The Frugal Artisan

Like a computer or a car, life is good when it's not broken and miserable when problems arise.

I'm talking about my health.

Costs little when things are fine, but can be a mess when things go wrong.

To large degree I have been lucky to inherit good genes, strong immunities and a high metabolism.

But some of my health is due to lifestyle choices. The TV is rarely on and I am hardly ever on the couch. The trail calls and walking is the first thing I squeeze in with free time (the dog loves that). Potato chips are never in the house and sweets are homemade - time permitting.

So I am thankful for:

~ getting up from bed without pain (um, unlike when both kids were born via Cesarian, yes I remember that!)

~ useful hands and legs

~ eyesight that can be corrected with plain ol' lenses

~ no bathroom problems (ok, we'll not go there...)

~ a good back, no headaches, few common colds or flus

Wishing these to pass on to my children, and empathy for those who are less fortunate.

Embroidered Thank You Card

Elegant handwork makes a fantastic impression when you need to say it with more than words. Order here

Formal Thank You Cards 3 Pack

Use these after the holidays! Ruffled lace, satin bows and gorgeous lettering accent a center floral emblem. Order here

All my little Christmas shopping is done. Mostly stuff for my 2 kids, but a few for my siblings and parents, as well as for the in-law side of things, a teacher or two, a bus driver or so and the next door neighbor (where my daughter's best friend lives!).

Only a few of these did not include a discount, charitable aspect, or support a made in the USA small biz/crafter.

1. Books - bought during the fundraising drive for my son's middle school

2. Doll clothes - made by a crafter at a festival where I also was a seller

3. A couple on-line computer game cards

4. A small rolling suitcase (to double as a sports bag)

5. Watch - using a $10 off any purchase at the dept store

6. Table Ware - a hand made wine bottle jacket and an embroidered bread cover from fellow crafters at shows

7. Mosaic magnets - little artistic works from a fellow seller

8. Digital Camera - second hand from Craigs

9. Long Board Skate Board - second hand from the resale sports store

The last couple are not really 'little' but the costs were nominal.

The big expense are for the kids getting new bikes this year. The current ones are hopelessly outgrown. The trick will be to do it as a surprise. I'm leaving that shopping to my husband (who doesn't have the same brain functions as I do about spending/saving).

It's nice to be done. And wait!! There were spoils from the hunt!

Rewards:
$10 Toys R Us Card
$25 Justice Bucks (pre teen girls clothes)

I know there will be last minute persons to gift and that's a good use.

Now for something completely different. Math and geometry shapes!

Big Purple Diamond Wire Earrings

Intricate wrapped hand formed frames in silver and purple.

Cirle Square Wire Earrings

Lots of squares and more for smart ladies only.

Figure Eight Wire Earrings

Curves in red and copper with a flirty glass dangle.

All available for order on my website Pretty Cheap Jewelry

Two more weeks and the oven will be working overtime! (I always magically figure out how to get the turkey done while at the same time baking the sweet potatoes, extra stuffing, and whatever else I try that year).

Before the time zips by I want to share this thought. It's something I can't say at the table. But on my mind and important to take some time to reflect upon quietly.

I am thankful that my kids still think I'm infallible.

It is ok that over the next few years this will change. I want them to be strong, and independent, and shield them from harm. The same as all parents.

It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself. ~Joyce Maynard

The important thing is so far I feel good about the job my husband and I have done in raising our two kids. They exhibit good judgement with respect to schoolwork, money, diet, friendship and basic kid responsibilities.

Slowly but surely, I am handing them freedoms. Just yesterday my son wanted to (yet again) spend time on computer games. Instead of giving him a 'yes' or 'no' answer, we reviewed how much time he had spent outside and/or active the prior day, as well as how much time he had already been on line that day. He made his own choice in answering 'What do you think is right?'.

More what I am thankful for upcoming! Let me give you a reason to be thankful! Take $5 off this item from my website Pretty Cheap Jewelry -

Smoky Quartz Briolette Earrings


Lots of karats in gem quality stone briolette drops. Pure freshwater pearl links. 14K gold filled earwire. Deluxe and classic. Packed in glossy black box.

Order here

Ask for the $5 off at checkout. Refund via paypal.

It happened last week while lounging before bedtime with my 2 kids. We were all up on my bed (which is a treat when Dad is out of town) and my little 9yo girl was browsing the headboard shelves.

Amongst my old coin collection, heirloom jewelry, and magazines is a small shelf of books. One is a 'birthday record' with nice illustrations of cats given to me 20+ years ago. I have recorded many extended family member's birthdays in it and kept it for reference (yes, this is B*E*F*O*R*E microsoft reminders yadayadayada).

DD9 flipped through the cat pictures and asked me 'Why is this here in the back page?' pulling out some folded cash bills.

OMgosh. CASH. I glanced at a $100 and said 'Yikes, wha??' but then my jaw dropped. I picked up all the money and stared. There were SIX folded one-hundred dollar bills and two twenties.

