Oh, the shame of almost 2 months without a blog entry. As I hang my head in shame, I remind myself not to wonder why I have no followers. I give them nothing to read. No need to do the math there. absolute zero is absolute zero. ha!
So, as I sit here, coffee in hand, tummy still full from the fabulous feast, I gaze out at the rising sun and think, why? why, oh why am I awake? If I had planned to mingle amongst the crazies at Best Buy or walmart or some other soul sucking retailer, I wouldn't have been able to drag my tryptophaned ass to the shower much less out the door. As it is, I have nowhere to go and a goal of creating jewelry and some Christmas spirit from the comfort of my slippers and robe and yes, I am awake at 5am!
I am rationalizing this insane phenomena as a subconscious need to please my customers by promoting my Black Friday sale. I have painstakingly adjusted all 190+ shop items to reflect free shipping. Yep, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Joyous Ramadan, Solstice Greetings, whatever it is you choose to celebrate, I honor you with merriment and free stuff. Free shipping, free gifts on orders over $100 and discounts on qualifying orders. Woot for you.
So, GO....now. Run.... grab those slippers, pour a cup of coffee and grab the mouse. Stake your claim in the virtual line of shoppers hunting for the great deals. Just do it from the comfort of your couch.
and remember............BUY HANDMADE.................always
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
New is Good
I admit I like vintage, I Love antiques and there's nothing like a story that reminisces about the "good ol' days" but this week is true testament that new is good too.
I don't think it any longer needs to be said that my week was busy. By now, that's pretty much understood. This week has however been full of new. New customers, new listings on etsy, new adventures being planned and even some new "old" music being played.
My Studio Open House was not new. It's been around for about the last 7 or 8 Februaries, at least. However, it did have many new customers visit and that's a great thing. It took many a year and much prompting to get me to host such a show but I must admit I do enjoy it. More for the enjoyment than the sales, I think. I love the less hectic environment and being able to show all my customers just how much I appreciate them by providing refreshments and opening my house to them. I think it is important to take the time to really get to know them and spend time listening to their stories is inspiring.
Preparing for the Open House while working and juggling a multitude of other tasks left little time for new listings on etsy or handmadefuzion. Suffice it to say, this led to a slow storefront. Finally, with the arrival of some great NEW beads, this week saw some new creations and some new listings. Well, booya! sales followed and I did a little dance (privately, of course).
As if this wasn't enough new for one week or one month for that matter, I finished plans for a new adventure. It seems to be the right time for a family trip to our nation's capitol for so many reasons. A new era, a new president, a new hope for a better future (eventually) coupled with a graduating grade schooler and a budding middle schooler just seemed to scream road trip. I worked on DH and scoured more travel websites than any one person should and there you are. A trip for 3 of the 4 of us to see new things for the first time. Mark may not be thrilled but for a museum guru, he has no idea what lies in wait. It's only a matter of time until he stops referring the The Smithsonian as just another museum.
This sounds like a pretty full and exciting week, doesn't it? Well, let me tell you, the best tale is yet to come. An utter surprise that brought me a joy I would not have imagined in a really MOM kinda way. and yes, I'm gushing. and yes, I'm being nerdy and sentimental, and yes, I have no life but at least once in a while I have the little things. So, hold on to your poncho, have a seat in your over sized papisan chair and take off the huge, cushy headphones! I fostered a musical epiphany in my meanager! It was stupendous! The best President's Day I've ever had. Can you say that?
