tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20480190306073359172012-01-06T22:45:22.150-05:00Creator of the Original Glass, Wood, and Scrabble pendant kits. Visit www.AnnieHowes.com and anniehowes.etsy.com for the most beautiufl handmade glass, and other fine quality crafting supplies.Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.comBlogger1371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-46152624859575507242011-01-22T09:32:00.002-05:002011-01-22T09:34:13.568-05:00

Maddie December 2010 The updated news for my niece, Maddie, is hopeful. After what can easily be compared to applying to an Ivy League University, Maddie has been accepted and given an appointment at Mayo Clinic. I asked my sister, Laura, for an update, and the following is what she shared.  "Maddie is holding her own right now - we have had some issues with severe seizures that were totally

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-89133799365073977042010-12-11T21:25:00.000-05:002010-12-11T21:25:26.632-05:00

Dear Santa. What a cute idea for holiday decorating or a page in your scrap book. Customers ask for different combinations of letters, some of which I can fill, and this recent request was just too sweet. I loved the idea and I made a few special listings of them in my shop on Etsy. What will you wish for this Christmas?

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-18283602766248008512010-09-21T18:20:00.003-05:002010-09-22T21:34:41.838-05:00

When life throws you a curve ball, whip out your ukulele and start strumming. That's what my then 16 year old niece did when she fell ill last September, or she would have done if she had her uke back then. My sister, Maddie's mother, called me one evening a couple of weeks after a family reunion to ask me about the symptoms of mono, something I had when I was Maddie's age. It was diagnosed as a

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-28755382334800065402010-09-16T11:01:00.007-05:002010-09-16T11:24:54.506-05:00

I love Weller soldering irons, particularly the W100. It's by far the best on the market in my humble opinion. Once in awhile, things go wrong, and Cooper Tols has issued a recall on this particular product so this is a little PSA to my soldering friends. If you're using the Weller W100 soldering iron, please check to see if your iron falls under the recall.For information on how to determine if

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-833725200038428782010-08-30T20:12:00.008-05:002010-08-30T20:27:04.582-05:00

This is a super fun project Vanessa worked on last week. I'm always considering new ways to use materials around here, and the small rectangle tins in my shop paired with these fun little plastic beads seemed perfect for a spooky Halloween coffin. She couldn't make it fast enough, I was dying to see it!Here's what you need and links to where you an find it. You may already have everything you

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-76310156336111834592010-08-23T19:43:00.009-05:002010-09-21T16:55:18.881-05:00

It's been quite busy and very hot around the studio this summer with lots of new product testing, the development of new kits, and the excitement of a lightning strike in 90 degree studio temps. Firing glass in the summer heat is super hot work. My daughter spent a week at a super YMCA camp where she got to eat sleep and breathe horses with a bunch of like-minded young girls. What fun! I

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-89456915238778425922010-05-08T20:05:00.005-05:002010-05-08T21:39:05.619-05:00

Have you ever struggled with how to buy the best glass for your pendant projects? If you’re like me, you like quality goods and services at a fair price. I’ve been called a perfectionist on more than one occasion, but I think I’m just particular about where I spend my money and I apply that same perspective to my customers: if I won’t buy it, why should they? This tendency for perfection is true

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-76708547285372513242010-04-30T07:04:00.003-05:002010-04-30T07:11:17.425-05:00

Saturday is the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The Derby is the first race in the Triple Crown and is dominated by 3 year old colts. I haven't missed watching the Derby more than a handful of times in the past 30 years. I love the excitement of the race, the beauty of the animals, the thrill of a win (or not!)What you may not know is that today, the day before the

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-15128600955518085562010-04-19T19:05:00.007-05:002010-04-19T19:14:08.900-05:00

Wow, these are 1.5mm petite and beautiful colorful chains for your pendant creations. Not clunky or chunky, and not plain at all. Choose from 10 fabulous colors. Closures included in matching colors.Shown are black and gunmetal on a 7/8" pendant using a small Aanraku bail.Chains available in my shop anniehowes.Etsy.com

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-80580555143228528962010-04-18T19:53:00.005-05:002010-04-18T20:01:38.974-05:00

Crafters unite with Mighty Strong Magnets! Wow, these magnets are super strong. So strong that they hold a soda can to the top of a car going 70mph! I have these magnets available in my shop on Etsy, but will soon have them available on www.anniehowes.com. Available in 3/8" and 1/2" sizes.

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-28304106515279689402010-03-15T08:36:00.004-05:002010-03-15T08:49:19.867-05:00

I'm so happy to announce that Glamour Glue is back in stock now that the temps have risen, and is ready to ship! You can find Glamour Glue at www.anniehowes.com and in my Etsy shop in the Glaze and Glue section.Glamour Glue is a non-toxic, safe to use, PVA adhesive used in book making and other fine craft projects using paper. Archival quality that dries crystal clear!

