Great Success Selling Locally

I recently asked a local bookstore to consider selling my book clips and book thongs in their store. They agreed to try some on consignment. I gave them 15 to start out with.

Within several weeks, they sold over a half dozen of them. This week they sent me a check for the remaining book clips and book thongs, since they are selling so well!

How exciting is that???

I also offer these items in our online store, Acorn Accessories. They make a great gift for a friend that likes to read! They do especially well in bookstores!

Fellow, crafters and artisans ~ don't forget to try selling you items locally!

A Heart-Warming Experience

A little over a week ago I met a family that was facing the possibility of being homeless. They had experienced some difficult times and couldn't seem to get "a break". The father is currently out of work and the mother is disabled. The children are 18 months and 10 years old.

I knew that I could help them. So, first, I helped them find an affordable place to live. Then the next Sunday, I stood up in church and asked for help. The family had next to nothing. They had no furniture, no beds to sleep on, no table to eat at, no couch to sit on and no television to watch. So, I asked my congregation friends for "any household items that you are no longer using".

I received an overwhelming response! Some people went shopping for the family and bought them some basic household items. Some people chipped in money. Some people brought in household items that they were no longer using.

I had people calling me that weren't even from my church. They had heard about the family from members of my church. I had one person contact me and invite me to walk through an estate that they needed to empty and simply told me to "take whatever they need".

When my husband and I brought over the first truck load of items, the 10 year old girl was so excited! She went running into the apartment to get her mother.

When I walked into the empty apartment, it didn't even look like they had moved in yet (and yet they had). By the time we left, the apartment looked a little more like home. We were able to provide them with dressers and beds, a couch, a television, linens, dishes, kitchen appliances, books, pots and pans and much, much more.

It was truly one of the most heart-warming experiences I have had in a long time. It is amazing what a difference we can make in someone's life when everybody just chips in a little.

It truly is a good life!

We Won the Kreativ Blogger Award!

Acorn Alcove has been awarded the Kreativ Blogger award!

I would like to thank The Copper Cauldron for choosing Acorn Alcove for the Kreativ Blogger award! Thank you so much!!!

The rules for this award is to pass it on to 5 other great blogs and let them know.

Here are the five blogs I'd like to pass this award onto...

• Savin' Some
• Creative and Curious Kids
• Art and Interior
• Bella Casa
• Audrey's Country Crafts Giveaway
  

Be sure to check out each one of these great sites! And don't forget to check out The Copper Cauldron. She has some wonderful creations!

Michaels 50% Coupon

Let's Go Shopping for Easter!!!

This 50% Off Coupon for Michaels is good on Sunday, April 5th.

It is good on any regular priced item.

Don't forget to check my "Featured Coupon" section for ongoing 40% coupons too!

Please Vote for Our Item!!!

We need your votes!!!

Every week 60 different artisans face off in 12 different categories in the Artisans Challenge to see who has the best handmade item.

Our very own "Delicate Purple Flowers" from our online store is in the challenge!

Please vote before April 6th!!!

Go to Blockhead Radio to vote today!

Spring is Here!!!

It is time for the flowers to begin blooming!

How about some new earrings to celebrate the Spring season?

In our online store we have a beautiful collection of Spring Flower earrings that are very light-weight and so comfortable to wear everyday.

These designs are one of my absolute favorite collections. I always get compliments when I wear any of these earrings! They just finish off some of my favorite Spring outfits! The colors are wonderful!

I am so glad Spring is here!!!

Don't forget, fellow bloggers receive 20% off in our online store!

The Party Has Started!!!

It's Party Time!!!

** The Ultimate Blog Party 2009 **

Be sure to check it out!!!

March 20th - 27th!!!

Be sure to register to win one of the many great prizes!!!

You could win these earrings from our very own online store, Acorn Accessories!!!

If you want to win these earrings (or any pair of earrings from Acorn Accessories), be sure to blog about them (INTL 63)!!!

Artisan's Challenge

All you Artisans out there make a note of this date:

March 23rd

Some of you may remember... some of you may be hearing about it for the first time! Either way there's a bit of construction goin' on over at Blockhead Radio as they prepare to relaunch a cool weekly contest.

Seriously, if you head over there you will hear power saws, drills and jack hammer's workin' 24 hours a day. Okay, no you won't but you WILL hear some really great music by indie artists :)

Formerly known as the Etsy Challenge (the name was change to protect the innocent...) and then renamed as the Artisan's Challenge because there are soooo many great venues out there for selling handmade.... and then the whole shebang came crumbling down. It was feared that the challenge would never be heard from again.

Yes, the Artisan's Challenge is being dug up from the depths of the internet graveyard! For those who may have never heard of the Artisan's Challenge, let me tell ya what it's all about. There are 12 different categories with 60 different artisans every week (5 submissions in each category). The winner's of the categories from the previous week then face off in a weekly challenge!

So head on over, read the rules and enter your submissions now! You'll be notified when it's your week in the challenge. Then its up to you to tell your friends... your family... your neighbors... the people in the checkout line at the grocery store... to go vote for you in the Artisan's Challenge!

What's in it for you? Besides lots of people seeing your item when they vote?? Besides FREE publicity for your shop??? Besides all the fun????

It just so happens that the winner of the weekly challenge will now win a audio commercial with a banner to play the entire following week on Blockhead Radio! That's even MORE FREE publicity for your shop!

Remember, it's ANY selling venue! Entries are being accepted now so hurry and get your submission in. Last date to enter will be March 22nd.

Attention Online Shoppers -- Great Savings Online!!!

If you shop online, you should be using Ebates.com!

If you have a busy schedule (or have young children), getting to the mall is not always easy. Lately, I do a lot of my shopping online. I often find that I am able to get my items cheaper online and I don’t have to pay for gas!

Ebates.com is a site that gives you up to 25% cash back purchases you make online. Joining Ebates is free - you'll never pay for anything. And they will pay you $5 to try it out! And four times a year or more, Ebates will mail you a Big Fat Check, or transfer the money to your PayPal account. Ebates can even send the money to your favorite charity, if you prefer.

It is easy to use and a great way to save money! They offer all kinds of coupons and discounts!

To sign up today, simply click here!

Exclusive Seaglass from the Shores of Southern Maine

Introducing unique seaglass designs from the shores of Southern Maine...

Ashley and I love to walk along the beach looking for seaglass. It is a wonderful way to spend a warm summer afternoon. She gest so excited when she finds the "perfect one".

We are now we are offering exlusive wire-wrapped seaglass pendants in our online Etsy store, Acorn Accessories, availabe in green, white and russet brown.

Custom orders are always welcome!

What Do You Have Planned for Valentine’s Day???

I would like to hear about what you have planned for Valentine’s Day!!!

Are you a hopeless romantic? Do you have something really extravagantly romantic planned? Or how about something cozy and quiet with your special someone? Maybe you have something really creative planned for your special kids?

Please share your wonderful ideas!!!

And be sure to check back and read about what other people have planned for a extra special Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day fellow bloggers!!!

Loves Those Coupons!!!

Here is the latest 50% Coupon for A.C. Moore good through 2/14/09...

Michaels' is also offering a 40% coupon, which I have included in my "Feautured Coupon" section.

But, remember, Michael's & A.C. Moore will accept coupons from either store!!!

So, grab this 50% off coupon and let's go shopping!!!