Things I Overheard At The Party

 

  

Blogland Is Full of Goodness

Thanks to everyone who linked up at the Gotta Blog It Hop last Thursday and to those of you who had a look around at the blogs that joined in. There are so many great blogs out there and it's so nice that some of these bloggers hang out here.

Just to prove my point, here are my picks from the party.

top left:  Linkouture. I've been reading Bev's blog for awhile now. Number one, she cracks me up on a regular basis.  Number two, she's quite a talented jewelry designer. Number three, she might be afraid to step out of her comfort zone, but she does it anyway. 

 

top right: Violet's Buds. I think I met Melanie and Scott on facebook, if I remember correctly. You'll find everything from recipes, giveaways, and guest posts from artists and crafters, and shop updates. 

 

bottom left: Mi+Ed.  I think Mirta and I connected through etsy where she has a wonderful paper goods store.  Mirta's blog has some great artists interviews that make me want to try my hand at other things. 

 

bottom right: The Magical Miss. The blog of very talented photographer Abra Alani.  So enjoyable seeing what she's capturing at the moment.

 

So off you go to explore........but first...........

 

Freeform Friday

 

My friend's son sent me this song this morning. It made me cry. It's a beautiful story, sad at times, and beautifully sung. Some Americans may not understand the healing qualities and importance of 'tea and toast' because we're a big coffee nation, but I think because my English Gram gave me tea starting when I was little (trust me, it was very watered down and sweet) I can really relate to this song. Tea is still my morning drink of choice, and tea and toast makes everything right with the world.  Click here if you're reading via email.  

 

 

 

What's hot for your weekend. Ours? Oh you so want to be us.  We get to rip our nasty old shower out because it's leaking and ruining our fairly new flooring. Sweet. Yes, I am dripping with sarcasm. However, I will not be sad to see the current shower go. It's my nemesis. It was built in when we bought our home, concrete floor, tile walls which we've redone. Problem is, you can clean and clean and clean and it looks as if you've done nothing. I don't expect this little demo and installation project to go smoothly, because nothing goes that way in construction. So if i does, I will be pleasantly surprised. I will say this, I plan on having my way with the sledgehammer later and letting go of some stress.  Other than that, I am planning on a Cosmo and some youtube dancing later. It is Friday after all.

 

Ciao for now,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gotta Blog It Hop

 

Time To Discover New Blogs

 

Hi guys.  I mentioned that I was considering splitting up the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up for a couple of reasons. Number one and foremost, there hasn't been as much participation by bloggers in the link up as I'd like. Why is this important to me? Well, just as it's important to me to support fellow independent shop owners, artisans and crafters, it's just important to me to support fellow bloggers.

 

This is the thing............there are some AWESOME blogs out there. Some have a good following, some have a tremendous following and others are yet......well, sort of undiscovered.  This is a way to discover them all. I mean, people are writing and creating seriously read-worthy content that includes the likes of daily inspiration, exploration of their creative process, nature, history, just for laughs, cooking up a storm, pretty things and so much more. So, let's get discovering!

 

Welcome to the first dedicated Gotta Have It Blog Hop.

 

I hope if you have a blog, you'll join in and link up and perhaps share a link to this blog hop (the button is available on the button page).  The more the merrier, right?  FYI, the Gotta Have Blog It Hop will be live for a week, so bloggers can add their links until next Thursday.  AND, if you add your blog link, you have the chance being featured here next week on the Muse. So, leave a link!

 

If you don't have a blog, I hope you'll take a look around a follow some links. I think you'll enjoy discovering new blogs.

 

Just a few things before we get started:

 

 

Remember, even if you don't blog, you should still take a look around! 

*****If you are linking up your blog, please read before linking.*****

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up, I'd really love it if you followed too. There are plenty of ways in the sidebar.

*Don't link and run. Be kind, hop around and follow links others have left behind.

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter, tumblr. I'd love to connect!

*These blog hops can't be a success without your help. Can you share a link to the party? Blog, tweet, facebook, pin, share wherever you can? If you  inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be wicked awesome. Everyone is welcome - tell your fellow blogger pals. 

*When you take part in the link up, you'll go on the Mercantile Muse mail list. {Correspondence will come from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net.} I'll let you know when the next hop is underway and about other happenings at the Muse.