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-21184087241463174932009-10-11T15:44:00.005-05:002009-10-11T15:55:02.199-05:00

After over a year of launching my first kit, and after many requests from loyal customers, I finally have the Resin Pendant Kit listed in my shop on Etsy. The resin kit contains enough materials to make 8 pendants, and more if you have extra bezels or wood tiles, such as Scrabble, Bamboo, Mah Jong, and such. If you love the look of resin coated jewelry, and have been intimidated by the process,

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-55196607743557553852009-08-14T09:03:00.006-05:002009-08-14T09:15:48.329-05:00

Oh, yeah! These are finally in! I'm so pleased with the quality of these gorgeous cuff links! They're so easy to customize with your very own image. Simply unscrew the cap, place your trimmed image (15mm) and screw the cap back on! A protective plastic disc is included to protect the image from scuffs. Who wears cuff links today? Any man who wears a suit! Interviews, weddings, funerals, work, and

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-29091054182876077702009-08-08T15:04:00.003-05:002009-08-08T19:27:02.861-05:00

It's been a long, crazy summer with lots of fun and lots of work mixed together. It seems that I haven't been as diligent about sharing all the new goodness here on blogland. Perhaps you haven't noticed because instead of being indoors reading blogs, you've been happily crafting or enjoying the great outdoors.One of my favorite new products are these gorgeous solid wood blocks made from Birch.

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-65447120919416847222009-06-04T16:57:00.015-05:002009-07-01T08:18:43.432-05:00

Lots more on hand than I have photographed and listed, but a few new paper packs are already available in my shop on Etsy. I love this new pattern on an Indian paper. It's called "Twinkle Flowers" and is available in 2 paper collections "Twinkle Flowers I" and "Twinkle Flowers II"Twinkle Flowers ITwinkle Flowers IIAlso available are 3 new colors of the Classic Italian Florentine paper, in pink,

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-33079607798250794542009-04-17T21:31:00.003-05:002009-04-17T22:10:55.021-05:00

It was simply awful and heart wrenching. It was tragic. We had the first mowing on our property today. We don't own a mower. To mow 5+ acres would require a 4-figure mower that turns on a dime. We have a guy who mows for us. He sometimes dresses up like a pirate, but that's taking me off topic.So the mower guy has been busy and our grass has grown with all the rain of the season, and it was

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-30810867619572651242009-04-16T22:27:00.002-05:002009-04-16T22:34:16.494-05:00

I've finally brought Angus back to the studio with me to hang out for a few hours. He spends most of the day confined to a cage, which I've tried to make as pleasant as possible by adding all the toys to it. Still, he whines and whimpers to be let out, and when possible he gets quality lap time and plenty of skitches behind his ears.The update is he's healing nicely and in excellent spirits. He's

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-5822247523541431792009-04-16T09:35:00.004-05:002009-04-16T09:49:50.502-05:00

I've finally caved and have joined the millions of readers in the guilty pleasure of the book Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer. OK, not exactly the book in the paper form, the traditional way of consuming a story, but rather the audiobook. I would much prefer to have the luxury of time to relax in a big comfy chair with a cup of hot tea and read a book, but that's just another luxury I simply can't

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-72608548825878967682009-04-09T16:50:00.005-05:002009-04-09T17:05:30.963-05:00

As promised, the skillful surgeon called at 3:40 this afternoon to say the surgery went very well, that Angus was doing well, and to give particulars about his condition that were all very good news. We couldn't be more relived than we are at the moment knowing that Angus will be OK. I also received another call from the vet student, Julie, to give me a new update since Angus was coming out of

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-38103415041576534122009-04-08T20:22:00.006-05:002009-04-08T21:15:01.136-05:00

Angus. My Stinky Buttcake. All 8 pounds of him. Last November, right around his first birthday, Angus began limping, favoring his left hind leg. Worsening over the winter months, we realized it wasn't something likely to go away on it's own. According to the local vet, Angus was suffering from a congenital condition known to small dogs called a luxating patella. In layman's terms, the ligament

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-88545095423348751402009-04-03T09:06:00.005-05:002009-04-03T09:20:48.685-05:00

I'm pretty darned pleased with working in collaboration with Corinna, owner and operator of Piddix on Etsy. Her shop boasts the highest quality, royalty-free images, and there's no doubt about that. After receiving the gorgeous digital collage sheet for this exclusive kit, I was absolutely blown away at the clarity of each image.The Custom Image Glass Pendant Kit includes an updated version of my

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-22038441503383015122009-04-03T00:14:00.010-05:002009-04-03T00:36:17.929-05:00

Yes, it's true, even websites undergo routine cleanings, and I just swept the cobwebs out of my site and added in some very exciting items.The first new additions are two introductions to the Annie Howes line of products, Glamour Glaze and Glamour Glue. These products have been in the works since last September and I'm so very excited to be offering them both in full sized containers.The Glamour

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-88249076710764701092009-03-25T21:25:00.005-05:002009-03-25T21:31:05.386-05:00

So you had fun with Scrabble Tile Pendants and you want to try something new? I just launched this cute kit with all the same essentials as the Scrabble Pendant Kit...instructions included! Make five 1" round pendants using finished wood circles. Currently only available in my Etsy shop.

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-62057846562741887112009-03-12T20:24:00.007-05:002009-03-12T20:52:37.445-05:00

I admit, I have a thing for paper. To me, paper represents beauty, opportunity, and a plain old good time. You can write on it, read it, draw on it, look at it, wrap it, bind it, put guinea pigs on it, burn it, recycle it, flush it, decorate it and on and on. Paper is really a magnificent thing.So it's with great pleasure that I have 3 new paper collections to offer. I'm just crazy about

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-17419559145298809322009-03-02T19:19:00.018-05:002009-03-03T00:11:56.453-05:00

Remember that Reese's commercial with the people who walked into each other as they rounded a corner, and happened to stumble across a good thing when their chocolate and peanut butter got all mixed up? OK, maybe I'm dating myself with this old Reese's Peanut Butter Cup commercial from, like, the 1970's.So this collaboration between two very amazing Etsy shops is just as sweet and satisfying as,

