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,

 

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,

Things I Found At The Party

via strum and sparkle

So Nice Of You To Come To The Party

The link parties on Mercantile Muse are always such a pleasure. So many goodies to search through.

Finding what people have left behind, is like finding little hints that lead you to different paths and different places.  I followed the trail you all made for me, and just look at the things I found:

1. upcycled silk dress via delight worthyn2. blue rag rug via handmade michelle
3. mermaid ornaments via easy street gallery

4. wristlet via with love and luck5. tea stained thank you tags by strum and sparkle6. hawaii photo via from paradise with love
7. bird print via tangram

I'm glad that so many of you linked up at the party, and I'm eternally grateful to those of you who took the time to support small independent business owners by checking out the links they left behind. So awesome!  In case you are a small handmade/vintage shop owner, or blogger, and haven't linked up yet.....the link party is still live. So be sure to link up. This party is a great way to reach new people.

In Case You Didn't Hear

Today is election day here in the states.  Finally, no matter what side you're on, I bet you'll be glad you don't have to watch or listen to all the negative advertisements after today.  I bet it's one thing we can all agree on.

Please get out and cast your vote today. Remember the people who have fought, and some who have died, so that you can go to the voting booth. Think of all the people around the world who are still fighting to gain that right.  It matters not who you vote for, what matters is that you exercise your right to vote. In case you need me to hit this point home, here's a little reading about 'The Night Of Terror' during the women's suffragette movement in the United States. Think of this happening ten-fold, or 100 fold, all over this world at different times during history, including right now. 

Just. Go. Vote.

Please.

Have a great day. I'll see you on the flip side.

  

Are Your Costumes Ready? It's Time to Get Our Party On!

via dahlia house studio

Halloween/All Saints & All Souls/Dias De Muerte Style!

It's the time of year for ghosts and goblins, trick or treat, and remembering the saints and the mere mortals who have passed.

Did you wear your costume? I mean, it is a costume party after all. This weekend at the neighbr's barn party Gman and I dressed as The Old Man and the Sea (I know, so literary)- he was the old fisherman and I was The Sea.  Then Sunday night I went down to my sister's to hand out candy. I dressed as a pajama party.  It's one time of the year when we can just let our imaginations run wild. More on all the Halloween hoopla tomorrow.

More importantly, it's time to party at Mercantile Muse!  These little 'link parties' are my way of supporting somethings I really believe in. Small business people, the handmade movement, vintage goods and bloggers. It's a place for independent shop owners, business people and bloggers to link up their stuff, show off a little bit and get to know each other and you.  It's a virtual helluva good time. So by all means, join in the fun.

1. day of the dead invites via lucky lady paper
2. ‘waiting to be picked’ via Rosemary Jordans
3. victorian dress via Edgar and Annabel
4. sugar skull necklace via mrd74
5. gold skull swizzle sticks via GnomeSweetGnome
6. haunted house poster via wallpost
7. white chocolate pumpkin bread via Simply Divine Desserts
8. ‘evening celebration’ via dahlia house studio

Ready to Party?

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 the party, please follow too. There are several ways in the sidebar.

*Don't link and run. You're linking up because you want new people to discover your shop? You'd love to make a sale, yes? Well, please follow some of the links others have left behind. People have made sales because of these parties, and it's all 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.  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, share on any etsy teams your on? 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 will go on the Mercantile Muse maillist. Corrsepondence will come from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net.  I'll let you know when the next link up party is underway and about other happenings 'round these parts.

*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? 'Did you dress up for Halloween? What was your costume?'

One more thing before we rock on.  Would you like to see these Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up parties every Thursday or do they work for you on an every other week basis? You input means a lot.

Let's party!

Thanks for being here.

Have a fantastic Thursday and I'll see you on the flip side,

Party Like It's 1999

via bizbash

Celebrate September Bash

Man, the weeks are rolling by. I can't believe it's time of another party already. In case you have been before, this party is all about promoting your business/shop/blog and connecting. If you don't have a shop or blog to promote then it's all about having a look see at all the great stuff out there on this world wide web.  It's always a ton of fun. The Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link party is all about you and the other guests. So if you have a shop or a blog, by all means link them up.  

First, slip off your flip flops, feel the grass between your toes, and mingle to your heart's content because we're doing it up picnic style.  It's still summer in this neck of the woods!

