The Frugal Artisan

I love love love old books. When travelling in the east US there isn't anything more interesting than looking in the forgotten thrift / antique store corners for old books. Doesn't really matter the subject though I have a tendency toward science, academics. And a plate (illustration) with a protective tissue paper cover SWOON it's enough to make me faint.

ha ha. OK, today I went back to the library book sale shelf where they are trying to really unload. The normal $2 hardback and $1 soft cover prices are 1/2 OFF! WOOT!

I had gone about a week ago and RESISTED. But not before I sat and read the entire copy of a 1959 edition of Ben Hur. Complete with color illustrations, it is a youth version. (Not suitable for anyone under 8 in my opinion though!!).

For $1. I sloooowly put it back that day. In a spot where I'd remember in case I changed my mind. I just didn't want to spend even a few dollars on what was not necessary.

This week I have a several spending dollars. In preparation of going away for half the week I went back determined to get my teen boy some books. He was with me.

SO HAPPY. Ben Hur I missed you!! I snatched it up. And the kid found Da Vinci Code.

Here's the other treasures in my bag:

The Making of The Oxford English Dictionary, Simon Winchest...This is the popular author who has been writing historical stories about Darwin, volcanoes, and the like.

Ship of Gold. The true story of sunken treasure off Carolina and the guys who haul it up.

After recently reading Drawing in the Dust (a novel written by a rabbi about a discovery of Jeremiah, the prophet) and now Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth (historical fiction on the making of medieval cathredrals), I was attracted to this:

The Secret Scroll another archeologic novel with loads of true details set in Jeruselum.

I am soooooooooooooo happy spending $5.50 brings me such joy!!!

And an old book about creature habits, and an old copy of Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet were there. $1 ea. JUST SAYIN' maybe I will be back soon.

No, I don't mean a short work out or only a little sweat. My kid is lovin' a $1 exercise app he put on his iPod. I'm lovin' that he is jumping around. It's by some football player and he is attracted to anything football lately. OK, for ONCE I am not bugging him to get moving.

If that story is about smart frugal and wholesome habits, the next is about happily ever after earning. It involves a 1-day table fair that I vended last Saturday. My younger came along for the day with a small collection of mini cards and friendship bracelets I encouraged her to make and put up for sale.

A lady came and bought all her cards. This person spent time at every table with much interest. Although my kid was polite, she later told me it wasn't a real customer because the person was doing it to be nice. WELL.... I took a little time explaining that the cards attracted her in the first place and she wanted to try out the design herself. That is a compliment simply for the work. OK, she thought about it and it sunk in. Later, the artist next to us (a young woman surfer who was really down to earth anyway) decided to buy 5 friendship bracelets. WOOT, it was nice to have success for my kid.

For the first day off of school this week I sat down and took apart some crystal heart and pearl earrings that just never got loved! Here they are reincarnated for Mother's Day, graduates, and holiday fests:

IN PROGRESS


Knotted Pearl and Coral Bracelet w/Heart Charm


All in a day's work!

Spring fever this past Saturday put me on a short bike ride around the area to a few yard sales. Nothing of interest until the very last few minutes. There on a table in the driveway of a home with a 'For Sale' sign and a somewhat subdued lady was this item.

Tie Case


It was a tie made into a cell phone case. I LOVED it! Of course it appealed to me for being eco, environmental and reusing something. And not leastly for being a crafty thing that might be fun to make.

She only wanted $1 so I snatched it up. Her mom made it and I mentioned (nicely) I might steal the idea for holiday fairs.

There are a wealth of fantastic silk ties in the thrift stores, am I right? What do they run anymore, anyone know?

Is five years enough time to build a brand with an online av? Even though my jewelry design business has evolved in recent years from 'Pretty Designs, Cheap Prices' to The Frugal Artisan, common sense has always prevailed to stick with the same logo.

Until today. I finally tweaked my avatar just a little to remove the 'cheap' connotation. What do you think?

BEFORE


AFTER


The 'not' symbol was hard to make in Photoshop 2.0, the ancient version which I frugally do not wish to update.

Perhaps it won't be as long until I overhaul the biz logo next time. The overall goal would be to integrate the website name

Pretty Cheap Jewelry with my alter ego, and biz card name The Frugal Artisan. Any ideas?

ICS RAINY DAY PROJECT

It's been raining for 12+ hours and we've been in the house all day. But all is not lost! We made oatmeal cookies destined for this project:

ICS = Ice Cream Sandwiches


My husband (or was it a friend?) showed me this little trick about 15 years ago. Why I hadn't thought of it myself is a surprise. Just take 2 homemade oatmeal cookies, place a scoop of icecream between, wrap in saran and save in the freezer.

What do you do when your BIL is a classical guitarist and accumulates piles of spent metal strings like this...



and what do you do when you have a strong environmental ethic to reduce waste, reuse things, and instill the desire to recycle in more people?

You combine a vision of creative design with a skill making jewelry and produce something like this...

Brass coiled guitar strings are strong and springy in this jingle jangle bracelet. Fun mix of turquoise, cloisonne, and stone form your own blues group.




