Intown Holiday Market at Brady Sullivan Plaza Thursday, December 15, 2016

Oh dear!  The season is over for me, but this last Thursday at the Intown Holiday Market was a wonderful day, despite my lonely location (all the other vendors by me were not there) and the freezing temperatures (and I mean inside at my spot!).  A big THANK YOU to all my customers who ventured to my area.

As you can see, the areas behind my customers is empty, but they brightened my day with their smiles and stories of gift buying.

My first couple!!!  Sonny and Rosa were good sports letting me take their picture. They look so good!  Thanks Sonny and Rosa!

Cindy bought a boxwood kissing ball, which for the first time I tried making with oasis balls.  Should last you a long time with the fact that you can submerge in water for ultimate watering.  Thanks Cindy!

I couldn't even count how many people LOVED my gourd arrangements. Everyone seemed to come and look at them.  NOT ONE SOLD!  I don't really understand it, but at least they were admired.  Next year I am going to have natural ones sealed for the weather....I'm still learning!!

Cathy asked me last week to make a certain heart for her and I loved doing it and it came out great.  I hadn't made a tree mosaic in the smaller hearts yet and her suggestion will definitely make more of them to come in the future.  Before she came by, I noticed an imperfection that I hadn't seen and offered to fix it for her and mail it back in just a few days, free of charge.  She agreed, to my delight, and I will be sending that back to her.  Thanks Cathy!

Lisa, if you see this, you requested some smaller heart types from me and I did make them.  If you still want them, send a message to me on Etsy, Facebook or this website and we could arrange it.  If you changed your mind, no worries.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have had many couples as in these 2 (mother/daughter) Carol and Julie.  I have met mother/daughter, father/son, grandmother/granddaughter, sisters, friends, but Sonny and Rosa were my first couple couple.  Carol and Julie bought a purpleheart with pearl heart mosaic after a few minutes of looking at ones that caught their eyes.  I am trying to make so many different kinds that customers will not know which to choose, ha ha!  Thank you Carol and Julie!

Jessica and Jackie are friends that I would say work in the building because they did not have coats on!  Jackie bought a small purpleheart with an abalone dot inlay and Jessica, after a little coaxing, was nice enough to be in the picture and it's a great picture with 2 wonderful smiles! Thanks girls! 

Barbara was looking for an item to bring to a houseparty that night and chose a log arrangement which I made for her as she waited.  I had put them on sale for my last day at a price of $15.00 each (really an incredible bargain for the full and varied gorgeousness of the beautiful evergreens and also the decorations) and they went fast, but as usual I brought all the fixin's to make more, until I ran out of cones at the end of the day.  Thank you so much Barbara (not like Barbra Streisand, spelling that is right?, ha ha!)!!!!!!!

Sue also bought a log arrangement.  There was one left, but she wanted a different bow and it was no problem at all to change it to red as she walked around to look at other booths and picked it up on her way out.  I hope you found what you misplaced and thank you so much Sue!!!

And here's Carrie, I'll have to say my customer of the day!!  She bought a log arrangement last week along with a smaller one and loved the log so much that she came to me today and ordered 3 more with similar decorations!  Wow!  Did that make me feel good.  Thank you so much Carrie and ................you look marvelous!!

I love my log arrangements!!!  When I worked at a few different garden centers/florist, I made their versions of cemetery baskets.  That is how it started with me, but I have altered them to my desires of how I want them to look.  My husband, John, and I make them ourselves and he has perfected his method of sawing and assembly and they are so sturdy and fabulously rustic with the bark, that I love them.  Since I'm saying "love" so much, I will say it again that I love evergreens. I want to combine many kinds, different shades of greens and grays, and different shapes and sizes of needles, that will compliment each other.  Then adding cones, berries, glitzy balls (depending on wanting bling), sticks (which Barbara says make it) and a beautiful bow (which I have been told I make the best ones) makes a complete holiday arrangement.  There are so many uses for them besides just the cemetery (a lot of people don't even do that nowadays) like on a mantle or in front of a fireplace, on a step or stoop, or even as a centerpiece.  I also do these log arrangements with oasis so it can be watered and survive in a house atmosphere for a few weeks or so if watered a few times a week, but can also be put outside and ignored (except for the beauty).  If anyone was ever interested in obtaining one, just message me on Etsy, my website or Facebook and arrange it with me.

