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.

Autumn Blessings

Curated By: CandyAppleCra...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Soap

Fall at First Blush

Curated By: CandyAppleCra...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Soap

Southwestern Winds

I tried to blog here about a week ago, concerning the Olympics, but I had some issues with the graphics and ended up giving up on that idea.

Anyway, a week has passed, the Olympics are coming to an end, and I'm now blogging here again, this time about a different topic.  I recently took a road trip to the US desert.  July, in New Mexico, to be specific. I stopped and took pictures of some abandoned buildings that used to be part of the town of Cuervo, New Mexico. Here is one of them!

It occurred to me that the Southwestern desert is becoming a big trend in fashion and design this year.  In any case, it seems the desert influence is best used in subtle touches for maximum effect.  For instance, touches of stamped silver, turquoise, aged wood, sandy colored rope textures, leather, adobe, and Indian blanket motifs are very popular in clothing this year.

I decided to make a collection over on Artfire today to celebrate the Southwest.  Unfortunately, I can only link to it here, instead of showing the pictures, because it, too, is affected by a graphics issue. Not all of the pictures show when I try to display it here. I hope you'll get curious enough to follow the link and congratulate the sellers featured there. They have worked hard and deserve some support.

Southwestern Brown Scarf

I have a few Southwestern things over in my Etsy store, but only a few, and they are going fast.  I've not been able to keep anything with these motifs very long over there!  I have made the captions on these images clickable, in case you would like to learn more about these items.

The scarves, like this one, are perennial best sellers.  This one happens to be washable (for those who think vintage always means dry cleaning), and it's in the long, rectangular shape that is so popular these days.

I also found these interesting cups or mugs while hunting for vintage treasures.  I was intrigued by their unusual shapes, particularly the handles.  I did some research on the maple leaf mark on the bottom, and figured out they were actually cups from the "Mojave" pattern from Maple Leaf Pottery of Illinois (a division of Western Stoneware out of Monmouth, Illinois).  These cups date to the mid to late 60s, just judging by the mark and what I could learn of the pattern.  Very cool, huh?

Mojave Pattern Cups

Have you ever been to the Southwest?  What is your favorite part of the setting?  I think my favorite desert landscape includes mesas and a sunset.

Vintage Dishes for Your Holiday Table!

It's getting closer to Thanksgiving.  I've stocked my shop with tons of holiday and party dinnerware.  It includes everything from gravy boats to chip and dip bowls.  I can ship them in time for you to use them for your special event, but only if you order soon.  Most of them ship parcel post, which can take over a week to arrive.  Here's a small selection of what I have available.

For Your Holiday Table

Curated By: CandyAppleCra...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

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.

Great Gifts Under $10

Curated By: CandyAppleCra...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

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!