It's New Year's Eve

It's New Year's Eve! I'll be watching the ball drop! Wishing you a wonderful celebration!

Sending New Year Cards

Photo courtesy maple

The last couple of years I haven't sent out Christmas cards to my family and friends. Instead I sit down in January with my fireplace burning and enjoy writing New Year Cards!

I am so much more relaxed and it gives me a chance to respond to the wonderful Christmas cards I have received. When I sent Christmas cards I felt rushed and I didn't really enjoy the process. Now that I send New Year cards I take the time to enjoy the spirit of the season so much more.

My mom writes about 200 Christmas cards a year. She also receives about 200 Christmas cards a year. On Christmas Day my mom, brother and I sit down with glasses of wine and read all of her cards as a family. It is a wonderful tradition! We catch up with everyone through their photos, letters, and cards. It is so much fun!

My mom and brother would tease me that I always didn't get all my cards sent before Christmas, so a couple of years ago I decided to start my own tradition by sending New Year cards. My friends love receiving the cards in January and I enjoy extending my holiday season into the new year!

Happy New Year!

Small Business Saturday - November 27, 2010

This year, November 27th is the first ever Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday is a national movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S.

It is a great opportunity for all of us to show how much we appreciate each and every small business that we come in contact with!

As you shop and eat out on Saturday please consider a small business!

For more information please check out the Small Business Saturday facebook page.

Fun In Minnesota Today - HandmadeMN Holiday Market

HUGE HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENT ANNOUNCED
AS POPULARITY OF HANDMADE GIFTS SKYROCKETS

November 20th HandmadeMN Market To Feature Largest Collection of Made-in-Minnesota Items By Local Etsy Artists

Business is booming for Minnesota artisans, with handmade merchandise in high demand this holiday season. On November 20, the HandmadeMN Holiday Market will give Twin Cities shoppers a chance to stock up on unique, locally-made gifts created by over 45 juried artisans who all sell their wares on Etsy.com, the world’s largest online marketplace of handmade merchandise.

Handmade is hotter than ever: Etsy expects to end 2010 with sales of $400 million – more than double last year’s revenues. The site attracts over 775 million page views per month and is home to over 400,000 shops run by individual artisans, including many Minnesota entrepreneurs. Over 200 of them belong to an Etsy-sponsored collective called HandmadeMN, which will host its first-ever Holiday Market at the Uptown VFW in Minneapolis on November 20.

With the growing popularity of shopping local and buying handmade, HandmadeMN is proud to offer both by bringing its team members’ online goods into the local marketplace. Shoppers will find everything from unique statement gifts to budget-friendly stocking stuffers. The show will feature two floors of hand-crafted, locally-made items including jewelry, ceramics, paper goods, toys, clothing, photography, home décor, soaps, artwork, and accessories.

The first 25 attendees will receive gift bags with handmade items from participating vendors; in addition, a drawing will be held for two handmade gift baskets valued at over $150 each.

Show Details:
WHAT: HandmadeMN Market
WHEN: November 20, 2010 10am-6pm
COST: Free and Open to the Public
WHERE: James Ballentine VFW, 2916 Lyndale Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Free parking lot located at rear entrance to VFW, on Aldrich Avenue

I Love To Travel For Business

I love to travel for business. I spent July and August traveling almost every day. I find that the key for me to traveling that much is organization both professionally and personally. The more organized I am the more smoothly I travel! I feel less stressed and enjoy the moment more when I have everything organized. I am not good when I have to fly by the seat of my pants. I know some people are much better at that than I am.

Today I am working in my office. Enjoying a day of no travel. Tomorrow I will hit the road again. But not until I finish organizing today!

ArtMind Tutorial: How To Make A Polymer Clay Brooch Or Ring Utilizing A Diamond Burr Set

Over a year ago I met Mitsy. She is a very talented artist from Belgium. She has a unique style that is all her own and that is what I love about her! Today I am thrilled to share with you a tutorial that Mitsy recently published on her ArtMind blog.

I enjoyed Mitsy's tutorial and hope you will too! Mitsy utilized our diamond burr set to create this wonderful clay brooch. Enjoy the tutorial!

