Lil' Green Wagon

I found this gem while I was driving around town. I had to look twice because I couldn't believe it. A store front that is all about being green! This shop is filled with the most unique, eco-friendly items. Just big enough to be stocked full of all the necessities, from laundry detergent and cleaning products to lunch pails and children's toys, you'll wonder how you were able to spend so much time in such a compact place. The charming size of the Lil' Green Wagon makes it all the more eco-friendly, and gives me one more reason to love it. Marilyn, the store owner, made my experience even better. With a passion for the environment, she is working on bringing a refillable cleaning supply station to the Lil' Green Wagon so that her customers can reuse their containers and reduce waste. Brilliant!

Handmade Wedding

This is your day. Skip the sea of uniform, unimaginative wedding favors and bridal accessories, and choose wedding details that are as special as you are. I’ve put together a collection of some of my favorite handcrafted items for your special day. Having handmade items at your wedding doesn’t mean you have to skip on quality or elegance. And, in fact, by choosing these custom, handcrafted pieces of artwork, you can count on being unique… and turning a few heads.

Left to right, top to bottom: Charlotte Necklace by Bambu Closet, Pocketful of Rosies Bobby Pins by The Honey Comb, Lizzy Bennet Comb by Which Goose, Heavenly Blush Dress by Claire La Faye, Priscilla Collection Ring Pillow by The Blooming South, Cosmetic Bloom by Plum Pretty Sugar, Textured Lace Bowl by One Clay Bead, Aromatherapy Candle by Sweet Petula, Lilah Bra by La Lilouche

Tutorials Wanted!

Do you have photo tutorials that will give readers a glimpse of the techniques that are behind your work? Do you want your tutorial, work and products featured on my blog? If so, read on!

HOW it works:

Comment on this blog post and include the following:
• A detailed description of the tutorial process you wish to share.
• A link to some of your work, Etsy shop, or website.

Some things I am looking for:
• Great Photos!
• Tutorials that highlight one or more techniques that are behind your work.
• Especially eco-friendly, repurposed, recycled and earth conscious themes.
• Easy, step by step instructions to accompany your photos.
• Exciting, new, and inspirational how-tos!

Good luck!

Doily Clock!

I just ordered a custom doily clock like this in purple from andfurthermore.etsy.com. I can't wait to show you all when it comes in! Her clocks are made from reclaimed plastic!

Brides, Meet Charlotte

A whisper in your ear, the music starts, and all eyes turn from him to you. Someone somewhere sighs, another digs for a tissue, but you don't see all that, and you don't hear a thing. Even the music is drowned out by the moment. You just see him. You feel your heart beat, pounding in your chest and wonder if it's all a dream. Your dress, elegant, moves around your clumsy feet. You wonder if you'll make it. That simple, intoxicating moment, where two worlds collide, comes and passes. You release the breath you didn't realize you were holding in and all he can say is "you're so beautiful" before you turn to face the cross.

Fun New Shop Grand Opening

Bambu Vintage is up and running with some charming new items to start it off. I hope you all enjoy this collaboration of photos from my newest venture and take a few moments to meet Charlie, Bernard, Rachael, Snoopy, Gary, Diesel, and Salt and Peppy.



1. Bernard, 2. SaltyAndPeppy, 3. Snoopy3, 4. Rachael3

All In One Bar

Girls can be simple sometimes too. You want a soap that can do it all. Maybe you're trying to do your part for the environment and eliminate all of those pesky plastic bottles... maybe you just don't have the time and money to spend on three different products that should be able to multitask as well as you do.... or maybe you're just lazy.

Whatever your reason for needing a do-it-all kind of soap, we've got you covered. The Bergamot Grapefruit All-in-One bar not only gets you clean and smelling great, but it has a surprise of pink kaolin clay to get that razor moving smoothly across those legs of yours and bergamot to do wonders for your face. Indulge in simplicity.

