Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair @ Shore Church Nov. 16

It’s been a while since I was able to post on my blogspot. I’ve been busy sewing for the upcoming craft show at our church, which is  a fundraiser for Rainbow Years Learning Ministry. RYLM is such a wonderful place for the children when mom and dad are working. We love all the teachers and how they care for each child. I will have handi-towels, (double towels), soap bottle aprons, catnip mice, baked potato bags, hankie bonnets for newborns, gift card/money holders, and a few child-adult aprons I found, and who knows what else?! I’m excited since I haven’t done a show for quite a while.
    I used to make stone birdhouses and had a shop near Topeka (Yoder Popcorn drive), but we have since moved, and I closed the shop, sold parts of the business to other talented ladies, and only sell items wholesale to local shops. This frees up my time to help care for my 99 yr. old mother-in-law, and my 97 yr. old mother......along with our 5 yr. old granddaughter a couple days a week, and we’ve been accumulating animals around here, which take time to care for.
    So, come on out Saturday in a week, and visit, shop, and eat! RYLM is serving a lunch and they have some great cooks. Looking forward to the 16th.

OPEN TODAY!

J

JUST WANTED TO LET YOU ALL KNOW WE WILL BE OPEN TODAY FROM 9 TO 1. If you can't come until after one, just call me, if I'm here I'll open up for you.  Garage Sale prices today on everything.  I'm closing the shop.  Come on over, we'll talk. :)

Bird's Nest will not be opening with regular hours this summer, instead we plan to be open the first saturday of each month with a GARAGE/BARN SALE.  Which means, May 6 we will be open from 9 to 4. You should be able to find some great bargains.  We usually look for things that you can repurpose that will look great in your home. Chalk paint really does wonders!....I had a blanket chest and  side table refinished this winter, and can't wait to use them in our new home. Please share and let others know to come May 6, or any other first saturday.  We also have a few of my mother-in-laws things to sell, along with my daughters, and others....so it should be a large sale.  I'll have a few of the new items that I make, like aprons, etc. too.  

See you then.

END OF ANOTHER SEASON

I am closing the shop for the season. If you need anything, and I am at home and available, I will be happy to

come out and open for you.  Just give me a call. or e-mail me.  If you want to order anything for Christmas, I should be able to have it ready for pick up in two weeks.  Thanks to all the friends who stopped in this summer, it was great.  God bless each of you with a wonderful winter.  See you in the spring.  Karen

AUCTIONS, AUCTIONS, AUCTIONS, LOVE EM AND HATE EM

I always get excited in the spring to go to a good auction, but by the time it's over, I'm exhausted!  The fun part is unloading the truck and seeing what "treasures" are in the box you picked up for $2.00. The hard part is "lugging" everything to the truck to bring it home.  :)  Last night I hired a young man to help....that was great!  But I didn't get the one item I really wanted...double wash tubs.      

Just wanted to post a few pictures of a few of the new items.  You'll have to come visit the shop to see it all.  It's really full right now, and the glass birdfeeders are selling well.  If you're like us you're enjoying watching all the birds arriving in your backyard.  I've heard the orioles are back in force, and we had our first humming bird this week.  Grandma has enjoyed watching the birdbath...we have one robin especially that just loves it!  I was closed today,  (Thursday), but kept opening up for people that stopped in...and so far it was my busiest day this year.  I told a neighbor "Maybe I should be closed everyday...! I seem to be busier than when I'm open."  Don't take me wrong...I enjoyed it, visiting with friends is fun any day.

GARAGE/BARN SALE TOMORROW

Everyone is welcome to come to the garage sale tomorrow, April 6, 2016, from 8-5.  I think I'm finally ready to "wheel and deal" :).  Time to move a few things out to get ready for new ones.  I have several old dressers and end tables that you could do a lot with....paint, refinish, whatever you find on pinterest (ha).  There are 24 garage sales in the area tomorrow...so it should be a fun day for all.