I love the Holidays:  the music, the sharing with family and friends, the sparkle and brightness of all the decorating.  I'm always sorry when it ends....but I go on with life of course.  Ask my family, I put the tree up early and I keep it up as long as I can and I have a dear connection to Christmas trees, I call them "memory trees."  I know the holidays can be stressful, financially and just all around busy-ness, but try to put everything in perspective and simplify it if you need to and are able to.  John and I don't always give the most gifts to the most people, but we do what we can to show others love and celebration.  I hope everyone has each their own good time with their family and friends and follow my credo (in your own way) to.......................DECORATE YOUR LIFE!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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6th Annual Atkinson Women's Club Holiday Artisan Craft/Food Market 2016

This beautiful picture does not show how cold the day was this past Saturday at the 2016 Atkinson Women's Club Holiday Craft/Food Market.  This fair is just a small fair inside this building, but is always a great time and a good sales day for me.  

There are a few side rooms off the main hallway, of which my booth is in the first one to the left as you enter, and then at the end of the hallway is the main room with vendors all around the room and in the center.  A lot of vendors prefer to be in the main room probably where a lot of action is, but I love the side rooms. Mine had myself and one other vendor, and I think we complimented each others items, and also we had a great atmosphere with our own Christmas music for ambiance! People entering the room remarked on the wonderful evergreen scent which at first some were bewildered thinking it was coming from the artificial wreaths and such from All Things Repurposed!

Between both of our booth set-ups, the room was full of holiday gifts and goodies, and very festive decorating.

The All Things Repurposed booth was manned by Bill and Linda from East Hampstead  who are a married couple promoting this tasteful, country-ish store.

Olivia and Susan, I hope her mom doesn't see this post.....right you guys!?

Laura bought a few hearts from me, a large tree mosaic and a small heart mosaic, and allowed me to snap a pic of her lovely smile.  Thanks Laura!

I was telling Bill from the Repurposed store that when I make things at the shows, boom....someone buys them and Krysten showed him that it was true because I just made the kissing ball 5 minutes ago and she liked it and scoffed it up.  Now....sometimes people say to me, oh I don't look too good, as Krysten did, but as you can see, of course she does!  Thanks Krysten!

Two of my favorite customers sought me out at this fair to purchase another item from me which warms my heart so much.  Olivia purchased a small heart from me at the Londonderry Fair and saw this piece of art of mine.  Afterwards, Susan, Olivia's grandmother, sent me a message on my website of their interest in it.  It was one of my 2 first pieces I designed and made to venture out in a more intricate and artistic way, and I was so pleased to have them appreciate this.  Thanks so much!

Angela bought a small curly maple heart that I just finished a few days ago.  I had to handwrite the card with the wood type and inlay type info.....I am always on the run and catching up.  Thanks Angela!

When I do my shows around the holidays and I have the evergreens, I cart around ALL my supplies, decorations and greens to be able to make almost anything for someone if they ask.  I usually can duplicate any arrangement they see of mine that are completed and on display for purchase.   

GFWC Hudson Junior Women's Club 40th Annual Craft Fair at Hudson Memorial School

The 40th Annual GFWC Hudson Junior Women's Club Craft Fair was a great experience on this blustery, sunny day at this long-standing event.  It is always one of my best fairs of the year and the cramped high school hallways with all my arrangements and extras to make whatever comes up, does not deter me from this wonderful time.

Cindy and Lisa love these holiday craft fairs and their exuberance distracted me from noticing that the picture was BLURRY!  Sorry girls!

