~Calgon........................~

Things have been crazy-busy at RoseCreekCottage. We celebrated Jackson's 2nd birthday here, and found out from our sweet Ella that her "Mommy has a baby in her tummy". We will be blessed with this new precious granchild in the spring.

The leaves on the trees outside my studio are just beautiful. It's not difficult to see the Fingerprints of God in all the lush fall colors.

In between the studio and show happenings, I'm looking very forward to an upcoming quality R&R at a Girl's GetAway Weekend with eight dear friends from all over the country. We chose an exciting city to meet for some great food, laughter, hugs, and lots and lots of shopping~



My Etsy shop is picking up momentum as customers begin their Christmas Shopping in plenty of time to avoid the USPS mail delays that will come once December hits. Stop by and take a peak. I'll be adding more things as the weeks go on.

Cheeky Monkeys are hangin' around the studio, waiting to be packed for the next show. I've been working on some new charm bracelet designs and will have some fun new displays for the upcoming shows......the Christmas Hares as well as Christmas Dolls and Santas are ready to strut their stuff. My friends and family know that they won't find me these days on the computer....but in my studio finishing up all the odds and ends for the remainder of my Holiday shows. I have 8 down and 8 to go! For a complete listing....email me at rosecreekcottage@hotmail.com. I'll be happy to send it to you~

~The Road Back to Stan Hywet's Ohio Mart 2009~

With Yankee Peddler's three weekends behind us, we are over-joyed at our sales, the old customers who are still out there, and the many new faces we are getting to know. We had great neighbors who became fast friends.....and we packed up everything last nite very tired, but very happy. Now, once again, I'm out of Vintage Rabbits, Cheeky Monkeys and too too much jewelry to mention. I'm working non-stop as set up for Stan Hywet's Ohio Mart is Wednesday. It begins on Thursday, Oct. 1st, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 4th. Read about my first year back there after an 8-year-hiatus here.

So....I'm in the studio today and tomorrow working on Rabbits, etc. I'm anxious to see my old and new customers there once again.

If you're anywhere near Akron, Ohio this coming week, stop by and say, "hello". It's a truly beautiful show~

~Yankee Peddler 1st Weekend Ramblings~

Ahhhhhh......to once again soak in the ambience from a weekend at Yankee Peddler was sheer heaven! The sites, sounds, aromas.....all very indicative of an age-gone-by. Jim and I wallowed in it for two beautiful, sunny indian summer days.

It is hard to say what I like most about YP.....but I'd have to say that one of the hilights, at least for me, is the comraderie between the artisans. As an artist, you just can't get enough of that. It's fun to hear how each of them schedule their days in-and-out of the studio during these fall shows. I learn so much from each of them. You have to really love what you do to live this kind of lifestyle...and sharing that 'electricity' that comes when creative souls meet is just invigorating. A true blessing.

We had the pleasure of reuniting with "The Michigan Girls", as we've so fondly called them over the years. And there they were, exclaiming, "Oh my God, they're back!!" which of course, makes all the hours of work worth it! It was SO SO good to see you again....minus one, who I hope will make it out to YP on next year's trek!!




















We had visits from lots of sweet little ladies who delighted in picking out their own special Ragamuffin to take home and love. Here are just a few of them!























I'm totally out of Witchy Women, lambs and puppies, certain charm bracelets, truffles, and Cheeky Monkeys. So....I'd better pour another cup of coffee and head to the studio. May your week be as beautiful as our indian summer here in Ohio is right now....and may you be blessed enough to find that one special thing here on this earth that 'electrifies' YOUR soul~ Carol

~Anticipation: Yankee Peddler 2009~

Activity in the woods at Yankee Peddler is in full-swing. Lots of pounding, sweating, and yup.....some swearing, too, as artisans complete the last-minute touches on their booths in anticipation of beautiful weather and record-breaking crowds this coming weekend....the first of three at Yankee Peddler Festival in Canal Fulton, Ohio. If you click on this link, you'll find a video that beautifully portrays the 'feel' of this great festival. Spread over 80 acres, people come from all over the United States to partake in not only the wonderful arts and crafts, but in the education, (everyone is demonstrating their craft) the delicious food, and the entertainment. It's a 'way of life' that Jim and I have missed these last years. Tommy grew up there, as we participated in YPF from the time he was in kindergarten. (Tom....you KNOW you're going to miss wearing those colonial costumes and the fresh strawberry shakes!) And we will miss him, too. (take a peak at Tommy in colonial garb when he was a little tyke at a long-ago Yankee Peddler HERE.













