Thursday, July 31, 2014

The Balancing Act

The key to keeping your balance is knowing when you have lost it – anonymous


When working full-time and also trying to grow a small business, it is easy to spread yourself too thin. Besides all of the hours that are spent working at a job that may not be your real joy, you may also push yourself to exhaustion and irritability, while working on the very thing that may be your heart’s desire.
We all have choices, and the often the relief of having a steady paycheck can trap a person into believing that this is more important than doing what you really love.

When the hours that are available to work on your craft are regulated by everything else that must be done, it can feel as though little is being accomplished, or that the process is moving too slowly.




Part of the balancing act of life includes family obligations, social activities, necessary chores, appointments, and unexpected events.
As I prepare to take a week and a half for summer vacation, I am accepting of the fact that the time spent exploring, relaxing, enjoying, will recharge me. In order to have energy for fresh new ideas, it is important to take time to relax, and realize that taking a brief break can be positive.

The act of balancing all aspects of life can be a challenging dilemma. Time passes quickly, and often while looking towards the future, we forget to experience the now.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Meet our new members! Summer Edition!

It's time to introduce our latest batch of new members to our group!  Please say "Hello!" and check out the following shops from our new members:

Mmmmm what is that smell? :) Check out The Potpourri Room for lovely gift ideas for your home. 

We have something fabulous for your pups, check out designer pet wear from Lollypups.  


Snazzy pillowcases, bags, sachets and more from Frau Lammli


Gorgeous pottery work from Hester Studio

We are so excited to have everyone on board and we're really looking forward to working with everyone and sharing more of their work.




Friday, July 25, 2014

Where To Find The Hudson Valley Etsy Team This Weekend

Happy Friday!

We have two events for you this weekend,

This Sunday, July 27, is the last date of the season for Bazaar On Hudson in Cold Spring, NY, and our very own Reclaimed Designs will be selling her gorgeous mosaics there from 10:30AM-4:30PM.

Reclaimed Designs
Reclaimed Designs
Also this Sunday is the 24th annual Narrowsburg Riverfest in Narrowsburg, NY, on the gorgeous Delaware River and we have two team members selling their creations there from 10AM-4PM: Get Glassy will be there as well as Stone & Fiber.
Get Glassy
Get Glassy
Stone & Fiber
Stone & Fiber
Happy Shopping!




Friday, July 18, 2014

Where To Find The Hudson Valley Etsy Team This Weekend

We have two fun markets for you this weekend, so come on out!

It's the 2nd last date of the year for Bazaar-On-Hudson, but the last date for New Prospect Pottery.
Bazaar-On-Hudson, Main Street, Cold Spring, NY. Sunday July 20, 10:30AM-4:30PM.
New Prospect Pottery
New Prospect Pottery
And as you might have seen in Monday's post it's the 2nd day for the monthly Makers Market.
Warwick Makers Market, Railroad Green, Warwick, NY. Sunday, July 20, 9AM-3PM.

Selling their work at the Warwick Makers Market will be:
Get Glassy: Fused glass jewelry, tableware and home decor
Huzzah Handmade: Luxury knits, felted bags and vases, felt accessories
Stone and Fiber: Natural stone jewelry and hand-knit accessories
Get Glassy
Get Glassy
Huzzah Handmade
Huzzah Handmade
Stone and Fiber
Stone and Fiber
 Happy shopping!


Monday, July 14, 2014

Check out Maker's Market July 20th!

In cased you missed its debut last month (June 29th), new market on the block Makers Market next date is scheduled for Sunday July 20th in Warwick.  Organizers include our team's own Huzzah! Handmade, New Prospect Pottery, Get Glassy, and Stone and Fiber.


Take a walk through our Makers Market for unique handmade items, enjoy the fresh food and produce from the nearby farmers market and stop for a bite to eat at the many restaurants in the village. The Village of Warwick is a great place to spend a Sunday. 





