Complete Your Collection. The ever so lovely Wood Watch by JORD.

Complete your collection or just start one!
Wood Watches by Jord 

Disclaimer – again all ideas, thoughts and words are my own. I’m a little bit all over the place. I am being serious and always tell the truth. Sense the sarcasm and laugh about it!

Words cannot and will not express my love for this watch. My love for wood can never be explained and the fact that I get to wear this beauty every day makes me eternally happy. It comes in a wood box and wrapped around its own pillow! And I even left the little wood tag on because I love it.

If you really “know” me you know I love wood. Let’s talk about this love. I have 3 piles of sticks in my backyard waiting for me to start a project with the intent to finish. I have a giant pile of slices in my garage calling my name. I grew up in the mountains; hiked through the wilderness, started my own camp fires and slept under the stars (totally in my youth – such wonderful memories).  So when I was contacted and asked to wear a wood watch and then write about it, there was NO way I was saying no.

If you've seen my jewelry box you know I love watches. Watches which need batteries replaced but because they are so beautiful I still wear them and I don’t care. They just make your wrist look so sexy. They’re functional too, right? You use them to see what time it is. I wear them because they are stunning and simply way better than a bracelet. Better yet pair a watch with a bracelet or stack of bracelets and that arm is going to look sexier than ever! 

Let’s start from the beginning when Justine emailed me and told me I could choose from the list. It was sooooo hard. I hate choosing when there are so many amazing choices (go here and click "view our entire watch collection" to see more gold! Its blue, red or orange and its on your left). 

I asked for my little sisters’ advice and trusted her expertise. I also asked Lisha, my fashion consultant, business partner, and most important friend. I had made a decision. And then…. It was kind of like when you’re pregnant and you are so set on a name but when you actually see the baby everything changes and you name the miracle a name that wasn’t even on your list! That’s what happened to me! When I finally went to email Justine my choice it all changed and I went with this one! I am so glad I did and I have never regretted my choice and have worn this little gem everyday for the past 9 days. I even wore it to state track under my hoodie and coat and no one even saw it but I knew it was there, close to me.

Womens Wood Watches

When I picked up the watch from the Post Office (that’s a story that I will never understand) I instantly ripped open the box and slipped that baby on! Seriously if you love watches this is a must! Its wood! All natural REAL WOOD. I consider myself a lover of all the finer things and this is fine.

Let us talk about this watch. We will state the facts. It’s wood. It’s beautiful. And most important, it’s functional. This is important.

For me, being a busy mom of two, running an online business, as well as picking up free lance art here and there I’m just downright busy.  Too busy to care what I look like everyday but I do! Too busy to care about what I wear oh but I do! Still busy… No one ever mentions the meals, the dishes, the laundry or the bathrooms! I feel like I go nonstop when all I really want to do is lay on my couch and watch Disney with the kids, play petshops with Jemma (secret - I really don’t want to do that I just need to more because it makes the little happy), and play trains with Parker. We’re all busy right?

With this watch throw busy out the window! I never have time to decide what to wear let alone pair jewelry with it that matches and looks fabulous! I take time, sometimes. When I buy clothes I make an effort a huge one to purchase items that are versatile. And my main goal in life is to look like I walked out of a catalog. Even though some days I look like a hippie, others homeless. I have never once looked like I walked out of a Victoria secret catalog - that’s waaaay too much work! Once a month or when I go to a wedding or church, maybe a date if I’m lucky, I dress up and then I pair my ensemble with makeup! Ah! Adding this beauty to my wrist I feel like a million dollars! The best part I never have to wonder whether or not it will match. It always, always, always will. It’s classic. It’s stylish. It’s hip. It’s all natural. Its light and its comfortable. And it has and will always stand the test of time. It goes with every single dress I own and every single shirt and pants combo. It matches my shoes. I even wore it with a nike hoodie, addidas sneakers, Victoria secret workout pants, a sports bra and a top bun.

