Bloggy Giveaway Carnival

It's that time of the year! Bloggy Giveaway is jump starting this year with a Carnival of Giveaways and I decided to participate too! So once you enter my giveaway go check out the Bloggy Giveaway and enter into literally hundreds upon hundreds of crafter's who are also having giveaways right now for the week of Jan. 26th to Jan. 31, 2009! I'm serious ..it's a real "Carnival" of giveaways.

For my giveaway this week....take a look. You can enter to win this. A beautiful pair of lovely earrings..named Cupid and Ruby. These are absolutely gorgeous swarovski crystals gently wired wrapped in sterling silver wire and oxidized. I then hand polished them to give the metal a bit of luster. In honor of Valentines day, I thought I should pass forward the love!

Here is what you have to do to enter this contest:

You do not have to be a blogger to enter. It is open to international participants as well!

1. For one entry please go to my Etsy store HelenesDreams and check out the shop. Come back here to my blog and post a comment on your favorite thing from my shop. Also, please leave your email address so I can notify you if you are a winner.

2. For a 2nd entry join my mailing list. Only 4 to 5 newsletters a year will be emailed with seasonal discounts and freebies!

3. For a 3rd entry if you would like..follow my blog, or link back to my blog, or blog about this great giveaway!

A winner will be chosen randomly on February 1, 2009. We will disclose the winner on February 1st here on this blog. Good Luck and Thanks for participating. Remember, you can't win if you don't play!

Ok, now I am off to the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival myself to see what I can enter to win there. See you there! Hundreds of Giveaways going on from the 26th to the 31st ....hurry now!

The Girl Effect

When I saw this it really touched me. It made me realize a lot about my own family and upbringing. We were poor and my father had a strong learning disablity. At the time we did not realize how it would affect all of our lives. I believe education has helped me tremendously and to go on to better things. I now own two business' and want to support something more then myself. Thanks for all of your support with HelenesDreams and my cause. A mission to help supply women, men and children clean water, food, education and health..is so important to me. I can't imagine, not even for one second how I would manage raising my kids in such a destitute environment.

Skiing for charity and mental health!

Well, I have to tell you that we are counting our blessings everyday. I woke up one morning and decided that I am absolutely tired of depression mode...blah! Enough is enough. I want to have FUN, and so that is exactly what we did. My loving husband decided to take a day off and take me skiing. We were able to ski for only $25 bucks for the day and Mt.Bachelor donated the proceeds to charity. I think the charity is Habitat for Humanity. How nice is that?

So when you have a chance to breathe fresh air, and suck up a little bit of this mountain beauty and just realize that there are some seriously pretty good things around us..it does help you feel a little better. It also doesn't hurt to hang with your man and have a gourmet beer after the day is over at one of our favorite's the Deschutes Brewery.I think we need to stop sulking a bit and get out and have some fun. Spend a little money, but make it worth while and enjoy the good things in life. Heck, we only live once! So CHEERS ....go have fun. I think next weekend I am having a depression party!

I'm an Optimistic Beauty - Giveaway Blog

Don't you just love a little contest here and there? Chances of winning are pretty good I think. So why not head over to " I'm an Optimistic Beauty" a blog created by wonderful Jaime Stephen's. She is hosting not only a giveaway from yours truly, HelenesDreams, but also lot's of other crafters of this genre. So Take a look and go now to "I'm an Optimistic Beauty".. You have a chance to win these adorable "Purple Plum" earrings..they are just so pretty!
And, I am also happy to announce that Circular Accessories, another great Etsy shop, is also participating in a giveaway contest with "I'm an Optimistic Beauty" blog too. This shop is one of my actual personal favorites! I purchased a beautiful forest green long sleeve tee back in Oct. and it sure wears well. I get a lot of compliments! I just love this shop!So go...go now to "I'm an Optimistic Beauty" and enter to win. The giveaway contests are going on for just a few more days only.

Romeo and Juliet

Love is one the greatest human emotions of all time. To be loved and to love..how wonderful. If only half the humans in our world could focus on this one emotion this world would be a different place.

Being a woman..the dreamy kind..I would say, yes... I love romance stories. It's nice to hear a great romance endure, for example Romeo and Juliet. I had the honors of seeing this act played in Ashland, OR one summer at the Shakespearean Festival. If you like Shakespeare you have to go.

So, when it comes to a great gift idea for your Valentine this year, why not consider an Etsy crafter? So many great artist have a severe passion for their craft. By supporting them you are supporting handmade and passing on the love and joy many of us take on with our art work. For example, check out the pendant of Romeo and Juliet from Funck Love Designs. What a lovely piece of art..to represent your love.

