Generous Etsy Sellers

Each of the following Etsy sellers are members of Etsy Project Embrace (TeamEPE) and have donated or are donating to The American Cancer Society in honor of Laura Slocum. All of the shops on TeamEPE have creations that will make beautiful gifts during the holiday season. Just search under TeamEPE on etsy to find all of the generous shop owners:

by: Little Bay Clay

by: The Peach Tree


by: Knot Original

by: Xenotees

Big Horn Sheep

During our whirlwind trip we visited Zion National Park in SW Utah. It was absolutely incredible and pictures will never convey the beauty and awesomeness. Before I show you the park in an upcoming post....let me share with you what
we came upon as
we rounded a bend!


Since I couldn't get far enough away, the pictures are a bit deceptive on how steep and precarious the rocky slope they were walking around on really was. I counted about 12 sheep and they seemed unconcerned that anyone was around taking their picture. However, you could tell they were paying attention to their leader and following his path.

From information that I have read the horns can weigh up to 30 lbs each. The sheep originated in Siberia and crossed the Bering Land Bridge. At one time they numbered in the millions, but in the early 1900s the population numbered in the 1000s and with the help of the Boy Scouts the herds were restored.

I am so happy that I was able to catch a glimpse of these animals in their natural habitat.

Did YOU Vote Yet?

My Snow Candy cuff is in the current Etsy Voter.


I would be ever so happy if you would stop by and vote for my cuff. I can't promise to lower taxes, raise wages, or fix the economy or health care, but I will be grateful! Don't let chocolate candies or skull cookies win! Thanks for your vote!

It Doesn't End With October!

While many of the advertising and awareness campaigns may slow down at the end of this month for Breast Cancer Awareness, the need doesn't end here. Hopefully one day fighting for this cause won't be necessary. But while it does, please help support us by visiting all of the other Etsy Project Embrace shop owners who are donating their creations to help support research. I've decided, since I couldn't come close to showcasing these shops in one month to continue reminding you about this project through the end of the year. Thanks for your help and support!

Team, Etsy Project Embrace has raised $3150.30 to date! Wooo Hoo!

by: Baconsquarefarm

by: Dancingintherains

by: ErikaPrice

by: SimplySuzula

Grand Canyon and Craziness

For my birthday we took a trip to the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and Las Vegas. We had only planned to see the Grand Canyon, but DH surprised me with a few more days of fun. (click on any picture for a larger view)

The picture below --the crack in the center is the Colorado River.

This is the second time I've been to the Grand Canyon and I will admit that prior to seeing it I just thought it was a big hole in the ground. Even with this second visit I was overwhelmed by its beauty and just how small we are in comparison.

You look at all of those different layers of rock, building one on top of the other and also realize how short 100 years really is. The sound, or lack of, is just as mesmerizing as what surrounds you. If you've been to Grand Canyon, what did you think as you looked at its beauty?

There is such a dichotomy on your way to the canyon...from the Wild West to Prehistoric time...

The Entrance to the Grand Canyon at the South Rim

This is the El Tovar Hotel sitting on the edge of the Grand Canyon. It was built in 1905 --if you plan to stay here, make sure you make reservations well in advance!

See the trail below, it is called Bright Angel Trail and is about 1 mile down. You can either hike or take mules. One of my goals in life has been to hike that trail. And, if I ever do, it will be on my own two feet, rather then a mule!

We were there on a weekday so there were fewer tourists then on a weekend, but every time I turned around another language was being spoken. One of the tourists, who I believe was German, decided to climb down on a precipice. The climb down was quite far and not easy to traverse. I held my breath as I watched him and thought he was absolutely nuts for putting himself in this danger. Every so often on the local news we hear of people falling to their death when going off trail. The lady in the picture was with him and taking pictures of his adventure. I'm not afraid of heights, but couldn't bring myself to stand even that close to the edge. I imagine he is cataloging his travels by taking pictures of himself with the bunny that is in his hand. If anyone else has seen this guy in his travels let me know....

I will share the photo's of Zion National Park in my next post about our travels.

Etsy Treasury Team Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Etsy Treasury Team is such a wonderful group to belong to. There are many laughs, lots of support, and occasionally the group gets together to work on a special project. This month, as most of you know is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It was proposed by a team member that whomever wanted to participate choose one of their creations and donate it towards this important cause. The following are only four of my team mates who are participating...more to come!

