Signs I've Made

In an effort to keep track of signs I've made to order and as gifts, I'm going to keep a picture catalogue here.  I will post this to the sidebar too.  I will make signs to order (custom scripture and colors), and I have some premade signs listed on my Etsy shop.  Enjoy!

Recent sign order

Recent Sign Order

Gift for a friend in trial

Sign order for a pastor's office

Sign order for the Women's Ministry Director's office

This was a sign I made for Etsy. I distressed it with sand paper at the end.  I love this one!

This was another custom order

This is a 16 by 20 canvas that was a custom order.  She is a young mom like me--such a great verse!

(custom order for a friend's new home)

Mother's Day custom order

My graduating niece ordered this for her mom--it was a saying they had as she was growing up . . .

These 2 are on MY picture gallery wall

Custom order

Ombre text for a friend's birthday

Giveaway sign

Etsy order

Giveaway sign

(First canvas sign--I love how this shows how I've gotten better over time!)

This is my only wood sign I made for a friend's home

Early canvas sign

Early canvas sign

Etsy order

Sign made as a pastor's gift

Etsy sign

Sign made for a friend's birthday

Galatians Sign

I've been  making a lot of signs this month, and this was ordered by a friend.  She picked the great verse and asked for the fun colors.  What verse would you want on your wall?

First Etsy Shop Listing and First Giveaway!

Well, I have just listed my first Etsy shop listing!  It is in the picture above, and you can get details here.

In order to celebrate my first listing, I am going to host a giveaway of TWO Bible verse canvas pieces.  My pastor has been teaching us about encouragement from Romans, and I was pondering how I could better encourage others through this crafting I like to do.  I often give crafts away as gifts, but I wanted to specifically tie this giveaway into a way to both recognize and give encouragement.

SO, leave a comment below and let me know about someone you know who is a great encourager.  Share with us all how that person encourages you or others and the impact they have had on others.  IF your comment is randomly selected, you and the person you are sharing as an encourager will each receive a handmade scripture canvas. 

For you, an 8 by 10 inch canvas of I Peter 5:7 in saddle brown with black lettering:

For the encourager you mention, an 8 by 10 canvas of I Corinthians 13:13 in classic gray with white lettering:

Rules:

1.  You don't have to follow me on my blog or Facebook.  If you like the blog and want to do so, that is great, but it isn't required.

2.  You and your encourager example must live in the United States in order to qualify for the giveaways (shipping reasons).  You must know your encourager's address info if you win so I can ship to them too!

3.  The contest will last through Wed., March 7th at noon, PST.

4.  Only one entry per person.

5.  The winner will be randomly selected by number.

6.  If you win, you will be contacted for shipping information.  If you anonymously comment or are a "no-reply" blogger, make sure I have your name and e-mail!  If I have no way to contact you, I will have to pick another winner.  Super sad!

7.  Be encouraged in the body of Christ and how we can show practical love to one another by all the examples you can read in the comments!  Enjoy!

Scripture Art

I will post more details about what I've been up to soon, but here are some examples of scripture art on canvas that I've been making . . . Look for an Etsy announcement soon!!!  Plus, Calico and Cupcakes is at 200 followers, so I will soon host my first EVER giveaway to win a scripture canvas piece.Yay! Stay tuned . . .

Thinking about an Etsy Business

I've been a stay at home mom for almost 6 years, but for the first time, I'm thinking about opening an Etsy shop.  My husband lost his job this summer, but, honestly, it isn't related to that timing that made me think of this opportunity.  We are fairly hopeful he'll have a job soon.  More, it had to do with life--many of my friends are starting to do little part time work at home or in the job world, and my oldest just started Kindergarten.  Next year my youngest will be in preschool, and I will actually have time alone when there are no kids at home!

As you can tell from my blog name, I love parties and creativity.  I love to bake and cook, I love decorating, I love writing, I love art and drawing, and these can all form a nice marriage when you are planning a theme party.  My favorite part of party planning is picking a theme and weaving it across the party into decorations, games, food, etc.  I started liking party decoration businesses on Facebook pages, and I came to realize I really enjoyed all the creativity and it was something I would do well.  I'm not a printable party person--I want texture on my decorations and handmade details that make it look unique and special.  In addition, I want my designs to be cute, but modern and contemporary.

I am thinking about just starting with basics--having a few themes for parties and selling some main handmade decorations--banners in the theme, a birthday hat in the theme for the guest of honor, cupcake picks, cupcake sleeves, goodie bag tags, table banners, etc.  I might also make custom order vertical photo banners made to the desired theme--these add such personality and big impact to a party. 

Of course, it isn't as easy as just starting the business.  I am researching graphics for the shop, looking up places to print business cards, figuring out shipping costs/methods, thinking of cute packaging, buying a Silhouette for die cuts and easy letter graphics (the new Silhouettes aren't available until October), etc.  I'm hoping to get this going by the end of October.

It's a little scary too.

Am I ready to face failure or the demand of the shop if it succeeds?  I won't know unless I try.  I'm praying about it, planning, and getting excited. 

I'll keep you all updated as the shop progresses and when it will open.

If you have ever considered an Etsy business shop, share your thoughts!  Here is a quick, easy read to get you started on planning:  http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/the-quick-start-guide-to-selling-on-etsy/.

I apologize that I haven't posted as many crafts lately.  Between ministry planning, family needs, shop planning and school starting, life hasn't allowed as much time for crafting random things.  I am looking forward to a December wedding for my sister in law and the fall holidays coming, and I can't wait to share these things with you too!  I have a lot of joy in my heart concerning the things to come!