Living Well and Staying Happy While Saving Money!

Well lovely readers, I don't know what got into me this week but I went on a major DIY Binge and made all sorts of stuff for our home. As I bask in the warm glow of my family's adoration (trust me, this will be short-lived) I thought I'd share what I did.

 Lemon Sugar Body Scrub. Smells heavenly and works wonders on skin. I paid $1 for the sealable large=ish jar and the actual scrub cost me less than $3 for a lot of sugar scrub!

 Cream cheese cinnamon sugar Sopapillas. Bad picture but scrumptious recipe I found on Pinterest. I'll post actual recipe and original poster on recipes page tomorrow. As you can see someone couldn't wait for the photo and ate some before I could get the bad pic I took anyway.

Homemade Body wash. I originally saw this on Pinterest as well but didn't like the ingredients so I searched the web and found a tip here, a tip there and came up with my own experimental variation which came out great. Cost about $4 for 1 and 1/2 gallons and it smells great.

 Crock pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe which I found here: http://www.polishthestars.com/2011/11/slow-cooker-chicken-dumplings.html. Easy, inexpensive and delicious recipe that my family loved. We added tiny grape side golden potatoes to ours.

Deciding that I might as well keep on while I was on a roll I made:

 Homemade liquid laundry detergent. this was also a pinterest inspiration but I then did a little research and found a recipe I liked better on the web so i combined the two and came up with this. The consistency is good and the smell is fabulous. 7 gallons cost me $11.00. My husband is one happy camper about this one!

 Last but not least came the Better Homes and Gardens recipe for Mexican Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Salsa. We added fresh cilantro, and Rotel tomatoes with lime. I served 7-Up Biscuits which my family adored. I got the recipe from a lovely blog at: http://monstermama-monstermama.blogspot.com/2011/09/7up-biscuits.html  The kids loved the process of watching "helping" me use soda to make biscuits. And the buttery goodness made them a huge hit with everyone!

I'll post all of these recipes on our recipe page tomorrow but for now folks, I'm worn out. But satisfied! Until next time, Live and love well and do what makes you happy! 

Be kind. Always.

Hello All! I experienced one of the most profoundly horrific acts of tasteless and just plain evil behavior this past weekend and while it saddens me greatly, I've decided to combat it with what this blog is about...being kind. To that end, I found a lovely article on the internet that is from an organization similar to one I joined six years ago in the US called the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. The article that follows is from a UK version of a similar organization but the 29 ideas they list are awesome even though some of them need to be adjusted for life in the US. here is the original link to be credited with the story below: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/29-ways-to-carry-out-random-acts-of-kindness-every-day.html

The time has come when we cannot just rely on others to make the world a better place – each one of us has to do our bit.
It is therefore time for people to be more and more aware about their Personal Social Responsibility (PSR).
PSR is all about doing to others what you would like others do to you. It is about recognizing how your behaviour affects others, and holding yourself accountable for your actions. For example, contrast someone being well mannered and kind, with someone being rude.
And this brings me nicely to the theme of this post – being kind to others.

Kindness is contagious – and as part of Personal Socially Responsibility you might want to consider carrying out random acts of kindness on a daily basis.
It is truly a win/win/win situation. The person you are being kind to benefits through your help. You feel good for having helped someone. And the world is a better place through your kindness.
Never underestimate the impact of a single act of kindness. I still remember, after many years, the time someone stopped and helped me after my car had broken down down. Since then, I have stopped on the road myself and helped stranded motorists a number of times. All because of that single act of kindness by a stranger.
Also, it is important to carry out your acts of kindness without expecting anything back.

So where do you begin?

