Interesting Jewelry on Etsy

I found this unique little pendant on Etsy and just wanted to share it with you.  Here is a link to his shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/BootyHeartJewelry

Just thought you might like to see what else he has to offer.  These would really be unique gifts for Valentine's Day too.  Here's a picture of one of the pieces I like.

Here's a link to antother shop that has some really pretty swarovski crystal jewelry.  Here is the link to her shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CrystalHuesJewelry  Here's a picture of one of the pieces I like.

Just wanted to share a few things that I like with you!

Valentine's Day Offer

It's hard to believe that we are half way through January already.  Valentine's Day is just around the corner and to so many people it is a day to show their partner or loved one just how much they care about them. 

We offer a variety of handmade items in our shop from hiking sticks to jewelry.  Each piece is carefully handcrafted by my husband and me.  Come shop with us for your valentine and receive a 10% discount off your entire order.   All you have to do is enter the coupon code at checkout to apply the discount. The coupon code is: VALENTINE.  Discount doesn't apply to shipping charges.  Offer expires 2/10/12.

Here's a keychain that would make a great gift for him or her.  So check out our shop to see what other treasures you might find! 

Thanks for reading this and have a great day!
Lou Ann Wynne
  

Merry Christmas

Well here it is almost Christmas.  I used to listen to my mother and grandmother say how fast time went and I didn't believe them, well I do now!!!  Does time go by so fast because we live in such a fast paced world or is it because I'm getting older?  I do plan on slowing down a bit during the holidays and enjoy some time with family.  Hope you all can do the same.

My husband and I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!

Cute Christmas Gift Idea

Mason jar soap/lotion dispenser. Here is a really cute gift idea for Christmas!  It's easy to make and will look really cute in any decor.

Here is how I made mine:
1 pint size mason jar
1 mason jar lid
1 soap pump

Mark the center of the lid then, very carefully, drill a hole in the center.  Make sure the pump will fit down all the way in the hole you drilled.  Use a file to smooth the edges.  Then I used E-6000 Epoxy to glue the lid to the ring, just so it would all be one piece.  This epoxy is waterproof and dries clear.  Let that dry for 24 hours. 

You can purchase the pumps on-line or use one that you have at home already.  Measure the pump by test fitting it making sure it goes all the way to the bottom of your jar.  If the straw part is too long cut it at an angle to fit.   Put some of the E-6000 glue around the edge of the cap on the pump and set it down on the lid, if you put the lid on the jar before you do this it will be easier.  Let that dry for 24 hours.  Then fill with your favorite lotion or soap.

These make really cute gifts.  I added a little metal tag to mine and stamped the word soap on it and wrapped that around the neck of the jar with some twine.  These are fun to make and easy to fill since the jar has such a nice large opening.  You can use any kind of jar as long as you have a lid to drill the hole in.  I even made one with a coke bottle.  The pumps I bought came with collars so I just glued the collar onto the mouth of the bottle then cut the pump to fit inside and screwed the pump to the collar.

This is what I have been working on for Christmas gifts this year.  Hope you enjoyed my little tutorial and have fun creating your own!

Mason Jar Soap/Lotion Dispenser

    

Coke Bottle Soap/Lotion Dispenser

Our Etsy Shop

We started our etsy shop last year on Christmas day, so we are about to celebrate our first year in business.  Our daughter helped us get it set up and we have really been having fun with it.  We also have started to sell in a craft mall in our little home town.  It's called "The Mustard Seed".  So between the two we really stay busy.  On top of that we both work full time.  So our days are really full.  But, we love it.  Especially since we both enjoy using our hands and making things.  You get a lot of satisfaction when you finish a project, especially when it turns out like you envisioned. 

Working with wire is something I have found that I really enjoy.  My husband said he would have never dreamed you could give a woman a little wire and some pliers and keep her happy for hours.  But, you do get lost in time when you're creating something.  Before you know it hours have passed and you haven't gotten your housework done.  I'm also running out of room.  Maybe, I'm buying too much wire and beads.  I don't think that's possible.  My sister is a beadaholique too.  She has triple the amount I have.  I have finally talked her into opening an etsy shop and I'm excited for her.  I can't wait to see it when she gets it up and running.  I'll post a link in my blog when she does so you can check out her shop, she does beautiful work.  She enjoys working with Swarovski crystals and she makes beautiful pieces.

Well that's about all for today.  Not much useful information here for you just a little trivia about us and what we've been doing.  Guess this is what has made the year go by so fast!  Too many irons in the fire!
 

WHERE HAS THE YEAR GONE?

I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving!  This year has just flown by and I can't keep up, I've  been so busy all year it just slipped away from me.  There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in a day to get everything done and here it is almost Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I love cooking and having family around to share a wonderful meal and great conversation.  A time to just eat, talk and relax with one another.  Our lives seem to have gotten so hectic we hardly have time for anything or anyone.  So eat, drink and enjoy your loved ones this Thanksgiving Holiday, as I intend to do.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving with all your loved ones around to share it with.  Take care!

Spring and Gardening

I can't believe this is March already!  Spring is just around the corner and that means, being able to get out in the fresh air and do some GARDENING.  I love to garden and work in the yard but, only on super nice days.  You know when the temperatures are in the 70-80 degree range, guess you could call me a fair weather gardener.  Of course, we all know those temperatures don't last long here in Texas!  So, I have to make it my mission this summer to make myself get out there, no matter how HOT it is, and WATER( if only I could water from inside the house)!  I would love to have some fresh vegetables to eat.  They taste sooooooooo much better than what you can buy in the store.

When we built our house I told my husband I wasn't going to have any flower beds.  Well, that didn't last long before I new it I was putting in flower beds everywhere.  Of course that means now I have to WATER and WEED (what was I thinking).  So, for the flower beds I look for DROUGHT tolerant plants.  Ok, that takes care of how much watering I have to do but, what about the weeds!  That is a never ending battle.  So I do it in small increments (or try to anyway).  My problem is I start in one spot then go to another spot before I ever finish the first spot I started out in.  I'm just all over the place.  I'm going to try to do it differently this year and just focus on one area at a time.  Let's hope that works.  I do love my flower beds though, with all the pretty colors and it attracts birds, butterflies and hummingbirds.  Sitting on the back porch and just watching them is a pass time we both really enjoy.  Collecting rain water is another thing we do.  We decided to make a fountain out of the one off the back porch.  So now we have running water and the birds LOVE it!
 
The weather has been so pretty here that I decided to get out in the yard and set up our vegetable garden.  Yes, we are going to try it again this year.  We didn't have much success last year but, this year we bought a raised garden kit from Sam's Club.  It was so easy to set up the hardest part was clearing all the old dead weeds and grass from where we had our garden last year.  But, I managed to clear it out yesterday and the kit went together so easily I'm thinking of getting another one.  I guess I better see if I can grow anything first before I add another one.  Next step, get some dirt to fill it with, another back breaking chore.  Then all we have to do is add our vegetables.  So, do we start from seed?  Last year we tried that and it didn't work to well.  I think this year we will just go ahead and buy the plants maybe, we will have better luck.  Then all we have to do is water and wait for our harvest.  Sounds easy enough, right?  I'll keep you posted on our progress.

So that's it for where we are in the Gardening area.  Hope this has inspired you to get yours going and growing.

What are your gardening projects that you enjoy?  Do you have any suggestions, tips or hints you'd like to pass on?  Post a reply we'd love to hear from you. 

Happy Gardening!  Looking forward to hearing from you.
Lou Ann