Buy Handmade: Julie the Fish Hand Stamped Personalized Keepsakes

I know that a lot of us homeschool moms also like to support other mom-owned businesses. This year I'm sharing about some of my favorite handmade products, made by moms! Enjoy. :)

Julie the Fish offers a fabulous variety of hand stamped, personalized keepsakes, and I think she literally has something for everybody! Whether you are looking for a gift for a man, woman, teenager, child, coworker, or a special occasion, she has just the thing. And if she doesn't...guess what. She does custom work too! So you can let your imagination loose and get something completely unique. Awesome! The prices are very reasonable, and Julie works fast, considering how much of her work is custom. You'll want to get over there right away to make your purchases, because December 7th is the cut-off to ensure Christmas delivery.

Be sure to read all the way to the bottom of this post, because Julie's got a GIVEAWAY for you!!

I think the first thing that caught my eye at Julie the Fish was these custom guitar picks. With a 17 year old rocker in my own home, I loved it that I had found something mom-made, handmade, and cool enough for a teenage boy. :) The finished quality is very good, and the size works perfect for us because my son prefers the smaller jazz picks, so he is going to love this.


These leather bracelets are another unique find that will work well for guys or girls:


I just love these necklaces. Such a great gift for a new mother! I got one for a new mommy on my Christmas list, and I'm very pleased with the quality and look of it. So sweet!


This sort of creative piece is right up my alley. I love swirly trees, and anything that can be personalized with a larger number of names.

Julie sends out her products in sweet be-ribboned gift boxes, and I love that. It's all done and ready to give!


Here's my interview with Julie!

Tell a bit about yourself:
I'm a mother, teacher, and artist.
I stay home to take care of my two little boys during the day.  
I love my guys and enjoy all the funny realities of being a mom.  
At night I teach English as a Second Language.
My students are native Spanish speakers learning English.  
I have fun using both of my fluent languages every night.
I'm also an artist/crafter.  
I love to create just about anything.
My newest passion is hand stamped jewelry.
I just can't get enough!

How did you get started creating your products?
A friend of mine had a simple stamped necklace and I loved it.
I thought, "I can make that!" 
so I started creating custom pieces.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by my customers, their lives, and stories.  
I love creating a custom keepsake piece that someone
will cherish for years to come.
When someone has a special occasion
I feel honored to create a piece that helps them celebrate.

What are some of your favorite items in your shop?
My two favorite pieces in my shop right now are the
square name necklace 
and the love necklace.

All of the pieces in my shop
can be personalized with your information.
Also, if you have an idea of a piece
you'd like created I can make it happen.

GIVEAWAY!
Julie is giving away one of her 
hand stamped initial necklaces!  
The winner will get to choose
what letter you want on the necklace,
plus can choose from an assortment of crystals
or other adornments to go
with it.  Sweet!  

Want to win?! Here's how:

1. Visit Julie the Fish and browse around. Find your favorite item.

2. Come back here and post a comment, telling about your favorite item. BE SURE that I have your email address with your comment, or else there's no way for you to win. :)

3. Get an extra entry to win by becoming a Facebook Fan of Julie the Fish! (let me know in comments that you have done this, and your name as it would appear in her fans) Julie's Facebook Fans will get an extra 10% off their purchases in November. (hurry!)

4. Get an extra entry to win by placing an order with Julie the Fish! (let me know you have done this in the comments section)

5. Blog about this to your peeps! (send me a link to your post in the comments section)

6. Tweet about this post! (let me know in the comments section)

7. Winner will be chosen on Saturday, December 5. (I'll send you an email if you're the winner)

Calculadder and Ready Writer

Over ten years ago I purchased a master pack that included Calculadder and Ready Writer. Calculadder is a timed test for math, and Ready Writer has fun exercises for the beginning writer to learn proper writing strokes. Highly recommended! (and they have FREE samples available)

Thinking about Workboxes

I heard about workboxes for homeschooling a few months ago, and recently while my mind has turned to craving a new season of organization and efficiency around here, it came back on my radar. I am now scouring blogs to see how others are implenting the idea, plus I ordered my own copy of the book yesterday. I am going to try to hold myself back from getting a bunch of supplies until I read the book, plus re-read Managers of Their Homes, and work through Managers of Their Chores, both of which I also purchased recently. Can you tell that I am really, really, REALLY wanting some fresh inspiration for getting life organized?

