Web Shop Update!

Within the past week I've updated the web store with over 20 new items! Some of my favorites are:

The Bird Tote from new MBG artist Birdie Handmade. Birdie Handmade is actually VT artist and crafter Zoe Loomis. You might recognize her work from the Queen City Craft Bazaar.

The Always Lovely? card from Pink Livingroom Press. It's pretty funny.

The Summer Breeze Bracelet from Subsixstudios. It's big and chunky but delicate at the same time- love it!

That's all for store news. Let's hope it stops raining for at least few hours this weekend...

Mandy the Mannequin has passed away...

It's true- yesterday I was trying to re-dress the mannequin by the window and things got out of hand and I lost her. She's always been a little bit of a leaner (she was only $0.99 on ebay...) but she didn't even last a whole year!

This is her right before she completely fell over and broke in two. I tried to screw her back together but she wasn't having it.



Oh the joys of owning a store...

Ferocious Textiles

We got new stuff in from Ferocious Textiles yesterday! The VT ladies (Julia & Sara) behind this crafty company make pillows, placemats, napkins, totes, and all around cute home stuff. I'm so excited to have their stuff in the store AND the ladies themselves will be the Artist's Market every weekend this summer.

Plus, Kev put the air conditioner in yesterday- yay! No more sweating in the hot sun. And just in time because on Thursday it's supposed to be 90 degrees!

Also, if you haven't signed up for the mailing list yet, you really should because I'm going to start doing some super secret mailing list only discounts.

500 Handbags

I received a Contact Form Message last week about an upcoming book called 500 Handbags. "To be released in the fall of 2008, this book aims to showcase a fabulous, fun, and funky collection (of bags) that will inspire amateur crafters, professional designers, and everyone in between. " They're still looking for bags to showcase but the entry deadline is July 16th. Here's the website for more info: 500 Handbags The submissions will be juried by Jay McCarroll, winner of the first season of Project Runway.

I've already told a few MBG artists about it and hope they all submit something. It would be so great to have one of the store's artists' work in a book!

So yesterday was my day off- unfortunately I had heartburn pretty much all day...ouch! I did buy a few herbs from City Market though so I can start my herb garden. I bought basil, rosemary, and parsley but I think I want to add cilantro and maybe a few others. The front porch smells so good now.

It's going to be sunny all week! Welcome back sun!

And the winner is...

Jaslene! Renee did not even make it to the final two! I guess if Natasha couldn't win, I'm happy that Jaslene won. But Renee was definitely the fan favorite according to a lot of ANTM message boards. Oh well...

This blog is suppossed to be about the store right? ...in store news, I received new stuff from Nice Face yesterday. Everything is of course adorable and I want it ALL. Especially the Red Dress- so flippin cute!

Jazz Fest is almost here and there will be two stages on Church St, (one on the top block!) so I'm expecting lots of people that week and a half. Which is why I've been getting so much new inventory the past few days. And, because of the new inventory, older inventory has been moved to the sale rack. Plus, I'm still waiting for new jewelry from Handmade Julz, tops from Nicole Carey, and cards from Pink Livingroom Press. Yippeee!

ANTM Finale Tonight!

So tonight is the finale of America's Next Top Model. I'm rooting for Natasha but the competition is pretty stiff and I think Renee has a good chance of winning. I'm excited for the finale but what on earth will I do on Wednesday nights without ANTM?! I think Shear Genius is on Wednesday's so I may have to start watching that. Anyway- back to ANTM. Remember Elyse from the first cycle? She was 3rd runner up I think and definitely my favorite. She is a working model now and has a terrific blog chronically all of her model adventures. Here is a link to her LiveJournal. She's got great pics on there and she's quite funny.

Moving on- my new favorite website is www.indiebride.com Anyone planning a wedding should check out this site. Thanks to Vanessa for the tip! And I think we've decided where we're having ours. I don't want to say where yet since no paperwork has been signed but I will let you know once it's all finalized.

