Christmas is in the Air!

Christmas is a little over a week away! We don't have all our Christmas shopping done yet, plus we have loads of orders to fill up! FA LA LA LA LA! I wish I could say that we are all in the Holiday Spirit around the farm...but there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to get all the things done! :)  We will pull it out as we always manage to do! Happy Holidays everyone!

Jess & Jeff

Nutshell Farms

Done & DONE!

Hello there! The 1st Annual Autumn Harvest Extravaganza was a smashing success! Thanks again to everyone who participated in this event! We still have the listings of everyone who won the prizes, and we are busy packaging up the items we gave away...along with the sales from the shops. If you didn't win this time around...have no fear, there are more give-away coming up in November...and we are hoping to do a large give-away early December. Nothing as big as this one, but hopefully some fun Christmas gifts! :) 

Thanks again to everyone! More posts coming this week...once we catch our breath!

Our newest items!

We wanted to share a few of our newest items in both our shops.

First we have a smattering of some of our Halloween inspired mini cards from

Hidden Gate Designs

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Next we have a few of our newest cowls @ Nutshell Farms

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We have also added some more jams/jellies/butters to our Pantry section @ Nutshell Farms. We have more flavors coming soon! We also will be having flavors of the month, and gift sets for the holidays.

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Don't forget about our Autumn Harvest Extravaganza coming up on Oct. 10th-17th. We will be listing all the great give-away items by the end of this week...don't forget to sign up for your favorites! Loads of ways to enter to win. Plus sales at some wonderful shops on Etsy, and great tutorials coming your way!

Working through some details...

Just got done munchin down some broiled Parmesan-crusted Perch & some steamed broccoli...yummy! We even rode our bikes out to the park to watch the end of Zach's soccer game, and I got to play with lil Max for a while! :) Love that kid!

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Anywho...a quick update on the Autumn Harvest Extravaganza...things are going great! :) I have heard back from many people...and it looks like this is going to be a really great week long give-away! I am so excited, I was about jumping up & down while reading the convos back!

So, I am trying to get things organized & I will be chatting back to all those great Etsyian participants that are so graciously donating some swag to give-away! I am going to get some stuff knocked out on paper of how things will go, and then I will send out a mass convo with a blog posting about this in's & out's of the week long events. I am still looking for some kick-ass tutorials to share with everyone...have a couple in the works as I type.

I am also looking in to how to set up the give-away items. I could do this several ways:

1.) Do separate blog posts everyday on that give-away item...then you will be able to choose which item you would like to be entered to win (no limit on items to enter to win of course)

2.) Blog the give-away items...and randomly select people to win an item...which would give the winners no choice on the items they would win.

I am leaning toward Option #1...

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I will be in touch with all the sellers that are participating in the next couple days to share the lineup of that week! :)

Well...another night shift quickly approaches...time to don the scrubs of my boring "day job" life.

Happy Harvest,
Jess Potts

Nutshell Farms
Hidden Gate Designs

Autumn Harvest Extravaganza...

So we had a brilliant idea the other day...what is new right?? :)

Our favorite season is autumn; with all the cooler weather that Ohio has FINALLY had lately, it has really thrust us into autumn harvest mode! Halloween (favorite holiday hands down!) is just around the corner in October, cool & crisp air is circulating about, and our pear tree has already dumped two huge loads of the most delicious pears we have had in 6 years!

So...onto this brilliant idea then...

We want to host a week of fantastic giveaways, new rollouts of holiday season items, great sales, maybe even some tutorials....all autumn harvest inspired! The events will start on October 10th and run until October 17th. There will be a giveaway everyday (possibley more - depending on how many store participants we get) starting October 11th, with a Grand Prize Giveaway on October 17th. All items will be handmade, and I will be posting photos of the prizes as the date gets closer.

And...We will be entering our own items as giveaways as well...not just other shops! :)

Advertising for this event will be done (mercilessly) on Facebook, Twitter, Etsy Forums/Chats, as well as here. We are giddy just thinking about all the fun that can be had! :)

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How can you enter to win?

* Followers of our blog will automatically be entered to win the giveaways

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How can you participate in this event?

* We have opened up a thread on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6629870

* Convo us through nutshellfarms.etsy.com to set up the giveaway items you would like to send

* Comment here & we will figure things out :)

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We would like other shops to participate in this event by:

* Send us some Autumn Harvest inspired tutorials that we can share with our crafty viewers

* Send us some giveaways for the week (we are adding our own items for free as well into the giveaway)

* Have some sales or promos that week that are going on in your shop? Let us know & we will share the details here!

