Article by: Kim ChristophersonYouCanMakeThis.com

Remember the days when you couldn’t wait to open that special valentine card filled with a paper note and conversation heart candy. I just KNEW that those conversation heart candies meant TRU LUV when given by the boy I had a crush on.:)

Years later, those special “valentines” are still ones I look forward to giving and receiving. A handmade card and artwork from our children are some of the best, aren’t they? A small handmade gift from a friend says, “I’m thinking of you”. Those kinds of things are memorable and treasured because you know that it was made with a lot of thought, time, and care. You know that while they were making that item, they thought about you, and could just imagine what it would be like to have you receive it!

Well, I have those same feelings, too, when I am making something special for a friend or family member. And because I love to do just about anything “DIY”, now is the perfect time to begin some simple projects to give this Valentine’s Day.

At www.YouCanMakeThis.com, we have a variety of downloadable projects that are quick, simple, and perfect to give to someone you care about. Here are a few ideas:

Make a Lotus Flower and attach it to a card for a friend. This flower can then be added to her favorite handbag or even used as a brooch.
… read more.

I love the sound of jingling bells because it usually means the holidays are here and Santa’s on his way. It’s a sad, sad day when the bells stop jingling but thanks to Baby Emi jewelry you can hear those tinkling, jingling bells all year long!

Baby Emi was founded “to celebrate Debbie’s [the owner's] Cambodian heritage and the culture’s family-oriented traditions. She was also inspired by her grandparents who made a brave trek to America during a dark time in history wanting to create lives filled with peace, hope and promise.” Cambodian families welcome new babies with jingle bell anklets believing the whimsical sounds keep bad spirits at bay. The inspiration for Baby Emi came when Debbie’s daughter received a set of traditional Cambodian jingle bells as a baby blessing gift in 2002.

I’m not the only one who loves these sweet little jingle bells. You’ll find Baby Emi’s sterling silver jingle bell anklets and bracelets on quite a few celebrity children. That’s probably why I felt super nifty when Baby Emi gave me a sterling silver jingle bell anklet for Livi so she and I could review it on the Daily Dish.

Oh, the sweet tinkling of those tiny, delicate bells! When I pulled it out of the satin gift bag the first thing I did was see if it would fit around my wrist. It honestly looked fabulous, but I sacrificed and let my daughter try it on for size. Unfortunately for this review but fortunately for me (because now I can wear it whenever I want), Miss “I’ll wear what I want to wear and not what you ask/beg/plead with me to wear” refused to keep it on. I bet if I’d had one on her ankle since birth she’d be fine with it. (The same holds true for headbands and oversized floral clips.) I honestly wish she’d wear it so I could tell where she was in the house. Is she in my bathroom trying on lipstick? Is she in the pantry pulling out the Costco-size bag of chips? It would be nice to have a sort of JPS (”jingle positioning system”) on her!

Though Livi won’t wear it, I continue to take it out of the bag, shake it gently and fall prey to the enchanting sound. Apparently these Cambodian jingle bells can stimulate a baby’s development–perhaps that’s why I love it. I could use a little stimulation throughout the day. (Not that kind of stimulation…) Anything to keep me awake from the hours of 3pm to 7pm.

Baby Emi offers anklets and bracelets for infants, toddlers and adults alike along with sweet necklaces and bangles. Though a little pricey at $60 for a baby anklet, they do make a beautiful and meaningful baby gift (or Valentine’s/Mother’s Day/I’d be lost without you gift). It’s been too long since I last heard the jingling of bells. Better give that anklet a little shake! –Emily

* Promotion! Baby Emi is offering Daily Dish readers 15% off their purchase with code BOUTIQUECAFE15. Now you too can jingle all year long!

*** Giveaway!!! Baby Emi is giving away one (1) sterling silver Jingle Bells anklet for baby to one lucky Daily Dish reader (a $60 value)!

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

•    Visit BabyEmiJewelry.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite piece of jewelry.
•    Become a fan of Baby Emi on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you joined.
•    Follow Debbie on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re their newest follower.
•    Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•    Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: February 11, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Twitter has fast become a staple in the days of many momprenuers and members of our community! If you’re looking to expand the reach of your business through networking this form of social media is a simple and quick way to make it happen. We’re personally cultivated many amazing new connections and relationships through the benefits of using Twitter. It’s easy, fun and effective!