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-13083326533730403482009-02-26T19:39:00.008-05:002009-03-02T19:17:18.100-05:00

One of my business goals for the first quarter of 2009 was to begin a newlsetter program to announce all the fun new products in my shops. I have a lot of big plans in the works, a few collaborative projects, and some great new kits coming forth this year and don't you want to be the first to know about them? Additionally, the newsletters may also contain preferred customer discount codes,

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-87713518636228659662009-02-22T18:24:00.004-05:002009-02-22T18:36:44.066-05:00

This post is completely unrelated to business, so if you're the serious crafting type and you came here to learn about what I'm up to business-wise, I'm super sorry to disappoint you. No, this blog post is dedicated entirely to the personal side of my life. The side of my life that greets me after a hard day's work when I make the long haul from the door of my studio 100 ft. to the back door of

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-20302594717691564962009-02-09T12:17:00.003-05:002009-02-11T09:28:32.379-05:00

Today is the day! Come join me on Daily Grommet, and if you have a great Grommet idea, send in your information! I'll be around all day to answer comments and questions.Here is the updated location of my page on Daily Grommet.

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-81234471315342298302009-02-08T11:44:00.014-05:002009-02-10T11:53:22.766-05:00

iMafia.*sigh*Mr. Howes and I have entered the new year equipped with iPhones and while I have begged for one for a very long time, he's never really been interested. "They're too expensive" topped the list. No, wait, it was "you don't need one" that was actually first on the list.So who's the new free app king around here? You have 2 guesses, and the first one doesn't count. Mr. Howes iPhones

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-30284321182105880342009-02-06T20:38:00.008-05:002009-02-06T20:52:38.609-05:00

Wow. My last Limited Edition kit was such a success I've put together a new cute kit for the fun at heart. And the plaid lovers out there. I know, technically it's not plaid, it's tartan, but these aren't exactly your traditional color combinations. And they're not all plaid, either. My favorite is the stripe paper because it has an ever so slight shimmer to it. It's like body shimmer. Subtle.

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-6021634787764935842009-02-04T17:50:00.003-05:002009-02-11T09:29:48.436-05:00

What's a Grommet?* It’s a wonderful product still waiting in the wings, just ripe for discovery.* It has great utility, or style, or invention. Or, very often it has all three.* It comes from a designer, or inventor, or artist, or manufacturer who is clearly passionate about what they create. Someone who loves to share their creations and talk to people about why they do what they do.* It comes

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-64574459856922502462009-01-28T13:50:00.005-05:002009-01-30T09:01:01.411-05:00

It all began in the wee hours of Monday. Freezing rain that built a half inch of ice on my car. No school for the kids, naturally, but it also knocked out power. And cell phone service for most of the state of Kentucky. Yuck. Now I'm no stranger to power outages, having lived 10 years on Guam in the 90's I've had my fair share of typhoons, typhoon aftermath, and what the local Guam Power

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-81281696572217585202009-01-26T02:00:00.007-05:002009-01-26T02:14:15.727-05:00

If you haven't visited my Etsy shop recently then you probably haven't seen this cute glass pendant DIY kit just in time for Valentine's Day.I've assembled a sweet collection of both Chiyogami and scrapbook papers in red and pink in this limited edition kit. I've only made 8 available and when they're gone, they're gone! And all to good homes. Each kit includes enough supplies to make 6 beautiful

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-19660054108324665712009-01-16T20:39:00.002-05:002009-01-16T21:04:36.602-05:00

Hugh and I both go to work in our PJ's, and to me that's a lot. It's a Big Deal. Not that I actually wear my PJ's to work, and I've never owned a silky lounging robe but I do wear incredibly comfy clothes that I wouldn't be caught dead wearing in Walmart. Sometimes I even take my home brewed coffee with me.That's about where the similarities end. Or do they?Because I work for myself in a studio

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-54329114204922881472008-12-31T17:42:00.004-05:002008-12-31T17:50:17.878-05:00

Say it ain't so.JudiKins, the name behind Diamond Glaze has issued a recall of sorts on their 2 oz. and 10 oz bottles of Diamond Glaze that were produced on November 13, 2008. The affected batch is GP005 and GP008 with the silkscreened label. Here is the text from their website: Notice: Diamond Glaze CrackingThanks to some very astute Diamond Glaze artists, we have tracked a batch of Diamond

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-30979040187066787512008-12-30T09:04:00.005-05:002008-12-30T09:26:13.867-05:00

If my family's survival depended on my skills at fire starting, we would surely experience a slow, miserable, and very cold departure to "The Other Side".Seriously.The irony here is that I use wood to heat my studio. That's right, a wood stove. It takes me an hour to get it going because apparently that survival gene skips a generation every once in awhile. Or perhaps it's one of those skills

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-27204472885456258182008-12-01T09:32:00.005-05:002008-12-01T18:14:42.279-05:00

My parents, bless their hearts, are notorious in our family for finding the best darned restaurants in town (their town) only to subsequently find the place boarded up and out of business. And I'm not just talking buffets. They find the neatest out-of-the-way, and some not-so-out-of-the-way places. Take The New Orleans House as an example. My goodness, it was the best place in Indianapolis to get

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-59174297203329477552008-11-19T16:50:00.005-05:002008-11-20T07:21:31.997-05:00

I cut glass. I cut a lot of glass. It's gorgeous glass and I'm always cutting it and firing it in my little kiln. I've got this glass cutting and firing thing down as a routine. Especially now that I've purchased The Right Tool for the Job. That's right, the Mercedes of the glass breaking industry with a name I can't even begin to pronounce. A bit of that fine German engineering right here in my