Don't let the delicate appearance fool you. Many strands of super strong steel guitar strings will never break. Demurely colored in peach / pink / tan glass and pearl.



Just two of the new line from Pretty Cheap Jewelry for the frugal environmentalist music lovers. Prices start at $24 ea. Available April 2011.

One party down, one to go. We opened house to the neighbors for the Superbowl and kept it frugal!

As one of the 'oldtimers' said "We don't need much except some grub, the game and a few friends."

But I played it up just a little more.

Decoration: Usually I forgo putting up party decorations because they are disposable and not a good use of money and I feel are wasteful environmentally. Not to mention I kinda think the matchy matchy plates/cups/table cloth are silly (I am just NOT a girly girl).

But I sorta got inspired and had some fun. Just using some colored construction paper, I made a couple things for the walls...

You know what it says. I bought a HUGE spool of curled ribbon for $2.50. Thus the Steelers colors to start it off!

(ps the vase of calla lilies is from the yard)

Another construction paper banner went over the doorway to the adjacent room...

Yellow and green, um, detect a theme here?

I cut out some football shapes, including some bumpy parts for the stitches and hung over the food table. And finally, tried to be really smart and replicate the team helmets near the viewing area. (I like the graphic on Monday NIght Football where the 2 helmets bang into each other and sparks fly out). My attempt...

Look closely and you'll see the Steeler's logo on the left helmet and the Greenbay logo on the green helmet. And YES, I know the colors are not perfect. I WAS NOT GOING FOR perfection. Just a 'can I do it' attempt!

Next weekend is my kid's bday party and we'll do similar decorations, with a little more pizzazz such as balloons (we'll blow up ourselves) and more curly ribbon streamers from the ceiling.

I love that this paper stuff is very recyclable.

Use this idea for your next party, easy and costs almost nuthin! Just start with a pack of colored construction paper and a spool of curling ribbon.

my only question is...will I have a box of construction paper around when my kids are grown up and not in school anymore???

My MIL passes her Reader's Digest to me which I enjoy before passing again to my officemates (gotta love that re-using stuff!!).

Just a few from an article in their Nov 2010 issue...

Things a Pilot Will Never Say
"We're heading into a thunderstorm."
Instead it's: "It looks like there's some weather (or 'rough air') up ahead."

"Well folks, the visibility is zero out there."
Instead it's: "There's some fog in the Washington area."

How about something good to report?

"Most of the time how you land is a good indicator of a pilot's skill. So if you want to say something nice to a pilot as you're getting off the plane, say 'Nice landing.' We do appreciate that." ~ Joe D'Eon

"At some airports with really short runways, you're not going to have a smooth landing no matter how good we are; John Wayne Airport, Jackson Hole (Wyoming), Chicago Midway and Reagan National." ~ Joe D'Eon

"The two worst airports for us: Reagan National (Washington DC) and John Wayne in Orange Co, California. You're flying by the seat of your pants trying to get in and out of those airports. John Wayne is especially bad because the rich folks who live nearby don't like jet noise, so they have this noise abatement procedure where you basically have to turn the plane into a ballistic missile as soon as you're airborne." ~ Pilot, South Carolina

This one is easy to get in and out of, custom order to make a plum veined turquoise stone wearable with different chains.

Open Weave Bent Line Sterling Silver Necklace
click

here cause pictures are not loading

"Pilots find it perplexing that so many people are afraid of turbulence. It's all but impossible for turbulence to cause a crash. We avoid turbulence not because we're afraid the wing is going to fall off but because it's annoying." ~ Patrick Smith

"Most of you wouldn't consider going down the highway at 60 mph without your seat belt on. But when we're hurtling through the air at 500 mph and we turn off the seat belt sign, half of you take your seat belts off. But if we hit a little air pocket, your head will be on the ceiling." ~ Captain at a major airline

"The smoothest place to sit is often over or near the wing. The bumpiest place to sit is in the back. A plane is like a seesaw. If you're in the middle, you don't move as much." ~ Patrick Smith

"We don't make you stow your laptop because we're worried about electronic interference. It's about having a projectile on your lap. I don't know about you, but I don't want to get hit in the head by a MacBook going 200 mph." ~ Patrick Smith

Two birthday parties happen the second week of February at our house. My oldest has firmly decided 'birthdays are overrated' and does not want a party. Not even to go out bowling with just the family or to a comedy show (which we have 4 free tickets already). HuH? He has developed this over a few years, starting from about age 11. I don't know EXACTLY why, but some not all, of his feelings probably stem from my stress and worries at having 2 big parties for both the kids during the years when they were in the ages 1 ~ 10. I am not going to pressure him, but hope he changes his mind.

The younger of my two kids LOVES the party scene. OK, fortunately she also has a sense of cost but unfortunately is a PROFESSIONAL DAWDLER. Which means she takes forever to make up her mind. I have given here a deadline of this Saturday to choose what kind of party so I can make invitations and send in time.

Her two choices are:

$ sleepover with about 5 other girls and we will do a nail parlor/make up/hair dresser theme. Throw in a cake and pizza (probably homemade) and rent a movie (Secretariat) and we're done.

$$$ trail horseback ride with 2 other girls and return home for a sleepover.

