Solving a Problem

Hey there!

A while back I mentioned doing something different to transport my jewelry to shows. As it was, I layered jewelry, bubble wrap, tissue paper in photo boxes. This kept it nice and safe, but was time consuming in set up and break down.

I was also wanting a more complete look as far as packaging goes. I love my bags, I'm keeping them! The issue is with hanging things in a more presentable manner.

I hand stamped a bunch of these with my tiny seashell stamp, and stapled them together. These will hang on the mini boat cleats/mooring anchors of my display. They would also work on a display like my necklaces are on. I have some hooks for my net to hold the hair things, but I'll have to show that another time. Probably after I have it set up at my next show next weekend!

Michael's had these photo boxes on sale for $2 each. I snagged 10 of them!

Ignore that I have a double photo of one of the boxes lol. I drilled holes in the sides of the boxes to thread a flat skewer through.

You get the idea...and I will trim the ends of the skewers and add rubber ends to them.

I will have a separate box for headbands because I have several of them now, and 4 more to make. Some not as fancy as the others I've made. Something you could even wear about town.

The skewers hold everything in place, nothing moves around, and I can pop them off the skewer and onto the displays much faster than taking each individual item out of the boxes from between layers of tissue and bubble wrap. I'd like a deeper box for the larger barrettes, but this works for now.

Do you have any recommendations for me? Any ideas on improving the system of transporting and set up?

Seashell Bolo Ties

I have been gathering the supplies for a custom order for a limpet shell bolo tie. You would think it would be easy, but can you believe that not one item needed to produce a bolo tie is available in my town?!
I have had to order everything. Not knowing which type or color of a larger sized limpet would be ideal for my customer, cause I forgot to ask....I bought 2 different kinds....at least they appear to be two different kinds. They could quite possibly be the same, just different sizes, with more polishing emphasized around the edge. I decided to make two bolo ties, and give them a choice.

This limpet has a blue hue, some of them look more purple/lavender. I made some necklaces with some of this kind a couple of months ago....I have yet to take pictures of them.

This one is just a bit larger, and has a dark brown, nearly black color around the edge. I had to work some magic to turn a limpet shell into a bolo tie, but sometimes I can be a crafty little witch heheheheeee. (hey, it's almost Halloween!)

The leather is a high grade, and so very supple, and soft, but thick and sturdy. It's actually called 'robust leather', and is cut from the center of the hide. Only the most expensive certified no lead dyes are used in these cords. The dyes not only meet all of California's no lead jewelry laws, but even meet the stricter German Goods Ordinance.

These are not cheap bolo ties, as I used the best of materials for them.

The end tips are silver plated heavy cast,  and aren't light weight by any means. These have a nice weight to them!

I'm lovin' these new bolo ties, and see more of these in my future! Pardon the box under the display bust, these are a tad longer than most of my necklaces.

I have more end tips on the way, and maybe, just maybe I can turn other shells into bolo ties.
We shall see! I will certainly try!

I'm thinking these can be a unisex item. What do you think?

Return of the Cannibals

The first home bout since July was on Sunday, September 30th, hence the title Return of the Cannibals.  The ladies were all in great form,  and hungry for a good meet. They rocked the rink, and took Thunder City by storm with a 221-104 final score.

Skate Mania was totally packed full of Cannibal fans, with some of us parked clear down by Dunkin Donuts. What a great turn out, and what a wild crowd! Wild as in cheering loudly for the home team! We do love our Cannibals!

Millitant Bulstrode 9 3/4 and Bonesaw Betty D3AD

Milli signing an autograph for a young fan

Bonesaw signing an autograph for a young fan

It was a fun night, and a great bout! It was so good to see so many out to support the team!
The next home bout is October 28th. I can't wait!

We love our Cannibals!

An Evening with Ocean Spray

I have been waiting all weekend to share my news. Friday evening I had the experience of a lifetime! Had I known it was possible, it would have been on my bucket list.

I was invited to attend a cocktail party at Disney's Epcot® for Ocean Spray®! Yes, THAT Ocean Spray®! Cocktails and food were served made with cranberries, and Craisins® . The highlight of the evening was the opportunity to put on waders, and get IN the cranberry bog!

Ocean Spray® cranberries are grown by 700 families. Four of the growers were at the party, and my hubby talked to one of them. He said that they have one person who checks the crops to determine when the berries are ready for harvest, and they go by color. When this guy says GO the harvest is on.

The harvest takes place from around mid September through mid November. Millions of pounds of cranberries are harvested! Cranberries are grown in sandy, and marshy acidic soil, usually near wetlands, on vines.

When it's harvest time, the bog is flooded with about 18 inches of water the night before. This is called Wet Harvesting. Cranberries have a little pocket of air in them that causes them to float to the surface. These are the berries that become your favorite Ocean Spray® products.
Cranberries in the produce section are harvested by the dry method. This is the best way to get the freshest berries. A mechanical picker combs the berries from the vines, and sends them to burlap bags at the back of the machine.

Here's a few more photos from the evening:

They also set up tables for us to have hors d' ouvres in the bog!

You know how much I love cranberries,  cause I mentioned it last year here. I made cranberry cheesecake bars 6 times last fall! I buy cranberries and Craisins® year round. I just love them! I discovered a new little appetizer last year. You can use meatballs, or mini cocktail wieners, and it has cranberry sauce in it. I like them just as much as the original version that has grape jelly in it. MMMM!

In the early 90's when I first discovered Craisins, I adapted an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe, changing it up quite a bit. I omitted the chocolate chips, substituted Craisins, added coconut, and pecans. These are still my kids (and mine and hubby's too) favorite cookies! They are soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, and we even like them crumbled in milk like a granola cereal. I can make a HUGE batch of these cookies, and they last no time at all. My family has been asking for some!

Craisins now come in a 50% less sugar version. I was given a bag to try in the 'swag bags' that were for the guests to take.

Larry Martin Vice President of Global Marketing for Ocean Spray

I tried to get everyone's name, but couldn't quite catch them all....

But, it was a wonderful experience that I will never forget! A special thank you to Ocean Spray®, and Disney/Epcot® for making this experience possible!

Hubby and I want to get back down to Epcot to enjoy a full day of the Food & Wine Festival. We sure did enjoy it last year! My October schedule is pretty full already, so maybe in November before it's over. 

I learned how to make the registered trademark in html just for this post! Who knew it was so easy?!

I'll see you tomorrow with another cool thing I attended during the weekend :)