Saturday, December 21, 2013

Handstamped Gift Wrap for Christmas

Posted by Unknown On 9:30 AM No comments
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I have a GIANT roll of paper about 5 feet tall that I found in an old apartment my mom was renting a few years ago. It has come in handy this year since I decided to try to avoid buying giftwrap, cards, etc and try to reuse and make my own instead.

corkstamps photo 1218131600a_zps5cd9826a.jpg


First, I made my own stamps. Which was a huge trial and error because many of the corks I have are too rough and uneven or break apart a little too easily. I found three corks that were not the traditional cork material, and I made a star, a tree, and one that's just lines.




I also used a cork that I didn't make any changes at all. It makes really interesting circle shapes and happens to be the one I liked best after I stamped all my paper. Here are some close ups of the stamps.







Here are the finished products!
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Since I had multiple gifts for the same people, I stamped their names (or initials for couples) on the presents so there were no mix ups. I also made gift tags. Which I later realized I could have skipped a step and just stamped directly onto the giftwrap instead of on a piece of paper to put on the presents haha next time!

Friday, December 20, 2013

Treasure Hunting at the Goodwill Outlet!

Posted by Unknown On 9:06 AM No comments
I've passed the Goodwill Outlet multiple times since I moved to Sacramento, but I've never stopped before tonight. I usually didn't have time or I restrained myself because I am trying to spend less money on shopping and eating out (which I am doing really well at btw). Boy am I glad my boyfriend was in a good enough mood to stop with me (he hates shopping).

The outlet is where they send the clothes that don't sell in the regular store. This is the last stop before items gets put into a huge baler and sold to places that use the materials for ragmaking. So this is the last chance to save something before it gets recycled!

I was a kind of nervous at first because there were a lot of people, and it was a little dirty. I won't lie, it was a little scary and kind of daunting. Some people were very serious about finding their treasures. And when a new bin rolled out, they all jumped on it. I stuck to the bins that were surrounded. My boyfriend even found some stuff in the electronic and furniture sections. We were there for about an hour, but I made out with some treasures and spent less than $8.


Fabrics photo 1219132019_zps1afe2baa.jpgFor a crafter, upcycler, or sewer, there are some great finds. I noticed many random, solo pillow cases, curtains, or towels that had pretty patterns and would make lovely things. I picked out a few that had nice patterns and one that was fuzzy and soft. I don't know yet if I will make clutches, bracelets, or something else.


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I debated about buying this sweater because I knew I wouldn't wear it, but I thought it was so pretty and I think it will make a great totebag. This is going to be my Christmas vacation project.













Shirts photo 1219132019a_zps4f09898a.jpg


I was mostly looking for clothing to wear, but I ended up only finding two shirts. One tshirt for everyday wear or work and one scrubs top which I can wear for crafts and messy projects. I also found a chunky necklace that was missing some beads, but I think I can turn it into two bracelets.




TeaTowels photo 1219132018_zpsc0a1cea9.jpg

I feel like I struck gold with these, and I almost didn't find them. My boyfriend was tired of shopping (an hour must have felt like eternity to him), and he herded me toward the check out line. I snuck away while he waited in line to quickly sift through some of the bins I hadn't looked at that were close to the check out (this place is quite addictive). I love tea, so I felt that these towels were waiting just for me. There's eight of them, and I have no idea what I will do with them, but I had to have em!








I will definitely be going back. I am excited to see what I will find next!

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Top Ten Reasons to Buy USA Made Products

Posted by Unknown On 7:24 PM No comments



Recently, I have been learning more about products that are imported to America. It is rather depressing to realize that many of the products bought here were made in another place that does not have the same environmental, health, and safety laws/regulations that are in America. So I decided that I am going to try to buy more American made products or handmade products.

I found this list of reasons to buy USA made products from Made in USA forever.


Top Ten Reasons to Buy USA Made Products:

10) Foreign labor standards allow unsafe worker conditions in many countries. When you buy American you support not only American manufacturers but also American workers, safe working conditions, and child labor laws.

9) Jobs shipped abroad almost never return. When you buy goods made in the USA, you help keep the American economy growing.

