Besides comments here on my blog and through FaceBook, I get quite a few private emails each and every week, and I love reading them all. It makes the world a much smaller...and friendlier place.
Many of them ask me the same questions....so...I thought I'd simply address the most-asked questions, in no particular order for you here.
What print program do you use?
I use Printshop by Broderbund for most everything from lil' flags and my business cards to banners and posters. It's a really easy, affordable program, but a bit limited...great for non-techie's like myself.
Is your Camas Antique's buddy your sweetheart?
I laugh every time I am asked this question.
No. I am not sure how this confusion began, since I shared, long ago. (here.) My Camas Antiques buddy is very near and dear to me, but his heart definitely belongs to Larry.
How do you stay so positive all the time?
Um...I don't. I just don't write about my mini (many!) periodic melt downs and pity parties. Seriously, who would want to read that?
I try (let me stress that word..try) to keep the head-light approach to the daily challenges life tosses my way..(you know, look only as far ahead as your headlights can see at night)..that being said, my nearest and dearest friends and family endure my oh-my-Gawd-how-am-I-gonna-get-through-this-and-why-oh-why-did-this-latest-setback-happen-to-me-moments (some more than others I am afraid...and you know who you are.)
How do you do your decoupage with the old book pages?
I share my technique here. It's easy, easy, eeeeasy. Oh, and you can buy liquid starch at places like WalMart.
Where do you get all that energy and how do you get by on so little sleep?
No clue.
Okay, my best guess would be that perfect mix of stressed-and-kinda-scared-coz-I-just-looked-at-my-bank-account-balances-again-and-now-I-am-wondering-what-my-tomorrow-might-look-like, and Pepsi Max. (By the way, I do not really recommend this combo. I know many, many of you are in the same boat as me. If you have a solution for me..please, do share it!)
The plain and simple truth to this one is that I used to go to bed by 9:30 pretty much every night when I was married and I slept like a rock.
I haven't slept well since becoming single. I do sleep much better than I used to (Man oh man, looking back, the first eight months or so I think I slept maybe two hours a night, if that, and it was broken up into twenty minute cat naps all night.) I just sleep so much better when there is someone else in the bed, and so I pile all the bed pillows (I have oodles of shams and bed pillows on my bed when it's made up) in the shape of a body on the "other" side of my bed when I hop into bed at night. Not sure why I continue to do it, as it doesn't really seem to help a lot, but it does add a sense of weight to that other side of the bed.
Can you give me tips on how to go about getting into an Antique Mall, and what kind of money can a girl make doing this?
Let's break this into two parts.
First off, The easy part of getting into an Antique Mall...you just ned to find a mall you feel like matches your style somewhat, and find out about booth prices (or getting on a waiting list for a booth) from someone at the counter. My friend Deb has more infop on this hot topic here.
Making an actual living doing this...hmmm Well, I do not honestly know anypone doing only a booth space, making a living. I know many vendors that also do shows (So much fun, but a lot of hard work!) or have booth spaces in more than one mall, or that work at a day job part or full time to supplement.
I also have to be honest here and say that very nearly all of my booth friends are either married, or live with a partner, so, if you are not goign to be the sole support of your family, yes, you can do a nice job of bringing in some income, and loving every minute of it!
As for how to set up and wow folks with your Antique Mall Booth, check out this link with more info from the display Guru herself (along with her oh-so-amazing hubby, Bob!)
Where can I get your Robin's Egg Blue Paint Recipe?
It's on my side bar...here. I get it mixed up in "eggshell" finish, in the lightest base color-way.
I think those are the most asked questions...if I missed any, let me know in the comment area and I will be happy to answer!