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!

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!

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

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.

Everything Your Little Doll Needs!

Curated By: CandyAppleCra...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

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.

• The Doll's House Do-It-Yourself-Book
• The Complete Book of Making Miniatures