Cyber Monday

Its Cyber Monday already!  I'm having a 10% off your entire order throughout today.  All of my wreaths are shipped in a box that you can use to store the wreath for many holiday seasons to come.  I carefully wrap all of my items and will ship directly to your special someone.  I ship out packages anywhere from three to five days during the holiday season and I always refund any postage excess.  I don't like paying anymore than I have to, so I treat my customers the same way.   I truly value my customers and want to show that in my customer service.

Customer service isn't always that way.  We went to Kohl's, as I received a gift card in the mail.  I was looking for a certain color throw for our master bedroom.  I had looked all over and finally found one there.  Then my daughter was looking for some things and wasn't having much luck.  The t-shirts in their junior department are just awful.  They are tissue paper thin!  She was also looking for some fun and funky socks that were in their ad.  All we could find was Christmas socks, so we went looking for help.  A sales associate finds us, as she heard us talking.  She begins to help us and this other customer comes up and says, "I'm looking for wool socks."  She then looks at us and says, "Sorry, but I've been walking all over looking for someone to help me."  Well, OK.  First of all, she probably wasn't that sorry.  Anymore that word is tossed around like "Hi!" and its not really meant.  I could be wrong, but going off of the customer's tone and expression, I highly doubt it.  Secondly, when the customer said that to the sales associate, the associate should have kindly said, "OK, let me finish helping these customers that I've already started assisting and I'll be right back to assist you."  Nope!  She just walked off with the customer and never gave us a second look.  OK, we're done!  We go up to the register with the throw and the bagger asks if we found everything alright.  I told her no and proceeded to explain what had just happened.  After telling the story, the cashier proceeds to laugh.  So I said, "Well I'm not finding it funny, but whatever."  The bagger said that no it wasn't funny and that they have new people, etc, etc, and expected us to walk around to another area to try and find these socks by ourselves.  My daughter hasn't really liked Kohl's and now I'm kind of done with them as well, as that incident wasn't the only thing that happened that day.  The associate working in the Christmas decor area was glaring at my husband and I, I guess because we dared look at merchandise and put the item back exactly where we picked it up from.  They sent me another gift card in the mail, but that one is going in the trash and probably every one that should arrive in the future.  The good news is that the throw was $43.00 on sale for $14.99 and I had a $10.00 gift card.  Worked for me!  This happened the week before Thanksgiving.  Doesn't it make you wonder what kind of assistance you would receive during Black Friday and the rest of the holiday season.

So back to my original topic of my Cyber Monday sale.  Here are some of my Christmas door wreaths.  The first two are my Victorian wreaths.

      I just love "Snowy"!  If you look closely, even some of the snowballs have faces.                                              



                    Here are two of my traditional Christmas red poinsettia wreaths.

                                "All That Glitters" really sums this wreath up!

Last, but not least, my Christmas Fabric Rag Wreath with a cluster of jingle bells in the center.

I hope you enjoyed looking over my Christmas door wreaths, as much as I enjoyed making them.  It really touches me when I sell my handmade holiday decor to know that it will be displayed in someone's home for many holiday seasons.

Until later......Happy Shopping!

Melissa



 

Angels Around Us, Here On Earth

Do you believe that there are angels among us in our daily lives?  I do.  Recently, I met an angel.  She came in the form of a fellow vendor at a holiday craft show.  We got to talking and when she saw our booth, she said that she used to design items similar to mine (door wreaths, centerpieces, etc.), but no longer was doing it....she paints now........and wanted to give me her supplies........at no charge.  Can you believe it?  I don't think many people give things away to a stranger, with exception of the Goodwill.  So she is my angel and her name is Pat.  I am very thankful that she gave me her unwanted supplies, because as a stay-at-home mom, I try to spend our money wisely.  Free is very wise indeed!

In my Etsy shop, I've recently listed about a half dozen angel tree toppers.  I've already sold two of them this week.  They were well liked at the craft shows and now on Etsy.  I have different colors to work with different themes.  I have some more ideas in mind, its just trying to find the supplies to design them.