A wish list of birthday gifts they would like has been posted on a white board in our kitchen for a few weeks. I also have some secret ideas of things we did not give them at Christmas.

On my oldest list:
NFL football jersey
cap with NFL team logo
secret additions:
football receiver (sticky) gloves
wood box project

On my youngest list:
big jewelry box
earmuffs
ice skate blade protectors
rhinestone laces for ice skates
secret additions:
new sleeping bag for friend's houses and girl scouts

I wish I had loads of time to run around getting cost comparisons for these gifts!! Enter the internet...

Time Out: The internet saved a

Pretty Cheap Jewelry smart customer a lot of time and money with the purchase of these $5 earrings today!


Lots more at that price range, just click the sampler in the left sidebar.

The licensed football stuff is ridiculously expensive, and I am not willing to pay over about $20 for a jersey. So before I ran around to the nearby sports stores, I did an online check of what was available. SportsAuthority had clearance on just what I might like, official jerseys for $10-$20. YAY! The catch is that mostly weird sizes were left (extra small, extra large). Without being particular on a team or player, it was just a matter of finding one in his size. DONE!

The prices of football glove prices were about $15 on line, just about what I was willing to pay. In fact, it turns out I was able to pop inside the local store for 5 minutes and saw NO NFL JERSEYS and gloves for $40! BAH! So I ordered them online too. DONE.

Score Home: 1 set of birthday gifts done, time saved less shipping costs

Score Visitors: 1 set of birthday gifts and party to do

Post Coming Soon ~ Birthday Party on a Rhinestone Shoestring

Since I'm stuck to this office desk for some hours, there is time to plan my coming weeks IN GREAT DETAIL! Birthday gifts and parties are on the near horizon and I want to do everything on a shoestring.

February contains both my kids' birthdays, followed by Valentine's day 72 hours later. And I threw in a modest neighborhood Superbowl party to kick off the month.

Here's the plan of the SuperBowl Kick Off--

Football Invites on the Go. My son is big into football this year so I decided to have a very casual open house on Superbowl Sunday. We don't really care about the game, but there's a few new neighbors on our street and this is a good time to get everyone to meet. We're a close knit street and there's less excuse to help each other out in coming years if they've all met.

Most of the neighbors are on email and they received invites on the computer. Those few who aren't received smart funny invites I made ON THE GO.

Since I didn't have much time at home to make cards, I just took the whole project with me when waiting while my daughter practiced ice skating for an hour. It all fit in a school folder.

blank cards
glue
scissors
colored paper scraps
Sports section of the Sunday paper
Pen or marker

1. Cut out newspaper pictures of football logos, helmets, scores, words such as 'touchdown', etc.

2. Using colored paper scraps, cut out a goal post.

3. Glue the goal post to the card front.

4. Glue a newspaper cut out helmet or logo or part of a player - I cut out some of the players heads (which usually had a great yelling or tackling expression) in a pleasing arrangement on the front. You can overlap a bit of the goal post for example.

5. Glue a couple words on the card front in a pleasing arrangement. I used the words 'Sunday' and 'NFL'.

6. Inside use a marker and write the WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: stuff.

7. On the left inside, glue another bit of newspaper graphics or words. I put another player's head which had a great yelling expression and drew a cartoon text bubble with a pen that said inside, "Be There!".

It looked hilarious.

Use this concept for any party theme. For an Easter or spring party, grab a Gardening or Home magazine and cut out plant stuff! There's tons of ads in the sunday newspaper with pictures of foods, sports, etc.

I made these general party invitations a long time ago and they can be customized for any subject:


Pack of 6 party invitations in a ransom style. Inside contains 'Or Else' and the who/what/where stuff. Great for getting your guests off their butt! Order here.

Watch upcoming posts for How To: Party Decorations on a Shoestring, On The Go!

If this weren't so dumb I'd laugh. According to Reader's Digest (who reported from Popular Science), there are folks studying the theory of 'queues'. ACK! Here are a few facts you never wanted to know:

1. An equation has been developed to predict when a customer will avoid a line if he feels it is too long.

2. There is a monthly journal devoted to the issue! Queuing Systems: Theory and Applications is used by amusement parks, banks, retail, fast food restaurants.

3. Why do you care? According to the smarty pants, those winding rope serpentine lines look longer, but people feel they are more fair.

4. Why do you care replay. What do you guess is the amount of time a person takes to gather their things after paying at checkout? The term for this is 'faffing' (SHEESH, there are definitions of this stuff). Scroll below for the answer.

No Queue Rosette Earrings

You don't have to wait in line to order these handmade, original design earrings. Circle, round loop motif in sterling silver inspired from the blue 1st place winner ribbons. Genuine natural moonstone briolettes and freshwater pearl complement the silver. Affordably priced, perfect for winter.
Order

here.

Answer: Average 3.17 seconds. Don't let me catch you with your stopwatch next time at the market.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Red | Hearts | Chocolate ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It's January, month of the garnet birthstone and February (not far away) with all things Valentine.

Here's a sweet, low cost gift idea for January birthdays and February loves.

--------------------
Hot Cocoa Mix
2 1/2 C powdered sugar
1 1/4 + 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
Mix thoroughly.