*BY ALL MEANS, feel free to leave a comment. Share a little more about you, your shop or blog. Need help to get started? 'How'd you get started blogging?'

 

 

 

 

Thanks for being here and joing in the fun. It really makes my day!

Ciao for now,

 

No Change In The Couch Cushions

Things I Found At The Party

We had a happy party round these parts last week. Another round of Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party (which is still going on by the way, so link up if you haven't), which brought people from far and wide who left lots of wonderful things behind. These little gatherings are a way for people with their own online shops/businesses/blogs to show us their stuff. To reach new people (that would be you), expand their markets and in general, just get to know one another better.

Here's some of the places my mouse led me this time around.

sources:  

mandala cards via notional notions; vintage green pottery mixing bowl via red hill home; 
shop indie t shirt via krmbal; green turquoise bracelet via jewelry by debra



Something for everyone, yes? The writer, the baker, the change maker, and the jewelry lover.  I'd be quite happy with all four.


Did you find some special things at the party? Share if you'd like. I love seeing what these gatherings lead the rest of you to discover.


I've been mulling something over in my head.  I originally started Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It as a shop and blog link up, but there haven't been nearly as many blogs participating as I'd like. So I'm thinking I may do the shop link up on it's own, and then the blog hop on it's own. What do you think?
If you have a blog and would like to participate in co-hosting the blog hop, just leave a comment. I'd also like to grow these shop link ups because I think there are so many hardworking artisans and crafters that should be discovered. If you have any ideas let me know!


It was like Spring this morning, I even went outside and raked my garden beds a bit. I admit, only because I was on the hunt for mint. Garden report: it's a mess out there and the mint isn't making itself known yet, which surprised me since you can't kill the stuff and it grows like weeds. However, other things like my fragaria (non-fruiting strawberry) was and thyme has been green all Winter under the snow.  I can't wait to get out there and do some real raking and cleaning up.


Have a great day and I'll work on doing the same. Lots to do in the office. Too bad the snoring hound behind me can't help.


Ciao for now,

Need a Little Extra Happy? It's Time To Party!

 

 

Can You Take A Hint?

 



Yup, it's that time. You know me, can't keep me away from a good party for too long. If you have an etsy/online shop link up! If you have a blog, link up!  If you don't, come along for the ride. Just be sure to buckle up. 

Look around, hop around, follow one link to another and get set to discover things you've never even read about in books. OK, maybe you have, depending on the books you've been reading.

I thought we can always use an extra bit of happy in our lives, so this party is dedicated to that which makes us smile. Things that make us happy and generally make life that much better, just like a good party.

sources: double rainbow factory via pearson maron; best friend papercut card via ashley pahl; painted lady via SandraEterovic; Nancy Drew book via See Dolly Run

#1. I love rainbows. Double rainbows? Even better. I saw the best double rainbow ever a couple months ago while I was at the grocery store. It was huge and awesome. Of course, my phone battery was dead. How annoying. There was a guy next to me in the parking lot taking pictures and I really wanted to ask him to send a couple, but I didn't want him to call the police about the crazy lady that was stalking him.

#2. friends.................need I say more? OK, I will. We have been truly blessed this department and we're lucky enough to say our family are our friends too. I know that's not always true. Our friends are always ready for a good time and will do anything for a few laughs.

#3. Art. Any kind. Any how. It just makes me happy. It doesn't even have to be whimsical, but it's a nice 'happy bonus' when it is'.

#4. A good book.  We've been getting stuck in at night, going from book to book.  Some good ones I've read lately, The Pioneer Woman: High Heels and Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond- the woman could make me cause drink to shoot out my nose, if I was drinking while reading.  Someone Will Be With You Shortly by Lisa Kagan- another laugh out loud so much your husband reading next to you is not nearly as amused.  The Bastard by John Jakes- do any of you remember the Bicentennial Series....I mean do any of you who were alive at the time remember the series?  This was the first in the series and I read it many moons ago and thought I'd give it another go. A thoroughly enjoyable read that mixed a lot of history about the birth of our nation amongst a story that kept me turning the pages.  Wasn't sure if I'd be up for it after two funny ones, but I was hooked about 25 pages in.  I started one I got from one of my bookclub/champagne ladies last night, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats.  So far so good. But what about Nancy Drew you say? I think I read every single one, tucked in under the desk in my parents room with a giant flashlight, or curled up on the living room couch. I was quite obsessed.

