Getting back into the crafty swing of things

Hello all, it has been so long since I've posted, I just can't believe it! Lots of illness (including the flu) this spring/summer along with lots of work has equaled not a lot of crafty time. I did however make a few items as part of my design team assigment for the Yahoo Group Pennywise Arts I belong to. It really got my creative juices flowing coming up with new and unique ways to use microbeads. I hope you enjoy the pictures of my items.

The jar idea seemed to take on a life of it's own as it inspired fellow members to make their own jars for different occassions, and I myself used the jar idea to make dog treat jars for myself and fellow coworkers. Everyone that works in our office has either a dog or cat and I thought it would be a cute and decorative way to display treats for our favorite little pals. I don't have a dog yet, but after our kitchen gets finished I am hoping to get a furry little critter for our family. The kids are so excited about that! On top of each jar I put a glittered letter for first letter of each of the pet's names. I was so surprised at how many medium sized dog bones I could fit inside! It was a lot of fun and I hope to use those fantastic little dollar jars for more projects. They are just blank slates for chocolates for a friend, cookies for the holidays, just about anywhere your imagination can take you.

I am also posting some pics of my newly organized craft area. I wouldn't call it a craft room since it shares half of the room with the computer and printer desk, but I find that my little nook of space is just right now that I have everything in bins and at my fingertips. My husband made the shelving unit himself and it is just beautiful! I bought all the yellow and green bins at where else?? The Dollar Tree.. and I have the larger ones higher up labeled so I know what is where. This new set up also makes clean up streamlined,since I am no longer turning in circles wondering where in the world I am going to put things. Even though I still have items on my table I feel I have more work space just because I can take a bin down get what I want and then put it right back up. For about $15 dollars I have a new sense of pride in my craft area and a more relaxed atmosphere with storage.

I hope you enjoy the posting and the pics and that if you have been like me, sidetracked by illness, work, or everyday stress, that you are encouraged to get back to that well loved, ink-stained craft table and have a little fun!