In store news- Ava Bishop brought by the prettiest tops and dresses yesterday. The best word to describe them really is pretty. I just wish it was warm enough to actually wear them...It's May 16th and I have the heat on. Oh Vermont!

Happy Mother's Day!

This has nothing to do with Mother's Day but Joanne Kalisz brought by a bunch of new stuff on Friday. Here is one of my favorite pieces:



She also brought in a bubble jumper dress which happens to fit me perfectly and I have decided to keep it for myself! There is another one available which is equally cute but in a medium so if that's your size you're in luck.

Also, Alison Murphy's new wire earrings have literally been flying off the shelves. This picture doesn't really do them justice but trust me they're cute.



And here's a picture of the cherry tree that Kev's bro gave us last year:



Isn't it pretty?

Anyway- Happy Mother's Day!

More new stuff

I got new cards in yesterday from Pinecone + Chickadee. They are all hand silk screened in Portland, Maine and super cute. Also, Alison Murphy brought by some new earrings and they are so freakin awesome that I sold a pair before I even put them on display! Love when that happens...

We also have Mother's Day cards made by Erin Brackenridge and Kacey from Subsixstudios is bringing by some new jewelry this week so come by and check it out and get something pretty for Mom.

It was insanely hot yesterday in the shop and unfortunately I still don't have the air conditioner in. If you plan on stopping by within the next few days, I highly recommend coming in the morning when the sun isn't shining in and creating a sauna effect. It should be cooler by Friday though so feel free to come by all weekend.

America's Next Top Model is on tonight- Go Natasha!

Reflections on the weekend

So Sat. was the first ever Queen City Craft Bazaar. If you came down to Union Station and saw all of the great work made by some of VT's finest- THANK YOU!

The day started out and ended pretty good but there was definitely some slow time in the middle of the day. I think the majority of vendors had a pretty good day and I've gotten some great feedback so I think the Holiday edition will be even better. We definitely need to focus on more marketing next time but that will mean increasing the vendor fee. And I'm not sure if we will use the upstairs next time. In general, vendors don't like being on the 2nd floor but maybe if we charge less for an upstairs spot that will make it more fair. Anyway, I have lots to think about before the next one...

If you are an artist/ crafter/ designer and missed the application deadline for this event, we will be posting application info on the site for the Holiday edition starting in September.

Here's a pic of the store's table at the QCCB:



Here's Alison Murphy of drawnonward and the Burlington Craft Mafia:



Alison is moving to New Hampshire after she graduates from UVM and will no longer be a VT local...sad! We will miss you Alison!

More pics of the event on my Flickr page.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the Queen City Craft Bazaar! I just want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone helping out with the event. It's a lot of work putting this all together and I wouldn't have been able to do it without the lovely Kacey from Subsixstudios. She has been freakin amazing and it has been so great working with her on this. Also of course I can't forget Holly from misshawklet and Erinn from Urban Farmgirl plus all the other ladies from the Burlington Craft Mafia.

In shop news, new cards arrived yesterday from Little Otsu. I got some Thank You cards and a notecard set from artist Kate Sutton. They're adorable! Also, I finally ordered more Reading is Sexy and Knitting is Knotty stickers. People have been asking for them so I really need to make sure I keep them in stock.

Alright- I have to go pick up the keys to Union Station. See you tomorrow!

Only 3 Days until the QCCB!

And I have so much to do...today I made a gazillion buttons which will be turned into magnets, pins and (drumroll please) rings and earrings. That's right rings and earrings! They're really cute and I'm excited to see how they sell at the Bazaar. They will of course be available at the store and online after the Bazaar so no worries if you can't make it this Saturday.

Also new for this Saturday, will be items from graphic design lady extraordinaire Stacey Carnell (she designed the QCCB logo- isn't it swell!?) and items from crafty UVM student Jessica Anderson. Holy Canoli I'm so excited for Saturday!

Oh yeah, and did I mention that Viva Espresso will be there selling coffee and yummy treats? Could it get any better?