DIY Gift Ideas #2 - Matchbook Notepads - Zero Waste Eco-Friendly Crafting Gifts

 We're all looking for unique ways to save money on purchases in 2020 since it's very clear that you never know what tomorrow will bring.  COV-19 has certainly taught us that lesson in the 21st century.  And we also need some fun activities to do inside since that is where most of us have to be anyway.  Why not make the most of this whole quarantine thing together!

This is a ten part video series on using up your craft supplies to make beautiful gifts for care packages or happy mail to send friends and family this year.  I'll show you easy DIY eco-friendly crafting gift ideas that you will be proud to give anyone.  

These cute matchbook notepads will help you use up those small left over paper scraps in your stash and clean up your craft room at the same time.  It's a zero waste win for everyone!

Watch my short video #2 on the list and craft along with me today.  Subscribe to my channel <<< click) and hit the bell so you don't miss any new videos that I post.

I'll be doing a giveaway when I reach 200 Subscriber's.  Hurry and join my little crafting community today!

Did you know that you can place a custom order for any GIFT idea that you have in my Etsy shop, Markets of Sunshine?  Click HERE to contact me.

How To Make A Fabric Covered Bookmark In 10 Minutes

 I'm making a few hundred bookmarks to give to our local nursing home residents who need cheering up after being isolated from their families for over 6 months or more.  Here in Florida some of the nursing homes are starting to allow small numbers of family members to visit their loved ones.

But, it's taking time to get the ball rolling again.  So we've teamed up with some of our local friends and are writing letters and making gifts to give these dear older members of our society.

Reach out to your local senior care groups and ask what they need and sign-up to help make a difference in an elderly persons life today!  They'll be glad for the help.

If you would like to add a care package to give to a loved one check out my Etsy shop, Markets of Sunshine.  You'll find lots of writing box care packages that are just the thing to show how much your family member means to you.

Click Here to shop handmade Care Packages today! <<<<

Care Package Writing Box With Junk Journal In A Bee Theme

 Taking care of yourself is top priority these days and Markets of Sunshine has custom made writing box gift sets filled to the brim with all kinds of goodies to keep you feeling calm and happy!

Everything in the wood box is handmade and the decorative design is decoupaged on top of a coat of white acrylic paint.

Anyone would love to receive this as a gift.  Why not send some happy mail to yourself or a friend today!  Visit us in our Etsy shop Markets of Sunshine by clicking HERE!

While you are watching the video why not take a moment and Subscribe to our channel.  Thanks!

we love to see our little community growing.  We are well on our way to 200 Subscriber's.  

When we reach the 200 mark we'll be doing a giveaway to 2 folks.  A $10 store credit to both of our Etsy shops.  Markets of Sunshine and Pioneer Fundraiser.

Stop by and add your favorites to your cart and get ready to use your $10 store credit.  If you win that is!  Your chances of winning are high if you follow all the rules of the contest.  See you soon!

Sending you Sunshine!

Marsha

First Time Shopping On Etsy - how to navigate your account and make a pu...

       Hello! I'm going to help you make your first purchase on Etsy by showing you how to navigate the platform.  Did you know that Etsy is a marketplace of millions of different shops from around the world?

Who knew! Right!

We are going to use this cute Hope praying bear made by Ty Beanie Babies that is in our vintage shop, Pioneer Fundraiser.  There are four (4) available by the way and two people have them in their cart.  I don't know about you but I just adore this cute little plush toys.  I got hooked on them when my daughter was four years old back in 1994.


Watch my video and I'll share our story further about our collection and how it grew over time...

Now on to making your first purchase on Etsy.  Or, just helping you to understand how to update and edit things in your shopper account.



I have found that most of my customer's are making their very first purchase when they find my shop in searching on Google.  A lot of times the shipping address can not be verified by the USPS. This starts a whole conversation between me and the customer to get the right address before I can ship it to them.



If you want to buy an item as a gift and have it shipped directly to the person we can do that too at no extra charge to you.  This video will show you how to do that too.  It's all very easy to do once you have someone show you how to do these things.



I want to take all the frustration out of shopping on Etsy so that you can have a fun and great experience with us.  Hopefully, you'll come to our shops and find something amazing and awesome blossom for you or a friend.



So, without further delay let's watch the video and make your first purchase together.



Thanks so much for your support to my YouTube channel and to our Etsy shop.

Please Subscribe and give this video a thumbs up!



Have a Sunshine Day!



Marsha

February Giveaway Contest! Win One Of Three Prizes From Markets Of Sunshine Etsy Shop

The first Giveaway of 2020 is starting now.  Be the first to enter for a chance to win one of three prizes.  Look at these cute flamingo fabric pouches.  (props not included)
Use them in your purse or on the go for cash or tea bags.
Give them with a cash gift or gift card for a special friend occasion. 
Measures 3 x 7 inches all hand stitched.
a Rafflecopter giveaway   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want some more great ideas on how to use these cute pouches?

