I HAVE A LITTLE SURPRISE FOR YOU...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...well, I'll keep my post short and let you ponder this image! 

Details to come...yet you might already know what news is coming!  ;)  Elaine

BBBBRRRRRRRRRRR..........................

Ugh...I just thought summer was going to hang on a few more days.  My luck ran out;(  I shant complain though.  July here was mild, wonderful and a true luxury for Iowans.  Ho hum.  I don't mind putting on an extra layer...as long as it's soft and fluffy!  My poor children are running around w/ hardly enough to wear. I packed away all the winter clothes for the move (house to house) and didn't think it would turn this cold this fast.  Plus, we were to be in the house last week, but we had a little leak that caused major problems in the basement.  Oh well...who wants to get into a new place anyway?  (cough)...me!!!  I suppose spending days there putting things away, cleaning up construction dust and what not isn't too bad.  I can imagine I live there, right?!  It isn't until the bed, coffee pot, jewelry station and my computer are there that I will be home.  It doesn't take much to make me happy, really! 

So I received a convo (an Etsy.com conversation...or better yet, an internal e-mail) from another Etsian.  One of my designs (http://www.eriadesigns.etsy.com/) had made it to the front page of Etsy!  That is a BIG deal!  Etsy.com is a worldwide web site (more truthfully a virtual hub for individual web sites) hosting thousands and thousands of handmade/vintage/supply web sites.  Anyway, My ANA necklace was on the front page and sold almost immediately.  I thought I'd had have a huge influx of business then, but I'll have to see on my analytics page if I truly did get a bump in visits. 

Jewelry designing has been my saving grace these days.  Since the shop is closed, the remodeling for the shop not even begun and my merchandise in park, I have needed a release.  http://www.eriadesigns.etsy.com/ has been that.  Come in for a visit!  I think you'll like what you find;)

Elaine

The Nest Boutique in Neutral...Check Out www.vintagefest.etsy.com or www.eriadesigns.etsy.com for now;)

The Nest Boutique will be back...bricks & mortar (promise!)...just be patient.  I'm trying to be;)  I'm getting there w/ the remodeling process.  It's been long, but will be worth every minute of the wait!

Keep Calm, BABY!

I am pleased to tell you my designs will be heading to California soon!  If you live in the L.A. area, check out the California Folk Art Musuem.  My KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON necklaces will be there...in the rectangle design and round design.  Here's their web site...www.cafam.org. 

Percolating!

Have you ever had percolated coffee? You know, the kind usually in a stainless steel pitcher with a cord? It's the most delicious coffee! However, if you drink it daily, you will probably live a life full of jitters. It's full of caffeine (so I've read on caffeine charts). I never imagined caffeine tasted so good!

Percolating...that's about what The Nest Boutique is doing at this time. It's under wraps, in storage, nurturing its eggs, caring for the very young. Yet, once percolated, it will be even tastier than before!

When might this happen? Well, time will tell and the right time will be just that - right. As for now, I have a home (yes, mine!) to rejuvenate from top to bottom and even more than that. Then...for the big M-day...moving day. It will likely be a series of lot so small m-days. Moving only 2 miles affords that advantage! Maybe a big move would get the process in gear a bit more.

Whatever happens, The Nest is ready to spring forth with new creativity, past whimsy and a unique flair for everyone to enjoy. I can't wait for that day! Until now...enjoy these web sites:

http://www.eriadesigns.etsy.com/

http://www.olivetreeoriginals.etsy.com/

http://www.thenestboutique.etsy.com/ (hopefully to be stocked soon w/ vintage goods!)

For now...life beatiful...live beautiful...Elaine

WWWWHHHHHOOOOOAAA!!!

Where have I been? Actually, I shouldn't be asking YOU...yet I still don't know where all this time has gone. The shop at 1024 6th St., Nevada, is officially closed and I'm sadder each day about it. Vintage Fest is over and, ugh, for a first-time event, I'm glad that's over! Yet I am anxious for round No. 2. Coming in September...................

