J.M. Barrie ** Peter Pan **

Peter Pan the impish character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie (1860–1937). A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with mermaids, Indians, fairies, pirates, and (occasionally) ordinary children from the world outside.

Next month sees the anniversary of the marriage between James Barrie (better known as J.M. Barrie) to Mary Ansell, actress, on 9 July 1894 in Kirriemuir. They were married according to the forms of the Free Church of Scotland. James subsequently divorced Mary in London in 1909 after he discovered that she was having an affair. This link will give you a better insight to the man himself and you can see where Peter Pan came from. I found it a fascinating read and a sad tale, but without it Peter Pan would never have have been written.  http://www.dumfries-and-galloway.co.uk/people/barrie.htm

Yesterday  I was going to try a Peter Pan challenge but gave up on that idea and instead decided to go on a journey myself through  Etsyland  to see what I could find related to Peter Pan and found over 3,000 items.  Here are a few of my favourites.

'Peter Pan' by Krishenka

Tinkerbell Inspired... GallopingRock $45.00	Neverland Treasure ... LunaPetuniaDes... $12.50	I'm Like Tinker... FireweedImpres... $27.00
Vintage GUND Walt D... oldandwise $45.00	SUMMER SALE Peter ... MommyofTy $8.00	B E L I E V E... Ge... TripleMoon2 $17.00
Second Star to the ... dreamsbythesea $28.00	Peter Pan Hand Sewn... ArtAlley $20.00	Vintage Fairy Dust ... BottleWishes $24.00
Wendy And Pan Origi... arwdesign $9.00	Tinkerbell Fairy Wa... EricKincaid $50.00	Peter Pan, Neverlan... BlackberryDesi... $78.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

****I'm Jamming**** Hope you like Jamming 2

Cherry Plums (Prunus cerasifera) are already ripe almost a month ahead this year.  I only got 1 kilo this time (about 2lbs) and ended up with 2 jars of jelly, nevertheless delicious. I  love the spring when the blossom comes out and then I just wait patiently for the fruit to arrive.



Bubbling up



How I made mine

1kilo Cherry Plums
1/2 kilo brown  sugar
300 ml of water
Good splash of Calvados
(put some water in the fridge to chill before you start so you can use it to check the jelly is set later)
Pop evertyhing into a large flat-bottomed pan, except the calvados.
Stir and bring to the boil. Boil until the skins start coming off and the fruit comes away from the stones.
I then put through a fine sieve to get rid of the stones and skins and mash it  till you get all the juice out and then pop back into the pan. Now add the calvados
Continue boiling the mixture until ‘setting point’ is reached. Which can take up to 30 minutes.


Take your cold water out and put some onto a saucer. Using a teaspoon, let a few drops of the jam mixture drip on to the chilled water in the saucer and allow it to cool for a short while. Now push your finger sideways against the jam. When it is at the right setting point, the jam should crinkle, and be nice and tacky.


Pour into sterilised jam jars and screw the lid on.  I know the jar  has strawberries on the lid but beggers can't be choosers. Pop in for a coffee later and try my jelly with some homemade bread which will be done very soon. 

Poppy getting stuck into hot bread and you guessed cherry jam .

Yay I got My Birdtable

Almost 2 years ago I asked my DH if he could build me a small birdtable, he replied, "of course sweethheart" and within a couple of days he started. It was coming along nicely and looking good and I was already plannning on where it would sit. Well time passed and I gave up asking when it will be finished.

He cut tiny little tiles for the roof and look it's almost completed. The tiles unfortunatley in the long run were to be the kiss of death to my little table.

Well this is as far as it got, one side with just a couple off tiles to finish!! the otherside half finished, truth be told  I think he got totally bored with cutting all the tiles and it has since sat in the basement till this morning.

The other night our friend  Nicko came up for dinner and he brought me "a bird table" finished, complete, and is now sitting patiently waiting for the birdies! No tiles on the roof but the birds and me don't mind one bit. I think I will put the other one back in the basement for now and see if the elfs might just finish it for me, somehow I know the answer to that one!

