Want to be an Auction Hero ?
June 10, 2009
How-to design a display for your store or for a show...
June 5, 2009
A few folks had questions about designing a booth to best showcase your products at shows so I put together with a few tips in a new Squidoo lens (article) that I made :
http://www.squidoo.com/natural-product-showcase
Tags:
design, display, how-to, how-to design, how-to display, showcase ideas, showcasing products, squidoo
Posted at: 11:23 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
More educational and informational articles by Diana
June 1, 2009
A little help today...
May 25, 2009
My oldest is coming over for a little while today to help me start packing things up for the show.
I made inventory sheets listing everything that I will be taking because I want to make sure it is all organized so I don't forget anything.
I also have a list of other items to take like my signs, displays...
Finished up the chocolate nut fudge lip balms and the honey lip balms.
I got the Pina Colada lip balms poured, but still need to label and wrap them.
I wont have very many soaps ready to take.
All of this damp weather wouldn't allow them to dry properly so I can't wrap them yet.
Boy, if I had another month, I'd have everything ready for sure 
Posted at: 07:10 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Only a few days left until the Girl's Night Out in Mill Creek Park fundraiser
May 24, 2009
The big show at Fellow's Riverside Gardens at Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, Ohio is coming up very soon !
I will be in the Davis Center building - lower level.
See you all there at 5:30pm on he 28th of May.
I am still trying to get ready for it.
I've been making up extra products, making signs and slowly packing things away in an organized manner (as much as I can muster - LOL).
This has been exciting and exhausting too !
Tags:
davis center, fellows riverside gardens, girls night out event, mill creek park, ohio, youngtown, youngtown ohio
Posted at: 07:31 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
I had a customer brag about my products in her forum - to everyone !
May 18, 2009
Girls Night Out fundraiser for The Gardens at Fellows Riverside Gardens in Mill Creek Park - Youngstown Ohio
May 15, 2009
Still trying to get everything ready for the show at the fundraiser...
May 14, 2009
I am so tired !
I made over 300 of my Red Roses Exfoliating lip balms this week - about 100 of them in the twist-up tubes and 200 in little pots that are refillable - and only have about 1/5 of them labeled and shrink-wrapped so far.
I hope that is enough for the show in 2 weeks.
I also made extras of my "Rescue My Skin" balm and my "Save My Skin" balm.
I still have to make extras of my other 3 lip balms.
I am taking several of my eye masks and neck pillows and if I get some time, I want to do up gift baskets
Tags:
botanical gardens, fellows riverside gardens, fundraiser, mill creek park, show
Posted at: 08:49 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
I have a whole Coyote family in the woods by my house !
May 13, 2009
Oh my goodness,
I saw a whole famliy of coyote in front of my neighbor's house.
I went down to get the mail at about 11:30 or 12 and heard a howing and I thought a poor dog must be in trouble in the woods so I listened for a minute and then heard some more terrible howling.
I thought maybe a dog got caught in a trap or something.
Then, I heard the woods right across from house rustleing and hard a bunch of noises and then I thought it must have been a man with his hunting dogs just practicing so I turned to go up my driveway to the house.
I got to the end of my walkway and saw 5 or 6 small German shepard like black dogs running full speed out of the woods so I walked a little faster to my doorway and then turned to see and I saw a few more coming out of the woods.
My neighbor just just a couple of them behind my house and in her garden area just a few minutes ago.
I called 911 when I first saw them this morning because a pack might go...
[More]
Tags:
coyote, coyotes
Posted at: 06:23 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Getting ready for the BIG show
May 4, 2009
I still have so much to do and this is a busy time of the year anyway as I am gathering blossoms from my fruit trees, magnolia, and lilacs... to be used in my perfumes and other All Natural Handmade products.
Posted at: 08:07 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Do you Twitter ?
April 26, 2009
A Fresh New Look !
April 13, 2009
Have you seen my online store lately ?
I have added the link to my Newsletter that I made and I have now added the Wish List/Gift Registry that I finally got done.
Gayla from BiSi Designs helped me with a new deisgn for my store too. I sent her some photos and the colors I wanted... and she put it together for me.
Now, everything is tied together so wonderfully.
See my shopping page in the menu links above to get to my online store and see the fresh new look.
Tags:
colors, design, fresh look, gift list, gift registry, new design, new look, newsletter, online store, register, wish list
Posted at: 04:25 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Spring Fever is here !
