What a Great Discovery!

What a nice surprise tonight to find my Vintage Rose Copper Earrings in an Etsy treasury. "Nothing to Get Hung About' - Strawberry Fields Forever.

Gutentag from Oregon created this beautiful treasury. Thanks so much for including me and please check out her shop as she has some gorgeous bags. I had a hard time picking which one to feature she has so many beautiful ones. I just love the fabrics!

Treasuries are so much fun!

It's great to discover new favourite shops!

Going on a Treasury Hunt

Well it's been a few weeks since I last had a treasury on Etsy. It was just good timing when I finally snagged this one on Tuesday. When I realized that the treasuries would open in a few minutes I was first stuck with the dilemma of what to call it. How can I name it when I don't even have the items to put in it yet? All I knew was that I was thinking of fall and warm sweaters and my heart was literally smiling that day. So "Warm and fuzzy" it was. In my head I was thinking of rich browns but next thing I knew I had found a beautiful deep purple yarn from larimeloom and then some felted wool ponies in beautiful fuschia and lavender from valeriesgallery. All the rest followed after that.

I love the creative process in making a treasury. Whether you're guided by your emotions that day, colour combinations, places you want to travel to, silly inspirations or just the desire to highlight fellow etysian artists that you admire it's a wonderful way to give a little peek of yourself to others.

After you've loaded all your selections you can sit back and hope that others enjoy it as well. If you're lucky your treasury might even end up on the front page (a coveted award for any treasury maker). One day maybe I'll join that club but right now I'm just happy when that little box appears at the bottom of the treasury list prompting you to submit your title for your next treasury. Who knows where the next one will take you..

Happy New Year...

I still always think of September as a new year, a new start. I guess it goes back to the new school year as a child and continues now with my own children. The fresh new pack of pencil crayons, new backpacks and jeans. Somehow though, this year feels a bit different. The girls are growing up right before my very eyes. My youngest still wanted us to walk to school with her but we were quickly abandoned for school friends that had been missed over the summer. Instead of helping with tying shoes I'm helping with the hair straightener. Where did the time go?

So as we begin September I'm reflecting on the great summer we had together. I'm enjoying the summer-like weather we're having now and excited about the fall weather to come - I love walking our dog on a crisp fall morning. As the girls head to school I will now have some more time to myself to create some new jewellery designs that have been swirling around in my head. Here's one of my new copper earrings that were inspired by my sister Kathy.

Happy 'new year' to everyone.

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.