SOME THANK YOU'S AND COMING SOON!!!

 

 

It's that time of year.  At year's end I grow nostalgic, and start to remember past memories, auld lang zine and all that.  (Or maybe it's just the yummy Shiraz I've been sipping.... ) Whatever it is, it reminds me that I owe a debt of thank you's to all my faithful customers and supporters. You know who you are - and I thank each and every one of you for your support throughout 2012.  Without you, Cookalas House Of Cards/Cookalas Pretty Things would not be. I heart you all!!

If you have a moment, please check out these treasuries-
Instant Black Tie Affair by Karen Taber
ONE Day till Christmas ஜ۩۞۩ஜ by VINTAGE NOW .
Nutcrackers for ALL by Christa B . Charmed by Meghan Huntley
Blue !!! by Flora L
Frosty The Handmade Snowman by Marsha Bourquin .
and my apologies for taking sooooo long to post this one!! It's Turkey Time by DIPdesigns .

For new things in 2013 I will start with the new Regaliz leather bracelets I will be making - I have begun receiving component shipments and I am very excited about these new leather bracelets and putting them together.  I think they're uber sexy, chic and fabulous!  Just perfect for the current leather rave, and I know you are sure to get oodles of compliments if you wear one!

Beyond that, I am looking towards creating new single core pandora style bead sets and bracelets.  I have been quietly stockpiling all kinds of  gorgeous, blingy rhinestone beads to accompany and enhance them.  They will be different from what I have offered in the past.  You will see them start to emerge probably around February/March.  Also look for new offerings of bulk beads - I am trying to reduce my inventory and I will be making up color coordinated sets of 20 or more beads for the low low price of around $13 (depends on the # of beads in the collection) -  a bargain for anyone looking to expand their current collection!  And, of course, there will be new holiday and seasonal themed Limited Edition pandora style bracelets.  On the neare horizon are Valentines's Day, St Patrick's Day and Easter.

 

I am also in the process of creating polymer clay jewelry and other objects de art (cuffs, earrings and necklace tiles and tiny boutique gift boxes, stationary items like pen holders, letter holder, pens, etc) but again, it all depends on what free time I have to create amd make and list, but you should also see them soon (I hope!! - one never knows in this business!!)

 

So that's it for now.  As a gentle reminder, sales are still ongoing - save at least 20-50% at  Cookalas Pretty Things - all you coupon holders - now is the time to use it!!!  I probably won't sale again until March, and the holiday sale ends on January 17th.

 

So Happy New Year, and Happy Shopping!!

 

See y'all next year!!

INTRODUCING...

First a little background... 

 

As you all know, once upon a time I was selling handmade leather bracelets in the shop - but then they all mysteriously disappeared.  What happened was this - because I did not personally make them myself they were violating Etsy Integrity Rules, so 400+ listings had to be deactivated. Someone out there, whom I wish very, very bad karma on, must have notified Etsy.  Why? Because the world is full of greedy, jealous of other people's success, pond scum.

 

So, those 400+ gorgeous bracelets I had so diligently stocked the shop with for the gifting season  now sit in a corner, homeless and dejected.  It has cost me a huge loss in sales and traffic.  I have not had the time to find another venue to sell them on, and it requires too much money and time to start up my own e-commerce website/domain, so I will probably just list them on ebay and hope to recover the cost of what I paid for them.  Meanwhile, there are many other shops on Etsy (all with locations in China I might add), selling the same exact bracelets, and who are being allowed to do so.  So, I can only interpret this to mean Etsy has double, unfair standards.  I have corresponded with Etsy many times about this and they have never given me an answer as to why they allow some shops to sell these bracelets, but not others. 

 

This is the same thing that happened with how I was listing Pandora style jewelry all over again.  That was almost a year ago and to this day there are literally dozens of shops using the terminology "pandora" in their listings and being allowed to do so.  Why is this important?  Because when you search for "pandora" my listings will be way at the bottom on page 400 something where you will never look, and so you will never see my listings.  You will only see the shops who use "pandora" in their titles because they will be listed long before my shop is.  Again, this is a clear cut case of favoritism.

