Chirstmas is Coming!!!

Get into the holiday spirit with some festive Christmas earrings! Sure to add holiday spirit to any outfit!

In our online store we have a beautiful collection of holiday earrings that are very light-weight and so comfortable to wear everyday.

I wear these earrings during the entire month of Decemeber and I get compliments everywhere I go. They also make great gifts!!!

Be sure to check back often!!! New designs are posted regularly!

Don't forget, fellow bloggers receive 20% off in our online store!

Fun Way for Kids to Personalize Gifts

Looking for fun ways for your kids to customize holiday gifts?

Here is a fun way to turn a simple holiday gift bag into a personalized special gift in no time...

What you will need:

• Gift Bag
• Acrylic Paint (Green, Red, Brown, Yellow)
• Pencil
• Paper Towels
• Paper Plate

Directions:

1. Use pencil to lightly draw tree onto bag as a guide.


2. Place green, red, and white paint onto plate.


3. Have your child place one to two fingers in paint and press their painted fingers inside of drawn design until complete. Clean child’s fingers when switching to a different color.


4. Border gift bag with red fingerprints as shown.


5. Let dry completely before using.

You can also use this technique to create fun cards or wrapping paper!

Bring Fall Color Indoors

Create this beautiful ornament to help enjoy the colors of the autumn season.

What you'll need:

• Glass Ornament of choice
• Fall Leaf and Berry Floral Picks of choice
• Wire Cutters
• Narrow Velvet Ribbon (Brown or Orange)
• Low Temperature Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Gold Cord for hanger
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Remove cap from ornament. Cut picks into smaller pieces to fit inside ornament and fill ornament as shown. Replace cap.
2. Wrap velvet ribbon around cap and glue in place. Trim excess.
3. Glue some leaves and berries to cap as shown.
4. Cut cord to desired length for hanger and tie onto cap.

Fall is Here!!!

How about some new earrings to celebrate the wonderful colors of the season?

In our online store we have a beautiful collection of Autumn earrings that are very light-weight and so comfortable to wear everyday.

These designs are some of my absolute favorite! I always get compliments when I wear any of these earrings! They just finish off some of my favorite Fall outfits! The colors are wonderful!

Be sure to check back often!!! New designs are posted regularly!

Don't forget, fellow bloggers receive 20% off in our online store!

Don't Forget Grandparents Day on Sept 13th!

Grandparents are our heritage and are essential members of our families and communities. Let's not forget to set aside some special time to honor them on National Grandparent's Day.

Take this opportunity to spend some quality time with your grandparent. Have fun! Create a project together that spotlights his or her life. Or spend some time doing something special together.

For some fun ideas visit the offiicial National Grandparents Day website.

And let's not forget shut-ins and those in nursing homes who are unable to be with their families or have no families. Try to make a extra effort include these special people with cards, community projects or a special visit.

Autumn is Near

Autumn wonder on display...
It's color splashed in full array...

The hillsides and the valleys wear
God's vibrant colors painted there.

Flaming red and brilliant gold...
Shades of orange so bright and bold...

When God gives color in richest hue
He blesses me and blesses you.

Thank You, Lord, for lovely days.
We humbly bring all laud and praise.

~ Unknown

Make Back To School Fun - Idea #3

Create the Coolest Bookcover Ever

Transform an ordinary school binder into an extraordinary one!

Get your child their own designer book cover for school, by choosing this tie-dye fabric book cover or pick out a patterned cloth of your kid's choice to suit their own individual tastes.

What you'll need:

• Large brown paper grocery bag or brown craft paper
• Fabric scraps
• White craft glue
• Small bowl
• Water
• Paintbrush
• Wax paper
• Scissors
• Textbook

How to make it:

