Collaboration!

I'm so pleased to announce an upcoming collaboration with one of my favorite Etsy artists, Stephanie Corfee!

I'd been a fan of Stephanie's work for ages and it all solidified when we attended an event sponsored by DesignSponge at Terrain a few months ago. We were neighbors at the crafting table and hit it off.

I'm so happy to be starting on stone coaster sets featuring some of my favorite pieces Stephanie's. Her bohemian sensibilities, playful vibe and bold colors really resonated with me and are going to be so stunning on these coaster sets!

As always, the coasters will be meticulously handmade in my studio, with great care, ensuring that they last years and years!

I'm so excited to be working with Stephanie on this super special project! Head on over to her Etsy shop and check her out!

It Was Just What I Needed

I'm so honored to be included in Stephey Baker's Courage to Fly blog hop! Over the next six weeks, 39 beautiful souls will be sharing their thoughts on creativity, expression and what it takes to spiritually soar alongside your dreams. I'll be sharing some of my thoughts on how I overcame a stubborn case of the winter creative blues. As my inspiration, I'll be using the question "What is one thing that you need in your life, that upon receiving it, would take you to the skies?"

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Spring is here! It's official!

The first sign of spring in my neck of the woods is the appearance of the crocuses and daffodils peeking out of the soil. It's always a very happy day for me when they can first be seen making their grand debut.

This winter was hard for me. It was long and cold and my creativity and creative spirit seemed to winter over along with the bulbs in my yard.

My business had the usual peak of the holidays and then, the ultimate lull afterwards. Holiday orders hit me hard and heavy this year... more than I had anticipated. I think it just wiped my creativity dry... physically and mentally.

Normally, once I hit the middle of January, my creative spark comes back and I'm ready to take on the world again. But, this year, things were different.

The words just wouldn't come.
The images in my head that compel me to create them just weren't there.
The music that usually gets me going was just falling on deaf ears.

Through this dark creative time, I realized that my body, mind and spirit were demanding what they needed. Just as my body craves vitamins and minerals, it was now craving time and rest.

So, I listened. I waited. I tried not to push.
And it came back.
With the Spring, it came back.

That quiet, that patience, those moments alone with myself is just what I needed to fly. The lesson that I learned was to listen to my "self," not to push and to give my spirit just what it craved.

As a small, creative business owner, it's drilled into me that I need to produce... I need to work... I need to hustle constantly. I need to have big ideas brewing all the time and be taking the big steps to make them happen. But my body and mind told me otherwise and I'm so glad that I listened.

As we change seasons, what is your creative spirit telling you? Have you just sat and listened? Thought and felt?

It's a powerful thing to let our creativity and our spirit drive our production. It may be the most effective way to work through blocks and experience true growth.

Listen, rest and bloom...

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It's a pleasure to participate in The Courage To Fly blog hop organized by Stephey Baker and Handmade Spark! Thanks so much for joining me!

The Steven Tyler Effect

If you're anything like me, and millions of people in America right now, you're loving the new season of American Idol. We all wondered what the energy would be like with the new judges and I, for one, am really pleased.

We all knew that J Lo was a kind hearted, sweet person who would judge with a soft hand. And Randy... we all knew what to expect from him.

But the real standout this year for me is Steven Tyler.

I never really knew much about Steven Tyler... he's the frontman for Aerosmith who I assumed lived the usual rockstar life. I figured he was a little flaky, probably a little lecherous and maybe even full of himself. That was all before I started watching him on AI.

He's shown what I now call "The Steven Tyler Effect." He's shown heart and kindness and a restrained, perfect amount of crazy to the nation. And we LOVE him for it. America is eating him up right now!

We loved seeing him lean in to the wheelchair bound girlfriend of early favorite, Chris Medina. The moment that Steven whispered in her ear and we caught the words of that very private moment, I heard the nation fall in love with him.

And it got me thinking, what part of myself have I never shown the world (even just my twitter or facebook audience) that might really make them "get" me? I challenge you to consider the same thing along with me. What small part of yourself do you keep hidden away that might make all the difference in someone really gravitating to you and what you offer, present or even sell online?

It might be frightening to show that part of you that is sentimental or soft, maybe hard edged or tough as nails. I've watched week after week now of Steven kissing male contestants on the cheek, grooving along with their songs with reckless abandon and showing that kind of passionate living that we all strive for.

It's being unabashedly yourself. It's loving fully and connecting deeply to those around you. It's soul stirring to watch and inspiring to consider trying for yourself. It's living life in truest rockstar fashion... in the moment, full of life.

So, do it. What do you have to show me?

Just do me a favor and don't trash any hotel rooms.

*Photo credit - Rockstar fine art photo print from Licorice Prints on Etsy.

Happy Holidays!

I've had a really fabulous and surprising holiday rush! My business this season has more than doubled from last year and I'm thankful beyond belief. This business growth has allowed wonderful opportunities for my family and that's just huge. Thank you to all my friendly and thoughtful customers for supporting handmade and following the growth of an individual artist along this rewarding journey! I hope that you love the pieces you've purchased and that they are big hits with your "giftees" this holiday season.

So, as a big thank you to my customers, twitter friends and facebook pals, I'm doing a quick stone tile coaster giveaway today! Just visit my shop on Etsy and let me know which coaster set you're dreaming of this holiday, leave me comment here telling me who you'd gift them to and why (or if it's just a special something for you!). Around 5PM, my family will pick a number and gift those coasters to that number commentor on my blog! It's that easy! Make sure you've left me a way to get in touch with you! Your new coasters will ship on Monday and be delivered in plenty of time for Christmas gifting!

So, there's no strings attached... no need to follow me on twitter or friend me on facebook, no mailing list signups... just me wishing YOU a happy holidays!

