Shopping Handmade Part 2

While doing the Lamar Holiday Botique, I found one of my new favorite handmade items. The store is Peaceacre. They make all types of soaps and lotions. My favorite is the Dreamsicle Lotion Bar. It comes in a handy tin, so the lid will not come off and it get all over your purse. It smells soooooo good. The lotion is awesome. As some of you know, I am a runner. This time of year is really hard on my hands. Since the weather has changed, I have not had a single cracked or chapped knuckle. I think that is due to the lotion. It is very reasonably priced. I bought several for Christmas gifts. My teenage daughter loves it. Oh, her husband does the best infomercial for her. Check out their website http://www.peaceacre.com/

Buying Handmade Part One

Last year I started reading the "Twilight" series by Stephanie Meyers. I was instantly addicted. I have since addicted friends and family, if they weren't already addicted. While shopping on Etsy I found the perfect Christmas card to send to my fellow Twilight addicts. I purchased the ones with Edward in a Santa cap, but if your a part of Team Jacob, they are available as well. Check out this great shop!http://www.etsy.com/shop/Kiru

Buying Handmade

This Christmas season, I am really trying hard to buy handmade. I will be honest and say that I haven't been able to do that 100%. (I had to order a meat and cheese gift box). But I am really trying. I have found many items on Etsy. And I did a boutique where I found one of my new favorite items. Over the next few days, or maybe weeks, I will be posting some of my favorites. It may be too late for Christmas, but keep these stores in mind for any future gift needs (including your own). I will only promote the ones I am 100% happy with. So hopefully, you won't have buyers remorse.
Stay Tuned:)

Lamar Handmade Botique

I will be at the Lamar Holiday Botique. If you are in the area, come by and say hi!

Send Me Your Pictures

I love knowing that someone who purchased a Curly Red item loves it. If you have an item you love. Send me a picture of yourself (or the person you purchased it for). Your picture could end up on my blog, Etsy store, or Facebook fan page:)

The picture that is posted with this post is one of my fellow artist, customer, and friend's sister. She makes a really good model. Thanks Ashley:)

Join My Team To Raise Money For Breast Cancer

Yesterday, I started a team with Lee Denim Day to raise money for Breast Cancer. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. I personally know three. Three years ago my friend Andrea was diagnosed while in her early thirties. My Aunt Cindy was also diagnosed. They are both doing well now. Many years ago, my Aunt Jo lost her battle.
The original concept is that if you paid $5 you can wear jeans to work on October 2nd. All proceeds go to benefit Women's Cancer Programs. You can choose to join our team, make a donation, or both. If you are interested, our team is Andie's Friends. Our team website is http://www.denimday.com/team_page.aspx?tid=236829.

Getting Ready For Fall

I am so excited! Fall is almost here. The weather is getting cooler, ball games are starting, the leaves are about to start changing. Fall has always been my favorite season of the year.
I have been making some new designs in jewelry, including wire wrapped earrings. They earrings are very pretty, but hard to photograph. That's always the hard part for me. If you get the chance check out the new items in my etsy store.
I am not going to do many shows this year. One I will be doing is the Artist Boutique in Lamar, MO. My sister is organizing the event. If you are interested check out this website. http://www.wix.com/ackentner/handmade

It is August

It is August. School starts in less than 3 weeks. It has been really crazy around here. But then, isn't it always. It's time to go school clothes shopping. And the dreaded school supply shopping. It's like a treasure hunt. I think some sadistic person came up with the list as sick form of entertainment at parent's expense. Maybe as payback for some badly behaved children in their previous classes. My son is in two-a-days. He is currently grounded from his car, but I wonder as I race to drop and pick him up multiple times daily - who am I really punishing?
I finally broke down and ordered a light kit. It arrived today. I was so excited. As it turned out, so were my cats. It looks much like the six dollar cube they received for Christmas a couple of years ago. I am hoping the kit will improve my pictures for my web-site. I took some tonight. So far, my out door pictures are still my favorites. Hopefully, I will get better at it.
I have managed to make and post a few items on Etsy. If you have a chance, stop by and check them out.
Take Care.

