A Moment To Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is a holiday I have always enjoyed! I think it is because there are no unrealistic expectations. It is simply a time to gather with family and friends and celebrate all that we have to be thankful for. There are no gifts to open, and no expectations of that special item you hope someone remembered to buy for you. There isn't the hustle and bustle of buying all of those gifts then presenting them hoping others will like them. It is simply a time to gather and give thanks.

As Thanksgiving 2014 quickly approaches I am looking forward to that day, to enjoying delicious food with our family, beginning new traditions with the newest member of our family, and focusing on what is important in life. Yes, family, friends, employment, my customers, our home, cars, etc. will be on that list. Also on the list are some of the little things that happen each day that we don't always recognize as blessings such as running late for an appointment and all of the traffic lights are miraculously green so I manage to get to the appointment on time, tripping up the stairs and gaining my balance before falling and breaking a bone, making an unsafe move with my car and  managing to avoid the accident that should have happened, or saying something offensive to someone and being forgiven for it. The little everyday things that happen make me especially thankful.

I get very frustrated by those who bypass Thanksgiving and go directly from Halloween to Christmas. It seems that because there aren't any gifts associated with Thanksgiving that it isn't important. In my mind, it is more important because it is a time to forget about what we don't "have" and focus on what we do have.

I understand the need for stores to decorate for Christmas right after Halloween, as well as advertise for Christmas specials, but is it necessary for them to open on Thanksgiving Day in an effort to remove every last dollar from our wallets? I would imagine that all of their employees would like to be celebrating Thanksgiving rather than working. As a business owner I am all for businesses earning as much profit as possible without gouging their customers, but I also believe that it is important for us to focus on our values at times and forget about the almighty dollar.

So, on this Thanksgiving we will be focused on family and friends, and giving thanks. We will not be focusing on where we will shop on Black Friday, where we can get the best deals, and what will be under the tree on Christmas Day.

So...from Cruisin' Creations...

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Are you looking for a personalized gift for a special girl on your list? Why not purchase one of our birthstone necklaces or bracelets? Made with a soft crisp white nylon yarn the Swarovski crystals sparkle when they capture the light. What girl wouldn't want one of these? 

Simply click on the links below each picture to place your order or click on this link https://www.etsy.com/listing/204089762/sets-birthstone-necklace-and-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_14 and save when you order a necklace and bracelet set.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173955406/18-birthstone-necklaces-made-with?ref=shop_home_active_16

https://www.etsy.com/listing/194695617/birthstone-bracelet-knitted-beaded-with?ref=shop_home_active_13

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173955406/18-birthstone-necklaces-made-with?ref=shop_home_active_16

https://www.etsy.com/listing/194695617/birthstone-bracelet-knitted-beaded-with?ref=shop_home_active_13

The special mothers and grandmothers on your list would love a Mother's necklace or bracelet this holiday! These are individually designed based on the birth months you provide. Click on the link below the necklace to place your custom order.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/174133342/design-your-own-mothers-and-grandmothers?ref=shop_home_active_15

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We are excited to have been accepted to the 39th Annual Holiday Craft Marketplace at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, NY on November 29! I'm told this is the event to go to! There are over 120 crafters displaying their original designs for you to enjoy and purchase. Stop by space #19 while you are there and say, "Hello!" There is a $5.00 admission fee for this event. Proceeds benefit the Saratoga Center for the Family.

Until Next Time...

Diane

#happythanksgiving
#cruisincreations
#birthstonenecklaces
#birthstonebracelets
#mothersjewelry
#birthstonejewelry
#grandmothersjewelry

Badavino Creative Studios

Each craft show brings new opportunities to meet new customers as well as new crafters. This past weekend at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Wynantskill, NY I had the pleasure of speaking with Jimmy Badavino and Christy Colangione. Their display of colorful children's books which Jimmy and Christy have authored and illustrated was the reason I stopped at their table. Once there, it was their enthusiasm and wealth of information that kept me talking to them for a period of time. I only wish I had more time to actually read portions of their books. They looked like they were so much fun to read!

Currently there are four children's books, with a fifth soon to be released, in Jimmy and Christy's library. The descriptions for each book are copied from their website.

The Santa Clock

 By Jimmy Badavino

Illustrated by Christie Colangione-B

A young boy searching for his siblings on Christmas Eve finds a wonderful discovery, reconnecting him with a new belief in Santa's magic.

That's Why They're Called Punkins

By Jimmy Badavino

Illustrated by Christie Colangione-B

It is fall, and the harvest is in full bloom. While walking past the local farm, a little boy asks his father how the big orange decorations got their funny name. Set in the time of long country strolls to the post office and fresh farm stands, the beautiful illustrations and charming characters bring to life the father's story, celebrating an exciting fall tradition.Have you ever wondered why they're called punkins?

The Ballerina's First Dance

By Jimmy Badavino

Illustrated by Christie Colangione-B

One night, a young girl quietly listens to her favorite holiday music, and then suddenly begins to dance around like a ballerina. She surprises her parents with elegant toe taps and balanced twirls across the living room floor. 

The Ballerina’s First Dance tells of a little girl’s discovery of a hidden talent, and the shyness she overcomes when she begins her first day of dance school.  

This graceful story, coupled with delightful, soft colored illustrations, sweetly portrays the nervous feelings and exciting surprises that children often find when trying something new. 

Snowy Day Surprises

By Jimmy Badavino

Illustrated by Christie Colangione-B

On a winter evening, a young girl watches the local weather report, and finds that a large snow storm is quickly moving towards her town. She anxiously wishes for a snow day from school, and thinks about the exciting adventures she will have playing in her backyard. 

