Cabin Fever Broke Today

Okay, no more whining about the snow after a day like today. Mid 60s with plenty of sunshine. I got ole Bessy back today too and she's running like new again. I ended up putting about $550.00 in new parts on her and she's loving it. Now I have to sell more stuff to pay for it, so visit my shop at www.woodentreasures.etsy.com and buy lots of stuff!

So, remember I was talking about having a new engine put into my Jeep Cherokee. How excited I was at the thought of having a like new engine in it and how it wasn't really all that expensive to do it? Well, the old engine is sitting side by side on engine stands next to the new one. I stopped in today to see how things were going and watched some of the process. I was amazed that someone could take all this stuff apart and put it back together again.

Anyway, when they took the old engine out they found several things that needed to be repaired. First, the exhaust manifold has a few cracks that need to be welded to fix it ($30.00) to make it right. The coil ($40.00) is cracked and needs to be replaced. The catalytic converter ($90.00) is rusted and has stuff inside that rattles and of course has to be replaced. And one of the motor mounts ($12.00) was cracked and needs to be replaced. So the bill just got almost $175.00 higher. But I try to put a positive light on things and I'm glad they found these things and can replace them while everything is all apart rather than having to spend a LOT more money to replace these one at a time with everything together. With any luck this is all they'll find that needs to be fixed. Keep your fingers crossed!

Bessy gets a new engine

Way back in 1993 I purchased the only new vehicle I've ever owned. There was a year end closeout sale on Jeep Cherokees at the local dealership. I went in, looked, negotiated, and drove away in a brand new, cherry red Jeep Cherokee 4x4 SUV. In the last 18 years it has provided me with unending loyalty and reliability. Recently though she began to show some signs that things weren't right. Her oil pressure started to drop a bit, and she started to leak a little oil, and was burning a bit too. I grew concerned and made an appointment with her at the engine doctor. We discussed her habits, how I drove her etc. After a check-up he stated that with nearly 300,000 miles she was getting pretty tired and worn down. And that he didn't know how many more miles she had left in her. I was deeply saddened by this news as you grow attached to something after that long a period of time. It is a love/love relationship. I've taken very good care of her, and she in turn has been very good to me. He suggested I start looking around for a replacement vehicle just in case.

Well I did some soul searching, thinking back on all the great memories we shared together. I decided there was no way I was going to spend money on someone else's junker only to be in the same boat again probably in a short period of time. With Bessy I know what I have and aside from her engine everything else is in wonderful condition.

So I called the best engine rebuilders I know and ordered a newly remanufactured engine for her. It cost me just under $1,750 delivered and is being installed today. The new engine comes with a 7 year/70,000 mile warranty which is unheard of today. The cost of installation is $650.00 which includes all new belts, hoses, an O2 sensor, and brand new Sylvania Silverstar headlights. So for $2,400 she has been given a new lease on life. Where can you find a used car for $2,400 that you will have any confidence in it lasting for 70,000 miles? Trust me you cannot find such a car out there.

I look forward to spending many more years behind the wheel of this loyal friend.

Cabin Fever

Well I have to admit, even though the snow is beautiful I'm ready for spring. My shop is unheated so I have to bundle up to go to work to try to keep warm. Have you ever tried to hold onto a 3/4" diameter, thin slice of wood and sand it wearing mittens? Trust me it's no easy task. But I'm old and stubborn so I persevere. But I long for the spring when I can take my work outside in the fresh spring air. We're expecting more snow this week. Heck, I moved to North Carolina to get away from all the darn snow!!! If this keeps up I am seriously considering buying a snow shovel. But know if I do it will never snow here again. It's just how my luck runs. OH, I stumbled on an etsy shop today I just had to share with ya'll. It was like opening my first lingerie catalog back as a young boy and getting all excited. The shop is feathercreations.etsy.com with all of the items handmade by Carmen. Her shop has inspired me to consider coming up with a way to model my buttons in a similar fashion. Perhaps tie some onto the hair of my chest? I'll have to give it more thought. But I loved all of the feather items in Carmen's shop and encourage you to check them out. Okay, lunch is over. Time to bundle back up and head to the shop.

