Christmas is near!

Oh Look, what I just made yesterday. I finally finished polishing and taking photos of these gorgeous earrings..called "Oregon Moss". The green quartz briolettes remind me of the green moss in our forest intertwined with the yellow golden moss on rocks. Although green is a festive color for Christmas ...these earrings can be worn all year long!These earrings are called "Tears of Love". The red czech celsian crystals are an incredibly beautiful ruby red shade. They seriously make a bold statement. These just remind me of an urban eclectic whimsy look of a jewel. Looking for red? Well here you go.

I am donating $1.00 of every sale to BloodWaterMission in Africa to help get clean drinkable water to areas of severe poverty. $1.00 goes a long way there. Thank you.

The Giveaway: Helenes Dreams Etsy Giveaway



Hey Everyone, Katie from The Giveaway is featuring me on her blog! Yes, you have another chance to try to win these pair of earrings! But not only is she having this one giveaway she is also having a lot more ...5 or 6 more...awesome things. So go...go now and enter in all the cool giveaways that she has...yeah!

Yummy Yummy Homemade Soaps!

Hi Everyone! It's been a few days, and I just wanted to share a few things with you! My dearest friend Kim has recently joined Etsy to sell her most awesome incredible goats milk and shea butter soaps! She also sells them for really affordable pricing. I have to tell you ...I don't think she can continue at these prices! She insists on giving everyone an incredible opportunity to have some yummy homemade soaps. I will tell you that these soaps smell incredible, lather up very nicely and they really hep with your skin. All ingredients are natural. You have to try it!

For nearly 2 years now, Kim has been working at my store,Postal Connection, and everyday Kim brings her best friend in Peanut. Peanut is a mixed breed dog and has been the light of Kim's life. Peanut is a very smart dog. She has human senses and it always felt like she was speaking to us through her big eyes! She also wears clothing...like you and I , everyday! Recently Peanut has fallen ill. We found out that she has Diabetes- Insulin dependent, Cushing's Disease and she is now completely blind! Wow. Kim has been devastated and has been trying desperately to raise more money to pay for a lot of vet bills.

I am amazed at the endurance and love for Peanut that Kim has. Not only is she a good mother to her children, but she loves this dog like her own child. Many vets have advised her to let Peanut down..rest forever..but Kim will not have it. Even if her vet bills are thousands of dollars Kim will work and find a way to keep her little friend alive. Honestly, it is stuff like this that makes everyday worth it. Watching those who make sacrifices and seeing how happy they are as friends. I love both of them and want to find a way to support them.

Check out Kims Etsy store. http://peanut541.etsy.com
Please leave a comment..its good advertising for you!




Tails From the Pound

When I found this shop and read the story of the Paw Prints Project, I knew I had to share this with all of you! I know...lately my stories have been about animals and I just can't help this one. Look at my doggie on the right and look at this little fellow above. I am heart stricken I can't believe this guy was sitting at the pound. Here's what Cindy quoted: ( "Somebody's Princess" - This little Shih Tzu was somebody's special dog. She had all the manners of a pampered pet, has been groomed and seemed to have been well taken care of - how she ended up in the shelter is a mystery.)

Cindy and Matt live in Arizona and they kindly volunteer to take pictures of the animals at their local shelter and post them to the shelter website. With hundreds of beautiful portraits of these homeless dogs & cats - they began to create vivid pop art prints that capture the spirit of these wonderful animals. They sell the prints on Etsy and donate 10% of the proceeds to the local animal shelter to support them. They are hoping that someday each animal will hopefully find a home.

Etsy store PawPrintsProject is filled with numerous prints of real animals....each with a story. Their beautiful faces are adorable and only love from an animal is immeasurable. I truly wish I could take them all! If you have a special animal friend that you would like a vivid beautiful art print of please contact PawPrintsProject. They also take custom work.

Please take a moment to comment and share. Thanks for taking a peak.

