If I Had a Dime…

When you have to make the decision to bring a new line into a store there is a lot of thought, consideration and sometimes anxiety that takes place in the decision making process. However, one of the new products that are in at The Rustic Corner is exempt from this stressful process. These awesome bags are only one part of a very versatile  line from Papaya Art. If I had a dime for everytime I was stopped today to have to answer the question “Where did you get that bag…” I could be a very rich person. These bags are not only ahead turner, edgy and chic, they are a walking expression of the art that is crying to be released by you! As soon as the box was opened at the store three of four bags were sold and another order is being frantically written down and decisions are being hashed out if we need to expand this line because of the overwhelming response. I would strongly suggest you stop in and place your order today for your bag because I believe these will be hard to keep in stock.

For those of you who wonder how the weather is in sunny California, it is BEAUTIFUL! Today was a spectacular 60 degrees and I even sat outside for lunch and worried about getting a sunburn. The sunburn didn’t happen but Tami and I thoroughly enjoyed the “what if”! Today was Copic Certification class. These markers are even more awesome after you learn the ins and outs of blending, stamping and “painting” with them. I am so excited I get to share this with you! Look for a class coming in March that will feature many of the techniques that I spent 8 hours learning today. You will love what you can do with the Copic markers!

I will sign off today only to have a night of anxious sleep because tomorrow Tami and I are shopping for fantastic new products that are being released. I LOVE CRAFT LAND! Keep checking back and I will be sure to give you clues and sneak peeks of what is coming soon to The Rustic Corner!

News from the Market in Atlanta

Well, a few more days have gone by and boy have we had fun! Lisa and I (Tami) have walked and walked and walked and walked this week and you’d think we’d be three sizes smaller! But alas no! There are treats and soda and adult beverages at every turn and of course you can’t offend the southern hospitality! So I think we’re about even!

We’ve picked up about five (5) completely new lines – something for all types and the good new is much will arrive in February. One of Lisa’s favorites is from Country Living – it will include some pie mixes, brownies, and other goodies. We’ve also picked up some bright colors and designs for those looking to brighten up their lives or of those young people in their lives!

And wait till you see the 100 lbs of jewelry we humped around today! Yes that’s right you asked for it and we found it – jewelry. Necklaces, many with matching earrings and a limited number of bracelets. Now, these will be occasional items, so don’t wait too long to get them! We anticipate having them out in time for Valentines Day.

Well, I don’t want to ruin all the surprises, so I’ll sign off now. Besides it’s time to eat and get some sleep – tomorrow is the last day then we’re leaving on a jet plane back for IOWA – we miss our own cold weather!

Have a great week and we’ll see you soon!

Lisa and Tami – a trip on the shopping side!

Yes, Erin it is cold and many, many people would love to have our jackets! It’s funny, they are all complaining that it’s so cold – heck it’s a heat wave for us! Well it’s not so warm that you’ll find us in the pool – no polar bear dips for us!

We are finding some great things here . . . . for those of you that loved Carmel Kiss coffee that they used to sell/serve at Waterbury & Friends you’ll be happy to hear it’s making a comeback at The Rustic Corner! Lisa knows that there are some huge fans back in CC that love this – so you may want to stop in this week and put in a reservation w/Erin, Lindsey or Shelby for your own bag. We are getting them in 12oz bags, pre-ground or in 12oz bags of whole beans. Along those same lines, you’ll find that we are also bringing in Ashby’s Tea – in all the great flavors you’ve had before . . . same arrival time which we anticipate will be around the 1st of February.

Okay, what else. . . if you’ve been looking for a new flag to brighten the outside of your home, then you’ll love the new line we’re bringing in along with the coordinating magnetic covers for your mailboxes. We’ll also have the adapter kits for those of us w/the new fangled plastic mailboxes! We’re exicted to also offer the smaller flags and the holders so many of you have been asking about. Again, 1st of February delivery.

Love new music or for that matter the good old music from Dean Martin, Motown or even the great love songs of the 70’s? If so, we’ll have four new CD’s in for the Valentine season, as well as a new Jazz collection for wine lovers and a great rockin’ collection of original hits by the original artists with a BBQ theme – the case looks like a Weber grill top – cool!

There are five new Gooseberry cookbooks on the way too! And we’ve purchased some new childerns books – great illustrations and great stories. . . look for both to arrive in the new few weeks.

Well we can’t give it all away right now – and we need to sit down and put our feet up over a few catalogs and maybe a few well earned beverages! Check us out again tomorrow for more updates and to see if it snowed and how the city reacts! Signing out from Sunny COLD Atlanta GA for tonight!

Gotta LOVE this!

The Rustic Corner is slowly transforming back into the every day. Unlike home, the removal of Christmas is a somewhat long process as we pack away what little Christmas is left. Behind all the work of decorating and undecorating is a sweet transformation from the familiar to the new. Watching the seasons change outside is almost a fun as watching them change inside The Rustic Corner. Valentine items are starting to creep into the nooks and crannies and the red of Christmas is giving way to he reds and pinks of Valentine’s day.

I’m not sure why I enjoy Valentine’s day so much. I think it’s the idea of celebrating the love we have for one another whether it be a spouse or a child close to our hearts. Or perhaps it’s the celebration inside my head that winter is half over and spring will be here before we know it! Warm weather! Hmmm….Sorry, I distracted when I start thinking of warmer weather.

