Happy New Year

To all may the New Year bring all that you hope for, dream of and all that you strive to reach.

2010 is here and there is so much to do for all of us.  Let's band together to make every dream a reality.

A time for everything

Today I have dreaded for a day or so.  You see Mike's sister was going through a tough time.  We took her little dog, Pebbles so she could have a break.  Well being the animal lover that I am....I fell in love with her.  She is the sweetest thing.  She instantly became a part of our little family.  Princess Molly (our baby Shepard/Chow) didn't mind her so all was good.  Pebbles is a Jack Russell and soooo lovable.  She's a lush for petting.  My parents fell in love with her too.

The time has come and his sister is coming after her today.  I have some errands to run so hopefully I won't be here when she leaves.  Am I terrible?  The thought brings tears to my eyes.  I would keep her forever.

All good things must come to an end....now she must go.

Aging Parents

I have been an only child since my brother was killed in Vietnam in 1968.  Spoiled rotten, the limelight always.  My childhood was so awesome.

In 2005 my only child, my son, Dusty was killed in a car accident.  He was my paretns only grandchild.  Spoiled rotten, the limelight always.

The past few years has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me and those around me.  Now my parents are aging fast.  Dad doesn't feel good at 84, he will be 85 in January.  Mom is 79 and a rock but even rocks wear with time.

The table has been turned.  I am now the leader.  They are such precious, wonderful people.  I love them so very much.  The emotions though are difficult to deal with.  Being an ostrich sounds great or a bear and hybernate for the winter....maybe things will get better and pass.

Our journey in life brings us to so many stops.  Learning how to cope and still have my own life is front and center again.  Hopefully the 2010 will bring me new strengths, power and knowledge.

Have a great day and enjoy all of those around you.

UH-OH New Year Time again

Haven't thought much about what I am going to do or not do for 2010.  Hard to imagine that year is actually here...ahem my age is showing!

anyway....my main focus will be on my Etsy, blog and Facebook, getting my act together learning all I can to help myself.  Oh yes then the usual, lose weight, quit smoking....exercise more...

Why don't we keep our resolutions?  Am I the only one that never does?  Am I traveling on this journey of procrastination alone?  Please help me here let me know you are just as bad!

Lift up the water glass and toast us at least for being who we are....great people!

Spotlight

So many wonderful Estians out there!  Here's the chance to shine.  Let others get to know you better, how you got to where you are now.  This is so exciting!

Excited to feature

This week we are pleased to Spotlight Whimsea Designs

How long have you been with Etsy?
I joined Etsy in October to get a feel for how things work as a seller. I've been a huge fan and Buyer on Etsy since 2008 though. I finally set up my shop in it's entirety in January 2010

What is your favorite part of being an Etsian?

The Etsy community is amazing and so supportive! My favorite part of being an Etsian is the reward of designing my own jewelry and accessories for women that love staying fashion forward without breaking their budget.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41741356

When did you start your craft/collection/hobby (whichever applies)?

Designing my own pieces started when I was young. I always lived in outskirted towns where the shopping was minimal. As a yound woman I wanted to be as stylish as all the trends I saw in magazines so I found my creative side and started handcrafting my own pieces. The greatest part about designing my own jewelry is finding vintage pieces, deconstructing them and designing them in to something more fabulous than what they started as. The hardest part about desiging my own jewelry is resisting the urge to keep one of each piece for myself!

Will 2010 bring anything new for you, your shop or your blog?

You'll see more pieces designed with vintage up-cycles. In 2009 I designed a lot of beach inspired looks and while you'll still see plenty of that in 2010 I want to bring more of the vintage chic beach look to women! I'm just learning the art of blogging so hopefully that will bring amazing things and get the word out about WhimSea Designs as well.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41555209

What do you think has helped you to be successful?
Facebook has been one of my greatest marketing and advertising tools. I've been so blessed to be able to connect with women everywhere. I've made some amazing connections with women that own their own boutiques in other cities that would love to carry some of my accessories! Who could ask for anything better?

What are some of your favorite blogs? (links please)
I'm such a newborn when it comes to blogging. I just started recently and honestly, before this month the "blog" world was a complete unknown to me. I must admit though I'm lovin' Lafes Hidden Treasures Blog!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41737257

Favorite Etsy shops?

Katarina Couture - designs THE MOST AMAZING handmade hats with vintage flair! So fun!!
Icing 101 - designs THE MOST FABULOUS flower accessories you'll ever see...a MUST to check out!!
Family Attic - designs THE MOST BEAUTIFUL Vintage Inspired Cottage Home Decor!
Audrey and Grace - designs THE MOST GORGEOUS authentic vintage reproductions....dresses, purses and wraps!
Lafe's Hidden Treasures is my new greatest find! I love lookin' for unique and amazing vintage finds...I've had my eye on a few things!

Customer service is very important; do you do anything special for your customers?
I take great pride in making sure I'm always available to assist my shoppers! Whether it's a custom design order or a Buyer that may have a question concerning an individual piece I design. I often include a "free gift" for shopping with each purchase as well!

Packaging is a huge part of Etsy, do you do anything different?

