bottlecap, glass tile, and scrabble tile necklaces

I love to make bottlecap and tile necklaces.

Visit me on Facebook (Lynn Foster) to see all my graphics choices. The ones shown here are just a few of the graphics I've purchased.

The necklace can have your favorite photo added, no extra charge.

Glass tile necklaces come in three sizes:

1 inch $6

1 and 3/8 inch $8

and 2 inch square $12

I will put the glass pendant on my choice of necklace: ribbon-cording, ball chain, or three strands of matching ribbon tied together.

Bottlecaps:
If you see one you like I can make you a bottlecap necklace, my choice of flattened/unflattened cap, my choice of ribbon-cording necklace/ball chain necklace/or three strands of ribbon tied necklaces (depedning on available stock) for $3 each.

Or just the pendant itself or a bottlecap magnet for only $1.

Wood scrabble tile necklaces:

Cost is $4 each and I will put them on the choices of necklaces available in above descriptions.

You can pay me via paypal. Just email me at mid_tn_homeschool_connection@yahoo.com for more info. and I will invoice you.

Don't forget to visit me online at http://www.whimsylanecreations.etsy.com/ and http://www.sugarsweetbathshoppe.etsy.com/ to see samples and current listings.

And remember me the next time you need a party activity for birthdays, scouts, sleepovers, community clubs, etc. I love to work with children and adults, and have a list of Craft and Create Parties from which to choose.

Lynn

Pearables class at co-op

These energetic sweeties are in Mrs. Kim's first period "Pearables" class at our homschool co-op. It is like a little home economics class for little girls.

They have cooked, learn to tack a quilt, sweep and mop, make their beds, and even wash dishes. How precious!

personalized glass tile photo necklaces

Adding new necklaces and pendants to my Etsy shop all the time. Now offering two sizes of glass tile pendants that can showcase your favorite photo, available in 1 inch square and 1 and 3/8 inch square tiles.

2 inch square tiles will be available soon for making photo ornaments.

http://www.whimsylanecreations.etsy.com/

Soap Making 101: Cornerstone Baptist fellowship hall. Saturday Nov. 7 @ 10 am. $5 each payable at time of class. All ages welcome.

Crafting classes beginning in September

For the last two years I've held kid's crafting classes at my home on and off. This year I am planning on beginning them again. They'll be held Monday nights from 7-8:15 PM (barring nothing changes in my son's schedules, such as sports practices). Whether they will be weekly or bi-weekly classes, I am not yet sure. For children grades k and up in the Warren county area.

Cost will usually be $5 per child per class. Payment is needed at time of drop-off but number of children attending will always be needed in advance so I can have time to order supplies.

Boys are welcome to attend any classes. Some classes can easily become very unisex in the end result.

My plans for fall classes as loosely as follows:

September:

bath tub fun: make bath paint and bath jelly
altered clip board: alter a plain clip board into a beautiful note/photo display

October:

Bottlecap bling: make 2 necklaces from bottlecaps
Decoupaged desk/vanity tray
Sassy initial tote bag
cotton paper casting (use for cards, crafts, etc.)

November:

Mosaic picture frame
alter a brag book/photo album
make a girly wall plaque with hook for hanging items
make "sweet shoppe" clay beads

December:

whipped layered bath butter
"flirty purse" paper album
"Pixie Dust" bath fizz and glitter gel for hair/body



More details to come!
-Lynn

Craft & Create Parties

Childcare is not exploding as I had thought it would, so back to one of my first loves, teaching crafts.

I am now offering a service to birthday parties, mother-daughter days, ladies days, church events, community clubs, scouts, homeschool groups, etc. called Craft & Create Parties. I will come to your location in Warren county and stay for 1-2 hours, teaching your group a simple but enjoyable craft. This is especially great for birthdays/sleepovers as it frees up mom and dad a bit to just enjoy the party, and lets the kids not only be entertained and busy, but allows them to take home a nice favor to keep.

Please book your party TWO WEEKS in advance to give me time to clear my schedule and order supplies.

All fees must be paid up front and are non-refundable unless in the unlikely event that I have to cancel. If an individual must cancel fees will not be returned but event can be rescheduled OR I will gladly deliver crafts and instructions to your door.

