All the mainstream store shopping was done a month ago. Much patronizing of art and craft shows and boutiques is complete (the pottery guild is the absolute perfect 'go to' place for gifts, many practical beautiful and inexpensive pieces!! Not to mention one-of-a-kind, inventive, and incredibly supportive of an artist).

Charitable contributions have been gathered and delivered. The bus driver, the teacher, the ice skate coach and the paperman are tipped. My list was long, but an early start and a fixation to detail helped keep costs under control.

And now? Turning my attention to what my husband might enjoy! OY! Always so hard. A typical, itty bitty electronics person. Or new gadget / tool / thingy. He likes audio books, but has no time to read print stuff. He eschews movies because 'it's all going to be available digitally anyway'. I cannot afford to give him a big WOW electric car!!

But I listen and secretly take notes during the year. I've taken a clue from him and use my iPhone for smart little uses and soon after I hear him say 'I wish I had a ...' I sneak over and add it to a list in my iPhone!

On the list:

-- plastic shoe horn. Collectible mall type find, but most of the oldies are metal. He tried a metal one but didn't like it (for reason I can't remember).

-- driveway reflector for our country property (no plastic he said!!) Just those tall skinny sticks with a round red reflector on the end. The cheap one broke in the harsh climate, and it is helpful in the dark to see the driveway entrance.

-- Five Guys Hamburger gift certificate. This is a kind of new copycat of In N Out burger (a west coast phenom). He is careful of diet, but can't give up this type of bufger. He even orders with a lettuce leaf wrap.

So where will I be going in the next couple days? Not the mall, UGH! the hardware store, the shoe repairman, and the fast food spot.

Have a good and safe holiday ~

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 the most. Capice?

VINTAGE MEETS LEATHER
A vintage rhinestone link from an irreparable bracelet anchors loads of silver-lined lemon and iridescent emerald/sapphire/violet scallops. Strung on leather, silvertone toggle clasp. 18" length.

Great Day at the neighborhood yard sale!

My garage is happy!

Out went the above ground 12' diameter pool, the vintage tabletop hockey game, the 9 year old 4x4 stroller, and the aeronautically correct kite!!

My kids made about $10 each, I made about $50 additional! Woo Hoo!

Here's the funny part:

A drive by asking for old vinyl records (what's up with that?). I didn't haul mine out, though I have many in the bookcase (the ol' turntable still works)

A middle age type asking for old stamp sets and trains Out came the binder full of stamps the kids never really got involved with. Out came the old iron train (not a collector's item by any stretch of the imagination, just a 10 lb dust catcher)

A quick pic of the scene below

Helping my MIL sell her very nice but space gobbling square dance petticoats. I put 2 up on Yahoo auctions because there is no fee whatsoever at this time.

Yahoo allows 10 day runs, automatically renewable for 5 times (for a total of 50 days). These were on their second 10 day run.

I will ship as soon as the buyer pays (nervously waiting...)

Fun Fun Fun!

Do you want to amaze your Valentine this year? Put a little gift in a decorated can you make yourself.

My sister originated this idea (see her at zoltenwooddesign.com) They are so beautiful, she sells the cans by themselves.

Supplies:
Recycled coffee can, oatmeal cylinder, peanut can, or similar item. The cylindrical shapes are recommended.

Contact paper

Artificial floral items, including longish strands of leaves, small clusters of berries, birds, etc.

Hot glue gun

Steps:
1. Wash and dry the recycled can thoroughly.
2. Cover the can with contact paper carefully. It's not necessary to cover the lid.
3. Clip a strand of leaves long enough to wind around the can starting near the top and spiraling one or two times down and around the can.
4. Hot glue the leaves in several places on the can, especially gluing at the top and the bottom ends.
5. Clip a couple berry clusters, flowers or other items and arrange in groups at intervals along the ivy.
6. Hot glue the clusters on the can.
7. Hot glue single leaves on any exposed wire ends of the items.
8. Hot glue a cluster of matching items on the lid. Include a focal item on the lid, such as a bird.

Voila, beautiful. This 'wrapping' is so impressive, you need not fill with a major gift.

I gave all mine away, or I'd attach a photo!

What's in an avatar? Recycled chandelier glass pieces (for one!).

The avatar for Pretty Cheap Jewelry is a necklace and earring set I designed and handmade using chandelier pieces from a vintage light fixture.

The lights were rescued from a destiny with the garbage can. I removed and cleaned all the pieces and reused them in this classic, elegant and formal design.

A similar set of earrings can be bought separately in my little shop prettycheap.etsy.com

Thanks for looking!