The Art Mill

When my best friend Chrissy first told me she wanted to go to The Art Mill in Lebanon, Tennessee for her birthday. I thought, "What? I'm creative, but there's no way I can paint!" Well, she set up the appointments for us to go and you know what, for a 3 hour painting class, we had a blast!
The instructor was very clear and she did the painting with us, to show us where to start and how to outline the painting. It was great. I will definitely be going back again the next time I roll into Tennessee.
If your not familiar with The Art Mill. You can find their website here:
www.theartmills.com
This is what we did while we there for the 3 hours!

Of course we did all of ours differently! Here's a photo of what the three of us did!

Calendar of Events For IC

November 30, 2011-2nd Annual Artisan’s Holiday Bazaar. Inspired Creations will be out
at James Madison University from 11am to 5 pm!
December 3rd and 4th-Rockingham County Christmas Arts and Crafts Sale will be held
out at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. We will be there both
days.
December 10 was to be the date for the hair clip party. That has been canceled due to another show that has been scheduled.
December 16,17, and 18-Staunton Mall in Staunton, Virginia. I will be there
all 3 days.

Dates are subject to change. Come out and support your local crafts, vendors, and artisans at these wonderful shows!

Mishaps in the Making

Have you ever been to a show and just really sat and watched people? I had a great time at the Spotswood Show even though I didn't get much time to walk around and check everyone item's out. But, one thing I noticed is the people who would come up to my booth and pick up the bows. They would flip them over to look at the back and then start pulling on them! Guess they wanted to see how strong they were and how I had attached them. Well, when I finally got to start crafting last night with some of the new supplies, I was going through some of the items from the show and noticed that some of the clips were just hanging on for dear life! Well, in a worried state I called my niece who has bought a lot of bows from me and I ask her how hers had been holding up. She said she hasn't had a problem out of them. So, is it just my paranoia or is it just from people really pulling on them?
So, I sent hubby on a panic run for some fabric glue just in case the hot glue was a problem and in a mad hurry 2 days before we are supposed to leave to head to Tennessee for Thanksgiving I had to go through each and every bow and re glue them. Of course in the end I am not changing how I do the hair bows,except for sewing the buttons on, I have decided that the hot glue has worked for me so far. But, I wonder if I can put up a sign for the shows."Do not Pull On The Bows"
What a nightmare, right? Not even, while I was doing that, my son, Max, took my purple marker I use for my stamps and decided to trace one of the bow holders I just finished for my niece and got purple marker all over.
My hubby offered to paint it, knowing I wouldn't have time to take care of it. I'm hoping I might get to it today.
Here's just some of the things that were sold at the Spotswood show

Christmas You Tube Ad!

On You Tube:

Giving The Gift Of Handmade

My kids were invited to a Special little girl's birthday party at church last weekend. And immediately Bows and Bow Holder popped into my head as a perfect gift. That's what I had been planning to give all my nieces and Lexy for Christmas as well.
I'd much rather spend a couple of dollars and take the time to create and design an item they will cherish. So, I took the time to email the parents and ask them what were the colors of their rooms or their favorite color.
This one is not finished yet, but it's halfway there. I still would like to add some green leaves and of course I need the ribbon to hold the bows. So, yes, I know I have not posted anything new in the store's, because I am working on so many other projects right now.

I will post more photo's on this blog post as I get the other's done. I still have an A, M, T, and L to do!

Spotswood Elementary School

Saturday November 19, 2011 from 10-3 pm- Spotswood Elementary School is having their Holiday Bazaar. It will be located in the School's cafeteria. The Holiday Bazaar will showcase local Artists, Vendors, and Crafters. And yes, I will be there as well.
Free babysitting will be offered on site as well, but on a first come, first serve basis. Come on out a get an early start on your Christmas List!

The First Show Of The Season

The first show of the Season has come and gone. And I wanted to share some photo's with you. Although I think after looking at the pictures it is time to break down and buy some more table cloths. What a wonderful time it was to get to know all the sellers and consultants at this show. It was my first School Craft Show ever and I really enjoyed talking with the parents, helping them coordinate their Hair Clips with their child's outfits, and watching everyone leave my booth with a smile on their face! What a great inspiration it was throughout the day.
I giggled when one of my customers said she always buys her daughter more clothes when they buy new hair clips, so they will match!
My first customer of the day was looking for the Headbands and she wanted them to coordinate with each other, because they were for her twin nieces. And because I didn't have them all out on the table (not enough room). I pulled out the box of them and we went through all them. She settled on a green and pink one and because all my items are buy 2 get 1 free, she picked out an extra pink one for them.
Here's a photo of the new booth set up with my new retail shelf. I'm the one on the left. The lady on the right is another seller that was there who makes Jewelry and we were talking about all the different selling sites out there, when hubby John snapped the photo real quick!

Here's a photo of just the new retail shelf!

And here's some photo's of some of the things I sold. I couldn't find a photo of the vase I sold. But I was really happy that I did sale one!


Of course there were a lot more items that left my booth that day!
And here's the best part if you didn't catch us on Saturday at Skyline Middle.
On November 19th from 10-3 I will be at Spotswood Elementary. Here I don't have a whole booth, I just have a table, so I have my fingers crossed that I will be able to fit a lot on one table. But, at least I won't have to load up the shelving, canopy, and tables for this show!

Love

"Love Makes The World Go Round"

Fairy, Fairy...

Fairy, Fairy quite contrary how does your garden grow. With flowing ribbon, buttons and bows, and Flowers lined up all in row.

Okay, well maybe not lined up in a row. But, I've been working months and months on the design for these Fairy wands. And now I'm finally happy to say I am finished with it and have some completed just in time for the next 4 craft shows.

I will not be listing these in either store. If you'd like one of these or perhaps a custom made wand, you can contact me at inspiredcreationsbymichelle@gmail.com and message me. They are $5.00 a piece and shipping is $2.50.

And for these lovelies you can see I went all out and staged the photographs of them to make them look extra special!
The length of these fairy wands are 13 inches in Length and the flowers are 2 inches. 2 flowers adorn the tops of these wands that are attached to green, wood sticks.

Christmas Arts And Crafts Show And Sale

The 36th Annual Christmas Arts And Crafts Show and Sale is on December 3 from 9-4pm and December 4th 10-4 pm at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. Instead of supporting the big chains this year, Come on out and support your local artisians and crafters!
Inspired Creations will be there both days. We will be in booth number 58! This is the biggest and best show in the valley!