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-46487418274956633792008-11-15T20:17:00.004-05:002008-11-15T20:32:36.810-05:00

I know what you all are thinking, I'm one of those girly-girls who has a tiny little ankle-biter so she can dress it up in cute little frou-frou pet clothing. Well, that's only partly true. Angus is a toy Rat Terrier (a.k.a. Rat Terror) who needs a sweater. He's only hairy on one side and the other side, his underside, needs a sweater in the cooler months. According to Mr. Howes, Angus needs

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-12533181079029590512008-11-03T18:56:00.012-05:002008-11-03T20:36:37.521-05:00

It's been a very long October here at Annie Howes Keepsakes. Long hours, and missing X-acto blades, lost business card boxes, and many apologies for delayed shipments. The good news is October is over and the studio renovation is complete! Well, almost. A few minor cosmetic features like the rest of the ceiling tiles, the framing for the windows and one door, and a bookshelf are all that

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-62325977572771670672008-10-22T07:41:00.004-05:002008-10-22T07:53:35.424-05:00

I've been meaning to get to this for awhile but it's been a crazy couple of months with craft fairs and a complete studio renovation. It's been a very exciting time around here and a little hectic. Now that I'm 100% moved into my fabulous new studio space I have time to share news on a variation of one of my top sellers: The Personalized Party Pack! What a fun way to treat someone special with

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-26221962265948104292008-10-16T09:21:00.010-05:002008-10-16T09:30:36.526-05:00

Brand new to my shop are therse freshly listed 1" bottle cap designs ready for you to create your bottle cap hair bows or bottle cap pendants! My friend at PrettyBowtique makes the cutest clippies for winter in white and pale blue, so I designed this fabulous bottle cap collage sheet with that in mind. These are sold exclusively at Annie Howes on Etsy.

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-57376178703145690352008-10-07T20:03:00.005-05:002008-10-08T15:16:18.441-05:00

Each Tuesday morning I meet up for coffee with a few of my fellow Amazon spouses for some light socialization, much needed for me since I rarely get out of the studio most days. School is out for two weeks for Fall Break and a couple of the moms had planned a morning trip to a pumpkin patch. I had a full schedule today with much needed glass arriving, orders to ship, kits to assemble, all while

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-69833705467412177912008-10-01T19:24:00.011-05:002008-10-01T20:24:24.088-05:00

I am so glad craft fair season is over for me. I have completely underestimated the toll it would take on me and my online business. Wow. Despite wearing comfortable shoes, my feet still hurt, and despite working 18 hour days, I still havea few days to catch up on shipping. To all my patient customers, I can never express in words how deeply I appreciate your patience with my shipping.So it's

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-17457543063140879222008-09-23T19:07:00.007-05:002008-09-23T19:27:44.053-05:00

These are the best days for craft fairs, nice cool mornings that turn into warm afternoons, without a hint of rain. Much better than my first experience with being a participant in a craft fair earlier this summer (see July post). We had two of the most beautiful days in Greensburg, Kentucky celebrating all things that go moo.I wanted to share a few photos of my booth for my friends who like to

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-50231081759863422352008-09-12T14:26:00.003-05:002008-09-12T14:33:26.579-05:00

Well, it could be worse, I could be evacuating Galveston in the anticipation of a huge, wet, and windy storm. But instead I'm living in Central Kentucky 45 minutes from the nearest shopping mall and have found myself without DSL. I'm currently borrowing wi-fi from the allergist office where my daughter gets her weekly allergy shots. They think of everything, and thank goodness for that. Without

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-1430876202656175572008-09-07T16:15:00.006-05:002008-09-07T16:35:52.100-05:00

Ah, yes, the day has finally come when I've taken the culinary leap of faith where I've taken my craft skills to the kitchen and have rendered not fat, but beauty.Behold my first sushi experience. A simple start with just the basics: rice, nori, and fresh garden (not my own) cucumber. Known as The Shotgun in these here parts because there's something about the cucumber roll which makes the wasabi

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-504715188310157342008-09-01T17:35:00.005-05:002008-09-01T19:17:05.949-05:00

My stepmom, Linda, throws a heck of a party every Labor Day Weekend and for the very first time I was able to make it to her neck of the woods to marvel in her organization and wallow in her barbecued pork chops and peach pie (the best pie I've ever tasted).It's always a good time when I visit my parents, but rarely is a party thrown into the visit, so this was a real treat. My daughter and I

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-55617428400865477962008-08-24T17:46:00.003-05:002008-08-24T18:17:32.312-05:00

So, I finally found about 5 minutes in my weekly schedule to make an appointment with an optometrist in town where, yes, they determined, I need a prescription, and though my eyesight is near 20/20, I am, well, yes, maturing, and perhaps a prism for those astigmatisms. Yes, I agreed, I have astigmatisms, but I have no idea abut this aging business.I found another 5 minutes (different week, mind

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-72526875485694951032008-08-16T13:19:00.002-05:002008-08-16T13:26:40.929-05:00

Today marks my one year Etsyversary (one year on Etsy), and to mark this auspicious occasion I have developed and launched the Perfect Party Pack! The Perfect Party Pack is a quart sized paint can that's filled to the brim with all the ingredients you need to create your very own gorgeous glass tile pendants, magnets and rings! The paint can is elegantly decorated with gorgeous Japanese Chiyogami

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-3114396683583633432008-08-07T12:41:00.005-05:002008-08-07T15:17:42.872-05:00

