Wedding Invitation Ornament....

While on the "make handmade gifts" & "give left over items from our wedding a new life" kick I made some of these wedding invite ornaments... you can find  cute pics & DIY's for these all over pinterest and the blogosphere so I did not do a DIY for this but you can find a DIY here at weddingwindow.  These  are an adorable way to re-purpose some of your leftover wedding invites, my mother will LOVE one,  and I know I will treasure getting it out year after year when decorating our Christmas tree!

DIY keepsake wedding invite ornament

I added some of the left over ribbon from our favors and some wax seals as a charm!

Left over Wedding Napkins to Coasters D.I.Y.

So one thing that we have a huge excess of after our September wedding was cocktail napkins! Apparently people do not actually use 2.5 napkins per person as recommended by the wedding supply companies!! I hate to see all these napkins go to waste & just knew that I had to do something with them. So I decided to make some coasters. These will be a fun, cost effective, recycled, and personal gift for loved ones in our lives this Christmas.

Keepsake Wedding Napkin Coasters

from wedding napkin to keepsake coaster

Wedding Napkin Coaster DIY:

material needs:

• mod podge
• left over wedding napkins
• sponge brush
• 4" x 4" tiles
• scissors
• sharp knife (makes HUGE difference when slicing corks)
• leftover wine corks
• hot glue gun & glue sticks

Supplies needed

Step 1: Separate the layers of the napkins, you will only use the layer with printing

Step 2: Cut napkins to fit the size of the tiles

Trim napkin to size of your tile

Step 3: Paint THIN layer of mod podge over tiles

Paint modge podge over tile

Step 4:  Place trimmed napkin onto tile

Step 5:  Paint THIN layer of mod podge over napkin & let dry

Paint thin layer of mod podge over nakin

let mod podge dry until clear

Step 6: When dry repeat step 5 twice**
** Optional at this point you can add a picture or other decor to the  coaster.  Following steps 3 to 6.

Step 7:  Slice up your wine corks, try to get slices as evenly as possible

slice up your old wine corks for padding on back of coasters

Step 8:  Hot glue the wine corks to back of coasters

hot glue slices of wine corks to bottom of tiles

Step 9: Enjoy your coaster or wrap up for gifting!!

Some Smokey Topaz Quartz Pretties!

I just finished making some Christmas presents for one of my lovely Brides.  The lovely Mrs. K  got married this past September & I made earrings for her beautiful bridesmaids to wear on the wedding day.

A few of Mrs. K's beautiful Bridesmaids

Mrs. K's bridesmaid Earrings by Rock Affair Jewelry

I am so honored that she asked me to make earrings for her Bridesmaids but I am doubly honored when for Christmas she asked me to make them matching necklaces....  I tried so hard to match the stones from the original strand used for the earrings but in the end couldn't. We ended up using 3 slightly smaller stones in the same cut in a row on the necklaces.  I think the matching necklaces came out gorgeous and will compliment the earrings perfectly!

3 stone Smokey Topaz Quartz Necklace

A Wine Weekend in Paso Robles

This past weekend the new hubby and I met up with family down in Paso Robles for an annual get together. Usually we go camping however this time since we weren't going until December we decided to stay  in a vacation rental house! We ended up having a fabulous time & did a little wine tasting while we were at it.

Justin Winery

We stopped in a Justin Winery which just might be my new favorite! Their Isosceles  wine was absolutely fantastic (we bought a bottle or two) Also, they have implemented many sustainable practices such as biodynamic farming and natural pest control. It is great to know you can enjoy a great wine while being environmentally conscious!!


We also got to visit the holiday light show on Vine street after dark. Each house on the street was decked out in themed Christmas Decor. That was such a treat! It really made me feel like a kid again visiting lights, viewing the living nativity scene & singing Christmas carols...... Oh and the man  playing the Ebeneezer Scrooge was hilarious. Every few minutes he would come out onto his balcony and make funny grinchy statements at everyone such as..." I don't want you here....Go away there is no Christmas... & bah humbug!"

