Teacher Appreciation Gift

Now that back to school time is upon us, why not make a cute little apple pot as a gift for your new teacher! It is great for their desk, and can be used to store all sorts of things! Materials Needed: 3 inch Terra Cotta Clay Pot 3 inch Terra Cotta Clay Saucer Small Wooden Spool Fun Foam Paint Clear Acrylic Sealer Spray Glue (hot glue gun preferred)

Instructions: Wipe down your terra cotta pot and saucer with a damp cloth and let dry completely. Paint the clay pot and saucer red (figure 1) - let dry. Paint a face on pot (figure 2). Paint the wooden spool green. Once all your paint is dry, spray it with the clear acrylic sealer. Flip the saucer upside down and place it as a lid on top of the clay pot. Glue the wooden spool on to the bottom of the saucer (figure 3). Cut a small leaf shape out of fun foam and glue it to the wooden spool. Your apple is now done! A great place to keep treasures, candy, or other small items. Of course, if you don't have the time to make a gift, you can still show your appreciation with a gift from our website. Our beaded badge holders make a wonderful teacher gift as it allows them to wear their school id badge with style.

Back to school craft ideas

With it getting closer and closer to back-to-school time, we are going to start giving out some great tips on back-to-school crafts that will get your kids excited about going back. What better way to cheer them up than with flowers? This craft is for a flower topped pen or pencil.

You'll need: a silk flower, stick pen or mechanical twist pencil, super glue, and floral tape (optional items are crafters' tape (can usually be found in the scrapbooking aisles...it's double sided and will state that it holds ribbon, paper, etc) and ribbon)

-First, cut the stem off the silk flower to about 2" long.
-Strip off any rubber exposing just the wires.
-Place a dot of super glue under the flower and place it centered on top of the pen/pencil.
-Wrap the wires around the pen/pencil, keeping the flower centered on top of the pen/pencil.
-Now wrap the entire pen/pencil with floral tape to keep the wires covered and in place.
-If you want the "natural look, you are done! But if you want it to be brighter, keep going...
-Wrap the pen/pencil with the crafter's tape, removing the top side of protective paper as you go to expose the sticky side.
-Now wrap the pen/pencil with the ribbon, pressing gently to make sure it adheres as you go.
-Place a dot of super glue along the top seam and bottom seam of the ribbon just to give it added strength.
-Let it dry, and you are ready to write your schoolwork in a bright sunny style!

Of course if you don't feel you are crafty enough, or just don't have the time, we do sell these pens, so just click on the link, but otherwise, have a great time getting ready for school and keep a lookout for more great back-to-school craft ideas!

Fresh new baby gifts

So, I recently joined Etsy (which for those who don't know is a artisans EBay) and have found some great new things on there. They have everything from jewelry to housewares, clothes and toys...all handmade so you are supporting an artist versus some big commercial giant. Makes you kinda feel good, right? And with so many of my friends being on the baby train lately (including my co-owner of DLG due the end of October) I was searching for new and unique baby gifts. One of favorites was this handmade giraffe rattle (I already have a friend in mind for this!) sold by ollierose on Etsy. You should check out Etsy for other great buys, but remember to buy your jewelry, scrapbooks, and gift baskets from us! :)

Summer with the kids

So by now you are probably running out of things to do with the kids this summer. A great way to pass the day is with some great arts and crafts that even the hardest to please kids will love. Combined with my love of all things Disney, Family Fun actually has a great website and a section dedicated to arts and crafts for the kids. They have projects you can do outdoors, even at the beach! My favorite is the "Footprints in the Sand" as it not only gives them something fun to make at the beach (or you can do at home if nowhere near the water), but also a keepsake to remind you of your fun this summer.

Jewelry making machine

So we've been super busy lately, and I feel more like a machine than a person these days. We've been cranking out new and exciting necklaces and bracelets in all different styles getting ready for our big show in December. Ever year we wait till the last minute, and are pulling all-nighters to get ready, but we decided to try to do things a little better this year (especially with Dayna expecting in October, we have to be prepared for anything!). So check out what we've been up to, and look out for new ideas coming soon that you can do yourself.

ID Badge Holders

Okay, so after working in a large company where we had to wear our ID badges at all times to get in and out of places throughout the building, I know first hand how annoying they are. And what makes them worse is the plain strap that you wear around your neck to display the ID badge. Well we finally have an answer to that...Beaded ID badge holders! They look just like a necklace, but they have a clip at the end to attach your ID badge. For those in the medical field, we have magnetic clasps, so if you have an agitated patient who grabs at your ID, it will come right off your neck, avoiding any possible injury to you (or your beautiful badge holder!). You can buy one to match your personality, or multiples to go with your wardrobe or holidays. They are all made with the same high quality that you all expect out of us, using funky beads, crystals, semi-precious gemstones, etc. So check them out, and tell a friend!

Homemade Gift Ideas

So, with Valentines Day right around the corner, and with our country in a definite recession, I was thinking of ideas for everyone to make their own gifts this year. Yes, I know it takes money out of my pocket, but hey I feel giving today. Plus, maybe if I save you some money on Valentines Day, you'll buy an even larger basket for something else later on. Who knows! :) Anyways, here is a list of 50 ideas for homemade gifts for all ages that I found online. These are all really simple to do, and you can buy all the supplies needed at any local craft store (like Micheal's Arts and Crafts store) as well as the instructions are all over the web. Hope this helps and you enjoy!

1) Personalized photo frame
2) Cookie mix in a jar
3) Dog biscuits
4) Pasta Dinner in a basket
5) Potpourri
6) Paperbag scrapbook
7) Bottle dried herbs in olive oil
8) Chocolate lollipops
9) Garden stepping stone
10) Fleece blanket
11) Personalized towels
12) Crafty lunch box
13) Gel candles
14) No sew sachet
15) Friendship bracelets
16) Folk rag doll
17) Butterfly or bird house
18) Kite
19) Sock monkey
20) Beanbag teddy bear
21) Broomstick skirt
22) Pillowcase dress
23) Totebag
24) Quilt
25) Cardboard box dollhouse
26) Kitchen apron
27) Advent calendar
29) Beaded candles
30) Sea salts in a jar
31) Personalized T-shirts
32) Bookmarks
33) Cell phone case
34) Dish towel angel
35) Beaded napkin rings
36) Beaded Fan pulls
37) Personalized switch plate covers
38) Country style personalized wooden sign
39) Etched glass candle holders
40) Photo letter frames
41) Mosaic tile hotplates
42) Marshmallow gun
43) Date night gift basket (filled with lotions, oils, etc)
44) Tile picture
45) Book clock
46) Trinket box
47) Photo serving tray
48) Personal coupons
49) Memory box
50) Love jar