These angels are my wall hanging angels.  They look so pretty when the light is on them.  The ribbons just shimmer.  I have them in a light gold and a dark gold.

I hope you enjoy viewing my angels and I also hope you find an angel in your life.  You never know where you will find one....or rather one may find you.

Until later, I hope to see you at my Cozy Cottage, but until then I wish you and your families a very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.  We all have so much to be thankful for.

Melissa

A Kitten for Christmas

Nearly two years ago, we had a kitten show up at our patio door.  It was during the Christmas holiday and bitterly cold.  Here is what we saw:

He was nearly full grown, sweet as can be, and had been hurt.  We knew that someone had hurt him, because part of his tail had been cut off.  The veterinary hospital where we take our cats takes in animals that have been found, but they wouldn't take him.  Why?  They never said, but we found out later that the only strays they take in are the ones found by employees or police officers.  Our cats had been patients there for a few years (still are as we love our vet), so we have given them quite a bit of money over the years.  It broke my heart that it was bitterly cold and a big snow/ice storm was on the way and yet they wouldn't budge.  In fact, I was down right angry.  None of the other organizations would help either, so what did we do...moved him into the garage.  Our vet has a "Feral Cat Program" where they will examine the animal, check for any disease and neuter/spay all for $120.00.  So we came up with the cash and took him in.  When we picked him up, they said what a sweetie he was, but that when we got home and let him out of the carrier, we would never see him again.  Wrong!  Nearly two years later and meet our Baby.

Isn't he regal looking?  He got the name "Baby", because when we were getting to know him, we would say, "Aw, poor baby." and the name just stuck.  Sometimes I'll even sing, "Yes, Sir, that's my baby" to him.  LOL!  So that is how we got a kitten for Christmas a couple years ago.

Speaking of a cat for Christmas, I currently have some cat themed door hangers in my Etsy shop.  A couple of the designs sold out at a holiday craft show we participated in recently.  I think they'd make an inexpensive, but nice quality stocking stuffer or secret Santa gift for a cat lover.

My shop is has been filling with many different styles of Christmas decor with a lot more to come in the next few weeks.  So, I hope to see you around my Cozy Cottage.

Until later,

Melissa

First Holiday Craft Show

This past weekend, my husband, our daughter, and I were vendors at a Holiday Craft Show. It was our first professional show.  We were very successful!  We "made our table" within the first hour and a half.  Our "neighbors" were nice and friendly.  I even got acquainted with a lady who no longer makes wreaths and is giving me her unwanted supplies.  How generous!

The two moments that really touched my heart, was when a man walked up, looked at my wreaths (I had my Christmas wreaths, wall angels, and wall Christmas trees hanging off of lattice boards that my hubby built with lighted garland around the top), looks at me and says, "You do absolutely beautiful work. I used to own a florist shop, so I always tell wreath designers when I like their work." Wow! The second day he came back with his wife, and as he was looking at my wreaths, I noticed that his eyes were watery. He then says to his wife, "Just look at her beautiful work", and a single tear ran down his face. It broke my heart, because I think he stills wants to do floral designs but can't because of whatever reason. I told him that his single comment the day before had absolutely made my day.

It was such a great feeling to be able to sell things that aren't moving here. My wreaths and door knob hangers were my big sellers. Some of the stuff I had to deactivate from my shop. My husband sold exactly half of his wood items. A lady bought one of his thread racks and then came back the next day and bought his lap desk! My daughter sold some of the jewelry off of her shop. My daughter and I also have a shop here and our big sellers were our birthstone angel earrings, our ivy leaf necklaces (sold out of that one), and our holiday jewelry (sold out of some designs).   So all in all, a very successful first time show.   Since we did good on this one, we are doing more and will probably do alot more next year.


