Happy Fall -- One of my favorite times of the year.

"Patisserie" Paneled Peasant Top by Ginger Louise Clothing

"Fall Festival with Bird" Zipper Pouch by Charm Design

Pumpkin Harvest Earrings from Shy Siren

It's true, I can't stay away. I won't be posting a ton, and I won't be doing giveaways (at least not many), but I will still showcase some of the gorgeous, wonderful, and amazing items on Etsy.com and other handmade marketplaces.

My Sincere Apologies

Hello everyone. It has been awhile since I have posted here, and I apologize. My life has just been so busy since we now have a teenager and a toddler. There are classes to go to, PT/OT to go to, so many things that fill up my schedule so quickly. I have not been able to give this blog the attention that I had hoped to. I must say with many regrets, that unless I can get 50 people to comment, and let me know that they still want me to keep going, I will have to do away with The Downtown Boutique. It has been a good run, but I am having to rearrange my priorities. Thank you all for all of the wonderful comments. Thanks to everyone who has advertised with us. A HUGE thank you to all of the amazing artists and crafters out there, who have so generously offered up some amazing gifts to give away during our Friday Features. I have come into contact with so many truly gifted people, and I am so grateful to have done this blog, even for the year and a half that I was able to keep it up. We are looking for our next child to adopt, and so I imagine life will get even more busy. I can multi-task, but I can not leave my family behind for the "crafting" world. I'm sure that you understand.

God bless you all!

Thanks again,

Angie

Art + Yard Sale = A HUGE YART Sale!!!!

Etsy.com is hosting a YART Sale. Search for the term "Yart" or "Yart sale" to see all the shops participating in this worldwide sale! June 10-14, 2009. Starts tomorrow!

I'm participating with my Bear River Photo Greetings shop. You can get $2 off of any $15 premade photo greeting card design. Or, if you check out the YART CLEARANCE section, you can get those designs for just $12.50.

Here is a small sampling of what I have to offer:

When is Sponge Bob Square Pants Earth Friendly???

When he's on a upcycled, re-usable T-shirt Bag.
By Upcycled Creations on Artfire.com

Love is in the Air

"Love is in the Air" Earrings by Star of the East on Etsy.com

Fork It Over

The perfect Father's Day Gift from a teenager!

"Fork It Over -- Money Clip" from SpoonerZ

What Does Your Life Look Like?

"Because Stress is Bad" Print by The Dreamy Giraffe

Show Your Teacher Some Appreciation

Teacher Rocks by SJ Engraving

Have a Seat and Stay Awhile

"Yellow Chairs, Purple Wall" by Elephant Dreams

For the June Bride...

Ivory Silk Flower Fascinator by JMG Jewelry Design

Silk Floral Bridal Bouquet by CK Charms

"Jessica Marie" Bridal Shower Invitation Design by Rio Oso Designs

Bridal Necklace by Bead Bewitched

Daisy Letterpress Wedding Invitation by Eden Invitations

Who Turned Out the Lights?

Turning the lights on and off will become fun with light switch plate covers like this one from 3ZArt on Artfire.com. Check out more light switch plate covers HERE and HERE.

Fresh Flowers Go Here

Crystalline Glaze on Porcelain -- Find it HERE.

Tuesday Treasures -- A Giveaway and a Feature

Friday came and went, and I never got to the Friday Feature, so we are doing it today. Today, we are featuring a shop I found when I was searching Etsy.com for earrings: Heather Berry -- Handmade Jewelry.


Let's hear a little bit about the owner and jewelry maker, Heather.

TDB: When did you start making jewelry, and why?
HB: I started making jewelry almost five years ago after buying a little bag of pretty beads at the Milwaukee Public Museum. My stash has been growing since that day.

TDB: What inspires you when you create?
HB: The components inspire me. Often my designs come as a result of an impulse purchase of some supplies and the figuring out how to make something from it.


TDB: Aside from creating jewelry, what else do you enjoy doing?
HB: I love to cook and eat interesting food. I also love gardening and outdoor activities in general. Most summer days I hit the trail with the double stroller or bike and trailer with my two little ones in tow.

TDB: How did you hear about Etsy.com?
HB: I was at my first craft show (where I sold nothing) and a neighboring vendor suggested I try Etsy. I sold my first item about 20 minutes after I listed it. I was so excited. Selling online is far more fun for me than shopping online!


TDB: What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
HB: I get great advice from my husband. He has been my biggest help and supporter. He told me to "just keep going". Starting a business can be tricky and involves a lot of learning as you go. He advised me not to be intimidated by what I didn't know but rather to keep moving forward gleaning knowledge as I went.


TDB: What are three things about you that you LOVE?
HB: This is a hard question!
1. I love that I can cook by instinct. I can't carry a tune, draw a straight line or write an interesting story, but I be creative and successful in the kitchen.
2. I can sleep through a bomb going off.
3. I love that I sometimes surprise myself. I have never considered myself a creative person, so when a new idea pops into my mind and I am able to create it and it looks good and it sells I am usually shocked. Also, many of my creations are romantic and girly and I am a pretty big tomboy. I just love to play and dig in the dirt, so some of my own ideas surprise me.


TDB: If you were given a million dollars, what would you do with it?
HB: I grew up in a house with an income below the poverty line, put myself through college, and my husband ran his own business for the first few years of our marriage, so I have spent much of my life pretty broke. If I were given a million dollars I would probably put it in the bank until the shock wore off then I would:
1. Tithe
2. Buy my husband the jeep he has always wanted.
3. I'd put a huge chunk away so he could retire early and be all mine.
4. Buy a small house in the peaceful Bahamian Out Islands and live happily ever after.

******************************************
Now for the fun. Heather has graciously offered to give away a pair of earrings. You can enter to win these Aqua Quartz and Sterling Silver earrings from Heather Berry.


How to Enter:
1. Visit Heather Berry and then come back here and comment on your favorite item. Be sure to leave a valid email address!
2. For another entry, please blog about this feature. Leave a separate comment with the link to your blog post.
3. For another entry, Twitter about this feature/giveaway. Twitter to @dwntownboutique. Leave a separate comment letting me know that you Twittered, along with your Twitter username.
4. For another entry, we'd love to have you follow our blog. You can become a new follower by clicking on "Follow This Blog" up at the top left. Leave a separate comment letting me know that you are a NEW follower.

Deadline to enter is Monday, May 25th at 11:59pm PST.
Giveaway is open worldwide.

Have a great week!
Angie

The Winner of the Onesie or Tee from Very KIKI is...

Sherry S. Congratulations Sherry! Thank you to all of you who commented.

The Winner of the Pendant from Sugar Fly Designs....

Congratulations to Lisa G., who was randomly selected as the winner of the personalized pendant from Sugar Fly Designs. Thanks to all of you who commented on the products in Michelle's shop.