As you can see from Cindy and Lisa's smiles and outfits, it was a fun, bright and festive atmosphere that goes so well with the Christmas music in the hallway and the squeaking of sneakers on the basketball court (which was close to my spot).

purpleheart wood heart with golden mother-of-pearl poinsettia inlay

As many of my customers that are good sports and allow me to take their pictures or their youngsters pictures for my blogs, there are many who prefer not to, which as I have said I absolutely understand.  One of those customers was a lovely lady who purchased 5 of my hearts; different sizes, designs.  I appreciate that so much and I think that if the heart doesn't represent the total present for someone, that it makes a great little addition to a main gift.  She purchased my newest design, this poinsettia heart which I was so pleased at how it came out.

Jen purchased this small redheart heart with pearl heart inlay and Hope liked my osage orange keychain heart with antique skeleton key, an idea that came about as a gift to my neice's daughter, Aundrea, which symbolically says "you are the key to my heart."  

Thanks Hope!  Take the time to look closely at the heart, slowly move it around and watch it shimmer and change.

Thanks Jen!  That pearl heart inlay looks 3D!

I LOVE ALL THESE SMILES!!!!!!

Deb, you and your teammates do a super job!

Deb, who is part of the incredible team that makes this event run so smoothly, always buys something from me and I want to thank her for everything.

What a great picture June!  It was worth the wait....right!

June saw the boxwood kissing ball that Deb purchased and since I always cart around all the extras, I had everything to make it for her.  This is the first year I've tried using the oasis ball instead of styrofoam for the boxwood because it absorbs water for the boxwood to last longer. Boxwood does dry fairly well though, it doesn't lose all the leaves.

long-lasting boxwood tree arrangement

Lisa, the epitome of bright, winter comfy-ness!

What a pleasure to speak to Lisa, a customer from last years show, and hearing her story about her purchase. She bought a similar boxwood tree arrangement for a yankee swap gift.  She thought it would be THE gift to get at the swap and to her surprise the recipient of the arrangement SWAPPED it!  Well, the person who got it after that loved it.  She said it lasted until February! That's what so great about them that not everyone realizes, you get a lot for your money and what a great story, thanks Lisa!     

Well, every show is different and you cannot always predict what will sell.  If you think about it, it seems so logical that if someone doesn't have any children to buy for, they will not stop at the doll or toy truck booth.  If someone is only looking for jewelry, they will not stop at the candle booth, etc., etc.  So you just keep "the right frame of mind" and accept it, but always look to improve.  At this fair I didn't sell one bag, sold only a few evergreen arrangements, but sold many hearts.  I sold out of my small hearts, but for 2 with dot inlays. Consequently, I am making hearts!  I just had delivered some big leaf curly maple that is incredible and is only grown in Northern California, Washington and Oregon, along with Honduran mahogany and east indian rosewood.  So, I better get working because I need them for Thursday at the Intown Holiday Market! 

I stand behind all my work/creations, but am always working and learning and trying new things and want to know if anything ever fails with an arrangement or something I have produced.  I can make it right for you!

Team TuTas 2016 Holiday Fair at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nashua, NH

This darling red cardinal on my gourd arrangement looks like he's cocking his head to greet the shoppers at the 2016 Team TuTas Holiday Fair at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua.  It is a beautiful hotel and as such were the lobby and conference room to make for an upscale atmosphere for the vendor displays.  Team TuTas is an organization that participates in breast cancer support events, with all the proceeds from this fair going to the cause  and at the end of my blog I have included a brief description from the co-captain, Amanda Lawrence, along with links to their sites.  

There were 70+ vendors with a wide variety of items for sale and the shoppers could spend all their money on their purchases because the entrance fee was $0!!!  The conference room was packed full, I see the reason now for the restrictions on space, and in the lobby vendors down one hallway and the other with the bake sale and raffle table in the center.

It was a very cold, drizzly, gloomy day outside, but inside the mood was bright and festive.  Although I always feel that Christmas music in this setting adds so much to the experience and getting everyone in the mood, these participants certainly had no problem. 

There were vendors down one lobby corridor and down another.

The conference room had vendors in all different configurations, but plenty of aisle-walking area!

The bake sale table and raffle tables area in the center lobby were bustling.  There were many raffle items, some big time prizes.