One thing that stood out throughout the weekend was the fact that Etsy needs to do some major marketing of their site.  Every vendor I spoke to had never heard of it and some of them had been vendors at craft shows AND selling online for years.  I hope I'm not seeming too boastful about the sales we made at that show, but when you aren't getting sales on Etsy, no matter what you do........you tend to think that maybe your designs just aren't "up to snuff".    Well I guess that isn't true.  


With all of this talk of holiday craft shows, I thought I'd share some of my Christmas wreaths that I've posted to my Etsy shop.


                                                           "Snowy"

                                  "Silent Night"  I just love the vintage look to
                                  this wreath and also that some of the song lyrics
                                  are written on the ribbon.

                                                    "All That Glitters"

                                            Christmas Poinsettias Wreath

                                            "Noel"  Now how cute is she!

Well, I hope you enjoyed seeing the first of my Christmas wreaths.  Maybe I'll "see" you around my "Cozy Cottage" sometime.


Until later,
 Melissa

Halloween is nearly here....

Wow!  I can't believe that its mid-month already with Halloween being only a couple weeks away.  If you are still looking for Halloween decor for your home, here are my door wreaths that will show your holiday spirit:

                                     Halloween Witch by the Harvest Moon

                                                Ghosts In The Garden

                                      Halloween Glittery Fabric Rag Wreath

For some cute items for inside your home, here are my Halloween door hangers/pillows:


                                                     Wendy the Witch

                                                   Wanda the Witch

I have a couple jack o' lantern door hangers, but Blogger isn't letting me upload the pictures.  : - (

Here is my Debbie Mumm wall hanging.  I love this one!  If you look closely at the scarecrow, he almost looks like a snowman.  I feel this wall hanging could be displayed throughout the fall season.

Well, that is it for my Halloween items.  I have been crazy busy designing items for upcoming holiday craft shows.  I'm exciting and nervous at the same time, as this will be our first shows since my family and I each opened shops on Etsy.  We have a total of four shops:

Mine:  www.MelissasCozyCottage.etsy.com

My husband's:  www.LarrysWoodDesigns,etsy.com

My daughter's:  www.VampireTales.etsy.com   (All of the fashion, NONE of the gore.)

A shop I own with my daughter:  www.JustUsGirlsStudio.etsy.com

So we are a busy family, working together.

Have a great Sweetest Day with your sweetie!

Until I write again, I hope to you at my Cozy Cottage.

Melissa

Its Nearly Trick or Treating Time

What a great time of year!  The changing colors of the leaves, Halloween decorations,  the Halloween holiday, and trick or treating.  Handmade Underground, a new shop owner on Etsy, featured one of my trick or treat bag sets in a Halloween themed treasury.

www.etsy.com/treasury/MTU3NDA2MDZ8ODU5Njg4MjUy/no-tricks-just-treats

Thank you, Handmade Underground!  I am very supportive of purchasing handmade items.  I am also willing to help promote a new shop that has joined the Etsy family.   You can visit Handmade Underground at www.HandmadeUnderground.etsy.com   Please visit her shop and check out her items.

Now, back to trick or treating time.  Here are my trick or treat bags.  They are in the style of the "old school" paper treat bags.  I thought they would be nice for giving out treats in a small office, a grandparent for their grandchild(ren), or even as a surprise for your mailman.

Hope to see you at my "cozy cottage"!

Melissa

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness.  My Grandma passed away from breast cancer about thirty years ago and I still miss her each and every day.  I remember how she felt that she was a freak for having had a mastectomy.  I kept telling her that she wasn't a freak.....she was still my Grandma.

I designed a shepherd hook bookmark for Breast Cancer Awareness on my Etsy shop.

I thought it would make a perfect gift for a breast cancer survivor or even for someone going through treatment to show that there is hope.  Unfortunately, the item isn't getting any views on Etsy.  I'm going to retake the pictures and see if that helps any.  I don't know.....  Those pink AB beads are just gorgeous.  Check it out!  All of my bookmarks are shipped in a gift box ready for gift giving.

