Tuesday, April 26, 2011

This and That

Nathan, Emme, and I are preparing to make the 12 hour trip to Wilmer Minnisota. We will  be gone from Thursday thru Monday. Our neighbors are kind enough to care for our house while we are gone. We are going up there to help Nate's grandparents finishing moving out of the house they have lived in for over 40 years. They are no longer able to care for the house. Nate has such a great family and I love spending time with his grandparents. We are so excited to make this trip and on the other hand we are dreading the 12 hour drive with 5 year old Emme. If we didn't take her they would be so disappointed though. I am sure we will come home with items that they no longer want or don't have room for in their new apartment.

While we are gone I will be unable to manage our etsy store. I added a couple new items this evening and will try to add a few more before we leave. I really need to get some hairbows made to place on etsy. I just haven't found the time or the energy to make them yet. I think that once I get some made they will be a hot seller. I have made some vintage windows with vinyl on them. One of the windows is a chandelier with rinestones.... it's really awesome. The other one is a kitchen inspired window with silverware and scrolls. I will take pictures and post them tomorrow.

I really wish I could get feedback as to what people would like to see in our etsy shop.

As I mentioned in a prior post $5.00 of every sale is donated directly to Lanie Watkins. She is 2 years old and is at St. Judes battling cancer. Once I have a lump some of $300 to send Lanie, I would like to research another child in need. Granted doing this makes some of the items we sell on etsy nonprofitable to us but soing this gives Nathan and I a sense of satisfaction that we are able to help a child and her family in need. It really has ment so much to us.

I was talking to a friend today at work and we got on the subject of poetry. I really got to thinking..... I love poetry and I used to write alot of poems. I looked some of them up today and they brought a smile to my face. Possibly in the near future one of my blogs will be one of my poems with the story behind the inspiration that I had to right the poem.

Soon I will post a tutorial on making vintage tin flags.... that is in the works.... stay tuned.

Until next time.... Be at peace with who you are and be thankful for all you have in your life.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Introduction to Rustically Chic

Hello!! My name is Kristal Duncan. I am with a wonderful man named Nathan Seybert. We have three children. Wade is 13, Rileigh is 11, and Emilee just turned 5. We also have a tea cup chihuahua named milee. We are a very family oriented group with very strong personalities. Any of you with children these ages know exactly what I am talking about when I say "drama". Hahaha. There is always daily drama of some sort.... Rileigh has no clothes, Emme won't stay out of Wades room, Wade keeps changing the channel. One wants cheese pizza and one wants pepperoni. I became a mother at a very young age and I have learned as I have gone. I have gotten the chance to grow with my children. I have told them that if given the chance to have the exact same children as I have today I would have waited a few more years but I wouldn't change a thing. My children are my life, my pride, and my joy.

During the day Monday thru Friday I am a nurse. I work for a very respected longterm care facility as the MDS CarePlan coordinator. I love my job and I love my residents. My job is the most rewarding career I could have ever chosen for myself.

Recently Nate and I have started a small business called Rustically Chic. We started making handmade bows.... this business has grown greatly. We now make custom signs, vintage windows with vinyl pictures, and much more. We started an etsy store and also feature vintage items there. This venture has brought the two of us so much closer and I wouldn't change a thing for the world.

Our newest venture is to raise money for a little girl named Lanie Watkins. I do not know Lanie or her parents, though they are from my hometown. I began following her story through a friend on my facebook. Her status would read "LANIE UPDATE". In the comment section she would copy and past the update that Tessie (Lanies Mom) would send out. They found out a few months ago that Lanie has brain cancer. She has undergone surgery to remove the tumor but cancer cells still remain. She is currently at St. Judes with her parents battling this awful disease. It was while reading her updates that I became so attached to this story. My heart reached out to Lanie and to her parents. I started a fundraiser in honor of Lanie. Every sale from my etsy shop will donate $5.00 directly to Lanie and her family. So far this has been a slow going process but I know that with time and effort along with prayer, we will be able to raise a lump sum of money to send to them. This project has made such a difference in my life. Everyday I thank God for the health of my children and for the life I have been blessed with. Each day I think of Lanie and how she is progressing. Everyday I want to do something to better myself and my family. I hope my children grow up with the same thoughts in their minds.

I am starting this blog in hopes to raise awareness of cancer and those who suffer from it. Once we raise a lump sum of money for Lanie I will research and begin raising money for another child in need. The items that we sell on RusticallyChic on etsy doesn't make us alot of money but every little bit helps and every little bit is just a little bit more that I can donate to someone in need.

I hope to use this blog to share my ideas, projects, and recipes in hopes that you will enjoy them as much as I do. This craft business and vintage shopping has really brought my family closer and I hope it will yours too.