Winter Flower Girl

Well, I finally finished this gorgeous whimsical girly girl bracelet. Being its Veterans Day today, my daughter was able to keep me company along with her little friend Catherine. No school for them. I really love working with the glass flowers...they have "happiness" written all over them. At least the little girls thought so. Don't you think a bracelet like this would be cute for a little girl?

Now last week was one of my best weeks selling jewelry on Etsy. And, amazingly enough it seems that I was getting more sales at the retail store and at shophandmade by golly, now why is that? I often wish I new the deep underlying secrets of how "man" works in conspiracy's and they don't even know it! Or is it my attitude? Gosh I wish I could figure this out.

It has been slow in the store in the last two days...not sure if this is the quiet before the storm but I am hoping to start selling a few pairs of something every week ...just to keep the hobby going. Today is the last day for entry on my pair of earrings "Oregon Sunset" at Wishing Willow blogs. You never know...you can't win if you don't play! Thanks for reading and have a great day.

18 days till Thanksgiving!

Well today its Sunday and I have spent some lovely time with my little girl, Mia. She is a sweet 6 year old learning to design and create jewelry already. Every time I make something she decides to do something too. She has her own little table, beads and wire and off she beads. We talk while we work together, about school, what she "needs" for Christmas, her big brother and her daddy. I soon realize that we are bonding, and maybe someday she can be my partner in jewelry creation...who knows!

In the meantime, I too have created some new beautiful pairs of earrings, a necklace and a bracelet. I have listed my new things as of last night and hope viewers are pleased. I am using more jasper lately ...very earthy look and natural blends of colors. I wish photo's could be better because in real life they are awesome and I know will do well in my retail store.
Any comments are welcome. I will be soon having more giveaways that are being hosted by other blog specialists! I will let you know soon. Thanks and have a great weekend everyone!

Supporting the World Animal Foundation

Baby harp seals are so adorable...don't you agree? It simply is hard to believe that these little guys are being hunted and destroyed for their furs still today. Even so, it is thought that this act was banned, there are still stories of ruthless killings of such wonderful and beautiful little creatures.

Valerie Galloway, an Etsy photography artist, and her seven year old son, Chet, have decided to take matters into their own hands. They have adopted seven baby harp seals and sponsor them through the World Animal Foundation.

Each of Valerie's photographic images tell a story and carries an element of the human spirit... what we may feel in emotions can be expressed in her photography as we view her scenary. In this picture below Valerie quotes " this particular angel somehow spoke to me."
20% of the proceeds from the sale of her art in her etsy store, ValerieGalloway, is donated to the World Animal Foundation, for both the love of harp seals and of course Chet! Her son was especially bothered by the killings of harp seals and felt compelled to do more. Maybe that angel has something more in mind...Valerie! Thank you for reading...comments are welcome! Check out Valeries' store below.

Barack Obama- Our New President

Well, today marks a mile stone for all of us Americans as we watch history in its making! I am so happy all of this election stuff is over with and we can let these fine fellow men and women just run our country and whip us back into shape..I'm telling you. I am not a political person at all...just a person who wants peace as much as possible. I personally think we have to call anyone "brave" to take on us Americans..whew!

So now that this is all over...does that mean in two years we have to go through all the same hoop-las for another 24 months of campaigning? Enough already!

I guess I am one of the lucky ones ...I just convo and chat in forums on Etsy while everyone else watches TV...thank god for Etsy..peace loving folks over there...just making pretty things everyday. How nice!

8 and 9 Year Old's Fundraising on Etsy!

Leah and Yulan of SoapWerks from Etsy stores is only 8 & 9 Years old respectively! Together they are fundraising money to sponser a 9 year old orphan in China named Yuan Yuan.. whom is a dear friend of Leah's. They sponsor her through the Chinese Orphanage Assistance Team (COAT), an aid organization based in Australia.

