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.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

After Christmas Sale!

In many places, people are celebrating Boxing Day, a holiday that was originally a way of acknowledging and thanking the hired help for their service. These days, there are frequently sales taking place on this day. This year, I decided to give that a try!

I have established "After Christmas Sale" sections in my stores.

Etsy Markdowns


Prices on Etsy already reflect the markdowns. Some things were marked down 10%, some 15%, some 20%, some with free shipping, and some with free shipping plus 20% off!

Markdowns include items from practically every other section in my store, including books, wall art, and some Christmas ornaments. This "veggie" cutting board shaped wall hanging is currently on sale for about $8.

I hope you will go and browse. There are some good deals to be had.

Markdowns on Artfire



On Artfire, I have a similar markdown section. Here, I have activated coupons, which expire January 5th, and have marked several things with free shipping already.  The scarves (such as the one below) and many of the lightweight items in the section are eligible for a 30% off coupon, while the rest are eligible for the 20% off coupon.


Sales on eCrater

At present, I don't have any markdowns set up on eCrater, but if there is something you really want a discount for, please just ask. I'm pretty open to reasonable offers over there, because I am trying to get established on that venue.

Sale Ends January 5th


This sale, and all applicable coupons and markdowns, is going away the weekend after New Years Day, January 5th.  After that, prices will be returning to pre-Christmas levels, and some items in the category may be removed from the stores and either listed elsewhere, or taken offline permanently. 

I will be adding new inventory as well, while the sale is going on, and may be adding more items to the sale categories (especially if things are selling quickly).  Check out what I have, ask questions if you have any, and visit often!  I'd love to have your business this season.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Last Minute Shoppers Can Still Buy for Christmas!

Get Your Orders in Now...Procrastinators Beware!
Since multiple people have contacted me about this today, I stopped in to let everyone know the wait times for shipping in the US, in case you wanted something in my stores but were afraid you couldn't get it in time.

For the ornaments, or lightweight items like them--items marked "first class domestic mail" in the description--the very, very, very last-minute day to ship is December 20th.  I recommend on the handmade things that you get your orders in to me the day before, or two days if you buy a large number of things, to give me time to make your orders.  I do not want a traffic ticket on December 20th trying to get your orders to the post office in time!

For the heavyweight items--items marked "parcel post" in the description--you have until December 14th.

It is too late to ship books at book rate--"media mail"--in time for Christmas. Contact me ahead of time and I will change the shipping for you to something faster but more expensive.

If you wait too long, I can attempt to get expedited shipping for you on all of it, but it will cost you, big time. So, don't do that to yourself.  You will thank me!

Until next time, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Cyber Monday Deal at CandyAppleCrafts

Just popping in on Cyber Monday to say hello, and let you know about my 10% off deal in my Etsy and Artfire stores today, just in case you aren't following my Twitter stream or Facebook page and hadn't heard about it through those channels. I have chosen to extend the 10% off deal until tomorrow night, just in case you wanted to get in on it but ran out of time today.  All you have to do is enter "ShopSave2012" in the coupon code box at checkout.

I cannot currently offer coupon codes on eCrater, but if you see something in that store and really want the 10% off, tell me at checkout (or in a separate email if you can't send me a message during the checkout process), and I will refund the 10% to your account. Better hurry, because this offer only lasts until midnight, Eastern Time, on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, I just wanted to show you my newest ornament, the friendly lion. Like him? You can order him on Etsy now for only $6.50 USD. If you are not from the US, better order quickly so it can get to you by Christmas!

Hope to see you soon, and as always, I wish you a very merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Getting Ready for the Holidays

I've had so much going on that I totally forgot to write about it over here!  I've been working to get my stores sparkling and ready for holiday shoppers, and that means almost daily work at finding or creating new things!

Recently, I found some really beautiful books while I was on vacation, and I just finished putting all ten of them into my Etsy store, in the "Interesting Books" section.  They all cover interesting topics, from teen-oriented piano music from the 40s to a cookbook from the 20s!  Currently, music books are the largest part of the group, but if I continue to see a lot of interest, I will add more children's books to the selection over there.

I have also been adding new types of Christmas ornaments to the ornament section on Etsy as well, including two new colors of poodles (dark green and bright red), and two "variant" listings, which allow you to pick groups of three poodles from a drop-down menu.  These new "pick 3" listings are discounted, compared to the "a la carte" poodle listings, especially when it comes to shipping charges. I hope you'll check them out!


Besides the poodles, I've also rolled out two new colors of walruses. Remember my bespectacled green walrus? Well, now he has two new friends, one in dark blue, and the other in dark purple.  Their popularity is on the rise!  I just sold a dark purple one today.

It's hard to say where the idea for walruses came from, especially as Christmas ornaments. I think I was just aiming for something unusual, and this reminded me of a storybook I must have read years ago.

I've had a lot of requests for birds over the last two years.  Last year, I listed a few hummingbirds. I currently have those down while I attempt a slight redesign of their tails.  Meanwhile, I have listed my very first pink flamingo, inspired by the beloved lawn ornaments invented in the 1950s.

What do you think?  I think she's cute.  Of course, the eyelashes always help!  The flamingo is actually a bit more intensely peach pink than the picture, but my camera had some trouble with the color.

I have more things planned in the coming weeks, including (I hope) several more ornaments to show you.  Hope you'll stop by for a visit soon!



Wednesday, September 19, 2012

In the Mood for Fall...Can You Tell?

My favorite time of year (besides Christmas) is autumn, when the air smells crisp like fallen leaves, but it isn't too cool. You can wear sweaters but you don't have to wear a constricting coat, and the landscape outside takes on fantastic color, from golden yellow to red and orange, browns of every shade, and spots of dark green from conifers of all kinds--not to mention the brightly colored fruits and berries!

Of course, that leads us to the flavors of the season, from cinnamon and allspice to pumpkin and apple cider!  I love fall...can you tell?

I decided to celebrate the season with a couple of collections on Artfire today. Although the leaves here have not quite begun to change, the quality of light and air tells me that fall will be here before I know it. Enjoy these great finds (all for sale in various shops, by the way) and dream of autumn today.


Sunday, August 26, 2012

Another Look at Miniaturization

I've always been a little obsessed with miniaturization, ever since I found a drawer for a doll bureau in my garage when I was small. Apparently, it had been left behind by the previous occupants of the house. However, I liked to imagine that it belonged to a mouse, or perhaps the Borrowers (if you're familiar with that book).

A couple of days ago, I explored the miniatures selection on Artfire and found some impressive things. There is literally everything from miniature food, to dolls for your dolls, to a working light fixture!  I made a collection, which I'm sharing here.



If you want to try your hand at making doll house miniatures, I have two kits that will get you started.  One is a bureau with a working drawer, and the other makes a pair of chairs. They both have finely detailed instructions, and just require a time commitment. I also have two classic books that detail how to go about making your own miniatures.  I've linked them here.