Tundra As Heroine…

Yes, my dog is certainly taking over – unintentionally,of course – but still taking over. My mothering instincts kick in, and I start getting ridiculously picky about how slow she eats, (or fast), if she’s drinking enough water, if she’s too hot, etc. For crying out loud, she’s a —–dog!!! She won’t let herself starve, or die of thirst, I’m sure. Her survival instincts are way better than mine!  The funny thing is, my family has had, and still does have a dog, and I’ve been around animals most of my life – I’ve never been particularly worried that they might not eat their dinner. I think I’m genuinely going crazy. I need to get a life, I know…well, I’m trying, but unfortunately nothing’s worked out yet. God apparently knew that I would be waiting (for what and why I don’t know) and sent me my miracle dog Tundra for stress relief and to give me something to pet, pamper, and spoil. My husband has definitely appreciated the fact that I enjoy walking and exercising, now that I have a beautiful dog to do it with!  We’ve enjoyed many long hikes already this season, and have made good use of the nice bike path that runs through the city, both for walking, biking, and rollerblading. Tundra’s favorite (after hiking in the mountains) is rollerblading. It’s been a workout for me, but I love to see her happy and bouncy.

I have been in contact with Tundra’s original owner, and have found out more information about her! It was so exciting! I found out that she is actually 3/4 Akita, and 1/4 Siberian Husky. Her birthday is actually between January and March of 2009, so she is just 2 years old, instead of 2 1/2.  Her sire is a purebred Akita, her mom is 1/2 Akita, 1/2 Siberian Husky. She has the same grandmother on both sides. (her mother and father are half siblings)

They also passed along some pictures they had of Tundra~ let me share!

This is Tundra as a puppy – she’s the one in the middle!

This is Tundra’s mom on the left, her grandfather on the right:

I could keep going on about Tundra, as you can probably tell, but I’ll bore you no more!!! Have a wonderful weekend ya’ll, and don’t forget to pause and smell the roses every once in a while!

~HW

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST : DIVINE ELEGANCE

I have been slacking off a bit on my weekly featured artists – for which I apologize!

Please take a moment to check this featured artist who specializes in quality vintage wear!

Those of you who adore all things vintage and beautiful, and even those who wouldn’t normally go for it will LOVE Divine Elegance!!!  She carries clothing from the 1800′s, through the 1980′s!!! Beautiful wedding attire, hats, gloves, gowns, furs, feathers, shoes, lace….you’ll just have to see for yourself!!! 

If you are shopping for your wedding, a prom, or just because, please visit Divine Elegance – she will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Her store ratings are impeccable, and she receives rave reviews from previous customers!!!

Enjoy!

Moving and Adopting…

Many apologies for not keeping up on writing  – I do have a couple great excuses though! First off, my husband and I finally got to move into our new apartment! We LOVE it! Great space, and a separate dining area for my neglected dining table set, along with guest room and bath (which has 2 sinks!!!) Don’t you want to come visit??? My dear brother came from Ohio to help us move, and is currently spending some very special, treasured time with us.

As you can imagine, we’ve been super busy unpacking boxes, and trying to figure out where to put things, and how best to utilize our new space. It’s been so much fun to hang photos, pictures, and wall decorations up, and begin to make it a home.

We also made a life-changing decision to adopt a beautiful 2 and  1/2 year old Husky/Akita mix I named ‘Tundra” in honor of her snow dog breeds. (And perhaps a slight reference to a gorgeous Toyota Tundra pickup?)

We picked her up from the shelter yesterday, and she is adapting well to her new home. Having never lived indoors before coming home with us, she has a lot to get used to, and I have a feeling she will always be most happy outdoors hiking and being active with us. However, she is very mild mannered and quiet indoors – a huge bonus given the fact that she will be an apartment dog for a while.

In addition to setting boundaries and working with Tundra on household rules, and unpacking boxes and more boxes,  I have been doing a little job searching, and have sent my resume off to a high class country club golf course as well as to a private day care/kindergarten company. We will see if I hear anything back!

Etsy sales have been slow, but I honestly haven’t given it the time I should be lately – as we get more settled here, I will begin focusing more on that again.

