I will no longer be anti-social...



I am so happy I did my last post on your opinion of 'social-networking'!

You girls lets is all out, and I am sooooo grateful!

First...lets talk Facebook.

The overwhelming majority of you thought Facebook was the way to go for my business, and I can't agree more! Althought I admit, it is another thing on the 'to-do' list...but I think it will actually make my life easier. It can condense 30 or 40 pre-show emails regarding what I will be bringing to that show, down to once nice and neat place where my clients can visit to see the lastest and greatest in my painted furniture. Call me crazy, but that seems so much easier than returning all those individual emalis and phone calls. Not that I don't want to be more personally in touch with my clients, but I simply don't have the time a week before a show. Usually I can be found in total freak-out mode trying to get 100 pieces of furniture prettied and ready for sale and all packed in a couple of really big moving trucks.

So coming soon to a blog near you...the Urban Farmgirl Facebook page.

Ok, who out there has a business page and wants to answer a few questions on setting one up?? Raise your hand...or just email me. I will be eternally grateful for some first-hand info!

Now on to the subject of Twitter.

The results for this one were not so surprising to me. Just as many of you that loved Facebook, REALLY dislike Twitter. And I totally get it. I have been on Twitter for a little while now, and I read sometimes...but hardly ever post. I just can't get the feel for it. On one hand, it does allow my customers and readers to get to know me on a personal level, and once in a while there is something in my day that just seems way to ridiculous and hilarious to not let the world know...but in the big picture...I will not be announcing on Twitter where I am eating lunch or the fact that I am shopping at Target for the 8,167th time that week. Simply stated...it is just not me.

So, the verdict here is that I will maintain my Twitter account, which is UrbanFarmgirlCo for those of you that want to follow along. I will post when I am featured in an Etsy treasury, or when I just feel I have something to say. I admit, once in a while when I am out junking I find that piece that makes the Heavens part and angels sing, and I just gotta let someone know about it! During Flea season, I will post a few photos of some extra-fabulous furniture pieces before the gates open, so customers can get a quick preview. Will this make the stampede worse or better when the gates fling open? I am not sure, but at least it will satisfy the curiosity of whats going on behind the gates and what I have to offer when they run in! But I will not be a slave to the Twitter button on my phone. That's just not how I roll.

via

Now, on to more exciting things!

(oh, and the photos have absolultely nothing to do with this post...I just thought they were so beautiful and I am totally spring-obsessed at the moment)

- I am writing a post for a FABULOUS giveaway starting tomorrow!!

- Remember the Urban Plains guest room project?? Well, it has officially started, and I have a barn going up in my guest room today. Yes, a BARN. And its not what you are probably thinking...it does not involve barn siding. It is something else that is going to be spectacular...I hope. Stay tuned for details.

- Regarding the delay on the "Urban Plains" project...I have EXCITING NEWS!!! But, I can't share just yet. Soon, very soon...within the next 2 weeks. I will let you know why the project didn't happen when we first posted about it. Ooooh...I am about to bust and spill the beans, so I better sign off now.

Happy Wednesday, girls!

are you a social-networker??

Is that really a term? "Social-networker"? Well, for this post it is...because I want to know if I need to be one!

I have been thinking about Twitter and Facebook lately. About why the heck I have an account with both, but never...ever...seem to use them. In the past I would 'tweet' a thing or two, and I do use it once in a while to spread the love of an Etsy treasury I am featured in. But neither one of them ever really became a tool I use on a regular basis. 

I am curious how many of you out there do use Twitter or Facebook on a regular basis. 

If you do...what are you using them for?

Do you post on Facebook to stay in touch with old friends...and new friends? You know, just to let the everyone know what is going on in your life?

If you run a business like I do...do you have a Facebook page for that business?

