Entertaining Idea - Garden Party

Ah, the garden party. A classic and sophisticated way to get all of your friends together, no matter what the occasion may be. To start planning for your garden party, pick a fun invitation that will provoke the look and feel of your party. You can customize some casual wedding invitations, or get some blank note cards and write the invitation yourself. But by all means, use an invitation, a garden party just wouldn’t seem right if you got the invitation over email.

Alice in Wonderland Invitations
By VivaLaViolette on Etsy

For your décor, look for items that will be practical yet stylish. Tablecloths for your tables are great, they’ll add a big splash of color and can really concrete the look you’re going for. This one is made of oilcloth, which will make cleanup a cinch!

Custom Oilcloth Tablecloth
By modernjune on Etsy

A fun lantern will look great hanging in a tree, and will be very practical if your party runs into the night.

Glass Jar Lanterns
By aldridgeglass on Etsy

Cloth napkins give a more formal feel to your table, and they’re much better for the environment than paper.

Pink with Red Cherries Napkins
By LittleBirdsBoutique on Etsy

Banners hanging across your garden would be really fun, and who doesn’t love this whimsical Day of the Dead print?

Mini Day of the Dead Pennant
By BadBabyQuilts on Etsy

Don’t forget about yourself. A new apron is just the ticket to keep you neat and organized.

The BELLA Vintage Inspired Apron
By Boojiboo on Etsy

Lastly, think about your menu. You could go traditional or modern with the menu, but make sure it’s something that won’t spoil in the sun. And have a coordinated beverage. Having one special drink is much easier that having a full bar or soda station, and it can really round out a luncheon. Here’s a great recipe for a veggie sandwich, which could be made in miniature form and displayed on a platter. Yummy!

Cucumber Veggie Sandwiches

Don’t forget, whatever your theme or menu, make sure you’re surrounded by friends and family. Happy partying!

What is Rockabilly, and why do I love it so much?

Rockabilly is nothing new. It's been around for decades, in many different forms, from the music to the dress to even rockabilly hairstyles. It's a fun way to express yourself in many different ways, and you look so cool doing it. I mean, where else can I wear pencil skirts, cardigans, red lipstick and flowers in my hair? Count me in!

The one thing I've noticed, though, is that you can't find a wide variety of rockabilly stuff for your house. Sure, you can find plenty of clothes, shoes, accesories, CD's and music posters, but when it comes to actual home decor, there's not that much out there. That's why I've decided to dedicate this blog to finding and making great rockabilly gear for the home, so that your living room can look as cool as you do!

Thursday Thrifty Tips

Today I was looking up ways to clean my carpets at home...the new puppy had an accident and I hate using chemical products, it gives your whole house a yucky smell. Anyways, I came across a website promoting baking soda. I know we all know how useful baking soda is, but I found these tips that I'd never heard, and I thought I would share.

1. To deodorize large surfaces – sprinkle baking soda on carpets, rugs or upholstery, let sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum. The baking soda will absorb the odors.

2. Freshen closets – place an opened box of baking soda in your closet, this will keep stale smells from forming.

3. Outdoor furniture – make a mixture of one part baking soda to four parts water, and use this to clean to furniture. Rinse well with water.

3. Cleaning floors – On non-wax or tile surfaces, use ½ cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water to mop your floors. Rinse, and you’ll have a sparkling clean floor!

4. Shampooing your hair – In the palm of your hand, mix a small (about the size of a quarter) amount of baking soda in with your shampoo, and shampoo like normal. The baking soda will get rid of any product residue that’s in your hair. Much cheaper than buying a special shampoo!

5. Got stains on some of your fabric bags or purses, and can’t wash them? Use dry baking soda and a soft brush on the spots, and it will clean off the stains.

6. Put some baking soda in the wash, it will help lift greasy stains. When bleaching, use half a cup of bleach and half a cup of baking soda, this will help the bleach do it’s job, but not leave that bleachy smell on your clothes.

7. Take baking soda with you when you go camping – it can be used to wash dishes, clean your hands, deodorize the trash so critters don’t find you…all sorts of uses!

8. Got ant problems? Put a solid line of baking soda down where they are coming in, and they won’t cross it.

Aren't those cool? I had no idea you could do all of these things with baking soda, and it's so cheap!

Something small for the economy?

I was thinking about my inventory today, and trying to come up with some ideas to help it get a movin'. I sell mostly home decor, which I know isn't a necessity in this economy. I'm thinking about doing something really small and cheap (under $5) to sell, something that's still decor and pretty but not too much for those that are watching their pennies. I haven't come up with an idea yet, but I'm brainstorming and trying to think up something.

I just bought my first Showcase today, some of my stuff will be featured all day tomorrow. We'll see what that brings in!

Lastly, I'm thinking of starting some interviews of Etsy sellers, not the typical "what's your favorite marketing tool," or "what inspires you," I'm thinking of asking more in depth questions and getting to know these artists more. I'll be working on it this week, I'll probably "interview" myself first so people can see what I'm talking about, but then I'll be looking for others to interview. If you're interested, let me know!

EtsyVeg and Features!

Some exciting things have been happening, I recenty joined the EtsyVeg Street Team. All of our members are either vegetarian or vegan, and we're all about promoting a healthy and happy world through our art, using only animal friendly products. Here's a link to our blog, where you'll find recipies, interviews, and all sorts of interesting articles. At our marketplace, you can check out what some of our members have been creating lately!

I've also just been featured on a blog promoting new and upcoming artist on Etsy, check it out here!

And I just finished up my first treasury, see it here!

Quick one for today...anxious to get to the crafting table!

I just listed a few new things on my Etsy site, and will be listing a few more tonight. Check um out!

On another note, I've recently been working with my "found" objects, but I've had the itch to do some painting, too. I haven't done a real, actual painting in several years. I picked up a couple of stretched canvases last weekend, now I just have to decide what to paint....any ideas?

And lastly, if you have never tried these before, you must run out to the store and get some. They are fabulous, and I don't even like almonds!

New projects...and new doggie!

So, I've been working on some new crafts lately, the past few times I've been in my local Goodwill, I've found some pieces that have really inspired me. In particular I found a whole bunch of copper and tin baking dishes. I have one on my Etsy website already (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20993151) that's in the shape of a lobster, but I found others in shapes like melons, hearts, fish....lots of different ones. I can't wait to get these finished and up in my shop, I think they're great!

On another note, I have just adopted a new addition to my family. Say hello to Eva!