Hello!
My goal was to have fun new jewelry for you to see on my website by February, and I just made it. Please take a look! You can follow the links on the right. If you don’t see the links, just go to www.redpennies.com.
And don’t forget to pick up something sparkly for your sweetheart, and for yourself!
See you soon,
xoxo Penny
| Hello!
Looking for something pretty for someone special? Aren’t you special, too? I have a few little sparkly treats that just might be perfect. |
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| The first piece is a 2 inch lead free pewter and enamel heart hanging on a smooth 18 inch rubber cord. Also available are 6 square designs: Golden Circles, Purple Fans, Blue Flowers, Purple Mandala, Pink Daisy, Teal Sun and Lime Bubbles. $25 (two of each design available) |  |
| Next I have an 18mm Genuine Swarovski Crystal Heart swinging from a classy 16 inch sterling silver snake chain. (6 available) $30 |  |
| As always, my Swarovski Sparkleball Earrings make a beautiful statement in any season. $24 |   |
| These silver plated Swarovski Crystal toggle bracelets are sure to make anyone smile. $25 (1 avaiable each)
The flower of the top bracelet pictured is actually clear with an aurora borealis finish, while the flower in the bottom bracelet pictured is light blue. |
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| Czech glass and sterling silver shine and glow on this bracelet. $30 (1 available) |  |
| These earrings go really well with the bracelet above. Also made of Czech galss and sterling. $20
If any of these appeal to you, just email me and I will get them to you asap. Thank you so much for looking, and have a great Valentine’s Day!!
xoxoPenny |
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Hello!
Recently, a friend told me that she chooses not to celebrate Christmas with gift giving. Fair enough. After thinking about it for awhile, I asked my smart husband, Michael, where he thinks the origin of gift giving during Christmas really came from. What he told me has been backed by researchers and Theologists alike. It’s a cool story, actually!
In some ways, the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas is a very ancient tradition. Remember the Three Wise Men? They were kings from the east that traveled a very far distance, lead by a star in the sky, to honor the new baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. This visit was originally celebrated on January 6th on the Feast of the Epiphany. The length of time between Christ’s birth and the Feast is 12 days, hence the Twelve Days of Christmas!
We all know how hard it can be to live without resources. Theologists believe that because of these gifts, Mary, Joseph and Jesus were able to trade for better lodging and food.
I agree strongly that taking the focus off gifts is a positive thing. In our community, we are so lucky to have many opportunities for volunteer work. Also, my family is trying to spend time starting traditions and enjoying old favorites.
Still, to me, it is really interesting and fun to remember where the original Christmas gift giving came from. Sharing with those in need, giving love and extra attention to people in our lives and honoring spirituality…that’s what I’m trying to do.
Thanks for reading, and have a fantastic holiday!
xoxo Penny
Hello!!
It has been SO long since I last wrote. I hope everyone is healthy and happy and enjoying the holiday season. We sure are! A few weeks ago I was selling jewelry at an art sale and I met a wonderful woman named Barbara. She gave me a brochure about a foundation called United Indians of All Tribes. Many of you who live out of town have visited the Daybreak Star Cultural Center with us, and we are so in debt to the amazing artists who share their work with us at the center. I learned that there is a United Indians group home right here in my neighborhood.
This home houses 30 displaced teenagers of Native American decent. While visiting with one of the specialists at the Youth Home, I found out that they are having trouble filling the wish list for these kids. I asked what the most needed item would be and she said “mp3 players”. When I stop to think about how much music means to my family, and how important music was to me as a teenager I couldn’t help but try to find a way to take care of this wish.
After scouring the sale papers and the Internet, I called a wholesale company that I have used in the past for jewelry stuff. The owner told me that he would sell me the players 2 for 1! So generous!!
Okay, this is where you might come in. If you are so inclined, I am collecting money to pay for the mp3 players. I need to round up about $300. Please don’t feel obligated at all, but if interested please email me at penny@redpennies.com to settle the details. NO OBLIGATION!! I know that we all have our charities and causes that we donate to, especially at this time of year. 
Thank you so much for considering this, and for reading my article!
Take good care, and enjoy the holidays,
xoxo Penny
Hello!
I just returned from the Ballard Farmer’s Market where I ran into an old friend. Well…I didn’t really run into him, thank goodness, but I found him in his booth doing what he does best. Intrigued? He makes and sells organic soap! I met him when I was selling jewelry down at the Fremont Market, back when we were both just starting out. For awhile now I have been seeing his distinctive daisy covered boxes of soap in stores around town, but today I heard the really big news.
Ben Busby-Collins, owner of Ballard Organics (www.ballardorganics.com) is opening his first store/studio in the University District at 50th and Brooklyn, just below Cedars Restaurant. He will be creating and selling all of his products there in the space. Go to his website and check out all of the wonderful products, including scents, that are available.
