Autumn, Football, and Craft Shows

Hello Fabulous Friends,

I hope you are noticing cooler autumn temps where you live. It does set the pace for enjoyable days and nights when we have cooler weather. The change of seasons can also add spring to our step! Down here in south Louisiana we have noticed our highs are edging out of the 90's and are now only in the (high) 80's. :\ Autumn cannot come soon enough for me! I love opening our windows during the day so our home can air out and we enjoy hearing the wind rustle the leaves.

The fall season also means fall festivals, craft show and fairs and football. My favorite team had an awful showing yesterday. I try to allow only 24 hours of mourning, disappointment, and anger. At this writing it has been about 24 hours since the slaughter began so I am officially moving on! :D If you are a football fan I hope your team had a better showing!

Now on to happier topics, like craft shows. I was a vendor at a craft show this past weekend. We had the opportunity to meet some other wonderful vendors, all of whom had awesome handcrafted items for sale. We got to look over their wares, ooh and aah, and even purchase--or at least we promised to look at their website in coming days. We know we will meet down the road at future crafts shows.

I am looking forward to my next show at Shadows on the Teche in New Iberia, Louisiana. It is a Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. There will be about 100 arts and crafts booths with handcrafted items for sale, kids' games, tours of the plantation home, and concessions. I know we will get to see two fellow vendors that we have worked with before. One of our neighbors this past weekend will be at Shadows, Polished Peacock. Another fellow vendor, Michael’s Pickles, will be there. My dh’s new favorite pickles are the sweet and spicey by Michael’s Pickels.



The hours for the event are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This is a marvelous opportunity to take a day trip. There will be something for everyone. You can even be home in time to watch LSU and Auburn play on Saturday evening. This link gives some pertinent information for those wanting to attend. Click here.

Here is what you need to find Shadows on the Teche:

317 East Main Street
New Iberia, LA
337-369-6446
Shadows on the Teche website
Shadows on the Teche Facebook

I hope to see you down the road!

Blessings,
Cindy

What It's All About

Hellloooo Fabulous Friends,

I hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday. September is on the calendar, the official start to autumn is around the corner but it's still hot here in the south. A month from now I hope we are having some cooler days. I love opening the windows and letting in fresh air. I know, I know. That also lets in some dust. But hey, I love the fresh air more than I hate the dust. LOL

I wanted to share with you what I love about doing this craft thing, which is not so much a hobby as it is a blossoming business. What I love about it is family. It is about family in many ways but most of all it is about our family working together, each doing our own part in making something grow. It is about a common goal and purpose. Yes, each show we attend is its own affair or project that we have to commonly work on to make successful. But it's more than that. We work many hours to get there before an event ever happens ...
=> Events--this the part of internet searches looking for events we can possibly apply for
=> Applications/Scheduling--we have to apply to shows 6 or more months in advance. This is tricky when adding in cash flowing everything because we don't like the idea of debt anywhere in our life. Applications require booth fees and sometimes more like hotel rooms, etc.
=> Booth Layout--we just worked on and completed a new design for our booth, which meant looking for layout ideas, drapers, pipe, tables covers, etc. and it all had to be eye appealing, not only to us but to others
=> Product Pick-Up--pick up of raw product and other supplies. I usually do this because I have something specific in mind but also may send dd or dh.
=> Scrub a Dub Dub--cleaning our natural product, ie, tiles--dd does most of this
=> Pack It Up--packing our stuff so that we have as few bags and boxes as possible for our shows, dh is great at this! This means less trips to/from the truck.
=> Design/Application--this is where I come in. I look for inspiration online and then work out a design of my own and apply it.
=> Booth Set Up/Selling/Tear Down–we are all involved in this. It is what makes our day or weekend successful. We all have to pitch in to make it work.

To make our cottage industry work, it takes our family members each doing his or her own part. Of course dh ends up with a lot of the heavy work. He does not mind though. His philosophy is, “happy wife, happy life.” Of course I want him happy too. If he were unhappy, I would not ask him to help. We see this as a family project, and quite possibly could be something we continue to do into retirement. It is a team building effort and I believe our family is better for it.

In light of the family theme here is more on our featured product of the day ....

