Giveaway Winner

Jennifer T. is the winner of the pink hostess apron.  Congrats, Jennifer, and thanks for entering!

Giveaway!!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I have decided to give away a pink hostess apron to my readers.  In order to qualify for the drawing, you must visit my Facebook fan page, click the "Like" button, and then come back here and leave a comment (make sure you include your first name and last initial in the comment).  You will get an extra chance to win if you choose to follow me on Twitter - just follow the previous instructions.


If you're already a fan on Facebook, thanks for your support!  To enter the drawing, simply leave a comment here on my blog.


Entries must be registered by midnight on October 31st.  Links to both my Facebook & Twitter pages are located in the right-hand sidebar.


Thanks for supporting all things handmade and good luck!!

Got Cake?

It's Fall y'all.  Here in middle Georgia, we're still anxiously awaiting a drop in temperatures and humidity.  At this rate, it could be November before we feel any fall-like weather.

Most recently, I've kept busy with sewing, baking, trying to get in the habit of sending out occasional Tweets, and keeping my Facebook fan page and Etsy store up to date.

I set up at one of our local farmers markets yesterday and had the pleasure of seeing a few of my regular customers and several new faces.  It was great to get out again and mingle with everybody!  The ladies at The Treasure Trove (www.thetreasuretrovega.com), who host the market, are so much fun and it's always a delight to spend time with them.

This week, I will be busy baking, baking, and baking.  I was blessed with an order for 8 pound cakes for a wedding rehearsal dinner.  Between that order and my normal baking for the market, my kitchen is going to get a work out this week - and I'm so excited!  August was so excessively hot here and with school getting back in swing, business at the market had really slowed down.  I hadn't realized until last week when I was baking for Saturday's market, how much I had missed my baking!  The art of baking in and of itself is really enjoyable for me - I love the precise measuring that is required, getting all of my ingredients measured and lined up in advance, and most especially the finished product.  But I think what gives me the most joy is thinking about how much my customers love my cakes and the sheer enjoyment they get with that first bite.  I put lots of love in my cakes as they’re being prepared and I think that’s what makes them so special.

I have a contest in the works which will be aimed at rewarding my readers for their support and help in increasing The Crystal Mermaid’s Facebook fan base.  Right now, we’re at 41 fans and it would make my heart leap with joy to see that number make a HUGE jump.  I am still ironing out the details so please be patient.  My goal is to launch the contest the first week of October so you don’t have to wait long.

I hope everybody has a really fabulous week and will find new and creative ways to follow their passions!

Federal protections restored for Northern Rockies' wolves - Defenders of Wildlife

Federal protections restored for Northern Rockies' wolves - Defenders of Wildlife

Southwest Wolves - Defenders of Wildlife

Southwest Wolves - Defenders of Wildlife

Thoughts for the Week

I have been actively researching and studying the wondrous world of botanical perfumery in addition to all of my other daily duties.  So...I have neglected to post anything recently.  Sorry about that, please forgive me.

My good news for the week is that beginning this Thursday I will be providing Lemon Lavender Pound Cakes to a gourmet restaurant in Bolingbroke - The Red Tomato.  I'm very excited about this collaboration with Chef Michael Falduti, owner/chef.  He also wants to work with me to develop other interesting and unique desserts for his restaurant.  This is a great opportunity and one that I have been hoping for!

Wednesday (oh, that's tomorrow) I've got to really get my sewing machine into high gear.  I have pillows to make for The Treasure Trove (Bolingbroke, GA).  Several unexpected things occurred last week which threw off my delivery schedule of the pillows.  Fortunately, I know once I get set up at the machine things will move quickly.

I am anxious to get started on blending natural perfumes.  And although I still have MUCH to learn...I think it will be a fun and rewarding process.  The biggest hurdle at this moment in time will be adding to my essential oil collection so that I have enough of a variety of scents to experiment with.

Hope you all have a great week... and remember to Reuse, Recycle, and Repurpose!

The Crystal Mermaid

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to Mermaid Pearls!  I hope to bring you inspiration and a fresh prespective on our ever-changing world.  This is my first blog so please be patient with me as I learn about the world of blogging.

Last week was pretty hectic and due to a few unexpected events, my week was a little screwed up.  Things have settled back down and I look forward to a productive week.  I've got pillows to make for The Treasure Trove, Lemon Lavender Pound Cakes to bake for The Red Tomato (I'm very excited about this collaboration!), and new inventory to create for The Crystal Mermaid :-).

Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm really awake.  I am living my dream and it is truly amazing!

I wish all of you a fantastic week!  And please remember to reuse, recycle, and repurpose.