And....She's OFF!

I had this list of Goals that I wanted to get accomplished from the beginning of the year.

Goal 1.  Keep a running list of goals
Goal 2.  Get my office/ studio organised
Goal 3.  Get back into shape
Goal 4.  Keep the household better
Goal 5.  Work on my two at-home businesses more

Now, Goals 1, 2, 4 and 5 have been worked on!  I wouldn't say that I have completed or excelled at these things.  I have just been working on things, as I get the time.

Goal 3, I TOTALLY ignored.  I started the year at 150 pounds and just kind of flabby.  I noticed in the beginning of this month (August) that I am 160 pounds and getting round.  With the addition of the roundness, I have begun to notice my scoliosis.  I am only 5'3".  The BMI indexes say I am overweight.  One even said I was morbidly obesese.  I started watching what I eat 2 weeks ago.  I am using the app "MyFitnessPal" to keep track of exceraing and my food diary.  So far, I have lost 2.5 pounds.  I have not measured myself yet.

This is my "start" photo.  Yes, I know, I look like I am in my second trimester.....

But, it is a start.  I just wish I could get my arse up early enough and on a regular basis to exercise!  I can not get past week one of "Couch-2-5K" before hitting a snag and not being able to work out for a few days.  More to come!!!!

Filigree and Swarovski Button Earrings

This morning I sat down at my design table and just sat there.  Nothing in mind.  I started thinking about filigree and the few components I had on hand.  Then, I knew I had these small Swarovski Sew on Stones that I though would make easy earrings.  The bad thing about the stones was, the back of them was coated gray.  That is not good for a free dangling earring.  Sparkle side -- blah gray side....  But if I attached them to filigree, then you wouldn't notice the gray side as much.  I took out the single pieces of filigree and realized that the stones were too small of scale to go with them.  Then I saw a filigree ring that I had flattened.  I don't know why or when I had flattened it.... it was just there.  I liked the shape of the ends of the "ring". 

I took a picture of earrings I already made and an unflattened ring.

I then took the ring and with a simple pair of scissors, I cut the filigree in the shape was appealing to me.  

 I took apart the original pair of earrings and reused all the components and added one 

                                jump ring to attach

 the Swarovski stone to the filigree. 

I am really happy that the filigree helps cover and hide the icky gray side of the stone.  I am also ecstatic that I was finally able to figure out a different use for the filigree rings.  

I have really wanted to work with and experiment with filigree, but always allowed myself get stumped.  I was afraid.  I don't know why I would be afraid!  In jewelry making (and most things crafty) usually you can always re-use and re-purpose projects that don't come out "just right".  

Yippee Dread

For those of us who craft and then sell our lovely creations, there is always that moment of dread.  The dread is there especially if you sell online. 

Yes, you have made your wonderful creation with supplies and creativity.  You lovingly take photos, crop said photos, cuss out the darn camera and editing software (maybe that is just me and the other jewelry sellers…) You put the listing on Etsy, E-bay or the other gazillion online shopping venues.  You wait for the right person to discover your lovely-extension-of-the-artist handmade piece. 

Then… it… happens… YOU GOT A SALE!!!  You are elated!  You get out your packaging.   You look at the item.  Everything is together, nothing is tarnished or broken.  Anything that is supposed to move, moves.  Yay!  Item either gets wrapped or placed in a jewelry box.  The packaged item gets a ribbon tied around it.  Business card gets tucked in under the ribbon.  Thank you card is written and sealed.  The “freebies” are selected.  (Right now, mine are handmade Breast Cancer Pins along with a more traditional enameled Pink Ribbon.)  Everything is placed in a padded envelope.  Envelope gets addressed.  Whew!  A lot of work, but no dread yet.

You drive said creation to the post office.  Yes, I prefer to go to the actual building and mail it personally.  The moment I hand the envelope to the Postal Attendant or put it in the drop-box-rolling-thing…that…is…when…the…dread…STARTS!!!

