Do you have big dreams? I do. I dream about one day writing a book–not an ebook, but one of those old-fashioned paper ones, on some deep, meaningful topic. I dream about being a traveling speaker; about going to women’s conferences around the country and...
Hey friends! Summer is officially in full-swing! I hope you and yours are enjoying these long, slow days and maybe grabbing some extra family time. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you probably saw that our family spent a little time at the beach about 2...
I read a post on a blog a few years ago that detailed all of the expenses that go along with renting a booth space to sell at an antique mall. According to this blogger, it was not good news–most people who sell at an antique mall rarely, if ever, actually...
Happy Weekend everyone!! I’m helping to spread the news about Fusion Mineral Paint’s brand-spankin’ new line of colors! This is the Tones for Tots Collection, and the color palette is designed with infant nurseries and...
There are 4 different parts of my business, Lost & Found:Writing the blogSelling the paintPainting custom work furnitureStocking my antique boothIt all started with my antique booth though, and even though I don’t put as much time into that aspect of my...
We had a nasty hail storm last night right around dinnertime. It had been raining on and off all day, and around 6:00 pm it got really dark again and the weather sirens started going off. Sadly, those things have kinda become like the Boy Who Cried Wolf–used a...
This February marks 4 years since I started Lost & Found. The anniversary is easy to remember, because I moved into my booth space at Antique Company Mall just a few months before my third son was born (kinda nuts, I know!) So every year that he gets...
I spent a good part of this past weekend at a women’s gathering hosted by my church. In the flurry of various speakers, discussion questions, and breakout sessions, there was one statement made that grabbed my attention and drove itself down into my heart. One...
I love old things. I am more comfortable in a dilapidated, run-down neighborhood than I am surrounded by clean, fresh, modern buildings. I feel at home when I am in an old place. With that said, it’s kinda comical that I have landed in a very sanitized,...
Today is the day!!! Furniture Flipper: A Short Guide to Starting Your Own Furniture Painting Business My ebook is now available for download! I feel giddy ? I have always wanted to write a book. But I never thought the first book I write though would be about...
Here is one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned while trying to run my home-based business: To see the growth I want to see, I needed to treat my work like an actual business. It’s not just something I do in my spare time while I’m hanging out...
I have a thing for lighting. For me, the kind of lighting in a space makes a big impact on how I feel when I’m in there. For example, big, bright, overhead flourescent lights make me want to crawl into a hole and never come out. Soft, glowing table lamps make...
This past year has really been amazing for Lost & Found. What started 3 years ago as somewhat of a hobby has grown into a real, all-out small business. And honestly, while watching Lost & Found grow has been amazing, it’s also been a little tough....
This past week I set up a small display at a local church holiday market. I wasn’t planning on it being a huge moneymaker, but rather a chance to interact with more customers about the benefits of working with Fusion Mineral Paint. Since I mainly sell Fusion...
It hasn’t happened yet, but it won’t be much longer . . . The moment my heart jumps for joy! It’s when I show up at the grocery store and see the rows upon rows of mums for sale outside the front doors. Even though it may still be in the 90’s,...
I don’t claim to have this whole “successful blog” thing figured out, but one thing I do know for sure is that to have a great blog in the Home Decor/DIY world, you have to have great photos. That may seem intimidating to you–it certainly did...
When I say “shop small” to you, what comes to mind? Does “shop small” mean “shop expensive” to you? Do you think “shop small” as just a marketing slogan created by a not-so-small credit card company? Or does hassle and...
One of the things I enjoyed so much at the Haven Conference was getting to “peek behind the curtain,” if you will, to see the real lives of these home decor bloggers I have been following for years. What you see online is so often the staged, edited,...
I got to the hotel a little later than I originally had planned, and so rushed up to my room to do a quick re-fresh. After reapplying some lipstick, spraying on some perfume, and giving myself a little “You can do this!” pep talk, I rode the elevator...
I get so many questions every day from people I interact with, both in person and online, about what makes Fusion Mineral Paint different. When people first see it or hear of it, there is an assumption that it is just another chalk-type furniture paint to hit...
A week from today I fly out to Atlanta for the 2015 Haven Conference. It will be my first Haven, and more than that, my first blog conference ever. Last year as Haven approached, I debated with myself and with my husband about whether or not to attend. The cost is...
6:30 am: Wake up to children patting your face and asking, “Are you awake?” Wonder why in the world said children are awake so early after being up extra late the night before due to a trip to the ballpark. Stumble downstairs to fulfill immediate...
I was always envious growing up of the families who went to the beach every summer. It seemed like such a fun tradition to have–every year meeting up with aunts and uncles, grandparents and cousins, all while spending the days relaxing on the beach. For...
This past Saturday, 6 ladies from my church gathered at my home for a Fusion Mineral Paint 101 Workshop. They were kind enough to be my “guinea pigs” by attending a workshop in my home, where I could practice and work out the kinks before I begin to teach...
I have loved creating my own home-based business. The process of starting and growing Lost & Found has been an adventure and a great blessing to my family. As a mom who stays at home with my young children, the ability to use my talents and skills to earn extra...
