A couple of days ago, my dear blog friend, Funky Junk Donna, left a comment for me.
“You are indeed SMOKIN’! I’m so inspired I feel jittery. Maybe I should stay offline until school’s back in. Nah… I can handle it. Smelling like coconut sunscreen while reading isn’t a bad thing. 🙂
Seriously, that lampshade is killer. LOVE that idea! I also commend you on building your entire line. Most would purchase and resell. You’re crafting it all! Oh my gosh…
You will be so successful!
Donna “
She’s always encouraging to me, but this comment really struck a chord. I created a line? Me? I’m not a big designer. I never went to design school. I’m just me. A mom of toddlers, who was stepping on Cheerios, changing diapers and making bottles while I worked on this stuff.
I thought about her words and strolled into my dining room/Lucketts holding room.
I had carefully collected and created furniture, lighting, linens, wall art, and accessories…I had created a line.
Everything isn’t matchy-matchy, but it’s all “me” and it all looks like it belongs together.
Some of it I bought…
…some of it I made…
…and some of it I tweaked or refurbished.
And when it’s all tagged and arranged in my booth next weekend, every piece will have my fingerprint on it. Just like a “real” designer.
Thanks, Donna, for challenging me with your words and for showing me that I too often sell myself short.
50 Responses
Donna is so right!! You really do have a "look", along with a marketing scheme to match. All your blog, website, tags all work for you because they all say "Miss Mustard Seed!!" I feel like I have so many different angles I want to approach selling at, that I need to focus! your comments about focusing on your booth really hit home! It has had me thinking all week, where DO I want to go??? My question… how do you do it ALL???? and do it so well??
You've certainly inspired me! Keep up the wonderful work! 🙂
Do you sell online?
You are a true inspiration, Marian! And, you are a real designer! I also see some fun glitzy glam butterflies and pillows covers I love! You do wonderful work and I love to watch your creativity unfold. Have a great weekend.
Donna is seriously right. I love seeing what you've gathered together, it's amazingly cohesive.
But you are a REAL designer… we all love your amazing designs, your creative genius and you inspire so many! I don't ever imagine you stepping on cheerios, or making bottles while you work,but you just put the best image ever in my head of yourself! A REAL mom doing REAL work and inspiring us to do more! Your creations are fabulous, I'm glad Donna was able to help you see yourself for what you really are…FABULOUS! Thanks for always sharing, Theresa
I LOVE everything you do here.. My biggest regret is not finding you sooner.. I am having a heck of a time finding the time to read every posts you have previously done. My mouth is hanging open, drooling really…
Tonight, I just may have a dream about the game "Clue" ……
MrsMustardSeed…
did it with the glue gun, in the craft room!!!
Donna is right! it's one of the reasons I keep coming back {and back and back} to your blog. I LOVE your style, I love the line you created! I probably don't comment here often, but I think you are pretty darn awesome!
I agree with Donna too. This weekend will be a success. I do not see how it will not be. Good Luck!
your beautiful things are so inspiring – you will do sooo well!you should be proud of your accomplishments:)thanks for sharing so much with us here…
mary
You are very talented and I always love to see what you have done. You give all of us lots of inspiration. I wish you all the best on your show at Luckett's. I know you have really worked hard to get ready. Love & blessings from NC!
I LOVE your look! If I could pull off that look I soooo would. Thanks for the inspiration!
I think we all sell ourselves short 😉 Yes, your 'line' is wonderful…and I can't wait to see it next weekend!
Jamie 🙂
What a wonderful compliment from your friend…I only wish I lived closer…
I can't wait to hear how well it goes for you! You have some great stuff there! You have a definite style. You have also inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and I have almost finished my first piece of furniture for sale. I ended up keeping the first one I finished!!! lol Have a great weekend and don't work too hard!
I'm so jealous! My sister is going to be hitting the Luckett's fair next weekend and she is planning on stopping by your booth. Sure wish I could go with her! Hope you have lots of success! Your stuff is so cute and is always an inspiration for me to try my hand at things I don't necessarily think I can do. Thanks for putting yourself out their!
Good lick this weekend!
I love your look and try to knock it off when ever I think of how i am going to decorate! great job. Mustard Seed Creations coming to a store near you! (one can hope)
This post REALLY made me smile! Not because you mentioned me (which I thank you anyway), but that you finally caught a glimpse of what I've seen for a very long time.
Other successful stores have started just the way you are. You've certainly got a handle on your product. And the next step is merchandising.
I think of alot of things I'd like to sell myself, however I always stop my own success if I don't have a finishing plan ahead of me. But that hasn't stopped YOU. Bravo!
I'm watching and learning every day. Thank YOU for the inspiration. 🙂
Donna
Yes everything does look like it belongs together!! When it comes through your hands…how can it not??
Wonderful items…wish I was going to Lucketts!! Sigh!