OMG!  Is anything going to happen during shipping?  Are they going to like it?  Are they going to hate it?  What if it breaks?  What if they say it doesn’t look like the picture (that, by the way was such a pain to get right)?  Am I talented?  Who would want to wear anything I made?  Are they going to think I charged too much?

  WHAT IF THEY GIVE ME BAD FEEDBACK?!?

Then, a few days later you may get an e-mail, convo or notice the feedback on your site of choice.  Relief sets in.  The simple positive transaction rating keeps me asking questions.  I do like it when people mention my packaging.  I always wonder about the customers I never hear from.  The best is when you get re-orders!  Total validation!  

This week, I did get one of the BEST E-MAILS EVER!!!!   

Kelly,

I just received my order...and can I just tell you that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the necklace.  I've worn it just today and have already gotten compliments on it! The other two items are for my daughters as Birthday gifts...they are very cute and I'm sure they will love them.  Now.....can you do earrings that would match/coordinate with the necklace...I don't have anything that would quite go with it.....what do you think? :D

Stephanie M.

I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and dog-gone it, people like me.

Al Franken, Stuart Smalley in Saturday Night Live, catchphrase

***yes, I was a teenager all through out the 1990's....***

Our $40 Date

Hubby and I have expensive taste.  We love good food, drink and ambiance.  Most of our date nights constist of eating really rich foods and drinking great wine or other adult beverages.  It is not uncommon to spend over $100 just on one meal for the two of us.

We have been noticing that we need to cut back on a few things.  Not just on our wallet, but also what we eat and drink!  So, last friday night we were trying to figure out something new to do. 

Mike had just been in downtown Joliet and noticed the banner for "Oklahoma" at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park theatre.  He came home and we got the kiddo's to the grandparent's house. 

We went to the show  and had a great evening.  Yes, "Oklahoma" is long.  We had a nice lady keep reminding us about that all through out the second act.  BUT.... we have only seen theatre productions in Chicago since we have been together.  The $20 for the two tickets would not have even covered the parking in Chicago!

I would definately go back.

On the way back west on Route 30, we stopped for "dinner" at Joe's Hot Dogs at the 6 Corners intersection.  Hubby had his typical 2 hotdogs.  I had one hotdog and we shared a bag of fries.  The total of our meal came to:  $14 even!  Then back on Route 30 to keep going home....  I wanted someting sweet.  Hubby pulled into Sonic Drive-In in Crest Hill.  Milkshakes were half off....  so, two medium milkshakes were just over $4!

The most odd thing about our night was.... we did not have one alcoholic drink....  Maybe we are growing up!

Happy Father's Day Etsy-Style

I know I should have done this last week or two weeks ago.
I have searched Etsy and come up with 5 wonderful gift ideas for Dads!  Now, some of them may seem hoity-toity, but my hubby is slightly hoity-toity.... so, viola!  But, these ideas would also be great for a hubby's, dad or grandpa's birthday, too!  (Etsy is a global handmade market place.  Most of the shops work hard at making items that you may not be able to find at the local super store!  Support Etsians -- Support Hardworking People Trying to Keep it Real Handmade.)

So here we go!

Dad T-Shirt  $28.75 - $30.75 (Personalized)

Comes in different colors!  This has been a favorite of mine for awhile!  Also, available in "Grandpa."

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BRANDED

Mach3 or Venus Razor Shaving Set with Stand and Handturned with Cocobolo Wood $70.95

This is a tried and true!  (I have not purchased from this particular store, but I have purchased one similar from another Etsy Shop.)  I have purchased two of these sets for my hubby in the past!  And if you ever have priced these out, the $70.95 is a wonderful deal!  Individual razors starting at $22.95.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rowecraft

Bee Cufflinks - Natural History Jewelry  $35.00

My husband wears french cuff shirts everyday.  So, this is another tried and true for me.

