Adventures in Wedding Tripping + DIY Embroidery Hoop Wedding Gift

Once upon a time...

So, I had this friend. And she is pretty cool. We met once in Missouri and then she went back home to Northern Illinois and we wrote letters for four years before we met again.

Then I visited her. And she had a party, so I got to meet all her cool friends that she'd been writing to me about for the past four years. 

Then they became my friends, too! 

Then one day, two of those friends of my friend, got friendlier. ;^) Having known each other for, like, ever, they discovered that it was no accident that they were such good friends.

So, 'they knew that this was much more than a hunch', and he asked, and she said yes, and plans were made, and invitations sent. And this friend of a friend [me!] was invited to go [and bring a guest!]. 

So there I was, hum-druming, about who I could take with me... And I decided to take one of my awesome best friends, so these cool people could meet. 

We had a great adventure journeying to the north country and over came many obstacles [really, it's a long story]. And finally made it there the day of the wedding!  

We primped and drove through the snowy city-side to a beautiful church and witnessed a beautiful union of God joined love-birds. [The bride walked down the isle to the song "Life is Beautiful" by the afters; like my favorite part!]

Hearts were moved, lives joined, hearty laughter had by all and happy tears shed. 

They were pronounced Husband and Wife, there was a kiss, and a grand exit. There was a starbucks pit stop, and a quaint reception with adorable details, keurig coffee, tasty horderves, donuts and cupcakes. There were pin-wheels and mason jars, striped straws and baby cheese balls, there were old friends and new, precious flower girls and more cupcakes. And...

There was snow. More and more snow. It was magical. It softly glistened the whole day, covering anything that wasn't already hidden in snow. 

There were instagram moments and well wishes. There was speeches and tears, speeches and laughter, there were clinking glass and kisses, there was joy all around. And a proper send off in the snow on their way to a honeymoon destination. 

Then there were leaving guests, and guests who didn't want to leave. There were some goodbyes, and other-non-goodbyers. There were mentioned plans, and then sitting and soaking in the last moments of a glorious day. There was talking, and then no talking, but there was still a sort of communication. There was still snow as darkness fell, comfy clothes where exchanged for formal ones, people piling in cars to skid through the snow packed 'back-roads', and a stop at Oberwise where there was shared chocolate milk for all.

Then these Southern Missouri girls [Missour-ee, not Missour-a!!] where taken back to the train for another journey [thought less eventful!] with the memories of a whirlwind weekend still swirling in our heads. There was long talks, and no talk, and there was lots of snack eating. There was interesting train-rest-room-going, and lots of IL fields covered in snow. There were bridges and the Arch, there were parents waiting for us at the station, there was two more hours of sitting in a confined space, and then...

There was home. 

Happy Thursday,

Kerry

Thin Mint Puppy Chow - And the mystery of Real Chocolate

Thin Mint Puppy Chow
by ShugarySweets

So, there is not much healty, or natural about this recipe. But I have always had a weak spot for Puppy Chow and I love chocolate mint. This just happened to be a perfect combination, in my humble opinion. And since it was my 25th birthday when I made it [nearly two months ago now], I decided to go ahead and splurge.

 

Ghirardelli large chips, Andes Mint Pieces

 

But the recipe called for chocolate flavored Candiquik as the 'chocolate' base. Which, in case you don't know, is NOT chocolate. [shock]

 

It's just, like, sugar, wax, butter, and 'natural and artificial flavors'. This is not chocolate.

 

Instead, I used Ghirardelli baking chocolate [or any kind of chocolate chips; just check the ingredients, cause the "Chocolate flavored morsels" are not usually chocolate either, you have to be discerning these days to know if your really getting chocolate or some ones cheap idea of chocolate.

 

The recipe also called for Green's & Black's 3.5 oz chocolate mint bar. I couldn't find that, but found a bag of Andes Mint Pieces [in a bag like the chocolate chips, in the same isle, too]. Since it's a total of 19.5 oz of meltyness in the original recipe I put in about 15-18 oz of Chocolate and about 3-5 oz of Andes Mint Pieces.

 

ShugarySweets suggests melting in a microwave, but since I don't have one, I put it on the stove top, on low heat, melting slowly, and stirring constantly.

 

All Melty! [and smelling AMAZING!]
 

Pour over a box of Rice Chex Cereal [about 10 cups]



 

Just look at all that amazingly real chocolate!





Add 2 cups of powdered sugar...

Toss together, set on a couple sheets of foil/wax paper let set a few and enjoy!



I couldn't find the green M'n'M's that ShugarySweets used, but I got those York Peppermint Pieces and added to the mix. They are minty, and pretty blue and white.

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Thin Mint Puppy Chow - SN Variation

16 oz Real Chocolate [chips/bakers/etc. Just not 'chocolate flavored' whathaveyou]

4 oz Andes Mint Pieces

10 cups Rice Chex cereal

2 cups pwd. sugar

Optional; m'n'm's, york peppermint pieces

 

Just melt the chocolates together, pour over the cereal, toss in the pwd sugar, spread out and let set 10-20min on wax paper or foil. Add candy. Enjoy!

