Vintage finds and retro handmade--a sweet mix I know you'll love.

This is my blog. To visit my stores, click the Etsy or Artfire links above, or the product images on the right column of the screen.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Get Ready for Thanksgiving!

Tomorrow is the first day of November.  We're about to swan dive into the holiday season.  Are you ready?  I am, with a stock of vintage dishes and a really cool Thanksgiving cornucopia centerpiece for your holiday table.

If you are also looking for some really nice, one-of-a-kind pieces of autumn and Thanksgiving decor, you might check out this thread in the Artfire forums, called "Thanksgiving Collections." Each collection of items is linked to sixteen different shops, selling everything from place cards to hand-crocheted table runners.  Go handmade, and support small shops and artisans this holiday season, and go vintage to go green!  It's all good.

I also wanted to inform you that I have all of the poodle ornaments, in pink, yellow, blue, green, white, and purple, available in my Etsy shop now.  If you are not a US resident, I very strongly encourage you to make your orders this week, so your package can have some chance of arriving before Christmas.  International shipping is notoriously slow, especially with some recent anti-terrorist measures some countries are taking concerning international mail.  Ideally it should take 10-14 days, but I've seen it take longer.  It's best not to get too close to the cutoff point!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Facebook Auction!

I  have heard of "Facebook Auctions" before, so I decided to hold one on my Facebook fan page to round out my October anniversary sale.  I made this little furry monster a little while ago, but couldn't figure out where I wanted to list it (or if I wanted to just keep it).  This is the only one I've made, so if you win it, you will have a one-of-a-kind creation!
The highest bid, wins!

How to participate:
  •  Eligible participants have to "like" my Candy Apple Crafts Fanpage, and have a valid and current Paypal account, address, and email address.  US residents will have shipping included in the price, but international residents will be charged shipping in addition to the winning bid.
  • I will post this photo on my Facebook fan page .  The caption will have the starting price, and the bidding increment.
  • Leave a comment on the photo to place a bid.   For the sake of clarity, don't leave a comment on the photo if you don't want to bid.  You can comment multiple times.
  • Every comment on the Facebook photo raises the bid by the bidding increment.  If you aren't sure what the price is at any given moment, count the number of comments and add it up.
  • The bidding ends noon, Central Time, Tuesday, November 1, 2011.  Comments posted after that will not be counted.
  • The winner will be privately contacted through Facebook for their shipping information and a valid email address.  I will send you an invoice through Paypal to your email.  You will have 24 hours to finish checkout, or you will be disqualified and the winner will be the next lower bid.
  • I will mail you this as soon as payment has been completed!
Good luck everyone!  Head over to my fan page right away.  You can't bid here on the blog!  See you there.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Retro Poodle Christmas Ornaments

I'm excited to share the first of my newest line of Christmas ornaments.  It's a retro poodle Christmas tree decoration!  It stands alone, or it can be hung on your tree--you choose.  I can picture a few of these on a white or pastel tree, like those tinsel trees from the 50s and 60s. This ornament isn't just limited to Christmas displays, either.
Handmade, by CandyAppleCrafts, Copyright 2011.

Every year, I make retro style Christmas ornaments, because I love the fun and innocence of decorations from that period.  I design and make them myself.

I am welcoming custom orders on these.  I can vary the number and color, but for now, I just have this one purple one available for sale in my Etsy store.

More to come!  Leave me a comment to tell me what you think. :)

Friday, October 21, 2011

Shopping on a Budget: Great Gifts Under $10

If you are like me, you have a long list of people to buy for during the upcoming holiday season.  I'm trying to make that job easier for you by putting together gift guides in different price brackets.  Today, I'm sharing a small selection of what I have for under $10.



At Candy Apple Crafts, you can stay within the budget without being boring.  There's something for everyone in my store, from the fashionista to the bookworm.  I even have some Christmas ornaments for those who like to give those as gifts around the holidays.  What do you think?

Would you like to see more in this price range?  You're in luck.  I am adding more handmade Christmas ornaments to my stores right now, and there will be a slew of vintage pieces added as well over the next few weeks.  Everything in both stores is currently on a 10% off anniversary sale, but that ends October 31.  Act fast!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Shopping Guide: Fun Gifts Under $5

If you've only got a few dollars, holiday shopping can be tough.  I understand that completely.  I've been there.

Holiday gifts don't have to be exorbitantly expensive in order to be fun.  I've got a pretty large selection of great gifts for low prices, and I'm going to start sharing them now.  Here's a few to start with!


Sunday, October 16, 2011

Anniversary Sale Continues, Plus, a Sneak Peek!

As I announced earlier, I have a sale going on all month to celebrate the anniversary of Candy Apple Crafts.  For two years now, I've been steadily building my business, and I'm now approaching 100 sales in my two stores.  This is a great achievement for a small business that started so simply in 2009, with less than 20 items for sale and no presence whatsoever in the online retail market.

I've grown a lot, and now have nearly 300 things available in my stores, but I intend to maintain the same level of customer service, quality, and style.  What I have to sell may vary greatly, but I want it to be homey and nostalgic, traditional but not uncomfortable, family-friendly and fun.  The name of my store is evocative of the theme of my merchandise.

Currently, everything in my Etsy store is eligible for a 10% off coupon.  Just type in the code SecondAnnivSale2011 at checkout.  My Artfire store is marked down 10% automatically (no coupon needed).  Hope you'll come check it out!
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Now, that said, I wanted to show you a little sneak peek of a project I've been working on.  It's the first in a new line of retro Christmas ornaments that I have planned.

This is an early prototype, which means I am making more improvements.  I'm not telling how I did it (this artist wants to be paid for her efforts!), but I will tell you that it took many failed attempts over the course of a year.  Yup, it's hard work!


After a few more tweaks, I will be making these available for sale, of course with a hanger attached.  There are other designs in the works, too...

Now is the best time to put in special requests!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Collections: Scrumptious Fall Treats

I have to say, one reason why fall is my favorite season of the year is the food!  I love the smell of cinnamon apples, sugar cookies and spiced breads, pumpkin and smoked meats...

Hungry yet?  Here's something to make your mouth water today:


A special thanks to Night Sky Jewelry for including my vintage apple salt and pepper shakers in this collection! 

I will be back here soon with an announcement of some new Christmas items I think you'll love. Meanwhile, please take advantage of my October Anniversary Sale in both stores. It's still going on! Click the tabs marked "Artfire" and "Etsy" and go straight to my stores to look around. :)

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Candy Apple Crafts Anniversary Sale!

I officially opened my Etsy shop in October of 2009.  Almost exactly one year later, I opened my Artfire store.  To celebrate two years of being in business, and 76 sales on the two venues, I am having a big sale all month!

Here are the first deals of the month:
  • Take 10% off all items in my Etsy store with the coupon code SecondAnnivSale2011.
  • Take 10% off all items in my Artfire store, no coupon code required!  All things marked down automatically.
  • Take an additional 10% off all items in the scarves, ties, and handkerchiefs section until October 15 with the coupon code 1FirstAnniversarySale2011.  Enter this code on the right side of the screen during checkout.

Here are a few of the things you can find on sale now:




























Get this Thanksgiving Cornucopia Centerpiece on sale.  Decorate your holiday table before the busy season starts next month!












Get this Jones New York scarf for 10% off, and don't forget the coupon to take an additional 10% off.  It's easy to care for, and trendy colors for the season.










Stock up for Christmas early!  I have many Christmas decorations, like these Elf Christmas Ornaments, as well as gifts for all ages, under $10!







Hope to see you there!  Follow the links throughout this post to check out the deals.