Technically, that’s not true….I did a spring show earlier this year (don’t like them, for some reason, and neither–it seems–do customers). But yesterday was the official kickstart to my fall show season at the Trietsch United Methodist church in Flower Mound, TX.

If I met you there, especially if you became a Coquette Bath & Home™ customer, I appreciate you! Like always, this is an amazing show. Very well run. Even though my position was right in front of the bathrooms…I did not have enough time to leave my booth!

(psst, organizers…having someone come and offer to booth sit–for a few minutes–for those who do shows alone would be a huge blessing).

They doubled the size of their show this year, opening up a new building to vendors. I’m not sure how many vendors attended, but heard that just one room in the new building housed 100…it seems like maybe 250-300 sellers were there.

This is billed as a handcrafted show, and it seems that it is, still. I did not see anything around me that appeared to be anything ‘but’ handmade. Which is very good. Looking forward to next year…but I think I’ll get a double booth. Very hard to move around today…due to standing on tile and no space to sit down. My booth yesterday was ‘in the middle’ and I had to build a large table out of 3 smaller ones pushed together and bounce from side to side (maneuvering around a brick pillar) all day.

Onward in the season. Next up? Martin High School on October 15-16. Martin High School runs a spectacular show. I’m set up (as usual) outside the cafeteria. Please stop by. Martin High School is at 4501 W Pleasant Ridge, Arlington, TX.

See you there!

Isn’t that what they say about March? In like a lion and out like a lamb? Well, all I know is that it has been a very meek and mild lion so far…not that I’m complaining.

I’ve been really busy. Have to rebatch a few favorites (Lotion bars and lip balm!) and have an entire new product on the way…I know I mentioned ArtPOP™ a bit ago. Well, here’s a sneak peak!

Yeah, bright happy color abounds! This is ‘so me’! I love happy colors and notice my posies! They’re here too! I also do a star motif and a few geometic designs. As well as some wild polka dot combinations.

The new site is www.artpopgifts.com. Nothing there ‘yet’…but soon. In the meantime, when they’re available, I’ll post some here and also in both my Etsy and Artfire shops: ArtPOP on Artfire and ArtPOPgifts on Etsy!

Stay tuned!

I love making labels. Seriously, I do. And a lot of folks who see my products think that I’m some ‘big company’ only pretending to be little.

Well, I’m still pretty small potatoes. But no one ever got to be big by acting little! So I want my labels to be as nice and impactful as big guy brands. And, if I do say so myself, I do a pretty good job.

It’s just me, you see, me and a graphics program that turns out all of this.  I love working on labels, but lately, I’ve been playing around with my copyright posy designs and rather stumbled into a series of designs that are absolutely rocking my world.

Enough that I’m going to open a new Etsy shop (POPArtistry) and an Artfire shop (ArtPOP) as well as feature my items here. Now, before you say anything, I wanted the same name at both venues. I really did. ArtPOP is what I’m calling this fun new line of magnets, jewelry, notecards and more. But at Etsy, the name was taken. But you can know it is me by this fun graphic:

Here's my logo! Fun and happy (just like everything I do!) Look for this design at your favorite online shopping spots!

I’m putting the finishing touches on my packaging, right now. I have a few labels to print (and have to wait to get some clear ones that will work in my laser printer). And then the dreaded photographs to take. But if you go to POPArtistry at Etsy, or ArtPOP at Artfire, you can see the setup (Etsy is more ‘polished’ at the moment of writing this, but I’m going to work on the AF store soon!)

Just another example of my ‘well I can’t find what I want so I’ll make it myself’ philosophy. I can’t find fun and personality rich magnets in the stores. So I made them. And really soon, you’ll be able to decorate your world, too!

A selection of my Lip Tints products. Unflavored but with a hint of color. Obviously, very moisturizing.

Lately, I’ve seen several bloggers, and others, query about this very topic. Why buy handmade? And so, I thought I’d give some of my thoughts on the subject.