To get you started, I have listed 29 ideas below. And why the number 29? Because it is as good a number as any – and also because I couldn’t think of idea number 30!
Put them into practice and also create your own:-

1. Send someone a hand written note of thanks.
2. Make a card at home and send it to a friend for no reason.
3. Buy a lottery ticket for a stranger.
4. Put some coins in someone else’s parking meter.
5. Buy a coffee for the man on the high street selling The Big Issue magazine.
6. Cut your neighbour’s hedge.
7. Walk your friend’s dog.
8. Give a compliment about your waiter / waitress to his / her manager.
9. Send someone a small gift anonymously.
10. Stop and help someone replace their flat tyre.
11. Let someone jump the queue at the bank.
12. Pay for the drinks on the next table at a café.
13. Treat a friend to the movies for no reason.
14. Give a huge tip to someone when they least expect it.
15. Hold the train door open for someone rushing to get in.
16. Give up your seat for someone, not just an elderly person.
17. Write notes of appreciation at least once a week.
18. Talk to a homeless person and have a “normal” conversation.
19. Pick up some rubbish in the road which would otherwise be lying around.
20. Compliment a work colleague for their excellence.
21. Recommend a competitor to a potential client.
22. Give another driver your parking spot.
23. Give a piece of fruit to a delivery person.
24. Help an elderly neighbour carry the rubbish out.
25. Tell all your family members how much your appreciate them.
26. Leave a copy of an interesting book on a train / bus.
27. Buy an inspirational book for a friend.
28. Send a thank you note to a person who has helped you in the past.
29. Smile a lot.

What goes around is sure to come around – happy helping :-)
Isn't that a lovely idea. I plan to do it now more than ever and to try some of these new ideas! I have a suggestion for number 30: Sincerely thank those people who have been true friends to you because true friends are rare and priceless. If anyone has anymore suggestions, please send them and I will add them to this post! Till later this week, Live Well, Be happy and Be kind! 

Puff Paint Abstract Art Tutorial

This fun and easy as well as inexpensive art project makes art easy even for non-artists like myself. The original tutorial is here: http://factorydirectcraft.com/factorydirectcraft_blog/puff-paint-abstract-art/ And here is the lovely pic:

And below is my version which I did slightly differently than the original tutorial:

 As you can see, this project has lots of potential even for non artsy folks like myself. I chose to spray paint mine a pale ocean blue to match my beach dwelling decor. Try one and send me the pics to share here! I promise to post a tutorial of mine with step by step photos and instructions soon! ~Teresa

 

Love and Be Thankful

Hello All! I know I have been away for a little but we're back on track now! Today I want to share a story from Candice. She found this somewhere and we knew it was perfect for the spirit of our blog and our readers! We sincerely hope you enjoy it:
 Her hair was up in a pony tail, Her favorite dress tied with a bow. Today was Daddy's Day at school, And she couldn't wait to go. But her mommy tried to tell her, That she probably should stay home. Why the kids might not understand, If she went to school alone. But she was not afraid; She knew just what to say. What to tell... her classmates Of why he wasn't there today. But still her mother worried, For her to face this day alone. And that was why once again, She tried to keep her daughter home. But the little girl went to school Eager to tell them all. About a dad she never sees A dad who never calls. There were daddies along the wall in back, For everyone to meet. Children squirming impatiently, Anxious in their seats One by one the teacher called A student from the class. To introduce their daddy, As seconds slowly passed. At last the teacher called her name, Every child turned to stare. Each of them was searching, A man who wasn't there. 'Where's her daddy at?' She heard a boy call out. 'She probably doesn't have one,' Another student dared to shout. And from somewhere near the back, She heard a daddy say, 'Looks like another deadbeat dad, Too busy to waste his day.' The words did not offend her, As she smiled up at her Mom. And looked back at her teacher, Who told her to go on. And with hands behind her back, Slowly she began to speak. And out from the mouth of a child, Came words incredibly unique. 'My Daddy couldn't be here, Because he lives so far away. But I know he wishes he could be, Since this is such a special day. And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know. All about my daddy, And how much he loves me so. He loved to tell me stories He taught me to ride my bike. He surprised me with pink roses, And taught me to fly a kite. We used to share fudge sundaes, And ice cream in a cone. And though you cannot see him. I'm not standing here alone. 'Cause my daddy's al ways with me, Even though we are apart I know because he told me, He'll forever be in my heart' With that, her little hand reached up, And lay across her chest. Feeling her own heartbeat, Beneath her favorite dress. And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads, Her mother stood in tears. Proudly watching her daughter, Who was wise beyond her years. For she stood up for the love Of a man not in her life. Doing what was best for her, Doing what was right. And when she dropped her hand back down, Staring straight into the crowd. She finished with a voice so soft, But its message clear and loud. 'I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star. And if he could, he'd be here, But heaven's just too far. You see he is a soldier And died just this past year When a roadside bomb hit his convoy And taught all of us to fear. But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away.' And then she closed her eyes, And saw him there that day. And to her mothers amazement, She witnessed with surprise. A room full of daddies and children, All starting to close their eyes. Who knows what they saw before them, Who knows what they felt inside. Perhaps for merely a second, They saw him at her side. 'I know you're with me Daddy,' To the silence she called out. And what happened next made believers, Of those once filled with doubt. Not one in that room could explain it, For each of their eyes had been closed. But there on the desk beside her, Was a fragrant long-stemmed rose. And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, By the love of her shining star. And given the gift of believing, That heaven is never too far. Post this to let everyone know that our Soldiers will never be forgotten. Take the time...to live and love. Until eternity.
Until next time, which will be later this week, live and love well my friends!  ~Teresa and Candice