WHAT??????????

I do not secretly hide stuff. I am not a sentimental person to a large degree. I do not hoard nor keep little tchochkees.

Then I said, 'We better call Dad to see if it's his' (wanting to catch him on his way to the airport for a trip to Italy before international rates set in).

But I knew in my heart it was mine. This book was something I had before marraige, and hadn't looked in much for about 10+ years. I probably hadn't looked in it from just about the time my daughter was born.

So I racked my brain why had I put that money there??!! Was is a gift someone or someone(s) had given for the kids starting out in life (I would have had a 2 year old and a new baby). But I don't think that much would have been gifted.

It definitely wasn't from my marriage, we used gifts for the honeymoon.

And almost impossible that I inherited it because those things had happened more recently.

My husband confirmed all this. 'ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND' were his exact words. 'STUFFING MONEY IN THE MATTRESS??' were some other choice comments. But he was laughing his head off too.

I couldn't sleep for a couple hours. (The kids went down no problem). What should I do??

-Save it?
-Invest in my home business?
-Get some dental work done (a filling had chipped)?
-Invest in some good work clothes (the tailored pants are wearing thin after 6 or 7 years)?
-Give some to my sister (the starving artist)?

Well I was able to sleep after a bit but called my husband one more time in the morning with a decision.

For the past couple years it became increasingly important to me that my daughter have some air travel experience. My son is in front of the curve on this point by going on a number of trips with just my husband when I stayed home when my daughter was a baby. My daughter also is less practical and, I fear, less streetwise in general and I wanted to give her a solid experience in life at this age. (Maybe I fear wrongly).

Anyway, it was decided.

I would take just her on a little trip to San Francisco. An on-line buddy had tipped me off that Southwest had a $25 special for flights within 380 miles (everywhere in the US) if booked by the end of October. Of course after fees and JUNK the fare was more like $50. But still fit my needs perfectly.

Great place for public transportation. We'd not need a car. And BINGO. The new world class science museum in Golden Gate park to visit!

There was a school holiday in January. OK. Booked. We would fly from LA (to Phoenix) to SF and back. Sheesh. So far so good for the air experience.

The next week I studied the AAA guides and internet for small hotels or B&Bs to stay. I wanted breakfast included, walking distance to BART, and an overall sense of the magic of the city etc. Easy peasy. A charming Victorian, near Union Square, kids discount, afternoon tea/wine, all for under $100 (before fees of course). With hundreds of positive reviews.

There's still enough cash left over for the museum fees, a teeny tiny shopping.

And oh yes, a nice check to my sister the starving artist.

Recap Tip 1| Plunder the resale sport store for outdoor equipment for kids! I visited one yesterday in search of a 'cruising' skateboard for my boy. Sheesh, they are expensive new (almost $200). Well, the reason I went there was to obtain a USED board.

VOILA! There was one, only one, available. They apparently are the hot thing, and go fast. The price was a moderate $70. I will go for it because of reasons previously put forth on this blog (more action, less electronics!) The employee was super helpful, urging me to bring in items from home to recapture some of the costs of the board. Also calling another source in search of a good used item for me. And giving me a coupon for a couple bucks off whatever I decided. Sweet.

Today Tip 2| Troll Craigslist for good used electronics. My girl is ready for a digital camera. She has a film camera and has taken good care of it. I am ready to stop developing film, even by mail.

A check of nearby digital camera offers yields a Kodak Easy Share C613 for $50. OK, first thing is to check it out on CNET for review of the equipment and new prices.

Good camera, especially fit for the young photographer and priced fairly (half the new price).

Next step is to really find out the condition and what is not being disclosed by the seller. I politely ask via email how old it is, how much used, and particularly what is NOT being included.

The seller explains this camera was used for about 10 pictures and the little disc is not included (memory card). Period. I agree to meet and have a look.

VOILA! I offer $45 which is accepted. Need to get a memory card and a couple rechargeable batteries.

If you need more gift saving tips, look no further! Here's what under $10 can get from Pretty Cheap Jewelry

AUTUMN STONE EARRINGS

Smooth serpentine bar, vintage glass, and quartz chip in subdued classy tones.
Order here

RECIPE JOURNAL

Exquisite cover features a colonial embroidered home complete with the picket fence. Slim blank pages ready for family heirlooms, mementos and snapshots.
Order here

PEARLY WHITE GUITAR PICK EARRINGS

Fun and pretty in white, blue and sterling silver. Great for teens.
Order here

Have my list, checking it twice.

My kids are pre-teen and approaching the age of electronics (er, more so than already??).

But I always prefer active, educational gifts at birthdays and holidays. So that leaves out movies, music, video games, and mindless whatnot.

Chapter 1 - The Boy

1. He asked for a 'cruising' skateboard. His current skateboard is for tricks and is admittedly getting rather banged up. Been racking my brain how to come up with a good solution without spending a small fortune. BINGO!! I called the resale sports store and YES they have them. OK, hopefully their selection has a model that is good, great or passable but I'm jazzed that I'll be able to put one under the tree.