I don't know how many of these designs I'll make, probably a limited amount of them, but they're so darn fun and cute! It's like candy to me, but they're a bit time consuming and off the beaten track from the rest of my products.A dear friend of mine who makes hairbows had a special request from me, and while I know my time is somewhat valuable (to me at least), I also like to help fellow small

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-54080329494077411712008-07-29T15:08:00.007-05:002008-07-29T15:28:18.411-05:00

If the epitome of wearbale cuteness is a Scrabble Tile Pendant, then make room for something glamorous and sexy. Feast your eyes upon these gorgeous Glass Pendants made from Japanese Chiyogami papers and clear glass tiles. Each kit includes a full color professionally prepared PDF tutorial with photos which is emailed to you at the time of shipment so once your order arrives you are fully

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-1831797873843264082008-07-28T17:15:00.004-05:002008-07-28T17:36:53.926-05:00

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and these are indeed desperate times. Desperate because I can't find sushi within an hour and a half drive from here, however many miles that translates into, I don't know, let's just call it a wee distance.Mr. Howes and I took a drive up to Columbus, OH over the weekend and one of my requests, behind a pedicure, behind a good bookstore, behind Belgium

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-75369796001578636872008-07-27T23:03:00.006-05:002008-07-27T23:33:49.211-05:00

So, my father has been doing a little digital archiving lately with a nifty tool he picked up at Hammacher Schlemmer a few months back. Better he than I because this sort of thing would drive me insane, but I'm so glad he's doing it. He purchase this media converter slide and negative scanner and has been going through the family slides archiving them to DVD. This neat little gadget converts 35mm

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-68353034978602504432008-07-13T13:25:00.003-05:002008-07-13T13:38:19.293-05:00

I sometimes wish I was a dog when I see Sam roll in the grass. He has such an expression of pure bliss in moments like these when undoubtedly he's found something super stinky that he must claim as his own. I can't help but marvel at his happy dog face with his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth and his face pulled in what resembles a grin. Maybe he's laughing at me because I'm too

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-52027087003912355482008-07-08T16:37:00.012-05:002008-07-10T22:28:57.907-05:00

My very first craft fair was on July 3-4 and it's definitely been entered into my book of Events to Remember. I'm not going to gripe...much, instead I mainly would like to share photos of my amazing booth. Well, it's amazing to me simply because I pulled it all together. I learned a few lessons along the way (like glue dots only stick when you want to remove them, and don't when you want them to

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-80613635590675164422008-07-05T19:44:00.006-05:002008-07-05T19:51:19.326-05:00

Alas, the long awaited July 4th celebration in our small town in Kentucky came to pass, along with my very first craft fair. It was such an enjoyable experience for me despite all the rain and abundance of squeaky wallets, I really have few complaints, if any. I loved the entire experience, from seeing my child's face as she bungee'd to watching my dearly beloved Mr. Howes as President Abraham

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-15829050529307629672008-06-28T16:48:00.004-05:002008-06-28T17:06:53.558-05:00

Boy, I love summertime. I love the sounds of cicadas in the trees, the drone of air conditioners, and the light golden glow of color my arms take on each year. And I love water. So I was delighted when yesterday, the esteemed Mr. Howes arranged for the family to engage in a canoe trip along the Green River in Cave City, home to Mammoth Cave National Park.Located in the heart of Kentucky, we

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-13413059614793201952008-06-24T13:29:00.005-05:002009-05-01T14:41:41.827-05:00

I've always had an affinity for glass and the way it enriches any environment with it's water-like visual quality. I love glass with texture and distortion, in blues and greens, and I love how glass reflects onto other surfaces creating what we call around here "lightbugs". Naturally, I've fallen in love with glass tile pendants. I've found these beautifully handcut clear square tiles that have

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-30540382105035452562008-06-22T22:20:00.003-05:002008-06-22T22:27:59.165-05:00

I don't really know what that means, but I thought I'd share this photo my 9 year old took of our Toy Rat Terrier, Angus. She took this photo about 2 weeks ago on the hill behind our house where our vegetable garden is.I also want to share that I'm participating in my first ever Arts & Craft Fair which is being held in Campbellsville, KY on July 3 and 4. It's the town's biggest event of the year

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-69334725856709956992008-06-08T19:42:00.008-05:002008-06-12T22:17:02.736-05:00

What is a person to do when her eyeglasses are completely ruined by 6 pounds of pooch? Why, have a sale! Or a fundraiser. Glasses are not exactly inexpensive to replace, my friends, particularly if your most recent vision exam is over a year old. I think any optician is obligated to put my eyes through the Spanish Inquisition with my vision after 12 months, and it's been closer to 24 months.So,

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-6536087358626688692008-06-08T12:23:00.005-05:002008-06-08T12:34:52.921-05:00

Friday was a very interesting day around here as days go for those of us in Central Kentucky. With school being out and my husband's work schedule finally giving him weekends off, Friday is a real day to celebrate.However, this past Friday we really had reason to celebrate: our daughter was finally graduated to riding Dolly, a beautiful 16+ hand 3 year old Mule. For those of you "not in the know"

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-12808131676274323442008-06-06T17:43:00.005-05:002008-06-06T19:01:29.850-05:00

Andrea Baker & Carlie Morgan!Despite not having the correct number, Andrea Baker was the 4th person to post, and using the highly scientific method of asking my 9 year old daughter to "pick a number from one through eight" to select the winner, and she selected number four. The fourth post was made by Andrea Baker.Now, becuase there were actually 100 matchbooks, I feel compelled to declare Carlie

