gathering spriggs

Playing Favorites

As I wield a paintbrush atop a 10' ladder this week, I am ponder how I've traded in my laptop for other tools for the time. Thus the less frequent posts and time online. Its just a bit difficult to tweet while 16 ft. in the air decorating a ceiling. But the time unplugged is good for me as I try to strike a balance between my two worlds of work. Online and on ladders. 

In the meantime, I have been trying to remain present when possible at the shops. And  made many new friends with new discoveries through Etsy's recent launch of Activity Feeds and Circles.  Thanks to them I can keep abreast and in touch with friends, favorites while making new ones along the way.  Here is my mini collection of such inspirations this week. 

Have you discovered Etsy's Activity Feed? What do you think? Is it helpful as a shop owner or shopper? 

images:  vintage statue- old ren hen; doily rug- ladies and gentlemen blouse- the white ribbon; necklace- isamo crochet; fabric bin- tuuni,  photo-slg designs

Isn't It Romantic?

Lovelies! Thank you for being here with me this week, this year, through thick and thin. This week has been somewhat challenging (as you may have noticed). I am still trying to get myself  my home, my work, my body and my creativity back together after being away for nearly a week. My home turned into a man cave while I was gone, which is ok. I don't blame him. He made it up to me by surprising me with this beautiful Romantic necklace upon my return. I just feel a bit like a mess right now in more ways than one. I have some ongoing health problems that are beginning to interrupt life as I knew it. My doctor's appointment is not for two more weeks and I am trying to hold on. To do what I can , to give myself grace. But the perfectionist, achiever in me isn't really digging this delay. So I am taking time this weekend to give to myself. My husband is a constant Romantic ... he really lives out Valentine's Day sentiments through out the year. That with the fact that he is a Classical Guitar player, we don't really see each other this time of year. He is providing a romantic musical setting for many other lovers. So we try to incorporate Valentine's into our routine. Try to make time for dinner out, he buys me flowers and sweet gifts. We are planning a romantic mountain getaway in a few weeks, so we look forward to that time together. 

What are your plans this weekend?

How do you take time for Romance? How do you offer love to your devoted and yourself ?

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++ I almost forgot!! The Pink /Red Sale ends this monday so hurry over and receive 20% off in both of my shops! Gathering Vintage and Gathering Spriggs

Just enter the code: PINKRED11  when you check out! 

 

(i just added new items to Gathering Vintage.. so full of Romance!)

images: paper roses: blush envy, painting: britt hermann, teacups: gathering spriggs, dress: 

beach image: ada and darcy

A Modern Romantic: whichgoose

Emily of Whichgoose is definitely a girl after my own heart! She's a talented 20 something who has quit her day job to make lovely bridal hair accessories to sell in her Etsy shop. She is truly also a Modern Romantic with Vintage Style and I HEART all that she does. Hope you do too! To keep up with her latest magazine features and other exciting news, check out Emily's blog !

Are you thinking about Valentine Romance yet? Any traditions you would like to share? I need some creative ideas since I am going to be out of town the days prior. 

Local Art Spotlight: Rebekka Seale

Do you ever experience art that moves your soul or speaks to you on another level in ways that words can not describe? That is how I feel about Rebekka Seale's ethereal watercolor paintings. Their grace and delicacy move me. I am fortunate enough to have met Rebekka through a mutual friend and she, as a person, holds this same graceful abundance within her.  She also writes a warm, affectionate blog which tells more about her story, and the process of adopting their daughter from Ethiopia. She uses her art to raise money for this purpose. Maybe that is why her work is so heart warming and accessible. Hope you enjoy getting to know Rebekka as much as I have and I anticipate getting to know her even more this year! Check out her Etsy shop to help support her and her upcoming adoption.

images: rebekka seale

Friends and Faves: Party Hardy

Beginning to feel a bit festive?? My husband has been asking for a week if I am getting excited about going to Texas and my answer has been the same " not until everything is done", until yesterday.  Talking to my sisters on the phone whilst making Chocolate Truffles caused my heart to do a festive little dance.  So as I prepare to leave tomorrow here is my ode to all things rockin' around the Christmas Tree (and a little New Years bling thrown in for good measure).  But do tell me about you. How are you feeling right now? Tired, stressed? Hopeful? Enthusiastic? Anticipating? What is your life looking like the few days before Christmas?

A great source for all things Pom Pom!

A colorful shop from one of my favorite designers.  

A newly launched website from my all time fave stylist. 

A great resource for vintage jewelry as well as new and vintage clothes. So glad I discovered this artful clothing store. 

images:  pomtree  all the luck in the world, marie nichols, spool 72 

Make It or Break It- A Pretty Success Story

Hello friends! I know its Wednesday and I usually post my "Make It or Break It" series on Thursday but I am ahead of myself this week. Ever since receiving the questions back from this interview I have been giddy with anticipation to share the secret wisdom from one of my personal creative business heroines. So go refill your cup of tea (or coffee) and sit down with me to hear from Tamar Schechner of Nest Pretty Things!

1.I know you are a creative entrepreneur. How did you start your Etsy business?