Ebeneezer Scrooge's House on Vine Street

Teeccino.....a coffee alternative

In November's concious box I recieved 3 samples of Teeccino. Teeccino is a caffeine free herbal coffee. The main ingredients in Teeccino are all certified organic and are carob pods, barley and chicory root.  These ingredients are all naturally caffeine free and low in acidity making teeccino a safe alternative for  drinking during pregnancy as well or for those with reflux.

I drink coffee or tea nearly all day when I am at work. The office is very cold and I feel that I always need a warm drink to keep warm. I don't like the amount of caffine I take in so....  when I recieved my samples and they came in  "tea bag" form and noticed that they were caffeine free I quickly realized that if the samples tasted yummy Teeccino could be the answer to my dilema.

Being a self proclaimed coffee addict I was a bit skeptical of  the taste of this "caffeine free herbal coffee." However I was pleasantly surprised!!  It doesn't taste just like coffee but it does taste fantastic.  I ended up ordering a box of the Maya Chocolate which  I am very much enjoying.. the chocolate flavor is very pleasant...not too overwhelming or sweet! I am now addicted =)

5 Festive & Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap Ideas for this Christmas

1. Gift Card Snow globes... 

reuse empty Jars from your kitchen to present gift cards in this adorable way!

diy @ One Charming Party

from: The Creative Mama

2. Wrap it up with the news...

Recycle the news by wrapping up gifts with your old newspapers...Don't forget to get creative with the bows

from: Country Living

3. Use a scarf...

A beautiful scarf can become a lovely & reusable way to wrap a small present or bottle of wine with this Japanese inspired gift wrap idea. You could use a scarf you already have or purchase one from the Bobo Wrapping Scarf site...

from: BoboWrap.com

4. Inside Out Potato Chip Bag...

  Wash, dry,  and cut open the left over potato chip bags  to reveal the silver lining before wrapping up a gift with this up-cycled idea....

from: Martha Stewart Living

5. Cereal Box Gift Boxes...

Up-cycle an old Cereal Box into one of these gorgeous gift boxes anyone would be delighted to get a gift in!

diy @ Creative Jewish Mom

 

Earring ornaments & The Craft Fair!

Rock Affair Jewelry Display...

  Even though it rained we still had a blast at the Redwood City Hometown Holidays fair this weekend.  Sales suffered a bit as people stayed inside with the stormy weather, but this was a great first craft fair & a wonderful learning experience =)

Myself & Lila the lovely owner of Lingering Day dreams who I asked to share the booth with me

Holiday earrings in ornaments!

My very first "Real" Craft Fair this weeked!

http://instagr.am/p/Sg1xnlsveZ/

I am getting very excited for this weekend. It will be my first street fair that I will be participating in as a vendor selling my jewelry!

www.RockAffairJewelry.com

Cutting down our Christmas tree!

http://instagr.am/p/SdyctSsvci/

I am a real tree person. I just adore the smells & textures of a real Christmas tree in our living room. Which begs the question.... what is more eco friendly ?

The real tree Considerations:

• Environmental Cost to farm the tree
• Gas to get driven to store (if you don't go cut yours down)
• Most real trees are farmed here in the US creating jobs
• Mess from dropped needles
• Need to water the tree
• Potential for allergies
• Until it is time to cut down the trees they will recycle the air, purify groundwater, and  stabilize the soil 
• Trees are a renewable resource and biodegradable
• Trees can be recycled and re-used. For example New York City has them chipped and used as mulch in city flower beds.
• Can purchase organically farmed or live trees

The fake tree Considerations:

• Environmental Impact to make plastics such as PVC (and potential of high lead & other chemicals)
• Eventually end up in a landfill when discarded & are not biodegradable. Sure you used if for the last 20 years but will that fake tree last another 100 yrs?  It is estimated that the average family only uses theirs for 5 years
• An estimated 80% of artificial trees come from China which incurs a environmental cost to transport those across seas and their packaging.
• No needle mess
• No potential allergens

An American Christmas Tree Assoication Report found that the choice of either natural or  artifical has a negligible affect on the environment.......  However National Geographics Standpoint in this great article is that the debate is OVER.. Natural trees are the way to go.