Upcoming Dates

August 24
September 21
October 12
October 26

Interested in participating as a vendor? Their application is available for sign up! And you can stay up to date with Maker's  Market by following them on Facebook.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Where To Find The Hudson Valley Etsy Team This Weekend

It's going to be on heck of a gorgeous weekend. Enjoy gorgeous Cold Spring and stop by the third last date of the Bazaar-On-Hudson this year, this Sunday, July 13, from 10:30AM-4:30PM. New Prospect Pottery will be there along with a talented group of vendors.
New Prospect Pottery
New Prospect Pottery
New Prospect Pottery
Happy shopping!!

Thursday, July 10, 2014

A Visit to the Country Living Fair


Textiles and sundry goods
Last month in the beautiful weather,  I took the opportunity to trek up to Rhinebeck N.Y. to check out the Country Living Fair. Sponsored by the very popular Country Living Magazine, this is their second year in Rhinebeck. The fair travels to many other venues, but this one was the closest for me. The three day fair dominated the whole Dutchess County Fairgrounds site. It was huge! I usually attend the NY Sheep and Wool Festival at the fairgrounds, so I was familiar with the location, but I was a bit unprepared for the enormity of it. Most of the buildings that house the animals for the Sheep and Wool, were chock full of vendors this time.




The fair features not only handmade crafts, but also a very sizable collection of vintage goods, so there is a lot to discover for all interests.  As I browsed around, I found some dubious handmade and/or "vintage goods amongst the "real stuff." You really have to be aware of what you're buying and check things out well. Some people didn't seem to care; they just wanted something/anything, to take home from the fair. Many items seemed overpriced and I was pretty taken aback when I saw vintage buttons for $8 and up a piece. Some buttons on cards were as much as $50! Guess I'd better go back through my stash and re-evaluate what I have.


Old mailboxes and curiosities from a Kingston NY store

Vintage "junque"

























The main reason for my trip was to visit my friend and fellow HV Etsy teammate, Sue from Digilio Designs. This was Sue's second year at the fair, and it's a real feather in her cap to be chosen again. Sue's work is perfect for this fair, and she was busy and pleased with the pace of business when I found her booth.  The fair lasts for three days, the booth fees are pretty steep, and it gets pretty tiring for the vendors, so I was happy, but not surprised, that she was doing well. I am very biased, but I think Sue had some of the best work there.

Sue Digilio enjoying a quite moment during the busy day.

Some of Digilio Design's handmade soft sculpture dolls
After chatting with Sue, I browsed around for hours, had a bite to eat and headed home. My only purchase was two lovely framed silhouettes of dogs: one of a Mini-schnauzer, and one of a West Highland Terrier from With Heart and Hand, Wendy Schultz Wubbles, Silhouettes and Scherenschnitte.  . The skill involved in her work is amazing, and I love the faux wood grain frames and the hand painted backgrounds in each piece. What can I say, I'm a sucker for my dogs!  Wendy's work makes an attractive addition to my home that brings me pleasure every day, and knowing that Sue was so successful warms my heart.
With Heart and Hand's collection of silhouettes

Just one of a collection of vintage trailers at the entrance to the fair. Fun!


Old trailer with an eclectic assortment for sale


Kathryn - Huzzah! Handmade

Friday, July 4, 2014

Where To Find The Hudson Valley Etsy Team This Weekend

It's going to be another gorgeous summer weekend in the Hudson Valley. Why not stop by the Bazaar-On-Hudson while you're out and about in gorgeous Cold Sping?

We will have two members of the team, Pulp Sushi and New Prospect Pottery, selling their work at the bazaar this Sunday, July 6, from 10:30AM-4:30PM. Go say hi!
Pulp Sushi
Pulp Sushi
New Prospect Pottery
New Prospect Pottery
Happy shopping!


Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Out of my Studio: On Vacation!



Paper Airplane by Kitsch and Stitch

Hell Yes Ice Cream T-shirt by The Shayski Shop
This month I am very excited to be heading out to spend July in the United Kingdom with my family.

Here are a selection of my current favorite finds from the Hudson Valley Etsy team that bring the summer to mind.


Nautical Luggage Tags by H&J Star Creations
Blue Sea Glass Charm Necklace by Stone and Fiber


 



Fireworks Necklace by Get Glassy
Enjoy the summer, I know I will!

"Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language"  Henry James


Good Luck and Good Making!

Sarah Omura
So Handmade