By: Awkward
By: ZaftigDelights
By: NaughtyKnits, (KniftyKnits)
By: StudioCheri

Snow Candy Hand Embroidered Cuff

A magical concoction of snow and sugar...

I've had the design of this cuff dancing in my head for about a month. I love how whimsical and cheerful it turned out. I've made it a Limited Edition, so I will only make this cuff through January, 15, 2010. I can make it any size, so if this one is a little big for your wrist and you are interested, just let me know and I'll make one especially for you!

Lotus Flower and Koi Cuff and Life..........A Circle?

Well...it's been a long time since I created a new cuff.... It was a special request. I love this color of wool and chose it for this cuff since it is mottled and reminds me of the color variations of water. I haven't decided if I'm going to make another for my shop. I will think about it as I work on my Limited Edition Holiday cuff.

Just like with many people right now, life has been complicated lately. Making important decisions that not only affect my family, but my employee's families. Watching as large companies pull on resources that small business has no way to reach. Watching as corporations get bailouts, while neighbors, friends and family lose their homes. Sometimes it just doesn't seem fair --but we strive to make it with will and determination.

My creative brain waves have kicked in again after taking a couple of months of being very logical and precise...boy was that tiring. So keep an eye out here and in my Etsy shop for new designs and creations! Now back to your regularly scheduled programming (is anyone watching Flash Forward?)

Etsy Project Embrace

Etsy project embrace formed out of the concern for a fellow artist and etsyian, Laura Slocum who was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and is undergoing Chemotherapy. The proceeds that are raised are donated to the American Cancer Society to support research and create awareness. Once again I bring you the beautiful work of only four of the many participants on the Etsy Project Embrace Team (TeamEPE). I will continue posting the work of these

amazing artists all through the month of October!

By: Laura Slocum

By: 3Squares

By: GinnyHuberBy: Rough Magic Creations

Overland Expo 2010 & My Photo

Last spring I posted some pictures and information about the Overland Expo 2009 that we attended in Prescott Valley, AZ. This picture, as well as a few others, were published in an Off-Roading magazine. I was so excited, since it was the first time that I've ever had a photo published!

We had a great time at that expo (except the sun and windburn). We met a lot of nice people and heard stories about many of their exciting and sometimes scary adventures.

The information has been posted about the 2010 Overland Expo. If you attend there are some amazing classes on photography, women and overland driving, vehicle recovery, and writing your way around the world....to name just a few. It will be held in Arizona's Santa Cruz Valley from April 16 -18. If you have any interest in ever doing an Overland Journey, you should definitely plan to attend this expo.

Breast Cancer Awareness and Artists

October is not only the beginning of the fall season and changing color of leaves, but it is also the month that you will see a lot of Pink! October is national Breast Cancer awareness month. This disease has touched all of our lives in some way. Here are three ways to help lower your risk factors, information is taken from the American Cancer Society website:

• Eat a healthy diet to help control weight, since being overweight or obese may raise breast cancer risk.
• Get regular physical activity. The American Cancer Society recommends 30 minutes a day, 5 or more days a week. Forty-five to 60 minutes a day is even better for reducing breast cancer risk.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than 1 drink per day. Alcohol is clearly linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Many artists on Etsy have joined in the fight to raise money for research, support and education regarding this disease. If you are interested in donating an item in your shop, or just donating take a look at this link for more information.

Etsy Project Embrace

Here are a few examples of items that when sold, either all proceeds or a portion of, will benefit important cancer research, search on TeamEPE for more beautiful creations! Or, come back and visit my blog...I will be highlighting more of these giving artists!

By: Waterrose Handcrafted Obsessions

By: Green Post

By: Wild Woman Jewelry

By: Sigmosaics

Frannie the Crazy Brittany

This is my other well loved, spoiled dog. Isn't she beautiful? She requires a lot of attention and loves nothing more then to be in your lap with her head on your shoulder....being petted. Frannie thinks she is a lap dog...she weighs about 55lbs, and is four and a half years old. Even though she loves to play she is also very laid back.

In this picture she is saying, "ok, are you going to throw the ball already?"