March 19, 2009
Hello again everyone !
I hope you are all enjoying getting ready for Spring.
We have been.
My lilacs are getting ready to burst into bloom and I can't wait because I have a waiting list for my lilac soap and this year, i want to try my hand at a lilac perfume with them too. I will take a ton of blossoms to infuse into my oils to capture the scent, but it will be worth it.
I also see my crocus is up and many other flowers and herbs are starting to peek their heads out of the dirt now.
This is going to be a very busy year for me.
I was invited to appear at a fundraiser for our local botanical garden - Fellow's Riverside Garden at Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, Ohio and they asked me to bring lots of my products too.
The person in charge said that their focus this year is on natural health and wellness so she wanted my products to be showcased for the hundreds of patrons to have access to.
The event is called Girls Night Out and it is at the end of May.
I am so busy trying...
[More]
Tags:
flowers, fundraiser, girls night out, herbs, lilac perfume, lilac soap, lilacs, natural products, ohio, spring, youngstown, youngstown ohio
Posted at: 09:35 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
My youngest won an award for her essay about her "African American" hero
March 14, 2009
We just got back from an award luncheon for the first and sceond place winners in each elementary grade for several schools in the area.
Each of the first place winners read their essay at the podium.
My youngest won first place for her grade at her school.
Hubby forgot to charge the video camera so I got what I could on my camera. It will take short little 1 minute videos so I got the first minute and then the very end of it, but missed the middle because I had to wait for my camera to finish processing the first part before I could take the second video.
She did such a good job on her essay and at the podium - I am VERY proud of her !!!
Tags:
awards, essay, school awards, video, videos
Posted at: 03:41 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
My youngest to sing in a concert in Rochester Pa. tonight
March 13, 2009
She has been practicing for a month and she is so nervous !
She has a beautiful voice and was chosen to represent her 5th grade class from her school. She is one of 250 Pennsylvania kids that was chosen for this concert.
It is tonight at Rochester High School in Rochester, Pa. about an hour away.
I plan to take lots of photos - LOL
Posted at: 03:31 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Diana's Gift Shop is getting noticed !
March 11, 2009
I have been invited to show my all natural products and handmade items at a Youngstown, Ohio fundraiser for our local botanical garden.
Here's more information :
http://www.squidoo.com/handmade-perfumes-soaps-and-etcetera-by-Diana#module19806932
I hope you can all attend !
Tags:
botanical garden, fundraiser, handmade, local, natural, ohio, organic, youngstown
Posted at: 12:16 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Don't forget the Hubbard, Ohio Auction every Friday and Monday at 6pm
February 19, 2009
The Hubbard Auction and Flea Market is located at 5700 Youngstown-Hubbard road (routes 7 and 62) in Hubbard, Ohio
Map to the Hubbard Auction and Flea Market here about halfway down the page :
http://dianascraft- antiqueshop. 4t.com/Hubbard_ Ohio.htmlPublic Auction
Fridays at 6pm
These auctions feature :
many estate items like household items; jewelry; furniture; fishing equipment; tools; and many misc. items
* Also many new items, + fresh produce and grab bags...
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Mondays at 6pm
Features all NEW items
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Auction Facility is in Hubbard, Ohio 5700 Youngstown-Hubbard Road (routes 62 & 7)
(other side of the Hubbard Flea Market building - see map link above)
Every Monday and Friday
At 6pm
For more information, see Amanda at the Hubbard Flea Market
(5700 Youngstown-Hubbard Road) between 9 & 4pm Wed – Sat - Sun
Tags:
flea market, hubbard, hubbard auction, hubbard ohio, hubbard ohio auction, hubbard ohio flea market
Posted at: 12:53 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Need business help ?
February 10, 2009
Want to have loyal customers who know how valued they are ?
Then, treat them that way !
Here's a few tips in my page : http://www.squidoo.com/stockingtheshelves
Here is a link in for The Selling Lounge page too which is a great resource for online sellers or any business : http://www.squidoo.com/SellingLounge
Posted at: 02:37 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Have you read about our new puppy ?
February 5, 2009
He is a rescue pet and he is a cutie pie !
