Display Ideas

I have been lucky enough to be in some local shops over the years.  One of the very best things you can do to help your sales and stand out from your competition is to create unique display settings. I think this is really important at craft shows as well.  I have always had a very unique style and the two terms used the most to describe it is "pink" or "Gail-ish"  :)  But drawing the crowds eye your way is worth the effort.  Using object that have been reinvented or in a different way is fun.

With this being a new year, I am full of new ideas and changes that will be totally new for me.   My job really takes up so much of my time, but very blessed to have it and even more blessed that I LOVE it.  Even so I have been doing some event planning.  I really have fun with that and it fits into a business plan I have been working on for a couple years.  So we will see what the Universe has in store with that dream.  But I have been sketching some Art Dolls.  I think they are a very original idea and I cant wait to share them.  I just need to get this off the ground first. I just dont want to give away my idea yet. :) But, this is what got me thinking about displays.  I want to incorporate my dolls and bears into a wonderland display all their own.  Its an exciting prospect. I just hope to find more time to balance my work and my creative dreams!

I thought I would share some of my display ideas from the past. Maybe they will give you some ideas for a display for your next craft show or photo shoot!

Happy Creating, Gail     

Christmas Past, Present and Future

I have been feeling pretty good and on top of things this Holiday.  My daughter is happily married, my job is going well and my family is well and healthy.  I got my tree up early this year.  In fact it is the first year I have had one up in a few years.  These are a few of the ornaments that I have made over the years and I always love getting them out and seeing them. I love all the ornaments I have collected over the years. Many are hand made by friends as well.  Its neat to remember each ornaments story.

Every year my friend Judy and I get together and make the Snowmen  "candybars" for our friends and coworkers.  Its a whole afternoon of fun, watching Christmas movies and eating!

But its been a quiet weekend.  I have been watching some holiday shows.  The sad news has been heart breaking and I cant stand to watch the TV coverage or be on Facebook. I get angry at some of the posts.  The election process was bad enough.  I honestly think it is time to just turn it all off for now, sit quietly and keep these families in my thoughts and prayers.   This is my favorite ornament of all.  My pink Angel.  We got this when I was about 6 years old back in the 60's. The same age as most of the little Angels that were lost.  I hope these families find some Peace in the coming year.

     

April and Mikes Wedding

I just got home from my daughters wedding.  What a whirlwind Thanksgiving weekend.  Aprils new husband Mike made the Thanksgiving dinner and this guy is no slouch in the kitchen. (Way to go April :) )  The wedding was today and it was just beautiful.  The weather was perfect and the location was so pretty, you didnt even feel like you were in the desert!   (( Warning, lots of pictures ))

Their wedding was held at the Wright House in Mesa and the grounds are just beautiful.

Its a victorian house and the room for the Bride to get ready in was pretty.

    
This is all of my kids.  I love this picture.  My two daughters and son n laws and the three grandkids.  I thought this was such a cute photo of Mike fixing Mikeys shirt for the pictures.

A few pictures of the day.... April with her Dad and Mike with his Mom, my beautiful Mya and April and her little man.

AND last but not least, the cake table and reception. April made the banner that says YOU and ME on the picket fence. My sister painted the tree for the guest book.  The guests put their thumb prints on it and signed them.  I thought it was cute and VERY April :)

Thanks for sharing my familys big day!      

Aprils Wedding Flowers

My daughter April is getting married this friday the day after Thanksgiving. She is marrying Mike, and he is a wonderful guy and I believe he has the patience of a Saint. Its always nice to have a new family member in time for the Holidays :)

April asked me to make her flowers.  I have made many of the fabric flowers in various styles, but have used them more as embellishments.  I am not a floral designer at all, BUT I took the project on.  We were looking online and saw some pretty things, but they were about $250.00 for the bridal bouquet. I was being rather full of myself and saying that I may be in the wrong business.  Well, let me tell you,  they earn that money!  This was very labor intensive, it took hours.  And not only that, I do not have the temperment to work with Brides, so I will be keeping my day job after all :) .  I know its your very special day, you are spending ALOT of money and deserve everything to be just as you have imagined it since you were a little girl.  It takes a very special person to work on the other end of that scenario though, and I am not it! lol  In the end though, I am happy with them, and more important April is happy with them.

She is going with more of a nature theme, birds, birdhouses, twigs and the such.  Instead of a traditional ring bearer pillow she is using a birdnest.  :)  They will have the traditional Unity candle and will be lighting one for my grandson Mikey too.  I love this idea.  (By the way, we seem to have an over abundance of Michaels in our family and it keeps things interesting and funny)  So, here is a sneak peak at what I have been up to this last week. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, I am wishing ya all good health, happiness and peace in your Home.      

This Was A Lot Of Fun

This was such a fun day.  Meri is a friend of mine and has host the Arizona Bloggers Luncheon for the last two years.  She does an amazing job and we have so much fun.  We have a wonderful lunch, we have a fun time playing games and we even get gifts!!! Meri knows how to throw a party.  But the best part of all is she always has a project for us.  This year we made Christmas wreaths from vintage ornaments.  Her studio is adorable and full of vintage things.  I think you could be there two weeks and not see everything! 

Meri is an amazing artist.  She creates so many amazing things, but I love her paper clay sculptures.  Be sure to visit her blog and see more of her art.  Here are a few photos of our get together, Meris blog and a few of the wreaths that were created.  Mine is the pink and aqua colored one.  ( suprise suprise )

     

A Fun Little Purse :)

I have been wanting to learn how to make purses using the metal frames.  On Sunday my friend Judy and my sister got together and tackled this cute little coin purse.  The purse itself is simple but the frame part took a little patience and practice.  Now that I have made one I am pretty sure they will be much easier. It was a lot of fun and I cant wait to make some more.  Mine is the cherry one and the blue print is Judys and my sisters is the leopard print :)

The CPA firm I work for is called the Tax Goddess Business Services.  We are a small firm but have big hearts.  We are all animal lovers.  For the fourth quarter we are having an event to support the local Arizona Humane Society.  We are collecting towels, wet dog food, and buckets for water.  But in addition to that, if you "like" our facebook page, Shauna the owner will donate $1.00 for every like up to $2,000.00.  Soooo, if you like ,,,, please "like" us.      http://www.facebook.com/#!/thetaxgoddess