Featured Product of the Day

Today’s featured product of the day is this beautiful premium travertine trivet, “Family”. It features a script background, flourish and medallion. Of course, it reminds us what is most important, “Family”. The edges are burnished in a coordinating color. This trivet is finished off with a double ribbon. It is beautiful on an easel in almost any room ... on a mantel, dresser, or desk. I have this particular treasure on an easel on a built-in bookcase in my den.

Special Offer
Today only I am offering a special for those who order this trivet design. Our trivets normally sell for $25.00. However, for TODAY ONLY ... This trivet design (T-1001) is selling for $20.00. To receive this special price, call me at 985-381-3154 or email me at customcoastersbycindy@comcast.net. Easel not included. Shipping, if needed, is extra. Local pick up available. Offer ends at midnight 9/10/14.

All About the Monarch

Featured Product of the Day

Hellloooo fabulous friends! I have a trio of premium travertine products today that work together as a set. All feature monarch butterflies. Let me tell you a little about them.

The first is an 8"x8" travertine trivet that is covered in monarch butterflies and a script background. It is ready to handle hot pots & casseroles straight from the stove or oven. It has rubber feet on the bottom to prevent scratching your surfaces. The top surface will come sealed to help prevent stains from use in the kitchen. Of course this trivet is pretty enough to decorate with on an easel anywhere in your home!



The second is a set of four travertine coasters that have a single monarch butterfly on it. It also has a light script background. The coasters are unsealed so it'll absorb moisture from an iced beverage that condensates.



The final product for today is a travertine plaque (3"x6") featuring butterflies and a script background that is ready to hang. It is a cute addition where you need something small to decorate with.



Normally these beauties sell for a total of $59 when purchased separately. However, if you order this 3 piece set of butterflies, it is only $49.95. Price is good through Friday, September 12, 2015. Shipping is extra. Those who live local can arrange free local pick up or delivery. To receive this special price you must contact me at 985-381-3154 or customcoastersbycindy@comcast.net.

I hope you have an awesome day and hope to hear from you soon!

Upgrades and Newbies

Hello Fabulous Friends!!

I am so glad you stopped by today! The calendar says it's almost autumn but by our weather here in coastal Louisiana it is still summer! Ugh. However we are blessed that the hurricane season has been non-existant in the Gulf of Mexico. We are thankful God has protected us down here!

Today we had a work day for our booth ... but at the house. We have a new booth arrangement and upgraded look so we needed new photos. (Most show organizers or juries require photos not only of the crafter's work but also one or more of the booth.) We had a prediction of a 50% chance of rain for this afternoon. Fortunately we beat the rain! Between the black table covers and the honey-colored panels in the background, it is reminiscent of our beloved Saints' black and gold. I didn't start out planning it that way but that is how it came out. I hope you like it. I am picturing it below.



Here is our old configuration ...


We believe it is an improvement but will fondly remember what we started with.

And now on to the newbies. The newbies include my facebook page and some craft show this fall that I have not been to before.

At my facebook page, I started something new today. I have begun a Featured Product of the Day. The featured product may be a new design or it could be one that has been on the back of my creatino station for a while. Sometimes it will be a coaster design and sometimes you find a trivet, plaque or card set featured. Here is today's Featured Product of the Day ...



Sentiment Reads:

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

I have some craft shows coming up hope to see some of you on the road. Here is my schedule:
Sept. 27-28, Mandeville Craft Show (new for us this fall)
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mandeville Lions Hall
720 Lafitte Street in Old Mandeville
Mandeville, LA

Oct. 4, Shadows on the Teche (new for us this fall)
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
317 E. Main Street 70560
New Iberia, LA 70560

Oct. 11-12, Sell-A-Bration Aats & Crafts (new for us this fall)
Slidell Newcomers Club
Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Located at:
Northshore Harbor Center
100 Harbor Center Blvd.
Slidell, LA 70461

Oct. 25-26, Poche Plantation (new for us this fall)
(This event is one of two events replacing Oak Alley.)
Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
6554 Louisiana State Highway 44
Convent, Louisiana
Admission Charge

Nov. 1, Southdown Marketplace @ Southdown Museum
Saturday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Houma, LA
Admission Charge

Nov. 8, Thibodeauxville @ downtown Thibodaux
Saturday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thibodaux, LA
No Admission Charge

I would love to hear from you! Please look for us at the craft shows because we love meeting our friends and customers. We would love to take a photo with you to post on our facebook page @ Custom Coasters By Cindy.

Blessings,
Cindy