And the winner is........

KATIE!! Katie was post # 39 and she said "this is a great blog!! So encouraging to a college student living off a small income" ...... I hope these goodies brighten your day Katie!!

I had a lot of fun doing this giveaway and I really enjoyed all of your comments!! Thank you so much again for your encouragement and support! I really appreciate ALL of you;)

One of you asked a question about how the "shop" works....... and if all the items I feature are for sale ......... how to contact me for pricing and such ...... so I thought I'd give an update:

When I opened the studio last December I was splitting the space with my studio partner lily. The studio is located in an "up and coming" area that just got rezoned and named as the Pendleton Street arts District. Because of the area , I wasn't sure how foot traffic and sales would be and assumed I would just be using the studio as a work space to paint my furniture and supply my booth at Antiques on Augusta (where I rent a space) which is open 7 days a week with regular hours! All of us in the studio were planning on being open the first weekend of every month for what is called "first fridays" and we would see how it went! WELL ...... it went, and is going really well !! Knack has grown so much over this past year .......lily and I now have our own spaces because we both needed more room .......and it has become apparent that my studio has now morphed into a studio/ retail space! I have just had walls and platforms installed to block off the work space from the retail space and we are going to see how that works! My studio is open the first weekend of every month and during the week "by chance"!! I'm normally there working, and I do have people pop in to purchase and /or pick things up ....I can't always guarantee that there will not be wet paint and saw dust everywhere, but it is what it is!! I do sell some of the items that I post about, but not all. I will usually do a post to let you all know what is new and coming to the shop! As far as ordering or finding out pricing on items in the shop , just email me at barb@knackstudios.com and let me know what you are interested in and we can go from there;) I have already talked to my web guy , and we are looking into a shopping cart for my website within the 2009 year. Once that is up and running it will be easier for you all to purchase Knack goodness!!

So all that to say ..... things are growing and moving at a steady pace, and I am growing and learning right along with it!! Adjustments are being made and steps are being taken to grow ...... but always at the fore front of my mind is that I want to keep what is important in life at the top of my list, and that is my family . Success for me is not having a thriving retail store that is open every day of the week raking in the dough....... success is a happy, healthy family and relationships.

I have included a photo with this post that I took of the storefront last week as the window platforms were going in so that you all could see what it looks like!

I hope this helps you all understand a little more about knack and what I do! Feel free to ask any other questions you might have! Have an awesome Monday!! xoxo

every jot and tittle

It's time for checking your list twice and great gift wrapping!! I just purchased these random number tags and thought I'd share a shop chock full of super greatness when it comes to tags!!

Speaking of checking your list twice ......don't forget to enter to win in the GIVEAWAY CONTEST!! The contest ends Sunday at midnight!! Have a wonderful weekend my friends! :) xoxo

red 2 white

Love the color , shape, and the message of these felted bowls ...... "oneness".

It's giveaway time!!

Happy day Happy day!! Thank you to ALL of you who have made the first year of knack blog so special!! All of the comments, support, gifts, new friends ......it has just been a real treat for me!! I really appreciate each and everyone of you who has featured me on your blogs and passed the word along to others about knack! This would not be what it is without people like all of you!:)

So...... In return for all YOUR goodness .... I'm offering a little goodness from the shop ........

1. Skinny Laminx - borrowed spoons dishtowel - heather moore
2. color box design- faux bois letterpress note cards
3. knack- cake stand with yellow flowers

Just leave a comment here and make sure you include your contact email ........ I will put all the names in a hat and announce the winner on Monday morning!! xoxo

while we're on the subject.....

I thought I'd put together a little holiday shopping guide .........all about deer things!! All of these particulars are under 50 buckaroos!!

I also have to confess that my husband is teaching me how to use photoshop and this is my first attempt! (he totally did it, and just made me feel like I was really great at it!!) I'm going to learn though.... it is sooooo cool!!

Have an awesome Tuesday my fabulous friends!! I have great things going on in the studio today!! Pictures soon!!

1. antique antlers- luxe deluxe- 35.00
2.new stag ring- dillon designs-8.00
3. brown leather antler pouch- bonspiel creation- 34.20
4. taxidermy deer wall wear- nea wear- 45.00
5.antler brooch- crafty folk- 15.00

oh how suite it is....

I received a special treat from tasty suite last week!!

After pouring over the new Domino book and seeing all the fabulous styling ideas I was in the market to update several rooms of my house especially the foyer! So...... after walking all around the house and taping my deer head to every surface imaginable .. I decided to put him in the foyer where he is the first thing you see when you walk in my front door!! Actually you can also see him through my front doors as you pass my house since they are glass on top!! ( yes you have my permission to do drive bys!!)

Now to find the perfect table to go under him and a new light fixture....... :) Thanks Kelly for making my foyer suite!

stamp not included

I want to give a shout out to my friend Alison and her Christmas cards!! I've included the bio from her etsy shop ( which is brand new!) as well.....

"Stamp Not Included is based in Greenville, South Carolina. Our goal is to design creative Christmas cards with a Christian message. Our mission is to spread God's love by donating $2 from the sale of each set of cards to the Frazee Dream Center, a free after school and summer program for under resourced students."

Good stuff!!

mary ink

Love these silk screened votive holders by mary ink!

I hope you all have a wonderful start to your week!! I also want to give you a heads up....... in honor of knack's one year blogging anniversary, I will be having a giveaway this week! I am putting together a package of goodies from the shop, and it will post on Wed!!