 

But anywho, enough disgruntling background - I have found a way to sell leather again. Announcing REGALIZE GREEK LICORICE LEATHER BRACELETS!!!

Ta-daaaa!!!  And yes, I will be personally, (and I stress that word)making all these bracelets myself, and they are gorgeous.  They are a more up-scale design of bracelet - and soon you will see them popping up in my shop.  They will be a little more money, but the quality is much superior to the other type of leather bracelets I was selling plus they are trendy, different, stylish and unique! They feature sliding beads - mine will have lampwork sliders, ceramic sliders and metal sliders.  Some will have a pave clasp, others will have brass, copper or antique  silver clasps.  Clasps will be megnetic, toggle, lobster claws or clip.  And they come in colors!  There will be rich browns, reds and blacks as well as whites, purples, blues pinks and more.  Prices will range from $20 and up. And they will be cutomizable!   I will be able to make a bracelet with your choice of colors, beads and clasp. 

 

I will let you know when they are made and listed in the shop.  Think of these as something new for 2013!!  You should start to see them in January/February, depending on how busy the shop is.  Also, don't forget, everything on my shop is on sale for 20% or more - time to get out your coupons and spend that holiday loot you got (and btw, I am now accepting gift cards!! woot!!) and get yourself that bracelet you've had your eye on. 

 

That's it for now, except for my wishes to all of you for Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!  I hope you have multitudes of warm and fuzzy holiday moments, eat all kinds of yummylicious food, and receive all the things you've been wishing for.  *hugs and big smiles*

SALES STILL ON-GOING!!!

Just wanted to let you know that there are still some awesome sales still going on in  my shop -

50% OFF ALL ITEMS IN THE CHRISTMAS SECTION

AND

20% OFF EVERYTHING ELSE !!!!!!

Although it's too late now to get delivery before Christmas, unless you pay an obscene amount of money to Express Mail it, there are still gifting days post-Christmas to remember - a post-Christmas get together, or you may get some Christmas loot to spend on yourself :-)) and don't forget the multitude of upcoming birthdays, anniversaries and holidays that are just around the corner -

Boxing Day - 12/26
Kwanza -12/26
Valentine's Day
St Patrick's Day
Easter
Mother's Day

Happy Shopping!!

FOR SOME, A SEASON OF SORROWS

I will warn you right off - this is not a happy post.  It will be depressing, and possibly, surprising.  2012 is just about at end, and for all of us it has been a difficult year in one way or another.  So many tragic events, the most recent in Connecticut, have left me reeling with so many unanswered questions and a growing, profound sorrow. 

I struggle at this time of year because it is a season of personal loss for me - first and foremost in my mind is my mom who passed away, unexpectedly, on Nov 9th seven years ago and whose birthday falls on Dec 5th, from a massive heart attack.  It is easier now to talk of it, but it still haunts me and probably always will.  Then just 6 months after that my stepfather passed away, and his birthday falls on Christmas Eve.  And then, this past September my nanday conure, Baby, whom I shared my life with for 28 wonderful years and was the greatest source of joy in my life, left me and flew over the rainbow bridge.    

It is a week until Christmas and I am wishing it will just be over.  There is no tree to decorate and  no one to share it with.  I am beyond grateful that the shop is so busy this time of year so I have less time to dwell on lonely and empty holidays.  I cannot help but feel my life and my person are unimportant and meaningless. It's funny, most everyone I come in contact with gets my cheerful, can do, no problemo version and have no idea of what is really going on behind that mask. And  I don't often show this side of me, but there is a need, even though depression is a private affair.

