Helping Our Youth

My husband and I had the pleasure of attending a benefit for the Cohoes Connect Center For Youth at Michael's Banquet House last week. The event was well attended by many involved with and many who want to support the center. We participated in a silent auction of a wide variety of items to suit all tastes and a live auction of some rare pieces that sold at very reasonable prices! Those involved are so dedicated to this cause and tirelessly devote many hours of their time to help children and to fulfill the vision of a center for kids to go to! 

The vision of the Cohoes Connect Center For Youth is taken directly from their website, "an urban youth center that is both a community resource center, and a safe and secure environment for the children, youth and families of the City of Cohoes and the Greater Capital Region.

We are committed to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We believe in making a positive impact in the lives of children, youth and families through:

• Mentoring
• Tutoring and educational resources
• Vocational & life skill development
• After-school programs
• Nutrition, exercise and healthy food choice education

As a “Destination Center” and a community outreach organization, we desire to remember the youth and give them hope for their future by focusing on education, community enrichment & cultural empowerment. The responsibility to reach out and provide guidance, support and direction to the youth and families of our community falls on us particularly during this time of social and economic need.

About Us

Wendell and Dona Williams have always had a passion for working with young people. From time spent as volunteers at Vanderheyden Hall to being dorm parents at a private boarding school in Massachusetts, Wendell & Dona can best be described as "kid magnets." Their most current undertakings have included Harvest Parties at Halloween and an after-school program for local youth in 6th-12th grade. They have also recently hosted a breakfast to honor the Cohoes High School Football team.

Wendell was born in Las Vegas, Nevada & attended college at Sothern Utah State College. He lived on the west coast until he joined the Navy. Wendell was stationed in Boston during the Vietnam Conflict and it was there that he met Dona, a Boston area native. Dona holds a B.S. in Theater from Skidmore College and has worked with students in the secondary and post secondary settings. She has also been working with women's groups for over 15 years, and along with her husband, Wendell, has co-hosted the popular "Breaking Ground" radio program broadcast on area stations.

Wendell and Dona have been married since Christmas Day 1975 and have 3 adult children.

They both strongly believe in the future of Cohoes and the surrounding communities and feel that youth need a sense of purpose and their basic needs must be met. Helping the youth in these local communities is a social responsibility to which Wendell & Dona are committed.

All staff and volunteers at The Connect Center for Youth are screened and fully adherent to the philosophy of building, strengthening and inspiring youth with a hope for their future.

Getting Involved

If you have a heart for young people and want to make a difference in their lives, opportunities abound for you to get involved.

• If you are a skilled tradesperson with a working knowledge in building, plumbing, HVAC, electrical or carpentry then we invite you to come on Saturday mornings and lend a hand. The workers scheduled for that day meet at 8 a.m. and work until about 2 p.m. Any time you can give is welcomed and appreciated.
   
• If you own a business that specializes in building materials – drywall, concrete, paint, carpeting, flooring, sound and video equipment or anything else, donations of materials are ALWAYS welcomed and appreciated.
   
• If you'd like to help through monetary support, either a one-time donation or a planned giving opportunity, we invite you to either click the link on our website, http://connectcenterforyouth.org/ or mail in your donation to The Connect Center for Youth, PO Box 35, Cohoes, NY 12047. We also have naming opportunities available for any individual desiring to make a significant financial donation. Please call The Connect Center at 518-687-1999 to set up an appointment to meet with us to discuss your naming selection."

You can contact The Cohoes Connect Center For Youth at:

PO Box 35
Cohoes, NY12047

518-687-1999

info@connectcenterforyouth.org

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I've been working on some new items and experimenting with some new styles and beads. Check them out and let me know what you think.

Click on this link to order this style: https://www.etsy.com/listing/193213177/brown-black-and-gray-beaded-knitted?ref=shop_home_active_1

This link will take you to the page to order this beautiful necklace! https://www.etsy.com/listing/193218038/royal-blue-48-knitted-necklace-with

Our next stop is the Shaker Heritage Society Craft Fair on July 12 & 13!

Until Next Time...

