New Kits ready to go

These new rivet kits debuted at the Mixed Media Market, so now they are ready to share with the world!

Each kit contains a pre-punched brass back, a vintage brass flower, a vintage copper coated steel flower and 2 vintage Swarovski crystal set surrounds with a loose crystal to set in the center. You can choose from a pendant bail, pin back or adjustable ring setting. A flared tube rivet (so you can set the crystal) and instructions for basic tube rivets are also included. These kits are $10.

We have lots of variations that can be used with the basic kit...all sorts of samples are here at the shop and I'll be posting more over the next couple of weeks.

Lucky Day

Happy Friday the 13th!!!

Now for most this is touted as an unlucky day, but for me it has been a very lucky one... At the end of October, the West Sound Quilters had their "Quilts from the Cabin" Show. They had some amazing pieces, including a group project crazy quilt that was to be raffled. Like most people, I always buy raffle tickets without any real hope of winning the item...the money supports a good cause, and like any "gambling", just the thought that you might win is a high. Well, I'm flying pretty high, because I won the marvelous quilt pictured above!!! I don't know how many tickets they sold, but I hope it was in the thousands because this quilt is beautiful!!! Many of the squares are hand embroidered, some with appliques, many handmade...I'm really quite speechless. Every time I look at this amazing quilt I see something new. The quilt will live here at the shop for a while, just so I can share it with all of you. Eventually, it will head to my living room where I happen to have a large bare wall that is in desperate need of ornamentation. A huge "THANK YOU" to all the West Sound Quilters' and the many folks who went in for the raffle...you can visit the quilt anytime you like, just don't get any ideas...it stays with me!

its beginning to look alot like xmas

ok, I am not one of those people who like to rush in the holiday season...I like distinct holidays, not this bleeding Halloween into Thanksgiving into Hanukkah into Christmas nonsense. Each holiday has significance, each is unique and each should be its own celebration.

That being said, I own a retail shop...this means that I am already thinking about xmas in June. If I haven't finished my holiday ordering by the end of summer, I am out of luck-no Swarovski snowmen and tree kits, no snowflake pendants or forms, no ornaments to deck the tree-nada. Now this may sound like a trivial thing, but with the economy being what it is, and the retail trend of a third of a business' sales happening in the 4th quarter, having a well stocked and holiday tricked out establishment is kinda crucial.

So, we have tried to make a compromise. You will not see any xmas type decorations until after Halloween (they went up very early in some shops this year). We will put out holiday kits and supplies as they come in, typically the beginning of October. If you are working on your holiday gifts early, let us know...we have all our holiday beading supplies and kits stashed away, but will certainly help your find the supplies you need pre holiday.

So there you have it, distinct holidays with a little bit of overlap for those that are working under the same early deadlines that we face. This has all been a very long winded way of saying...the crystal kits are in and have a safe and sane holiday season!

A BIG THANK YOU!!!

Thank you to everyone who braved the buckets of rain and visited us at the Mixed Media Market!!!

We had a great time, and learned alot for our next show in March. Everyone has been great about letting us know what they thought of the show and weather not withstanding(since I can't control it anyway), I think the next show will be bigger & better with more vendors, demos and maybe a little less food (we brought enought to feed a few armies!).

Thanks again for everyone's support and encouragement! If you want to know what we're up to, check out our blog at: www.mixedmediamarket.blogspot.com.

A Special Halloween UFO Night

Its that special time of year for laughter and fear when all the ghosts & goblins come out to play by night & by day,

so dress your head, your hands and your feet and head to the shop for a special treat,

we'll have good food and good cheer and we'll try to keep it light on the fear!

My bad poetry aside, come join us for a special Halloween UFO Night. We'll be making pumpkin earrings, spider pendants and probably a really big mess! Join the fun & frolic---starting at 5pm! Special treats to anyone wearing a costume!

We will have abbreviated shop hours from October 6th thru October 13th...Oct. 6, 7, & 8, we will be open from 11am-4pm. We will be closed Friday, October 9th and Tuesday, October 13th. We will be open regular hours, 10am-5pm on Saturday, October 10th. Thank you for your patience...if you have any questions, call Beth at 360.471.8063 and please be nice to Leslie and my mom while I'm gone!

Back to School Savings Spree!

Fall is fast approaching and the kiddies are headed back to school (some of us old folks are headed back to school, too!). Here at echo artworks, we love to learn so we have decided to entice all you life long learners to join us.

Here's the deal-sign up for two or more workshops and get the great swag bag pictured above FREE!

or if you really love to learn and have like minded friends-both you and a friend can sign up for three or more workshops and get 50% off your tuition fee and the FREE goody bags.

This offer is good for workshop registrations until Sept 30th, workshops can be scheduled thru December 31st. Workshops are on a first registered, first serve basis. Workshop fees are non refundable, so check your calendars and give us a call-360.405.4341 or email workshops@echoartworks.com