Good Neighbors

We had a great time at the 2014 Sharon Springs Fall Festival! Situated in the Etsy Marketplace we enjoyed a certain commeraderie with our fellow crafters as we were all Etsy sellers. That being said there are times when neighbors are not very friendly or pleasant to be around for 2 days. 

That was not the case at Sharon Springs. Our neighbors were great! We had wonderful conversations and helped each other out. I'd like to profile each of them and ask that you visit their websites and consider purchasing their designs. They are very talented artists!

Liza Lauritzen of CraftsyDane crochets the most adorable baby booties! I wish I had a little one to buy them for. Looking just like Mary Janes and UGG boots they are very reasonably priced! You can check out Liza's designs and order some for your favorite little ones at www.craftsydane.etsy.com. She is also on Facebook and Ravelry!

Barb Grant of Baggies Boutique crochets and knits hats, scarves, large bags and more! She does beautiful work. You can contact Barb through her Etsy shop to learn more about her designs - www.baggiesboutique.etsy.com.

Leslie McCoy of EBoehme designs the most stunning reasonably priced crystal jewelry! Her booth caught my eye both days each time the crystals caught the sunlight. You can check out Leslie's work and purchase her designs at www.eboheme.etsy.com.

      

Debra Murphy of Angelwood Gifts is a very talented artist! Situated across from our booth, she caught my eye as I watched her paint designs on taper candles. I just had to go over and check them out! You can check out Debra's beautiful artwork and purchase her designs at www.angelwoodgifts.etsy.com. She is also on Facebook.

     

Leslie Green Guilbault of LGG Creative Art creates functional pottery and sculptural bone carving that you would be proud to display. While Leslie was not near my booth I just had to stop by as I walked around to see what others were selling. If I wasn't trying to clean out the clutter in my own house I definitely would have purchased one of her items. They were beautiful! You can view Leslie's work and order one of her designs at www.lggcreativeart.etsy.com. She is also on Facebook.

      

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Did you know that you can save when you purchase our Birthstone necklaces and bracelets as a set. Sold separately at $20.00 for necklaces and $7.00 for the bracelets they sell at $25.00 when you purchase the set. And you save on shipping too! You can purchase these sets by clicking on the link https://www.etsy.com/listing/204089762/birthstone-necklace-and-bracelet-sets?ref=shop_home_feat_1 

or going to www.cruisincreations.etsy.com.

These birthstone sets are perfect for a bride and her bridesmaids! They also make great gifts!

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We are taking a few weeks off to restock for a very busy November and get some things done around the house. Our next stop will be Our Savior's Lutheran School,  63 Mountain View Ave, Albany, NY 12205 on October 18. Show hours - 10:00 - 4:00.

Until Next Time...

Diane

Helping Others

Last night the news reported about a program in Schenectady where several agencies are working together to provide food for children for their weekend meals. They mentioned that children receive free lunch in school during the week, but go hungry on the weekends because of a lack of food in the home. They also highlighted the harm that poor nutrition can do to a child's body. 

My first thought was how sad it is that the parents of these children cannot provide lunches for their children on the weekends. How frustrating that must be for them, knowing that their children are hungry, and they can't do anything about it at that moment. Then my thoughts turned to personal responsibility and the entitlement mentality. 

I admire what these agencies are trying to accomplish and understand that someone has to step up. If they don't then these children will suffer. I do, however, think the program could be improved. Why not insist that those benefiting from this program help out? Obviously, these bags are going to have to be filled every week so why not schedule a number of parents each week to assist in filling the bags? This would cut down on the number of agency employees needed each week, thus freeing them up for other tasks, and would give the parents a sense of ownership, pride in a job well done, and maybe develop some work skills. 

We all know that handing people everything breeds an entitlement attitude and a sense of helplessness. These parents may feel like they can't do anything to feed their children because they are so used to others doing it for them. Getting involved in the process could benefit them and our society in many ways.

I realize that I am making a lot of generalizations and that there are many hardworking parents out there who need this assistance in order to make ends meet. I am not talking about them. I am talking about those able bodied adults who sit home and wait for the government to take care of them; those who are so used to having everyone else do things for them that they don't know how to help themselves. This could be one step in the process to them learning how to help themselves. 

Just my thoughts on this issue. What do you think?

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We had a great time this past weekend at the Eagle Mills Craft Show. We had very friendly neighbors and met a lot of nice people. 

To our left was Hummingbird Haven Herbs, owned by Kate and David Michalski. It is an American made small business that seems to have developed the right formula in their herb blends as well as in the way they operate their business. Kate engages every person who walks past their booth, offering them samples of their blends. She is friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to spend the time to answer any questions you may have. 

Naturally, we purchased some of their blends - Ristorante Roma, Onion Chipotle Dip, Taste of Tuscany. I used 2 tablespoons of the Onion Chipotle in 20 oz of ground turkey the other day and shaped the turkey into hamburgers. It was delicious! Just the right amount of flavor with a little bit of a kick! I also used some of the Taste of Tuscany as a rub on pork chops. Again, very good! I can't wait for an occasion to make some of the dips!

Kate and David are at many shows in the Capital District area of New York State, but if you don't see them at a show you can order their herb blends at www.humingbirdhavenherbs.com. You won't be disappointed!

