Bradley's...

2010 Christmas Open House: 2 week countdown

Excitement is building as we approach the final countdown for Bradley’s 2010 Christmas Open House...November 5th 10:00a.m. - 7:00p.m.

 It all begins in January at the first market of the year. I choose our main collections at this show and then build on those throughout the year! I start sketching out display ideas and order items that we need to finish a “look” or “theme.” Over the past few months we’ve been receiving truck loads of inventory that we are still unpacking and pricing. On November 1st we will conceal the windows  (no peeking), and lock the doors so we can wave our magic wands and  turn the shop into an enchanting Christmas dreamland.  A crowd gathers for our special “unveiling” event on November 4th (invitation only), and then the main event on November  5th will officially kick off the Christmas season at Bradley’s!  

One of my favorite collections this year is inspired by Danish designers. "Joyeux Noel" is a sweet array of wool and linen character ornaments (elves, reindeer, santa, etc.) in soft gray, red, and ivory will delight young and old alike. They have a sense of nostalgia about them with much attention given to detail. This will most likely take center stage in the shop surrounded by Tag’s whimsical dishtowels, plates, mugs, and candles.  Another eye catching display will greet you with shimmers and glimmers of gold and sparkles. Artist, Wendy Addison, has created another line of beautiful glass glitter ornaments that will reflect hundreds of twinkle lights. These always look glorious when hung in front of a mirror for additional luminous impact.   

Great gift ideas, fun ornaments, an abundance of decadent chocolate treats, and so many little surprises await you at this year’s Christmas Open House. We are  are grateful for the amount of increase we have seen this year and are without a doubt expecting our biggest event turnout yet! God has blessed us beyond measure in so many ways and we thank Him always for amazing people like you. Year after year you have continued to support us and inspire us to grow and improve our shop. We strive everyday to make Bradley’s the best, most enjoyable shop experience you that can find anywhere. Brad and I (and now Gracie) truly appreciate each and every one of you who have made us the success that we are today and look forward to the progress we’ve yet to make. Here’s to a wonderful 2010 holiday season. 

 

See you soon...

joy

 

save the date

Putting the finishing touches on our Christmas Open House invitations! Save the date: Friday, November 5th, 2010. The weather is finally indicating fall is here and I couldn't be happier. This is my favorite time of year and while I am enjoying pumpkins, leaves, and apple cider, I know that the Christmas season is coming up quickly! We are preparing for an amazing holiday at Bradley's!! Tasty new chocolate treats, adorable elf ornaments, & fabulous tea towels are just a few our favorite things! More details are forthcoming. scatter joy

 

Making better use of space

Everybody that has been in the shop this past week loves the changes that we've made, so I thought I would post a few pix of the process. I never realized how much space that big counter took up, this was something we should have done a long time ago. 

 

Brad looking quite adorable with his drill!!

 

Look at all the space under there! We piled up a mountain of empty ribbon spools, outdated purchase orders, broken Christmas ornaments, boxes of drinking straws (don't ask),  3 extension cords (not plugged into anything), a book, a box of old  cheez-its,  and  a thousand other random things. After much sorting, filing, and purging, we were left with an extra 75 square feet of selling space and a much cleaner, more organized work area.  Ahh! It felt like I took a deep breath of fresh air! It can be very liberating to rid your space of clutter!  My sister lives by the rule: "When in doubt, throw it out!" 

What spaces in your home could you utilize better? Do you have a cute picnic basket taking up space in your closet? I did. I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually used it for a picnic, but it's the perfect size to hold photos, candles, off season decorations, etc. Plus, it's cute enough to sit next to the couch with magazines and a bouquet of flowers on top of it! So, I'm storing and decorating at the same time! Love that! Just be aware that when it comes to better using your space, you usually have to get rid of a few things first. Go ahead and get a big garbage bag and go to town! Trust me, it will be very satisfying to fill that big bag with junk that never gets used and throw it in the dumpster. Maybe you don't have a lot of junk, but just have an abundance of unnecessary things, extra clothes, shoes, pots and pans that you don't use anymore; there are countless thrift stores, clothing ministries, and non-profit organizations that would love to find a new home for your items. Summer is a great time to get these projects done! So if you feel you need a little breathing room, try making better use of your space. I'd love to hear about what you end up doing. Post a comment or facebook me with the changes you make or ideas you want to share. Have fun!!
   

 

  

As you can imagine,  I did a little happy dance as I filled up our new found space with lots of great, new gifts! Candles, books, and the sweetest, softest, stuffed animals are just a few of the fun things you'll find on your next visit!  There are also quite a few things getting marked down for our "Yard Sale" starting on July 26th, more details will follow...

scatter joy
 
  
 
  
 
 
 

 

Summer goodies

I'm loving this summer's vibrant turquoise and tangerine! Splash some of these happy colors in your home with dishtowels, flowers, and doormats for an instant mood boost!  

These RELAX doormats have been selling like crazy, everybody loves them! Sturdy and oversized, they are perfect for decks, front porches, back doors, or by the pool!  

Pull together a fun look at your next BBQ with fun plates, napkins, and drink holders! Check out the cute  salt and pepper shakers disguised as mustard and ketchup bottles! 

   

 Pick up some Gerber Daisies to brighten someone's day! 

Try on one of our wooden bead necklaces for the perfect summer accessory! 