ArEtsy Christmas in July Sale

I am participating in ArEtsy (Arkansas Etsy Team) Christmas in July Sale. The sale is from July 6th - July 19th. The specials I am running during this sale includes: buy one get one half off on zipper pulls/bag charms. (The discount is applied to the lower priced charm), a clearance section and FREE SHIPPING. This is a great sale and a great time to purchase great Christmas gifts! For other great sales by Arkansas Etsy Team check out: http://aretsy.blogspot.com/
Happy shopping

Summer Is Here

Summer is here! Today when I went for my run I started thinking how kids can't wait for summer to arrive. They love it. I think it must be more about not being in school than the actual season. Summer is hot. Very hot. I have always been more of a fall person.
I have been working on a few new things for Curly Red. I have recently made a "Fan Page" on facebook. I signed up today for Google base, which hopefully helps internet surfers find my Etsy shop more easily. I am also going to start doing more trunk/home shows. I also have a couple of things planned for July..
Having mentioned all that, I am open to suggestions. If you have ideas or suggestions, please feel free to contact.
I hope everyone is having a great summer! I'll been posting again soon.

Yart Sale

I am participating in the Etsy second annual Yart Sale. The sale is from Wednesday, June 10th to Sunday, June 14th. When you go to my Etsy store, go to the "Yart Sale" section. Many items are 50% off. There are Twilight items on sale too. Remember, no matter how much you buy, shipping is just $2.50. :)

http://www.mycurlyred.etsy.com

It's Been Really Busy

I know I haven't posted in a while but it has been really busy around here. As usual work is crazy. I have had continuing education and my husband's big anniversary open house. Softball season is in full swing. With all the rain we have tons of make up games. For example next week the only day we don't have a game is Wednesday. And with ball season starting that includes my favorite special needs baseball team - A field of Angels. If you would like to read more about them visit http://www.afieldofangels.blogspot.com.
Thursday I attended my first "After Prom" meeting. This is kind of depressing because it doesn't seem like my baby boy should be old enough to go to prom next year. Oh and then there is my infamous spilled sprite zero on my laptop incident.(which is why I still don't have use of my comma key). A week without my computer and a few hundred dollars later my computer is better - not perfect but better.
On the upside I have made many new items. I then remembered I need my comma key to list them. So I ordered my new key board Thursday. I have also created a Facebook fan page. The link is listed on the side of my blog.
Anyway the purpose of this post is to let everyone know I really am trying to keep my goals of promoting more. It has just been crazier than usual around here.

A Field OF Angels

This weekend is bittersweet for me. I am so excited that this weekend is A Field of Angels first game. I am so dissapointed that I will be in Little Rock at continuing education. A Field of Angels is a baseball league for children with special needs. I heard Mark Brashears talk about his dream for the team at a PAA meeting. You know me, I felt compelled to help him. Now I am his right hand (wo)man. Not only is this great for the players, but for the volunteers that help. Check out our blog http://afieldofangels.blogspot.com. Our game schedule is posted on the blog. If you are in the area, please check out a game. I highly recommend it.

Spring

Today has been the most wonderful day. My braces are finally off. I heard from many friends that I have not been in contact with for awhile either by text, phone, or email.
The weather was absolutely beautiful today. (It's hard to believe it was snowing last weekend). I didn't get to run due to my two orthodontist appointments, but that is a trade I am willing to make.
Today in my backyard, there is a lone tulip. The first of many to bloom. I have had other flowers in full bloom this spring, but this is my first tulip. I started thinking how pretty it was. Or maybe it was just that I took the time to NOTICE how pretty it was. It seems sometimes, that between work, ball games, volunteering, and with all the stressfull things that have been going on, I don't take the time to appreciate or notice the really beautiful things that I am surrounded by.
Don't get me wrong, I love all the things I am involved with. Just today I feel like God gave me the most wonderful day, and then he made it perfect by sending me a flower.

Meet A.Victoria

I would like to introduce you to A.Victoria. A while back, she marked my Etsy shop as a favorite. I noticed that she lives in Carthage (I used to live in Joplin), so I contacted her. I have become friends with this sweet lady. I asked her to write a little about herself so that you can get to know her too.

