Easy Like Saturday Morning

Good Saturday Morning!

I hope this day finds you doing well.  Yes, I am thinking about 'Easy Like a Sunday Morning' as I write this!  LOL

As I sit here I can hear neighbors mowing the lawn.  When I was outside earlier I actually saw them mowing.  Others were out taking a walk, driving here or there, and dh is tinkering with his ’77 Monte Carlo.  A friend is supposed to come over and help dh with some work here at the house.  Oh, and I actually slept past 6:00 AM this morning!  LOL  It is the kind of Saturday I dream about.

I am have only crafting on my brain this morning.  I do have some things to do that are not actual crafting but are craft business related.  I need to put my Studio A back together after last weekend’s craft show.  It has looked worse that it does now but I just can’t get into creating when it looks the way it does.  But, this ‘putting back together’ means I need to get some craft related stuff out of the living/dining room too.

I am a fan of working with a timer when something feels overwhelming.  So, guess what will be my friend this morning?  My handy, dandy digital timer.  I’ll set it for 15 or 20 minutes.  When the timer goes off I can choose to take a short break, monitored by the timer, of course, so I don’t get too distracted.  LOL  Then it’s back to work till I feel it’s all done.

Oh, I after getting Studio A done, I need to work in Studio B.  Oh, let me explain.  Studio A is in an extra bedroom.  It is where I first set up when we moved to this house.  I have a beautiful wood desk, built-in shelving, a work table, a buffet for more storage/work surface, a glider rocker for relaxation and my TV with a TiVo.  Studio B is actually our enclosed patio.  It is where we have room for dh to work on his hubcap clocks or any other manly craft he wants to work on.  It has a pretty (but not too feminine) set of metal shelves from Hobby Lobby for storing things like paint, plaster, brushes, and other things we need for painting and distressing things.  We have 2 walls of windows so we get plenty of light in there.  In this space we get to work on stuff that I don’t feel comfortable doing inside.  The downside is that we have to share the space with the geriatric cat.  L

So after getting some cleaning up done I will work on some crafts.  I have 2 or 3 orders for coasters or trivets to get ready for delivery or the Post Office on Monday.  I need to go over some trivets with some grout and let them start drying.  Also I want to get my hands dirty with some mixed media, painting out some wooden things or glassware.

I will be posting photos on my Facebook business page when I get some crafting done so check it out there.  I have facebook for my travertine work at https://www.facebook.com/CustomCoastersByCindy and this page is available to anyone.

I also have a fan group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/FansOfCustomCoastersByCindy.  This group features content not found on my regular page such as specials, articles I find related to my crafts or home décor, etc.  If you would like to be a member just hop on over there and join.

I have 2^nd business page at https://www.facebook.com/SummerfieldChantilly for things that I create that are not part of my travertine work.  Take a look!

If you like either of my business pages, you’ll get updates on where I’ll be next and see what I’ve been working on.  Join my group to learn about things you won’t see at either business page.  I will be posting a special later today so keep your eyes peeled for that!  {vbg}

God Bless,

Cindy

Spring Fever On the Brain

I know it’s just February but spring is upon us!  Here in south Louisiana February has been mild to say the least.  Now today’s weather has been sketchy but it is temporary! 

With Spring Fever on the brain my mind turns to the spring craft show season.  We have been to quite a few craft shows since the spring of 2013.  In the beginning I was very nervous about investing money into a booth fee and travel expenses for craft shows.  However, I have found it pays off for us.  We also enjoy meeting new people, other artists and crafters, and shoppers as well.  All too often I do not get to take advantage of tours of the plantations hosting craft shows or mingle very much during the show.  L  However, we try to make time to visit with others.  One of my favorite things to do is to meet up with fellow crafters and have dinner the evening before a show. 

I want to share 3 shows with you that I have confirmed on my schedule.  Two are shows I’ve done before and one is new to my crew and me.  I have done Shadows and Southdown for several years now.  Market at the Mill is somewhat of a newcomer to the show scene.  However the possibilities there look endless! 

~ Shadows on the Teche (New Iberia), Saturday, March 5.

317 E Main St, New Iberia

www.shadowsontheteche.org

This show is in historic downtown New Iberia at the plantation home, Shadows on the Teche.  They have expanded the number of craft booths this spring.  This means that even if you think you’ve seen all there is to see at Shadows, think again.  There will be more to see and do this spring.  Food and beverage available for purchase on site.

This description is taken from their website:

“The Shadows will host its Spring Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday, March 5, 2016. From 9 AM to 4 PM, more than 100 fine artists and skilled craftspersons will display and sell their art and products. Adults pay $5.00 for admission which allows access to the gardens which contain booths filled with variety of items from pies to handmade wooden items. Admission also include a special tour of the Shadows and film which offers an introduction to the historic site.  The Shadows Gift Shop will also be open that day.   Attendees will be given wristbands which allows them to return anytime during the day.”

~ Southdown Museum and Plantation Marketplace (Houma), Saturday, March 19

1208 Museum Drive, Houma

www.southdownmuseum.org

This long-running arts and crafts show has many repeat artists and crafters each year.  You’ll find over 300 booths to visit and from which to shop.  There is food and beverage for purchase as well.   All food and beverage sales go toward the upkeep of Southdown.  Volunteers man the food booths from various businesses and community service groups.  There is an admission charge of $5.00 for those over 12 years of age.

~ Market At the Mill, Cottonseed Oil Mill (New Roads), April 8-10

311 Mill St.

www.marketatthemillnewroads.com

From the Market’s website here is a description of everything started:

“The Cotton Seed Oil Mill is a cultural icon in the City of New Roads.  For many years, the nearly 50000 square foot building lay idle until 4 years ago when our Mayor decided it needed to be put back to use.  The wide open floor plan lends itself perfectly to many type of events.  Thus, in the Spring of 2011, Market at the Mill was born.  In only its first year, the Market was a resounding success and continues to grow each year by leaps and bounds.”

I am excited to be trying out Market at the Mill.  From what I have found online, those who attend will find arts, crafts, antiques, jewelry and handcrafted items.  The venue looks delightful.

If you come out to any of these shows I hope you’ll look us up.  We love meeting those who follow us online.  We will have some items this time that we have not had before … glass magnets, hand painted upcycled home décor, and of course our ever popular car coasters, handcrafted tumbled travertine coasters, honed travertine trivets, framed tile art and more.

If you are attending a show and would like to pre-order for delivery at the show, just let me know by email @ customcoastersbycindy@comcast.net or call me at 985-381-3154.  All pre-orders must be paid.  A paid pre-order guarantees we'll hold your order just for you at the show.

If you’d like to get an idea of what we will have with us, please take time to look at our websites.

www.customcoastersbycindy.com

www.summerfieldchantilly.com

While we cannot produce or use every idea or inspiration we receive from customers, we do welcome their input.

Keep Crafting!

Cindy