What? One more?

#5. Parties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You know me, I'm a party girl at heart. I'm the last one to leave and surely, if there is a lampshade in the room, I could be wearing it by the end of the night.


Now, time to link up.




Have a great day. It's a great day to have.

Ciao for now,

 

 

Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It: Forget the Party Dress

Despite The Cold, It's Time To Party

It's Arctic here. I'm not kidding. I've been hunkered down with the wood stove. 

My windows have ice on them.

Yesterday it was 0 in the morning.

Today, -6. Without the wind chill.

It was so cold yesterday that they had to close one of our ski mountains. It was -47f. What?

Personally, I think it's a perfectly good reason to invite some guests over, grab a mug, get some cocoa, get cozy and enjoy the company.

{If you're new to Mercantile Muse and the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Party here's the scoop.  You probably already know about etsy (where we have a shop) and the handmade movement, the resurgence of everything vintage and the explosion of blogs by little peeps like me. Behind that movement are a gazillion creators, pickers, photographers and bloggers who run their own shops and blogs, competing against all the big guys who have gigantic marketing budgets. These little people don't and it's important to me to give these hardworking people a leg up on the big competition anyway I can.}

Now, for Pete's sake.....come on in and join the party.

sources:  winter art photograph via semisweetstudio; mugs via jessicahoward; gourmet hot cocoa via apropros roasters; handknit socks via dmtgun3

Remember, even if you don't own an etsy shop or online business and you don't blog, you are still invited to this party. It's a fun place to window shop and see what you might have been missing until now.

******If you're linking up your shop or blog, please read these guidelines before linking up.******

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up, please follow too. There are plenty of ways in the sidebar.You'll also find me on Hellocotton.

*Don't link and run. Be kind and follow links others have left behind.

*Link once for your shop, once for you blog.

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter, tumblr. I'd love to connect! 

*These parties can't be a success without your help. Can you share a link to the party? Blog, tweet, facebook, pin, share on any etsy teams? If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be wicked awesome. Everyone is welcome -  tell your friends.  Thanks to all of you who did at the last party...it was the biggest and best ever! Totally rockin'.

*When you take part in the link up, you'll go on the Mercantile Muse mail list. {Correspondence will come from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net.} I'll let you know when the next party is underway and about other happenings at the Muse.

*BY ALL MEANS,feel free to leave a comment. Tells a little more about you, your shop or blog. Need help to get started? 'What are you working on right now?

Time to get down! (If you're reading by email, click here to go to the party).

There's lots in the works on Mercantile Muse including a bookkeeping/accounting post from the Kate The Great aka Ms. Vintage from StoryTellersVintage. This girl is all about tracking and spreadsheets. She can't help it. It's what she did before she moved to the West coast to explore her more creative side.  I'll also be starting our artist's profile series soon and if you're like me and really enjoy learning the story behind things and the process, you'll want to be here for that.

I'm also diligently working on a redesign which I'm excited about. There is a lot more to do, but just getting stuck into the process makes me happy. I think you're going to like it. 

Thanks for stopping by and joining in the fun.  

Stay warm wherever you are, and if you're in the other hemisphere, stay cool.

Ciao for now,

Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It........First Party Of The New Year!

Out With The Old, In With the New

Almost. It's a New Year....and the button above reminds me that it is way past time to update that graphic. Alas, time is all I need to accomplish that task. However, none of that changes the fact that it's PARTY TIME! I know, this news just wiped away all the worry your were having over when I would be able to squeeze in a new button design. Thank goodness.

If you're new to Mercantile Muse and the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Party here's the digitty dig details.

You probably already know about etsy (where we have a shop) and the handmade  movement, resurgence of everything vintage and the explosion of blogs by little peeps like me. Behind that movement are a gazillion creators, pickers, photographers and bloggers who run their own shops and blogs, competing against all the big guys who have gigantic marketing budgets. These little people don't and it's important to me, for a variety of reasons, to give these hardworking people a leg up on the big competition anyway I can.

That brings us to the link party.

The Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link party is a place for these shop owners and bloggers to share links and introduce new people (like you) to their wares and their blogs.

It's not just for them though. It's for you. It's an all-in-one free for all where you'll find a great variety of products and blogs, just waiting to be discovered by you.

Plus, it's a party. What more can I say?