First, fill out the giveaway entry form at the Rafflecopter links above in blue.

Then take a peek at my blog post about How to Use these little pouches for the Cash Envelope System and a Customer Review.

Thanks for being a follower of my blog and for your continued support. 

Here's hoping you win one of the 3 pouches!

Have a Sunshine Day!!!

Marsha

 

1000 Subscribers On YouTube Giveaway Contest

Why use a boring paper clip when you can jazz up your pages with something decorative and cute, like this adorable tea pot bookmark made from an ordinary paper clip.  Can you tell?



I made a goal for the new year of 2020 to reach 1000 subscribers on my YouTube channel.

So, I'm making a video every other day featuring items in my Etsy shop, Markets Of Sunshine.



I hope you will subscribe to my channel and help me reach my goal quicker.  When I do reach 1000 subscribers I will do a giveaway here on my blog with a gift set of goodies from my shop valued at $100.00 and it will be open to all subscribers worldwide!



In order for me to reach my goal I'll need some help getting the word out.  If you would be so kind and share this post using the social media buttons.  Or, just copy and paste the link on to your social media page.



Feel free to browse my Etsy shop and leave a comment below with your favorite item or items and I'll be sure to include something from that product line in the giveaway collection.  Who knows you might just be the winner.



Why is reaching 1000 subscribers so important to me in 2020?  Well, I'll tell you the truth.  It's getting harder and harder to reach people and get them to my Etsy shop.  When folks see my items in person they drool and buy something on the spot.



But, looking at a picture just doesn't give you the hands on experience like a video does.  So, making a video of each of my products gives you a live presentation and is almost like seeing it in person.



If you are a customer and already know how much you love my products could you do me a huge favor and leave a comment below sharing your feelings?



I know my 5 star feedback rating in my Etsy shop speaks volumes too.  But, it would be really nice to hear from you here on my blog too.



Thanks so much for your wonderful support to my small handmade business.



Sending You Sunshine,



Marsha

Free Shipping On Etsy Purchases

How Would You Like Free Shipping?

Do you shop on Etsy?  Do you know what Etsy is all about?
It's a website that hosts sellers from around the world.  Over 1 million to be exact. That's a lot of products for sale.

Out of those million my family runs two small businesses on Etsy.
Since 2008 our handmade shop, Markets of Sunshine <<<click link) brings you eco-friendly handmade gifts to help you get organized for everything life throws at you.

We opened our vintage shop, Pioneer Fundraiser  in 2010 <<< click link) offers a variety of fantastic vintage finds from around the world at affordable prices.  We love preserving the past and helping pass an heirloom on to your family.

How do you get the free shipping offer?  That's a great question.  Just spend $35 or more and you automatically receive the discount in your shopping cart in both of our Etsy shops above.

That's not all we offer you. As a VIP member of our mailing list you also get a 30% off coupon code to use all year long.  If you're not a member yet you can sign-up here. click VIP Mailing List <<<<

Why not check out some of our past posts to learn more about us.
Our #2019organizingchallenge is still going strong.  
Read about it here. <<<<

We'd love to see you soon in our Etsy shops.  We know you'll find something special to suit your lifestyle and gift giving needs. 

To help you learn more about us we've even made some videos and posted them on our YouTube channel here. Click Handmade paper gift bags and gift tags to watch video. <<<<

Please Subscribe to our channel to help us grow.  Share as often as you like. Follow along here on our blog on the right side bar. >>>>>

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha

Grateful For You Cards Features Original Artwork

  Change your attitude, change your life!  These handmade greeting cards feature original artwork and are hand stamped with the word "Grateful".
Coming to our Etsy shop, Markets of Sunshine October 2019.

This is a limited edition set of 15 cards and envelopes.

The entire "Gratitude Collection" will be released in mid October.  So be sure to join our VIP mailing list above and grab your 30% off discount code.

You'll also get a sneak peek and the opportunity for advanced purchase rights.

Follow our blog by clicking the button on the right side bar of the screen.

Help us spread the word about our new product line by clicking one of the social media buttons right below this post.

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J. and Family

Summer Gift Ideas From Handmade Small Business

Just in time for your Summer gift giving needs.  Handmade gift ideas from small business owners on Etsy.

A great selection of gifts from handmade sellers who own a small business out of their home.

Click the product description title to visit each item and seller's shop.

#1 - Small wallets for women.  Holds your cash or credit cards and business cards etc..
Made in USA by Markets of Sunshine artisan.

