July's Handmade Creations

Last month I fessed up to searching the monthly thread for items to feature here. This month there's quite an eclectic selection...

My geeky heart just about stopped when I got a look at some of the jewelry from this shop. Wow, just wow...

The Mazken Ring of Cylarne by The Silver Crucible

Next, I just couldn't resist this cute guy...

Demi the Giant PurpleBlueBlack Monster by EmoSeal Creations

Then, of course, some more jewelry caught my eye. I'm a sucker for dragonflies...

Pink Dragonfly Jewelry Set by Earthly Baubles

And this is just so bright and pretty...

Beaded Asymmetrical Necklace by An Astrid Endeavor

Then, of course, you need to set your rings someplace when you're doing dishes or such...

Ring Dish by BobblesByCarol

Of course I must finish up by featuring a couple bags. First, because back to school is just around the corner...

Nightmare Before Christmas Quote Canvas Pencil Bag by Fetching Art

And a little crocheted bag...

Hand Crocheted Cotton Purse by Susan Deanne

As always, the captions link back to the items and the shops from which they came. Make sure to stop by, and tell them I sent you.

Handmade Hour

I stumbled across it one afternoon on Twitter. (I follow a few crafty folks.) There was someone retweeting various handmade goods on Twitter. I had to find out more about it.

I did a little digging and found a website under construction. It appears to be a British site, but it looks like one can still get in on the ground floor if one is so inclined. 

If you are on Twitter from 4 to 5 PM (that's Pacific Daylight Time) on Wednesdays, check out #HandmadeHourUSA (or just #HandmadeHour) to see all the lovely things that pop up. Or tag your own tweet and it might just be retweeted for all of their followers.

If you are on Twitter, it's a good idea to check them out...

@HMNation

@HandmadeHour

They are also on Facebook:

Handmade Nation

Anyone know anything more about them? What can you tell us? Let us know in the comments.

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Christmas in July

It's Christmas in July. Some Etsy shops (from today through July 20th) are offering specials and sales to celebrate. The CCCOE Team is also in on it. Check out some of our deals...

Wild Mountain Wreaths is offering 30% off everything in the store, such as...

Friends Welcome Front Door Wreath

annie k designs is offering 10% off everything in the store. Make sure to check out some of her Christmas items...

Red Poinsettia Christmas Tree Skirt

Nans Glam is also doing 10% everything in her shop, with beautiful items such as...

London Blue Topaz Dangle Earrings

BobblesByCarol is also offering 10% everything in her shop. Take a look at the lovely things she's got...

Turquoise, Magnesite, and Copper Gemstone Necklace

ohmay designs has some cute new Christmas items, just in time for "Christmas" shoppers...

Knit Christmas Tree Ornament with Wine Cork Base

Merry Christmas...in July.

Hey, It's Almost the 4th of July!

Going to a barbeque? Going to a fireworks show? What are you doing for the 4th?

Our teammates have some happy memories of the 4th of July...

The Crafty Nana says:

We had a group called the Big $(4 ladies that graduated from nursing school in the 60s together and their spouses and eventually children) would get together on July 4th for a barbeque and have a softball game at a local diamond. Who ever was pregnant was the umpire. My parents would also join us some years.

Cowboy Boot Booties

Sun Hat

reVetro says:

I remember when I use to live in La Jolla, and my youngest son, Gabe (five-years-old at the time) and I walked to The Cove and found a patch of grass in the park amongst all the crowds of people. I laid on my back, and he laid on top of me with our faces looking towards the sky. With the local radio station simultaneously playing music from a band shell while fireworks set off above the water into clear, dark skies. The reflection of the fireworks could be seen in the one residential high-rise next to the park that was on the coastline.

Red Recycled Pewter Charm Necklace

cserpent designs says:

I always loved playing with sparklers! I still wish we could play with them - but no fireworks for sale in San Diego. I remember running around in the yard in Oahu (Navy brat!). In 3rd grade, in our bare feet, lighting up the yard with sparklers. I didn't get to play with them again until I spent a 4th of July with my hubby's family in Ridgecrest, CA. Since they lived in the desert with very little to burn you could still get fireworks! Hubby bought some pinwheel thing, I just got sparklers!!! My sparklers were fun but his pinwheel turned sideways and started shooting rockets across the ground! We were all hopping all over the place to avoid them - LOL! But now the in-laws are in Santa Rosa so no more sparklers :(

Red, White, & Blue Star, Pearl, and Sterling Earrings

This and That Crafter says:

My favorite memory of the 4th of July is the fun of all the fireworks... I loved the pinwheel when I was a kid. I remember nailing it to a tree and watching it till it faded away. Also, watching the fireworks from the beach with my kids was a wonderful memory. Fireworks are no longer legal in my city but I make up for it by making things in all the colors of the 4th. One of the items I make is rag wreaths and I am now teaching my granddaughter to make them.

Red, White, and Blue Rag Wreath

annie k designs says:

It was an overcast July 4th along the coast in New Jersey. The tall ships were going to sail past Liberty Island and I wanted to see them. So a bunch of us had an all day picnic. At the end of the day, we watched the fireworks with a backdrop of the Statue of Liberty. It was magnificent!

Patriotic Potholders

BobblesByCarol says:

My favorite memory of the 4th of July is all the years as a young girl, the whole family: aunts, uncles, cousins, grandma Trewett, parents would gather at one house that had the biggest yard... We would BBQ with my daddy and his brother in charge of cooking the burgers. Everyone brought something... And there would always be homemade ice cream... We would eat till we popped... Usually it would be sunny and hot and we would all get a slight sunburn... Back before we knew it was bad for us, lol... When night fell dads were in charge of the fireworks show... A small one and we were happy with that... After, the 5 of us girls would dance around with sparklers.... Those were the good ole days !

Patriotic Earrings

Such great stories. What is your favorite 4th of July memory?