Together these young ladies are creating adorable children's jewelry, yummy lip gloss, and wonderful smelling soaps with the help of their adopted mother Kathy from SoapWerks.

SoapWerks & Werking Studio features natural soaps, body care products, environmentally friendly candles, and handpainted items. They have a retail shop in Midway, Kentucky and have 3 generations of working women who have been creating soaps all of these years.


Giveaway at Wishing Willow!

Okay...so I just woke up to a surprise of comments and views...amazing. Being on the west coast ...I am last to see it all I guess. Since everyone else has had three hours maybe to check it out. Wishing Willow has contacted me and has asked to feature HelenesDreams on her blog. What could I say? I was honored someone would even consider me! I am not sure how she found me, but I am so grateful. Thank you to Tara at Wishing Willow for making me feel special. I will be sure to pass it forward!A little about myself. I am a lover of nature. Living in Bend, Oregon it is hard not to be. I love to fish, hike, mountain bike and just walk and view many different things. I live less then 1/4 mile from the Deschutes River, which runs right through the middle of our small town. Our whole community is centered around it. Wildlife and plant life is abundant here. The world around me is incredibly beautiful. Our sunsets are just amazing. Our winters are great and if you love to ski, well this is also the place to be. Just 20 minutes down the road we sit at the 6th largest ski resort in the United Sates. I would love for you all to come visit!


It is true my jewelry inspirations mainly come from my visions here. The fact is our Mother Earth has a lot to offer us. Of course some stones are natural and some are man made, but the unity of delicate materials comes together and makes more great beauty we can share with ourselves. Just as our Mother Earth creates, I think so does the integral part of every human being... we may have this same desire in one way or another. Would you not agree?

I am learning to blog and feel all of this. As I am not one to talk much about myself. But in learning the ropes here at Etsy...it seems like we have to put ourselves out there to get exposure. As time goes on, I would like to introduce my family, but I will wait just a bit to make sure I truly feel comfortable with that and this "internet" world we live in.

Thanks for taking a look today...thanks for getting to know me. I am hoping to learn more about you too! Don't Forget to enter the giveaway at Wishing Willow! Good Luck! If you scroll down you will See the "Oregon Sunset" earrings I am giving away! Also remember I am supporting Blood Water Missions in Africa...as they certainly could use some help.

My first feature in a Blog!

I have to admit that this is something to tout about. As being so new to etsy and trying to learn the ropes...any recognition is just simply exciting. The Friago Blog is a beautiful artistic blog in itself and anytime you need to brighten your soul...you should link hop over to www.blog.friago.com. It is definitely worth the moment of your time..to see such glorious man created goods and arts of this etsy world we live in. How truly lucky we are to have the ability to
make so much beauty. I know its possible..its real and we can do it!

I am also still seeking other etsy sellers who are supporting a cause. At this moment I awaiting more detailed information from them...hopefully soon I will have a new article for you!

Have a wonderful day! Helene

HelenesDreams.1000markets.com

Today I opened a new shop at 1000 markets.com. This site is different and I think it is going to do super well. It features markets and shops from various parts of the U.S. Their website is still developing but the feel of it really incorporates a more humanly feel then I have ever seen on the internet before. Check them out at www.HelenesDreams.1000markets.com.

Modest Milk supports the March of Dimes.



ModestMilk is a store for nursing accessories to help the nursing Mom and is run by Amie. Her first two born girls were twins. Today, Marylou Janice is now in heaven and her 2lb sister is now 2 and a half and a walking miracle.

In honor of Marylou and Providence, Amie donates 10% of her proceeds to the March of Dimes . She also puts together care packets for mothers whose young infants are in the hospital. She hopes that by offering encouragement to mothers and helping fund research to prevent prematurity and stillbirth her daughters lives can continue to impact and encourage other parents during a difficult time.

Please help support Amie and her efforts to support the March of Dimes by visiting her etsy store. Modest Milk