Etsy Finds: According To The Weather

lia artisan concrete designs

via Bates Mercantile Co.

Weather or Not

We have nothing to complain about here. The weather this Summer has been nothing short of spectacular. June...gorgeous. July....hotter the hades and humid to match.  August.....lovely summer days.  September.....the trend continues. However, today there is a storm on its way. The wind is picking up, the skies have turned gray and that's where today's etsy finds lead me.

1. rain over the sea via kenny bayne fine

2. storm recycled silver necklace (which is on my wish list....did you read that Gar?) via Hybrid Handmade
3. clear plastic umbrella via coyote marmalade
4. knit jacket coat via the knit kid
5. twisted twine via Follow Studio’s White Elephant Stall
6. Classic Louis Chair, Italian Style via past collections
7. my 3 feathers illustration art print by via bates mercantile co.
8. votive/succulent pedestal by Lia Artisan Concrete Designs via Bates Mercantile Co.https://www.etsy.com/listing/106359493/concrete-votive-holder-pedestal-candle

9. turks head sailors rope bracelet via The Jetty

What's the weather like in your corner of the world today?

Serious Loot

I can't say enough about Mercantile Muse's giveaway sponsors. These independent shop owners and creatives are really 'all that' and more.  This month's giveaway is enough to stop traffic. If it was advertised on a billboard it would be a given. Since it's not, I'm here to toot the horn. It's a must-enter. It's that good. $180+ in handmade and vintage. What's not to love? You could be the winner of all this: 

Here's the winnings in black and white:

One pillow/cushion cover from DreamPillowZzz,

a bookpage print from Papyrusaurus,

tangerine tango wood ring from Starlight Woods,

cookbook from StorytellersVintage,

a pyramid paperweight from Lia Artisan Concrete Designs,

a lovely wristlet clutch from Hazel Brown Designs,

a bookpage flower ring and hair clips from Hayley's Paper Love,

a pair of custom ladybug pillows from fAveritte Creations,

a vintage handpainted bone china Nippon plate from our shop-

Bates Mercantile Co.,

your choice of print from Bates Mercantile Co.,

and a photographic art print from Bleu Oiseau Photography

So if you still haven't thrown your name in the hat, what the heck are you waiting for? Go forth and enter.

Hope you're having a smashing day. Mine is full of playing catch up after. The cost of enjoying some downtime with our visitors. Well worth the cost.

Ciao for now,

Progress, Not Perfection

via lia artisan concrete designs

A Lesson To Learn

As you can imagine, we've both been quite busy with the launch of G's new business, lia artisan concrete designs.  In a short time, my husband has been testing mixes, testing forms, hand casting his designs, hand sanding his designs, hand sealing his designs. He has been making progress.

We can now safely say, he has inventory.

He secured another wholesale account last week, Rolling Green Nursery and will be delivering his order to Beth this week.  It made Beth's day that she was able to do business with a local craftsman. It made us happy that Beth not only placed an order, but was supportive of Gar's new venture in more than one way. She even offered Garrett the shipping supplies- burlap and packing materials- that come with some of the products she receives at the nursery.

There is of course, a lot more to do. At times though, you have to stop and think about how far you've come in a short time. 

Now, if we could only find an affordable shipping alternative for his products, which are on the heavy side, we'd really be making great strides. So for those of you who asked about getting your hands on some of Garrett's work, we haven't forgotten about you. We're working on the research end so that we can offer the best shipping options for our customers. 

Also, I've been waiting for paypal's new card reader 'Here' to launch so that we can accept credit card payments via our smart phones. Unfortunately, paypal seems to be taking their sweet time. We may just go with square since they're already up and running.

I'm in the midst of tweaking designs for his collateral (wholesale guide, business cards, brochure, etc) and that in itself is a lot of work.

Then there's the bookkeeping setup..........................ok, let's not go there today.

Let's just suffice it to say, we're happy with the progress. There is no sense in expecting perfection every step of the way because we're human after all. Who knew?

Progress. Yeah, I like the sound of that word.

It's shaping up to be a jam packed week. What's been happening in your world?

all for now,

Bridal Fun

Ready For The Aisle

My niece Cait, my sister Gloria's daughter, is getting married in a few weeks. Yesterday was her bridal shower.  We gathered in the beautiful wine loft at The 401 Tavern and enjoyed their lovely sangria. Always fun before a wedding to meet some of the people you'll see on the big day.

Cait's the first one of our family's 'next generation' to get married. Exciting Cait, right? Her fiancee Jon proposed on the beach. Cait was beside herself. Couldn't have imagined anything better. Jon gets two thumbs up on that one. Another two on the ring.

We played some bridal trivia games which were a fun way to get to know the bride and groom better.  First up: how well do you know the bride?

Ashley, 'The Introducer', sister Glo, sister Di and

our friend Deb answering their trivia questions.

Next: How well does the bride know the groom?

Cait quicky realized this game was not going to be all tea and crumpets, and is is rightfully suspiscious.

bridesmaid Crystal and highly suspicious bride to be

My niece Nicole, Cait's sister and maid of honor played Pat Sajac, while her friend Crystal played Vana White. Nicole would ask the questions of Cait, while Cait was thinking of her answer, Crystal held up the answer over Cait's head for the audience to see. Once Cait answered, Nicole played a video of Jon on the ipad answering the question. If Cait's answer didn't match Jon's, she had to put something silly on. It got ugly quick.

(sorry the pictures aren't the best, but you'll get the jist of it)

First question.......wrong. Bride to be must don some really bad red white and blue guitar sunglasses.