My family has very sensitive skin and Ben’s products have been excellent for us. I hope you visit him soon!
Thanks,
xo Penny
Hello!
During this week last year, I wrote my very first blog entry! Thank you to all of you who have been my “loyal readers”! I appreciate all of your support. Today is also the first day of school for our district. Yahoo!!!
Read on to learn about some other fun “firsts” this week in history.
That Girl premiered in 1966, staring Marlo Thomas. It was the first television series to spotlight a young woman living on her own.
Beatrix Potter first told the story of Peter Rabbit in 1893 in a get-well letter to a five-year-old.
The Oprah Winfrey Show went national in 1986. Oprah, an African American woman, is THE MOST successful talk show host and producer in the history of television.
Let’s hear it for fantastic firsts!! Please share any that you have in my comment section.
Have a wonderful day!
xoxo Penny
Hello!
At the insistence of several moms I know, I have begun to make baby and children’s jewelry! I am really excited about this. It’s so fun to make sweet, adorable little bracelets for the sweet, adorable little babies (and children)I know.
Before I made my first bracelet, I did quite a bit of research to be sure that my materials were safe and my construction was sound. With the recent, very real scare about toxicity in children’s toys, I can’t be too careful!
What I came up with is sure to please everyone. I only use sterling silver, Swarovski crystal (because Baby’s gotta have sparkle!) and European pressed glass beads. The clasps are tiny but strong! Because these bracelets are completely made to order, I can create any color scheme and size desired.
If you know someone who would just like some Baby Bling, or you need a wonderful gift for a new birth, a Christening, a Bris (Boys love Bling, too!) or a special Graduation, let me know! It would be my honor to make you something special that is sure to be treasured forever.
Thanks!!
xoxo Penny
Hello!
I am so excited to tell you all that RedPennies is now being sold at Frock Shop in Seattle! Located at 6500 Phinney Ave. N., Frock Shop is the cutest and best stocked boutique in town. The owner, Suzy Fairchild, is so friendly and approachable.
You have to get over there and check out her wonderful selection of dresses, skirts, accessories, trinkets and treasures. One of the coolest things about her clothes is that she has a nice variety of sizes and styles, and everything is very current and hip, of course!
You can also shop online at www.shopfrockshop.com. Her website is just as adorable as her shop.
Thanks for listening, and have a great day!
xo
Penny
Hello!
Are you going on a trip this summer? One way to stay truly glamorous and cool is to be prepared. Last year, when we visited Thailand, I did some research before we left and compiled a pretty nice list of essentials for you and the family. Much of the info comes directly from the University of Washington Med Center by way of their Travel Medicine Service. You can get more info from them as well as schedule an appointment to talk about and receive any vaccinations you might need. http://depts.washington.edu/travmed/
Of course some of these items won’t be necessary for you, depending on where you go. The following list encompasses many types of travel and destinations.
Prescription Items:
Multipurpose antibiotic
Epi-pen
Extra prescription meds or a written prescription from your doctor.
Nonprescription Items
Antibiotic ointment like Newsprint - minor cuts and abrasions
Anti fungal powder or cream - for athlete’s foot
Anti fungal cream for women prone to yeast infections - say no more!
Aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen - for minor aches and pains
Cough suppressant
Decongestants - for nasal congestion due to allergies or water sports
Pepto or Imodium - again, you know the drill
Hydro-cortisone cream - for bug bites and sunburn
Laxative or fiber supplement - in case things go the other way!
Oral re-hydration salt packets - for fluid replacement and re-hydration
Bandages - gauze pads and roll
Band-aids
Extra eyeglasses or contacts
Insect repellent - like they sell at REI
Moleskin
Safety pins
Saline
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Swiss army knife
Duct tape - why are you not surprised?
Toilet paper - just keep a little pack with you at all times.
Premoistened towelettes with antibacterial powers - all bathrooms are not created equal!
Tweezers
Water disinfection tablets
One nice way to get most of this stuff all at once is to shop at REI or another awesome sporting goods store. They often have very complete kits in compact sizes.
Please, please add any comments or suggestions to this entry because we can all benefit from your experiences and ideas.
Have a great day!
xo
Penny
Hello!
Do you love online shopping? Well, if you do, check out www.misslist.com. They have a huge list of really great online stores, including RedPennies!
Miss List was conceived out of a personal need to have a list of favorite online stores conveniently located in one spot, and also have the ability to see all of them listed at one time or just a few depending on specific search criteria. If you go to the coupon page, you can often find some real savings for stores that they feature. I will be adding one soon as well.
My hope for this site is that they will be adding more indie vendors like RedPennies. I will be sending them suggestions, so let me know who we should add!
Thanks for reading!
xo Penny