Here's his story :
http://www.squidoo.com/a-puppy-tale
Tags:
dog, pet, pup, puppy, rescue pet
Posted at: 08:49 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
More about this All Natural Tribute Perfume
February 3, 2009
I have been thinking more about how I can best honor these people who meant so much to me.
A few ideas are rolling around in my head and it is picking up some steam.
I will soon have a basic formula in mind and go from there to formulate an All Natural Perfume designed in honor of my Grandparents. I am calling it "L & R - ' Let me call you Sweetheart ' " after their special love song.
Mom is helping me to brainstorm by reminding me what their favorite things were. I remembered most of them, but she reminded me that as much as Grandma LOVED flowers - Grandpa got headaches around them and called them stinking weeds - LOL
And she reminded me that it was Grandpa who ate the white chocolate because he couldn't eat regular chocolate. Grandma loved the little nonpareils. Now I remember those - so that's where I got my love for dark chocolate - LOL
So, I want to have a blend that encompasses both of their likes and dislikes because in the same way they made their long marriage work - I will make this perfume blend work and hopefully design something that both of them would...
[More]
Tags:
all natural perfume, chocolate, designer perfume, flowers, grandma, grandpa, grandparents, love, marriage, natural perfume, perfume, tribute, tribute perfume
Posted at: 02:42 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Natural Perfumery as a tribute
January 30, 2009
I have made a perfume for my Mom as a tribute to her and her strength in fighting the cancer that is in her.
I have a perfume in my mind for my Grandma.
And now another perfumer has inspired me to try my hand at a perfume as a tribute to Grandpa too. As soon as I get that 25th hour in a day, I'll have it done - LOL
Most of my fondest memories are from the times I spent with my Grandparents. I remember them fondly often and it helps me to get through each day.
Saturday is hubby's last day at work. I was supposed to be today, but they are letting him go in for half a day on Saturday (they also let him work 20 hours of overtime this week) so we can get a head start on our bills for next month. After that - I don't know how we will do it, but we will manage - I always do thanks to the many lessons that my Grandparents taught me.
I am so gratful that I had time with them and that they instilled in me the lessons that they had learned while living and raising kids through...
[More]
Tags:
natural perfume, natural perfumer, natural perfumery, perfume, perfumer, tribute, tribute perfume
Posted at: 08:29 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Do you still have a job ?
January 27, 2009
This Friday was supposed to be hubby's last day of work but the company is SO big hearted that they are letting him Saturday too 
and then he is laid off for good.
I am glad to have my All Natural Gifts and Vintage Gifts business. It will not pay even half of the bills right now - but I am hoping that all of my hard work will soon take it over that threshold.
There are many of us in this same boat so let's refer customers to each other when we can as long as it doesn't take away from our own business of course.
I keep a list of what my fellow webstore friends have and when I get customers who want what I do not make/have, I go down that list and give my customers the links to those stores - I hope they all are doing the same for me too.
I do the same at my Hubbard, Ohio Gift Shop - I keep business cards on my corkboard of all of the local businesses that I trust and that have been good to me and I refer my customers to them.
Tags:
business, business help, gifts, job, job loss, laid off, layoffs
Posted at: 08:02 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Coming Soon - Diana's will offer a Wish List aka Gift Registry option
January 21, 2009
I am working on being able to offer my customers the ability to register for any of the items that I sell in my online store.
If you are getting married, having a baby, celebrating a graduation, moving to your new home, planning an Anniversary party or Retirement party, or simply want to let your friends and family know what gifts you would like to have for any other occasion or holiday - please let me know.
I will have you look over my online store and copy the product names/sizes/prices/and link to the product pages so I can make sure you get exactly what you want.
I will have a form that you fill out and email back to me.
I will then keep track of who buys you what so you do not get more than one of the same item (unless you requested more than one of something). Many of my items are one of a kind, but things like soaps, lip balms, perfumes... you can request several of each.
Your job now is to give out the link to my online store http://organicgiftsbydiana.mybisi.com/ to everyone you know who likely would want to give you a gift....
Tags:
baby, baby shower, gift, gift registry, gifts, holiday, online store, register for gifts, wedding, wedding gift, wish list, wishlist
Posted at: 11:18 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
The love of Language
January 19, 2009
I LOVE Jane Austen's books.
I love language and it so nice to see real conversations instead of "Yep" "I don't know" "What?" "Huh?" and so on.
People have forgotten how to speak or write with any sort of style.
