Darby Creek Trading - Your Source for Home Decor & Gifts

New Product Spotlight: Metal Roosters and Ducks

2012-05-24T11:27:00.002-07:00

It's always fun to add new products to our website. We already offer thousands of really great items, but when I get to update the site with new items, I get excited because I know people are just going to love them!

We offer several different types of roosters, hens and ducks in polystone and ceramic, but these new Metal Roosters and Hens are really great! They are handcrafted metal and are specially designed with outdoor safe finishes, which makes them perfect for both indoor and outdoor decor.

Now, I know that chickens aren't for everyone... but come on, no matter what your style is, who can resist the bit of whimsy that these add. I personally love chickens, and have a whole flock of them in my backyard, which is why I can't resist this guy, he's so cute.

This Red Pecking Rooster is also super cute.

There are also two great metal ducks, and although I'm not usually a duck lover, these two are really precious, and I could find it in my heart to love them. I know that there are some serious duck lovers and collectors out there though, so for those of you that are... check these guys out.

You can view all our new roosters and ducks, by clicking here.

10% off Darby Inspirational Products

2012-05-16T10:00:00.001-07:00

We all know that Darby Creek Trading trading offers a huge variety of beautiful wreaths, but we also offer tons of other products as well! Right now through Wednesday, May 23, 2012, all of our Inspirational Products are 10% off when you use the coupon code: DIP10 at checkout.

We have so many great products to offer for your home or for a great gift ideas. You are guaranteed to find something for anyone and everyone. We offer collectible figurines, prayers and plaques, Irish gifts, Religious gifts, mugs, and so much more. Go ahead and browse around our site and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Here's a couple of my favorite products this week:

This gorgeous wooden plaque is hand carved out of cherry wood and made in Ohio.

This lovely Angel is called 'The Gentle Souls Care Angel" and what makes it a great gift is that it is perfect for year round use as it comes with 4 wreaths that you can swap out with the change of every season. It is also handmade with real copper and glazed terra cotta.

Another great product that we offer at Darby Creek are the limited edition art prints of Ray Murphy. These have a variety of popular prayers and inspirational sayings on them and feature beautifully detailed art work as well. These are also able to have custom text of your choice added to them. Making them the perfect memorial piece or special gift. We have several beautiful pieces to choose from.

Go and check out our website, find an Inspirational Product that you love, and don't forget to use the coupon code: DIP10 at checkout!

New Product Spotlight: Mini "Thank You" Angel Figurine

2012-05-10T10:51:00.002-07:00

Here's a beautiful new product that we are now offering. This lovely, hand painted figurine measures 1.75" wide x 4.25" tall and has the words "Thank You" written in nice script. This is part of our Foundations Angel Collection and is the perfect Thank You gift for someone special in your life.

Did you know that we can ship your order directly to your friend? So next time instead of sending the usual thank you note, order and have us send one of these beautiful angels instead. It would be the perfect expression of gratitude.

We also have many other beautiful angels in our Foundation Angel Collection, you can check them all out here.

Save Big Money with our Newly Updated Clearance!

2012-05-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I am kind of a deal seeker... I hate to pass up a good deal, and 50% off are some of my favorite words. So if you're anything like me, you're going to love this blog post!

I don't know if you've seen it, but we have a great Clearance Section on our website. In this section we have all kinds of great floral items and even better, we're now offering an additional 50% off of all our clearance items.

Here's a few of my favorite items that we currently have available.

These orchids are really beautiful, and are so lifelike you'll have everyone convinced that you have a green thumb. We have several different options available including potted phaleanopsis and cymbidium orchids in glass vases with acrylic water.

Another great money saving idea is to purchase your holiday and seasonal wreaths during the off season. These are the same high quality products that we offer in season, but rather than storing them, we like to offer them to our customers in our clearance section.

Even though summer flowers are poking up their heads here in the United States, down in the Southern Hemisphere it's the end of fall... and unfortunately summer will go by fast and fall will be here before we know it. Check out this beautiful fall wreath, called The Great Pumpkin Wreath, and did I mention that it's also 50% off!

Christmas in May! We have a few select styles available and ready to ship, and at 50% off you can't afford to wait till December. Look at this lovely Amaryllis Christmas Wreath.

We have so much more than I can post here, so go and check it out yourself.

Remember to use the coupon code: FLO50 at checkout to receive your 50% off.

An Irish Wedding Blessing

2012-04-25T09:32:00.002-07:00

According to my family history and my freckles, I have a good bit of Irish in my genetics. I can't trace it back to a particular place, or person who crossed over, but it's in there somewhere. Of course, I'm a mix of several different genetic pools, including Welsh, Irish, American Indian, Creole, and I'm sure many more.
I have always thought it would be fantastic to know exactly where you come from, and am always fascinated to hear people who have researched their ancestry. I was just talking with a woman the other day, and she said that her family name has been traced back to a castle in Ireland. So cool. Ruin or not, I'd want to go visit.

