Aren't You Wonderful?!

We've really enjoyed reading all of the comments left on the Power to The People post and wanted to tell you about these ladies who shared their entrepreneurial stories:

Jennifer started her soap making business (Cedar House Soaps) in her home eight years ago, allowing her to express herself creatively while raising her children.  She now creates soap full-time and runs a little shop of her own.  She also sells her soap at our show every year.

Monica created her blog, The Homespun Heart, and is an expert on thriftiness.  We've always been so impressed - reading how far she can stretch her budget, and how creative she is as well.  And If you're ever looking for the best way to stretch a coupon, you should really visit her blog.  She's soon to be starting a fun new "Open House" venture and you'll be able to read more about it on her blog sometime in the future.

Debi at Cowgurls Blessing creates aprons from vintage tablecloths and other materials and is just getting ready to open her Etsy Shop.  Watch her blog for more information on her grand opening!

Katie has been creating beautiful pillows and aprons from vintage materials and carries them in her shop online.  She also has a blog where she has show-and-tell posts of her projects and other sweet things like vintage aprons.

Designer Junk Finder, Shay, has a self-described "Rich Hillbilly Style" and is a passionate collector.  She shares her inspiration on her blog and sells her cool jewelry on etsy.

Our friend, Jeanne, started her business, A Bushel and a Peck a year ago, specializing in the hand-crafted items that she loves.  You can find her creations on her etsy site.  We especially love her Olivia dresses.

Kim runs the darling Maxwell General shop in Maxwell, California and blogs about it at Camp Whimsy.

Jeanetta is a wife and mom of three and loves to create Splendid Things.  You can find her creations on etsy and read about her daily life on her blog.

Angie runs a great blog, The Downtown Boutique, where she features wonderful items made by other "cottage industry style businesses".  The blog is very visual and loaded with great items.  She also runs two etsy shops of her own.  You can find them here and here.

Beki started her blog, Artsy Crafty Babe three years ago to boost her creativity and make connections with others.  She has since started her own business making patterns and handbags that she sells on etsy.  You can find her etsy store here.  And, she's been published in three (yes three!) books:  Pretty Little Purses and Pouches, Pretty Little Potholders, and Pretty Little Patchwork.

Christina turned her passion for photography into a business three years ago.  She specializes in children, family, maternity, and senior portraits.  You can find her website here.

Kjersten, aka Travel Girl, is a stay-at-home mom who started her travel business a year ago.  Her creative outlets are blogging, photography, teaching piano and voice.  She hopes to segue into "making beautiful things" more often.  You can find her blog, Travel Girl, here.

Carrie, of Sommer Designs fame, began her business ten years ago.  Her business has evolved in that time and she now specializes in handbags, aprons and drawer liners.  Her creations can be found on her website and you can follow her on her blog, behind the screen.

Deb is a Retail Visual Designer and consults with merchants, writes for trade publications, speaks at trade shows, and hosts videos on retail subjects.  She's also a ball of energy, which we discovered first-hand when she was an antiques vendor at our show last year.  While at our show, she filmed a bunch of video segments for the gift and home channel.  You can find her video segments here:  with The Farm Chicks, Deb, with Heather Bullard, with Bari J, with Tammy Gilley.  You can also visit Deb on her blog:  Deco Diva Deb.

Liz owns and operates the amazing Vintage General shop in Savannah Georgia, which Teri got to experience first-hand on a recent visit there.  She is also a freelance producer and photo stylist for national magazines.  You can visit her on her Vintage General blog, and her website.

Laura is following her dreams, as hard as it may be, in an area that isn't really receptive to hand-crafted goods.  She hasn;t let that stop her.  She opened her own etsy shop and is selling her creations there.  You can visit her at her etsy shop: All About Pretty, as well as her blog.

Our friend, Kasey, operates the lovely Lola B Boutique, where you can find all things pretty all the time.  Her displays are beautiful.  She's in the process of moving to a new location and will be holding a open house at her home on Friday, December 5th.  You can read more about it on her blog.

