A Really Busy Week

Well, today is the start of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale at The Orange Windmill. You can get 20% off anything in my shop with the coupon code: BFCM20. Come on over!

I've been making journals like crazy for the past few weeks (I know I haven't posted anything on Fridays for a while). It was my goal to list 2 new journals everyday until today, and I almost made it.

The last few days my hands have been full, creating owl paper clips, which have just flown off the shelves this past week. For Any Occasion was also featured on the front page of Etsy, which got me a tone of sales! It was a good night. It kept me busy, but I loved it!

*** HARSH OPINIONS AHEAD ***

Last weekend's craft sale can be described with one word: DEAD. It was a two day sale, and not even 50 people came through the doors. On Sunday, Jeff actually counted the customers who came in: 13. That's ridiculous! In the initial email, the coordinator said that last year they had 250+ people come in, and they were able to raise money enough to help two families with Christmas trimmings and gifts. But someone came in who knew someone who sold at this event last year, and she said that only 2 customers came in! So that was a lie.

The longer we thought about it, the more convinced I became that the families that were helped last year were the families of the coordinator. I asked her what organization they went through to find the families in need. She said that they had originally tried through a local organization in Brantford, but they supposedly require a minimum amount donated (which sounds like BS to me), so they asked the minister of their church, and the money would supposedly be going to those families.

The coordinator also had three family members work tables too. There was also food for sale, but I never saw any of that family pay for the food they ate. If this was a fundraiser, wouldn't everyone have to pay? I wouldn't be surprised if those three people didn't have to pay for their table either!

It wouldn't really matter to me if this sale was just a way to make some money, but they marked it as a fundraiser.

*** FIN. ***

I couldn't say that the event was a waste of time, since I made some new friends and many new contacts. I hope to work with some of them again!

Anyway, Isabel is sick today, so I don't really have time to say anything more.

Cheerio!

BESTeam Features

As part of my BESTeam commitment, once per week I will be posting short features of three of the fabulous shops and talented artisans who comprise the team.  What is BESTeam?  It's The Boosting Etsy Shops Team!  Our goal is to give support and help promote each others' Etsy shops through blogging, facebook and other social networks.  If you are an Etsy shopowner and are interested in learning more about BESTeam, please visit the team page on Etsy or have a look at the BESTeam blog.

Chicky D's - Etsy | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Danielle offers gifts and accessories with no age restriction. You can find accessories her for everyone from newborns and toddlers to brides and businesswomen. Here is one of my favourites:

Owl & Apple Corduroy Pillow - $35.00

Redemption Art - Etsy | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Connie's little elephant collection was featured in November's newsletter from The Orange Windmill (enter your email on the top right of this blog to subscribe!), and as soon as I knew I was featuring Redemption Art this week, I KNEW I had to feature these guys. They are so cute!

Miniature Ceramic Elephant Herd - $8.00

Stitch Princess - Etsy | Blog | Facebook

Faith has been sewing since she was 4 years old! Each of her pieces are sewn by hand or by machine with her own two hands. Looking at this gown, that must take HOURS!!!

Custom Made Ball Gown - $150.00

Joy Flower - Etsy | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Flickr

Joy started painting silk in 1989. She has since developed several lines that take their inspiration from Joy's love of life and beauty. Joy uses the finest French silk dyes to create her masterpieces, like this one:

Maroc Hand Painted Silk Ruana - $225.00

Nothing Much to Say

Not a whole lot of interesting happened this past week. And no new pictures, sorry. So I'll just insert a new picture from last week here.

Alexander is doing a little better with his words, but he is still fighting me about toilet training, so that has stopped for now.

Isabel is walking with much more confidence now, although she does still lose her balance from time to time.

Jeffery's work is starting to slow down for the winder already - it was about the same time last year too. Here's hoping for more rain and more good appointments!

I've been super busy trying to get ready for these upcoming Christmas craft sales and keep up with my Etsy shops. I'll talk about the show from this weekend on Friday.

That's all for today!