Category Archives: Authentic Living

Inspiring your pursuit of an authentic, meaningful life through the channels of natural jewelry design, the handmade movement, urban homesteading, and nature craft tutorials! (All articles are bunny approved!)

Check Out These Cool Stones I Got From Moldova!

17 February 2012 by Jenny Hoople

I just bought these cool stone beads from Moldova and I wanted to give all of you a sneak peak! I do collect and drill some of my own Wisconsin stones to use in my natural jewelry, but I also … Read More >

Posted in Authentic Living, Natural Jewelry. Bookmark the permalink 2 Comments

Check Out These Cool Stones I Got From Moldova!

Shortening a Chain Necklace is Easy!

9 February 2012 by Jenny Hoople

Sometimes it’s hard to decide what length necklace is best until you actually get to wear it and see for yourself how the pendant lies with your favorite outfits. You might order the necklace with a chain long enough to … Read More >

Posted in Arts and Crafts Tutorials, Authentic Living, Natural Jewelry. Bookmark the permalink Leave a comment

Natural Favorites: Growing on Your Desk

2 February 2012 by Jenny Hoople

There is a special magic that winter carries with it, but on the whole I find myself yearning for sunlight, growth and water at this time of year. If you find yourself scanning the skies for returning geese and grumbling … Read More >

Posted in Authentic Living, Natural Favorites. Bookmark the permalink 2 Comments

The Book Worth Reading during my Vacation in Mexico

27 January 2012 by Jenny Hoople

I have always loved reading. When people ask me what sort of books I like to read, my answer always sounds so weird to me: “Well, mostly non-fiction.” Non-fiction might seem like the boring part of the library, but to … Read More >

Posted in Authentic Living, Handmade Movement. Bookmark the permalink 4 Comments

The Book Worth Reading during my Vacation in Mexico

We Started Building our House in Mexico!

21 January 2012 by Jenny Hoople

My husband and I had a great time visiting his family in Mexico over Christmas-time! They live down near Salvatierra, Guanajuato in a little tiny rancho nestled up against an dormant volcano called el Cerro de Culiacan. The mountain is … Read More >

Posted in Authentic Living, Mexican Culture, Urban Homesteading Tags dreams, el cerro de culiacan, guanajuato, handmade life, homesteading, living in mexico, mexican culture, winter home. Bookmark the permalink 4 Comments

We Started Building our House in Mexico!

6 Things the Handmade Movement Could Learn From Mexico

19 January 2012 by Jenny Hoople

One of the things I love most about being in Mexico is the ever-present sense of the Handmade. I don’t mean to imply that everything down there is handmade, but rather that the way they live their lives is in … Read More >

Posted in Authentic Living, Handmade Movement, Mexican Culture, Philosophical Ponderings Tags authentic arts, guanajuato, handmade, inspiration, jenny hoople, mexican culture, mexico, philosophy, the handmade movement, vacation. Bookmark the permalink 4 Comments

6 Things the Handmade Movement Could Learn From Mexico

Why Mexican Rocks are Awful for Jewelry Making

17 January 2012 by Jenny Hoople

Hello everyone! Where have I been? Visiting my husband’s family in Mexico for the holidays!! It was warm, sunny, relaxing and we had an awesome time, but I have to admit that it feels really great to be reconnected to … Read More >

Posted in Authentic Living, Mexican Culture, Natural Jewelry Tags el cerro de culiacan, extinct volcano, guanajuato, igneous rocks, natural jewelry, rock, rock jewelry, rocks, rocks for jewelry making, rocks in mexico. Bookmark the permalink 4 Comments

Why Mexican Rocks are Awful for Jewelry Making

The Easiest Way to Juice a Lime (or Lemon!)

29 December 2011 by Jenny Hoople

Here’s a little trick I learned from my Mexican in-laws (whom I am visiting down in Mexico at this very minute!) The easiest way to juice a lime (or a lemon!) is to use a fork! Cut the lime in … Read More >

Posted in Authentic Living, Mexican Culture, Recipes, Urban Homesteading Tags authentic mexican recipes, easy way to juice a lime, how to juice a lime, kitchen tips, lime, simple living. Bookmark the permalink Leave a comment

The Easiest Way to Juice a Lime (or Lemon!)

Well, that was unexpected!

15 December 2011 by Jenny Hoople

We were supposed to be leaving for Mexico tonight at 2:30am, but the airline called us this morning with two options: 1) fly in to Guadalajara (4 driving hours from where we need to be) or 2) change our travel … Read More >

Posted in Natural Jewelry Tags handmade, last minute christmas gifts, last minute gift ideas, natural jewelry, natural stone jewelry, ready to ship. Bookmark the permalink Leave a comment

Last chance to give the gift of nature!

13 December 2011 by Jenny Hoople

Hello awesome friends! If you’re looking for a last-minute gift to fill those stockings or for your sister-in-law who you forgot to shop for, you can still order a piece of my natural jewelry and I guarantee that I’ll ship … Read More >