Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts

Saturday, November 29, 2014

#ShopSmall

Are you shopping small on Small Business Saturday?

Last New Year's, I made a resolution to live more sustainably. This included such grand ideas as creating an organic vegetable garden, recycling junk mail and food scraps into the compost pile, and making my own house cleaning products. But, it has also included a scaling back~ a reluctance to buy more "stuff". Harking back to that old motto of my grandmother's time, I try to 'use it up, wear it out'. I rarely go shopping any more, and I don't follow trends and fashions.

When I do shop, I am more thoughtful about how to spend those dollars. Will my purchase go toward making some billionaire richer and more powerful? Or, can I support a small craftsman, a stay at home Mom, or a local family business? Sometimes, the cheaper, shiny new toy with fancy packaging is not the best choice. Sometimes, it's wiser to buy something made to last, created with love, or produced right here in my neighborhood by real people.

Do you vote with your dollars?



My soap shop is about as small as it gets. Just me, making soap in my kitchen, the old fashioned way. Hubs helps out a bit with shipping and labeling. And of course, I have moral support from my little family of rescue cats.  Any profit that I make goes toward supporting the cats, and building the garden. I'm so appreciative of my customers! Please, use the coupon. It's a pleasure to do business with you.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Moving Sale!



Big news!  The bad news is, Piper, Johnny, and the rest of the gang need to find a new home.


The good news is that we did find one! A nice little house with a big back yard. 


 It has a cozy kitchen for all the kitties to hang out and eat their dinner. So everyone's happy about that.


 But it's going to take a lot of work and lots of cash to turn this empty yard into a lush organic garden.  See that? It's dry as a bone, the ground is like concrete. And there aren't any trees for the kitties to climb. Not yet.



 That's why we're having a huge moving sale! We need to raise some funds for the garden, to buy topsoil, fruit trees, and berry bushes. And of course, we'll put in a nice catnip jungle as well.



 So you can head over to the jewelry shop and pick up something sparkly like a fall necklace, and get 20% off with the coupon code TAKE20.



Or mosey on over to the soap shop and pick up this great big rustic soap set, or any of our all natural soapy goodies, and save 20% with coupon code  SOAPLOVE.  We'll send you lots of love and kitty whisker tickles!  Thanks bunches from Cooby, Muppett, Zoe, John Wayne, Millie, Patches, Rusty Lee, Tessie, and Piper Kitty.  Meow!


Saturday, January 19, 2013

Soft Pink and Grey

Today I'm sharing a few of my Etsy favorites, including a lovely handmade ceramic dish by Azulado.



1940's dress by 86vintage86, baby girl blanket by Karmaistanbul, star shaped sugar cubes by WishingwellArt,   burgundy and white pottery bowl by Azulado, Chiaroscuro by Spalenka, vintage perfume bottle by Hallingtons, vintage History of Music book by MsJeanieOlogy,   starlight earrings by Shadow Jewels

Please take a moment to stop by Star of the East, and enter the amazing raffle to benefit Azulado. So many exciting prizes are available, and you will get a chance to help and make a difference.  What could be sweeter? You will find the details here: http://star-of-the-east.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-kindness-of-strangers.html

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Some Seriously Rockin' Jewelry!

 I'm reminded today of how much I love Etsy. Not just because it's a great place to buy and sell handmade or vintage treasures, and not just because it's a way for the middle class to take back the economy and show some love for the planet. I love Etsy because of the unique people I meet there.

Jeannie is one half of the dynamic duo that is JeannieRichard, a husband and wife team that designs and creates hot, stylish jewelry. You can get to know them on their blog ,

Luxe beaded rings

 or stop by their "about" page.  I love this explanation of how they make things work out: "She loves tea, he loves coffee. She loves sea, he loves mountains. She keeps curtains open, he keeps them closed. She loves him, and he loves her. Together they combine."  You immediately get a glimpse of their fashion sense and enthusiasm, but what you don't see is how awesome Jeannie really is. 


I met Jeannie on Etsy. And she's so cool! Kind, compassionate, strong, and truly able to keep a positive attitude no matter how tough the day is. We live on opposite sides of the planet, but I feel like she's the neighbor next door that I have my coffee with. No matter that when I'm getting up in the morning, she's getting ready for bed. She picks me up when I'm down.