Grab a glass of sangria.

via Mercantile Muse

A little prosciutto and fennel salad crostini.

via real simple

And please save room for dessert.

 

via heart and home magazine 

**********************************************************************************

If you are linking up, please read the Rules of the House before doing so:

*If you take part in the link up, you will go on a list of participants and receive an e-mail from me (from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net) when the next Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party is underway.

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up at the party, I'd love it if you followed too. There are several different ways to follow in the sidebar. 

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter. It'd be great to connect with you any way I can.

*Don't link and run. Be kind and check out each other's links. It's all about supporting each other after all. 

*Will you share a link to the party? 'you two tell friends, and they tell two friends, and so on and so on'. It benefits us all--- blog, tweet, facebook, share on your etsy team if you're on one, etc. If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse's button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be, as we say 'round these parts, wicked awesome.  Everyone is welcome here, so be sure to tell your friends.

  **********************************************************************************

Be sure to check back next Tuesday when I feature some things I've found through the link up. It might even be you.

Time to get our party on (if you're reading by email click herehttp://www.batesmercantileco.blogspot.com/2012/09/party-like-its-1999.html it will bring you to the party). 

If you're not linking up, won't you have a look around at all the wonderful things left behind? I don't think you'll be disappointed about sticking around this party.




Nearly Time for a New Giveaway

Just like these parties, the giveaways on the Muse just keep getting better and better. You guys are going to swoon over all the stuff you can win in the September Giveaway. The last sponsor hopped on board today and you will have the chance to win a truckload of great prizes from 10 Shops.  Stay tuned tomorrow.  If I can pull it all together in time, the giveaway may launch! If not, there will be a sneak peak and launch day will be Monday.  

Have a great day and thanks for coming to the party,

Celebrate Summertime

via southernliving

SummerTime is PartyTime

No matter what the commercials want me to think, and no matter what etsy merchandising wants me to think, no matter what back-to-schoolers want me to think, I'm hear to tell you that Summer is not over. (Of course, this is only relevant if you live in this hemisphere.) I am not giving up on Summer. It's here for another month people and I intend to eek every last ounce out if it because I love it and because I know what's coming.  [Talk about eeking out Summer, there is still a little time left (only 13 hours!) to enter the August Giveaway for $150 of handmade. Yup $150! So if you haven't taken a moment to do so, there is no time like the present.]

via studio mucci

In honor of the beloved season of fireflies and starry nights (I know it will be hard to believe for those of you new to the Muse), it's time to do one of my favorite things.....PARTY!  Let's celebrate summer and all the places we go to explore and enjoy it.

via potterybarn

This is the the kind of party where indepedent artists and shop owners, bloggers and crafters alike, can celebrate their stuff.  It's the kind of party where other guests have a look-see at everything people brought to share and let it take you where it may. It's the kind of party where guests have a chance to mingle, get to know a little bit about each other and leave friends.  Are you game?

Step up to the buffet for a bite to eat, in honor of mine and Gar's Summer vacation, the fixin's for a NY chopped salad.

via the pioneer woman

Think of this as you wander around the party.....it's one of my shots from NY. 

via Bates Mercantile Co.

Oh I almost forgot. DO NOT MISS the cocktails! It would be downright silly of you to leave without having Summertime In A Glass. Whoever came up with this idea is my new favorite person.

via southern living

Most of all, enjoy what's left of Summer.

************************************************************

If you are linking up, please read the Rules of the House, before doing so:

*If you take part in the link up, you will go on a list of particpants and receive an e-mail from me (from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net) when the next Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party is underway.

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up at the party, shouldn't you follow too? I'd love it if you did. There are several different ways to follow in the sidebar to you're right, if you're not following already. 

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter. It'd be great to connect with you there too.

*Don't link and run, be kind and check out each other's links. Sure, this is all about celebrating your shop or blog, but it's also about paying it forward and making new connections. You won't believe the wonderful people you meet here on Mercantile Muse. Seriously. They rock. So please have a look around at other links. 

*Share a link to the party, 'you two tell friends, and they tell two friends, and so on and so on'. It benefits us all--- blog, tweet, facebook, share on your etsy team if you're on one, etc. If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse's button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be, as we say 'round these parts, wicked awesome.  Everyone is welcome here, so be sure to tell your friends. 

*Check back next Monday when I feature some things I've found through the link up. It might even be you.

