December 21, 2007

Cinnamon scents fill my Happy House


1 cup cinnamon
3/4 cup apple sauce
1T ground cloves
1T ground nutmeg
2 T school glue

stir dough till moist, knead dough till smooth, roll out (not too thin) and cut shapes, poke hole for hanging...dry on news print for several days. Once dry paint or apply glitter glue or other creative decorations.

Happy Holidays!

December 19, 2007

Handmade Holidays at Happy House Quilts


Perfect for a Princess!
These are going to the little one I babysit for...oh, I hope she likes them...a tutu for a too too cutie pie and a perfect size pillow for a big girl's bed.

December 17, 2007

NY Times and Etsy!

The New York Times published an article yesterday about the handmade pledge and a bit about Etsy.

Find the article here.

Most interesting is this snippet

"On July 29, Etsy registered its one-millionth sale and is expecting to hit two million items sold by mid-December. Shoppers spent $4.3 million buying 300,000 items from the site’s sellers in November alone — a 43 percent increase over the previous month. Thus far in December, the site has had record-breaking sales every day."

Very cool!

December 14, 2007

Things to share from Happy House Quilts's google reader

Happy House Quilts Shared Items at Google Reader

Special Wool Pouch Tutorial from HHQ

These little pockets have been a huge hit in my local market. So I thought I'd share the simple recipe to make them!

Cut one 3x6 inch rectangle of wool felt.
Design the front with simple designs and embellish with beads, buttons, pretty pearl cottons. (kit available inquire at Happy House Quilts)
Cut ribbon about 5 inches.
Loop ribbon they way you like and attach with button to match.
Fold rectangle in half and sew up the sides, give yourself room to cut away any uneven sides.
Cut away the very top edge with pinking shears to make it look neat. You can cut away the side edges with the shears too or trim to be even with straight shears.

Fill a 2x3 inch plastic bag with potpourrie, I choose cedar and fill the pocket with the bag.

Type the info:
This pocket is made with wool felt by HappyHouseQuilts.com. Use it for an ornament, in your closet or with a gift card to give away. To activate cedar, punch pin holes in bag. Place in desired drawers, closets, chests, etc. Add to the pocket.
Obviously you will replace my shop name with your own.This one is my favorite!

You can also stuff the pocket with a gift card, or a special note to a loved one, hershey's hugs or kisses would be great too! If you like making these we can post pictures of them to a flickr group...let me know!
Create from within!

December 11, 2007

Need Grows this Holiday Season for Toys Made in the USA: Happy House Quilts Craft Kits fit the profile!

Happy House Quilts offers no lead paint and no overseas production. Actually the production of the Craft kits are processed on the kitchen table of a little home in NH. All the cutting and assembly is done in NH. All the drafting and writing was done in NH.

Any wool felt used has been manufactured in Massachusetts at National Nonwovens

I am even a Yankee...with a pedigree dating back to 1060!!!!!

What's Yankee? Well, I'm an adoptee, but upon my search a few years ago, I figured out this very perplexing question. It means my ancestors came over to America during or before the Revolutionary War. Pretty cool. I'm not a DAR (Daughters of the Revolution) or anything...not sure if they would accept me...being an adoptee...but it's still cool to have a past....

But I digress...craftiness is in the tradition of being a Yankee...ingenuity and resourcefulness. So all that put together has created me and my Happy House Quilts, made in the USA, always quilt inspired, always practical and fashionable.

Create from within! Go get crafty!
Thanks for reading!

New Hampshire's Union Leader gives attention to Etsy.com

New Hampshire Sunday News (Manchester, NH)

December 9, 2007 Etsy.com gives the artsy an outlet
Author: NANCY BEAN FOSTER Union Leader Correspondent Edition: State
Section: Lifestyles
Page: F1
Article Text:

Finding the amazing variety of products made by New Hampshire artisans used to require visiting craft shows and specialty shops, but a Web site devoted to high-quality crafts has become a gathering place for artists and craftspeople across the state and around the world.

Etsy.com is an online store that only sells handmade products. With more than 60,000 sellers from around the world, the site is dedicated to the mission of "enabling people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers."