Follow @BoutiqueCafe on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/BoutiqueCafe

Now you can show your love of all things Twitter, with products handmade and readily available on Etsy. Can you believe all of the “Tweet” goodies that can be found??!!

Sellers Featured:
FunckyPopArt, ArtUnderGlass, Storeyshop, velynfields, ksickles, fliepsiebieps, CuteJewels, Craftsquatch, cbtscloset, post, plastique

Article by: Jennifer Cirka

Hello!! I am so excited to be writing for Daria and Boutique Café!! My name is Jennifer Cirka, but many of you may know me as Jaybird Designs. I am a professional crochet designer and independent publisher. My designs have been featured in magazines such as Crochet Today!, Crochet World and Interweave Crochet along with a booklet called “Top-sy Turvy” with Leisure Arts.

Along with all my mompreneur responsibilities I am also a stay at home mom of one, and wife. With this job, like many of you, I am also responsible for the family finances. When I quit working for the USPS six years ago, our family’s income was greatly reduced. I had to learn a lot about being frugal and saving money. I actually started my business to support my yarn and craft habit!

Now, I am in no way an expert on this subject, but through the years I have met many people and found many sites that are! With their help, I am happy to say that not only is my business growing, but my family has been debt free (with the exception of our home) for almost 2 years now! I’d like to share some of my secrets with you!

Every morning, with my cup of coffee, I have a series of websites that I visit. My hands down favorite is One Pretty Thing. She has compiled a list of some of the BEST do-it-yourself projects on the web! From Christmas and Hanukkah décor, easy to make handmade gifts, and even tips for your business, you can find tons of useful and inexpensive ideas on her site. And the best part is that she does the internet searching for you! Not crafty or too busy? I bet you know another mom who is and could use a little extra money this holiday season.

Now, for the savvy shopper in you, I always check out Slick Deals. Every day you can find some great deals on items, especially now for your Christmas shopping!! The other day I scored an awesome deal at Victoria’s Secret, three sweaters and a free scarf for only $31! Guess what will be under my Christmas tree this year? I’m currently on the lookout here for some other great gift ideas!

And if your dream this holiday season is to be debt free, you must check out Dave Ramsey! My family listens to his radio show a lot and we got tons of tips and great ideas that helped us. When refinancing our house this summer, we contacted one of his preferred mortgage providers and they actually told us that the deal we were offered from our current mortgage company was better than anything they could do for us! I was shocked…they were turning down our business! We managed to combine our original 30-year mortgage along with our Home Equity Loan and drop down to a 15 year mortgage. We paid cash for the closing costs and our monthly payments dropped $30!! Our new goal is to have the house paid off before our first grader graduates from High School.

Well, I hope you enjoyed a sneak peek at some of my secrets. I look forward to sharing more with you through Mompreneur Corner.

Jennifer Cirka
www.jaybird-designs.com
www.jaybirddesigns.etsy.com

{MAKE IT} – A true queen of the DIY, Brassy Meg is sharing a fun free tutorial on her blog (Brassy Apple) on how to create this darling party banner. Customize it to suit your party decor, it’s awesome!

Pretty up your next party with Brassy Apple! >>

Our new baby girl Lola Olivia has recieved so many lovely gifts since she was born! I am going to try to feature her wearing them as quickly as I can. This darling hat was made by Jennifer Cirka of Jaybird Designs. Jennifer and I have known each other in the boutique community for many years, and I was thrilled to have something special that this talented gal has made for my little girl. It’s definitely going to be a treasured heirloom for Lola. Thanks so much Jennifer!

Visit Jennifer’s website and blog here>
Get your own, custom made, SugarPlum Hat here>
Or make your own with Jennifer’s SugarPlum Hat Crochet pattern!

Welcome to Spring on Boutique Cafe – our New Spring Savings Guide is now reserving spaces to promote your stores, boutiques and websites with exclusive promotions for our Boutique Cafe listeners and readers. The Spring guide will go live March 1st – June 1st and continues to be a huge hit with our savvy readers each year.

If your company is interested in joining our Spring Savings Guide simply email daria@boutiquecafe.com and we’ll send you all the information you need to make a splash with your Spring Sales.