"I grew up in a family of eight, we all loved crafts and my Mother made sure we learned all kinds. I am now married and have two little girls. :-)I have been knitting for just over 12 years now. I started with the normal learning to read patterns and went on to learn how to design and adjust patterns to fit an individual the way desired. When I first started knitting I really did not want to, my Mother was making me, because she felt it would be good for me. As it turned out, I loved knitting and was fairly good at it. For a while I designed a bunch, got my knitting certification and teaching certification and played with patterns I already liked. I also have taught on and off for over 6 years. In the last 5 years I have mostly used patterns others have designed and played with color and types of yarn. I still like to play with designs! I love to knit special order for people. It is so much fun knowing that what I am making is exactly what someone is wanting; the size, color, kind of yarn and so on. I do a lot of knitting for my children as well and friends and family. It is so much fun and very relaxing to me. :)"

Check out her Etsy store at:http://www.avictoria.etsy.com

She has some awesome gloves that remind me of Bella of Twilight.

Let Me Introduce you....

Let me introduce you to one of the nicest people I know- Paula of Embroidery Impression on Etsy. I have known her all my life. She TRULY has the kindest heart. She would do anything to help someone, even if she had never met them before that day.

Though she would disagree with me, she is very creative. Growing up, she was the oldest of six children. She learned to sew at a very young age so she could have clothes. After she was married, she found creative ways to stay home with her children. She was a seamstress for people, made quilts, doll clothes ect. As a single mother of four, she was determined not to put her children in daycare. She used whatever creative means she could to support her family. One day, she was able to purchase an embroidery machine. She opened her business - Embroidery Impressions in Lamar, Mo. There she has done everything from monogramming school uniforms, spirit items, Red Hat Society items, to teaching others how to quilt. She is truly a talented lady with a beautiful soul. I am not prejudiced at all, even though she is my mom. If you get the chance, please check out her store:
http://www.embroideryimpression.etsy.com

Twilight

Last summer, one of my reps told me while on vacation, she had read the best books. She told me I would love them. I asked her what they were about. She smiled sheepishly and said...."vampires." She quickly added..."It is not like it sounds, you will want you own!" I was having trouble getting my daughter to read, to make her AR goal. Although, I used to love reading, the last few years I just haven't had the time. I decided I would read one, to make sure it was appropriate for my daughter to read. During the days my office was closed during Thanksgiving, I managed to read three of the four books. I was addicted. My husband would tease me relentlessly. My daughter, who hates to read, is now on her fourth book. Of course, while I am in awe of Edward, my daughter thinks Jacob hung the moon. (No pun intended). After she finished the book, I took her to see Twilight the movie. It was not quite as good as the book. She was disappointed that Edward wasn't as handsome in the movie as the book.


I now have my friends and co-workers reading the series. One friend, who wasn't excited about the series is now on the third book. She, my daughter and I are going to see the Twilight movie tomorrow.


As I said, I am addicted. And yes, I want my own vampire.

My Vintage Pearls

Today was my first day back at my day job after my vacation. When I came home I made my "milk jug light box" that I had read about in an Etsy forum. I have listed two items - both vintage faux pearl earrings. The earrings themselves are not vintage, but the pearls are. My great-grandmother, Isabell Blanchard (or Grandma B.) used to make beautiful, intricate, jewelry. I have a few of the pieces and treasure them. A few years ago, my grandmother (her daughter) gave me an ice cream bucket full of her unused beads. Recently, I have started using them in my jewelry. For Christmas, I made each of my sisters a bracelet and earring set with the pearls and their birthstones. I hope to do so for my nieces and other family members. It is kind of like handing down a little piece of our family that they can treasure for years and years to come.

New Goals For The New Year

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my new blog. My goal for 2009 is to really improve my business "Curly Red." I am planning on listing on my Etsy store and promoting more often. I am also going to try my hand at making a light box. I joined Twitter yesterday. Now, I just need to figure out all of these things out. Be patient with me this is all new to me.