1. First you will need to make the shell of the book cover. Afterward, you will remove the book cover and decoupage it. Begin by cutting the brown paper bag open: Using scissors, cut from the top of the bag to the bottom at one of the corner creases.
2. Cut the bottom off the bag completely. You should have a long rectangle when finished.
3. Lay your text book in the center of the rectangle.
4. Fold the top and bottom of the rectangle up so that the height of the rectangle is equal to the height of the text book. Crease the folds by pressing with your fingers.
5. Bring the left side of the paper cover over the book and line up the ends with the right side of the paper cover.
6. Open the book and fold the left side of the paper around the cover of the book.
7. Repeat this on the other side of the book as well.
8. Open the cover of the book. You need to trim the paper to about half the width of the actual book’s cover. Use a pencil to mark the paper inside the cover where you will trim it.
9. Repeat this on the other side of the book as well. Remove the cover from the book and trim off the excess paper with scissors.
10. Carefully slide the front and back cover of the text book into the temporary paper cover to make sure it fits. Adjust the height accordingly if the cover feels too snug or too loose. When you are happy, remove the cover and set the textbook aside.
11. Line work surface with wax paper.
12. Mix together 2/3 glue and 1/3 water in a bowl with your paintbrush. Use a soup or cereal sized bowl filled about halfway. Make more if you run low.
13. Cut fabric into pieces, any size is fine. Approximately 2” x 2” is a nice workable size.
14. Open paper book cover and place the "good" side face up onto the wax paper.
15. Begin by painting a 2” section in a top corner of the paper with the glue mixture. Place a piece of fabric on to the glue mixture. Add more glue mixture to your paintbrush and paint over the top of the fabric scrap, smoothing with your paintbrush as you go. Scrap should be saturated and plat but not dripping. Repeat this process, covering the paper completely, overlapping fabric pieces as you go.
16. When paper is covered with fabric, open the book cover up and carefully place the textbook back inside it as you did before you applied the fabric.
17. Carefully close the book; place a piece of wax paper in between the front cover and the front page and the back cover and the back page. This will keep the wet decoupage cover from sticking to the actual textbook as it dries.
18. Allow to dry overnight then remove the wax paper from the book.
    

Tips:

• Recycle old fabric by saving the scraps in a zipper plastic bag or plastic container to use for a future project.
• Personalize this project by cutting letters out of a contrasting fabric color and decoupage child’s name on front of cover.
• If any of the fabric scraps are sticking up after drying, use white glue to stick them down.

Make Back To School Fun - Idea #2

Personalize Your Own Lunch Bag

Be enviro-friendly and trendy when you bring your lunch to school!

Do your part to keep trash out of landfills by making your child their very own personalized lunch bag that they can use over and over again. When school is out, use this cute bag to carry toys, snacks, or coloring supplies.

What you'll need:

• Small canvas bag (11"x9"x3")
• Foam stamps (smiley face, bugs and letters for name)
• Fabric paint (yellow, green, pink, purple, orange, light blue, black)
• 3-D fabric paint
• Paintbrushes (thin and medium)
• Fabric hook-and-loop fasteners (recommended: Velcro)
• Sewing needle
• Thread to match canvas bag
• Wax paper

How to make it:

1. Line inside of canvas bag with wax paper.
2. Line up alphabet foam stamps on top of bag to decide where you want the child’s name to be. Once you are happy with the placement, paint the foam letter stamps purple, one at a time, and carefully press down on to the canvas bag. Lift stamp straight up to remove. Repeat for entire name.
3. Paint a smiley face stamp with yellow paint. Apply to the bottom right corner of the bag in the same manner as described in step 1.
4. Paint bug stamps with different colors (pink and purple for a butterfly, yellow and purple for ladybug, and so on) and decorate the rest of the bag.
5. Use a paintbrush to touch up any areas that the stamps may have missed.
6. Use paintbrush to add any details to bugs, such as dots on backs, antennas, or decorations on wings.
7. When paint has dried, use 3-D fabric paint tubes to pipe a border around the smiley face and the child’s name.
8. Place bag in a safe place to dry overnight.
9. Sew fabric hook-and-loop fasteners to the inside lip of the bag to keep it closed.
   

Tips:

• You can easily adapt this project for a boy by using primary colors, bugs, cars, or sport stamps.
• If you don’t have fabric paint, you can use acrylic craft paint mixed with textile medium.
• You can fix textile medium at your local craft store, simply follow the mixing instructions on the bottle.
• You can wash your lunch bag on gentle in the washing machine, lay flat to dry.

Make Back To School Fun - Idea #1

Decorate Your Own Desk Supply Box

Keep your school supplies organized and looking cool with this school box craft!

Make this adorable supply box to hold all your supplies and have a handy organizer while you are using them! Cubbies on top hold glue, erasers, pencil sharpeners, crayons, and whatever you are using at the time.