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We would really like to get the ball rolling on this...a little of that OCD thing kicking in now. :) Anyone interested feel free to contact us at our Etsy shop nutshellfarms.etsy.com, e-mail us at nutshellfarms@live.com, come chat in the thread above, or post a comment on here...we would LOVE to hear from you all! (Even if it is to tell us how excited you are about the event!)

Happy Harvest,

Jess
Nutshell Farms
Hidden Gate Designs

Vacation fast approaching!

Hello hello...another week is fast approaching...which means there are only 5 days left until vacation! Me & the Mister will be heading 7 hours north to the lake house for 5 days of alone-style bliss! We haven't taken a vacation since we flew the plane down to Key West last summer. Well, enough rambling...

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These are a few of my favorite items that I have been dreaming about for my trip to the lake!

Cottage Carries has some amazing clutches and bags...and I personally own one of her fabulous coin purses! Here is mine...but there are plenty to choose from in the shop!



Order your own special treat @ http://CottageCarries.etsy.com

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You will find wonderful handmade accessories from Judy @ The Toastory!

The Floral Bracelet Belt is a fantastic edition to any outfit...casual enough for a day trip to the local winery, but dressy enough for dinner out.



You can find this listing here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/49525441/moonlight-floral-bracelet-belt

More great items: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Toastory?ref=seller_info

What are the inspirations for your designs? My inspiration came from everywhere of my life, such as visual objects, garment components. I love deconstructed pieces, and apply to accessories, then try to make them wearable.

With all my creations, I started with hand-stitching when I was little. I remember the first bag I made is a small little jeans handbag with a little patchwork. Soon thereafter, I have learned the most practical skills I ever felt, which was sewing.

How did you stumble upon Etsy? Before I started toastory from etsy, I was thinking about flea market, or some market fair. However, I pick etsy at last because I think it is efficient for my business, and easily to meet my target audience.


-Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/toastory

-Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/toastory/

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I love a good coffee shop...and bakery. There is an amazing coffee shop, with some of the best bread & baked goods I have ever tasted up near our lake house. These goodies from greinerj23 remind me of some of the warm goodness from the lake.



Lemon Polka Dot Cakes can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/49094757/one-dozen-lemon-polka-dot-cakes-gluten

Find more fresh baked goodies here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/greinerj23?ref=seller_info

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One of the best things about the lake...it is super laid back! These pants are great for bummin' around town, or conquering the Sleeping Bear Dunes...and the best thing is...Conscious Clothing is from Michigan (where our lake house is)!



Listing for Hemp Linen Drawstring Pants: http://www.etsy.com/listing/53242585/hemp-linen-drawstring-pants

More great items from Conscious Clothing: http://www.etsy.com/shop/consciousclothing?ref=seller_info

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So...I must admit that Conscious Clothing is one of my favorite clothing shops on Etsy... :)

Here is another great item from their shop! This great Hello Summer dress, is perfect for tooling around town, or even as a beach coverup.



Hello Summer Dress Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/45241262/hello-summer-dress-soy-and-organic

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So there you have it! These have been some of my "wish I didn't have to live withouts" for my vacation at the beach! Thanks for all the wonderful selections on Etsy!

Cheers,
Jess

Nutshell Farms
Hidden Gate Designs

Baby Boomers!

It's been another busy week here at the farm...and with harvest season quickly approaching...the pressure is on to complete the ever-growing to-do list.

Even though we don't have any little ones at home, I still LOVE looking at all the wonderful baby inspired items on Etsy.com! Here are a few of my favorites & the sellers are sharing a little bit about themselves also.

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Halloween is just around the corner...and what better way to celebrate than an adorable dress for your little one? This little dress is ready to wear, and at $20 is a real steal!



What are the inspirations for your designs?
You'll notice a lot of little girls' things in my shop, but I have no daughters (and hence no models!). I am mommy to one very energetic little boy, but I'm also an aunt to 5 little girls. My inspiration comes mainly from them and the daydream of a baby girl that I may have one day. She'll be very well dressed!

