Coming Soon - OOAK Gungan City Earrings

"Ex-squeeze me, but da most safest place t'would be Gunga city. 'Tis where I grew up... 'Tis a hidden city." ―Jar Jar Binks

From Star Wars Episode I - Secreted beneath the surface of a serene Naboo lake is a world entirely different than that encountered above. Here is the hidden domain of the amphibious Gungans, the native inhabitants of the peaceful planet.

The largest Gungan city, Otoh Gunga, is a spectacle to behold. A crowning achievement of unique Gungan technology, the city appears as a glittering cluster of jewel-like bubbles connected together in the dark waters. The bubbles are hydrostatic force-fields that contain breathable atmospheres for the city's inhabitants. Though they are rigid enough to keep the water out, they can be breached by Gungans swimming to and from the city.

Jake's new earring design is based on this city. A you may recall he's GREAT at making his own Legos creations, so when he gets on hands on beads you never know what you may get. These feature clear acrylic beads with bubbles inside - therefore the same. One of our favorite Star Wars characters? Jar Jar Binks! --by mom

Red Rules in February

If I won the lottery I would buy everything in BrookeMarton. This designer is incredibly inspiring with her simple, yet statement making jewelry. I admit I'm green with envy over her talent, but she gives me inspiration to reach new levels.

In Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion magazine, which I am sad to say is no longer published, Mary had a feature on Etsy and I immediately recognized a BrookeMaron design pictured in the article.

Her Cherry Bomb earrings exploded with color and would be fabulous both for Valentine’s Day and Wear Red Day. Here’s what she has to say:

I'm excited to be able to offer these best-sellers again! Big juicy glass cherries hang from antiqued brass earwires, topped off by a cluster of pink glass drops. Bright & sweet-- wear these on a gray day and carry a little sunshine wherever you go. They measure 5/8 of an inch, not including the earwires. --posted by my mom

http://www.brookemarton.etsy.com/

Go Red for Women - February 6th

Did you also know that in the U.S. and globally heart disease is not only the leading cause of death in men, but it's also the No. 1 killer of women?

As part of February Heart Health Month, many companies are teaming with the American Heart Association in its Go Red for Women campaign to help fight against women's heart disease.

To raise awareness about this important issue, all employees are invited to: Wear red to work on February 6 and urge your co-workers to do the same. Men are encouraged to participate, too, to support the women in their lives. Show off your favorite red sweater or shirt, or a red tie and red socks! It's a simple, yet powerful way to draw attention to heart disease, a significant health threat for men and women.

Learn more about heart disease and its warning signs. February Heart Health Month also provides each of us with a chance to increase our knowledge about how to prevent heart disease. Use this awareness opportunity to take steps to improve your overall health and well being.

http://www.goredforwomen.org/ --posted by mom

Today We Need Cute

It's currently 2 degrees in Minneapolis, but this photo will warm anyone's heart. Have you ever seen anything so cute! A reminder of what we have to look forward to after this extremely cold winter. Our city has many lakes and watching adorable ducklings lined up and swimming as fast as their little legs can go, following mom, is so enjoyable to witness during a stroll around the lakes. We love "Ducklings First Meal" - the photographer says this, "On a beautiful spring day in central Pennsylvania I went for a walk and discovered 12 newly hatched Mallard duck ducklings! Soooo cute!" I agree! Find more photos at http://www.squirrelstale.etsy.com/ - by mom

Mardi Gras February 24 2009

Mardi Gras...the mere mention of these two words convey thoughts of: raucous celebrations, beads flying through the air, ear-to-ear grins plastered on the faces of millions of revelers, and of course floats parading through the streets of New Orleans! While these associations are accurate, this is only taking into account only a small portion of what Mardi Gras stands for and means to millions of people not just in the Bayous and Parishes of Louisiana, but across the world.

However, the first Mardi Gras in North America did not even occur under American rule but more appropriately the French. In 1704, France’s King Louis XIV ordered the brothers Iberville and Bienville LeMoyne to sail from France to defend their territories, which include the areas that now represent: Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Upon arriving, the LeMoyne brothers found the mouth of a body of water, now known as the Mississippi River, and sailed upstream for a few miles until they located the perfect place to build a colony and designated the area as: Point du Mardi Gras.

From these humble beginnings a proud culture of French ancestors known as the Creole population of the Bayous began and prospered, and each year thousands of people become honorary Creoles during Mardi Gras celebrations held throughout the United States. From http://www.mardigrasday.com/

Friday Favorites

Emily here again - this time I picked something from my mom and brother's shop. "Love at the Moulin Rouge" earrings for Valentine's Day.