Happy 4th Of July!

Happy 4th of July! Enjoy your day with your family and friends!

Summer Fete July 3rd, 2010 - Bloomington, Minnesota

Wow! It is time for Summer Fete 2010 in Bloomington, Minnesota!

This year's fun starts with a carnival, includes two entertainment stages – the Kid's stage and the Main Stage – featuring a great lineup of performers, and as usual, culminates with a fantastic fireworks display just after dusk!

I have lived in Bloomington many years and this is one of my favorite days of the year!

Enjoy!

Fun On The Internet Today - Bead Soup Blog Party

I have been having so much fun on the internet today! I spent the last hour looking at all the wonderful jewelry items that were created for the Bead Soup Party that is hosted by Lori Anderson on her Pretty Things Blog.

If you have a few minutes I would highly recommend looking at all the fabulous creations!

The Winner Of The $20.00 Gift Certificate From Evie's Tool Emporium Is...

On June 1st I announced that The HandmadeMN Blog was hosting a $20.00 gift certificate giveaway from Evie's Tool Emporium.

The winner of the $20.00 gift certificate is Elizabeth from ForetTwo. Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! Enjoy the day with your family and friends.

Refreshing Lemonade

As I was driving home the other day some neighborhood children where just closing their lemonade stand for the day. I pulled over to make my purchase but they were sold out! I was so happy for them and gave them the money for a lemonade next time they set up their stand. Needless to say they were thrilled.

Since that day I have been craving a refreshing glass of lemonade. When I went grocery shopping this mornining my first stop were lemons. Right now I am enjoying a tall, cool glass of lemonade!

Rochester Minnesota Bookmobile

I recently was back in my hometown of Rochester, Minnesota. I was driving down Broadway and saw the Rochester Bookmobile. A wave of memories crashed over me! The Bookmobile would come to my neighborhood every week and I would look forward to it with great anticipation.

I was just a little girl when my mom would walk me to the Bookmobile. I remember the stairs being really high and I had to lift my knees up so that I could make it up on my own. Once I was inside there were so many possiblities for the week. There was a limit how many books we could check out so I was very careful to pick and choose the right ones. Then we would walk down the aisle to check out the books. The librarian would always be sure to comment on the importance of returning the books in good condition and on time! That was no problem for me! I knew that when I returned them I could always get more books!

The years went by and I could walk to the Bookmobile by myself. I continued to go to the Bookmobile every week. The stairs no longer seemed so high, but the books continued to hold my interest. I remember all of a sudden being tall enough to reach the top shelves and look at all the books up there. The book selection was endless. If there was a book I was looking for that they didn't have on the Bookmobile I could put in a request and they would bring it the next week! What great service!

I was a very lucky little girl growing up in Rochester. Looking back now I realize just how lucky I was. The joy and happiness of being a little girl and going to the Bookmobile was a privledge! Seeing the Bookmobile reminded me of that!

Jewelry Anvils And Steel Bench Blocks

Evie's Tool Emporium is pleased to offer a couple of really cool jewelry anvils and a steel bench block. Depending on what project you're working on we have the appropriate tool for you!

Jewelry Anvil On Round Stand

Jewelry Anvil Chrome Plated

Steel Bench Block - 4 x 4 x 3/4 Inch

Steel Bench Block - 6 x 6 x 3/4 Inch

Fun In Minnesota Today - Grand Old Day June 6, 2010

One of my favorite days of the year in Minnesota is Grand Old Day in St. Paul. This year will be no exception. There is the parade, sporting events, bands, and over 140 outdoor food and merchandise vendors.

Grand Old Day, St. Paul's first rite of summer, takes place along the city's historic Grand Avenue annually on the first Sunday in June. Grand Old Day is produced by the Grand Avenue Business Association as its annual fundraiser. Monies collected at the event go towards marketing the Avenue, annual events, business-to-business opportunities and avenue beautification.

This year Grand Old Day will be held June 6, 2010 from 7:45-5:00. If you don't have any plans for today be sure to check it out!