New Painting

My little sister Marley, aka "stinky", was the inspiration for this painting. I hope you all enjoy.

Weakless Wednesday Challenge : One for the Moms

What mom doesn't like waking up to breakfast in bed and a handmade macaroni noodle card?
In honor of mother's day and in remembrance of those noodle cards made with the love of a child, this week's challenge will be to create something handmade, simple or complex, every day for a mother in your life. Maybe a stepmom, sister, grandmother, or any other mother you know. Remember to check back, post your comments, and we would love to see photos of what you've created!

Newlessness : Day 120

120 days.
I can't believe it.
It really doesn't seem like more than 1/3 of the year has gone by already!

I have to say, I've been able to find some pretty cool things throughout this process. I've been so excited to share this particular find with you, and I've had to be patient since it took a while to get things set up. I had been looking for a coffee table trunk (still am) and someone I met in a cute little resale boutique told me about the Habitat ReStore. Intrigued, I decided to visit one nearby in hopes I could find a trunk that would look great in my living room.

I've learned that Habitat ReStores are outlets that accept donated goods for resale that are usually donated by local businesses to help fund Habitat for Humanity. This was exciting for me because instead of these (mostly home improvement) supplies going to waste, they are being sold to help fund raising up homes in the community to those who would otherwise be unable to afford their own while doing their part to be environmentally responsible.

Well, I didn't find a trunk, but I found some really cute door frames to put in my living room and add to its charm. They were pretty big, but I managed to fit them into my little car.



Originally I had wanted to remove some or all of the glass panels and replace with mirrors and hang on the wall, however, these frames are really heavy, so I decided mounting might not be the best idea and leaning them up against the wall would be easier. My roommate had the brilliant idea to put lighting behind them! I'm not sure if I will still be adding mirror to some of the panels, but for now, it looks great and our little apartment is starting to come together!



I encourage you to search for a ReStore in your area to shop or donate! You're bound to find some incredible things at some incredible prices all while supporting Newlessness!

Newlessness : Day 119

Weakless Wednesday : Verbalize Your Thoughts

A great friend of mine inspired this week's challenge as a spinoff on the last challenge. Last challenge we talked about changing our posture to a positive one so that we might be able to more easily cultivate positive thoughts. Now that we have those positive thoughts, what do we do with them?

So many times we think such positive things about the people around us. We tend to "think" them more than we "say" them. Let's focus on verbalizing those positive thoughts this week. When you think to yourself gee, I love her style, or wow, he is very thoughtful, practice verbalizing those thoughts.

Maybe you appreciate your mother's patience. Maybe you are inspired by your brother's creativity. Maybe you think your coworker is beautiful, your best friend has the most amazing smile, or the person at the checkout counter has a kind spirit. Every positive thought this week should be spoken, no exceptions! Let's open our mouths and speak loving truth to those around us.

Bambu : New Packaging Promise

I've recently been streamlining my brand and packaging into one cohesive approach. I've been working on new ways to keep my packaging as eco friendly as possible. I finally have photos of my new labels and products.

::Packaging::

Each bar comes beautifully packaged and ready for gift giving in handmade plantable paper labels that grow basil! Each bar comes with planting instructions. Outer label is made from recycled cereal boxes and contains the product information and ingredient listing.

New Products : Bambu Earth

I'm so excited to share a few new products with you all. I've had several batches secretly curing and I'm adding a LOT of new products to my line. After months of deliberating on just the right scent combinations, here are just two of the many new soaps yet to come! Enjoy


Black Shave. Sensuous. Rich. Earthy.
As this bar glides over his skin, the mysterious scent of patchouli with a hint of sweetness unearths and lingers all day. This bar triples as a body, facial and shave bar making it ideal for the complexly simple man. Blended with activated charcoal and pink kaolin clay, this bar gives the user a close, slick shave while simultaneously drawing out impurities leaving the skin clean, clear and smooth. Avocado oil and shea butter gives this bar a luxurious moisturizing finish.