Time to get our party on (if you're reading by email click here it will bring you to the party). 

If you're not linking up, won't you have a look around at all the wonderful things left behind? I don't think you'll be disappointed about sticking around this party.

***************************************************************

Did you get a chance to travel this summer? Where'd you go? If you didn't get away, where are you dreaming of going?

As always, thanks so much for stopping by the party. I love it when we get together this way.

Here's wishing you more fireflies and starry nights,

Get Your Party On: Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Up

via hostess with the mostest

Celebrate Summer

We are full throttle into Summer here.  The weather has been quite cooperative of late. 80s and gorgeous. No complaints here on that front. So it's time to celebrate with another Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Up Party.  If you haven't been here before for a link up party, here's how it goes. If you have an online shop or a blog, join the fun. All you have to do is post a link! It's that easy. If you don't have an online shop or blog, no worries. You'll get to peruse all the great shops and blogs that link up right here- all for you to find in one place on Mercantile Muse.  For me, it's a way of supporting my fellow online shop owners and bloggers. For you, it's a way of discovering wonderful new shops and blogs. Either way, it's all good! So won't you join in the fun at this Virtual Summer Party?

Grab a glass of this glorious punch (thank you Martha!) and mingle around and get to know other guests. That's what a party is all about, right?

via marthastewart

Please read the Rules of the House, before linking:

*If you take part in the link up, you will go on a list of particpants and receive an e-mail from me (from the address pbates@speakeasyinfo.net) when the next Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party is underway.

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up at the party, I'd love it if you became a follower. There are several different ways to follow in the sidebar to you're right, if you're not following already. 

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter. It'd be great to connect with you there too!

*I've changed the format a bit to make things a little easier. There is now only one link up section which covers both shops and blogs. So post one link for your shop and one for your blog if you've got one! 

*Don't link and run, be kind and check out each other's links. Sure, this is all about promoting yourself, but it's also about paying it forward and making new connections. You won't believe the wonderful people you meet here on Mercantile Muse! Seriously. They rock. So please have a look around at other links. 

*Share a link to the party, 'you two tell friends, and they tell two friends, and so on and so on'. It benefits us all--- blog, tweet, facebook, etc. If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse's button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be, as we say 'round these parts, wicked awesome.  This can only be a great party with your help.

*Check back Monday when I feature some things I've found through the link up. It could be you!

And away we go (if you're reading by email click here it will bring you to the party). Thanks for coming!

Have a fantastic day in your corner of the world. I'm working on doing the same in mine. The sun is shining, I'm feeling a bit better, the garden is watered, the pool is clear....all is right with the world.

Ciao for now,

Introducing: Gotta Have It - Link Up

Whatcha Got?

Hey gang, it's the first link party at Mercantile Muse! Stacey at A Sort of Fairytale has done such a great job with her link parties and supporting other online shop owners, I thought it might be nice to try the same thing, and if there is enough response and thumbs up for the link up, it may just become a regular feature. I for one, love trying new things while supporting fellow artists, crafters and vintage purveyors. If you like the idea too and have an online shop like we do (check out Bates Mercantile Co.) or a 3D shop, handmake, design or upcycle your own prodcuts, or sell vintage, this is the place to let others know just what you've got. The Gotta Have It link up will run from Thursday until 6pm on Saturday, so if you know others who would like to link up, please spread the word any way you can. This is all about supporting fellow esty shop owners as well as other artists, crafters and vintage sellers.  If you like the idea of the link up enough to participate, it sure would be nice if you became a follower of Mercantile Muse if you're not already.

If you have a blog, feel free to grab the Gotta Have It button, to let your followers know you are part of the Gotta Have It link up and to direct them to Mercantile Muse.....by the way, that would be really awesome.

<div align="center"><a href="http://batesmercantileco.blogspot.com" title="Mercantile Muse"><img src="http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i448/PamelaJBates/Mercantile-Muse-Gotta-Have-It-125-x125-button.jpg" alt="Mercantile Muse" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Remember, it's up to you guys to make this a regular feature, so link away.  If you don't happen to be a shop owner, but have something to say about the link up, please free to offer feedback as well. Everyone's opinion counts here.

Once you link up, 'share the love' and post a comment and let me know how you're following.......I really like hearing from you! (Note: add the url to your item where it says 'url to your blog post'!)