What I learned on my winter break

  So- it was good to have closed for the winter when I did because it was an extremely cold December here in Ouaquaqa . I set about my Christmas decorating, cookie making and movie watching hunkered down by the fire.
   I had been itching since last Christmas to learn how to do punch needle. This is an old world tradition craft that you have to be out of your mind to do. It's so time consuming it took me 15 hours to do a 2.5 x 3.5" project, but yes that's me. I also treated myself to a weaving loom and learned the weaving basics. Again- more complicated and time consuming than I ever thought possible. I thought I'd show a couple pictures of what I made.
Punch needle looks like a pen with a needle on the end of it that you thread with 3 strands of embroidery floss- you then poke it through the fabric ( which is in an embroidery hoop) and make a design. You work from the back and your design comes out on the front and it looks like a tiny rug.

2.5"x3.5"- Sorry this is a little blurry.

about 4" round- can you see the little bumps? It's like a tiny rug.

The abstract flowers on left is my 1st attempt to learn how- peace- my 2nd- little snowy house my 3rd and welcome is in progress.

The back.

Kind a cool - huh! I have no idea what to do with these silly things- but it's one more for the bucket list.

This is called a rigid heddle weaving loom. This can weave a piece of fabric to about 31"wide and mmm 6-8' long.

I made scarves.

The green one was my practice piece- I learned how to control the Heddle to get a pretty good weave- it's only about 45" long. The purple is about 80" and I learned how to make plaid. My husband got a striped one and my brother got a pretty brown one for Christmas. I then proceeded to make several disaster pieces which go in the rag bag.Hopefully by next fall I'll have mastered this and have some great scarves for sale in the shop.

Which brings me to my next subject- Buttercup will be making some changes this spring. I'll be focusing my efforts on ladies accessories. After taking inventory I have come to the realization that what I sold most was jewelry and scarves. As much as I like to make the baby things, wreaths and soaps- the truth is they just didn't sell well. So... there will be a bigger variety of handbags, scarves and jewelry.
I'm planning an April 1st opening shindig. Details to be announced but I can tell you there's going to be door prizes, food and fun! I know you're all waiting with bated breath- but don't buy your spring/ summer handbag till you've seen Buttercup's new selections.
Till next time... Over and Out

It's way too cold!

I guess it's time to say goodbye to Buttercup for the season. 

It's way too cold out there. My plans to stay open till the 18th of Dec. are no more. Even with the heat on the thermometer reads 40 degrees in the shop. I'm a trooper but that's too much for me. So if anyone needs anything-you know where to find me.
To sum up my first 6 months of business- WOW!  I'm not complaining. I more than tripled my projections and so I'd like to thank my customers and now good friends for all their support.
A few things stand out in my mind when I reflect on the last 6 months-
Lets see- My opening day- very encouraging

My new friend Sue

We got a new roof- no more leaks
Labor Day weekend- a surprising success and to think I wasn't going to open that weekend
oh yeah remember the nudist? That was really a riot.
"Girls Night Out" shopping party

My new friend Linda

The 1st. expensive necklace I sold
Windsor Holiday Shoppes
Thanksgiving weekend. Huge!
It's been a fantastic experience and I've got a lot to be grateful for.
I opened Buttercup by the seat of my pants and thanks to all of you- now I can afford to buy another pair since I spilled a gallon of yellow paint and sat in it!
(another crazy story)
I'm looking forward to my Spring Opening Show with lot's of exciting plans for the future.
My newest endeavor: weaving. I bought a loom and made my first piece of fabric today. I can't wait to explore this wonderful new world . So here I go on another adventure.

I wish everyone a happy holiday  and the best of health in the year to come.

Till the daffodils bloom.