Refreshing Eucalyptus Mint Soap with Lemongrass. Minty, earthy, and cool, with a hint of lemongrass to drench your skin in a refreshing blend of moisture and aroma. Eucalyptus rounds out the tantalizing tingle of mint and the boldness of lemongrass which takes the center stage in this simple, yet enticing blend.

Weakless Wednesday : Frownless

Sometimes I catch myself randomly frowning, sulking, thinking negatively, etc. I don't realize how much of a habit that can turn into.

This week, my challenge to you, is to not only go a whole week without frowning, but to also keep your thoughts in check. Our thoughts effect our outward posture. They effect our attitude, reactions to others and ultimately, they effect our beliefs. Let's focus, this week, on turning our negative thoughts into positive ones first... positive things are sure to follow.

Weakless Wednesday : Fill A Tummy

Some of us know what it's like to go hungry for a day, or two or three, maybe a week or a month. Some of us by choice through fasting and prayer, some because of circumstance. Some have never experienced the feeling at all and have had their needs met consistently, praise God.

For those of us who have been there, it might be a recent experience or a far removed one, but it doesn't take much to remind us of the feeling and to have a renewed empathetic spirit toward the needs of others.

I'll share a story with you. When I was in college, I was living with roommates and supported myself through school. I was on the Crew team practicing and rowing twice a day, and taking 32 units (15 is full time). My only income came from financial aid and school grants. During our spring season, I went through a really hard time since I wasn't working and I had so many classes that I had to spend all of my money on books. For three months I ate almost nothing but rice. On rare occassions I would get help from family or roommates, but I continuously struggled with pride and I hated to be a burden to others. There was one moment I remember where I was eating an apple. I finished it all the way down to the bare core so much so that it was practically falling apart. I remember thinking to myself how many apples I had wasted because I would never come close to the core. I thought to myself, 'I will never waste an apple again'. Since then, I'm sure I haven't eaten every apple so thoroughly, but it is a reminder of where I've been and how thankful I am today that I have enough to meet not only my own needs, but also the needs of others.

This week's challenge is simple. Share a meal a day with someone you know or don't know. It is the most basic need that you can help someone meet and it is simply priceless.

Here are some ideas:

Visit the places where the homeless frequent. You will always find someone in need of a meal.

Share a meal with a neighbor in need.

Visit an elderly home or help deliver meals to the elderly.

Pay for the person behind you in a drive through. This could make someone's day.

Pack an extra lunch and send it off with your child. They can share lunch with someone at school that might be in need.

Call a nearby college and get in contact with a coach. Deliver a box of food to them and let them direct it to an athlete in need. (Trust me, there will be someone who needs it.)

Bring some extra fruit to work and share a healthy snack with a few coworkers.

Offer to buy groceries for the person behind you or in front of you in line at the supermarket.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are countless ways to share a meal with those around you. Let's work together this week to feed our communities. I'd like to challenge you to do this daily this week. Let's try not to miss one day! It could mean someone goes without a meal. I'd love to hear your stories, so please remember to come back and post!

Bambu Earth featured on Monster Bites!

Monster Bites brings you 365 days of the latest in DIY fashion, sustainable living & handmade goodness for an enviable life! Each GEM is packed with giveaways, discounts, and DIY projects! Bambu Earth was featured on this fabulous website today! Subscribe and comment on the Monster Bites feature post for a chance to win one of my organic cotton Lavender Vanilla Dryer Pillows!

Weakless Wednesday Challenge : Random Acts of Kindness

This week, your Weakless Wednesday challenge is to perform at least one random act of kindness each day to someone without telling anyone else about it.... (except us of course!) Feel free to comment about your secret generosities and thoughtful encouragements on this blog, but don't tell anyone else about them.

