Couponing!

Lately I've been on this couponing kick. That TLC show "Extreme Couponing" has gotten to me! A couple weeks ago, we saved over $50 between Target and Publix. Not too shabby for a first attempt. :)

Tonight, we saved $7 at the book store (could have been $17 had I gone yesterday and used the coupon that is now expired :( ) and we also saved $17 at Publix between coupons and sales. :)

So... I decided to make a coupon binder! I have one of those little 4x6 expandable organizers but I've got so many types of coupons, they won't all fit anymore. Tomorrow, I'm going to get some baseball card holders and dividers and make a proper notebook. I printed out a list of 40 categories to include and I'm going to get to sorting!

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Stuff to know about couponing:

• Some stores double coupons up to $1 total (the coupon can be up to $.50 and still double)
• Some stores let you use store and manufacturer coupons (this is called stacking)
• Match coupons with sales to get the best prices
• Items usually go on sale every 3-4 months, so stock up when you have a coupon and a sale
• Buy multiple copies of the Sunday paper to get duplicate coupons
• Print coupons online; most sites let you print two
• Only use coupons on products you'd normally buy- buying something just because you have a coupon for it is NOT saving money!
• Go online to read your store's coupon policy

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Couponing resources:

• The Krazy Coupon Lady My go-to site for finding coupons
• Couponing Guide for Beginners
• How to Start a Coupon Binder
• Krazy Coupon Lady Facebook Updates on the best deals daily

Comment Settings Changed

A while back, I was getting lots of spammy comments that had links to inappropriate websites in them so I limited comments to blog followers only. I decided to change it back where anyone can comment but I have to verify that the comment is appropriate first. That said, please be respectful and don't post spammy, inappropriate things. :)

Back to Blogging and a Trip to Earth Fare

Back to Blogging!

Hello again, everyone! It's been months since I updated this blog, so if you're still following me, you're awesome! :)

I have a really tough time coming up with something jewelry related to post daily so I've decided to change it up a bit. I am still going to post some jewelry updates but I'm going to post other things too- whatever I feel like posting! I've been cooking lots of new things lately so I'll probably post come recipes. I also really loving finding great deals and using coupons so I'm sure I'll share the deals that I find with you, too!

One of the things that inspired me to get back to the blog was my friend Kathleen who just made her own blog. One of her first posts was about her recent shopping trip to the local Earth Fare healthy grocery store and she told me about this great coupon deal they're offering right now. With any $10 purchase, you can get a whole chicken, baby carrots, and mashed potatoes for free! All you have to do is sign up on the Welcome Home page and print out the coupon.

So... dinner tonight will be our freebies plus some sliced tomatoes and Australian white cheddar cheese I found. I can't wait to try that cheese! :) I'm going to try my hand at cooking a whole chicken tonight using Kathleen's recipe of lemons and rosemary. I'm also going to make some garlic thyme carrots. Wish me luck!

Featured Item Wednesday

Morning readers! This week's featured items are two of my favorites. As always, they are 10% off from now until July 14th. This is the perfect time to take advantage of a great price!

From october102006, this Garnet Swarovski Crystal and Pearl Bracelet is 10% off. I saw a similar design to this one and couldn't help but make my own version. It's the perfect way to dress up a casual outfit but it will also go great with a more dressy one.

From Bisou Bisou Beads, Custom Made Scrabble Pendants are 10% off. All you have to do it purchase the listing and send me the picture you want with payment. Feel free to convo me and ask about a specific photo if you aren't sure it will fit. Popular ideas for these pendants are: family members, pets, favorite celebrities, movie scenes, and picture that you love.

Thanks for checking out my Featured Items of the Week. Don't forget they are 10% off! Just add them to your cart, pay via Paypal, and I'll send you the refund right away. Have a great day! :)

Link/ Promo Friday

Hey readers! I'm still sort of taking a break from work this week. I've been kinda unmotivated lately but I thought I'd share this site with y'all. I always go check out Home Based Jewelry Business and Design Guide when I need a little motivation.

If any of you are jewelry designers and run (or want to run) your own business, you should totally check it out! There are great tips for everyone from beginners to those with successful brick-and-mortar shops.

Have a great 4th of July and be safe!

Interview Thursdays

Hey readers! Sorry I'm posting so late today- my internet's been down today and this is the first time I've been able to get online.

This week, I'm interviewing Karen from KarensCraftSupplies. She sells supplies for Scrabble and glass pendants and is one of the only supply shops I buy from. Her prices are very fair and she has a wide selection of items to choose from.

Here's the interview:

1. Please tell me about yourself. Hi, my name is Karen and I own KarensCraftSupplies on Etsy. I lived in Japan for 4 years back in 2004-2007 and I fell in love with the Japanese arts and when I moved back, after getting all settled in, I started selling my Japanese art and starting making glass pendants with Japanese fabric and chiyogami paper. I struggled looking for supplies, so once I found out where to get the supplies, I decided to share them with the online community. Thus KarensCraftSupplies was started.

2. What can you tell me about your store? I sell everything you need to make glass tile pendants, scrabble tile pendants and bottle cap pendants, as well as making these into magnets.
What types of items can one find there? Many different glass shapes, many types of necklaces, including chains, organza ribbons, wire necklaces, nylon chokers, glues, glazes, magnets, gift tins and decorative paper. How long have you been in business? I opened up December 2008.

3. What or who inspires you? Living in Japan inspired me as they have such beautiful art. I also sell Japanese Temari and Japanese Chabako Boxes at my other Etsy shop AsianGiftAccents

4. Where would you like to see your business go in the future? I would like to get my own website going..and have more time to sell the actual end products!

I hope y'all enjoyed reading the interview! Be sure to check out KarensCraftSupplies and keep her in mind next time you need pendant making supplies!

Featured Item Wednesday

Morning readers! This week's featured items are two of my favorite items. As always, they are 10% off from now until July 7th. This is the perfect time to take advantage of a great price!

From october102006, the Ultimate Twilight Charm Bracelet is one of my favorite creations to date. It features 12 sterling silver charms representing each of the characters from Twilight, plus a few other things. There are beautiful Swarovski crystal beads and a Swarovski crystal heart similar to that which Edward gave Bella in Eclipse. At 8" in length, it can be shortened to better fit your wrist.

From Bisou Bisou Beads, the featured item of the week is one of my cool rectangular glass pendants, Red and Pink Flowers. They haven't hit it big yet, and I just can't understand why- they are SO pretty! At about 2" long, they are the perfect size to wear on a long chain or cord. They're so unique, everyone will love them!
Thanks for checking out my Featured Items of the Week. Don't forget they are 10% off! Just add them to your cart, pay via Paypal, and I'll send you the refund right away. Have a great day! :)