I have been considering starting a Facebook page for Urban Farmgirl. I think that would be an especially useful tool during my 'show season'. Since I only sell at a show once a month, I could post pieces of my painted furniture for my customers to see before I even get to the shows. Right now, only about 1/5th of my business at the shows comes from pre-sales, and that has always been through photos I send in texts or emails. It might be nice to show what will be up-and-coming...that would save so much time and clients would be happy getting the pieces they want before they are sold out from under them. I get about 40-50 phone calls in the week before a show. Customers wanting to know if I am going to have a pair of twin beds, or a dining room set done in black, a tall bookcase, a pair of nightstands...things like that. Maybe a Facebook business page could ease the strain on both ends?

And how about Twitter...do you 'tweet'?...and if you do...is it promotional for your business or just to let the world know a play-by-play of your day?

I have to admit, there are a few of you I follow on Facebook and Twitter...and I *love* keeping up on your latest project or what is going on in your life! I just don't get why I can't bring myself to do the same. Hmmm...anyone got a leather couch I could lay on and talk out my issues with social-networking??

I think the main reason I have never used Facebook or Twitter is that it is just one more thing to do. One more thing to take time away from a life I try to live simply and be slightly 'disconnected' from my already 'over-connected' life. Honestly, I never really thought any of you may care what I am doing in my daily life...but maybe you do. Maybe I am very wrong. Maybe I AM missing something. I am not a girl to let opportunity pass me by, so hit me with it girls!

Do you want to see Urban Farmgirl have a Facebook page..a place to store my endless photos of design ideas, furniture make-overs and junk finds? Do you want to follow my crazy journey through life on Twitter?

Am I behind the times...am I missing something?

Lets hear it!

the fog is finally lifting...and an etsy update!

First, let me start by yelling a big 'ol THANK YOU to all of you wonderful girls that have emailed me well wishes and the "where they heck are you??" notes...you sure now how to make a girl feel all warm and fuzzy...

(My husband just read that over my shoulder and said that 'warm and fuzzy' feeling is because I have a fever, and have not attempted to shave my legs in the number of days you are about to read below. Oh, what a comedian he is, I tell ya!)

This is officially day 17 of this 'illness' that has taken over my life.

Geesh!

Anyone else out there had something like this? Starts with the 'flu' diagnosis...transitions into a sinus infection and neither Tamiflu or the SUPER antibiotic they gave me do anything to help. Ugh. I have never been so tired and congested in all my life!

Ok, enough of my complaining. I don't mean to, really. It is more just purely amazing to me that someone can actually be this sick for this long! I mean, seriously...this is just crazy! 

Today I had a few bursts of energy, and it was a WONDERFUL feeling, so thought I would post a few new things in the shop. Thought I would show you a little sample of my latest finds.

I'm ready to crawl under the covers again, so will try to keep this short...and super sweet!

And what could be sweeter than an antique scale with old, chippy pink paint??? It makes me happy every time I look at it!

I guess you could say I *LOVE* it...

Speaking of love...I was excited to see these featured in an article in Coastal Living magazine last month! I love spelling things out, I have little words all over the house.

This nautical looking gem looks like a piece that should be in Coastal Living magazine...right along side those letters I just showed you! Call me, CL...I'll hook you up! Seriously, though...the old gray paint on this lantern is soooo pretty!

I am a girl that loves industrial bits and pieces around my home. I had a hard time letting these lovely little drawers go, but I knew some of you would be willing to adopt them into new, loving homes.

Just promise to love them forever, ok??

This GROCERY sign is a new offering in my Etsy shop...handpainted on a salvaged thick piece of old pine...so simple and beautiful. I think it would be fabulous hanging from 2 skinny chains at the top!

And I couldn't let another week go by without listing some more pieces of tarnished silver. I love this stuff...althought my grandma would be so ashamed that I actually display my pieces like this! I *love* the patina, it makes the details pop...*sigh*...maybe I should keep this one. I have never seen another like it.

So there you have it.

One sick girl. Lots of cool Etsy goodies.

