I Heard It Through The Grapevine That Motown the Musical Is An Amazing Show

"I heard it Through The Grapevine, Stop in the Name of Love, My Girl" are just a few of the songs we heard on Saturday at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in NYC! We thought we had taken a step back in time as the vocals on the stage for "Motown the Musical" sounded exactly like the original artists! What an amazing show!!! Many also looked like the original artists from our seats in the mezzanine!

I had seen several positive posts on Facebook about "Motown the Musical" and thought it would be a fun way to spend a spring Saturday. And it was! We were not disappointed!

As we were watching the show I thought about how much the music reflected those same 25 years of our country's history. Some of those times were great and others not so much.

If you like Motown music and are ready to relive part of your childhood or take a step back to an earlier time I highly recommend making the trip to see this amazing production!

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Mother's Day is less than two weeks away but it is not too late to order your Mother's or Grandmother's necklaces and bracelets from Cruisin' Creations. Please order by May 2 to receive your specially designed piece in time for Mother's Day.

18" necklace with a 4" extension chain and alligator clasp. $20.00

7" - 8" slip on bracelet. $7.00.
Click on this link to place your order:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/174133342/design-your-own-mothers-and-grandmothers?ref=shop_home_feat_1

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New at Cruisin' Creations - Flowers for Your Hair!!! These are available as hair clips and ponytail holders! 

The hair clips close with a snap clip. Flowers come in two sizes and sell for $2.50 for the small and $3.50 for the large.

The soft fold over elastic used to hold your ponytail in place also forms the center of the flowers. Each sells for $3.50. 

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Stop by Sand Creek Middle School, 329 Sand Creek Road, Albany NY on Saturday, May 3 from 11:00 - 3:00 to support Relay for Life and local businesses. Many crafters will have their creations on display for your enjoyment and purchase. It's a perfect time to pick up gifts for Mom!

Mention this blog post at Sand Creek on Saturday and receive 15% off of your purchase!

Until Next Time...

Diane

Pulling for Charity

As I was leaving the market the other day I saw a man loading a cart with empty bottles and cans for recycling. This got me thinking about the Pulling for Charity programs that some non-profit organizations use to supplement their budgets.

The Ronald McDonald House and Shriners Hospitals collect pop tabs from soda, soup, pet food cans, etc. and use the proceeds from recycling them to pay for equipment and services within their organizations. The pop tabs are 100% aluminum and take up less room than aluminum cans so it is easier for these charities to manage and recycle the tabs.

I originally heard about these programs through the New York State Association of Family and Consumer Science Educators and thought this was a great project to help children learn about the importance of helping others who are less fortunate without collecting money. I used to use it as an extra credit project in my classroom. Many students rose to the occasion and saved thousands of tabs. They continued to collect the tabs and delivered them to me many years after leaving my classroom.

Donating is easy. Remove the pop tabs and save them in a bag, plastic container, box, etc. Find a Ronald McDonald House or Shriners Hospital that is close to you and deliver the tabs when you have collected a large amount. You don't need an appointment! Can't do that yourself? Not convenient for you? Perhaps someone you know works for or volunteers at one of these organizations and would happily deliver the tabs for you.

I have personally experienced the appreciation of the Ronald McDonald House volunteers when receiving this "gift" and know that you will feel fulfilled and proud after you have made a delivery. To learn more about these programs you can visit the Ronald McDonald House and Shriners Hospital websites or click on the links below each picture.

To learn more about the pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House go to http://www.rmhckc.org/poptabs

To learn more about the pop tab program for Shriners Hospital co to http://www.thirstylizards.com/general/cantabprogram.php

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Easter was very quiet and relaxing this year! We had a very enjoyable weekend with family and are now ready to focus on the next holiday - Mother's Day!

It is not too late to order Mother's and Grandmother's necklaces and bracelets from Cruisin' Creations! Simply visit my website www.cruisincreations.etsy.com, click on necklaces and scroll down to Design Your Own Mother's and Grandmother's Necklaces and Bracelets - Or - click on this link: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/174133342/design-your-own-mothers-and-grandmothers ref=shop_home_feat_1

Each necklace and bracelet is designed according to your specifications and the birth months you provide. Genuine Swarovski crystals are used in each piece. 

The necklace is only $20.00, and the bracelet is only $7.00! 

Order soon so that your items can be shipped in time for Mother's Day!

These samples were designed with June, August, and October birthstones.

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Our next show will take place on May 3 at Sand Creek Middle School, 329 Sand Creek Road, Albany, NY. This event runs from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm and benefits the American Cancer Society. Please stop by and support this very worthy organization. Mention this blog post and receive 15% off of your purchase at Cruisin' Creations!

Until next time...

Diane

Made in the US of A!