I am sorry if this is such a downer for you to read during a time when there is supposed to be much joy.  I am embarrassed by this, though I can't explain why.  Maybe it's because it's the life I've been dealt which I cannot seem to understand or reconcile, though I do try.  Maybe it's because of the downward spiral the holidays always hoist upon me. I don't know.  And worse, I don't even know if I have the ability to change things at this point.  I am emotionally exhausted and although I hate to admit defeat, because I am a fighter, I must.  Tomorrow I may feel differently, but today all I want to do is curl up in a corner and lick my wounds because I cannot help but feel poisoned by sorrows past and present.

The purpose of this awkward and embarrassing confession is that I know I am not alone.  There are countless people out there who are going through something that makes them feel completely lost, completely despondent, and unable to make their situation better or to feel anything but a deep, all pervasive sorrow.  If you know someone like this, someone who is feeling set apart from the  joy of the season, please please please do something to help them because they are incapable of helping themselves right now.  It won't take much - an invitation to a holiday meal, a small gift, a phone call even.  Just let them know they are not forgotten and meaningless, and more importantly, that someone does care.

WHAT TO GET?????

 

So ok, now that you've honed your list and bronzed it the next big question is what to get.  The next step is to make your spending budget or plan - make it as simple as you can.  Just decide how much you want to spend and assign a dollar amount to each name.  Of course, this is just a guide to keep you on track with your spending.  (Of course, if you just won the lottery or were born into money from daddy's oil well, then you shouldn't even be reading this so go away - lol!!  For the rest of us poor labor slaves, read on.)                                                 

So now you have your budget all set and the big question is, what can I get for X amount of money for so and so that will make a really nice gift.  Well, before you even start to look take a minute to think about each person on your list.  Ask yourself - what colors do they wear a lot?  how do they dress (casual, dressy, in between, etc)?  What kinds of hobbies do they have?  What are they interested in?  Are they nature lovers or city slickers?  Are they family centered or single? Do they have a pet?  What do they do for a living? What kind of food do they like?  Ok, you get the idea. 

 

 

Now that that's done you're ready to start looking.  Personally, I buy pretty much everything off the internet because it saves me time, gas and is a heck of a lot easier on my painful, arthritic knees. If you're going to brave the crazy, distracted drivers and go to the mall do not forget to bring a copy of your list. (notice I said copy - this way you can cross off names as you make purchases and forget about remembering if you got so and so something.  leave the bronzed original at home, in a safe place because this is your gift guide, the one that will take the headaches out of figuring out what to get who from now on).

So, that said, here's a list of 13 things besides clothing and electronics anyone would love to get -
1-  Gift Cards - personally, I LOVE to get these as gifts so I can pick out what I want or need.
2.-Magazine subscriptions - if you know someone has a hobby they're sure to appreciate this.
3- Jewelry - jewelry is always a good bet for anyone.  That's why I sell it *wink*
4- Spirits - a nice bottle of wine or a fancy bottle of liquor
5- Gift Baskets - a nice basket of fancy cheeses and crackers, a bag of coffee and some nice mugs, a pasta and sauce basket, an art supply basket, a sewing basket, a games basket, a chocoholic's dream basket etc etc  all make wonderful gifts.
6- Lotto scratch offs - everyone loves these!
7- Tickets - to the movies, a concert, Broadway, etc
8- Pet Gifts - if they have one they'll love getting a small gift for it.
9- Spa or Salon - a 1/2 hour massage or a mani/pedi will surely be welcomed!
10- Education - a cooking class, yoga classes, painting classes, etc
11-House cleaning service for a month
12-Minutes for their phone
13-Gift Certificates - iTunes, their favorite restaurant, the butcher, the car wash, etc

Happy Shopping!

DON'T FORGET THEM!!!

 

Well, we are into the thick of it now - preparations and gift buying for the holiday season. Most of us are overwhelmed, stressed and suffering from temporary AADD and wondering what the heck to get for everyone.  Here's a good way to remember all the people in your life.