How did you stumble upon Etsy?
I'm not sure I remember how I originally found Etsy, it may have been when I was planning my wedding, but I've only just started selling on Etsy. I've been sewing for about 10 years when I can- I teach 5th grade full time, so sewing is reserved for weekends and vacations while my son naps. I've found sewing to be a form of therapy... when I stitch I can just zone out everything else. I made a few dresses for friends, which led to a small craft fair, from there I joined forces with other local crafters to do bigger craft shows, host in home trunk shows and now sell on Etsy.

What is your favorite handmade item you have ever received/bought?
My mom has been a long time collector of handmade artist teddy bears and I've always taken an interest in these works of art, going with her to shows, meeting artists, attending workshops, etc. As her taste in teddy bears has matured, mine has as well (and become a little too expensive!). For my son's first birthday, my mom worked with my favorite artist for a design your own teddy bear in which she chose the fur, eyes, clothes, everything. She presented him to me with a note from the artist declaring the bear's name to be Wyatt, he was named after my son.

Pictured Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/52515811/vintage-inspired-halloween-pillowcase
See more great items from this seller @ http://megmcd423.etsy.com

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Chunky Chooky must have a fantastic imagination! The items in this shop are extremely imaginative & full of fantasy! Just what little ones need in toys. Wabbit Joe would make a great friend for life for any little one toddling around.



Pictured Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/25742449/wabbit-joe
See more great items from this seller @ http://chunkychooky.etsy.com

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Petra of Mami Made It has a great eye for design! Her items have a very vintage romantic feeling to it. Her bunnies remind me of items my grandmother used to make. Any mother-to-be would be lucky to receive a bunny for her little bun in the oven!



What are the inspirations for your designs?
I see things in shops or in the net which are nice and lovely but wouldn’t it be better to change this and make it upside down and the inside out. I always want to improve things. After some time of drawing patterns and making notes, I ask myself if I would want to have such an item and if yes i try to make it.

How did you stumble upon Etsy?
A friend of mine makes jewelries and asked for my help to open a shop at etsy because she is not so good with computers. That’s the first time I heard about this platform.

What is your favorite handmade item you have ever received/bought?
I remember my mom made a nightgown for me which looks like a princess dress. I got it at christmas when I was 10 or 11 years old and I wore it for 2 weeks till school began after the holidays.

Pictured Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/34125372/pinky-bunny-with-bow-bag-and-heart-pink
See more items from this seller @ http://MamiMadeIt.etsy.com

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Little Toad has some amazing talent for design! Planning a baby shower or are you in need of some great baby announcements? Little Toad also does Save the Dates, Wedding & Engagement cards, birthday...and everything in between.



Seymour the Stork Shower Invites are only $40 for a pack of 20!

What are the inspirations for your designs?
Most of my designs come from friends and family. They tell me what they want cards for and can't find in the stores.Plus they are the best focus group you could ask for if they like it it sells, if they don't they'll tell you:)

How did you stumble upon Etsy?
My friend (who runs the great shop uglyclothes) found it first and was selling a few months before I joined in!

What is your favorite handmade item you have ever received/bought?
Oh don't make me choose:) I love all things handmade especially when it's a freind that makes it. But if I choose my favorite Etsy item I have bought it would be the yeti's from this shop they look over me while I create!http://www.etsy.com/transaction/28077643

Pictured Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/48306031/special-delivery-baby-shower-invites-set
Find more great items by this seller @ http://littletoad.etsy.com

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Little Sapling Toys are not only wonderful (a lost art of woodwork toys!), but eco conscious as well! They plant a tree for every toy sold. It was hard to choose my favorite toy from their store to put in this feature! So here goes...The Off Roading Toy set really grabbed my attention! At $30 for a set of 2 trucks & 3 boulders...this is the DEAL OF THE DAY!



What are the inspirations for your designs?
The inspirations for our designs come from the natural beauty of the wood itself and watching our own children develop.

How did you stumble upon Etsy?
I stumbled upon Etsy while searching online for handmade Christmas gift ideas. I found my first craft blog which linked to this inspiring craft community and Etsy. It was an overwhelming discovery of possibility.

What is your favorite handmade item you have ever received/bought?
I love to trade with other artisans on Etsy, so I love all the items I have received from that.

Pictured Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/52485758/organic-off-roading-toy-two-trucks-and
See more great items from this seller @ http://littlesaplingtoys.etsy.com

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At Blue Elephant Stitches, you can find items in any price range that will fit perfectly in your little bundle of joy's nursery!

This baby quilt is by far my favorite! And at $110, you won't find anything in stores like this gem!



