We're working on Giving away free things here....

I feel like I have been so involved this week that I have not been around as much to see the land of Blog.  I have been working to get things ready for a show next weekend.  The Bend Summer Festival is going on July 10-11th.  I will be set up downtown Bend for two fun-filled days of smelling yummy foods, live music and best of all..... Sales!!!!

But in the meantime, I am working on a smaller goal.  My Facebook Page, Plum Valley Designs is up and running like wildfire! I would love to reach 300 fans soon, but alas I am still at 165.  My goal is to hit 200 "likers" by the end of the week.  If I can do this then I will have a giveaway and randomly pick one of my adorable fans to bestow a gift upon!  If I PASS 200 "likers" then I will send out 3 gifts!  Its like a party for everyone!  I will be working on giving away free things this week!

Be sure to tell everyone about the give away and have them stop by Plum Valley Designs and become a liker.  The more we have the more fun it will be! 
Since Facebook does not look nicely upon promo's and giveaways there, the drawing will be here.  I will be sure to post something there to congratulate our winner, or winners though !

Don't forget to stop by the shop to see some fabulous new items!  There will be more soon!  And be sure to check out the lotions and scrubs. They are a great way to ease those dry summer feet back into good health!

Let's Play Indoors

With Summer taking longer to get here, it seems I have been spending more time indoors.  I look around at all I have to do; laundry, dishes, vacuum, etc and I begin to drift off to that magical place..... my jewelry supplies!

I have put together a few new things in the past couple of days.  It has helped that I have learned to say "Laundry, you will have to wait".  I have asserted myself to the towels; yippeee!!! 

Instead I have been mixing lotions, making necklaces and earrings and I have been just so happy.  Now when the sun comes back out to play, I will have to tend to the garden, and chickens and spend more time outside, but in the meantime.... let's play indoors!

Now, don't get me wrong.  I love to be outdoors, but there is just something about the days  you get to be inside.... your imagination wanders and sometimes it creates beautiful things.  And when the sun does peek its head out for just a few minutes then you get amazing photo's like this.  Then it runs away again, knowing you are trying to accomplish something.  Kind of reminds me of my kids!  :) But They would never do something like that, would they?

So with a little bit of effort, a lot of time and more material I know what to do with I have made bags, and hair barrettes.  I have made three bags and I rarely use them.  I love the colors, and the shape and simplicity of the design.  I have even learned how to put in a pocket with a zipper! Not that I am great but I am learning.

With all the fun things I have put together over the past week, I am starting to run out of place to put these fun things!  Does this mean I get to start wearing them and using them for my own?  The chickens already love my earrings, and they peck at them every time I go out and pick one up.  What would they do with some real bling??  They would get jealous, that's what they'd do!

Just us chickens..........wearing our bling

Shining Brightly

With the sun out, and the fresh crisp air, I have been rejuevenated to create! I have so many ideas that even after the sun is done shining brightly, I am still up piecing together my next new idea.

I have just had to piece them together in between girl scout cookies, booth sales, events and everyday home life.... I guess that just leaves the midnight hours to get things done!

At least I have cookies to snack on through those late nights! mmmmmm....... cookies!

I have just finished some earrings and necklaces that are fun, bright and whimsical. And with the traditional designs I have been accustomed to, this is me branching out! I love trying new things as you can see by the older posts. I am still going strong with the Sea Salt Scrubs and body butters, but I will never be able to leave my true passion for jewelry. After almost 14 years, I would have to say that it is part of me. And as we all know after doing something for that long.... well, I guess you would say that it's an addiction. At least this is a healthy one though, right? :)

So I am off to post more items in the stores: etsy and artfire. If you have not already become a fan of Plum Valley Designs on Facebook, then come on over and check it out! I am hoping to have a giveaway soon! Just don't hate me if I am a little slow on the link love.

And a drum roll please.....

With the new task at hand, it seems I am always up to my elbows in Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter. I have found so many new and different views on how it is to be used, and how it affects the body, mind, etc. I have not come to any definite conclusions myself other than it has a strange smell that seems to disappear once rubbed into your skin. And it offers moisturizing like you wouldn't believe. Its like Magic!

With the new line of body products is emerging, I have spent far too much time in the kitchen, which I now refer to as the "Chemistry Lab" and too little in the office working on jewelry. But it never ceases to amaze me that when those huge Fire Mountain Gems catalogs come in the mail, I am right there checking out the new shiny things!

I have been having far too much fun with the scents and fragrances and flavors that I have been purchasing for the lip balms, salt scrubs and body butters. And I thought it would be fun to get some different perspectives on what you like. For the next week or two I would love for you to leave a comment with the favorite fragrances or flavors you like. Kind of a poll if you will. I have found that if you ask a friend, they will offer an honest answer.

Don't forget to check out the store and find some great deals on the new products, or just stop by and say hi. I would love to hear from you :)

So with a flick of the wrist, and a drum roll please...................................

My favorite fragrance is vanilla. It is warm, inviting, and sweet. What's yours?

Wild about learning new projects!

New projects around this house is usually something that revolves around cleaning grout lines, or finding another tree to cut up. But last month, I decided I wanted to learn something new, that is also useful. So with this fleeting thought I set out to google ideas and things I could do over the winter break. I am just wild about learning new projects!

Much to my surprise, the things I wanted to do were not easily attainable at short notice, so I decided to to learn how to make soap. Little did I know that lye was harder to find than a pair of matching socks in my kids' drawers! I searched every hardware store, chemical distributor and mechanic within a 100 miles. I finally ran into a friend that also makes soap. He was my hero!

Back at home, I start the process. My essential oils, fats, oils, and individual containers for measuring. It all went well until I added lye to hot water quickly! EEK! Toxic smell like you would not believe! But I do have to say, my stove top has never been cleaner :)

With the thought of this being potentially harmful, I chose the next best thing, that also used a majority of the supplies I had already purchased; lip balm.

So with a smile on my lips, with my newfound talent, I set off to market the lip balm. Now I am in full swing of production. New flavors come to mind in the middle of the night, like all good ideas. Then I lose them and I have to dabble with different scents. I have got to hand it to you, I would have never known how easy and good for you beeswax lip balm is compared to commercial lip balms. From what I have learned, most chap sticks tend to dry out your lips more, so you have to use more. I am not into this philosophy. I feel it should work, and work for awhile. It's not too sweet, but has a hint of sweetness. It smells yummy and no tint. What more can you ask for?

Be sure to check out the store and see what flavor you can't live without! At only $2 a tube with such wholesome goodness like honey, beeswax, lanolin, and more, why would you pass it up?