Thank you Nicko I love it xx

Krishenkas 12 Giveaway

I am looking for a further 11  7 6 items from anyone willing to take part in this fun and free giveaway. There will be one very lucky winner and they will receive all 12 items donated from hopefully all over the world and the value should be around €120 (true value will be added when all items are in place)

I will be donating one of my little treasures  and would like you to donate an item to the maximum value of €10 ( approx $15). When I have all 12 items I will  post them  along with your shop links.  So if interested please add your (listed item ) in the comment  box along with the value and I will then add it to the giveaway. Looking to start this around the mid July but really depends on if I can reach 12 by then. The donors will receive the mailing info of the winner and then ship direct to them.Thanks in advance and should be fun.

 *************

Once all 12 are in place I will post the giveaway along with the rules which will be simple and not time consuming.
 And we are off, thanks so much everyone and I will tidy all this up when we have a full house:)

1. Donated by:
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/JohnLPhotography



Cherry Blossom Print

 2. Donated by:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Krishenka



Vintage Button ring



3. Donated by:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/londicreations



Zipper & Felt Earrings



4. Donated by:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cranberrydreams

House Door Hanger

5. Donated by:

 www.etsy.com/people/RomanticRelics1



Shot Glasses



6. Donated by
http://www.etsy.com/shop/traveller240?ref=seller_info

3 piece doll ensemble

7. Donated by: Your next

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9.

10.

11.

12.

A Kind of Pottering Day

One thing I do love about May/June is all the wonderful aromas in the garden and the Catalpa tree with it's beautiful flowers which are approx. 3-6 cm across, trumpet shaped, white with yellow stripes and purple spots inside; they grow in clusters of 10-30 and the wonderful scents flow over you whislt sitting on the patio.

The Sambuca is just a mad rambling plant black with fabulous big saucer like flowers, no smell but great to look at, and I have heard that you can dip the flowers into a tempura batter and eat them. I did this with elderflower once and although ok have not tried it since.

My minature Iris ledgers were massed with flowers this year and I have had to remove a lot of them as they multiply and take over.

Lillies are always beautiful and if I can just catch the lily beetle before they start to lay there eggs I can save the plant, this year I lost 5 plants as I wasn't quick enough.

Lastly I have this pathetic larkspur which should be a metre high by now. I have only once managed to grow this successfully and if you know a secret on how to make them grow, then please tell me. The one and only time they succeeded they were massed with flowers and when cut and displayed in a vase lasted for almost three weeks and were stunning. I have bought 9 packets of seeds and this is what I got grrrr, still I will try again in September.

 Happy gardening

**** The Eclectic Element Feature Review****

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself

Hi everyone! My name is Kayla and I'm 21 years young. I live with my parents, a younger sister, and a dog named Jake (a.k.a Booger) in the tired state of Illinois {I say tired because it's tired to me and I can't wait to get out!}. I'm a very eclectic person {hence the name}-I like to pole dance for fitness. I'm a certified Reiki Master. I'm a book worshiper; you name it, I read it. Chocoholic extraordinaire. Nature lover, outdoors woman, and tree hugger {quite literally!}. Despite all that, I'm not your typical 21 year old. I can't go to college, get a job, or move out on my own. Unfortunately, this is not my choice-I suffer from chronic Lyme Disease, and I've been sick for close to 7+ years now.

Hello Booger

 Unlike most people in my position, I don't consider it a bad thing. Of course I would very much like to be healthy and able to do things, but without the Lyme, I wouldn't be talking to you about my business and my jewelry right now. The whole reason I started The Eclectic Element was to keep myself busy when I was confined to bed for 10 months back in 2009, and it's grown beyond what I could have ever comprehended. I've met so many wonderful people and got to do so many incredible things; I've just gained so much, that I'm too thankful to be sad about what could be :)

2. When did you first start making/selling on etsy?
I've always been a crafty and artistic person as far back as I can remember, but I started creating my jewelry a few years after I got sick-I'd say sometime in or around 2005. One of my high school teachers, who was also chronically ill, brought me to one of her support groups and the craft of the month was beading :) From there, I was helplessly hooked. It was a little later that I started actually selling my creations; I believe I opened both of my Etsy shops back in 2009 a few months apart, but it wasn't until later that I really started getting into selling seriously.