Sometimes, we can get caught up doing nice things because people are watching, or we search for a "pat on the back" by telling people about them. But, sometimes, telling others can dull the act itself and strip away the raw, genuine motivation behind it. This week is about doing these acts of kindness in a selfless way, without recognition from others. Lets see if we can go each day doing these stealth missions of kindness! I can't wait to see what small or big differences you all make in someone's life!


This Weakless Wednesday challenge inspired by:
Matthew 6:1-2

Giveaway Alert!

My dear friend Jenni, whom I met at the Double Shot Cafe, is doing something very special at Jenni 20 Designs. She is hosting her first giveaway! Head over to her blog today for a chance to win something awesome! And, while your here, take a look at some fabulous items in her shop. I love, love, love her laundry bags!





I hope you enjoy her shop as much as I do.

Bambu Earth on Etsy Front Page!

Weakless Wednesday : Complainless

Sometimes I forget how truly blessed I am and that, compared to the rest of the world, I am "rich" in the truest sense. I find myself still complaining about things when they don't go my way, wishing for what I don't have, and worrying about the unknown future. I complain that I don't have a lot of clothes when I can't find something to wear, I complain that my car doesn't accelerate fast enough, I complain that I desperately need a hair cut, and new shoes, and that I don't have enough money to enjoy a vacation, or a nice dinner. I complain that I don't have enough time to do what I love, and that my internet connection is too slow.

What I fail to remember are some things I heard about in Rob Bell's Nooma video "Rich".

And that is that I'm part of just eight percent of the world that even owns a vehicle. A staggering 92% of the world does not own a car at all. I am rich.

Somewhere around one billion people in the world do not have clean water. I can go to the sink and fill up my glass with water if I'm thirsty. I am rich.

About 800 million people won't enjoy a meal at all today and every couple seconds someone dies from hunger. I can't decide where I want to go to lunch today. I am rich.

Over one billion people in the world live on less than one dollar a day. I have that amount in change at the bottom of my purse. I am rich.

Lastly, to give the gift of water, and basic health and nutrition to the entire world, it would cost about 20 billion dollars. 20 billion dollars is what Americans spend per year on ice cream alone.

My challenge to you this week is to go this entire week without complaining once. Remember these small facts when you get the urge to complain about something you lack, a situation you are in, a job you don't like, or just not having "enough". Let us not only keep from complaining this week, but rejoice and celebrate in what we have and all of the simple enjoyments we've been blessed with! After all, you are so so rich.



You can watch the Nooma video "Rich" here for free.

New St Patty's Day Product

This new product of mine is especially for your lovely locks! My shampoo bar will have your hair feeling squeaky clean as it washes away all that hair product buildup. Finish it off with a bit of ACV hair rinse, and your soft locks will shine with luxury. My rinse has been eco-consciously packaged in a recycled green beer bottle.



My Locks O' Luxe hair care set has been infused with a unique blend of Rosemary and Peppermint with a twist of Lavender, Lime, Clove, and Basil. And St Patrick's Day wouldn't be complete without green beer, so this shampoo beer bar has been been naturally tinted green with rosemary powder!

Enjoy.

Weakless Wednesday Challenge : A Letter a Day

This week your Weakless Wednesday challenge is to write a letter a day to someone you love, like or even someone you can't stand or don't know. Write one letter everyday this week starting today.

Remind your mother how much you love her, write to your husband or wife and express your deepest feelings, reach out to your brother or sister and express forgiveness, give encouragement to a prisoner and share God's love and word, send kind words to children at an orphanage, or remind your best friend of fond memories you both share. Whoever and wherever you decide to send your letter, make sure you write it and send it each and every day. Don't wait until the next day to send it. Send it that same day so that you don't forget and it doesn't end up lost in piles of paper. Go to the grocery store and buy a pack of stamps so that you are prepared.

Sometimes in this world of emails, facebook, myspace, phones and text messages, we forget what a pleasure it is to receive a hand-written letter in the mail. Something other than bills, junk, coupons and advertisements. Something someone had to spend the time to write, postage and send off in the mail to brighten our day. Brighten someone's day every day this week! I would love to hear about your letters and responses.

