The Farm Chicks

The Farm Chicks Office Tour

When I started my Farm Chicks dream in 2002, we were living in an small old schoolhouse at the base of Mt. Spokane and all of my work was done from the sofa and kitchen table. After we built our first home, the laundry room doubled as my office at first, shared with the folding counter and eventually we carved out a little space in a nook the size of a closet. Colin would always joke and call it "Farm Chicks World Headquarters" because it was so tiny. I loved that space and made it really cute but I did start to dream a bit about having my "work" away from the living areas of our home, so that I wouldn't think about work when I was with my family. When we built our farmhouse, we decided to build an office for me that was separate from the house. At first, we continued to call it World Headquarters but after a while it sounded kind of weird to us because the new space is much larger and the joke just sort of fizzled out and the name fell away. My family simply calls it my office these days.

I like for my office to be very clean and free of clutter, to keep my mind clear and not distracted in any way. I remember when I shared a visit to Country Living Magazine headquarters a couple of years ago and some readers were surprised to see that the offices weren't decorated with a lot of clutter and were very clean and bright. When you're always coming up with new projects, material, and content, it's really wonderful to work in a space that's clutter free!

Dreams continue to be formed and manifested in this special space and I'm so thankful for the area to build large projects (like the installations for The Farm Chicks Fair), the natural light that always fills the space (even on the gloomiest of winter days), and the quiet that inspires me and allows me to form creative thoughts and plans.

  

  

  

  

  

Sources:

The Farm Chicks Sign: Recycled from an installation at The Farm Chicks Fair, made for me by Chase and Toby.

Hanging Barn Lights, 8 Compartment Cubbies, Cubbie Storage Boxes, Tall White Stools: Ikea

White Table and Plain White Chairs: Fred Meyer (Painted white by me and table covered with oilcloth from Cath Kidston).

Intricate White Painted Chairs: Purchased at The Farm Chicks Fair.

All of The Farm Chicks Posters are framed by Spokane Art Supply. Posters are available for sale each year at The Farm Chicks Fair.

Honey Tins: all vintage, collected by me over the years and gifts from friends.

Quilts: all vintage and acquired at The Farm Chicks Fair.

Grandma Green colored Furniture: Martha Stewart. (This line was purchased from Home Decorator's Club but similar is now being sold at Home Depot, found here).

HoWdY sign was handpainted for me by my dad, a copy of the original that hung in our Gypsy Wagon and was lost when our home burned down.

White Desk and White Chair: Pottery Barn.

Oilcloth on White Desk: Cath Kidston.

Serena Prize Ribbon: Handmade by Amanda Rydell.

Cheer Up Jar: Fishs Eddy.

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Between posts on my website, and all year long, I'm preparing for The Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair. You can read alI about it here. I also document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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How A Country Living Magazine Story Comes To Life

Each month, the pages of Country Living magazine tell us stories about crafts, collectibles, homes and homeowners, and country style. But how do these stories come to life? Oftentimes, it starts with an editor's idea, like this story about ice cream, in the June 2014 issue:

So, the editor has an idea about ice cream. A meeting is planned with a few editors and the stylist who will be working on the shoot for the story. The purpose of the meeting is to hash out the ideas and to come up with a clear plan for how the story will look. As the ideas are finalized, rough sketches are drawn, to help guide the shoot on location.

As the story is being sketched, visual inspiration is helpful. In this case, a few sketched images that had inspired the team were a part of the planning process. Once the plan is in place, the recipes will be developed and tested, a shoot is scheduled with a location designated and a photographer assigned. The stylist who helped plan the story will be on location, styling each shot.

The original inspiration for this shot was the sketch of popsicles all laid out, as seen on the left. The plan for popsicles evolved into scoops of ice cream. Same concept, with slight variation (as seen on the right).

Once the shoot has concluded, the photographer will submit the images to Country Living. The Country Living editorial team then takes the images and begins to lay them out as they will appear on the pages of the magazine. A writer is assigned, the story is written, and the recipes added in.

First layout (left) Final layout (right). During the shoot, other shots will be taken that can be used for pages where copy (text) is inserted, like this introduction page for the story. The shot was simply of ice cream, and the copy was laid down on top of that image. When the story is being laid out, the design and copy will change. The version on the left was the original layout, which evolved into the final layout on the right.

From beginning to end, there are many many hands that have touched a story, from concept to shooting, to layout, to writing. And hopefully, when it's done, it's a story the readers will enjoy.

And of course, there are always shots that don't make the page. Like this after-shot of the perfectly frozen scoops seen above.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

 

Country Living Magazine - A New Location & A New Editor-In-Chief

I first began working as a contributing editor with Country Living Magazine in 2004, shortly after the Editor-In-Chief at the time, Nancy Soriano, visited my Farm Chicks Antiques Show. It was a really exciting time, and such an honor for me. The first story was all about how to bake a pie. In the ten years I've been working with the magazine, the headquarters moved its offices within New York City to the Hearst Tower, Nancy Soriano left the magazine to pursue other ventures, a new Editor-In-Chief, Sara Gray Miller, was at the helm for a few years, and then last fall, some new changes were announced. The magazine was moving to a new location in Birmingham, Alabama, and a new Editor-In-Chief, Rachel Hardage Barrett, had been appointed. Earlier this summer, I visited the new editorial headquarters in Birmingham to meet Rachel and the new editorial staff. The offices are located in an area known as Pepper Place. Formerly the Dr. Pepper Syrup Plant and Bottling Company, the Pepper Place Complex is a group of seven extensively renovated buildings, including the old Martin Biscuit Building, spearheaded by Cathy Sloss Jones - a descendant of the nearby Sloss Furnaces Factory family. In addition to Country Living, there are restaurants, antiques shops, a garden market, and a weekly farmer's market located here. Rachel has a long background in the editorial world including Glamour, Real Simple, and most recently, Southern Living Magazine. When I asked her about the decision for the magazine's move to Alabama, she explained that Hearst was looking to find a location more fitting to the Country Living brand. The September issue of Country Living will be the first issue with all of the content compiled under the direction of Rachel, and will also be the issue in which she is first introduced to the readers, via the Editor's Journal in the magazine.

Editor-In-Chief Rachel Hardage Barrett (far left) and editorial staff .

The space is just beginning to take shape as office furniture arrives. Most of the editorial staff's desks are located in the center of the building, with the executive offices along the front wall, a conference room on the left, and project work stations on the right. On the day I was visiting, they were unpacking boxes of paint for an upcoming story.

The entrance to the offices. The Country Living logo will be placed here soon.

As a teenage reader of Country Living, I always looked forward to the Real Estate Sampler and the monthly recipes. Now, I love seeing the homes that are featured and reading about other women in creative businesses. Are you a subscriber to Country Living Magazine? What have your favorite features or stories been in the past? Do you have a favorite column? I'd love to hear!

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Next up, I'll be sharing one of the many ways a story in the magazine comes to life.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

The Farm Chicks Birdhouse Installation

One of my very favorite parts of The Farm Chicks Show each year is coming up with a theme and then carrying it through every aspect of the show all leading up to the installation at the main entrance. It is SO FUN for me. This year's theme was birds.

I decided to make a backdrop for my installation, so that it could really stand out. I took an enormous roll of paper and water-colored a sky and birds in flight. Each bird spelled out "The Farm Chicks" over and over again.

I created the bird houses one by one out of ordinary paper bags - hundreds of them.

Each bag was individually painted, and dried.

After the bags were dried, I used a circle cutter to cut holes in each birdhouse. To cut only the front of the bags, I inserted a piece of cardboard into each one before cutting.

After the holes were cut, the bags were opened and the tops folded down and hot glued into place.

In the days leading up to the show, I prepared a wire grid with hundreds of strings tied to it, to hang the birdhouses from. On setup day, we hung the wire grid from the hang wires in the ceiling above the entrance and the roll of paper as well.

My friend, Jill, spent the day opening each birdhouse, folding down the top, glueing them into place, and then attaching each one to the strings that were already in place. It was extremely time consuming!

The next day, my son, Cody, glued each birdhouse into place.

And at long last, the installation was complete!

I loved getting to see so many shoppers stopping at the installation, taking group photos, using it as a meeting place, and enjoying the show. Did you visit the show and get your picture with the birdhouses? Please leave a comment below and tell me about it! Tomorrow I'll be sharing pictures of the show and shoppers. I can't wait!

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The Farm Chicks Antiques Show is held once a year (always the first full weekend in June) in Spokane, Washington. You can read all about it here.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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The Making of The Farm Chicks 2014 Poster

Each year when gearing up for The Farm Chicks Antiques Show, I put a great deal of thought into what the theme for the year will be and what I'm hoping to express. This year, I was wanting to do something with birds and was feeling inspired by a large collection of prints I've been gathering for a gallery wall over the years. Then, one day on a trip to H&M, I spotted some darling jeans, covered with birds that had a sort of watercolor painting look which got me to thinking about birds once again. So, I set out on a Pinterest search for bird art, hoping to find the perfect artist. After a great deal of searching, I happened upon Danielle Kroll.

What really caught my eye was this page from one of Danielle's journals:

After discussing my project with Danielle, I commissioned her for this year's show campaign. Danielle and I discussed the concept I had in mind and she came up with some initial sketches. I chose a sketch she presented depicting birds in flight and she got to work on bringing that sketch to life and created these three options with variations on colors, text placement, borders, etc.

