Wish I Could Paint Like This!

Have you ever seen someone do a craft and wish you could do the same, but just know that you don't have the coordination, eye for color, steady hand, talent...to do that same craft no matter how much you practice?

I have always admired those who can paint; however, no one will ever mistake me for a painter. I do not have that artistic talent nor a steady hand so when I met Kathy, a very talented artist in the space next to mine at the St. John the Evangelist Church Craft Fair, I was thrilled! I so admire her work!

Kathy, of Driftwood Santas by Kathy G, paints Santa's face on driftwood she has collected from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Each piece of driftwood, as well as each face, is unique because Kathy uses the shape and size of the driftwood to determine the way she will paint Santa's face. These pieces come in all shapes and sizes, are very reasonably priced, and a must have addition to your Christmas decor!

You can contact Kathy at jkjm@aol.com to learn more about her craft and purchase one of her very creative pieces. Don't wait! Email her right away! You wouldn't want to miss out on one of these special Santas!

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Saturday, November 30, 2013, Cruisin' Creations will be at the 9th Annual Mohonasen Orchestra Craft and Vendor Fair! This fair will be held at Draper Middle School, 2072 Curry Road, Schenectady, NY 12303. Crafters and vendors will be in the gym and cafeteria. You can find Cruisin' Creations in the cafeteria, space C22.

Sapphire Bicone Crystals

If you are looking for something shiny and sparkly to wear during the holidays and don't want to break the bank then stop by and purchase one of the exclusive sets that I have been featuring at craft shows this fall. Prices for a necklace and bracelet set range from $25.00 - 30.00. There are only a couple left so stop by early so you don't miss out!

Fire Polished Czech Crystals

No Shortage of Talent!

As I read about others who share a love of creating I am always amazed by their enthusiasm, drive, creativity, and endless energy as they strive to build their businesses. In this blog I will share with you three Etsy shops with owners who are full of endless energy and very creative.

Kelley Karel of Cakky Stuff is a writer, performer, designer, and business owner! I'm exhausted just typing all of that! She finds time in her day to accomplish all of those plus correspond and help her Etsy friends. Her creations are one of a kind so you won't see them anywhere else but on yourself or in your home. www.cakkystuff.etsy.com carries a line of jewelry, ornaments, magnets, vases, and photography.

Hu Xiao Ying works with her mother and sister as clothing designers for their business Happy Family Judy. They bring their clothing factory experience of more than 30 years to their women's fashions business www.happyfamilyjudy.etsy.com. All of their items are made to order of quality fabric and yarn and are in the latest styles!

Stav Hoffman of StavHoffmanJewelry designs wire jewelry using a variety of techniques including knitting and crocheting wire and combining it with jewels. The items look so fine and delicate! You can check out her beautiful and unusual one of a kind designs at stavhoffmanjewelry.etsy.com.

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We are off to St. John the Evangelist Church Craft Fair, 816 Union St., Schenectady, NY this Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10:00 am - 5:30 pm. There will be a variety of crafters and vendors at this show so come early for the best selection! 

Once you have finished your shopping you can find a spot on State St. to watch the Schenectady Christmas Parade. Our own resident Santa will be the guest of honor on the last float! The parade runs from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Profiling Etsy's Women In Business Team Leaders

Recently I joined the Women In Business Team on Etsy.com. This team is so active and devoted to promoting women owned businesses and helping all of us succeed in our crafts! The Women In Business Team would not be as strong as it is without the leadership of the women who have stepped up to help the rest of us build our businesses.

Today, I would like to profile some of the leaders of the Women In Business Team.

Iris, a grandmother of eight, is the captain of the team. It is obvious that she is a woman of many talents as she sells a wide variety of items from baked goods to clothing, decorations and art! Her items are fun to look at and surely fun to use and wear. You can see all of Iris' offerings by visiting her Etsy Shop - http://www.etsy.com/playfulwearsetc

Samantha is one of the leaders of the team. She began sewing at the age of 8 and over time has grown from using others' patterns to creating her own. Samantha is involved in two causes close to her heart - Equal Rights and Women With Disabilities. Her shop is still under construction, however, keep checking for it. She will be selling bouquets and boutonnieres. Her shop address is www.fleurdeleecoeur.etsy.com

Pippit, aka Giftbearer another leader of the team, has been in business for 28 years making and selling jewelry. She currently sells contemporary tribal jewelry, scarves, hats, and hair clips. Her collection changes with each medium she works with and it's not unusual for her to be juggling 5-6 new projects at any one time. You can see Pippit's creations at www.giftbearer.etsy.com

Strong leaders are necessary for any organization to grow and achieve success. I thank these women for helping all of us grow our businesses and achieve the success we desire and deserve!

