Join in the Digital Scavenger Hunt!

Have you ever heard of a digital scavenger hunt? I hadn't until today. Pink Dandy Chatter is having one in August and you are invited to join in the fun!

Below is an excerpt from the blog explaining the basics. Go to Pink Dandy Chatter for details and to sign up to participate!

"I will ... email everyone on Monday, August 9th with 8 scavenger hunt words and a list of all the web addresses for all the blogs that are participating. You will then take one picture per scavenger hunt word with your digital camera. On Monday, August 30th, everyone will post their own pictures on their blogs (including the scavenger hunt word below each picture). And, you must include links of all the blogs that are participating in the digital scavenger hunt (below your last picture)."


I can't wait - it sounds like lots of fun!

We Have a Winner!! Is it YOU?!?

I want to thank everyone that entered the giveaway for the copper necklace - it was a great success! We had 97 entries - not bad for a first giveaway!

I used a random number generator to choose a winner, and the winner is...
...
...
...



Kelli Lee!



Congratulations, Kelli - I have contacted you about getting your address so I can mail the necklace to you.

Everyone else - thank you so much for participating! I will be sending an email to each of you (if you provided me with an email address) with a discount code good on any purchase from Holly&Sage through August 31.

Also, a friend of mine will be doing a giveaway of another one of my items in August - check back for more details later!

Introducing My New Line of Button Jewelry!

I have created a new line of jewelry made from recycled vintage buttons. I never thought I would use buttons in my jewelry, until I saw a button bracelet that was delicate and feminine. I dug out my stash of old buttons and tried making a couple of bracelets and I was hooked! The color and texture combinations are endless!

These bracelets are so fun, easy to wear, and affordable, and they look even better when you stack two or three together! (At Holly&Sage shipping is always free for a second item!)


Made from buttons and cotton or hemp woven cord, these bracelets don’t have the limitations of metal or pearl jewelry – they can be worn while swimming or playing sports and can be hand washed if they get dirty! (Please don’t put them in a clothes dryer, though!)


Many of the buttons I am using are truly antiques! The craftsmanship of these very old buttons is a wonder to behold! Today's mass-produced plastic buttons simply do not have the delicate etching and carving or interesting swirls and textures that so many of these old ones have. In some styles, I have only one button - as a result of this, every bracelet I make is one-of-a-kind. Some may be similar to others, but no two will be exactly the same .

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Down to earth and simple - like friendship bracelets - these affordable bracelets let you add some personality to even the most casual outfits or wardrobes!
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If you are interested in button jewelry of a color combination or size other than those I have listed, send me a message. I am very open to conversations about my work and will be glad to work with you to create just what you are looking for!

This is why you need to have kids when you are young...

I think nature intended for us to have children early in our reproductive years. That is why teens and young adults in their 20s are so into reproductive-type activities. When you have children at 25, by the time you hit menopause and all the craziness that goes along with it, your kids will be out of the house and on their own (hopefully!).

When you have kids when you are older (like I did...), you run the risk of them still being at home (and always WANTING things from you!) when you become menopausal.

When you are having hot flashes and feeling stressed out and it is 103 outside and you are trying to do 6 things at once, you do not take kindly to two teenagers sitting on their butts in front of the TV and asking you what's for dinner!

And when the hummus falls out of the refrigerator (because one of them did a sloppy job of putting it away) and spills all over that floor and onto your shoe, you just might explode at them!

That could cause irreparable damage to the relationship.

So have kids when you are young. :-/

This Week's Featured Artist: Aki of Oktak!

Today we are honored to have Aki of Oktak. She makes the most beautiful things from vintage fabrics!

1. What is your first name and where are you from?

My name is Aki, and I'm from Japan.


2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

I make bags & pouches of all shapes & sizes as well as baby items such as bibs and smocks. I think I'm best known for my frame pouches though.

I had always been interested in arts & crafts, but it wasn't until I had my first child that I decided to pursue handbag making.

I took a course in handbag design and construction at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NY from 2003 to 2004, and started creating my own line in 2005.


3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

My main source of income is my Etsy shop at the moment. However, I do sell wholesale as well, and am in the process of reopening my own shop. (I had my own shop, which I temporarily closed in early 2009.) I've been selling my work since 2005.


4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

I started this business with the hope of making a living out of it. In 2008, I reached a point where I could probably live on my income if I weren't in NYC, but in an expensive city like this, I still can't say I make a living with my craft.


