Gift box that I designed

This is a gift box that I designed but I am not sure if I should secure the box flap lid with small velcro rounds or put hole punch holes in the lid and thread ribbon around it. I would like to make more of these so I can mail my jewelry in. What do you think?

Gem and Mineral Show, Franklin NJ

I will hopefully be at the 37th annual NJ Earth Science Association Gem and Mineral Show on April 25th or the 26th of 2009 <--- I put the year so that people could find it if they were looking for when it is in a search engine. I say hopefully because if it rains or if windy, I will not go. If it is scheduled to rain or be windy on one day, I will go on the better day. The show will be at Franklin school, on Washington Avenue, off Buckwheat Road by way of Franklin Avenue. Zip code: 07416. You will be required to pay a $5.00 donation per person, it is well worth it though. If you go they will put your name and address on their mailing list and they will send you a postcard every year which provides $1.00 off the donation and has details about the dates of the show etc. The coupon is limited to 2 people. The times of the show are:

• April 25, 2009, Sat. 9 am-5.30 pm
• April 26, 2009, Sun. 10 am-5 pm

I hope I will see you there!

Super warm day in NJ today!

Yeyy, the weather is nice and warm today, that means I have to get outside and take loads of pictures or I will be beating myself up and saying that I should have gone outside! You should see lots more items in my shop next week; more earrings too!

What I have been doing lately

I have been working hard on my shop lately, taking more pictures of my jewelry inside by the window and outside whenever I have a chance to. I can't wait until the real spring weather comes. I want to make more items that are cheaper but still of good quality to sell in my Etsy shop. Can I just say though, just because some of my items are cheaper than others, it doesnt mean that they are not good, I simply would like items at all different price points, especially with the economy being so bad.

Purifying Synergy, Defense during Winter

An extract from the book Rejuvenating Recipes for Body and Soul Well being by Barbara Close and photographs by Susie Cushner.

During the winter months we are easily susceptible to colds and flu: respiratory infections such as bronchitis can linger on for weeks. The best defense is to keep the immune system strong with plenty of rest along with a healthy diet and nutritive herbs. Diffusing essential oils in the home is also beneficial, especially since many essential oils have antibacterial properties to keep germs at bay. This blend uses the powerful antiseptic properties of eucalyptus, thyme and lemon to disinfect the home and strengthen the body's resistance to disease.

Makes 4 ounces

• 4-ounce glass bottle
• 4 ounces purified water
• 24 drops eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) essential oil
• 15 drops lemon (Citrus limonum) essential oil
• 5 drops thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil

Fill the bottle halfway with water. Add essential oils, cover and shake well. Top off bottle with water, cover and agitate a second time. To dispense, pour 2 tablespoons of synergy into top of diffuser. Shake well before dispensing.

Herbal Bath Bouquet

This is an extact from a book called Rejuvenating Recipes for Body and Soul Wellbeing by Barbara Close and photographs by Susie Cushner.

Herbal Bath Bouquet

One of the most pleasant ways to enjoy the benefits of herbs is in the bath. Gather a bundle of herbs from your herbal remedy garden selected for their therapeutic and aromatic properties. Include chamomile, a herb with a long history as a nerve sedative and therefore fitting for a soothing restorative bath after a long day outdoors. Chamomile's distinctive applelike scent is very calming mentally and emotionally, good for easing anxiety. Lavender's sedative qualities overlap with those of chamomile and together they will calm frayed nerves or ease dull aches or pains. Add a few sprigs of fresh and uplifting geranium or basil to balance the effect of this bouquet.

Gather all the herbs in a bundle and tie off with a length of cotton ribbon or string. Gently bruise or tear the leaves to release the aromatic oils. Make a loop with the excess ribbon and tie the bouquet underneath the faucet so that water flows over herbs and into the tub. Or, let the bouquet float around you as you relax in the tub.