Don't need me to teach for you but you still want to make the crafts? For the same price I will deliver your kits to you with complete instructions (this option may not be available on ALL parties).

I will add new crafts choices over time, but for now I have a list of about 8 group activities from which to choose:

Spa Day (ages 8-adult; we will be pouring HOT liquids) Make at least 2 glycerin soaps, a sugar scrub, and a lip balm--2 and 1/2 hours cost: $10

Soap Making 101 (ages 8-adult; pouring HOT liquids) Learn the basics of making glycerin soaps. Color, scent, and mold your own soaps to take home. 2 hours cost:$8

Blending Bar Party (ages 4-adult) You will take pre-made 2 oz. lotion, perfume, body wash, bath crystal and/or other bases and scent and color them to make your very own unique bath and body products. 1 and 1/2 hours. Cost: $10

Bottlecap Bling party (ages 5+) Turn bottlecaps into pretty pendants and necklaces. Each guest makes 2 and gets a ribbon "necklace". Cost: $5 (silver plated ball chain necklaces or ribbon-cording necklaces an additional $1 per guest)

Scrabble Tile Pendants Party (ages 5+). Each guest will turn 2 scrabble tiles into trendy wearable art. Comes with a length of ribbon to tie into a "necklace". Cost: $5 (silver-plated ball chain necklaces or premade ribbon-cording necklaces an additional $1 per guest).

Glass Pendant party (ages 5+) Guests will make one glass scrabble tile pendant necklace. 1 hour. Cost:$5 each. Ribbon for tying will be provided or for $1 extra per guest your choice of silver-plated ball -chain necklaces or ribbon-cording necklaces will be provided.

Altered Brag Book Party (ages 8+) Guests will be given a brag book type photo album and choices of scrapbooking embellishments to "alter" their album covers with. You'll get papers, stickers, fibers, rub-ons, ribbons, etc. 1 and 1/2 hours. Cost:$5 each

Memory Can Party (ages 8+) Guests will "alter" a new paint can using scrapbooking materials, to be used as a keepsake holder. 1 hour. Cost: $7 each

Brown Bag Album party (ages 8+) Guests will turn a stack of paper bags into a simple album and then embellish it with scrapbooking supplies. 1 hour to 1 and 1/2 hours. Cost: $5

As noted above we'll be working often with hot liquids. I will not be held responsible for accidents or spills. Likewise, I am not responsible for damage done due to misuse of products. You will need to provide adequate space to seat your guests and a good, well-lit work area. I have one folding table (which seats about 4) that I will bring upon request.

In the future watch for paper quilling classes, decoupaged wooden initials classes, and soda can tab jewelry classes.

Party Spirit

I have held crafting classes in my home and at churches. I have attended camps where I was involved in crafts. I have always enjoyed working with crafts in our homeschooling and with our group. In VBS, I have become one of the craft station leaders. Does it sound like I like crafting a bit too much?

A lady at a soap-making class I taught for an FCE club gave me an idea months ago when she suggested how well it would go over at children's parties if I came in and taught a one-hour crafts class. It would free mom up a bit. Take some pressure off the parents to entertain. Give the children a creative outlet while ensuring they each have a nice party favor to take home (how many of those tiny yo-yo's and bouncy balls end up in the bottom of the toy box after only minutes of bringing the goody bags home?).

I liked the idea a lot, rolled it around in my head for a bit, and then promptly forgot it. I was needing to bring in some additional cash flow and had been trying to find some children to keep. I have experience in that arena too, and figured it was a sure-fire job. All of my energy was invested into this, from rearranging the house to passing out flyers. I even had a schedule and handbook ready and conducted a few interviews. For months I've had nibbles but nothing solid. In hard economic times when many have lost jobs already, I am finding more and more that parents who once used daycare services are getting creative when it comes to their childcare options. I have noticed a few daycares who always stayed full suddenly have openings.

I became temporarily distressed. I had a few custom orders coming in from my Etsy stores but nothing huge. Then I went to 4-H camp where another teacher there pointed out that I was the "crafting party lady" to some of the children. I had forgotten all about doing parties! I so enjoy crafting, but even more so I enjoy teaching others to craft. I am no expert mind you, but my love and passion for my hobby spill over enthusiastically to others.

