Sandy and fall chores

As we watch the east coast face hurricane Sandy, here at home we did the last of the Fall clean up chores. The sunshade is off the patio so the sun will shine all winter into the house. The pool is shut down and put up for the winter. One last mowing of the grass in front and the winter bird feeder has been set up in its prime viewing location. I would much rather be doing these little chores than thinking about evacuations, boarding up windows, sandbags and emergency supplies. I took some quick photos of things that caught my eye, such as the confused daffodils, Superdude mowing, and the mums. Hope you are safe, pray for those in the path of the hurricane and stop and look around at the beauty outside if you can.

rearranging the etsy shop(s)!

What do you think of this first row? I am thinking about splitting up the shop into two shops so I can focus on silversmithing for a while but keep the beaded, wire-wrapped, and such together in another shop.

I have it started, here's a peek: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CSparksDesign any advice is appreciated!

A Fall Sunday

Great weekend! Friends and Family and a beautiful Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

ebay and etsy on a windy day

Do you ever get it in your head that you need something and it becomes an obsession almost? I admit that I do this a few times a year. Currently I am locked on to getting a different laptop bag and lunch bag for the day job. Now understand, I am not a fashion diva--you might guess that of me due to my jewelry making but I am not really. I like an understated me, my personality tends to flash more than my outfit if you understand. But lately I have become obsessed with getting a new stylish laptop bag, preferrably a backpack and a specific tote style of lunch bag so I can quit carrying the plastic grocery sacks. Did I mention too that I am a spendthrift for the most part? This is a tricky combination for me, wanting something for myself and looking for a great deal. I am picky you see, and a guilty shopper for myself. What is that anyway? Is there a psychological term for all of this? Ha! I am crazy, yes that is the term.

Want to see my contenders?

Losers so far:

In the running:

 

 

 

 

 

The weirdest part is that I most likely won't buy anything right now. I have a good laptop bag and there's a lunch bag that I can use even if it is not so cute. I call this wish-shopping and there's probably another term for it but it is just good old fashioned window shopping except you get to put things in your shopping cart online.

 

Do you do this, tell me you do!? So what do you shop for? Everything right? Do you like Ebay or do you like Etsy or both? I like both, definitely. I don't know if I would ever move to selling on Ebay, I like the friendly style on Etsy better. They've changed the site layout and search style--I am still adjusting to it. I encourage you to go do a little window shopping yourself at www.etsy.com

Happy wish-shopping!

 

 

 

 

                          

nostalgia and seeking clarity

BRRR! It has been a cold weekend here in the Ozarks. We stubbornly held a garage-barn sale Saturday and it was cloudy and in the 40's all day. The sale was a bust but it felt good to clean out the extra STUFF that was just sitting in boxes or rotting in damp corners of the barn. Once the rest of it goes to donations it will be an even better feeling of clearing out the clutter.

I've been thinking about what makes us hold on to stuff-especially memory heavy items that hold no better purpose in our lives.

We watch the show Hoarders sometimes and realize some people feel keeping/collecting is protecting them or filling an emptiness inside. For the most part I think we keep things for the nostalgia and seek to keep the past alive. I guess that is why I have been clearing stuff out so easily, for me the past is past and I am enjoying the present so much that I don't need the things of the past cluttering up my future.

I do like nostalgia though and I want to preserve some memory joggers like photos or very small keepsakes. I found my old treasure box, that was pretty cool. I think I will try to limit my collecting of keepsakes, mementos and such to things that will fit in that box and on the wall or in the computer or in my jewelry case....okay actually I am still attached to a lot of things. What things do you keep that you can't part with?

One photo this week. My favorite cold weather companion, a hot cup of coffee-slightly strong with half&half creamer. I also just found this coffee cup in storage, and I get to keep it because it is useful and reminds me of a fun time!
Have a great week.