TGIF!

Paying Back A Kindness

I am a member of Etsy's Etsians In Need Team.  Things have been difficult for my family and I recently.  Finding this team seemed like a coincidence with everything that has been going on....and is still going on.  This team has members that are really in some predicaments and are relying on sales from their Etsy shops to assist them in whatever their particular situation is at the time.  One of the members, LimeysTreasureChest, did a wonderful kindness to me this week.  They featured my Halloween Fabric Rag Wreath in her blog.  Here is that wreath:

I would like to repay their kindness by featuring one of their jewelry designs today.  Out of all of their designs, these earrings are my favorites:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81804807/copper-leaf-dangle-earrings-copper

She has some awesome designs!  Please visit their Etsy shop at www.LimeysTresureChest.etsy.com.

Yet more autumn decor

My cozy cottage has been a very busy place!  Here are a few more autumn items that I have in my Etsy shop.  The items are Patches the Scarecrow wall or door hanging, an autumn centerpiece, and an autumn themed fabric rag wreath.  That wreath was designed with hundreds of squares of fabric.  Most of the fabrics are sprinkled with gold glitter.

I hope you enjoy looking at my items and I hope to see you at Melissa's Cozy Cottage.

Just who is Melissa...

I guess its time that I sort of introduce myself to anyone who happens to follow/read my thoughts and enjoy seeing the new items that I am designing for my Etsy shop.

My name is Melissa (who da thunk it...LOL).  I am married to my best friend and am the mother to a beautiful daughter and seven....count 'em seven cats (six boys and one girl who is the princess, of course).

I enjoy anything Amish.  A majority of my reading is Amish themed books.  When I heard that Borders was going out of business at our local mall, we went up to start Christmas shopping.  My husband already has a great start on me and we both have a great start on our daughter's gifts.  My favorite author of Amish stories is Beverly Lewis.  Her Abram's Daughter's series was my introduction into stories about the Amish.  My sewing/craft room is Amish themed.  I have a collection of Amish dolls, figurines, paintings, books, and other goodies.  

I used to work for a quilting supply distributor as a fabric buyer's assistant.  I really did enjoy my job.  My favorite part was seeing all of the new fabrics that came in for the different seasons.  I especially enjoyed when all of the fall and Christmas fabrics arrived.  I was able to buy the salesmen samples, which provided me with a very large collection of fabric that I now use in my Etsy shop.  I have some bittersweet memories of working there, but resigning my position to be a stay-at-home mom was the best decision I made.

I always decorate our home for the different seasons and have always wanted to sell my home decor designs, thus was the beginning of Melissa's Cozy Cottage on Etsy.  I haven't been selling as much as I would like to, though.  Everyone says its the economy, its the economy, but if that is the case then why are others in the home decor area selling?  Then I hear, work on your tags, change your tags, change the title of your items, change this, change that, etc, etc.  I do all of that and am still no where farther than before I made all of the changes.  I work hard on all of my designs and make sure that everything is well designed and constructed.   I am thinking of looking into other venues.  My family and I are also thinking about buying a stall at this big fall craft that this large Christian church sponsors every fall.  We went to it last year and it seemed quite nice.  All of the sellers got along and it was well set up.  We'll see.  

Seeing as its the last couple days of August, I'm having my husband bring down all of my fall decor.  I designed most of it.  Door wreaths, table arrangements, wall hangings, etc.  I'm sure he is really looking forward to hauling down my huge box of scarecrows.  I have a great collection of all sizes and types.  I can't wait to get started decorating!

Speaking of decorating for fall, here are my fall wreaths, my cornucopia wall hanging, and an autumn wall hanging.  All are currently available at my shop:

                                      www.MelissasCozyCottage.etsy.com

I hope you enjoy viewing my new autumn designs.  Maybe I'll see you around my Cozy Cottage...