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Necklace and Earring Gift Set

Posted by html404 on May 20, 2010
in Handmade Items

The following product was received in exchange for writing a review. While it is a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

My daughter was actually sent this gift set from Cinderella’s Jewelry called, Pearls and Glitter in exchange for a review. Since I am the one with pierced ears, I thought I would also give Cinderlla’s Jewelry some exposure by writing a review. This set is very nice and priced just right; only $18.00. It would make a wonderfully affordable gift for daughter, mom or grandma. But it is a pierced earring and necklace set. This particular set is sold out but Cinderlla’s Jewelry has other styles available. Custom orders are also available upon request, so please contact the owner for details.

The earrings did not make my ears sore and are made with little posts. They are very comfortable to wear. The necklace looks elegant and wears well.

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Pearls and Glitter (I used most of her description with my opinion sprinkled in since she describes it to a “t”)

This elegant pendant is a splash of light purples/ pinks, light sprinkled glitter throughout, with is a cluster of diamond- like gems in the center as the “pollen”, strung on a 16 inch strand of natural fresh water pearls and a few silver rhinestone spacers.

The clasp is different from what we’ve seen before, but I find it much easier to clasp and unclasp than the usual clasps on necklaces. Each piece is well made.

Cinderella’s Jewelry – Fairy tale jewelry with a timeless touch – http://CinderellasJewelry.blogspot.com

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Flowered Hat from Mayu

Posted by html404 on February 5, 2010
in Eco Friendly Products, Fashion, Handmade Items

I did receive this product in exchange for work I did for someone.

I have loved the look of this flowered hat from Mayu ever since I saw it on their model. It is another handmade, hand-knit alpaca product. It comes in several colors: charcoal gray, chocolate brown, kelly green, red, eggplant purple and orange. I received a kelly green one. It is just as soft as the throw and just as beautiful in design. However, it was too small for my head! I was very disappointed. For some reason, it doesn’t quite cover my ears. It fits my all my children pretty well, especially the ones with less hair. If you look at the model pictures on Mayu’s website, the one of her wearing the eggplant purple looks smaller than the photo of her in the cream colored one. It is supposed to be a one size fits all, but if you have a lot of hair or a big head (yikes!) then you may want to ask them to custom make your hat or just order one of their slouch hats. These hats and the slouch ones retail for $59.00. Again, they are hand-knit by Peruvian artisans in the Andes Mountains and the sale of these products goes towards helping support the women who make them. Please visit www.shopmayu.com for more information.

Here are a couple of photos:

Flowered Alpaca Hat

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Mayu Alpaca Throw

Posted by html404 on February 4, 2010
in Eco Friendly Products, Handmade Items

I received a few alpaca items in exchange for some work I did for someone. Pretty nice stuff! So the upcoming three posts will be about three hand-knit alpaca products that came from the online shop Mayu.

The first item is an alpaca throw. The photos on the website do not do it justice even though they are nice photos. I don’t think my photos do it justice either! Once I opened the box that the throw came in and touched it, I couldn’t believe how soft it felt! It is beautifully made and makes me wish I could knit with such expertise, seriously! My grandmother knitted and I regret not taking up the art of knitting when she was alive. I am between a beginner and intermediate, but this throw is definitely made with expert skills.

Mayu Alpaca Throw

I have a cream colored throw – they have it in chocolate brown, beige and charcoal, as well – and noticed that it is picking up dark colored lint from my “fuzzy” sheets, but that is the only negative thing I have to say about it, besides the fact that it only comes in a twin size! I’d love to have a queen size, but can only imagine what Mayu would have to charge for the finished product after all of their artisans’ hard work! As it is, this throw retails for $249.00.

Editor’s note: I found out from Mayu that they can make a queen size, so a custom order is available upon request.

Mayu Alpaca Throw

This alpaca throw is very warm. I have warmed up quickly after wrapping it around me or adding it over my comforter; it really takes the chill away. I honestly love it!

Alpaca is an eco friendly resource and all of Mayu’s products are considered eco friendly. All of their products are handmade by artisans living in the Andes mountains of Peru. The sale of each item goes to help support the women who made them. For more information about Mayu and this throw, please visit www.shopmayu.com

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Krochet Kids

Posted by html404 on January 20, 2010
in Giving Back/Charity, Handmade Items

I love the lost arts and I’d much rather pay a little bit more for something of quality than something that will wear out and we will have have to replace in a year. The thing is, it is getting harder and harder to find certain items that are high quality. I mentioned Krochet Kids in a post on our family blog. Since then I have purchased a couple of their hats for our family and can write a review of them.

I discovered that some of our older children had grown considerably in the past year, resulting in their outgrowing some of their winterwear. I was truly intrigued with Krochet Kids and their mission, so I took the step of faith and ordered two of them. It isn’t that I like paying $30 for a hat, but it’s the concept, the heart and the way a purchase like this gives back to someone in need. I mean true need because it supports the person who made the hat.

I have to say that I am quite impressed by the quality of the hats. Below you will find a couple of “models” wearing the two hats I bought, and yes, I realize that the one “Blondie” is wearing is too big for her, but doesn’t she look cute?

Krochet Kids1 Krochet Kids2

The other picture is one of our male “models” wearing a different style hat. The first one is called The Thomas. It is an acrylic/wool blend and is very thick and warm. These two hats come in a “one size fits most”. The unique thing is that each of the hats have a tag sewn inside with the name of the person who crocheted it. Margaret made the paprika colored 5207.5. Yes, The 5207.5 is the name of the hat. And the care of these hats involves hand washing, but seeing how they are very seasonal, we won’t be washing them very often.

Krochet Kids3

By the way, Krochet Kids made their goal of selling over 2000 hats for their December goal. You can read more about their achievement here. Or copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://www.krochetkids.org/home.php

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Tea Cozy from Creations by Eileen

Posted by html404 on January 19, 2010
in Handmade Items

I won a free Tea Cozy from Creations by Eileen by entering a promotion they had on Wishpot.com at Christmas time. I actually won two things, which really surprised and delighted me. The other item I am giving away, so I will not be reviewing it. I may mention it in an editorial feature though since it was so nicely packaged!
004 The Tea Cozy came in a nice gift box and a handwritten note. Such a nice personal touch. The Tea Cozy is a handmade crocheted item. It is very well made and fits on most tea cups as it does have some elasticity to it to stretch over a larger cup. I tried it on two different size cups and mugs that we have. I don’t think it was exactly meant to keep the tea warm for long because it doesn’t extend the temperature of the tea any longer than a normal cup of tea. However, it does protect your fingers from a piping hot cup of tea, which is pretty nice on saving your finger tips!

014 I think it would make a nice gift or giveaway prize.

I checked www.CreationsByEileen.com to see what she charges but it isn’t listed on her Etsy site, but I noticed that you can order custom items, so anyone interested in the Tea Cozy can try to contact her that way.