Book Review - You Were Born for This

You Were Born for This - 7 Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles, is written by Bruce Wilkinson with David Kopp. Bruce is the author of the New York Times #1 Bestseller The Prayer of Jabez.

In the book, the author states that you were born to help others experience personal miracles on a regular basis, and the book will show you how to make a lifestyle of predictable miracles your "new normal." The book is divided in four parts - Part I: Welcome To Everyday Miracle Territory, Part 2: Four Keys To A Life Of Miracles, Part 3: How To Deliver A Miracle, and Part 4: Three Keys To Special Delivery Miracles. There is also a bonus section in the back of real-life stories of miracles in action, along with a discussion guide for study groups.

Reading the book gave me an awareness that there are still miracles happening, even in this day and age. And the author states that by reading the book, we can learn to have God work through us to create miracles for others. This book was easy to read and understand, and I would recommend it to others.


Disclosure - I received a copy of this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group Press for a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

new to the shop...

Although I no longer sell scrabble or glass tile pendants online, I still enjoy making them for craft fairs. During the winter shows last year, I fell in love with the look of glass cabochons in the pendant trays and started making them. I finally decided to start selling them in the shop - here's a preview of what I'll be listing this week:

Round Art Pendant titled Vintage Red Flowers - also available as a mirror and purse hook!

Image by Etsy seller Piddix

Free Slurpees!

Today is free Slurpee day! 7-Eleven is celebrating 7/11 with free Slurpee drinks. (My personal favorite is Wild Cherry). Participating stores will be giving away 7.11-ounce cups of the slushy treats. Enjoy!

Book Review - The Final Hour

I recently read The Final Hour written by Andrew Klavan. The Final Hour is the 4th and last book in The Homelanders series. Teenager Charlie West is in prison and has no memory of what happened in the past year but then he starts remembering. He knows that the terrorist cell (the Homelanders) is planning to do something on New Year's Eve and starts plotting to get out of prison and goes through a lot to try to stop them.

Some of the previous books have been described as "a teenage version of 24" and it's so true - every page is action packed and Charlie gets in (and out of) quite a few predicaments. Helping Charlie to stop the terrorists are his karate sensei and mentor Mike plus Detective Rose. The book is fast paced but written in a way that is easy to read and understand, and I think anyone 13+ would enjoy reading it.

Disclosure - I was given a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Craft Show Preparations and Tips

This weekend I'll be a vendor at the Christmas in July fair sponsored by the Old Mission Montessori School. The fair runs for two days so I have been busy crafting up a storm while (kind of) putting my shop on the backburner. The fair is going to be on the grounds of Mission San Luis Rey aka "The King of Missions". See above picture - isn't it beautiful? I think my booth space is going to be near or under a tree, which will be great because it's going to be hot and humid here in Southern California and I will welcome having a little shade.

I've been compiling a list of my craft show tips & wanted to share them as well as the tips/advice I've gleaned from other crafters:

- Make a list of the items you need to set up your booth. I have a typewritten list which I keep in my "set up" box and I mentally check off each item - canopy, tables, tablecloths, shop banner, chairs and my holder for pocket mirrors.

- Have a container specifically marked for small but essential items such as pens, pencils, markers, tape, stapler, measuring tape, scissors, credit card swiper, small change envelope (if you don't have a money box), hand sanitizer and a copy of your seller's permit. I also keep a small notebook to jot down what sells so I know what I need to make more of for the next show. My cell phone, itouch, leapster and battery operated fan for the kids also goes in the container. In this box also goes the acceptance letter from the craft show sponsors as well as any vendor instructions they sent. I also include a couple of fast food addresses to be plugged into the GPS later.

- If you sell jewelry, have a mirror on hand for those who want to see how something looks on them. Most of my glass tile and scrabble pendants are hung on 24" chains so having the mirror helps potential buyers see how the necklace would look on them if the chain was shortened.

- Bring a small cooler with drinks and snacks. Don't forget to pack some napkins or washcloths too. Try to eat when you don't have any traffic in your booth or at least be discreet about it.

- One tip that I've heard/read repeatedly is to stand as much as possible, especially when greeting customers. Don't just sit there looking bored or reading a book. Say hello to any potential buyers and then leave them alone after letting them know you're available to answer any questions they might have.

- I heard this from a crafter which I thought was interesting -she said that if someone keeps looking at you, that they're planning to shoplift. I don't know if her theory is true because I have had people take things and didn't care if I was watching them or not! Anyway that is something to think about and do keep a discreet eye on the customers.

- Regarding your inventory - put prices or at least signs on or around your products. Bring more inventory than you think you'll sell unless you know your product is something you can make more of while you're at the show.

- Try to bring at least one other person with you. This way you can give each other bathroom breaks, time to walk around the show and also to eat.

- Smile and have fun!

Hope to see you at the fair this weekend - anyone that stops by and says they read this post will receive a fun pinback button of their choice!

Book Review: Billy Graham In Quotes

Billy Graham in Quotes is a book written by his son Franklin Graham with Donna Lee Toney. Most people or at least those of Christian faith, are aware that Billy is a world renowned American Christian evangelist and probably the best known evangelist. I have long admired Mr. Graham's integrity and steadfast faith and was looking forward to reading this book of quotes. According to the foreword by Franklin Graham, the quotes are taken predominantly from Billy's writings from 1947 to 2010.

The quotes are divided in alphabetical order with various topics such as Anxiety, Pride and Repentance. At the top of each topic there is a corresponding bible verse, followed by Billy Graham's quotes. Each topic has 2-3 pages of quotes. Following the quotes section is a 'Notes' section which lists each publication where you can find the quote when it was originally written.

The collection of quotes is easy to read and understand, and could easily be used as a bible study companion or meditation guide. A great book and I highly recommend it.


Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.