Sweet Success

Dear Friends and Readers, Today's sale was a huge success. I so appreciate all who came by, even just to say "hi". I felt loved and supported. Dear and WeeOne were in to visit, helped to haul out to the car, and generally happy encouragers. Yesterday, set-up day, MMH and WeeOne helped as Dear had to work. They didn't even complain when I left ALL my tablecloths at home and we had to go back before we could even begin to start unloading. Then, after all their help the girls went grocery shopping and I even received a 45 minute foot massage from WeeOne. I'm telling you, I just feel loved and spoiled.

The new location was AMAZING, with much room, ample parking and a happy atmosphere. We had 35 artists, and boy were they talented! Without sharing numbers I'll just happily say that my sales this year almost quadrupled from last year. Thank you to all my customers. It was encouraging to speak with some of the people who stopped by and commented on the "Christian slant" of my art, along with a number of other artists. I'm glad that people saw testimony of God's truth in some of my pieces.

The big hits of the day are pictured below.

A Bit of Charm necklaces

Amazingly, this year people preferred the more expensive versions.
Go figure.

Domino necklaces

I happily sold half of all I had made of these to one customer.

I hope the recipients of these enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.

This was a good batch of domino necklaces!

I was able to sell this set as a gift.

I hope the recipient knows how much love and thought went into this purchase.

A sweet sweet story.

All in all it was a fun and fulfilling day. Comments on the display were gracious and generous. Comments on the wall art warmed my heart. While the wall art didn't sell this year, my bottles began to sell and those didnt' move last year. We'll see what comes next.

Be watching...

Blessings,

Kim

We're ba-aaack!

Sorry for the "radio silence" but I hate to announce to the Internet world that we're leaving on a trip. Dear and I traveled, sans children, to Sanibel Island, FL where we had a little R&R in celebration of our anniversary.

Many many wonderful highlights of the trip will follow... but I want to have the pictures to go with the narrative, so you all have to wait.

In other news, Senior Son is completing his web page project for his computer class and .... drum roll...
it's a Whimsy and The Word web page... yep... no Etsy, no ArtFire (although I'll still list at ArtFire), but my very own web page.  How cool is that. Of course, he still has to get a server going, and get the page finished, and the kinks worked out, and I have to figure out paypall ... but hey... I can dream.

In the meantime you can still purchase from my other blog located at WhimsyandTheWord.blogspot.com, or use my Etsy or ArtFire links on the sidebar. And, as always I'm quite happy to work on special orders... currently I'm working on a mini-collage that will be divided 8 ways into friendship necklaces... when the friends are all together the necklaces can be placed together to complete the collage. Pretty cool, eh? I thought so. Occasionally I have a good idea.

Anyway... I'm doing things in this order:

1. finishing the photos and narrative for Senior Son's web project... I have to finish today.
2. writing a birth story... finish by Wed.
3. teaching a childbirth class for a couple for whom I'll be the doula.. class is tonight
4. working on plans for an art project for my last art class of the year
5. attending the funeral of my friend's mom
6. beginning the last month of "Starting Points" teaching
7. finishing Denise's necklace... (Hi Denise...I'm starting over because I was inspired today!)
8. Packing up the prizes and necklace and sending them to Denise
9. praying for my boys and their finals this week
10. attending Bible study
11. viewing "Around the World in 80 Days" in play form, about an hour from here, with our co-op
12. having our last academic co-op (next week is something special)
13. Other things... eat, cook, clean, laundry, etc.

Oh... and my anniversary gifts as if the trip weren't enough? A CD that Dear compiled for me and put our pics on the front, a poem he wrote (framed... twice... one for up front and one for wherever), and a Cherry Red Chevy S10 truck to replace Bluebell who has gone to live with dear friends since I think we all despaired of me EVER learning to drive a stick shift. Pictures will follow. New truck... Cherry Baby... as in "Sherry Baby"... as in the song... Dear helped me on this one. If something else comes to us we'll rename her. She's really really pretty and she has an ah-ooga horn! She seats four so our whole family can cram in there... if the boys aren't home.

Oh, and finally... Young Man added another cert to his pilot's license AND has a paid internship in VA this summer working as an airplane tech/mechanic. How cool is that? Although, I will miss him a whole whole lot. At least we get him for about 2 weeks before he has to head East.

Blessings,
Kim

Giveaway... change in plans

Okay all, this is making me sad, sad, sad. But, I've had exactly one comment on my contest. One. That's it.

