Day 9 {vintage spool photo displays}
Day 10 {branding with materials}
Day 11 {branding with texture}
Feel free to grab a button for your blog!
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Day 9 {vintage spool photo displays}
Day 10 {branding with materials}
Day 11 {branding with texture}
Feel free to grab a button for your blog!
Posted at 03:05 AM in 31 DAYS of Setting Up Shop | Permalink | Comments (1)
If you follow this blog on facebook, then you have already seen it. I couldn't keep it in, because I am just so, so excited to be participating in the 31 days series hosted by the Nester.
Each year, the Nesting Place challenges bloggers to write on one topic for the entire month of October. And this year I'm finally in a place where I can join in.
So, what's the topic you're going to be reading about for a solid 31 days?
In this series I'll take you through my process of setting up shop, whether it be an etsy shop, a booth in a craft fair, or an actual "brick and mortar" location.
Setting up shop, dreaming up product, building a brand, serving customers on line and in person--these are things I know a lot about, and things I am so looking forward to sharing with you.
We'll talk about building your brand, choosing and making product, online and word-of-mouth marketing, and just about anything else I can think of to fill of 31 days' worth of blog posts!
So stay tuned, because this is going to be a fun series. I've got a couple more (BIG!) surprises in store, as well as a weekly giveaway, because you know how I love giveaways!
Series starts Tues, October 1st!
See you then!
XOXO, Anna
Posted at 10:10 AM in 31 DAYS of Setting Up Shop | Permalink | Comments (0)
Remember my entry collage of old mirrors? I still haven't stopped looking for mirrors whenever I'm out and about. They seem to catch my eye everywhere. When I was at the thrift store recently, I came across an old mirror in really bad shape. It was in a frame, but there was no back. And over the years, the silver backing had been worn away, so that most of the edges of the mirror were now just clear glass. When I picked it up to look at it, even more of the silver flaked off and fell to the floor. I had a feeling that if I left it there, it would be just a pane of glass within a few days.
So of course I brought it home.
I'd asked the girl at the counter to wrap it in newspaper so that it wouldn't flake off everywhere, and that's how it stayed for a couple weeks while I figured out what to do with it.
Here's the front, with the newspaper showing through the clear glass:
And the back:
I knew I wanted something old to put behind the glass, because whatever I put there was going to show through. I looked through my fabric supply. (I have a lot of old fabric.) But most of the prints were from the 70's, and this mirror feels at least 20 years older than that.
Then I remembered a box of vintage wrapping paper that my mom gave me for my birthday several years ago. My mom gives great gifts.
I have lots more than this, but these were the most metallic-looking. And I thought metallic would be great to show through the edges of a mirror.
I tried out a couple to see how they looked.
Which one would you have picked?
To me, the geometric star-like pattern was the clear (no pun intended!) choice. I cut it to size, 12 x 18 and placed it behind the glass. I taped it to the back of the frame so it wouldn't shift. Then I found a big piece of chipboard from the back of an over-sized coloring book. (Thanks, kids!) I cut it also to size, and set it in, bending down the little nails in the back to hold the chipboard and paper in place.
Can you believe that frame! Oh, man. I love it.
I hung the mirror in the entry for pictures, but it's still waiting to find it's permanent spot. I'm just glad the silver is finally protected and intact.
It's hard to take pictures of mirrors, but I tried to get something nice in the reflection. That cross is hanging in our dining room. Donnie welded it from steel.
He's so cool.
::
What fun things are you working on this week?
Posted at 10:44 AM in Thrifting | Permalink | Comments (0)
After spending much of August huddled around the air conditioning vents, we got a little relief this weekend. Low 80's and breezy. It was amazing. We spent a few hours at our favorite park. We couldn't waste the weather, since it could easily be back in the hundreds next week.
Emma spent most of her park time on top of the climbing rock. Sometimes big sisters need a little solitude.
Ethan is clutching his chest because he has just failed at keeping up with Esther...
...who never stopped running the entire time we were there.
Elijah stayed in the shade.
But he found something to keep himself occupied, too!
Can you believe he is 5 months old already!
So thankful for sunshine and cool breezes.
Posted at 04:02 PM in The Motherload | Permalink | Comments (0)
Are you ready to find out who won the burlap bunting?
Emma, could you give me a hand with this?
