Farmgirl Paints... what's next?

Hi friends,
Most of you know from Instagram and the newsletter that I said change was coming.  I've been getting so many letters I thought maybe I should just quit being quite so vague and explain some things.  I actually tallied today how many cuffs we've made over the past 7 years and about fell out of my chair.  We've handstamped, handpounded, custom sized, convoed back and forth relentlessly with customer after customer for approximately 25,000 cuffs.  TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND CUFFS!

I'll never forget the first one I made.  I was like... well this is cute, but I'm not doing that again!  The process was lengthy and not all that fun.  I held my breath while stamping.  I worried about getting it just right.  My hands hurt.  My ears rang.  Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it becoming what it is today.  And the only reason it did was because you wanted them and the Lord opened the doors. So I walked through it...

He gave me a dream a few years in to "let it go and watch it GROW".  That was so hard to do because it was my baby and I truly thought you bought them from me because you knew I was making them all!  Where's my laughing emoji?!?!  But then He sent me my Tamara.  And I remember telling her I'll never hire you because it will ruin our friendship and I just value you too much!  Well 25,000 cuffs or so later and I can tell you it did nothing but bring us closer.  I could never have done it without her, nor would I have wanted to.  I'm sobbing writing this because if any of you've ordered from us you know Tamara is wonderful at what she does...which is to nail down the blank details. She's an artisan.  She does beautiful stamping and CARES so much about getting every detail just right for you and for me.  She's been my solid.  My sounding board.  The one to keep me from leaving this a million times over and I'm forever grateful for her.  I love her with all my heart.  He also brought me Adele, Deanna, Dawn, Nicole, Tisha, Pam, Mike, Meg and Stacie!!  Gracious.  These people are so dear to me.  I don't even know how to express it into words.  They all filled such a need and made this job fun.

That leads me to the next thing.  You've asked if we are going to close the shop for good, and the honest answer is I don't know.  I know I've felt the urging to go deeper.  To make the business more ministry based and He's planted the seeds in me.  I have an idea of what it's to look like, but there are a lot of details to nail out before I can move forward.  I'm going to a quiet place.  A place I haven't known in years and I'm going to listen and obey.  I do know that custom words are not part of it, and that some gifts I've been sitting on for the past 7 years ARE.

We will offer small, very scaled back mini opens a few times a year possibly, but I'm not sure when or how that will look.  So stay tuned for the rest of His story... And it is His story because He's writing something beautiful and I just want to be a part of it.

Be a blessing.

Photo by Meshali

FIRST EVER WoNkY SALE!!!!

Hello friends.  Happy New YEAR!  Our first opening of the year is a special one.  A sale that has been five years in the making. We are having our first ever WoNKy SALE!!!

For FIVE years I've been hoarding beautiful end pieces of belts and leather with some slight "imperfections".  These are the cuffs I wear.  The ones that are imperfectly perfect.  I love the worn distressed look.  Some will have holes.  Some will be a little more "imperfect" than others.  These are for those of you who love WORDS and don't care if the cuff isn't flawless.  These are for the TRUE vintage lovin', bargain hearted, one-of-a-kind wearin', upcycyling is my jam girl's sale!!!!  All have been deeply discounted, so if you've been waiting for a time to buy...

THE TIME IS NOW!

We open shop tomorrow, January 19th at 9:00 am EST.  This is a shorter open...two maybe three weeks.  We'll announce the final close date on Instagram @farmgirlpaints.  

So don't wait!  

*We will be closing shop over the weekends. 

This is new for us.  Weekend convo's will be answered on Monday morning.  The shop will be visible Monday through Friday.  Thanks for understanding.  

Introducing our Labor of love designer cuffs!

I really wanted to offer a wordy cuff.  I know a lot of you have something you need to see.  Words are powerful, so whether it's a scripture, a quote, favorite song lyric, word of the year mantra, wedding vow etc...  These cuffs are the perfect way to keep those words in your mind.

Each will be handwritten, hand-painted and customized with your stamped blank.  There is no template or stencil for the designs, so each will vary and truly be a unique, one of a kind piece.

Just like our normal sales we'll still be offering our simple basic leathers, glitters and dainties (notice the new colors!!).  These will have holes (which can be filled with rivets) making them a little more unique and DISCOUNTED!  Lucky you;)

And last but not least... We have heart "loved" designers to celebrate VALENTINE'S day!!  These are perfect little love gifts for yourself or ones you love.  Each is hand-burned, painted and stamped.  Making them a beautiful one of a kind keepsake!

We hope to create something special for you!  

Sign up for our newsletter at the top of the blog where it says "sign up";)  

We always include a coupon for you.