2. It's time. Or rather, he needs a watch. Easy peasy with a trip to Target or a coupon to Penneys.

3. And a cell phone. So fortunately our plan is really inexpensive to add a line, something like $10/mo. No internet, texting or junk of course. Husband wants to give the boy mine and give me a new one. Whatever, ok.

4. Little (educational, active) stuff. Books, puzzles, chewing gum, pajamas. Ok, the last stuff isn't educational, fine.

Chapter 2 - The Girl
(coming soon)

And a few ideas for YOUR unspendy gifts.

DOLPHIN, MOON, & STAR EARRINGS
Cute dolphin charms leap under abalone moon and sparkling swarovski crystal stars. A rainbow of pastel colors; lavendar, mint, cocoa, powder blue (not shown), butter (not shown). Only $5.99 ea.
Order at: Pretty Cheap Jewelry





Thanks for the time to peek!

and a little time. That's just about all it took to make these distinctive cards:

(ok, flower, paper, scissors. Not rock, but you get the idea).

GARDEN POT

Full planter of sunny yellow, warm peach and harvest reds on a blank notecard. This card features sunflower and bougainveilla.

BIG ROUND VASE

Ancient style vessel contains a spray of wine reds on a blank notecard. This card features bougainveilla.

BLUE 'GLASS' VASE

Modern footed vase contains a bouquet of wine reds on a blank notecard. This card features bougainveilla.

I make all of these designs with genuine flower petals and stems harvested from my yard and environs. It is a slow but easy craft pressing and drying the plants. A true link to the past as well.

Then using a scrap of specialty paper, I free hand cut the containers. Pots, vases, urns, let your imagination have fun. How about a window sill, curtains with or a table top? Plain black paper works fine, or a scrap of felt or fabric.

All of these cards are available for $3.25 ea at Pretty Cheap Jewelry. An inexpensive way to show your good taste this holiday season. Great for thank you, party invite, get well and birthday.

WATCH FOR NEW DISTINCTIVE CARDS COMING SOON!

Guess the cost of the outfit below (no peeking at the end of this post!)

No matter what your size, your style, your age or budget, thrift stores are worth some time.

Get over walking past the lady with the flaming orange hair, avoid the rapid fire Spanish speaking mom with the baby stroller full of junque (the 'baby' is pulling out stuffed animal after stuffed animal), suppress your amazement at the goth young person pierced in the cheek.

Those folks are everywhere anyway. (And if I've offended anyone, please know I fit right in that motley group!!)

I love shopping at the thrift because I always find my size!! That is; short legs, long torso. Instead of hours of exasperation in the mall where the clothes are made for the 'typical' size (meaning taller and larger than me), it's a relief to have a relatively huge amount of choice.

So here's the outfit:



(1) Green Sage Ribbed Cardigan. Buttons are big woven leather look. 100% cotton

(2) Cinammon Turtleneck. 100% cotton

(3) Off White Trousers. Bill Blass (a good petite designer), stretch cotton. I think I hemmed these a couple years ago.

I accessorize with my own jewelry designs (are you kidding!!). Notice the red and white Y style chain, with a small Buddha stone pendant.

Have you guessed how much? For the top 3 pieces $8.50.

Not shown? My classic navy square 2-sided nylon bag (thrift store price $4) and milk chocolate kid leather lace up boots (WHOA $60-70 from Nordstrom 25 years ago, resoled twice).

The Buddha necklace? what would you pay?

My fellow bloggers on Saving Advice have unknowingly brought out my competitive side.

I used to be SUPERMOM, with cleaning/cooking/teaching/crafting/organizing and girl scout leader hats.

OK, I gave up the girl scout leader hat.

So now I just have -

the cleaning hat (if you DON'T do laundry every day *raise* your hand),and sayonara to 2 pesky mice visiting our pantry (thank you traps), one more to go we're sure;

the cooking hat (scalloped potatoes last night and for lunch today, tonight it's homemade applesauce [previously canned from our tree's fruit] and frozen chicken nuggets WOOT convenience foods)

the teaching hat (only needed on occasions for math and geography homework lately, phew)

the crafting hat (home biz anyone? am 'test-driving' a rich colored pearl bracelet to work today, one of 5 boxed beauties made yesterday for holiday events next couple months)

the organizing hat (the thrift store donation bag in the garage almost full, then off it goes next time I pass by with the car)

thassenuff

So what are you going to be for Halloween?

Get out the 'sewing' hat...

For over a year, my mailing list for Pretty Cheap Jewelry was inside a Google Group. The concept was good:

~ free service (no cost) to me
~ unlimited number of members allowed
~ easy to add people who signed up during craft events
~ easy for people to add themselves via the web
~ nice appearing newsletter, I could compose text and images
~ unlimited amount of messages I could send
~ very secure and private for members

Only one problem. The Google Group system is more buggy than a bee hive. I thought such a trusted brand would be the best way to go.