Kids off school and me at my workbench left the day wide open for possibilities. Seeking inspiration, I reached for the CD player, of course. A few discs and one saxophone practice later, Alex was looking to hear the entire Sgt. Pepper album from which his concert music stemmed. Low and behold, the deep dark depths of the basement coughed up not one, not two, but 3 large cassette tape holding briefcases. (the cornucopia of destroyed LP's by DH will have to be its own post someday). 8 hours later, my meanager, the one that barely speaks to me and definitely struggles to believe I am/could be cool found it in his heart to applaud my taste in music. Everything from Warren Zevon and Elvis Costello to U2, the Beatles and some Talking Heads. I would have to say, he lost his music virginity that day, possible to Chrissy Hines, or maybe it was Stevie Nicks. It doesn't really matter. I knew I had reached a common ground. A sacred ground in my book. We definitely have a common interest in our love of music. He thinks I have good taste and he looks to me for advice on a good tune. Hell, what more can I ask from a 14 tr old angst ridden stomach that walks
I don't think it any longer needs to be said that my week was busy. By now, that's pretty much understood. This week has however been full of new. New customers, new listings on etsy, new adventures being planned and even some new "old" music being played.
My Studio Open House was not new. It's been around for about the last 7 or 8 Februaries, at least. However, it did have many new customers visit and that's a great thing. It took many a year and much prompting to get me to host such a show but I must admit I do enjoy it. More for the enjoyment than the sales, I think. I love the less hectic environment and being able to show all my customers just how much I appreciate them by providing refreshments and opening my house to them. I think it is important to take the time to really get to know them and spend time listening to their stories is inspiring.
Preparing for the Open House while working and juggling a multitude of other tasks left little time for new listings on etsy or handmadefuzion. Suffice it to say, this led to a slow storefront. Finally, with the arrival of some great NEW beads, this week saw some new creations and some new listings. Well, booya! sales followed and I did a little dance (privately, of course).
As if this wasn't enough new for one week or one month for that matter, I finished plans for a new adventure. It seems to be the right time for a family trip to our nation's capitol for so many reasons. A new era, a new president, a new hope for a better future (eventually) coupled with a graduating grade schooler and a budding middle schooler just seemed to scream road trip. I worked on DH and scoured more travel websites than any one person should and there you are. A trip for 3 of the 4 of us to see new things for the first time. Mark may not be thrilled but for a museum guru, he has no idea what lies in wait. It's only a matter of time until he stops referring the The Smithsonian as just another museum.
This sounds like a pretty full and exciting week, doesn't it? Well, let me tell you, the best tale is yet to come. An utter surprise that brought me a joy I would not have imagined in a really MOM kinda way. and yes, I'm gushing. and yes, I'm being nerdy and sentimental, and yes, I have no life but at least once in a while I have the little things. So, hold on to your poncho, have a seat in your over sized papisan chair and take off the huge, cushy headphones! I fostered a musical epiphany in my meanager! It was stupendous! The best President's Day I've ever had. Can you say that?
Kids off school and me at my workbench left the day wide open for possibilities. Seeking inspiration, I reached for the CD player, of course. A few discs and one saxophone practice later, Alex was looking to hear the entire Sgt. Pepper album from which his concert music stemmed. Low and behold, the deep dark depths of the basement coughed up not one, not two, but 3 large cassette tape holding briefcases. (the cornucopia of destroyed LP's by DH will have to be its own post someday). 8 hours later, my meanager, the one that barely speaks to me and definitely struggles to believe I am/could be cool found it in his heart to applaud my taste in music. Everything from Warren Zevon and Elvis Costello to U2, the Beatles and some Talking Heads. I would have to say, he lost his music virginity that day, possible to Chrissy Hines, or maybe it was Stevie Nicks. It doesn't really matter. I knew I had reached a common ground. A sacred ground in my book. We definitely have a common interest in our love of music. He thinks I have good taste and he looks to me for advice on a good tune. Hell, what more can I ask from a 14 tr old angst ridden stomach that walks
Sunday, December 21, 2008
A Few Favorites
for a few of my favorites!
It's the time of year for yummies and these are some tried and true favorites fro over the years.
Bacon Wrapped Waterchestnuts
1 lb Bacon
2 cans whole waterchestnuts drained
1 cup catsup
1 cup sugar
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
wooden toothpics
Cut bacon strips into thirds. Wrap each chestnut in bacon piece and secure with toothpick. Place in flat pan and bake 30 minutes at 350○. Drain fat. ( can be refrigerated at this point and finished on day of use). Mix catsup, sugar and wrocestershire sauce. Pour over Bacon and let sit for 20 minutes. Bake 25 mins at 350○. Serve hot.