The Brooklyn-based company was founded by artist Rob Kalin after he became frustrated with his inability to find an online marketplace for his creations. With the help of Chris Maguire and Haim Scoppik, the site was launched in 2005, and now employs 45 people in New York and San Francisco. The site boasts a membership of more than half a million people and 60,000 sellers, including more than 50 from the Granite State.

The way in which Etsy was founded makes the Web site special, according to John Rowe, a woodworker and seller from Raymond. "(Etsy was) started by a group of young people without any money, (even scrounged their own furniture to sit in) in an apartment in NYC," said Rowe. "That means the 'greed breed' can take no credit for its success."

"I found Etsy only by accident just over two months ago, and it has to be the single best online shopping experience I've ever encountered as a seller and as a buyer," said Lorraine Ferrari of Londonderry, who specializes in handmade soaps and candy.

For Rowe, who always dreamed of working with wood after he retired, Etsy.com has provided a unique place to sell his work without the hassles of other online shopping venues like eBay.
"EBay is basically a huge flea market, and does not provide much exposure for real craftpeople or artists," said Rowe, 71, who worked in high-tech and publishing before retiring. "Etsy does make an effort to be sure people are selling what they say they are selling, and the sellers can self-police this by reporting fake products."

Don Drew, a woodworker from Raymond who specializes in handmade pens, said the site allows shoppers to find unique, New Hampshire-made gifts and products without having to visit craft fairs or specialty shops. "It's a high-class way of getting your work on the net," he said. "It's like an online mall for craftspeople and artisans. It's a fascinating outlet." Drew said he joined the site because creating a secure independent retail site required a lot of expense and experience. Rowe found the site by reading an article in Business Week.

Now the sellers and the founders of Etsy are hoping that people around the world will discover the site and find that buying local, homemade crafts doesn't require a trip to a church basement or hours surfing through the millions of products on eBay or other sites. "The people you encounter on there not only make some of the most wonderful, high quality and unique handmade creations," said Ferrari, "but they are friendly and helpful and the personal touch you receive when making a purchase beats hands down any generic experience you could get from any other online retailer or at the mall."

To discover the work of more than 50 New Hampshire artisans who use Etsy, visit www.etsy.com and type "New Hampshire" into the search line, or use the Web site's geolocator on the left-hand side of the home page.

The artisans from New Hampshire also have a blog at www.nhstreetteam.blogspot.com that can provide quick links to unique gifts and merchandise.

Copyright 2007 Union Leader Corp.
Record Number: 11D76836AB94EFC8

December 8, 2007

Affirm Water - Leach free water bottles found at a Craft Fair Today!!!

Take a look at what I found, Affirm Water! Come visit this great web site.

You can view this site at:
http://affirmwater.com/

Leach free water bottle because it's made of light weight stainless steel!!!
Totally worth a peek!

December 4, 2007

Snow day!

all hats provided by Deedaloos.com
Look at the unique way she added the tassels...those are flowers on the ends!
This came with matching mittens!
More flowers on the ears! And it hangs down long in the back, so old fashion! So cute! This came with matching mittens too!
Daisy didn't get one this year!
Hydrangeas are equally pretty in the winter...don't you think?

December 3, 2007

Green Bean: Flannel Board

Green Bean: Flannel Board

What a great idea Cara has at her blog...definitely check it out!

oh I'm picturing a garden with rows to sow and fairy princesses...and trees and water and mountains...We need to do one too!!! Will have the older girls help, it can be a holiday gift to their baby sister! Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring me Cara!

November 29, 2007

Craft Fair Tips at Luann Udell's blog

Wow...such insight...21 tips and counting...so worth time, a cup of coffee and a a notebook to jot down ideas that come to mind!!!

Thanks knitsteel for sharing the link with the etsymom team!

Luann Udell's blog "Good Booths Gone Bad #19 Choosing Fewer Choices"

I chose this link as this is *my* dilemma as I set up for a fair on Saturday in Gilford, NH...will sift through my items tonight in anticipation of flooding the customer and immobilizing them from buying. Can't do that!!!

Thank you to luann for her insight and hope this turns into a book someday for the masses!!!

November 25, 2007

Mom In The Know: Givin' it all away

Mom In The Know: Givin' it all away

Doesn't get much better than FREE!!!