Liza's Story

Hello Friends! Keeping in mind that October is Spina Bifida Awareness month, we have a wonderful article written by Liza, an adult with Spina Bifida. Liza has been generous enough to share her story with us. I sincerely thank her for using her personal story to educate us about Spina Bifida and what life with it can be like. Here is Liza's story:

My name is Liza (with a Z, not Lisa with an S).  I am 29 years old and the single mother of a toddler.  I was born with a Birth Defect called Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a type of “neural tube” (spine) defect where the bones of the spine do not fully form at some point along the back, leaving the spinal cord unprotected in that spot.  This can be anything from a larger than normal space between 2 vertebrae, to the spinal cord being exposed to the outside of the body.  The neural tube forms at about 26 days after conception, so by the time a woman finds out she is pregnant, the neural tube has most likely already formed.  There are 3 main types of Spina Bifida: Occulta, Meningocele (“men-in-joe-seal”), and Myelomeningocele (“my-low-men-in-joe-seal”).
 According to the CDC, Each year, about 1,500 babies are born with spina bifida (sadly, many are aborted because of a lack of understanding as to how exactly Spina Bifida affects people.).  Spina Bifida is the most common birth defect in the United States, but for some reason most people have never heard of it, unless/until it affects themselves or a family member or close friend.  No one knows exactly what causes Spina Bifida.  For certain cases it seems to be genetic.  And doctors and scientists believe it could also be from not getting enough folic acid during the time the neural tube is developing.

I have the most severe of Spina Bifida, Myelomeningocele.  This means that my spinal cord was actually protruding from my back when I was born.    Spina Bifida usually causes nerve damage below the spot of the defect.  For me specifically that means I cannot feel anything besides pressure on the bottoms of my feet, backs of my legs, and gluteus maximus. My feet are always cold when it is cold outside.  I have to use a catheter to urinate, and do not have regular bowel movements.

My parents had no idea I had Spina Bifida before I was born (now it is common to know during pregnancy, because of ultrasounds and other tests).  After I was born I was flown from Wyoming to Denver Colorado, where I had surgery to close my back.  I have had about 11 more surgeries on my bladder, feet and legs, as well as 2 more on my back.

My childhood was filled with hospitals, IV’s, MRI’s, CT/Cat scans, X-rays, surgeries, recovering from surgeries, heavy duty pain killers, ER trips and doctor’s appointments. As well as being teased for walking with a limp (kids are ruthless).  This was all normal for me, but my childhood was also filled with “normal” kid stuff.

 Every year I would go to the closest major city to an “MM (short for myelomeningocele) Clinic”.  It was an all-day thing where I would see lots of specialists: Neurologist, Neurosurgeons, Nutritionists, Urologists, Internal specialists, (I’m sure I’m forgetting a few.)
It wasn’t until about high school that I realized this was not “normal” for everyone.  But I never really thought about it before then, because it was “normal” for me.

