Observations, and Fun Stuff

[puppylover]

hi I am in the process of opening a retail store and I was wondering if someone could please provide me with need names of companies that manufacture cottage furniture. my email is karineaus@yahoo.com. :)

[mbland]

Re. seeking out manufacturers for cottage-style furniture:

I would suggest "going to market" if possible - major industry marketplaces are in Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, etc. where you can go through showroom after showroom of furniture and decor. High Point, NC is probably the best furniture-centric destination. I've never been, but it's really a good idea when you're in start-up mode to make sure that you make those large initial purchases on items you've seen/touched and that you begin relationships with companies you really love.

As far as an online search, you could try GreatRep.com where vendors pay to list themselves and as a buyer you register for free then use the search functionality to locate vendors. You can request catalogs, visit individual websites etc. from there. Of course there's also the old internet search "wholesale furniture cottage," but who knows what you'll have to wade through in order to find the gems.

Feel free to contact me if you want to talk specifics - all the best to you!
mbland@homeinbloom.com

Melissa

[zuzus_garden]

Hi puppylover,

I found this site yesterday and thought of you...

http://www.thebellacottage.com/furniture.html

Their furniture is beautiful, and they offer wholesale accounts to sellers. Hope this is helpful.

All the best,
zuzu

[Kathy Ann]

I think Melissa's on the right track. If you make yourself known as a buyer, the wholesalers will ring your phone off the hook. Good luck to you!

[ginnyscottage]

Hi There!

I am so exctited to have found this forum! I am a subscriber to "Southern Living" magazine, and recently recieved my new issue of "Cottage Living". While browsing this site I found this forum, so here I am too!

I also own a home based/ internet gift, gift basket and decor business. Ginny's Cottage Gifts and Home Accents. (www.ginnyscottage.com) Right now I am gearing up for the holidays with a sale of handcrafted gifts, cards, magnolia wreaths, hand painted furniture and signs , all on my front porch here off NC Highway 73 in Iron Station, NC. (about 30 minutes north of Charlotte). If you live nearby- stop by and see me!


Now, to tell you a little on how Ginny's Cottage
got started......
I am a stay-at-home mom, (like many of you) who enjoys crafting, painting, decoupage, sewing and decorating. My favorite hobby was customizing furniture with a shabby chic look, hand painted roses, etc, along with making many decor items for my own home. I love giving handmade cards and gifts.

Soon, family & friends asked me make gifts and decor, for them, too. Next thing you know I am making all my own gifts and some of theirs as well! This prompted me to offer a craft and gift service.

Ginny's Cottage began formally in October of 2003. I have also built my own website as my online store. My dog, "Ginny" a Chesapeake Bay Retreiver, is my greeter at the house so I named the place after her. The name "Ginny's Cottage" also has a Southern and old- fashioned ring.... which is a style and feeling I love to project in my own 1930's Carolina Cottage style home~ and now sharing it with my customers.

If you browse my web pages, and you will find that many of them are designed with our favorite vintage flair. I enjoyed building the site as much as any of my projects!

I specialize in personalized gifts and gift baskets, most of the gift items are handcrafted by me. I love to make them extra special for the recipient. My gift baskets are unique, and can be customized for anyone or any occasion. I even offer a page where you can "build your own giftbasket", I enjoy making a gift or gift basket that is individual for the person recieving it. I ship all over the world.

With Ginny's Cottage I am also offering craft and sewing services;. customized gifts, wedding favors, hand painted furniture, signs, glass, decor items, and decorating consulting. I find vintage items that need some TLC- or are just great they way they are....just adding my own touch. I also make my own pieces. I love painting and designing children's furniture and decor. I offer all the classic story book illustrations; including Classic Pooh, Peter Rabbit, and Raggedy Ann. I love anything vintage, cottage chic, victorian, shabby- chic, french-country, etc- that is what I specialize in. I know that there are people out there like me looking to put original pieces in their homes- or have something in the attic that they just don't have the time to spruce up. My slogan is: "Not crafty?- Let me be crafty for you." I know it sounds corny- but it's the truth!

Hopefully soon I will build a store next to the house- I am starting to outgrow my front porch! My daughter is two and a half, and my hubby owns a plumbing business- so I hope to build my store when she goes to school full days.

Right now my website sales, and my front porch sales are keeping me busy.

I am looking forward to sharing ideas and support with everyone on this forum- and I love the magazine!


Annamarie Malfitana ~ Strawhand; Owner/Craftsperson
Ginny's Cottage Gifts & Home Accents
www.ginnyscottage.com

[CathyK]

I'm Cathy and I am a self taught painter. I started painting and selling about 15 years ago, do some commission work, do lots of shows and etc.. The only web site I have at the moment is at www.picturetrail.com/cathyk

I usually do one of a kind items, unusal items which keeps me constantly designing and thinking. Vintage furniture are one of my favorite items to paint and they always fit with the Shabby Chic or Cottage Style theme. I do sell on Ebay and have a couple of things listed there.

http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=tkelliso

I have been reading the posts and have already learned alot from all of you. Keep them coming!

Cathy

www.picturetrail.com/cathyk

[Kathy Ann]

I wrote this, I hope you think it's funny. To be sung to the tune of "Jingle Bells"..........


Dashing to the store

for an extra roll of tape

how was I to know

I would run out today?

I hear my telephone ring

but something's not quite right

Oh no, I tied it up with string

in a store display last night!

Oh, hope this sells, hope that sells,

hope it sells today

cause I need to pay for my supplies

and I don't have time to play-ay

Hope this sells, hope that sells,

Hope it sells today,

cause I need to pay for my supplies

And I don't have time to play!

Crawling on the floor

for the piece that got away

why does it all go

insane at the holidays?

I hope the season brings

more customers day and night

I know my stuff will make them sing

If they could just find my website!

Oh, hope this sells, hope that sells,

hope it sells today

cause I need to pay for my supplies

and I don't have time to play-ay

Hope this sells, hope that sells,

Hope it sells today,

cause I need to pay for my supplies

And I don't have time to play!

[zuzus_garden]

Too funny! Thanks for making us laugh! Zuzu

[Kathy Ann]

I don't mind giving my family free stuff - I practically have to force it on them and they always appreciate it. But my friends in the Eastern Star are always asking for freebies and sometimes they even come over here with boxes of clothes to alter - and I don't even DO alterations! in fact I am blocks away from two ladies who do, and they are paying for storefronts so I have no patience for the cheapskates. I feel like a heel for sending them down the road, but I'd be sewing all day for free if I didn't. As it is, I offer them discounts because there's no shipping cost. This year they are having me finish off some baskets they bought for our shut-ins, because they know I recently inherited a big stash of trims, and I don't mind doing a few hours of charity work each week. In Eastern Star we are supposed to be charitable to each other but I feel like that means they should not ask me for stuff I can't afford to do! Sheesh! End of rant.

[Kathy Ann]

Feel free to add verses!

[administrator]

Here's your place to say hello to one another, make observations, or just talk one on one.

[Kathy Ann]

Hmm, not sure I will want to plow through a lot of messages with all different topics in one thread.

[administrator]

Hmm, not sure I will want to plow through a lot of messages with all different topics in one thread.

Kathy Ann

Now that I've aggregated these threads, I'm not sure I like it either. There were so many active threads with just a few postings that we decided to merge them. We're new at this so bear with us as we try to figure it all out. We're also welcome to any and all suggestions. Please don't hesitate to send a private message to "administrator."

[Kathy Ann]

There'll be a happy medium in there somewhere. It's really hard to control.