Western General Boutique

10/23/2026

From Etsy on the use of AI. Thoughts? Let’s discuss.

10/22/2026

I wear this hat once or twice a year. It was meant to be WORN at the rodeos. It represents all that was and all that will never be. Always bittersweet.

10/21/2026

Here is a POSITIVE post! Etsy makes selling internationally easy. Somehow my entire Etsy shops translates to any language, therefore opening up the opportunity to sell worldwide. They also collect the VAT for you. I actually have made sales to I think 19 countries. Etsy even translates messages for you, so when this customer wanted to change their order, we had no communication barrier. 4 bolos going to Bologna, Italy! That’s right, Italians wear my Colorado made bolos 😘

10/21/2026

10/21/2026

Hi y’all! Here’s an updated version of my “I’m over social media and I’m leaving” post. I am still very much over social media. As I am less than one month away from my 6 year anniversary on Etsy, I am incredibly burnt out on my business and social media. I am sick of suggested content. I am sick of ads. I am sick of billionaires controlling what we see. I don’t like this new version of social media where everything must be content and the algorithm controls who sees it.
As far as my business goes, it is a hobby that came from losing what was my passion. It has never been my job (even though most weeks within the first 4 years I put in full time hours), it isn’t a side hustle to make money, and I know this one is going to be weird because we aren’t supposed to say this out loud: it isn’t my passion and never has been. The amount of time I have put into my business and the level of stress it has caused, are disproportionate to the importance my business carries in my life.

I do enjoy wearing jewelry, and I do enjoy making it every once in a while. The rest of it? I do not enjoy. Truth is, my husband and I have an awful lot on our plates, and all of it is more important than me making and trying to sell jewelry. This is just reality folks. Everyone wants to hear the “real story” behind a business until the real story isn’t all butterflies and roses.

Why do I keep going? Most days I think I should give it up. However, I have hundreds and hundreds of finished pieces, plus materials to make thousands more. I do like buying materials. I don’t like to walk away and leave things unfinished; I don’t like to give up. With all the pressure to be on social media constantly, I am ready to give that part up as far as my business goes.

So, if you have made it this far, here is my updated Yellow Pages ad. Please note, I am no longer a consignor at the Backyard Farm Shop.
*NEW!! I have MY OWN WEBSITE! www.westerngeneralboutique.com (link in bio). Here you will find an upcoming EVENTS PAGE, BLOG and of course be able to shop.
*Etsy: www.westerngenboutique.etsy.com
* Frayla Boutique 18 E Fountain Blvd in downtown Colorado Springs
*Select dates at the Backyard Market in BF

10/18/2026

When you do home projects, or any projects, what kind of painter are you?

I’m the kind that wears a t-shirt I’m ready to throw away so there’s no worry of getting paint on it. By the end of the day, the sweatshirt I wore for 20 minutes and my phone are covered in paint, but there’s not a drop on my disposable tee.

You may not know this, but my family lovingly donned me with the nickname “Messy Mandy” as a kid.

10/17/2026

There is still time to snag fabulous one of a kind sugar skull and spooky season jewelry handmade by Western General Boutique! Stop in to FraylaBoutique or order on Etsy (expedited shipping available). www.westerngenboutique.etsy.com

10/17/2026

Stop in tomorrow!

I got my ass kicked today! Lots of hair and shoppers! So I'm happily kicked. Tomorrow I have help in the boutique while I do hair. So come see if you can kick my ass again!!! Open Saturday 9-4:30

10/16/2026

Stop in!

This one was out of my normal order ideas. But it showed up today and it is gorgeous !!! I'm so excited for you to see it! Open Friday and Saturday 10-3