BOUTIQUE @ the busy bee

This is the first full year I have ran this business on my own, it hasn't been without it's challenges.  With that said, I am extremely grateful to those who have supported and encouraged me.  The business has grown and I think I have grown with it.  The past year without my biggest fan has been rough, but I know how proud my Mom would have been.  As my good friend told me a year ago my pain would "ease" with time, she was right.  I have learned how to move on without forgetting what is important and to be grateful in the moment. So thank you again for all the support and kindness shown to me this year. Merry Christmas. 

My latest craft show was the best in sales yet.  I attribute that to several things:  location, location, location!  Being in a larger city helped with a steady flow of traffic through my booth.  Also having a double booth allowed people to view my products without them being crowded on two tables.  I also was able to use this fabulous shelf Hubby built from the left over pieces of the shelving I used for the fabric wall.   New Shelf I have to admit I didn't have much time to restock between shows, therefore I wasn't too optimistic about this show.  It started slow, but in the end I did very well!  Including selling these adorable bunk beds to a very sweet lady. SOLD I am looking forward the next and final show for the season.  It will be in an even bigger city and is a larger show with 101 booths!  I have less than two weeks to restock, but it will have to wait as I plan to spend time with my family this holiday week! ...

Do you ever have the feeling that something was meant to be yours all along?  This lovely piece was something I never knew I wanted... Metal Barrister Bookcase I found it on a local yardsale site while patiently waiting for the latest craft show to end.  To say the show was slow was an understatement, but I still did well. The piece comes apart in six sections which was fantastic since my Jeep is out of commission it was able to fit in my son's car.  Yes someone spray painted it, but I still love the design.  Maybe one day I will have the time to strip it and bring it back to its original glory.  For now it is solving all my storage problems, no more rolling carts! The office is still missing my new desk.  As I type this post, my computer is on a 4 foot folding table.  Not ideal, but works for now.  The Steelcase Desk is in the garage, partially stripped.  It has turned out to be much more involved than I ever thought, but will...

I have been working on several new pillows for the upcoming craft fair this Saturday, 16 total.  I love making these as they are one of a kind.  All are $28.00 each and only available at craft shows.   SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

So proud of the Kansas City Royals and my daughter's volleyball team who placed 3rd in this weekend's State Volleyball tournament! Got to hold the trophy! To say this weekend was stressful doesn't even come close to describing the emotional roller coaster.  The Clearwater Indians went 3-0 on Friday making them the #1 seed for Saturday's bracket play.  After a heartbreaking loss to Concordia, the team rallied back to win against Santa Fe Trail to take home the 3rd place trophy.  It was a bittersweet moment for my daughter, a senior.  Her high school volleyball career is now over.  As a parent it is hard to watch your daughter realize that she is growing up.  I couldn't be more proud of her and love her more than words can ever express! 2015 4A-II 3rd Place State Championship Team

Tomorrow is the big day, we are headed to STATE!  I spent all day yesterday making these lovely towels for the parents to cheer our girls on to victory! Rally Towels After having several issues with the Cricut Design Space on my computer, I downloaded the app on my Ipad.  My Cricut Explore had come with the Bluetooth adapter, but I didn't ever think I would need it.  Thank goodness I had it yesterday.  The app worked like a charm and I will never go back to the computer version! P.S. The Royals are up two games in the World Series!  TAKE THE CROWN!

Kansas City Royals are the American League Champions! Friday was a long night...rain delay and finishing up a few last minute items for craft show number two.  Saturday was a huge success with the craft show and my daughter's high school volleyball team won Sub-State! Today I have already rearranged inventory and am making a list of what I need for craft show number 3 in two weeks.  But since I have neglected my house for the past week I won't be working on any of that until tomorrow! Happy Sunday!

The Kansas City Royals are up 2 games in their bid for the American League Championship for the second year in a row!   Support the boys in blue with these items available in the Etsy shop today, click on any photograph to purchase! SOLD SOLD SOLD

Remember this photo from a few days ago? My Dream Table and Chairs Well I found them, the chairs.  They are not exactly the same, but they are Thonet Sweetheart Chairs!!  I am in love!  Thanks to a lovely local shop owner and her connections, these babies are mine.  And to make this find even better, if possible...I bought six!  Two for the office and four more to put in the kitchen.  The chairs had seen better days, but with a light sanding and a coat of Hazelnut ReVAX from Shabby Paints they are fabulous!  I finished three today and hope to finish the other three tomorrow.   My Chair!

**GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED...Winner to be announced at noon CST, October 7th.** Candy Corn Garland Here's how to enter: 1. LIKE this picture on Instagram and/or my Facebook page 2. LIKE my Facebook page. 3. SHARE on Facebook. 4. COMMENT on the Facebook post. www.facebook.com/boutiqueatthebusybee Only one entry per person, must complete all four steps to enter. Winner will be drawn randomly on October 7th. Winner will have 3 days to respond or will redraw. **This giveaway is not sponsored by Instagram and/or Facebook . 

This week has been nothing but drama.  I realized with four teenage children there is bound to be drama, but something new everyday?  Really? Hence there are no photos to share of the office as I haven't been able to finish the new desk.   I did manage to find a table for the office, the top will be replaced with marble.  I also purchased a very nice piano bench in place of a chair for now, but really want those chairs! Amidst all the drama, custom orders keep coming.  I am so appreciative of all them, but need to realized there is only one of me.  There is no secret elf who comes in while I'm sleeping to finish all I couldn't that day.  If only...  I will be purchasing a large desktop calendar to help with planning and giving clients an accurate fabrication time.   A rush charge will be offered to those needing their order within 3-5 business days. Three custom orders finished, three more to go, and then onto craft show inventory. ...

As I have transitioned my business focus from vintage finds to handmade items and vintage linens now to strictly handmade items, it was time to de-clutter the office once again.  It had been 7 months since I revamped the office.  I now have two more sewing machines to account for and also need to downsize the number of rolling carts as the new desk moves inside this weekend.  I started with seven and now am down to only two.  Progress! This week I realized for me to be as productive as possible my space needs to be clean, de-cluttered, and everything needs to be accessible.   The backdrop for photos was revamped, but didn't last long. The corkboards wouldn't stick to the wall and the suitcase shelf wasn't able to support much of anything, sigh.  Now the plan is to purchase three more shelving units to accommodate additional fabric and supplies. I am also searching for two chairs and a small table for clients to be able to sit down while placing a custom...

The day after a craft show is usually just as busy as the day before:  unpacking, reorganizing inventory, and starting on custom orders taken at the show.  Not to mention the exhaustion that has set in after all the running around to prepare for one day, but it was worth it! Clearwater Fall Festival Craft Fair 2015 I was rather please how my display turned out, but this is only a fraction of the items that I will have available at the next show.  I will need to figure out a better way to display the throw pillows and tote bags.  Every show is trial and error, but I always walk away learning something and try to improve for the next one. I also had a blast with my new partner in crime for craft shows, she is a hoot!  It was a stress free day and the card reader worked like a charm.  So excited for the next one!  I have posted a list of upcoming shows on the right hand side of this post.  If you happen to be in the area for any of these, co...

September is upon us and that means time to gear up for craft shows.  I am not a huge fan of them, I have lined up these lovely shows this season: one this month, one in October, two in November, and one in December. Clearwater Fall Fest Craft Show September 19, 9am-5pm United Methodist Church Clearwater, KS New and Vintage Holiday Market October 24, 9am-3pm Wellington Memorial Auditorium Wellington, KS Clearwater Christmas Fair November 14, 9am-3pm Clearwater Middle School Clearwater, KS St. Mary's Fall Craft Fair November 21, 9am-3pm St. Mary's Parish School Derby, KS Robinson's Annual Christmas Craft Fair December 5, 9am-3pm Sunflower North Building, Kansas State Fairgrounds Hutchinson, KS I will only be taking collegiate and sports team items to the craft shows.  This will help with table set up and having only one focus.  The large tote is a new item for the craft shows only at this time. They are made with a recycled t-shirt.  Ea...

There have been a lot of changes going on in this household.  First my oldest son left for college last week and I am coping pretty well.  My other three children also start back to school and left me with the puppy.  Phoebe is our 5 month old Corgi.  She is adapting as well to be expected after being pampered by her Mommy (my 17 year old daughter) for a solid three months.  We have progressed from whining to pouting to now chewing on the carpet.  Good times. My new office buddy! I have dealt with the changes by purchasing two new-to-me sewing machines.  First is the FUNLOCK by Bernina.  I have always wanted a serger and now I get to figure out just how to use it.  Thankfully I also purchased a book, The ABC's of Serging. Bernina Funlock The second is a Bernette Deco 600 by Bernina. This is an embroidery machine.  I have been looking at embroidery machines for over two years now and I finally found one in my price range. ...