YES! BIRD'S NEST WILL BE OPEN THIS SUMMER

It's been almost a year since my last blog, and so much has happened in that time.....I didn't open last year so that I would have time to help my parents, and mother-in-law, and I'm so glad I took that time to be with them.   Since that time my father passed away the end of Sept., (miss him.) and mother-in-law moved into a small apt. in our home. So, maybe I'm crazy, but I'm getting excited about opening the shop again this summer.  I missed it.  I've been going to garage sales and auctions again and really enjoying it.  I told my husband I think this will help me keep my sanity, and his comment was, "or drive you insane." :)  It will be good to see all my friends again.  We are having a big garage/barn/porch sale on April 6, which is a Wed. (the same day that F. D. Miller feed mill has their Ladies Day), and there will be a lot of other garage sales in the same area.  I'll be getting rid of the old and making room for new things.  I like to buy things that others can fix up and be creative with, and you should be able to find quite a few bargains.  I have a lot of great decorating ideas for the shop that I picked up on a long week-end antiquing in several shops between here and Bloomington, IL, and look forward to building new displays.  Just bought a hammer at the latest auction and it will be put to good use! So, come one, come all on April 6.....(The Bird's Nest Shop will be open that day too), and then plan to  open the Shop with my regular hours the first week of May....May 3 to be exact....(2 days after our 45th anniversary...what a way to celebrate.) :)  See you all later...........

BIRD'S NEST CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON

Bird's Nest will not be opening the shop doors this summer.  We want to be available to help our parents as they need us.  The Bird's Nest items can still be purchased in Shipshewana at several stores that I wholesale to, so be sure to look them up.  If you need a special item, you can always contact me and I'll be happy to help you out! The Stone Birdhouses can be found at the Dutch Blessing, NorthVillage, Shipshewana, Aprons and sewn items can be found at Yoder's Dept. Store in the shopping center across from the Flea Market in Shipshewana, and Uniquely Made has purchased some of the inventory of Antiques and Collectables I had in the shop.  They are located on Morton Street in Shipshewana.   One new item this spring, being sold at Yoder's Dept. Store in Shipshewana is the Hidden Pocket Hanger Cover.

You can hide valuables under an old winter coat, or put all the accessories for a certain outfit in the pocket and when you pull the dress out...you have everything you need.  My sister thought it would be great for traveling.  Well, time to finish the taxes!!, so back to paperwork and sewing...always sewing or stoning to do.  Have a Happy and Blessed Spring. 

BIRD'S NEST CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Bird's Nest has closed the doors for the season.  I had a good summer and it was wonderful to visit with everyone and meet new friends along with many returning visitors.  Thank you to all who made the year a success.  Now it's time to concentrate on celebrating Jesus' birth...the one who gives us new life in Him and Love, Joy, Peace and Hope in our lives. It's also time to spend with the grandchildren.... three of them decorated our tree...(along with Grandpa's help)  and it's the most beautiful  one ever! :)  This winter  I'll be working on new items for the shop, along with getting my inventory caught up. And who knows, we may even get a little vacation down south somewhere....??  Summers are way to busy for anything like that.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, May the Peace of Christ dwell in your hearts always...The Bird's Nest family, Karen and Galen

OPEN HOUSE AT BIRD'S NEST ALL WEEK ...NEW VENDORS, FOOD, GIFTS

 Here's Cindy Bontrager's table at the Open House...she brought some beautiful hand painted signs too...you're gonna love em!

Hand crocheted baby items, and she used the softest yarn...love them.















Also have beautiful hand made jewelry...you won't believe it..  Come on out so you have first pick.  Don't forget we have refreshments too.  Along with antiques, quilted items and unique clown and animal dolls.  See you later......

NEWS BREAK - OPEN HOUSE STARTING EARLIER :)

A few vendors needed to bring their items earlier, so we'll have the Open House start on Saturday....I'm also open today (Friday), if anyone is out and about....but sorry, no refreshments or specials until tomorrow.  The gift card/money holders are going well....I'll have to sew up a few over the week-end.  Hope to see you all next week! 



 Christmas Apron, along with many other aprons...some new work aprons, and Plus sizes available at the open house.

Beautiful pieced wall hanging made by my husbands cousin.  Be sure to check it out!










Catnip mice, your cat will LOVE it.  Made some special red and green ones for your christmas stockings.  They are made with catnip collected and dried locally.

Be sure to check out these washclothes...they have the scratcher right in the middle...no searching for the scratcher while washing dishes, or searching for your cloth when finished scrubbing...it's all in your hand!
I love them!

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE - Dec. 1 - 6, 2014.....9-5

It's that time of year again....time for the Christmas Open House at Bird's Nest.  The dates are Dec. 1 thru 6, and the time is 9 - 5, except the last sat. we will close at 2 pm. 

There will be several other vendors there, with unique gifts to purchase.  Some of the items are hand crocheted baby items, home-made goatsmilk soap, handpainted items by Cindy Bontrager;  along with drink and refreshments for everyone. 

So tell your friends, and plan a special day to come visit Shipshewana, and Bird's Nest Crafts. 