Instructions
Place 3 tablespoons in a mug, add 1 Cup scalded milk. Stir until dissolved. YUM!
--------------------

Pack in a birthday favor bag, tied with red ribbon, stuffed inside a big mug and tagged with instructions.

A couple other low cost gift ideas? Here's a few $15 and under from

Pretty Cheap Jewelry ...

Corkscrew and Gold Earrings

These earrings feature flat gold curves and a little surprise - two sets of little corkscrew twists. The end is in flirty garnet dangles. Order here.

Double Sterling Silver Scroll Heart Earrings



Sterling silver heart earrings have twin garnet dot dangles. Completely hand formed. SALE PRICED $6.00.Order here.

Hard to see the 'Going Out of Biz' signs especially for local businesses. But it is a silver lining, at least to me. I don't particularly seek them out nor wait until they show up. But there have been many instances where we've furnished and decorated our home, bought clothes and in many ways made the most of these opportunities.

A couple years ago I went to Ritz Camera to finally purchase a digital camera. This particular store seemed bare and in fact was planning to close. Though my camera was not liquidated (but priced aggresively anyway), I cleaned up on photo mats, and blank cards. Then there was once a skateboard/ clothes store closing. I just happened by and needed some tennis shoes and got some black DC shoes. They have lasted WAY longer than the usual sport shoe! How many times have you had this experience?

Be assured I am a more mindful shopper these past couple years than long ago, and look for made in USA goods and using locally owned businesses.

But those 'Going Out of Biz' signs are still going to happen.

TODAY? It happened again. I was tipped off by a friend there was a bead supply store going to close in 2 weeks. I was looking for the place and went into a copy store to ask for directions. I found the bead store but the prices were not to die for. The stock was good quality and reasonable and a few things came home with me.

But the happy ending is that the copy store had a stack of boxes of old sticker paper (used by draftsmen some years ago), and boxes of logarithm graph paper for FREE! Lucky find and I took 3 boxes!

I'm not closing or going out of business, and just use everyday low pricing like this-

Garnet Oval Earrings $5.00

It's the month of January's birthstone. Wine red dangles on oval frames. Pure copper earwires. A handmade original for the smart woman.
Details and order

here.

The books are closed, the ink is black. Hard work paid off in my small business but a little unexpected help also sweetened the pot (my sister

Linda Zolten Wood partnered with me and sold $150 worth of my work in December).

My jewelry hobby is a joy, more when it is successful, less when time is scarce due to family obligations. But I feel refreshed to start a new year. Here's a peek into 2011...

This is the year of the gold leaf! Inexpensive composite leaf is coming to a large size notecard near you soon! Or a pendant or journal cover. Or?

Smart Abstracts in Gold Filled Wire
All of the earrings like these have sold, an unusual yet feminine design. Perhaps something similar with 2 small links might work?


Shapes and Sheers
Original shapes, especially based on nature, would be fun. I love leaf shapes, ocean life, or maybe just musical symbols wired with details. You've seen my starfish bracelet? Twig earrings?


The earrings are available here.

Instead of chains, pendants will be hung on sheer ribbons. Commercial chains discolor unless they are precious metal (too expensive). I can make chains by hand but they are time consuming.

Take a look then at one of the last chains to be made for awhile...
Steel Lace Necklace and Earring Set

Stainless steel links with grey glass pearl, sky blue cubes and black ceramic accents. Heart shaped locket. Matching earrings.

When in Rome do as the Romans please! We returned from a 2 week family trip to UK and Europe last weekend, a (somewhat expensive but important) success in introducing the world to my preteen kids.

The crowds! The food! The cold!!
We saw lots and lots of hats, scarves and boots.
We walked 10-15 miles per day and not one peep from a kid except for the cold. My husband bought a hat the 2nd or 3rd day and it didn't come off much the rest of the trip.

Whether or not it was the time of year (a week prior to Christmas), London was like Disneyland on a bad day. Did I mention the crowds? The streets and sidewalks were narrow. They bus whizzed past inches from you. How brave were the women with strollers. Especially in the underground train stations. Crazy! One false move and you would be trampled. Or maybe the people would just stream past you like a river eddy.


Quiet Hyde Park. If only we knew the crowds that were in store after this walk to our hotel the first day...

Funny, I saw maybe one or two Starbucks and a handful of McDonald's in 3 world cities (London, Paris and Amsterdam) and despite the BIG temptation for the comfort of what kind of food you'll get at what price, we resisted. I discovered a coffee chain called 'Costa' in London that was good.

[EXCEPTION: when we were desperate for the McD's free wi-fi internet we visited because our hotels did not provide a lobby computer station.]

There were a some good pubs with upstairs family restaurants, a couple good moderate french restaurants (but not great and we were disappointed), and lots of street festivals with sausage, hot cider and sweets to sample.

Our favorite? Dutch chocolate bars. They were about $1.25 in Amsterdam for these big 1 lb+ bars. Nut, dark, white, etc. Everyone in the family picked two kinds and are still nibbling today!

