Product Review | Handmade Swiffer Duster from Reigning Hearts

A dear friend of mine makes some amazing awesome things and co-owns an Etsy shop Reigning Hearts. So when I saw her handmade swiffer dusters I just HAD to have one to try.

It’s ridiculous how expensive all of these disposable items are, not just over time, but right when you purchase them.

The Swiffer starter kit retails for anywhere between $4.47-7.00. Not too much money, but then you have all of the refill kits you have to buy. I used to dust every other day. So lets say that I did {I don’t haha} and I buy a average 16ct refill retailing for around $12.00. That will get you through one month. 12 months in a year at $12/box and you’re spending $144!! Not to mention, all of those swiffer dusters {192 of them!!!} end up in our landfills. Who knows how long it takes before that waste starts to break down. So for me, its a no brainer – buy {or make} reusable dusters!

I picked up my duster from one of the shop owners yesterday, excited at the fun pattern I was able to choose.

Whats great about this handmade duster is that it is made almost identically to the actual swiffer dusters. So easy to use and figure out and it fit just the way it was supposed to!

It’s almost too cute to use!

We don’t get too much dust around the house so I looked for something that was way dusty and would show you how well it worked easily. My machine seemed to be the perfect subject.

After using it I saw that it totally did its job. But I also wanted to make sure that the duster didn’t just dust, but trapped the dust in its self. So I carefully inspected it and found that it did!

Okay, it is a little difficult to see the tiny dust particles, but it did pick up the big ones and they stayed on. Yes, I shook it! They didn’t budge!

And when you’re done dusting, just throw in the wash with your kitchen towels, and reuse!

So if you’re looking for a great alternative to disposable dusters purchase one or a few and give your home an eco friendly way to clean!

Be sure to swing by Reigning Hearts on Etsy and Facebook!

Bowties!

A little while back I made bow ties for my friends wedding; one for the groom, groomsmen, and ring bearers in such pretty colors! {The wedding was gorgeous!!}

Cant see much of the bow tie in that photo, but isn’t he just darling!

By the way, I just have to say that the photographers were awesome that day! Check out Chris Seid Photography.

Need a bow tie or three for a special event? birthday, prom, or just for fun? Head over to Oliver’s Treasure Chest to see what we have or contact me for a custom order!

Oliver’s Treasure Chest’s First Baby Model

Today we headed over to a friend’s house who just had a beautiful baby girl about a month ago. I had asked if we could ‘borrow’ her baby for a photo shoot for my headbands in Oliver’s Treasure Chest and she happily agreed. All of my friends have had boys recently so I am glad she said yes or Oliver would have, once again, been subject to mommy staging him as a her for her little girly products.

Here are a couple of my favorite shots!

Isn’t she just perfect?

We also got some adorable photos of her in her Halloween costume for Richards Halloween Special!

Thank you to my friend for letting me borrow your precious baby girl and thank you Mabel for being the most perfect model ever!

These headbands are available! Can also do custom headbands, just let me know!

Interview | Sassy Lemonade

How fun is that name? I ‘met’ Shannon of Sassy Lemonade on Instagram {gotta love the Insta!} after lurking her handmade jewelry for a while. I’m not a huge jewelry person, but her stuff was hard to resist! I love how unique each and every piece is and well put together too! After having conversations via email, I decided I would love to interview her for the blog! So I gathered up some questions and sent them her way..

Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself outside of your blog and Etsy?

I am a WAHM of four, a military wife, and have a busy life; but I love it

When did you start Sassy Lemonade {Etsy}?

Sassy Lemonade opened August of 2011

Where do you get your inspirations from to create your unique and sassy jewlz?

I make pieces that I would wear and that I wish I had. I’m kind of obsessed with anything that Sparkles.

Do you do any other crafting other than jewelry making?

Right now I only know how to knit scarves hopefully soon will learn to knit something else. Tried sewing once and kind of flunked home ec when I turned in a Pajama bag that was tied with a shoe string. Funny tidbit my Mother taught Sewing Lessons, I didn’t get that gene.

What did you do before Sassy Lemonade?

Besides finding a Roller Derby League, I was a Personal Assistant and a SAHM since 2003.

You were into the Derby life – can you tell us a bit more about that and what your Derby Girl name is?

I Founded DC Rollergirls in 2006 and my Derby name is Miss Priss. I retired officially in 2009 when I found out I was pregnant with my son Derby. Roller Derby was my life for so many years, the thrill and excitement was worth the bruises and broken bones.