While I can't trace my Irish history back to a certain point, I can remember my wedding day just a little over 9 years ago. On that day I married my wonderful husband, and have been blessed ever since.

What has me thinking of Ireland and weddings today, you might ask... well...

We just updated a product today, called "An Irish Wedding Blessing." We have offered this product for awhile, but it is now updated with a slightly different frame. I think is is a nice improvement. It is a dark brown frame accented with gold flecks, and it would go perfect in any Irish newlywed's home.

This framed art piece is really beautiful and is perfectly gift worthy with the gold flecked frame and the green die-cut mat. The print inscribes the following:

As you travel life together,

may God guide you on your way,

And bring you newfound joy

in each other, day to day...

May your home be graced with peace,

may your sharing know no bounds,

May your friendship know full measure

in the lifetime love you've found...

And as your closeness deepens,

may each moment be the start

Of life lived hand-in-hand,

and love lived heart-to-heart.

We offer a great many different Irish gift pieces, including several other Irish Blessings.

Canvas Weatherproof Art for Outdoors?

2012-04-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

Is that even possible?

First of all, wouldn't the sun bleach it? Wouldn't the rain deteriorate the canvas? What if a high wind came up like yesterday? Wouldn't it either blow away or warp on it's mounting hardware? Not to mention the elements would eventually cause the colors to fade, right?

Well, we're here to set you straight on all of these issues.

We are introducing a new line of art called Darby Outdoor Art! This new line makes it possible to display high quality art in places where previously you simply could not without damaging the art.

These wall art pieces are perfect for poolside, outdoor patios, porches, indoor or outdoor kitchens and dining areas, bathrooms, and other harsh weather or high humidity areas.

They are specially made with high quality UV protected canvas and stretched on polyvinyl stretchers that can withstand winds up to 60 mph.

We have a huge variety of images to choose from, with themes including Western, Tropical, Gardens, Cityscape. Landscape, Wildlife, Vineyard, and Floral.

These high quality art pieces are custom made-to-order and are shipped to you within 2-3 business days.

For more information, please feel free to browse through our gallery of Outdoor Art.

Also, now through Monday, April 23rd, at midnight, all of our outdoor art is 15% off. Simply use the coupon code: OA15

Daydreaming with Darby Outdoor Art

2012-04-06T07:34:00.008-07:00

As the weather warms up, there is no better place than to be outside soaking up the sun and enjoying a glass of iced tea and daydreaming the afternoon away. I may not have it in my budget to travel right now, but I sure can dream about it.

Where would you go?

Maybe to a hilltop villa overlooking a vibrant fishing village...

Or maybe somewhere a little more tropical, with blue skies, white sand, and palm trees swaying in the wind?

Or on a walk through a quiet forest to hear the wind whispering through the trees?

Or maybe you have a different idea of serenity...

Whatever your perfect daydream is, we have an Outdoor Art piece that would perfect accent your outdoor daydreaming space. So sit down in your chair and relax the day away with one of our Darby Outdoor Art pieces. UV protected Canvas Prints will not fade, bleed, or warp, even in 60 mph winds!

Right now our Outdoor Art pieces are 15% off when you use the code: OA15 at checkout.

Where Does Inspiration Come From?

2012-04-03T10:59:00.002-07:00

Where does inspiration come from? How can you get inspired? And what do you do when you are inspired?

First off, you can get inspired by anything. For me, it's colorful items such as floral, toys, prints, and artwork. Sometimes my head will get clogged and all I need to do is go to my local park. At the Whetstone Park of Roses I simply have to walk along the paths to pick up ideas to projects.

While you're getting inspired you must carry a notebook. I have lost some of my best ideas because I haven't written them down. You are not a Superman, and even he probably wrote things down. Pen and paper is fine. No need to get fancy.

So you've been inspired, what now. Pour that inspiration into any project you might have. Make a wreath, start that painting you've been putting off, or finish that crochet blanket that's taken you three years. Whatever you do, don't waste good inspiration, because once it's gone, it's gone forever.

How to Save More Money!

2012-03-29T12:18:00.003-07:00

Get discounts by following us on Twitter or friending us on Facebook! Stay up to date on our latest designs, how to tips, and home decor design news! Get inspired with us and save money on all home decor items!

Save Money On High Quality Spring Decor

2012-03-29T12:01:00.002-07:00

Want to save money on spring decor? We've got you covered! We're getting into the spring groove, even if the weather is a bit crazy where we're at. We're offering 10% off all of our floral pieces. Designer wreaths and arrangements can help dress up your home. Simply enter SPR10 during checkout!

