Deodorant has been a BIG hit this summer which has been a challenge. A main ingredient is coconut oil that melts at 76 degrees. Packaging became a REALLY big challenge when it started leaking before I could ship it so back at base I re-made and re-packaged in “fancy” ziplock bags. Some assembly required.

This beautiful necklace with the word FLY was a custom request from a friend. It’s destined to be gifted to a book author who just published a book on flying. I will ask if I can share her name here.

This pearl “firecracker” necklace and matching bracelet were also a custom pieces for a co-worker who planned on gifting them to a mother-of-the-groom this last weekend. No word yet on how the wedding went since my co-worker is still on vacation. I’ll be sure to share the outcome on this one too.

This beautiful gray necklace was also for my co-worker. This one is pearl knotted, and I must admit, a lot of work. The plan was to have the pieces finished before my big company picnic at the local water park but the necklace had other ideas. Third time was the charm and after a long day of hauling (over 650lbs) of food to the water park, spending the day in the sun, and supervising the food prep I was in no shape to pearl knot but there was nothing for it but to sit down after a long day and knot these beautiful pearls. In the future I might send my co-worker to pick out all of my pearls. She had amazing taste. Both necklaces had wonderful luster, shape and color. I’ve never worked with “firecracker” pearls before so it was a lot of fun to see what they could do. Several new pearl strands will be arriving in my IndenturedMason store soon as a result of this necklace.

Other things I’ve been up to

Cream colored scarf I actually finished before but have been putting off taking pictures

My multi-colored seed stitch scarf that just keeps going and going. This is on ball 2 and I’m pretty sure I need at least one more.

Chai Tea goats milk swirl soap with Moroccan red clay. Smells yummy and is wonderful to wash with, creamy with a little bit of slick texture.

I’ve also ordered a few more jewelry supplies that are really exciting. They should inspire new pieces in my shop (or my jewelry box). Can you tell I’m liking the birds lately?

A semi new type of project I’m trying out that is pretty easy at this stage, a knitting loom. Basic projects are hats and scarves like my cream scarf a few pictures up and this soon to be hat or  tube scarf depending of if I like the hat idea. Hats are not my friend so I’m not sure about this as a hat.  What do you think?

Just a few things that will be in my store soon. Don’t forget to check out the Back to School Sales here here and here. Also Etsy Friends Team sales here.

and yes I Am shamelessly promoting my new jewelry! What do you think of the new greenery in the background?

http://Masoncj.etsy.com , http://IndenturedMason.etsy.com, http://CherylMasonGarden.etsy.com

All three of my stores will feature a BOGO Sale- Buy ONE, get ONE 50% off from July 23-Aug 31. 50% off applies to the the item of equal or lesser value. Savings will be refunded through paypal after cleared payment is received.

Here is a peak at a few of my new items created specifically for this sale.

It’s carried over into my crafts (briefly contemplated painting the kitchen but didn’t think it would go with my decore, oh well….maybe the craft room needs a different shade of blue….). Earlier this month I made a necklace out of vintage glass that I absolutely love. I have another piece that will be going in my store soon.

Today the obsession finally reached into my soaping (technically this is again). It isn’t exactly the right color but close enough that I’m tempted to keep it all for myself! The first is a salt soap. This was a challenge to make and little weird. The salt kept sinking to the bottom of the melted soap until the temp dropped low enough to start solidifying the soap. At that point I had to work fast to get the thick slush into the molds. The last two bars cooled down too much and I had to hand press the warm soap into the mold. They look a little too ruff to sell but the others turned out beautiful with smooth sides and the salt showing through. I’m loving the mini bunt cake mold.

The second soap will be featured in my store for the Etsy Friends Team back to school sale that starts later this month. Each member will tag their items with B2SFriends. Each item will be on a back to school sale specific to each shop. It will be available in custom colors and fragrances all wrapped in some awesome geeky paper.

(The pic’s aren’t making me happy. I’ll try photographing them again this weekend.)

Memorial Day,  Wedding Anniversary, and Birthday Memories

Post a comment here by June 10, 2010 about a special memory you are willing to share of a favorite Memorial Weekend, an important soldier in your life, your wedding or anniversary, or a birthday. I’ll use a random generator to pick 2 winners.

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I’ve had my eye open for a turkish spindle and finally caved to this little  cutie

Compared to my learning spindle this new one is amazing! It is very well balanced with awesome spin and weighs 0.5oz in black and white ebony. I bought it from Thomas Creations Thread thru Time Etsy store. They have new spindles all the time but don’t wait to buy  if you see one you can’t live without. They seem to sell out really fast.

Another item that came in the mail today was a free sample lip balm from MMS that came with my order. It has orange butter in the ingredients so I was really interested to try the lip balm. On the whole I prefer my lip balms constancy to theirs but the orange butter smells edible like a smoothie shop and it seems to moisturize well.

The last thing, I promise, was the best candy EVER. Have it Sweet’s Fleur de Sel Caramel has got to be the most buttery and creamy caramel I’ve ever had. This is the second time I’ve ordered from them. The first time I ordered Spring Is In The Air Pink Vanilla and Dark Chocolate Caramel Bars, Belgian Dark Chocolate Caramel Bars, French Pistachio Nougat Bars. The Pistachio went so fast there wasn’t time for pictures and the samples of the Fleur de Sel were soooo good I ordered a batch along with Pink Peppermint Swirl Marshmallows and French Hazelnut Nougat Bars. The Pistachio Nougat to me was better that the Hazelnut but I always tend to like the first one I try best.

They also included a yummy sample of their pecan caramel. It has just a little bit of crunch in that amazing buttery caramel.

I’ll leave you with a picture of my spunky kitty boy