 

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Have a blessed day!

Kerry

Sock Completion!

Yay! I finally finished a pair of socks today that I have honestly been working on for over 3 years... :^\ I started them and got a good ways done on the 'leg' of the sock and realized my gauge was WAY off, so I had to order the right size needles in the right length [because I like doing two-at-a-time-socks] and once they finally got ordered and arrived I didn't start right away and once I did I did not work on them stedily at all...

 

But, they are done now! I finished the toe with the Kitchener Stitch which is a really neat way of grafting two sets of live stitches together and make it look like there is hardly even a seam. I followed the instructions for it in this handy video. But I only watched it for the first sock, doing it step by step with the video. By then I 'thought' I had it figured out so I did the second sock without watching the video... the result? I have a weird seam on that one. So, I was able to take it out and redo it.

 

I gave them to my Mom... She loves them! They fit her perfectly, too! I'm so pleased. :^)

 

 

Have a great week! Make time to create something!

Kerry

 

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"And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."

Psalm 90:17

Grow Your Own Clothes

I really enjoyed this article posted on the Etsy Blog. You'll have to read the whole story but it's talking about this gal who (starting out), decided to make just one outfit, in one year, with materials sourced within 150 miles of her home. 

I think that is very cool. 

 What do you think?? 

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Have a great weekend,

Kerry

The Featured Seller - Christine's Jewelry

I've found another Etsy treasure! Her name is Christine and I'm so glad she was willing to share with you a glimpse into her work and passion...

 

 

Tell us about yourself and what you offer in your shop? 

How did you get started?

 I have a passion for making jewelry for other people! I have 3 beautiful children and I have been married to my wonderful husband Joel for 20 years. I am so blessed!

I have always loved art. I was always drawing, painting, sewing and making things as a girl. I love collecting pretty stones, beads and shells. I got started making jewelry over 10 years ago for gifts for people. It seemed like a more personal and appreciated gift to give, a wearable, handmade gift. It also cost me less than what I was able to buy. Recently people were asking the recipients where they got the jewelry and started requesting it.  I decided to open my shop on Etsy! I really love to make jewelry for other people. I love how it makes people feel special. Every time I get an idea and complete it and then see someone wearing it is such an awesome feeling!

 

How did you come up with your shop name?

Coming up with a shop name is a hard thing to do. I decided to just use my name so that when people ask others where they got their jewelry they can say, "It's Christine's Jewelry!"    

 

Describe your style in as few words as possible:

My style is romantic, elegant but also fun.  

 

What do you do when you’re not on Etsy or creating?

I am following my kids around on all of their many activities with music, school, sports, and encouraging them to follow their creative passions. We also take time to go on bike rides and walks with other friends and our chocolate lab. 

 

Red Long Glass Necklace

 

What is your favorite feature on Etsy? Why?

My Pink Blossom Rose Quartz Bracelet is one of my favorites because it is so sparkly and the pink is such a soft feminine color.

Pink Blossom Rose Quartz Bracelet

 

Where do you draw your inspiration?

I get my inspirations everywhere. I notice the colors in the sky, in sunsets, in nature, in art, architecture, books and magazines. I notice what kind of colors, clothes and jewelry people are wearing and I look at jewelry everywhere I go. 

 

What is your best/most successful marketing strategy?

  I think the best marketing strategy and way to promote yourself it to promote others because when people all work together, they can each get farther than if they work alone.  

 

Royal Purple Smokey and Black and Silver

 

What handmade possession do you cherish?

The handmade possession that I cherish the most is one of the many quilts that my mom so lovingly sewed for me.  She is always making things for us. 

 

Do you have any advice for those thinking of becoming Etsy sellers?

My advice to others who have their own business I found from http://studio11charms.blogspot.com/
1. Don't just talk about it, do it.
2. Be patient.
3. Have perseverance.
4. Be determined.
5. Be passionate about what you do.
6. Practice, practice, practice.
7. Put in the hours. Work hard.
8. Don't be lazy.
9. Market yourself like crazy.
10. NEVER GIVE UP.

 

What are the greatest challenges and greatest rewards to running your own business?

One of the greatest challenges to running the business is all of the many hours it takes to learn more about running a business. Another challenge is  trying to find the best ways to reach people that would be interested in my jewelry.  The greatest rewards are meeting all kinds of wonderful people who are creative and learning from them. Another reward is getting such wonderful comments from people who own some of my jewelry!

 

What does handmade mean to you?

To me handmade means a person is using one's own hands to create.

 

Double Clear Glass Crystal Drop Earrings

 

Any last words?

If a person can make money doing what they love, then they have found heaven on earth.  