After a small change to the text and a slightly different border, this year's poster was born:

The "Will You Go With Me?" theme this year is a play on the notes passed around school between boys and girls in my younger days, young love, and love birds. Now, this love note is from me to you. Will you go with me to The Farm Chicks Show? I hope to see you there!

Notes:

The Farm Chicks Antiques Show is held the first full weekend of June each year in Spokane, Washington. You can read more about the show here.

You can RSVP for the show on Facebook here.

Danielle Kroll is a Brooklyn based artist and designer who creates beautiful works. You can learn more about her here.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there, Username: thefarmchicks

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The Farm Chicks Poster Release Party Re-Cap 2014

We celebrated the release of the 2014 Farm Chicks Antiques Show poster last week and had such a fun time.

Masses of festive balloons filled The Bartlett.

Mini posters topped the cupcakes.

We had fun taking pictures with Photoboxx.

And postcards were shared with all!

The Farm Chicks Antiques Show is held the first full weekend of June each year in Spokane, Washington. To find out more about this happiest antiques show on earth, click here.

I'll be posting more about the poster and the artist that was commissioned to create it, later this week!

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there, Username: thefarmchicks

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Curated Farm Finds for a Good Cause

I spent the day in Otello, Washington yesterday, digging through the McLean family farm. If there's one thing I love about what I do (and I'm sure you already know this) it's getting invited to dig through farms and barns. But this time was a little different and it has me happier than ever...

The purpose of this dig wasn't for me to find things for myself, instead, it was to pull everything I loved from this farm together to raise money for the Air National Guard's 242 Booster Association. A farm finds collection, curated by me and all for a good cause.

Now let me tell you, digging through these old buildings is not for the faint of heart. They're typically packed to the rafters, dirty, and a little sketchy, structure wise.

I learned a great deal about these old places from my dad who always taught me to look up. Lots of great finds in the rafters and this day was no exception.

Yep, I even dug out a sweet old motorcycle.

Good old junk, as far as the eye can see...

What did I find? What did I love? My curated collection of farm finds is available now, for a limited time, at Paint in My Hair in Spokane, Washington.

Mike and Stan, with the 242 Booster Association and me, after a long day of digging at the McLean Farm.

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Special thanks to the McLean family for donating all their good old farm finds.

Thanks to Paint in My Hair for selling this curated collection to benefit the Booster Association. **Paint in My Hair is having a fun "Girls Day Out" event at their store this Saturday. Click here for more details!

And biggest thanks to everyone who serves in our armed forces, and their families who sacrifice so much for the good of our country.

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The Printshop - Hearn Brothers

I've been working with Dale at Hearn Brothers Printing in Spokane for many years. His printshop has printed much of the materials for The Farm Chicks Antiques Show. This year, the printshop has been busy printing the show posters and postcard flyers. I thought you might enjoy seeing how they are made.

Before we begin the process, I always meet with Dale to go over paper options for my project. For these posters, I had one sort of paper in mind, but after consulting with Dale, I was convinced I needed to head in a different direction to make sure we ended up with the best possible poster. Once the paper is selected, the process of my materials being printed begins.

It all starts with the art file. The file is opened up and analyzed. Here is the postcard art shown on the left and then super-magnified on the right for color analysis.

Once the file is ready to go, it's sent to this piece of equipment to make the film.

Once the film is produced, it's analyzed to check that everything looks correct. The film is then placed on the machine that produces the printing plates, secured via notches in the film.

A plastic cover is placed over the film,

and the machine cover is closed. The platemaking process begins.

Four plates are made, as there are four colors in the posters and postcards. The plates are then taken to the printing area and placed into the printing machine. Since the posters and postcards have only four colors, only four of the six printing chambers are used.

Scrap paper from previous print jobs is taken from the shelf and placed into the feeder on the print machine for a test run.

Standing on the platform of the print machine, and looking down into the chambers, you can see the posters run through black:

Yellow (seen below), Magenta, and Cyan.

And out they come, on the other end.

The test posters are then very carefully analyzed to make sure the colors are exactly correct.

This magnifier is used to check the colors.

This is what it looks like through the magnification lens:

Million of dots, completely unseen to the naked eye. These little dots are what make up the image that you see. Amazing, isn't it?

Tiny adjustments are made and testers are run through a couple of more times until it's just right. Then, they're ready to print the posters. Fresh paper is brought out and taken to the cutting machine to cut down to the correct size for this project.

  

Then it's back to the feeder with the fresh-cut paper and the process is started once again, this time with the final version.

And here they are:

Next, the posters are taken back to the cutter and are trimmed to size. Then the process starts all over for the postcards.

Hearn Brothers Printing is located in Spokane, Washington. You can reach them by phone at 509-327-6308. 

P.S. I'm having a little Pop Up Poster Release Party in Spokane this Friday. I'd love for you to pop in for some flyers and I'll treat you to a cupcake! You can find all the details here.

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Designing a Poster

The Farm Chicks Show poster holds a special place in my heart. A tradition started on the very first little sale in my friend, Meegan's barn, across the prairie from my house, more than a decade ago. The first two flyers were made by my sister and printed on 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheets of paper.

My love for beautiful signage and advertising began long ago, when my parent's incorporated it into pretty much every area of our life. You can say I was born this way. Old signs adorned the outside of our gypsy wagon home.

Inside, the walls were covered in more signage and advertising, and my dad made a part-time living as a sign painter, painting signs and cars as a way to supplement his income. It was his true passion, honed by all the years he spent interning with Tommy the Greek in his hometown of Oakland, California.

The posters and signage created for the show are more than just promotions for the show. They are artful creations steeped in a rich history that pays homage to my roots.

As the years have gone by, the posters have evolved and become more poster-sized. And for the last few years, I've begun to tie the theme of each year's show into the poster - a fun foreshadowing of what's to come. This year, I commissioned artist Isabel Reyes Feeney to create both the poster and postcard flyer.

I chose Isabel because there was a certain look I was going for, which I thought she could capture, and I love her soft vintage, yet current color palate that she works in. We discussed different ideas and elements that I wanted to make sure and include. And then Isabel began to sketch and eventually came to this which we were both really happy with:

 

And then, Isabel brought the sketch to life:

Which resulted in this, the poster:

Now you know, when you're looking at a poster for The Farm Chicks Show, you're looking at a little piece of my heart.

P.S. I'm hosting a Pop Up Poster Release party this Friday, in Spokane. Pop in for some flyers to pass out to friends, family and customers and I'll treat you to a cupcake! You can find out more about it here.

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Tomorrow I'm going to take you on a little trip to the printer to watch how my posters get made.

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The Farm Chicks Antiques Show is held just once a year in my hometown, Spokane, Washington, the first weekend of June.  This year, the show falls on June 1st & 2nd. You can find out more about the show here.

The images of Isabel Reyes Feeney and her work are courtesy of Isabel Reyes Feeney.

You can find more of Isabel's work and products for purchase in her Little Atae Etsy Store.

You can read more about my childhood history here.

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Making The Most Out Of Pinterest

You're probably one of the many millions of people using Pinterest. And probably using it for a way to keep ideas cataloged or just to find inspiration. But it actually has another really great use for you if you run a creative business, blog, or website.

Just as with all social media, you can use these platforms to better what you're doing and better connect with your audience. Wouldn't it be great to know what content you put out really resonates with your readers? Pinterest is a great way to gauge that and here's how:

In your web browser, simply type in http://pinterest.com/source/yourwebaddresshere  For example, to see what's being pinned from my blog, here is what I'd type in: http://pinterest.com/source/thefarmchicks.typepad.com

Today, this is what comes up. I can scroll and scroll to see what is being pinned from my site:

One day, I was surprised to see my How to Make a Cloud project pinned a huge number of times and proceeded to have more than 10,000 visitors to the blog in a few hours. Other days I can see that readers are enjoying what I posted that day. The more interesting to my readers, the more pins I see.

Of course, I'm always going to post about what interests me, but it's helpful to know what my audience enjoys as well.

 

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Holiday Inspiration

It began snowing in Spokane last week and my Christmas spirit began to soar. I love the first snowfall of the season. Please don't melt. Please don't melt.

Today is a special day for me because I get to announce my sweet friend Heather Bullard's Souvenir Magazine has been released today. The HOLIDAY ISSUE.

I love so much about this magazine - that it's produced by women, a true labor of love, and most importantly... it's beautiful and inspiring. It makes me want to create, decorate, and cherish the season even more. That's what happens when I'm inspired.

And, it serves as the platform for the debut food story of my dear and talented friend, Sylvia Fountaine. Her recipes are always a treat and I love how what she puts out thoughtfully walks the reader through the steps. I know you're going to love her feature! BEEE-U-T-FULLL! :)

I also got to join in this time with a story about a day in my life. I hope you enjoy it. (Special thanks to Samantha Cabrera for shooting my story. I adore you.)

Grab some cocoa and come join us. You can purchase and download your issue here!

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P.S. I've been away for quite some time. My family has needed me. But now I'm back, feeling joy, and ready to catch up with you. Thank you for being so lovely while I've been away.

xo

 

Business Questions

I've loved sharing some of my insights into business recently. What have I missed?

If you have any questions, please feel free to post your questions here and I'll do my best to help.

Hugs,

Serena

Questions and answers below!

Image by Ray Kachatorian from a story of mine in Country Living Magazine.

Question from Kelley: How do I build internet traffic for my webstore. . . blog. . . etc? Any resources you can point me to, or advice would be awesome!