All you Etsians...you can submit items for review at this blog...contact Heather for more info!

Happy Holidays!!!

November 19, 2007

Join EtsyMoms Help Save Christmas!

Rudolph ran off and needs to be found before Christmas Eve.
He is hiding in EtsyMom shops.
When you purchase the item with Rudolph, you will received a free gift. Prizes vary from shop to shop, see item description for prize details.
Santa can't leave the North Pole without him, please hurry!
Search for EtsyMomRudolph at Etsy.com

Thank you for shopping Handmade with EtsyMom!

Find more information about EtsyMom at EtsyMom.com and at EtsyMom.blogspot.com

November 14, 2007

All things Handmade: Buttons Badges and Accessories

All things Handmade: Buttons Badges and Accessories
so this is a new thing...generated by imagination and volunteerism...gotta love etsy!

enjoy!

November 13, 2007

Treasuries in Pink for Happy House Quilts!

Think Pink this season
by
Missbeahaven
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=15219
Brown and Pink
by
Skivvyluluvinatage

trying to get link to treasury...but blogger is not cooperating...will post it in comments


November 12, 2007

707


That is code for my craft fair is this Saturday and I hope i have enough of what folks like...Last count was 707 items made and packaged.

anxiety is overwhelming me...worry, fear, hesitation...what if no one buys? what if I sell out?

what if I leave with all my stuff to tote to another fair?

Nov. 17 Bow High School, Bow, NH...be there with bells on...I'm pretty sure I'll be in the gym.

Dec 1 Gilford Middle School, Gilford, NH Middle school gym...in the middle of the middle..hee hee

Goal...to earn back some of the fees and propay subscription...hopefully accepting credit cards will be the good thing. It would be wonderful if I can afford to pay for my silly crown and new front windshield for the car too...yikes...life happens when I'm off planning...

Credits and thanks go out to...

Kim, Karen, KK, Kathi, Becky for packaging 468 items last Sunday with me!
Lynne...for designing my table space, working the fairs with me and being an all around wonderful friend to bounce ideas off of!
My husband that has put up with STUFF everywhere!
My kids, that deal with mommy with a needle and thread much of the time.

God Grant me the Serenity
to accept the things I can not change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference...

it's in God's hands now.
Blessings to you all!

November 4, 2007

Baby K in a Happy House Quilt's Hair Quilt™

Awww! She is only 5 weeks old and already feeling at home in this Happy House Quilt's Hair Quilt™!

Find Hair Quilts at etsy while supplies last. Shop will be closing down for November 17 and December 1 for Craft fairs. If you love it...Grab it NOW!!!

October 29, 2007

Happy House Quilts has another Happy Customer!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
These are pics from Sofielu's purchase of a Threadibilities Craft kit!!! She has an adorable shop but wanted to give a special young lady the opportunity to learn to sew like a designer too! Look what she came up with...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

October 27, 2007

I took the Handmade Pledge

I Took The Handmade Pledge! BuyHandmade.org

I'm number 1692!!!!!! What number are you???

Happy buying Handmade at Happy House Quilts!!!

What life is all about...family, Christ and creativity!!!

This was fun to do too! Another flickr tool to make this mosaic.

Love my girls! Need to slow down and smell the flowers as they are growing so fast! Hard to believe this was almost a year ago. The baby is into everything now...all my crafts are in boxes and stacked high and barricaded into random sections of the house with gates and pieces of furniture to keep her away from it all...I look forward to the fairs to move all the inventory out of my small spaces. But I guess a part of me will miss being able to create so much all the time.

This holiday season should be nice...the lull after the storm.

Create from within


Create from within
Originally uploaded by happyhousequilts
Flickr.com can be so much fun! Look at the poster I made!!!

Go get crafty with your kids...check out all the wonderful craft and ornament kits available at http://Happyhousequilts.com !!!

October 17, 2007

EtsyMom Mini!!!

October 11, 2007

I'm pooped!

Who would have thought that second grade homework would be so time consuming!?!??!

Calgon take me away!

October 4, 2007

My Goals for my shop


Well...I'm inching fast towards 100 sales by December 31...as I hit 53 today!
275 hearts...but hearts are not really a goal of mine...it's all about sales! And transferring money from paypal back to my checking account to recoup some of the investment in craft supplies!