So, I'm opening this up for one more week. That's it... Till April 22. Prizes leave this house on Friday, April 23.

So, here's the deal:

• leave a comment here and mention your favorite thing on this blog
• become a follower and leave a comment to let me know
• bring a new follower, they leave a comment and share that YOU brought them here, you BOTH get entered
• visit my Whimsy and The Word blog and become a follower
• bring a new follower to Whimsy and the Word, have them leave a comment and mention this contest and YOUR name, and you BOTH get entered.

EASY as pie. Lots of ways to get more than one entry.

~Now, perhaps the problem is this: You haven't seen what you're going to get. So, here's another change, I'm picking out a necklace for the winner...And there are at least two other gifts as well.

• "A Bit of Charm"copper necklace, "The Miss Emily" on a 22 inch copper ball chain, embellished with a lovely antique button. The back reads "Contemplate" in lovely coppery glitter.

• The Plain Princess... an altered notebook. 4.5 inches tall and 3.25 inches wide. The front and back have lovely paper cut outs dating from the early 1900s and late 1800s, layered with trim, scrap papers and coated in glitter. All sealed with a matte sealer to keep it fresh and lovely.

• "Fairy Tales in Glass"... DREAM... altered bottle with an excellent reproduction of a vintage postcard, layered on top of ledger paper from the late 1800's. covered with beeswax, embellished with vintage buttons, a lovely crystal, the tag "Dream"and all tied up with a gorgeous coppery rose bow.

All told this prize package is worth almost $40.00.

So, please please please share this with your friends. If you or someone else uses my button and blogs about the contest that will be another entry! (Just be sure and tell me so I know.)

Contest is open now... and closes next Thursday.

One more note... besides Peggy, because she already entered... open to US residents only... shipping and handling gets really intense otherwise... sorry lovely ladies... maybe in the future I'll be able to do this. But, I am keeping Peggy in the drawing... only fair since I added this later. No worries.

Blessings, Kim
p.s. Denise wins something no matter what... she's the only who posted to date. So, Denise, email me and we'll work out what kind of necklace you want... then I won't send it till next week in case you win this version of the contest as well.

AH HA ... a contest!

(Please note... this has now been edited)

Hey Ladies,

I reached 100 posts and didn't even realize it. So, here we are, post 101. It's funny as I've reached this same point several times over the years as I start and restart blogs. Just part of who I am I guess... always needing to start fresh.

Well, as promised, I'm holding a giveaway. Now, the key here is two-fold, and I'll be quite upfront with it. I want to thank my current readers, but I also want to gather in some new followers.

~So, if you are already a reader/follower, please comment and share what you have enjoyed about this blog.

~If you join as a new follower, please let me know (leave a comment)... that will give you a chance in the drawing.

~If you bring someone along as a new follower, not only do they get one chance, but you get a second chance. Just be sure to have them mention your name (or blog) in their comment. Each person should share why they enjoy this blog.

And the prize? Well, part of it will be that I will make a "Bit of Charm" or a "Domino" necklace for you. We'll work on it together, via email. The other part? Well, it will be something else I have made. A surprise. (Hint... I've been working notebooks, notecards, memory boxes and all sorts of things, so your prize will fun and if you want more ideas of what might be in the winning giveaway just visit WhimsyandTheWord.blogspot.com and see what else I've been making!) YEAH! I'm sure you are wondeirng though, "What necklaces?" I've shown two below to whet your appetite, BUT

~Well, visit my OTHER (WhimsyandTheWord)  blog and if you become a new follower there (or are already a follower and leave a new comment) I'll give you ANOTHER entry in the drawing. Yep, that's right. And the rules continue as above... if  you bring someone else to THAT blog as a follower then I'll happily give you each a draw in the entry. Of course, if you come to the other blog, you'll have to comment... here or there... as I have noted above, just note that it's for my blog contest.

Now, here's another fun thing. I would LOVE to have this grow bigger. So, if you want to save the picture in the post and use it on your blog's sidebar and link it to this post or in a post about this giveaway that will give you ANOTHER entry in the draw.Yep, I guess I'm feeling generous today.

Oh, and the important question, "When will this end?"  Well, I guess let's give it one week. April 15 the contest will end at midnight Eastern time.