New Members of the Double Shot Cafe

Here is a small collection of treasures from the newest members of the Double Shot Cafe Buy and Replace Forum on Etsy. Have fun browsing these unique items!
If you would like to join this BNR, click here and read the FAQ. Joining a buy and replace forum is a great way to start getting sales on Etsy! Plus, during the month of March, new members will be featured on my blog!

Newlessness : Day 66

Have you ever heard of a Clothing Swap? I've been planning this one ever since I knew I would be going newlessness for the year. A group of girlfriends get together, bring unwanted (yet wearable) clothing, set it up around tables and chairs, and then we shop. Whatever is left over gets donated to a women's shelter in the area. It is so much fun, we all get some great "new" things and get to help out less fortunate women. I will be planning several more before the year is up.

Nicole's Homemade Treats: Temptation Thursday!

Nicole has featured a lovely collection of spring cleaning items, including my All-Natural Laundry Detergent. Enjoy.

Nicole's Homemade Treats: Temptation Thursday!

Weakless Wednesday Challenge : Newlessness with me!

This week I'd like to invite you to join me in my Newlessness Challenge. Remember, I'm doing it for an entire year, your challenge is to join me for just one week! I'm on day 62 and loving every minute of it. At first, it was really hard, but as I'm embracing this challenge, I'm excited to find new ways to shop, reuse, recycle or repurpose something I already have! Click here for more information on this challenge! Don't forget to check back in and post your progress in the comments section.
Congratulations for everyone who finished the Makeupless challenge! Didn't it feel great to show our true selves to the world?

Weakless Wednesday Challenge : A New Face

This is the first in my new Weakless Wednesday Challenges. The more and more I blog about my Newlessness year, the more I've been thinking about challenging my readers to join me in doing something against the social norm, to help us remember that we are not all bound by the chains of cultural expectation. I'd like you to join my in a challenge that encourages self-reflection and makes us ask ourselves why we don't deny those chains more often.

The challenges are not for an entire year, rather, just one week. One week of going without doing something you possibly do every day, or one week doing something you don't typically do. These weeks are meant to challenge our practices, habits, and remind us that our decisions shape who we are, who we become, and who our children follow after. Each challenge will be different for everyone, more difficult for some, less for others. As the weeks go by, I hope you challenge yourself in ways you didn't think possible and are encouraged by the newfound freedom as the chains are lifted.

Since this is the first in the series of challenges, I thought it would be fitting to strip ourselves down and take a good hard look at who we really are. This challenge will be for the women readers (don't worry, guys, I'll have something else for you soon).

This week's Weakless Wednesday Challenge is to go Makeupless. That's right, an entire week without one smidgen of makeup on that beautiful God-given face of yours. This one will be tough for a lot of you, and you may have even stopped reading by now. But for those of you who are still intrigued, yet doubtful, just ask yourself why you hesitate. Why would it be so hard to go just one week with our real faces out in the world, with no powder, no mascara, no nothing except our beautiful glowing skin? Now rise to the challenge and just do it. Break through those societal chains! And know that you're not alone, I will be going through the same challenge along with my readers. If you need some encouragement, just read the comments on this post and we will get through it together!

I will say, if you decide to embark on this week long journey, do not make exceptions for yourself! If you have a date, or an event, go without makeup wherever you go, whatever your plans or occasion to truly be liberated in the experience. And don't forget to come back and post your progress!

Newlessness : Day 51

I just found a great website today called BarterQuest. The concept is simple, and quite frankly, I wish I'd have thought of it. It is a website where you can register and barter goods or services all in one community! Brilliant. Now, not only can I go shopping, but I can also offer a service to someone else in need. I wonder if someone will trade a vacuum for some soap.