I worked full time after high school doing mostly fast food jobs.  It was really difficult because all the standing and moving caused lots of pain, which registered once I was home and stopped moving.  I wasn’t really able to do anything besides work because I was in too much pain.  But I just sucked it up and did it, because that is what adults did.
  College was difficult for me, mostly because of the attendance requirement.  With my bowel and bladder issues, showing up every day, or for every class was not an option.  Eventually I would get so far behind that I couldn’t keep up.
I got pregnant with my son when I was 27.  It was a huge shock because I vividly remember doctors telling me that I would not be able to get pregnant without medical assistance.  (The one time that I listen to what a doctor says is possible…).  After the shock of being pregnant wore off, I wondered if carrying and delivering a baby was even going to be possible for me.  I tried doing research on line, but couldn’t find anything about being pregnant and having Spina Bifida.  I saw a perinatal specialist when I was pregnant that assured me that everything should be fine, and since I could touch my toes, I should even be able to have a natural delivery.  (I never figured out what touching my toes had to do with delivering a baby.).  My mom worried the entire time I was pregnant that my son would have Spina Bifida (It is not usually genetic, but we believe in my case that it is genetic).  My thought on it was “Who better to have a child with Spina Bifida, than someone who has had it for 27 years, and knows everything involved??”  I was more interested in the fact that my feet were warm all winter! (Thank you increased blood flow! Lol.)  My son was born perfectly healthy, and I had a normal delivery after 22.5 hours of labor.  This was one of many instances that I was glad to have nerve damage.  While my labor was definitely uncomfortable, it didn’t actually hurt that much.
I found out when my son was about 6 months old that I had a tethered spinal cord, a condition that is fairly common for people with Spina Bifida.
The spinal cord should float freely in spinal fluid, but with tethered cord the spine attaches to scar tissue on the back.  This pulls the spinal cord tight and can cause (further) nerve damage.
I have been looking for a neurosurgeon to release my spinal cord for almost a year now, and so far have not found one that is capable of doing the surgery I need, without causing more damage, and that will take my insurance.  Finding the specialists that people with Spina Bifida need to see is so much more difficult as an adult than it is to find the same specialists for kids with Spina Bifida.

Having a tethered spinal cord has caused further nerve damage and made my legs weaker than they were before, so I can’t stand as long as I was able to before. That means that I won’t be able to work anymore, at least until/unless I get training in a job where I can work from home, so that I can stand/sit/lay down when I need to.  And even though Spina Bifida is on Social Security’s list of qualifying disabilities, I have been denied for Disability about 3 times, and am in the process of appealing those decisions.

Having Spina Bifida is difficult, but it has taught me many valuable lessons that I would never have learned otherwise.  I learned that staying positive, no matter how bad it looks, has a huge impact on out-come.  I learned patience (from sitting around waiting for Doctors or tests).  I learned to ignore negative people.  I learned not to judge people, and to look at things from other points of view besides my own.

Friends after reading Liza's story I feel so much awe and respect for people who just overcome. I have relatively little to complain about in my life compared with some of the people we've met this month, yet I still manage to do plenty of complaining! Please show Liza some love for her post in the form of comments below! Thanks so much Liza for your honesty, your humanity and your courage. Until next time, Live and love well my friends! ~Teresa

Featured Artist Bernoullis Attic

 Hello Friends! I'd like to introduce a new artist named Susan who owns Bernoullis Attic, a really great shop on Handmade Artists Shop!
Teresa: Bernoullis Attic is a really novel store on Handmade Artists Shop. How do you describe what your arts are and your store?

The logo for Bernoulli’s Attic carries the saying “Handmade Oddments and Whimsies” and that is really what the shop is about.  There’s a little bit of everything in the Attic, from crochet to handmade soaps, but the bulk of the offerings are crocheted items.  Many (most, actually) of my items are my own patterns and designs.  You can find everything from bath accessories to scarves to stuffed animals.  If you’ve got something in mind, just let me know and we can probably figure out how to make it.

I have just opened a second shop, called Paper Imaginations by Bernoulli’s Attic to handle greeting cards, gift tags and anything else you can make from paper and imagination.  This was mostly a housekeeping decision…the cards were taking over the original Bernoulli’s Attic shop!

Teresa: You have more than one art that you are quite talented at. Do you have a favorite and if so what makes it your favorite?

If you’ve seen my shops, you’ll have noticed that I work in many different craft areas.  Crochet, scrapbooking/card making and jewelry are the predominate ones, but I love to make soap, wreaths, and do decorative painting as well.  I love to crochet because after about 40 years of practice, there’s not much that I can’t make and I find it to be relaxing, almost meditative.  Card making is fast becoming my favorite hobby, however. I can’t draw very well, so it lets me get creative designs out into the world using paper, ribbon, embellishments and imagination.  Right now, I’ve gotten into using a paper folding technique called “Teabag Folding,” which makes 3 dimensional shapes that I use on cards and such.

