A New Era

Have you ever loved doing something then faced a situation where you could no longer do that fun thing?  I have been faced with that scenario the last few weeks and am hoping to resolve it one way or another.

When I first started my art business a few years ago I started with 4”x4” tumbled travertine coasters and 8”x8” tumbled travertine trivets.  I have many designs for each saved that I made over the years.  Some of the design themes are inspirational, sports, fleur de lis, holidays, monogram, and of course some that are hard to classify into one category.

For many years I obtained 4”x4” tiles from a local flooring store, Wrights.  They provided excellent customer service and quality products.  After being in business for about 30 years, Wright’s has closed their doors for the last time due to illness.  Just before they closed, I was able to place one last order for 2 cases of tiles.  They are such wonderful people it’s hard to see that “partnership” end.  I am hoping to see them around town.

I obtained the 8”x8” tiles from another local store until the tiles were no longer available, a few years ago.  Well, technically they are available but in sets with a variety of sizes in each set that I cannot use.  However, I recently found a stash at my home that I had put away for “safe keeping.”  They were put away so well that I had forgotten them for a long time!  I am so happy to have found them!  I have a couple of my trivets featured here and will be adding more to my website.

The situation now is that I am having difficulty finding even the 4”x4” at a price that keeps this line of products affordable.  My costs are tripled or almost tripled with the available locations from which I can purchase, or the tiles were not available for order from their warehouses.  I do not want to have to raise prices on my coasters nor face having to offer inferior products just to have this line of products in my offerings.

Considering what I have found I will offer my remaining coasters and when they are gone, they are gone, sadly.  My remaining coasters are first quality and something I would have in my own home.  If this were not the case, I would pull them from my website.  Rest assured, they make beautiful functional gifts for yourself, your family or your friends.

The upside to this situation is that it is moving me toward finding new and interesting handcrafted items to have in my shop.  Sometimes we face one door closing to find another door open.  So this is a new era at Cynthia Welch Designs.  I am proud of the coasters and trivets I have offered but look forward to new things to come!

This is where you, my friends, customers and subscribers come in.  I am looking for input from you!  See my questions for you below.

• What unique, upcycled, hard-to-find, handcrafted items are you looking for?  The unique items you’re looking for may be for decorating your own home.  The handcrafted gifts for family or friends may be for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, a housewarming or retirement, a wedding gift or other occasion.

• What is one thing you are looking for to complete a vignette in your home?  This “one thing” could be an accent piece or the main piece to get he vignette started.

• What do you usually look for when purchasing a gift for the person who has everything?  When someone seemingly has everything, they are a challenge when it comes to gift-giving.  Do you look for practical and functional gifts or something they love but would never purchase for themselves?

•  When you look gifts, what price range do you typically look for?  I ask this question no to be nosey!  vbg  I ask because I want to try to cover different price points in my online shop, if possible.

• What comes first when looking for décor or gifts … form (beauty and attractiveness) or function?

Now I have 3 things for you to do.  Choose one or more to do right now!  Please share one of the following...

1. This blog
2. My coasters and trivets .... Click here to see my coaster selections.
   Click here to see my trivet selections.
3. My business page and my group!  Click here to go to my Facebook business page.
   Click here to go to my Facebook group.

I hope you have a great day!

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

Thibodeauxville and More

Hi Everyone!

I have some awesome news this evening! I realized that the check for Thibodeauxville was deposited so you know what that means? .......... I am going to be a vendor at Thibodeauxville this fall, Saturday, November 9! Yeah! Well, YEAH! but scary at the same time.

I will be at 3 craft shows this fall (as of this writing) within 3 weeks. Two of he craft shows have 1000's come through. There is great potential in all three for meeting lots of awesome people, selling some coasters and trivets, and making some business contacts.

Here is my schedule, as of this evening.

Saturday, October 19--Temple of Praise Fundraiser
109 Wayne Avenue
Houma, Louisiana 70360
9:00 AM until 4:00 PM
Facebook Page: Temple of Praise Women's Ministry Vendor/Craft Event

Saturday, November 2--Southdown Marketplace Arts & Crafts Festival
Southdown Museum
1208 Museum Drive
Houma, LA 70360
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Facebook Page: Southdown Plantation & Museum

Saturday, November 9--Thibodeauxville
Thibodaux, LA
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
http://www.thibodauxchamber.com/chamber/chamber-events/thibodauxville/

Please mark your caldendar for these events and I hope to see you there!