Greetings! ...from Kimberly Shaw

Benefits of a Cottage Business

There are many benefits to working from your home. Your commute is very short, you have a full kitchen for serving tea or baking scones, there are more sounds of birds in a residential area than an industrial area, and a home is more insulated than a concrete warehouse.  Additionally, the traffic of business solicitors who just walk into your front office will diminish. In a home solicitors knock on the door and you are not obligated to answer it.  At home I'm blessed with Rose bushes, Camellias, English daisies, Gardenias and fruit trees in the yard, contrasted to a parking lot lined with low maintenance ground cover.

We've started moving our business out of our warehouse and into our home.  It's been a lot of hard work cutting down 12' shelving, moving boxes of cards, and packing up desks. Our feet and backs are sore, we're exhausted, but filled with a sense of joy.  The benefits of simplifying and downsizing  are revealed as clutter and unnecessary items are removed.  I actually believe these benefits outweigh the loss of a building space.  I may even get caught working in my PJ's, which reminds me of a funny story which I write about next time.

Cottage Business

Kimberly Shaw Graphics started as a cottage business.

As we grew, we moved into a warehouse. Now as times change, we have to adjust again. We are moving back into our cottage. Do I feel sad, a little. Is there a blessing, I believe so. Like so many other companies we are selling significantly less than in previous years.  We can't afford to produce new product, but we still have plenty of Teacup Stationery to offer. Only now, we'll be much cozier. For those who continue using Kimberly Shaw Graphics Teacup Greeting Cards and Specialtea Stationery I want to express my heartfelt "THANKS" and give you a great big HUG!

Anyone who received my Cottage "Thank You" Teacup Greeting card shown here will also enjoy the bold English Breakfast teabag which comes with it, delicious with milk and honey.  Now ON SALE for HALF OFF in my store.

Thinking of You

"Thinking Of You" is one of the nicest sentiments you can send someone. It’s such a wonderful surprise to get a note in the mail just because you are being thought about.

We are about to say “Good by” to this long time encourager at Kimberly Shaw Graphics.  I have enough supply to last through next week. For the past five years this little gem has traveled about sending its massage of thoughtfulness, carrying with it a delicious teabag ready to be steeped and enjoyed, further warming the heart of its recipient.   I’ll eventually design a new Teacup Greeting card to take its place, allowing friends and loved ones to thoughtfully encourage others that they are thinking of them.

CROSS MY HEART

Here's how I like 'em-

 

I love how this vintage Valentine card I found at Tparty Antiques was already signed "Guess?" I just left it and gave it to my husband this way.
 

It's tradition that I always set a Valentine's Table the night before to surprise the family when they wake up. Yes, I let the kids eat candy with their breakfast, but just on Valentine's Day. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to all my blogging buddies!

Two's Company, Three's a Party

I found these lovely Antique Bassett Austrian Limoges plates: three salad plates and three dessert plates, with one small bowl, perfect for an intimate gathering.  I never feel out-numbered with three at a table, it just feels more like a party.
 
I've learned George Bassett was a New York company with factories in Limoges and in Austria. They imported table china into the US with floral transfer decoration from the late 1800s until World War I.

I will be adding these to my Etsy shop soon.

Photographed here with a watercolor I painted for the background of my Black Toile Teacup Greeting card.

February Sale

In honor of Valentine's Day this month, we've marked down red and pink Teacup Greetings cards to half off in the KimberlyShawStore.

The Camellia is a relative of the tea plant and a favorite flower of mine which is one of the only flowers to bloom in the winter.

Painted from my own set personal of China from Royal Albert with pretty pink flowers which looks fantastic on a Valentine's table, or outside for a garden tea party.

Painted for the many "Mums" who have taken such good care of us, even if they weren't our actual mom.   See all the red and pinks cards in my store now on sale.

No Teacup Left Behind

Like a box of puppies or kittens outside the grocery store, it's hard for me to leave an unwanted teacup at an Estate Sale.

I love this Royal Grafton Tea mug with pretty blue flowers and scalloped shape.

Have you ever seen this Royal Stafford British Centennial teacup before, with an official crest and slogan on it?  The yellow flowers are stunning, especially when you look into the cup.

New in my Etsy Shop, waiting to go to a good home.

French Blue Toile

Toile de Jouy, sometimes abbreviated to simply "toile",  originated in France in the late 1700s, which literally means "cloth from Jouy-en Josas", a town of north-central France. It is a type of decorating pattern consisting of a usually white or off-white background on which a repeated pattern depicting a fairly complex scene, generally of a pastoral theme. The pattern portion consists of a single color, most often black, dark red, or blue.

My French Blue teacup Greeting card is blank inside so you can write a personal message.  It comes with Harrison & Crosfield's delectable Forrest Berries teabag inserted in the rim of the teacup for your recipient to enjoy.  Available in my store.

Rapidograph pen with blue ink and watercolor on 140 lb. hot press watercolor paper.

Local Beach

My son asked me to take him to the beach so he could use the vintage film camera he found at a local antique store in town. 

I ditched my chores, grabbed my camera and captured this beautiful day the end of January.

While I was focusing on the scenery, I wasn't paying attention to the tide.

But a day at the beach wouldn't be the same if you didn't get your feet wet.