Fun In Minnesota Today - Edina Art Fair June 4-6, 2010

If you are looking for a fun event in Minnesota today I would head to the Edina Art Fair! There are 350 artists from all over the United States that are amazingly talented. In addition there are fashion shows, childrens activities and great food.

The Edina Art Fair is held at 50th & France in Edina. There are delightful stores to browse in while you are there! I am entertained for hours!

To make parking easy just hop on the shuttle from Southdale.

The Edina Art Fair is being held:
Friday, June 4, 2010 10 am - 7 pm
Saturday, June 5, 2010 10 am - 7 pm
Sunday, June 6, 2010 10 am - 5 pm

Have a wonderful time and let me know what you enjoyed most!

Evie's Tool Emporium $20.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway With The HandmadeMN Blog

Would you like a chance to win a $20.00 gift certificate from Evie's Tool Emporium?

Toni from The HandmadeMN Blog has featured Evie's Tool Emporium on their blog! We are thrilled to be a member of HandmadeMN. HandmadeMN promotes the work of its crafters and artists within Minnesota and to the Etsy community. The team provides members a resource for ideas, information, assistance, and support. It is a wonderful team of committed members.

There is a collage of several of our tools featured on The HandmadeMN Blog. The items include our 8 Ounce Cross Pein Hammer With Hickory Handle, 6 Piece 6-1/2 Inch Hobby File Set, 6 Inch Needle Nose Pliers, 3 Inch Bench Polisher and Buffer, and 5 Inch Split Ring Pliers.

Please leave a comment on The HandmadeMN Blog before 12:00 noon CST on Saturday June 12th for a chance to win.

Good luck and thank you for participating.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! Enjoy the day with your family and friends.

Fun In Minnesota Today - HandmadeMN Spring Market

Today’s the big day! HandmadeMN is holding their first ever Spring Market from 10 to 5 today. Over 45 artists and crafters will have booths set up at the Ballentine VFW in Minneapolis. Come out and shop with for Mother’s Day! Find jewelry, knitted and crocheted items, photos, paintings, notecards, quilted items, and much, much more.

The Handmade Spring Market is being held at the
Ballentine VFW
2916 S Lyndale Ave
Minneapolis
10am - 5pm

StudioDax Tutorial: How To Make A Simple Formed Pendant With A Steel Forming Block

On March 21st I announced Free Steel Forming Block - The Create A Tutorial Exchange Program With Evie's Tool Emporium Winners Are Bleubeard & Elizabeth and Studio Dax. Today I am thrilled to share with you the tutorial that Randi from StudioDax created. Randi is a very talented artist that we are thrilled to partner with. Her tutorial can be seen on her StudioDax Blog. Thank you Randi for sharing your talent with us.

I would also like to thank Dotty from dottyral who came up with the idea of The Create A Tutorial Exchange Program. Randi's tutorial will also be posted on Totally Tutorials along with many other tutorials from The Create A Tutorial Exchange Program.

I enjoyed Randi's tutorial and hope you will too! Randi utilized our steel forming block to create this wonderful simple formed pendant. In addition to the steel forming block we also carry the following items at Evie's Tool Emporium that Randi used in her tutorial: automatic center punch, rawhide mallet, and a copper disc. To stamp "Diva" on the fourth simple formed pendant we carry a 1.5 mm metal stamping set. Enjoy the tutorial!

Safflower Power Yogurt

In my attempt to eat a more healthy diet I have been on a mission to introduce new foods to my diet. I recently tried Safflower Power Yogurt from Old Home and it was delicious!

Safflower Power yogurt is the the first yogurt in the United States made with CLA, derived from natural safflower oil and clinically shown to help increase muscle tone and reduce body fat. This delicious yogurt is naturally sweetened, glutten free and contains no high-fructose corn syrup.

I tried the red raspberry which I found had the perfect blend of raspberry. In addition the flavors include: banana-mango, strawberry, black cherry, blueberry, pomegranate-blueberry, marionberry and peach.

If you are looking for a new yogurt I would highly recommend Safflower Power!

Celebrate Earth Day - April 22, 2010

What did you do today to celebrate Earth Day?