handmade feature & giveaway | able mabel

March 10, 2010 separator etsy

I’m so excited about able mabel because these two sisters are multi-talented, very sweet, and have managed to bridge their distance in a cuter and far more productive way than I ever have! After much assessment and scrutiny, I’ve decided that Leann and Jen can make you just about anything you can think of, and they can make it cuter than you could probably think of to boot. I think that’s about enough said on my part, you’ll have to check out the lurvely shop for more fun and cute than you can handle…

Q. What’s the story behind able mabel?
A. Jen and I used to live in the same state, on the same street, just three houses apart. Back in the fall of 2007, we were put in charge of our Church’s craft sale. When the sale was done we decided to keep creating things. I had heard about Etsy from a scrapbooking site I was involved in. We opened shop in the beginning of December and never looked back. We would spend several days a week creating items together; paper crafts at my house, sewing at her’s, while our toddlers played together. In 2008, I moved to CO, requiring us to change how we ran able mabel. We’ve settled into a nice routine of both creating items but I am the one who does all the “extras” (marketing, listing, photographing, communications, shipping out of orders, etc.). able mabel has been good to us.
Q. What’s the best part of the creative process?
A. Finding a new piece of fabric or paper. You have to start somewhere and that’s usually where it’s at!

Q./A. Winter or summer? Summer
International or domestic? Domestic
Blond or brunette? Brunette
Black & white or color? Color!!!

Q. What sage advice can you offer our dear newbies?
A. When you think you’ve done your best, do better. Take better pictures, be smarter with your time, etc.
Q. Sooo it’s almost St. Patty’s Day. Write us a little limerick. Pretty please?
A. There once were two gals named Mabel.
Who realized they were quite able.
Give them some paper,
Give them some fabric,
They’ll show you they are not fables.
(pathetic, but you asked.) : )
Q. Everything in your shop is very bright and happy. What’s your favorite color combination?
A. What? You expect me to narrow that down? I’m still loving the bright colors paired with dark colors. pink and brown, blue and brown, yellow and black, etc.
Q. How have you gone “green?”
A. In terms of able mabel? Not really. I try to buy supplies locally and all the wood we use for our signs is recycled construction scraps but that’s about it.
Q. What is your vision for the future of able mabel?
A. Being that we’re both stay at home moms, our kids are our first priority. That being said, we’d both like to grow it a bit more so we have consistant sales.
Q. What’s your best holiday memory?
A. I think I’ll have to pass on this one. It’s way too hard to narrow down.

A Little More Mabel…
Twitter
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The Giveaway


Somebody’s walkin’ away from this one with a $25 gift certificate to able mabel, so you’d better get started picking out your goodies. With these incredible prices, you could knock off half your Christmas list in one fell swoop! This giveaway will end at midnight on Sunday, March 21.
  • To enter visit able mabel, and select a favorite item. You can also suggest a new item , color combination, etc. that you’d love to see in the shop. This step is mandatory, and please make sure to leave your e-mail address in your first comment.
Additional entries (Leave one comment for each entry.):

  • If you could be really good at making/doing any one thing, what would it be?
  • Become a follower of Shrimp Salad Circus (the blog) using one of the blog subscribe options on the middle sidebar or at the top right under the search bar.
This is up to three entries per person. Feel free to help me spread the word by Tweeting, blogging, Facebooking or grabbing my button for your blog’s sidebar!

238 comments

  3. love the sleepy owl light switch cover! best way to reach me is through the contact form on my purrprints.blogspot.com location

  8. I would love to be really good at sewing. Trying to get started this year.

    jadengler at mac dot com

  15. I wish I could sew better than just a button replacement! LOL
    Scott
    nynekats at aol dot com

  16. fav item is Green Flower Power Single Light Switch Cover! love it
    Scott
    nynekats at aol dot com

  23. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be able to knit. I come from a family of knitters but do not have the patience to do it! LOL
    Angie
    one 4 earth at aol dot com

  24. Earth Laughs in Flowers Magnet is so cute and I just love the message!
    Angie
    one 4 earth at aol dot com

  27. I love the Circles on a Stick Lovie, Security Blanket, Doll Blanket with Minky for Baby Boys just gorgeous!

    busybbee05[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au

  28. If I could be good at anything I’d love to be good at sewing! I’d love to start my own organic line of childrens clothing and be able to make my daughters clothes myself!

    Anna
    perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com

  29. I love her unnoticed housework sign, it’s so true! It wouldn’t really go in any of my rooms though. Maybe another in a crisp white that would match with almost any decor!