#2 - Pioneer Fundraiser - Vintage gifts from around the world.
Lighthouse figurine

#3 - Essence of the South - Hand painted wood keepsake boxes

#4 - The Sparkling Bead - Handmade beaded jewelry and earrings

#5 - The Knotted Bliss - Crochet Dolls and Clothing

#6 - Icky Chic Designs - Fabric Butterfly Journal Cover

#7 -Peace and Stitches makes cross stitch gifts for special occasions.
                                                                                                                                                                         

Week 11: Celebrating A Friends 19th Wedding Anniversary

Week 11: Celebrating a friend's 19th wedding anniversary was a blast!  I met their great Dane named Adagio.  He is such a cuddle bug. There grey cat, Cecil is so sweet too. I am allergic to dogs and cats so my allergies were going crazy.  I have been coughing up hair balls ever since. Giggle!

Snail Mail Challenge

Just in case you've missed week 1 of my #52weeksnailmailchallenge, click here.

I am making my 11th card for my #52weeksnailmailchallenge this week for a friend out of state.  I don't want to say which state or that will give it away.  hehe!

I'm still deciding which style I will send to her.  The pocket letter folder style above.  Or, the crazy pocket letter style below.

Which, one do you think I should make for her?  Leave me a comment below using the G+ google plus option.  

Did you know we take custom orders for our cash envelopes and travel wallet sets?  Check them out in my Etsy shop, MarketsofSunshine

 P.S. If you are looking for something vintage to give a friend on their special occasion check out our Etsy shop, PioneerFundraiser today!

Flower Of The Month Gifts For Your Special Occasions!

 Welcome! to our little corner of the world wide web.

This week we are going to talk about how we like to give gifts to our friends and family.

One way is called: Flower of the Month Gifts

It doesn't matter what the special occasion is, you can never go wrong with flowers.

Below, are just a few of the fun ways we use the flower theme to give gifts.

We hope it will inspire you to think outside of the box and come up with your own ways to use flowers and give gifts to your loved ones.

We'd like to introduce ourselves to all of you dear reader's.

We are Rafael and Marsha from Central Florida.

We have two Etsy shops where we sell handmade gifts and vintage finds.

Pioneerfundraiser is our vintage treasures shop.

Marketsofsunshine is our handmade accessories for men and women shop.

Women wallet accessories set features

pink and red flowers and stripes design

and a splash of fun whimsical hearts.

 Farmhouse Tea Roses 

vintage Pfaltzgraff stoneware set includes

 coffee mugs and saucer's along with

3 plates.

Both of our shops help supplement our income so that we can reach our spiritual goals as volunteers in the community.

When we aren't working or volunteering we love to relax at home with family and friends.  This year Marsha decided to do something fun with her friends.

#52WeekSnailMailChallenge

It's a fun way to get back in touch with the way things were before technology consumed our lives.

If

 You can join in anywhere along the way in 2018.

No rules, just have fun!

If you want to write to me join my newsletter called

VIP Sunshine Club and I'll write back to you, I promise.

Thanks for taking the time to read this week's happenings here at, Markets Of Sunshine!

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J.

Te

We'd love to hear how you use flowers in your gift giving.

Leave us a comment below.  Thanks!

Mail Art: Week 1 of the 2018 #52weeksnailmailchallenge Begins Now!

Mail Art Snail Mail Challenge 2018

Welcome! 

I'm so glad you are here at Markets of Sunshine reading my first post of the new year, 2018.  Are you thinking what I'm thinking?  Where did 2017 go to so fast?

I'm what they call middle-age now and time just seems to fly by faster and faster each year.  So, I have found that I need to really be focused on what I am doing each day so that I don't waste a single moment on non-essential things.

One of those important things in life is to let those you love know that they matter to you.  How can you do that? Ask yourself...

Do you love your family and friends?  Of course, you do!  What a silly question.  Well, how much do you love them?  Stop and really ponder that question for a moment and ask yourself these 3 questions. 

Where do I place myself, my family and my friends in my daily life...

Are you ready?  Here we go...

1.  Morning Routine?

   2.  Afternoon Routine?

3.  Evening Routine? 

Life is so short and anyone of us can be gone in an instant.

I'm not trying to scare you or be morbid.  It is just the fact of life in this present world conditions.

If you put off letting your family and friends know each day how much they mean to you and then something terrible happens it will be too late to tell them or show them.

So, I invite you to join me in 2018 in my

#52WeekSnailMailChallenge

Turn a plain white envelope into a work of art.  Add stickers or your own artwork and make it something they will treasure and not want to throw away.

Take cardstock and fold it so that it will fit in a standard business size envelope to keep the postage cost affordable.

Use these ideas to get your creative juices flowing.  Next, week I will share my own creations in a step by step format.  They will also be available for purchase in my Etsy shop, MarketsofSunshine. 

 Here is a fun game you can play via snail mail called:

Mail Tag!

