Holiday Hum Drums

Has the stress started yet? I do know a few people in my family that haven't even started thinking about Christmas yet.... come on people it's only 2 weeks away. We hit the big warehouse store today and got a few things for our open house on Christmas Eve. I think DH said we spent more in this one trip than we did the entire month last month but I have a good start on the fix'ens. I even started looking through my gift pile to see what I still had to make before the big day. I still have a couple of hats and wrist warmers, dish cloths and a few hot pads. We'll see if I get to the dish towels.....maybe that will be a plan for next year.

So how are you doing? Have you made all your big plans, traveling or staying at home?

I do have a new item for Christmas this year, it is a notebook/journal with pictures by DH and myself from our travels. If you need a quick gift for someone, there it is. You can order it directly from Blurb and get it within about 5 to 7 days so there is still time.

A Penny for your Thoughts by Dana and Paul James | Make Your Own Book

I'm thinking next year of doing one of my paintings as a weekly calendar although I like the idea of the notebook as it isn't date specific and you can use it for just about anything. I do still have a recipe book of DH's moms favorite dishes in mind to do. I know the family would enjoy that one. Ideas?

It's been Christmas Party after party for the past week. Saturday we went to our gem and mineral club's annual party... lots of good food, awards, gift exchange and the new officer installation. It's always a fun time. We also have an ornament contest and unfortunately I didn't win again... :-( I made these great little bird nest ornaments with gemstones as the eggs. They were fun.

We have one more party this coming Wednesday which will be a little different as we haven't attended one from this group before. They have a white elephant auction for charity, so that should be a riot. I'll be sure to take a few pictures.

I'm currently trying to get my classes scheduled for next year at Shipwreck Beads and new classes written up. I've already submitted one new class which is the Falling Leaves Bracelet.... tutorial was posted last month. Other than that, I'll still offer my Standard Gem Tree, Pine Tree and Holiday Tree. New tree classes that I'll be writing up is the Crystal Willow and maybe the Lace Leaf Maple. I've had students interested in learning them so I guess I should get busy.

Stay sane and safe. If the stress gets too bad just have a glass of wine and watch a good holiday movie.

Valentine's Day, Celebrating Love

My hubby and I don't normally celebrate a holiday like Valentine's Day as we feel it is just another one of those Card company promotions. What I do feel is that we should show our love for our spouse every day of the year and not just this one. Sure you can go out and buy your loved one something special on this day and I really wish you would (from me of course), but why not show them how much you care by doing something special for them instead of buying. I know we are all strapped for cash so this year would be the perfect time to start a new tradition. So, how about some of these ideas to get you started.

Make your own chocolate treats, fudge, cookies, candy - I know that for Christmas I made cookies and treats and everyone loved them probably more than if we had purchased fancy chocolates. One of the special items was Chocolate dipped pretzels. I purchased those pretzel rods from the local grocery store and then found the chocolate melts made by Wilton which are very easy to melt in the microwave. I also purchased  Health bits and mixed chopped nuts. Once the pretzels are dipped in the melted chocolate you can then sprinkle on the nuts and candy. What a hit. For Valentines Day I bet you could use the white melts and red sprinkles, so cute and festive.

Handmade Valentine's Day card - This is one of the easiest things to do. Lots of computers have programs that help you create cards, but you could also find a wonderful love poem on-line, type it into your computer using a neat little font, print it on vellum and insert it between a folded piece of red or Valentine printed cardstock. All the supplies you could get at any craft store or scrapbook store for pennies on the dollar of purchasing one of those fancy cards.

Jewelry - Yes you can make it yourself. I have several published tutorials to help you out, but if you want something for your hubby, why not make him a larger version of the Love Knot Ring (forget the cluster of gems). I used 14 gauge wire for my ring, but for one that is larger why not use 12 gauge. It is simple enough that I think a man would wear it, especially in sterling silver.

I'm sure you all have lots of other ideas out there for hand crafting your own Valentine's Day gift but if you don't and would prefer to purchase something for your love, here are a few products that I found interesting.

Fire and Ice Cigar Pen by Turnz-U-A-Round
Sumatra Mandheling Fair Trade Organic coffee by Brainscan
Mint Lip Balm by Venus Candles
Bath Fizzies by Bathgasm
Heart and Crystal Earrings by Letamarie Designs
Funky Valentine's Day cards by Love to Stamp
Ruby Necklace by Dana's Jewelry Design

Most all these items except for mine, Ruby necklace, was found on ArtFire.com. If you are interested in the Ruby necklace I have it listed in my 1000 Markets shop.

Free Gift, Yes no kidding

This is the week for my November Giveaway and I'm beginning to wonder if we as a society have become so jaded that we can't really see a true gift when it is offered. My giveaway is part thank you and part marketing, obviously it has to be for me to invest this much money and time into making the items to send out, but I'm not getting the response I expected.

This giveaway is directed at my Facebook Fans, you are all winners. Yep, no drawing, all of you will receive a gift in the mail. What do you need to do, just send me an e-mail via Facebook with your home address so that I can send your gift. That's it, so easy, so just do it. I will not be spamming your e-mail or sending junk mail to your home after this giveaway. Oh, and I need that email no later than next Sunday, November 15th at 11:30 pm PST.

If you are reading my blog for the first time and are wondering "How do I get in on this?", simple become a my Fan on Facebook, send me that important e-mail with your home address or mailing address and wait for your gift to arrive.

This sounds so great even I want in on it. Oh wait, I am in on it. Maybe I don't want everyone to participate and I can keep all the cool items I've created. Nah, it really is better to give than receive and I'm feeling generous.

Unique and One of a Kind Gifts

I know that we all love to receive gifts that were picked out just for us for Birthday's, Anniversary's, Christmas, Mother's Day, etc. and are always wondering where those wonderful ideas come from. ArtFire has a special Gift page that lets you search for just those unique gifts. The item may be handmade or you could order something special from some of the vendors just for that occasion such as a wedding.

I do have an ArtFire shop as well as 1000 Markets and ETSY, but ArtFire is becoming one of the star selling sites in the handmade gift and unique gift market. If you would like to check out their unique gifts page, check it out HERE.

If you would like to check out some of my items for sale on ArtFire, please visit me at http://danasjewelrydesign.artfire.com/.

If you are into making items yourself and need supplies, then ArFire is also a good choice to check out. I found this fun shop and all it's curiosities. Geeminy Crickets has all kinds of old keys, pocket watch parts, vintage sheet music, papers and images to use for scrapbooking, collage or steampunk jewelry.

If you need a pattern or tutorial to make something yourself, HERE is the page on ArtFire that has a ton of vendors with their tried and true instructions. Yes, my gem tree tutorials are listed in this multitude of talented artists.

Check it out yourself and find a unique gift for that someone special in your life.