Be a blessing!

she was an artist and her life was her canvas

For those of you that have followed along and watched things unfold over the last few years...you know I didn't set out to have a full time business.  I started painting and dabbling in cuff making a few years ago as a hobby. Since then a complete whirlwind has happened, and this once little side thing is MORE than a full time thing.  There's a lot of guilt that comes from being busy.  Too busy.  

There's a lot of shuffling of priorities.  There are weeks without real dinners and weeks without working out.  There are weeks where I don't leave my house, and when walking to the mailbox feels like a glorious fieldtrip.  And in all that time there are weeks filled with birthday's, homecomings and exciting new mommy/daughter talks about firsts.  There's the changing of seasons, a husband that needs attention, there are deadlines, people to manage, and orders to fill. It's a lot, and it's more than I ever bargained for.  It truly is, and yet God knew.  He knew this was my destiny.  This was the path.  And He's made it clear that every step of the way He will bridge any gaps.  He provides the need...before I fall flat.  

My little chick turned 12!

My big chick went to homecoming with a BOY:0!!  

Years ago I went to a flea market show and saw this pendant at a crafter's booth. It immediately made me well up. I was in the throes of young motherhood. Life was a mix of mundane and routine. I had so many things brewing in my spirit, things I wanted to do...hoped would happen, but I was in a quiet season. These words, she was an artist and her life was her canvas, made it beautifully clear. I didn't have to be "creating" something every day to be an artist. God had given me the purest form of self expression through my daily walk...living in the ordinary. 

Even now in the season of hustle, we are all growing and stretching together, and I still feel like I was made for more...that something else is coming.  That this is another holding pattern and He will bring me to that next place when the time is right.  It's a beautiful thing to just know that He's got you...and in the middle you have to remember to "paint"...and splash color and be the "artist" of your life.  Because those strokes of love, grace, mercy and JOY are the real masterpiece.

Be a blessing,

just because flowers

living through the first behind the wheel with my oldest

a teenager with a burden for the lost

my youngest who is becoming a young woman

parents who are still alive

a thriving business that i know is from Him

a day to paint

a day to blog

that my big girl camera still works

grace upon grace

RISE AND SHINE...the extended FGP open!!!

Hi friends!  Can you believe Summer is over?  I'm a smidgen sad, but at the same time glad.  It's time for some change!  In all things there are seasons and that goes right along with this little business of mine as well.  We've been running on fumes for awhile now.  

The occasional, very short opens started out as a great idea for me to balance life and work.  I believe it was a God inspired, "DO THIS right now", kinda thing.  It really helped grow the shop.  There's something about knowing you only have a limited time to buy that creates a frenzy, and in the world of business FRENZY is good, but it also causes heart palpitations and panic attacks for the people actually fulfilling allthoseorders!  It's a mixed blessing, and now it's time to try out something else.  

We are officially announcing that this next open will not be for just 5 days.  We are going to try staying open for SEVEN WEEKS!  I know!  Crazytown!!  It will hopefully make shopping less stressful for you and help us pace ourselves a little bit more.  This is all trial and error, as is everything I ever do...  But it's worth a shot:)

We've streamlined things in the shop as well, adding a simple listing, that combines all our basic leathers together.  Every week we will add in new arrivals.  Also keep your eyes peeled for ornaments and designer cuffs in the weeks to come.  Including a special cuff designed to help promote our FGP gives back campaign a little more.

We've also added pre-stamped blanks, so for those of you who struggle with word ideas we will have some wonderful easy options available making check out easier and faster! 

There's a new wordy listing...for those of you with a lot to say.  

And we are now offering affiliate positions for those tried and true loyal customers who are FGP Fangirls.  You know who you are!  See newsletter for more information.

If you want to keep up to date on all the changes, coupon codes etc...sign up for our newsletter at the top of this page, under sign up.  Thank you as always for supporting this handmade shop.  We work hard to use our gifts and talents to make something meaningful for you.  

The shop will open 

Monday, Sept 14th at 8:00 am EST 
and will close Monday, Nov 2nd at 5 pm EST :)

And if you would please pray for us in this new season.  

Change is good, but it's also hard.  
When the shop is open we always find ourselves under somewhat of an attack from the enemy.  

This is not just a little hobby...this is Kingdom work and the enemy is not a fan.  

Please pray for our hands and minds as we handstamp these orders.  

Please pray for the customers that are buying these cuffs and giving them as gifts, 
that they will be a blessing and a witness.  

Please pray for health and harmony in our shop as every team member is vital.  

Thank you SO MUCH!  

