Growing Pains

So I got word this week that what I had been hoping for
was likely going to become a reality, should I so desire it.
But do I? Decisions, decisions. Be careful what you wish for....

Since opening my booth in the antique mall a couple of months back,
I've been located in a nice size booth on the second floor.
It's in an okay location, but merely by virtue of the fact that it's on the second floor,
it gets waaaaay less traffic than the 30 or so booths on the first floor.

 

Well, this past week I was offered a primo, high-traffic space in the mall
after the first of the year for only a smidge more rent. 
I already know that I'm going to take it, my husband and I have discussed it,
and it makes sense to see if what they say is true,
that I can expect my sales to probably quadruple after the move.

I know it's going to be more work, but it's another one of those situations
where you have to acknowledge "Okay, I'm stretched a bit thin here....
full-time job, booth stuff, an Etsy shop which keeps me super busy,
a household and a husband....am I nuts???"

But (and there's always one of those, ya know) maybe this is my time.
Maybe this is the natural progression of building my business,
of establishing my brand. Warrenton is in the Spring.
Then what? So many dadgum questions.

 Am I excited? You betcha! Afraid? Just a bit. Worn out yet? Absolutely!

But I'm walking through that next door, 

the one I referred to in one of my very first posts 

here way back in August.... Remember?

 

I'm still carting around a lot of the same insecurities and fears, 

but I'm bolstered a bit knowing that I can do this. 

It's not some top secret, ultra exclusive club to which I am not welcome. 

That was my fear in the early days, that the likes of 

Theresa and Mindy and Debbie,et al would laugh at my feeble efforts 

and tell me to get the heck outta Dodge. 

Shoot, I still feel that way sometimes, 

but less and less with each small victory.

So......wish me luck! The adventure continues, 

and it just wouldn't be the same without all y'all along for the ride!

Vintage Christmas at Fiona and Twig on Etsy

Yowsers! I was fortunate enough to acquire an insane amount
of really great vintage Christmas ornaments/decor yesterday,
and so far I've listed about half in my shop.

Head on over to my

ETSY Vintage Christmas Shop

and take a peek!

 

My Ginormous Santa Ornament

This fella is amazing, at almost a foot long, 

he'll definitely be the centerpiece on your tree!

 

 Vintage Santa and Stocking

I'll wrap this little guy up inside this handy homemade quilted stocking for ya!

 

I have four of these super adorable vintage ornament sets for sale! 

I am totally in love with that tiny gal inside the pink bell.

Isn't she too cute?

 

 Set "A"

 

Love the face on this Santa ornament!

 

 

 Set "B"

And lots more! I'll be plugging away adding more to my shop tomorrow,
finding some time in between for food and potty breaks (hee-hee!).

Have a great one!

The "Better Than MY Giveaway" Giveaway!

No, seriously!

This one is waaay better than my paltry lil' Giveaway, so lissssen up!

One of my very best blogging friends is having his very first giveaway,
and believe me when I tell you that this fella knows his junk!
It's Troy ( and Rod) from JUNK EXCHANGE,
and just look at the vintage Christmas goodness he's offering one lucky winner...

 

He's starting with this gorgeous silver beaded stocking, 

which really is gorgeous, I purchased two of these at his BIG SALE last month.

But there's so much more!

Cup and saucer in the Spode Christmas tree pattern.

 

A flameless candle that fits nicely in the Spode cup.

 

 Avintage inspired tinsel garland wreath ornament.

 

 

All these cool ornaments!

And we're not done yet!

A sweet porcelain angel pin...

 A Holiday CD Mix...

A fabulous Christmas card from their line of easel back cards
at Junk Exchange, made by Rod and Troy....

PLUS

$25 DOLLARS TUCKED INTO THE STOCKING!!!

What a Giveaway!

Here's what ya do...

Head over HERE to Junk Exchange to enter.

Sign up to be a follower.

That's it! You could also leave the boys a comment l
etting them know how great you think they are, that never hurts!

ALSO...

The Fabulous Six Sisters are having a big ole

Birthday Giveaway 

over at their blogs. Yep, both of 'em! ;-) 

I love 'em like a sister, and I've been assured that I'm an honorary triplet,
so head on over and say hi to the fam, will ya?

Here's just some of the loot they've got to share...

 

 

Super generous gift cards!

 

Tyler Co. Candle

and lots more!

Just head on over to the SIXiest blogs I know to enter!

Six Divided by Two and Six in One Hand

 

The Sweetest of Sisters

I was born an only child, I think most of you know that.

I have often wondered through the years what form a sister might take...

Would she be wise and giving and loving?

Would she be faith-filled, inspiring and encouraging?

Would she be beautiful and talented and tireless?

If so, she would be my most beloved blogging sister

Debra of Common Ground.

 

Sweet Debra sent me a care package last week filled with love and work 

from her own hands, including the gorgeous handmade vintage ornament shown above. 

Just because. It wasn't my birthday, it was just what a sweet sister does when she is led of the Lord. 

And this particularly lady is most definitely led.

She has begun a bible study on her second blog, A Day in the Life, 

which is reaching hurting souls, those in need of healing, 

those whose faith might have grown cold, and those searching for answers. 

 Debra welcomes all, regardless of denominational affiliation.

Going back to the package she sent, Debra didn't just send an ornament, she also sent this...