Christian, the poet falls for a beautiful courtesan, Satine whom a jealous duke covets in a stylish musical in the 2001 film, "Moulin Rouge!"Celebrate Valentine's Day with our beautiful vintage earrings featuring gorgeously unique beads with a clear base with burgundy etching and vintage brass heart lockets with little to no patina (10mm wide x 12mm). If you love these beads please check out http://www.bluemarblebeads.etsy.com/

Friday Favorites

Emily here - Friday Favorites are late, but here is mine. Obviously it includes a cat, but I also needed something with red, as Valentine's Day is coming up fast. Here is what the artist has to say -- Saw this old house while walking around the Historic District in Philadelphia. The door really was this red and the rocks in the walls this white. The door knocker is what really caught my eye, So I had to paint the whole thing. I call this painting: "Tiger on the Terrace" - Philadelphia, PA. Both my mom are I love this painting, please view more the http://www.laberge.etsy.com/

Friday Favorites

Isn’t this an adorable and cheerful painting?! Naturally I would pick a painting with a cat, but did you know my two roommates are goldfish? Yes, there are and they live in a tank. I like to use it as a large water dish and my friends don’t mind. I don’t think I scare them, as I’m so cute; at least that’s what I’m told on a regular basis by mom and Jake. Please check out this website for more wonderful paintings. I found another one I really like which I’ll have to post close to Valentine’s Day as it has red in it. You will love it!

My mom is right; it’s too cold here today. But this bright orange goldfish and his friend should warm you up. – posted by Emily, the cute tabby

www.LaBerge.etsy.com

Friday Favorites from the Dark Side

"I find your lack of Lego jewelry disturbing..."

For those who can resist the Force of the Dark Side, this Etsy seller offers much more! My mom and I love this Etsy shop. Mostly because I like Legos, but my mom has order jewelry from him. Here a little bit about this seller, taken off his website: Gr0glmann Designs was created in July 2008 after experimenting with some LEGOs I've had since childhood, and some jewelry findings. They were a hit with family and friends, so I decided to take them online for others to enjoy. They became an instant hit, so I went to work creating more pieces. I introduced cufflinks and they also took off, given that they are coming back into style. I go to California University of Pennsylvania for Computer Engineering, and put all profits from Gr0glmann Designs towards my college tuition. Thank you for your support! --posted by Jake

http://www.gr0glmann.etsy.com/

Friday Favorites

It's 20 below in Minneapolis today, so I needed to see something bright and sunny to lift my spirits and so I've posted this incredible silk shawl! Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?! It would look so fabulous with chocolate or black. This is an elegant lime green rayon and silk velvet shawl in a beautiful burnout pattern of swirling leaves. The seller has hand painted this shawl in several shades of rich lime with just a touch of lemon here and there where the sunlight would hit the leaves. The size is 13"x 70" just right for an easily manageable shawl or a very generous scarf that can be wrapped around several times. Keeps you toasty warm but as optimistic as Spring! This shawl was on the ETSY Front Page Jan. 3, 2009 - you can see why! --Emily's mom Please see this selection and more at http://www.wildgingersilk.etsy.com/

"My Friend is Sad" by Mo Willems

Kindergarten-Grade 3: In these two easy-to-read books, Willems introduces two best friends. Gerald is a slightly stodgy, bespectacled elephant with a stumpy, downturned trunk. Piggie is more daring and whimsical, and, like many friends, the two complement one another. In My Friend Is Sad, Piggie tries hard to cheer her dejected friend. She disguises herself as a cowboy, clown, and a robot, but Gerald doesn't recognize her and is sad because she isn't there to enjoy the fun. You will LOVE the ending; it will make you smile and laugh! This is the same author as the award winning book, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus." Mo Willems is a five-time Emmy Award-winning writer and animator for Sesame Street and the creator of Cartoon Network's Sheep in the Big City.

Valentine Sweet Tarts

These cute earrings never sold last Valentine's Day and we aren't sure why. I'm only a tabby, but even I think they are cute and look a lot like those candies my brother brings home from school after his class Valentine's Day party.

We have more fun pieces coming soon for Valentine's Day, so check out our shop after Martin Luther King Day.

Friday Favorites

These Retro LEGO® 2x2 Brick charms will bring back some childhood nostalgia! Use them for anything from cell charms, purse or bookbag charms, and zipper pulls. As you can see, there are many colors to choose from!