Diane

Profiling Women In Business

Cara of Early Bird Stitches from Allentown, PA loves to craft and make things. Her family's encouragement is the reason she set up her Etsy shop. Cara creates fun and unique items and is best known for her keychain/ID wallets. She loves unique fabrics and loves to upcycle fabrics she finds at thrift shops and yard sales. Cara stands by her work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee! Please purchase items from Cara's shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/EarlyBirdStitches

Emily of Wish List Art from Dublin, Ireland likes to paint in places of beauty and peace. Her art is a place she can go to get away from the challenges of the day. She focuses on Nature, Simplicity and Peace and enjoys the way colors, and images can calm the mind and create a positive outlook on life. You can view and purchase Emily's art at https://www.etsy.com/shop/WishlistArt

Deena of Daisy Kay's Soaps and Gifts from Ludowici, GA started making soap in 1990. She came upon a recipe for lye while researching herbs, vitamins, and minerals and got hooked on the process. Her first soaps were made for family and friends who have sensitive skin so she made sure her soaps are gentle and moisturizing and made from all natural ingredients. The molds she uses are fun for children as well as adults. You can shop for soaps at www.etsy.com/daisykays

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Just signed up for The Shaker Heritage Society Christmas Craft Fair that is held at their facility, 25 Meeting House Road, Albany, NY 12211! This was a fun event last year so I am excited to be invited back this year! It is amazing how the meeting room transforms from an empty room with bleachers on one end to a Winter Wonderland with items from many crafters throughout NYS! 

The dates for this event have changed so that it will end closer to Christmas this year. You can visit the Christmas Craft Fair daily from November 1 - December, 20 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. They are closed on Sundays. It's a great way to shop for unique handmade gifts for Christmas and support small business. Everything at this craft fair is handmade by the owner of the business!

Until Next Time...

Diane

What Do I Do If...

The beauty of Cruisin' Creations designs is that they are so light and airy you hardly know that you are wearing them. That being said they make quite a statement because others can see how beautiful they are!

Sometimes; however, these creations can get caught and the yarn will pull. In fact, the bracelet I was wearing yesterday got caught on a clasp on my wallet. All is not lost when this happens. Do not panic. Simply take off the item and begin pulling the yarn in all different directions as you work away from the pull. In no time the loose yarn will be back in place. All fixed!

These scarves, necklaces, and bracelets may look delicate but they can withstand a lot!

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June Birthstone Necklace

The alexandrite colored Swarovski crystals used in this necklace are stunning against a light or dark colored top!
Click on the link to purchase yours today!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/173955406/18-birthstone-necklaces-made-with?ref=shop_home_active_2

Mother's necklaces are also available!

Choose the birth month beads and I will design a one of a kind piece.
Perfect for yourself, Mom, or Grandma!
Click on the link to order yours today!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/174133342/design-your-own-mothers-and-grandmothers?ref=shop_home_active_4

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The month of June is reserved for celebrating fathers, and birthdays in our family so we will not be involved in any shows. But you can visit us next month at Shaker Heritage Society on July 12 & 13! 

Until Next Time...

Diane

Those Annoying Phone Calls

Several months ago I vented about the Do Not Call Registry and how businesses do not seem to be abiding by it. I have been informed that many of these calls come from outside the US allowing companies to bypass the regulations. Well, last week the annoying phone calls took a different turn.

I received two calls within an hour of each other. The first call was about an auto insurance quote I had requested. The second call was for an estimate on replacement windows. I had not requested either of these items and became very bothered by the disruption.

Not long after I received yet another call from the shipping department at Medic Alert informing me that my order is ready to ship. You are correct. I did not place an order to Medic Alert either!

Each time I receive one of these calls I think about the not so lucid senior citizen who does not remember whether they requested information, or placed an order, and unknowingly ends up giving out personal information. It is well known that as people age their filters and sense of danger diminish which is why the elderly so often fall prey to shady contractors doing household repairs. It is also why they tend to speak their mind and not care whom they offend.

Are the people making these calls just trying to eek out a living like the rest of us or are they scam artists with less than honorable intentions in mind? They say, "Let the buyer beware." Please do so whenever you pick up the phone or open an email.

Some time ago I mentioned calls from Windows about our computer having a virus and hackers getting into it. The caller asks the owner to turn on the computer and then the caller takes control of it. They can be very convincing that they are legitimate and that your computer is in danger. Well, if you weren't sure this was a scam let this example confirm it. A couple of weeks ago my aunt received a call from Windows telling her that she had a problem with her computer. This was pretty amusing because she doesn't own a computer. Guess who the hackers are...

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Featuring two more necklets this week - Pumpkin and Seafoam!

Two very popular colors at craft shows!

They are available in 23" or 32" and can be worn as necklaces or bracelets!

Click on the links below the pictures or visit my website:

www.cruisincreations.etsy.com

Order yours today!!!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/190484397/seafoam-beaded-knitted-necklet-can-be?ref=shop_home_active_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/190475044/pumpkin-beaded-knitted-necklet-comes-in?ref=listing-shop-header-1

Until Next Time...

Diane

A Wonderful Community Event!

Niska-Day - sponsored by the Niskayuna Community Action Program is a wonderful community event and I think the entire community was there on Saturday for the 33rd annual Niska-Day!

