hello dearies!  well, i got a little camera-happy yesterday with all the gorgeous fall colors around me, so i though i would share with you!  some are from my yard, and some are from my grandmomma’s yard.

these are from my front porch. i love the all the different shades of pumpkins- the gray ones are probably my favorite.  i think i’m going to have go get some more colors for a wider assortment- i love pumpkins.

i was surprised to see a butterfly out yesterday! so glad i did though, and so glad it hung around long enough for a photoshoot..

potato time!  i dug potatoes yesterday and was so happy to find so many.  we’ll have plenty of sweet potatoes for the winter- yum yum!

this is my favorite (and very simple) sweet potato recipe, and is great for those skinny, long ones.  slice them about 1/4″ thick and toss them w/ olive oil, salt & pepper (a little rosemary is delicious too).  bake them in a single layer at 400° for 30-40 minutes.   i’ve also done them before with nothing but sugar and cinnamon and they turn out completely different and just as tasty!

this is the green patch full of wintry goodness!  spinach, mustard greens, kale and chard make for a delicious mix.  i harvested all of this yesterday and now have *so much to freeze, but, we’ll have dark greens for the winter which i’m so excited about!

hope you all have a great weekend! what are you doing this early fall?  xoxo, bonnie

wrap up: {butterlfy} {fall} {gladening} {poatoes} {pumpkins} {recipe} {sweet} {wintry greens}

1 :: lolita lovita 2 :: flutterby baby 3 :: farewell 4 :: precious things 5 :: gisele 6 :: floating

bec winnel creates these unique and sensual portraits by blending layer upon layer of colour pencil, graphite and pastel.  i love them because not only are the stunningly beautiful,  but all seem to have a story to tell as well.

elsewhere :: {shop} {blog} {site}

feeling homey today.  i love everything that home stands for. to me home means good smells, family time, snuggly things, good books…  i also love spread the love for sharing this print!

elsewhere :: {shop blog} {blog}

tiny (tī′nē): adjective – very small; diminutive

ba·zaar (bə zär′): noun
1. a market or street of shops and stalls, esp. in middle eastern countries
2. a shop for selling various kinds of goods

left to right 1 :: baubles 2 :: jar full of goodies 3 :: treasure jars

tiny bazaar, owned by the fabulously creative danielle, is full of treasures and goodies.  danielle dabbles in photography, hand embroidery, sewing, crochet, paper crafts and home decor- and what she shares with us in her shop is nothing short of magnificent.  she offers prints, downloadable pdfs, mailer stamps & scrapbooking goodies just to name a few.  so creative, whimsical.. perfect!

clockwise 1 :: ice cream addressee stamp 2 :: fragile stamp 3-4 :: do not bend stamps

remember our talk about packaging yesterday? well, tiny bazaar makes stand-out, oh-so-cute packaging easy.  check out these stamps to doll up your mailers with, so perfectly lovely aren’t they?

photos inside labels

this (14 page) vintage camera downloadable pdf allows your to print an endless amount of your own labels!  with so many different messages available, it’s not only perfect for the photo mailer but for anyone who would like their packages handled with a little extra love.

elsewhere :: {blog} {family blog} {flickr}

wrap up: {do not bend} {downloadable} {mailer} {packaging} {pdf} {printable} {prints} {stamps} {tiny bazarr} {vintage camera}

let’s face it. though emails and e-cards are great, there’s nothing like getting a personal letter or package in the mail.  more and more cyber mail means snail mail is that much more special, right?  as an esty seller, it’s really important to dress to impress! fun, lovely or unique packages will not only be exciting to open, but will stick in the memories of all of your buyers.

pretty as a package

getting unique packages is like getting little christmas presents, everyone has fun feasting their eyes on pretty little packages made just for them!  this is your time to shine, stand out from the big box stores, and let everyone know that buying handmade has serious perks.

here are some things to think about.  try to dress up your package.  stickers, stamps, colorful tape, stitches or even markers will let your buyer know that you put extra thought into their purchase.  also, giving a few freebies, little as they may be are always a crowd pleaser- and are very memorable.

photo credit :: danielle

consider including a discount card or two with their purchase as well, and never forget your business card.  i try to always give at least two discount cards, in hopes that they will use one for themselves and give one away to a friend.  little perks and pretty packages really do make a difference and drastically increase your chances of gaining returning customers and new customers by positive word of mouth.

here is how i do my packages for home to roost.  i have fun dolling up the outside and include a little envelope with a few freebies, my business card, a personal thank you note and their discount cards.  want to know the most beneficial discovery i’ve made? instead of buying envelopes, i head to the dreaded big box store and buy a few rolls of that recycled brown packaging paper.  one roll is about 40″ wide and 15 feet long, and it only costs $1.59!!  i cut and make all my packages from it by sewing up the sides. you could even use all those brown paper sacks from the grocery store you have (i know you try to remember your reusable ones..)!  it’s easy, quick, inexpensive and ads that extra touch of handmade goodness!

do your homework :: {pretty as a package} {free usps info} {packaging ideas} {packaging & selling}

wrap up: {etsy shop help}

hi lovelies!  i’m bringing you a new post today that will hopefully be a recurring wednesday theme.  there are so many amazing, weirdly wonderful handmade things out there- i think they’re worthy to share with you! weirdly wonderful wednesdays will be a time for those artists who just ‘go there’ to get a little mention.  a little weird, a lot of wonderful!

patricia buzo, is the artists behind these wonderful terrariums and is ‘owned’ by her perfect little feathered baby nani – a black headed caique parrot.  after departing from her mural painting business, she bought a terrarium, started making them, and never looked back.   doodle bird designs was inspired entirely by nani who has brought with her the gifts of song, love, and laughter brightening every day. she has been an inspiration for patricia to keep on doing what she loves: creating things that will bring a little joy to someone else.

i love the world she is able to create right in front of your eyes.  such serene and beautiful places, don’t you think?

and yes, here is patricia’s little helper- nani the parrot (i couldn’t resist) hard at work.  nani even has her own blog!

{shop} {nani’s blog}

see you later today with a little esty savoir faire!

i am loving these fine art prints from myan photography- so whimsical and day-dreamy!

i would follow you anywhere

a new day

venice beach

love is so short, forgetting is so long

the science of sleep

myan artist elsewhere :: {shop} {blog} {flickr} {website}

1 :: squirrel print

2 :: pokara shirt

3 :: autumn leaves cascade necklace

4 :: mango tango

5 :: solitude

6 :: home in the woods

7 :: golden matuka lino print

8 :: my favorite things no. 2

9 :: forever print

10 :: pumpkin legwarmer spats with buttons

11 :: dream wooden sign

12 :: russel wright coffee cups