Nothing Here is Cheap Except the Price

Can Hardly Believe it's Really Going to Happen!

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:02:54 PST

My in-law family has decided this year to forgo a gift exchange! WHEE! I have always wanted to go this route because they are a fairly big family, and getting bigger every year.

Starting with my husband's parents (there actually are 2 households already: his mom, and his dad and...

So NOT a last minute person.

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:30:47 PST

Who was it lately that mentioned in their blog about the teacher/accountant mentality (of doing things methodically, well planned ahead)?

Add me to that group, though not a teacher nor accountant. It's just a Type A trait.

So my gift list is ready and awaiting...
Now I just...

DH gave me ideas of gifts for him :D but need a little advice

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:19:50 PST

My hubby is a kid at heart, very positive and open minded. Not to mention happily receives birthday and Christmas gifts.

Every so often I splurge on him (like the year he got a fishing trip to Alaska, ok he already had airfare from frequent flier miles, all I added was the room...

Superbly Satisfied w/$20 Portrait

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:19:28 PST

What a deal! We look like 1/2 million for small bucks.

This is the family portrait (no I don't mind that my picture is now world wide). Our grade school ran a special with a photographer to get one 8x10 for $20. The school got $10 of it (our 5th grade campout fundraiser).

It...

SOLVED - Big Happy Gift Smallish Ticket Item

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:08:24 PST

My shopping list is smiling!

Have been thinking what to give my 8-yo carefree sunny daughter for a big happy gift under the tree this year (especially after she sees the BIG box containing a skateboard ramp for her brother, and nooooo I do not play those 'must give even number of...

Gift Listing - is a good way to save

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:51:38 PST

Start a gift list now if you haven't already. Write down all the expected - AND UNEXPECTED - persons you want to make happy this holiday and the item you plan to purchase.

Keep this list handy! Consult it in your purse or wallet when you are out and about looking for bargains...

Fingers Crossed ... HOPE WISH DREAM

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:56:14 PST

I had an interview today with a very busy coffee house owner to ask if they would be interested to carry my items for sale.

I am a regular customer (once every couple weeks) and back in the spring light heartedly mentioned "I could spruce up those [3 empty wooden] shelves for...

The Beer and the Mayo Jar

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:36:13 PST

A good friend just mailed this to me. A good reminder. Courtesy http://www.designsbymariejulie.etsy.com
------------------------------------------
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He
then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was
full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends
and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner.

Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.'

Wherefore Art Thou - Universal Appeal?

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:22:16 PST

My sister visited from afar this past week and brought me some large, unusual drilled turquoise nuggets. Hmmm. Not my normal style.

But I love a design challenge, and the cerebral lightbulb lit up after seeing silverplated tubular pendant hangers in the jewelry supply shop.

Do...

Family Portrait Tonight - Bargain Price!

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:21:06 PST

Our grade school has teamed with a photo studio to offer $20 portraits (a portion goes to the 5th grade camp out fund).

We get one 10x12" photo (3 alternative sittings, but I want the one with the whole family). I'm sure they will try to sell lots of options. But NOPE.

I just...

Time Off = Stay Home and Cook, Clean, Craft

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:59:17 PST

Production line closed! All 3 big jobs on my To Do list for the week are DONE.

1. Clean kitchen, dining area floors.
2. Make applesauce.
3. Finish 2 jewelry projects that have languished on my desk for A YEAR.

And I still did a couple little things to boot:
a. made...

New Favorite Sweater

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:19:03 PST

They don't call me the thrift store queen for nuthin'

Nubby eggplant snap up shows off an original necklace of my own design.

The sweater? $4
The necklace? Will be in the low $20s

And I finally realize that although I am a saver, it is the penny pinching spending I enjoy...

$2 Dream Dress

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:31:31 PST

I don't know about you, but we find great stuff at the thrifts.

Today? 2 nubby long sleeve sweaters for me (one in the boy's section, one in the girl's) $5 for the pair

1 MouseTrap Game $2

1 Intermed. Paint-by-Number $1

2 sweatpants for kid $1.50 for the both

1 supreme...

Supreme Good Use of Free Resource

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:16:38 PST

My online crafting club has made a Gift Guide using a free website host Weebly.

Firstly it is brilliant in the use of a free service and a wonderful way to get the word out to shoppers.

If you seek something for the person who has everything, or are just wishing for the un-mass...

---FREE Ice Cream ALERT---

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:32:09 PST

Ben and Jerry's is giving away scoops to all who vote Nov 4 from 5-8 pm. Just say you did or bring a receipt.
See here

http://www.benjerry.com/features/i_voted/index.cfm?utm_sourc...

Calling All Thrift Store Aficionados

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:57:35 PST

How about goodwill online??
An easy entertainment or pass-time;
looks like the better items at auction.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com

Crafters - How to Make a Spinning Display Rack

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:05:35 PST

Instead of spending bucks on craft fair displays, then waiting anxiously to recoup that cost, all you need is a little ingenuity!

A spinning rack is really useful for small items like jewelry.

My sister gave me the catalytic idea - A LAZY SUSAN! Of course *slaps forehead*.

I...

Put my Sage to sleep

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:16:07 PST

He was my 17 year old cat (my husband thinks he was 16). Over the past summer he had what I think was a kitty stroke, robbed him of some motor skills, some brainpower. We made one vet trip who wanted to do the whole 9 yards (lab work) to tell me it was just old age. That was when...

OnLine Marketing-It Keeps Going, and Going, and ...

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:46:53 PST

Small business owners spend as much time advertising as they do making actual sales (probably even more of the former). On line marketing can be a huge time sink, so it's important to make every moment of effort yield the biggest possible return.

OK, nothing smart yet. And let's...

Little Personal Free Fun (and it's G rated)

jimninadanza@juno.com (Pretty Cheap Jewelry) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:30:20 PST

"Think Outside the Box" Ornament Competition is being held by the local Art Association. It is free to members (which I am) and $2 for non-members. A small price to pay for a lot of fun.

Every entrant was given a 3 inch square cardboard box. Rules? Anything goes...