I hear my pillow calling me...I'll catch up on all my blog reading tomorrow!

I can't wait to see what you all were up to today!

awww, THANKS Flea Market Style Mag!

So here is how the scenario played out at my house last night.

Allow me to set the stage for you.

It was about 6:30pm. I am laying on the couching, praying for an end to the head congestion that has some how followed my Influenza diagnosis from last weeked. My head is completly stuffed, I believe it has somehow morphed into a sinus infection at this point. I can only lay on the couch because sitting up makes me dizzy. I am bored and watching a DVR'd episode of "Who Do You Think You Are".

I reach over to check my email on my phone.

I see have one from my friend, Jo of Secret Garden Cottage fame. I click on it and read the first line..."Hey Mary I want to congratulate you on your mention in Flea Market Style Magazine." Of course, in my crazy mind, I immediately think, "Oh, Jo must have emailed the wrong Mary. She couldn't mean me. Silly Jo."

But as I read on...she says her and I are BOTH  mentioned in a category called "If You Swoon Over White" as a blog to follow. Ok, now my mind goes " SAAAAY WHAT?? ME???"...I do love white...maybe it wasn't just in my mind that I said this...I may have kinda sorta screamed it a little, because my dog did that funny head-tilt look thing he does when I say something outrageous and he is trying to figure out whats wrong and if I need medical attention...and my cat gave me that typical "annoyed meow" he does when something is about someone other than him, and  ran off the couch. 

 So I grab the phone and call my sister (she lives right next door, thank goodness!) and I scream into the phone all excited...WHAT ARE YOU DOING RIGHT NOW??? She knows my tone of voice and when she hears me like this, it ususally means there is something fabulous in the neighboor hood trash and we have to go get it RIGHT NOW!

She never fails me, and always gets just as excited right back at me and she says "I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING...WHERE ARE WE GOING??" See....she knows her little sister well.

(And yes, the capital letters are to indicate excitement in our voices. We get a little loud at times. Thats how we roll.)

Now at this point, I am acting as though I had just won the lottery or something...and I say "WE HAVE TO GO TO THE STORE RIGHT NOW! SOMEONE JUST TOLD ME MY BLOG IS MENTIONED IN FLEA MARKET STYLE MAGAZINE!"

She screams! I scream!

So in the pouring rain, and with a stuffed head, I back the car out, go next door to pick her up...and away we go.

We try the grocery store. Nada.

Next we go to Walgreens. Zip.

Next up...CVS. And they came through for us!! Thank you, CVS! We grab it like it is made of gold, turn to page 27 and there I am. Little 'ol me mentioned on just one teeny little line under the "If You Swoon Over White" category, just like Jo said.

And right between Rie from Home & Harmony and Jo from Secret Garden Cottage. Could I be in better company??? I don't think so! I *love* both of these fabulous girls!

I realize it was just a teeny tiny little mention of my blog. But it made me smile. Because I don't consider myself a "great blogger" and I sometimes wonder what in the world you fabulous girls find so interesting over here in the land of Urban Farmgirl. I am just a simple girl that likes simple things. Pretty things. Old things. And you couldn't be more right, Flea Market Style magazine...I do swoon over white!

Thank you for making this sick girl have a really fun night!

And congratulations to all the girls listed on pages 26 & 27 in the article "Its Ok To Be A Blog Follower". I am truly honored to have my name in just good company. I am not sure how it happened, but I am beyond humbled that it did.

Oh, and just because I am about to burst with even more over-the-top excitement...stay tuned...I have another little announcement coming in a week or two! This one made the whole neighborhood hear my sister and I squeal with anticipation and delight! (Yes, they all do think we are totally insane, but in a good way. I hope.)

Happy Tuesday, girls!

 I am off to photograph my weekend finds for an Etsy update! It was a fantastic shopping weekend, so be sure to check back tonight to see what goodies I found!