This watch doesn’t pinch. I have a few that do! It fits perfectly. We will talk about why! They send you a file with instructions and your very own ruler; you download, print, and then measure your wrist and size it for you! You don’t have to take it to the jeweler and get links removed! They know me! Who has time for that!

In all honesty this is the coolest watch I have ever owned and my go to watch whenever I leave the house. My husband is jealous and he wears a fit bit! I’m thinking he needs one of these for Father’s day!

I wore the watch with my Koben Silk Lined Jeans. Heavenly. But we can talk about those later. Wink wink. My stitch fix top. I don’t even care where it came from its gorgeous and I love getting a fix! And a two different bracelets, my fav necklace and earrings from Premier Design Jewelry. Above is where I couldn't decide if i should wear my toms or below - my target wedges. Serious decision making! It was sunny outside so I went with the target wedges. All pictures are my own. Select Pictures by Lisha Harper from @harperdesignandco. 

The hardest decision you all have is deciding which watch to buy for yourself! I know you will LOVE it no matter which one it is! 

Top 5 Things NOT to say to a Bow Maker...

I am a bow maker.

And I've been getting a lot of this lately.

And it seriously bugs me.

Disclaimer – all ideas are my own. Sense the sarcasm and laugh. (I’m not a grammar junkie so please keep your lame “you spelled that wrong’ comments to yourself)

It’s always market season for makers. If you’re a shopper not a maker this is for you! If you’re a wannabe maker shopping for ideas – reevaluate your life. If you’re a maker you need to share this to all your shoppers so they can have market etiquette!

If I like you - I'll tell you all my secrets. If I don't - use your very best judgment. Chances are your best judgment walked away the moment you asked the questions all makers can’t stand... "Where do you get your supplies?" or “How do you do this?”

What you’re really asking us is ("I need to know every detail about how this product was created so I can go home and recreate it because I'm not paying what you’re charging because I think it’s too much. I really have no idea you spent $359 in supplies and if I just bought the product for $15 I would really be saving $344.")

If your intentions are to recreate what I do with the intent to sale plan on a vague, general "hit the road" response. We're not friends. The End. 

Let’s get started.

#1. "How do you make these?"

Really??? Like I am going to tell you! Sometimes in my mind I’m thinking (even if I did tell you, you would never be able to figure this out.) or Remember if I like you I’ll tell you. It might take an hour so grab a soda and a bag of popcorn. But really your attention span won’t last that long. I think I lost you already….

#2. "Where do you buy your supplies to make your product?"

I do not buy my product at the local craft stores. Mostly because I live out in the middle of nowhere and I have two toddlers and I can’t focus even grocery shopping let alone shop for supplies with a brain.  Take a breath. The closest craft store is an hour away and by the time I run important errands and hit the appointments there is no time for browsing craft stores with tired, hungry, ADORABLE little monsters! Soooo most of my product is purchased online using wholesale accounts I set up myself with that special number you have when you create a business where I can’t just purchase $10 in supplies, they have minimums of $50-$100 orders. It takes planning and time and late night hours of silent focusing to get what I need to make what I make.

#3. "My daughter won’t wear bows."

I am not sorry and I seriously don’t care. If you want your daughter to wear a bow figure it out and make her. My daughter did. I wanted her to wear a bow so I made it a priority. If it’s not yours that’s great, I can’t help you. I used “techniques” to keep her bow in. She didn’t have any hair for the first 2 years of her life so her headbands were what separated her from the baby boys. Haha. Yes she pulled it off everywhere we went. During that stage I glued minis on her head and they didn’t come off for days! I know I’m a horrible momma! If you really want your child to wear a bow - make a valiant effort. I know it’s hard. Figure it out. Really if you’re not going to buy a bow refer to #5 and the “things to say” and move along.

#4. "I can buy them cheaper at ______."