What you'll need:

• Child size shoe box
• 3 sheets yellow construction paper
• 2 sheet green construction paper
• Acrylic paint (blue, red, green, brown, orange, yellow, black)
• 3” square box with lid
• Plastic water bottle (12-16 oz)
• School-themed foam stamps (school bus, apple, star, crayons)
• 1” x 7” strip of orange felt
• Paintbrush
• White craft glue
• Glue stick
• Clear tape
• Scissors
• Black marker

How to make it:

1. Check corners of shoe box and use tape to close any gaps, rips, or tears.
2. Cover shoe box with yellow construction paper using a glue stick to attach to sides, and tape to close at ends and corners.
3. Cover lid with green construction paper using glue stick and tape as in step 2.
4. Paint the sides and inside of small box blue and the lid red. Set aside to dry.
5. Cut bottom off of plastic bottle about 3” up.
6. Glue orange felt strip around the top of the opening of the plastic bottle. Felt should overlap on inside and outside of bottle opening to cover cut edges.
7. Cut a piece of green construction paper in a circle to fit the bottom of the bottle and glue in place. Set aside to dry.
8. Decorate the outside of the box with school-themed stamps. Paint each foam stamp and press firmly on to the construction paper. Lift directly up to remove. Let dry.
9. Use white craft glue to attach the red lid, blue box and bottle bottom to the lid of your school supply box. Allow to dry completely.
10. Use black marker to add a simple math equation to the side of the box.
11. Use black marker to write “school” on the side of the bus.
12. When everything is dry, fill box with supplies. When you are using the supplies, fill the bottle with crayons, lids with glue, scissors, eraser, and pencil sharpener--whatever you need to have on hand.

Tips:

• Use clear tape to secure any edges that won’t stick down with glue.
• Careful not to overload the top of your box by piling too many items inside.
• If any of your organizers come loose, simply secure with glue.

It's Dollar Days at Michaels!!!

Save on scrapbooking, jewelry, frames, floral & decor, art supplies, crafts and more!

It's also Summer Clearance Time!

Save up to 60% on items throughout the store!


Don't forget your 40% Off Coupon!!!

Let's go shopping!!!

Birthday Parties for Creative Kids

Looking for a fun place to have a birthday party?

Consider a craft party at Michaels!

You can select a party theme and project tailored to your child’s special interests. When the party is over, each guest will have a fun take-home souvenir.

Theme Ideas:
sports, animals, flowers, butterflies, car/trucks, bugs, action heroes, fairies and much more!

Project Ideas:
doorknob signs, bulletin boards, pennants, storage boxes, aprons, t-shirts, tote bags and decorating brownies, cookies or cupcakes

Or if you'd rather party at home, Michaels will put together your customized project — complete with all the materials and instructions for your birthday guests to make at your house.

For more information, visit The Knack.

It’s Party Time!

Fun Butterfly Craft

We have been planning fun crafts for Ashley's Birthday party and found a great butterfly craft that is easy to do!

You will need:

~ Scissors
~ Ruler
~ Scrapbook paper
~ Pipe cleaners

Instructions:

1. For each butterfly, cut two 2 1/2-inch squares from scrapbook paper. Trim the left and right sides of the squares to round them, as shown.

2. Accordion-fold each of the squares to create two sets of wings.

3. For the butterfly's body, cut a pipe cleaner in half. Fold one of the halves into a V-shape, as shown, and twist the ends together a few times just above the bend to create an abdomen (it should be about an inch long).

4. Sandwich both sets of wings between the pipe cleaner ends above the abdomen, and twist the ends a couple more times to hold them snugly in place.

5. Use your fingers to pull the wings open a bit, and then curl the tips of the pipe cleaner to shape antennae.

50% Off Coupon for Michaels

Let's go shopping!!!

We all love 50% Off Coupons!!!

Here is a 50% Off Coupon for Michaels valid from June 14th through June 20th.

Don't forget A.C. Moore will also honor Michaels' coupons!

Great Success Selling Locally

I recently asked a local bookstore to consider selling my book clips and book thongs in their store. They agreed to try some on consignment. I gave them 15 to start out with.

Within several weeks, they sold over a half dozen of them. This week they sent me a check for the remaining book clips and book thongs, since they are selling so well!

How exciting is that???

I also offer these items in our online store, Acorn Accessories. They make a great gift for a friend that likes to read! They do especially well in bookstores!

Fellow, crafters and artisans ~ don't forget to try selling you items locally!

A Heart-Warming Experience

A little over a week ago I met a family that was facing the possibility of being homeless. They had experienced some difficult times and couldn't seem to get "a break". The father is currently out of work and the mother is disabled. The children are 18 months and 10 years old.

I knew that I could help them. So, first, I helped them find an affordable place to live. Then the next Sunday, I stood up in church and asked for help. The family had next to nothing. They had no furniture, no beds to sleep on, no table to eat at, no couch to sit on and no television to watch. So, I asked my congregation friends for "any household items that you are no longer using".

I received an overwhelming response! Some people went shopping for the family and bought them some basic household items. Some people chipped in money. Some people brought in household items that they were no longer using.

I had people calling me that weren't even from my church. They had heard about the family from members of my church. I had one person contact me and invite me to walk through an estate that they needed to empty and simply told me to "take whatever they need".