What are the inspirations for your designs?
I'm often inspired by the bright happy colors of the fabric and try to find simple yet effective designs. Flickr and many quilting blogs are a great source of inspiration as well.

How did you stumble upon Etsy?
I stumbled upon Etsy through a link from another blog. It's been a few years so I don't know where it was. I shopped on Etsy for a long time before I began to entertain the idea of starting my own shop. Once I realized how easy and risk-free it was, I decided to jump in and haven't looked back since.

What is your favorite handmade item you have ever received/bought?
Hmmm... I haven't received or bought that many handmade items since I make lots of things myself. One that comes to mind right now would be the quilt that my mom made for my first child.

Pictured Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/49065108/handmade-modern-baby-quilt
See more great items from this seller @ http://blueelephantstitch.etsy.com

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Cold weather will soon be here...so why not dress your little ones head is something that will stop traffic?! This cupcake hat will not only keep your little ones noggin warm, but will definately attract a lot of "oohs & ahhs".



What are the inspirations for your designs?
I work with children and get a lot of my inspiration from them. Their role play, spontaneous interactions and imagination can be drawn on as inspiration.

How did you stumble upon Etsy?
I found etsy many years ago and became a buyer. I purchased a few supplies, but time did not allow for any more exploration, although I was very involved in crafts and craft sales. After having a car accident and being off work, I returned to Etsy as a seller. I still continue to do craft sales, festivals and fairs as well as Etsy.

What is your favorite handmade item you have ever received/bought?
My favorite/ most cherished handmade item is a unfinished afghan that my grandmother was working on and was unable to finish before she passed away.

Pictured listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/29830296/cupcake-hat-with-pink-icing
Find more great deals @ http://rockybird7.etsy.com

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There are so many great sellers on Etsy.com It is my pleasure to spread the love, especially when they are such great items! Thanks to everyone who was willing to participate in this blog feature!

Cheers,
Jess

Nutshell Farms
Hidden Gate Designs

A Wonderful Day!

Another lazy morning, I just don't seem to have the get-up-and-go the last few days! So I am sitting here blogging...VERY PRODUCTIVE...lol. I had stumbled across a new Etsyian earlier this morning, thanks in part to a "Quit Your Day Job" Article on Etsy.

Kelle Dame : The Shop is our featured Etsyian of the week! She has some incredible pillows, and I can't wait to see what she will be coming up with next! Here is a taste of what she has to offer:



The "Highs and Lows Pillow" is a beautiful and beachy style accent pillow for any beach cottage!



The "Flower and Ring Pillow" is just simply fantastic!

If you are interested in these items or a custom order, you can find Kelle at kelledame.etsy.com

She also has a blog: http://kelledame.blogspot.com

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I also just joined a Crochet Etsy Team! YEAH! Things are still in the works but I am excited about being a part of a REAL Etsy team...this is uncharted territory. Some of the teams require so much time & involvement to maintain membership. One thing I am short on is time (even if I do dilly-dally on my mornings off)! If you are interested in joining or just curious to see what an Etsy team is like, you can find the blog here: http://crochetdreamersetsyteam.blogspot.com/

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Well...I really do need to go. I hear my laundry is ready to be changed over...plus some bathrooms are calling my name to clean...BLECH! :) Have a wonderful day everyone!

Cheers,
Jess

Nutshell Farms
Hidden Gate Designs

A Brand New Day!

Ahh...sitting around in the AC is wonderful! I really should be doing about a million other things right now...but I am sitting here blogging!

I was productive so far this morning though...I got Nutshell Farms back up for business! Plus I will be adding things throughout the day/week. We have a really great sale going on right now. A Christmas in July Sale! YEAH! I know, I know...it is the END of July...but we were gone for a huge portion of July...sooooo.

I have also finally gotten up some AMAZING photos taken by Trina Gueck! She took some really great photos of our Chunky Baby Egg Bowls.



ADORABLE! :)

Hidden Gate Designs should be back up & running within the next couple days...so stay tuned for that.

Alrighty...I need to get back to work...so many things to photograph...and put up on the store...and cleaning...blargh! Have a good Monday everyone!

And so we move forward...

So I have taken a much longer hiatus than expected...but have managed to fill my time. My mother was recently diagnosed with uterine cancer, and we have been dealing with a total hyterectomy, and now the beginnings of chemo. She is a strong woman, and she will get through this.