Answer: Make sure to use social media to your advantage. Build a Facebook page for your business and connect with others there. You really need to build a following and this can take time. Make sure not to be spam-like with those you connect with (Try not to bombard people with posts). If you build a slow and steady following, it will be filled with others who are truly interested in what you have to offer. Best wishes on your webstore!

Question from Reese: I would love to hear your advice on turning an idea into reality. I've got some great ideas, but I have no idea how to actually execute them.

Answer: Truly, my business has been a lot of work. It's taken ten years to get where I am with my business. In the beginning, I worked really hard to reach out to others who it made sense to connect with. Country Living Magazine, Emma Lee Turney (The founder of the Round Top Antiques Show), etc. to tell them about what we were doing and hoping that we could connect in some way. Along the way, I had a strong vision for the business and made sure to stay true to that. I think you need to get your vision into place and then run with it. Build up your business and then reach out to others, promote your business, do everything you can think of to make it strong and viable.

Question from Stacey: What do you do when what you love (interior decorating and styling) is not something "new" like you talked about in your previous "idea" post...how do you stand out in a crowd? The only real difference (or possibly limitation) i have is that i specialize in cottage decor. I just started a new decorating site at http://cottageindustryinterior.com. I'd love for you to take a look and welcome any advice you may have.

Answer: First, I think it's important that you are specializing in something that you obviously love and that's your niche. I'd bet there are no other interior decorators in your area that specialize in cottage decor - and that's perfect! You wouldn't want to open a muffin shop on a street with five other muffin shops. :) I think you have a beautiful website that's really easy to navigate. One tip: Make sure to credit any images you post that aren't your own to the original source - anywhere you post them... your website, facebook, etc. Good luck!

Question from Camille: Where does one start when taking a storefront business online? What do you see from your experience as being the biggest challenges with going online? Which program would you say is best to use for the shopping online? And, if you were asked what would you do differently now regarding your business both online and other avenues like shows, what would you say?

Answer: Make sure you have a really great website that is easy to navigate, and with working links. You really have one chance to pull someone in and if it's not easy, they'll be gone in a few seconds. There are so many shopping cart services that it's mind boggling. You may need to work with a professional to get yours set up. Really, it's going to take a lot of work on your part to do the research on what you like, what you don't like and then go from there. What I did differently with my business is that we originally had a webstore that I eventually was filling the orders for. It was just way too much work and not what I had in mind for the business, so I closed it down and now focus on other parts of my business that I enjoy. Take care.

Question from Cyndi: In your opinion, what's the single best and single worst thing a new small business can learn from?

Answer: My style in business is to just go for it and to learn from successes and mistakes along the way. It's important to not let failures bring you down, because you will fail at some things and that's okay. If you're tenacious and believe in what you're doing, you'll be okay.

To Trademark or Not to Trademark

Before I talk about trademarks, I want to preface this post by saying that I am not an expert in trademarks, nor do I have any authority on the matter. My insights are based on my experiences as a trademark holder and business person. You may want to consider talking with an attorney if a trademark is something you are seriously considering for your business.

Now on with the post...

I find that trademarks are a pain in the neck. I don't like them, but do find them absolutely necessary for my business. Here's why: My business is something I've worked really hard to build into a nationally known brand. In business, much of your success hinges on the reputation your business has and is identified through its name. Without my business name and what I've built, I'd really have nothing.

One of the very first things we did when we started The Farm Chicks, was to trademark it. We knew that we wanted to build the show into something big and wanted to protect what we were going to build. Now, if our plans were to have a little sale in a barn on a casual basis once in a while, I wouldn't have bothered. Because trademarks are not easy. In fact, I find them to be a whole lot of no fun.

Here's why: When you trademark your business, that is only the beginning. As the trademark owner, you must police your trademark, or you run the danger of not being able to enforce it. For example, if my attorney discovers there is someone in Timbucktoo holding an event called The Farm Chicks or anything similar, we must let them know I am the owner of that trademark. Anything that can be confused with The Farm Chicks (whether or not it is the same name) has to be acted upon.

So what do we do when this occurs? (And yes, it does happen...) I reach out to the person/people in a very friendly manner and explain to them that I am the legal owner of that trademark. I also explain that I need then to stop using the name immediately. Usually, that resolves the issue, but there are times when they just don't understand. They think they should be able to use it because I'm in Spokane and they're in Timbucktoo. Or they don't see how they're event could be confused with mine and so on. So, I or my attorney very politely try to explain how a trademark works. It's a frustrating and very stressful process and sometimes they can become defiant. And that part of business is just no fun for me. I do what I do because I love it and sometimes those sort of things can really be hard.

One time, two individuals started a very similar business with a very similar name and then took my story and Teri's story (back when Teri was still a part of the business) and copied them as their own. Their website had out bios on it!

Another time, two individuals started a very similar business with a very similar name and their logo was almost an identical copy of mine, complete with the star.

And many more...

But this is why trademark law exists. Anything that can cause confusion in the marketplace (can cause any confusion for the consumer) must be addressed, if you own the trademark. If you are the owner of the trademark and you just ignore these violations, you run the risk of not being able to enforce it. And really, if you dont have any plans of enforcing it (and it can get very expensive to do so), why get a trademark in the first place?

Did you know that you can search all current and pending trademarks that exist? If you are starting a business, this is really something you should check before you choose a name. You definitely don't want to choose a name that someone else already owns. It's called the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). You can find the website here.

When you see the TM mark on a logo, that usually means the business has applied for a trademark and is in the process. Once the trademark has gone through, the (R) can be used.

Filing for a trademark can also be expensive. I think it is around $500 for a filing fee and additional for every single category you are trademarking in. It can get complicated. My attorney handles all of my trademarks, and that can get costly as well, as I pay attorney fees in addition to the actual filing fees described above. Again, I'd never do it if I wasn't taking the business so seriously.

It's all food for thought. Really, it's all about how far do you intend to take your business? If nothing else, I do hope you will search the TESS site before choosing a name. It will make life so much easier for you and your business in the long run, whether you choose to trademark or not. Because after all, someone else could already own the name you would like to use.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Your Circle

One thing that can have such an impact on your business is the people you choose to surround yourself with. Your circle. Your circle is really a lot of circles: friends, business friends, businesses, etc.

You know I talk about choosing to surround myself with people and businesses who are good. And that's really important to me. Do you know how you feel after you've visited with someone who was negative or arrogant? You leave that encounter feeling bad. Imagine if all of your time was spent with people who were positive and uplifting. It would be life changing.

I really believe every choice we make, from the tiniest things to the biggest things have an impact on the world. If we're good to our children, they're good to others. If we support one another, others will do the same. If we build positive minded businesses, we are building a greater good. I can tell you that if you build a life of trying to be the best person you can be, it becomes who you are. And I say that because it's important to do good things because you just want to do good things - not that you're ever expecting anything in return.

But guess what? Life isn't perfect, and sometimes you'll be disappointed or betrayed by someone you've pulled into your circle. And that's just life. You can spend time dwelling on it and let it bring you down, or you can just deal with it, scrub yourself clean from it, and move on. And you'll be better for it. Because in the end, you'll learn that's a blessing too. You'll grow and be strengthened, and land on your feet.

Because you're a good person.

Why am I talking about being a good person when building your business? Because it's all intertwined. Your circle, your life choices - it all affects your life - and your business.

Now, I'm not saying you need to rush out and befriend every business person you ever meet or save the world. Just do what makes sense. Here are some examples:

• If you're on Facebook and see a business that would be great for you to connect with, reach out to them. I met my friend, Alisa this way. I noticed her vintage rental business and then visited her facebook page and website. I liked what I saw. I knew she could be a great addition to my antiques show. The vendors who might need to rent props for display could do so through her. Her business was young and I figured it could use a tiny boost. So I reached out to her. We met for coffee and I learned more about her business and her expertise. One thing led to another, and she ended up supplying me and several of my vendors with rentals at the show, and she ended up working with me on a big book shoot project I was working on. She is a wonderful person and as I've learned, someone I can really rely on, and her with me.

• Find local businesses who can supply you with what you need. Your patronage supports them and their family and helps your local economy. If you're loyal to them, they'll be loyal to you. Imagine you discover you need some last minute signage for your antiques show. If you've been working with the same business for years, they're likely going to help you in a pinch.

• If you discover a business or product you love, spread the word! We can all use a little boost.

You need to understand your circle is more than those you befriend or talk to every day. It's anyone you choose to do business with as well.

I've learned to choose wisely. And if someone or something doesn't work out, I just move on. I'm an optimistic entrepreneur but I'm realistic too.

P.S. Do you recognize the ladies pictured above? If you attend The Farm Chicks Show, you probably do! There's Kathy and Melissa - they've been vendors at The Farm Chicks Show for many years. And Pam and her daughter. Pam has been selling her famous treats at the show for quite some time. I love that they're in my circle.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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The Big Idea

We all seem to know that having a good business idea is pretty much the best thing you can do when setting out to build your dream. We all want that idea, don't we? The one that everyone says, "I wish I had thought of that!"

I'm here to say that you don't have to come up with something earth shattering to become successful. Here's what I believe:

The most important foundation of a creative business is that it's something you love. LOVE! What do you enjoy? What are you passionate about? Can you work that into a business?

Start from there.

But don't stop at that. Begin thinking about it from your perspective. What would you enjoy if you were the consumer? Try to always think of things with that angle - as if you were experiencing it. Would you love it? Don't stop until it's something that you would love, if you were the consumer.

