Quick little post

I really shouldn't be blogging right now--since my to-do list is still a mile long, BUT....
I was on a hunt for a really cool vintage looking chain (which I never did find the source of) and some of my fellow bead pals sent me some links for good sources. I found some great vintage chains at A Grain of Sand
AND, they have really reasonable prices. LOVE it!!  

I am also going to try once again to get the Art Bead Love Tour to stop at my little studio! Who wouldn't love a chance to take up to 30 of these lovelies and trade for other beads made by artists?! If you would like a chance, click on the above link and make a comment!



Finally, I wanted to share a picture of the gift that my girls' Daisy and Brownie troop leaders are getting this year. Do you ever crack yourself up?! I must admit that I do quite often--I have giggled to myself several times making these :). Maybe it is because I have been spending crazy amounts of hours in my studio alone! I just might be cracking, but at least I am having fun :D. 

So, I made wine glass charms with each girl's first initial. The leader simply chooses the charm that helped her earn her glass of wine that day--giggle! These ladies sure do work hard and the girls just love it. I hope they know that we appreciate them!

Happy Holidays to each of you and Thank YOU for supporting N's Whims during 2012! 

2012 Holiday Open House

I can't believe we are only one week away! Seems like just yesterday I was putting the final touches on the girls' Halloween costumes! And, yet, in just 6 more days, it will be December.... Which means, the holiday open house is here! Saturday, December 1st from 9-12 at 1418 Blue Ridge Trail. This is in the Southbridge neighborhood in Waunakee, WI. As always, you will find only hand-made, well-made unique items perfect to gift--if you can find a way to part with them :). I can also promise holiday tunes, treats and maybe even an N² giveaway (hint, hint)!


I am especially excited to share with you the giving back part of this open house. It is two-part this time. First of all, the vendors will be sharing a percentage of profits with Got Love? This is a local group with big dreams of changing the lives of many families in Guatemala.  All of the artists will be donating money to purchase used and refurbished sewing machines for women in Guatemala. This will give Guatemalan women a way to create their own crafts to sell and help support their families! How is that for crafting to give back--for more crafting! So super cool if you ask me! These women have never worked an electric sewing machine before. On their last trip Annette Kruschek's daughter and Mother-n-law taught women how to operate a machine. Now these women are teaching others within the village how to use the machines that were purchased. It has been very successful and many items have been made since their trip. I love the, "Sewing Hope" project. That is the ultimate goal... hope for a brighter future!! 

Annette Kruschek will also have a Got Love? table full of hand-made items made by Guatemalans. The proceeds from these purchases go right back to helping the needy in Guatemala. You are really going to want to check out their facebook page and see the amazing ways that they are giving back in this country with so many shortages. Annette will also be able to tell you so much more about what they have done and are planning to do. Of course, if you would like to sponsor a sewing machine yourself, you can donate directly at the open house as well. Giving a working sewing machine to a family is only $35!

The second way to give back at this open house is at the Craft to Give back table. Once a month, a group of amazing women get together and make things to help N's Whims give back to the community. N's Whims donates all of the supplies for each crafting session. Then, we work together to make the projects. We are now selling some of the fun things we make. ALL proceeds from the sales of these items will be donated to DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services) in Madison. How cool is that?! Here are some pictures of a few of the items that will be available at the Craft to give back table. Also, we would like to refurbish some outdated/unwanted furniture with good bones to sell at future open houses. If you have some furniture (even if broken, we can re-purpose parts) or paints you would like to donate, please let me know!


Now that you know about all the ways you can feel even better about spending your money at the open house, let me give you some clues as to who will be here and what kinds of amazing handmade goodies you might find! Of course, you will find N's Whims jewelry and other whims--I am going to be a jewelry making fiend this week, and won't be posting any of the new lovelies so there will be lots of suprises! Come early for the best selection as many will be one of a kinds! Bring a guest who is new to N's Whims and get 10% off of one N's Whims item at the open house! Make sure you let me know because it can get CRAZY during the open houses! Oh, and I should also let you know that I have someone on board to help me bag and ring this time AND my studio is now across the hall, so there is more room to browse in the boutique now! Woohoo! You will also find many N² items in my boutique. These are fun projects that Nicole Mihalas and I create together--she is amazingly talented and so much fun to be with. So, we combine both of our skills and creativity to come up with some cool creations to sell. There are also a few items made by our girls, Zoe and Bella--gotta keep them busy while we are crafting! If you need some sticky bands from Cdel design, you can pick them up in my boutique as well.

Dede's beautiful stained glass pieces will also be available at this open house. She will have several smaller pieces that are perfect for gift giving! Her glass items were very popular at the last open house! She will also have some winter hats--they are one size fits most. All of my girls and I enjoy wearing them all winter long!  Here is a sample of her abstract glasswork--one of the pieces that makes me smile every time I walk into my living room :). 

Sue Jacobs, who works at Arboretum School, is going to be joining us for the first time. She makes beautiful bags and purses--as well as other cool items. I don't have a picture for you--you'll just have to trust me that you'll want to arrive early and check out her items because they are mostly one of a kinds and are likely to sell quickly! Her items are so well made and use such cute fabrics. You are going to LOVE them!


Caroline Designs has been busy coming up with some new items. Her new skirt design is especially cute and whimsical. I love the little details on these skirts--each is one of a kind! She is also making the adorable ruffled pants pictured on the right. These are a great alternative option under skirts and dresses in the winter. My girls love wearing them because they feel like pj's, without looking like it :). She will have hair accessories, green snack bags, gnome doors & other skirts available as well.





Super excited to get the rest of my holiday shopping completed at this open house! Can't wait to see you all there!

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!
 

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!

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!

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?!