How to Decorate for Spring

2012-03-27T08:51:00.005-07:00

I've got the spring decorating fever, and I've got it bad. Preparing the house to welcome spring is always a delight. I get to put away all the winter items and bring out bright flowers and fragrant candles that smell like Orchids.

But anyone can go overboard when decorating, even when preparing for spring. Too much floral, too many patterns, and colors that don't blend well. It's enough to make a girl want to crawl back into bed like a groundhog!

Here's a few rules that I have given myself this year:

1. Choose a spring trend. I typically get my inspiration from fashion magazines and this year I'm going with bright coral and subtle patterns.

2. Budget! I tend to go overboard when shopping for, well, anything. So I budget what I want to spend on spring decor and then use only cash. This way, you won't be tempted to go "just a little" overboard on the budget you worked hard to come up with. When the money is gone, it's gone.

3. Either reuse or buy one statement piece. For me, it's wreaths. I want people who come to my door to see a cheerful and beautiful floral wreath. Other people will simply buy a new piece of artwork to hang above their couch. Remember, artwork can be purchase but can also easily (and cheaply) be made wither with canvas and paint, or by purchasing patterned fabric to hang as art.

4. Get some accent pieces. I went to the dollar store and purchased small terracotta pots, painted them coral, and am using them as candy dishes and pen holders. Other things you can get are new throw pillows, dish towels, and even actually filling the fruit bowl that's been sitting there with actual fruit!

5. Have fun. Don't panic about it being perfect. Spring tends to be a wild child and doesn't care if one petal is out of place.

2012-03-23T13:54:00.000-07:00

Check out our new spring florals!

Christmas Sale At Darby Creek

2011-12-28T08:46:00.000-08:00

Darby Creek is wrapping up the year with a Christmas clearance! We're making room for our upcoming spring wreath line. Check out what we have to offer on our clearance page!

How To Decorate For Fall

2011-08-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Fall is on its way and with it comes changing colors, back to school, leaves falling, cool breezes, festivals, football, Halloween, & Thanksgiving. Aside from setting pumpkins out for Halloween, many people do not know how to decorate their homes for autumn.

Here are some how-to tips to decorating for fall:

Embrace the fall hues and colors. Nature is a good indicator of seasonal colors, and with the color changes taking place outdoors, you will see tons of orange, red, gold, dark green, and brown.
Take advantage of autumn-specific events such as pumpkin festivals, harvest festivals, and more.
When the leaves fall, so do many nuts such as buckeyes. These make a simple and inexpensive decoration.
You can find simple decorating accents everywhere during the fall. During your trips to the grocery store, look for pumpkins and multi-colored gourds.
A fall wreath makes the perfect decor accent for your front door, wall, or mantel. Buy a beautiful, designer fall wreath from Darby Creek Trading.
Fall centerpieces and floral arrangements make a great accent in the home - perfect for displaying on a table, bookshelf, or other surface.

The easiest way to decorate your home for fall is to buy your fall wreath and matching centerpiece from Darby Creek Trading. New for the 2011 Fall Season, our designers are making select wreaths with centerpieces and floral arrangements to match. This is the perfect way to maintain a color theme throughout your home, while decorating for fall.

Watch our video to view a sample of our new designs.

If you like what you see, visit us at http://www.darbycreektrading.com/ to view our entire selection of wreaths and flower arrangments.

Spring is almost here!

2011-03-16T13:05:00.000-07:00

So, I think we've all had enough of the cold and gross weather (we sure are sick of it in Ohio). Luckily, the official start of spring is less than 5 days away! We have been preparing for this season for months here at Darby Creek Trading. Our Spring 2011 designs are in and our floral supply is stocked.

A great way to welcome spring into your home is to display one of our spring wreaths on your front door, on a wall, or above the mantel. Our wreaths are full of bright colors, spring flowers, and look absolutely stunning.

One of the reasons people love our wreaths is that we find the most realistic materials we can. So, while trying to keep our floral up to the standards of "real live plants", we have an amazing designer who knows just how to put everything together. You won't find more beautiful wreaths at a lower price than at Darby Creek Trading.

Here are some things to think about when purchasing a spring wreath:

Are the materials suitable for outdoors? We offer 2 types of wreaths - natural and silk. The natural wreaths are great for indoors but don't hold up so well outside in humidity and poor weather. Silk wreaths will hold up for many years outside. Of course, wreaths will always last longer if kept out of direct elements (sunlight, rain, snow, etc.), but the silk will hold up better than anything else in these conditions.
What is the ideal wreath size for a front door? The standard width for exterior doors is 32 inches. We typically recommend a wreath between 24-28 inches for a front door. This will provide ample coverage while not exceeding the size of the door.
For how long during the year can I display a spring wreath? Spring wreaths are very versatile. The colors found in spring wreaths are generally seen year round. Therefore, we usually tell people that a spring wreath can be displayed during all seasons, year round. It is not unusual to see spring wreaths displayed during the fall and even the Christmas season.