On to better news...the shops will be back up and running after an almost month of being down. We just needed some time to wrap our heads around what was going on at home. I have been working on the winter 2010 line of cowls and am so excited to be unveiling them in mid-August. There will be loads of new listings coming up once we start back up the shops. We still have a couple pieces from our childrens line from Winter/Christmas 2009. Those items will be listed at a DRASTICALLY reduced price!

We have also been kicking around the idea of creating our own catalog to send out with our packages...something that I wasn't even thinking about until Jeff mentioned it. He has some good ideas every once in a while! ;)

We also have listed our granola and one of our jams...more defiantely coming in the next couple weeks. I love creating new recipes and sharing them with people...now just to get the photos right! lol I have been struggling with my photos for ages, and I just need to buckle down and get them perfected!

Well, that is about all for an update. We will be restarting a featured Etsy seller, and the giveaways...it has just been difficult to keep up with those since the first of the year. Check back for more updates and deals!

CHEERS,

Jess Potts
Nutshell Farms
Hidden Gate Designs

Getting back in the groove...

So I have been a several month hiatus from really doing anything remotely creative...and I have been miserable! ;) I love being creative, and it puts me in a happy place! And let's face it...the boy likes me better when I'm in a happy place!

I have been working on a few new projects that I am excited to unveil...well...SOON I will be unveiling the new products for the store. I will give you some hints though!! I have been working on some new baby products, and we will FINALLY be listing jams/jellies and our infamous granola. Lots of people have been asking me to put it up...and I have been stalling. Not exactly sure why...could have been the lack of time.

It is spring, and the rain has finally stopped (it rained for about 2 weeks straight!) here in the Black Swamp. It is 77 and sunny...clothes hanging on the line to dry...FINALLY got the garden planted. I am going to take some photos & post the progress...maybe this will keep me motivated with the pulling of weeds & such.

I have also started an extremely motivated work out schedule...trying to lose those 15 extra pounds I have been carrying around with me the last year. Damn you emotional eating! ;) I want to be in a happier/healthier place for my 28th year! Yes, you heard me right...I turned 28 at the end of April...downward slope to 30! But I will ALWAYS be younger than the boy, this is my saving grace!

I am also doing a strict regimen of one product a day (at least). I have been able to get two done today, and I am quite proud of myself! Photos will be going up this weekend of some of the new products we will be featuring in BOTH our shops. I will also be bringing back the "featured Etsy seller" posts. There are so many great products out there on Etsy, I just feel compelled to share them with all of you. :)

Well, that is enough of my rambling...the clothes aren't going to bring themselves in from the line...nor will the toilets clean themselves....can't someone out there invent a toilet that cleans itself??? hmm...maybe that will be my next project...doubtful!

HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!

The Delay...

Hello all! It has been several months since I have blogged...life has been really hectic. We opened a second shop! YEAH! http://www.hiddengatedesigns.etsy.com Check it out!

Also, in between work & school....I want to pull my hair out! :) Lot of studying & late nights. So, we will be starting back up with the blog giveaway in May, as well as the featured sellers. There just hasn't been enough time to do everything, and the blog & shops were the ones to suffer. :(

We are getting back on track though, and have some great new items listed in our original shop http://www.nutshellfarms.etsy.com We still have our 'After Christmas Sale' Section up & are hoping that we can liquidate those items.

Lots more items are going to be listed through out the next couple months. We have had many people ask us what the 'Pantry' section is all about...well we will be listing items in there in the next couple weeks. Included in this section will be: jams, jellies, homemade granola, scones & sconettes, food of the month club, and much more! I am really excited to get these started!

Well, that is about all I have time for, so I hope it has peaked your excitement about the shops & what is to come! ;)

About the Delay...

Sorry I have been MIA for so long! Life has literally gotten away from me. I just wanted to write up a quick note to all that have been waiting so patiently! :) I will be back up into the swing of things within the next couple days. I am not going to even go into all the craziness that has previously ensued...yikes. I DID do the drawing...now I'm going to post it! ;) I decided to draw two names....drum roll please?!?!?

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DECEMBER BLOG GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!!

JacBer Kitsch (blog follower winner)

luvingmyson (purchase from the shop winner)

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If you are a winner, please e-mail me @ nutshellfarms@live.com or feel free to convo me through the shop on Etsy. If I don't hear from you by the weekend, I will send out a little convo myself. Thanks again, and more blogs to come soon!