In last week's blog I profiled 3 crafters at the Country Craft Shows Spring Show in Oneonta, NY. This week I'd like to profile 3 more who sell products wholly made in the USA. 

As we walked into the Foxcare Center on Saturday morning there was this very long table that was covered with sheets. I was curious as to what could be underneath it and thrilled to find that it was all hand made chocolates just in time for Easter! Laura Haney of Laura's Chocolates makes the most delicious confections from real chocolate not flavored wafers. I was fortunate to sample a piece of her chocolate covered pretzels. Well, she takes them to a whole new level by covering them with caramel before dipping them in chocolate and decorating them. DELICIOUS!!!!! Laura makes a variety of shaped chocolates including some very cute deviled eggs. You can view some of Laura's designs on Facebook - Laura's Chocolates and Custom Designed Cakes.

Food is always a hit at craft shows so I was especially pleased to sample The Dip Bowl's dips, desserts, and oils. Donna has an amazing selection of dips including Piping Hot Pepper Jack, New York Cheesecake Dessert Mix, and Aloha Pina Colada Dessert Mix. I decided that I had to buy some but had a very hard time choosing. I couldn't possibly buy they all! Unfortunately, she does not have a webpage but you may be lucky enough to find her at one of the many craft shows throughout NYS.

Have you ever heard of maple cream? I haven't, but because of  Shaver-Hill Maple I now know what it is - maple syrup whipped to spread like butter. Shaver-Hill Maple carries maple cream as well as a wide variety of syrups, maple candies, and the most beautiful wooden cutting boards I have ever seen! They are family owned and operated since 1912 and located in Harpersfield, NY. Harpersfield isn't convenient for you? No problem! You can order from their website www.shaverhillfarm.com.

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If you ask me, April's birthstone, diamonds, would look gorgeous in any shape or form; however, it can also get very pricey so why not enjoy the look of diamonds without the price with this beautiful necklace and bracelet set? Using Czech fire polished crystals I created a stunning white set that sparkles in the light. While it would be gorgeous on anyone it would be perfect for a bride or member of a bridal party! Please send me a message if you would like to purchase this set. (dbabin731@gmail.com)

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Our next show is May 3 at Sand Creek Middle School, 329 Sand Creek Rd, Albany, NY from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. This show is sponsored by Relay for Life and benefits the American Cancer Society. Please come out, do a little Mother's Day shopping, and support a very worthy cause.

Until Next Time...

Diane

You Get What You Pay For

We spent the weekend at the Country Craft Shows Spring Craft Show at the Foxcare Center, Oneonta, NY. The Foxcare Center is an amazing facility and proof that old shopping malls can have new life breathed into them when they are re-purposed. This facility housed a variety of doctors offices as well as a fitness center, pharmacy, and cafe. What vision someone had to create this facility out of a defunct mall!

While the craft show was a personal success our Saturday evening accommodations were not. We stayed at the Red Carpet Inn because it had been mentioned in the craft show literature, other crafters had stayed there in the past, it had a picturesque location on Colliers Lake, and was very reasonably priced. Well...the price should have scared us away as I spent a good portion of the night sneezing, and trying to breathe, and woke up the next morning with bloodshot eyes and a puffy face. Why did this happen? While air quality testing would confirm this, my husband and I believe the heater, which never stopped running all night, spewed out mold and dust. My sinuses were in mutiny and I was suffering!

Never again! It would have been so simple to drive the hour and stay in our own home Saturday night, but we thought it would be nice to have a room on a beautiful lake. Next time we will make the drive...

We did meet some wonderful people and very talented crafters at this event. I will profile 3 of them in this week's blog.

Owl Eye Photography is owned by Kate Waltz. Kate has an eye for capturing the essence of nature which she sells in the form of note and greeting cards. She also sells her photos as matted and framed prints. You can contact Kate through her Facebook page - www.facebook.com/owleyephotography.

ES Notebooks is owned by Eric Schaechtele. Eric takes original as well as common art pieces and prints them on various sized notebook covers which he sells at very reasonable prices. I always have a need for a small notebook in my purse so I was thrilled to find these beautiful hard covered ones in the perfect purse size. You can follow Eric on Twitter - twitter@esnotebooks.

Bar Excellence Soap Company owned by Laurie MacCracken has taken the boring bar of soap and turned it into a celebration. Her soaps look so delicious that you want to eat them! What? Yes, you would want to eat them. Why? She makes soaps that look like slices of cake and cupcakes. So cute for a special gift or for a shower favor! You can check out her selection at bar-excellence.com.

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April is here so it's time to feature our April Birthstone Necklace. 

