Friday, September 21, 2012

And, finally, the last vendor at the open house will be....

Jessica Regele! 

Jessica owns The Regal Find, a gift & craft shop  located in downtown Middleton.  This little shop will be filled with handmade, local and vintage finds.  There will also be a dedicated space for workshops, crafting treasures and parties.  A special event is scheduled at the shop for the end of November and the shop will then be open full-time in February. Jessica is currently taking applications for crafters interested in selling lovelies at the shop!

Jessica specializing in re-purposed finds.  The picture above features a  pre-loved cabinet front and a found clearance floral arrangement (that needed some serious holiday bling). So much fun! Can't wait to see all the goodies she will be bringing with her--and how fun will it be to stop in and shop early next year, then step right next door and pick up a lovely treat from Bloom to eat! 


Looking so forward to seeing everyone at the Fall N's Whims Open House this Sunday (yes, only 2 more days!) from 2-5pm. 1418 Blue Ridge Trail, Waunakee. Come early for the best selection. Many of the treasures available are one of a kind and are likely to be scooped up quickly!
 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Love waking up to the light through my windows!

This is a piece Dede made us, I love how it reminds me of the beach--sand, baubles and blue-green ocean waters....
 
Dede Kauffman will be at the open house this Sunday, 2-5pm. If you have ever noticed (or heard me going on and on about) the stained glass in my windows, you know Dede does beautiful work! If you haven't, here are two of my favorite pieces that sit in my boutique windows.

Pure happiness when I walk into my studio to begin working and see the sunshine coming through my windows, lighting up the office and casting shades of orange! These two are just perfect for me--down to the swirls and the cracked glass jewels!


This is one of my favorites in my living room--it reminds me of all the jewels and blessings in my family tree....
Bella wearing her fav!

Dede will have some abstract pieces similar to these, as well as some smaller fun pieces. She is also bringing some of the simple warm hats she knits. These are one size fits most--they are super cute on all my girls, and I love to wear them, too!



Oh, one more excellent gift idea--Dede makes crash glass collages--here is one she made for me. Bring a favorite picture or two, and if you have a favorite quote printed (scrapbooking items work great for this) and she'll design one for you, too!


Only 4 more days to some excellent retail therapy-- See you on Sunday afternoon!


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

2 new vendors will be in the house!

I have been trying to talk my friend, Carla, into bringing her wares to my open houses for quite a while! I don't think you will be disappointed in the least that she has FINALLY accepted! 

Carla of Zsa Zsa envisions herself as a part-time, glue-gun-slinging, crafting superhero.  Seeking abandoned tablecloths, drapery, and other doo-dads, Carla saves them from a grim fate.  With a Zsa Zsa make-over these castaways become beloved objects once again.  A drapery becomes a chic “ripped wreath,” a cloth napkin finds panache as a corkboard, vintage patterns become mod trays…  Not only are objects recued and restored, but reused!  Ergo; Zsa Zsa is saving the planet with her green savvy ways. At the sale, Carla will have: Zsa Zsa Gaboards, wreaths, crafts made from vintage pattern pictures, jewelry boxes, coasters and glamorous glitter skeletons.



An added bonus to getting Carla to commit, we get her momma, too! I love that this becomes a family affair (my momma is the creator at Caroline Designs and my mother-in-love, Dede is the woman behind all of my beautiful stained glass and winter hats :). Without further ado, I bring you Jean Zirk of Z Creative!
 
Some children are born with a silver spoon; Jean was born holding a needle and thread.  The offspring of a potter and home economics teacher, creativity was destined to be in Jean’s genes!  As a young mother of four children in the 1970’s, Jean made all her own and her children’s clothing.  She even sewed uniforms for Berkley’s cheerleading squad in 1970.  These days Jean is enjoying her retirement, her grandchildren and her love for sewing and crafting. At the sale, Jean will have aprons, cards and fall floral arrangements. 


This is shaping up to be the best N's Whims' open house yet! See you this Sunday, 2-5pm!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Back by popular demand....


 Nicole Mihalas will have little girls' hoodie dresses and ruffle pants available at N's Whims' fall open house (this Sunday, 2-5pm). You know the ones--the ones that she sells out of as fast as she sews them! The ones that my girls love to wear because they are so comfortable! The ones that wash and wear and get oh so many complements every time your beautiful daughter wears one! Yes, those hoodie dresses!


There will also be some N² items (creative collaborations made by Nicole and I together) available a this open house. We have some fun items ready to go and are going to do our best to get a few more fun items whipped up before Sunday! Our girls have made a few fun things to sell as well. See you soon! 


Cdel is in the house!

Cdel Design will once again be selling stickybands at N's Whims' open house this coming Sunday (23rd) from 2-5pm. If you have yet to try these, you NEED to change that! They truly are the only hair band I have worn that does not move. They stay put through sweat, wind and even a day at the pool--and, they are washer and dryer safe (I know because they have accidently gone through both cycles many times)! On top of it all, they are cute! 
If you have tried them, I am sure you are ready to pick up a few new ones--I have a drawer full and still manage to find an outfit that demands a new band :).
Come on over and check out the new patterns Lori will be selling! They fit most kids and adults--wouldn't a new Halloween or Badger stickyband be so fun for your darling daughter?! 



Saturday, September 15, 2012

Introducing a new spin for N's Whims' Open Houses

 
I am very excited to share with you a new concept I am adding to my open houses. As you know, last year I started a program called Craft to Give Back, in which I use 10% of N's Whims' profits to purchase crafting supplies for special projects. Then, I set a date and invite anyone willing to donate their time. We all work together to make beautiful things, which are then donated to organizations in our community. We have been having so much fun doing this, it hardly feels like work!
Working on the necklaces we donated to Waunakee Neighborhood Connection last Christmas. Children from our community got to shop for gifts for their families for free! Such a fun event.
This year, Craft to Give Back is changing a bit. We are going to be making items to sell and then donating the money earned to organizations that are near and dear to our hearts. I think we can make an even greater impact this way! We don't have anything finished to sell at this fall open house, but will have some by the one in November. So, stay tuned on that one.