On Etsy, you can find cufflinks with just about ANYTHING on them including Star Wars, Ninetendo themes, animals, Celtic themes, maps, personalised....  If you search for it, you will probably find it!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tstellanova

Whiskey Shower soap - Scotch Scented Bourbon Bar Soap  $7.00

This is just a fun addition!  Many other alcohol scents available!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/aromaholic

Personalized Father's Day Gift Collar Stays Hand Stamped Initials Monogram Saying Custom Men's Gift Set of 2  $15.00

Way too cute!  I don't have a daughter, but this is totally true!  They also have collar stays that can be personalised with your child's names.  Collar Stays are another tried and true that every man needs if he wears a dress shirt on a regular basis.  This shop also features guitar picks, tie clips and golf markers that can be personalised.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/3LittlePixiesShoppe

So, there you go!  Men's gifts Etsy-Style!  Please visit Etsy whenever you are thinking of gifts or looking for specific ideas!  What is your favorite gift idea that I found?  What has been an awesome gift you gave your Hubby, Dad or Grandpa?  (Please comment... hint... hint.... wink... nod~!)

30 DAY 30 ITEM VIDEO WRAP UP

I decided to make my 30 Day- 30 Item Challenge Wrap-up more fun!  

I created an awesome slide show showing the 12 items I did get created, photographed and listed!

Free slideshow design generated with Smilebox

Please watch and share!  I love Smilebox!  I am debating getting a subscription for the collage options!

As far as the number of listings, I am a little disappointed that I did not get at least 15 completed.

That would have brought my shop to 101 items.  

Between my "day job", household, kiddo's..... sometimes a game of CandyLand is more important.

Creating a Bzz for Garnier Fructis

I am a Bzz Agent.  I get sent products to try and then "Bzz" about them and create a "Bzz." 

The campaign I am doing now is for Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine.

I have used this product a few years ago and hubby started buying another brand.  I was excited to get this.  First of all, it smells great!  The shampoo and conditioner has such a wonderful uplifting scent!  Garnier is touting "Fruit Science." Using different fruit oils and extracts to achieve wonderful hair! I think it works!

Second, the shine is awesome.  I was using another "sleek" shampoo that did cut down on the frizz and fly aways, but did not pump up my shine!  My hair is not unmanageable, but it does get frizzy and dry.  I have noticed a difference in the smoothness and softness of my stick straight hair.

This photo was from our Florida trip.  I used Garnier Fructise Sleek and Shine Shampoo and Conditioner the entire trip.  Also no hairdryer!  Just a little spray of hairspray and air dry in the humidity.  I think the shampoo and conditioner helped a lot!

Now, Garnier is saying that this product will give you sleek hair for 3 days in 97% humidity.  I personally can only go one day with out washing my hair.  On the days I skipped washing my hair, my hair was still smooth and shiny.

The other item worth mentioning is the new redesigned bottles!  I did have difficulty opening the old style bottles.  Add that to a wet soapy shower and you have dropped shampoo and conditioner.  The new bottles are easier to open because of a round ball "button" on the lid!  Also to be more environmentally friendly, their bottles are lighter and feature PET and 30% recycled plastic.  Less plastic used in packaging means less plastic being used!  Win, Win!

Finally, Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine is readily available at all the mass retailers.  Affordable  with a suggested retail price of $3.99/ 13 oz or $6.99 for 25.4 oz.  (and Garnier does have coupons regularly in the paper.) 

Garnier makes products for the other hair types, too!  I have only tried the Sleek and Shine.  I will be using this shampoo and conditioner.  I will probably also look into the other products in the line that includes Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream, Anti-Frizz Serum and Frizz Defeat Deep Conditioner Treatment. 

Like them for product updates and giveaways:  http://facebook.com/GarnierUSA

*** BzzAgent and Garnier Fructis provided the "facts" that I used in writing this blog post***

I used the facts along with my honest opinion in writing this