This necklace is made on a loom using soft nylon yarn and Swarovski crystals.
It measures 18" long and has a 4" extension chain and alligator clasp.
It is also available in a longer length or as a bracelet by special order.
Please contact me with your preferences (dbabin731@gmail.com)
or place an order at https://www.etsy.com/listing/173955406/18-birthstone-necklaces-made-with?ref=shop_home_active_11
You can also view my entire selection of designs at www.cruisincreations.etsy.com. 

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Our next stop?

May 3 we will be at Sand Creek Middle School, Sand Creek Road, Albany, NY. This event benefits Relay for Life!

Until Next Time...

Diane

Hurray For Handmade in the USA!

My husband and I spent this past Saturday at a craft fair to benefit the Little Sisters of the Poor at Our Lady of Hope Residence in Latham, NY. This was a craft and vendor show so along with Pampered Chef, Tupperware, and Mary Kay there were quite a few vendors who buy and sell.

Very early on I realized that the people surrounding me were buy and sell vendors. This concerned me because I didn't think I could compete with their very low prices. Those who are familiar with my designs know that I sell a line of high end women's accessories.

Across from me was a woman who sold Paparazzi necklace and earring sets for $5.00. To my right was a woman who sold a variety of items including little stuffed bunny rabbits for $5.00 each, and to my left was a husband and wife team who sold jewelry as well as $10.00 manufactured hats to which they added a flower or other embellishment. I thought, "How am I going to compete with this? My prices are so much higher!"

As I observed people throughout the day it appeared that my "neighbors" were quite busy and selling a number of items, but traffic in my booth and my sales seemed to be light. At the end of the day I realized that my perception was all wrong. Each of my neighbors in one form or another commented to my husband or me that they did not do as well as they would have liked and barely sold enough to cover the cost of the booth space for the day.

I was sorry for them; we are all small businesses just trying to eek out a living. I was; however, happy for myself because I did profit. It was then that I realized that people do appreciate the value of handmade items and are willing to pay the price for quality designs rather than pay for inexpensive imported items.

Hurray for handmade!!!

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After each event I like to profile a crafter who has caught my eye with his/her creativity. This week I'd like to feature Remember When. Among the items Robin and Beverly make are quilted reversible ironing board covers at a very reasonable price. The colors are so pleasing and the prints so attractive that I would think these covers would make the chore of ironing a bit more palatable. Unfortunately, they do not have a website but I'm sure you will see them at one of the craft shows in the area.

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Our next stop is the Country Craft Spring Show at the Foxcare Center, 1 Foxcare Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820. This is a two day event!

Saturday, April 5, 2014 - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sunday, April 6, 2014 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

If you are local, why not spend part of the weekend taking a scenic drive down I88 to Exit 16,Oneonta, visit the show, and help out small businesses? 

Easter is only a couple of weeks away and Mother's Day isn't far behind so it's a perfect time to purchase unique gifts for all of the special people on your list.

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Drastically Reduced!!!

I have several one of a kind acrylic winter scarves that I have marked down to unheard of prices. These scarves are only available at craft shows and only for a limited time. If you can't make the shows and are interested in one of these scarves please send an email to me, dbabin731@gmail.com, and we will work out the details.

This yellow 60" infinity scarf is adorned with clear glass beads. It is stunning over black, brown, or navy especially when the beads shimmer in the light.
Regularly $60.00 it has been reduced to only $20.00!

This teal 36" cowl style scarf is adorned with blue, gold, clear, and purple beads.
It is stunning on black or white.
Regularly $50.00 it has been reduced to only $15.00!

This white 60" infinity scarf is adorned with beads I purchased in Key West.
They are biconne beads in a pale shade of green.
o soft and elegant on the pure white yarn, it reminds me of Key Lime Pie.
Regularly $60.00 it is marked down to $20.00!

A shorter version of this Key Lime Pie scarf scarf above measures 15" and is only $5.00!
It is the perfect size for a collar scarf or for a young girl.

This deep purple 60" infinity scarf has gold, pink, iridescent, and green glass beads knitted throughout. The metallic thread and the beads add such shimmer to your outfit
when they catch the light.
Regularly $60.00 it has been reduced to $20.00!!!

This baby soft white 36" cowl scarf has irregular shaped crackle beads knitted throughout. The pink, gold, olive, and magenta beads add such interest to this scarf.
Regularly $50.00 is has been reduced to $15.00!

It's never too early to plan for Christmas! Imagine how lovely this 44" soft white cowl scarf adorned with red, gold, and green seed beads will look during the Christmas season!
Regularly $50.00 it has been reduced to $15.00!

At 65" long this gray stone acrylic scarf has white moon shaped beads with clear rhinestones that shimmer when they catch the light. Regularly $60.00 it has been reduced to $20.00!

Until next time...

Diane