I also really want to say that although success in business is often defined by how much revenue your business creates, that's not something I ever focused on when starting out. I believe that developing a business is much like raising a child. You love your child and you work hard to make sure you raise him/her to be the very best they can be. Nurtured, loved, carefully guided - and hopefully someday, successful. And if you work really hard and do the very best you can, chances are, things will turn out just fine. And most likely, very well. You became a parent because you WANTED a child - just like you start a business because you WANT a business. You're going to get out of it what you put into it.

I should also take a minute to talk about originality. I think that's so important. Important to find your niche - to carve your path where others haven't gone before. This will take work, patience, and some time. But it will be worth it in the end.

And on that topic of originality, let me tell you this. I love shining a spotlight on others and I'm always seeking to share stories of other women in business. What I'm looking for is something unique. Something I haven't seen before. And I'm not alone. That's what magazine staffers, television producers, and editors are always seeking. And consumers are too.

A great example is my friend Heather Bullard's new magazine, Souvenir. Sure, there are lots of magazines out there but hers is unique. Really grass-roots and wonderful because it's full of stories from everyday women like you and me. But SO. Well. Done.

Which brings me to this: There are so many of us entrepreneurs and creative women out there and we can all support one another. You can surround yourself with a wonderful circle of supportive women.

I'll be talking about that tomorrow...

In the meantime, do you have any questions? Leave me a comment and I'll do my best to help. xo

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Building a Creative Business

I often think about how blessed I am to have found a path in life that allows me to be a mom and wife, while living my dream of building a creative business. Getting to do something I love is really a dream come true.

It’s funny how life twists and turns and then suddenly you’re in a place you never knew you’d be. That’s me.

And I’ve always believed that if life gives you blessings, you should try to pass them along, however you are able to do so. So this week, I thought I’d talk about building a little business from scratch, what I’ve learned, what I believe, and so on.

I’ll get started with that tomorrow.

xo,

Serena

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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The Farm Chicks Show - 2012

The week of the show is always a busy one for me.  This year was even more so with the addition of a photo shoot for an upcoming book by Jenny Doh that I'm contributing to. We spent Tuesday shooting in World Headquarters. Me, Ifong, and Alisa:

(That's Ifong shooting and Alisa styling a shot).

Wednesday was full of what seemed like 9,000 errands. Last minute supplies for the show, Costco, the party supply store, dropping off signs to the crew at the fairgrounds, and working out the details on some new signage with my sign maker, Bob, at Thinq Visual. He's been making signs for the show for many years now.

After a crazy day of errands, it was perfect that my last stop was at my friend, Barb's, who lives just down the hill from me. Living in the country is such a blessing in times like these. Even when I feel anxious, my surroundings calm me.

Thursday started bright and early with our oldest son, Cody, and me at the fairgrounds. This year, Cody was responsible for bringing my entrance vision to life.

Later, Hannah, the daughter of vendors and friends Lisa and Randy Souers, helped Cody with the installment. The display took two full days to complete.

While Cody worked on the installment, I readied the fairgrounds for the vendors coming in to set up the next day. I hire a crew to mark out the spaces on the floor throughout the buildings and then I come through and place each vendor's packet in each space. It's a surprisingly time consuming process.

Next, The Attic and LCD Expo rental company bring in various items needed for the show such as tables, chairs, tents, backdrops, and props. Lisa and Randy help me get things moved into The Farm Chicks booth and my friend Erin works all day getting Farm Chicks merchandise priced and ready to be displayed. I call an end to the day at 5pm so that I can get home and prepare for my family coming in for the show and so that I can have dinner with Colin and the boys.

Friday morning when Cody and I arrive at the fairgrounds at 8am, the place is hopping with vendors all anxious to get in and get going on their displays. I remember one floor marker for a vendor space that had woken me up in the middle of the night, knowing it needed to be changed, so I zoom over to Bay 1 to fix it, and then we're able to open the doors and get the set-up underway. It's always hard for me to accomplish much after the doors are opened because I want to stop and talk to everyone I see. It feels like a family reunion.

At noon, my friends at Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop came with a delivery of scrumptious cupcakes for the vendors.

Soon after, Colin called to tell me that he's arrived and he has my sister and mom and dad with him. I tell him I'm going to cry and sure enough, as soon as I see them I begin to weep. I hadn't seen my mom and dad in a really long time and they'd never been to the show. Having them there at that moment was sort of like an approval I'd always hoped to have. I always say that you can work hard and be successful, but unless you have your family, it really means nothing at all.

After I pulled myself together, we got on with finishing our set-up and all around us, the show and vendor spaces began to come to life.

This year was especially exciting to me as I was able to bring in a slew of wonderful new vendors after some unexpected cancellations. Most of them were new to selling their wares and had a refreshing excitement and optimism that was contagious. They were welcomed by my longtime established vendors and it was perfect. I work so hard at making sure each vendor is a good fit, and each time I bring a new one into the family, it feels a lot like bringing home a new baby and hoping the siblings accept them. Of course, it always works out because these are wonderful people. (Thank you, vendors! I love you!)

Hannah and Cody working on the entry display.

By 6pm, we were done and ready for the show to open the next day. My family and I went home and enjoyed enchilada casserole and fresh veggies and spent the evening catching up.

Saturday morning came in like a lion with wind and rain and what looked to be a very blustery day. Luckily, it finally cleared up and all was well. And the rest my dears, is best told by you....

Image by Katelyn Foutch, Kate Jennings Photography

Foutch Couch

Erin Hudson Photography

Cary Burnett Photography

The Little Red Shop

FRESH Photography

Dandelions on the Wall

Bennie Ray Photography

Elaine Tolson (Vendor!)

Gather & Hunt (Vendor!)

Four Corners Design

Living With Porteous

Meghan Rickard Photography

Sweet Peas and Happy Things

Junebug Furniture & Design (Vendor!)

Junebug Furniture & Design - Part 2 (Vendor!)

Holly Joy in the Morning (Vendor!)

Salvage 18

Forget Me Not Dreams - Part 1 (Vendor!)

Forget Me Not Dreams - Part 2 (Vendor!)

Trash to Treasure Art

Cutie Pie Cottage

Sweet Paperie

Happy Holiday Girl

Valley Girl

Perfectly Imperfect

Heads Carolina/Tails California

Jems & Jules

Past Blessings (Vendor!)

I Wish I Were A Walton

Moments With Michele (Vendor!)

Re-stock Vintage (Vendor!)

Grandiflora Home

Post Road Vintage (Vendor!)

Annette Monary

She Uses Her Words

Fiber and Fire

Wanderlux (Vendor!)

Who did I miss? If you have a post you'd like to share, please email us your link and we'll add it here! ([email protected])

A don't forget: our show sponsor, Harry & David is offering a special discount to everyone throughout the month of June! Check it out!

Once you're ready to place your order online with Harry & David, type in promo code CHICKS when checking out.

When ordering from Harry & David by phone at 1-800-547-3033, ask for The Farm Chicks Blog 06-12 Show Discount.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Meet Harry & David!

Last year I was lucky enough to visit the wonderful folks at Harry & David in Oregon. Not only was my visit to their company fantastic (and delicious!), it was eye opening as well. I love the fact that this company creates so many jobs and has such a commitment to being green - from their sustainable farming practices to daily operations and recycling practices within their facilities.

You can read about my visit through their amazing kitchens here and my tour through their orchards and packing facilities here.

And now, I'm so happy to announce that Harry & David is a sponsor of The Farm Chicks Show! 

We have some delicious surprises in store for the first 500 general admission ticket holders through the gates both days of the show, courtesy of Harry & David. And, Harry & David will be offering a special promotion to Farm Chicks show-goers and Farm Chicks readers! (I'll be posting their special promotion here on June 1st).

For now, I thought you might enjoy seeing this tour through the spring blossoms in the orchards at Harry & David:

and this video on Harry & David's extensive recycling program:

Stay tuned for more from Harry & David!

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Hello From World Headquarters!

Hello there! Things are hopping here at World Headquarters!

Spring is in full swing here on the bluff and the view from my windows always makes my heart skip a beat. This is one of Byron's tractors that I was so happy to see he parked just outside my doors today. Byron farms our property for us and we adore him and his beautiful work. Farmers are such a gift to our world.

I've been busy getting ready for The Farm Chicks Show. It's fun to see the old show posters isn't it? They're all here, except for the first two which were handmade by my sister and hang in a special place of honor in World HQ.

Farm Chicks Show tickets all boxed up and ready to go!

This final countdown to the show is always a busy one, but I love it!

Lots of love from World Headquarters to you!

 

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Organization For Your Home Office

HGTV recently asked me to participate in a project for decorating home offices.

I think it's always great to try and use what you have to help organize your life - especially your office space. You can see lots of great ideas by visiting the HGTV site here.

The Big Souvenir Release!

The new issue of Souvenir Magazine will launch next Tuesday, March 20th, which happens to be the first day of spring!

I'm so happy to be a part of Heather Bullard's group of contributors for the magazine. Above is a small sneak peek of just a few of the stories you will see. The pages of Souvenir will be filled with fresh features and beautiful images that celebrate the spring season.

To meet the team of contributors you can hop on over to our the Souvenir FB Page. The countdown is on!

 

A Happily Ever After Story

A lot of people ask how to grow a business, you know, especially when you're starting from the ground up.

I know that story all too well, as almost everything I've learned in business, I've learned from me. Trial and error. Doing everything I could to make it work. And along the way, one thing I've learned is that the connections you make and relationships you build are some of the most valuable choices you can make.

Image courtesy of The Attic.