I made my booth space work although I brought only a few evergreen arrangements because of space size restrictions, but it's obvious why it was necessary.  My neighbor, Rose, made the closeness a positive with her happy attitude.    

No takers on my kissing ball and boxwood tree arrangement. I think the interested buyers may feel a tinge of regret not purchasing them.

One of my newest and cutest bags

Chantal loved the tree mosaic design and told me it was a unique gift.  I told her I had a cousin named Chantal and that she was from Canada.  She said she born there too!

As usual, many thanks to the good sport customers that allow me to take their pictures with their purchase from me. There are some that prefer not to and I can understand and I'm fine with that, but I just love some extra stories about them and/or why they are purchasing and for who, and mostly the genuine smiles. Thanks again!!

I did not sell any gourd arrangements either, not for lack of interest or compliments though.  And I did get something that I was amazed at....a new way to describe my gourd arrangements from a customer....."gourd"geous!  Wow!

Sue chose the cute marblewood heart with the abalone dot inlay.

Jen and Kim were fun-loving and laughing, Kim edging into the picture at the last moment (sorry for the tag in your face, Kim, but you guys distracted me with comedy).  Jen bought the small redheart with a pearl heart inlay.

Who is Team TuTas? We are a team of women & men who participate in multi-day walks to raise money for breast cancer programs. It was started by Kathey, my mother in law, and I in 2011. Kathey is a 11-year Survivor! In 2012 & 2013, we participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in Boston. In 2015 & 2016, we participated in GloriDays, a 3 day, 44-mile breast cancer walk in Bristol, RI to benefit the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation. Team TuTas raised over $12,000 for the the GloriDays events! In total, out team has raised over $38,000 for breast cancer programs. In 2017, our team is proud to be participating in the GloriDays event for the third year! Each of our team walkers must raise a minimum of $1,500 to walk and our volunteer crew teammates will also help raise funds, while spending 4 days volunteering to support the amazing GloriDays event. We also donate funds to other cancer programs that support education, awareness & treatment support. Our team has included 3 breast cancer Survivors! All proceeds from Registration Fees, the Fundraising Raffle & the Bake Sale table we are hosting at the Craft Fair will be donated to cancer programs on behalf of Team TuTas.

www.teamtutas.com

www.facebook.com/teamtutas

4th Annual Londonderry High School Class of 2017 Craft and Vendor Fair

This beautiful, sunny Saturday was the backdrop to the holiday craft fair at the Londonderry High School. This year was my 3rd year attending the fair and it has the charm and feeling of community that a school fair has including the great addition of having the students helping and making the whole event run smoothly. 

cafeteria vendors

cafeteria vendors

a view of the lobby vendors

student volunteers

the raffle section in the lobby

Olivia was here with her grandmother (?), who gave the ok along with Olivia to take her picture with the darling little heart she bought.

I was so happy that Kathleen bought a gourd arrangement from me.  As cute as they are and people say to me, the sales have been down from when I first made some.  She's going to set it outside her window so she can look out and admire it.

I did get to take pictures of my customers at this event, thankfully.  It makes it more interesting for me and I hope my customers like being in my blog.

What a great picture of Sherie and her mother, Ardie....lovely smiles.

As I said in my last blog, I need more tapestry bags. I made a few more which this tapestry bag bought by Judy and Athena was one of.  I loved it and knew it would sell, but I didn't even get a chance to take a picture of it.  I had it mostly done, finished in the beginning of the show and sold it before the show ended.  I'm fine with it, but I knew it would be liked.

Judy was at the fair with her godmother, Athena.

At my next show in Nashua at the Crowne Plaza, I will have some fresh holiday evergreen arrangements.  Looking forward to my first show there!

The 27th Annual Manchester Memorial High School Holiday Craft Fair

This was my second year at the Memorial Holiday Craft Fair and as usual this long-standing fair was a great time!  I couldn't take pictures of my customers for my blog this time, but I have decided to post more about my items sold instead.

A couple of my daughter Alyssia's favorites that she was nice enough to model for me this summer, were sold to my unique bag customers.