 

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Don't forget to drop by and check out all of Christine's amazing hand-crafted pieces at her shop, ChristinesJewelry,  and go 'LIKE' her FB page.

 

I hope you have an amazing week!

 

Blessings - Kerry

 

 

- The Featured Seller -

Tell us about yourself and what you offer in your shop:

My name is Jennie and I am the face behind Duryea Place Designs.  I am 29 (and holding) and live in the suburbs of Chicago with my husband, Kyle, and our adorable Boston Terrier, Zoey.  I work in corporate HR by day, but creating is my passion!  My shop offers unique wedding details such as ring bearers pillows, card boxes, cake toppers and paper products.  I also love everything vintage and offer vintage items that can be used for weddings such as hankies, gloves, brooches or any other goodies I come across in my trips to estate sales and flea markets.

How did you come up with your shop name?

I met my now husband when I was in my last year of college.   The street Kyle lived on was Duryea Place and from the first time I heard it I just loved it for some reason.  And, since it's the place I fell in love with my hunny, it has a sentimental meaning to me to.  Too sappy?!  Sorry!  :)

How did you get started?

When Kyle and I got engaged I had a pretty specific idea of what I wanted our wedding to look like.  It wasn't until we started looking for invitations, that I realized there wasn't much out there in the style that we were hoping to achieve.  I've always been creative, so it didn't take long for me to decide to take on the projects and make everything I had been looking for.  Before I knew it, I had made the invitations, programs and other paper products as well as the ring bearer pillow, place card displays and pretty much every other detail for our big day!  There were a couple times during the planning process that I took projects with to the bridal shop to show my bridesmaids and I had everyone in the shop checking out my items.  I received so much positive feedback that I just had to give it a shot.  After our wedding, I opened my Etsy shop and have been busy ever since!

Custom Wedding Tree Guest Book

Where do you draw your inspiration?
I love vintage fabrics, wallpaper, jewelry, glasswear... pretty much anything vintage!  I definitely get a lot of my inspiration spending time at antique stores and estate sales.  I'm also a blog junkie!  I spend a lot of time looking at wedding inspiration blogs, wedding photographers, and other artists sites. 

Describe your style in as few words as possible:
Vintage, feminine, romantic and unique!

What do you do when your not on Etsy or creating?

Lately most of my free time has been spent working on my office/studio.  When I started this business I was working on projects at our dining room table, but it has grown so quickly that I need my own space.  We've painted the second bedroom of our house and right now I'm working on refinishing a old desk that I recently picked up at an estate sale.  Hopefully in the next month or so I'll be all set up in there and have my dining room back to normal!

Ring Bearer Pillow - Burlap and Lace

What is the greatest challenges and greatest rewards to running your own business?

For me the greatest challenge so far has been just not having enough time in a day!  I'm gone from 7:30a.m. until about 6:30p.m. for my "day job" and then come home to orders, new projects, packaging and shipping, etc. along with the daily chores of life; laundry, cooking, cleaning.  The other big part of lack of time is having so many great ideas for projects, but just not enough time to get them all into reality.  I've started carrying around a notebook so that I can make quick notes and at least have the idea to come back to.  I struggled for awhile to keep up with everything, but I think I have finally found a good approach that works for me. 

The greatest reward is hearing from a bride after they have received their order.  I love seeing how excited they are to get my products and how they are looking forward to using it on their big day.  It's pretty amazing to be a part of a couple's wedding!

Birdcage Wedding Cake Topper

What is your favorite feature on Etsy? Why?
There are so many things I love about Etsy.  I adore so many of the products and shop for myself and family constantly.  I like knowing that with each purchase I make I'm helping to support an artist like myself.  I also absolutely love treasuries!!  I enjoy creating them and could spend hours just perusing  through the treasury pages created by other sellers.  I've joined some teams whose main purpose it to feature and promote each other in treasuries and to network.  I have made some great connections with other Etsy sellers and really love seeing how creative people can get with this feature. 

What is your best/most successful marketing strategy?
Great photos make a huge difference!  I had a few items listed that didn't have particularly great photos and they weren't getting many views.  I took the time to re-photograph them a few weeks ago with better lighting and within 24 hours one of the items had sold.  Since adding better photos, the other items have had a lot more views.  I also try to list a new item each day to keep my shop at the top of searches.  The more frequently I list the more traffic my shop sees.

Do you have any advice for newbie sellers?
Have fun!  I know it sounds cliche, but if it's not fun, then why bother?  I do this because I truly enjoy it and it's a great outlet for me to be creative.  The only other suggestion I have is to be as active as possible; create and comment on treasuries, join teams, and network as much as possible.  The more active you are on Etsy, the more your shop will succeed! 

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I'm so glad Jennie was able to share about herself and her blooming business this week! I will be featuring more Etsy sellers in the near future so be on the look out! Until then, let me know how you like this idea, and show some love to Jennie by visiting her shop and FB page.

Happy Friday,

-Kerry