Buttercup

Buttercup's doorbusters

Another Thanksgiving, another turkey dinner- but the 1st Buttercup holiday season. I will be open Friday and Saturday with hopes someone will not be at the mall charging in for the door-busters.
I have lots of new jewelry debuting on Friday with my own door-busters of $10 and $18- necklaces! Girls and guys- this is a no brainer. These are a really great value. Of course for those of you who want to spend more money we have beautiful crystal, semi precious stones like garnets, citrine, amethyst, turquoise, jasper, agate, pearls with sterling silver.
Although Buttercup is becoming known for it's great jewelry and accessories, I also have gifts for the home, babies and tons of stocking stuffers.
A few suggestions:

hand blended potpourri- "A whisper of flowers"

woodsy lavender like- "Shadows of the night"

fresh and bright citrus-"Sun kissed"  all available in 2 sizes $5 and $10

tea bath- pop a tea bag or 2 in the tub and steep- 5 bags for $3-

sachets in toile fabric in 2 fragrances "A whisper of flowers" and "lavender"

"lavender" I also make matching soaps, gels and mists. Think gift basket!

My personal favorite- An outhouse style birdhouse. I put potpourri in them for the bath. $18.00

Yes! These are pens with vases $15-

hand painted glass ornaments $4-

ornaments from $2.50- $5-

more ornaments

ornaments

Ponderosa Pine pinecones with crystal ice 4-6" in size $4-

dried flower tabletop trees $10-

glittery wreath $20-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

baby bears $10-

booties $18- doll $20-, fabric wreaths $25-

A best seller- baby hats $18- available by special order also.

There's so much more- go to the archives and check out some of the other merchandise  available.
Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and see you at Buttercup.

Breaking News!

Fresh batteries= clearer pictures. As promised I took some more pictures- some to replace the blurries.

BREAKING NEWS-

 Ouaquaga, NY  Nov.11, 2010: Yesterday Buttercup Boutique sold the most expensive necklace in the shop! A beautiful multi colored pearl and crystal cluster necklace with earrings. This is the biggest sale in the shop to date.
Owner and creator debbi grogan tells the story:
"A neighbor called me yesterday and said some friends were coming to visit and would I mind opening the shop for them to take a look. I said "sure but I'm working on my blog, so I'll run out turn on the heat and lights... so blow the horn when you come in the driveway."  I thought "oh they'll probably never buy anything."
Well, 4 lovely ladies get out of their car and follow me into the shop. They looked and looked. I demonstrated the shrugs and the capes, the swirl scarves and no go. One lady was looking at the jewelry and told me she also made jewelry. So I thought to myself - "what the heck- she's not going to buy anything." As they were getting ready to leave, the jewelry maker lady exclaimed "Well of course I like the most expensive thing in the shop."
I replied,   "What's that?"
She said "that pearl necklace" - pointing to the white one. So I said  "try it on for fun."
I took it off the display neck and put it on her. It came alive- it glowed as soon as it touched her skin. Then she said - "what about that other one?" Pointing to the multi-colored piece. I quickly replaced the white necklace with the multi-colored one and all the ladies just raved. "That's beautiful!"   "Look at that." "WOW, what  an unusual piece."
I'm thinking this is all just for fun, one jewelry maker to another--and then she said "okay I'll take this one." We then matched up a pair of earrings. She turned to her girlfriend and said -"This is all your fault!"
I said "...but aren't you happy?"
She said "VERY!"
The End

Here it is. SOLD!

This is a similar piece in mauvey- pinky -lavendery color pearls and crystal

 $250.00

This is a personal favorite. Simple 3 strand amber pearls with Swarovski crystals. $95.00

I know this one is kind of weird but it looks gorgeous on. Hand cut amethysts and citrines with a big fat polished amethyst in the center $95.00- sorry about the background noise here.