So the take home message is pick which you feel is better for the environment, but if you go natural don't drive to far, cut it down if possible, buy organic, and be sure to recycle when done. Or if you go artificial make sure you plan to use that tree for MANY MANY years to come.

Perhaps the most eco friendly solution is to purchase a live tree. These trees have the root ball still attached so that they can be planted after the holidays.

Whole Wheat Maple Oatmeal Muffin Recipe

My fiance has been asking me for muffins for a while so last night I had a bit of extra free time & decided to whip up a batch of these maple oatmeal muffins for him. These whole wheat muffins are delicious and good for you too! This recipe creates a hearty, slightly sweet brown muffin that will leave you feeling good about having it for breakfast. Its like a bowl of oatmeal in a muffin =)

Fresh out of the oven!!!

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 & 1/4 cup buttermilk **
3/4 cup maple syrup
1 & 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 & 1/2 cups rolled oats + an extra 3 tablesppons for sprinkling on top of muffins
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 400 & line muffin pan with paper cups ( I highly reccomend that you get the unbleached parchment paper baking cups.. If You Care makes the ones that I use & you can usually buy them at whole foods)
2.  In mixing bowl whisk together brown sugar & eggs.  Add buttermilk & maple syrup and set aside.
3.  In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients (flour, oats, baking soda, baking poweder and salt) Mix with a fork
4. Add dry ingredients to buttermilk mixture and stir until evenly moistened.  The batter will be rather runny at first but will thicken up after a minute or two.
5. Spoon in to muffin cups. ( I got about 2 tablespoons per muffin cup)
6. Sprinkle about a teaspoon of remaining oats onto top of muffins.
7. Bake 20 minutes or until browned and toothpick comes out clean.


**Because I really only use buttermilk for baking and I like to bake on a whim  it is rare that I have it in my fridge. What I recommend is keeping powdered buttermilk on hand and just mixing up what you need for what you are cooking. Bob's Red Mill makes the one that I use (I love all this all natural & organic line. I actually use their whole wheat flour in this recipe as well! They have a wonderful selection of gluten free baking products also.)

What to buy at the Farmers Market

With the arrival of summer and warmer days one thing that I love to do is peruse the local farmers market.  It is important to me to buy organic & locally grown whenever possible. 

Avoiding pesitcides is of key importance because they can have severe lingering effects on your body and on the earth. Pesticides are essentially toxins,  can disrupt endocrine function, and possibly cause cancers.  Through choosing organic fruits and vegetables you can reduce the amount of pesticide residues that build up in your body and reduce your chances of having side effects of pesticide build up.  You can read more about pesticide build up in the body here or here.

So what fruits and vegitables are the most important to purchase as organics? Below is a list that the Environmental Working Group has put together on which fruits and vegitables have the greatest amount of pesticides on them "dirty dozen" and which ones have lower levels of pesticides "clean 15."

Enviromental Working Groups List of foods with most and least pesticides

Environmental Working Groups list of fruits and vegetable with highest & lowest amounts of pesticides.

June's Conscious Box

I just received June's Conscious Box in the mail. 

If you are not familiar with conscious box it is a monthly subscription sample box. Each month the send out a selection of ecofriendly, organic, and healthy products. I personally really enjoy getting this particular box. The reason being that  I am introduced to products that I would not normally purchase when out shopping because of the often higher price of organic product and me not being sure that I would like the product. This way I get to try out samples (usually generously sized) and decide if i really like them before committing to purchasing the full size product.

 

What the box looked liked when I opened it up. That is a pretty postcard lying on the very top.

This months theme seems to center around vitamin supplements and energy bars.  Products included:

 LaraBar, 

Kelp Krunch  Bar

eBoost Energy Shot

Vega One Nutrition Shake

Sattva Cashew Butter

Mighty Leaf Tea  (2 flavors Earl Gray & Jasmine)

Natural Newborn Bug Stopper Soap

KO Lotion

Nuti-Masu Life Ocean Salt (mix into a sport drink)

Natural Vitality 28 Energy Supplement

Overall I am excited to try these samples out. I did take that Kelp Krunch sesame bar in my lunch today & it was surprisingly yummy. As I was eating it I turned it over to read the ingredients which were: Sesame seeds, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, kelp.... That is all! Additionally they donate a portion of their profits to Allied Whale. I think I may have to purchase some more of these. The bar was gluten free which will be great to offer to my friends who  have gluten issues.

