Well, my goodness...

...just LOOK at the trouble starting this journal has caused!  I have gotten so caught up with this crazy creative life that I haven't even had time to do any posts!  I'm in it with both feet, now!

Speaking of which, I am so so happy and proud to announce the Grand Opening of our brick and mortar boutique and gallery, Hello Bluebird!  We have spent the entire summer working on our space (you can see photos of our journey here)and gathering artists and a million other little things--it has been an incredible journey, and I have never been so scared, exhausted, exhilerated, proud and humbled all at the same time.  It is a strangely satisfying blend of extreme emotions, not unlike giving birth to my two beautiful children, which I think may be a clue that we are finally on the right track here!

We had our "soft opening" a week ago, so I have been at the shop everyday since, with Finigan as my best helper (did I mention no more daycare, either? no more dayjob...we're in this for REAL now!).  Is it easy to have him in the shop all day? Heck, no!  But he is a very good boy, and, in the end, I am truly enjoying getting to see so much more of him than when he was in daycare.  This just seems so much more "real"(again, notice how I didn't say easy...!).

The customer response has been so wonderful.  Since we aren't "officially" open until Thursday, we didn't do any advertising or even hang a sign until a few days ago, but the people who have wandered in from their lunch dates or the Sunday morning farmers' market  have been SO complimentary, and the best and most amazing thing is that they have actually bought a fair amount of stuff!  We are off to a GREAT start.  I am so blessed.

The best customer comment I could have asked for came on Sunday, a day that we weren't even going to be open: (this girl lives in Philadelphia, a great indie city!): Oh my gosh, I love this store so much.  I wish we had a shop like this in Philly!

:)

Trunk Show in the Trees, part 1

With so many crafty adventures in my life all at once, I am falling way behind on updates!  However, I do need to use this post to travel back to last weekend: We hosted (and survived! and enjoyed!!) our very first Crafty By Nature market on Sunday, June 7th!  You can see I am posting a few pics here for fun, but you can view the whole gallery of shots taken by my sweet girl, Eden, here. 

June 2009 Crafty By Nature/ Blossom Boutique

It was the most gorgeous, perfect day, spent sitting in a wooded antique market surrounded by wonderfully talented vendors and kindred spirits.  Who could ask for more?  Well, ok, maybe more sales would have been nice...But, all in all, I think the traffic was decent for the first time out, and we are already working on ideas for how to make the second event even better!  I was a bit of a nervous nellie most of the day, obsessively abandoning my booth mates to check on the other vendors.  I wanted to be sure they weren't feeling too discouraged or secretly packing up to sneak away (or worse!), but I think most of the artists understood that this was the first of many attempts, and that the market will grow over time.  Honestly, I feared that the most difficult hurdle would be gathering talented makers and good products, but we were blessed with 15 booths full of great things for all ages and tastes!  I am looking forward to a season of sweet memories and many new friends.

And maybe a few good sales, too--just for good measure. ;)

Call for Artists!

Corey made this great flyer to distribute at Art Star Craft Bazaar this weekend!  Be sure to swing by the booth to see our wares so far!!

etymology of a dream

Blue Bird by cottonbirddesigns.etsy.comThe Bluebird of Happiness:

The mythology of the bluebird of happiness has deep roots that go back thousands of years. Indigenous cultures across the globe hold similar myths and beliefs about the bluebird. It is a widely accepted symbol of cheerfulness, happiness, prosperity, hearth and home, good health, new births, the renewal of springtime, etc. Virtually any positive sentiments may be attached to the bluebird.

source: good old wikipedia

a bit of daydreaming (nightdreaming? it is late!) before bedtime...

Just a little fun with Picnik before I drift off to sleep...

Future Home of Hello Bluebird!