Shop Small

I'm joining the bandwagon to get the word out about shopping small!

Every gift you buy this holiday season is really 2.  The obvious, the person you are gifting the item to, but there is a less noticeable first one. That is to the person you are buying from. 

Every purchase you make from an artist or small business is like a little present for them. The money and support is directly used to pay their bills and put food on the table. 

The alternative, buying from a big corporation is like giving a present to someone on Santa's extremely naughty list. Even the jolly old man himself would only give them coal.

So make the decision.

Join the movement.

Make the effort. 

Happy Holidays.

♥ Carin

Abundance //

I can barely hear my thoughts.

It's so loud now. 

It's hard to hear anything but the rain drumming down on the rich green earth, as I sit on my porch sipping tea. 

Millions of tiny drops, each with their own unique sound. As they pitter patter away, they meld together like a choir singing its most powerful ballad.

The noise is deafening, but beautiful. 

I'm focused on the rain now, as the wind blows a few stray drops towards me. Several of them landing on my uncovered face. 

They are colder than I expect. Piercing my skin with their frigidness, a foreshadowing of the winter to come. 

With no other distractions, I let myself sink into the rain, into the noise.  I notice subtleties about the day. It's fresh scent and the dampness of the air around me. 

I'm reminded of all the good the rain brings. 

How plentiful it is this time of year. 

The streams are rushing now.

The valleys splashing in mud.

The mountain tops getting their first blanket of crisp white snow.

It makes me happy to know there is an ample amount to go around.

Everything is prospering in it's glory.

And I think to myself, what a life it is to have and abundance of resources. 

Enough to prosper, but not in excess.

Enough to grow into your fullest, but not enough to spoil on the riches. 

What would the world be like? 

Would we see less loss? 

Less heartache? 

Maybe I'll know one day, but for now, I'll settle for a good rain, and the rest of my tea.

These one of a kind items are available in the here until sold.

♥ Carin

To Do //

 September is almost over.

October rains have come in the NW.

I feel the cold settle into my bones.

I feel drawn to cuddle more.

I want to drink more tea.

This season is always a contradiction for me. 

Although it is my favorite time of year. It also kicks off my busiest.

I feel like the days are drowning in "To Do" lists.

I have so much on my plate. 

BALANCE.

It's a true art form. 

As we plunge into fall, everything of is getting a makeover.

New charm shop options.

New website.

New fall inspired items. 

Can't wait to show you more! 

♥ Carin

Signs of Fall //

 

I'm loving our evening walks these days.

 

Toting my camera along just in case I find a picture or two I want to snap.

It seems inevitable that I want to snap at least a few.

 

My eyes are wide open these days. I'm seeing beauty everywhere.

I'm noticing the shape of leaves.

The change of the wind.

The colors all around me.

 

So much inspiration.

So much to get me excited.

 

So much to bring back to my bench and my designs.

This picture is just some of what feels inspirational to me right now.

They are signs that the seasons are changing.

 

I'm loving the colors that nature creates.

The shape of the pine cones.

The red of the berries.

 

 

I'm loving the texture, the detail of it all.

 

I am working on pieces inspired by all that I'm seeing.

 

I cannot wait to share them with you!

 

-----

 

 

On a business note, I'm doing a lot of work behind the scenes lately.

 

There are a lot of loose ends to tie up.

Big annual projects that need completing.

 

I've got a lot to do to gear up for Christmas.

 

This week I'll be getting a few new tools to help bring the business up to speed.

 

A new computer which will promptly be put to work editing charm shop listings.

I'll be working on updating the wording, what I'm offering, and officially announcing the 2015 options!

 

Then I'm set to receive my new big girl torch! The excitement is so unreal. I've never had to be so patient for UPS. I've been studying up on the next torch purchase for awhile, and I'm sure you'll hear so much more about it when it arrives. But needless to say it will provide me with the ability to make a much wider array of designs.

 

Good things are happening!

 

♥ Carin