Temari Auction for Charity

Sometimes a story just tugs at my heart and won't stop. Carol Decker's story is one of those: an expectant mom who had an emergency C-section, developed septic pneumonia, and had such severe difficulties with the medication that she is now a triple amputee and has lost her eyesight. You can find more details and links to news stories about Carol and her family through the link a few lines above; it's too wrenching for me to want to go into any more detail here.

I was just finishing this Temari when I heard about Carol, and it just seemed right to donate it to help out her family. It's available now at Silent Auction for Carol. Bidding starts at just $15 and ends Wednesday, September 24th at 9:00pm PST.

You'll find a number of other wonderful items to bid on there as well. Click on over and bid on something: every additional dollar is a tiny bit of worry the Decker family doesn't have to deal with.

And the Winner Is . . .

. . . commenter number 4, Twenty Pound Tabby! Congratulations, you've won the autographed copy of Marianne Gingher's How To Have a Happy Childhood. I'll get this in the mail to you just as soon as I have your mailing address.

For all of you who love giveaways, make sure to check out the Peanut Butter Cup Shortbread Giveaway on The Peanut Butter Blog. It's to die for!

Happy News: Lower Shipping Costs

Things are tight for people everywhere, and I've been looking for ways to cut back on my ongoing expenses. I've been able to lower the amount I spend on shipping (yippee!) so I've also lowered the amount I charge for shipping additional items from my Etsy shop. Effective today, most things will ship for only $0.30 each with an additional purchase, so it's perfect timing for holiday shopping.

I already ship commercial supplies and destash items at $0.00 for additional items, and that will remain as is (I can't get any lower than free!). My Temari are too heavy to discount the shipping costs, but all fused glass, Kumihimo, and pendant chains are included.

I've changed the amount in my shipping profile, but unfortunately it won't automatically update all the listings I have there already. I am so not motivated enough to individually edit nearly 500 items, so please send me a message if you're shopping and I can send you a corrected invoice before you check out, or a refund if you've already paid.

My Favorite Stretch

All those electric shocks last week must have loosened things up a bit, because today I was finally able to do my favorite stretching exercise! I haven't been able to do it for months, my right arm just wouldn't cooperate. This is a terrific and simple stretch for upper back muscles, and perfect for anyone who sits in a chair for any length of time.

Stand with your feet about hip-width apart and arms at your sides. Raise one arm straight up, bend it at the elbow and bring your hand down behind your neck and upper back. With your other arm straight down, bend it at the elbow and bring that hand up behind your back. Can you touch the fingers of one hand with the other? If not, put a little effort into bringing them closer together. If you can clasp the fingers of both hands together and hold for 10 seconds you've succeeded in doing a complete stretch! Now switch arm positions and stretch again.

Don't you feel better? I know I do!