Hmmm,

I think it’s a little late for the song “Let it Snow”, but you can’t tell it by looking  outside!  The trees are so beautiful, but I hope they can hold up to the weight of all of that wet snow.  My poor dogs can’t decide if they really want to go out!  I sure am glad that it’s the weekend and we don’t need to venture out (I did that yesterday after it started).

     So, my sister and I were talking the other day about Easter and how we always had an Easter Egg Tree up.  This tree was made by finding a nice branch and painting it white.  It was then secured into a clay pot with easter grass around the base of the “tree”.  We decorated it with eggs that we drained and then decorated.  This was a long, but fun process leaving us with many memories of our childhood.  I’m not sure what happened to that tree or the “ornaments”.  Connie suggested that we could make an updated version by using a white Feather Tree and decorating it with Patricia Breen Chrysalis Egg Ornaments!  You know, my sister has some good ideas sometimes!! 

     With the help of Connie and Leslie Kirk, I now have my new products listed!  I have more items to list from Art by Amy as soon as I get the photos edited.  These are non-Halloween designs, so you will have a nice selection to choose from.  I was hoping to get these items listed this weekend after Connie taught me how do edit a little better…… then the snow hit.  Oh well!

     This has been a long couple of weeks.  Unless things have changed, my husband will be coming home from the hospital Saturday!  It doesn’t end there, though.  He has strict orders from the doctor that he is to do NOTHING but lay on the couch for 4 weeks!  At least he will be home.  Since I won’t’ have to go in to the hospital every day, I am hoping to get caught up on everything.  I am not only trying to get my website updated and make some more trees and jewelry, but I have my husband’s business to manage.  We are blessed by having some great guys work for us and taking care of the daily operation, leaving me with the paper work.  I think I’ll have to teach Chris how to do some of it since he’ll have a little extra time on his hands.  I will also have to drive his FedEx route on days that we can’t find someone else to do it.  Everyone has been very helpful and supportive though all of this and we owe them a huge THANK YOU.  The biggest thank you goes to my sister, Connie, of Celebrate365.  She has taken on the job of taking and editing the photos of all of my new items…. and retaking the ones that I took just to get some items listed.  In addition to all of that, and that’s a lot, she is adding them to my store as she gets them done. 

     We are in the process of adding jewelry by Art by Amy and Christmas ornaments from Christina’s World.  Art by Amy is a combination of bold vintage/retro jewelry mixed with some modern flair.  It’s really fun and addictive once you start putting the the pieces together.  The ornaments and finials that I am focusing on from Christina’s Worldare from their line.  This way, they will fit on the feather trees that I make!  I believe that the jewelry order from John Wind is scheduled to ship on March 15.  I can’t wait!  This collection is also vintage style, but a little more “rich” looking.  The other great thing about this jewelry is that you can easily change charms because they connect with a lobster claw clasp.  So cool!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Connie and I will be at the National Halloween Convention at the end of April.  This is held at the Valley Forge Convention Center.  We will have a booth set up in the main isle, right by the stage.  We have never been there, so I am not quite sure what to expect but, it looks like it will be a blast.  I’m wondering if we will need to “dress the part”.  I think I could pull off being a witch without too much trouble….. that’s if you believe what my family says about me. 

             I’ll try and keep my updates coming a little more frequently, as long as my husband agrees to stay out of the hospital!

I can’t believe how long it is taking to get my photos edited and list my new items!  Of course, this is the first time that I have attempted this by myself.  My sister, Connie, has done all of this for me before now, but she has her own work to do…… I guess it IS time that I figure this out.  I do have a few photos ready, but have a long way to go.  Thanks to my husband for being ill for the last few days, I had to work his FedEx route for him.  The things we have to do for our husbands! 

To give you an idea of some of the new items that I will be adding, I have a posted a picture of the three necklaces.  In addition to  Halloween necklaces, I have Halloween bracelets and some other themed items. 

My order from Christina’s World should be arriving soon, so I will have ornments available to go on the feather trees.  This also means more photos to edit! 

I’ll keep you posted on when I get items added to the site.  Let me know how you like everything when I do!!

Benita

Well, the AmericasMart in Atlanta is coming to an end.  It’s been fun, tiring and expensive!!  There are so many wonderful things to see here, that it has been fun to explore, but I only saw the tip of the iceberg.  I have tried to go in to the Temps with a “game plan”, but always get distracted by something.  I still have to find  supplies for my Halloween feather trees, but have yet to discover the perfect place to shop.  If anyone knows where I can go to find black stem wrap and rolls of tissue paper, please let me know!!  I also need to get wire for the trees and and for my new jewelry projects.  Oh, and I could use some fun beads for my jewelry.  I especially am interested in colorful beads for Christmas, Halloween and Patriotic.

Another chilly start to the morning!  Staying “home” from the Mart today to help Mark get setup for tonights get-together.  I will be missing out on the chance to spend more money, but that’s probably a good thing.  I do need to check out some places in the next couple of days to find supplies for my feather trees.  Now that Christmas is over, I need to get back to making trees.  I was thinking about starting on some for Halloween, probably plain black, or black with orange feathers at the tips.  I have made an orange tree and orange with black tips, but I think I like the black better.  What do you think?