Teresa: How long have you been an artist and when did you decide to go public with it and into selling it?

I have always had a creative side, but never pursued it steadily until 2010.  I was taught to crochet as a child by my grandmother and a family friend, but never really thought of it as an “art”.  It was more something to do to keep busy (and keep the family in potholders).  I spent 20+ years in the engineering world, but kept up with crocheting and other crafts as things caught my interest and time permitted.  While I always thought it would be fun and rewarding to be able to craft full time, my practical side expressed concern over #1: what to do with all these creations and #2:  how to pay for my obsessions. (I guess you can take the girl out of business, but…). I decided to form a company, Bernoulli’s Attic, to market my items.  I began full time crafting in 2010 and Bernoulli’s Attic began on-line selling in January of 2011. My second on-line shop Paper Imaginations by Bernoulli’s Attic just opened earlier this month.

Teresa: What advice do you give to anyone interested in your particular arts and selling their art in general?

I have two piece of advice for anyone who wants to engage in the handmade goods business.  First, from a business perspective:  Do a reality check.  If you’re just starting out and plan on feeding a family of 5 with the proceeds from selling your handmade feather dusters online, do your research.  It may work, but you need to know you have a market (and a fall back plan).

The second piece of advice is actually the most important.  It’s more from a philosophical viewpoint:  Don’t take yourself too seriously.  Yes, it’s a business and it’s your creativity being put out there.  It’s also a world full of people with differing ideas and opinions, and not everyone will see things the way you do.  I put a high value on serenity and peace of mind, which are things that crafting gives me.  Some may think I am wasting time and other talents.  Some may not see any use for my products and believe “store bought” is better.  Remember, that’s their opinion. I do not defend my pursuits or my creations.  I just know that what I do, I do for me and it makes me happy.  Sales and approval are nice (and to a degree, necessary), but that’s not what makes me wake up in the morning ready to try out a new idea.  That’s love for what I do.

Teresa: What are your hopes for Bernoullis Attic?

I’d like for Bernoulli’s Attic, along with Paper Imaginations by Bernoulli’s Attic,  to become an on-line version of a little brick-and-mortar store that people feel comfortable just popping by to say “hi”, share the latest buzz and see what’s new.  It’s not just about the on-line selling, but about the on-line presence.  Bernoulli’s Attic has a Facebook page and Twitter account, where I have made contacts and friends that I look forward to hearing from each day.  We celebrate the ups and downs of our businesses and our lives, and offer support and encouragement.  I love to hear from folks who have questions about my products or are looking for something special.  It really does brighten my day to know someone is looking.  Everyone should feel free to drop by and say hi via Facebook (www.Facebook.com/BernoullisAttic), Twitter at (www.Twitter.com/BernoullisAttic) or my webpage at www.BernoullisAttic.com.

Teresa: And the usual, one funny, unusual or interesting thing about yourself that you don\'t mind sharing! ( I\'ve gotten some pretty good ones when I ask this!)

People usually wonder about the name Bernoulli’s Attic, and I’ll admit it’s a bit strange.  First, I am a cat person. Second, I am an engineer.  Third, I’m a little weird.  Having said that, meet Bernoulli, the namesake and feline patron saint of Bernoulli's Attic. 

Yes, the company is named after my cat (who was named after the Swiss physicist, Daniel Bernoulli, who did all kinds of cool engineering stuff).  Though she has gone on to that Great Litterbox in the Sky, she lives on in spirit (and the occasional dust bunny hairball) around here.  She was a great supervisor, always checking out the newest products and giving her opinion.  She could purr louder than any cat I've known and did a great impression of an aggravated Ewok when annoyed.

But I don’t lack for supervision these days.  Currently Albert Einstein and Madame Curie are the reigning felines here at Bernoulli's Attic.  Madam Curie, or the Divine Miss M as she likes to be called, is the newest addition to the Bernoulli's Attic family.  When she's not polishing her tiara, she is a very paws on helper (I'm still looking for a crochet flower she took off with).  Albie Einstein just hangs around and offers moral support and the occasional kitty ankle rub. 