When my husband and I brought over the first truck load of items, the 10 year old girl was so excited! She went running into the apartment to get her mother.

When I walked into the empty apartment, it didn't even look like they had moved in yet (and yet they had). By the time we left, the apartment looked a little more like home. We were able to provide them with dressers and beds, a couch, a television, linens, dishes, kitchen appliances, books, pots and pans and much, much more.

It was truly one of the most heart-warming experiences I have had in a long time. It is amazing what a difference we can make in someone's life when everybody just chips in a little.

It truly is a good life!

We Won the Kreativ Blogger Award!

Acorn Alcove has been awarded the Kreativ Blogger award!

I would like to thank The Copper Cauldron for choosing Acorn Alcove for the Kreativ Blogger award! Thank you so much!!!

The rules for this award is to pass it on to 5 other great blogs and let them know.

Here are the five blogs I'd like to pass this award onto...

• Savin' Some
• Creative and Curious Kids
• Art and Interior
• Bella Casa
• Audrey's Country Crafts Giveaway
  

Be sure to check out each one of these great sites! And don't forget to check out The Copper Cauldron. She has some wonderful creations!

Michaels 50% Coupon

Let's Go Shopping for Easter!!!

This 50% Off Coupon for Michaels is good on Sunday, April 5th.

It is good on any regular priced item.

Don't forget to check my "Featured Coupon" section for ongoing 40% coupons too!

Please Vote for Our Item!!!

We need your votes!!!

Every week 60 different artisans face off in 12 different categories in the Artisans Challenge to see who has the best handmade item.

Our very own "Delicate Purple Flowers" from our online store is in the challenge!

Please vote before April 6th!!!

Go to Blockhead Radio to vote today!

Spring is Here!!!

It is time for the flowers to begin blooming!

How about some new earrings to celebrate the Spring season?

In our online store we have a beautiful collection of Spring Flower earrings that are very light-weight and so comfortable to wear everyday.

These designs are one of my absolute favorite collections. I always get compliments when I wear any of these earrings! They just finish off some of my favorite Spring outfits! The colors are wonderful!

I am so glad Spring is here!!!

Don't forget, fellow bloggers receive 20% off in our online store!

The Party Has Started!!!

It's Party Time!!!

** The Ultimate Blog Party 2009 **

Be sure to check it out!!!

March 20th - 27th!!!

Be sure to register to win one of the many great prizes!!!

You could win these earrings from our very own online store, Acorn Accessories!!!

If you want to win these earrings (or any pair of earrings from Acorn Accessories), be sure to blog about them (INTL 63)!!!

Artisan's Challenge

All you Artisans out there make a note of this date:

March 23rd

Some of you may remember... some of you may be hearing about it for the first time! Either way there's a bit of construction goin' on over at Blockhead Radio as they prepare to relaunch a cool weekly contest.

Seriously, if you head over there you will hear power saws, drills and jack hammer's workin' 24 hours a day. Okay, no you won't but you WILL hear some really great music by indie artists :)

Formerly known as the Etsy Challenge (the name was change to protect the innocent...) and then renamed as the Artisan's Challenge because there are soooo many great venues out there for selling handmade.... and then the whole shebang came crumbling down. It was feared that the challenge would never be heard from again.

Yes, the Artisan's Challenge is being dug up from the depths of the internet graveyard! For those who may have never heard of the Artisan's Challenge, let me tell ya what it's all about. There are 12 different categories with 60 different artisans every week (5 submissions in each category). The winner's of the categories from the previous week then face off in a weekly challenge!

So head on over, read the rules and enter your submissions now! You'll be notified when it's your week in the challenge. Then its up to you to tell your friends... your family... your neighbors... the people in the checkout line at the grocery store... to go vote for you in the Artisan's Challenge!

What's in it for you? Besides lots of people seeing your item when they vote?? Besides FREE publicity for your shop??? Besides all the fun????

It just so happens that the winner of the weekly challenge will now win a audio commercial with a banner to play the entire following week on Blockhead Radio! That's even MORE FREE publicity for your shop!

Remember, it's ANY selling venue! Entries are being accepted now so hurry and get your submission in. Last date to enter will be March 22nd.

Attention Online Shoppers -- Great Savings Online!!!

If you shop online, you should be using Ebates.com!

If you have a busy schedule (or have young children), getting to the mall is not always easy. Lately, I do a lot of my shopping online. I often find that I am able to get my items cheaper online and I don’t have to pay for gas!