I've spent 12-13 hour days in my studio the past months preparing for this particular show. The amount of inventory needed for these crowds is daunting. There is always the 'Good News/Bad News' part of it: Good News if you run out of items....Bad News if you run out of items!! I've learned over 20+ years, that you need to have a great supply of 'pieces/parts' ready and waiting in the studio. At the end of each weekend, we inventory what we've sold....and get ready to work on finishing up the necessary dolls and jewelry for the next weekend. As you can imagine, we're pretty pooped at the end of this show.....but we'll be on to the next one as soon as we can catch our breath~

So.....if you're anywhere in the Ohio-PA-MI-VA areas in the next three weekends, and have never experienced Yankee Peddler Festival.....please stop by. You'll be SO glad you did! Oh....we're in The Glen....Booth 228. I'm looking forward to seeing my 'old' customers....and meeting many new ones.

~Beautiful Ella~

What can I say? She was just born. Just yesterday. And now, she's 5. Five. I cannot believe it. She started kindergarten. The grade her grandma was in when she knew she wanted to be a teacher. She's beautiful. Sweet. Innocent. Smart. Did I say 'Sweet'? And I love her with all my heart.

My dear sweet grand-daughter. May you always be as happy, safe, secure, and loved as you are right now. Always and forever. Your loving Gramma xoxoxoxoxox

I'm so so behind in my blogging....my production....my life (!) right now. We did get down to see the kids and grandkids this week. They bought a new house...5 bedrooms/4 baths with an acre of land....a gorgeous pool...lighted and carpeted treehouse for the kids. And plenty of space for all of our family and Jackie's to come and stay all at the same time! Talk about blessings~

Jeff is finishing up the research for his dissertation. Dr. Jackie gave both Jim and I complete eye exams. Her office is beautiful. It was so fun to see her in action. She's so so good at what she does. She's keeping a close eye on Jim's macular degeneration.

Production for Yankee Peddler Festival is in full-swing. See my blogpost here:
Yankee Peddler Here We Come!

We drove out to see our booth this week. It needed a few final 'tweeks'. We're in a great spot...back in The Glen where we used to be. It feels SO like home to us to be back there again. We're thankful they were able to build a booth for us. It's perfect. We'll be starting to 'fill' it this week....and then let the party begin next weekend....the first of three.

I'll post more about it after this holiday weekend. Check out their site for more info: Yankee Peddler Festival.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend....wherever you are~

~Shaker Woods Festival 2009~Part II~

We had our second beautiful weekend at Shaker Woods Festival in Columbiana, OH this past weekend. The crowds were never-ending, in spite of the heat.

I saw many of my 'old' customers who bought my Ragamuffin dolls for their children eons ago. As one sweet customer put it, "I'm continuing the tradition by buying them for my grandbabies". Since it's been 8 long years since I did the show circuit....this really warms my heart. I wondered if my customers were still out there. They are!!

One of the most rewarding parts of doing shows is the comraderie between artists. Although I do have some very close artist friends I see on a regular basis, I've really missed this. It's a sharing of ideas, joys, woes, etc. that you really can't get anywhere else. It's invigorating, and leaves you going home energized and ready to hit the studio and continue producing for the shows ahead. At the present time...I have 8 more....one of which is the three-weekend Yankee Peddler Festival, which is 3 weekends in September....and really counts as 3 shows-rolled-into-one. So, I have 11 more!!

My Cheeky Monkeys and Vintage Rabbits were big sellers. I sold out......so that is what I'm working on this week.




















That said.....I best stop typing and get back to work in the studio. If you're anywhere in the Ohio or PA area this coming weekend.....plan on stopping by. You won't be sorry~

~Shaker Woods Festival 2009~

Please join us at Shaker Woods Festival in Columbiana, Ohio, Aug. 8-9th, 15-16th and 22-23rd from 10-5 pm. We will be joining over 200 other fine arts and craftspeople from all over the country, demonstrating and selling their wares.

We spent the week putting finishing touches on our little cottage there. These photos were taken before we were finished stocking the cottage, and don't reflect even HALF the amount of inventory we have tucked in every nook-and-cranny we could find~

For directions and more information go to Shaker Woods Festival's website. Paths wind through acres of lush woods. There will be mouth-watering food cooked over open fires, along with lots of musical entertainment. It's a show not to be missed!

I'll be posting photos after each of the weekends, so you can witness some of the 'flavor' of this beautiful show.

See you there~