Wordless Wednesday Waterfall WOW!

Waterfall we discovered when driving south from
West Yellowstone, MT. through Idaho. 

Poudre Valley Hospital Craft Show

It's the time of year for holiday craft shows.  I decided to do one show this year, and that is the one sponsored by the Foundation at Poudre Valley Health System.  On November 18, they are sponsoring a craft show that will display the talents of the employees.  We will have our wares for sale there for that one day.

I participated in the craft show last year and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Many people I work with at PVHS visited my booth.  In addition many others stopped by as well.  The show is open to the public, and has developed a reputation over the years as a good place to find affordable quality gifts.

Here is my display from last year's show.

Come join the fun!  The show will open at 7:00 am for you early birds, and will close at 5:00 pm.

Poudre Valley Hospital is located at 1024 South Lemay in Fort Collins, CO.  

Note Cards to Send Across the Miles

As the holidays approach many of us begin to think more about family and friends who live far from us.  I find that I think of experiences I had in the past with these treasured people, and wonder how they are doing.  Of course, I can hop on Facebook or Twitter and see if I can find one quick glimpse into their lives.  Technology has changed how we communicate.

But with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I get nostalgic.  I think of dinners together, cozy fires in the fireplace, playing games around a table.  Technology seems at odds with that.  One of our honored traditions is to reach out across the miles with a note card.

I found some delightful note cards recently sold by a delightful seller on Etsy.  The shop is Firegems 2010.  Heidi Erb is the creator of these wonderful note cards.  Heidi is a single mom who takes lovely photos and makes them into note cards.  She also raises Golden Retrievers.  Look at this cutie.

Heidi enjoys nature photography as stated in her own words at her Etsy shop:

"Take your time while you are strolling through my photographs. Imagine yourself watching a beautiful sunset, or hearing the waves come to shore, the leaves crunching under your feet or the sounds of nature all around. Gaze upon the beauty of a flower or see the details on a building and so much more. "

Here is one of her more spectacular nature photos.  This is her Fire in the Sky Landscape Print.  Heidi also sells her prints.  This one is an 8x10.  You can also get this photo as note cards.

Of course, as I was saying earlier, the holidays remind us to reach out to our family and friends across the miles.  Heidi has a number of choices with a holiday theme.  These penquins are cute.

Check out all of Heidi's goodies at her Etsy shop, Firegems 2010.  Then get to know her a little better by visiting her on Facebook at Firegems 2010 Creative Escape.

Fall Fun at Harvest Farm Festival

The family took advantage of the spectacular Northern Colorado weather yesterday and drove up the road to Harvest Farm.  This is a farm right outside of the town of Wellington, Colorado. Harvest Farm is a unique place that serves men with drug and alcohol addiction.  It is a rehabilitation  center that serves 72 residents.  It provides them with the opportunity to work in a rural environment and receive counseling and help to transition back to society.  It is sponsored by the Denver Rescue Mission.

Every year they sponsor a Fall Festival that includes a big corn maze, a toddler corn maze, and various other small mazes.  There is a barrel train ride, pig races, a petting zoo, pumpkins,and other entertainment.  Food is available also.

We took Maggie, our two year old grand-daughter to this event.  She had such fun.

They said no throwing of the corn ~  But it's so much fun!

Fun on the Barrel Train

You back up, not me

Sittin' on Top of the World

Flores del Sur, Your Virtual Little Bazaar

This week I am featuring a very special Etsy shop named Flores del Sur. This delightful shop is the creation of Marisa Kraiselburd from Uruguay.  Her shop is bright, lively, and beautiful.  She designs and creates lovely handmade hair pins, hair clips, pins and brooches.

Marisa has developed a line of poppy pins that mix lovely colors together for a gorgeous design. My favorite of these is the Plum and Violet Poppy Pin.

She also uses brightly colored felt to make Felt Bouquet Pins, perfect for a coat or sweater.

You could get lost in the spiral swirls of color in Marisa's Ribbon Rolled Hair Pins.

You can read about Marisa on her blog, Facebook,and Twitter.

Marisa is a member of BESTeam, a group of creative artists who sell their work through shops on Etsy.  If you sell on Etsy and have a blog, consider joining this group.

The Sparkle of Gemstones ~ The Luster of Fine Pearls - BESTeam Featured Artist

Jewelry by Jaynemarie is an elegant Etsy boutique that offers fine jewelry.  Jaynemarie has dedicated herself to becoming a jeweler who can create beautiful jewelry for every occasion.

Here are some of my favorite items from her shop.

Green is one of my favorite colors.  The Handmade Prehnite and Peridot Filigree Necklace
 is fabulous.

For everyday elegance consider these Handmade Sterling Silver Swirly Earrings.  Dress them up or down, they are just right for many different occasions.

For a bit of subtle drama, wear these Handmade Sterling Silver Bridal Pearl Chandelier Earrings.  They make a statement.  They can be worn for events other than weddings, and Jaynemarie will create these in other types of pearls if you would like her to do so.

Look for Jaynemarie on:

                                            Facebook

                                            Twitter

                                            Blog

Jaynemarie is a member of BESTeam on Etsy.  She and many of us have Etsy shops, and we have joined together to promote artists on Etsy and to learn more about marketing our art online.  If you have an Etsy shop and write a blog, please consider joining us.

CK Silver - Timeless and Elegant, Extraordinary Customer Service - BESTeam Featured Artist

I am so delighted to feature CK Silver a BESTeam member shop on Etsy.  Cindy and Marilyn, a mother daughter team, create classic pieces of jewelry that you will be proud to wear anytime, anywhere.  They use nature for inspiration and enjoy creating from what God has already created.  Their pride of workmanship carries over to their customer service.  They are always willing to work with you.

Enjoy the colors in this Southwest Autumn Necklace.  The beautiful turquoise stands out against the brown jasper and red garnet, a very pleasing combination.  CK Silver also has matching earrings and bracelet for sale to go with the necklace.

These Spring Tulip earrings feature lovely soft colored beads with sparkly crystals handwrapped with sterling silver wire to the earrings. They are lightweight and very pretty. CK Jewelry has a number of other earrings in different colors made in a similar style.

A different elegant style is featured in these Agate Sparkle earrings.  Notice the wonderful circular swirl of sterling silver at the bottom of the earrings.  Beautifully crafted, and there is a matching bracelet available for sale as well.

This next bracelet is dear to my heart.  It is a Fruit of the Spirit bracelet.  Each crystal represents one of the Fruits of the Spirit from Galations 5:22.  The sterling silver dove represents the Spirit of God.

Please make a visit to CK Silver at the Etsy shop or visit with them on their blog.

  

Are you a handmade artist who also blogs and has an Etsy shop?  If so, please consider joining BESTeam.  We promote each other shops and share marketing tips.