Love you friends.

Be a blessing,

Helloooooo we're BACK!!!! Summer cuff OPEN May 18th-22nd:)

Hi friends MAY IS HERE!!!  MAY IS HERE!!!  We've had a LONG break and are so ready to start making cuffs again for you.  The Etsy shop is open Monday the 18th (8 am EST) through Friday, May 22 (5pm EST).  So think graduation gifts, Father's day, summer birthdays and anniversaries...WEDDINGS!  Our next open will be in September so don't wait.

One reason we've been had such a big gap between openings is this little blessing.  My girl Friday Tamara had her a baby girl in March.  We are so beyond thrilled for them.  She truly is a miracle in every way.  So this week Tamara is back and so is baby girl!  Hope she remembers hammering as a beautiful sound she heard in her momma's womb:)  It's going to be a fun few weeks!

So just in case you think your man couldn't/wouldn't rock a cuff.  Look how awesome Tamara's honey looks sporting one.  We have a huge selection of manly leather and a man sized template in case you don't know your man's wrist size.  A scripture verse, mission statement, college slogan, wedding vows, nickname etc...are great ideas for words.  Or TAKE OUT THE TRASH if you want to be funny and get your point across ha!;)  

I'm super excited to share some fun new inserts and business cards I've been wanting to get done forever.  One of my favorite people here in Richmond just happens to be a graphic designer and she took me by the hand and helped me create exactly what I was wanting.

I think having your own business is so challenging, especially if you're not techy;)  And one of the biggest hurtles is branding.  Which is absolutely essential in selling yourself and making your product stand apart.  Jill made the process easy peasy.  She walked me through every painstakingly detailed step and never made me feel bad for being knitpicky.  Which is the most frustrating part for any creative like myself.  Thank you sweet Jill!  If you are in need of logo and brand design click here to contact her.  You won't be sorry.  Pinky swear!!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We have a lot of AMAZING promoters this month!!!  

Thank you friends for spreading the word!  Go check out these lovely ladies to find coupon codes OR  go to "sign up" at the top of the page to get on our newsletter mailing list.  A few days before each open we send one out with a coupon code and news about what's going on in the FGP shop:)

Sara Parsons @saraparsons

Lindsay Wilkins @lindsay_hellohue

Taunya Olsen @ runnersgonnarun

Terri Woods @woodsermom

Becky @littlebranches 

Natalie Freeman @nataliecreates

Jill Burrows @solovedphotography

Lori Boutelle @boutellefamilyblog

Thank you again for making this cuff thing possible.  

We look forward to creating something meaningful and one of a kind just for you!

Be a blessing.

SOULcation part 1...The Holden's

Hey friends!!  For those of you who still read blogs hiya!  I cannot even believe that the last post I wrote was for my trip out to Seattle:0  You probably think all I do is travel;)  Not true!  But I kinda wish it was:)  I've decided a trip once a month for 4 days would be perfect.  It's just long enough to break out of the humdrum and then long enough to miss home and want to go back to routine.  

So a few months ago I was trying to think up a Spring Break plan for the family.  Last year was extravagant.  We went to Kauai in the Summer.  Ahhh good times!  As much fun and adventure that trip was I was craving something entirely different this year.  We tossed around several ideas before landing on our SOULcation plan.  The plan was to hit the Round Top flea in Texas, stay in Austin, stalk Waco/Joanna Gaines one day and along the way meet the Holden's in Mississippi and the Lowry's in Georgia on the way home.  

It evolved from that original plan a bit...including more people:)  Imagine me tiptoeing into my Honey's office and plopping this cray plan in his lap.  The man who doesn't like to roadtrip and isn't entirely keen on sharing his time with strangers on vacation.  "Honey let's DRIVE to Texas and pitstop in strangers homes." :))))  But he went with it and I'm so grateful!

When I sat down to write about our SOULcation it was going to be one big long post, but I quickly figured out that's just plain silly.  There is no way I can possibly put it all into one, so I hope you come back to read the rest.  

They are the Holden's.  Nick and Stephanie Holden to be exact.  Her grandbabies call her Honey soooo everyone else does too.  And yes I said grandbabies!  The girl is only two years older than me and has four!  Yes four!! 

If you don't know the Holden's you should.  I "met" them through Instagram a few years back.  One day I got the sweetest letter from Honey. She told me Nick followed me on IG and said she just had to know me and that I really reminded him of her.  We took a lot of the same selfies and feet pics.  Our personalities were similar etc... And from that point on a little friendship seed was planted.  We met a few times briefly...a drive through quickie dinner and she was our group leader at Hope Spoken last year.  