I gift box and wrap each jewelry piece I send out because I believe presentation is everything. Whether you've gifted yourself or someone else it's always exciting to recieve a beautifully wrapped gift!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41533049

Resting and relaxing, what do you do to have fun and enjoy life?

What do you consider to be your treasure? (anything from childhood to your shop) eg baby doll, a special rock, etc

Family is number one, first and foremost! When it comes to relaxing I love driving down to the beach, digging my toes in the sand and feeling the warm sun on my face! Whether I'm with family or just by myself it truly is a slice of heaven. When it comes to having fun in life...many will be suprised to know I'm a "Daddy's Girl" at heart...I love the outdoors. Camping, fishing and getting dirty 4-wheeling are the highlights of a great weekend!

What do you consider to be your treasure? (anything from childhood to your shop) eg baby doll, a special rock, etc

My treasure in life isn't anything materialistic. It's the love of my family and the amazing husband God has blessed me with! Nothing on earth could ever compare or take their place!!

Anything you want to say here....

Be sure to follow WhimSea Designs at http://www.whimseadesigns.blogspot.com/   for the latest in what's on my studio table! I want to take a special moment to say "Thank You" to Lafe's Hidden Treasures for this opportunity to be hightlighted! Thanks for all you do to support shops like WhimSea Designs in our endeavors! You've made my week!

Treasures

I have to tell you about Molly!  She is a Treasure to me.  I got her after my son died and she has been a true, loyal friend.  Unconditional love...

I wanted to make a snow Angel and she wanted to play...she won!

Billy and Nancy 1957

To say that I am obsessed with photos is an understatement.  They are priceless.  When I lost my son at the age of 17 in 2005, my only child, I suddenly realized that all I had left was photos and memories.  My obsession began.

The photos that I am sharing as a treasure are of my brother, Billy and me.  Billy was killed in Vietnam in 1968 at the age of 19.  He was born on my mother's 19th birthday and killed on his 19th birthday.  March 13 is a sad day all the way around.  We celebrate Mom's birthday on a different day.

Enjoy the treasures of me and Billy!

I don't have many memories of Billy since I was 11 years old and for some reason they have faded.  I do have these precious photos.

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the treads of the tapestry are equal in value no not matter what their color." Maya Angelou

Ever since I was a young girl anytime I found something that I loved I called it my "treasrues."  This page will be a line of my treasures either sitting around the house, something I have found on the net to share or from our Etsy shop.

The photo above is a treasure I love.  It is a photo of a "school bus."   The children below are from the same school as the bus.  It is Washinton Township School in Ohio.  The pics below show the senior class of 1927 and the teachers.

Looking at the past and a part of our history is so facinating.  It is a part of all of us.

Please enjoy!

Village

   

http://wilmaswimzees.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/WillmasWimzees

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaperOnParade

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37264488

http://www.etsy.com/shop/firecrackerkid

http://www.firecrackerkid.etsy.com/

http://www.firecrackerkid.blogspot.com/

http://www.oldfarmhousegathering.blogspot.com/

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/22430292

http://www.myworld.ebay.com/carola_firecrackerbaby

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1817572815&ref=name

http://www.kellee11.etsy.com/ 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/irishcorkie

http://irishcorkiesprimitives.blogspot.com/

It has been said for a few years that it takes a village.  All of the craftors, collectors and artisans come together to form a Village.  We are a strong village.


This page will offer you a wide variety of all of the above.  A chance for you to discover new treasures and a place to show off your shop.  Be it old or new out of the kiln, this is where the village begins.


Do you want to be a part of the Village?  Show off  your Treasures!  Here's what you need to do.


1. Send me your blog avatar
2. Send your shop address
3. Attach the photo of one item along with the link that you would like to be posted


That's it!


Any questions please contact me.

Audrey's Give Aways

There is an amazing giveaway going on now!  Here is the link http://audreysgiveaways.blogspot.com/  This is what is listed to give away

Here is their Etsy shop!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ocasiocasa

Stop in and have some fun!

Lots of new treasures added today!

Find them here:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/LafesHiddenTreasures

Sharing a wonderful evening

On December 5 we had a Christmas Fiesta to honor my son Dustin and Mike's daughter Vicky.  We sent off about 60 sky lanterns, oh so beautiful.  Dustin and Vicky's Memory is alive and well.

Love of Vintage

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33353336

At the core of my heart is vintage.  Each piece represents days gone by, an opportunity to visit that time for a moment.  It is history at its best.  To know that something has been around and through more than we will ever know is amazing. 

Wrapping presents

When do you wrap?  Are you finished?  I remember as a child loving to wrap presents as I grew older that love turned into the dreaded duty.  I put it off and use bags when I can.  It should be a part of the festive spirit....guess I need to remember that!

Sharing some beauty with you

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33354982
I am just in love with this!  It's beauty is so chic, girly, a time gone by!

Facebook is wonderful!

Since I am older....and learning so many neat things I want to talk about Facebook today.  It's possiblities are endless.  So many fans and friends.  All ever changing.  Life in the Etsy world is so good right now.  Share your Facebook page if you'd like.  Have a great day!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lafes-Hidden-Treasures/173414344850?ref=share