Almost from the beginning I had problems with my webpages NOT being saved. After composing a great offer, beautifully laying out text, photos, etc. and sending it out to the members, it would disappear and they would receive a blank email.

Bleh.

Google administration did not step up. Their help desk (overwhelmed as might be the case) did not respond to repeated requests from me or others with similar experiences.

So I quit! Many small biz shops (on Etsy) recommended MailChimp. So there I went as of today. The only drawback?

~ free to me for up to 500 members

Sheesh. If I get over 500 members I'd gladly pay a small fee to send out newsletters!

So don't you all stampede to the mid-left sidebar and sign up (see the purple box?).

Thanks and Here comes the happy holiday newsletters!

'Time is money' so the saying goes. When I had an unexpected day off early this week with a sick kid at home, the time was spent wisely producing future savings and income!

~ Canned 7 quarts of tomato sauce for pasta, pizza and the like (using 2 giant cans of puree as a base costing $4.98)

~ Crafted 5 confection pearl rings for upcoming holiday events.

Here are a few peeks at the work. All are freshwater pearl, with 14K gold filled wire. Sizes vary. Come gift wrapped in a bow box.

PINK CRYSTAL CREAM


DEEP SEA GREENS


CRISS CROSS BLUES


PICKED FRESH BERRY


Visit my shop for a closer look at one listed for sale, or comment below if you have any questions. Thank you for the clicks.
Pretty Cheap Jewelry

Today is my 15th wedding anniversary. We have a date planned for Saturday night:

~attend a reception for a portrait artist (whom I know) at my art assoc gallery. I happen to have a piece on display there as well as of Tuesday - YAY. We will likely sip some wine, courtesy of the reception.

~try an unusual, inexpensive restaurant immediately next door. It is all vegan, and some raw food menu. My hubby is interested.

~catch the improv comedy show downtown. These are so funny!!! I am such a geek and love watching these folks think on their feet. The shows are extremely low cost since they are no names ($10 entrance). There is alot of audience participation too (ie they ask you to call out a 'lunch box item' or some such silly thing.)

~the biggest expense is the baby sitter and this is probably the last time we will need one. (We quizzed our oldest what to do under a variety of emergencies and were not completely satisfied with his answers, so will give it another 6-10 months before he is in charge!).

These little plans make me feel valuable, more than the actual expense will be.

And I've been creating valuable little things lately. Size or cost is not the point here:

Picked for You Card

Detailed sprig decorated with tiny green and pink beads below a clever pun. Offered at $3.25 plus shipping

Golden Heart Key and Lock Charm Earrings

Sweet assymetrical accessories feature fun 1 inch charms, rich gold freshwater pearl and 14K GP french wires. Cost: $5.00 (yes you read that right)

Click on the blue 'prettycheap' upper left sidebar for more detail and information.

Didn't they know summer is over?

Of course not. This is just today's pickings.

More pickings from the summer inventory of Pretty Cheap Jewelry. Everything made by me with care, sold for fun.

All items shown will be offered at $5 plus shipping at the website above.

FLAME JOURNAL
Great for the geek. Slim blank journal filled with graph paper. About 25 pp.


DREAM JOURNAL
Write down your musings, subconscious or not. About 100 pp. vellum.


EWE ARE MINE JOURNAL
Cute and clever. Give it to the newlyweds. About 50 pp. vellum.


DOG DAYS JOURNAL
Funny little guy makes light of your troubles. Small enough for the purse, beagle lovers only. About 20 pp. vellum.

Once upon a time there were 3 crafting entreprenuers.

Forward Fashion Number One concentrated on just two kinds of products and (probably unconsciously) made them to follow the style of the moment.

Sweet Thing Number Two had an abundance of good intentions but never built her dream.

Practical Personality Number Three sweated the slow days, rejoiced in the occasional big day, and kept on keeping on.

All three had success, albeit in varying degree. Which was I?

WOW! I did some summer accounting to help me decide how much to spend at this weekend's Gem and Mineral Wholesale show.

May-Aug Expenses
Fees for 10 Sat Farmer Market Booths ~ $115
Fee for annual Art Assoc membership ~ $130
State Sales Tax ~ $80
Fee for annual City Biz License ~$55
TOTAL Summer Fees ~ $380

May-Aug Income
New Consignment/Wholesale Order ~ $75
Art Assoc Earnings ~ $ 115
Farmer Market Sales ~ $275
Special Weekend Market (new one) ~ $75
TOTAL Summer Earnings ~ $540

I am amazed I had such great income over the summer!! A couple of the sources are not necessarily going to repeat next summer. But I guess I am committed to hard work and finding something to take their place!

and naturally, the best part is skipping off to the gem show with about $100 in my pocket.

Watch here for what will be some gorgeous new designs after Sept 7th like these!

