Haul and RAK Videos

I have to say, I am a crafting video junkie, I watch as many as I can as often as I can, but lately, all I am seeing are "Haul" and RAK videos, and as much as I like to see what others are purchasing or receiving, it gets to a point when too much is too much.  There are so many talented ladies (and gentlemen) out there whose work I want to see, but instead these people are posting videos that are 15 - 25 minutes long of purchases or RAKs and no one is showing their creations, it is getting discouraging.  The other problem with these videos is that they spend half the time saying OMG and Thank You ..., which I understand, but please enough is enough!  There are a lot of people out there who can't afford to purchase all the stuff that is being shown or can't find it, I know my Michael's and JoAnn's don't carry a lot of the stuff that is being shown, I live in a small town and our craft stores have to carry a large collection of crafting items that cross the entire spectrum, so scrapbooking, rubber stamping and even jewelry making have only small sections dedicated to that craft.

What I am asking here is that you show off your work.  Dedicate your videos to what you are creating and take the time to describe the items that you are making along with the supplies that you are using.  It doesn't help me to know that you purchased 2 huge stacks of paper, 25 different types of rubber stamps and 10 different types of embellishments, I want to know how you are using those items and I want to see the final product.  I can watch a 2 hour video on how to make a mini album, but it is hard to watch a 25 minute video of your shopping haul or RAK, especially when I don't ever get a RAK or I can't run out and buy what you are able to buy. 

This is not meant to offend anyone it is just meant to ask for alternatives, please, I want to see what you making and probably, so do a lot of other people.  I don't learn that much from seeing what you have purchased, but I sure can learn by watching you create your masterpieces.

My First Charm Swap

I have watched everyone's post on FaceBook about all the swaps that they have participated in and I have to admit, I was a little jealous.  I didn't understand the concept of a swap, or a blog, but like everything else in life, if you don't ask questions you won't learn, so I asked and Tanya ScrappyScavenger was sweet enough to take the time to answer my questions.  I told her that I would love to participate, but wasn't sure of what to do and she took control, thank goodness!!!! I have to say that for my first swap, I had a great time, and the girls in our group are very supportive, so thanks to all for making this so much fun. 

Since I create jewelry on a regular basis, I decided to use lampwork beads, Swarovski crystal and bali beads with a theme of Hugs and Kisses, Stars for Wishes.  One charm followed a pink theme and the other fuschia, each being about two and a half inches long on a swivel clasp.  It was like creating an unmatched pair of drop earrings but these are a little on the heavy side, so I wouldn't suggest wearing them for any length of time.

All in all, I loved this swap, but as always, now that it is all over, I might have done things a little differently, but I am willing to learn

My Very First Post

There is so much to say and only so much to say it in, but I have to tell you that this blog will be about the little joys in life, and not the sadness, we have too much of that!  I have so fortunate to have found so many friends thru this amazing tool called the internet, and I have also been lucky enough to travel places to meet them.  I can remember when I first started on the web, way back when, I owned a retail country gift and scrapbooking shop that allowed me so many opportunities.  I would attend gift shows all over the US and not only was I there as a buyer, but I would participate in seminars, give others the benefit of what I had learned in my years as a gift shop owner, I Loved It! 

As always, life has away of taking hold and we closed our shop the week of 9/11 so that I would be able to devote more time to taking care of my ailing mother-in-law.  What an amazing opportunity that became, and what a powerful woman she was with an unwavering faith in her God and a strong love of her family, it opened my eyes to someone I had never met before.  I helped take care of her until she passed at the age of 91 and I was blessed by the whole experience, she helped me see that being a wife, mother and caretaker is as important a career as any.

I love crafting and belong to two groups who are stretching my wings and making me fly, and the girls in those groups are an uplifting circle of friends.  I hope to keep you posted on what we do and when we do it thru this blog, I also intend so speak my mind about some things I see, all in good fun and with a little bit of sarcasm on the side, stay tuned for my side of life!