These are a sure hit so be sure to make more than you think you'll need!
Spinach Squares
4 Tbsp butter
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 (10oz) packages chopped spinach (thawed and drained well)
1 lb Monterey Jack cheese, grated (I use cojack or cheddar)
1/4 cup chopped onion
Preheat oven to 350○. Melt butter in 9x13 pan. Beat eggs and add flour, milk, salt and baking powder. Mix well. Stir in spinachm cheese and onions. Spoon into buttered baking pan. Bake 35 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes and cut into small squares.
For a great hot spinach side dish try this family favorite. Even those that don't like spinach like this one.
Spinach Souffle
2 cups cottage cheese
3 eggs, beaten
3 packages (10 oz each) frozen shinach, thawed and well drained
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
salt
Mix cottage cheese and eggs. Add remaining ingredients and pour into greased pan. Bake uncover at 350○ for 30-45 minutes.
( I save a small amount of cheddar to sprinkle on top)
and no Christmas is complete without the Rum Pudding with Raspberry Melba Sauce. I don't remember ever there being a Christmas Eve dinner without this dessert. For those that don't like eggnog, vanilla icec cream or a decadent cheesecake makes a great host to the thick and sweet raspberry sauce.
However, that one I will scan and add in. just click and enlarge.
It's the time of year for yummies and these are some tried and true favorites fro over the years.
1 lb Bacon
2 cans whole waterchestnuts drained
1 cup catsup
1 cup sugar
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
wooden toothpics
Cut bacon strips into thirds. Wrap each chestnut in bacon piece and secure with toothpick. Place in flat pan and bake 30 minutes at 350○. Drain fat. ( can be refrigerated at this point and finished on day of use). Mix catsup, sugar and wrocestershire sauce. Pour over Bacon and let sit for 20 minutes. Bake 25 mins at 350○. Serve hot.
These are a sure hit so be sure to make more than you think you'll need!
4 Tbsp butter
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 (10oz) packages chopped spinach (thawed and drained well)
1 lb Monterey Jack cheese, grated (I use cojack or cheddar)
1/4 cup chopped onion
Preheat oven to 350○. Melt butter in 9x13 pan. Beat eggs and add flour, milk, salt and baking powder. Mix well. Stir in spinachm cheese and onions. Spoon into buttered baking pan. Bake 35 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes and cut into small squares.
For a great hot spinach side dish try this family favorite. Even those that don't like spinach like this one.
2 cups cottage cheese
3 eggs, beaten
3 packages (10 oz each) frozen shinach, thawed and well drained
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
salt
Mix cottage cheese and eggs. Add remaining ingredients and pour into greased pan. Bake uncover at 350○ for 30-45 minutes.
( I save a small amount of cheddar to sprinkle on top)
and no Christmas is complete without the Rum Pudding with Raspberry Melba Sauce. I don't remember ever there being a Christmas Eve dinner without this dessert. For those that don't like eggnog, vanilla icec cream or a decadent cheesecake makes a great host to the thick and sweet raspberry sauce.
However, that one I will scan and add in. just click and enlarge.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Hug a Tree, Drink a Pint
My latest exciting find on etsy is onewintrynight. I am just loving these mugs! The fact that her customer service is stellar and her warm, friendly personality just shines through are added bonuses to these mugs that I just love, love, love.
What better way to stay warm all winter than to hug a treehugger mug full of coffee, cocoa or tea. Oh, and your secret is safe with me, I won't tell anyone that wassil your drinking is really Glugg.
So, once again, the pottery fetish has reared it's ugly head and I am addicted to the gorgeous purple/reds, blues and earthones in all of these pieces. Not to mention the leaf impressions. What a fantastic decoration for the table a casserole dish full of warm, creamy broccolli and rice or spinach souffle would make.