In the meantime, I also want to use the open houses as another opportunity to give back. I will be pairing each open house with an organization that I really admire. N's Whims and many of the other vendors will be donating 10% of proceeds from the open house to the organization! So, in effect, you get to buy beautiful things AND in doing so, give back to others. Win all around! 
 So, without further ado, the first organization pairing with the open house will be Bead for Life. They sell paper beads that are made by Ugandan woman, and I use them quite often in my jewelry designs.  

One of my vintage bottle cap bracelet designs with paper beads purchased from Bead for Life.

On their website, you'll find fascinating stories about inspiring members who work in Uganda. Their members are impoverished, hardworking and intelligent women with a strong desire to improve their lives. Their goal is for their members to be independent of Bead for life within 18 months by being able to support themselves within the Ugandan economy.

At the open house, there will be a table for Bead For Life--you can find out more about this amazing organization, buy some beautiful jewelry and find out more information on Craft to Give Back as well. Can't wait to see you next Sunday, 2-5pm! 1418 Blue Ridge Trail.

Friday, September 14, 2012

N's Whims' Fall Open House

 Caroline Designs will be at the open house!

 
I am so super excited to bring another fun open house, full of unique hand-made items from super creative people who live right here in Wisconsin! The open house is sneaking up quickly, next Sunday afternoon (Sept. 23rd) from 2-5 pm. 

The first vendor I am highlighting is Caroline Designs, made by Nancy Palmer. You'll remember her from the last few open houses. She makes the really cute little girl skirts my daughters absolutely LOVE! 

Caroline Designs will also have some of her bohemian inspired purses available. These purses have such fun details, including the straps made out of men's ties and really cool hand-made art buttons.


Caroline Designs will be bringing a few new products to the open house as well! She is introducing her new snack bags. These bags are vinyl lined, so they are super easy to rinse out and re-use. No need to continually buy ziploc bags for lunches or snacks any more!! She makes them in two sizes--one to fit sandwiches and the other for snacks. Good for the environment, good for your budget AND adorable--what's not to love?!  

I am hearing that she may also be bringing a few women's skirts and hair accessories. There is also a rumor there might even be some gnome houses...! I am intrigued! 

Can't wait to see you there!


Monday, September 3, 2012

Another season of Craft to Give Back begins!

With the close of the crazy summer months, I can't wait for Craft to Give Back to resume!

It was nice to take a little break from Craft to Give Back for the summer--to really be able to reflect on what we have accomplished and where to go from here. But, I must say, I have missed it--the crafting and the giggles, but most of all, hanging out with all of YOU!  This year, I would like to take us from all little crafts to bigger and better! I feel like it is really difficult to come up with items that are both useful, cute and simple to donate to the WNC. While I would still like to do this as we come up with projects that work with that model, I would also like to change it up at times. I really loved some of the group projects that we made for the pinterest baskets. Loved that we all worked together to accomplish really cool things that would normally be too labor intensive for one or two to accomplish on our own. So, Nicole Mihalas and I have been doing some brainstorming. I am officially making her a co-administrator (she messed up and said, "we could...." one day :).  We are thinking that we can make some crafts and actually sell them at N's Whims open houses. Then, donate the money to programs--I am really liking the DAIS program. Everyone who has worked closely with them has nothing but amazing things to say. Plus, I really like the idea of craft to give back being a group of women working to empower and support women. This is definitely a program that is close to my heart. 
 

So, one of the ideas we have is collecting furniture items that have good bones (made with solid wood) and re-finishing them really funky or shabby chic and selling them. This is something where we could use extra eyes and hands outside of the crafting nights. If you hear of (or have) furniture items you are no longer needing, donate to Craft to Give Back! Also, spreading the word that we are happy to accept these items! I am thinking beds, night stands, dressers, small tables, bookshelves, shelves, table legs/bed legs, plant stands, chairs, etc. Also, if you happen upon something cheap at a resale shop or garage sale ($15 or less), grab it and i will re-imburse you! Another thing you can start to collect would be indoor paint in cute colors (the left-overs from projects that others no longer want), or spray paint, sand paper, etc, paint brushes, etc. I think this will be really fun! Of course, any furniture items we can't sell, we could donate to DAIS to give to women moving out of the shelter and on their own!

In the meantime, I would love to meet in the month of September and make a fun flower project. I think we could sell these possibly at the September open house--or, save them for the November one. Sundance catalog is selling these for $88 for 12 flowers. They are time-consuming for one to make, but very little cost, so would be great profit even at a cheaper price! 
 
So, let's get together on Monday evening, the 10th of September, from 7:30pm-9:30 and make some happy flowers! Let me know if you are planning to come. If you are, please bring 5 empty and rinsed soda/beer cans (if you have some), and some wine corks (if you have some extras).  Hope to see everyone on the 10th!

Oh, I should say that I still plan to use 10% of N's Whims profits to fund these projects. As this progresses, I may need to look at making Craft to Give Back an official organization (in the event that we make a lot of money to donate :). If there is anyone who would like to volunteer more than just at the craft to give back nights, please let me know! I am looking at ways to incorporate craft to give back with the N's Whims' open houses. The first one, in September, I will be hosting a Bead for Life party, and Lara Herman is planning to work that table. There will also be info on Craft to Give Back nights and such so that we can spread the word. If anyone would like to help man that table with Lara, let me know! It is going to be on Sunday the 23rd from 2-5pm.