I Do

"I Do"

Those two little words seem innocent enough don't they?

A beautiful bride standing at the altar
looking into the eyes of the man she will love forever. Gently he takes her hand
into his. They exchange their vows, and finally say to each other...."I do".

Ceremony complete, everyone
heads to the reception which is where I come in.

This time of year, and on
through the fall I am kept very busy creating handcrafted wooden place card
holders for the wedding tables. These simple yet elegant holders are a
focal point on the tables. Most couples use one on each table to designate the
table number. Others purchase one for every guest and print small cards
with their names so they know exactly where they're seated.


The photo above shows some of the more elegant holders I
offer. These were cut from an absolutely stunning red oak tree which had fallen
of all places right behind my house on the edge of the woods. Beautifully
spalted, the colors just take your breath away. The heart shaped wire are
handmade by Lisa and she does a fabulous job making these. These take a
lot longer to make than some shown below. But I think for something as special
as your wedding day spending a few extra dollars should be allowed.

Shown above are my best sellers. Simple, yet elegant in design.
The spiral wire design will hold a larger paper stock than the hearts just by
the virtue of the design. I offer an upgrade in the wires to a heavier gauge for
a small charge per piece. This offsets the extra cost of the heavier wire stock.

If you think you might be interested in some of these for your upcoming wedding head to my shop http://www.woodentreasures.etsy.com/ and click on the wedding goodies tab on the right. Please be aware that I have already had to turn down some orders because the soon to be wed did not plan far enough in advance to purchase these. For small orders (10-30 holders) it's usually less than a week to have them in the mail. For larger orders more time is required. If I am not 100% sure I can fill your order on time I will not take the order. I would feel horrible if I were not able to fulfill my end and leave your wedding tables void of my holders. So come to the shop and take a look around.

You might even spot the handcrafted cufflinks I make. Absolutely perfect gift for the groom to give to his mates, dad, and future father-in-law as a pre wedding gift

MARCH MADNESS IS BACK!

Beginning today and going through the end of March I will be posting one item in my Etsy shop www.woodentreasures.etsy.com that will be priced so low you'll think I've gone just absolutely insane! Today's item has already been listed. Take a look if it's not already sold.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42338690

Well it rained here most of the weekend which was great for my mums, but not so great for getting any yard work done! It now looks like the weather is going to clear up and the temperature is going to drop this week. I think the knitters and crocheters are starting to gear up for this fall and winter as button sales are picking up in my etsy shop http://www.woodentreasures.etsy.com If you knit or crochet please stop by as my shop is overflowing with beautiful handcrafted tree branch buttons. If you happen to read this blog post and do buy some buttons please include a note in the checkout letting me know this. I would greatly appreciate it.

Wooden Treasures Winners Circle

On Tuesday we drew the names of the three winners of my latest giveaway promotion. I sent them each an email today (Wednesday) letting them know of their good fortune. I asked for their permission to post their names here on my blog page and hopefully they will agree.

I have already heard back from the Grand Prize Winner who is from California. Her name is Maria Policano from Southern California. She said, and I quote "I cannot believe I won these amazing buttons. I will have to get busy making things to use them on. Thank you so so much for this great treat. You have made my day".

Second Prize was awarded to Angela De Ciccio of Canada. I say this really made her day as she had forgotten all about the drawing. She made her purchase very close to the beginning of the contest back in early August.

Third Prize was awarded to Wendy Ritchy from DeLand, Florida. Wendy had this to say when she found out she had won. "Whooohooo!! I haven't ever won anything before :c) guess I need to stop trying & it will just happen like this ~ hehe ~ thanks so much! I actually didn't even see anything about the giveaway when I bought the buttons (which I love ~ thanks!) "

So there you have it. All of the winners from my most current promotion. I would love to have you send me some photos of items you've created using my buttons. I will post them here along with a link to your etsy shop if you have one.

