The Font Phenomenon

Just about anything I cover with this font paper sells well in my shop. Unfortunately, I'm having supply problems with the trays and now only have really small ones and really big ones. I buy them wholesale and have to buy a minimum of $200 worth of product. Being such a small business, makes me nervous to purchase that much stock at once.
Anyhoo, I started using tumbled marble tiles instead of the flat tiles and I think they look really cool, kinda old-world style. The people seem to agree as they are selling briskly.

Paperweights using this paper are soon to come!

New At The Cottage

Most recent collage box. Really feminine, pretty altered cigar box. For sale in my shop.

Black Berries Wood Tray

Black Berries Wood Tray
Originally uploaded by CarolinaCottage

Another of my black-and-white creations. I will be adding a Fabulous Font tray in this size to my Etsy shop later today.

I Pounced Myself!

Etsy has a fairly new tool that shows unsold items from shops that have just sold an item. Usually, I'm too late to catch it, but I got lucky today. Shows item I sold, plus a new item I listed last night - a small collage tray.

House-To-Be

The home inspection is being done today. Fingers crossed that nothing major shows up. Otherwise, we close in less than a month. Can't wait!
p.s. the purple in the bedroom has to go!

Buying A House...Maybe

We put a contract on a house in Kennesaw, GA. Twice as big as our previous house for the amazingly low price of 200k. I hope we get the house, but we're REALLY worried about finding jobs. What, you say, you don't have a job and you're buying a house!!?? Yup. Cause we're insane. Actually, my hubby is waiting to hear about a job and I'm sure I can find SOMETHING. I'll work 3 jobs until we get over the transition if I have to. I'm a graphic designer for the numero uno direct mail company (think blue envelope), so I should be ok. Fingers crossed.

Changes...

My little family is going through some major stuff right now. We sold our house last year (in a bad market - due to my home staging skills, thank you very much!) and are renting an overpriced townhouse. It's nice, but too small and no fenced yard for the dogs. Gettin' real tired of putting 3 dogs on leashes every time they need to pee.
Soooo...hubby wants to move up north - he's a native Floridian - but that is REALLY scary right now, with the bad economy and our lack of higher education. And two kids who deserve a stable childhood.
We're waiting to hear if he got a job in Atlanta. Meanwhile, we found a really good deal on a house, but feel compelled to pass it up until we hear about the job. Or should we stay here, where we have jobs? And end up in a small house in a not-so-great neighborhood. Or should we move to Europe and become gypsies? I am so overwhelmed right now, I could scream. Or cry. Or throw something. I'm too confused to decide even that.

The photo really has nothing to do with the post, I just like taking pictures of my feet. And Nikki's, in this case.

Me And My Conscience

There has been a lot of talk for a long time about NOT using products made in China. I must confess that the trays and boxes I use are, indeed, made in China. I'm not proud of this.

I sell my wares on Etsy, so I read everyday about people using recycled and repurposed materials. And I thought "Wow! These people are cool! I should be doing this!" But it was easier to place an order and have stuff delivered right to my door. I officially feel bad about using products made in China. Sooooo - after my current stock of trays and boxes are used up, I will no longer be using them. I will start hunting for items that I can alter from thrift shops, etc. I'm thinking suitcases/luggage, old jewelery boxes, furniture and fabrics.

Hopefully I can continue creating and feel better about it at the same time. :–)

Happy Friday

Yup. It's here. Everyone's favorite day of the week. Got big plans? No? Me either. Cleaning, laundry, making stuff with all the new supplies I just got in. Kinda excited about doing that. Right after I finish up a custom order.

I also hope to be posting this in my Etsy shop soon.