With this in mind, take a look around our webstore at our huge selection of wreaths! We guarantee it's the best you'll find (we aren't biased or anything...)

In the meantime, we at Darby Creek Trading will be embracing spring with open arms. Pleasant weather at last!

Updates Galore!

2011-02-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

We've been very busy lately...

Our webstore recently went through a complete makeover, be sure to check it out!

Darby Creek Trading now carries a high-quality line of home decor products & recently started carrying a new line of floral arrangements and centerpieces.

Our 2011 Spring Wreaths are now in! We have over 75 classic designs in addition to 25+ brand new spring designs. These wreaths are great through the summer and year round - order yours before we run out!

If you want to stay current with everything going on with us, there are a few different ways to keep in touch. Follow us on Twitter (@DarbyCreekTrade) - Like us on Facebook - Subscribe to this blog!

Stay tuned for more updates from Darby Creek Trading. To learn a little more about us, watch the video below.

How to Make a Wreath - Fall Wreath

2009-08-13T06:15:00.000-07:00

This week we are going to be talking about how to make a Fall Wreath the right way. Very Often customers ask us about the correct directions for how to make a wreath, and give it that professional flair, rather than a kitschy home-made look. Today we are going to show the model we use, and hopefully with a little practice, you too can produce a beautiful fall wreath for any living space. We've included a video, as well as a step by step guide. Hope this helps!

How to make a Wreath - Fall Wreath

Step By Step

Things You'll Need for your Fall Wreath

Wire Cutters
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun or Glue Pot
Wood or Metal Floral Picks, or cooking skewers
Floral Tape, Wire, & Sticks
Grapevine Wreath Base
Floral Foliage & Berries
3 medium artificial pumpkins
Artificial Sunflowers

Fall Wreath Step One

Creating the Hanger - Wrap a piece of wire with floral tape, twist it, then insert through the grape vine. Then wrap it around the fall wreath to form a loop. Twist it tight to secure the loop in place and then remove any excess wire with the wire cutters.

Fall Wreath Step Two

Adding the Background - Using the Fall Floral Foliage, add a wreath pick to each piece using floral tape. Begin placing lengths of floral around the wreath evenly using hot glue until it covers about 80% of the grapevine. Be Careful not to burn yourself! Use as little or as much floral as you want until you achieve the desired look that you are going for.

Fall Wreath Step Three

Adding Pumpkins - Insert floral stick into pumpkin with some hot glue. Wrap sticks with floral tape to help hide them and then place pumpkins on the wreath again using hot glue. We don't want these to come off in the wind!

Fall Wreath Step Four

Add Sunflowers - We are going to fill out the rest of our wreath with Sunflowers placing them carefully around the wreath in a natural way while covering the grapevine backing. Remember to keep using floral picks and floral tape to hide the ends of the flowers. This also helps secure them into the wreath securely. try not to space them all out exactly even or this will give the wreath a very rigid feel.

Fall Wreath Final Step

Final Touches- Here at darbycreektrading.com we like to add some of our special artificial vine, just to give our wreaths that extra little touch. You also want to end by fluffing and rearranging the floral until it looks just right. Tada! A perfect wreath that will suit you both indoors and out. Check it out here: Sunflower & Pumpkin Fall Wreath

Of course if after watching this video you decide that its just a bit too much for you, you can always swing by our site and check out our wonderful selection of silk wreaths just like this one! We have several to choose from, and we can always custom make them to specific sizes if need be. So stop by and check out our Fall Wreaths today!

Fall Wreaths from Darby Creek Trading spur our first blog!

2009-07-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

As we gear up for the fall season here at Darby Creek, we have decided to create a blog in an attempt to keep everyone who may be interested, up to date on what is going on in our busy lives.

This summer we have added a new web marketing intern to our staff in order to keep things running smoothly as we prepare for the fall and holiday seasons.

In our next blog post we will be introducing this wonderful young man, who will be helping us out, and has also convinced us to create some helpful tutorials for those at home who may be wishing to try their hand at creating beautiful wreaths similar to ours.

We will hopefully be creating several helpful how-to guides on the topics of:

How to Make a Wreath
How to Make a Fall Wreath
How to Make a Christmas Wreath
Other?

We look forward to your feedback and we hope you stay tuned.

If building a wreath doesn't suit you, or you find it to be too much work, Let us take care of it!

Darby Creek continues to offer one of the greatest selections of Wreaths on the web. Check out all our varieties such as:

Fall Wreath

Christmas Wreath

Spring Wreath

We hope you have a wonderful day,
and if you have any questions or want to give us your thoughts,
give us a call toll-free at 1-888-327-2927 or just give us a shout here!

Sincerely,

Darby Creek Staff