Could someone please call my husband and turn him on to this little shop? We all know he's not going to hunt through etsy himself. Not to mention, finding my favorites and then ordering from them. At this point, it's obvious that getting a gift I covet could actually kill me, but a girl can dream; especially at the holidays.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
show that tree a little love with one of these great felted ornaments by Ohsewhannah
The Holiday Season is irrevocably upon us. The tree has been going up for what seems an eternity. I have finally started shopping. I must admit, shopping in December is new to me. I am usually close to if not done shopping by now. The crowds make me crazy. I do enjoy the Christmas music, decorations and atmosphere though. I would always make at least one trip to the store at this time of year just to get that "silver bells" feeling. It is decidedly more enjoyable without the pressure of searching for the perfect gift.
Renegade was an funfilled experience yesterday also. Snow, blowing wind, no parking, huge crowds. Just what a good craft fair should be filled with. However, this is NOT and everday craft fair experience.
Mucca pazza
yet an experience to NOT be missed. What a fantastic treat!
But, I digress. I must get back to the mini lights and boxes of ornaments to be hung, along with stockings and holly and maybe a few cups of cheer. (OH crapstain, I think we drank all those last night). There is homework to finish, dinner to make, jewelry orders to complete and that Nekkid tree in my living room. Something just must be done about that Nekkid tree.
stay tuned for pictured of the transformation
Friday, December 5, 2008
Awesome Wishes
How utterly adorable are these?
by bubbletime
and trust me, so is their creator. Bubbletime is a shop full of surprises and cuteness and adorable items for children of any age ( you know. That 1 to 99 thing Nat sang about). Well this kid wishes for these cuties to adorn her holiday decorations someday.
I started talking about wishes the other day and somehow got a little sidetracked. It must have been the pottery. If you know anything about me, you know I love, love, love pottery. ( and glass, and jewelry, and.....) Well, that list does goe on and on. My glass fetish doesn't stop at beads or the above mentioned for that matter. You see, I have an affinity for many things handmade. Here are a few of my latest desires
by sticknymph
and just to make things even better, I recently discovered that sticknymph art is available on cafepress in many other forms. woot.
by clandestinearts
I do believe my tree needs a few of these designs. It truly gives a whole new meaning to fold and cut, don't you think?
but who could resist this dude?
by Studiomarcy
reserved for another breaks my heart, but I covet none the less. (I wonderif marcy could be persuaded to make a pen full of these coolest of swine?)
by bubbletime
and trust me, so is their creator. Bubbletime is a shop full of surprises and cuteness and adorable items for children of any age ( you know. That 1 to 99 thing Nat sang about). Well this kid wishes for these cuties to adorn her holiday decorations someday.
I started talking about wishes the other day and somehow got a little sidetracked. It must have been the pottery. If you know anything about me, you know I love, love, love pottery. ( and glass, and jewelry, and.....) Well, that list does goe on and on. My glass fetish doesn't stop at beads or the above mentioned for that matter. You see, I have an affinity for many things handmade. Here are a few of my latest desires
by sticknymph
and just to make things even better, I recently discovered that sticknymph art is available on cafepress in many other forms. woot.
by clandestinearts
I do believe my tree needs a few of these designs. It truly gives a whole new meaning to fold and cut, don't you think?
but who could resist this dude?
by Studiomarcy
reserved for another breaks my heart, but I covet none the less. (I wonderif marcy could be persuaded to make a pen full of these coolest of swine?)
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Wishbook
Do you remember the "Wishbook"? It would arrive in the mail just around this time of year and all the kids would clamour for a view. Each of us would have our trusty sheet of notebook paper on which to write our list, not to mention our own system of prioritizing our hearts desires.
Many a letter to Santa (and grandma) was born from the pages of that thick as the phonebook Sears and Roebuck catalog. By the dawn of the new year it was tattered and torn, marked in and dogearred. For my siblings and I, it was the Christmas dreammaker. From a new pair of skates to an Easybake oven, that was the place to find it, mark it and add it to the list.
Well, times have changed and this lovely desktop contraption has moved our global existence into a new frontier. We now have the ability to make wishlists around the world and for all to see. This makes me wonder how discerning I need to be on my wishlists.