So, Sherry is having a 1000th sale giveaway

I have coveted this beautiful map jewelry ever since I saw them. While I hate telling the rest of the world...since I want to win one...I must, since it gets me another entry in her contest.

Now, if you really like me you will visit the So,Sherry Blog comment and IF you win....send the necklace to me....

Only kidding (seriously)

Hospice of the Valley Thrift Shop

Whenever I find myself in downtown Phoenix, Camelback and 7th Ave, I always stop at the Hospice of the Valley Thrift Shop. There's always cool stuff to be found and they get new stuff everyday. Here's one of the items I saw there. I have no need for it, but thought I'd post it here in case anyone in the area is looking for one. The price on it is $150 and the volunteer said there is a piece missing, but neither she, nor I know what that piece is. I have some other pictures...so if you're interested in seeing them, let me know.

Tonight's Sky

Tantilla Nigriceps

Or, what I found in my studio yesterday...common name...
Plains Black Headed Snake

If you read a few posts back you will understand how I feel about snakes.

I picked up a box lid from the floor of my studio and I was stunned by seeing this snake. I think it was stunned as well. We both froze, then I screamed, then it slithered behind one of my wardrobes. So the next thing I did was grab my camera, changed the lens out to my zoom lens...so I wouldn't have to get too close. I waited a while for him to peek out....out came his tiny head, then ever so slightly his body. I aimed the camera and he immediately slithered back. As I stood there very still with the camera ready he came all of the way out and I snapped pictures. He then decided to go back into his hiding spot. Now that I had pictures the next step was to get him out of my studio.

During all of that I had called my hubby, he didn't answer so I text messaged him and told him what was happening and I thought I was going to die....he was in Tucson working, no way he was going to make it home to help me...I was on my own.

I'll talk about this in another post, but my remedy for most anything creepy/crawly is tape. I took a piece of packing tape attached it to the opening of a box with the sticky part up. I placed it as precisely as I could believing he would take the same path as previously. He did, but he was so small he was able to get past the tape and into the hall. Uh oh. I had another box sitting against a wall about 3 feet away and he went under it. Thinking quickly I moved everything that was around that box, I grabbed an empty fedex box and tore off the flaps then a piece of cardboard. I moved the box he was under very quickly, put the fedex box on the floor in front of him holding the other end so that the open end was pushed down in the carpet and guided him into the box with the other piece of cardboard.

WOW I had him and I was still alive!!! He's about 4 inches long and about as round as a pencil. At about that same time hubby calls and I tell him what I've accomplished. He says, "well, put it in something so I can see it when I get home." I tell him that I have it in a box and it will be outside. The box didn't have a lid...so I told him that I would put it in a plastic container with a lid. He says, "put holes in the lid so it can breathe." BREATHE!!!....I can hardly breathe after all of that. Then I took pictures of it in the container.

Hubby came home, looked at it for a while (I know he had thoughts of keeping it...but he knew better) and then he took it to the back of our property and freed it...with a warning not to come back to the house!

My wish is to never see a snake again in my life....there have been too many encounters this year...but if I do happen upon another and have my camera I'll be sure to let you all know!

and, to the person/s who helped me identify this snake....thank you!

Pet Holiday

My Brussels Griffon is ready for a holiday...

A Drive Through Arizona and Peridot

On July 5th we decided to head east on the 60 and then the 70 to see that part of the state. For some reason we generally don't go very far in that direction. In the photos of the eagle and the dam and after leaving San Carlos, just across the 70 is a town called Peridot. We didn't go there since it is on Apache Reservation land, but I was surprised when Etsy announced that Peridot was the August gemstone. Peridot is only found in five US states. It would be fun to look for; however, it is on reservation land so no treasure hunting for us! Guess we'll just have to stick with panning for gold!

There was a pair of Eagles, but they were quite far away. To get a close up I can only show one.

Below is an interesting dam in San Juan lake. The architecture of the dam has an art deco feel to it. I want to go back and look at this area a little more closely.

Pima Cotton Field

I love this sign ....the salsa trail

Leapin Lizards!!!

Does anyone know what kind of lizard this is?

Etsy Shades of Ruby Gift Guide

My tatted Rose and Embroidered Hearts Wrist Cuff was chosen to be in this

months gift guide on Etsy