Can a lot of snow be too much snow?

Set in a traditional era and heaped with gleaming winter landscapes, this soft flowing story illustrates the wonderful fun children can have playing in the snow. Find what cherished memories await when play time is filled with Snow Day Surprises.

Their latest book, Touchdown for Nicky will be released soon. 

The inspiration for these and future books comes from the adventures of Jimmy and Christy's three children.

They have also written an adult organized crime novel, The Fall of South Bridge, based on actual historical events in Troy, NY.

An organized crime novel inspired by actual events in Troy, NY, The Fall of South Bridge tells of the intricate and dynamic relationship that develops between young mafia apprentice Johnny Bellini and his larger than life uncle, Donnie Carelli, who sits near the helm of the Denoboli crime family of upstate New York.

  It is the late 1980's, and the Denoboli's are at their pinnacle of power when they are blind sided by the force of wily DEA agent Rick Mackenzie and his quest to take out the family and their main source of income, cocaine.  His first target is Donnie Carelli, whom, with the help of an informant, he sets up for a futile, yet punishing, city alleyway ambush.  While questioning his longevity, Donnie reconnects with his sister, brother in law, and three nephews, the oldest of which, Johnny, a high school junior, is realizing that his relatives control a criminal empire that has operated for over fifty years.  When Donnie starts pondering retirement, he finds that his boss and uncle, Rocco Denoboli, is plotting a move against him.  As the wheels of treachery begin to turn, college freshman Johnny joins the family, and carries a secret agenda that could destroy the Denoboli's and rock the foundation of the entire  city.  Will he be evasive enough to carry out his ambiguous orders and save his uncle Donnie before it's too late? 

Jimmy and Christy's books are available at amazon.com. barnesandnoble.com, as well as www.createspace.com. If you are looking for gifts this holiday season that are well crafted, but different from the norm check out their website, jimmybadavino.com and order some books for the special readers on your list.

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It's not too late to order your Mother's and Grandmother's necklaces and bracelets for this holiday season! Each piece includes the birthstones of all of the family members you wish to have included creating unique, one of a kind designs. Stunning is the only way to describe each piece which is created with genuine Swarovski crystals! You can place your custom orders at www.cruisincreations.etsy.com or click on the link below.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/174133342/design-your-own-mothers-and-grandmothers?ref=shop_home_active_11

Birthstone necklaces and bracelets are also available.

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Saturday is our day of rest this week; however, we will be at the 2014 Soroptimist Craft Show at Gloversville Middle School, 234 Lincoln St, Gloversville, NY on Sunday, November 23. The show runs from 10:00 - 4:00 and benefits Soroptimist International of Fulton County. This show was formerly known as the Hadassah Craft Fair.

If you can't make the show in Gloversville you can still purchase Cruisin' Creations' designs at the Shaker Heritage Society Christmas Craft Fair, 25 Meeting House Road, Albany, NY. Our one of a kind necklaces, 18" & 22" rope necklaces, flowers for your hair, single and wrap bracelets, necklace and bracelet sets, and winter scarves are available at the Shaker site.

Until Next Time...

Diane

#cruisincreations
#jimmybadavino
#mothersnecklace
#grandmothersnecklace
#mothersjewelry
#birthstonenecklaces
#birthstonebracelets
#shakerheritagesociety
#shakerheritagesocietychristmascraftfair

Repurposing

I've always been inspired by those who see a piece of rope or an old window and can turn it into something new and useful so when I met Marilyn of MgDesigns Second Wind I was quite impressed by her handmade leather journals. Marilyn is always trying to come up with new ways to use old things and has definitely created a niche with these journals that are beautiful and useful.

As Marilyn describes her craft - "I am always thinking of ways to make some old "find" into something different - a garden trellis out of old railings, stepping stones from broken dishes, shoulder bags from old jeans...it's hard to stop. But I love the thought of giving something, old but still beautiful, a new life as something fresh but with visible history that makes you wonder what stories it could tell..."

Pictured below is one of Marilyn's leather journals. You can view more of her designs at www.mgdesignsecondwind.etsy.com

Add https://www.etsy.com/listing/198765060/handmade-square-brown-leather-bound?ref=shop_home_feat_4caption

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November has arrived so it is time to feature the beautiful topaz Swarovski crystal birthstone necklace and bracelet available in my Etsy shop and at the November craft shows. The color is perfect for November; don't you think? These were such a hit at the O'Rourke Middle School show that I have spent the last 3 days and counting making more! They make perfect Christmas gifts for the special girls on your list!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173955406/18-birthstone-necklaces-made-with?ref=shop_home_active_8

https://www.etsy.com/listing/194695617/birthstone-bracelet-knitted-beaded-with?ref=listing-shop-header-0

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What a day we had this past Saturday at O'Rourke Middle School in Burnt Hills, NY! Never have I been so busy! Needless to say, my husband and I have been discussing ways to streamline our check out process so as not to take up too much of a shopper's time and discourage those who feel they are waiting too long. We think we have come up with some good ideas and are looking forward to trying them out at this Saturday's show.

Stop by Ballard Elementary, 300 Ballard Rd, Wilton, NY on Saturday, November 8 from 9:00 - 3:30 pm to wittle down that holiday shopping list. The firehouse, which is next door to the school also has a show this weekend so you get twice as much selection at the same location. I'm told it is a very busy show so stop by early for best selection!

If you can't make it to Ballard Elementary this Saturday then stop by Shaker Heritage Society's Christmas Craft Fair, Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 4:00! 

If neither of those are convenient for you there's always Etsy - www.cruisincreations.etsy.com. Special orders are always welcome!

Until Next Time...

Diane