Here are some of the resources I am checking out for workboxing ideas:

The original site, including where to purchase the regular book or the ebook.

Many sites that have inspired and informed me:
http://www.walkingbytheway.com/blog/?cat=4
http://www.amothersjournal.com/2009/03/08/workbox-system/comment-page-1/#comment-2904
http://vegaadoption.blogspot.com/2009/03/this-is-best-system-ever.html
http://myfamilyliferocks.blogspot.com/2009/03/workboxes.html
http://ginger-snap-shots.blogspot.com/2009/02/workboxes.html
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LeslieNelsen/Workboxes/

Have you used workboxes? If so, how did you like it? Share your ideas in the comments!

Easy Homeschooling books available for FREE!

Hey everybody!
Tonite I was able to add a selection of Easy Homeschooling books in the FREE Gifts with Purchase section of my health and wellness shop. You can check it out here. Feel free to let others know! :)

Wisdom from the past

“It is not difficult to see why … the female became the emblem of the universal … Nature …. surrounded her with very young children, who require being taught not so much anything as everything. Babies need not to be taught a trade, but to be introduced to a world. To put the matter shortly, woman is generally shut up in a house with a human being at the time when he asks all the questions that there are, and some that there aren’t. It would be odd if she retained any of the narrowness of a specialist. Now if anyone says that this duty of general enlightenment … is in itself too exacting and oppressive, I can understand the view. I can only answer that our race has thought it worth while to cast this burden on women in order to keep common-sense in the world. … How can it be a large career to tell other people’s children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one’s own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No. A woman’s function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute. I will pity Mrs. Jones for the hugeness of her task; I will never pity her for its smallness.”
GK Chesterton

Facebook--come join us!

If you have not yet joined our Fan Page on facebook, what are you waiting for? We are having fun over there, giving encouragement (and hugs!) to moms that need it. Tell your friends, too. The more, the merrier.

"If I talk about it, I might start to cry."

I remember a few years ago when I was homeschooling only two of my sons, and things had been rather bumpy. I walked into a church event and a friend there asked the fateful words, "So how's homeschooling going?"

My answer?

"If I talk about it, I might start to cry."

And then I talked about it anyhow.

I told her that sometimes it was intensely hard. I told her that I was struggling. And I told her that although homeschooling can be intensely hard and a struggle, that doesn't mean I'm not where I'm supposed to be.

There is a lot in our society that tells us that if we are not happy and enjoying everything that we do, that we should feel free to go choose something else that would make us happy or be more enjoyable. I think that concept is wrong. There is a lot of value in struggle, suffering, perseverance, and commitment. Don't doubt it.

I really liked this article on this subject. Good stuff. Enjoy.

P.S. Later on that friend at church thanked me for my candid honesty. She told me that she had been thinking about homeschooling her own kids, but that every homeschool mom she ever talked to about it got all Stepford on her and acted like it was the most wonderful, natural, positive thing they could be doing. And she wasn't buying that. She said it made her nervous to only hear glowing reports, that she knew in her gut were probably not entirely true. Hearing what I had to say hadn't scared her off from homeschooling. She said it helped her feel like she had a more realistic idea of what it can be like, and what it takes to stick with it. I was glad I wasn't afraid to be transparent that day.

Raw Almonds for Sale!

Almonds are a delicious and nutritious snack, but the ones we get in the grocery store have been pasteurized, so the greatest health benefit has been heated right out of them.

This fall we are trying something new. Get in our our big bulk buy of fresh, unpasteurized almonds from California! At just $6 per pound, you can get these wonderful almonds in increments of 20 pounds.

Since these almonds are fresh, they will stay nice at room temperature for 9-12 months or more. If you store them in the fridge they'll last for years, and in the freezer they'll last for a really, really, really long time. :)

These almonds are not certified organic, but the farm that they come from has not used any pesticides in at least 15 years.

The almonds are shelled and fresh!

This is a pre-order. That means that you will order and pay for your almonds now. I will be placing our large order (many hundreds or even a thousand pounds or more) around October 15-20. Once they arrive here I will be shipping them out to you.

Feel free to go in on this order with a friend if you like. Almonds are great for Christmas gifts too!

This is a one-time opportunity. These almonds are just sold once a year when the fresh harvest comes in. There is a slight possibility that I may be able to take another order in November, but for right now this is the only time I can be sure of that there will be enough supply to fill the orders.