Ideas are percolating...much better, smarter, prettier, more dramatic ideas...those I wouldn't have been able to hatch otherwise. That is, without taking some time off and focusing on my own nest for a while. (that's not a sentence, I know...it's a thought;)

Yes, my own nest(s) are a mess right now, but soon there will just be one nest and, yes, The Nest. I promise, the wait will be worth it and I can't wait to see you all again!

P.S. - Vintage Fest is coming back very soon! Stay tuned at: http://www.vintagefest.com/.

Map to Vintage Fest *** Look for the signs on S-27, E-29

Rain, rain, go away!

We farmers love rain (at the right time), but too much isn't such a great thing. Plus, when it's going to interfere with Vintage Fest, well, come back another day! Who knows...it seems the weather forecast changes by the hour, so we'll just have to see if Vintage Fest is wet. Either way, the show will go on!

With two buildings stuffed to the gills, and the yard ready to house lots of great larger items, Vintage Fest is ready to go! Come by Friday, May 15 or Saturday, May 16 from 9-5 to find great deals on collectibles, vintage treasures and lots of other interesting goods.

What are some items you will find on Vintage Fest if you're an early bird who gets the worm?
***Decades old potholders crocheted with intricate designs and beautiful threads
***Lamps made from unique one-of-a-kind items that can only be considered "treasures!"
***Colorful Pyrex bowls in red, yellow, patterns, turquoise, and more!!!
***Linen kitchen textiles almost pretty enough to frame! Have a special year in mind? We might have a "calendar linen" for you!
***Fostoria glassware is several shades and styles
***Dishes, dishes, dishes...one of every month of year and more! Solids, patterns, colors and more...full and partial sets

Well....last minute preps await! See you Friday and/or Saturday! Please park on road south of Vintage Fest...concessions onsite, so come w/ an empty stomach!
Elaine

Watch for the Vintage Fest Signs!

May 15 & 16, 2009 - 17946 660th Ave., Nevada, Iowa


Now that the grass is greening, the sun is shining, the temps are warming, we're nearing Vintage Fest! Be sure to watch for the signs when you travel to Vintage Fest, May 15 & 16. The signs will be adorned with the VF logo (black and white) with a red arrow pointing the way.

DIRECTIONS:

From Des Moines, Ames & Nevada, take hwy. 30 north on 650th Ave. (S-27) about 6 miles north to E-29 (runs east/west), turn right, head 1 mile on E-29 to 660th Ave. (S-27 has jogged one mile), head one mile north, VINTAGE FEST is on the right!



From Iowa Falls, Eldora, Hubbard, take hwy. 65 south to Zearing, turn right on E-18, head west to McCallsburg. At first intersection in McCallsburg (660th Ave./S-27), turn left (south). Travel five miles south, VINTAGE FEST is on your left!



From Interstate 35, take exit 116 (E-29), just north of Ames, travel 11 miles east to 660th Ave. (S-27). Travel one mile north on S-27, VINTAGE FEST is on your right.



From Marshalltown, State Center, Colo, take highway 65 north to E-29, turn left (west) and travel four miles to 660th Ave. (S-27), turn right onto S-27 and head north one mile. VINTAGE FEST is on your right.



NEED MORE INFO...EMAIL NEST@THENESTBOUTIQUE.COM OR CALL 515.669.9073...ASK FOR ELAINE:)

Old Meets New at Vintage Fest!

Jar-O-Trinkets & Treasures

As a reflection of the way we live, Vintage Fest will offer items that take the best from the past and blend it with today. Sounds good, right?! Need an example? Well, take for instance what we're calling "Jar-O-Trinkets & Treasures". It's a large sealing lid jar (new) filled with sewing notions, buttons and other goodies (old). Together, they're a right-brainers delight! Find this and other treasures at Vintage Fest!

Vintage Fest

May 15 & 16 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

17946 660th Ave., Nevada, Iowa

Click here for a map to Vintage Fest! Plus, follow the black and white logo signs!

