~Spring~

Last week's theme was Spring has Sprung, and I'm glad to say that I have a few entries that are absolutely fabulous! Be sure to check out these wonderful artisans and their shops!

Fresh Strawberry Goat Milk Soap by WickedSoaps $5.00

Sugar Drops Wristlet Key Fob by JennieBGoode $6.50

Luxe Amethyst and Topaz Bracelet by Heartsabustin $65.00



More is More Necklace by LaVitaPura $49.00

Pink Floral Burp Cloth by cuddlehugs $4.99

Daisy Delight Fused Glass Pendant by MySassyGlass $19.00

Be sure to check back tomorrow for another Theme Thursday! I can't wait to see what you have created to share! ANYONE can participate!

~ArtfulGoodies ~ Beat the Monday Blahs Blog Giveaway

My dear friend April from ArtfulGoodies is an insanely talented artist. So talented, that I had a horribly rough time trying to decide which of her items to showcase on this blog post. From steampunk to stamped, she's got it, and it all looks so wonderful! Not only does she have awesome pendants, but she's agreed to pair up with me for my blog giveaway today!

Now for the down and dirty:

This giveaway is open to anyone, worldwide!

THE WINNER will receive a TEN DOLLAR GIFT CERTIFICATE to the ArtfulGoodies Etsy shop!

Winner will be chosen via the old fashioned way...paper entries in a jar! (Hey I have kids, they like that kind of stuff and it makes them feel important!) on Sunday, March 14th and posted HERE! Be sure to check back and see if you won, or be sure to leave a contact E-mail!!

How to get entries (you will get 1 entry for each, so be sure to let us know!):

Leave a comment right here on my blog telling about an item you're absolutely in love with from ArtfulGoodies.
Become an ArtfulGoodies Facebook Follower
Become an ArtfulGoodies Twitter follower
Blog about the giveaway yourself
Tweet the giveaway
Post the giveaway on your Facebook
Make a purchase from the ArtfulGoodies Etsy shop and receive 1 entry for every $10 you spend.

Don't forget to follow my blog so you can come back every Sunday to see if you won! (And every Monday to enter the new giveaway!

Want to take part in a Beat the Monday Blah's giveaway? Contact Me!

More Excitement

Yesterday in the mail I got this magazine. It's a city magazine, and I never really pay much attention to it. However, I did this time!!! The cover model is wearing a necklace I made for her back in my bamboo pendant days!!! Not only that, but inside is a picture of the whole team, and several of them are wearing the necklaces! The article doesn't mention my name anywhere, but the self satisfaction has got my head blown up so big, it's likely to not fit through doors any time soon! I purchased a frame, and I'm going to frame it and hang it in my new workshop (aka garage)!

Battening Down the Hatches.....

I spent most of this morning preparing for unexpected company.....Hurricane Hannah is supposed to drop in for a visit some time this weekend. I've got a box of stuff packed just in case we have to leave, that has all the necessities in it, and I spent the morning at Walmart (my most unfavorite place) buying water and other necessities (batteries, packaged foods, etc). All I have to do is grab it and go. Being as we're in the center of North Cackalacky, I suspect we won't have to leave, but with three kids and a dog, I want to be prepared, just in case. I also purchased a few non-necessities, coloring books, crayons, LED pointer lights for the kids and a few reading books for me. I wish I could put together a small craft case, but that would take too much thought. You should see all the stuff I bring to a 1 day show. In fact, chances are, whatever I packed, I wouldn't want to mess with when we got wherever we were going. I'll just have to catch up on some dime store smut novels. Anyway, We're ready if need be. I will pack up the back of Blue Betty (that's my Expedition) tomorrow while the kids are at school, and top off her tank just in case we need to skeedaddle.

These gorgeous lampwork beads by generationslampwork definitely bring to mind the weather forecast.

How about a sterling silver hurricane ring, which can also be worn as a pendant? This pretty bauble, handcrafted by the talented iysta, could perhaps be given as a gift of strength, courage, or endurance. Simple, yet beautiful!