 

First, and perhaps the hardest, you have to find some quiet time for yourself so you can still your mind.  Do whatever works - go for a walk in the park and take a notepad and paper, or head over to your local coffee shop, go to the library, play hooky for an afternoon when no one is home - just go where you can be quiet and relax.

So okay, now that you're settled in just sit and think about the entire year.  I'm not talking special occasions, think more along the lines of daily routines.  Who pops into your mind?  How important are they to you - enough to warrant a small gift?  Yes?  Good!  Now jot down their name in your book.  Don't worry about what to get now, that comes later.  Just concentrate on the who's who list you're making. :-))

 

Still stuck?  Okay, here are some people who do a lot to help make your life easier - medical people, service people (the maid, the pet sitter, etc) your daughter's friends and parents, your hobby circles (book reading club, Mah Jong group, PTA, whatever), your hair dresser, landscaper or mechanic (you can always give him a gift for his wife - and he'll love it!), your child's teachers, the babysitter, your business associates, your lawyer, your wedding planner, your coworkers, your boss, the mailman, the UPS or FedEx guy/gal, the garbage men, your butcher, baker, candlestick maker (heh, sorry, had to do that). 

So okay, now that you have your list, bronze it so you don't have to go through this again next year.  And don't forget to add new names as they come into your life throughout the coming year.  And that is half the battle of gift giving.  The other half is the what. 

There are countless people in our day to day lives who constantly make our lives easier, and we don't often think about them during the gifting season, but we should.  Try to imagine how much more difficult your life would be without that dog sitter when you want to take that cruise or 2 week vacation...  Tips are nice, but adding a small something something along with the cash makes a huge, tangible impact - one they'll remember throughout the coming year, one they'll appreciate that much more.

So that's it for today, next time I'll blog about some great and inexpensive ideas for gifting! 

Happy shopping!

NEW SALE MARKDOWNS, SOME ITEMS UP TO 50% OFF

Well, it's crunch time for all you holiday shoppers.  For one week only, I am having some huge markdowns in my Etsy shop, Cookalas House of Cards -

50% OFF All Items in the Christmas Section!!!
30% OFF All Items in the European Style Jewelry Section!!!
30% OFF All Items in the Handmade Section!!!
20% OFF All Authentic Pugster Beads and Bracelets Section!!!

So click on the link above and hurry over to the shop and find those last minute gifts you're searching for - and remember, this sale ends at 12am on 12/17/12. 

Happy shopping, and Happy Holidays!!!

NEW SALE!!!!

So, this is going to be short and very sweet -

I've slashed prices on everything in my shop by 20% !!!!

So come on over to the shop and get those stocking stuffers.  There's lots of gorgeous jewelry that would make awesome gifts for your co-workers, friends, family, baby sitter, dog walker, school teacher....everyone on your list, just about.  And don't forget to gift yourself, too!  You work hard for it, so why not get that bead or bracelet you've been eyeing - and at 20% less!!!!!

NEW HANDMADE POLYMER CLAY PENDANTS

So.  I finally sat myself down and make some polymer clay pendant necklaces.  This is a new handmade item in my shop.  They are hand painted, mixed media art pendants and they make awesome stocking stuffers!!  I will be selling them for $10 regular price, but with the sale they will be $9. 

I am working on several styles and themes at the moment - steampunk, vintage,  Alphonse Mucha ladies, dragonflies, butterflies, birds and also custom orders - an initial in your choice of color and also a photo pendant. (The Nanday Conure below is a photo pendant.)  For the photo pendant, you'll have to email me the photo and I will transfer it to your pendant.  I also plan to shrink down some of my own artwork and transfer it as well.  Think of these as having a small piece of original, OOAK, mixed media art to wear around your neck. 

 

I have listed two pendants so far, but more will be coming shortly along with more styles and themes. And, these are easily customized and made just for you if you want a necklace with a special meaning to you at no extra charge.

STRESSED OUT???

