Snail Mail

Listening to "Windowsill 1" by Heartbeat Hotel.

It's so easy (I'm learning now) taking small things we have for granted. Take for instance postal mail. I have a sore habit of not sending mail (except through Etsy). Email? I only use it through my job and the occasional message to a friend or family. Tweeting & Facebook are done for my shop but it stops there for me. I really do not like texting and find myself sighing quite heavily when I recieve one. Yes, it's faster then picking up a phone and dialing a number but sometimes I miss that communication...

Like postcards. I've been lingering more and more towards sending one. I guess it's that curious itch that I find the perfect one to send and see their expression when we meet next. Even those crazy "I'm here next to a gator, look at me" cards bring a smile across my face (even if I am laughing at myself).

In honor, of this fascination I'm having a Holiday SALE in my Etsy shop. 15% OFF anything except cards. Just use COUPON CODE: 15PLS. Easy? I hope so.

In any case, I'd like to extend some time to sending a letter, postcard, or even a small note.. I think I'll start writing one now.

Workplace Attire

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Listening to "Hide It Away" by the Retribution Gospel Choir

I just left Old Navy's site. A clearanced cardigan was too hard to pass up. Seeing as I rarely shop online or in-store I feel pretty good. My friend Bria and I tend to take a seasonal trip a few times a year to a few local stores to spend our budgeted money. That new attire feeling is just overwhelming.. like a nice bear hug from Smokey the Bear- it's all good. I think we're about to hit that seasonal trip soon *crosses fingers*.

On the upside, I have noted that my accessories reflect me. I'm into soft tones and natural colors. Ask anyone who sees me and they will agree, even call me "granoley". Thanks. I'm not a cowgirl or a hippie but I do enjoy the feel and look of soft browns, avacado green, and creamy linens. I've always felt my accessories are more for the laid back and toned down.

I've wanted to take a step in a new direction with work attire. As many of you know I have a full-time job besides running the Etsy shop. I work in a position where good attire reflects quality standards... i.e. I have to pay to wear jeans at work and even then I would only be able to wear jeans the first Friday of every month... *grunt*. I have not partaken in what I call "The Great Denim Rip-off" but one day I hope to wear jeans at work. In any case, I have started to design more accessories aimed at those that struggle with work attire fashionistas. I hope to get these in the shop by early December.

December is right around the corner which means my Christmas sale will pop-up soon as well. This year I would like to take an extra step at donating a portion of my SALE items to the Red Cross. This year has been horrible yet again for the Carribean islands and Indonesia. Earthquakes and hurricanes/typhoons have shattered lives and I'd like to do what I hope anyone can and donate.

I will be give notice before I incoporate any of these items and sales into my shop so please watch and DONATE to the Red Cross. :)

Metalwork

Listening to "Bone Dry" by A B & the Sea.

I've begun incorporating new metalwork pieces into the Etsy shop. I'm pretty excited about this because I've always been a fan of metal and leather mixed together. However this is the first time I've used salvaged metal pieces in my shop. It's been a new experience for me.

There are a few pieces already up in the shop but I'm adding a whole line of metalwork pieces within the next few weeks. :)

Poppy Bliss

Listening to "Coin Laundry" by Lisa Mitchell

That is my favorite song right now. Helps with brainstorming... *sigh*

On to my title. I just put two new cuffs up in the shop. Yes, I've been playing with fire. No, that's not why my face is the way it is. BLEH... or meeeeeeeeow as Abby would politely put it.

My camera is finally working so we were able to take some pics of the new cuffs. Ch-Ch-Check it out. *channeling Beastie Boys*

On another note, at work today- yes, I have a full time job I work at. Didn't know that? By day I'm the lone surgery scheduler for Pediatric General & Thoracic Surgery at All Children's Hospital here in St. Petersburg, Florida. I hope I never see you or your child because if I see you it's because of trauma surgery, bone marrow transplants, ALL, cholelithiasis, hernias, etc.... I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU- no offense. It's just better that way. I love my job but it has its saddening downsides.

As I was saying before, at work I had to pull together my Excel skills again. Did I mention I hate Excel? I strongly despise spreadsheets and fee schedules. Nothing says HORROR movie like a range of ridiculous formulas and deliminated data.... Are you asleep yet? I am... ZZzzz. I just wanted you to know how much I despise that Microsoft program.

DID SOMEONE SAY AUTUMN??!! Oh, that was me. So sorry. My favorite season approaches. Unfortunately, in Florida that means 3 more months until we even feel a chill. Nothing says "trick or treat" like an excessively sweating 9 year old in a clown costume. I shall not gloat. NO! I love fall. Especially when we get those brief cold fronts that whisk me away in a scarf..... scarves.... *sigh* I can't wait to wear those... I need to just move up to Ohio or Montana for a few months and travel back and forth in my Star Trek transporter beam. There's an idea.....

Well, thank you for following along with me in today's fun-filled jabberfest. I'm working on some more items and I will hopefully have them up by the end of the week. Thanks guys!!!!

C

A Look at the Past

Listening to "Sprawl" by Arcade Fire

I suffer from a tiring disease called "SLC" or Second Look Crafting. I have a horrible time fighting that part of me that looks at something I made in the past and say, I really dislike the look of that. I know let's take it apart and reinvent something else. Apparently, this involves my housekeeping and work personality. Hence, my husband can't stand it when it's our semi-annual furniture "redecorating party".

To kick off the autumn season, I looked at something I made awhile ago and the SLC overcame me. I don't want to put this part of me down because I know a lot of people suffer from this nerve-breaking syndrome as I do but sometimes it costs me nights of iced-coffee mania or those crazed raccoon eyes at work the next morning. :) What once was a plain wooden nickel last year became something I definitely love now- felt & soft leather embellishments. A seasonal mix of buttons. Oh, and my favorite- an acorn. :)

C^_^