Speaking of warmer weather, Tami and Lisa are out of the office in Atlanta, GA to find new and awesome merchandise for the store. Now I know that some of you are thinking how sweet it would be to be in Atlanta right now away from the cold, but the fact is it is not real warm there right now. It’s only in the 30-40’s which is relatively unheard of down there and they are expecting SNOW Thursday! Oh, I am sure they are glad that Tami and Lisa brought the fabulous Iowa weather with them to Georgia! If you’ve ever been down south when in-climate weather such as snow hits, it’s a treat! The town literally shuts down and people don’t go anywhere because they don’t have the equipment such as plows or sanding trucks that we rely on here. Thank goodness Tami and Lisa still have their winter coats! They could probably sell them for a bundle! Just kidding! Truth is they should probably hold on to them or it will be a little cold when they return. I hope the weather shapes up for them down in Atlanta and both Tami and Lisa have an awesome time and come back with some great things. I can’t wait for them to call and keep me posted on all the happenings or maybe Tami will be posting their findings here for a sneak peak of what is to come! I can only hope!

If you’re starting to get the winter blahs, be sure to stop in the store or check out the website at www.therusticcorner.com to see what classes are coming up next. I would love to see you there!

3 Days until Christmas!

We are down to the wire. Christmas is just around the corner. As my husband would say, “It’s Christmas Eve’s Eve’s Eve!” Sweet! But for those of us who aren’t done shopping yet, I say “Arrrgghh!”

I love gifts that keep on giving. A gift that you can continue to add to and that sets you up for the next 5 holidays or special occasions. Whooo! Hooo!

These arrows are an awesome gift! You can change the hanging sign with the season or holiday. These arrows can be hung inside or out and have many designs to fit all tastes and are sure to be a hit this Christmas.

Hurry into The Rustic Corner and get those last minute Christmas gifts. We are here until 7pm Monday-Wednesday and until 4 pm Christmas Eve!

4 Days until Christmas!

I love gift cards! They are an awesome gift to give because you don’t have to worry if the recipient is going to like it and the size is always right. Gift certificates are great to receive also. If I have had my eye on something but won’t spend the money to get it myself, I would definitely buy it if someone gave me part or all of the money to buy it and be ecstatic about it! It’s free shopping! Who wouldn’t love that!

Gift cards can be purchased in any amount and can be wrapped in boxes within boxes within boxes. Oh, the fun to open that gift!

5 Days until Christmas!

Here we are with 5 days left and you still have one more person you need to buy a gift for! If your person has a nostalgic touch and loves to remember the things of old, try transfer-ware. It has a vintage touch with “updated” retro images.

This transfer-ware is beautiful and boasts a beautiful soft blue design with branches and birds. I love this stuff! It’s pretty and it is useful. There is a serving platter, bowl and condiment tray that can dress up any table for everyday or even for the holidays.

Stop in The Rustic Corner to pick up this awesome gift. We are open this week Monday-Wednesday until 7pm, Christmas Eve until 4pm. We will be closed Christmas day but will re-open Saturday at 9am and will be open Sunday til 4pm.

6 Days until Christmas!

It always seems that the people left on my list are the hardest to shop for. They already have one of everything or more and never give you a list or even an idea of what they want for Christmas. Gift cards are awesome but some want to give a gift that is more personal. How about a crock with their hometown name glazed on it?

A crock would be an awesome gift for someone that has moved away but continues to hold a place in their heart for their hometown. Crocks are a handy item to have around and can be used for decoration or as a holder for utensils that are needed on a regular basis. Each crock is hand glazed and decorated make each crock unique.

You’ll need to hurry in to get the one you want because we will not be able to reorder and have them here in time for Christmas!

7 Days until Christmas!

One week to go! Whooo! Hooo! I can remember the final stretch to Christmas when I was a child. I always had a hard time sleeping that week and all I would talk about at school was what I hoped Santa was going to bring me. I always had a hard time figuring out how Santa’s elves could make sooo many toys and how he could actually hold them all in one sleigh. My imagination would run wild on how Santa would have to run back and forth to the North Pole to fill up his sleigh.

Now that I am older, I know that Santa strategically places hidden stashes of Christmas presents around the world to limit the number of runs back to the North Pole. I also know that the elves cannot make all the toys because the population has just gotten out of control not to mention the number of naughty kids has probably risen with the population which decreases the number of toys Santa has to carry. Let’s face it, a lump of coal takes up much less room than a Barbie Dream House or a Nascar Track set. Oh the things you learn as you get older!

The Rustic Corner is one of Santa’s helpers. There are loads of gifts and special treasures here at the store. A perfect little stocking stuffer is Copic markers. These are an alcohol based marker used by architects and designers and other professional colorists. They are refillable and the felt nibs can be replaced as needed. Copic markers blend colors beautifully and allow you to walk away and come back later and finish where you left off without compromising your project.

We can help you pick out a few colors to start your crafter off and if they need help using them they can always stop in and we can help with that!

8 Days until Christmas!

If you have any swanky crafters on your list, I would recommend a Simply Swank Soldering Kit. This is an awesome kit that you can create all sorts of projects and artwork with. It is perfect for those crafters that keep all the little bits of paper and different memorabilia hiding in the corners of their crafting areas. You can make jewelry, ornaments or other trinkets and pieces of art.

All of the materials are non-toxic and lead free so they can safely be worn next to the skin and there is no need to have an exhaust fan roaring in your ear. If your crafter needs some instruction on how to use the equipment after Christmas all you need to do is call and we will set aside time to show them at no charge!

In case you are thinking of getting this awesome soldering kit for yourself but want to know how it works first, just give us a call and we would love to show you how it works! Keep watching our website www.TheRusticCorner.com for additional soldering classes or classes for other crafting projects!