Catch up! what's new, product review, anything else random

Things are getting CRAZY! Between meandtheboy really heating up do our destash store becoming equally sought out! it's been rediculous! We have also started doing tophatter auctions...... www.tophatter.com is an auction for all kinds of things.....think craigslist, but more handmade and an auction. I have been listing items in the auctions with 100% going towards books about autism, aspergers, adhd and other ASD issues for classes in his school.

I have signed up for 3 sampler boxes this month! I have desided to work hard to cement our brand. It would be a dream to have an actually store one day! Building our brand is big this year.

I've done some awesome shopping lately.....

I love packaging supplies, in fact my love is so strong I have had to open a section in my supply shop!!!

Tessa is one of the first people I ever met on etsy. Even  if we don't talk forever, it's like nothing ever changed! She's awesome and runs 3 shops also, I shopped at WASHI WISHES

I ordered a 4 pack and was thrilled to pick my own! It arrived fast, well packaged and they were perfect! One thing I appreciate more than a deal is CONSISTENCY.....i'd rather pay a bit more and know what I am getting, when i'm likely getting it,,,,and from someone that loves what they do. Washi wishes' prices are not higher, in fact they are very fair,,,,I just don't go searching for other sellers.....if it's not broke don't fix it!

Washi Wishes shop

Mariah is a RIOT!!! from pink hair to her apple eating mom Mariah is a fun person to know! I love her gluten free gingerbreadm so does my son!  so we have ordered a couple of times and it's always AWESOME!!!  I could find a pics of the gingerbread but this looks yummy too....her marshmallow flavors sound amazing...

PLUS!!!! her logo is a manatee in a crown!!!!! I mean how awesome and out of the box is that. She's here Realist mermaid  mmmmmmmmmm cookies






Even tho I make amazing sprays and candles and nice smelly stuff, there is something about buying someone else's that feels indulgent!  I always knew Briar Muse what a store i'd shop at. Unique scents, modern design...and it's just obvious how much theis seller cares about her company and customers...pride shows, I ordered two room sprays. Carribean teak and buttercream. They are both amazing although I am FAR more partial to the stronger deeper teak scent!

shes awesome and has her own independant website slong with some amazing deals! Briar Muse



so tonight i'm taking it easy. We have alot of new stuff too  but that's for another post

kids ideas of love

happy valentines day!
actually i'm a day late.
so here's a REALLY REALLY long and adorable post about kids views of love!!!

K I D ' S  I D E A S  A B O U T  L O V E

Kids, aged 5 to 10, were asked questions about what they thought of love and marriage. Here's what they said.

Love and Marriage:

• "If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." -- Glenn, age 7
• "Love is like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." -- John, age 9
• "I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." -- Manuel, age 8
• "No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell. That's why perfume and deodorant are so popular." -- Mae, age 9
• "Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." -- Greg, age 8
• "Once I'm done with kindergarten, I'm going to find me a wife." -- Tom, age 5
• "On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date." -- Mike, 10
• "I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when Dinosaurs is on television." -- Jill, age 6
• "One of the people has freckles, and so he finds somebody else who has freckles too." -- Andrew, age 6
• "My mother says to look for a man who is kind. That's what I'll do. I'll find somebody who's kinda tall and handsome." -- Carolyn, age 8
• "It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of trouble." -- Kenny, age 7
• "One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." -- Ava, age 8
• "When somebody's been dating for a while, the boy might propose to the girl. He says to her, 'I'll take you for a whole life, or at least until we have kids and get divorced.'" -- Anita, 9
• "I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard enough." -- Regina, age 10
• "Most men are brainless, so you might have to try more than once to find a live one." -- Angie, age 10
• "A man and a woman promise to go through sickness and illness and diseases together." -- Marlon, age 10
• "[Being] single is better . . . for the simple reason that I wouldn't want to change no diapers. Of course, if I did get married, I'd figure something out. I'd just phone my mother and have her come over for some coffee and diaper-changing." -- Kirsten, age 10
• "Love is foolish...but I still might try it sometime." -- Floyd, age 9
• "Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." -- Dave, age 8

Kissing:

• "When a person gets kissed for the first time, they fall down, and they don't get up for at least an hour." -- Wendy, age 8
• "You should never kiss a girl unless you have enough bucks to buy her a big ring and her own VCR, 'cause she'll want to have videos of the wedding." -- Jim, age 10
• "Never kiss in front of other people. It's a big embarrassing thing if anybody sees you. But if nobody sees you, I might be willing to try it with a handsome boy, but just for a few hours." -- Kally, age 9
• "You learn [how to kiss] right on the spot when the gooshy feelings get the best of you." -- Doug, age 7
• "If it's your mother, you can kiss her anytime. But if it's a new person, you have to ask permission." -- Roger, age 6
• "It's never okay to kiss a boy. They always slobber all over you. That's why I stopped doing it." -- Tammy, age 10
• "I know one reason kissing was created. It makes you feel warm all over, and they didn't always have electric heat or fireplaces or even stoves in their houses." -- Gina, age 8
• "The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that." -- Curt, age 7
• "The rules goes like this: if you kiss someone, then you should marry her and have kids with her. It's the right thing to do." -- Howard, age 8
• (on seeing a couple kissing) "He is trying to steal her chewing gum!" -- Boy, age 6