Uh oh. Looks like Cait went downhill fast.  Biggo floppy hat, purple hair extensions, hello kitty scrubs, two really bad scarves, gingham hillybilly shirt.

All and all, a good time had by one and all.  Especially the bride to be.

I hope Cait liked her box of goodies and I wish I'd taken a picture. I found a great old vintage wooden advertising box and it was filled with goodies including planters, a garden greenman wall hanging, and votives from Lia Artisan Concrete Design. It really looked sweet.

Besides the bridal shower, our weekend was full. Friday night we were down to Mama Leone's 38th summer opening. Good food and fun. Saturday, we made a couple of small bets on the Preakness. I was one horse shy of winning a superfecta! I would have bought you all lunch. Promise I would have.  Did anyone see the race? Wow. 'I'll Have Another' stole it from Bodemeister, just like the Derby. This horse could really have a shot at winning the crown. He's something else. After the race, we had a campfire out back and neighborhoodlums Sandee and Gerry stopped over for awhile. They could smell the campfire. It was a beautiful night out. In fact, it was a beautiful weekend. 

I know it's Monday and I was supposed to pick some 'things I found at the link party' today, but the bridal show recap bumped that until tomorrow. Be sure to stop back to see if you were picked. If you have a shop or blog and haven't added a link yet, you can do that here.

Ciao for now,

Time For a Break

Not Nearly Enough

I tend to be a morning tea girl. Not a morning girl, but a morning tea girl. I like my Barry's Irish Breakfast tea.  Two cups please. I don't take a moment out of the afternoon nearly enough, and make a cuppa for myself.  I enjoy having other teas, but for some reason it just doesn't cross my mind.

Well, it did today.

White Heron Cranberry Apple Ginger organic tea. They're a local business. I've mentioned this tea before. It's a fave. Snappy, but not too snappy. Perfect.

So may I suggest that it's time for a break. Put the kettle or the coffee pot on,or get a glass of water. Step away from the computer for a few moments. Go ahead, recharge yourself.

Elle Moss Photo Challenge

Think it's day 8 of the Elle Moss 21 Day Photo Challenge. Theme today is 'Favorite Place'.

Pretty happy where I am. Right here at Sunset Meadows.

sunset meadows 4/8/2012

sunset meadows 9/12/11



sunset meadows 9/12/11

Have a gread Wednesday. I'm working on the list and organizing at the same time and Garrett is doing the same downstairs in his studio.  Going to go with the saying I posted on facebook yesterday, "let whatever you do today, be enough."

Love it!

ciao for now,

Ready To Launch & Freeform Friday

via lia artisan concrete designs

What We've Been Working On

I've said a couple of times in the last month that there has been a lot going on here. Well, it wasn't a lie.

In March, the Gman's job of 26 years was no more.  We've been trying to look at it as a new opportunity, a chance for positive change, but that doesn't mean it's been easy. Quite frankly, it hasn't. What is has been is pretty darn stressful times. That said, it's also been an exciting time.

After working with concrete for 26 years, as a concrete construction foreman building foundations, my husband is turning concrete -as he knows it- on its head. He's working with it in a completely new way and is really excited about it. 

Now, without further ado, may I me introduce to you................

Our basement has become a studio and he's been very busy putting together his first collection of home and garden decor.  Today is launch day for Lia Artisan Concrete Designs!

via lia artisan concrete designs

The good news is that he's just back from acquiring his first wholesale account. Woohoo! Now, I will say that we did have a little edge, since its Backyard Birds & Garden Frills the shop our sister-in-law Kelly and her mom run. However, they have a seriously beautiful shop and would not just humour him because, in the end, it comes down to business. I've blogged about their shop before, so you can see for yourself it is in deed a lovely store. 

via lia artisan concrete designs

The best part of Gman's first pitch is that as he was setting up his display, a lady going into the store wanted one of his designs! Yup, you got it right. He sold the 'half sphere planter on pedestal' (back right) before he'd even shown it to Kelly and Judy.  They insisted he sell it to the woman outright, since they hadn't put in an order yet.  Is that classic or what?

If you'd like to know more about my husband's new venture, Lia Artisan Concrete Designs, I'd love it if you stopped by his website. You'll find a little background on him, his process, the significance of the name lia and the inspiration for his first collection.  Keep in mind, it's a work in progress as I have to secure his official address and have a lot more info to add. It's a start though.  I'm actually using blogger to set up his website and it's going pretty good so far (other than time....which I need more of). I'll work on customization later, but at least it allows me to get something up and running pretty quick. If anyone has used blogger to host their website (knock, knock....Kristen!!), email, etc, I'd appreciate some feedback.  When I have his facebook page set up, I'll be sure to let you know.

Thanking you all for any good thoughts you can send our way as we get up and running.

Elle Moss 21 Day Photo Challenge

Today is Day 5 in the Elle Moss 21 Day Photo Challenge and the theme is architecture.  It was a hard choice. I take a lot of architecture shots when we're on vacation.  I'm quite drawn to building and their features.  I went with this shot of the facade of our favorite places, Grand Central Station.

It was a tough decisiont though, because what I really love doing when I'm at Grand Central is gaze at the ceiling.

Wish this picutre showed it more clearly, but it's the most beautiful shade of blue and it features constellations with some of the stars being lit.  It's amazing. The entire building is beautiful and it's always buzzing. All that I love about NYC.

Freeform Friday 

Oh yeah, friday night youtubing will surely include this one tonight. It's a standby and why not put your dancing shoes on and work up a sweat with me! And yes, you have to dance to the entire thing. Phew! If you're reading via email, click here.

Sieze the day and by all means, have a grand weekend.

ttfn,