Oh the memories, how they linger!

So, owning my own business has been in my life plan for many years now.  I decided that when I started making entirely too many beaded goods to keep, I should start selling.  Back then, I didn't know much about business.  I figured "Well, there must be some sort of way business owners can show they own a business, otherwise anyone could cash a check they got their hot little hands on!".  You would be surprised how many "business owners" get angry at me because, in my day job, we won't take a check made payable to ABC Roofing because the said owner has no proof he owns that business.

Well, anyway, I have learned a lot since then and realized that while going through Christmas ornaments with Momma last night.  I found some ornaments dedicated to the original business I intended to open, which was Wicked Horse (Beadworks). 

I moved away from that name and settled on Storyteller Beadworks, but that name eventually confined me to only selling beaded goods.

Now, it is Tawny Cow.  The lovely thing about opening a trading post is that I can still use my old brand names (which is awesome because I have a LOT of Storyteller business cards left) and even revive Wicked Horse and revamp it into my leather and textile goods.

It was a great evening, laughing (and crying a little) with Momma... seeing Daddy's cowboy ornaments, ornaments we had from his days as a salvage diver, ornaments her sister gave us (Aunt Shirley died 2 years ago of pancriatic cancer) and ornaments I have collected over the years.

And, rekindling an old "friendship" with the Wicked Horse!

Inspiration out of an old dress

I went to my mother's house on Saturday to pick up a couple of things (and forget a couple more... whoops!).  While I was there, I came across the remnants of a dress my father had bought for me, about five-and-a-half years ago.  I had just started my job at the credit union, and he was so proud of me, he bought me a lovely cotton dress, off-white and brown with a brown lining.  It fit like a dream, save for the shoulders (my shoulders are entirely too small for my upper half!) so I had to do a bit of tailoring.

I wore that dress constantly, in any season, with this accessory or that (at one time, I wore it every Friday with a lovely, hand knotted scarf from Afghanistan, a gift from soldiers whom I'd send a Christmas care package to) and changed it up depending on the occasion and season.  However, over time, there was wear and tear.  The zipper gave way, the hem began to fray, and (most heart breaking of all) I caught the dress on a counter at work which had lost the corner piece of formica.  Needless to say it took everything into me not to let a curse word loose as I found the quarter sized hole the snag left.

When I realized the dress needed more repairs than I could sanely give, I decided to cut it up and use it.  When I moved, back in July, I put that project on the back burner.  Finding it again at Momma's house, I decided I'd use it.  It will be made into various things.  An ornament for our Christmas tree, a pincushion (and perhaps I will sell the other one I made!), the lining of a new purse, maybe even a pocket or trim for an apron.

I loved that dress immensly, both for the wonderful craftsmanship and beautiful fabric, as well as the memories it held.  But, knowing that I can use it for things to keep those memories going, the Friday dress will still bring smiles!  And, I think that's what matters to me.

Welcome to the Trading Post!

Howdy, y'all!  Well, Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and that means the holidays are just around the corner!  It has hit me that the way I was running my business before was not wrong, just not right for me.  So, welcome to the Trading Post!

It is not open yet, but I hope to have it open in January.  It will not be a brick and mortar store, at least not right now, but it will be fun!

Tawny Cow's motto is "Bringing Back the Rural Point of View".  What does that mean?

Well, I am selling a combination of things.  It started out simply as a place to sell my hand beaded items, but then I started expanding my talents, and quickly realized I needed to expand my store, too!  I went from beaded goods, to leather goods, items sewn by hand, and it occurred to me, this is the way things used to be done!  I remember hearing stories from my mother and grandmother about floursack dresses, making doll clothes, and even dresses for the girls.

In the modern world, we have lost a lot of simplicity... oddly, in the name of simplicity.  We buy gadgets to make life easier, and if you stop and look at it all, we have made things more complicated.

How many times have you seen someone walk into a pillar, tree, or other inanimate object because they were so busy on their phone, MP3 player, tablet, eBook or other device?

The more I talk to people, the more I realize so many of us are craving a pared down life.  We're tired of trends that come and go over night, and the cheapness they bring.  Who wants to spend a fortune on something that will be out of style in 6 months, and who wants to spend a fortune on lots of cheaply made trends that fall apart after the first time you use them?

So, I started going back to the basics.  Hand made, quality items that are classic, timeless, and almost always functional.  Kitchen items like dish towels, hot pads, aprons (trust me, I have learned they are INVALUABLE!).  Day to day accessories like purses, belts, wallets and key fobs.  Childrens gifts & clothes.  And even a little jewelry!

But, I decided not to stop there.  I have a stash of vintage glassware from the 60s and 70s; Fenton and St. Claire, mostly, that my mother and I acquired from my Grandmother.  They're beautiful, and some functional, in a classic way that harkens back to days of simplicity and quality.

Keep an eye out for the Etsy site I will be launching, and hopefully in the future, a full fledged website!  Until then, bookmark my blog for updates and pictures!

Miranda, owner/artist Tawny Cow Trading Post

PS: Thankyou to all my Farmgirl Sisters who helped with deciding on the name!  Y'all are much appriciated!