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-3399228882278148632008-06-02T14:56:00.003-05:002008-06-02T15:01:05.787-05:00

Love is in the air and to celebrate the completion of this large custom matchbox order, I'm having a small contest! If you can correctly guess how many matchboxes are in this group that I photographed you will be eligible to win $5 off in either my www.anniehowes.com or AnnieHowes.etsy.com stores!To enter, simply guess how many matchboxes were in the original photo and leave a comment with your

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-79505397911709018562008-05-27T12:42:00.003-05:002008-05-27T12:48:34.318-05:00

Well, why not? I've had a wonderful time with family visiting us this Memorial Day weekend which was loads of fun. The house was relatively tidy considering 3 dogs occupy the house with us, so naturally, in true Terrier Form, Angus waited until they had left (about 5 minutes) before he ran amok with a fresh roll of Charmin Ultra Soft (you needed to know that). Please enjoy photos of Terrier

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-31524312715283170312008-05-23T19:25:00.002-05:002008-05-23T20:21:11.619-05:00

As an Etsy Street Team, the Fabulous Artistic Moms (FAM) find any reason to celebrate, and this time we're having a huge team-wide sale. Check out the Fabulous savings at these great Etsy Shops!

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-58766496751038339262008-05-23T14:15:00.003-05:002008-05-23T14:24:23.345-05:00

I'm guessing Angus.Yes, I live in the country in Central Kentucky and no, I'm not from around here. It's beautiful and green this time of year, and the weather pleasantly comfortable. But the strangest things happen around here. What I don't think I'll ever get used to are the cattle that occasionally get on the loose. A little unnerving, this photo was taken from my front porch. On 5 acres of

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-47423478278599803262008-05-18T17:52:00.002-05:002008-05-18T18:03:35.414-05:00

Brand new in my Annie Howes on Etsy shop is this fabulous and easy to follow pdf tutorial on how to make Scrabble tile pendants. It's such a fun and simple project that just about anyone can make them. The tried and true secrets are revealed in this handy tutorial which I have conveniently packaged together for you with all the materials needed to make your Scrabble tile pendants.If you're at all

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-33567075319897245532008-05-15T10:22:00.004-05:002008-05-15T10:50:30.319-05:00

Thursday seems like a great day of the week to reflect on some of the things I can be thankful for. There are many reasons to be thankful, but I'll keep this brief.My studio. Oh, yes, it's a mess, but I'm thankful for it, and thankful it's only 50 feet from my back door. I'd love to someday have it somewhat tidied for a little photo sharing, but that'll have to wait for another blog post.My

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-33913219225930708632008-05-13T06:47:00.001-05:002008-05-13T06:48:48.287-05:00

The Etsy FAM team is at it again with Take 10 Tuesday! Find fabulous discounts and some hidden treasures in some of our shops. For a complete listing of stores, please visit the Etsy Forums tonight, May 13, 2008, between 5:00 PM - Midnight EST! Come visit Annie Howes on Etsy for 10% Savings and Free shipping on all orders over $10 tonight only!

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-73727410586431412542008-05-11T06:42:00.004-05:002008-05-11T08:52:37.818-05:00

My Etsy shop is having a 25% off sale today only so come visit Annie Howes Keepsakes on Etsy and take advantage of this fabulous discount on your entire order. Everything is included in this sale, such great items as all Scrabble Tile pendants and the brand new Create Your Own Scrabble Tile Pendant kit! Have fun shopping! And Happy Mother's Day to all the great moms out there!

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-38678508366287518282008-05-09T07:45:00.003-05:002008-05-09T07:59:45.810-05:00

When I first moved with my family to Kentucky last summer, I admit I felt adrift. My town is a small, rural, humble place in the heart of Kentucky. Beautiful, yes indeed. Bucolic is an apt descriptive. A lovely place to live.However, living in a small, rural town does have its challenges. How is a highly driven graphic designer supposed to earn a living in a town that doesn't have it's own daily

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-40560983644932714392008-05-08T15:09:00.008-05:002008-05-08T15:51:30.125-05:00

I love it when a project comes together, and this one finally has done just that! The "Make Your Own Scrabble Tile Pendant" is just perfect for the crafty person who'd like to learn how to make their own gorgeous Scrabble tile pendants! The kit includes everything you need to create 5 beautiful Scrabble tile pendants using non-Toxic Diamond Glaze and Japanese Chiyogami papers. For more

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-52194927172485775352008-05-07T06:46:00.002-05:002008-05-07T07:26:04.048-05:00

Wow. When I saw these gorgeous white blossom earrings at Pinkfire Designs on Etsy I just couldn't get them out of my mind. I simply had to make the purchase. I confess, I'm a glutton for beauty. Made from vintage white glass beads, the earrings have been given a rich verdigris patina by hand. These earrings may be off the market (lucky me!), but Pinkfire Designs has a similar item available just

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-56177641842546976012008-05-06T14:59:00.004-05:002008-05-13T06:47:37.760-05:00

The FAM's are at it again with Take 10 Tuesday! Find amazing discounts and some secret hidden treasures in some of our shops. For a complete listing of stores, please visit the Etsy Forums tonight, May 6, 2008, between 5:00 PM - Midnight EST! Come visit Annie Howes on Etsy for 10% Savings and Free shipping on all orders over $10 tonight only!