Fill in the blank..... No judging here. haha. Chances are YOU CAN! And you go right ahead! Their product is factory made in China and the quality is "fall apart, cheaply made". You want cheap please buy cheap. My product is handmade in Southern Idaho by me (with lots of good smellin' love. wink wink). I take pride in my bows just like any bow maker does and I hope that everyone that buys a Summer Sariah Barbecue Bow loves it just as much as I do. I have machine washed a few and yes they can stand up to the pressure although it isn't advised. I do send replacements (for free) if a bow is damaged due to my manufacturing. I would like to think they had a lifetime warranty. Let’s stay focused. Moving on. Lastly…

#5. "Can I take a picture?"

Instead maybe take a mental picture. This is when us as makers want to punch you in the face. Be advised this is rude. This is copying and if you’re creativity pool has dried up there is always pinterest.

If you’re going to take a picture no matter what - take a selfie with the product behind you or better yet buy one and then go home and recreate it. Trust me I take pictures too. I’m not all unicorns and rainbows all the time either, But I’m not going to go home and recreate it. I’ve learned the hard way it’s TOO HARD! My brain is overworked, I’m lacking in sleep and the last thing I want to do is waste my time making something I can buy right in front of me!

Things to say instead of the above statement -  

“You’re very talented.”

“These are beautiful.”

“I like your style.”

And then please move along….

One day I want to be an artist. Watercolor Love.

I did a custom watercolor for a Mothers Day gift last week! She was one lucky mom and has an amazing daughter! I NEED to watercolor more often!

Alphabet Wood Slices. My newest product

These beauties are available to purchase HERE and are so cool. We trimmed our apple trees (we have a few overgrown and over producing) and I instantly fell in love with those long brown branches! My loving husband who cares only for my well being cuts them into slices for me. (I and the table saw do not get along - within the first few hours of us spending time together it was no longer a chop saw and I was headed back to Sears where they graciously accepted my idiocy and gave me a brand new one (Their return policy is wonderful and the warranties are superb!)! Now AJ is only allowed to use it. I supervise and clean it!) 

Each slice is then adorned with each letter of the alphabet by me using my favorite tool - the prography pen! After I have lightly sanded the edges each piece is stained - TWICE - with a linseed oil, non toxic, food safe and chemical free. Perfect for your little ones learning fun! 

I'm searching for a few product testers and would love love love to give you an introductory coupon for 20% off! Use Coupon code APPLE at checkout! 

Ribbon and Trims Headband/Halo Tutorial

Create your own Headband/Halo using ribbons and trims!

 Before you begin you will need 

a glue gun

4-5 ribbon/trims options

scissors

and a measuring tool 

I chose 4 trims/ribbons for this headband

Purple Dot from May Arts

Gold Stars from May Arts

Turquoise Pleat from May Arts and 

Gold Sequins from Stampin' Up

For the Headband I cut one of each at 13" long 

and for the Ties in the back I cut two purple dot at 14" long

I also cut two small purple dot pieces at 2" long each to seal off each side of the headband.

Start by gluing each piece on top of each other. I started with the stars on the bottom so that I could wear with the stars up or with the starts down. Reversible! 

When you have all four trims glued together on each end add the 14" purple dot ribbon to each side. 

Use your two small pieces of Purple dot and glue to seal off the edges and then fold the ends over and together.

I trimmed the ends at an angle. 

I used Fray Check, purchased at Walmart, to seal the edges of the ties so they don't fray. 

And you're done!  

You can use any selection of trims you have at home and we even created a few matching bracelets! 

You can also use strands of pearls, rosette trims, lace, and rhinestones!

Summer Sariah 2014

Summer Sariah Barbecue Bow Featured Photographer

Liz Stephens from Rupert Idaho is my product photographer and I love her work. She is creative, passionate about photography and extremely patient! She specializes in newborns, children and family photography. Here is just a few pictures showcasing her amazing talent! 

Find her on facebook here and find her on Instagram here.

Summer Sariah 2014