This big, bronze tiger bag has been one of my favorites.  I had it for a while, but I knew someone would love it and buy it someday!

Along with the bronze tiger bag, these 2 tapestry bags were purchased.  If I had another, that would've been purchased also!  I need to make a few more tapestry bags!

This darling, embroidered young girls bag was purchased with another bag (a new one, didn't have time to list or take pics of).  I love these gingham bags I made this summer and am so happy to see them going to a youngster.

This dutch-like backpack was a popular item on Saturday, admired by some and then finally purchased by a bag lover, but not for her....for someone else!

Some of my sales were for hearts.  This mosaic tree design below is one of mine that was conceived from my constant need to find a use/place for seemingly unusable pieces of things. 

Out of that need came this design which is one of my best I think.  The incredible variations in the pieces shimmer and bounce as hangs and moves. 

This picture does not do this heart justice. The Redheart wood in the inlay is so deep red and the grain so pronounced it's stunning.

These 2 heart designs were purchased, the curly maple is a new design this month and the rosewood was new at the beginning of this year.

This large bag from my summer tote selections made this year for the Veteran's Park shows, was a flowery, fringy delight, with bold colors and plenty of room! 

Thanks everyone!

Also, thanks to Ms. Chabot for the funny company and the memories of her being my childrens' teacher (at least Alyss') and all the students whose lives she has touched coming up and saying "Hi" to her.  I was one of those people last year when she was across the aisle to my booth and now this year right beside her.  My old alma mater and all those memories, childrens' teachers, neighborhood friends, a very nostalgic time. 

The Great New England Craft Fair

A beautiful fall Sunday morning at the NH Dome's Great New England Craft Fair begins the 2nd day of this wonderful mix of artisans and crafters.  Walking around I see such talented people intricately involved with their products and displaying and explaining their techniques and incredible items.  Certainly something for everyone! 

I made some new heart designs this week and had this opportunity to display them here at the dome.  I have recently used some Redheart wood for the first time and inlayed some with a golden mother-of-pearl heart for contrast and used it as an inlay heart on curly maple for that contrast.  To enhance the light curly maple color on the above heart, I used not golden, but this more dark mother-of-pearl as a mosaic and as critical as I am of my own work, this design blew me away!

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of having someone with me in my booth for the whole day................Wow!  Thanks Laurene!  I always welcome visitors to my booth, thanks to all my PEEPS :) that do visit/help, but it was a treat to have conversation all day long.  It can be quiet with just myself, until customers come along and then I have a lot to say if they like me to explain my products.  Laurene aided me with accolades of my items to the customers and the right things to say to encourage some sales.

On Sunday, my customer, Maria, chose my new redheart design.  She reciprocated my asking for her picture to have me reach in her own cute, little velvet bag to retrieve a stone and mine said "joy".  I felt joy from this gesture.  Thank you Maria!

Lori also liked the small heart, this one with the pearl dot inlay.  

Lori with her small heart (only the one in her hand), a good sport letting me take her pic.

Patti, who wants to put the small hearts as an embellishment on her gifts this holiday...........well, I love that!

Maria with her velvet bag of stones.

I can see the "love" between these two "lovely" customers, Sonia and Jade.

Later on, Sonia and Jade purchased one of my old favorites, the rustic "love" rosewood heart that surprisedly, but so interestingly developed a curve in the heart that was not planned.

And then there was Patti, my customer of the day, purchasing 10 hearts!  She loved them.......I loved her!  She did MY HEART so much good.

Of course, these remembrance hearts have to be special ordered so the particular initials can be inlaid.

I received my first order for a remembrance heart!  I have given one as a remembrance of a deceased loved one, but hadn't gotten an order yet.  I was given a pocket angel when my brother passed away and the comfort I got from reaching in my pocket and feeling that angel was pretty amazing, to feel ANY comfort.  I have always loved the cool, smooth feel of my hearts and I thought that they could have the same effect with the added beauty of the heart that can be displayed.  My customer gave me another thought and chose a heart with a pearl heart inlay to do the initials on the other side and so both sides have inlay.  We had a little confusion about what she wanted, but this idea only makes it more special.  Thanks Kerry!