But this little pitstop in rural Mississippi really sealed the deal.  They're in our hearts now.  And once that happens you stay there;)  Their sweet home was opened up.  They fed us and invited their daughter Lydia and her husband Marcus over for supper.  We slept under their roof and went four wheeling.  They are kind and wise and generous and most importantly they love Jesus.  

I think going home to my mom's house is the only place I've ever felt quite this at home.  It's strange really.  At dinner on our second pit stop...yes we stopped there TWICE...we talked about dating and raising girls.  If a boy wanted to date their daughter once she turned 16 he had to bring a 1,000 piece puzzle to the house.  After the puzzle was complete then he could ask to "court" her.  What a way to weed out the casual!  I BIG PUFFY HEART LOVE this idea.

We talked about the empty nest a bit and how after the girls left Nick softened.  He was able to give the girls over to their new protectors! So nice to know;)

They are at that season in life they can encourage us as we head into the future with the girls.  It's a sweet thing...mentoring others.  Something I hope I can do someday as well.

They high kick goodbyes...which pretty much summed up how I felt when we left.  High on love and life.  Meeting new friends does fill you up.  Being able to share your life with others is such a gift.  Don't be afraid of opening your heart up to new places and people...that's where the soulcation begins!  

And before I forget to mention it the shop is OPEN for designer cuffs this week:))  We've got some pretty cute designs available for Mother's day and Graduation. We close up on Friday and then reopen May18th-22nd for the regular cuffs.  It's coming up!!  

Be a blessing.

Share your heart...two awesome GIVEAWAYS:)

Hi girls!!!  It's been a whirlwind around here with the Feb 2-6th shop opening!  You blessed our little shop once again and we are forever grateful for your support. Thank you...thank YOU!! We've been busy stamping and setting like crazy people.  In the midst of all that I am so honored and delighted to share something that I'm pretty excited about. My crazy talented friend Courtney wrote another book and I was invited to be a part of her #ShareYourHeart blog tour.  WOOT!!!!

You can get your copy here.  

I've been too busy to read more than the back cover, but I can't wait to dig into this book.  I've read her others and I just know it's going to be good.  Big Chick was eyeballing it too.  That girl knows a good book when she sees it:)

This is the book trailer.  Watch this video!  It's the sweetest.  And it can easily become a new family tradition:)

To go along with her inspirational trailer, Courtney started a #ShareYourHeart campaign and challenged a bunch of her friends to create their own version of a "paper heart".  And naturally because we are in full on cuffing season right now here is my version:)  

This cuff will be given away on her blog...go here to learn more:)

Courtney is also giving you a chance to win a pretty amazing PRIZE package!!!  All you need to do is find her on Facebook here and SHARE the Paper Hearts Book trailer with your friends... Then enter the Rafflecopter Giveway.  Good luck girlies!!



And HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  Spoil those people you love:))

Be a blessing.

NURTURE

Hi friends!  Happy New YEAR!!  Can you even believe it's 2015!!  Time keeps ticking away and here we are once again in another year.  I have this HUGE feeling of anticipation in my spirit.  Like HUGE!  Maybe it has to do with some of the goals I've set for this year, or the word the Lord has put on my heart.  Whatever it is IT's GOOD and I'm ready!!!

So let's just get right to it.  You're either a resolution goal making kinda gal or you're not.  I'm a GOAL MAKER!  I honestly can't help myself.  I'm a project person.  I've always got to be doing something.  It's probably a mental condition...mania comes to mind.  Regardless I'm going with it:)

These are a few of my goals for the new year...
1.) Crack my Bible open daily and pray with the girls
2.) Date my honey on a regular basis.  Maybe 2xs a month:0 I know!!
3.) Move my body at least 2 miles a day...totally doable
4.) Paint SOMETHING, anything, once a week.  In a year I'd have 52 paintings!
5.) Sugar fast for the month of January.  Joined Marta's group again:)
6.) Do my hot yoga class once a week
7.) BUILD community...more on this is in a minute
8.) Learn something new...more on this later;)
9.) Read more
10.) Feed my soul, Feed my soul, Feed my soul!!!

There has been a gigantic imbalance going on with me for a while now.  And it goes along with the nature of my business.  Because we are an occasional store we work like crazy people when the shop is open and for weeks after.  CRAZY PEOPLE!  I'm talking adrenaline rush...heart pounding out of my chest...not healthy at all imbalance. I've been brainstorming to try to figure out a remedy for how we do things and I have some ideas, but it's going to take some time.  So for now we are going to keep doing what we do until we don't;)  Makes sense right?

