❤️Season of Giving ❤️

As I was pondering and wondering what would be a good topic to write about for this months blog, lots of different ideas came to mind, but nothing settled in the mind crevices with conviction.  After much mulling and mediating it hit me!  We are heading into the season of Giving!

The heart attitude of being grateful.  Grateful for not just what we have, but the deeper things like freedom to live and think as our convictions and values lead us.  There is so much division surrounding all our outlets.  I am wanting to share HOPE and JOY through the acts of being appreciative and grateful.

So, for this upcoming Season of Giving...I am challenging myself, and I challenge you as well, to participate in the popular practice of "Being Grateful".  Whether it is a daily post on you favorite social media site sharing what you are grateful for;  or a personal, more meditative journaling approach.  For me, I like the more personal approach with maybe a few sprinklings here and there on social media.  Instead of focusing on the negative, turning my focus on what is positive.  "What can I be grateful for through this circumstance"...kind of thinking.

Starting off, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I've had to pursue and profit from a long held dream of mine.  Owning a small business.  Being a "shop owner" was one of my favorite childhood games to play.  I liked organizing my stuffed animals and various toys to create a little store.  From those earlier childhood fantasies till now, I've always had a passion to encourage others.  I enjoy sharing my creative gifts and inspiring others to look within themselves to discover the hidden treasures that are waiting to be discovered. 

I also enjoy sharing multiple ideas for one product; revealing a perspective that maybe the "customer" has not seen; an additional idea or thought which expands on the original intent for a new and creative idea.  For instance:  I enjoy working with my hands making mixed media art "ornaments".  These ornaments are not limited to hanging on a Christmas tree!  They can be used as bookmarks,  adornments in a kitchen, or a special charm on your favorite notebook, planner or journal.  Just a few additional thoughts to get you started on thinking of how you can use these art pieces.

Below are a few samplings of some of the art pieces I've made.  For more offerings of handmade gifts items for sale, click on this link.

Magnet Art Pumpkins

Inspirational Leaves

Inspirational Adornments

Magnet Leaves

If your love language leans towards "gift giving", Pear Creek Cottage has many sweet, affordable gifts just ready to bring joy and cheer to someone.  Adding to that special, unique gift is an added bonus.  Right now, through December these one of a kind items ship for FREE!  Handmade and FREE!  What a delight to share for this "Season of Giving"

Handmade Adornments

Pitcher Adornments

Fabric Pieced Magnetic Bears

Fabric Pieced Birds

Another thing that I am grateful for is YOU!  My readers.  My friends.  My family.  My customers.  The amazing relationships that have formed through the avenue of Pear Creek Cottage.  I am unable to fully express what it means for YOU to be in my life.  Each individual has planted seeds into my life garden.  Those seeds have been taking root in the forms of trust and belief, kindness and generosity.  Together, I am looking forward to what the New Year of journeying and working with YOU will offer.

Thank you for your continual support of Handmade and Shopping Small Business.  Maybe without realizing it, you are helping fulfill someones dreams...just like mine.  We all need each other.

                                  With much gratitude and thanks for all.

                                        The Magic Behind the Unicorns

I wanted to give a special "shout out" to my husband, Jerry, for all the help and support he has given to me since I started Pear Creek Cottage 8 years ago.

When we started this adventure, I had just completed over a decade of working for a corporation.  As with "corporate work", there were definitely ups and downs.  Major frustrations, a few "highs"...to help balance the "lows".

Jerry believed in me, right from the start.  He willingly supported the lack of income we received, while the business was being birthed and grown.  He was and still is my #1 moral support.  He believes in me and my dream...sometimes more than I believe in myself.

Here we are 8 years later, and we are working side by side in our small home business.  Neither one of us saw this coming, but when Jerry's company sold the part of the business where he worked, he was let go.

He has company while he cuts out shapes!  His favorite is John Wayne movies.  He has seen them so many times, he has them memorized I think!  :)

We teased each other, about him "working for me"...but low and behold, it has come to pass.  Well, he doesn't really work for me, but with me.  He has become an excellent die cutting apprentice!  Can I just let you know that he has been cutting felt unicorns for the whole month of June and beyond.  He has cut over 4000 unicorns!  Whoo hoo!

