Guest Blogger From Harper and Henny!

**Just a quick reminder about the CSN giveaway - don't forget to enter here for a chance to win a $35 gift certificate on anything in their enormous online stores!!**

I am really excited to introduce to you today my wonderful friend and guest blogger, Deanna from dedetsyshop and Harper and Henny!

She makes AMAZING pillows that I instantly fell in love with the first time I laid eyes on them! They are anywhere from elegant to whimsical and just

beautiful!!

This is Deanna...

Hello from Harper and Henny! Michelle was gracious enough to ask me to do a

guest post on her blog and so here I am!

I met Michelle through my Etsy shop

and one day when I was overwhelmed with customers, she made me feel much better

by being (still!!!) very patient in recieving her item! What a great gal!

Anyways, she asked me to write something for you all and she recommended maybe

something on my little old shop!

So, I will do just that!

Let's see... How did I get started in the wonderful land we all know as Etsy?

Actually I first heard of Etsy from a magazine in 2008...I checked it

out and thought "Hey, that sounds interesting."

So, what did I do?

I knitted some scarves and stuff to put in there!

It didn't all start with pillows!

I sold a few scarves and then slowly made some pillows and low and behold, they

sold!

Soon after, I went from 10 pillows in my shop to over 100!

My little online store started growing very fast and was even published in Family Circle

magazine and recently on Good Morning America!

I think of it as the little shop that could! :)

I really just started it as a little side hobby while I was

going to school...and it now it has taken off to a full (and more than) time

job! I wouldn't change it for the world though!

It still boggles my mind that

I have MY pillows in other peoples houses!

Craziness I tell you!

Well, thanks for listening! And be sure to check out

http://www.dedeetsyshop.etsy.com/ and my little boys shop

http://www.connorsfunshop.etsy.com/ He loves to see who "hearts" his shop !!

Thank you SO much Deanna!

She is such a sweetheart and so talented. They even did a spotlight on her on Esty called Quit Your Day Job! Check it out for her inspiring story and pictures of where she creates!

I love the fact that her son has an Etsy shop as well!

Also, stop in at her Harper and Henny blog and say hi!!

This is what I ordered, isn't it cute!

And, she recycles!!!

Getting Ready for The 4th of July

I know that the 4th of July is about three weeks away, but it is never to early to plan a party. To me, the 4th is best day to get together with friends and family and celebrate the reason we are able to do that. The 4th brings out the best in people and communities all over the United States get together to celebrate our independence. I love the 4th of July parades and seeing all the kids waving their flags and learning about why we celebrate. Soldiers, young, old and deceased are being honored and remembered for what they sacrificed and continue to sacrifice everyday.

In the next couple of weeks, I will offer you some great ideas on how to host your own 4th of July celebration. With the help of some great websites and our great artist on Etsy, you can plan and decorate with ease!

Invitations

The first step you need to do is send out invitations. I know most of have emails, facebook, twitter, and other ways of communication, but every now and then it is still exciting to get something in the mail. Certain websites make it is easy to make and print your own invitations using your own photos and wording such as snapfish or shutterfly. There are also programs that you can buy and install on your computer that make cards, invitations, labels, etc. OR, you can use etsy artist to help you out with the invitations if you don't have the time. For example:

Tints and Prints offers this great layout

There is this layout from man vs george

And this layout from luke comma sara

These are just a few examples, play around with the websites that I listed and look around on etsy. No matter what you find, sending an invitation in the mail is sure to get a smile!

Beach Inspired

I have been reading some great blogs about decorating your house around a beach theme and since I love everything beach/ocean/lake, I thought that I would give it a try! My house is full of beachy items that remind me of days spent on the lake and visits to the ocean. It gives me a feeling of peace seeing shells, drift wood, beautiful beach pictures and being surrounded by shades blues and greens. So simple and clean.

Below is my "inspiration room" and I have added some pictures under that with links to talented artists on etsy that will help you bring the beach to your house.

I found this great picture at Coastal Living Magazine. This has some great ideas and inspirations for making your ideas come to life.

By using etsy search for key words like: beach, ocean, starfish, pillows, shabby chic, etc you can find all kinds of beautiful items that would fit your idea of a beach theme. Below are some items that can be used to make the inspiration room come to life!

1. 18" Pillow Case Sham Cushion Covers

2. Natural Coral Branch by Seashell Collection

3. Seashell Frame by Beach Grass Cottage

4. Cyan Aqua Shelf with Knobs for Hanging - Antique Finish by Pickled Pantry

5. Tinted Aqua Sea Fan by Seashell Collection

6. Seahorse Pillow by Ooh LiLi

7. Queen Bed by Smitten Furnishings

8. Malibu Beach Cottage Table by Poppy Cottage

9. Beach Cottage Bedside Table by Poppy Cottage

10. Star Fish Plaque by the Shabby Chic Cottage

11. Beachy White Table Lamp with Beach Glass Lampshade

12. Starfish in Aqua Shabby Chic Pillow by Okiob Designs

These are just a few of the finds that are on etsy. Have fun looking and designing!!

Thank you to

Completely Coastal

Beach House Living

Check out both blogs and all they have to offer and help them spread the word about cleaning up our beaches and taking care of our oceans!

I know Father's Day is right around the corner and I have helped you out a bit by sharing a couple of my favorite items from talented artists on etsy!

Pleiades and Canis Major Constellations Cuff Links by donnaodesigns

www.etsy.com/listing/40870940/pleiades-and-canis-major-constellations

E. Ria Designs FOURSOME of WILL Golf Ball Markers Personalized in Sterling Silver

www.etsy.com/listing/48655638/e-ria-designs-foursome-of-will-golf-ball