Update

I am terrible! I fully welcome a slap on the wrist for going this long without writing. I got slammed with black Friday so writing a blog became the very last thing on my mind. Orders have sinced slowed so I have a bit more time now between creating new items and sending them out to the lovely group of photographers I have met along the way.

It's a new year, and I'm trying to take it by the horns, literally( I'm an Aries... Get it?), anyhow... I've set some resolutions for myself that I hope I will be able to stick to:

1: start making more of our food from scratch. My reasons being that I do love to cook and I believe I should start making more time for it. Another main reason is thati hate how much crap is in the fast foods and other things we eat these days. It's just terrible! So when my husband goes back to work we are going to start on that one.

2: stop the frivolous spending! We've learned to "rely" so much on things that help make our lives easier.... But when it comes right down to it I'd rather be able to put that money away and start saving up for a down payment on our first home, condo, whatever.

3: I'd like to travel to at least one far away place this year. My husband has never been out of the country and we've never had a honeymoon so it's on the list.

4: very important, I'd love to work with more charities and no more donations. I got to talk with some great people this holiday season. I was able to help provide gifts for a single mom of four kids, I helped a family earn $10,000 to help pay off their medical bills, I donated to an incredible women and childrens hospital. It would be a pleasure to help do some good again this year.

2010 was a great year, just because 2011 has gotten off to a rough start doesn't mean its not going places. I like to think we'll go to great places because we were able to pick ourselves up from a rough beginning.

Happy new years everyone!

Christina Easterling
Briar Rose

Falling in love with Fall

I am happy to say that for Florida the last couple of days have been a very nice temperature. It has been so nice to keep the windows open during that day.

Business is still slow and I am starting to feel it. How do other small business owners just starting out keep trudging through the slow sales? What do you do to pick yourself back up when you start to feel the slump?

No pouting here! I have a pot of stew calling my name and I hope to finish a couple more things tonight before my husband gets home from his new job.

Happy Autumn Everyone!

Update

I have been meaning to write an update but have been dealing with some severe wisdom tooth discomfort. It's finally getting better but is still keeping me down.

Since it's the start of a new month I went ahead and wrote up a list of the incoming and outgoing of my business for September... I made $20 in profit. So this month I am making some adjustments. I'm not letting it get me down! I love what I do and I want to continue to keep doing it!!!

How is everyone else doing? Anything exciting going on? Anything new and scary? Anything?

Christina,
Briar Rose

Reminder about our giveaway!!

I wanted to remind everyone about the giveaway on our Facebook business page. You have until Friday to "like" the page and be entered into our contest to win either a pink or blue baby blanket, 50% off one item or 25% off one item in my Etsy store.

1st place : Pink or Blue 5 sided baby blanket, your choice of either color
2nd place : 50% one item in my Etsy store
10 Winners : 25% one item in my Etsy store

There is also a sale for every 3 knitted washcloths you purchase you get one free.

Be sure to take advantage of both great offers before the time is up on Friday at 11:59 pm.

Thanks and Happy Autumn everyone!
FaceBook - Briar Rose Crafts & Things
Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/BriarRoseCraftyThing

RIP Sassafrass Tea

My husband and I traveled out of town this weekend to visit my parents and little brother(who turned 16 on Thursday) We arrived as usual and I always eagerly await the rush and pounce of my beautiful golden retriever that we have had since I was a freshman in HS, roughly 8 years ago.

She didn't come... I waited to ask, afraid of the answer but knowing all the time. The last time I was there a few weeks before she had felt sad and tired so I tried to give her extra love and play with her. But she was still down and out.

Until recently my parents didn't have a good relationship, they didnt have much of one. So Sassy was my dads company, she kept him company. Due to recent events my parents are happier together than I can remember. I guess Sassy realized everyone was ok and that it was time to move on. She passed Saturday September 18th, I found out this Friday.

She was and will always be my baby girl. I will see her again. This will help me strive to keep my other baby alive and flourishing in her honor. My business is now my full time baby.

Sassafrass will be in my heart always, I love you baby girl.

(I was going to attach a picture but sadly blogger is taking forever, sorry everyone!)

Our first ever giveaway!!!

Give away for a Five Sided baby blanket – pink or blue your choice!!-

Until Friday October 1^{st at 11:59 pm} all you have to do is like the Briar Rose Crafts & things page on Facebook and leave a comment there!! Super easy!!  Winners will be randomly chosen and contacted October 2^nd.

1 person will win an item featured in my store

1 person will receive 50% one item

10 people will receive 25% one item.

 http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Altamonte-Springs-FL/Briar-Rose-Crafts-Things/148508685187800

Prepping for the Holiday Scene

Since this is going to be my first holiday season in the craft business I am going to try and get ahead of the game on my Christmas caps. I also found some adorable candy corn buttons at the craft store yesterday I am going to use for a couple pairs of Mary Jane slippers. Here's what I've been working on...

Newborn - 3 Month Pixie Sotcking Cap. I can also custom make them in other sizes!!

Those adorable buttons at work!

I am also doing some experiments in different mediums. I got the inspiration from someone to crochet out of plarn (recycled grocery bags). So far I have made a soap dish that is currently in our kitchen. I have started on a market bag I think is going to be awesome but sadly I ran out of bags :-( Hoping to have enough to finish it soon!!

If anyone has any requests or suggestions of items I should feature in my Etsy please don't be afraid of letting me know! I am still new it this and I want to have items people want and need. I'd love to hear from you.

Have a great rest of the week!!