And whenever I possibly can, I love more than anything to build others up, to praise, recognize, and embrace all of you who are doing what you love and trying to make your way in the world too. Recently, I held a business card contest which was so much fun, and learned about many small businesses out there. After receiving all of the submissions, I visited the websites of the finalists and discovered Alisa and her vintage rental company, The Attic, which it turns out, serves my area! And because of what she does, I was able to open the doors of The Farm Chicks Show to her, in a unique sort of way.

A perfect connection.

You never know what's in store for you today, but be open to what's out there and the connections you can make. Because this is how you'll live happily ever after.

To learn more about Alisa's business, click here. To follow her business on facebook, click here.

 

The Business Card Winners Announced!

Wow!!! What I've learned is that everyone who voted is very passionate about which cards they voted for! I know this because almost every vote had lots of !!!!  :)  And actually, that made me smile because I'm always super conscious of the fact that I use a lot of !!! when I write. Phew! Now I know I'm not alone.

Congratulations to the three business card winners: Melissa Davis Interior Design, Mustard Moon, and Red Dog Barkery!

Melissa Davis is a mom and wife and followed her childhood passion for decorating and creating and turned it into an interior design business. Having trouble with color choices in your home? Melissa offers an affordable e-design consultation to help you tackle those tough decisions. In her spare time, Melissa writes about design, inspiration, and more on her blog, Glittered Dreams.

Congratulations, Melissa!

I first met Jane of Mustard Moon, many years ago, at the very first Country Living Fair in Chicago. I immediately fell in love with her bubbly personality and coveted her score - a huge stack of old diner wall cards, many for pies.

Jane operates Mustard Moon in Carver, Minnesota - a shop specializing in vintage, antique, and great finds - which is open 3 days each month. And from what I hear, it's pretty amazing. I will definitely visit some day and encourage you to as well!

Congratulations, Jane!

Mindi is the founder of Red Dog Barkery, which began as a quest for healing after the loss of her beloved dog, Abu.  Mindi's first creations were homemade all natural dog treats. The success with that line grew into the addition of handmade collars, leashes and bedding.

I think Red Dog Barkery's motto sums it up best:  For the love of dog.

You can read Mindi's newsletter here.  Congratulations, Mindi!

All three winners will receive a surprise prize pack, from me! (Jenny Doh's Signature Styles book (featuring my craft space), 2 tickets to The Farm Chicks Antiques Show, and some fun Farm Chicks stickers!)

And, as promised, we've randomly selected one voter as the winner of a surprise prize pack as well.  The winner is: Rebecca who writes the Our Busy Little Bunch Blog. Congratulations, Rebecca!

Winners: please drop me a quick email with your addresses so we can get your prizes mailed out to you right away!

Thank you to all who participated - entrants and voters. You're all winners to me. xoxo

The Business Card Contest Finalists

We've narrowed down the Business Card Contest entries (thank you so much to everyone who entered! We were overwhelmed with the volume of cards received), and now it's your turn to vote for your favorites!  Voting is now closed.  We'll announce all of the winners soon!

Handmade: (on recycled cereal boxes)

1.) The Red Kitchen

More handmade/embellished:

2.) Terri Click 3.) Paulette Miller 4.) Portage Trail Barn 5.) Alexa Lett

Fun shapes:

6.) Red Dog Barkery 7.) Country Chiq

A suite of cards:

8.) Melissa Davis Interior Design

Classic, yet current:

9.) Wanderlux 10.) The Attic 11.) Mustard Moon 12.) Piping & Pleats 13.) Honeybeehumble

Simple and happy:

14.) Wimzie Prints 15.) this Beautiful Frugal Life 16.) Pink Chalk Fabrics 17.) Whimsical Woodland

Vintage inspired:

18.) Elaine Tolson 19.) Vintage etc. 20.) Sweet Kaity

Bling-ey:

21.) Rhonda Addision

To vote, please leave a comment telling me the name of which card is your favorite. If you have more than one favorite, please leave a separate comment for each one.

And here's the fun part! The top three cards that receive your votes will receive a special surprise prize pack from me, and a spotlight on their businesses, here on my blog.  AND those of you who vote will be entered into a drawing to win a surprize prize pack from me as well!

Can you say that really fast three times?! Surprise Prize Pack! Surprise Prize Pack! Surprise Prize Pack! hee hee

You have until Monday night, February 20th to vote/enter. Voting is now closed. We'll announce the winners soon! Hooray!

On Being Healthy in Business and Life

Although I grew up with no television, I remember my mom talking about Candid Camera. She'd watched the show as a teenager and always loved it. She believed that laughter was the best medicine. And I remember her describing episodes and laughing until she cried when doing so. Whenever I feel down, I like to think up imaginary episodes and that makes me giggle.

I think she was on to something.

Today I wanted to talk about business as a creative person and being happy in what you do. There's so much out there in the way of magazines, blogs, websites, etc. And you know, it's easy to sort of feel like what you're doing just doesn't measure up.

I'm here to tell you that's not a good way to think. And it's not healthy for you.

I'd like to tell you my opinion: Visit sites that inspire you, make you laugh, or leave you feeling good.

Stop visiting sites that make you feel bad. Maybe they have a lofty tone or an air of superiority. Or maybe they're negative. And here's why I say stop. Would you be friends with someone who makes you feel that way? I wouldn't. Because we all just want to be happy, right?

Surround yourself with good. Do good. Be good to yourself, so that you can be even better to those you love. And then, they'll be better, and better to their friends too.

And the same holds true in business. Do business with people you respect. That treat you well. That appreciate your business, however small it may be. I love that I know my printer and his family, that my postman knows my name, and that my internet team is full of positive, good people.

And with others in your field, surround yourself with the ones who have ethics. Who build others up. When you're good, you attract good, and the negative weeds itself out. You'll find that it is possible to love what you do. And you know what? Pretty soon, your field will be free of all the bad seeds and will do nothing but flourish.

Happy = Healthy. I'm living proof.

Me, Jennifer, and Penny, visiting at The Farm Chicks Show, years ago.

Business Card Contest!

Whenever I receive a great business card I think about how I wish everyone could see it. And this week when I received another that was just so great, I thought to myself that I just had to do something about it. To tell the world.

So I decided I'd hold a little contest. A business card contest.

Do you have a great business card that you'd love for the world to see? I'd love to take a look and possibly show it to everyone! It's really simple: Just mail me your business card and if it's chosen, I'll share it on my blog, along with a link to your website! And don't worry, I plan on sharing lots of cards, because I really love spreading the word on other small businesses.

To enter, mail your business card to me here:

The Farm Chicks

P.O. Box 1328

Mead, WA 99021

It can come from anywhere in the world, just please have it postmarked by Friday, February 3rd. (Cards will not be returned).

And then, stay tuned! I'll be sharing these great business cards really soon!

Yesterday

It's been busy at World Headquarters. I've been working on some deadlines for The Farm Chicks Show and I had some mailings to get out.

I wonder how many people get to work in pink fuzzy slippers?

World Headquarters is sort of cold. I keep the heat turned down there, since I'm only there for part of the day. When I got back to the house, my nose felt like the polar ice cap. So I used the blow dryer to warm it up. Does that cancel out my energy savings at WHQ?

Then Colin and Cody invited me for a date. Lunch at Gordy's! I made Cody pose with us, because that's what moms do.

We talked about his school and made family plans. I feel choked up when I think about him being so grown up. I wish I could go back and re-live it all.

You know how sometimes when you run into an elderly woman in the grocery store who stops and tells you to enjoy your time with your children because you're going to blink and they'll be grown? And you know how at that moment you're feeling overwhelmed because one of them is trying to get out of the cart, one has grabbed five boxes of granola bars, the other has to go to the bathroom, and the other is complaining that you brought your own grocery bags? And you know how you think, yeah yeah, I'm just trying to make it through this shopping trip!

Well, now I understand her.

All that through my mind, and lunch hasn't even arrived yet.

                   .     .     .

                   .     .     .

                   .     .     .

After lunch, I stopped by the post office to mail all my packages. Frank tells me that he still talks about the day that I sent hundreds of packages from the Mead post office and that it was a record breaker. I tell him I took a picture of the receipt, for old time's sake.

Then I tell him that soon, I'll have a bigger mailing. A record breaker. He asks me to call him first so that he can go on his lunch break.

hahaha, I laugh. And then I tell him that he should really just stop and enjoy this time, because it only happens once a year.

Strangely, I don't think he agrees.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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A Chat & My Kitchen

Hi there,

Just a quick note that I'll be chatting live on Facebook, this Friday, November 4th, at 9am PST. I'd love to visit with you!

Love,

me

P.S. Remember when you asked for a tour of my new kitchen? A whole series of posts from my kitchen are coming up!

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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This & That

I'm playing catch-up today on several things:

Lots of you have been asking for my peach pie and apple pie recipes.  You can find my Peach Pie recipe here, my Apple Pie recipe here my Mini Apple Pie recipe here, and my Pie Crust recipe here.

I've also been hearing lots of questions about my freezing food techniques, so I'll be posting about that next week.

If you've applied to be a vendor at The Farm Chicks Show and haven't received an email from me, please let me know.  It seems as though many of you haven't been receiving my emails.  If you were accepted as a vendor and haven't received your contract, please email me as well, as they were sent out a few weeks ago.

Happy weekend.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Time to Shine: April Atwater

Meet April Atwater, the editor-in-chief of Simply the Sweet Life magazine.