8) US manufacturing processes are much cleaner for the environment than many other countries; many brands sold here are produced in countries using dangerous, heavily polluting processes. When you purchase American-made product, you know that you're helping to keep the world a little cleaner for your children.

7) Many countries have no minimum wage restrictions, or the minimum wage is outrageously low. When you choose products made in the USA, you contribute to the payment of an honest day's wages for an honest day's work.

6) The growing lack of USA ability to manufacture many products is strategically unsound. When you seek out American-made goods, you foster American independence.

5) The huge US trade deficit leads to massive, unsustainable borrowing from other countries. Debt isn't good for you and it isn't good for America.

4) Foreign product safety standards are low. For example, poisonous levels of lead are in tens of millions of toys shipped to the USA. When you buy toys and other goods made in the USA, you can be confident that American consumer protection laws and safety standards are in place to protect your family.

3) Lack of minimum wage, worker safety, or environmental pollution controls in many countries undermines the concept of "fair and free trade". No Western nation can ultimately compete on price with a country willing to massively exploit and pollute its own people. When you buy only American-made products, you insist on a higher standard.

2) Factories and money are shifting to countries not friendly to the USA or democracy. When you avoid imported goods in favor of American-made items, you help ensure that the United States doesn't find its access to vital goods impacted by political conflict.

1) As the US manufacturing ability fades, future generations of US citizens will be unable to find relevant jobs. Buy American and help keep your friends and neighbors-and even yourself-earning a living wage.




Monday, December 9, 2013

zymbolgiveaway

Welcome to the Zymbol Sterling Silver Pendant Giveaway !

Hosted by: Tyrneathem
Sponsored by: Zymbol
Zymbol represents the world’s first line of Interactive Empowerment Jewelry. How is it interactive? Within the symbol you can find every letter of the alphabet and every number hidden in plain sight! Zymbol™ was ‘accidentally’ created when company Founder Sally Short was doodling, and wrote down the phrase ‘LOVE IS ALL U NEED' stacking each letter on top of the next, and then adding a peace sign to complete the design. Sally then sent the design off to be cast as a ‘Love and Peace' pendant. But something happened when the Short family received the pendant; they randomly saw it sitting sideways and noticed a ‘K' popping out. “There is no ‘K' in the phrase LOVE IS ALL U NEED,” commented Sally’s Daughter Merida. That motivated the family to see what other letters they could find and they ended up uncovering EVERY LETTER of the ALPHABET and EVERY NUMBER hidden within the symbol! The Short Family decided to create a line of inspirational jewelry based around the design. They named it Zymbol as it is a symbol that represents all letters A through Z. Please read Tyrneathem's Zymbol review!

~

Enter for your chance to win!

Prize: One large Zymbol Sterling Silver Pendant valued at $56
Event Dates: December 10 to 20, 2013
There is only one mandatory entry. It is a quick and simple vote for Zymbol. You do not need to register to place your vote.
Open to residents of the US only. Must be 18 years of age or older to participate. All entries are optional, but completing more entries will increase your chances of winning a prize. Winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen, so please watch your email! Please read full terms and conditions on the form before entering.

Good Luck!



Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for the post above. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services mentioned. Tyrneathem may have received compensation or applied affiliate links. Participating bloggers are not responsible for the awarding of the prizes. Sponsors are responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google, or any other social media network. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” If you have any questions about this giveaway or if you discover any problems, please contact Tyrneathem.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

10 Reasons To Buy Handmade

Posted by Unknown On 9:00 AM 2 comments
It isn't easier than buying from a 'regular' store. You can't readily find handmade items in bigger chain stores. This might be a reason people simply stick with buying gifts that are manufactured. Although they may not be as easy to find, handmade gifts are great, and here is a list why.



 Handmade
1. Unique! Interesting! Special! One of a kind! Many handmade items are different than what you would find on the shelf. You'll probably come across something that you would NEVER see at a big box store. Giving someone that cool gift would make everyone else a little envious and curious as to where they could get one too.

2. Customization! Can't find something unique enough or can't find exactly what you want? Many handmade artists are willing and eager to make you what you want. This is ideal for that family member that is a little odd, but lovable. Or great when you need something to be a certain size, but the store only sells the standard.