This has been a week of awesome finds!  From a brand new 1974 Sunbeam Mixmaster to a Steelcase Desk, I have been very lucky.  Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket? Here is a list of what my daughter and I found at a hoarder's garage sale for $35.00: 1.  NIB Sunbeam Mixmaster 2.  NIB Pyrex Baker in a Basket 3.  Vintage Large Ceramic Christmas Tree 4.  Vintage Fabric (6 yds. total) , (4) NIP Rick Rack, and (8) NIP Bias Tape 5.  Vintage Angel Blow Mold 6.  Winnie The Pooh Book 7.  (30) Vintage Quilt Blocks 8.  Oven Knob (for the play kitchen) 9.  (3) NIP vintage sheets 10. NIP 1975 NFL Pencils The Steelcase tanker desk is going to be my new office desk, it was a steal for $12.  Of course it needs a little TLC!  Someone had poorly painted this beauty and drilled holes in the top.  I am currently in the process of stripping the cream paint.  I am going down to bare metal and applying a clear coat.  A...

One thing I have learned over the years is these two things do not mix.  Every time I set a goal a kid then needs me for something. Monday's goal of putting fabric on bolts didn't get accomplished until Thursday.  Monday kids needed to me to be their taxi service, the dining room table needed emptying, and a few items needed to be hung on the wall before a kid destroyed them. Tuesday kids needed food, which meant a trip to the grocery store.  Wednesday, kid needed a ride to camp an hour and half away.  Leaving Thursday afternoon, the only time I would have this week to complete ONE goal.  I made a kid help me wrap fabric in exchange for her favorite cup of coffee on our way to buy more foam board. Now my office is sorta manageable.  I say this as I am in need of more storage.  I am opting out of my gigantic desk for a smaller metal desk with two drawers. Gigantic Desk I would love to find a metal credenza to replace the rolling carts.  ...

That seems to be the theme of my summer... I'm almost finished with one project when something comes up or another project presents itself. 1.  I have finished all the ironing of fabric, but need to cut bolts to put fabric on. 2.  I have all but two items, oven knob and wood rounds, to complete the play kitchen. 3.  I have purchased paint to repaint the butler's pantry. 4.  I have starting cleaning out the basement. I could go on and on but you get the idea.  This week I have made a plan and am going to stick with it! MONDAY'S GOAL:  Cutting bolts from foam board and clearing off the cutting table. The Pile of Fabric

I found these adirondack chairs on a local yard sale site for $15.00!  They were in rough shape and needed repainted, but for the price I didn't care!  I bought exterior primer and paint for $50.00 and got to work.  There are actually three chairs but I forgot to take a picture before I refinished the first one. Before After a lot of scraping and sanding, this is what they looked like.  They were originally stained red, painted coral, and then turquoise.  I don't think any of which were exterior grade.  Painting in this humid HOT summer proves to be quite fun!  The paint took forever to dry and I sweat more than I thought humanly possible.  Not quite happy with the color choice, Behr Adirondack Blue.  It has a purple hue to it, but I will live with it for now. After If it ever cools down these will be quite comfy to sit in around the fire pit! 

It feels good to accomplish something... American Flag Buntings On one of my many thrifting trips, I found the red and white stripe canvas fabric.  My daughter wanted to know as I was adding it to the pile, "What are you going to make with that?"  Of course my answer was "I don't know, but I love it!"  After a few months of sitting in the pile that needed bolts, yes I did say months, I finally realized it's destiny.  I love these little pennant flags, they were so fun to make! Two Sizes Available

The first batch of rice bags have been listed in the shop!  Collegiate and Sports Teams  Kids and Fun Prints

One down, three to go!  I love these shelves, hence I have 10 of them.  This is the first one I have stacked three high and it works!  The baskets are now all organized and the rice bags fit perfectly on the small shelf.  No more searching through drawers or going to the butler's pantry for baskets, YAY!

Lately the weather in Kansas has been crazy!  One day we have flooding rain and the next it is 100+ degrees.  Today we are under a heat advisory.  Which is just my luck as I actually have time to work outside! I have several projects in the works right now.  I know, I realize that I can't seem to finish anything before starting something else.  Project #1:  Adirondack Chairs I did manage to get one of the three chairs primed and painted.  I am a little disappointed in the color, Behr Adirondack Blue, but it will have to do as I purchased a gallon. It looks more like a greyish lavender than blue.  Live and learn.   Before Project #2:  Office Shelving The wood shelving has been sanded, legs painted, and put together.  I started applying paste wax to the raw pine boards last night.  I hope to finish today and install in the office tomorrow.   Before Project #3: Big Wood Box The lid has been fi...

