Gettin' and Givin'

This afternoon I have been doing a little creating in my studio. It is time to get serious about the craft shows I'll be in, which will be upon me more quickly than I realize! LOL That is part of "gettin'", as in I am getting ready. I figure if I design 2-3 things a day I'll be ready for the show in time. Of course, from time to time there will be a day I simply cannot be "gettin'" ready 'cause life will get in the way.

Speaking of gettin' ready, I have gotten a new tent for shows. It is sturdier than the one I have been using. This tent will hold up better in the event of simply a windy day or in the event of inclement weather. Most shows go on rain or shine so this is important! It is also a true 10'x10' tent--it's poles go straight up instead of tilting in a little. I lose some space with the design of the old one since the poles are completely straight and vertical.

Okay, do you want to see what i am featuring today from my work table? Oh, you do? Okay, here is the first set of coasters. (Oh, by the way, both sets are shown in travertine.) This makes an awesome gift the person, in particular the man, who has everything. I can customize the colors to your preference, or that of the recipient. Truly this can go in a study, office, man cave, or living room. This is a gettin' or a givin' thing, depending on who you are ... get it as a gift or give it as a gift. {vbg}

The next set of coasters will help get you in the mood for Christmas. They feature Santa front and center. The edges of two of the coasters are burnished in red, the other two are burnished in green ... two tradtional seasonal colors. If you want to make all four burnished in the same color or want to change Santa's colors, let me know before ordering. This set can go out the day after Thanksgiving, giving you at least a month of use from them. These are so nice you'll want to give a set as an early Christmas gift.

If you have any special requests for the coming craft show season, or the holidays, please let me know. I will do my best to fulfill your request.

Keep coming back to see what I am working on. My goal is to post photos and update you on what is going on at least three times a week.

Toodles for now,
Cindy

www.customcoastersbycindy.com
www.facebook.com/customcoastersbycindy
customcoastersbycindy@comcast.net
985-381-3154

You know I really dislike when stores have Christmas stuff for sale at 4th of July. I feel it's still early for all that so I must ask forgiveness for what I am posting today. Please forgive me for what I am about to do.

I officially getting ready for some fall craft shows and what do people want to buy at fall craft shows? Stuff for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Today I made a coordinating trivet ...

and coaster set ....

You can purchase them together or separately. The colors may be personalized as well. Please contact me before ordering if you want to change the colors.

Toodles for now,
Cindy

All In A Day's Work, Part II

A locally owned, family run business has ordered mongammed coasters from me over the last several months. When I delivered an order to them this morning I found out that the monograms are a big hit. When their customers find out they are locally made they are even more excited. So, there you go. Crafts that are locally made by a local person buying as many supplies as possible from locally owned, family stores. As few purchases as possible from big, box stores for supplies.

I found out today that the business that ordered the monogrammed coasters also wants a sample of a wedding coaster to have on hand. This will allow their clientele to custom order it with their name on it or it can be added to their wedding registry as a potential gift. Yeah! I am so excited. These coasters can be used as a wedding gift for the special couple, wedding favors for guests, gifts for the wedding party, etc. Orders for a large quantity require 4-6 weeks advance notice. It will be personalized with your choice of "Mr. & Mrs. ___" or your monogram. The wedding date can be added to the front or the back of the coasters if room allows. 50% deposit required for large orders.

Here is a photo of a wedding coaster that can be customized with your new married name. Most names will fit. This design is done on tumbled marble in stone gray. The top edge is slightly burnished in the same color.

For a personal consultation and a free quote for a large quantity, please call 985-381-3154 to set up an appointment.

Toodles for now,
Cindy

All In A Day's Work

I have completed my big order! Yeah! Then I did something that I usually procrastinate on ... cleared my work surface! Now, I didn't say everything got put back orderly. However, I can now look at my work surface and see a clear space, which totally motivates me to get back to work. Well, after a little break.

I want to try to upload pics here and show you my space. The first pic is a vertical pic of my work/space ....

This pic is another view of my work space with a little of my latest work showing.

This last photo is of my work space.  On the left, I am not sure if you can see it, but I have a photo of my mom, who is my inspiration.  Her name was Peggy and she was an artist in her own right.  I want to honor her with my work.

Here are the coasters I made today.  They all have a watermark background of script in dove gray.  The rest is done in black but almost any color is available to customize it to your decor.  All letters of the alphabet are available.  These are just the ones I did today for an order.

Toodles for today,
Cindy

Whistle While You Work

Recently I have been tweeking my website with some addtional information at each product's lisitng. It is not work that is readily and easily noticed. However, when updating each product, it takes time. It is the kind of work that isn't "billable" like selling a set of coasters or a trivet but is just the nature of having a shopping cart/website. Hopefully by week's end I'll have that completed.

Today though, I am working a big order. A customer ordered 16 sets of monogram coasters. I have gotten it started but am taking a break to give my back a rest for a few minutes. While I work on my coasters and trivets, I usually listen to inspirational TV or radio or some music on my ipod. This keeps me, well, inspired and gives my mind a good place to go while working. It would be easy to get lonely while working alone but I feel I am not when I listen to my "friends" while they are at work.

