I Closed My eBay Store...

Can you believe it? After 5 years of selling on eBay, I closed my store. It wasn't a difficult decision. I wanted a change and was simply soooo burned out on eBay and being chained to the computer all day that I got a "real" job. No more working in jammies and sipping coffee at my leisure... I got a job at a craft store called Ben Franklin. After two weeks of working there, the owner announced he was closing the store. It was fun while it lasted. Although there are always people that you work with who are intimidated, jealous or simply haters, it was nice to be out talking to the customers and assisting them in what they were looking for or needed at the moment.

The Passing of a Friend...

A few months ago, she complained about her back hurting... then with a hug, she received a couple of broken ribs. From there, the pain overtook her and she found out there was a mass when she was xrayed for her ribs.

Nancy sold on eBay and was known as PrimsandFancy. I haven't blogged for awhile and am checking my links to the right today and found hers there. I don't have the heart to remove it. It was the link to her eBay store.

About a year ago when the economy starting going downhill, she started closing some of her retail space and asked if I would like to help her sell some of her items. She would ship number 7 boxes filled to the top with her made in China wholesale items. She was a PowerSeller on eBay and strove for perfection everyday, every moment. She emailed me at least 5 times per day, giving me information on my listings, advice, and informing me of our competition and what was selling. She knew the business inside out...

A month before she passed, her emails diminished to one every three days or so. She told me she loved me in every single one of them, something she had never done in all the years of our friendship. The pain was so intense, that she could not sit at the computer for any length of time. She gathered some items together and sent me one last box. The hardest thing after she passed was looking at the items that were next to me on the floor, waiting to be listed. I eventually gathered up the strength deep within me to pick her things up and place them in the family room, with unsold items that she refused to "give away", and had been listed since the beginning of time it seemed...

Now, I am boxing up the items and dropping them off at the local Goodwill shop. Some things I am throwing into the trash next to me, as I sort through each prim and decide if it is worthy of keeping... deciding if Nancy's items would be someone else's treasures.

I am unlisting many items on eBay and will be relisting my quilt items again soon. The items that are not handmade by me, are most likely Nancy's goods. Remember... we are not promised tomorrow. RIP Nancy. I love you, too.

eBay Store and Sale

As most of you know, I have been selling on eBay for approximately 5 years. They have recently changed many things, including how little store exposure we receive. I spent much of the day unlisting items and reducing many that I feel are worthy of listing. I will be making more handmade items when the girls start school and listing pumpkins before that time... If you are looking for Americana signs or other decor, primitive items, fabric strips, eBay templates, dolls, handmade bowl fillers, Christmas decor, please stop in my store and purchase while it is available. The wholesale items and signs listed that are not handmade by me will not be relisted. Once the merchandise is gone, that will be it. Thank you so much for checking out my eBay store and I hope to hear from you there :)

Great Deals ~ Get Them While They Last!

Now is the time to shop! If you have any extra money to spare, now is a great time to shop for bargains. I went to Ben Franklin yesterday and found this gorgeous snowman on a sled and purchased him for 14.00. I'll either keep him for our own decor for Christmas or give him as a gift this Christmas. I am currently having a 20% off sale in my eBay store, clearing the way for my new primitive handmades and shuffling my stock. If you sell on eBay, a website, or a shop, you will find great bargains in my store now through the next few days. Be sure to browse craft stores in your area as well to find great deals on leftover Christmas and Valentine items. Happy shopping!

Primitive Cutter Quilt Eggs

More Easter primitive handmade Easter eggs. I love these! I accented them with sweet Annie, rusty pins and bells... just in time for Easter! I have these listed in my eBay store and soon to be Etsy and my website at www.country-road-primitives.com Thank you for stopping by! xox

Shamrocks... March is Approaching Quickly ~

Cute primitive shamrocks are available now in my eBay store... eventually they will be on Etsy and my website at www.country-road-primitives.com. Are you ready for March? I can't wait to see the daffodils blooming :) They are popping up now...

Primitive Handmade Easter Eggs

I love making these... they are made from vintage cutter quilts. I added some cheese cloth and rusty pin and bells to each of them. The stained hang tag is hand stamped. My friend Deanna gave me a set of letter stamps and I LOVE THEM! I use them for almost all of my tags. I have a couple of heart stamps and star stamps, but the letter stamps are by far, my favorite. Deanna, thank you again for your thoughtfulness :) You can find these eggs in my eBay store and eventually on Etsy, and on my website at www.country-road-primitives.com. Thank you so much for stopping by! I have been so busy spring cleaning and crafting that I have not had much time to blog... Stay warm and be happy!

Pretty Hearts For Throughout the Year

I love hearts! I made alot of them for Valetine's Day and am still working on some that I didn't have time to finish. Gingham is so pretty and this material is perfect for hearts and bowl fillers. I love the touch of cheesecloth and sweet annie on these... so prim! These can be found on my website at www.country-road-primitives.com, in my Etsy shop and my eBay store at some point this afternoon :) Thanks for popping in and I hope you have a touch of spring in your life today!