Click here to order.

Teaching Textbooks--Another Kid Loves It!

We added Teaching Textbooks 4 to our curriculum this year, and boy-oh-boy is it a HIT! My son is so happy that he has churned out 18 lessons in two days. :) He keeps coming to me to say how much fun it is, and how much he is learning.

Certainly at the speed of 9 lessons per day, he is getting quite a bit of review so far, but I think that's great. Teaching Textbooks is super easy for my child to use it independently without any problems, does all the grading and record keeping for me, and manages to do it all while bringing a smile to my kid's face. (and mine!)

We are eagerly awaiting the October release of the 3rd grade level of Teaching Textbooks. I've got another kids just raring to go.

"Get your toe out of your mouth."

This concludes today's True Confessions of Things Said at Supermom's Home School.

New School Year

After being inspired by Stephanie Nielson's annual Back-to-School feast and theme, I decided to employ a theme for our own school year. I picked Let Love Lead You. I made a theme card for each member of the family, and included a personal note on the back. I think they turned out really cute, and I am happy to have an easy catch phrase for what I urge the kids about so often.

Back to School Sale

Don't let the cooties get you down this school year! Stock up on Supermom's No-Lice Hair and Body Spray.

Right now you can Buy 1 Get 1 FREE!

Whether you want two bottles for your own family, want to split the cost with a friend, or share the extra bottle with your day care provider or classmate, this is a GREAT deal that we have never offered before.

Shipping is a bit more when shipping two bottles together, so the sale price is $29.99 including shipping

Options

2 Bottles of No-Lice Spray $29.99 add a metal egg comb $37.89

Would you rather purchase with a credit card? Click here to go to my store!

Help This Family

I just learned about Carol and her family today. A year ago, after giving birth to her second child, Carol had multiple health complications that resulted in both of her legs and one arm being amputated, in addition to losing her sight. Unimaginably difficult.

As you can probably guess, their medical bills and the continuing costs related to Carol's rehabilitation are huge. There is a fabulous silent auction set up right now that ends soon. There are tons of gorgeous items there that you can big on. Most bids start at $15-20. PLEASE go check it out, and spread the word. This is an easy way to be a blessing to others.

The Ultimate Homeschool Expo starts soon!

THIS IS THE EVENT to be at if you want tons of encouragement and inspiration as you continue to homeschool your children, all for a rock-bottom bargain price, and from the comfort of your own home! PLUS, you can continue to take advantage of all the freebies, seminars, workshops, and speaker events for an entire YEAR! Click here to read all about it and get your ticket.

Listen in to some sessions here:

DIY College

I thought this article about the value of taking online college classes was very interesting and encouraging. Thought that some of you would enjoy.

I Know Most Moms Like a Little Extra Money...

I wanted to tell you all about You Data. Basically you sign up and then view a few web sites and make a little money. It's fun, I've found a lot of really cool new things this way, and I like the extra money in my paypal account! :) I've been using it for months now and enjoy it. Sign up is free and easy.

The Old Schoolhouse Tale 10 Promotion--Two Days Only!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is having their “Take 10” subscription promotion on May 25th and 26th. For just 48 hours, a one-year print subscription is only $15! Plus, as a bonus,new subscribers get 5 FREE WeE-books of their choice! Only good until midnight on May 26.
Click the banner above to check it out!

Homeschool Inspiration: Sonlight Curriculum

Of all the homeschool curricula I've tried, Sonlight has been the hands-down favorite for me and my children.

My real-life friend Jill Evely is a Sonlight representative and she has a wonderful, inspirational, and informative online workshop that you can listen to for free. It explains how Sonlight works, why a literature-rich curriculum is a great way to learn, and more. I just got done listening to it and it was excellent. Listen here.

On Being a Mother

Brave Writer Julie wrote an excellent blog post about being a mother. Check it out here, and enjoy!

Loneliness Book

Miiko Gibson is a dear, sweet friend in the internet community. Today I wanted to share with you about her new ebook called Sometimes I Feel Lonely. Originally written for her daughter, this book has such a sweet, gentle tone to it, as it guides the reader into both practical as well as Biblical ways to handle loneliness. All of Miiko's books and resources have this same lovely combination and think that this book will be a blessing to so many of you! You can check it out here.

I receive no compensation for telling you about this book. I simply believe that it is a lovely resource that others will be happy to know about. :)