Yule decorating . . .

Wow! I can't believe we're already at the end of November. Where does the time go? I've been so busy with classes and getting my business up and running that it seems the time has just slipped away. Although, that being said, it also seems as if time has been standing still. I've been waiting patiently (which is a feat in and of itself for me) to move into my new space at the Harbor Wellness Center. The time has finally come and I'm going over today to clean up and do some painting. I'm a jumble of feelings, mostly good and positive, but there's that little creak in the door and I'm trying hard to keep out the nagging doubts.

I have managed to set up my Yule altar and get the lights out on the house. Half of them won't work and so I find myself replacing them, on the cheap. I found two lighted wreaths at ACE yesterday for $2.99 and spent $13 on a new lighted garland for our light pole. We still need to replace (or fix) one of the net lights along the front hedge . . . I'm leaving that mess up to Brian along with stringing electrical cords to my lighted window boxes. Once everything is taken care of, I'll share some pictures.

Here are pictures of my altar . . . hope you enjoy!

Day 12 - Stroll the Shops for Christmas/Yule Recap

Well, Stroll the Shops for Christmas/Yule has come to a close, but you can still visit Jan's blog 'Jan Tanis Designs' for a recap of the talented and inspirational artisans that were featured over the last 11 days, moi included. Were you able to get some of those names crossed off your list? With all the beautiful items that were showcased it almost makes one want to add more names to their list . . . well, maybe not, but it's tempting!

Hope you enjoyed the Stroll and all the glorious eye-candy!

Day 11 - Stroll the Shops for Christmas/Yule

Today's featured artisan is Laura Staley from 'Creative Jewelry Designs by Laura Staley'. Laura is a South Carolinian and comes from a mutli-generational artisan/crafty family who tastes vary from painting to lapidary and jewelry making. Her jewelry designs are truly unique and one-of-a-kind and she enjoys doing custom work with brides, beauty queens and fashion designers! Here are a few of my favorite items from Laura's Etsy shop . . .

To read more about Laura and to check out the featured artisans from the previous 10 days, please visit Jan's blog 'Jan Tanis Designs'.

Day 10 - Stroll The Shops for Christmas/Yule

Well, tomorrow I'm off to participate in the Wellness Event at the Harbor Athletic Club Wellness Center on Allen Blvd. in Middleton. I'm as prepared as I can be, although I do have a few last minute details to take care of. So, that being said, Day 11 and Day 12 of the stroll will have to wait until I'm finished up at the center since I'm there from 7 to 7, there's not likely going to be much time for anything else!

So, without further adeiu, I present today's featured artisan, Audrey from 'Principessa Jewels and Glass'. Audrey creates vintage style jewelry and glass beads that are gorgeous and quite simply, divine! Audrey started making jewelry about seven to eight years ago and after some time evolved into making her own lampwork beads. She lives in Texas with her husband, daughter and canine companions, and one newly adopted kitten named 'Nutmeg'. Here are a few of my favorite items from Audrey's Etsy shop . . .

And be sure to hop over to Jan's blog 'Jan Tanis Designs' to learn about all of the artisans, yours truly included, who have participated in this year's stroll! Only two days left to take advantage of 15% off every item in my Etsy shop 'Plume Poppy Designs' using coupon code STROLL4YULE!

Day 9 - Stroll the Shops for Christmas/Yule

Today's featured artisans are Susan and Sherri from 'Lollipops and Daisies Children's Boutique'. Sherri enjoys the design and sewing aspects of their business, and Susan prefers designing and crafting. Their business philosophy is to be unique in their design process making apparel and adornments that are fun and sassy or elegant and classy. They create to promote uniqueness and to show our younger generations that it's perfectly okay to "color outside the lines", "dance like nobody's watching" and to "do what you love". Here are a few of my favorite items from Susan and Sherri's Etsy shop . . .

And be sure to visit Jan's blog 'Jan Tanis Designs' to learn more about today's featured artisans and to also check out the artisans featured from the past eight days!

Day 8 - Stroll the Shops for Christmas/Yule

My husband pointed out to me last night that for the past week, I haven't been my normal blogging self . . . I assured him that after my commitment to Jan's stroll we will return to our regularly scheduled program. I guess I didn't realize how much he enjoys my posts! And truth be told . . . I don't think he's getting all the hints I've been leaving about my favorite jewelry . . . sigh . . .

