The Update Update...

Milo is resting up before the update.

Okay.. It is almost time to go in the Etsy shop...

And there's a sale too!
All the leftover goodies from the November-December update are all marked down. Birds were 28.00 now 19.00, all necklaces are 29.00, off from 42.00.

As always, all the domestic shipping is included, even on the sale stuff... and if you want it: gift wrap is free.

So come by at 11:00 am. Milo will be looking forward to your order.

What's Shakin' at Chez Betty (with tiny tutorial for Tuesday)

( Make an Orchid Under Glass yourself! Directions at Bottom of Page!)

Hey, Bloglandeers! Craftopians! and Various Passers-by!

Well, I spent the weekend in Tahoe in weather so frozen and dramatic we actually had to wait overnight to get off the mountain. Wore myself out skiing and am desperately considering doing actual exercise in order to be able to keep up with my fellas on the slopes. What is the world coming too? Next I will be claiming to need an endorphin rush. Okay, that remains unlikely.

( white roads, white outs and white knuckles)

More snow pics here.

Been crafting in the rain and thrifting vigorously. Having a lot of fun with the vintage books. I found a couple that are over 100 years old and one of them was inscribed with a wood burner. I also got a great hat for Jacob, linens and some great old costume jewelry.

I kept myself busy making altered books a la Home Companion (October 2007 issue.)
A satisfying and meditative craft to be sure.

I am finished with a couple of New Vintage garments but hard to get the photo shoots scheduled with this inclement weather.

The "orchid under glass" is the tiny tutorial for this Tuesday:

Whether in a garden cloche, bell jar, or just a really big jar, orchids love a terrarium style environment and don't really require a pot. They just hate it when their roots stay soggy so follow the watering directions for real success.

• Pile the bark medium that comes in the plastic pot with the orchid on the plate for a dome or in the center of the bottom of your jar and arrange the orchid roots so that they are supported underneath.
  
• Then used the small stones to "prop up" the orchid placing them so the orchid naturally stands upright. Just try it.. It is easy. (You may need to remove or replace any attached supports tied to the flower stem. when reattaching I like copper wire and moss to secure it... or short raffia.)
  
• Mist with a few squirts from a spray bottle
• cover.

After it is finished, just spray the stones and bark medium daily or every other day with a regular spray bottle. Orchids like bright, indirect light and temps between 55 and 80 both of which are pretty easy to find in most homes. The jar will protect it from drafts (which they hate) so you should have a bloom for up to a month.

I am still planning on putting the lace necklaces and some vintage goodies up on Etsy at 11:00 AM PST tomorrow... Hope you can come check it out.

Glitter Thrift and 7 Weird Jobs

Magpie Eyes... I have too much of this good stuff. The pink bracelet even has the tag attached: Gay Paree by Star. I tell you...They just don't name them like they used to.

These sweeties will also be listed on Etsy... Just in case you need to get yourself a Valentine. I usually try to get myself a back up, just in case Mr. Betty has one of his "It's a stupid meaningless Hallmark Holiday anyway... And I forgot." years.

It happens.

And after 16 years.. I'm pretty much over it. I just cover my bases and get on with my February. That's Modern Romance for you.

Seriously, I'm not bitter... It's just a nickname.

The Shop will be Updated On Wednesday.(In case you were wondering.)

On a completely seperate note: Kathi tagged me for 7 weird things so I am going to make it

7 Weird Jobs I Have Had...

1)I was the pink haired Vegetarian counter grrrl at Burger King in San Luis Obispo circa 1986. When people asked me what was good on the menu...I rolled my eyes at them.

2) I was the "Put your Face On Rambo's Body" T-Shirt Maker at Fisherman's Wharf for about 9 days.

3) I was a classroom presenter for the Sexual Assault Prevention Team. I was a date rape specialist for the high school set. My presentation partner was a recovering heroine addict, ex-hooker. No, It wasn't court ordered... it was a regular job. And my partner was really quite nice actually. And the high school kids were, without exception, pretty well behaved.

4) And at the same time I was the Juice Bimbo at the local racquetball club. The beer swilling racquetball players were much ruder than the high schoolers. A mini skirt was required part of the uniform.

5)I was the artsy-fartsy semi punkish office go-fer for an imitation crab company.Ironically, I got in trouble here because my skirts were too short.. But in my defense: My hose were opaque and my shoes were flats. I did the filing, the photo copying, and I picked up the tiny bagels for the imitation lox tastings in the fancy company car. Perks? "All the fake Krab you could eat". Eew.

6) I was a professional actress, paid 50.00 for the entire run of the show. I played one of the Pigeon Sisters in the Neil Simon classic the Odd Couple. I was 15... My "sister" was about the same age as my mom (which would have been 37, at the time).. and my British accent was pretty spot on.
No! Really, It Was! The theatre survived and is still in operation.

7) I was a visual merchandiser/stylist for a major upscale department store. It also survived and is still in operation.

If you are looking for something weirder I have done this before as well, back when it was 6 things... Not enough? I also played 2 Truths and a Lie... I hope you enjoy..

Although I am pretty excited to be tagged... I think I have to say "play along if you want to and leave a link in the comments to this post if you do"... Because I love reading about all you people, But despite what my loving Hub may say about me.. I am not real comfortable telling people what to do.