 

She made me a simply stunning bejeweled necklace 

from a skeleton key and I am absolutely in love with it!

Yes, because  it is beautiful, 

but moreso because of the beautiful soul who thought to give it to me.

If you don't know Debra already, you need to. 

She will welcome you with open arms on either of her blogs, 

and best of all, she's someone who will say they'll pray for you and actually mean it!

Debra, I thank you so much, 

and I am proud to call you my sweetest of sisters!

Fairy Blog Mothers

We all have one (or two).

That extra special blogger, be they male or female,
who took an extra special interest in us and our lowly little blogs when we were just starting out.
They gave us support, they provided encouragement, t
hey bestowed on us much free publicity and blog traffic.
I think all of us have one, but have we thanked them lately?

That's what this post is all about.

I have a couple that I'd like to give recognition to, and my very first Fairy Blog Mother was

Theresa Cano of Garden Antqs Vintage.

(Photo: Garden Antqs Vintage)

Theresa was one of my very first followers, 

and almost immediately gave me a place of honor on her blogroll. 

She could always be counted on to provide an "attagirl" in my comments, 

and I know that she's done the same for so many of you.

If you ever want to get super analytical about your blog 

and where your traffic comes from, download Google Analytics. 

I knew all along that Theresa had been a huge supporter, 

but it wasn't until I delved into the science behind it all 

that I realized just how many visitors Theresa had sent my way 

over these past few months. 

I was speechless, her unwavering support has contributed largely 

to the growth of my blog, and her inspiration continues to spur me on 

to be a better blogger and vintage dealer each and every day.

Theresa, thank you!!!

My second Fairy Blog Mother is

Dawn Edmonson of The Feathered Nest.

 

I was just minding my own business, having my first unassuming little giveaway, 

when all of a sudden, BAM!

I had an explosive influx of new visitors and followers, 

and the sneaky Ms. Edmonson was the culprit!

Through her selfless promotion and support of my giveaways (and me), 

she has caused my blog, and my confidence, to grow by leaps and bounds. 

She is always there to offer a sweet word of encouragement, and again, 

I've seen firsthand that she's done this for many of you, too.

So who is yours? Fairy Blog Mother, that is?

Who is that one person who has been your biggest cheerleader, 

or who has taken an unselfish interest in the promotion of you and your blog? 

Tell us here, give thanks in this, the season for doing just that!

Giveaway Goodness still going on all this week!

I'm offering a $25 Gift Card to Anthropologie 

and

an extra special surprise from my

Etsy Shop.

Just leave me a comment for one entry, be or become a follower for two, 
and promote my giveaway on your blog for three entries.

Also, be sure to head on over to Fairy Footprints in the Sand 
for Heidi's fabulous Christmas Giveaway of a Domino Necklace!

 

AND THIS, MY PRETTIES, WAS MY 100th POST!
 

Have a great week ahead, and be safe!

Fiona and Twig 100th Post Giveaway!

I knew I talked a lot, but this is RIDICULOUS!

Since August 17, 2009, I've logged (counting this one) 99 POSTS!

And I've got the carpal tunnel to prove it!

Since my 100th is only one away, I wanted to do something 
to once again, give thanks ('tis the season, right?) to all of YOU, 
my faithful friends and followers!

Now I ask you, what would a Fiona and Twig Giveaway be without an 

Anthropologie Gift Card, hmmm?

One lucky person will receive a $25 Gift Card 

from the best store ever to spend however they like!

And to show my appreciation to everyone 

who has supported and encouraged me in the creation of my Etsy Shop, 

I'll also be tossing in an extra special surprise gift straight from my shop! 

It might be something already listed, it could be something not yet listed. 

Whatever I choose, it'll be fabulous!

So you guys know the drill, right?

To Enter:

Leave a comment for one chance.

Become or be a follower for TWO chances.

Post about my giveaway on your blog for THREE chances!

I'll pick the winner Sunday, December 6th.

Many, many thanks to all my wonderful bloggy friends, 

you have truly changed my life for the better, 

and I give BIG thanks for each and every one of you this season and always!

 

Black Friday, Etsy Style

Just a bit of shameless self-promotion
on this most hallowed of all shopping days!

Check out my Etsy Shop to see what's cookin'
on this day after Turkey Day...

 

SOLD!

I call her Vintage Tiny Dancer, after the Elton John song. 

She's a gorgeous little figurine and bud vase all-n-one!

 

My Vintage Shoe Form. If you don't already have one of these, t

hey make the niftiest display pieces, 

especially when they can be hung from the wall like this one.

 

 

This is too cute! I call it Tiny Shabby Tea Service.

"For your own little junker, start her off right!

This well-loved, tarnished little silverplate tea service
is just the right size for the littlest gals on your Christmas list.
Handle is missing on one of the cups and there's a good bit of tarnish inside,
but otherwise completely and perfectly charming!

Tiny tea pot and creamer approx 4 1/2"

Sugar holder 4" tall
Tray is 12" by 13 3/4"
Marked International Decorator Stainless 18-8."

 

Learn French in RECORD TIME  with my uber-cool and kitschy

1958 Vintage French Language Course.

Perfect for the Francophile on your shopping list!

I'm off on the hunt again tomorrow for more treasures, 

so please check my Etsy Shop often as new merchandise will be added frequently.

Hope all y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Shout out to my girls at Winnie & Tulula's tonight, knock 'em dead!