Today's featured artisan is, well, ME! You can read all about my crafty artist history at Jan's blog 'Jan Tanis Designs' and see some of the lovely items I have for sale in my Etsy shop 'Plume Poppy Designs'. I'm having a 15% off sale on all items, including dollhouses, and am offering free gift wrapping! I'm rather a modest lady and don't like to brag about myself too much, but I have been told that my wrapping is like a gift unto itself! And so, here are a few of my favorite items from my Etsy shop . . .

Day 7 - Stroll the Shops for Christmas/Yule

Todays featured artisan is Sarah from 'Windscry Designs'. Sarah is a very interesting person! She had a career in the US Army as a Special Agent, but after contracting arsenic poisoning and then dealing with the repurcussions of that, she retired, became pregnant with her second child and began jewelry making. Sarah also crochets and has had one of her shawls included in an exhibit in Arcata, California. Here are a few of my favorite items from Sarah's Etsy shop . . .

Day 6 - Stroll the Shops for Christmas/Yule

Well, here we are at the half-way point of Stroll the Shops for Christmas/Yule with still more gift ideas to come over the next week. Be sure to check here Tuesday, November 8th as my shop, 'Plume Poppy Designs', will be featured! You don't have to wait until then though to take advantage of my 15% off sale which lasts through November 12th! And I'll even wrap it up all pretty for you!

We begin today with Michaela Cladingboel of 'Eartopia'. Michaela lives in Australia with her partner and son and she makes the most creative and beautiful earrings designed with Japanese Tensha beads. The word 'Tensha', in Japanese, translates roughly to the word 'transfer'. The beads are made by applying a decal to an acrylic bead which is then sealed with an acrylic coating to protect the decal. Michaela also designs earrings inspired by Ancient Rome and Greece (a range called Byzantine). The Byzantine range is perfect for evening wear – delicate, sparkly and gorgeous. Here are a few of my favorites from Michaela's
Eartopia website . . .

The next featured artisan today is Charis Lyons Ramsey of 'Blue Shark Diva Designs'. Charis is a wife and mother of three boys and helps out with the family trucking business. She also creates unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry designs that are creative and fun! Here are a few of my favorite pieces from Charis's ArtFire shop . . .

And be sure to pop over to Jan's blog 'Jan Tanis Designs' to see more about these talented artisans, and while you're there you can also visit some of the artisans that have already been featured during the stroll.

Day 5 - Stroll the Shops for Christmas/Yule

Day 5 of 'Stroll the Shops for Christmas' and the shopping is easy! Did you ever imagine that you'd be able to shop from the comfort of your own home and have all your packages delivered to your door? I remember the days of fighting cold weather, crowds and carrying packages 'till my fingers were about to fall off. Not anymore!

Today's first artisan is Beckie from 'Beckie's Treasure Trove'. Beckie creates romantic, vintage looking jewelry that is meant to bring joy and a uniqueness of expression to the woman wearing it. She draws inspiration from Renaissance and Victorian era jewelry. And while Beckie believes in women's rights and strengths, she also believes that it is important for a woman to celebrate her femininity and beauty. Here are a few of my favorite pieces from Beckie's Etsy shop . . .

The other artisan featured today is Paula from 'Artfully Decadent'. Paula is a unique artist in that she uses seed beads to knit, weave and embroidery her jewelry pieces on tiny steel needles. She is inspired by the colors of nature and the grace and beauty of antique and vintage jewelry. Here are a few of my favorite pieces from Paula's ArtFire shop . . .

And visit Jan's blog 'Jan Tanis Designs' for more information on these two inspiring and creative artisans!

Day 4 - Stroll the Shops for Christmas/Yule

Here we are on Day 4 of 'Stroll the Shops for Christmas/Yule' and another pair of artisans who take jewelry making to a whole new level!

First let's meet Sherri Stokey from 'Knot Just Macrame'. Sherri has always been interested in jewelry and naturally progressed into jewelry making by dusting off her macramé knotting skills she'd learned as a youngster and putting them to use with colored nylon cords and seed beads. She branched out into bead embroidery and bead weaving and even dabbled a bit with metals. Here are a few of my favorite items from Sherri's Etsy shop . . .

The next artisan featured today is Amy Kuczewski of the 'Flamekeeper Shop'. Amy primarily concentrates on colorful glass beads, but does venture into making handmade jewelry from time to time. She has taught herself how to solder and weave and makes most of her components from scratch. She is always happy to take custom orders and try her hand at something new and is ready to make that perfect gift for the loved ones in your life! Here are a few of my favorite items from Amy's Etsy shop . . .

And visit Jan's blog 'Jan Tanis Designs' for more information on these two inspiring and creative artisans!