I know it’s a bit late to be sharing a 2020 wrap-up post, but that’s honestly evidence of how this year has gone for me–just behind, on all the things. I thought about not writing it, since it’s already mid-January, but then I decided...
I LOVE a booth business! Starting my own 7 years ago was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It gave me the opportunity to put my creative skills to use and has been a consistent source of income for my family. All while letting me continue to be at home...
Seven years ago, on a whim, I started my business – Lost & Found. I really was just looking for a hobby, something fun to do that would give me a creative outlet. But I knew that I needed to have it generate some income as well–I mean, why...
Hi Friends! While this post DOES have some small business insights, I’ll confess that it’s also about 80% pure eye candy 🙂 I had to share these amazing images with you from my recent trip to Niagara Falls. They are too amazing NOT to share! Have you ever...
Yes . . . You read the title of this post correctly! I recently had the amazing privilege of sitting down for a chat with Marian Parsons, THE Miss Mustard Seed herself! If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you know that this really...
First off, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who emailed me and commented on the last post I shared. This has been such a warm and encouraging community and I appreciate you all so much! As I mentioned at the end of that post, I have some new things...
To all of my regular readers . . . I owe you an apology. I think I may have confused a lot of you! After two years of posting about Fusion Mineral Paint, all of a sudden I’ve started talking about something else entirely–Miss Mustard Seed’s...
Today I want to talk a little business with you all, specifically about how to set up and stage attractive, well-thought-out, professional looking photos of your furniture makeovers. Some of you may cringe as I mention photography, thinking “I’m just a...
Today marks the 9th day since my spinal surgery (wondering why? Read about that here), and it’s for sure been the best day yet! Thank you so much to everyone who left encouraging comments here as well as on my Facebook page and Instagram feed! I really felt the...
Let me start off by saying I don’t really have anything practical to share in this post. No decorating ideas, or furniture painting tips, or antique finds. In a way, this is an “old school” post–more like the posts I wrote back when I first...
Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday time. For our family, this past holiday season was as full as ever–with trips to see family, kids’ Christmas programs, and what seemed like a million gifts bought and wrapped! I don’t know...
When I started blogging over four years ago, I was lucky because I had a lot of photography experience already under my belt. I had a great DSLR camera that I knew how to work well, and had been taught the basics of photography staging and editing. So right from the...
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...
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...
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...
So it has been a few months (two to be exact) since I hosted our last 1st Friday Etsy Shop Feature Day. Some of you joining us may be new readers, so let me take just a minute and refresh everyone on what we do here on 1st Friday. If you’ve never shopped on...
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 have been getting a growing number of requests for custom work from local people. In the past, I have shied away from doing custom painting jobs, mainly because I have been so busy with painting my own pieces that the time for painting others just isn’t there....
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...
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...
When planning my booth space for the Dallas Vintage Market Days, I knew I would need something to really define my space and help it stand out. I was set up basically in the middle of this huge livestock arena, with no access to the ceiling or any walls. Whatever I...
Garage sale and flea market season is here! And you know what that means . . . lots of great vintage furniture is out there just waiting for a new owner and a new look. Have you ever thought about starting your own business remaking old furniture? Whether it’s...
It’s the thing I dread most at every estate sale. I’m negotiating the price of a furniture piece with the estate sale worker, and they casually ask, “What do you plan to do with it?” I take a deep breath, smile a big smile, and respond,...
I had a nice little pity party for myself this past Sunday. To be fair, it had been a rough few days and I wasn’t my best self. The Friday before, my middle son had surgery to have his adenoids removed and his airways and throat scoped to look for possible...
Sales have been a little slow lately in my Antique Company Mall booth space. They usually take a dip around November and start to slowly rise back up by mid-March. This year though, my sales seem to be taking longer than normal to recover, and that has had me asking...
Happy Friday! The sun is shining here in Texas, and it’s a good day 🙂 I don’t know about you all, but I have been having so much fun featuring these Etsy shops every month. I love “window shopping” through Etsy and getting to know all of these...
If you follow me on Facebook, then you have already seen my big announcement . . . I have a new partnership as a retailer with Fusion Mineral Paint! Haven’t heard of Fusion ? Don’t worry, I’m prepared to tell you alllllll about it in the next...
It’s been an interesting summer, in many ways for my family, but especially with regards to my business. New and different opportunities continue to open up. I have been offered quite a bit of custom work. Friends and others have asked me if I can paint their...
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