Blank Slate

Spring seems to be the ideal time to be formulating new ideas for the new shop location! I can't wait! Taller ceilings, natural light (sorry fluorescent), ground floor and more. It's amazing what a location can offer. My inspiration comes from over-the-top ideas pared down to manageable tasks. You know, the tinman in the Wizard Of Oz says "if I only had a brain..." and I would say "if I only had another me" things would get done so much more quickly! Then again, I might just double the tasks and double those left undone!

While The Nest Boutique is away from a real physical location, jewelry, candles and some other goods are available online at Etsy.

Jewelry - www.eriadesigns.etsy.com
Candles* - www.soyalux.etsy.com
Sewn & crafted goods - www.olivetreeoriginals.etsy.com
Vintage goods - Vintage Fest (coming to 17946 660th Ave., Nevada, Iowa May 15 & 16)
Make sure you receive an update - send an email to nest@thenestboutique.com and let me
know you want to sign up for the email list! Plus, leave your home address, too, for additional
postcard updates;)
*At Vintage Fest, Soyalux soy candles will be offered at OUTLET PRICES...clearing out old inventory to make room for the all new essential oils candles (essential oils are the pure oils from plants, making the candles smell even truer - [i.e. Rosemary Fir, Lavender Spruce, etc.])

For now...life beautiful. live beautiful. Elaine

Tweet, Tweet, Twitter, Twitter for The Nest Boutique

TNB TWEET on TWITTER

So I gave into Twitter just a few days ago. I have heard of Twitter for months and months and believe it or not had never visited the site. I figured it was a "myspace" type of thing that I'd never keep up with or care about. Oh so wrong. It's the silliest thing I've seen online (almost). How ingenius! I'll spare you the details if you're Twitter illiterate. You'll just have to see what it is all about. If anyone can steer me in the right direction - what's the best way to find people to follow? I have writer's block when I go to "find people". Anyway...it's silliness on my part of my daily life, blended with design, creation, babies, home, creation, babies, husband, dog, design and more!

www.twitter.com/thenestboutique

Tweet Tweet!

ps...this photo is of a damask overlayed paper silhouette I recently sold...I miss it and still love it!

Vintage Fest Is Getting Closer!

I knew it would happen...the time would begin to fly, like it always does and Vintage Fest would be upon our heels! Yet I'm excited for this new experience. Pulling the vintage treasures from their cardboard homes is getting quite exciting. Everything looks "new" and inspiring in a whole new light. This awful April snow has hampered progress though! Where did this come from?!

Not to worry...plans are moving forward. At Vintage Fest, you'll find lamps from decades ago, linens (yes, the real thing...linen.), pillows with resurging whimsical themes, fabric in pristine condition, items from China before everything was from China, recipes in their vintage form (cut from old magazines, still in old magazines, handwritten on notecards...and yes, MORE!

As we get closer to the two day weekend of Vintage Fest (May 15 & 16), I'll post photos of some of the more quintessential items! Contact me with any questions and for now...
life beautiful. live beautiful...Elaine

Welcome to the NEW The Nest Boutique blog!

Change is good! I've switched blogging providers and welcome you to www.thenestboutique.blogspot.com. I hope to keep communicating with customers and future customers here while my shop is in transition and continue when the move is final.

I left 1024 6th St., Nevada, on a bittersweet note. I LOVED the location, the atmosphere I had created, the customers and everything else, except...no heat (did you notice?!), low ceilings, fluorescent lights, no windows and steps, steps, steps. We can't have it all at once, can we?

I've yet to unveil the new location, or at least show it off, because it isn't ready! The new perks will be ground floor (yippy!), windows, windows, windows, NO steps, heat (no way, really?!), higher ceilings and snazzy new merchandise!

Plus, Soyalux Candles, my flagship brand at TNB, is getting a complete overhaul! At a time when we're all trying to re-examine our financial situation, do something better for our health and the earth (I hope), Soyalux is ready to make a change. I hope you'll be excited to meet the new line!

For now...life beautiful. live beautiful...Elaine