My mom and I love this shop! My mom wears their Lego earrings to school events, and for Halloween she wore the Catwoman Lego necklace. I was thinking these charms could be used with your Tamagotchis too. I LOVE Legos, so please check out this shop at www.Gr0glmann.etsy.com. - by Jake

Friday Favorites

Happy birthday, dear kitty. You get a bundle of three catnip filled cupcakes filled with organic catnip and poly-fil and wrapped with a pretty bow.

How cute are these for your favorite cat. I was so excited when I found these. My mom loves them too; because they are made with one of her favorite fabrics. Please find this adorable cat toy at this Etsy shop - just click on the title to get there. - by Emily

Friday Favorites

This soap was made from an olive oil base, with added pharmaceutical grade tea tree oil. Olive Oil is a wonderfully natural way to add moisture to your skin, while Tea Tree helps minor skin conditions such as acne, safely and naturally. ♥

Why a favorite? Tea Tree Oil works! This is what I'll be using this summer. Made by: DancingMooney, please check out her jewelry sale too! Wonderful earrings and necklaces! Pictured - my favorite necklace, Bella Blue. Find and buy your favorite soap and jewelry piece, or both! - by Emily's mom

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5113379

A Bit of Whimsy for Valentine's Day

This hasn't been posted to our shop yet, but it will be early this week. Cats don't eat earrings, so I guess these would be called "eye candy." My mom thought the glass beads looked like frosting or whipped cream, and so they are topped with a red stone "cherry."

Blue Satin Sashes

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

How Cute is This?!

I was browing Etsy looking for cute cats - one of my favorite past times and look what I found - way too cute! From the UK, one of my mom's favorite places to visit.

Puss in Boots is a very crafty cat who makes his master's fortune through a succession of very clever tricks.My puss is wearing the very fancy duds he acquires during his adventures, and looks extremely proud of himself with his wide brimmed hat with 3 feathery plumes, his lace cuffs and turned down riding boots.He's around 25 cm (10 inches) tall, all his clothes are firmly sewn on and he is filled with child friendly stuffing. The story of Puss in Boots was first told way back in the 1600s, despite modern kids insisting he first came to light in Shrek. This particular Puss comes from a smoke free and (real life) pet free home.

Ready to list on Etsy

Legos Creation by Jake

From Star Wars - Though the Gungans are naturally powerful swimmers, they do rely on submersible vehicles to travel the depths of Naboo's waters. One of their most striking technological achievements is the Gungan bongo submarine.

Most famous Gungan is Jar Jar Binks. A clumsy, well-meaning Gungan outcast from his people on Naboo, Jar Jar Binks struggled to prove his worth throughout his life. Putting his awkward past behind him, Jar Jar left the swamps of Naboo to enter the even murkier waters of Coruscant politics, becoming a representative for his people in the galactic capital. There, his best intentions and eagerness to serve were exploited by scheming Senators and others in positions of power.

Emily and Jake

I was adopted from a shelter as a very tiny and sick kitten, so my family are humans. This is a picture of my brother, Jake. He picked me out from the shelter, and insisted my mom buy me. He told my mom, "now we're a family; your the mom, I'm the boy and Emily is the baby." Everytime my mom and Jake are in the same room, I like to join them. I think they call it family time.

The Moon of Endor

What do you think of these beautiful earrings? My brother helped design them. They are part our the Star Wars inspired series of jewelry. A way of combining my mom's crafting interests with my brother's Star Wars interests.

National Treasure

Isn't this cool. My brother made Riley's van from the Disney movie, "National Treasure." I think Legos should have a National Treasure theme. But they have Indiana Jones and Star Wars, so we're good right now. My mom found and printed the background to make the picture more interesting. She does stuff like that a lot.

Tabby Jones and the Golden Idol

My brother is working on one of his Legos creations. When finished, it will be called Tabby Jones and the Golden Idol. My mom often refers to me as Tabby Jones or Tabby Skywalker, or "the baby" because I like to be held. It seems kind of silly, but my mom can be easily amused. You can see me checking out his progress.

First Listing on Etsy for 2009

This necklace is my mom's first 2009 listing on her Etsy shop.

When it's just the two of us at home, I like to get her attention by a little bit in the ankles. She makes me stay away from her materials, as we know people with cat allergies and so we have to be careful about my fluffy fur.

This is my very first blog, and I have much to say, but my mom says she needs to get some other things done, and can't type for me anymore. When you look so cute, you can get people to type for you!