Jen is a mom, artist, local TV show host, and craft writer.  You can read all about her at her Sanctuary Arts blog!

Teresa is a talented illustrator and avid antiquer and is also a vendor at our show.  You can visit her on her blog where she offers recipes, craft tutorials, and more.  You can also find her creations at her etsy shop.  Her work has also been published in Romantic Homes Magazine.

Amy is a knitter extraordinaire, and I have to admit I fell in love with several of her pieces while visiting her etsy shop.  I think my favorite is her red raspberry crocheted necklace!  So Anthropologie-ish!

Pamela is the owner of Beehind Thyme, a little shop in Kentucky.  She also has two blogs:  Beehind Thyme, and French Rustic at Beehind Thyme.  She designs, creates, and has been recognized in several magazines.

Our friend, Beth, has been crafting, junking, and creating almost her entire life.  Eight years ago, she decided to make a major change in her life and switch careers, from a licensed social worker, to a small shop owner is Castle Rock, Colorado.  You can read about her life on her blog.  Her shop, along with 17 others, are housed inside a 100 year old barn.  Lucky!!

Beth Quinn runs her jewelry making business out of her home.  In one year's time, she's managed to have her jewelry carried in Sweden, Finland, and the U.S.!  You can find her lovely jewelry on her blog.

Kim runs a website devoted to vintage fabric and textiles.  (Be still my beating heart!)  She also offers many items for sale at her etsy shop, and blogs about all of it here.

Jenessa is just getting started with her business, The Best Nesst, where she creates inspirational wall hangings and cards.  You can read all about it on her blog!

Christa is the owner of Chloe Rose, specializing in "cottage style treasures and handcrafted goodies".  She and a friend also host several shows a year called Kindred Roses.  You can read all about it on her blog.

When Tricia isn't working at her day job, she's enjoying her life as the founder of Vintage Bliss, where she says she is "on the pursuit of pretty".  and who doesn't like pretty things?  You can read more about it on her blog and find her goodies on her etsy shop.

By day, Tami is a "red-pen slinging editor" and by weekend, a "flea-marketing junkie who makes crafty stuff".  Her business is called Cupcake Studio and you can find her creations on her etsy shop and read all about her on her blog.

Darling Mindy started an antiques shop "from scratch" in a feed store in Poetry, Texas.  Doesn't it just sound too good to be true?!  You can read all about Mindy on her blog.

Gabreial is the editor of the online magazine, Vintage Indie, which is all about promoting and supporting independent businesses.  The magazine features a cache of wonderful content and is well worth adding to your regular list of must-reads.

Eileen runs Forget Me Not Dreams, a website featuring an assortment of vintage, new, and handcrafted items.  You can read all about Forget Me Not Dreams on her blog.

Vanessa is a mom of four with a husband who has been deployed overseas for almost a year.  Vanessa started a little stitchery business about five years ago to supplement their income.  Since that time, she has continued to add more items and dreams of continued growth for her business.  she chronicles all of it on her blog.

In addition to running her own business (day job), Heidi paints and crafts in her spare time.  You can find her creations all over the internet: here, here, and here.

And here's a little shout-out to Donna, Melissa, Amy, and PJ who left comments on the post, and haven't yet started a business, but have dreams to do so someday.  We hope that reading about all of these wonderful women will inspire you in some way.

Comments

[Gabreial]

This was so sweet ladies!

Thanks so much! I need a mug shot, I've been working on that one. Have a blessed weekend!
Gabreial

[Jackie]

What an inspiring post!! I have sold little things on etsy and am working on trying to figure out what I want to do now...looking at these inspiring ladies' blogs is so hopeful and helpful!! Thanks for bringing them all together in one fabulous post!

[Mindy]

Wow! So many inspirational women! And thank you so much for including me in this role call. What a wonderful group to be mentioned with. ~Mindy

[Jen r sanctuary arts at home]

Wow, I popped over to check your posting and I saw me! Very cool! It's great to read all about the other brilliant women! They are all so talented!

[liz demos]

I can't thank you girls enough for including me with all these talented ladies. I sure am feeling the love from all your readers.