IOLITE and PERIDOT TASSEL EARRINGS

Mini chip peridot strands anchored by sparkling onion cut iolite briolette. Sterling posts.

Oh and for those of you that got this far...here's a coupon for BOGO Ben&Jerry's sundae good 8/31/09 only
http://benjerry.com/scoop-shops/feature/sundaes-on-mondays/

Worried about spending too much! The wholesale gem and mineral show is coming to town in a week and is on my schedule.

This is a somewhat infrequent occurrence, a couple times a year or less, at least within convenient driving distance. There are larger and more more varied events, but they are regional and cost more in time and lodging.

Much of my needed supplies are best suited to buying at such a show. Why?

#1: Not for your eyes only.
Handling and feeling the stone (or glass or pearl) items in person is vastly superior to ordering on the internet. How many times have you made a purchase on the net only to receive the item and it is smaller, less weighty, off color or different than your expectations? It's no surprise a photo shows only the very best qualities of a product, (and not the flaws).

#2: The Bargain Hunt
Prices can be lower in person and shipping is non existent. I'm not above bargaining at a wholesale show and have been successful in receiving multiple item discounts, cash discounts, and more.

#3: Chasing the Elusive
Hard to find and specialty items are available. Such as tools for the hobby jeweler. The local hardware store does not carry nylon pliers. And you must hold them before buying to check the fit/comfort in your hand. Have you ever bought a chef's knife before holding it? Didn't think so.

...Pause for a message from your friendly frugal artisan...

LIMITED TIME OFFER - FREE JEWELRY BOX
Red brocade, new, compartmented jewelry box with purchase of any featured item (click on the link below).

Pretty Cheap Jewelry


Just ask for it at check out. Hurry, only 1 left.


Sooooooooo....
What strategies do you advise in controlling spending?

A: Staying Black.
How about determining mid-year profit and investing the cash to prepare for holiday stock? After the month's end I will compute summer sales vs. summer expenses. Drat those big fees in July! My city business license, state sales tax, and farmer's market booth fees added up! My intuition senses I have broke even from June-Aug.

B: Getting Red.
Every weekend in Nov is booked with holiday fairs, and a much larger opportunity is in the works to have merchandise in the city shopping mall. A couple new additional events might also be added to my schedule. Based on last several years earnings, a modest income can be forecast.

C: The grocery philosophy.
Make a list, stick to it and shop the perimeter? Well, making a list is very crucial. Nothing like walking into the store, getting dazzled with the entryway displays and forgetting what you came for, right? There are certain things I really must get now, like gold filled wire or sterling chain. These are staples and I'll regret if I don't have on hand in the next 6 months.

Thanks for any help you offer below!

Thank heaven for a frugal hobby! Spending my last week of freedom making something out of almost nothing (school starts next week and I go back to work during the day).

Low Cost Stone Pendants
Collect rocks for polishing, especially if they are in a Rock Hounding guide and known to shine well. We went on a road trip for summer vacation and made a point of stopping at rock collecting sites which we knew were nearby!

Give the tumbler a whirl. OK, I happen to have one, including a supply of grit. This part of the hobby is not without cost but is fairly reasonable. Naturally I plan to polish stones for a number of years.

Let time pass. Check stone conditions and change grits as needed. These took a few weeks total.

Now for the hard part. Experiment with wire wrapping into pendants. It takes practice but wire is cheap!

Alternatively, glue fold-over bails on the flatter ones. If you get really ambitious, make your own bails and glue on smaller pieces. (I'll do this for some pairs that might make good earrings).

Voila!

Fan Fare

Shell pattern in midnight blue wire over bluesy-green agate. Hung on double blue-black string accented with sodalite and silvertone beads.

Upward Spiral

Marble-look agate in tan, greys and white held in double spiralled wire.

Copper Cage

Zig Zags everywhere over red agate. Copper wire and black leather strand.

Hands Across the Rocker

Free form fun in simple silvertone wire around black speckled agate.

Your feedback welcome (especially on that wild copper one!)

Why do you suppose these are frugal?
In preparation of festivals every weekend in November, as well as a possible holiday storefront for the Art Assoc in my full-time town, I'm using as much of the summer vacation to create jewelry and build inventory. Only 2 more weeks free time until kids go back to school, and I go back to the day job. My hands are getting tired...

Anyway, these are made using the last few garnet gems, cubic zirconia briolettes, and choice odds and ends in the box. NEVER say never to a bead. So glad to have found them a place in the cosmos. So it's definitely a frugal use on my end.

DREAM PUFF RING

Pearl, ruby red garnet, and more in 14K GF wire.

BLUESY GREEN BRACELET

Casual mix of stone, glass, and metal. Unlock a heart with the charms.

ICE CREAM DELICIOUS EARRINGS

Ruby red garnets like a cherry on top of a scoop of whipped cream white freshwater pearls. 14K GF

VOYAGER RING

For the adventurous in colors of the far flung seas, lands, and skies. 14K GF wire.