3. Improving local economy. Supporting local artists means you are also supporting the local economy. Your community really does benefit when you keep the dollars circling around your area.

4. Recycled! Upcycled! Trash to treasure! Handmade items that reuse and recycle can easily be found. This is a great way to keep some things from entering a landfill. You can be proud of buying a 'green' product.

5. You are directly supporting the artist. And because you are buying from the artist, you are cutting out the middleman who makes a profit by marking up items. It feels great to know that you are putting money right into the pocket of the creator.

6. Quality. People are complaining all the time that things aren't made like they used to be and that things fall apart too easily. Artists work very hard and put in a lot of care to make sure their items are quality.

7. Smaller or no crowds. You can avoid the shopping mall that is over crowded with hurried shoppers. You can attend craft fairs, or if you want to avoid venturing out all together you can shop online.

8. Connections. You are creating a connection with the artist. You'll probably remember them for a long time if not forever. And returning during the next holiday or next year will make them extremely happy to have repeat customers.

9. Knowledge of product origin. You know where the product came from and who made it. You don't have to wonder if child labor was involved or if people were exploited in order to make this product.

10. Encouraging creativity. You are supporting someone's creativity and skills. It feels great to know that someone appreciates what you do and is encouraging you to continue. Let handmade artists know they have your support!

What are your reasons for buying handmade?

Handmade

Will you take the handmade pledge?




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Monday, November 25, 2013

Holiday Gift Guides!

Posted by Unknown On 9:00 AM 2 comments
I am always looking for a good gift guide to give me ideas for what to get people. Sometimes I know exactly what to get someone, but usually there is at least one or two people on my list that are hard to find the right gift for. So I have rounded up some gift guides.

Shopping local and handmade is always a great way to get a gift that will also give back to your community. If you don't know where to find local gifts or can't find anything you like, you can always check out Etsy.



Gift Guides:
I marked my favorites with an asterisk *



*The blog, Huckleberry Love, has a holiday gift guide that lists individual, unique, and handmade - perfect for gift giving!









For the creative or artsy person: Michael's Gift Guide
They have activity kits, stocking stuffers, jewelry supplies, wrapping paper and supplies. There is also a section for DIY gift baskets, which might be useful if you are going to give a gift to a group of people, a family, or at work.

100 gifts under $100 by the LA Times. This guide has sections with different price ranges: under $5, $5.01 to $10, $10.01 to $25, $25.01 to $50, and $50.01 to $100.

Real Simple has a quite a few different gift guides that includes gifts for tech lovers, best books to give as gifts, and edible gifts for foodies, unique gifts for women, and gifts for men. They have a lot more too if you feel like browsing through more gift guides.

Stuff has a nice selection of gadget guides here which include gadget gifts for coffee addicts, gadget gifts for photographers, gadget gifts for campers, wanderers, and explorers, gifts for food lovers, and more.

Pinterest has just come out with a gift guide section for him, her, kids, and all.

*Design Sponge has some gift guides from 2012. They haven't added 2013 yet, but they have an interesting No-Buy gift guide.

Dodoburd has a pretty big list of best toys and gifts for kids.


Stocking Stuffer Guides:

 Fire truck
 Udderly Smooth

               #51. Temporary tattoos  #65. A cast iron tortilla press  #116. Dum Dum lollipops













I will keep updating this list as I find more.


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Sunday, November 17, 2013



I was never much of a football fan before I met my boyfriend 3 years ago, but now I am obligated to be a 49ers fan. Although I still don't love football, I do enjoy watching the game with him. It is pretty entertaining to watch him get so excited and yell at the TV, and I do get a little excited too when there is a great play or a touchdown.

We are pretty big multitaskers though, so we don't only watch the game. I decided to keep up with hand sewing upcycled Christmas ornaments while I watching the game.

My swatch pile that I am turning into ornaments!
If you are gonna make some at home, make sure you don't sew it together with the 'wrong' sides together... When you try to turn it right side out it, the pretty pattern will be on the inside!

This is what happens when you don't pay attention! Doh!

