Sunday Spotlight

Today's Sunday Spotlight is fellow Etsy Fort Worth teammate Heidy of Emma Alison Designs! She makes gorgeous jewelry, and you can shop from her on Etsy (follow the link above) or at the Cowtown Indie Bazaar during Labor Day weekend in Fort Worth, TX.

St. Lucia Necklace - Blue Green Gemstones on Delicate Silk Cord, $68.00
Paola Earrings in Silver, $18.00
Colette Necklace in Sterling or Gold Fill - London Blue Topaz and Apatite, $56.00
Angelina Earrings - London Blue Topaz and Labradorite, $57.00

Sunday Spotlight

Yes, I know what you're thinking. (At least, I know what Ben will be thinking when he reads this.) In any event, I'm signing up for another book challenge! *gasp* But Jenn, you've just started one? However will you manage two reading challenges with all of the things you're doing around the house, plus making fabulous soap and bath goodies? Never fear, I've got it under control. :) I read while the paper shredder is resting so I don't burn out the motor, or in the evening before bed, or in the car (while Ben drives, not if I'm driving, duh).

This challenge is the 2010 Summer Romance Challenge. Romances are some of my favorite books to read. And if I happen to read a romance, it can count towards my other challenge too. Two birds with one stone!

The challenge started back in June, but since it goes until Sept. 30, I think I can still manage. The challenge: read 8 romances by the deadline. Woo hoo! Come join me, it should be fun!

Sunday Spotlight

Are you looking for the Bohemian Rose giveaway? Click here!

I'm currently included in a great Fruit Salad Treasury on Etsy, along with other talented Etsy Fort Worth artisans. I'm also featured in a great Old Fashioned Treasury with some talented EtsyVeg artisans. Come take a look!

Today's Sunday Spotlight is a bit different. Instead of spotlighting a handmade artisan's shop, I'd like you to take a look at another blog... A Fanatic's Book Blog actually. Jessica posts great book reviews and book giveaways. Definitely browse through her blog. I know every time I do, I have more books to add to my Amazon wish list!

Currently Jessica's blog is co-hosting the 2010 Summer Beach Reads Challenge. It's easy peasy to sign up for the challenge, and the giveaway prizes at the end of the challenge are a cute crochet buddy, Mr. Octavio the Octopus, and a copy of Low Red Moon.

Now, I had just recently started reading Mists of Avalon, which so far is good, although I'm really not that far yet... But to me it doesn't fit the description of "beach read" so I'm going to postpone this one. I've been told that it's a great book, so I'll definitely come back to it, but I'll start with some "beach reads" first. Vampire books and paranormal romance, here I come!

Keeping in mind that I'm still de-cluttering the house, and next week am actually starting on the dreaded office, which will soon be the baby's room so everything has to go out of it, I don't think I'll reach the level of Shark in the challenge. I think I'll aim for Minnow. I know, sounds like I'm not aiming high, but Minnow is 8 books read by August 31. Considering all the stuff I've got to get done around the house between now and then, I'd say Minnow is a good goal for me. :)

Sunday Spotlight

Before we get on with our usual Sunday Spotlighting, I'd like to direct your attention toward a treasury that my Oatmeal, Milk and Honey soap is included in - Sweet Like Honey Treasury. Thanks for including my soap, Sincerely Serenity!

Today's Sunday Spotlight is Robyn's Art! I know Robyn from a great BNS thread on Etsy. But not only is she a sweet lady, she also sells wonderful photography and handmade journals.

It was so hard picking just one photograph to include here; there are so many that I love. Vintage Daisies 5"x7" photo print, $12.00

Robyn also makes great journals. I just ordered a custom journal, and can't wait for it to get here! The flower on this particular journal is so cute. Bloom - a 6"x9" Leather Journal, $25.00.
Robyn will also be hosting a 6-week long artist empowerment class, beginning July 5. For more details, be sure to stop by her blog.

Sunday Spotlight

Today's Sunday Spotlight is... Bohemian Rose! If you're scratching your head in confusion, two of my products are currently included in some great Etsy treasuries, and I wanted to share them with you.

First, my Carbon Soap is featured in this wonderful soap treasury.

You can also find my Honeysuckle Nectarine Lip Balm in this beautiful summertime treasury.

Thank you Forest Creations and BPR Designs for including me!

Sunday Spotlight

Today's Sunday Spotlight is... AJ's Country Cottage! Since my house is always scented from all of the soaps I have, I don't light a lot of candles. But I do enjoy a candle on the window ledge when I take a bath in the evening. And AJ's candles smell great!