You see, my wishlists are not just my wishlists anymore. I tend to use them to mark things I am considering for others. I fill them with potential purchases in an effort to make one shipment purchases. Then there's etsy. Oh, the myriad of reasons for that list of favorites. treasuries, gifts, supplies, admiration and plenty of my own desires. I hope and encourage many to look to this list for shopping inspiration. It meets all the requirements.
Buy Handmade
I'm sure to like it
Probably One-of-a-Kind
Support independent artists
Get to know etsy better
It's full of awesome choices
So, when people ask me what I want for Christmas, I generally don't have an answer. No Wishbook list these days,though, it could still happen given the right catalog full of magic (oh wait, I have that in etsy and handmadefuzion )I often reply these days with "nothing. Well, you can always check my favorites on etsy".
I may end up getting items I think are perfect for others, or look great in a certain treasury but the bottom line is, I will still love them. There is just no limit to the possibilities.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Gobble til you Wobble
Thanksgiving is here and the holiday season is offically upon us. Lucky for the angry pilgrim (DS#2), we haven't come across too much inthe way of Christmas yet. He earned that nickname after getting overly upset and considering knocking on the doors of the overzealous Christmas decorators for completely ignoring Thanksgiving. He was barely over Halloween and bam! red and green, snowglobes and santas, wreaths and reindeer had started taking over the neighborhood. Between you and me, I think he was worried about missing a day completely devoted to food.
That's the nice thing about Thanksgiving. No pressure, no gifts, no rushing or worrying. All you have to do is eat. You eat and eat and eat and eat. then you have dessert. Yet another reason the angry pilgrim was worried. He does believe pumpkin pie to be the perfect dessert. No utensils or plates needed (in his opinion), and no gunking that baby up with whipped cream either. He's a minimalist when it comes to food.
I am thankful for my angry pilgrim and his brother (despite the teenage angst). I could not imagine my life without them. Okay, maybe sometimes I long to travel to Italy with girlfriends or pub crawl through county Cork with an old friend and his guitar, but most days I wouldn't trade them for the moon. I am also thankful for my husband, Mark. Yes, he is cheap and stubborn and ADD, but he is also generous and kind and talented in ways I cannot explain. Now that family of mine that puts the fun in dysfunction, they too make me grateful and blessed. I count my blessings every day that I have with my grandmother.
Today may not be a most traditional of Thanksgivings. It seems many of us are fighting colds and working on projects and feeling like staying home. It just might happen too. Time will tell. So, while we are thankful for our health, today, we could stand it to be slightly improved.
I'm not sure if you have an angry pilgrim in your house or just a grumpy snot fountain, whatever you have, give it a hig, say a prayer and be glad for what you have.
Now GO EAT!
That's the nice thing about Thanksgiving. No pressure, no gifts, no rushing or worrying. All you have to do is eat. You eat and eat and eat and eat. then you have dessert. Yet another reason the angry pilgrim was worried. He does believe pumpkin pie to be the perfect dessert. No utensils or plates needed (in his opinion), and no gunking that baby up with whipped cream either. He's a minimalist when it comes to food.
I am thankful for my angry pilgrim and his brother (despite the teenage angst). I could not imagine my life without them. Okay, maybe sometimes I long to travel to Italy with girlfriends or pub crawl through county Cork with an old friend and his guitar, but most days I wouldn't trade them for the moon. I am also thankful for my husband, Mark. Yes, he is cheap and stubborn and ADD, but he is also generous and kind and talented in ways I cannot explain. Now that family of mine that puts the fun in dysfunction, they too make me grateful and blessed. I count my blessings every day that I have with my grandmother.
Today may not be a most traditional of Thanksgivings. It seems many of us are fighting colds and working on projects and feeling like staying home. It just might happen too. Time will tell. So, while we are thankful for our health, today, we could stand it to be slightly improved.
I'm not sure if you have an angry pilgrim in your house or just a grumpy snot fountain, whatever you have, give it a hig, say a prayer and be glad for what you have.
Now GO EAT!
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