The Savvy Craft Show Shopper: 5 Tips For A Great Experience.

You may be an absolute shopping diva but if you are new to the adventures of craft show shopping, have I got some tips for you!!!

#1 - Wear comfortable shoes.  You may be use to doing all day shopping marathons in the mall but unlike many traditional retail stores, craft show venues may not have a place for you to sit down and rest.  Also, one of those lightweight but strong reusable grocery tote bags would be great to have on hand for all of the fun purchases you'll be making.

#2 - Consider shopping early.  If you are a fan of handmade you might miss some fabulous one of a kind items by waiting until later in the day.  If you see something you love AND it's in your budget, grab it while you can.  I hate to see the disappointment on customers faces when they come back for that piece that they decided they had to have, only to find it's already been sold.  Yes, sometimes an artist can make you another one, typically it's not going to be an exact duplicate though so keep that in mind.

#3 - Ask the artist and crafters you meet about the stories and inspiration behind their craft.  Knowing how something came to be is often very interesting and makes the piece that much more desirable to give as a gift, even if it's a gift for yourself.

#4 - Grab business cards.  Many vendors have online shops and would love to connect with you on social media.  They often offer special coupons and discounts that can only be found on the internet. Many of them often have great blogs too.

#5. Even if you can't afford to purchase something you genuinely like, let the artist know you appreciate their work.  Vendors often spend countless hours preparing for a show and long days (10 - 12 hours) at the event itself.  They will be glad to hear that you see value in what they do.

So grab a friend and enjoy your craft show shopping adventure.

Speaking of craft shows, you can find me at this one Saturday May 17, 2014 in booth H327.

Mention this blog and get a FREE gift with purchase!

Happy Shopping!

Majesty, Worship His Majesty...

Majesty, Worship His Majesty..

There is nothing like worship.  It somehow frees us from our confined space and allows us to enter into the “Holy of Holies”.  The act of singing as worship is one of my favorite parts of church service.  My family will tell you that I am singing all the time, mostly worship songs – and here lately songs from a favorite children’s movie that just came out!  But I don’t just limit my act of worship to singing.

Worship is the act of turning your whole being to something else.  We can worship TV.  We can worship food.  We can worship other people.  We can worship ourselves.  But these things will never give us complete satisfaction.  They are limiting, and they are just unable to give us what we truly desire, a deep intimate relationship with the creator and author of our lives.

I for one need that reminder from time to time.  I tend to get busy – don’t we all! – and I forget to focus on the Lord.  I let other things come first.  I “worship” my activities.  And when they come before the Lord He sweetly and lovingly calls me back. 

Why?  Because He desires my worship.  Not because He needs it.  But because He wants me to enter into His presence so that I can have that deep relationship with Him.  He desires that I put everything else aside and just spend time with Him.  He wants to be FIRST in my life.

I have a picture in my bedroom of a young Victorian woman who is gazing lovingly out the window.  Before her is a piece of paper, and a quill sits almost forgotten in her hand.  She is the perfect picture of tranquility.  When I see the painting I begin to feel more tranquil.  I begin to relax, and I start to feel just like her.  Quietly reflective. 

Just as important to me, okay maybe even a bit more important, is my cross wall.  On the wall of our stairwell we have over twenty crosses.  Each one is unique.  Each one was either given to us or purchased – or handmade – with the intent of putting up on that wall.  Our family has been intentional about surrounding ourselves with reminders of our faith.  Of who we are, and who we are meant to be. 

It is important to have those reminders.  Without them we can simply get too busy, forgetting to focus on what truly matters. 

From now until May 13^th Cherry’s Creations has a list of downloadable art on sale.  Each one is a beautiful reminder of who the Lord is.  His majestic power.  His abiding joy and peace.  His splendor and majesty. His unfailing love.  Each download has a scripture verse or an encouraging message designed simply to help you keep your focus on the Lord. 

These lovely pieces of artwork are being retired and will no longer be available for purchase after May 13th.  But, between now and then you can download one piece of artwork and get another one absolutely free! Use them to create note cards, gift tags or to frame. Click on the link below to see check out the remaining stock. 

click here for availability

* In order to get the free digital download, click on the download you want to purchase.  At checkout, include an email address and the title of the free download you have chosen.  Your artwork will be emailed to you within 24 hours.

(Written by Triana Burroughs - Creative Assistant)

Creative Reuse

I had a friend bring by a bag of craft supplies she wasn't going to use anymore. She wanted to see if the was anything I could use. There wasn't much that I could use but there were some really fabulous large silk flowers. Except, I make small things, hmmnnn, the wheels in my brain started turning. I figured out I could use the flower petals to cut smaller flowers out of and wa la!!!

These smaller flowers will be fabulous on my block sets. I even used some spray inks and glitter mist to make them just perfect for my project:

What kinds of things do you like to remake???