, and our little overnight bags! What a load! We have a two hour drive to Lamar from Branson... I hope everything stays where it should!

I'll make a post Sunday or Monday after the show! Have a great weekend everyone!

~Angie

Almost time!

Mom and I are still gearing up for our craft show this weekend in Lamar, MO! Here's the most recent house we made! I love the scotty dog cookie cutter!

Woof Woof!

Fill this heart with love... and Starbucks gift cards!

Mom and I spent the day cutting and weaving together Danish Hearts for the ornament shop. We're using some of the prettiest seasonal paper I've ever seen. These are turning out just gorgeous!

Perfect for holding candy, flowers, a small gift, or even a gift card!

You can find Danish Woven Hearts in many colors and patterns here on ETSY!

Trying my hand at a new skill...

Today I painted some little reindeer ornaments! I'm a little unsure about them, but listed them on ETSY in the ornament shop anyway. I hope someone likes them!

I like seeing my initials on the bottom. Makes me feel proud!

Let It Snow Reindeer Ornament and Red Nosed Reindeer Ornament

Candy Cane Ornament Stand

Continuing to prepare for our craft show. Here is one of Mom's ornament display racks! Candy cane cute! We just have to finish painting it and staple garland around the sign. I think it will look so cute with Mom's creations on it!

Practice, Practice

Mom and I are doing our very first craft show in a week and a half! We made this folding screen to hang our birdhouses on! Isn't it great? I was practicing this morning so I could get a feel of what it will be like at the show. I'm really pleased and excited. We'll post actual photos of the show after it's over. Wish us luck on November 14th!