I owe one more Etsy shop a feature on my blog! I will be posting this feature soon – keep an eye out for it!!!

Have a great weekend ya’ll!

ASIA MADE 2 ORDER – FEATURED ETSY SHOP

Asia Made 2 Order is an Etsy shop comprised of 5 friends who all live in Thailand.
They offer a great variety of clothing, scarves, and jewelry, all unique to the individual creator! Their shop is colorful,fun, and has the special flavor of Thailand, even through on-line browsing!
Asia Made 2 Order is currently offering 20% – 40% discounts on items who’s proceeds are contributed to a relief for the earthquake disasters in Japan.

Here is a sample of their work:

Like what you see? Connect with AsiaMade2Order!

Etsy Shop: Asia Made 2 Order

Facebook
Leave a comment with your shop links if you wish to be featured on my blog! I love doing it!

Azteca Designs Was Featured *HERE* Today!!!

http://thepinkoflife.blogspot.com/

Check it out, and leave a comment! =D

FEATURED ARTIST BEHIND SUMTHING PURDY ETSY SHOP

Stephanie from SUMTHING PURDY is my first featured artist from Canada!!! She resides in Calgary, along with her husband and young daughter, and loves to be creating and crafting as much as possible.
Some of her talents include drawing, scrapbooking,crocheting, jewelry making, and  – her latest  – making homemade body scrubs!
I think you will enjoy browsing her shop, which is bright and cheery, and full of unique and – in Stephanie’s words – funky jewelry, and crochet items. Her wireworked necklaces are simply beautiful, and she offers adorable bracelets, and custom earrings for an affordable rate!!!
If you love what you see and wish to connect with Stephanie at Sumthing Purdy, please use any of the links below!

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Here is one of my favorite items from Sumthing Purdy:

 

Thank you for taking the time to check out Stephanie’s work!

If you wish to be featured, please leave a comment on this post, or e-mail Azteca Designs at aztecadesigns@yahoo.com

Wire Shopping

Have any of you designers become acquainted with Halstead Bead, Inc.? They offer great pricing on Sterling Silver and Goldfilled bulk wire, and other jewelry making products. Their sterling wire is made up of a minimum of 50% recycled silver, which is a huge plus in my book!

I came across their blog this afternoon, and thought I would share this little post with you – Halstead Bead is offering to feature you in their blog!!! Take a peek: Designers: Do you want to be featured here?

I just sent in my shop links and a couple of item photos, so we’ll see if they enjoyed my products! I’ll definitely keep you posted on this!

I love wire, and am always on the look out for great quality at great prices! If you have a favorite supplier or know someone that does, I’d love to hear about them!!!

Here are a couple of treasuries we curated this weekend:

The Hip Cowgirl

Take Care Of YOU! Body Care and Color

And we were featured:

Get it in Writing

Hit the beach!

Do you want to be featured here??? I am looking for Etsy shops and handcrafted small businesses to feature!!! Please leave links to your shop/website and blog,etc in a comment or e-mail your info to aztecadesigns@yahoo.com

Thanks, and ya’ll have a great Sunday evening!!!

Homemade Hand Lotion DIY Recipe

In my search for an awesome DIY recipe for you today, I came across a blog entitled ‘A Sonoma Garden‘. This blogger featured a recipe for homemade hand lotion that sounds absolutely amazing – and she has tested it extensively!!! Please visit her blog HERE when you get a moment, and check out her interesting life!

How to Make Homemade Hand Lotion

1 1/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup emulsifying wax
1/4 cup olive oil
24-36 drops essential oil

I buy my emulsifying wax  & essential oils from Mountain Rose Herbs. For $6 you get enough emulsifying wax to make, oh, about 15 or more batches of homemade hand lotion. In a pyrex measuring glass I combine the olive oil and emusifying wax and microwave for 1 minute until it is all melted. The temperature on this reads about 155 degrees.

I have found that our coffee mugs hold almost exactly 1 1/4 cup of water, so I fill is up and microwave that for 1 minute or until about 120 degrees. While that is heating up, I add the essential oil into my melted wax/olive oil mixture.