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For Unique & Eclectic Handmade Oddments & Whimsies check out:

Bernoulli’s Attic Website                     Bernoullis Attic on Facebook

Letter to a Mother

Hello all! Bearing in mind that October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month, I am doing something different today. I'm posting a letter written to a mother by an adult Spina Bifida hero. Her name is Misty Boyd, her blog is at www.mistyboyd.com and here is her letter to her wonderful mother as an adult looking back:
Mom,
Thank you for giving me life when “they” said I’d be better off dead. Thank you for fighting on my behalf when I was too little and weak. Thank you for loving me even though you were scared. Thank you for becoming a nurse in our home long before you were ever a nurse at a hospital. I know that must have been intimidating. Thank you for learning what all those tubes were for, and where they went, and how they helped me. Thank you for countless doctor visits and E.R. visits, no matter what time I needed to go. Thank you for walking up and down the halls of the hospital with me while people gawked. Thank you for your paranoia about every little thing that didn’t seem right. I know sometimes you thought you looked nuts, but I’m sure it kept me alive more than once. Thank you for yelling at doctors when they said, “She’s fine,” when you knew me well enough to know I wasn’t. Thank you for the ugly stares you gave back to people when I was doing my best to learn to walk. Thank you for being patient when other kids my age were running circles around me. I needed more time. Thank you for remembering countless medications, and cath schedules, and putting my AFO’s on for me, and dressing me when it took me a little longer to learn. Thank you for yelling at me when I wouldn’t take care of myself as a teenager (not that it worked…I’m stubborn). Thank you for making me stubborn. I needed that attitude. I don’t know how I would have made it without my pain in the rear attitude. Thank you for pushing me to do everything you knew I could do, and I knew I couldn’t. Turns out, you’re pretty smart. Thank you for letting me do things you were scared of. I know I terrified you sometimes. I had to know if I could ride my bike down that hill at supersonic speed. I could. Fun! Thank you for making me know that I was worthy of love. I never let a boy tell me anything different. There were a lot of worms, but I dropped them all for something I knew I deserved. Thank you for cheering at my graduation. If my doctors had it their way, that day wouldn’t have come, but you believed. Thank you for spending countless hours planning that crazy wedding, yet another thing that wasn’t supposed to happen. And thank you for forks! LOL! Only my mother will get that one! Basically, thank you for stepping into an unfamiliar, scary world, that you didn’t sign up for. I appreciate it, and I think you did a great job! I turned out okay!
Love,
Your SB kid
 Misty told me that her parents were told to just let her die when she was born with Spina Bifida. Thankfully they courageously did what needed to be done and gave the world the gift of Misty. See her blog. See the children. I sincerely believe that a part of living well is helping others and learning about their struggles and their triumphs! Until next time friends, live and love well and please show some support in the form of comments here or on Mistys blog. 

AJewell Jewelry

Hello All! Today I'm excited to bring you the talented Jewelry artist, Ajewell. She is sharing with us from her home in Ireland! She's going to tell us about herself and her art and I invite you to stop by her shop and see the lovely gifts and jewelry she has for sale at great prices!
AJewell: Hi Teresa,good to hear from you.
Teresa: Its great to have you here. I'm always honored when artists or other folks want to be featured on my little (but steadily growing) blog! So tell us, how did you get started with your art:

AJewell: OK How i got started making jewellery,quite by accident but a happy one, went into a bead shop and couldn't leave without something, got advice from the shop worker who was there on that happy day. came home with some seed beads, headpins, earwires, and all the findings for a necklace and I was off! I found out how to make pieces from looking at photos on the net and I grew from there.

Teresa: Good for you! So many people allow themselves to be intimidated. Can you tell us about your motivation to create?

AJewell: What inspires me?Now that's a good one, because i feel great when I'm working on a new collection and have gotten in new beads, so it's a matter of where my head is at at that particular time, music playing in the background and just left to my own devices and creativity flows.

Teresa: I am completely with you on that! That's the way I do things. Can you think of what your favorite technique or project is:

AJewell: I love Italian glass beads at the moment but I'll work with any kind of bead I love. I love using the wire for necklaces and finding new ways to match up beads and colours. I plan a piece first by setting it out on the table and seeing how it looks, fixing it as I go until I'm happy with it and then it gets made.
Teresa: Very good technique! Any advice for someone interested in learning jewelry making?