Shall we?

 

1. black shrug by MIRIMIRIFASHION  2. ‘masquerade mask by monkey thumbs

3. new year banner by mulberry creek  4. treble clef stencil by Cosmic Emotions
5. champagne glasses by amys vintage decorium  6. customized champagne bucket by Susabellas
7. white chocolate and raspberry fudge by SadiSweetShop  8. friendship sister painting by Sascalia

Remember, even if you don't own an etsy shop or online business and you don't blog, you are still invited to this party. It's a fun place to window shop and see what you might have been missing until now.

******If you're linking up your shop or blog, please read these guidelines before linking up.******

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up, please follow too. There are plenty of ways in the sidebar.You'll also find me on Hellocotton.

*Don't link and run. Be kind and follow links others have left behind.

*Link once for your shop, once for you blog to save space for others.

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter, tumblr. It's be great to connect with you as many ways as I can.

*I've said it before, but I can not stress enough that I can't make these parties and success without your help. Can you share a link to the party? Blog, tweet, facebook, pin, share on any etsy teams? If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be wicked awesome. Everyone is welcome here, so be sure to tell your friends.

*When you take part in the link up, you'll go on the Mercantile Muse mail list. {Correspondence will come from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net.} I'll let you know when the next link up party is underway so you join in again, and about other happenings at the Muse.

*BY ALL MEANS, let us get to know you better. Leave a comment that tells a little more about you, your shop or blog. Need help to get started? 'What did you do to ring in the New Year'

Time to get down! (If you're reading by email, click here to go to the party). 

Have a great day. The wind is wild here. Balmy though, so this is good.

Ciao for now,

I LOVE A Party!

via jack smooth

If Not Now, When?

That's right. You heard it here first. It's time for some serious quantities of holiday cheer.  You're up for that, aren't you? I certainly am.

This little party is all about making new friends and supporting the handmade movement, vintageers (as I like to call them), and small business owners in general.  It's a way for small business owners and bloggers to reach new people and promote themselves since none of them have large marketing machines doing it for them like the big guys do.  It also happens to be the last party before Christmas. 

Whether you're a shop owner, a blogger or neither, remember that this party is about having a blast.

So come on in and make yourselves at home.  Shop owners, if you'd kindly leave a link at the party below and help spread the word, this party is an open house. The more the merrier. Other guests, you will not feel left out here...........take a look around, follow the links and find some new things that are sure to go on your wish list. You're going to meet some really nice and very talented people. Everyone, take some time to get to know each other. That's what parties are for, right? 

I do hope you all wore your dancing shoes because it's not really a party without a little dancin'!

1. retro invites via Believe Papergoods
2. red seqin cocktail dress via Bad James Vintage

3. cocktail shakers via Ohio Picker
4. cocktail picks via jack smooth
5. fagottini mozzarella pouches via orobianco
6. tomato jam via copper pot traditions
7. robert goulet via Erma Jewels Vintage
8. ‘dancing’ print via matte art

Remember, even if you don't own an etsy shop or online business and you don't blog, you are still invited to this party. It's a fun place to window shop and see what you might have been missing until now.

******Please read these guidelines before linking up.******

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up, please follow too. There are several ways in the sidebar.You'll also find me on Hellocotton.

*Don't link and run. Follow links others have left behind. People have made sales because of these parties, but in the end, it's about supporting each other.

*Link once for your shop, once for you blog to save space for others. 

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter, tumblr.  It's be great to connect with you as many ways as I can.

*I want these to be the best parties around, but I can't do it without your help. Will you help me by sharing a link to the party? Blog, tweet, facebook, pin, share on any etsy teams? If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be wicked awesome.  Everyone is welcome here, so be sure to tell your friends.

*When you take part in the link up, you'll go on the Mercantile Muse mail list. {Correspondence will come from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net.}  I'll let you know when the next link up party is underway so you can promote your shop and blog again, and about other happenings at the Muse. 

*BY ALL MEANS, let us get to know you better. Leave a comment that tells a little more about you, your shop or blog.  Need help to get started? 'What at the top of your wish list this year?'

Time to pah-tay! (If you're reading by email, click here to go to the party).

I'm so glad you're all here at this last party before Christmas. I trust that you are all making your holidays merry and bright.

Thanks for being here.

I'll see you on the flip side,