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Select 18" and 22" rope necklaces have been reduced 50% and are selling very quickly at shows! If you want one I suggest you don't hesitate to place an order. Special orders will be at full price. Click on the links below each picture or go to www.cruisincreations.etsy.com to place your order.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/104069094/sale-50-off-brown-knitted-beaded-rope?ref=shop_home_active_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123632666/wow-50-off-sale-rust-orange-beaded?ref=shop_home_active_6

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123633821/wow-50-off-sale-purple-knitted-rope?ref=shop_home_active_8

https://www.etsy.com/listing/104065417/wow-50-off-sale-beaded-yellow-knitted?ref=shop_home_active_11

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The weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend so why not take a drive down scenic Route 20 to Sharon Springs, NY for their 2014 Fall Festival? Cruisin' Creations will be in the Etsy Marketplace. Stop by, say Hello, and pick up something special for yourself or someone else. 

Until Next Time...

Diane

Keeping The Faith And The Shaker Heritage Society Craft Fair

This past weekend my husband and I had the pleasure of participating in the annual September craft fair at the Shaker Heritage Society site in Albany, NY. I say we had the pleasure, but if you had asked me on Saturday afternoon, I would have told you that there wasn't much pleasure in that day. 

We have a way of setting ourselves up for disappointment at times. In August I had two very successful showings at craft fairs and thought my business had finally turned a corner. The Mabee Farm craft fair caused me to start questioning my August success and Saturday at Shaker had me second guessing my craft altogether. 

The day was very humid so the few people who did attend were not in the mood to even think about, let alone buy, knitted scarves and necklaces, no matter how light and airy they might be. So, when the wind kicked up around 3:00 knocking my display pieces over, again I decided that it was time to pack up and call it a day.

A restless night, many prayers at mass Sunday morning, and a change in the weather brought people who were ready to buy, and buy they did! 

My point in telling you all of this is to reflect on how quickly we can lose sight of our goals and convictions when things don't go our way. I believe in my designs. They are well made and different. They are comfortable to wear, and add that extra pizzazz to your favorite outfits. 

Instead of remembering my beliefs I let the public's lack of interest on Saturday sway my convictions. I took their discomfort personally thinking it a rejection of my product when, in reality, they were just trying to endure the oppressive heat and humidity. I didn't look at the bigger picture. Very dangerous because it caused me to lose sight of my beliefs. I believe that this is human nature. Time away can rejuvenate us, and bring us back into focus, or...cause us to realize that the public may be right. Well...time away and an increase in sales. ;)

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Cruisin' Creations likes to give back to the community. When someone buys a pink, blue, red, orange or purple item we donate 10% of the purchase to a charitable organization. Who do we support?

Pink - American Cancer Society

Blue - Arthritis Foundation

Red - American Heart Association

Orange - Regional Food Bank

Purple - Alzheimer's Association

The pot of cash we will be donating at the end of December is growing rapidly! Won't you help support one of these organizations, and purchase an item from Cruisin' Creations today?

www.cruisincreations.etsy.com

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Select 18" & 22" necklaces are 50% off! They were selling off the rack yesterday and when they are gone, they are gone! I will not be carrying them as a regular item again. So order yours today!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121221738/wow-50-off-black-beaded-knitted-rope?ref=shop_home_active_18

https://www.etsy.com/listing/108011281/50-off-sale-turquoise-beaded-knitted?ref=shop_home_active_13

You can view all of the necklaces on sale at www.cruisincreations.etsy.com. Click on Sale Items.

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This weekend we will be at Eagle Mills, 383 County Road 138, Broadalbin, NY. Just a short drive from the Capital Region it's always a good time with over 100 very talented crafters as well as apples and cider donuts to buy! 

Show hours:

Saturday - 9- 5

Sunday - 10 - 4

This is a great time to pick up your fall decorations or get a jump on your holiday shopping! We will be in space 141 in the middle tent. Stop buy and say hello! 

Until Next Time...

Diane

Warren's Inn, Schroon Lake, NY

This past weekend we had the pleasure of staying at The Warren's Inn in beautiful Schroon Lake, NY. This bed and breakfast is located at 18 Leland Ave, a prime location. Just one block from Main Street (US Route 9) and 1 block from the lake, you can park your car and not have to use it again until you are ready to go home. Everything you need is within walking distance.

The rooms are cozy, clean, and neat, and owners Maureen and Ray are friendly and accommodating! The wrap around porch is so inviting and a perfect place to relax, read a book, or enjoy a beautiful evening with friends.

Schroon Lake is a beautiful scenic lake and the town is very quaint...a visit back to a simpler time. It's worth the trip for a peaceful relaxing vacation or a weekend getaway. Why not plan a fall foliage trip to the Adirondacks and stay at The Warren's Inn? We noticed the leaves are already starting to turn their glorious fall colors. It won't be long now!!!

To learn more about The Warren's Inn and to reserve your room go to http://www.warrensinnsl.com/

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September's birthstone, blue sapphire, is stunning on the crisp white yarn in this birthstone necklace and bracelet. Each is made with Swarovsi crystals and a fine nylon yarn. Gorgeous for a September birthday, bride, or bridesmaid! Click on the links below each picture to order yours today!

Add cahttps://www.etsy.com/listing/173955406/18-birthstone-necklaces-made-with?ref=shop_home_active_10ption

Add chttps://www.etsy.com/listing/194695617/knitted-beaded-swarovski-crystal?ref=shop_home_active_10aption

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We are looking forward to seeing all of you at the Shaker Heritage Society's Craft Fair this weekend. Stop by on Saturday, September 6 or Sunday, September 7 from 10:00 - 4:00 to say, "Hello!" and get a jump on your holiday shopping. Or, why not pick up something special for yourself like the birthstone pieces above?

Until Next Time...

Diane