June Umba Box..

I am super excited I got home from helping a dear friend prepare for her upcoming nuptials to find June's Umba box on my doorstep!

For those who don't know Umba Box is a monthly subscription box. Each month they send subscribers out a "curated collection of  1 to3 of handmade products."  I am a huge fan of buying handmade whenever possible. There are so many positives in my mind about buying handmade.. from not supporting big box store to supporting artists who put their hearts and souls into their products.  Also, quite often handmade items incorporate recycled, or higher quality materials, and have lower carbon footprints than similar items found on a stores shelf.

So this is what the box looked liked when I opened it up.  Right away I was excited because I loove candy. (a little too much!) & every one knows good things come in tiny boxes....

So here is what I received 2 yummy looking lollipops from the Candied Flower on Etsy.. I am so happy to see that Umba box is  supporting fellow Etsy artisans!  I also got this delicate goldfill necklace from Lucid New York.  I am less excited about the necklace because I could very easily make one like it being a jewelry artist.. however the value of the 14K goldfill necklace alone more than covers the $25 monthly cost of the Umba box.

Crochet Bracelet in May 2012 Bay Fashion Magazine!

I am super excited because one of my crochet bracelets was worn by a model in this months May 2012 Bay Fashion Magazine!

My bracelet worn by a model on page 78 of May 2012 Bay Fashion Magazine!

 

Here are some close ups of my bracelet. These bracelets are handmade by crocheting wire! At Rock Affair Jewelry I try to use the most ethical supplies that I can... recycled wire and fair trade beads! 

If you want a crochet bracelet like this I would be so happy to make one for you just request a custom item & tell me the colors you would like =)

Recently I branched out a bit and just made this custom order bright 2 finger ring! I think it turned out very well for a prototype & I know what to adjustments to make on the next 2 finger ring to make it even better..

 

Father's Day Gift ideas from Etsy

With Father's Day just around the corner it is time to start thinking about what we want to get the special Dad's, Grandfather's, & other important men in our life. Here are 5 gift ideas that will honor the men and still be a little more earth friendly because they are all  handmade from some fabulous Etsy crafters...

1. A handmade card... What dad wouldn't love to receive such a unique card. Add in a letter telling him how special he is to you to really give him a gift he will treasure. Make this gift even more special by embracing your crafty side and making a card yourself!

Fathers Day Painted Egg Card by LittleOkins

2. Something to drink from....... from a handmade pottery coffee mug to a personalized beer stein  any dad would love drinking from such a special cup. Pair the cup with his favorite grind or brew for a gift he will love.

 

Rustic Dad Mug  by MaidofClay

Etched Pint Glass by ScissorMill

3. Personalized iPhone Case.... Your dad will love to answer his phone when he gets chance to see his loved ones everytime his phone rings. Make this gift extra special by adding an iTunes store gift certificate so he can add his favorite tunes to his phone.

Personalized iPhone Case by ToGildTheLily

4. Gourmet Grilling Herbs & Branding Iron..... Is your dad a BBQ guru? If so he will love to receive some herbs and spices to make his reciepes come to life. Add in a branding iron with his initials to eve eryone will know which steaks (or veggies)  he cooked. To make this gift extra special add in a certificate to whole foods where he can get some fantastic free range meat or organic veggies to throw on the grill.

Naturally Grown BBQ herbs by spiceoflifeak

Branding Iron Letter N by ReedsBlacksmithShop

5. Natural Soaps & Lotions.... If your dad is the type that would appreciate his own products just for him in the bath then here is a set created just for men that he would love.  From soap to aftershave he will have everything he needs to look his best.

Fathers Day Jet Setter Kit by SamsNatural

Fathers Day Blue Collar Kit by SamsNatural