BOUTIQUE @ the busy bee

Happy 2019! I started off the year by sending two of my kids back to college!  I love having them home for the holidays, but it does not bode well with my work motivation.  I would rather spend time with them than say make another rice bag or pillow.  December at the store was crazy busy and I totally forgot to post anything, oops.  My own Christmas shopping didn't even start until two days prior to the big day.  That has never happened before nor will it ever happen again!  And now here we are almost a month into the new year and I am just now posting. I will do better in 2019, or at least that is what I am telling myself.   Still new to this work, life, home balance and it shows, sorry!  Lots of new and exciting things are happening for the store this year!  My first sewing class was last Saturday and it went well!  I was so nervous, but it was fun passing along my knowledge of how to turn a t-shirt into home decor.  The ...

Holiday Week Hours at the Store: Tuesday November 20, 10am-5pm Wednesday November 21, 10am-3pm Saturday November 24, 10-4pm Come see what all the buzz is about on Small Business Saturday! Serving hot apple cider and 10% off one item in the store! Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

I have not posted for nearly a year, oops... There have been a few BIG changes around here: 1.  Our new family member...she is cute and furry!  Her name is Monica and is a tri-color Corgi.  She will be a year old next month.  I had totally forgot the needs and demands of a puppy.  She was so sassy, but has calmed down a lot these past few months. Her Favorite Sleeping Spot! 2.  Keeping up with four kids does not get easier with age, mine or theirs!  Our oldest son is a senior at Ft. Hays State, our only daughter is a junior at Kansas State, our middle son is now a senior in high school and has decided to run cross country at the collegiate level, and our youngest son is a junior in high school.  Needless to say, it's been busy trying to keep up with all of them going in several different directions. 3.  I closed the booth at the Paramount Marketplace in Wichita at the end of June.  Several factors played into the decision....

I am struggling with finding balance with work, kids, the house, and my mental state.  After having a garage sale I have greatly reduced the amount of clutter, but still have two rooms in a state of chaos. I spent a week cleaning and organizing my office in search of a quilt pattern, which I just ended up ordering another.  I moved the chaos from the dining room to my oldest son's bedroom only to move it again last weekend to the office and dining room once again to allow a place for my Dad to sleep over the Christmas holiday.  The last four months of re-organizing and purging has helped in finding some balance.  Although that all came to a screeching halt as the last four weeks I have spent my weeks in Texas and my weekends home.  I feel as if I am starting all over again in addition to now being behind in quilt orders.  Life happens, people need us, kids have schedules to maintain, and I am always putting myself last.  In 2018 I hope to make more...

Display Cabinet I have had a love affair with Pyrex most of my life.  I have kept many pieces and sold many pieces.   Right now vintage Pyrex is all the rage, with a certain magazine article encouraging people to sell at outrageous prices.  I do not believe in gouging others.  My goal is to make a profit, not a "killing".  I want to move inventory not collect dust in my booth or my family room for that matter. Americana Mixing Bowls SOLD My best find was at a garage sale last summer, two Americana mixing bowls.  I searched for months to complete the set.  I ended up purchasing the 401 on Ebay.  I heavily debated keeping these little gems, but ultimately sold them for a nice profit. The only pieces I have kept are for my daughter's collection of Spring Blossom also known as Crazy Daisy.  Right now we are in search of glass tumblers, 403 mixing bowl, and Big Bertha.   She is in college and has her collection stashed in ou...

My first rice bag was at the request of my father.  I had purchased one for my daughter on Etsy and while visiting he asked if I could make him one.   Large Rice Bag Of course it started a ripple effect...I now offer rice bags in small, medium, and large in a variety of prints and fabrics.  Each one is filled with long grain rice infused with lavender essential oil.  They can either be heated in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or placed in a sealed plastic bag to chill in the freezer.   Small Rice Bag, $6.00 These are a few of the prints available at Paramount Marketplace.  As always custom orders are welcome.

Vintage Christmas  When I was younger I didn't really understand the "Christmas in July" sales concept.  I thought people were crazy to be buying Christmas items in the sweltering days of summer.  Plus then you had to store your items for 4 more months before displaying it.  Now it seems as if Christmas items are placed on store shelves starting in July.  And not just for the month, but for 6 months out of the year.  Don't mistake this as I am not a fan of Christmas decor, but it has become a little too much for me. Wood Light Bulbs, Set of 4 $20.00 My favorite season is fall.  I love the cooler weather, the leaves changing color, the smell of wood fires, and most of all warm sweaters!  This season just seems to be overlooked now by the Christmas displays.