Signs of Spring

Bouquet in vase hand carved stamp

This new stamp of a bouquet in a vase was inspired by this hand built, raku fired vase I made in art school. I've always been a far superior 2 dimensional artist, and most of my efforts in 3 dimensional art ended in disaster (you don't even want to know the ridiculousness I produced in my sculpture class). But this vase, out of all of my pottery work, was and still is my pride and joy. I love it most when it is filled with forsythia which happens to be in full bloom!

Lady slipper hand carved stamp

The lady slipper is one of my favorite flowers because it is so elusive. Spotting one in the woods feels like discovering a rare prize. This lady is a true independent spirit - try and transplant her out of the woods and into the garden and she'll put up a fight (or downright refuse).

Along with the forsythia and the lady slippers (who are quietly emerging in woodlands unseen by human eyes), the daffodils and hyacinth are up, the crocuses are singing, the robins have returned and the peepers peep at night. Spring has really sprung - it's official!

Visit the shop for more hand carved rubber stamps at http://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenGardenStamps

April Showers

Umbrella

Rain drops

Fluffy cloud

Rainy Day hand carved rubber stamp set

This time of year, I welcome the rain because I know it's setting the stage for healthy, vibrant spring gardens in May! There's just nothing like the first inklings of spring - the tranquil sounds and moodiness of rainy days, the daffodils and hyacinth blooming, and the robins fluttering about.

To purchase any of my individual stamps or rainy day sets, please visit my shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenGardenStamps.

Spring Fever!

Flower garden border set

Robin

"Hand Made"

Any designs you'd like to see? Leave a comment and let me know!

New stamp designs

Lots of things growing in the garden for spring! Click on any of the images to be directed to purchasing information in my Etsy shop.

Violet

Sage

Stem with leaves

Butterfly flower

Tulip blossom

Folk art flower

Folk art flower

Star flower

Tulips

Strawberries on the vine

Sweet peas on the vine

Calla lilies

Cherry tomatoes on the vine

Small rose

Rose

Flower Garden stamp set

This new set of five flower stamps is all you need to get you garden growing! Sets of 3 are also available for purchase. Buy them today for yourself or as a great gift at Green Garden Stamps.

Click on the links below to see purchasing details:
SET OF FIVE FLOWER STAMPS
SET OF THREE FLOWER STAMPS

Green Garden Stamps - 1 Year Anniversary and Lessons Learned

Large folk art flower

2010 was a wonderful start for Green Garden Stamps. I opened shop in February with a vision in mind, changed course several times, learned tons of lessons, and by the holiday season I felt like GGS advanced from it's shifting sea legs to an established and growing business.

Hungarian folk art collection

If you've read previous posts, you know that I really wanted to make one of a kind stamps. It was part of my original vision and intention for the shop. Sometimes, though, what you think you want isn't what will actually work best, and this was one of those times. Now that I have switched over to made to order stamps, I am thrilled! It's made things easier for me as a seller because I only have to photograph stamps once and I can just re-list sold items. In turn, that frees up time to focus on carving new designs. The artist in me wanted OOAK, but in reality, that only works with higher end items. For a low-mid price range the sage advice of seasoned Etsy sellers is to make/list items you can make over and over again. I'm so glad I took this advice as it has taken my business from a place of working harder than necessary for inconsistent results, to simplifying my process and gaining in sales and exposure.

Large iris stamp

I must admit, there was a bit of stubbornness involved in why it took me so long to recognize the obvious and follow suit. "I want to be different!". Well, yes, different is good. But I already am different just in the way I carve and the sorts of images I design. I wonder if my stubbornness would have lasted longer if I hadn't made this stamp.

Made with Love stamp

I made this stamp before I opened up the GGS shop. Since I was at the time focused on OOAK stamps, this one was too "used" to sell so I made some gift tags with it. In my mind, the tags would become the repeatable product. After the second, third, forth custom order came in for the stamp itself, I finally succumbed to creating my first made to order listing. Now it's my most popular stamp to date!

Large tulip stamp

I guess the great lesson learned, the same one learned in all of life, is to roll with it. You've got a great idea, you put it into action, and only then will you be able to know what works for it and what works against it.

I PROMISE dear readers that I will be more consistent in my posting from now on announcing new designs and other fun things. Cheers to spring right around the corner and green things growing again!

Large sunflower stamp

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