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-3501883398086273882008-05-02T15:48:00.009-05:002008-05-02T16:23:30.284-05:00

This is long overdue, like so many of my Fabulous Finds on Etsy have become lately, but I've been wanting to share this Etsy Artist and this fabulous blog The Downtown Boutique since March of this year. First, let me tell the whole, but short story. I entered a contest to win a print from The Downtown Boutique. I absolutely fell in love with her blog and realized right then and there she was my

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-33367017379799150472008-05-02T15:39:00.002-05:002008-05-02T15:47:19.577-05:00

Wow! I'm really honored to be the Member of the Day on Indiepublic! It's not every day that I have an honor of being featured in such a public venue. I really, truly appreciate the nominations and the selection. Thank you!

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-19731826416609477952008-04-30T08:31:00.008-05:002008-04-30T08:53:55.101-05:00

It has been with great trepidation and a few grey hairs that I've completely gutted and revamped my website, Annie Howes Keepsakes to be a little more youthful, a little hipper, and to better reflect the expanding product base.What's New?I've added a gallery of Scrabble tile pendants in a variety of styles using different types of papers, including a Custom Photo Pendant. Each decorated tile is

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-71858884950905127792008-04-23T15:29:00.006-05:002008-04-23T19:16:29.281-05:00

My big news for this week is my portfolio has been accepted into Trunkt, an online website gallery where all types of artists share the best of their best. A juried online portfolio. Trunkt is a place to share your artistic creations, the best of what you've made, with the rest of the world. In Trunkt's own words, "Connecting Specialty Retailers With Amazing Artists". So I'm feeling pretty great

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-60780283608581251442008-04-22T09:31:00.004-05:002008-04-22T09:36:12.877-05:00

I said Take 10 Tuesday!That's right, the FAM Etsy Street Team is having another fabulous promotion and this time it's take 10% (or whatever!) off in any of our participating Etsy shops!Beginning at 5:00 pm EST (through midnight Pacific time) on April 22, 2008 the FAM Street Team of Etsy will hold it's first team-wide sale. Each store will have it's own twist on the sale, so please be sure you

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-28580748050583657062008-04-20T20:11:00.009-05:002008-04-27T14:51:27.153-05:00

What is all this StumbleUpon business and why do I want to bother with it? If you're into getting the word out as much as I am, then you might want to give this StumbleUpon thing a go.StumbleUpon is a search function that you download to your browser toolbar and use to rate sites that you visit. You input the site's category, add some tags, a review, and suddenly you have created a resource used

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-76549048116136859412008-04-03T10:18:00.004-05:002008-04-03T10:29:53.335-05:00

The most exciting package arrived in the mail yesterday...at least according to Angus, my 4 month old Toy Rat Terror, I mean, Terrier. The package contained a cow-print Zadyball, handmade by Alayna on Etsy. It's been a non-stop Zadyball marathon since the mailman brought it to the door yesterday afternoon. The Zadyball is made of durable cotton and has a little squeaker in it (bells and catnip

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-3880974346675818472008-03-28T20:43:00.022-05:002009-03-19T19:21:24.960-05:00

I frequently receive requests on this topic so I thought I’d take the time to blog about it. I’m no photographer by any stretch, however I do strive for good color and sharp images. Not all my photos are great. In fact, each one is probably flawed by some standards, but I do think each product is accurately represented to the best of my ability.When I first began photographing products I was more

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-19128019076545549422008-03-26T23:33:00.016-05:002009-03-28T13:34:48.491-05:00

There are many way to crack a nut, and so there are with creating Scrabble Tile Pendants. Each way has it’s own wonderful benefits. Here I’ll share with you the basics of creating your very own Scrabble tile pendants using two different methods of sealing and coating them.First, you need the obvious…a Scrabble tile! These can be found all over Ebay and Etsy. And some pretty paper, trimmed to a

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com95tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-2537067008221313932008-03-26T17:48:00.003-05:002008-03-26T17:50:31.496-05:00

The FAM Spring Fling has been a real success! We had 50 participants in the last 2 weeks! I want to thank each and every entry for being a part of this Fabulous Spring Fling event! Winners will be contacted within the next week with your unique FAMBucks Codes along with instructions on how to redeem them in participating FAM stores on Etsy.The following Etsy members are the winners of the 2008

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-62222823538763745902008-03-18T08:36:00.010-05:002009-03-19T19:22:35.885-05:00

new EtsyNameSpace.Mini(5262601, 'shop','thumbnail',1,4).renderIframe();So what's this business about an Etsy Mini? What does it do and how do I get one? You can't browse the forum on Etsy without coming across a post by some poor soul asking questions about the Etsy Mini, where to find it, where to put it, and what it does. Relax, I'm here to help!The Etsy Mini is a widget, which is also probably

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-52258955568119322402008-03-18T07:27:00.004-05:002008-03-18T07:40:51.224-05:00

A quick little post to share one of the most beautiful images of the year. This gorgeous photo was taken by my 9 year old daughter. It's a beautiful reminder that winter doesn't last forever. This deep purple crocus blossomed beneath a Weeping Cherry tree in front of our house. The tree suffered frost damage a year ago and the jury is still out on it's survival.This week I have several artists I

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-62002145500851774542008-03-13T15:19:00.009-05:002008-03-13T15:40:03.155-05:00

It may still be Thursday, but I've just announced in my store on Etsy a T.G.I.F. sale just for you! Buy any Scrabble Tile pendant and the shipping is on me! That's over 10% savings on a single pendant purchase.I adore creating these little bits of beauty. Each Scrabble Tile pendant is made from a drawing or from acid free art paper, either Italian or Japanese, and is decoupaged onto a reclaimed