Liz
@home
vintage general

[Christa from Chloe Rose]

Wow....what a wonderful tribute.....thank you for being so thoughtful and showcasing women's hopes & dreams (including mine). Blessings to you!

Christa
Chloe Rose

[farmerjulie]

Great post..it was fun checking all those incredible ladies out!! Thank you!

[Carrie S.]

Wow Wow Wow! I'm so honored to be included here - but what about The Farm Chicks?! You two are really one of the first women on the scene, giving us all inspiration that we can live our dreams - so thank you, for both the inclusion, and the inspiration. XO

[Kim G.]

Thank you for sharing Camp Whimsy and introducing all of these talented ladies. I know what I'll be doing this weekend, visiting these gals sites to learn more about them!!! Thanks again Farm Chicks, you girls rock!!

[carissa]

i could jump out of my chair... what FuN!

super creative... simple terrific gals!

can't wait to take a peek & learn more about each of them... SO glad you shared... yeah!

big 'ol blessings...
carissa

[Niesz Vintage Home]

Wow! Thanks so much for including me and my little website in with this list of wonderfully talented women! I'm honored.

Many of their sites are on my "regular route" but, I do see a few that I'm not familiar with. I'm off to go check them out...

Thanks again for such a fabulous and inspiring post!
Kimberly :)

[Lorie Payne]

Thanks for posting. I am just starting my own business on etsy and my blog as well. It's nice to see so many women pursuing their passions.
Lorie
www.buttercupsanddandelions.blogspot.com

[Mindy]

Though I just recently discovered y'all, I find you to be very creative and most inspirational. Therefore, you are being awarded a Kreativ Blog Award! Please visit my blog to pick it up. Y'all rock! ~Mindy

[Jeanne]

Just like you guys to support other women. You are amazing and what I love about you the most is that you truly want to see others succeed. Thanks so much for sharing about my business and thank you for having such open and kind hearts....it all will come back to you and bless you even more!

[Alva]

whoooooaaaa Its going to take me ages and ages to follow up on all of these extraordinary women! Thanks for passin along - I can't wait to be inspired!

[DivaDeb]

Oh well, my goodness, aren't you just the sweetest things! Thank you so much for the kind words and generous mention in your post...I am blessed to be able to have my own business doing what I love and feel so honored to have been recognized here with these other talented gals. Including the AMAZING Farm Chicks!!! Gracias!

[Monica]

You two are simply the sweetest! Thanks so much for the honor of being included in your list! I am also excited to check out some of the other ladies you mentioned! It's fun to have you as "blog friends!"
Monica

[Tami B.]

WOW!!! You gals are so cool...what a list of lovely ladies!

[Pat]

This was a great list!! I'll be visiting all of them!!!!

[Amy]

what a wonderful surprise! you are so kind and I was truly inspired first by you as I would read and reread and reread my CL magazines and the old ones I would hoard from the free bin at the library. "Anthropologie-ish" is about the highest compliment I could receive--much thanks! And if you like it, the real treat is what it looks like when you turn it over...it REALLY looks like a raspberry!! :)

Amy
She Knits

[Bethie]

Wow, what an amazing blog entry! Thanks so much, you girls are amazing!

[Katie Trott]

Oh boy! I can tell that I am going to be busy looking over everyone's blog and etsy sites!

And you know I love Vintage Indie! :)

[Heidi Woodruff]

What a fantastic list of creative and entrepreneurial women! I'm going to have a blast visiting them all now! I can see the creative spirit shinning in all these faces...I love the photos! Thank you so much for including me in this list, I'm very honored!
*Heidi*

[Jennifer]

What an amazing kaleidoscope of beautiful, talented women...I am honored and inspired to be recognized among them!

Thank You Farm Chicks!

[hazelsvintagepretties]

Gosh, what a wonderful surprise to find myself included in your post...Thank you so very much...Katie

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

This is my first visit to your blog. I'm having so much fun reading your archives and visiting all of your links. This is a great list of blogs and shops! Thanks!