Memorial Day

This post is to honor and thank our service people who defend our rights and protect us, both the fallen hero's and the men and women who on a daily basis work to keep us free and make us proud to be Americans!

Like so many other families, our family has suffered the loss of a loved one while serving in the Armed Forces. I was only two when my Uncle Ron died in Vietnam but grew up with wonderful stories of a boy who was full of pranks and all kinds of mischief.

PFC Ronald Shier was a member of Charley Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. He was killed on March 3, 1969 from a sniper shot.

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare)

God bless all of our service men and women and their families and God Bless America!

In Memory OF My Dad 1935 - 2008

This post is a bit difficult for me to do but I am hoping that it will bring some healing.
I have kept this blog to pretty much business stuff but thought I might share a little bit of my personal life here.
My father passed away this past November 7th. He was a man that never really showed the love he had for his family. He was quick to anger and I am my father's daughter in that respect, but I am working on that issue :)
He didn't give much praise, in his younger years he partied a bit too much, but he did work hard for his family. Through his and my Mom's hard work, we were able to have a "cottage" home by beautiful Hardy Dam as well as a home in Kentwood. He loved the woods, gardening, hunting and fishing so this home away from home was his paradise.
Now, as a young girl, I hated it that we had to go "up North" as we call it in Michigan, every weekend. I was never going to move "up there", it was too sticksville for me, LOL.
Well, after I met my husband in 1985 that all changed and guess where I moved, yep, "Up North" only 2 miles away from that property we spent every weekend and every summer at.
I wouldn't change any of that for the world now.
We've recently moved to Wyoming but will be going back home sometime, after all, my father made me an "Up North" girl :)

It funny how you think of your parents as immortal. I never gave the thought of my Dad dying much real thought, you just always think that they will be there.
One thing I would like to tell everyone is to tell your loved ones every chance you get how much you truly do love and care about them as you never know when it may be the last time.

Thanks for taking the time to read and show you, my memories of my Dad. Just click on the green play button to listen and watch the video :)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Only 12 Days Left For Clearance Sale / Etsy Store Closing!

Yep, that's right. In just 12 days I will be closing my jewelry shop on Etsy ( http://www.cblandcompany.etsy.com )
Now is the time to get some bling for huge savings! Spoil yourself or someone you love :)
All items in my Etsy jewelry shop are 35% off with the exception of my "Anderson House" section.
Thirty Five percent of those sales will go to the Anderson House, a shelter on Prince Edward Island to help mentally and physically abused women and children.

I want to thank all of the wonderful customers I've met from Etsy as well as the many Etsy friends I now have. My customers can still purchase from me at my other venues and I will be keeping my Beadz shop open for a while yet on Etsy. I will also continue to be a loyal buyer, supporter of my fellow artist friends.

Here's hoping 2009 is a prosperous year for "Buy Handmade".

End Of Year Clearance Sale!

It's that dreaded time of the year again, Inventory time! Yuck! I just loath doing inventory.
I have literally thousands of beads on hand at any given time because, well, I'm just obsessed with the darn things, LOL
To help reduce some inventory I am having a huge sale in my jewelry shops on Etsy www.cblandcompany.etsy.com and Ruby Lane www.rubylane.com/shops/creationsbylisaandcompany
My Etsy store is 35% off on all items in my store and in my Ruby Lane shoppe which has a larger inventory, I have many items at 35% or more off ( search CLEARANCE ) as well as items with less than 35% discounts.
I am offering FREE first class mail shipping in both stores thru December 31st.
So go ahead and treat yourself or start next years Holiday shopping, there are some great deals to be had :)
I will also be closing my Etsy jewelry shop in a few weeks and pursuing other online venues and unsold clearance items will be removed from my Ruby Lane shoppe to make room for new inventory that is piling up around here, LOL

Happy Shopping!

Gifts To Warm Your Soul From The Etsy Angel Team

I wanted to share some more works of some very talented people before the Holiday shopping season has passed.

Sharla of www.BeadedTail.etsy.com has so many items in her shop that are near and dear to my heart.
She is a fellow animal lover and her jewelry sales support many animal awareness causes.
Please visit BeadedTails Etsy shop for beautiful jewelry and know that you will be helping the fur babies at the same time :)
Here are a few of my favorites:







Peggy of www.ArrivingAngels.etsy.com has the most gorgeous quilts and crocheted items for the little one in your life. I have a snowman quilt ordered from Peggy and can't wait to see it!
Some of my other favorites from her shop besides her quilts are these adorable Guardian Angel and Cupcake trinket boxes.







Michelle from SilkCreekGallery www.silkcreekgallery.etsy.com, has some stunning jewelry in her shop and her husband does amazing metal forging. It was hard to choose just three favorites :)






Enjoy Everyone and remember to support your fellow Artist and buy handmade :)

Tis The Season!

I can't believe Christmas is almost here again! Where does the time go?
The past two years I have eleviated a lot of stress by shopping online. I try to buy as many handmade items as possible. It supports independent Artist ( a lot of my friends :) ) and you are purchasing a quality product that is so much more special.
I thought I would share some items from a few of my favorite shops.

Mona, A.K.A "SewingGranny" www. sewinggranny.etsy.com is awesome to work with, she has created so many wonderful, special orders for me and I love her and her shop dearly. I have shown a couple photo's of the gorgeous quilt she made for me, which I will treasure, and also a photo of the cutest towel I have ever seen!






Another dear friend, Amanda of "Chloe Boutique" www.wildlifer78.etsy.com has absolutely stunning Artisan jewelry! Here are a couple of my favorites, I personally own the first pair, "Sugary Plum" earrings :)




Chris Dembinski of "Crafts By Chris" is such a sweetheart! I love her shop and have personally purchased many of her gorgeous beads. Check her out at www.craftsbychris.etsy.com
These are just some of the many beads I have purchased from Chris, aren't they gorgeous?
I have also included a photo of the earrings I made with them :)






Michelle from "Cozy Moments" www.cozymoments.etsy.com
has some simply to die for handmade soaps, lotions, perfumes and other personal care and bath products. She is such a sweetie and a pleasure to work with! My personal favorites from her shop are her version of Bath & Body Works "Vanilla Bean Noel", they smell good enough to eat!




Carrie's shop, "Tiger Lily Studio" www.tigerlilystudio.etsy.com is just fabulous! I have purchased a couple of her organic lavender blend Dream Pillows and OMG! I just love them! What a way to unwind at the end of the day. You will love them too!




Hope you enjoy these selections of Handmade Artisan items. I will be adding some more goodies in the coming days for your viewing pleasure :)

Happy Holidays!

Oh No, Here Comes That White, Fluffy Stuff Already!

We have recently moved from Michigan to Wyoming and boy, I was not ready for this stuff already!
It started last Friday with rain/snow mix all day and woke up to snow on the ground Saturday which did melt by the end of the day. Sunday was another matter however, we had about 3-4" of snow on the ground and most of it is still there!
This was the scene at our house this morning, beautiful, yes, but I still don't like the stuff, LOL.
My Husky and Husky/Shepherd mix dogs are right in their element though, they are just loving it. The hound is a Southern gentleman so he is not too crazy about it.



My Mom says it's been in the 80's back home and the fall colors are just beautiful this year. I wonder if I click my heals three times and repeat "There's No Place Like Home" if it would work, LOL