One scent I have and love is Midnight Rendezvous. Definitely a must try! AJ's candles are 7 oz. of soy wax with cotton wicks, and their burn time is 55-60 hours. Wow! (Midnight Rendezvous Soy Candle, $7.95)
AJ also makes tarts, which are great if you want to scent your room without having something burning. (Like if you have cats or small children around.) You can buy soy or paraffin tarts individually, or grab a 3 pack of your favorite scents to save some money! (Choose 3 Packs Soy Tarts, $10.50)

Sunday Spotlight

Today's Sunday Spotlight comes from the Etsy Fort Worth Team! Take a look at a few of the wonderful artwork from blueskysunburn's Etsy shop.

It's springtime, which means flowers and... butterflies! This beautiful 8" x 10" art print of a mixed media collage is professionally printed on cotton linen paper, and arrives in a cellophane sleeve with a chipboard backing. I just love the colors on this piece. (Butterflies art print, $20.00)


Next is an art print of a blueskysunburn original mixed media painting, "Hard to Bear." This peaceful art print is 5" x 7" with a white border surrounding it on all sides, and is printed and shipped in the same way as the "Butterflies" print. ("Hard to Bear" art print, $14.00)


Finally, we'll take a look at an art print of "Beauty is Not Perfection," an original mixed media painting. This art print measures 4" x 9.25" (8" x 10" with white trim). This piece has a great message, but those little faces are what drew me into Jennifer's shop to begin with. ("Beauty is Not Perfection" art print, $20.00)

Sunday Spotlight

For those of you wondering why I haven't posted anything in a while, it's because I've been busy! I had craft shows two weekends in a row, and this week I spent *not* feeling busy. It was nice. Of course, I still have crates of product sitting in the kitchen. Maybe this evening I'll finally put them away... :)

Today's Sunday Spotlight is yoopers. I bought one of her lovely craft show aprons to use the last two weekends, and it worked great! No more bending over to dig through the money box at every transaction, it was all right at my fingertips. Receipt book, calculator, pen, and change all in one spot. The only thing that would make it easier is to have a little coin holder like the car hops at Sonic have. :)

I bought one of her aprons with a zippered pocket in the middle. Very thankful for that zipper! (Festive Flowers Craft Vendor Apron with zipper pocket, $24.00)


You can also buy aprons with what yoopers calls "The Works." That means you get everything in the apron above, plus an extra business card or cell phone pocket and a key clasp. (Batik Circles Vendor Apron with the Works, $28.00)

Sunday Spotlight

Today's Sunday Spotlight is... Arbor Daze!

This annual festival in Euless, TX is a lot of fun. There are two entertainment stages, arts & craft booths, business expo, a Kid Zone, bounce houses, and games. Two days of fun! If you've been thinking of planting a tree, be sure to stop by their Forestry Village for a free one. Not sure if you'd like to come? How about free parking? Yay!

If you're in the North Texas area, be sure to come by next Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25. Come by the arts & crafts tent, and you'll find me at the back side of the tent, near the corner on your way to the potty. :)

See you there!

Sunday Spotlight

Today's Sunday Spotlight is a bit different. It's not a crafter today, but a craft show! Next Saturday I'll be at the Bedford Library Bazaar. The bazaar benefits the new library building. I grew up in Bedford, and love the building that the library is currently in. But the new building will give them so much more room for books. Yay!

So if you're in the North Texas area, be sure to stop by. The bazaar will be held from 9:00-4:00 at the Pennington Field parking lot (see map at top right). My booth is at the back, at the corner of the isle near the restrooms. Be sure to say hi!

Sunday Spotlight

Today's Sunday Spotlight is another Etsy Veg teammate, Panda with Cookie! She makes plush monsters, garland, tote bags, and more, all from her own patterns.

Let's start with one of her adorable plush monsters. She has many to choose from, but one of my favorites is the Pirate Monster in bright purple fleece. Panda's monsters come in different sizes, but this particular pirate monster (yaaar!) is 13"x14" so he would also make a comfy pillow. And, since all of her monsters have hand-sewn faces, no two are ever exactly alike! (Purple Monster in Bright Purple Fleece, $25.00)


Continuing with the pirate theme, our next item is a Tofu Pirate Patch apron (yaaar!). This apron is not only cute and stylish, but is upcycled from a pair of curtains, so the fabric is thick and durable. The apron ties are 25" long, which is great for someone like me (whose currant apron won't continue to close around me in a few months...). (Tan Cotton Apron with Tofu Pirate Patch, $20.00)


Panda has many items in your shop that are sure to make you smile, including her Where's My Burrito pin. (Where's My Burrito One Inch Pin, $1.25)

Sunday Spotlight

Ah, Sunday. The most relaxing (and chore-ful) day of the week. I mean really, it's hard to get excited about laundry day. But you *can* get excited about today's Sunday Spotlight. It's Miss Munchie, a fellow Etsy Veg teammate. Miss Munchie makes delicious-looking pretzel bread goodies, along with some enticing cookies. Yum!