GRAPE CLUSTER EARRINGS

Concord colored bunches of pearls, cz, and stone. 14K GF

Chim chimminy, chim chimminy, chim chim cheree. OK, nevermind Dick Van Dyke - Don't you love those chalk art thingy's?

This weekend is a Chalk on the Walk event and guess who is coming?
Lorelle Miller. Think Sistine Chapel, Boticelli, flowing robes.

For the first time a Marketplace is going to be held and I jumped at the chance to have a booth. The event management was so practical!! "We're not going to charge vendors since we would feel bad if no one made any sales being this is the first year!" WELL. Another first!

Here's a few pieces I'm taking out for the first time too:

GRAPE BUNCH EARRINGS


RECYCLED GUITAE STRING BANGLE-PEACH PEARL


BUTTERFLY NECKLACE

Should have written this down, but it's such a pervasive goal I couldn't forget it anyway.

Most merchandising profit comes at the winter holiday season, right? Obvious. Happily, I've had the pleasure of my books at least breaking even after the end of the year.

After several years of busting my b*tt breaking even, it would be nice to make a little profit. While staying true to the raison d'etre, 'Great Quality @ Inexpensive Prices'.

Subliminally I knew I wanted to increase sales during 'off season' times of the year. Especially summer.

For the 2nd year, the local citizen group had an art/crafts area at the Farmer's Market. I participated in about 1/2 the available Saturdays last year to get exposure for me and the event. I signed up for 2/3 of the Saturdays this year.

The books aren't done, but it's going fine. I expect to have a small profit. Nothing large, but worth the time and effort.

Don't count me just lucky. Yes, it was fortune that the persons who organized the event knew me and asked me to come in on the ground floor. But I am smart and savvy enough to be out there NETWORKING so that I am known!! Yes, it was a relief that the management charged a fair fee, a percent of sales or a very nominal flat rate so the sellers would not be in the red. But it's hard work to pack/plan/transport and display, make sales, break down/store and do it all again in a week.

OK, count me lucky, because I enjoy it.

Now have a peek at the Spin Necklace!

What was your plan? I sprinkled the summer with a few organized activities, a few spontaneous dates, and a few hang around 'do nothing' times for 2 kids home on school vacation. I didn't want to (couldn't) spend a fortune on camps, and looked forward to ignoring the alarm clock/get dressed/breakfast/car pool/homework schedule.

Yesterday was a killer. I argued with my son in the morning, went to the public pool which no-one was into, and ended the day with a teary daughter. A classic day of getting on each other's nerves.

When I am stressed seems I hit the jewelry bench even harder, driving myself to make it better and prettier. Must be to win back some positive feelings, even coming from customers.

It's going much better today and I promise myself to do better tomorrow.

The resulting jewelry?
CRISS CROSS RING

22K GF, freshwater pearl trio

STORMY SKIES SET

Freshwater pearl, glass and stone mix.

IOLITE TASSLE EARRINGS

mini chip peridot, onion cut iolite

The dejunquing of DS11's room went superbly. Asked to take things off shelves that he doesn't want (ie old models, books), he almost CLEANED off shelves.

Moved furniture around slightly, rearranged a few posters on the wall, and freecycled the computer in his room.

A needy sounding family picked it up within hours. No printer. Windows 98 set up, Compaq model. They're happy.

A big sailing ship kite and 5 well kept games went to the Boys & Girls Club.

I feel good for donating and the space looks like new.

Remodel on a rupee. Two new light fixtures, a small bedside shelf and a (thrift store) basket for stuffed animals he still wants came to $100.

I should've took before and after pics, DANG! Submit to a magazine.

Today is the last room to clean and dejunque, DD9. No expenses, just thinnng out of toys. 5th room of the house to do in as many days. I'm pooped.

Thanks for taking a look at something I've always wanted to do, wire wrap stones.

Coin Earrings




Free form bound stone coin earrings include a bali style dangle flower. Artistic, yet casual enough for everyday.

Not yet for sale. Contact me for more detail.

NEVER TOO LATE for SPRING CLEANING - Chapter 4
'How to Remodel w/o the Re'

Today is the day my DS11 is looking forward to?! We are cleaning out his room. Ok, he's just been saving up him empty gum wrappers to throw away all at once. Bleh.

Anyway, the air hockey table is coming out (assuming I can get the legs off, it doesn't fit through the door). I'd like to sell it on Craig's, and KNOW it would bring at least $50. But husband wants to take it to our weekend house.

Also cleaning off the shelves, hopefully of the clay dragon he made at his 7th bday party, the old car models that he used for demolition derbies. Maybe the books from 2nd grade...

Next the too small clothes out of the closet. Such as the dress shirt from that wedding a couple years ago. A cubscout shirt he'll never wear again.

Then the desk - Oh the desk. Just suffice it to say the thrift store is going to be happy. YUCK!!! Every drawer is filled with junque.