If you haven't checked out SecondLineFrames's shop, you definitely should! All the frames shown are created using salvaged wood from New Orleans, LA after Hurricane Katrina. Portions from each sale are donated to help restore affected areas of New Orleans.

TheLyonsPaw creates absolutely stunning lampwork! This focal bead is entitled Eye of the Storm. Fitting, no?

First Day of Freedom

Do you hear that? Nope, neither do I, I hear complete silence.....I have just begun my first day of the next 180 days of FREEDOM!!!!! There's no bickering, no fist fighting, no expectation to be waited on hand and foot, nothing. Me and the dog are sitting here looking at each other with blank looks on our faces. I'm going to sit with my coffee and relish this first day of freedom. I've picked out some great freedom items from my fellow Etsy sellers to commemorate my day, so take a peek at these!!

I think I'm going to petition to make the first day of school each year a national parent holiday, called "First Day of Freedom". Every first day of freedom should come with a little gift, wrapped up and adorned with this prim style gift tag by everydaysies.

This leafy little blackbird Tshirt, created by sweet3leafprints, shows how I feel very nicely. this one is a toddler size, but the concept, and the art is fabulous using all leaf prints! This shop is definitely one to check out! I only wish it came in adult sizes!

You know I love everything that is listed in the surly shop. I mean, how can I not when it's so much like my own logo? This freedom heart pendant necklace is perfect for every day wear with your favorite jeans. Be sure to check it out!

This 4 x 6" print of Spirit by naturenomad shows just how I feel today. My spirits are soaring, I'd like to be on Spirit's back, galloping through that field bareback and barefooted (both no no's while riding I may add) without a care in the world.

Alas, I think the mutt and I have decided that going back to our blanket burrito to relish in an extra hour (or two or three) of sleep would be the way to spend this morning! The kids will be home soon enough, and then the homework will start....papers and books to cover and tales of first day excitement!!

Rockin' Out

Today we celebrated our oldest son's 9th birthday. It's not really until Tuesday, but we had the party today since school starts soon. We got him an electric guitar. He's not put it down since he opened the box. I guess we did a good job picking it out! I'm in a sugar coma from the real buttercream icing that was on the cake. I never thought I'd say this, but I couldn't finish the whole piece! Sheesh! I must be slipping in my old age! Anyway, I'm not comatose enough to not be able to surf the net, so here are a few of my son's favorite guitar picks.

He's all about picking out his own picks, he's managed to acquire several from my hubby's stash. He really likes this sterling silver Les Paul Guitar Pick from AndrosCreations. Not only does he like it, but they offer personalized engraving. I'm not sure what he'd actually put on it, but that's another story for another day!


For all the "girly rock stars" out there, check out this resin Flying V guitar necklace from cherriesrockmysocks. In fact, I personally think you should just check out that whole shop. Kid tested and mother approved! I love her resin!

And last but not least, what better way to wish your aspiring rock star, or even an accomplished one a Happy Birthday than with this hand crafted birthday card from yours truly? It's in auntiescardshop.

Well, I'm going to try to tear him away from his guitar long enough to actually eat dinner and possibly go to a movie. Have a great weekend everyone!

Saturday Night Special Sale

So today is Saturday...every week on Saturday there is a special thread in the Etsy forums where sellers post their weekly sales. You're not obligated to do it, but if you want to, you can. Tonight I am trying a little something different. Normally I try a % off, but tonight I'm trying cold, hard dollar amounts off! Feel free to stop by my shop and check it out!

Tonight in my shop (until 6:00 EST tomorrow) take the following discounts on your purchase:

$1.00 off any 8 Ounce candle purchased
$1.00 off any Bamboo Pendant Necklace
$2.00 off any Ring purchased
$2.00 off any 16 Ounce candle purchased
$3.00 off any pair of earrings purchased
$4.00 off any bracelet purchased
$5.00 off any necklace purchased

Spend $50 total (AFTER discounts are taken) and receive FREE Shipping (WIthin the US ONLY please)!! Items shipping outside the US will receive a free gift. This includes candle shipping!! Please put SNS In the comments to seller at checkout and wait for a revised PayPal invoice from me.