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-19474808950774934842008-03-08T15:09:00.012-05:002008-03-11T14:49:21.615-05:00

You know you’re a player! And you’re in luck because we have the game for you! A little Spring Fling Scavenger Hunt promotional game FAM-style, where each of us have hidden a little green frog in one of our Etsy listings, or find the text “famfrog” in the item description. All you need to do is find one of those frogs in five different participating shops, submit your answers to BAMDesigns and

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-27853400401888027632008-03-02T19:28:00.005-05:002008-03-02T19:37:45.385-05:00

I love coming across fun items for my 9 year old daughter. Among those fun and cute items are these absolutely charming fabric button ponies from BellaJean on Etsy. I was extremely fortunate to have picked these up not too long ago playing a Saturday Night game on Etsy where sellers may choose to give away one of their products at insanely inexpensive prices. Bellajean's shop is chock full of

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-50489208970203256952008-02-28T17:31:00.005-05:002008-02-28T18:26:34.246-05:00

I recently ordered this gorgeous bar of Black Raspberry Vanilla Creamy Goats Milk Soap from CozyMoments on Etsy and WOW is this bar ever luxurious! The scent is pure indulgence and the lather rich, indeed! CozyMoments makes and sells their own line of all kinds of tempting bath and body products. I hear her sugar scrubs are super smooth and gentle, and she has lip balms (I purchased one for a

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-80237097318016448592008-02-24T14:36:00.008-05:002008-03-04T06:52:36.186-05:00

What is a bride to do when she's lost a loved one who she wants to commemorate on the most important day of her life? Many brides choose to have a keepsake charm made which they tie around their bouquet, called a Bouquet Charm (or bo-k charm in the modern world of hip Internet language).It's not at all unusual for the bride to have several made to have tied around the bridesmaid's bouquets, or to

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-15392552780982123772008-02-21T19:24:00.005-05:002008-02-21T19:44:47.568-05:00

Oh, have I found the best kept secret in my new hometown. Well, technically speaking it's not in my town, it's not even in my county, but it is within a 45 minute drive which means it's close enough for dinner.Try asking someone who's been to Missy's how to get there. Forget it. Just the name of the place, Missy's "Out of the Way" Cafe should be clue enough that it's, well, not on the beaten path

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-73351651862692203362008-02-17T18:56:00.013-05:002008-02-18T22:57:09.311-05:00

When it comes to making accessories for little princesses, Sandi of Pretty Bowtique knows exactly what she's doing. Her adorable and well-made clippies are a big hit with both toddlers and moms! And her bottlecap bows are trendy and hip for your "with it" girl. Sandi has a wide array of ready-made styles, including character themes, color schemes, and sports themes. She uses modern, high quality

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-84255681260673181682008-02-14T10:23:00.004-05:002008-02-14T10:35:02.591-05:00

I know it's a bit late for a Valentine's Day gift, but I thought what better item to write about on Valentine's Day than a Love Book?Guys, pay attention: JenniBick.com sells these gorgeous red Dupioni Silk covered "12 Ways I Love You" books that are the epitome of the romantic personalized gift. Sure you can purchase these books anywhere, but at JenniBick.com you can have yours personalized on

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-35315969104430091722008-02-12T10:01:00.001-05:002008-02-12T10:32:28.876-05:00

I recently came into ownership of this adorable little girl purse created by BAM Designs on Etsy. Made from felt and chenille, and the straps are made from ribbons. The cute heart is a pocket, and what little girl doesn't like pockets! I just love my heart purse and I'm not even a kid!BAM Designs also has these adorable purses with Scotties, kitties, owls, a bunny, cupcakes, and even a hedgehog.

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-69407789896915182242008-02-08T20:02:00.000-05:002008-02-08T20:32:38.642-05:00

Check out this neat business card holder made by Sara of CraftyBagsEtc on Etsy. This is a fantastic idea for carrying around business cards, calling cards, even credit cards in a pinch. I love this vibrant playful fabric and the simple design. Please have a look at her shop for fabulous bags and gift ideas!

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-73825676771437692982008-02-04T19:35:00.001-05:002008-02-04T20:04:26.049-05:00

You know you like funky, hip jewelry, and you don’t have to be a mama to love these new pendants. Made from Scrabble game tiles, these are one-of-a-kind pendants in my new line called “Funky Mama”.I have loads of scrap paper in my studio left over from any number of projects that are just too beautiful to toss. Some of the papers take on a whole new dimension once coated with the clear,

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-73333527471641935962008-02-04T07:11:00.001-05:002008-02-04T19:52:06.097-05:00

In the heart of winter what’s the best excuse to do a little “Me” shopping on Etsy? Chapped lip prevention, of course! There are so many wonderful lip balms on Etsy it was a difficult choice for my first purchase, but I made my decision to purchase from Flameworks based on two criteria: the convenient twist-up tube applicator and “flavor”.In very short order, my daughter and I received our Lip

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048019030607335917.post-37135546666151493962008-02-03T20:52:00.000-05:002008-02-03T20:55:33.212-05:00

I love making these fun pendants and wanted to share this cute Funky Monkey pendant (available in my Etsy store) in pale blue, brown and white. I don’t even like monkeys but I think this turned out wonderfully and is an adorable pendant even I would wear. Such a cute monkey in trendy colors, this would be a hip accessory addition for anyone.

Annie Howes Keepsakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491752868325569995noreply@blogger.com1