Changes...but all is Honky Dory

It's been months since I last blogged.
I experienced some "stuff" and it's my nature to go within when dealing. But, I am back and ready to be consistent with blogging again.




This summer has been a summer of making so many decisions. My cancer scare in December turned into a hysterectomy. And the timing sucked! It was scheduled 5 days before opening season of my market. I cried like a baby! LOL

I thought I could be super woman and hire some help and show up on opening day. Ha ha, that was a fantasy! But, I did make myself go back into production 7 days post op and with help made it for the second weekend of the season. That's all behind me now and I feel much better.

I am curious how others handle their online stores when life throws something at you. I closed it for 10 days and then reopened. I had requests for custom orders and did manage to fill them. But, I never told anyone I was, well, exhausted! It seemed like it may have been unprofessional to explain that I was in recovery and could not do something. So, I kept plugging away. The best thing about surgery is you get to nap. I have never been a napper and man oh man did I LOVE my naps!



I share studio space with two other artisans. Well, lots of changes there. Molly got married and moved away a few weeks ago. CarolLynn is having a fantastic year. She had baby Cora late winter and her husband just graduated from Law school. He found a job a few hours from here, so they bought a house closer to work and are moving.

Aren't mom and daughter so pretty! Baby Cora is at the studio everyday. I am getting a kick out of watching her develop. She is a genius!!! Just ask her parents, they will agree! She is a very smiley baby and is so fun to be around.




So, I again am moving my studio. I am going to bring it back to the house. I think my kitty, Luna, will be happy for the company. As I write she is laying across my neck...such a lovey dovey.

Summer shows have been great. They started out slow this year but picked up nicely. Etsy became busier this summer than the prior years. So, I ended up dropping my Sunday show. Being a one woman act here I just could not keep up. As Martha Stewart would say "That's a good thing".

Hope all of you are having a good summer!

Two Craft Shows this 4th of July Weekend

I booked two craft shows every weekend thru August. What am I thinking! LOL But, hey, you gotta make hay while the sun is a shinin'!

I am afraid, afraid of those silly No See Ums on Sunday. It is so funny because I am not one to be afraid of things. I love to drive across country, I stand up to bullies...stuff like that, but, these silly bugs have me afraid! I created a concoction that I will see if it works. It's Eucalyptus, geranium, bergamont, lavender, and lemon oil. I will bring some back up in the form of store bought bug repellent too.

If this doesn't work and I get attacked severely again, I will just have to drop that show.

I will let you know how the plant based repellent works!

Craft Season starting soon!

Missoula Saturday Market begins May 2nd this year. I am busy getting ready for it.

Every year at this time I become a bit frazzled, worrying that I don't have enough inventory. I have slowed down on listing on my Etsy shop. My sales online are consistent but the sales are in the $10 to $20 range.

I can not wait to start selling necklaces again! I sell a ton of earrings online and would love to see some necklaces find happy homes.

I really love this dragonfly piece. Also, I am pleased about the photography. Some of my pics are really hit or miss.

So, here is wishing everyone a successful Summer vending their craft shows! If you are in Missoula stop by and say "hey"!