3. Do you have a favourite creation or favourite find if vintage?
I'll do you one better-I'll give you my favourite creation AND my favourite vintage find! I've created many things through the past 5+ years, but I always find myself eyeing this particular bracelet every now and again:

As for vintage, it's a shame that I can't pick more than one, but I think one that's in my top 10 would have to be these earrings I purchased recently:

4. How/where do you find your materials to work with?
I'm a "poor college student" in essence, so money is pretty scarce for me and since I can't get a job, it's even more so non-existent, but I have my ways ;) A few of my favorites are thrift/vintage shops like the Goodwill and Salvation Army. Estate and garage sales. Flea markets. Even some kind souls over the years have sent me different things from extras in their jewelry box, to beads and charms from their collections and shops...Like I said, if there's a way to get supplies very inexpensively, I find it. Oh, I also like to win things a lot, so I've accumulated several things that way, too!


5. What do you like/dislike about selling online?
I like selling online because it reaches a MUCH wider audience then if I were to just set up in a brick and mortar storefront. Granted, craft fairs and consignment shops are great for a business, but with the WWW, you can reach people from all around the world with the same likes and style as yourself and what you create. As for what I don't like, I'd have to say shipping. I hate having to figure out how much shipping is going to be for a particular item, especially if it's an international order >.<

6. Any tips for new artisans just starting up shop?
Social media it up! Seriously, if there was only ONE thing I could share with you all, it's social media as a promotion tool is a powerful, powerful thing! I can't tell you how much it has transformed my life, not just my business. Facebook, Twitter, Etsy's chat and forums, features {like this one}, giveaways if you can, etc; invest time in it, and you'll see!
7. How can people contact you?
Here is every which way you can contact/reach me, and feel free to do all of them!
http://www.theeclecticelement.etsy.com/
http://www.theeclecticelement2.etsy.com/
http://www.theeclecticelement.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/TheEclecticElement
www.twitter.com/#!/TheEclecticE
Because of my illness, I haven't been able to make anything for my handmade shop, so it's stayed empty for awhile now, however if you see something you like from this feature, or sold listings, I'm always open for custom work :D

8. Anything else you might like to add
Do what you love and love what you do. Ultimately, that's all that really matters; just follow your passion and things will fall into place :)
9. If you were to describe yourself as a piece of furniture, what would you be?
Interesting question...I think I'd have to be an armoire, just because I love that word xD


At the moment I am not in a position to offer a giveaway but would love to give your readers a 20% discount off their next purchase from my shop. Use the code KRISHENKA at checkout.


I would like to offer a special thank you to Kayla for her optimism in life and her courage in coping with  Lyme's Disease, if you don't know about you can find an explanation here on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease 

I wish you Kayla  as I am sure everyone who reads this article all the very best. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Star of the Sea - Joseph O'Conner

I hate to admit this but I picked this book up three times before I finally gave it a chance, you know the old saying "Never judge a book by it's cover" well I did. 

 I decided  not to read it because on the front it had a ship, therefore it must be a swash buckling adventure and I just didn't fancy it, so I never even  bothered reading the synopsis. I see that they have jigged the front cover and have to say it does look more appealing now.

The Star of the Sea is a coffin ship, ploughing from Britain to America with a freight of evicted Irish who are starving and near deaths door, they get to lodge in the steerage of the ship whilst  several brilliantly portrayed toffs in first class eat and drink till their hearts content. The ship gets lighter by the day, as it sloughs off yet another pile of dead peasants. (They are, so the goodhearted English captain reflects, "as remote from our own race as the Hottentot, Watuti, Mohammedan or Chinese".) A roll call of the ship's main passengers reads like a gallery of Irish stereotypes. There is the brutal landlord, the wronged maidservant, the political balladeer, the aspiring young writer.

A 26 day journey full of surprises, sometimes shocking, hilarious,beautifully written. Loved every page of it all 405 of them and I found I wanted more. Joseph O'Connor's descriptions are so very clever you could almost be in the same room. Highly recommend if your after a great read.

I have just started the Historian  by Elizabeth Kostova a whopping 705 pages so will take me awhile to get through that one unless of course I accidently sprain my ankle whislt hoovering!

Feature Interview with Facebodyfeet + 2 Giveaways

 

Introducing Jacque a charming young Lady from New York who opened her Etsy shop in April of this year. I recently met Jacque on the forums and found her to be fun, enthusiastic and upbeat. I asked if she would like to do a feature on my blog, and as you can see she said YES!! not only did she say yes she has offered two readers the chance to win one of her delicious face.body.feet products. Rose & Spice foot soak, this fabulous foot soak boasts the stimulating scents of spice potpourri and roses to give your feet the ultimate R&R. And also Raspberry guava, this wonderful body butter boasts the yummy scent of raspberry guava--ripe, juicy raspberries and tropical guava. Made my mouth water just typing this!
First let's hear what Jacque has to say and then I will tell you how you can enter to win. Over to you Jacque pictured below with her man :) Giveaway value $18

Jacque & David

 Tell us a little about yourself.

