Friday, August 23, 2013

Recent News

Recently, my granddaughter left the USA as an exchange student for her junior year of high school, and it threw me in sort of a funk!  Ever get that way, yourself? We all have.  Well, Kayleigh arrived safely and BTW, changed her FB page to say: "Resides Taipei, Taiwan; From Portland Oregon" Whew!  What a statement at 16!


So thru all this,  I have neglected my blog, and failed to show what I have been working on.  I haven't even shared my exciting news! A bit about that at the end of the post.



I have been working on my inventory for the holiday markets and craft bazaars! (Besides making aprons for my wholesale client, of course!)  Actually I did a post about my new product earlier, just didn't say that it was to be my holiday line.  The post was about how this idea came into being.  You might want to check-it-out here.

Anyway, here is a preview of my new line of Christmas stockings.  I don't know if I will sell it online this year, as they do take quite some time to make with all the handwork; I don't know if I will end up with enough inventory for both the holiday markets and my Etsy shop!  We will see.

So, presenting . . . . hand embroidered and machine quilted Christmas Stockings! In various color combinations!  Traditional Red & Green, currently popular Red and Teal, shabby chic Green and Pink, etc. With more color combinations to come!




Traditional colors

embroidery handiwork
buttons, Venice lace, and bead embellishments

And . . . these will be featured in a new venue (for me, that is).  I auditioned for a juried holiday marketplace back in July and just received notification that I am accepted!!  I have a reserved place in the New Hope Holiday Marketplace!  It is a huge two day affair in November and is highly attended.  My family and I have visited it nearly every year since I moved to the PNW.  I tried out a couple of years back, but only got on the alternate list.  Now I am confirmed, so overjoyed and, of course, busy!!

Tip of the day:  Be sure that you share your most unique product, when auditioning for shows! That was my downfall a few years ago, when I shared product that was too much like everyone else's!  Also, I presented myself , this time, as a textile artist, not just a crafter!  That helped!

What color combinations would you like to see?
Are you preparing for holiday shows?
How is your progress coming along?

7 comments:

2justByou said...

Congrats to your granddaughter! I was an exchange student for 3 weeks in high school and it was amazing. Glad she arrived safely. =0)
I love the color combos in the stockings. The detail you put into them is amazing!
~Kim

Judy Nolan said...

Your stockings are gorgeous, Linda! Great tip about sharing your most unique item(s) when you audition for a show. I will keep that in mind. Right now I am scheduled for only 2 shows, but am working hard to create product for them. It's so easy for time to get away from you!

Rose Clearfield said...

I love your stockings! Congrats again on getting into the show. You're definitely right about showing off unique items, especially for larger juried shows. I always make sure to share at least one photo of a button jewelry piece because no one else in Milwaukee is selling that kind of jewelry at shows these days. It definitely makes a difference.

Natashalh said...

Woot woot! Congrats on your acceptance. I hope the show goes really well! I spent a lot of my free time this summer trying to make extra things for the fall. A lot of my stuff has never made it to Etsy, and hopefully never will.

Erika said...

The stockings are beautiful and congratulations on the show.
And what a great journey for your GD.

Memories for Life said...

Love the new stockings! I really like the red and teal! And of course the pink :)

Congrats on getting into this large show and thanks for the juried advice!

Splendid Little Stars said...

woo hoo! Awesome! Wonderful! great news. I hope you are highly successful.
Overseas away from home at 16!