I learned that the Amsterdam harbor handles the most cocoa in the world. So my husband was smart and found a box in the grocery. WHOA under $2 a box! There are two brands we saw: you've probably heard of Droste, and the other was a bargain brand called Blooker. YES I brought a box home and it is my prized possession of the trip!

Not the skies. It might be flurries, drizzle (or worse) where you are but in Pretty Cheap Jewelrydom sales are still trickling in. Yay!

3 days after last weekend's craft show (my final event of the year) a figure skater came up to me in the rink to ask if she could buy this watch...



She had seen it but was too rushed during the weekend to purchase. Of course, I was able to deliver within the hour.

Only one watch is left from a collection of 6 I made this past fall...


Features a round, antiqued silver face, black marble mini-slab stone, lined with sparkling clear crystal. Price $18.00 | Special order only | contact: prettycheapjewelry@gmail.com

Store closing for vacation today! See you after the New Year and Happy Holidays all!

Four ice skate shows and one whirlwind weekend later, the 2010 boutique events of

Pretty Cheap Jewelry are over. Whew! Business was good but I want to improve for next year.

It's hard to stop and re-evaluate what and where to sell for 2011. Especially less than 24 hours after the finish line.

Venue Changes
Of the 6 major shows from October to December, I am dropping two. Why?
1. October Artwalk sales are weak at my booth for a number of years in a row. Causes: too many other jewelry vendors, non juried sellers (ie folks selling commercial things, not original work).

2. Church number 2 boutique. High show fee and inadequate sales again. Other jewelry booths prices are far too low and I am not interested in making lower quality/simpler items to compete in that price range.

3. Continue with 2 events (one church show, and the ice show) which bring consistently good sales, and 2 arts association events which have smaller returns but also very low fee and are low time commitment.

Product Changes
1. Concentrate on fewer, but higher quality pieces. Much of my success this year was lowering prices on better work. I'll try to design some new styles but keep it affordable.

2. Reduce paper goods. Cards, journals and similar stock were less popular over this past weekend. I'll keep some of the inventory for 2011, put some of it online, and not produce too much more until it sells.

Your windfall! Clearance on these cards starts today!




3-Pack Gorgeous Nature Notecards. Three original photos, matted on linen paper sends a fresh greeting. Originally $10.00, sale $5.00.
Order here
And ask for your refund via paypal at checkout in message to seller.



3-Pack Botanical Notecards w/Bonus Card. Fern, Foxglove, Blush Rose. Perfect for spring occasions. Think graduates, wedding, and easter! (click listing below for the surprise bonus card)
Originally $10.00, sale $5.00.
Order here
And ask for your refund via paypal at checkout in message to seller.



3-Pack Birds and Bees Notecards. Cheerful and bright and impressive. Original photos matted on happy linen paper.
Originally $10.00, sale $5.00.
Order here
And ask for your refund via paypal at checkout in message to seller.



3-Pack Pond Life Notecards. Cool and serene water lily and bubbles. Turtle lovers and kids will be tickled!
Originally $10.00, sale $5.00.
Order here
And ask for your refund via paypal at checkout in message to seller.

The final report is positive. The business income goals per show were met. And sales are still expected from the two little stores who represent me.

And that best customer? A big beefy ice hockey player! He stopped over at the ice show marketplace before his game started and zero'ed right in on the most delicate and exquisite 14K g.f. fleur de lis earrings. Pretty nearly my favorite of my own work. It took him about 90 seconds of browsing my table before just saying, 'I'll take those'. LOVE IT!

I'm giving them away. Every year I try to make a big charitable donation without spending a bunch of money out of pocket.

Last year we gave the Boys & Girls center our 27" TV (we bought a flat screen). We also gave a somewhat old but fun 'Plug & Play' vintage video game package (pacman, starwars, etc.) along with lots of VHS movies and sturdy board games (like Twister and Toss Across) by collecting what we had outgrown. Is this cheap? They were appreciative and I felt good about helping them get them through another year.

Another year I picked out 2 wish tree kids at the very caring children's services home and filled boxes for a girl who wanted a scrap book set and another who wanted a jewelry making set. My kids and I had plenty of supplies to donate from our own drawers.

And there are many many little donations around this time; school collections for the foodbank, supplies we can get together for the humane society, I even (very occasionally) put change in the red Salvation Army buckets. Do you?

Before this gets donated to a cause, please let me announce this 14K GF and amethyst pillow ring is FREE with any $25 purchase on my website

Pretty Cheap Jewelry




You know the people who say the holidays are stressful? That's me. If the schedule gets one thing over the top, I start feeling pressured to get it all done and the joy gets lost.

So far I've just barely kept it under control! This past weekend was a marathon of art gallery volunteering, ice skate rehearsals, gift shopping (for only my husband and kids), photo exhibit entries, and LAST BUT MOST IMPORTANT, a small family dinner and celebration Sunday night.

Oh, and my husband and son took out and replaced 2 second story windows in our house. (You wouldn't believe how much we saved by doing it himself).

Whew. Thank goodness no one fell off the roof, there was no car trouble, and no one got sick! (Did I mention those zinc tablets SAVED me on Sunday?! Felt a cold coming on but it is gone today!)