Describe yourself in three words:

Loyal, Outgoing, and Spontaneous

Where did the name ‘Sassy Lemonade’ from?

I wanted a name that would reflect me; I’m sort of sassy. Thats the reason why my Derby name is Miss Priss.

Do you do all the home cookin or does the hubbs take care of the meals?

I cook all the meals besides BBQing, I let my husband be in charge of that.

What’s your favorite dish to make {or eat}?

Italian Breaded Shrimp Skewers, they are easy to make and a hit at get-togethers.

You’re participating in the Sew Swap I am hosting {yay!}, but what has been your favorite type of swap you’ve participated and your favorite item received?

Did a Swap that was called My Favorite Things. For 3 months you send a package of items to your partner each month. It felt like Christmas every month.

Cake or pie?

Cake

Thank you, Shannon, for taking the time out for me for this interview! Those shrimp skewers sound yummy and Im envious of your Roller Derby days! You’re definitely one hardcore, fun, and sassy mama!

To find out more of what Sassy Lemonade is up to, be sure to follow:

Facebook

Twitter

Etsy

Pinterest

And see my feature on her blog!

Teething Toys | Etsy

I am so happy about a new item up in Oliver’s Treasure Chest.. teething toys! I made up a batch of them last night and got them listed.

I even got one made up for Oliver

Baby tested, mother approved!

Nursing Pad Set | Etsy

New nursing pad set up in Oliver’s Treasure Chest; my favorite set so far. Im trying everything in my power to not snatch these up for myself. And theyre my softest yet; made from gorgeous Anna Maria Horner Voile!

So pretty!

Available now and can do custom orders.

Fabricscrapped at Bambu Batu

Last Friday Bry had an opportunity to have a solo table for Art After Dark at Bambu Batu. She has had solo shows before, but for one particular product or another. She has also sold her items at Bambu Batu with me or Richard, sharing our tables. But this was her very first solo show with all of her handmade goodies, plus a really cool piece of art.

And the coolest thing about this show is that it was an all kids show! 

Silly.

She did very well! She sold out of her pencil pouches within the first 20 minutes to one guy and made over $60! And she was such a great gal that she went and bought something from each of the other kid artists and even did a trade! Awe, she’s learning the tricks of the trade already.

Im super proud of my girl for being such a great entrepreneur, artist, and daughter.

Way to go Bry!

Check out fabricscrapped on Etsy!

Also, thank you Richard for the photos! Richard Fusillo Photography

New Items | Etsy

Listed some new items in JoviLane tonight.. some of my favorites!

Andddd a little bit of me behind the scenes..

I also am going to be listing three new sets in Olivers Treasure Chest

A really awesome nautical themed set including an anchor burp cloth, boat wheel wee wee hut, and striped paci clip with navy blue button

A darling little set for girls including a fawn burp cloth, striped paci clip with organza elastic detail and a brown felt hair bow {not pictured}

A set of three nautical themed wee wee huts

Im also working on  baby shower sets!

Head on over to the shops and see what else I have for you!

Olivers Treasure Chest is on the Shelves

I am happy to announce that Olivers Treasure Chest is now in stores! In addition to having product in a local secondhand baby store, I also put product on the shelves of Eco Bambino! And its 100% organic product to boot! I hope I can grow a bit more with them and bring in more to share with San Luis Obispo.

100% organic nursing pads

100% organic wee wee huts

I have 2 sets of 7 pairs of nursing pads, 5 sets of single pair nursing pads, and 4 sets of three wee wee huts.

Im also in the process of getting a wholesale order from another local store involving 100% organic bamboo/cotton burp cloths! As soon as the details are ironed out and product is being made Ill keep you updated.

My Little Sewer

When I first started to sew I never knew that Bry would follow in my footsteps. At first she just braided my fabric scraps into really awesome bracelets. Then it turned into necklaces. Then she sort of transitioned into earrings. Now, she sews. And really well if you ask me! Of course, I am a little bias..

This Friday Bry will be a featured artist in a art show for Art After Dark in downtown San Luis Obispo at Bambu Batu. She has the opportunity to do this show solo {meaning, not sharing a table with Richard or myself like in the past} with a couple of other kids and display her handmade creations. She is pretty excited about it. So last week she sat down and got all prepared.

Cant wait to set up her booth! We are going to use her vanity that we repurposed to be bright and attract customers.

Im so proud of her.

Wanna see her product? Visit her Etsy shop! Or if you’re local, swing by Bambu Batu between 6-9 pm this Friday.