I always get a word.  You know THE word that more or less defines the theme for the coming year.  Last year it was DARE.  And it's been THRIVE and BEGIN in the past.  This year at first I thought it was going to be retreat;)  We had just come off the hardest, most physically challenging opening.  My hands literally did not stop throbbing for a solid week and a half after we shipped out our last order.  And I really just felt done.  Like kaput!  Burnout is a real thing and I was so there.  But there's nothing like burnout and pain to make you realize change is necessary and it's coming.  I just have to keep open to His timing and His direction.

So with my goal making comes a lot of excitement and ideas and the words feed your soul and take care of yourself kept rolling around in my mind and then it came...nurture.  My word for the year is NURTURE.  I need to care for myself...plant those seeds (aka dreams), water, baby and watch them grow.  Growth is pretty limiting when you're not getting any sunlight...when your soil is dry and parched.  And girls let me tell you no attention equals a dead plant and I've been feeling pretty droopy;)

We can make goals and resolutions all day, but if we don't act on any of them it's just a big fail right?!  So some key things that are helping me with my goals are alarms on my phone.  Brilliant idea I know.  Like Pavlov's dog a bell really can help train you.  I've got alarms to remind me to pray for my family.  To read the word.  To move my butt!  I'm using my phone's calendar (with alarm) to schedule in my yoga class, my paint day...that hot date night!  And those days are set.  No moving them.  It's time to water that plant!!

Oh and building that community...goal #7!  This is something that's been on my heart FOREVER.  We moved here going on four years ago and there is still a void with community here.  I saw my friend Lissa's IG post the other morning about starting a bible study in her house and it was BOLD and BRAVE and SO OBEDIENT and my heart started thumping a bit, and for me that's always a call to action.  When my heart starts pounding I know I'm being challenged to do something.  So I posted on IG my own invite for a women's meet up group.  And guess what?  A lot of you feel the same way:)  So I'm now a group leader!  Say what?!  Just like that...we're going to meet once a month and do something fun...translation NURTURE...feeding our souls!  That's never happened before, but it's a year of new beginnings and I can't wait to see how obedience pays off.  SO...if you live in the Richmond, VA area and want to make some new friends email me at beckystrahle@yahoo.com:)  I'd love to meet you too!

What's next for you.  Do you have any goals?  Is there a dream that needs nurturing?  Are you dry and thirsty too?  I'm all ears...

Be a blessing,

thankfuls...

the Jesse tree and seeing the girls learning and hungry for knowledge 

surprises that made my heart pitter patter

Jesus!

a shop redo that is a-maz-ing...can't wait to share

basement projects almost complete

divine appointment with a teacher

a pain free back...thank ya Jesus!

family that loves us... and a beautiful place to gather

double for your trouble

I shouldn't be sitting here.  I should be working:)  There are nearly 1,000 orders surrounding me...1,000 in ten days!  How is that even possible!!!!!  How could I even begin to start working without first giving praise!  It feels like we just ran a ten day marathon.  The amount of convoes is astounding.  The number of things to keep straight...seriously unbelievable.  The ability to do this job with every single item being CUSTOM...it's a miracle.  Like literal miracle!!  We can feel His hands helping us.   

I'm always hesitant to talk about the success of my little business.  I never want to make anyone else struggling feel bad or competitive.  Because I know that yearning to start something.  I know that frustrating feeling of being a needle in a huge creative Etsy haystack.   I've been there...wanting so desperately to have my gifts shine.  To be using my talents.  To be selling my work.  I've felt that struggle...for years.  So when I talk about the business I pray you don't see it as bragging or pride.  There's none of that.  This little niche He's given is just that...ALL HIS!  I'm fully aware that FAVOR is given and for some reason it's been given to me and my little FGP family. I'm humbled, wondering why...feel so undeserving.  

Just thank you Lord for showing up every single time!  Thank you for exceeding my little goals.  For showing me time again what YOU are capable of.

From the bottom of our hearts...thank you friends for supporting us AND our giving vision!!!  Thank you for the sweet words of encouragement that come in with your orders.  Thank you for sharing your hearts...your stories.  I feel your love.  I wish I could write back to each and every one of you.  Just know you are a tremendous blessing! It's an honor to serve you.

Now I have some orders to fill...   

Blessings,

more than double the sales from last year!

friends that go above and beyond

spreading His love and light as a J.O.B.

feeling a giant bear hug from my heavenly Daddy

my momma who cries when I tell her 

for all her prayer warriors that lift us up

my precious family who cheerleads and gives up my attention for a few weeks...

for my little team of helpers...could NOT do it without you

TAMARA!!!