Brass Infinity Bracelet





I'm loving the new infinity bracelets in the shop. Aren't these cool?


Color Block Earrings


 Jeannie and Richard make the kind of jewelry I wouldn't dream of attempting. It takes so much skill and patience. Just look at the beadwork on this bracelet and earrings.



Raspberry bracelet



Here's another new one, the colors are so delicious and vibrant.




Beaded Chain bracelet







Imagine the skill needed to create this piece of gorgeousness? Be still my heart!






So do yourself a favor and stop by JeannieRichard's stunning shop! Right now they are having a 30% off sale. That's right, I said thirty percent! That's huge people!  Just enter coupon code EOS30 at checkout; sale lasts through the end of August. Go on, get over there! 
 Take me to JeannieRichard

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Vintage Rhinestones: Peach Tea and Watermelon

The dog days of summer. Yes, they are here. It's 100* in my back yard right now.  Too hot to do much of anything. Certainly no cooking.  I've just been hiding here in the air conditioning, spending way too much time on pinterest, and making some jewelry inspired by the awesome pins I found.

Beads and rhinestones that remind me of food seems to be a recurring theme. It must be subliminal, no?
With these juicy pictures, how could one not be inspired to create something beautiful.

Sangria
Peach tea bracelet

Peach Tea

Rosaline necklace


Melon Balls

Watermelon is so tasty right now.  I have to try some of these frosty watermelon drinks. Don't they look good?

Frosty

Fresh fruit

Rose Lime punch

Punch

Slushy

Sorbet

Watermelon Punch! 


Stay cool and stay fruity my friends!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Etsy Stalker Giveaway


Oh, SWOON!  Sorry to say it, but....

The Big Dill


Yep, it's kind of a big deal to me.  I've been featured on Etsy Stalker!   Which is only the most fabulous blog that showcases handmade Etsy stuff anywhere out there on the net! Needless to say, I'm just thrilled.

So run on over there and enter the giveaway! You could win my sweet honeybee necklace!

Honeybee

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Just White




For the love of all things White!  Ruffle rosette wedding dress by Th3rdPalac3, Natural History Moth Print by dsbrennan , Tea light holder by tokyocraftstudios , Vintage crystal earrings by shadowjewels ,  Vintage silver plate cream and sugar by SCAVENGENIUS , Shabby dictionary wrapped candles by RhettDidntGiveADamn ,  Little white flower cluster by PrettyPetalStudio .
  



Join us for White Wednesday!  http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Are you ready for Valentine's Day?

Here's a non-traditional Valentines gift guide.

Bedroom Eyes

You're thinkin' up your white lies
Puttin' on your bedroom eyes
You say you're coming home
But you won't say when...

Thursday, January 26, 2012

It's a Dark Night this morning!

My Dark Night treasury was on the Etsy front page at 5am today!  Well, I was sleeping, but happy nevertheless.  Congrats to everyone who was featured and especially to Niftic and GoGoVintage, their items sold. Yay!

Dark Night

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Pause ~ take a moment

Everywhere I go, I see people frantically rushing, standing in long lines, trying to finish their tasks before the Holiday. Is this what it's all about? Take a moment, take a breath....pause.

Pause 

Why not shop from the comfort of your home? There are so many lovely handmade and vintage items available on Etsy. Perhaps a bit too late for them to arrive by Christmas Day, but it beats braving the parking lot at the mall.  Stop that frantic rushing to and fro~ just Pause.


Great Streets of silence led away
To Neighborhoods of Pause --
Here was no Notice -- no Dissent
No Universe -- no laws --

By Clocks, 'twas Morning, and for Night
The Bells at Distance called --
But Epoch had no basis here
For Period exhaled.

~Emily Dickinson

Monday, December 12, 2011

Holiday Sale! 15% off all jewelry

Sale at Shadow Jewels

Holiday Sale! Everything in my Etsy shop is 15% off.  Many of my items are made in the shabby chic style, using vintage beads, rhinestones, and components. The best way to upcycle and be eco friendly!
Just use the coupon code when you check out, and get that list finished up!