Today's Prayer Walk

I went for a prayer walk today and had a heart to heart with God. I've decided to get out of the house is the best way to have time to talk to God without being distracted with my business, the computer, the phone, to-do lists, and whatever else I get drawn to when I'm inside. It was a beautiful walk and I feel closest to God when I'm outside enjoying His creation. The dominating theme for my prayer this morning happened to be about obedience. I long to be the person to do the things God calls me to do every day. I want to be the type of Christian that doesn't hesitate to answer the call. I want to be the type of Christian that lives out my walk with Jesus. So I passed some trash on the side of the road and had the urge to pick it up. I walked past it and realized that it was that urge, that conviction, that is so easy to ignore. I turned around and walked back to the trash and picked it up. I picked up every piece of trash I saw on my way back home. I thank God for revealing my heart today and for testing my obedience. Practicing being obedient with something as small as picking up trash is what will help me have an attitude that doesn't hesitate when He calls me to do something for Him and to further the Kingdom.

Newlessness : Day 48

I desperately need a vacuum. The one I had broke down on me and my apartment is slowly accumulating little masses of lint and specks of the unknown in forgotten corners. I was about to run out to the hardware store when I remembered. Not buying anything new can be downright annoying at times. But then I think about the piles of plastic, unwanted vacuums sitting in a landfill somewhere and my attitude slowly melts from annoyance into satisfaction. The satisfaction of sacrificing the easy, time-saving convenience of stopping by the store for the greater good of reducing my carbon footprint.

While I was contemplating where to get a used vacuum, I decided to do some research on how to recycle my old vacuum. I found a few useful tips:

1. When your vacuum breaks, try to fix it before disposing of it. Often times it just needs a new part and you can save it by taking it to your nearest appliance repair shop.

2. If your vacuum is beyond fixing, you can still do your part! The outer shell of the vacuum is recyclable. The motor is not recyclable, however, it can be properly disposed of by taking it to the nearest recycling center to keep toxins away from groundwater sources.

3. Lastly, if your vacuum is not broken, and you are looking to upgrade, consider donating the vacuum to charity, a local thrift shop, or .... ME! Cause I really need one!!

How did this "not buying anything new" shenanigan come about you ask? See the post that started it all.

How to Design and Make Your Very Own Stamp : A Tutorial

A stamp making tutorial brought to you by: Sunshine Speckles
Read more about Alison's Sushine Speckles in her interview below!

Supplies:
design to make into a stamp
tracing paper
pencil
spoon or popsicle stick (to transfer design onto rubber)
stamp carving rubber (firm rubber will last longer, but I like the soft rubber for better details)
linoleum cutting tools/wood cutting tools/exacto knife
ink pad
something to stamp your design on

**Note on supplies**: I get most of my supplies at chain craft stores. Check with the rubber stamps, screen printing, and even wood carving supplies. There are also a number of online stores that sell rubber and carving tools, which are the two hardest items to find at the large chain craft stores.




Step 1: Pick a design to turn into a rubber stamp. You can draw your design or use a photo or image you already have. Just remember that the smaller you want your stamp to be, the harder it will be to get clear and crisp details. For bigger stamps, details are great, but will take more patience.




Step 2: Trace your design onto tracing paper using the pencil. If you’re going to make a stamp with words, your design should look just like you want the finished stamp to look. When you transfer the traced image onto the stamp, the words will be a mirror image, so the stamp will end up looking right.




Step 3: Position your traced image (pencil side toward the rubber) on a piece of rubber that will fit the entire design plus a little extra room. Transfer the image from the tracing paper onto the rubber using the spoon or popsicle stick. Be careful not to move the tracing paper while you are rubbing the design onto the rubber.




Step 4: Cut the design from the rest of the block of rubber. Stay close to the design, but leave a little border so your stamp will have stronger edges.




Step 5: Using your cutting tools or exacto knife, begin taking out the largest chunks of rubber. I like to work from the least detailed parts to most the detailed parts. You may have to experiment a little to get the right amount of pressure. You don’t need to take out a lot of the rubber. As long as your lines are deep enough to provide some definition, you should have a beautiful stamp. With softer rubber, you can use the tools to just scrape the rubber, which will provide texture or shadows.