Ebates.com is a site that gives you up to 25% cash back purchases you make online. Joining Ebates is free - you'll never pay for anything. And they will pay you $5 to try it out! And four times a year or more, Ebates will mail you a Big Fat Check, or transfer the money to your PayPal account. Ebates can even send the money to your favorite charity, if you prefer.

It is easy to use and a great way to save money! They offer all kinds of coupons and discounts!

To sign up today, simply click here!

Exclusive Seaglass from the Shores of Southern Maine

Introducing unique seaglass designs from the shores of Southern Maine...

Ashley and I love to walk along the beach looking for seaglass. It is a wonderful way to spend a warm summer afternoon. She gest so excited when she finds the "perfect one".

We are now we are offering exlusive wire-wrapped seaglass pendants in our online Etsy store, Acorn Accessories, availabe in green, white and russet brown.

Custom orders are always welcome!

What Do You Have Planned for Valentine’s Day???

I would like to hear about what you have planned for Valentine’s Day!!!

Are you a hopeless romantic? Do you have something really extravagantly romantic planned? Or how about something cozy and quiet with your special someone? Maybe you have something really creative planned for your special kids?

Please share your wonderful ideas!!!

And be sure to check back and read about what other people have planned for a extra special Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day fellow bloggers!!!

Loves Those Coupons!!!

Here is the latest 50% Coupon for A.C. Moore good through 2/14/09...

Michaels' is also offering a 40% coupon, which I have included in my "Feautured Coupon" section.

But, remember, Michael's & A.C. Moore will accept coupons from either store!!!

So, grab this 50% off coupon and let's go shopping!!!

Hot Valentine's Day Gift

This is the hottest Valentine's Day item in my online store right now!

Every time I relist this item in my store, it sells within a day (usually within a couple of hours)!

This heart keychain and has the words "To My Heart" engraved on it and measures just a little over 2 3/4 inches long (not includding key ring).

It seems as though a lot of buyers agree that it a great gift for that special someone!!!

For more more great gift ideas for your special Valentine, check out Acorn Accessories!

CONGRATULATIONS ETSY PARTY WINNERS!!!

CONGRATULATIONS to the Bella Casa Etsy Party winners! There were 18 winners!!!

A special congratulations to Jenn from Creating, Enabling and a Bit of Life. Jenn won our Red Mother of Pearl Hearts Earrings from very own Acorn Accessories!!!

Be sure to check out Bella Casa for the "after party" special discounts!!!

Many of the shops are offering FREE SHIPPING or a DISCOUNT during the upcoming week. So, if you didn't win, you can still buy a lovely treasure for yourself and SAVE MONEY, too!

Valentine Gift Basket

Looking for creative ideas for Valentine's Day?

This gift basket was so easy to put together and would be a great gift for just about anyone!

It includes four wine glasses, four napkins with napkin rings, a set of four drink charms from Acorn Accessories and a decorative rose heart.

Drink charms a "charming" way to tell guest’s glasses apart. The charm hangs from the stem of a wine glass or the handle of a mug. They add real "charm" to this gift basket!

If you want, you can also add a bottle of wine to top off the gift.

The drink charms can be used on coffee mugs! As an alternative gift idea, simply replace the wine glasses with coffee mugs and add a pound of coffee.

For more drink charms, check out Acorn Accessories!

The Party Has Started!!!

Bella Casa's Etsy Party has officially started!

Don't Miss Out!!!

January 26-30th

Be sure to drop in and register to win free gifts!!! There are some really great items!!!

Enter To Win These Earrings!

You could win these Mother-of-Pearl Valentine Earrings from Acorn Accessories or one of many other great items!!!

Enter to win during Bella Casa's Etsy Party!!!

When???

Monday, January 26 - Friday, January 30

Where???

At Bella Casa Blog !

COME JOIN THE FUN!!!

Dollar Days at Michael's & 40% Off Coupon!!!

It's Dollar Days at Michael's!!!

Monday, January 19 - Saturday, January 24th

Let's Go Shopping!!! Don't forget to bring your 40% off coupon...

Unique Gift Ideas for Your Special Valentine

Need a Unique Gift for Your Special Valentine?

Check out the custom jewelry and accessories we have available in our online store:

http://www.acornaccessories.com/

SALE ~ Limited Time Only!!!

I am having a sale for a limited only!!!

Buy one item from SALE Section and get a 2nd item
from SALE Section for 1/2 price!!!

Be sure to check it out while supplies last!

Acorn Accessories

Hot Treasury on Etsy

My treasury on Etsy is hot and movin' to the top!!! Check it out:

Is Rain Really Purple???

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade AcornAccessories.etsy.com