It has been a very busy summer and in the midst of it all I decided I needed to figure out how to manage my work/family balance.  My office looks like a tornado hit it and I am rather tired of saying that.  I purchased three more of the wood shelves for storage of baskets and fabric.  The biggest decision I made was to narrow my focus.  I will no longer offer doll clothing or bedding.  I will add a few new items to my shop in the coming weeks such as rice bags, clothespin dress bags, and hot pads.  I will no longer be accepting custom orders as everything listed in the shop will be ready to ship.   I appreciate all who have supported and encouraged me in this adventure.  Thank you!

Where did May go?  I have been so busy with custom orders and kids activities I forgot to blog about anything!   My office looks like a tornado hit it as I try to prepare for my one and only show of the summer.  It's not technically a craft show, it's a fundraiser for our local high school band.  More vendors of products than handmade items which I am hoping is a good thing for me! Here is what I have been working on the past few days in preparation for Saturday! Rice Bags American Flag Buntings

The month of May has be crazy around here with custom orders, my oldest son graduating from high school, my middle son promoting to high school, golf for son #1 and track for son #2 and #3, plus my first Mother's day without my Mom. My son's graduation just happen to fall on Mother's day.  I made it through the day, but not without quite a few tears.  Mom would have been so happy for my son and I know how much she adored him.  Even as I write this I can't help but cry.  I wear a pair of her earrings every day and dropped one down the sink a few days ago which was immediately followed by a minor panic attack.  The earring was recovered from the drain and I realized just how much I am clinging on to anything of hers.  I'm sure that isn't very healthy, but we all grieve in our own ways. Some days are better than others, but each one seems to get a little more bearable. Today I am cleaning the office in preparation for a marathon of sewing.  My first c...

I love vintage Pyrex!  It has a quality that just isn't made today.  I came across this piece and it was love at first sight.  My daughter has decided to collect the Crazy Daisy pattern, therefore this dish is in need of a loving home.  SOLD. Pyrex Lasagna Dish 933, Butterfly Gold SOLD Perfect for summer picnics!

We have had rain off and on this month.  One day it's blistering hot and the next I am searching for my winter coat.  In the midst of this up and down weather, my perennials have emerged from the ground and have made me smile with their lovely blooms! Deep Purple Iris

I have an obsession with doll beds, cribs, and cradles.  Currently I have three cradles and two sets of bunk beds that need love.  I feel a duty to rescue these items.  They were handmade and given to a very special little girl.  And as much as we would all like to think that we would never let such a gift fall into such disrepair, it happens.  I spent the day working on a lovely set of bunk beds. First by wiping it down with a damp cloth, but soon realized that was not going to be enough. After a long hard scrubbing, I began to see the original finish.  Liquid sandpaper is my hero, just enough to clean off paint splatter.  The final step was to apply a clear wax.  The beds now shine and are ready for bedding, a project for tomorrow! SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

I love white china and ironstone dishes.  They just have an elegance about them.  Simple and no fuss. I have made a few of these lovely platters, bowls, and plates into tiered dessert stands.  The very first one I made was with candle sticks.  I was a little intimidated by drilling through these plates.  With Hubby's help, we did it!   Here are the results: Oval Tiered Dessert Stand Place Setting Tiered Dessert Stands, SOLD

Ever start a project with the best intentions, then get distracted by another project?  Or need to just walk away for a little while to figure out why it isn't quite what you had envisioned?  I have so many half finished projects for both reasons. Here is a list of my unfinished projects: 1. Two Wallets 2. Two Large Divided Baskets And lets not forget the accumulating pile of fabric that needs a home on my wall of fabric!  In the midst of my unfinished projects and trying to put fabric on bolts I had another idea.  See this is why I feel as if I never finish anything. American Flags Now of course I don't have any jute twine to finish the banner, garland, bunting...not sure what to call it exactly.  I do love how these turned out!  Just another project added to the list as I now have a large custom order to fill!

I've been a little busy going through my rolling carts.  I have listed several pillowcase fabrics and more fabric buttons.  Today I am working on listing pillowcases.  I have a love of embroidered pillowcases.  The time and detail that went into these vintage pillowcases is quite amazing.  I for one do not have the patience to sit and embroider for hours on end.  I hope all these find loving homes that will display the wonderful workmanship that went into making these lovely pieces. Vintage Pillowcases Poodles and Kittens