November 29, 2011

Sweet Shop - the Blue Eyed Owl



 We have a winner!  Congratulations  #11 - Tiffany!
Please contact me at thesweetestmemory@cox.net to claim your shop credit!


True Random Number Generator11Powered by RANDOM.ORG

 
I am so excited to announce my latest featured shop owner,
Liz with Blue Eyed Owl
I feel so honored she is sharing her shop with us and she is offering an amazing giveaway!


What products do you make/sell?

I dabble in a bit of everything. In my online shop, I sell handmade accessories and jewelry, as well as vintage fashion and home décor. In my retail space I sell handmade home décor including hand painted vintage furniture.  I love to paint old pieces bright, off-beat colors to give them new life.

What inspired you to start creating/getting involved with selling vintage items?

I have always been a creative soul. When I was teaching kindergarten,  110% of me went into my job. I didn’t really have time to pursue anything outside of my 9 to 5.  When I “retired” at the ripe old age of 26 to stay home with my family, I began to explore my creative side and The Blue Eyed Owl was born.  The vintage side of the business came naturally from my inner history geek.


What medium do you like working most with?

I’m fabric & color obsessed.  I have used a lot of different kinds but my current obsession is pretty felt. I buy mine from Giant Dwarf on Etsy. They have the prettiest colors! I also love using vintage buttons and lace in new designs.


What time of day do you work best?

I get the most done while my daughter is at school.  I am up and on the computer starting my day at 6:30 and I generally burn out around 5:00.  I am most productive when my coffee is working it’s magic in the morning.  I try to keep the evenings as family time, but my laptop or glue gun make the occasional appearance.

What room do you do your creating?

My husband is amazing and has let me convert our whole formal living/dining area into a studio.  I’ve also taken over the backyard with my furniture and painting.


What is your favorite organization tip/ tool?

I go through phases of being really unorganized and then I can’t stand it anymore and go crazy getting everything together.  I will say, I would probably fall apart if it were not for my google calendar and my trusty notebook.  I love a good ol’ pencil and paper to-do list.

What tip can you give others interested in making/selling similar items?

BE PATIENT! It takes a long time to see a profit.  For the first 6-9 months I had to put all my profits plus a lot of my own money back into the business to help it grow.  It’s hard but well worth the wait.

What is your day job?

       The Blue Eyed Owl is my full time job but momma and CEO of the Ekstrom house are   
       my titles as well.
 
Describe your ideal weekend.

Shopping, cooking, crafting, football and family.


What other activities do you enjoy?

I love to travel, try new recipes, and have girl’s nights and time relaxing with my little family.

What is your sweetest memory from childhood?

I have so many! Probably the time spent at my family vacation home in Pinetop, AZ. We still go up several times a year. It’s my happy place.

Where are your favorite places to find your vintage items?  
      I am a thriftaholic, with no plans of recovering.  I also love flea markets, estate sales and
      antique malls.  There are so many good places around my home.


 What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
       I’m launching my new holiday line this week.  My favorite items from the line are my felt
       bows.  They are so fun to make and I love the color combos.


What is easier - selling your items in your retail shop or on-line?


       Good question.  I actually find that doing craft shows and vintage sales bring me the    
       most profit.  Online and retail are about the same.  There are a lot of overhead costs in  
       retail; space rental, commission, etc.  Online takes more time; photographs, listing,
       shipping, etc.


Now the exciting part - Liz is offering a $20.00 SHOP CREDIT to her Etsy shop!

You can find Liz at the following places: Etsy Shop . Facebook . Twitter . Blog


Here's how to win!

Mandatory Entries.  Leave a separate comment for each task:

1.  Follow the Blue Eyed Owl on her Blog - Blog

2.  Follow the Sweetest Memory on this Blog - Blog

Bonus Entries. Leave a separate comment for each task.  That's 3 extra chances to win!

