Sending New Year Cards

Photo courtesy maple

The last couple of years I haven't sent out Christmas cards to my family and friends. Instead I sit down in January with my fireplace burning and enjoy writing New Year Cards!

I am so much more relaxed and it gives me a chance to respond to the wonderful Christmas cards I have received. When I sent Christmas cards I felt rushed and I didn't really enjoy the process. Now that I send New Year cards I take the time to enjoy the spirit of the season so much more.

My mom writes about 200 Christmas cards a year. She also receives about 200 Christmas cards a year. On Christmas Day my mom, brother and I sit down with glasses of wine and read all of her cards as a family. It is a wonderful tradition! We catch up with everyone through their photos, letters, and cards. It is so much fun!

My mom and brother would tease me that I always didn't get all my cards sent before Christmas, so a couple of years ago I decided to start my own tradition by sending New Year cards. My friends love receiving the cards in January and I enjoy extending my holiday season into the new year!

Happy New Year!

Small Business Saturday - November 27, 2010

This year, November 27th is the first ever Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday is a national movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S.

It is a great opportunity for all of us to show how much we appreciate each and every small business that we come in contact with!

As you shop and eat out on Saturday please consider a small business!

For more information please check out the Small Business Saturday facebook page.

Fun In Minnesota Today - HandmadeMN Holiday Market

HUGE HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENT ANNOUNCED
AS POPULARITY OF HANDMADE GIFTS SKYROCKETS

November 20th HandmadeMN Market To Feature Largest Collection of Made-in-Minnesota Items By Local Etsy Artists

Business is booming for Minnesota artisans, with handmade merchandise in high demand this holiday season. On November 20, the HandmadeMN Holiday Market will give Twin Cities shoppers a chance to stock up on unique, locally-made gifts created by over 45 juried artisans who all sell their wares on Etsy.com, the world’s largest online marketplace of handmade merchandise.

Handmade is hotter than ever: Etsy expects to end 2010 with sales of $400 million – more than double last year’s revenues. The site attracts over 775 million page views per month and is home to over 400,000 shops run by individual artisans, including many Minnesota entrepreneurs. Over 200 of them belong to an Etsy-sponsored collective called HandmadeMN, which will host its first-ever Holiday Market at the Uptown VFW in Minneapolis on November 20.

With the growing popularity of shopping local and buying handmade, HandmadeMN is proud to offer both by bringing its team members’ online goods into the local marketplace. Shoppers will find everything from unique statement gifts to budget-friendly stocking stuffers. The show will feature two floors of hand-crafted, locally-made items including jewelry, ceramics, paper goods, toys, clothing, photography, home décor, soaps, artwork, and accessories.

The first 25 attendees will receive gift bags with handmade items from participating vendors; in addition, a drawing will be held for two handmade gift baskets valued at over $150 each.

Show Details:
WHAT: HandmadeMN Market
WHEN: November 20, 2010 10am-6pm
COST: Free and Open to the Public
WHERE: James Ballentine VFW, 2916 Lyndale Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Free parking lot located at rear entrance to VFW, on Aldrich Avenue

I Love To Travel For Business

I love to travel for business. I spent July and August traveling almost every day. I find that the key for me to traveling that much is organization both professionally and personally. The more organized I am the more smoothly I travel! I feel less stressed and enjoy the moment more when I have everything organized. I am not good when I have to fly by the seat of my pants. I know some people are much better at that than I am.

Today I am working in my office. Enjoying a day of no travel. Tomorrow I will hit the road again. But not until I finish organizing today!

ArtMind Tutorial: How To Make A Polymer Clay Brooch Or Ring Utilizing A Diamond Burr Set

Over a year ago I met Mitsy. She is a very talented artist from Belgium. She has a unique style that is all her own and that is what I love about her! Today I am thrilled to share with you a tutorial that Mitsy recently published on her ArtMind blog.

I enjoyed Mitsy's tutorial and hope you will too! Mitsy utilized our diamond burr set to create this wonderful clay brooch. Enjoy the tutorial!

Happy 4th Of July!

Happy 4th of July! Enjoy your day with your family and friends!

Summer Fete July 3rd, 2010 - Bloomington, Minnesota

Wow! It is time for Summer Fete 2010 in Bloomington, Minnesota!

This year's fun starts with a carnival, includes two entertainment stages – the Kid's stage and the Main Stage – featuring a great lineup of performers, and as usual, culminates with a fantastic fireworks display just after dusk!

I have lived in Bloomington many years and this is one of my favorite days of the year!

Enjoy!