The Show was a Success!

Gravenhurst Dockside Festival
We made it through the clouds, rain, thunder, lightening, torrential downpour, fog...hmmm...I think that was it...no wait...there was sunshine as well. Yeah!! My first show (and an outdoor one at that) was a success! I met so many nice people. I can't thank you enough for all your lovely comments.

I learned some good things for the future as well. I had some great comments about the setup of the booth and how I displayed my jewellery but I could see right away that some coloured fabric hanging from the back walls would make it stand out better. Also, a display case or small table at the front would help to show off more product. A sign would probably be a good idea as well. All things to consider for the future but I am very pleased with the results. I'm excited and motivated for the future. My head is spinning with ideas and it shouldn't be long until you see some of them on my website and in my etsy shop.

There's more than me behind Wallis Designs. I couldn't have done it without my family. My two daughters Erica and Sydney spent endless hours helping me get ready for the show in so many ways plus all the time they spent in the booth. My husband gave me lots of great sales advice and totally supported this venture as I spent hours making jewellery and hours on the computer in setting up nancywallisdesigns.com and promotion. My Dad and sister Karen helped me with setting and closing up the tent and my Mom made us great meals each night when we stayed at the cottage. I also want to thank my friends in the Canadian Etsy forum. Your support and encouragement has really helped me. So thanks to all of you.

The Calm Before the Storm

Our family just returned from a beautiful long weekend camping trip up at Algonquin. It was a great weekend with old friends and even the rain, thunderstorms and lightening and bugs didn't stop us from enjoying it.

Such a beautiful place. In the short time that we were there we were able to see 2 moose, a deer, a beaver, 2 great blue herons, a family of ducks, a river otter swimming right by our canoe, loons and howling wolves in the distance.

Ahh...it was so relaxing.

Prettiful Bracelets by two "Prettiful" Girls

What's more heartwarming than having your daughters say they are inspired by you. I'm so proud of both my girls. This summer they caught the beading bug (I guess it really is contagious) and have been busy beading bracelets. Today, they posted two of them on Etsy for the first time.

At ages 11 and 13 they create all their bracelets, take the photographs and write up all the descriptions. Now who's inspiring who?!!

Happy Canada Day!

I just wanted to wish everyone a very happy Canada Day!

I hope you can enjoy the day with family and friends.

To help celebrate Canada Day, as well as July 4th, a group of Canadian Etsy'ians' are having a special sale. Each shop is doing their own thing from sale prices, percentage off, special reduced items, reduced shipping to free shipping. Check it out!

From July 1st to July 5th I will be offering FREE SHIPPING for all Canadian and U.S. destinations. Multiple purchases are included and they will all ship free. So come and drop by nancywallisdesigns.

Today is...Etsy favourite Day.

Here are some favourite treasures I found on Etsy recently. Such creativity and cool products. Check these out.

One of my favourites is an MP3 player holder from iheartthatdance .

Check out this fantastic leaf necklace made from a real photo image from diffraction, - I just think this is so original.

And here's a great idea for you photographers out there from tanybug. What a nice way to personalize your camera equipment.

Have a great day everyone!

Summer's Here...it's time for outdoor shows.

I just wanted to share some very exciting news. I found out on Friday that I was accepted into the Gravenhurst Dockside Festival of the Arts. I had pretty well written it off considering I had sent in my application months ago but apparently they were swamped with applications this year and it was taking them some time to get back to everyone. This is my first juried show so I'm very happy.

This exciting news spurred me into a creative frenzy on Friday afternoon. Here's a little sample of where my mind is at right now. I was totally inspired to work with some of my semi-precious stones. This picture doesn't do the colours of the stone justice but I'm inspired to do simple but beautiful beaded stone necklaces with a simple focal pendant. Pictured here I used sodalite (a beautful denim blue colour) with a sterling silver hammered pendant, garnet with a Thai floral pendant and multicoloured agate in tones of brown with a hint of burgundy accented by a fossilized round pendant. Now I just have to find the time to make one for myself!!

So if you're up in Muskoka in August drop by the Festival and come see my booth. It's a beautiful location right alongside the wharf of Gravenhurst looking onto Lake Muskoka. The show runs from Friday, August 15th (12:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.), Sat. August 16th (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and Sun. August 17th (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

Today is...Etsy Feature Day!

One of the things I love about Etsy is meeting so many creative minds. For those of us working out of home studios it helps us to feel connected. It's fun to share ideas with other artists who can be half way around the world. As you know, we also find it can be a small world out there. It turns out Lisa, from bubblegirlknits, lives in Brooklin, Ontario. Not only a fellow Canadian but she lives just a few minutes from my house. You just never know where an Etsy shop owner is lurking.



Here's a beautiful baby blanket. I love the soft pink colour.

My girls, 13 and 11, have far outgrown these sweet little knits but I love to look at them and can appreciate how well made they are.


Aren't these hats adorable. Check out all Lisa's creations at bubblegirlknits.