I also have sent an email requesting information on an upcoming craft show. I hope to hear back soon so I can decide if it's something I am able to do. When I am at craft shows I love meeting all the people coming through, whether they actually buy anything or not. We (my dh and dd help me) have met some really interesting people along the way. There are some who are regular craft show attenders and it is good to see their faces again.

The fall craft season down here in south Louisiana is about to get cranked up again. For those who attend as vendors, it is time to get busy making crafts to take to the shows. So after I get this big order out, I'll be cranking up my studio making custom coasters and trivets to take to shows. I already have about half of what I want to take in coasters. And as some of you know from doing crafts yourself, I cannot wait till the day before the show to finish making them. I still have to allow time to pack everything in my vehicle.

This fall will present me a challenge for the shows that have 1000's come through. I will double what I normally bring so I can have an adequate amount to last the day .... I hope! LOL

Well, it's time to get back to work.

August Drawing Winner!

I am pleased to announce the August drawing winner. Drumroll please .... And our winner is --Karla of North Manchester, IN! Congratulations! Kayla will receive a set of four (4) coasters with her monogram on it.

Calling All Who Dats!

I am so excited to show you something I just created for all the Who Dats! For those who don't know, a Who Dat is a New Orleans Saints fan of the ginormas variety! LOL

I have a trivet that shows off your passion and enthusiasm for the bayou boys in New Orleans at is fashionable at the same time. They are great for game day when you have everyone and his brother over and want a place to put out all the hot food.

Here is a link to my website so you can order yours today.

http://www.customcoastersbycindy.com/Who-Dat-T-1025.htm

If you would like to add your favorite team member's number to the trivet, I can add that at no extra charge.

Blessings,
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!

Ready, Set, Charge!!!!

Oh, the game is on now! My battery charger for my camera came in this afternoon and I have a battery charging as I type. As soon as it has a full charge I'll be taking photos of what I've made the last few days. I can't wait to post the new designs at my site @ www.customcoastersbycindy.com.

One of the designs today is for anyone who is a New Orleans Saints fans. It is a trivet with our call to the nation, Who Dat! It also has a fleur de lis and "Believe." Anyone who who is anyone in the Who Dat Nation will want one of the trivets for game day. You get your gear on and your counters and table need gear too. This will do the trick. While you're at it, you can also order coasters for your tables. The Who Dat trivets I made are already sold so put in your order today and get yours for the first game of the regulare season when we roast some Falcon! ;)

Oh, another thing I am excited about is having my new table top in place to work at. I got it in yesterday. It is so beautiful! It is sturdy too! Don't you love it when you have the proper tools to do the work you have at hand? More and more in life, I find the benefit in having a proper work environment, including the tools I use. Too many times I've tried to "make do", scrape by with whatever ... you get the idea. It doesn't mean you have to spend a lot money. Any really, if you buy quality the first time, you can end up spending less money in the long run. With the right tools the process goes quicker, more smoothly, and is "funner"! Is that a word? If not, let's make it one! LOL

I do love doing what I do with coasters and trivets. I love trying to figure out how to make a design work in a small space, have colors that work well together, and a design that looks good to others as well as myself. I am still amazed that anyone want to see what I've done, much less purchase it! LOL It is a trip, believe me!

I would love to hear from my readers and get your ideas for coaster and trivet ideas. I do take ideas seriously and do my best to meet the challenge of coming up with follower's suggestions. Please take a moment to comment here or at my facebook page @ www.facebook.com/customcoastersbycindy.

Later this evening look for newly posted designs on my website. Time to get back to that blank trivet laying on my work table! :D

Toodles for now,
Cindy

Football Season

Football season has arrived and the wonderful, awesome, good stuff that goes with it. It signals the start of fall, though here in south Louisiana, we won't really feel fall weather for quite a while. However, football energizes us and gets us "happy, happy, happy" as Duck Commander would say.

In line with the topic of football and Duck Commander, I want to let you know it's time to order your coasters and trivets for football parties. You know how friends can get excited and forget about their beverages on tables and other wood surfaces. You want to protect your furniture even during fun events like football game parties. And of course you want to be the first of your friends to have coasters for your beloved team(s). Trivets are great at protecting your counters and tables from hot pots and casserole dishes. We can create trivets that coordinates with your team coasters or your kitchen.

I currently have designs for the New Orleans Saints and LSU. Take your pick or get a set of each. The sooner you order them the better chance you have of getting them for the first regular season game. Plus, if you order in August, you get your name in the drawing for a free set of coasters with your monogram on them.

Here is a link to the LSU and Saints coasters ... (You may have to cut and paste the link into your browser.)


Fleur de lis coasters ... (You may have to cut and paste the link into your browser.)


For the men in your life who love to duck hunt, I have two designs of ducks that I can use to make coasters. One is a duck floating in water by reeds and one is a flying duck that I make to look just like a mallard. These coasters would look awesome in any man cave or hunting camp. These coasters, along with any other coaster order, qualify you for the drawing if purchased by August 31, 2013.

I will be posting pictures of the duck coasters by Saturday evening. They are not yet uploaded due to technical difficulties with my camera, which is being repaired.

Please feel free to call or email me with any inquiries at 985-381-3154 or at customcoastersbycindy@comcast.net.

Toodles for today,
Cindy