Well back to what the title indicates, this year the donations involve legos and gingerbread houses. I got SMART and combined fun and charitable giving. Reduces the 'To Do' schedule, thus saving my sanity, while also doing what is right for the world.

We are returning to fill more wish tree requests for the shelter kids. Here goes two big BIG tins / boxes of Legos and another big box of scrap book supplies. Several friends and neighbors are joining with me this year.

And my most brilliant flash? We have good next door neighbors who we rely on and who rely on us throughout the year for the usual neighborly things. Their 9 year old and my 10 year old daughter are best friends. In fact, the grandma lives next door to them (2 doors up from us). So I decided to have a little party for the girls to make gingerbread houses (those kits are EASY and fun), and of course have the moms, grandmas, dad and brothers. It will be tonight with Monday Night Football and nachos for the boys, hot chocolate for the girls. A small but happy gathering.

And guess what? I was asked to make a donation to this weekend's figure skating ice show for a bake sale table. VOILA, we will donate the houses. My kids already agree to this, the fun is in the crafting and sneaking a taste of the candy decorations.

Merry to you | A wish for a smooth sailing schedule

Almost time to cook! Our little nuclear family has a pretty big turkey in the icebox, homemade cranberry sauce to try for the first time, and a pumpkin from a farm for baking.

My husband, who used to take our toddlers to the grocery to give me a motherhood break, and who still comes back from the store with a bit much for our pantry, remarked yesterday, "Notice the plunging temperatures? I am just a mammal, gathering and storing nuts for the winter. It's instinct!" and "Don't you see how much food is in the stores? They don't know where to put it, stacking it up high here and there."

OH! hmmm, I see...

Another sign of the season just came to my webstore

Pretty Cheap Jewelry. Instant savings! yes, Etsy gave us sellers the ability to hand out coupons.

Here's your instant savings: type in
SWEETTWEET
at check out to get 10% off any order (no minimum).

That really makes things rock bottom in price for things such as:





Ask me for free gift wrap too!

The middle school we attend is big (1000+ kids or so for grades 6 through 9) and scores a solid 'B' in state rankings year after year. In other words, it is a pretty average school with a large and diverse student body.

But I am extremely pleased with it. Just one of the many recent lessons in 7th grade social studies was a study of Africa - the physical continent, political countries (the kids memorized the 40 countries), ancient history and current status. They are assigned to make a mini 'National Geographic' report on a country of their choice (pictures, articles, cover etc.)

A couple of the days was spent learning, watching and discussing the Lost Boys of Sudan. Remember this? Practically a whole generation of kids were orphaned as a result of civil war. Here is the teacher's guide on their official website

Lost Boys. As a mother, I am overwhelmed by problems like this and am nearly paralyzed with inaction.

But my son came home with a huge positive attitude about the issue. He learned the kids initially were desperate, but it wasn't long before there was structure in place to take care of things. Not only was international aid present, but the kids themselves were able to make routines and better their situations.

A reminder to me that youth instinctively is positive in outlook. The video my son's class watched showed the kids dancing and singing on Christmas, as well as some of the experiences of those who immigrated to the West.

The teacher of this class has made a fantastic impression on my son. He is funny, but relays serious learning. He relates to their age (boys still an arm's length from girls, girls in stratified cliques). Right now social studies is his favorite subject!

Score: Middle School , a resounding BIG POINT
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Available on my website here
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The 5th grade in my daughter's school has decided the community service project for the holidays is a toy drive. OK, it was the parent organization that decided, not the school.

The catch is they want only items of $10 value or more for donations. New, of course, nothing second hand. I am very unhappy. The statement from the organizers emphasized they want the kids to understand what it means to donate. PLEASE. Plenty of understanding about charity can be made with out a $10 price tag. My kids and I heartily donate every year to Toys for Tots, local charity and volunteer plenty.

Without further ranting, and though I am tempted to write the contact person a piece of my mind, I have an idea!!

I am going to beat this thing at their own game. Simply go to Michaels with a 40 or 50% off coupon in hand and get a GREAT gift which will cost me $5 out of pocket.

Score: Grade School , a resounding BIG DISAPPOINTMENT

A tale of marketing gone awry...

Some years ago I learned to bind books by hand, a low tech discipline that appeals to my environmental ethic which also keeps a bit of the past alive.

After making fairly nice journals for awhile, with semi-hard cloth covered front and backs, I switched gears and produced a dozen fun 'recycled box' books.

Example - Wheaties Journal


Example - Wheat Thins Journal


The covers catch attention, folks know the brands of course. I posted some pictures around the internet, and some of my posts appeared on Twitter.

Well, seems the Wheat Thins people are on Twitter and saw my post. They emailed me directly and offered to send a free box of Wheat Thins as 'Thanks'.

Hmmm, ok, I judged the offer safe and without spam. And about a week later I received a box of them in the mail.

My take No. 1: Why did they market to me, a long time convert already?

My take No. 2: The postage for sending the free box was $9.95! omgosh, that's crazy.

Ah well, the biz graduates need to figure this one out.

Two craft shows down, and around the first turn we go! This weekend was the kick off of end-of-the-year sales and things are on target.