This is a replacement picture from yesterdays blurries $25.00 I know the picture  is not much better than yesterday's

left- 3 strand necklace in Czech crystal and large center polished amethyst $95.00/ earrings $10.00 center-5 strand crocheted sterling silver wire with peacock pearls and Swarovski crystal necklace $175.00 -earrings $15.00 /right- 3 strand purple Czech crystal necklace $60.00 -earrings $10.00 / 2 bracelets in center $5.00 each / crystal bracelets left $10.00

Quartz- crystal-turquoise-jasper-glass and fossil stones $75.00- I think these crystal bracelets grow legs and scoot into all the pictures.

hand felted wool hand bag  needle felted applique (these are not by me- I'm the worst felter in the world) $65.00

2 hand felted bags 1 in rust and 1 in black $45.00

A better picture of the black one

hand felted bag $48.00

hand felted bag $48.00

Ladies - these hand felted bags are a steal at these prices. The workmanship is exquisite! Fully lined with interior pocket.They are a fair trade item from Nepal and I'm telling you they are really special. e-mail me for dimensions.
inquiries buttrcupboutique@aol.com
Miles to go before I sleep. Much more to come. Hope you can stand it.
Peace on earth and all good will to man.

Ready for the holiday

The Windsor Holiday Shops was a great success for Buttercup. Over 100 people drifted in and out on Saturday most of which made a purchase! Thanks everybody for such a grand stand. I was wiped out of so many items. I am working feverishly to replenish the shop for this weekend.
Hot items were velvet, woven and swirl crocheted scarves. Jewelry- lots of necklaces and earrings. Cinnamon brooms of all sizes and potpourri.
So now that the Christmas season is upon us I'm posting a few pictures of what's for sale. Any inquiries can be made through my e-mail buttrcupboutique@aol.com
My batteries died during this shoot so many of the pictures turned out blurry- charging batteries- new pics tomorrow.

Welcome to Buttercup's 1st Christmas

rag fabric wreath $ 25.00/ cloche hat $30.00/ red swirl crocheted scarf $30.00 /red crystal and sterling necklace $25.00 / red crystal cluster earrings $10.00/ red crystal stretch bracelet $10.00 / dried flower tabletop tree $10.00

Chinese Jade necklace $45.00 / jade chip earrings $10.00 (sorry about the dust)

B.B. stunning as always and still lovin her purple. She is accessorized in a brown and lilac felted wool hat $35.00/  crocheted sterling silver necklace with purple pearls and Swarovski crystals  $75.00 (earrings included)/ velvet ball fringe scarf $18.00 / that crystal bracelet again this time in pinky taupe $10.00 and oh yeah the outfit is mine.

Here is a closer look at the necklace and earrings B.B. is wearing only this one is in indigo with blue AB crystal $75.00 set- also available in champagne ( blurry photo)see it next time

black crocheted silk wrap $75.00/ Sterling sliver 3 strand crocheted necklace with 13mm white pearls and Swarovski crystals - matching earrings included $125.00/ black or red faux alligator evening bags $25.00 ea. and for me the show stopper is the fabulous 2 tone red cluster necklace with over 450 pieces of Czech crystal matching earrings included $250.00/ white dried flower tabletop tree $10.00/ hanging from the top of the window is a beautiful black AB crystal single strand necklace $18.00

any necklace here $25.00 each / matching bracelets $10.00

hand cut amethyst necklace with purple and gold Czech crystal accents $25.00 ( blurry pic- new one tomorrow)

multi colored jewel tone crystal necklace $25.00 with that $10.00 bracelet again- bracelet also comes in emerald green/ black evening bag with clear rhinestone accents $25.00/ another cluster necklace with 450 white pearls and crystals $250.00 matching earrings included/ behind the necklace is one of the bamboo capelets in light creamy white. 

dried flower tabletop trees 12" tall $10.00 each

all ornaments on the tree are for sale and handmade by me! Yeah I'm crazy! I'll get some better pictures- the birds are $5.00 each and all the others are $2.50 each. There is an assortment of felt/ lucite/ dried flowers/ beads and little snowballs that sparkle.

Ponderosa pine cones with ice $4.00

Okay so that's it for today. Hope I do better with my pictures. Shooting jewelry is really hard- the sparkle doesn't  come through. You need special lights, backdrops and a better photographer etc. I promise I'll do my best and as always... thanks to my followers, friends, customers and fellow bloggers who have helped  show me the way in this virtual world. And a special thanks to Susie for all her help with Girls night out and to Linda for her constant support  without them I would be lost in the land of cows and corn!
Till tomorrow then...