Have a very blessed and joyous holiday season!!

How To Shop Handmade and Local This Holiday Season

Antiqued White Crochet Garland from Antebelle

The holidays are here! The malls are bombarding you with deals and your inbox is filled with emails from retailers all fighting for your holiday dollars.

But did you know that there are shops right around the corner, in your own community that offer lovely, one of a kind, handmade delights that you'll never find at a big box store? If you like to give thoughtful holiday gifts, (and who doesn't?) you've got to check out what your small local retailers have to offer!

If you're in the Pennsylvania area, I've got some fabulous suggestions of really neat little shops that deserve a visit this holiday season. These are some of my favorite places to shop for gifts and places that have wonderful collections of goodies sure to please everyone on your gift giving list.

Map of Philadelphia Cuff from vsc83

First off, in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, you've got to stop by Square Peg Artery. This shop is bursting at the seams with a colorful array of fun and funky goods that are made locally by artists and craftspeople. There's even a monthly art show that features a local artist in a small gallery setting in the back. It's a must-see for cool holiday gifts!

Recycled Farm Metal Sign from The Steel Fork

Another one of my favorites is Earth & State in Media, PA. This shop is full of fabulous finds with an earthy and fair trade vibe. Many of the pieces are local but there are also things from around the country and the world. The staff at Earth & State is super helpful, friendly and so knowledgeable about the products and artists that create them. This is often my first choice when shopping for an unforgettable gift.

And there's a new kid in town this year! Harrisburg's super successful Hodge Podgery has opened up a new shop in Lancaster. It's in right heart of the cool Queen Street area, located in the Stahr Center, which also houses Theater of The Seventh Sister and Lancaster Creative Reuse. This building is quickly becoming a hub of arts for the city. The Hodge Podgery's new Lancaster location is downstairs and is shaping up nicely and the staff there is working tirelessly to get all the new stock out and ready for purchase. It's only been open officially for a week or two and is already looking great! Lots of goodies are being offered there so be the first of your friends to check it out!

One of a kind burlap and patchwork tote from jalmodovar

Another favorite of mine is The Sassy Tassel in Lititz, PA. The gals there have really expanded their already awesome space and now offer sewing classes and workshops. The shop is utterly breathtaking with a huge collection of lovely home goods and decor. They support local artists and host a local artist during Lititz's monthly arts events. If you have someone on your holiday list that has caught the sewing bug, you've got to swing by The Sassy Tassel to check out their awesome fabrics and sewing books. They also carry a fabulous line of bath and body products that makes the shop smells amazing. Even that is worth the trip!

Handmade clay wine glass charms by Contempo Jewels

Nick from Handmade in PA and the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen has set up an incredible resource for finding shops in your area of PA. It's a map that links you directly to the shops in your area. It's a fabulous idea and you can check it out here!

With the economic struggles going on in our country, the most powerful way you can spend your holiday dollars is by supporting your neighbors, local artists and the small businesses that are keeping your communities growing. Keep your money in your neighborhood!

Happy, happy holidays!

Handmade Holidays

Rustic Birch Tags from Twigs and Blossoms - $20.00

So, you've committed to a handmade holiday and have vowed to give as many handcrafted items this holiday season as possible. That's great!

But don't forget to include yourself in that pledge!

Every Thanksgiving, my immediate and extended family asks for my Christmas list. I've already been scouring my favorite sites that sell handmade pieces and am compiling my list. I'm including all those really neat things in my favorites lists that are things I might not normally buy for myself but that I really would love to own and use everyday.

It's just a quick reminder that taking a handmade pledge doesn't necessarily have to be just for your purchases for others but can also be for your own wish list!

Design Sponge event @ Terrain

What a fun way to spend a warm fall afternoon! I spent the day at Terrain in Concordville, PA with about 24 other diy-ers and Grace Bonney from Design Sponge. We shared cocktails and crafts and some great conversation!

Afterward, Grace gave a presentation about her upcoming book, which she calls a "design bible." We got sneak peeks at some of the artwork, some of the sections, the layout of the book and learned a lot about the process of how the book was "born." It was really interesting to hear about the journey she's taken to create such a comprehensive and lovely book.


It was a pleasure to meet fellow Team HiP member Stephanie Corfee in person and to catch up again with Tara from Scoutie Girl and Megan from Craft MBA and Cozy Cuff. And, of course, it was great making new friends and learning about other artists, crafters and designers out there in the real world, making beautiful things happen.

One of the joys of attending this event was that it happened under the auspices of Terrain, an incredibly beautiful and hip nursery, home and garden "experience." To call it a shop just doesn't seem to cover it. Terrain has taken a nursery to an entirely new level. Every turn holds a beautifully designed display and the main shopping building holds everything from plants and planters, greeting cards, a vast selection of gorgeous books, thoughtfully designed kitchen and cooking gear, lovely homegoods and an extensive line of bath and body products that tempt the senses.

What a lovely way to gift a bulb for the holidays! Perfect for the garden and vintage lover!



Every little corner of Terrain holds inspiration. These robins' egg blue rooms were just perfection... rustic burlap upholstered chairs paired with rusted metal framed lanterns? Heaven.


Pretty wrapped soaps from Fringe in a holiday display. Love those candles!

And the day was topped off with a raffle of some fabulous pieces from shops and artists featured in Grace's new book. I walked away with these exquisite fabric flowers from Emerson Made. So pretty!

A vibrant sunset of oranges, golden yellows and bold reds on the drive home ended the day perfectly. Thanks to Grace from Design Sponge and the staff and employees of Terrain for a terrific event... inspiring, festive and perfect in every way! Thank you!!