So, you're still stressing about what to get everyone for Christmas?  

 

 

 Look at all these great gifts in my shop, and all under $10 !!!!!

 

See something that a certain someone would absolutely love?  Just click on the image and viola!  you'll go right to the listing in my shop.  Don't see anything here?  Well there's plenty more great gifts under $10 in my shop - check out the bead sets, Pandora and Pugster charms, and the Christmas themed leather bracelets and bangles - all put together with the purpose of helping you to get some great, quality gifts as well as keep some money in your wallet in these tough economic times.  And don't forget! everything is on sale in my shop until Decemeber 17th and also my Black Friday/Cyber Monday Special Promotion - so dig out your coupons and get a start on your holiday shopping!!:-))

 

No fuss, no muss and quick as a blink you can mark that name off your list and go on to the next.  In  less than a week, you'll get a package from me and now all you have to do is wrap it when you have a spare moment.  But in the meantime, you'll begin to feel a whole lot happier and less stressed, and isn't that a good thing?  Now you can relax (hopefully!) and actually enjoy the holidays! 

 

Happy shopping!!!

 

SALE European Beads Set dark... CookalasHouseO... $3.79	SALE European Beads Authenti... CookalasHouseO... $3.80	SALE European bead bracelet ... CookalasHouseO... $7.12	SALE european beads Authenti... CookalasHouseO... $3.33
SALE European Beads Authenti... CookalasHouseO... $3.33	SALE European bead Set purpl... CookalasHouseO... $3.79	SALE European Beads Authenti... CookalasHouseO... $3.80	SALE European Beads multitra... CookalasHouseO... $3.79
SALE Christmas European bead... CookalasHouseO... $4.74	SALE European beads Santa Be... CookalasHouseO... $3.79	SALE Handmade Earrings PE045... CookalasHouseO... $8.53	SALE European bead bracelet ... CookalasHouseO... $9.49
SALE european beads Authenti... CookalasHouseO... $4.75	SALE European beads Bracelet... CookalasHouseO... $9.02	SALE European bead set gray ... CookalasHouseO... $4.74	SALE European Bead Bracelet ... CookalasHouseO... $4.74

Treasury tool supported by the dog

HOLIDAY SHIPPING AND MAILING DEADLINE DATES

The holidays means sending gifts and greetings to friends, family, and loved ones around the world. Make sure you know the recommended dates if you’re hoping your gifts will arrive by December 25.

I ship USPS First Class for Domestic Mail and Priority International with Insurance for International Mail - so if you shop with me you must purchase by December 18th at the very latest for 1st Class Domestic Mail. 

For international mails you must purchase by the dates below

Dec 1st -
Africa
Central/South America

Dec 8th -
Asia/Pacific Rim
Australia/New Zealand
Mexico

Dec 11th -
Canada
Caribbean 
Europe
Middle East 

For Military Mail you must purchase by  the dates below

Dec 1st -
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093

Dec 8th -
APO/FPO/DPO AE  ZIPs 094-098
APO/FPO/DPO AA  ZIP 340
APO/FPO/DPO AP  ZIPs 962-966
APO/FPO/DPO AE  ZIPs 090-092


Holiday Dates for Military Mail

 

Addressed to	Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1	First-Class Mail® Service	Priority Mail® Service	Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2	Space Available Mail (SAM)3	Parcel Post® Service
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs™ 090-092	Dec. 17	Dec. 10	Dec. 10	Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093	N/A	Dec. 3	Dec. 3	Nov. 30	Nov. 26	Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-098	Dec. 17	Dec. 10	Dec. 10	Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIP 340	Dec. 17	Dec. 10	Dec. 10	Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962-966	Dec. 17	Dec. 10	Dec. 10	Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 13

 

      Holiday Dates for International Mail

 