It's Jayne! Jayne, I'll be getting in touch with you to find out which one you want, and where to send it. (Thanks, Emma!)
For the rest of you, don't be sad! I've just listed some more buntings in the shop, and I think they are quite affordable. You can purchase one here.
And for those of you who asked, I also had some time to list the vintage button jars, which you can find here.
Thanks to all of you who entered, and stay tuned, because I have several more giveaways coming up in the next few weeks. So be sure to check back often, or follow our facebook page so you don't miss out!
Have a great weekend, my friends!
XOXO, Anna
Posted at 06:25 PM in bumbo fairie says... | Permalink | Comments (1)
As I've been working on some new things for the shops, I've also been thinking a lot about packaging. I love good packaging.
I also love the process, so I took some progress shots of the different steps involved.
These will be added to the shop very soon, but the question is, which shop should they go into? Should they go into ROPE, since they are technically supplies? Or should they go into the vintage section of LASSO THE MOON, since they would make a great gift? I guess I'll let you know.
::
Have you ever bought something just because the packaging was so good? I know I have.
Posted at 09:30 AM in Business | Permalink | Comments (0)
I just made up some of these sweet, sentimental banners. They are going into the shop later this week, but while I'm working on that, I thought you might want to win one. You like free, right? Me too.
The winner gets to pick from LOVE, JOY, or PEACE.
There are two ways to enter:
#1 Leave a comment. That's it. Tell me anything you want. Link to your shop or blog, whatever. Just leave a comment.
#2 For a bonus entry, go over to Lasso the Moon's facebook fan page and share the picture of the bunting. (You have to "like" Lasso the Moon and "share" the pic to be eligible.) No need to come back here and comment again. Your entry will be automatic when you click "share".
Winners will be picked Friday at noon, so stay tuned!
Posted at 12:28 PM in bumbo fairie says... | Permalink | Comments (8)
Last month when I posted the tutorial for these "teacher totes" some of you were like, that's great and all, but what if I don't want to make my own? These, my friends, are just for you!
Just head on over to Lasso the Moon and pick out which design you like. No sewing required.
Or go back to the tutorial and stitch one up for yourself.
Whichever way you get one, get one! These totes are the perfect size for a simple diaper bag, library books, groceries, or even as a reusable gift bag!
Find them here.
Posted at 02:27 PM in Business | Permalink | Comments (0)
I must just now be coming out of the fog that is being a youth pastor's wife and mother of four during the summer. Because it just now hit me that is September. September!! As in, I have 3 weeks before the next JBF sale, which is just three weeks before costume day, and three weeks after that is Turkey/Emma's birthday/Black Friday madness, which is only a fortnight before Ethan turns 7, and 14 days after that is Christmas. When did it become almost Christmas already? My gift shop, Lasso the Moon is embarrassingly understocked, so most of this week (and probably several weeks after) I will be working to fix that.
I will be spending more time on the Facebook page, uploading pictures of new product, and just popping in to say hi, so if you want to be all up in the loop, head over there and "like" my page already! I've also decided to give facebook fans first dibs on new product. And I'm working on some fun new stuff, so this might be something you want to be a part of.
Oh yeah, the rainbow party. It was awesome. I would love to give you a complete play-by-play of decorations and activities, but I have to get sewing, so I'm going to let the pictures speak for themselves. If you have any questions about the details, I promise to answer every single one in the comment section, so ask away!
Someone does not want to wait until cake time for a cake pop.
I have to jump in here and say, my sister Abby MADE this cake. Actually it's two different cakes, because she wanted the stripes going one way for the presentation, and another way for the kids' slices, so they could each have a whole rainbow. Maybe if we ask nicely, she'll make a tutorial for us. Pretty please? With rainbow sprinkles?
The kids had a blast, the parents had time to visit, the food was great (and pretty) and the decorations were gorgeous. I'm still figuring out all the lighting stuff with my new camera, but it was a fun place to practice. And since Emma's party in November is going to have a watercolor theme, you better believe I'm going to be borrowing a few of these ideas for that.
But now it's back to the sewing machine to crank out some fun stuff for the shop. Does it seem like the holiday season is sneaking up on you, too? How early do you start your mental checklist? Mine starts clicking in around July.
Posted at 12:23 PM in Party | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
XO, Anna
Questions? Contact Me!