With this in mind (and considering most of my life I have spent with children in some capacity), I am going to try this route as a side-line job. I could offer to come over to a local party and teach a craft from a list of kid-friendly possibilities for as little as $5 per child plus gas. I really think this would go over well, considering the crafts would be higher-quality than your typical camp or VBS type crafts.

Once I think on which activities would be best I'll post them here.

I still have plans to do my weekly craft classes for ages 8-adult (see previous blog entries for list of potential classes). So watch for all this action soon!

-Lynn
www.SugarSweetBathShoppe.etsy.com
www.whimsylanecreations.etsy.com

4-H Line and Design Camp 2nd year

I had the priviledge of teaching at 4-H Line and Design camp again this year. Last year I taught about 60 girls how to make lip balms, soaps, and sugar scrubs (MESSY!).

This year the committee chose to have me teach bottlecap jewelry.

I had 4 classes with a total of 80 young ladies who all love crafting!

I couldn't have asked for a better group.

They were polite, attentive, and overall VERY creative.

It is a always a great experience for me.

Can't wait 'til next year.

-Lynn

wholesaling of lip balm and new party favors options

I have a new option available--discounts on bulk purchases of lip balm pots and tubes.

Also, I am branching into making party favor bags that will contain lip balms or soaps.

To my product line I am please to introduce a new "dry" spray perfume and foaming whipped body parfaits. Those should be ready in about a week.

Be sure to keep up with these latest happenings at
www.whimsylanecreations.etsy.com
and
www.SugarSweetBathShoppe.etsy.com

new crafting classes coming soon
I can't help it: crafting is in my blood and I want to share my passion with anyone and everyone!

Its been a few months since I have held any sort of classes, and I am eager to start them again.
These will be available mainly for children but I also enjoy holding occasional classes for adults and community clubs.

Dates and costs are being finalized and will be updated ASAP.

basic soap making
whipped,layered, and embedded soaps
Spa Day-sugar scrub, soap, lip balm, bath salts
painted pet place mats (to hold food dishes)
Mug 'Ems jar gifts
altered notebook
altered clipboard
altered frame
altered vanity tray
hard candy
Bath Fun Bucket (with tub jelly, soap paints, etc)
wall plaques
altered memory can
scrabble tile pendant necklaces
bottle cap pendant necklaces
duct tape no-sew recycled t-shirt purse
Painted whimsical initial tote bag
80's retro vintage suit coat
Painted canvas shoes with ribbon laces
recycled magnetic memo board
padded fabric brag book
brown bag scrapbook album

I'll keep you posted. :)-Lynn

new items in both Etsy stores

I wanted to let you all know I have new items in both my Etsy stores this week:

At Whimsy Lane Creations, I am adding new initial bottle cap and scrabble tile pendant necklaces. I also have a new Twilight saga necklace with charms to represent each of the four books' major highlights.

Over at my new shop, Sugar Sweet Bath Shoppe, I have added party favors and a wholesale lip balm listing.

Be sure to check it all out.

I ordered some Derma Doctor Picture Porefect from Sephora, which was a real splurge for me. So far though, i am not at all impressed. This product had rave reviews online but is doing very little in the way of either cleaning or shrinking my t-zone pores. Anyone out there using this and care to comment?

new Etsy store

I make way too many crafts! I am opening a second Etsy store called Sugar Sweet Bath Shoppe. I will eventually move all my bath and body products there, while keeping my "misc" crafts at Whimsy Lane Creations.

I hope to be moved into my new shop by April. I plan to eventaslly fill it with glycerin soaps, soy soaps, whipped bath butter and whipped foaming sugar scrub, lip balms, soap and balm party flavors/private labeling, and more.

Please visit me at either www.whimsylanecreations.etsy.com for kid's jewelry, Twilight products, scrapbooking supplies, painted items, etc.

or www.SugarSweetBathShoppe.etsy.com for bath and body treats.

new store on Etsy

Announcing my new Etsy store, Sugar Sweet Bath Shoppe. I have decided to move all my bath & body products to one store and keep Whimsy Lane Creations open for all my misc. crafting joy! It will take awhile to move things over but I think it will make it easier for customers to find what they are looking for rather than sifting through 90 very different, unrelated items.