 

April began dreaming of creating her own magazine when trying to think of ways to continue being a stay-at-home mom and raising her children, while doing work from home that was meaningful for her.

 

Her dream had always been to work for a magazine, and so one day, she came to the realization that she should just create her own.

 

And after years of hard work, her home and garden magazine was born:

 

Simply the Sweet Life

(simple little things to make life sweet!)

April is joined by a crew of other amazing women who all work together to create the content of the magazine, which is clearly a true labor of love.

 

Click here to read the magazine online, for free.

 

Click here to connect with April and her crew on Facebook.

 

Time to Shine: Hollie and Jennifer

Today I'd like to introduce you to The Funky Junk girls, Jennifer and Hollie.

My history with Jen and Hollie goes way back to the early days of The Farm Chicks Show. They were vendors, located next to each other in the big tent of Fairfield's city park. Over the years, they became friends, and when The Farm Chicks show went on a one year hiatus, they decided to start their own event: Funky Junk.

Their event is held twice a year - the spring location is just outside of Spokane and the fall location is held in Sandpoint, Idaho, and is now host to 30 vendors.

When they're not working on their Funky Junk Show, Jennifer is hard at work tending the crops on her berry farm, making soap, and being a mom, while Hollie stays busy as the mom of 3 very active boys. And I'm happy to say The Funky Junk girls still participate in The Farm Chicks Show each year.

The Funky Junk Show is coming up this weekend in Sandpoint, Idaho and I'll be sure to be there, to support the girls and their dream. Will I see you there too?

Click here to visit Jennifer's blog.

Click here to visit Hollie's blog.

Click here to follow Funky Junk on Facebook.

Images by Cary Burnett.

FJ Show flyer by Hollie's sister, Heidi Jantz.

Time to Shine: Modern Farm Furniture

I love hearing about couples building a dream together - in this case, one piece of furniture at a time.

Chelsea and Kiel originally met in high school art class. College took them in different directions - he to art school, she to nursing. Four years later, they were reintroduced and fell in love in an instant. Eventually, they got engaged, moved away, and Kiel took a job at a furniture design firm. All was well until their lives were jolted by the news that Kiel was being laid off from his job.

Knowing they had the support of their family and friends back home in Ohio, they decided to pack up and head home where Kiel was hired by a product design company and Chelsea began work as a nurse. They bought their first home and Kiel, along with friend Kyle, founded Modern Farm Furniture - designing, building, and selling urban style pieces that are farm inspired. In fact, many of the original pieces are works from wood salvaged from the barns or trees of Kiel's family farm.

Chelsea has appointed herself Marketing Director and excitedly tells how just recently, two Modern Farm tables were selected by an interior designer for the ABC show Extreme Makeover Home Edition, to air in December.

Their dream? To one day quit their day jobs to pursue what they love so much. Modern Farm Furniture.

Click here to visit the Modern Farm Furniture website.

Click here to "like" Modern Farm Furniture on facebook.

Click here to visit Chelsea's blog: Farm Fresh Modern.

Time to Shine: Janet Long

In my ongoing series of posts this week, dedicated to shining a light on other entrepreneurs, I'd like to introduce you to Janet Long, founder of The Clover Market, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

As an interior designer who was growing frustrated with the lack of interesting accessories and furniture for her clients, she decided to create an outdoor market that would feature such items. Inspired by other outdoor markets that she'd visited, she started the long and arduous process of finding a suitable location and ultimately receiving approval from the Township to hold the Market in a parking lot, downtown. All together, the approval process took approximately three years of meetings, petitions, outreach, letters to the editor, appearances before the local Board of Commissioners, and meetings with the local Civic Associations. Tenacity.

Clover Market was finally approved and began operations in the spring of 2010, with a very small handful of vendors, twice a month.  

2010 was challenging. The East Coast weather was not always cooperative, procuring vendors proved difficult, and attendance wasn't always the best. At one point, exhausted from the rigors of the market, being a mom, running the design business, and dealing with the side effects of medullary thyroid cancer, she was tempted to throw in the towel.

Instead, she dove in, deeper than ever before, changed the market to run once a month instead of two, and spent every spare moment networking, searching for more vendors, pitching stories, and reaching out to friends - all to generate buzz and excitement for her event. 

And, it worked! 2011 opened with a bang, with three completely sold out shows at about 60 vendors each, tremendous public support and attendance, and a waiting list of interested vendors. And the weather cooperated as well.

 

Clover Market has helped to revitalize the downtown area which has suffered in these harsh economic times, and Janet is proud to say that it has played a small part in incubating and providing a venue for many small business owners who otherwise wouldn't have a venue to market themselves and sell their work and their products.

Congratulations, Janet! You're hard work is an inspiration.

Click here to find out more about Clover Market.

Click here to "like" Clover Market on facebook.

All images by Carla Zambelli.

Time to Shine: Tamara Hensley

Recently, I wrote about wanting to shine a spotlight on some of my readers. Women who are following their dreams, and trying to make a career out of what they love. Today, I want to introduce you to: Tamara Hensley

Tammy is a graphic designer living near Lake Superior. She grew up creatively, dabbling in various creative pursuits. At the age of 10, her mom gave Tammy and her sister a sewing machine.

She sewed and quilted and dreamed of the day that she could design her own line of fabric. Eventually, she stumbled upon Spoonflower, a website where designers can upload their fabric designs for sale. Since then, she has created over 100 designs.

Tammy saves the money she makes from the commissions on the fabric sales through Spoonflower so that she can purchase her own fabric to create the projects that she loves.

Her dream? To become a licensed designer for a fabric company.

 

Tammy, Keep following your dreams, and doing what you love. I'm rooting for you and I know my readers are too.

You can learn more about Tammy on her blog: Art, Alphabets, and Adventure

Click here to view and purchase pieces from Tammy's "Tammikins" fabric collection.

The Mothership, a Pickle, and Apple

Today I'm taking you behind the scenes at World Headquarters, where I ran into quite a pickle this week when the wi-fi stopped working. When that happened, everything came to a grinding halt. I NEED the internet for a lot of what I do.

It all started with some technical difficulties with the Mothership. (That's the room that contains all of the wiring here). 

Imagine me trying to troubleshoot in this room. I know, right? hahahahahahaha

After that didn't work, I ended up here:

at the Apple store. It ended up being a 5.5 hour visit at the Genius Bar (No, not that kind of bar), where the Apple geniuses help desperate souls like me who come in with teeth clenched and an impulse to throw one's laptop through the pretty glass entryway.

If you own any sort of Apple product and have a problem, please just drop what you're doing and go visit the geniuses. They're amazing. And nice! And even more importantly, patient. (Hi Eric and Eric! and George!)

In the end, I walked away with my first Porsche.

(aka the cutest little hard drive ever).

And now, we're back up and running. This morning I woke up to over 1,000 emails. I think I better get back at it.

P.S. No geniuses, laptops or pretty glass entryways were harmed in this process.

Note: I was not paid to talk about my experience at Apple. And heaven knows they don't need my endorsement to succeed. :)

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Time to Shine

The first business I ever had was selling mud pies to people who would venture up the three mile long dirt road to our cabin in the woods to see my parents. I was in elementary school and I still remember my exhilaration once I'd made $20 from those pies.

In fact, with that success, an entrepreneur was born.

And there's really something about entrepreneurs isn't there?

All chasing a dream.

A big idea.

The next big thing.

Or the next little thing.... that maybe does nothing more than to make us happy.

Big or small...

dreams are dreams and that's what being an entrepreneur is all about. Dreaming, doing, following through. For you.

You. That's really what I'm trying to get around to today.

And here's why. I want to help shine a light on other entrepreneurs. Because we can all use a boost sometime.

It's your time to shine.

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Here are the details:

Please send me a description of your business (from anywhere in the world), anything that helps me to better understand what you do. Tell me your story, your successes, failures, whatever it is that's brought you to where you are with your business today. (If you have a web address, please make sure to provide that as well).

Put everything together and send it to me here:

The Farm Chicks

Time to Shine!

P.O. Box 1328

Mead, WA 99021

or you can email me, with the subject line: Time to Shine.

I will be going through your submissions and will select several to profile here, on my blog, for the world to see.

Because you deserve it.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Advice

Each year, in the weeks leading up to The Farm Chicks Antiques Show, my emails increase ten-fold. I hear from a lot of women wanting business advice. And I wish that I could just say *poof* it's this easy! But really, business is a lot of hard work, passion, and time. Everything takes time.  Years ago, I wrote this advice for Country Living Magazine, to try and help women going into business. You might find it helpful.

If you're just getting started in business, or are looking for some business inspiration, this new Country Living Book: The Mom's Guide to Running a Business, may be helpful as well.

(You'll find my business story here:)

Being a mom and having a business can really be a challenge, but if you can find a balance, it can be really rewarding. Stay focused, be true to what you love, and work hard. You can do it. 

I wish you all the success in the world!

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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An Update From World Headquarters

We're making good progress on the house and World Headquarters is coming along nicely.  Come on in, I'll show you around.

Twist twist twist, up the stairs we go.  The walls have just been textured.  I begged and pleaded (not really but it does sound dramatic, doesn't it?) for the lightest possible texture they could do, without going smooth.  I'm really happy with the way they turned out.

The window at the top of the stairs ended up being framed in by my mistake, but I'm so glad to have it.  It's really nice to have that beautiful light streaming in at the top of the stairs.