Craftzine.com highlighting my Friendly Flowers is a bonus but more global exposure was also on the list!

2 Craft fairs selling 800 items...could i actually sell out????

Blogging daily? Well with 3 kids and a dog and other children that I watch during the day...it's doing pretty good.

Listing several times a day!!! This is key to sales at etsy...i just know it!

make 40 items a week for next few weeks prior to fairs.

Expand Dog line.

Investigate and gain wholesale customers.

Christina Perdue has a wonderful blog!

Christina Perdue has a wonderful October in store for we etsians! 30 days to a better shop!
Check her out...here's the link to Day 1

September 23, 2007

Featured Artist - Knitsteel


Who are you?
I’m an Artist specializing in Custom Bronze and Ironwork. I make nature themed jewelry, home dĂ©cor, artwork and sculpture.

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link?
http://knitsteel.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in?
Art, Jewelry, Handmade Supplies, and Housewares (home décor)

Do you create for children or adults, women or men?
I create for adult men and women, but my work often appeals to teens and young adults.

What do you like about Etsy?
The opportunity to list whatever I want, when I want. I can list something whether I’ve got 1 or 10 available, whether it’s $10 or $100. It’s also wonderful to be selling directly to the customer and to develop personal relationships with buyers and other Etsy members.

What do you like about creating?
I get to use the talents God has given me and to work toward the visions that fill my mind. It’s also very rewarding when someone writes and lets me know how my work has enriched their life.

What do you love about your business?
1.Making money with my talent.
2. Getting to meet and work with all sorts of highly skilled and creative people.

What is your favorite product right now?
It’s hard to pick just one. I always love the single leaf wallpieces.

What makes you unique at Etsy?
I’m a highly skilled and experienced metalsmith. I work on large scale commissions outside of Etsy. I exhibit work in art shows. I specialize in the techniques of Chasing & RepoussĂ© and teach workshops regularly. I make and sell my own chasing tools.

What makes you unique as a woman?
I’m a blacksmith.

What do you love about Kids?
My kids have been the greatest joy and the greatest responsibility of my life. They’ve helped to focus all of my energy, in my art and in every day life. They teach me new things all the time.

What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create?
My blog is probably the most informative http://knitsteel.blogspot.com
For more information on blacksmithing, start with http://www.abana.org . Then visit their affiliates page to find a group near you. In Minnesota start with http://www.metalsmith.org . In Wisconsin go to http://www.umbaonline.org

Featured Artist is a post I do on Sundays. Find more featured sellers posted at the HHQ blog from past weeks here.

September 18, 2007

WFMW - Simple Sewing Kit by Happy House Quilts

Well how many of us have had a hem fall at work? Or loose a button? Or worse yet...have your blouse open up and pucker on your way to something special?

Have your kids ever gone somewhere with a new outfit on - only to find their pants are falling down because they are a little big and they refused to try them on and you were rushing to get out the door?
Well do you ever carry a sewing kit with you in your purse?

Here's what basics you need...
Felt about 9x4 inches...to be folded in thirds
Dental floss with cutter (airplane safe)
plastic fasteners for loaves of bread
needle for sewing
buttonsafety pin

Now mine is a bit fancy (I am passionate about sewing and love to craft), but you can totally keep it simple with just the felt...

Fold the felt into thirds and make one side a pocket by folding it in and sewing up the side and bottom...this will hold your dental floss (check before you sew to make sure it fits) and bobbins. Now the dental floss is great for the cutter but the floss itself can also be used for the thread!!!

Wrap thread around the bread clips for use later. Save and carry multiple colors. I use this for yarn and wool but all purpose sewing thread will work great too! Recycle those things...what else are you going to do with them?
YOu will sew the button on to it somewhere...you might need it some day.

The needle sticks into the top of the pocket to protect the sharp edge.

The safety pin holds it together while not in use...you might need this some day too.
Hope this helps you!? Make one with your kids for camp, college, or road trips! Craft with your kids today!

Internet tip of the day....what's a congo???
come and see Take off your shoes Congo at Hyena Cart...check out this link at my blog for more information

Threadibilities Craft Kits™ with precut shapes for ease in making items available at Happy House Quilts.