More Primitive Tulips

Busy bees! My girls and I spend alot of time now in the dining room crafting... We made more tulips and I need to get them listed on Etsy and in my eBay store, but for now, they are available on my website at www.country-road-primitives.com. Thank you so much for stopping by ~ will chat more later! xox

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Happy Valentine's Day!! Hubby got me this cute little guy that's ears pop up throughout the song "Shout" :) I also received these

He bought each of the girls their own gifts as well... Valentine's Day is a fun holiday for us... It isn't that expensive and we get nice, fun, thoughtful gifts.

I still have heart bowl fillers left in my eBay store, website at www.country-road-primitives.com and in my Etsy shop.

I hope you all had a special day :) Thank you for popping in... xox

www.country-road-primitives.com

I have been working on my website and wanted to let you know that most of the merchandise can be found on my website that is in my eBay store, with the exception of auction templates. I have included shipping in the prices in my store and the prices are less than what I offer them on eBay, as I can do this by subtracting the eBay fees. I'll be transferring more merchandise as time allows, so if you see something that you would like and need an accessory, let me know and I will skip to it and put it in my store. I have handmade primitives, Americana items, and quilts and quilt accessories.

Valentine Heart Bowl Fillers

We've been crafting most of the day today and finished up several sets of these to list on eBay and of course, if I have time, Etsy. These heart bowl fillers turned out so cute! I love plaid and gingham ANYTHING. Thank you for stopping by my blog and if you get a chance, please visit my eBay store to see all that we have to offer.

Quilted Throws to Cuddle Under These Cold Winter Months

This GORGEOUS Tea Cabin throw amongst other beautiful primitive throws and Americana throws are available now in my eBay store. Don't you love to throw a nice quilt over your legs while curled up on the couch or your favorite chair reading a great book or watching your favorite tv show? Winter is definitely upon us and I hope you give yourself a treat and purchase a nice warm throw for yourself :)

Valentine Heart Bowl Fillers

I look forward to each upcoming holiday to make different things and offer a variety to my customers. I am working on more hearts and an arrow like the ones to the right of my blog and I made these purple calico hearts with a little material that I had left and they turned out very pretty. I normally make more primitive, stained muslin type of bowl fillers, however, I also like to make shabby items too, especially during the Valentine's Day selling season.

I really love these... They are made with pink material with tiny white dots and I have handstitched vintage quilt hearts onto them with floss. I have not stained them because I really love the colors as they are and am hoping others will like them as well.

I have both sets of these listed on eBay. One set of purple hearts has a bid on them, but I have two other sets in my store. Of course, I will be moving one set to auction when the one on auction ends in a couple of hours. Click on the right side of my blog to shop in my eBay store or in my Etsy store. My purple hearts are listed on Etsy as well and I will be listing a pink set on there, time permitting.

Enjoy and be blessed ~

Winter Blues?

I have read articles that discuss many people getting the "winter blues", especially during the holiday season. It certainly is understandable, isn't it? There is always the pressure of getting the decorations out, shopping and hoping to please everyone and paying bills while trying to provide gifts for loved ones, illness... and the many, many people who have lost loved ones and go through the holidays without them...

I think we are simply too busy to have time to get the winter blues. There is always something going on and much to do around here. We enjoy movies and play Texas Holdem, Apples to Apples and have fun planning our summer camping trips. Family time and memories are always a joy to make.

Sometimes though, when the clouds are looming and the trees are bare and everyday life is heavy on your shoulders, it is hard to keep your chin up and a smile on your face. When you start to feel down, maybe you can look at summer pictures to cheer you up. Bundling up and taking a walk is always nice, too! I love the vacation feature on my eBay store and it frees up time for me to be with my family.

If you think you are experiencing the winter blues, which include not feeling like doing everyday things, not cleaning, spending too much time sleeping, having very little desire to leave the house or maybe even have crying spells or very sad times, you may need to take a visit to your doctor. Take care of yourself and recognize the signs of "winter blues"...

My Pretty Doll

My pretty doll sold. I am so tickled and flattered that someone found her in my store and purchased her. I removed her out of my Etsy shoppe. I will miss seeing her. I had her sitting on top of a large fruit basket in the living room. I won't be making another one anytime soon. I put my eBay store on vacation for the next couple of days. I need to get some things in order here and help Santa get ready for Christmas :)

Primitive Star Bowl Fillers Ornies

These are so nice, prim and priced to sell! Please visit my eBay store for lots of gorgeous primitives at a great price.

Folk Art Dolls

I am listing these folk art dolls on eBay tonight. It is so hard for me to find time to craft, and I love making these dolls. A friend of mine gave me this pattern months ago. I made several of them with different fabrics.

They are stained muslin and their candle bags are stained muslin as well. Most of the dolls have red candles. These candles are wonderful and made of high quality bees wax. They are from beenblossoms. Her eBay store is listed in my favorite links on the right side of my blog.

Thank you for taking a peek and please be sure to visit my eBay store :)

Folk Art Dolls With Candle Bags

Remember this? It is my folk art doll that I started making this past summer... I made six bodies on our way to Ocean City, Maryland this past summer. I am trying to finish them up this weekend to list on Sunday evening... I have their candle bags finished and 3 have clothes on :) They still need "hair"... I will list them on auction on eBay and then in my eBay store if they don't sell on auction.

CANVAS GRANDMA AND GRANDPA FLAG

This is a really cute canvas flag that would be a great Christmas gift for grandparents. It is the only one left and is available in my eBay store. You can click on the link on the right and see all of the wonderful primitive items that are available.