5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

(1) I try to come up with designs that no one else is making. When I started selling on Etsy in 2006, there was only one other frame purse maker, and it was easy to be 'unique'. Since then, the number of people selling the same types of purses has increased exponentially, but I constantly try to be the trailblazer. Before I produce a new design, I do a thorough search to check that no one else is making the same style. So I came up with frame purses with frills, with corsages, with hand embroidery, with patchwork etc. - but new designs quickly become old and ubiquitous, so I feel like it's a rat race, but I do try to be original. I make it a point not to copy other people's ideas/designs.

(2) I only use high-quality frames made in Japan. I know I could get much cheaper frames manufactured in China, and I did try a few of them when I started out - but I wasn't happy with the quality, and I decided only to use those made in Japan.

(3) Even when I am making plain bags/pouches, my choice of materials will always be different from other people's choices. I only use materials that I love.


6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

I love working with medium to heavy-weight cotton, especially vintage fabrics from the 1960s to 1970s which have bold designs & colors.


7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

The favorite part is thinking of new designs. I have a book full of sketches.
The least favorite is packing. I wish someone did that for me!


8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

My husband has always supported my business. In fact, he was the one who encouraged me to dive into the world of design & craft! My kids, ages 10 and 5, are equally supportive. They are my cheerleaders and I am extremely grateful!

You can see more of Aki's work at her website, her Etsy shop or her shop for kids' items, oktakmini.

5 Easy Ways to Look Younger

Most of us would like to look and feel younger - at least on some days! Here are five no-nonsense tips for looking and feeling your best all the time:

1. Water: Water is required by every cell in our bodies. When you keep your body hydrated it functions better in every way! You may be surprised at the number of headaches and sleepy afternoon slumps that can be cured simply by drinking a large glass of water!
   
   Sufficient water will also insure that your kidneys and digestive system work efficiently to clear toxins from your body regularly.



2. Sleep: Everyone's sleep needs vary, but most of us need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night to look and feel our best. Many nights of too little sleep will take it's toll on your energy level and leave you feeling and looking dull and slow. Getting enough sleep gives your body the opportunity to repair itself and maintain good health.



3. Vegetables: Experts agree that it is important to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day; eight or nine is better. Fresh fruits and vegetables have lots of vitamins and minerals plus healthy natural fiber for digestive health and good carbohydrates for lasting energy.



4. Omega 3: Taking an Omega 3 supplement and/or eating a diet rich in the healthy fats found in salmon, mackerel, and sardines will help keep oxygen free-radical molecules from damaging your cells. You will be able to see the difference in your skin tone, too.



5. Posture: You can take years off of your appearance instantly by standing up straight! Pull your shoulders back, suck in your tummy and hold your head high. You will feel better, too!

Now go out and tackle the world feeling your best every day!!

This Week's Featured Artist: Christina of Natural Indulgence

Welcome to our weekly series on Holly&Sage. Each week we feature a different artist or artisan of handmade items. If you would like to be featured, see Would You Like to be a Featured Artist? for details.

Today we are talking with Christina of Natural Indulgence Bath & Body.


1. What is your first name and where are you from?

- Christina, from California


2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

- I'm not sure it counts as an art. :-) I create handcrafted, all natural, vegan, spa quality bath and body products, under the label "Natural Indulgence".


3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

- I sell my products on HyenaCart, and through a local spa. I also trade them on SwapMamas!


4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

- At the moment, it's more of a hobby, but I'd like to work from home and have it be a supplemental income for my family.


5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

- My products are always all natural, vegan, and organic where possible. They don't contain any ingredients known to be harmful (many spa products do - check your labels, folks!). I only use essential oils, not fragrance oils, so there are always added benefits - emotional and physical!


6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

- Right now I'm working on creating both a body butter and an aftershave... so I guess you could say whatever I'm developing is my favorite!


7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

- Developing and testing something new is my favorite part. Least?... Hm. Labeling. Ensuring that my labels meet federal guidelines, actually printing and cutting and applying... I have to deal with it, but it's just a chore.


8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

- My husband and I have one child, who is just over a year. My husband's take on it is, "Just make sure you make as much as you spend." He likes to try the new products, though :-) My son loves to smell the new scents, and he tries out baby bath products for me!

Christina, thank you for taking the time for this interview! We wish you all the greatest success.

If you’d like to learn more about Christina, visit her shop, Natural Indulgence or her Facebook page.