Destination	Global Express Guaranteed® Service *	Express Mail International® Service	Priority Mail International® Service	Fiirst-Class Mail International®               Service
Africa	Dec. 19	Dec. 11	Dec. 3	Dec. 3
Asia / Pacific Rim	Dec. 18	Dec. 15	Dec. 10	Dec. 10
Australia / New Zealand	Dec. 18	Dec. 15	Dec. 10	Dec. 10
Canada	Dec. 20	Dec. 17	Dec. 13	Dec. 10
Caribbean	Dec. 19	Dec. 15	Dec. 13	Dec. 10
Central & South America	Dec. 19	Dec. 11	Dec. 3	Dec. 3
Mexico	Dec. 20	Dec. 15	Dec. 10	Dec. 10
Europe	Dec. 19	Dec. 15	Dec. 13	Dec. 10
Middle East	Dec. 19	Dec. 15	Dec. 13	Dec. 10

 

Holiday Dates for Domestic Mail

	Dates
First-Class Mail® Service	Dec. 20
Priority Mail® Service	Dec. 21
Express Mail® Service*	Dec. 22
Parcel Post® Service	Dec. 14
Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) Drop Ship	Dec. 19
Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Drop Ship	Dec. 21

 

CLARIFICATION OF SPECIAL PROMOTION

In my haste I forgot to clarify the special promotion terms for you.  My bad!!  They are as follows:


Spend $25 minimum before shipping and get a free, authentic Pugster bead
(1 PER ORDER PLEASE)

Please copy and paste the bead's title into the "message to seller" area or send me an Etsy mail with your choice.   If you prefer to be surprised or forget to let me know, I will pick one for you :-)))

So sorry for any confusion!!

WHAT TO GET????

 

With the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy to so many along the East Coast, money is tighter than ever - I have seen a huge drop off in sales since Sandy hit so I know how hard many people have been hit.  I have been marking down and putting on sale my entire shop in an effort to help out  a little with the gifting this year - sales will range from 5% to 10% off, and many items have been marked down before that percentage was applied. 

.

Check out my Pandora style bead sets - what woman or girl wouldn't love to get a beautiful, color coordinated set of beads to add to their collection?  Or maybe a special Pugster bead or two?  I have lots of holiday themed bead sets and beads, as well as everyday colors. And almost all are under $5, definitely wallet friendly! 

.

If you need something a little more substantial, take a look at my Pandora style bracelets - all under $15.  I've made them in all the colors of the rainbow, plus I've made some in the traditional red and green holiday colors, some with authentic Pugster holiday themed beads.  And I have also put together several Limited Edition Christmas bracelets, this year with a nod to gold, for a little more money but under $25.

.
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And so the gifting season is fast approaching and you're stumped and stressing in a big way about what to get. Money is tight and yet you need to get a little something for the special people in your life. You're making your list - relatives, friends, the baby sitter, your daughter's best friends, your co-workers, the dog walker....so many things to get!!! You're wracking your brains.....Well, one thing you might do is look through the treasuries listed below to get ideas.  All of these items are handmade or hand assembled, and all of them would make awesome gifts.  I do it when I need some gifting ideas. 

.

So grab a cup or glass of your fave beverage, and take a look.  I do 80% of my shopping from my laptop because it's safe and fast and I also save money on the outrageous price of gas.  I don't have to worry about catching some elses cold or watch out for the crazy drivers on the road.  I don't have to get out of my pj's.  I can shop while comfy and relaxed, and when you're relaxed your thinker is so much more focused on making the right choices.  :-))

THE ELVES HAVE BEEN BUSY!!!! by Eileen
TURKEY, Yams, and Pumpkin Pie!! by Jill York OBright 
Great Stocking Stuffers all under $5.00! by Sandy Prenzi
gift ideas for christmas by Nadin Sandler
Christmas lampworking; little critters and beautiful beads. by Emily Nelson 
 Amber and Chocolate by Astra Poyser Laughlin
Plum Perfect by Kelly Kellie
its-turkey-time by DIPdesigns