Authentic Living

May 17, 2012

Inspiring Terrarium Worlds – Book Review

This inspiring terrarium book is full of pretty pictures of moss terrariums made up to look like mini-landscapes! Unfortunately, there are only a few pages of Tiny World Terrariums that are actually about how to make your own, but this little book is worth the read if only for all the beautiful pics of little [...]

Posted in: Authentic Living, Book Reviews, Nature Photography

May 15, 2012

Finally a Craft Show Display that Doesn’t Suck

Well, I’m just about ready for the Beloit Art Walk this Friday, and it’s all thanks to an inspiring photograph of Popko’s craft booth. She makes real butterfly jewelry which is just lovely! Her display is rustic, organized, simple, effective! I came across this picture of her craft booth on Pinterest and it was just [...]

Posted in: Authentic Living, Handmade Movement, Natural Jewelry, Small Business Tips

May 10, 2012

Vintage Nautical Wedding: Pinterest Interest

It’s wedding season, kids, and I’m loving this Vintage Nautical Wedding Pinterest board by Ruth Bleakley of Concertina Press. Now, I’m already married, but I AM going to my cousin’s wedding this summer! I hear there’s a good little rock-collecting beach nearby the wedding on the Finger Lakes in upstate New York, so I’m making [...]

Posted in: Authentic Living, Handmade Movement, Natural Favorites, Nature Photography

May 3, 2012

Why Handmade Artisans Shouldn’t be Afraid of Copycats

Some handmade artisans are afraid of people copying their work and stealing their ideas (which is something that happens, I know!) but I prefer to thank imitators in appreciation for the sincerest form of flattery: imitation. There are a three main reasons why you shouldn’t be afraid of copycats and can freely share your techniques [...]

Posted in: Arts and Crafts Tutorials, Authentic Living, Natural Jewelry, Philosophical Ponderings, Small Business Tips

May 1, 2012

Bid for My Rainbow River Rock Necklace in the Mother’s Day Handmade Auction

I’m really excited to announce that one of my most popular items, a Rainbow River Rock Necklace, is going to be auctioned off in the big Mother’s Day auction of Handmade goods over on Tophatter! The auction itself will take place THIS Saturday, May 5 at 5pm PT (Which is 8pm EST)!! Starting bid for [...]

Posted in: Authentic Living, Natural Jewelry, Sales and Promos

April 28, 2012

Rustic Homes: Pinterest Board of the Week

I’m so glad my mom introduced me to Pinterest! The people who pin authentically create the most beautiful and inspiring collections on their Pinterest boards :D Here’s my latest Pinterest find, a board compiled by Janice Flynn that’s wholly dedicated to rustic homes! I seriously want to live inside this Pinterest board! (Too bad my [...]

Posted in: Authentic Living, Natural Favorites, Urban Homesteading

April 26, 2012

Inspiration Knocks: Nature Collectors

I get a lot of thank-you’s from fans of my work for inspiring them to get out their rock collections and make their own stone jewelry out of them. Next week I’ll talk more about why I’m not afraid of people “copying” my ideas and instead go out of my way to help out these [...]

Posted in: Authentic Living, Handmade Movement, Natural Favorites, Nature Photography

April 18, 2012

The One Key to Making a Successful Trade on Etsy

Trading is a really great way for us handmade artisans to be able to afford to own more of the wonderful art that our colleagues make! (Even if our businesses are doing pretty well, it’s hard to afford to buy EVERYTHING handmade!) Of course, there are a few guidelines that can help your Etsy trade [...]

Posted in: Authentic Living, Handmade Movement, Natural Favorites, Small Business Tips

April 11, 2012

Take Better Nature Photographs by Cultivating the Right State of Mind

Finding interesting, photo worthy nature moments is more about the state of mind you bring to nature than about what’s out there waiting for you! I’ve found that the optimal state of mind for nature photography is the same one I cultivate when looking for rocks for my natural jewelry or when looking for clothes [...]

Posted in: Authentic Living, Natural Favorites, Nature Photography

April 6, 2012

I’m Sorry, Did You Say Stone Xylophone??

I am so absolutely blown away by the existence of this that I just had to share it with you!! According to “Moi” on Pinterest, “This is a 14 foot-long, 1.5 ton stone xylophone made in 1827 by Keswick stonemason Joseph Richardson out of rare ‘hornfels’ rock found between the mountains Skiddaw and Blencathra in [...]

Posted in: Authentic Living, Natural Favorites