    Anna
    perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com

  30. If I was able to do one thing better than I can do now, it would be to draw. Not portraits, not landscapes, but the simple things of life.

    astridnicoleetcetera at mac dot com

  31. I just love your wooden love sign. The message from a sign like this in a child’s room stays with them their whole life.

    astridnicoleetcetera at mac dot come

  34. There are tons of things I would love to be able to make or do! There are some things that I just need to take the time to learn, but I would really love to be able to sing and be musically talented. I don’t want to be on American Idol or anything but I think it would be cool to strum a guitar and croon a song in a coffee shop or at a bonfire haha!

  45. I love the lightswitch covers- they are so unique and could jazz up a room with not alot of effort. Thanks

  50. If I could do something creative I would love to paint it seems so magical to start from nothing and end up with something.

    Dispellundead (at) gmail (dot) com

  51. I love the light switch covers, I would buy several and arrange them as an art piece.
    Dispellundead (at) gmail (dot) com

  53. I would want to be really good at making bread. Something simple, but I’d love to bless myself and others with yummy homemade bread!

  55. I love the Butterflies Single Light Switch Cover and the Blue Jay Wood Sign.

    craftyshanna at gmail dot com

  57. WOw! your question is not very hard I can go all day answering this! But here’s a few on top of my list :

    Sewing , I really envy looking all those neat looking creations everywhere, including at Ablemable

    Cooking and Baking , really, looks easy but it’s not.

    playing a musical instrument, it must be real cool to master one. I can entertain myself!

    thanks for asking 🙂

  58. Heart all the things in the shop! Can’t it be any cuter! but I really think that Cupcakes and Pom Poms Childs Apron is far too cute to be messed around in the kitchen it should have been worn as a skirt to a playdate! 😀

  59. I love the Delight in the Small Things Wood Sign, it’s along the lines of my own personal attitude. I’d like to see a satchel/book bag that I could use for uni, I’m using a shopping bag at the moment and it’s very boring! Thanks for this giveaway 🙂

    Kate1485 @ hotmail.com
    http://ntfancy.blogspot.com

  66. I like Blue Jay Wood Sign, Love Birds Wood Sign, Poppy Poppy Glass Sign, Cupcakes and Pom Poms Childs Apron, I wish there was a light switch cover of that cute poppy cards.

    Thanks for the giveaway. Cindyhinckley at msn.

  68. If I could choose one thing to be really good at, it would definitely be sewing 😉

    Sarah
    untenuredteacher at yahoo dot com

  69. I’m drooling over the Petite Blooms Halter style full apron… so charming!

    Sarah
    untenuredteacher at yahoo dot com

  70. If I could only be really good at doing/making one thing it would be baking. Its so much fun to do and always makes people smile!

    shewaitsforwhispers [at] ymail [dot] com

  71. The cherry blossoms and butterfly diaper pouch! Its just so cute! I love love love it

    shewaitsforwhispers [at] ymail [dot] com

  72. I like the Hello Poppy Card. I like a great cheerful greeting card with space to write whatever you like inside!!

    I would like to see the greeting card selection widened in this shop. The cards are so much fun, but there’s really only four different themes.

  74. If I could be good at doing one thing I think it would have to be dancing. I stink! LOL.

    xmaswoman (at) hotmail (dot) com

  75. I love the Modern Green Half Apron. So fun and yet practical. Thanks!

    xmaswoman (at) hotmail (dot) com

  76. I wish I was good at painting… I’ve always loved drawing, but that passion never expanded to other mediums when I was younger so I still mostly only draw when I feel inspired.

    anja.lju at gmail dot com

  77. I really like the blue and green key fob.

    Also, I guess my suggestion would be using a combination of light blue and brown colours on a product. For some reason I can’t resist accessories with that combination.

    anja.lju at gmail dot com

  78. I wish I could jog- seriously. Everytime I spend a few weeks or months trying to work up to a good jogging routine, I realize how poorly I do it and how much i hate it…I envy those who can just go out for a 2 or 3 mile run when they please! khaski78 at hotmail dot com

  83. If I could choose, I would like to be really good at artsy things like painting and drawing. I feel like I’m very creative, but just cannot express it through my stick figures 🙂

    emily.p.britt[at]gmail[dot]com

  84. So…I would love to have any of the key fobs, but I also love the Blue Pods Baby Blanket

    emily.p.britt[at]gmail[dot]com

  90. Not Your Average Patchwork Blanket with Minky for Baby Boys is so cute! I love it!

  91. i ♥ Shrimp Salad Circus;}
    i subscribe via email, rss and i follow;P
    thank you for the giveaway!!

  92. oh how i wish i could sew really good, i can sew a line, it might not be straight, but it’s a line;} teehee

  93. Lindsay, how do you choose a favorite?
    I like the Ronny the Robot, the Stash-N-Go, Geometric Shapes lovie and… okay we could be here all day, those girls have a variety of cute things and great prices!!
    chacoyaguyo at yahoo dot com

  95. Steamliner Single Light Switch Cover —i like this…but it would be better if it looked more like Titanic. My bathroom is decorated with a Titanic theme and a wall switch cover is something i never even thought of.
    My favorite item
    is Not Your Average Patchwork Blanket with Minky for Baby Boys.