WE HAVE A NEW GRAND BABY!

Bird's Nest will be closed this week, October 6 - 11, I want to be available to help my daughter and family, who just had a little baby girl named Sadie Ann, join their family.  The baby is having to spend a little extra time in the hospital because she is jaundiced and has to be under the light.  Your prayers for the family to soon be home and together again would be appreciated.  She's such a little sweetheart, it's hard to not be able to hold her right now.  Have a blest week everyone, and I'll be open next week. :)

ANOTHER SUMMER AUCTION

 New Crocks

 Beautiful Oak dresser with original pulls on two drawers.  Only needs pulls for one drawer and it will be like new.

Dressing table I found at a garage sale.  Love it as it is, or could put a skirt around it.......and see the pink bunny? It was in the bottom of a box with some McCoy pieces...looks like USA.  I love the little guy!

 Great old frame around a cute picture of a little girl with chicks.....also still have Mother's silver-overlay, and the beautiful old trunk that has been refinished, great for a coffee table w/storage.

 This high chair was a garage sale find.  It opens forward and turns into a little chair/table.  In really good shape.

 I have three of these round tables in the shop right now.  This one has the best finish on it.  I love to display plants/flowers on them.

 Old marble game, along with old tools.  Sold the soddering (sp?) iron off this table yesterday.

 Nice dresser, and pictures for sale.  The little girl is holding a chick.  Would look great in any room of your home.

 Love these friendship quilts...don't know the ladies that made them.....but this one has some beautiful squares, and you can feel the love they put into their square.

Another kitty joined the "old cat" in the shop.  He's old, soft, has blue eyes, and is just adorable.

 Fruit plates/holders

An OLD kitten picture.  Love it.


So come on out and see the shop...it's full again.  Have a lot under the front porch roof too.  Love to visit...see you soon.

OLD WOODEN COFFEE TABLE/CHEST IN THE SHOP

My Mother's silver-overlay collection just arrived at the shop...she had some unique pieces.  Also, Cindy Bontrager brought this beautiful old wooden chest that she has re-finished.  Would make the best coffee table around...I love it.  Stop in and check out the other new items in the shop....

OPENING APRIL 8 FOR THE SUMMER

I'm planning to open the shop for the summer on April 8.  I've been going to garage sales and sewing a few new items.  Here's a picture of the most current item.  It's a cleaning apron to wear around the house.  My granddaughter had to wear one to help me clean the other day....love having her help!  She had a spot for the dustrag, dust spray, cleanser and toothbrush, and was ready to clean.

Here she is getting that sink really clean!

Took a packaging bag apart and made a cleaning apron out of it.  It's made for adults, but kids like it too.  Has two pockets, one deep pocket and a strap to hang a cloth from.  Makes cleaning a lot more fun..... just ask my granddaughter :)

GIFT CARD/CASH HOLDERS FOR NEXT CHRISTMAS

Today I had a great time creating little stockings that you can use to put  a giftcard or cash in at Christmas, then use as a tree ornament later.  Or - just use as a tree ornament.  They're turning out really cute.  Can't wait till spring to see if they sell in the shop

CLOSED FOR A WINTER'S BREAK

Bird's Nest is closed until April....looking forward to a 3 month break.  I'll still be stoning birdhouses and sewing, but will be able to have a little time off now and then.  If you need an item, please e-mail, and we'll set up a ship date or time to come to the shop.  Praying you all have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE STARTING THIS WEEK-END

The Christmas Open House will be starting the day after Thanksgiving and all through the next week.   There will be several other vendors there displaying their items too.  One is Cindy Bontrager with several winter banners, large and small, along with barn siding signs and others.  Here's a picture of what she did with some cans.



These could be used for Candle stands, or put some greenery in, or your Christmas cards.      The other vendors will have  homemade soap, handy towels, handmade   baskets, &   christmas tree ornaments.  The dates are Nov. 29 and 30, and Dec. 2-7.  Open each day 9-5 with refreshments served.  Come on out and fill your gift list.  Love to visit with you.



OCTOBER GARAGE SALE FINDS







Went to several Garage sales last week and found several cute things.  This little glider was one of them. 

A gentleman brought some old barn siding garden items too.  They are so neat, and well made.  Several little chair/planters, three garden benches, a coffee bar, and two bookcases. 

Here's a picture of the garden benches.   I'm also including a picture of the garden chair and bookcase.  These pieces are all put together with screws, not nails, so they should hold up well.  See you all soon.