Tamar: When we moved to the country side I knew I would have to seek alternative work, I thought I would start an Interior design business, which I did, only Vermont is so tiny I couldn't really make a living out of it so I started crafting, I could knit a little so I pursued that, learning as I went along, I opened my first Etsy shop in 2006 and sold hats, then I taught myself how to sew and started making totes and pouches. That was very time consuming because I am a crazy perfectionist...then I started designing jewelry and that really took off and I absolutely love it! This year I opened another shop with Jewelry for kids,you can see how my work evolved if you go back to my first sales..

2. What would you say has been the secret to your success?

I am not sure what the secret is, it took a few years to build the business and I just never gave up. I've worked for magazines my entire career as a photo stylist and creative director so I have a lot of photography experience in my background, but I had no knowledge of sales and marketing so I read a lot about it and tried lots of different things until I begun to actually feel I know what I'm doing. I am very driven and I've never been as creative as I am now (I am 52 by the way, so it's never to late to start something new!)

3. What are your some of your joys and challenges of having an online business?

For me it's mostly joy, I love working from home and being my own boss and I love being able to sell all over the world! 

4. What advice would you offer creative business novices?

be very clear about what your are selling,

try to be original,

take great photographs, If you don't know how Etsy guides has some wonderful advise 
www.etsy.com/storque/seller-handbook/etsys-guide-to-photography-10979/

Promote your business when ever and where ever you can, personally I love to blog, I also post photos on Flickr, and Pinterest.

Stick to it and don't give up!! it takes time!

 

Thanks Tamar for taking time out of your VERY busy schedule to chat with us here! And if you haven't checked out her lovely shops on Etsy please stop by (there is still time for ordering last minute gifts).

Nest Pretty Things: Women's Jewelry Shop

Nest Pretty Things Kids: Children's Jewelry Shop

Nest Pretty Things Blog : For all things beautiful and inspiring 

Gathering Holiday Cheer

The shops are stocked and there is still a little time left to receive treasures before Dec. 24.  Im including Priority Shipping on all orders this week. So are you still shopping or are you like my sister and ahead of the game with all your pretty packages neatly wrapped under the tree?Personally, I like to wait till the last minute. Seems like I have an addiction to adrenaline. 

Hope you stop by or tell your friends who are looking for Modern Romantic themed handmades or vintage finds.

* NOW ADDING GIFT CERTIFICATES!! THE PERFECT GIFT FOR YOUR LOVED ONES! *

Gathering Spriggs    Gathering Vintage

Holiday Glitz Jewelry Roundup: Upcycled Vintage

 

Happy Tuesday dear friends! I am sure many of you in the US are gearing up for your Thanksgiving holiday.  Although I am not cooking the meal this year, I have been doing some baking and the house smells of pumpkin pie spices! Mmmm! Today  I am back with this week's installment of my Holiday Jewelry Roundup featuring Upcycled /Recycled Vintage. (Ahhh.. love this one!) So near and dear to my heart. I actually made some upcycled vintage brooches last year at this time and my sister wants me to make more but it takes some time and that is one commodity I am running short on these days. 

So happy jewelry shopping... its a great time of year for glitzing up your look and finding treasures for loved ones! 

Doloris Petunia- creates custom designs from your own (or grandma's) cast offs. You will see her designs available this season at Anthropologie too! 

J.Francis Designs- creates a mixture of new and vintage pieces (made new) with vintage chandelier bits and baubles!

Maganda Jewelry- "Maganda means beautiful in  Tagalog (the national language of the Philippines) and that is exactly what these treasured collages are... I love these new fall pieces.

Alona Freeman- I've been eyeing these beauties since this summer. So feminine and fresh. Modern Romance, Vintage Style to a tee!

Holiday Glitz and Glamour: Jewelry Roundup

Its that time of year for donning our best attire and christening our winter jackets with all that glitters! So here is Part 1 in a little round up I am starting for the coming weeks featuring some of my favorite glitzy adornments.  What are your favorite accessories for the holidays? Please let me know your favorites or if you make or sell accessories and I can feature your treasures next week! 

Bee Vintage Redux

Gathering Vintage

Frieda Sophie Jewelry Design

Miss Babacilu

Blog of the Week: Bianca Snow

Happy Friday friends! The weekend is so close I can almost taste it and am longing for the time to process and get caught up on reading blogs + your comments and taking time for goal setting,  soul tending and art making.  You see, its been a long work week (after having some time last week to just pursue Gathering Spriggs) and I've felt the friction between laboring for extra income vs. maintaining a creative life. About mid-week I ran out of steam, felt my creative energy evaporate, and as they dissipated I am left lacking with not much to offer (you). Thank you for your patience and for returning day after day as faithful readers. Your presence offers the hope I need to believe in the future, to hold onto my dreams of nurturing Gathering Spriggs  full time.

So I leave you with a beautiful and relatively new blog from artist/designer, Bianca Snow. Bianca left a lovely comment for me here this week and as I clicked on the link to her site I felt a kindred connection. Plus she pursued one of my dream jobs (one I used to dream about in high school). She studied Millinery in London for five years after leaving her native Australia. Now she is back home crafting a dream, and creating beauty on her blog and in her heavenly etsy shop. So, thank you Bianca. You lifted my spirit today, offered my heart beauty and inspired new dreams. 

++ Also, if you are looking for a fool proof way to help make your dreams a reality and let your finances help you instead of hinder you then stop by Brigitte's blog series called: "Warm Soft Money"

Happy Weekend!! Let me know how it goes and I will see you back here next week!

images: bianca snow