All I can say is...Ya'll need to start checking my shop announcements. I have a LOT of promotional giveaways and drawings for free goodies. It's all about giving something back to those who support my shop. Check it out at www.woodentreasures.etsy.com

My next promotion, although not a huge one, will start on Monday Sepetember 14th. The winner of this promotion will win a $40.00 shopping spree in my Etsy Shop. There will only be 30 entries in this "contest" so your chances of winning are very good even if you only buy one item. Watch my etsy shop front page for details.

Halfway There

Well we're over halfway there in the current free goodies giveaway! Only 49 more entries left to win one of the three prizes. I hope everyone isn't waiting until the last minute to grab a chance! Don't risk losing out on a chance to win all of those tree branch buttons and shawl pins.

1,000th Etsy Shop Sale Free Giveaway Promotion

As I approach another milestone in my Etsy shop I felt it only right to add some excitement and give something back to my customers. To that end I am having another freebie giveaway.

How it works is very simple. Starting with my 901st sale, all the way through sale number 1,000, each item you purchase earns you one entry in the freebie giveaway. So even if you purchase just one item you have a 1 in 100 chance of winning. Much better odds than say....the lottery!

This giveaway will have three prizes to be awarded.

The First Prize will be an assortment of 75 of my tree branch buttons, and a pair of my famous crooked stick shawl pins. At an average of $2.00 per button and $18.00 per shawl pin, the First Prize has a retail value of nearly $190.00

Second prize is none too shabby either. You will receive an assortment of 50 of my tree branch buttons, and one of my famous crooked stick shawl pins. Second Prize has a retail value of $118.00

Third Prize will be an assortment of 25 of my tree branch buttons, and one of my famous crooked stick shawl pins. Value for the Third Prize is nearly $70.00

So I will be giving away nearly $400.00 worth of buttons and shawl pins in this free giveaway.

Below are three photos showing you the First, Second, and Third Prize Packages.

I sincerely want to wish everyone who participates the very best of luck. And thank you for your business and patronage.

Shown above are the Third Prize Goodies

Shown above are the Second Prize Goodies

Shown above are the First Prize Goodies

World Travelers

I was recently contacted to craft 450 big buttons to be used on oversized cowls. The buyer is from Brooklyn, N.Y. During our conversation she informed me she was packing her bags for a trip to Peru where her cowls are being manufactured. We agreed to a date that I would ship the buttons to her so she could take them with her on the trip. The buttons arrived safely and on time. Two days later they boarded a plane bound for South America. Once there they were delivered to the knitting shop to be added to the cowls. When all finished they will be shipped to exclusive, high end boutiques in Los Angeles and NYC. Imagine a shopper from France sees one of the cowls and purchases one and takes it home with her. The two buttons will have, at that point, travelled thousands of miles. And to think they were about to become mulch before I rescued them.

Just a quick peek into my etsy shop

Etsy Buy Handmade WoodenTreasures

Show Me The Buttons

Above is a really pretty scarflette made by http://www.ccdzs.etsy.com/ and next to that a lovely shawl made by Julia of http://www.handknittedthings.etsy.com/ Keep sending me pictures!!

Here is a really sexy and adorable pair of Marietta Spats from Efia of http://www.efiafair.etsy.com/ She has some really adorable things in her etsy shop. You should check it out.

I get really excited when my customers on Etsy send me photos of things they make using my buttons, shawl pins, and shawl pin sets. I mentioned to my wife that it would be really neat to have a sort of photo album of all of these pictures. She told me I should start a blog page. A WHAT? I said to her...LOL Well, I got on the phone to the grandson and asked if he could help me out. His standard reply "Sure if you take me fishing this weekend" led to this blog. I still honestly don't know what it is, but as instructed I'm typing this paragraph. When you purchase buttons from me in my etsy shop http://www.woodentreasures.etsy.com/ I will ask you to send me pictures of the beautiful sweaters, scarves, cowls and anything else create using my buttons. With your permission I will begin adding them here on my blog page. I want to see how many I can get before Christmas this year. Here is the first few.