Now, lets see...I would just be tickled pink to have these waiting at my door from someone who cared.

Check out this adorable Valentine Parcel from Etsy seller Brandy Wine. Pretty floral picks of puffy hearts and little berries, wrapped in vintage German print and tied with a vintage seam binding. So unique, so lovely. What an awesome and great Valentine gift idea.

Or, how about some of these yummy yummy yummy cookies from The Fetching Hound, another wonderful Etsy seller.

Now, let me ask you. Who wouldn't want to give or receive a heart for Valentine's Day? Mmmm.

Now for one more. I would like to share with you my very own creations with you, Helenes Dreams . I know so many women who love earrings. A little flair in the hair can make someone feel just tiny bit happier...and in today's world it all helps.



By the way, if you happen to know of a great love story..preferrably a movie. ( I don't have time to read a good book right now, sorry. ) Please leave a comment and let me know. I really like watching them and it sure would be great to have a good list going. Thanks everyone! And keep spreading the love!

For the Children

There is a lot of talk going on right now about the new law or act in accordance with the CPSA of 2008. (Consumer Product Safety Act). This law is requiring that all retailers big and small to have all items tested for lead if it is intended to be used by a child under 12 years old. It appears that it comes right down to testing the buttons on clothing, fabric paints, dyes on materials, and anything or everything that could possibly contain lead in it.

I hear a lot of concern amongst the hundreds of Etsy crafter's who appeal to children 12 and under. They are very concerned that they may not get to continue their craft and have to close shop! In honor of them I wanted to share a few of my favorites below.

I always wished I could sew. When I look at all of the wonderful clothing out there on Etsy..I have to wonder if whoever enacted this law was simply just not thinking at all? With this Etsy store Little Fish Big Pond..your practically are half way there . One day I might get the nerve to try making my daughter this dress! She sets you up with precut fabric, thread, and easy to follow instructions. Now..how nice is this?

Oh gosh, how about these adorable patches? These monster patches are so cute and would delight any young boy out to spook. They are great on a sweatshirt or pack back or even a t-shirt. You can find these at Jodie Flowers on Etsy. I think Jodie could start her own tv show!

My daughter also has her eye on this gorgeous fairy costume by Fairy Cute. I think I can see it now..all ten tiny ballerinas performing some sweet recital with this costume on.


This sweet purple dress is handcrafted by Little Rascals. I can definitely see this on my little girl with no doubt! Just look at the beautiful colors and intricate work.

With so many great and wonderful children's products ..I am hoping that we will continue to see incredible stuff from all of my Etsy friends. We can't allow you to stop making wonderful things. Etsy would never be the same without childrens products. What mom does not want to make something for their child? This is nonsense!

I am keeping my fingers crossed and writing a letter to my state representative too. Thanks all for letting me share with you!

Style For A Cause

Are you a style mama? Okay then...you have to check out the StyleList Blog. They have all kinds of great reads on beauty, pertaining to skin care, makeup, hairstyle, clothing trends..on and on.

Why am I promoting them? I know..well.. they did a nice little write up on HelenesDreams and it made me feel a tiny bit happy! I don't get too much attention otherwise so I guess I have to promote myself..who will if I don't? So if your looking for a story to read..and some answers to a few questions ..check out The StyleList Blog.

Its a BRAND NEW YEAR!

Wowwee ..I just can't believe it. I know..we say it all of the time. "It sure flys by!" But, its true. It is. And how come? I wish we did not have to go to sleep every night. Imagine all of the things we could do. AAGh..my life is flying by.

In the meantime, while I have had some time to relax and enjoy just doing nothing..I started to have the urge to make some new creations. Wanna see? Check this out.

These earrings are called "Celestial Bliss". Its what you can't see here. The flowers you see here actually turn icy blue with hints of irridesence. Gosh..these are really pretty!

These pair of earrings are called "Blossom" and why not? They are so quaint and lively. They would make anyone's day a happy one.
Okay, just one more. But I am telling you there is lots more coming. I wish I did not have this need to make such pretty little things. These are called "Majestic Prism". I love these. They catch serious tremondous light and I am sure anyone who decides to wear these will be joyed.

For the month of December I have sold over 20 pairs of earrings on Etsy alone and last month I sold 12 items. I know it may not seem like a lot, but I feel very grateful for the support that I have been given. In turn I am going to be passing some of this forward to my project of supporting the Blood Water Mission in Africa.

Thanks for checking this blog out today...Have a Happy New Year everyone! Wishing you much success, happiness and health.