There is a magnetic dart game on the closet door that is going to the Boys/Girls Club. A set of Mega blocks (yes those big ones for 4 year olds) that also goes to B/G club.

A rainbow sailing ship kite on the ceiling that I hope he'll part with. We've flown it at least twice to the end of it's rope. Time to give it away.

And a light pole fixture that never gave enough light is OUT. The only $$ to be spent is on a new one that gives proper light for homework before he needs glasses. Probably a wall mount type, but maybe a better different floor model. No ceiling type (the room is not wired). Unfortunately, light fixtures are not cheap, but I am not compromising on this.

I'm also cleaning out, using up older gem and beads in my stash to make room for new supplies later in the year. A Russian friend gave me some amber awhile ago and here's what I made of the remainder.

Imperial Amber Photo Necklace





Honey hued amber nuggets and abalone shell discs attract interest in this highly styled 18" necklace. Interchangeable photo frame adds even more character.

Not yet for sale, contact me for more detail.

First day of 'vacation', meaning I don't go to 'work'. Staying home on the couch eating bonbons, right? How about:

NEVER TOO LATE for SPRING CLEANING - DAY 2
Attack of the kitchen!

1. Give 409 (or some such homemade organic cleaner) to kids and stand back for spray shower on appliance degreasing.

2. Remove lace valance and hand wash, line dry, iron (omg I hope it doesn't disintegrate)

3. Top of fridge, what's that??

4. Clean tile counters with a little bleach, wear old Tshirt!!

5. You know those thingy's you put on your feet to mop the floor? Hmmmm.

And that is just before noon. OK, ok, will take the afternoon off and PLAY with the kids, or go to the beach, or walk the dog, or ...

*snap*

Today is the day I SUBMIT an entry in a formal juried art show. My first time ever entering with a fee, $8. LUCKILY I made one sale at the Farmer's Market on Saturday (poo, just 1). Even though it's only $8 to enter I feel hugely better using earnings for the fee instead of my own pocket money.

I'll find out by Wednesday if I make it in the show.

Here's some new work I am going to enter into future shows.

Pressed Plant Enhanced Photo Compositions

Last day of work for the summer! When my kids are off, I am off except for 2 days/month.

My left brain has it all ready - scheduled and free time, home biz here I come, and cleaning out the kids' rooms!

To prepare for a 2 week camping trip coming soon, I'm trolling the thrift stores for new family/kids activities. Found the 'UnGame' (from 1975) for $2. We tested it out for 1/2 hour, the kids have already pulled it out twice more to play with. Anyone heard of this? You travel around a board pulling a card with a very univeral question when landing on those spots. Such as 'Say something about war' or 'what color is happiness'. There are no right or wrong answers. The discussions get lively.

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Also last year we had this useful boredom buster:

1. Write on slips of paper fun, as well as, chore activities. Examples:

Weed the flower bed.
30 minutes board game.
Swiffer the living room.
Trip to rent a movie.
Ride bike to the park.
Take dog for a walk.
Bake cookies.

2. Put slips in decorated lidded box or can.

3. Pick one when summer vacation boredom hits, with the promise that WHATEVER comes out will be done.

NOTE: Limit picking slips to one or two a day if necessary.

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So long to bus commutes which yielded stuff like this for the next 8 weeks!

Little Lamb Newly Born Photo Baby Announcements - Pack of 4
(if the pics don't work, click here)

pics

I don't watch nor listen more than an hour or so a day, far less than a typical CNN junkie. But the world problems weigh on me, especially in light of raising two grade school kids and with parents advancing in age. (Hormone changes in life don't help either!!)

Discovering a sweet therapy. It's rewarding, creative, and inexpensive (my specialty!). What is it?

Pointing my camera to happy things, scenes, and otherwise good subjects.

Here is a place I'd like to cast off the cares, not to mention the socks.

Under the Trestles


And you wouldn't believe this is not in 'big sky country', that I'm a city girl.

Grazing Sky Scape


Not to forget the technical side of my brain.

Old Arch Bridge


More photos to lighten up at http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettycheap (please respect my ownership rights and do not reproduce).

How long has this Wizard101 game been around? It's very Harry Potter'ish, seems innocent enough, and there's very little, if not no, pressure to buy anything.

Wizard101

My grade school kids heard from friends at school, and tried it out about a week ago.

It takes an inordinate amount of time to load, but I chilled out and let it go.

They are having a blast and the only caveat is to limit the time so they don't become couch potatoes!

Anyone else heard of it? If there's a catch and you figure it out, make a comment here. Thanks.

Though comparison shopping is very time consuming I enjoy the bargain hunt and usually just do without if the item is not found at an acceptable price.

That means today I am:

~ wearing really old tennis shoes (haven't found suitable replacements in the boys section of the sports store, payless or a going out of biz store yet)

~ a second hand sweater

~ carrying a thrift store purse (I love it)

~ wearing white sports socks from one of those swap meet vendor type packages (and might even darn them when they get holes).