  103. I love the Ginseng Green Flowers Diaper Pouch but I’d probably just use it as a clutch purse…

    aaschw (at) ufl (dot) edu

  104. The Love Lovie security blanket is super cute!

    –Brandy

    fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

  117. If I could be really good at doing something it would be playing the piano or learning a new craft like pottery.
    cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

  118. I love the Poppy Glass sign, simple but beautiful and original and a little bit vintage
    cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

  119. If you could be really good at making/doing any one thing, what would it be?

    I’d like to say food because it is something everyone can enjoy and it doesn’t sit around gathering dust. It’s consumable and I like that about it.

    bittofraw at gmail.com

  121. I love the Delight in the Small Things Wood Sign! Would also love some of the magnets 🙂

    audreyscountrycrafts at gmail dot com

  127. I wish I were really good at making jewelry… Unfortunately I haven’t progressed past 4th Grade bead projects 🙂

    ms(dot)verymarried(at)gmail(dot)com

  128. ms(dot)verymarried(at)gmail(dot)com

    So, I don’t have a baby but I LOVE the Ginseng Swirls Diaper Pouch!

  135. I’m a new follower of your blog through Google Friend Connect.

    My email is svlara(at)gmail(dot)com

  136. Talking about crafting, I’d love to be able to make great hair pieces. I always wear something in my hair and I’d love to be able to do them myself!

    My email is svlara(at)gmail(dot)com

  137. It’s very difficult to pick just one itme but I’m gonna go with the Cherry Blossoms and Butterflies Diaper Pouch. Love the fabric!

    My email is svlara(at)gmail(dot)com

  139. I would love to be able to sew. If you know how to sew, your options for making things are endless.

    naturemanipulated AT hotmail DOT com

  140. My favorite item is the Geometric Shapes Lovie the Minky for Baby Boys. Love it, love it, love it!

    naturemanipulated AT hotmail DOT com

  141. I would love to be a glass blower, I think that would be the best job ever! ambrerose(!at)aol.com

  145. I love the Red Birdie Blanket with Minky cause it doesn’t say boy or girl. I think it is so cute! I would love to see more polka dots. ambrerose(!at)aol.com

  146. If I can choose anything I’d like to be good at, that would be writing, I mean like the real bestseller writers:) And if I can choose only what I’m actually quite good at, that would be drawing, but I draw only a sa hobby.

    spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

  148. My favorite is the Butterflies and Birds Single Light Switch Cover.
    I’d like to see coasters in the shop.

    spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

  149. So many beautiful items but I think my favorite is the Cherry Blossoms and Butterflies Diaper Pouch

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  151. I love to draw and paint, it was my first love and continues to be something I love to do. Sadly, I don’t have the time any more. If I could be good at something, it would be putting more hours into a day so that I had the time to paint. Ahhh, colors.

    Cheers,
    Kiy

  152. Oh what fun items you have! I kept finding a favorite until I found the Cherry Blossoms and Butterflies Diaper Pouch! Okay, love love love it! I love that it would work for me right now, but keep working for life after diapers/pullups (that really will happen someday, right?).

    Cheers,
    Kiy

    kiy (underscore) shelton (at) yahoo (dot) com

  154. I would love to be good at sewing – I’m so not. Thankfully, my mother-in-law sews up a storm, keeping my daughter in all the cute clothes I wish I could make for her!
    Thanks for the chance to win the gift certificate!
    hayley22478 at yahoo dot com

  156. I love the pink freshcut lovie with minky – it would be great for a baby gift I need! Thanks for the chance to win!
    hayley22478 at yahoo dot com

  158. If I could be good at something that I’m not already, it would have to be something productive like cooking, or being able to make people happy whenever I wanted to.

  160. If I could be really good at something, I’d like it to be Biblical counselling. I’d like to encourage people using scripture and always have the right things to say and know WHERE to look for those answers in God’s word.
    freeindeed at myfairpoint dot net

  161. One of those light switches will follow me home if I win a gift certificate! The single flower one….in green and aqua…my favorite colors lately. Am slowly redoing my sewing room and that light switch matches perfectly. Also like the delight in the little things wooden sign. I would recommend some bible verse signs as well. THe work is so well done on the pieces in this shop. freeindeed at myfairpoint dot net

  162. My favorite item is the Cupcakes and Pom Poms Childs Apron, soooo beautiful!!

    meninheira at gmail dot com

  169. If I could be good at one thing it would be making polymer clay flowers. I would love to learn to make the deco flowers and make them well.