Step 6: Once you have carved out your entire basic design, the real detail work begins. Stamp your design onto some scrap paper to see where you need to refine and change your rubber stamp. For my peacock feather, you can see that I wasn’t happy with the way my edges looked the first time I stamped it on paper. I went back to make the edges of the feather thinner and more angled. You will probably have to do this step a couple of times so you can get out any last bits of rubber that you don’t want in your design.






Step 7: Use your stamp! I like to make note cards and gift tags, but you could also use your stamp for address labels, pillow cases or t-shirts (using fabric inks), or even give away your hand-carved rubber stamps as gifts.





This tutorial was brought to you by: Sunshine Speckles
Read more about Alison, owner of Sunshine Speckles below in her interview!

An Interview with Sunshine Speckles

How did come to be?
Sunshine Speckles was a joint effort between me and the existing Etsy shop names. My first name (Sunshine and Roses) was taken already, but Sunshine Speckles has really grown on me now, and I’m happy I have the name. The name makes me think of all of the things in life that provide simple pleasures – the specks of sunshine scattered throughout the day.

What inspired you to make your handmade items?
My friend Stacey taught me how to carve rubber stamps, and I needed an outlet for the growing pile of stamps and cards that was building at my house. I’m a big card writer, but even I can’t use as many cards as I make for my Etsy shop.

What does your work space look like?
I do all my crafting at home, so my work spaces changes day-by-day. I have a big rolling cart that holds most of my supplies and I drag it across the apartment to where I want to work. Today, I’m working on envelopes at my dining room table, so I have all of my envelope supplies spread across the table in various stages of the transformation from flat sheets of card stock to envelopes.

Tell us a little about you!
I graduated from law school in May, and I’m still in the midst of my job search. This was a really great time in my life to start an Etsy shop since I have so much free time to devote to making stamps, stamping cards, making envelopes, and refining my limited photography skills. By the time I have a full-time day job, I think I will have my process down well enough that my shop can be a good part-time job. I spend my days making cards with my two little dogs and my evenings with my partner. I also love to crochet, read books about dystopias, and bake.

Who has been your closest supporter?
I think a lot of my friends have been really supportive, especially my friend Stacey who is always very encouraging when I want to up new crafts. She even gives me lessons in the many crafts she enjoys. My dogs are also very supportive of me being at home with them every day.

What is your next goal?
I have a few things on my crafting to-do list. I thought up a few variations on red velvet cake that I want to try. I want to make handmade paper. I’ve been playing around with making sugar scrubs for myself, and I love the results so far. I also started looking into soap making. I’m currently trying to learn to read crochet patterns, but that’s just for me, not for my shop.

Where do you see Sunshine Speckles in the next 5 years?
I’m a very ambitious multi-tasker. In five years, I plan for my shop to have a steady stream of purchasers. I’m already looking into selling my cards in some local shops. I’ve also been toying around with the idea of opening a second shop for body products.

Tell us a little-known-fact about you!
My dream job is to work in a bakery. I would love to work at Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah, GA. It’s five hours from my house, but I try to center any weekend vacations around Savannah, so I can get one of their fantastic cupcakes.


Visit Sunshine Speckles for beautiful, unique handmade creations today!

A Treasury That Made It

This treasury by City of Dionne included beautiful handmade pieces... And it made it to the front page. It is marvelous. One featured seller, my friend from the Christian Artists and Crafters Team Creek Bed Threads, will soon be featured here on my blog, so stay tuned for more!

After Anniversary Inspiration

Since Donald did something so special for me, I decided to give him something so that he could remember our special day forever. I transfered a black and white print onto a large canvas and then painted over most of the photo. I love it because the black and white photo peeks through the vibrant colors.









If you would like a custom photo painting, please see my Etsy shop.