To Our Veterans and More

On this Veteran's Day I would like to thank all those brave men and women who have given of their time, energy, and in many cases their lives to protect the freedoms that we enjoy in this country! Their families deserve thanks as well for going without so that we can be free! God Bless America!

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We spent Saturday at the Polish Community Center and had some time to visit with our neighbor crafters and get to hear their stories. I was so fortunate to, again, be near some very talented and friendly people.

The view of Myrna Jane's beautiful photos was great to have all day. She does nice work so if you're looking for photo note cards as well as framed photos check out https://www.facebook.com/pages/Photos-by-Myrna-Jane/156008461163811

Across from us was Tina's Wingin It wing sauce. She was handing out samples of fried chicken with the sauce on it. Delicious!!! And far too tempting. I'm so proud of myself because I didn't eat her samples all day! You can get Tina's delicious wing sauce at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tinas-Wingin-It/511953532228231

Are your Christmas centerpieces and outdoor decorations looking a little shabby and in need of replacement? Jim Billa makes beautiful and reasonable ones to replace what you have or to add something new to your collection. You can contact him at https://www.facebook.com/jimmy.billa?fref=browse_search

Next to us was Deborah Parker who got started because she didn't care for the baby items she found in the stores. She makes beautiful baby quilts, figurines, and specialty baskets. You can contact her for more information at parkerdeborah03@yahoo.com.

And did you know there's a new children's book called The Adventures of Meatball the Rat? It is available on Amazon.com and The Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany. You can also check out Meatball's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Meatball-the-Rat/179122678803991

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my husband, Mike, who unselfishly gives up his weekends to help me at the craft shows. Between planning, set up, selling, and breaking down he is there to assist, never complaining. I couldn't do it as easily without him! And wouldn't want to either! We get to spend so much "quality time" together. Thanks, Mike!

We are taking the weekend off to get caught up on some things but will be at St. John the Evangelist Church, 816 Union Street, Schenectady on November 23, 2013 from 10:00 am - 5:30 pm. The Schenectady Christmas Parade is also going on that evening so stop by early, do your shopping, and get a good parking space then watch the parade which starts at 5:00. Our own special Santa will be in the parade!

Can't make it to St. John's on Saturday? Cruisin' Creations items can also be purchased at the Shaker Heritage Society Christmas Craft Fair until December 14. Or you can shop on my webpage cruisincreations.etsy.com.

A Very Moving Experience

I decided to switch my focus this week from featuring fellow artisans to discuss an experience my husband and I had over this past weekend.

On Sunday my husband and I attended a service at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Rotterdam, NY for deceased members of the parish. After mass the name of each member who had died in the past year was called, and a representative for the member walked to the front of the church, lit a candle, and received a red rose in his/her honor.

It was an extremely emotional event; there were few dry eyes in the church. When my father’s name was called my husband and I walked to the front. I lit the candle not only for my father but for my father in law who also died this past year. As I received the rose, the person handing it to me squeezed my hand in a gesture of support. That gesture spoke volumes to me.

The rest of the day I felt drained, and remarked to my husband that I felt like I had buried my father all over again. I wondered if this service had done me some good or if it had just reopened wounds that were trying to heal.

I can assure you, now, that the service did me a lot of good! I woke Monday morning clear headed and ready to let him go, to remember the good times, the kindness and gentleness of this wonderful man, and forget the sorrow his death has caused. Yes, I still miss my father terribly, but I know that he is reunited with my mother and that he is no longer suffering. He lived 91 years! What more could we ask for?

As the holidays near I know his seat will remain glaringly empty, as my mother's seat has all these years, no matter who sits there, for no one person can replace this wonderful courageous man whom I am honored to call my father.

May you rest in peace, Mom and Dad. Love and miss you both…Diane

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If you ever have an opportunity to attend a service like this, I recommend that you do so. By attending you are honoring the deceased and helping yourself cope with the loss.

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My father was very supportive of Cruisin' Creations so he would be happy to know that I will be selling my creations at the Polish Community Center this Saturday, November 9, 2013. The Polish Community Center is located at 225 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY. The show runs from 10:00 - 3:00. Hope to see you there!

Can't make the show? You can still shop at www.cruisincreations.etsy.com!