Beauty:

• "If you want to be loved by somebody who isn't already in your family, it doesn't hurt to be beautiful." -- Anita, age 8
• "Beauty is skin deep. But how rich you are can last a long time." -- Christine, age 9
• "It isn't always how you look. Look at me. I'm handsome like anything, and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." -- Brian, age 7

How People In Love Act:

• "Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food will get cold. Other people care more about the food." -- Brad, age 8
• "They act mooshy. Like puppy dogs, except puppy dogs don't wag their tails nearly as much." -- Arnold, age 10
• "All of a sudden, the people get movies fever so they can sit together in the dark." -- Sherm, age 8
• "Romantic adults usually are all dressed up, so if they are just wearing jeans it might mean they used to go out or they just broke up." -- Sarah, age 9
• "It's love if they order one of those desserts that are on fire. They like to order those because it's just like how their hearts are -- on fire." -- Christine, age 9
• "See if the man picks up the check. That's how you can tell if he's in love." -- John, age 9
• "Many daters just eat pork chops and french fries and talk about love." -- Craig, age 9

What Mom and Dad Have In Common:

• "Both don't want no more kids." -- Lori, age 8

How To Tell If Two People Are Married:

• "Married people usually look happy to talk to other people." -- Eddie, age 6
• "You might have to guess based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids." -- Derrick, age 8

Deciding Who To Marry:

• "You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming." -- Allan, age 10
• "No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with." -- Kirsten, age 10

Strategies For Making People Fall In Love With You:

• "Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores." -- Del, age 6
• "Shake your hips and hope for the best." -- Camille, age 9
• "Yell out that you love them at the top of your lungs...and don't worry if their parents are right there." -- Manuel, age 8
• "Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love." -- Alonzo, age 9
• "One way is to take the girl out to eat. Make sure it's something she likes to eat. French fries usually works for me." -- Bart, age 9

The Best Age To Get Married:

• "Twenty three is the best age because you know the person forever by then." -- Cam, age 10
• "No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married!" -- Freddie, age 6

OUr first blog interview with the AMAZING TRACI OF SAMPLER VILLAGE

So a week or so ago I sent Traci a few questions so we could get to know her better. This woman works her butt off!!!! plus supports all her villagers!!!! here's what she had to say!

Why did you start Sampler villager?I have always loved sampler boxes, who doesn't like to try before they buy. I knew a lot of crafters/artisans so I asked around if they would be interested in participating in a sampler box. The response was overwhelming, thus Sampler Village was born in September 2009.

What is the best part of running Sampler Village?By far, meeting and getting to know all the Villagers, we a like a family here. It takes a Village to do a sampler box...LOL!!

How many vendors on average do you work with?Every month is different. Our biggest box by far is our Christmas/Holiday Box. We had over 100 participating for those boxes alone. I would say an adverage of participates (Villagers) each month is between 50-70.

What is the most miraculous/cool blessed thing that has ever happened as a result of your company?The Villagers! I have been able to meet so many wonderful people that I consider my 'friends'. I do feel very blessed that I can be a stay at home mom and TOTALLY LOVE what I do.

Are there any new ventures on the horizon that you want to share with us?Sampler Village just keeps growing and growing. We offer our Villagers lots of fun incentives to come join us. New Ventures? YES!! Although not related to Sampler Village, a huge online Craft Market is being developed as we speak. I am very proud and honored to be part of it's development. CraftCafe.co will be making is debut in late spring, early summer of 2012!

How does anyone interested reach you?You can reach me directly by email: traci@samplervillage.com

Links..
http://www.samplervillage.com/
http://www.samplervillage.etsy.com/
http://www.samplervillage.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/SamplerVillage2
www.twitter.com/SamplerVillage
www.youtube.com/user/SamplerVillage


This woman is amazing!!!! why not either try a sampler box, or get your goods put in one!

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Have you forgot something?

Don't ever underestimate the value of a buyers feedback. Weather good or bad it provides key information to why your business is flourishing, or failing!

Buyers, as small businesses profit mainly from word of mouth, your feedback is paramount to our success! Even not so stellar feedback should be seen as a piece of info as to where something may need to be improved, perhaps even something you never thought of.

Customer critique is one of the best weapons sellers have. Surely a happy customer will tell their friends all about you but so will a dissatisfied one.

Forgotten to leave your feedback? remember how vital it is for us.....and leave us some when you have a minute!

Hot new review blog!!!!

so We made a great sale to a local family....we love all our  customers but we honestly get kind of excited when we get to deal with people close to us. I did'nt know at the time that the amazing lady that bought our items had a super talented blogger daughter. Sarah is just getting started but I think she will for sure be going places in no time. She has a beautiful blog, and a great direct writing style. She was kind enought to review our items...and I invite you to follow her blog! you can check out our review here

 sugared euphoria
 http://sugaredeuphoria.blogspot.com/2012/02/review-me-and-boy-handmade-tart-melts.html?showComment=1328217671286#c5159496793115356388 

HOW AWESOME!!!


Thanks sarah and I am CERTAIN your blog will be growing in no time!!!