Charity For Gifts That Keep On Giving

The charity I chose for the "Gifts That Keep On Giving" program on 1000 Markets.com is The Springboard Home for Youth in Crisis. This is one of several programs under the umbrella of Teen Challenge of Arizona. I chose this program for several reasons.

Several years ago I worked in a Substance Abuse Counseling Agency and it was here that I became aware of the effect of drugs on one's life. All employees had to go through a "drug" program which enlightened us on the effects of drugs on one's body and the ultimate effect they have on one's lifestyle. Although I was not a counselor, I was very aware of the many teens and young adults that came through these doors for help.

Then I became an Occupational Therapist and my education into the effect of illegal drugs on one's lifestyle broadened. Although I did not ultimately work in a psychiatric hospital, I did have to do an internship in one. There I saw the effect of illegal drugs, especially on those who did not understand the consequences. I also did an internship at a maximum security prison for teens. There I also saw the devastating effect of illegal drugs on these inmates; how their mindsets were altered dramatically from drug abuse, and how their lifestyles destroyed them and their families.

Now I am a volunteer E.M.T. on our local ambulance, and again, I am seeing first hand the spread of illegal drugs and how they take over one's life. From homemade meth labs to abuse of legal drugs, the havoc these drugs wreak on humanity is both astounding and heartbreaking. From pre-teen through adulthood, many of our runs involve drug abuse in some manner.

My husband's cousin and wife visited us this fall and she told me about her volunteer work at Springboard Home. What impressed me is the 86% success rate they have. Another reason I like this program is the volunteers started using beading as a means of instilling self esteem and a sense of accomplishment in these girls. The completed beaded bracelets are sold in their gift shop. This concept took me back to the very roots of Occupational Therapy and how in its infancy, crafts were used to rehab returning war veterans.

The Springboard Home for Youth in Crisis is a 90-day program for girls ages 12-17 who have experienced the effect of drugs in their lives. Some are drug addicts, some are children of addicts, and some have experienced abuse of some kind. It is a faith-based program where these girls live in a home under the care of "house parents". The underlying concept of the program is to help them understand that they can make their own choices in life and not be controlled by someone else. These girls are given the opportunity to turn their lives around, to break free of the bonds of addiction or abuse, and to begin new lives.

The Springboard Home for Youth in Crisis is funded by private donations only; no government aid is received. They do not turn away anyone needing help whether they can afford it or not.

I feel this program is very a worthy one, and given its success rate, one that really does make a difference.

The web site for this program is http://www.azteenchallenge.org/.

I am donating 10% of all sales in my shop to this charity. Go to http://www.secondsisteratmoarkjewelry.1000markets.com/ and help me Give a Gift That Keeps On Giving.

3-Day Black Friday Sale

Check out my shop on 1000 Markets for my Black Friday sale. This is a 3-day sale ending on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Lots of items will be available at a discounted price with free shipping!

Go to www.secondsisteratmoarkjewelry.1000markets.com and see for yourself!

Thanks for looking!

The Holidays are Coming Fast

Where did the summer go? For that matter, where has this year gone? The holiday season is almost upon us and it seems like I am still trying to catch up. I have been playing "catch up" for a few years now. Actually since I retired I am busier than when I worked F/T and raised a family. But enough of that.

AS I am finding out quickly, I needed to start preparing for the Fall Season jewelry line many months ago. I was at at show in Omaha on October 3 and customers were asking about holiday jewelry! I was shocked but suppose I shouldn't have been so surprised. The department stores begin the holiday push many months before the event. By the time that event arrives, they are already promoting the next holiday.

So it seems that I am behind in my "jewelry seasons". I have started adding a fall line to my shop on 1000 Markets.com but need to do this quickly. Customers will want to start looking at my "holiday" line soon and I haven't even thought that one through yet. So this blog will be short. I need to get back to creating jewelry!

Check out my Fall line of jewelry at secondsisteratmoarkjewelry.1000markets.com. I am offering "free shipping" on all items until December 24, 2009. So now is the time to get a head start on your Christmas shopping by visiting 1000 Markets.com.

An Old Fashioned Halloween

I remember trick or treating when I was a kid. We lived in a rural area where a block was 3 miles around up and down hills. Houses were far apart and street lights were rare. There were no sidewalks so we walked on the side of the road. We all had flashlights and were constantly shining them all around us to make sure the ghosts stayed in the cemeteries and the scarecrows stayed in the fields! Of course, the boys were always wandering off and then trying to scare us which wasn't too hard to do! We wore homemade costumes and carried brown shopping bags to hold the candy. Or sometimes we carried 1/2 pillowcase that had been sewed on the bottom. When we shouted "trick or treat", we were expected to do a "trick" of some kind before we received our "treat". The treat was usually homemade; popcorn balls, cupcakes, fudge, cider, peanut brittle - you get the idea. Nowadays, parents are warned to give out only store bought candy that is individually wrapped and no one asks for tricks to be performed before the treats are handed out. The parents are encouraged to take their children and their treats to the nearest center to have the candy x-rayed. What fun is that?

We NEVER waxed windows because we were warned by our parents of the severe consequences but we did use soap a few times. Much to our dismay we were usually caught and then had to clean the soap off. And we didn't get any treats!

Our legs always tired before we made it all the way around the block and we ended up calling one of our parents to pick us up. Needless to say, our pillowcases or bags were never full of treats but we always had so much fun that it didn't matter.

It was fun and scary; it was a time when our parents felt safe letting us walk around the long block in the dark of night without any parental chaperoning. It was a night when ghosts walked through the cemeteries, scarecrows moved through the fields, and bats followed us on our trek around the block!

A couple of years ago, I was visiting our daughter at Halloween and went out with her and our 2 small grandchildren. Of course, they were only interested in going to as many houses as they could to get as much candy as they could. I thought about my Halloween nights as a child and felt sad that the experiences I had would never be experienced by my grandchildren. A Halloween night of yesteryear was truly a special holiday.

Is It Fall Yet?

Is it Fall yet? I have heard this from so many people here in the Ozarks from mid-August to now. Summer here in Arkansas seems to wilt us, so we look forward to Fall and cooler temps. With the arrival of Fall, Arkansas gets into full swing with activities ranging from local craft fairs to the Beanfest in Mt. View, from gardening to fishing tournaments. So, is it Fall yet? Maybe, although we could be fooled yet. It has been raining for about a week and with it has come cooler weather. So, of course, we all think that summer is on its way out and Fall is on its way in!



With Fall comes Halloween. Children all over the state are talking about Halloween costumes, parties, and trick or treating. Mothers are frantically trying to make or buy just the right Halloween costumes for their children. And everyone visits the "pumpkin patch" sooner or later to find just the right pumpkin(s).



Halloween is also fast approaching 1000 Markets.com. Artisans are busy creating their special Halloween pieces just for you. If you are interested in things for the home, to eat, to wear, or for a party, visit the home page on 1000Markets.com and go to the Holiday category, then go to Halloween. Browse through the many and varied handmade items available. And stop back often as more creations are added daily. Make Halloween a fun time for you this year!