The end of another year. Oh... and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

There are less than 5 days until Christmas as I write this. How did that happen!?

The end of a year always kind of gets me down. Maybe it's because the end of the year brings with it the rush of holiday shopping. Maybe it's because it means that I didn't get to some of the things on my to-do list. Maybe it's because it means I have to start over and build the momentum for another awesome year. Maybe it's just because I am exhausted from long days, no time off and a hectic schedule both in and out of the studio that would make Santa Claus cringe.

Don't get me wrong. I love creating fused glass goodness and I love everything about being a small, creative business owner, but the end of the year always kind of gets me down. Even over at my photography business, ALM Photo. It's kind of like the crash you experience after a sugar rush. Everything is all go-go-go and then it just stops. For about two weeks. While everyone takes their holiday vacation. And then it gets rolling again. The end of the year means Christmas is upon us and that is awesome because it means most folks are in a really good mood and are having a great time shopping for loved ones. It also means I get to share my fused glass goodness with shoppers both in my Etsy shop on-line and in person. I really love the in-person interaction.

This weekend is the last Market Square Holiday Market in Downtown Knoxville and I am really looking forward to seeing lots of my friends, helping shoppers choose the right gifts, doing my own shopping with my fellow vendors and just enjoying the hustle and bustle of this wonderful outdoor market. If you live in the Knoxville area and have never been to the Market Square Farmers' Market or Holiday Market, you need to put it on your list of things to do in 2014. It's amazing! And you are supporting local, small, handmade, handcrafted, homegrown and home-cooked businesses which is a fantastic and we love you for it!

So, back to the end of the year always kind of getting me down. I'm sitting here at my desk in my ALM Photo studio|office filling in my 2014 calendar with photo shoots and deadlines already looming for next year. It's looking like another crazy busy year, and I am totally fine with that. There's nothing like taking a few days off and getting right back into the swing of creating. And I mean right back into the swing. We're shooting the festivities for Gatlinburg, TN on New Year's Eve! Woo hoo!

So, if you're looking for something to do on Saturday, drop by the Holiday Market and say hello, but if you're already eyeball deep in the awesomeness of Christmas, I'm sending you a hug and invite you to join me on the amazing journey that will be 2014. I've got lots of cool stuff on tap, both personally and professionally and I'm going to do a better job of sharing all that here on the blog. Stay tuned!

If the end of the year is getting you down, just remember that the holidays will be over soon and you'l be right back to the hustle. {That didn't help, did it?} Well, just enjoy whatever life tosses your way. I know I will be!

Wishing you a very Sassy Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
XOXOXO
Lisa

Follow me on Twitter
Peep my pins on Pinterest
See my snaps on Instagram
Find me on Facebook

Sassy Shopping : handmade for holidays

Are you a procrastinator when it comes to holiday shopping?

It's not too late to place an order for a custom creation or Fusography for holiday gift giving, but you have to contact me soon! The last date to order Fusography pieces is December 9th. Images must be emailed to me by December 8th. The image below is an image file for a decal sheet. Some of the images are for custom orders and some are for new pieces that will be available at the Market Square Holiday Market. 

Read on to find out where you can shop with us during December and ideas for gifts for everyone on your shopping list.

There aren't many shopping days left before Christmas {visit this link for an up-to-the-second countdown}, but you can shop Sassy Glass Studio on Etsy or at the Market Square Holiday Market or the Ijams Holiday Marketplace and Fair. There are a lot of items that have not been added to the Etsy shop {yet!}, so you will want to take advantage of the Markets if you are in the area. Plus, you will be able to shop with my creative friends too! Be sure to pop over to our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Pinterest too!

{Gift ideas}

The Fashionista >> pendants, earrings, hairpins and cocktail rings {$2 to $25}
The Organizer >> business card holders and dry erase boards {$20 to $50}
The Dude >> beer coasters, flattened bottle trays and plates {$10 to $40}
The Cook >> plates, platters, bottle trays/spoon rests, vases/utensil holders {$15 to $100}
The Beachcomber >> beach theme coasters, plates and platters; hairpins and beachy colored jewelry {$10 to $100}
The Entertainer >> plates, platters, bottle trays, vases, votive holders, napkin holders and swizzle/stir sticks {$5 to $100}
The Teacher >> business card/eyeglass/sticky note holders, small bowls, coasters {$10 to $30}
The Tiny Dancer >> nightlights, suncatchers and jewelry/soap dishes {$10 to $20}
The Modern Hipster >> 'Woodland Hipster' coasters and pendants, recycled bottle trays and Knoxville or coffee themed coasters {$15 to $25}
The Coffee Lover >> coffee themed coasters, swizzle/stir sticks and snack plates {$5 to $40}
The Gardener >> garden stakes, suncatchers, bird baths and coasters with floral images {$10 to $60}
The Beer Lover >> beer themed coasters, beer bottle trays and beer bottle wind chimes {$15 to $30}

Don't forget to shop small, shop local and shop handmade for the holidays! 

I'll love you forever!

Visit this link to locate me at the Market Square Holiday Market! Oh, and if you want to save on your Etsy purchase, use code SHOPEARLY2013 and save 20%!