  172. I follow Shrimp Salad Circus with google friend connect!
    Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

  173. If I could be really good at one thing, I would pick cooking!
    Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

  174. My favorite item is the Little Drummer Boy Single Light Switch Cover
    Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

  176. Love the Decorated Circles Lovie and the Delight in the Small Things Wooden Sign – what a cute shop!

    ang
    ang_vaughan at yahoo dot com

  177. if i could be really good at anything, it would be baking. at the ripe old age of 25, i still rely on my mother to send me cookies

    surfdimela at hotmail dot com

  183. Butterfly Single Light Switch Cover is beautiful.

    carethediva[at]hotmail[dot]com

  184. I’d love to be a grand pianist. I have no one but myself to blame for not learning… I took lessons as a kid but they didn’t last very long. It’s a dream of mine–unfortunately I didn’t have patience for practice. Now I enjoy listening to classical music and attending concerts! Still though… maybe… I could learn?!!!
    june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

  188. The “delight in the small things” sign is cute. I love the colors. I think you should keep doing what you’re doing because everything is fun and colorful and cute.
    shutterboo at gmail dot com

  189. if i could be really good at one thing, it would be crochet. i’m not very good at it now, and even though i know it’s easy, i can’t get the hang of it. but it’s so fast that i know i could make tons of stuff i tried.

    [email protected]

  192. the camo lovie with minky is super cute and i have the perfect pregnant friend to present it to! i also think the three birds on a branch wooden sign is super cute – for me! 🙂

    [email protected]

  193. If I could be really good at anything I would choose cooking. I would love to be one of those people who can whip together a delicious meal without a recipe and with minimal ingredients.

    miller.mbeth AT gmail DOT com

  194. Hard to decide, but I think my favorite item is the poppy glass sign.

    miller.mbeth AT gmail DOT com

  201. I would love to be really good at baking the yummiest desserts.

    jaime_890 at hotmail dot com

  202. My favorite item is the Pink and Brown Baby Girl Blanket with Minky.

    jaime_890 at hotmail dot com

  203. I would want to be really good at making gourmet healthy foods that taste good, can’t seem to do that

  206. I like the Three Little Birds on a Branch Wood Sign!

    Trudy
    onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

  211. I would be really good at decorating baked goods. Or making pretty baked goods in general. My current thoughts tend to be along the lines of “well, it tastes good, right?” but I wish they could look like the stuff in a bakery window.

  212. I like the halter-style aprons, and would love to see a light green one. Maybe with olive pockets and beige trim? And the kids cupcake apron is so cute!

    vivalaevolution at gmail dot com

  213. That polka dot child’s blanket is amazingly cute. I think I might want to curl up with it myself! Great shop, great feature.

    dirksendabbles at gmail dot com

  215. I spoke one week ago in my blog about this… If I could have the drawing ability I will be the happiest in teh world!

    cal_rubies at yahoo dot es

  218. if i could be really good at doing one thing (other than making jewelry and doing acting) it would be to be able to dance gracefully! dear god, i’d need a miraculous intervention for this.
    http://phranne.etsy.com
    phranne[at]yahoo.com

  219. beautiful stuff!! i’d spend the gift certificate on my new nephew (born this morning!!)… but if i picked one thing i really lvoed it would be the Unnoticed Housework sign, lol!
    http://phranne.etsy.com
    phranne[at]yahoo.com

  222. I love this: Decorated Circles Lovie, Security Blanket, Doll Blanket with Minky for Baby

    mattles22 at yahoo dot com

  223. Oh and you know I’m a follower xx

    I forgot to leave my email in the first entry: dreamsequins(at)gmail

  224. Hi Lindsay! I’d love to enter to win. 🙂 this Etsy shop is so sweet! My favorite item is the Magenta Swirls Minky blankie… I have TONS of baby showers coming up, and I have a feeling this shop might be a more interesting go-to than one of those corporate stores. 🙂

    Thanks!

    P.S. I have a giveaway on my blog as well. Great minds think alike!

  228. I really love the Kinglet Bird and the Blue Jay.. they would be lovely in my daughters room, but I think my daughter would rather have the Cupcakes and PomPom apron for when she helps her dad cook 🙂

    Really lovely shop.. the colors are marvelous.

    jenaissancedesigns{at}gmail{dot}com

  234. If I could be really great at doing any one thing, it would be learning to follow through on my projects. I always have a list of things to finish and a basket of items that are half-done. I haven’t seen the bottom of my laundry basket in so long, I can’t remember what it looks like! I think developing the trait of perseverance would greatly impact my home and my business.

  237. If I could be a good drawer/painter I may just be one of the happiest people ever. I always have this idea and when I try to execute it, it looks like slop. There is a disconnect between brain and hands there I guess.

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