My speciality will be scent-your-own products and bakery scents. You''ll begin to see items like Coconut Marshmallow Fluff Whipped Sugar Scrub, many new scents, and more soy products. I am hoping the whole shop will have a very girly, sweet look and my items should reflect that.

Keep in touch!
-Lynn

www.whimsylanecreations.etsy.com
www.SugarSweetBathShoppe.etsy.com....coming soon!

back to the drawing board

hmmm....I sit here today pondering two things: what to do (again) about those large pores and why my rebatched lye soap never comes out the way I want it to.

I am still using the olive oil cleanse with the combination pore scrubber at least 3-4 days a week. I am at a standstill with the shrinkage of my pores, but I still use the cleanse because I like th eway my face feels when I'm done and I like the way it seems to keep my oily spots cleaner, longer, under my makeup. I also feel good using natural products and am hoping that if nothing else, my skin will have less wrinkles as i age because of the olive oil cleanse.

As for the stand-still pores, I have my hands on a sample pack of DermaDoctor's Picture Porefect on Ebay. This stuff gets rave reviews but is pricey, so I am trying to win a little bit to try without killing the budget.

Now, onto my lye soap dilemna's. When I make my olive/coconut oil lye blender soap, it produces a lovely smooth, hard bar of soap with great lather. Problem there is that as the lye changes as the soap cures, it often ruins my beautiful creations, changing their colors, swirls, and even fading the yummy scents I added. So a few weeks ago when a friend ordered one of my lye soap logs so she could try the rebatching process, I decided to make myself a few extra logs to play with. I keep hearing that if you do a rebatch instead, your pretty colors and scents will stay true and you can add additives then without the worry of the lye altering them. Sounds great in theory. I knew from previous experience that rebatched soap is not as smooth and creamy (or pourable) like melt and pour soap, but I was determined to make mine become that way. I grated it, melted it, and this time not only added additional oils but also fresh coconut milk and regular milk. I then mixed it all with a hand-held mixer. It looked so good! I added my scent and whipped it more. Gone was the lump mashed potato lye soap I had always gotten and in its place with a whipped cream delight! I poured it into my log molds (old Velveeta cheese keeper lids) and even piled some on top for extra "pretties". I threw in a few colored sugar crystals just because I could. Then I waited for it to harden.

Next morning my soap had separated into a watery layer and a foaming layer. back to dumping and remixing with the blender. Again, it foamed up nicely and appeared like a thick meringue. I bet I whipped it on high speed for 5 minutes!

This time the top layer hardened but one week layer, the under layer was still mush.
Dumped it out again, reblended it, added more oils and coconut milk plus some vit. E for preserving it, gave it up and poured it into squeeze bottles for the shower and sink. Now it is an ugly gray-green, runny, creamy liquid soap. It smells great and works well, so I guess I accidentally made some sort of hand soap/bubble bath. Its not pretty but if it works, at least its not a complete waste of time and resources.

What I want to know is, does anyone have the key to making beautiful, SMOOTH and pourable, rebatched lye soap?
Throw me a bone people. If you blend it it makes it creamy but you must have extra oils or waters or milks to do so, thus making it impossible to harden. *sigh*

Still looking for answers!
Lynn

LUSH order

Well, its been about a month on my olive oil cleanse and I am not as excited as I was. My pores are most definitely at a stand-still, major. Not only that but mineral makeup brands really are vastly different. I had to buy some Maybelline mineral foundation and powder and I am back to the shiny nose after 1 hour. *sigh*

I continue on with the cleanse at least once daily though as I figure it'll ward off any more wrinkles.

Dear Sis has dropped out of the cleanse experiment as it is making her break out if she skips a day using it.

She is getting together a LUSH order with me and we will be trying the Coalface soap for large pores. I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, check out my Etsy store as I venture into bottlecap jewelry and glass pendant necklaces; a change from my usual soap.

As soon as I get caught up on reading the 3rd and 4th books in the Twilight series, I hope to offer bath products and jewelry to match the main characters. We'll see how that goes! Always short on time I am.

Happy New Year,
Lynn