We will be quite busy at the shop in the coming weeks: going to market to find new treasures, marking down products, getting ready for our big sale, rearranging, and maybe a little painting too. This is always a good time of year to tackle all of those little projects that pile up throughout the year. Stay tuned for more details!! Hope you all are enjoying your summer! See you soon! 

 scatter joy...
 
 
 
 

 

A breath of fresh air

After last week's freezing temperatures and treacherous road conditions, today was a welcome change bringing sunshine and fresh air! At Bradley's we are already setting the stage for spring! Maybe it's wishful thinking or maybe we are just too anxious for change, but everyone who has come in the past couple of days has been delighted to see bright colors and bold patterns! Sweet little birds, tea roses, and paisley adorn dishtowels, tote bags, and plates. Surround yourself with gorgeous shades of yellow, orange, and aqua for an instant pick-me-up during the next few weeks of winter! Come in today and see what we've been up to at Bradley's...

 

 

 

  

Brad and I just got back from the Atlanta gift market and couldn't be more excited about all the fresh, new products that will be arriving over the next few weeks!! Be on the look out for new greeting cards, books, and candles, as well as funky accessories, wallets, tote bags, and more! Can't wait to share all the new goodies with you, hope to see you soon!! Scatter joy...

Clean slate sale

Brad and I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you all so much for making this year's holiday season a great success! Remember we will be open December 28th, 29th, and 30th selling the remainder of our Christmas gifts and goodies 50% off. Bradley's will be closed New Year's Eve through January 11th as we head off to the Atlanta gift market to stock up on lots of new goods for Spring! We will reopen January 12th refreshed and ready for the new year! Hope you all can stop by this week to enjoy our big sale!  Again, thank you so much for all your support in 2009 and we look forward to all the excitement that 2010 holds. Happy New Year!!

 

25 Days of Christmas...

The countdown has begun and excitement is in the air, Christmas day is almost here! We want to make this wonderful season extra special for our blog readers and facebook fans. Be on the lookout for exclusive offers, discounts, and giveaways from now until Christmas Eve! 

 Special of the day:

25% off all Christmas ornaments

Come in and mention this post to receive this special offer.

Offer valid December 16, 2009 until 6:00 pm

While you're in, look for new stationery from Cavallini! This year's collection includes beautiful gift tags to tie on all of your Christmas packages and vintage stickers to spruce up your greeting cards. We also have gorgeous postcards to send to your friends or frame a few to display on your wall.

 

 

Goodies to gobble up for Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving let Bradley's take care of the desserts...

 

Our amazing apples are back! A granny smith apple dipped in caramel, rolled in pecans, and drenched in milk and dark chocolate. Each delicious apple is made to order, so call and reserve yours today, 19.95 ea. This seasonal delight is available now through December 23rd.

 
 

Milk chocolate pumpkin pie truffles are new this year and have quickly become a favorite among regulars. Cute as a button milk chocolate pilgrim and turkey shapes filled with a rich pumpkin pie cream. Serve these scrumptious little guys with coffee after dinner and no one will notice that the actual "pie" is missing from the table. Available by the pound or wrapped to give in our fall gift boxes. 

 Our beautiful milk chocolate foil wrapped turkeys are always a great addition to the Thanksgiving spread. Place one on each guest's plate for an adorable table setting and a delicious after dinner nibble. Group a bunch together in a shallow basket or clear bowl for a gorgeous and delicious centerpiece!
 

 Adorable pilgrim pops are great treats for the kids' table! Hand them out to classmates, secret pals, and neighbors for a fun way to tell someone that you're grateful for them! 

Don't forget our famous Chocolate Covered Popcorn, Tennessee Walking Sticks, and collection of other wonderful treats that are sure to please. Come in and let us help you pick out the perfect desserts for you and your guests this Thanksgiving! As always, thank you for letting Bradley's be a part of your family traditions!

For orders and inquiries, please call us at 865-694-0400. 

 

One more thing to be 'grateful' for...

The beautiful autumn leaves are starting to fall from the trees, and Christmas lights are starting to twinkle on street corners. As fall colors fade and Thanksgiving approaches, look no further than Bradley's for last minute hostess gifts and finishing touches for your Thanksgiving table. Here are some of our ideas for your big celebration:

• Pumpkin soaps and acorn towels would be the perfect  thing to spruce up a guest bathroom
• Cranberry Walnut and Pumpkin Pie dip mixes are quick & delicious snacks for arriving guests
• Our new "joy of the season" candles are wonderful gifts for the busy hostess
• Complete your spread with our gorgeous turkey platters and coordinating plates

As a thank you to our online followers, we're offering an exclusive offer of 25% off our fall gift items. Come in and mention the code 'grateful' now through Saturday, November 21st. 

Thank you for following Bradley's facebook page and Scattering Joy!

..."As the shoppers rush home with their treasures"...

 The prayer was said...

 

The candles were lit...

 

The chocolates were overflowing...

 

The crowd was waiting patiently...

 

And it was finally time for Bradley's 2009 Christmas Open House!!

Here's a glimpse of the festivities...

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

A great big 'thank you' to Stan Williamson for the gorgeous music he graced us with for our event.  Come in for a CD of his Christmas music - 14.95ea.  We promise it will brighten your home for the holidays!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, Brad and I are filled with gratitude for all of our wonderful customers who faithfully continue to support us year after year!  You are the reason that Bradley's is what it is today.

 

And to our wonderful friends and family who made this event such a success- From stringing lights and fluffing Christmas trees to making sure I slowed down long enough to eat, Brad and I are extremely grateful for each of you!

Check back soon for more shots of our Christmas collection!