Things I Collect

I collect a lot of things.  I collect keychains, Russian lacquer boxes, books, comics, and board games (it is pure Nerdtown in my house).  I also collect cookbooks, and currently have 39 of them.  I am looking to add to that number, making it at least a nice, round 40, and then continuing on until I am featured on the show "Hoarders."  Or "Biggest Loser," whichever my cookbook addiction leads me to first.  Here is where I am stuck.  There are so many beautiful cookbooks, and I am a sucker for food photography, so what cookbooks do you love, cherish, and find yourself going back to time and time again?  For the sake of space, I won't list what I have, but I'd love to hear what you do!

Ugh!

Sorry, again, for never having a new post.  I am the worst.  I have great blogging plans but other things always seem to come up and get in the way.  Thanksgiving and Christmas, for example.  Where did those things come from?

Trying to plan menus and do all the cooking, make lists and check them twice, buy presents and clean the house... it always sounds romantic up until the week of, when all hell breaks loose and I feel like a crazy person trying to run a marathon backwards with my legs tied together. 

Obviously, my Etsy shop is fairly empty.  I just haven't had the time (read: motivation) to sew and photograph and post and ship.  And I feel a little burned out, as well.  For a year I went full steam ahead on sewing, and I just need a little break.  Plus, my extreme Harry Potter obsession has me sidetracked on other various projects, many of which stemmed from the HP gift I made for my sister's Christmas gift.  Today I bought some Snitch-like beads, so hopefully I'll have some cute necklaces done before this time next year. 

My studio is also a disaster area (quite literally, there is thread EVERYWHERE, fabric scraps, packing peanuts, and paper pieces scattered wall to wall... I can't even vacuum) from the whirlwind of holiday craft shows I somehow thought would be a great idea seven months ago, and everytime I think I've worked up the courage to go in, clean it up, and get cracking on my next project, I stop dead in my tracks and rethink my plan.  Blargh.

Santa was at least good to me this year, several cookbooks, novels, board games, and candy... enough to last me through this humbug hibernation I've fallen into.  I'm thankful that the husband and I have simple plans for New Year's Eve, because I can't stand anymore celebration around here, and I'll be in no mood after working for eight hours that day.  Homemade sushi, football, and board games. 

So despite my holiday fatigue, I hope that you and your family had a truly wonderful holiday season and have a safe and happy New Year!

Just a little Halloween cheer!

I absolutely love love love Halloween, and anything retro has a special place in my heart.  So I just wanted to spread the spookiness, and share this classic poster with you.  Happy Halloween!

Another week gone!

I can't believe another week has flown by... seems like the more I have to do, the more I find other things to do instead.  I have a big show coming up in three weeks, and I have very, very little of it done.  I still feel like procrastinating, though, so here is my BEST feature of the week!

BlueForestJewellery is a festive shop based in the UK, and features stunning precious stone, glass, and bead jewelery, like this amazing autumn-inspired agate and leaf charm earrings:

Wouldn't this carnelian and quartz necklace be a beautiful addition to your fall wardrobe?

I just love the colors that BlueForestJewellery uses in her pieces!  Like this gorgeous carnelian, quartz, and pearl necklace... I'm sure it would be amazing wrapped as a bracelet, too!

This shop has some of the most amazing and creative jewelry I've seen in some time... beautiful color combinations, lovely stones and glass beads, and the shipping prices are really reasonable (being a American shopper, this is crucial!).  Fantastic shop!  Definitely on my holiday shopping list!

Check out BlueForestJewellery on Etsy, Twitter, and her blog!

BEST feature of the week!

So I'm doing a bit of catching up here, and am posting two BEST features in one day.  Better late than never, right?  Hope so.  A few months ago I featured CK Silver, and get the pleasure of doing so once again.  There are so many more fantastic jewelry pieces in the shop now, too!  I'm getting excited about holiday shopping!

And how could you not be, with gorgeous earrings like this Autumn Wind pair: 

They would be stunning to wear to any holiday party!  And this Southwest Autumn Necklace would be a stunning gift:

And how about the matching Southwest Autumn Bracelet? 

I'd have to say, I'm still a fan of the Jewelry of the Month Club that CK Silver offers.  It's a great deal, and how fun to get a present in the mail each month!  You pick your favorites, and get a beautiful set of earrings a month. 

Check out CK Silver if you're also looking for custom and birthstone jewelry... they love working with customers to make something beautiful!

And I'm back! Again...

So I am still trying to get organized around here.  I started a new job as a barista last week (I have no prior experience, so it's a bit overwhelming!), and I'm less than a month away from my biggest show of the year, for which I am nowhere near prepared for.  And I rejoined the Etsy BEST team, and am already behind in features!  So I apologize to Alyssabeths for not having my post ready last week!  It's late, but this is a shop that everyone needs to check out!

Alyssabeths features really fun, graphic vintage chic jewelry, decor, and all sorts of great holiday goodies!  Such as this fun set of Halloween Bat gift tags: 

I'm a huge Edgar Allen Poe fan, so I love these Raven gift tags... I think I'd have a hard time giving them away!

This great little shop also has beautiful jewelry, like this black cat Halloween rosary:

I'm a really big Halloween fan, so this shop is fantastic!  There are so many beautiful shabby chic and Christmas themed items, and several estate sale goodies, too!  And this is even better:

From now until October 19th, Alyssabeths is offering 10% off your total purchase (except for shipping)!!!  So now is the perfect time to start shopping for holiday gifts and decorations!

My First Treasury

So I just figured out how to make an Etsy Treasury... I just might be addicted!  Here's my first attempt.  Still trying to figure out how I can show it with pictures here...