Favorite Places (to Name a Few.)

It is important to find places in this world that appeal to you...that make you feel excited. I had a random thought about a few places that make me smile inside such as:

1. Half Price Books. They have books, movies, music, games, game consoles, and miscellaneous goodies (journals, magnets, bookmarks, etc.) all at great prices.

My favorites about this place: Finding their clearance section for books as low as $2.00! And the first time my friend took me there she pulled out a tiny notebook with titles written all over it, and I was excited that I would be able to make my own little notebook to take with me there as well. :)

2. Library. They have free Internet, books, music, newspapers, and some outcast books for low prices. The staff are always very helpful and friendly. You can go onto their website and request books, music, and movies online, and you get an email confirmation when they are ready to pick up!

My favorites about this place: The librarians know who my husband and me are so when we walk up to the counter they immediately grab our held items. Their selection always changes, and it's fun to stop in after work to see what is new and useful.

3. Thrift Shops and Budget Department Stores. This includes Ross, Big Lots, Goodwill, and small thrift shops. You will never ever know what to expect when you walk into places like this. Sometimes the workers are friendly, sometimes they try to hire you on the spot. You can find great items at amazing prices.

My favorites about these places: I have found some unique coffee mugs, awesome candle holders, odd and interesting jewelry displays for craft shows, and some good quality clothing at low prices. We have purchased at least two computer monitors at Goodwill for about $5, and they work perfectly. I love a good buy.

Thank you for reading about my favorite places. If you would like to share one of yours please feel free to leave a comment.

Caffeine Awareness Month

March is caffeine awareness month. So many of us are slaves to coffee in the morning. Although it is an amazing and stimulating beverage sometimes too much of a good thing is not good at all.

Some of the health benefits of coffee:

*A lower risk of type 2 diabetes
*A reduced risk of gallstones
*A lower risk of colon cancer
*Improved cognitive function
*A reduced risk of liver damage in people at high risk of liver disease
*A reduced risk of Parkinson's disease
*Improved endurance performance in long-duration physical activities

And some of the health risks of coffee:

*Reducing fertility in women while trying to conceive
*Insomnia, anxiety and irritability
*Heartburn and indigestion
*An increased risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

It's okay to enjoy a cup in the morning and/or afternoon...just not a few pots. Some days I like to drink coffee all day long; I make half a pot and literally sip on my mug all day until it's gone. Some days I drink one cup in the morning and drink lots of water and some juice throughout the day. Know your limit.

In honor of my love for coffee I have created a couple of coffee related items:

Cafe Au Lait Stud Earrings

Sometimes drinking coffee just isn't enough. These stud earrings are creamy, frothy, and beautiful, and perfect for casual everyday wear. They make a great gift too! Surgical steel and 9mm.

Mmm...

Coffee Addition Mini Bookmark

Now you can read with style and an added elegance! This lovely bookmark is available in a cute 3.5 inch size! Perfect to take along with you almost everywhere!

This fun bookmark features the dilemma of a coffee addition (in good humor, of course!) Handcuffs, a key, and yet we always go back to our coffee. :)

I currently do not have a lot of coffee themed designs for sale, but I am definitely going to remedy that.

And in all seriousness, if you or someone you know might have a caffeine addiction please visit this website for some additional information and support: http://www.caffeineawareness.org/ Please also note that I am in no way affiliated with this website.

500th Sale on Etsy!

Yesterday I sold my 500th item in my Etsy Shop! I can't believe how far I have come from when I first started listing my items in December 2007. Back then I didn't know what to expect; all I knew was that I wanted a store front of some kind to direct local customers from craft shows to. Today I sell my items at two online venues, Etsy and Artfire, and I have plans to open/re-establish a shop on Zibbet.

A big THANK YOU!!! to all of my customers and those who have supported me these past few years. I am so grateful, and I cannot wait to see what the future will bring.