A recap of the ways to enter:

1. leave a comment here about your favorite post, or why you like this blog
2. become a new follower and leave a comment
3. bring a new follower, and have them leave your name/contact info in their comment 
4. become a follower of my other blog
5. bring a follower to my other blog and have them inclued your name/contact/blog info in their comment.
6. use my picture above in a post or on your sidebar. (you'll have to email that you've done so in order for me to know)

That makes for a lot of possible ways to earn an entry. Enjoy.

In case you just don't think you'll like the necklace, in case you just don't want to be bothered with going to the other blog... here's a hint of what I've already made and what we can design together for you... IF you're the winner.
If you visit the other blog search under "necklaces" and you'll see more of what you could win.

Playing Catch Up!

Today is the first day in a long while in which I'm starting to feel myself again. It's been a busy few weeks here and the future also promises to be quite busy.

As the weather's been warmer Dear has been coming home earlier and we've been eating on our deck each night. What a treat!

We're all enjoying the swing each day. Sometimes we cuddle up and listen to the birds, other times we're out reading in the sun, sometimes it's just a good place to escape, pray and think.

This was a fabulous find at one of the best garage sales I ever attended. Turns out the person running the sale was closing out her antique business, but she was doing it at garage sale prices. I think I paid perhaps 50 cents for this lantern. Young Man wanted me to clean up the rust. ACK! Instead I've left it out to weather some more. In the evenings we light the candle and enjoy the flickering light as we eat.

"MMH" loves to lean on the deck and dream.

Okay... she doesn't really. But, she was amenable to a pose or two for me as I work on my "The Artistic Mothers" photography assignment.

We're supposed to shoot photos of our kids regularly. A while back we were to get them "in action." I thought this one was fun. Looks like she's flying...

If you jump to my other blog you'll find that I've been busy making jewelry.

And finally, if you jump to my third blog you'll find that I shared a testimony at our first Indiana Christian Childbirth Expo.

It's been busy and it's nice for things to slow a bit.

Coming up:

I'm doula for births with the following due dates: April 9, May 29, June 6, July 8 and Oct. 1.

I also have several sets of childbirth classes to teach over the next two months.

Dear and I celebrate 25 years of marriage next week!

Later we'll take a glorious trip to Sanibel Island WITHOUT the kids and enjoy some time together!

July will find Dear turning 50! We hope to do the Durango/Silverton railroad experience!

China Sisters Reunion comes back in mid July as well... July will be crazy!

Have a glorious day!

Shalom, Kim

~Song of Solomon 2: 11-13~ (as posted on my other blog)

11For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

12The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle dove is heard in our land;

13The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.

~Ode to Bluebell~

This is Bluebell.

She was lonely and covered in snow.

Today she was not covered in snow.

She was not lonely.

She was jumping around the parking lot at church.

Today I learned, sort of, to drive a stick shift.

Bluebell really wants to go to a big auction or a great garage sale.

But only if there is easy parking that doesn't require hills or backing up.

Isn't she pretty?

I tried to find another photo.

I have no idea where it is.

Bluebell... you are going to have so much fun this summer.

Once I learn how to let the clutch out.

SLOWLY!

Blessings, Kim

p.s. if you want to see some cool photos of my art and craft work jump over to

http://whimsyandtheword.blogspot.com/.

bookmark it.

become a follower.

find some cool art.

comment.

you get the idea :~)

~Grand Opening of the New Blog~

In keeping with my move to making my art more easily found, more easily marketed and more easily seen... I have decided to begin a blogfolio of my artwork. If you jump over to the other site you'll note I give Kara the credit for this idea.

While some who read here may enjoy my art, that is not the main purpose of this blog. I will still post photos here, but probably not as many or with the total story for each. All my art will still be available via my Etsy or ArtFire stores, and also you can simply email me and ask me to make something. (This works over on the online sites as well...)

Currently the photos are not yet posted as I am re-shooting every piece in order to provide the best pictures possible. I've been learning more about how to shoot the pieces and my sweet Dear gave me a new camera for Christmas... so now I'll put both the knowledge and the camera to good use.

I'll still be posting here, and also on my doula site, but will now be posting my art at my other site... http://whimsyandtheword.blogspot.com/.