3.  "Like" the Sweetest Memory on Facebook, and leave a comment that you are  
       participating in this giveaway. - Facebook

4.  "Like" the Blue Eyed Owl on Facebook, and leave a comment that you are
       participating in this giveaway. - Facebook

5.    Visit the Blue Eyed Owl on Etsy and let her know what you would get with your
        credit - Etsy Shop

Instructions:  Leave a separate comment for each task.  Entries due by Friday, Dec 9th at 10:00pm, MST.  Winner will be chosen using Random.org.  Winner of Giveaway will be announced Dec 10th!  Thanks for participating!

I am offering a 15% OFF discount to my ETSY Shop  through Dec 9th!  Just enter BEOGIVE15 at checkout.

Want to have your shop featured in "Sweet Shop"?  Just email me for details.  thesweetestmemory@cox.net

  

November 23, 2011

Give Thanks, for Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving.  It is my favorite holiday.  What a great time to get together with family, without the pressure of shopping and buying gifts for everyone!  This year my step brothers and sisters are all flying from different states to be together.  I can't remember another time we have all been together.  I am Thankful for a loving family!

What are you Thankful for?

Here are some images to get you ready, all for sale on Etsy.  Just click on their name, and it will take you to their listing.

50% Off -Thanksgiving Home Decor Rustic Harvest Gold Trees Orange Saffron Fall Leaves Autumn Photography 8x10
Madden Photography  Feeling in the mood for Fall

Thanksgiving Decor Pilgrims & Indians - 4 Piece Set
Pegology  Pegged People - Thanksgiving Decor

Thanksgiving Linen Napkins in NATURAL Set of 6 Two Words give thanks
Betsy Grace  Holiday Linens

Thanksgiving Wreath for Front Door Decor - Festive Sugar Cream Pie Berry Wreath
Two Inspire You   Lovely welcoming wreath

Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner Cupcake Toppers (Edible Fondant/12 items)
Mimi Cafe Union    Almost Good enough to eat!

Wool Oak Leaf  Fall or Thanksgiving Ornaments - Set of 5
Old Crow Creations     Fall Leaves

Thanksgiving Decorations GIVE THANKS Fall Banner hostess gift
Bekah Jennings  Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 21, 2011

My new Blog Button!

I am excited to have created my first Blog Button. 
Now I just need to figure out how to get the HTML code!  Stay tuned.




November 20, 2011

Winter Gardening



While others are getting their first snow, here in the desert it is fantastic gardening weather! I love being able to go out to my garden and pick veggies for dinner.



This year I have tried some new plants, radishes being one of them.  I planted them for my older daughter, who likes them (at least when we go out to restaurants) as one of her few vegetables she will eat.  I found a fun variety that are either red, pink or white.  Here's a few I picked for a salad.


I also picked my Argula, Red Leaf lettuce and chives to add to my salad.  It was delicious!  And, I didn't have to worry about it spoiling in the refrigerator before I could eat it.


My garden is fairly small, but I have a lot growing.  Arugula, Basil, Brocolli, Carrots, Chives, Cilantro, Cinnamon Basil, Eggplant, Garlic Chives, Mint, Parsley, Peas (2 varities), Radishes, Red Leaf Lettuce, Strawberries, Thyme.

What are you growing?  What are your gardening tips?  I would love to hear!

November 19, 2011

Looking for my next Sweet Shop (featured vendor)

I am looking for my next "Sweet Shop" my newest series featuring vendors shops, facebook pages, etc.  Please contact me for more details.  See the one I did for Puppy Love Dog Bakery. 

November 16, 2011

Winner of Organic Dog Treats

We have a winner for Puppy Love Dog Bakery's organic treats!

Congratulations Steph!

Steph wins two eight ounce treats for her pup.  Their best selling Peanut Butter and Banana, and their new fall flavor Pumpkin and Peanut Butter.  Thanks for participating! 
"I already follow your blog, and I've like Puppy Love on FB. I'd go with medium sized treats for our dog :)"

November 12, 2011

Art Party Sneek Peak

My sweet daughter is turning 6! 
 We threw an Art Party for her today.  She picked the theme months ago.  I loved the idea.  Here are a few photos of our day.  I will post the details soon!





November 8, 2011

Puppy Love

The Puppy Love Dog Bakery giveaway has been extended to Tuesday, November 15th!  Please show them some love.  It is easy to enter.  Don't your pets deserve the best?  Click on link below!