Taking a lunch/walk break along our lovely Santa Cruz Coastline

It may not seem the "manly man" thing to do, but yet there he is still cutting and stacking the unicorns all nice and neat as they await shipping out to customers.  His large fingers, delicately cradling the fragile unicorns as if they were a newborn babe.  Observing this, as I routinely work on filling orders, has brought a new surge of love and admiration for this man that I said; "I Do" to, over 39 years ago.




I just had to stop and share with you the importance of our love and commitment to each other.  Doing things for each other, even when we don't "feel" like it.  Placing each other as a priority.  Working together to achieve our goals.  Realizing anew, that we need each other.  We were not made to do this life alone.  God intends for us to live in joy, and in relationship.  Just as The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit live in community and relationship, we too are designed to live in relationship.


My joy level has risen as I see the care and love that Jerry displays by his actions.  The Magic behind the unicorns?  LOVE!!


 Together, we both are so grateful for your continued support of our small home business.  You are helping us as a family, and our THANKS is heartfelt and sincere.


Did you know that you can use our "White Wax Dipping Felt" shapes for more than dipping in wax!    Use your favorite markers, and color right onto the felt. Great for kids crafts or for your own personal muse.   Let your inner artist out!

Spring is Here...feeling GRATEFUL

 After a couple of bouts with sickness this past winter, my body and mind are rejoicing that it is Spring.  Winter felt long and hard.  I was forced to rest and care for my health, which isn't a bad thing. 

I am a doer.  A "go-getter".  A planner.  Sometimes, I don't know when to stop.  Thankfully, my Creator God, has allowed me to experience sickness in order to stop and rest, and regain health; as well as learning to be more grateful for the health I do have.

In between sleeping, and coughing, I had some moments where I had mini inspiring creative moments.  Wanting to work in my planners, and get them spruced up, I came up with some designs that would help me be more organized.

 Recently, I started embroidering again.  Using wool blend felt shapes, and acrylic felt shapes gives me a great "canvas" to practice my stitches on.

 Here are some pictures of projects that I worked on while recuperating.

Hand-stitched basket of flowers
journal notebook book band.

Travelers Notebooks (TN) book bands. Elastic bands stitched with
decorative wool felt shapes.

Jumbo paper clips with decorative fabric shapes.

Stitched rabbit journal notebook band.

 














Yesterday, I was able to go for a nice walk with my daughter and grandson.  As I was walking along, all of a sudden, I realized..."I'm grateful!"  Grateful for the beauty of creation that surrounds me.  Grateful for movement, and the ability to walk.  Grateful for the company of my daughter and grandson...having family close.    Sharing these moments together, fills me with JOY!

I hope the season change to Spring has allowed you some time to capture and rehearse being thankful and grateful.  Thank you for reading and traveling with me on this life journey.

New Year = Brand New Pear Creek Cottage Newsletter

As January is wrapping up, and February close behind, I wanted to share some exciting new things happening at Pear Creek Cottage.

For some time now, I've been wanting to start a Shop Newsletter.  I have met so many great and wonderful people in the almost 7 years I've been open.  Pear Creek Cottage has introduced me to lots of new things that I was not aware of: such as the huge, Tutu craze that was so popular with not just children, but adults too.   Also,  I learned about Scentsy.  Having never heard of the company before, and now, enjoying the benefits of knowing so many wonderful people who sell Scentsy products.
I now know first hand, what neat gifts that Scentsy warmers and wax make as Christmas and birthday gifts.

As a way of staying better connected to my customers/friends, I thought a Newsletter would be a great way to keep up to date on specials, promotions, and just the happenings in day to day life.

So, I'm launching the first Newsletter and asking folks to sign up to automatically receive the latest up to date info, right in your email!

As an incentive, and "Thank You" for being the first to sign up, I have a FREE offer for YOU!

For everyone who subscribes to my Newsletter, I will send you a Coupon Code to the shop.  You won't want to miss this one!  You will receive $5.00 off your entire purchase of $25.00 or more with the Coupon Code!

Once you sign up, the Coupon Code will be revealed.  This deal is a limited time offer, so don't wait to sign up for the Pear Creek Cottage Newsletter.

As always, thank you for supporting me, and journeying with me as we inspire and encourage each other.