All my life, I knew I was an entrepreneur, before I even knew what an entrepreneur was. I sold lemonade and baked goods on the weekends when I was younger. We held car washes in the summer. I sold candy year around in high school. I always had so many ideas that I wanted to do and now I just do them! I am a fun, outgoing person who loves to travel, play sports, watch Netflix, read, and be around all the people (and animals) I love.

What is your first memory of being crafty/artsy?

My first memory of being crafty/artsy was around age 7 when my friend and I decided we wanted to design clothing. We would draw out all the clothing designs and color them and research how we could make them. I made a dress once. It didn't come out so bad; the only thing was that I chose horrible fabric. I guess clothing design wasn't really my thing.
I was also always in charge of baking cakes, cookies, and cupcakes in my home for birthdays and holidays. I loved creating things and decorating them, and eating them of course!


 Pittsburgh

 Where do you get inspiration for your products?

I am inspired by everything! God has created so many interesting, odd, beautiful, and crazy items in humans, animals, and nature. I love to just be surrounded by nature, people, and animals. Smells also greatly inspire me for example, fruits, flowers and fauna, and the smells of nature. While my cats are lounging around, stretched out and sleeping, they put me in a happy state of mind, and really help me focus and want to create new things and get busy!

Movado and Linux

Where can we find your products?

My products can be found on Etsy, www.facebodyfeet.etsy.com I also have a Facebook Fan Page, www.facebook.com/facebodyfeet.  I have just started with Twitter @facebodyfeet.
As I grow and have a more established product line and customer base, I would like to have my own website and do craft shows, street fairs, and possibly wholesale.

What methods do you find best bring traffic to your shop?

I find that being involved in the Etsy forums and teams helps bring the most traffic and attention to my shop. I also created a fan page on Facebook to make my family and friends aware of my new endeavour. I try to renew all of my products at least once per day to keep my shop name out there if I am not listing new products.

Tell us a little about your workspace 

I am just getting started with my homemade bath & body goodies, so my workspace is not as yet developed as other crafters. I create my products at home in my kitchen and I have started to put together my office space where all my supplies are held and finished products shelved. Eventually, I will have a small studio/office where I can go create my items.

Is there anything else you would like the readers to know?

I truly believe in my products and test them out to make sure even I would buy them before I list them to be available for others. I am very excited and grateful to have been chosen to be featured for this blog and hope you see my passion as much as I see the passion within myself!


Customer feedback

"This transaction was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. My package was delivered safely and quickly, and was nicely wrapped -- perfect for my wife's birthday present. I'll shop here anytime without hesitation. Thanks!

HOW TO ENTER

1. Please follow my blog so you can come back on the 29th June to see if you are a WINNER!!

2. Like Jacque on www.facebook.com/facebodyfeet.

3. Take a peek at her shop www.facebodyfeet.etsy.com  and feel free to heart  away

4. Now the fun bit! Below you can see a box and all you have to do is guess the number combination to open it. It's a four digit number and you can guess/enter as many times as you like. If nobdy guesses correctly then the two entries with the closest will win.

5. This competition is now open worldwide. Jacque's a girl so she can change her mind and she did:)

6. Finally if you don't win I am sorry, but all is not lost, Jacque is offering a fabulous free perfume value $7 with any purchase over $15 or more. When checking out, add KBlog Reader in the notes so that Jacque knows to include your free perfume oil and also which scent you would like.

Good Luck to all who enter and also a huge thanks to Jacque and wish you much success, so ready,set,go!!!!



3 Wise Men a Bug and a Bottle of Fockink Gin!

My Son in Law found this the other day when cutting wood,we just can't work out what it is,  more to the point how it just happened to leave it's entire body behind. See for yourself, it has a split down the back centre line but how did it manage to leave the shell intact?  I think this will remain a mystery unless someone can explain this to me. Meanwhile stopping off at a vide grenier (car boot sale)on the way home today I came across the three wise men and, you would have thought they would  have known what it was but I think they had been to the same bar in Spain where I discovered this bottle of Fockink Gin!!! I am no further forward.