Handmade is a difficult term. And it means everything from those dear old ladies at the local church auxiliary putting hours and love into their quilts and afghans to kids happily applying glitter and sequins to a holiday turkey cutout in school. It covers folks who simply buy a kit and follow the directions to people like myself. Someone who designs recipes, labels, scent blends, and everything else associated with my product line.

In short, it runs from the most juvenile to the highest caliber. And that’s the problem. Because, depending on what you’ve experienced, your opinion of handmade is very different. So, I’d like to propose a change. Let’s let handmade be handmade. But for artisan products, let’s start calling it handcrafted.

Like scent without flame? Try my Nuggets™ wax melts! Wonderful and easy.

To me, crafting is more than simply making something. Like I said, give me enough paper and a gluestick and a pile of sequins and I can make ya a pretty sparkly paper tiara. It may be handmade (and yes, it definitely would be as my feet are not that talented) and I do have a fairly decent design ability, but it would not even be close to the quality and style I put into my products. Handcrafting, to me, implies more. It does imply the dedication to learn (a personal type of apprenticeship). It brings the art of making into the realm of crafting and artisan goods.

So, handcrafting is how I refer to my products. I’ll use the ‘tag’ handmade, as I still haven’t convinced everyone that handcrafting is MORE. But I hope to make you know.

When you buy a handcrafted item, you do more than simply buy a product. Most handcrafted products are produced by a single person or a small group. Sometimes, it is a SAHM or someone who is trying to create a more prosperous life for their families. In some cases, it is their only income. Yes, it could cost a tad more. But not always. My lip balm, for example (at $3.25 a tube) is very comparable (in price) to those famous maker brands sold at the megamart. What’s different is the quality of my ingredients. See that show about how some companies put ingredients INTO lipbalm to make lips actually drier (and in need of even more of the product…using it faster?) well, I don’t do that. Never. Ever. My ethics and morals won’t permit it.

My Nuggets™ shown above in a small photo, are actually CHEAPER than the famous maker brand sold by a small army of women (and probably some gents) around the country. In fact, their reps BUY mine for their home scenting! Why? Well, mine are actually better (I probably use a higher grade of fragrance oil for even more scenting) but…I’m just WAY cheaper. In this world, getting value is very important.

That’s just two products. Artisans who handcraft care about you. They care about the environment (I recycle my packaging as do many folks who sell artisan goods). They know they are putting their name on their products and they are sure (as I am) that not only is it a product they’d use themselves (and do) but that they can sell it to you with pride, knowing of the quality.

At  craft shows, which I do around the North Texas area in the fall, both to see folks face to face, but also to test market new ideas and scents and get very valuable face time reactions, I have a comment I make.  “Hi there! I make everything you see and if you have any questions, I’ll be glad to answer!” After all, I know why each and every ingredient is in each and every product. And I love gabbing about them.

That’s just a few of the reasons why handmade (HANDCRAFTED!) is best. If I don’t see you at one of my local craft shows, stop by my site and take a look. I’m also on Etsy, Artfire and Cargoh. But by all means, support your local artisans. And take money away from the sweatshops and dictatorships around the world. Spend your money with your neighbors and help them build their dreams. You’ll be happier that you did.

I always talk about my stuff and my life, and that’s okay, I guess. But today, I’d like to talk a bit about someone else.

Yes, I have my own site, but I’m also part of two other great selling venues: Cargoh.com and Etsy.com. On Etsy, I found a really wonderful shop: Jill’s Treasures. She also has one called TurtleTreasures and in that shop, I found a way cool pair of earrings.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55506561/citrus-shell-earrings

I wish I could paste a photo, but since the item isn’t in my shop, I can’t. But, I will tell you that it is delectable shades of yellow, brown and green…a perfect pair of fall earrings.

Give handmade a try. Not only my stuff (LOL) but also go and visit some of the great artists on Etsy!