Ajewell: My advice for fellow artists:

follow what you want to do, and work with materials that you love. It's very hard to work with something that means nothing to you.Something unusual.

I never thought I was creative at all, I found this out on that faithful day in the bead shop.
Teresa: Well you clearly misjudged your creative abilities going by the work I've seen of yours! What are your future goals for your art, your business?

Ajewell: Well, I now have a stall (what we here in the US  would call a stand or table in a marketplace) that I never ever thought of.  This time last year I didn't know anything about jewelery and now I live and sleep it. I started making pieces and it grew from there.  I found out through hard work and patience that you work with what you love, otherwise there's no point.  I'm in a stall at the moment and I've just been moved to a better spot. People love my pieces, I would love to have a small space set up for all my beads and hopefully a small old fashioned shop on one of the cobbled streets in my city centre. Now that would be cool!
Teresa: That sound so awesome! I'd love to see it someday! We wish you all the best and are glad you took the time to tell us your artist story. Thanks so much!
And blog readers and friends, please show some support by posting comments to this story and visiting AJewell at http://handmadeartistsshop.com/shop/Ajewell
Till next time friends, Live and love well and support a handmade artist! ;-) ~Teresa

October Is Spina Bifida Awareness Month

 Here is a post from one of our newest members Carmen Iris Roldan about a cause we all need to get behind and support! We will be adding some links to information and awareness about this disease and ways to support families and babies affected by it

Carmen: "It gets me down that Spina Bifida Awareness month isn't as big of a deal to the world as other causes. Can you imagine as a pregnant woman finding out your baby has a major birth defect of it's spine? And being told that your baby will live a life of poor quality. Having no information and being offered to terminate your pregnancy immediately. Finding a support group and personal research saved my cousins baby girl. She can not imagine her life without her little angel. She gave her life meaning. And she is beyond perfect to her mom and to our entire family and friends.... She is the happiest baby i have ever seen regardless her disabilities! Is her life as easy as most? No. And she has a long road ahead of her. But she wouldn't have it any other way. Spread the word: October is SB awareness month! All woman of child bearing age should being taking folic acid... I Love you Lyla and Lysette Cespedes!!!!!!"  Let's all send Carmen, Lyla, Lysette, Lisa, BJ and Evangeline Kugler our love and supports in the form of comments to this post or by messaging Carmen and Mrs. Kugler (Lisa) through the friend connect box on this page. Until next time, Live well, take care of one another and be aware of Spina Bifida for this and all other months! ~Teresa

 http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2642297/k.5F7C/Spina_Bifida_Association.htm

http://mrskugler.blogspot.com/

Good Deeds:Contagious? I hope so!

I found this story and had to share it

27/09/2011/Jen/Hoffman Estates/USA
There is a grocery store that only takes cash or debit. The lady in front of me didn't know and was going to have to put her milk and bread back because she only had a credit card. I paid for her groceries. It was cheap and no big deal to me. I was surprised how much she thanked me! It should happen more often to people :)
http://www.thegooddeedsorganisation.com

This is the type of thing that this blog is about among other things. Yes, we all have to earn a paycheck one way or another and you'll see links to my jewelry and other artists work on this page. The woman who was the recipient of the good deed seemed quite overwhelmed by the fact that a stranger would pay for her items. I sincerely hope that she went away from that experience with a lighter heart and with a better feeling about the good that can be found in people every day. As for the woman who paid the bill, I've seen people totally get frustrated and once downright angry at a person who had to count change in order to pay for their items. Maybe you don't have the ability to pay for someone else's milk. That's not the point. There were two winners here and I applaud Jen Hoffman for what she did and I am sure she felt fabulous because it's very true that the giver gets the true gift. Give to someone today. Give a smile, give a hug, step a teensy bit out of your comfort zone and let someone go ahead of you in line, pay the toll for the car behind you as well as your own if you are in the position to do so. Give an ear to someone who could use it. I'm sure there are things like this happening every day so I don't presume to be the originator of any of these ideas. But do yourself a favor and help someone in some small or large way today. Until later, live well and take care of one another my friends! ~Teresa