Here is how you play it.

Make a tag like this one (see below)

Write 3 questions on one side like this

Write Mail Tag: You're It!

on the other side like this.

 Include this mail tag in your letter envelope along with your letter or card so that the game can begin.  The idea is they write you back with their answers and they include a mail tag with questions for you.  So, be sure to spell it out for them since this is something totally new.

For those of you that were born before 1990 you will know the term pen pal and if any of you ever had one I'm sure you played fun games like this one and will come up with some really good ones of your own.

So, if you have any fun games that we can include in our 

#52WeekSnailMailChallenge

let us know in the comments box below.

Happy Writing!

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J. 

50% Off Sale! Retiring Fabric Organizer Sets For Simplifying Your Life

 

50% off Fabric Organizer Sets

You'll have your choice of brown, blue, pink or yellow address books or albums, key chains, bookmarks and purple cash envelopes and bookmarks.

Where can you find these great deals?  In our Etsy shop, MarketsofSunshine

We are making room for our 2018 product line of digital and finished products.

Help us make room by grabbing one of these elegant organizers sets today!

Did you miss our 52 Week Snail Mail Challenge?

Join here!  

Help me spread the word about my 50% off sale by using the social media buttons below this post.

Sending You Sunshine!

Marsha J. 

Tea Party Theme Ideas

Okay, I have to share one of my biggest passions in life with you.
I absolutely am crazy about tea parties!  I have a china cabinet full of tea cups, saucers, plates, bowls, teapots, spoons, platters and tiered serving pieces. 

There are so many great tea party theme ideas out there and I'm sure you've been come up with a few yourself.  There is the garden party theme.  The victorian theme.  The mad hatter theme.  The alice in wonderland theme and the list goes on and on.

I'm planning my next tea party in the Fall and would like to do something fun and unique.  I'd love to get your ideas.  Leave me a comment below with a fun and unique theme that you think would make a great way to celebrate a tea party with the girls.

Etsy Flash Sale: Blink And You Lose 6th Shopping Event

Etsy flash sale: Blink and You Lose 6th Shopping Event.  It doesn't get any better than this.

Imagine becoming the greatest Mom in the world, and your child becomes the happiest, most helpful kid who ever existed....Introducing the Child Reward System Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie has been transformed into a hollow book safe with a hidden compartment in the middle of the book where the pages have been cut out. The first few pages have been left for added surprise and fun when they open their gift.
Now you can reward your child with a gift card to their favorite store or theme park inside the secret compartment and only give it to them as a reward for a job well done so that you can save your sanity and teach your child that doing their best is rewarded.
Plus, you'll get a free character tote bag kit with any $30 purchase from our shop with easy 'how to' instructions. Takes only 10 minutes to make.

IT JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT BETTER
Starting on May 31st (Our 7th Event)- We will have 
two All Day events each week 
on Wednesdays and Sundays

OUR 6th EVENT IS - Sunday, May 28th

Join Us On Sunday for Some Shopping Fun!

  WHEN IS THE EVENT?

Every Wednesday and Sunday 

Until - 7 PM Central Standard Time

WEDNESDAY'S Event will be at Markets of Sunshine
 (Starting 5/31)

SUNDAY'S Event will be at Icky Chic Design

 

HOW THIS WORKS: 
(Featured Items Are Different For Each Day's Event)

All featured item's listed for Wednesday and Sunday's Shopping Event will be ridiculously lowered in price until 7 PM CST. You only have one day to secure these awesome deals! So you see...if you BLINK, YOU REALLY WILL LOSE...  

NOTICE: Items are listed on Etsy. You can use the Etsy Guest feature to purchase items on Etsy without an account.

THIS WEEK'S EVENT ITEMS: (Sunday, May 28th)

*Featured items are subject to change in the case that they should sell before the scheduled shopping event.

 (Markets of Sunshine) 

Hollow Book Safe

Original Price: $22  

Event Price: $15

Buy Here: More Details and photos

       

                                                         

     (Markets of Sunshine)   

Book Lover Gift for Girls, Hollow Book Box

Original Price: $20
Event Price: $15

Buy Here: More Details and photos

 (Icky Chic Designs)   

Small Clutch or Phone Case

Original Price: $27.00 

Event Price: $7.95

Buy Here: More Details and photos

  (Icky Chic Designs) 

5 Yards Glamorous Apparel Fabric

Original Price: $18.00

Event Price: $7.20

Buy Here: More Details and photos

 Remember: 

• All transactions will take place through the Etsy shop featuring the item you choose to buy. 
• Items are subject to change should they sell before the event starts.

WHO will walk away with these fantastic deals? It could be YOU!

Let us know if there is an item in our shops that you would like us to include in a future flash sale event by leaving us a comment below.

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J.