It's sort of like a little hint of the light to come once you step into World Headquarters:

Originally, World Headquarters was designed a bit differently, with more walls, which I wasn't too excited about.  Craig was able to make some adjustments with the trusses, enabling me to have more space.  And more openness.  Every time I walk in here, I feel inspired.  It's what wide open spaces do to me.  I'm so excited that this is where I'll work.  And I'm so thankful for such an amazing builder who was able to make it happen just the way he knew I wanted it to be.

And I love that I'll be working in a barn.  Can you see it?  Seems appropriate for The Farm Chicks, doesn't it?

Next up, the space will be painted.  I'll be going bright white in here, with some fun touches I'll share with you later.

We didn't extend the radiant heat out to World Headquarters because of the cost involved.  Instead, I'll have a ductless mini split system that will provide heat and air conditioning.

The good news with the system is that it makes wood floors possible in the space.  Rather than stained, I've opted for painted wood floors and stairs.

We also decided to add a full bathroom to make the space completely stand alone.  That way, employees or business guests will never have to enter the main house, keeping work and home separate, which is really important to me.

I haven't designed the cabinetry yet, and will actually wait to do that until we've moved into the house.  I want to get a really good feel for the space before I make those decisions.

As you can see, there will be lots of can lights.  I do like how they just blend into a ceiling.  I'll also have a couple of hanging light fixtures.

And the siding is nearly complete.  It will be painted in the spring.

Spring?! I can hardly wait.  It can't come soon enough for me.  Because I just want to be settled in at home.  But for now, we're enjoying the view of Mt. Spokane all covered in snow and that will just have to do.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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World Headquarters

The original Farm Chicks office was located in the corner of my laundry room.

It was October of 2002 and Teri and I had just held our very first sale, in my friend's barn, just a short walk from my house.

I had a strong feeling that The Farm Chicks needed to have a website and set my mind to creating one. I had no idea what I was doing, but really wanted a way to grow the business and anticipated that the internet would be key in doing so.

So, I set up my family's terribly old computer and set out to create the website, using a dial-up connection in my little corner. I worked late at night after the family had all gone to bed, and during the day, whenever I could squeeze in a minute or two. And I'm going to tell you it wasn't the ideal way to hatch the business, but I was working with what I had at the time, which was something I was used to. Making do.

Eventually, Colin and I saved up enough money to buy a desk from Pottery Barn that fit perfectly into a little niche in the hall between the living room and bathroom. The size of a closet. So, I moved the computer out of the laundry room and into my new space. And I began to dream bigger than ever before.

Whenever I'd have an important call or exciting development, Colin and I would laugh about who I was talking with, and the fact that it was all taking place from that little desk. And he began referring to it as World Headquarters. Because it all seemed so crazy, that all that was happening from that tiny little space.

Now that we've moved to our new home, and I have an actual office, I'm still in awe of my new space. The new World Headquarters. And that's what it will always be to us, because it reminds us of where this little business began. And makes me excited about what lies ahead.

And in this space, I feel more inspired than I've ever felt before. But it's still quite a mess. So, before I start moving ahead, I need to get moved in.

And I'm getting there. Box by box.

Right now, I'm getting my paper crafts cabinet organized. Drawer by drawer. And I'm taking my time.

Because, you can't rush these things and I want it to be just right.

After all, it's taken me nine years to get here. World Headquarters is a happy place to be.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Homemade

One of the treats our family looks forward to in the summer is homemade ice cream.  Nothing beats such a refreshing treat on a hot summer's day.  You can find my ice cream story in the June issue of Country Living Magazine.

P.S. Picture of Lucas, and all of the photographs from the story are by Ray Kachatorian.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Answers - From Behind the Scenes

 
(The scene at my house during the shoot for my upcoming Christmas book)

I've had fun reading your questions on my life behind the scenes at The Farm Chicks.  I've combined the Facebook and blog questions all here in one place.

Q: I'd like to hear more about your childhood.  Were you happy and are your parents still living the same lifestyle?

A: I didn't enjoy living remotely and primitively as a teenager (I didn't mind it as a young girl) and wished more than anything to have a normal house, close to my friends.  However, now that I'm grown, I'm thankful to have experienced that lifestyle because it made me a very strong and determined person and I give thanks every day for the modern conveniences of my life now.  My parents still live on our 40 acres deep in the woods, and continue to live primitively.

Q: Are you planning on writing a memoir?

A: No, I have no plans to write a memoir at this time, if ever.  I enjoy writing about my upbringing from time to time on my blog.

Q: How did you end up in Alaska?

A: There were lots of people from my little hometown that were living and working there, and I desperately wanted to experience life outside of the tiny town I grew up in.

Q: Do you or have you ever lived on a farm?

A: No, I came up with The Farm Chicks name after being invited onto several old farms to buy out the contents when we were just getting started with our business.  Since we were obtaining so many beautiful old farm pieces, it sort of became our specialty and that, combined with our deep love of the American farm is where The Farm Chicks name came from.

Q: Where do you live? What does your house look like?  What will your new house look like?

A: We live outside of Spokane, Washington, in the country.  Our house is on the prairie, surrounded by thousands of acres of wheat fields.  We have a modest home that has a huge kitchen and is filled with light.  Very open and airy.  Our new house will be a farmhouse, nestled in the Greenbluff area, not far from our current home.

Q: Did you find a house plan? When do you start building your new house?

A: We have been working with a wonderful architect, Nancy McKennon, for a few months now.  We're almost done with the design and hope to start building in the spring.

Q: Have you found a sink yet?

A: I've been looking for the perfect farmhouse sink for a while now and still have not found it.  I know it's out there!

Q: Describe your home decorating style.  Do you change your wall color often?

A: When we first moved into our house, we painted the living room walls red and I loved it for a couple of years.  However, I tend to gravitate toward bright, happy colors and I didn't like the chaos of a red wall and bright objects.  I've since painted our living room walls pale blue and like that much more.

Q: Is there a way to mix decorating styles?

A: Yes, of course! One of my favorite decorating books is Camps and Cottages.  I love how the campy style and floral styles are mixed together throughout the book.  When combining different styles, I think it's important to be selective with what you place in your home.  Not to overdo it.  Otherwise, it can start to look like a flea market.

Q: What is your most prized possession?

A: I've thought a lot about this and I think it would have to be all of our family photographs.  Nothing else comes to mind.  When my childhood home burned down, I was most devastated by the loss of family pictures.

Q: Do you have a problem with wallpaper in your laundry room?

A: No, I've never had a problem with the wallpaper.  The dryer is properly ventilated, so there's no moisture in the room.  I love seeing the bright and cheery walls whenever I walk in there!

Q: Do you have any tips on nice ways to store items found in the bathroom?

A: My parents always kept soap and shampoo in beautiful old glass bottles and then topped them with corks.  I don't mind seeing the shampoo bottles, but I do like to keep Q-Tips, cotton balls, and band-aids in old apothecary jars.

Q: What is the least organized space in your home?

A: My house is really organized at this point in my life.  When the boys were younger, being organized was much more of a challenge.  But now that I have more time to get things done, I've made it a point to have things orderly.  I don't like chaos.  I'd have to say my car is the least organized.  It's a jungle in there! :)

Q: Do you have a planner? Routine? How do you stay on top of things?

A: I do have a planner, but I often forget to check it.  I have to force myself.  However, we do have a great daily routine during the week that works really well for us.  I stay on top of things by not over-scheduling our lives and not having our children do so many activities that it becomes more of a chore than a joy for them and our family.

Q: How do you find time to do crafts while raising children?

A: Unless I'm working on a project with the boys, I usually do all of my crafting during the day while they're at school, or on the weekend.

Q: How do you promote the interests of each of your sons?

A: Each of our boys are very different from one another, and have their own unique interests.  We encourage them to explore what they're interested in such as music, art, legos, sports, etc.  And we also make a point in not only spending time together as a family, enjoying these things, but we also make sure to have some quality time with each of them one on one as well.

Q: Do you menu plan?  What are your favorite sites for recipes?

A: Yes, I make a menu for each week and make a grocery list off of that menu.  I keep a menu board with all of the options for the week on the board.  At about 3pm each day, I choose a recipe off of my menu, based on what sounds good to me that day.  That way, I'm never stuck trying to figure out what to make for dinner and it saves me lots of time by not having to visit the grocery store too often.  I enjoy using recipes from Giada's cookbooks, Everyday Food, and occasional magazine recipes that catch my eye.  And I love to experiment with dinners that sound good in my mind.

Q:  What's your favorite
recipe to make for dinner?

A: The dinner recipe that my family currently loves the most is the turkey soup from our cookbook.  And probably because it's so nice for a winter meal.  However, the favorites change frequently around here.

Q: Where did you find the gingham topped jars shown in your pantry post?

A: The gingham jars are vintage, I found them at a thrift shop.

Q: What is your favorite thrift store in Spokane?

A: My favorite right now are the Union Gospel Mission thrift shops (formerly named Classy Rack).

Q: How do you find out about estate sales in Spokane?

A: Mostly by reading the classifieds in the Spokesman Review and in the Exchange.  Sometimes I hear about sales from friends or someone in the community who will contact me to tell me about something coming up.

Q: What is your favorite website for antiques?

A: Etsy and Ebay.

Q: How can I market my Etsy site?

A: I'm definitely no expert on Etsy, but here are some suggestions.  I'd start a blog and reach out to anyone who might be interested in what I'm selling.  I'd tell all of my friends and family and ask them to spread the word as well.  I'd make sure to have interesting photographs and update my inventory frequently to keep shoppers interested in what I have to offer.

Q: Can you offer advice to someone starting a blog?