Featured Artist: DKDesigns.biz

Hello all, its time to meet a new artist I'm excited to share with you! Her name is Diane and her business is called DK DesignsBiz.
Teresa: Hello Diane, I understand that you are a glass artist. Can you tell us a little bit about what got you started?
Diane: Back in 1998 , my sister signed us up for a glass bead making class at an art school near us and the very first night I saw all of the colored glass rods laid out on the table and it look like a crayon box, I came home that night and told my husband that I knew what I was going to do for the rest of my life.....
Teresa:  How great for you! It often takes artists a long time to find their medium. So, what would you say is your favorite technique/project/creation?
Diane: There are many techniques that I have learned over the years, but I probably love making dot beads the most, I create a solid color bead and then add dots of another color and continue to add dots on top of dots, maybe 5 to 7 different layers and colors and then melt them all in, the effect is awesome !
Teresa: It certainly is! Our readers can see more of your work and even purchase by clicking the pictures next to this article. Diane, what would you say to an artist looking to learn about your particular art, glass bead/creations (also called lampwork) making?
Diane: Make sure that you take a beginning lesson from another glass bead artist that has been teaching for a good while, ask many questions when learning and practice, practice, practice !
Teresa: Good advice!  Ok, we ask everyone this one so here goes: Give us one interesting/humorous fact about yourself.
Diane:  I have a tattoo of my torch on my right forearm !
Teresa: Now that's loving your art! For our readers who aren't familiar with lampwork or glass bead making the artist works with a hand held torch to create magical glasswork. Diane, what are your future plans or DKDesigns.Biz?
Diane: To continue to learn, grow and hang in here, as I know the economy will get better !!!!
Teresa: Amen to that! We can all identify in one way or another with the lagging economy and hopes of better days to come. Thanks so much for talking with us today and we wish you all the best!
As is mentioned in the interview above, clicking the picture beside this article or clicking on the DKDesigns.biz link under our fave websites will take you to Dianes online shop where you can see and purchase beautifully handcrafted works of glass art! So stop by and see for yourself! Until next time, Live and Love well my friends!

Susie Q Bath and Body

Hello Everyone! I'm so excited to be doing our first artist feature today! It is with Susie Q Bath and Body from the Handmade Artists Shop and if you click on the lovely picture of the Body oils in the Reusable tin to the right of this story it will take you directly to her shop. I shopped SusieQ's and found a great variety of bath and body products for both women and men in prices that were definitely affordable! I found items priced from $5.50 to $28.00 for the Scented Locket that I just loved! So here we go with our first artist interview
Teresa: Hi Susan, how would you describe your product and your shop to our readers ?
SusieQ: I feature all Handmade bath and body products for men and women.
Teresa: Can you tell us a little about how and when you got started?
Susie Q: In 2005 I started to make body sprays for my young teenage daughter at that time to save some money. I made my first goats milk soap and it quickly turned into a passion and an addiction. In March of 2010 I opened my Etsy shop.
Teresa: That must have been exciting for you. Can you tell us which of the many products you now make and market is your favorite?
SusieQ: That is one hard for me to say. Any soap, my shower is full of them. My face does love my Nourishing Under Eye Cream that I use as an all over facial cream.
Teresa: Oooh, I think I'd like to try that! Ok SusieQ can you tell us one interesting, fun or out-of-the ordinary fact about yourself (only if you are comfortable sharing like, "I'm ambidextrous" or "I also raise Llamas" Lol
Susie Q: I have to vaccum my carpets daily, it drives me nuts to see lint or anything on the floor!
Teresa: Oh I'm with you on that one! Finally, is there anything else you'd like to tell us like maybe your plans for SusieQ Bath and Body or a future goal for your business?
SusieQ: My job is being a stay at home mom! I would love for Susie Q\'s to continue to grow, but I need to continue to work on balancing family and business.
Teresa: Thanks for sharing that with us. As a mother/business owner myself I can fully understand the balancing act of making and marketing your art and taking good care of your family. There are often just not enough hours in the day! You're doing great Susan.Thanks for your interview and keep up the good work!
And for everyone else, stop by Susie Q's Bath and Body for great products for yourself, christmas/any occasion gifts or just to have in your home! Until next time, Live and Love well today My friends!