Hugs
SueAnn
she is right! you do great work, very inspiring!
you do have a "look"…just like that fab giveaway box you did…it is all you. What a wonderful reminder that you are following your heart and your gut in what you create and it is all you and all personal. I wish I was close enough to go to Luckett's to see your success!
you do have a "look"…just like that fab giveaway box you did…it is all you. What a wonderful reminder that you are following your heart and your gut in what you create and it is all you and all personal. I wish I was close enough to go to Luckett's to see your success!
Amen, sister! Love your blog, lobe your creations! Linda
Like I've said before, you take the cake!! Everything is just so beautiful.
I love all of your things and I live in Maryland and would love to go to Lucketts but I am booked solid next weekend. Do you have a store in Gettysburg or do you sell anywhere else during the rest of the year?
I love all of your things and I live in Maryland and would love to go to Lucketts but I am booked solid next weekend. Do you have a store in Gettysburg or do you sell anywhere else during the rest of the year?
Everything looks so beautiful just waiting to be loaded, displayed and looked at! You will do great and make sure to take pictures after you set up! : )
Donna was so right, you are smokin! I don't comment on your blog regularly but I sure do look at it every chance I get. You are totally among the professional inspirations as far as I'm concerned. Please take plenty of photos when you get it all set up. We cannot wait to hear your success story at Lucketts.
Dear friend, your production is adorable! The kind of thing we either want to make or want to buy! Your projects are very inspiring and my hands are itching to try something at home!
I want to tell you, I love the tags you have attached to the items. Did you get them on line or at some local business? Please, let me know, I would love to make some for my art work.
Thanks a bunch!
I hope you have some feedsacks left after Lucketts to sell on etsy. I'm having a hard time finding reasonably priced ones to make into pillows.
I love the look of all of your stuff too and I think it will sell well. I esp love your signs!
What a powerful gift Donna gave you, the ability to recognize all that you are and can be! Friendship is precious!
May God continue to bless all your endeavors, MMM!
I love looking at what all you've made. I actually had a dream the other night of going to Luckett's and seeing your booth and trying to get to it before everything sold. And, as dreams go, before I could get there it was all gone except for a single birdie salt shaker…apparently it's mate had been sold to a lady who was going to China and was going to use the pepper shaker as a sugar shaker for her tea…yeah, it was a weird dream, but all that to say that you've been very inspirational, and obviously I am thinking about your blog and your beautiful creative things in my sleep!!! Haha!
Have a great day!
-Grace
She is so right! You have beautiful pieces that could go up in any store! I wish I was closer to you, I would love to shop at your booth!! It is amazing what moms can do as we step on food, maneuver around toys and change clothes, diapers. Sometimes I don't even know until the end of the day the things that I actually did accomplish!! Good luck, I bet you will do amazing!!!!
What treasures…
I can't even stand it – this post is so inspiring! Congratulations on creating something all your own…it's fantastic!
k
Donna is so right! In fact I've become quite inspired by your "line" and notice myself collecting and rearranging to get your look.
I do hope you take a photo of your booth at Lucketts so we can see it all together!
She is so right! Congratulations. 🙂
You are amazing—I am always inspired and impressed by your creative style and your willingness and ability to share "how" you do most of the amazingly creative things you do. You do have a line and I love it! Thank you for giving the rest of us great ideas to work with.
Karen @ Garden, Home and Party
Marian, don't YOU ever sell yourself short! You are overflowing with talent and rewards are yours for the asking!…:) JP
So awesome, that's what I love about the blog world. There are so many lovely women out there supporting and encouraging each other. It really is special.
I love the fact that you share your creations on a blog. I enjoy looking at every little detail. You are an inspiration to many and I believe that is an important a gift as the product you create. To spark the creativity of others has huge ripple effects. Bless you from someone out here in the pond.
Marian, You have no idea how much I look forward to reading all about your new creations every week! I did not realize that you have toddlers! How on earth did you get all this done? I have one toddler, and I watch two infants, and I feel like I am lucky to have my house picked up most days. Wow, I am even more impressed! Yes indeed, you have created a line, and it is awesome! Keep it up! Oh, and thanks so much for your advice this week! I've got my poly acrylic and I am hoping to fix that dresser this week!
I think that one of the reasons you are experiencing this success as you market your "brand" is that you have been true to yourself! It's easy to follow the trends and fads and forget what is most dear to our own hearts. Your beautiful creations are a result of your unique design approach. And I love it all!
You know isn't it the best when someone you admire says or does something to validate you? I remember being tickled pink when you started to follow my blog! I am sure you had no idea, but it really made me light up!Just an all around good feeling when someone you admire gives you the nod!
You have always inspired me to create and have confidence in my artistic abilities and that's why I love visiting you.
Your lampshades are so irresistible and I am sure you could start a line of nothing but them.
I just wish I was fortunate enough to be able to visit your booth. You have worked so hard and everyone is going to want your stuff.
hugs
Sissie
Donna is right! Your line is beautiful and is all you! I love all of your things and am so inspired by you!
Donna is right! You have such an amazing talent, and all of the things you touch have been left with your personal mark!
your work and your work ethic is incredibly inspiring. I truly enjoy watching where your business goes-BRAVO!
I'm inspired now! Jittery too! Donna is so sweet!