Then pour the hot water into the wax/olive oil mixture and watch it turn milky white. At this point the temperature is about 125 degrees. I then pour the hot lotion into wide mouth pint size jars and let cool overnight. The next morning you’ll have a fresh jar of homemade natural hand lotion!

I hope you enjoy this recipe!

A shout out to a couple of awesome curators and the treasuries they featured us in! (unfortunately, I don’t have time to list them all)

Caution: Some Items Are Extremely Bright

For The Boys

And we curated:

Woman’s Day Bags For Every Occasion

Also, a heads-up: our next featured Etsy artist will be here on Monday!!! Don’t forget to check in, and take a look!

If you and your shop want to be added to my list, please leave your links in a comment on this blog. That’s all you need to do! And WOW!!! I had ***96*** blog views yesterday! Amazing!!! Your feature WILL get noticed!!!

It’s been warm here in Denver – I’m enjoying the tease of spring, and look forward to much more outdoor activity soon! I have a new mountain bike that I received as a gift last fall, and have never gotten to try it. I am hoping the weather holds this weekend so that I can give it a try!

I hope where ever you are that you have a wonderful weekend, either indoors, or out!

If you are struggling, and will be having a rough weekend for any reason, feel free to comment on this blog, or convo me via my Etsy shop HERE and I’ll say a prayer for you!  There have been many times (and will be again I’m sure) when it has been a blessing to have someone say a prayer for a rough patch I was going through.

God Bless~:D

DIY Foot Bath Recipe

Are you on your feet way too much? Even if you’re not (but who isn’t?), take some time for yourself, and try a foot bath/soak!

Here are a couple of recipe ideas – if you are the experimental type, you might come up with your own special combination, too!

~~~~ Fill a large bowl or pan with cold or warm water to cover ankles.
Place stones or marbles in the bottom of the bowl. When you move your feet over the marbles they act as wonderful soothing and stimulating massagers.

Drop 2 – 3 drops of Essential Oil onto water, try these combinations:

Refreshing

• 3 drops tea tree, 3 drops lavender, 2 drops lemon

Relaxing

 

• 3 drops marjoram, 1 drop peppermint, 1 drop lavender

Immerse feet in water and soak! – Enjoy.

Variation:

A small cup (1/2 cup for a foot bath) of epsom salts can be mixed into the water to help with relaxing muscles, cleansing skin and increasing circulation.

I hope you enjoy some relaxation!

NEW LISTINGS:

I wanted to briefly share with you a couple of new listings on Azteca Designs!

Cowgirls Rock Leather ID Bracelet

Western Ear Cuffs Set Of 4 Copper and Silver

We are really excited about these new listings, and I truly hope you enjoy them! Check out our shop for a variety of other work, or contact me for custom work!!!

Azteca Designs is offering FREE SHIPPING ending today!!! Take advantage of this special offer by using code: AZTECAFREE at check out!!!

If you are a crafter/shop owner, and would like your Etsy shop featured here, please leave a comment with your shop links, and I’ll add you to my list!!!

FEATURED ARTIST BEHIND LOCLAVA ETSY SHOP

As a professional designer having received her BFA in Interior Design, Kris has designed restaurants internationally, as well as designed costumes, props, sets, and jewelry.
When the company she worked for was hit hard by the sad condition of our economy, she decided to rely on herself, and use her skills in designing and creating to make the life she wished to live. Based on this decision, her shop LocLava was born!
Her shop is full of gorgeous and intriguing color, and color combinations! She offers many beautiful choices for helping contain your long and/or thick locks,including silk and cotton scarves,and bandannas. Her dread lock jewelry is unique and fashionable, as are her silk cuffs, necklaces, and bracelets. All are made with fabrics from around the world, and sustainable materials.

Let me share with you a sample of her work – these are a couple of my favorites!!!

Don’t miss out on these amazing finds! Connect with Kris by using any of these links!

LocLava Etsy Shop

FaceBook

Blog

If you enjoyed this feature, and wish to be added to my list, please leave your links in a comment! How can you pass up some free publicity?!? ;D

Thanks, ya’ll, and have a great week!