A: The first thing you should do is read the book Blogging For Bliss.  It's packed with really useful information.

Q: Do you have a mentor?

A: I've never had a mentor until recently.  I've begun a new project with The Farm Chicks (I can't wait to tell you about it soon!) and a dear friend of mine, who I wrote about in the cookbook, Elaine, has been an incredible mentor to me.  She is a wonderful woman who I cherish.  I look forward to talking more about her in the future.

Q: Are you planning another book?

A: Yes, the next book (A Christmas book!) will be out in the fall.

Q: Do you ever get creative block?

A: Yes, definitely.  I've learned when this happens that I just need a break for a while.  Creativity, for me, can never be forced.  I love visiting unfamiliar places and seeing new sights.  That always inspires me.

Q: Do you have plans to travel to other states or take The Farm Chicks Show to other states?

A: I do travel for business with The Farm Chicks from time to time.  I will be in Minneapolis in September, taking part in the Creative Connection.  I have no plans on taking The Farm Chicks Show to any other locations.

Q: What is the deadline to apply for The Farm Chicks Show?

A: You can apply for the show at any time throughout the year.  Whenever there are vendor openings, they are filled on a first come, first served basis.

Q: What is your favorite place to shop for clothing and accessories?

A: I have several favorites.  Bodenusa.com for clothes and shoes, Forever 21 for clothes and accessories, Target for accessories, Nordstrom for clothes, shoes, and accessories, and Anthropologie for clothes and accessories.

Q: Can you describe your pie crust?

A: My favorite pie crust, adapted from my mother-in-law's recipe, is available in our cookbook, as well as on the Country Living website.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Questions and Answers

 
I've been getting lots of questions lately like: What are your countertops made of?  What's the secret to a good pie crust?  Where's your favorite place to find antiques?  What color is the paint in your bedroom? and I thought I'd make it easy for you to ask whatever you'd like and have the answers available here for anyone who's interested. So, please go ahead and post your questions here and I'll be back on Monday with the answers.  Happy weekend to you!

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Finding My Way

Over the last couple of weeks, I've received lots of emails and calls, checking in on me while I'm adjusting to my business as a solo venture. One thing I've learned throughout my life, is that there are many twists and turns, opportunities, and adventures. And even though I don't know what's around the next bend, I know that I'm enjoying the ride and I'm going to make the most of it. I'm finding my way.

In the spring of 1979, when I was nine years old, my parents put my sister and I on a Greyhound bus bound for San Francisco, to meet an Uncle I had only heard of a few times before. And in those few weeks leading up to spring vacation, my sister and I made a point of learning everything we could about our Uncle, so that we were prepared. We learned he was a wealthy pediatrician who lived in Pacific Heights, a well-to-do area of the city, that he collected fine art, and dined at only the fanciest restaurants. And we were intimidated.  How do fancy people eat? What do they wear? Will we embarrass ourselves? So, we made a plan. We'd spend every day after school, at the library, learning everything we could about fancy people and proper etiquette.  Emily Post became our saving grace and we were ready.

The trip from our little town to the big city took all day and when we reached the San Francisco bus station, I had a pit in my stomach. We made our way to the exit and searched around for our Uncle. "There he is!", my sister exclaimed, and she leaned down to whisper, "and he's driving a MERCEDES!" I had no idea what that meant.

Our Uncle spoke with a fancy accent, wore a beautiful suit, and spoke of exotic adventures in foreign lands.  Our tour guide and shopping coordinator for the week was Jommit, whose father was the Financial Adviser to the King of Malaysia and a friend of our Uncle. We were out of our element, to say the least.

His home on the hill felt like a museum, and of course, had modern amenities like a telephone, refrigerator, washing machine and dryer, and extras like an enormous television - all of which were things we had never lived with or really ever been around. Our bed was a fluffy, comfy, down-covered wonder, and felt extravagant compared to the sleeping bag on a styrofoam-covered wooden platform I was accustomed to back home. So comfy, in fact, that my sister and I spent lots of time on that bed, watching TV, snacking, and drinking 7-up.  Until I spilled a whole can on the fancy comforter. And all alone in the house, we had no idea what to do.  Well, it's wet, we thought. So, we set it in the dryer, for an hour on high heat, and went back to watching Batman. When our Uncle returned, his home smelled of smoke, and he discovered the comforter in the dryer, with a huge black hole in the center, burned through from the heated sugar in the 7-up.  We learned there was a place called the dry-cleaner, where special things like comforters should be taken.

The week was a whirlwind of local landmarks, fancy restaurants (where we discovered things like fondue and veal), luscious bakeries, and shopping extravaganzas. We took pictures of our food, limousines, pretty people, and window displays.  And I spent hours on the phone, for the first time in my life, talking to my friend, Nicky, back home, having no idea there were long-distance charges. $400 to be exact.

When the week drew to a close, and our Uncle put us on the bus back home, I cried and cried.  My Uncle had become familiar, a full-fledged part of my family at long last, and I didn't want to lose him again.  "You've found your way here, Serena", he explained. "And you'll find your way again".  And I did. Every spring break for many years to come. And I had the time of my life.

And as I'm making Farm Chicks plans, acting on long-held dreams, and moving forward, I understand that finding my way is a good thing, and I'm learning and growing all along the way.

P.S.  That's me on the steps of our family gypsy wagon.  After our family stopped traveling the country in the wagon, it became my room.  I'll make sure to tell you about it sometime.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Carrying On

I've been looking through a box of some things Teri's given to me - a time capsule of sorts, from the beginning of our Farm Chicks journey together.  Pictures, clippings, journal entries, our first magazine articles.  And it's been hard.

I've been blessed to build a business with my best friend, who's really been like a sister to me.  And we've been able to do what we love, while being homemakers at the same time.  It really doesn't get any better than that.  And although I'm having a hard time at the moment, looking back on our journey together, they're memories I cherish and I'm incredibly thankful.

And I'm carrying on.  The Farm Chicks is something I love, something I'm proud of, and something I can't imagine ever not doing.  And it's something I'll be doing on my own - but I'm really not alone.  I know that we're all in this together and there's an incredibly supportive community out there.

I have dreams and inspiration for The Farm Chicks and will include you on my journey.  I hope to see you here often and at the show, which of course, will go on.  Because I love it.

Thank you for all of your warmth and encouragement over the years.  I look forward to getting to know all of you better.

Love,

Serena

 

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Related articles

The Printshop - Hearn Brothers

Floyd & Margaret

I went to visit Floyd & Margaret today.  When I called, I said, "Hi Floyd!, it's Serena".
"How's business?", he asked.
"It's good", I said, "but that's not why I'm calling.  I have a surprise.  Are you going to be home for a little while?"
"Maybe we will, maybe we won't", he replied, in his standard matter-of-fact style that we've grown so accustomed to.
"Well, I'll take my chances", I said.
When I pulled up to their house, no-one was around.  When I got out of the car, I heard Margaret calling out, "YOOOO-HOOOOO!"  WE"RE DOWN HERE."
The wind in the fields was whipping so hard it took my breath away.  By the time I reached them, I was shaking like a leaf.  But not them.  They were hard at work, feeding the cows.  Margaret stopped what she was doing and turned to me with a warm smile on her face.
I was really excited to show them the book and the story we included about them.  And after seeing their feature in the book, Floyd said with a grin, "I don't look a day older, and I sure don't feel like it either.  Did you know the Doctor says I have the blood of a 20 year-old?  And look at Margaret!  She's never dyed her hair, even once.  Still the same beautiful hair she's always had!", he said, pointing to the wisp of hair peeking out of her scarf.
I couldn't help but smile.  And shiver.  It was really cold.
And after a nice visit, Floyd finally said that it was time to get back to work.  Next stop, the neighbor's hundred acre parcel down the road, where there were more cattle to feed.  And as he and Margaret jointly lifted another bale of hay onto the four-wheeler, he turned and said, "God is good, Serena.  God is good."
And as I drove the long way home, my mind wandered, thinking about my family, my love for Colin and the boys, and hopes and dreams.  I can only hope that everyone of us can be as happy and blessed as Floyd and Margaret.

Tree Wrap

I love fabric.  It's patchwork here, calico there and the color just makes us happy.  Our wheels were spinning when we discovered a barren tree at the fairgrounds.  So, we wrapped it up with the most colorful fabric we could find and placed it at the entrance to our show:

We loved walking around the show and hearing women say things like, "I'll meet you at the tree in 2 hours!"and seeing the tree in posts on lots of blogs.

Special thanks to Sweet Addie Vintage for the top image and to Kim at Camp Whimsy for reminding us to post about the tree.

Display it Pretty

I'm always looking for fun ways to display our products at the show.  Last year, for one of The Farm Chicks pendant styles, I made paper cakes to display them on:

I took stick pinks and pushed them into the cake sides, and then hung the pendants on the pins.

To make the cakes, I took graduated circular pieces of white craft foam and covered each one with big sheets of craft paper, measured and cut to fit.  I hot-glued the paper on to each circle, and covered the edge seams with rick rack trim.  I then stacked the cake layers together and glue gunned into place, making sure to keep the paper seams all on the same side (the back).  I adhered the cakes to pretty cakestands with strong velcro squares, which were removable after the show.

 

*Blush*

 

It's like we've just moved into the neighborhood and all the neighbors have stopped by with casseroles and pies.  What do we even say for such a warm welcome to your blog-er-hood?  Thank you for your sweetness, your encouragement, your love.  It's the best move we've ever made.