There were 35 very talented crafters at the event along with local not for profit agencies, rides, games, entertainment, and fireworks. All of the crafters shared a large tent, the patronage of the attendees, the wind that blew through the tent, and the mud beneath our feet as it had rained most of the previous week. While I would love to profile each and every crafter at the event I have decided to focus on two special ones whom we were very close to.

My husband and I find ourselves drawn to food at these shows. It's consumable, doesn't take up much space, and is tasty so it didn't take us long to check out Mrs. Claus Kitchen. Barbara was across the aisle from us. She makes the most delicious soup mixes and spice blends to be used as dips, salad toppers, spreads, and meat rubs! And, she doesn't use salt which I love because salt is not a good ingredient in my diet. Barbara does a lot of farmer's markets and craft shows, but if you don't find her at one you can always order from her website www.santasatticandkitchen.com. You can also follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/santasattic.

Leaning Tree Designs has been in business for 10 years and an Etsy seller for 2 years. Carol makes the most beautiful pieces from semi-precious stones, crystals, silk cord, and silver. One look and you know that these items are of very high quality. Many of her designss are delicate and tastefully done (exactly my style). Her larger pieces give the look of a bulky piece without the weight. She has a wonderful eye for balance with each design. You can view and purchase Carol's designs at www.leaningtreedesigns.etsy.com.

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My wrap bracelets are so popular at craft shows because of their versatility and many customers have wanted a necklace the length of the lanyards I make so I have created a new item called a Necklet. 

A Necklet is a piece that can be worn as a necklace or a wrap bracelet. 

They are 1/2" wide, simply slide over the head, or can be wrapped around the wrist 3 - 4 times, 

and come in two lengths 23" & 32". 

The two pictured are currently for sale in my Etsy Shop! Others will follow soon!!!

Click on the links below to order yours today!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/189704668/design-your-own-necklet-a-necklace-and-a

https://www.etsy.com/listing/189713365/cotton-candy-pink-necklet-can-be-worn-as

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May's birthstone, emerald, just pops on this soft white yarn! Made with emerald Swarovski crystals, each is knitted into place. A 4" silver toned chain and alligator clasp at the back allow you to adjust this 18" necklace to up to 22" in length. Click on the link below to purchase one today!

Addhttps://www.etsy.com/listing/173955406/18-birthstone-necklaces-made-with caption

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It's time to get our yard in order so we are taking a few weeks off from the craft show circuit. Our next event will be July 12 & 13 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at the Shaker Heritage Society, 25 Meeting House Road, Albany, NY. There is a $4.00 admission fee which benefits the Shaker Heritage Society, a little piece of history near the Albany Airport.

Until Next Time...

Diane

Touched by the Strength of Others

Courage!

Strength!

Fear!

Appreciation!

These are a few of the emotions that I witnessed on Saturday at the Relay for Life Craft Show in Albany, NY. At the show my husband and I met two families who continue to deal with some difficulties with their small children.

The first family we met included a 7 year old who had a stroke at 14 months! Yes, you read that right, a stroke! Since that time she has had to relearn everything and at this point she seems to be a normal child who does not let her disability get in the way of living her life. While explaining the ordeal her family has gone through this child's grandmother told us that she plays T-ball and bats one handed because her right hand doesn’t release the bat when she gets a hit. Nothing stops this girl from accomplishing what she has set out to accomplish. Amazing!

As if that wasn’t enough to humble us and make us very thankful for the blessings we have, about an hour later we met another family with a 4 year old who had surgery on her brain twice before she turned one year old! As we were speaking with her parents she was playing peek-a-boo with us behind her mother’s legs. She seemed like a very happy precocious little girl. Does she have a long road ahead to catch up to others her age? According to her parents, yes, but she is doing it.

My husband and I just looked at each other after meeting the second family. I’m sure we were thinking the same thing – how did these families find the strength to deal with these issues and why were we spared such heartache. What we learned from both of these stories is that the limits we put on ourselves are the things that hold us back. Without those limits we can accomplish anything! These little girls are proof of that.

My good wishes and prayers go out to these families as they deal with rehabilitating their children, paying for the expenses related to these health issues, as well as dealing with everything else that life throws at them.

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The emerald green Swarovski crystals pop on this soft white nylon yarn in this month’s birthstone necklace. You can email me (dbabin731@gmail.com) , visit my website www.cruisincreations.etsy.com, or click on this link to place your order!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173955406/18-birthstone-necklaces-made-with?ref=shop_home_active_24

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Our next stop? Nisky Day at Craig Elementary School, 2566 Balltown Rd, Niskayuna, NY 12309. This show runs from 11:00 – 5:00. Mention this blog and receive 15% off of your purchase!

Until Next Time…

Diane

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