Not sure which flavor of pretzel bread to try? Then you could start out with a baker's dozen of pretzel nuggets. Pick your topping, like The Original (with sea salt), Garlic, Cinnamon Sugar, or Chocolate Chip (stuffed with chocolate chips, topped with sea salt). They all sound so good, I'm having a hard time deciding which flavor to try first. (The Original Baker's Dozen, $10.00)

More interested in making sandwiches with your pretzel bread than snacking on it? Then you can order an entire loaf of pretzel bread with your choice of yummy topping. The sandwich bread listing is for a rectangular pretzel loaf topped with sea salt, but if you'd like a different topping, just take a look at the topping choices at the bottom of the listing, and include it in your notes to seller. (Sandwich Pretzel Bread, 1 loaf, $12.00)

In a snacky mood, but craving something sweet instead of salty? Miss Munchie has got you covered. She offers a variety of cookie selections, but the one that caught my eye is her Peanut Butter 'n' White Chocolate. Normally I don't go for chocolate cookies, but chocolate and peanut butter are one of my favorite flavor combinations, and the photograph is making my mouth water. Chocolate cookie, Reese's peanut butter chips, Nestle white chocolate chips. Oh, my. (Peanut Butter 'n' White Chocolate, 1 batch, $20.00)

Sunday Spotlight

Today's Sunday Spotlight is Charmed Gifts! She makes a variety of goodies, from jewelry to kitchen and bath items to fleece blankets, and much more. If you need crafting supplies, you can click on over to her supply shop, Creative Goods.

Let's start with an item I've bought for myself, her kitchen scrubbies. The ones currently listed in her shop are a beautiful light purple color, but she makes them in other colors too. Mine are dark green, and I bought my mom a set of cheerful lemon yellow for Christmas. These scrubbies work great on dirty dishes, but I especially love to use them to clean up after making soap and lip balm. They make cleanup nice and easy! (Scrubbies - Set of Three Pansy, $7.50)


Now that it's Spring (although yesterday in North Texas we had snow, after having sun and warm weather the day before...), it's time to think about warm weather accessories. What on earth could be a warm weather accessory, you ask? Anklets, of course! And Charmed Gifts has a few beautifully delicate ones in her shop. My favorite is the Sapphire Swarovski crystal one, although they're all lovely. Charmed will also make a custom color anklet for you if you don't see your favorite colors in her shop. (Swarovski Crystal Anklet - Sapphire and Light Sapphire, $11.50)


I'm a big fan of pink, especially if it's bright and cheerful. My favorite earrings in Charmed Gift's shop are the Fuchsia Links Earrings. (You can find a matching necklace here.) The fuchsia beads are foil resin, and each earring measures 2 1/2" in total length. Beautiful! (Fuchsia Links Earrings, $5.00)

Sunday Spotlight

Welcome to my new Sunday Spotlight. Each Sunday I'll spotlight a few handmade items from one crafter. Today's Spotlight is Blossom's Wild Herb Lavender Farm. At Blossom's Farm, they grow all of their herbs and plants on a 12 acre farm in northeast Ohio. I bet it's beautiful, and it probably smells great too.

Not surprisingly, since I'm a soaper, we're starting with a bath and body gift set. This particular gift set includes one lavender linen and body dew, one lavender lotion bar, and one lavender essential oil blend soap. Your shipping is included with the price of the gift set, so there are no surprises at checkout. (Lavender Lavender Gift Collection, $21.90)

Blossom Farm also makes a delicious-sounding Lavender Honey. Lavender blossoms are infused in local honey. I think this would be great on a biscuit or toast in the morning, and Blossom Farm recommends it for ice cream and tea. (8 oz. Lavender Honey, $12.90)


Finally, let's look at one more gift set. This one is full of spices and seasonings. The Wild Spice gift set includes Lavender Pepper, Herbes de Provence, Tuscan Lavender Bread Dip, and Lavender Wild Steak Shake. I'm especially interested in the bread dip. Add some of the seasoning to your olive oil, and dip your crusty Italian bread in it. Sounds yummy! (Lavender Wild Spice Blend Gift Collection, $19.90)