I taught my kids to be able to hold a conversation with anyone whether it be with a peer or with the President and be comfortable doing it. Knowledge is power.
I had a huge battle getting my oldest to cooperate for a while as none of her peers understood anything except for slang so she saw no need to learn anything else.
I told her that she may not have to use it often, but it would be good to at least have the basic skills under her belt.
There have been many times while she was in high school and now (post graduation) when her understanding of our language has come in handy. She has been chosen for many opportunities because of this. When a teacher was faced with a choice of sending a student to represent the school - who would he/she pick someone who answers questions with a shrug of the shoulders and a few slang...
[More]
Posted at: 09:43 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Squidoo lens about my old 1825 house and family memories
January 15, 2009
http://www.squidoo.com/1825-house-old-homestead
About my old house, some family memories, and old ways of doing things gone organic and natural.
Tags:
1825, family, homestead, house, memories, old house, squidoo, the old ways
Posted at: 04:06 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Another Recipe
January 13, 2009
I just put another recipe on my Squidoo recipe lens/page : http://www.squidoo.com/Organic_Garden_Recipes
It is my adaptation of Beef Stroganoff. using my own herbs and the inlaws' hormone-free beef.
This is good food !
Tags:
beef, beef stroganoff, food, recipe, recipes, squidoo, using herbs
Posted at: 01:08 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
The puppy will be in the Youngstown Vindicator !
January 7, 2009
John Goodwin from the Youngstown Vindicator stopped by the Hubbard Flea market today to interview them about the puppy.
He will be sending a photographer next week to get the pup's photo and then they write up the article and publish it.
He thought the little pup was so cute and wanted to tell the story of the rescue and the rescuers.
Tags:
dog, dogs, flea market, hubbard, hubbard flea market, hubbard ohio, pup, puppy, the vindicator, vindicator, youngstown, youngstown vindicator
Posted at: 03:58 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
BREAK-In at the Hubbard Flea Market and Auction !
January 5, 2009
Sunday night someone brought in to the Hubbard Flea market building and even stole thingd from the Hubbard Auction next door.
It was sometime between 6pm on Sunday and 10am on Monday.
Some vendors had most of their items stolen.
There was quite a bit of damage too. The criminals broken one of the big glass doors and ransacked most of the booths and the Auction too.
What is wrong with people !
Most of these vendors are retirees who are just trying to make a little bit of extra money. These are not rich people who can afford to lose their stock. Most of them cannot replace what they lost and even if they have insurance (which I highly doubt ) the nature of vintage items doesn't lend well to being insured. Most of the items are not new and so do not have receipts nor are they super valuable antiques to be eligible to be insured.
These people had to have been in there for an hour or more to have done as much damage and to carry out full cases of items. How could no one have seen anything ?
The police were called and they are...
[More]
Posted at: 04:59 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Do YOU have the WalMart mentality ? - comments about craftmanship.
January 2, 2009
Do YOU have the WalMart mentality ?
OR - do you appreciate having quality artisan work ?
There is a post about this at the-wal-mart-mentality
There is nothing wrong with saving money on most things, sometimes a cheap item is fine - for example buying cheap towels... for kids or hubbys who will ruin the good ones - LOL In a case like this, you are likely saving money by getting the cheap ones.
BUT for my food, gifts, soaps, perfumes... - I want the best and to me that means as unprocessed as possible, all natural, organic and handmade - often one-of-a-kind items.
I agree with the others who have posted about this issue.
I also point out (to these potential buyers) that there are differences.
I make one-of-a-kind and other handmade quality items using all natural herbs and flowers... that are organically grown AND you get to meet the designer/maker of those goods (me).
I can explain to you how I do things, why I use certain materials, and tell you what herbs and flowers... I grew in my own organic gardens and how I grew them.
I make your items slowly and with great care because my...
[More]
Tags:
art, artisan, buying cheap, cheap, craftmanship, gift, gifts, handmade, one of a kind, one-of-a-kind, quality, saving money, wal mart, walmart
Posted at: 04:28 PM | 1 Comment | Add Comment | Permalink
Our new puppy !
January 1, 2009
We just got a Rescue puppy on Saturday, December 27, 2008 - Read about here in my Squidoo page :
http://www.squidoo.com/a-puppy-tale
Tags:
dog, pet, pets, pup, puppy
Posted at: 02:28 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