I am projecting, hoping, and working for doing an average of $100 (net) per show. This is not a "goal" because I don't know how to make folks buy stuff outside of:

1. Offer a good selection of jewelry and accessories in a price range of $1-$40. OK, I can do this. Earlier in the year, I planned what type of things to make and was careful not to overdo it on high end expensive work. In fact, I came up with nice, easy-to-give jewelry in little attractive collage boxes like this for example:


Fancy chevron necklace in pearl and lilac, packed in a pressed flower collage box.

2. Tweak displays to maximize quantity of goods yet look uncluttered and branded. OK, this is not as easy as it seems. Typically I get one, two or three tables in an empty 8 or 12 foot space. Really folks, the transformation from an empty bare space with a folding table or two, to a boutique display is more than you would believe! Every year I make adjustments though and things get better.

This year I have hit upon a great idea hanging black foam boards (with binder clips onto standing tabletop racks. The foam boards are covered with cloth and earring cards are pinned on the boards. I can fit 6 to 8 items per board.

I also am using more little tri-fold 'tents' for earrings. Folks just pick up the whole thing and take it.

3. Lowered some prices and improved some quality. Most of these shows take a smaller percent of the sale price than a standard shop. For example, the art association gallery shop keeps 30% of any sale. These weekend boutiques are more on the order of 15-20%. Therefore, I reduced prices on many things.

Also more of the work is in pure metals, ie sterling and 14K gold filled. It is tough to lower the price, but since I bought the supplies before the price of metal went up alot, I will pass the savings onto the customer. I'll recoup some profit but beware of the prices in 2011 if I have to buy new wire unless metals go down!

For example, many sterling / copper scroll heart and sterling rosette earrings were priced fairly at $15 each, and were walking to the cashier on little tri-fold tent displays:



4. The competition or not factor. I already am careful to participate in shows which are not overcrowded with other jewelry. I can't control this factor in any other way. Due to luck this year, one big jewelry booth was absent at my first show. I'm sure this factor certainly boosted my sales. At the second show I knew what other jewelry would be present, so I brought alot of other crafts including a wide variety of cards and journals. In fact, I did make sales in those areas this weekend.

Any other tips welcome!

What does November mean to you? Gobble up pies and mashed potatoes? Cozy sweaters and boots? Here in Pretty Cheap Jewelry Land it is the month of weekend arts/craft boutiques. Over the years, I have picked and chosen the biggest bang for the buck shows and am busy setting up/taking down and staffing my tables.

Two shows start the season this weekend; a three day event with the best reputation in town. The Cadillac of Christmas boutiques, this show has a waiting list and a loyal following. I get 1 (ONE) six foot table (half of the regular size, but also half of the fee). That's not much. But I have a rack with 6 boards to display lots of small jewelry, and a nice compact wire tree to hang Bauble Bulbs (jewelry in a glass ornament). I bring my better inventory like these:

Curl Candy Color Earrings

14K GF curls accented with pastel colored zircon stone

The second show of the weekend is at the neighboring small town, a very very charming community. The art society holds a weekend shop in the historic railroad depot, sweet! It is a different crowd, perhaps a bit more simple than sophisticated. I usually get one big table and bring more casual wares, including cards and young fashions like this:

Needlework Card

Pretty beaded needlework card makes a big impression

Today I was offered a second table at this show! WOOT! I would love to spread out and will bring some new 'Recycled Box Books' like this:

Wheaties - Journal of Champs

Slim journal features 20 blank vellum pages and a cereal box cover!

Wish me many sales!

I call myself The Frugal Artisan, determined to provide good quality original design at inexpensive prices. But my frugal ethic is more than just about quality and price. It's a personality trait in my everyday life.

* What's for dinner?
Easy on the meat which uses multiple times the environmental resources (such as land space, water, and feed) to produce than grain diets. And heavy on the local fruits and vegetables which are not transported with fuels or grown with chemicals and are hopefully not even in a package! Perhaps better, I reach for a healthy serving of my own backyard farm foods.

* Time for a new sweater?
The thrift store offers hardly worn choices already on the market in more colors, shapes, and sizes than any place else. Support to the non-profits is a nice secondary benefit, as is the affordable cost.

* Cradle-to-Grave
Before I pick up that plastic sandwich bag, I think of where it will end up. Trash? Better to pack lunch in reusable containers, which can be recycled when they wear out in a few years. (I also think of where it came from, um, can you say fossil fuels?)

* Getting there to here
I'm fortunate to live near a grocery, or perhaps it was a semi-conscious decision in choosing a home location. I don't even think about driving to the nearby store! Bike riding and walking are ingrained for anything within a mile. Once a bus rider, always a bus rider. When gas went up to $4.50 a gallon I took the bus to work. I'll never go back to driving (except this year ARGH). Next year it is back to the bus to get to work.

* Just one more
Recently I discovered an online book trading group, requesting used books from others and sending those I am finished with. Some of you already belong to

Paper Back Swap. Smart!

And so it goes with nearly everything I touch and do in everyday life.