I had a few other special requests and of course I will try to make them happen for everyone.  I will be looking for that lavender color fabric for the clutch-size bag that Linda was looking for and I did put aside the bag Donna wanted and hope to fill that request also.  In preparing for this show, I have not updated my Etsy shop and website which will be up-to-date this week with the complete list of upcoming shows and current/holiday items listed.  Thanks to all that made this event so terrific and looking forward to more shows there and all the holiday shows coming up this year! 

Shiloh Community Church Harvest Fest

Everyone was wowed by the beauty and majesty of the Mounted Police Horse.

A wonderful hidden gem of fall events last Saturday was the Shiloh Community Church Harvest Fest in west Manchester by the Piscataquog River.  Such a fun, friendly event with all kinds of games and activities for kids including  food and drinks for everyone and all for free!

Pastor Will, Lisa and the volunteers welcomed all to participate in the fun including ball games, pumpkin/face painting, bouncy houses, picture taking, eating and visiting with the local police and fire. 

Free Harvest Pictures!

Vendors aligned the church lot with many great gift items for the holidays or any day and on the far left was a farmer's market.

Sales were good, the friendly vibe was all around.  I sold hearts and keychains and bags and especially 2 of my funky big totes that I made for my summer shows.

And another of one of my favorite clutch-size plush bags!

Even the vendors could participate for free!  How great is that!

Thanks to everyone for all the help and for sharing the good times.

Made in NH Expo: Saturday

What a great day at the Made in NH Expo Saturday!  It seems like the place to see and be seen.  So many nice people, families, friends, having so much fun checking out all the different vendors, sampling wonderful foods, and enjoying the entertainment.  It was a crowded day, but all baby strollers, wheelchairs and walkers were welcomed and all people seemed happy to take their time and go with the flow.  I had so many wonderful customers to talk with and share my story to.  Some asked of all my seemingly unconnected products, "So what is the story behind this display?"  I was happy to fill them in.  Here are pics of some good-hearted people that let me take their picture for my blog. 

Pam and Debbie checking out my hearts.  Thanks for letting me take your picture after your purchase!

Thanks Donna, Dot and Betsy for allowing me to take your picture after your purchase!  (Sorry for the closed eyes, I didn't have my close glasses on)

Some of these bags have been sold, but they will be 10% off today.

Well, I will be leaving for the final day of the expo and my special for this day will be 10% off all of my bags!  This was my first year and I am so proud to be a vendor at this expo.  It means so much to me to be a part of the artisan community of NH.  Thanks!

Karin will put my heart on her beautiful lit tree in her home with all her special, collectable items.  The Osage Orange wood will certainly sparkle with the lights.  Thanks Karin!

Ernie is my example that my products are not just for women.  Thanks Ernie for letting me take your picture and for purchasing some bags for your, as you told me, Large collection of pouches.  I also had a gentleman purchase some bags, one to use for his chess pieces (it was very soft and velvety.)

And you didn't want your picture taken!  What a great picture and thanks to Staci and Beth for this bag purchase.

And last...........but CERTAINLY not least is the Wolfman from Clarks Trading Post!!!  Like I said......"see and be seen!"

Made in NH Expo

Well.....the Made in NH Expo 2016 began yesterday!!!  This is a long standing expo lasting 21 years!  There are so many great vendors with unique and really beautiful products.  You are "missing out" if you don't "check it out."  I have a few free admission tickets left if anyone wanted to contact me for Sunday's show (I'll be unavailable and at the show today.)  I wanted to post my show special which will be a big discount price for my latest dollhouse for $300.00.  If anyone is looking for one now or in the near future, it's a great price!

My booth # is 527 if you are coming down and of course, I've got to go NOW!!!!   See you there!

In the Workshop: Heart Production

Producing in the workshop, making new items, gearing up for the Made in NH Expo at the Radisson end of April, always a lot to do!  

resawn exotic hardwoods

Tiger Caspi hardwood hearts, not finished