Blessings!
Kim

Art & Soul 2009 ~ The Pictures

For those who've wondered, the show went, and it's over. I didn't become a millionaire overnight, but I did sell things. The best part? My husband told me he was proud of me. That's worth WAY more than a million dollars. My booth was right by a world map, and while lots of people enjoyed looking at the map it certainly made my booth feel more jumbled to have all that DETAIL hanging behind me. Or maybe my booth was a bit jumbled. How does one display the work of an entire year when there are SO MANY different types of things to work on?!

You can see the banner, sort of, on the front of the table. That might be the other reason it didn't sell... hard to see when you're short on space and something is hanging OFF the table... It's all a learning curve.


I make these cabinet card greeting cards and also note cards and just plunked them in this basket. The problem is the cabinet cards are a "presentation gift" and so both outside AND inside are covered... how to display them??? I have no idea.


Jewelry hung from this old mug holder. It was okay... but the necklaces really started selling when I laid them out on the table. Still working on display ideas for next year.

The trees were pretty, but perhaps hard to get to? Sold a few of the ornaments, but not enough to count it a success. Not sure if I'll do those again or not. That's the hard thing... was it the first show lack of finesse in display, was it pricing, was it not to people's taste? Again... learning curve.

You can see a few of my memory boxes here and a few of my bottles. One box sold to a family in town. The rest are on sale right now at Lola Rue. So, if you're interested run over there and pick one up. They're mighty cute! Lola Rue is on College Ave. on the West side of the street just before you get downtown... I think maybe 8Th Street or thereabouts is the nearest crossroad.

And here you see the other end of the table... just hard to display things like this...

I'm already working on next year. Items I plan to sell:

• button necklaces
• copper charm necklaces
• pillows (using an idea I made years and years ago... )
• knit scarves
• memory boxes again?
• encaustic (I'm determined to teach this town about the beauty of encaustic.)

My bottles were admired by every single person who stopped at my booth. They all picked them up and oohed and ahhed, but no buyers. Next plan is to bring them to a nearby arts and crafts town where many Victorian style things sell well. I'll let you all know what happens.

So, success? Between the show and two special orders I am in the black. Any supplies already here are covered income-wise by the show and the orders. We'll see what happens next year.

Hope you ALL can join us. Please come, it was a great show with MANY talented artists. Two of my friends are now filling orders for a New York boutique! I'm so proud of them.

Blessings, Kim

Whimsy and The Word etsy shop

Welcome to my world of glitter, vintage postcards, antique buttons, unique jars and encaustic wax! If you want to learn about my creations feel free to read earlier posts and then stop by my NEW Etsy shop. That's right... I opened a new shop. The old "All that glitters" is now bare and empty and will soon be gone altogether.

With the beginning of this new venture my magpie friend suggested I find a new name that really spoke about me and my work. After pages of failed attempts... just ask her, I sent them ALL to her for her comments... I finally happened upon my new business name.

WHIMSY and THE WORD

I love whimsical things... fairies, and glitter and such. I LOVE words. But, most of all I love THE word.. hence the capital "T" in the word "the"... okay, just go with it, alright? Okay...

So, my first big venture was the Art and Soul show on November 28. My next venture was FINALLY filling a special order of knit scarves for my aunt, and then beginning work on another special order of copper charm necklaces. But, the next step entailed me bringing my memory boxes to a local art shop... Lola Rue... where the owner took them on consignment. I have yet to be brave enough to see if any have sold. Seriously... I hope SOMEONE liked them.

Now I'm putting items up in my Etsy shop, and hopefully after Christmas (maybe before?) I'll make a trek to our local arts and crafts town to see if any of the art stores there are interested in my encaustic work. Although I had good words of praise from JoAnnA Pierroti... a published encaustic artist (among many other things she does), and also some nice words from the owner of Lola Rue, I was told that people in our town "wouldn't get it".... meaning that in her store they have bottles that are not as detailed and don't use the same method (encaustic) and so the cost is less and people won't understand it. She did mention my bottles and "Silver Bella" in the same sentence so I felt good about that.

Well, guess that's it.

Oh, you want to see some things? Well, for a quick glimpse look up in the upper right corner to my Etsy button and you'll see the first four pieces I put in my shop. For more on my bottles look at previous posts under the tag "art" and you'll see what they're like. They're all for sale and if you see one you have to have (YIPPEE... I'll dance a jig) then I'll be happy to work with you.

One more thing... if you have a bottle or a picture or a piece of jewelry and want to have it made into something very special... well, just email or comment and I'll be SOOOO happy to work with you. My hands are itching to be working with the wax again!

Blessings, Kim