While watching the game, my boyfriend made 'aggression cookies' which helped him when he got mad at Kaepernick haha. The cookies are supposed to help you get your aggression out while you mash and kneed the cookies. Although after a while, the cookies were making him more aggravated because they took too long and weren't holding together like he wanted. So, after the game, I got roped into help him finish them, of course :)


Here is the recipe he used:

Aggression Cookies (Oatmeal and peanut butter)
This will make about 7 dozen depending on if you make them small like the recipe suggests.
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1 and 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1 and 1/2 cups butter
  • 1and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup peanut butter (This wasn't in the original recipe, but we decided to experiment!)
Put ingredients together in a bowl. Mash, knead, and squeeze with hands until there aren't any lumps of butter.
 
Mix ingredients together!
Form into small balls not as big as a walnut. (We wanted to make bigger, thicker cookies, so we made the balls a little bigger than walnuts.)


Make into balls and put on cookie sheet
Put on ungreased cookie sheet. Butter the bottom of a small glass and dip in granulated sugar. Flatten each ball of dough, dipping glass in sugar each time.  

Smash with cup that is covered with butter and dipped in sugar

Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on cookie rack.

Straight from the oven.
A little crumbly, but still delicious.
Our cookies were a little crumbly, perhaps we need to tweak the recipe. We also didn't use a cooling rack >.> that could've explained it as well... However, the cookies are delicious! They go great with milk (what peanut butter, oatmeal cookies don't) but they also go well with coffee. 

We didn't use all of the dough to make cookies. We put the rest in a plastic storage container and put it in the fridge for now. We are going to use it for cheesecake crust! I will let you know how that turns out :)


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Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Reading (or listening) on the Road

Posted by Unknown On 3:21 PM No comments
Before I moved to the Sacramento area, I never drove long distances regularly. My work was about 15 minutes away and most stores were within that as well. I never really got into books on CD because I could never finish them in the car, and I didn't really listen to them in my home. Now, my work is 45 minutes away, but I only make it in that time when there isn't much traffic. Some days it can take an hour or so. Luckily for me, I work at a library and am a frequent user of it and the other library near my house. And now that I have started crafting and making jewelry, hopefully I will get into the habit of listening to them at home as well.

So... what am I reading or listening to now? Here's a look...


This Book is Overdue!

I work at a library and am planning to get a Master's degree in library science. I figured I had a duty to read it! I must say that I love the cover. Super hero librarian to the rescue!

The book focused on the role of the librarian and how it is changing with the invention and progression of technology. The author tells lots of great stories about libraries she visited and people she encountered. 

The main thing I came away with after this book was not to take librarians for granted or think they are easily replaceable even with the emergence of ebooks and online libraries. I was never one to think this, but it made me realize their importance even more. They do a lot more than just sit at a desk answering questions and looking up book titles. 

 You can read a description of the book here on Goodreads or add it to your list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6702303-this-book-is-overdue



Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake!

I've never read a memoir before, so this was a first. I was leaving work one day and realized I had an hour drive and I finished my last BCD. I quickly browsed through a stack and grabbed this book which looked interesting. I had heard of the author, but never read any of her books. 

At first I wasn't too sure about listening to a memoir, but after a little ways into the first disc I found myself smiling and nodding as I listening to her stories.

Although many of the things she talked about haven't happened to me yet (I am only 23), I could definitely relate to many of the topics in her book. I also thought there was some great advice that will help me in the future.


You can read a description of the book here on Goodreads or add it to your list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12752313-lots-of-candles-plenty-of-cake

I just finished the last disc of Lots of Candles... so I am on the hunt for a new good read! Let me know if you have any suggestions!

Monday, November 4, 2013

Swirl Earrings

Posted by Unknown On 12:31 AM No comments
I bought these mother of pearl beads online on a whim, but when I got them I had no idea what to do with them. I wasn't sure if I even liked them. They were kind of chunky and didn't coordinate well with the other beads I had. I did like the colors that I got and the luster finish. Finally, I decided to just use them alone and practice some wire spirals.

Here are two pictures of the front. They are nice and smooth.


And here is a picture of the back. Kind of bumpy, but still shiny.



I like how they turned out, and because they are simple they match really well with a lot of my outfits! I even made them in some other colors.



I sold the green and white ones, but the pink ones are still in my Etsy shop.

Check it out if you'd like: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JustJaunty/

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