But I expected a Target coupon for $5 off $50 purchase to go farther than it did yesterday.

List of Potential Needed Items:
girls bathing suit
girls tennis shoes
movie for Dad for Father's Day
lightweight folding lawn chairs

These are tough tough items to find, I've been scouring Craigs for the lawn chairs (everyone only uses stacking ones now but I have not given up at yard sales), and I will not get my kids secondhand shoes or bathing suits anymore (bad fit, worn out and bad value).

Off we went, DD9 and I, to the kids section. There were a nice selection of suits, especially in her size, and one for $13. She also wished for another for $19 which included a little skirt. Then to the shoes, nothing. I passed a rack of stretch black pants for moms. Hmmmmmm.

The last black stretch pants I had were from a higher end women's store (my mom had given me a gift cert some years ago) and they fit like a dream! This store closed a year or so ago and I have been searching for longer than that to replace the pants. I have also scoured Susie's Deals for something similar for over a year.

Well the Petit fit great. OK, they were $20. I decided yes. It was worth the price for the years of time I put in trying to find the same thing for less.

We never made it to the garden chair section. Those two bathing suits and the pants were $51. Bleh. I let the kid get both suits since the coupon would indirectly lower the price of one suit to $8.

So now all I want to know is:

Will these $20 yoga pants last awhile?

Three photos of mine were accepted into an art show at the local (very very busy) community hospital lobby!

They will hang 3 months, a relatively long show!

The topic was 'Lazy Hazy Days of Summer' and the pics include:

Leaf Me Alone
THANK YOU to momcents for the title!!


Mustard FireWorks
see it here http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettycheap/3499439890/

Made in the Shade
see it here http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettycheap/3499439916/in/photo...

Please respect my copyrights on these images and DO NOT REPRODUCE

They will be framed sweetly and priced fairly.

for the non-logophiles: epiphanous (def): a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.


1. Fledgling Flight. Not for the first time, but for the longest and least parented time, DD9 has 2-night Girl Scout overnight camp. It's a big troop of 20 girls and there were 2 leaders present (with 2 or 3 parents helping out at any given time here and there over the weekend). She's been in it for 5 years and when I was a leader for the first couple years she was way more insecure in my absences. (We now have the quintessential Girl Scout leader who not only can sing ALL the songs, but knows the words). Daughter is grumpy when I pick her up, as she doesn't want to leave. Didn't brush her hair the whole time.

2. First Bad Hair Day. More hair problems. My son awakens to his appearance, or at least awakens. He cares what happens when he wears a baseball cap and his hair is all wet. Most time ever in front of the bathroom mirror, distressed as all h*ll about a lock or two near his ear. Tries alternately wetting it and blowing with the hair dryer. Over and over again. Get a shorter haircut? Blasphemy. Go back to evening showers? Pfffft. Of course it looks the same as every other day (to me).

3. Blasts from the past. Saturday night I went to a reunion of co-workers from 29 years ago. What can I say, you had to be there? Kind of like a high school reunion, with a much lower trauma factor. Picture a hundred new graduates from colleges around the states in LA in 1982 or so and single, and ... that says enough. One of the best times in our lives, I guess we all wanted not only to relive it a little, but see who turned out how. One fellow never married and is saving the world with 'Water for People' (building wells and clean water in the third world), the best looking guy now has 5 kids, all girls. One of our old bosses showed up (now retired)! UGH!! I didn't look as old as I worried, somewhere inbetween the two guys I would NEVER have recognized in a million years (one looked like my dad, but once he started blabbing it was his old crazy self) and the two girls whom time has NOT TOUCHED!! Names from 20 years ago kept popping up, ouch my memory cells HURT!

With the swine flu on the wane, my kid is probably one of the last to have a very mild sore throat and cold. But need to keep him out of school, which keeps me out of work. S'ok, no pay, but a long to do list:

...Squeeze oranges from tree into OJ
...Make muffins with 2 overripe bananas
...Make something for next Tues school bake sale (probably will use the leftover condensed milk for fudge!!)
...shopping errands

Of the last I will keep costs down, use coupons. For example, my girl would love a few ice skate skirts now that she is in the 3rd level lessons. OK. I can sew. There is a pattern at Joann's and it only takes a little glitzy fabric and a bit of elastic to make the skirts. Yes, I have a 40% off coupon and a sewing machine.

A few things at the dollar store, ie bandaids.

And a wedding gift. They registered at Bed Bath Beyond just a couple weeks ago. The wedding is Labor Day weekend (Sept) so I am going to be one of the first to get in there and choose something REASONABLY priced before only the $500 dollar bed sets are left. Or whatever they listed.

Here's a look at my back yard yesterday.
It's not a honey bee (right?) but is very busy pollinating the apple trees, jasmine and other stuff we have growing. There were a couple dozen of his friends too.