Were not it better that humans were more like plants! The life cycle of a plant in the presence of water/sun/soil is truly the definition of sustainable. Plants ingeniously make oxygen (we still do not know exactly how). But, sorry, but by virtue of our physical arrangement, humans use stuff and make waste. All of us can however, make choices big and small leaving only a tiny footprint of consumption and waste. Our grandparents never heard the word recycle, and now our kids do it without a second thought. Next step? Set a living example, and advocate that all, poor and wealthy, think ahead to the Seventh Generation.

My work includes all these elements; reuse of materials already produced, reduced impact on natural resources, and a long life which does not end in the round file! The good quality original design at inexpensive prices is just the beginning.



Would lack of money make my many other (small) daily stresses seem insignificant? Maybe it is like taking good health for granted. Suddenly losing it changes a person's perspective in a big way. Until, of course, (if) the good health returns and complacency again sets in for a long run.

I am fortunate by design not to have major money issues. It has been through a combination of very hard work (obtaining a college degree, specialized training and such), foresight (saving and spending appropriately) to enjoy the situation.

But I am still stressed plenty. Is it just a personality trait? Or is this common?

Time Undisciplined Kid #1
I agree that a kid should largely be allowed to be themself. The parent cannot impose their own hopes and dreams on a kid. And our ultimate job is to see an independent, happy adult sometime very soon after high school graduation.

One of mine is a more creative thinker. Translation: live for the moment, do assignments somewhat late in the game, 'forget' to put away things. How to infuse a sense of work discipline in a kid who has a different way of organizing their world.

Example: After a fiasco last week in completing an assignment at the last minute, this kid has been better at tackling another large assignment in steps (the teacher gave them a fairly clear schedule of what big steps to do and when). But already there have been excuses and delays in finishing the second step.

Just getting that kid to do the school work, have a healthy dinner, and take a shower was a major struggle last night. In fact, we delayed the shower until morning. But that was another problem, as this kid is so NOT a morning person.

So unfortunately, a little morning scene resulted in taking away the after school dance class.

Another example: This kid has an obligation to save about $100 for a spring trip. The parents will pay another $100 and the sponsoring organization will pay the last $100. So it is a very equitable arrangement, and the kids are wholly on board. The program started a couple months ago.

Mine can earn a $5 allowance weekly for doing a list of 5 chores. It would take about 20 weeks - about 5 months - to earn the $100. Here comes November and the trip is around May. Do the math. Or maybe I should point this out to the kid.

But remember the paragraph above about it being nearly all it takes just to get the homework, dinner, and shower done? Well never mind the chores. They fall by the wayside. No, there is NOT too much homework. No there are NOT too much chores. This kid has an undeveloped sense of budgeting time.

Should I mention the constant little things left not put away? Especially hair barrettes on the floor (I threw away two this morning, goodbye money), pencils, markers, papers. I am starting just to throw them away and usually have to get stern, ie not a happy voice, to get her to move on this issue many days of the week.

It is rather complicating that I am such a neatnik and perhaps overly disciplined person. Yet I put that aside a little more as time goes on.

Am I expecting too much from a 10 y.o.? It is taking a toll on me.

Moody Kid #2
Let this be written up later. I am tired enough!

Lousy Craft Show Weekend
Another post to make later. So trying to learn from the experience and move up and on. But I need a bit more time to shake off the blues.

Let me leave with at least a good and inexpensive thought --

"Embossed" needlework bringing the future back to the present. Order here.

On (very) rare occasion, I pay for advertising for

Pretty Cheap Jewelry. My frugal artisan tendencies include frugal small business practices which point toward using no-cost promotions to the fullest extent.

This coming December I will be a seller at a popular local event. The community ice rink holds a Fri/Sat/Sun figure skate show to kick off holiday and seasonal festivities. It is a real treat, a well kept secret. Those who have attended are floored by the fantastic costumes, lights, decorations and all around production. The young kids do skate numbers, but it's the skate school instructors who steal the spotlight.

Most of these instructors are US Figure Skating competitors, on regional and national levels. As you know, it's a competitive world we spectators can only imagine. Therefore, just qualifying for USFS events is huge. These adults though are medalists.

Their performances at our Winter Ice Show is like going to the Olympic figure skate competition. Maybe not the finalists, but certainly like seeing the bronze and nearby runners up.

You can hear them breathe hard as they WHOOSH past the glass 3 feet from your grandstand seat. I love it.

OK, so these shows sell out. The rink is smart and holds a little marketplace in the area near the entrance, inside near the snack bar, etc. The sellers pay a fee to participate plus gives a small percent of sales to their fundraising. I will have a booth for the 2nd year in the rink area near the snack bar.

As you can tell I am already a supporter of the event. Well, there is an opportunity to place a little 'ad' in the program. The cost is $30 for a biz card size.

I want to take advantage of this low cost, and likely highly effective opportunity. We have a VERY captive audience of several hundred over the 4 show weekend.

A colleague who participates at this event next to me (we set up together to double the size of our booth) will go in half on the ad.

SO - Here is my ad copy. Will you give comments?

*** What are the weak points?
*** What are the strong points?
*** The key offer is to get the $5 off by making a purchase of $25 total from just one of us. Is that clear? How can it be made more clear (without muddling up the copy more)?]

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