Mother's Day SALE! The SALE of FREE!

This will be my first Mother's Day as a mom and I wanted to do something BIG to celebrate! Here are the details of our Mother's Day Sale!

FREE Belt with any buckle purchase!

FREE Chain with any Pendant purchase!

FREE Shipping on $50 or more!

FREE Gift wrap on all purchases!

Our promotion will last until Mother's Day. Just include the following note during checkout* (and don't forget to include your belt size!).

I Love My Mom--Mother's Day Sale 2010

**Note must be included during the etsy checkout process not via paypal, convo's or emails. Thanks!

Buy Local: Spring Plant Sale

I took Sebastian out for a run yesterday morning, around my neighborhood, and it seemed like everyone was out tending to their flowerbeds, plants and lawns. Since my flowerbeds were empty of anything except for overgrown weeds, I thought I should get out there and do the same. I spent the afternoon getting rid of all the weeds and trimming up the shrubbery so that you can now actually see my house!

When I was finished, I realized we needed some flowers to fill in the naked spots I had left with my obsessive weeding. Luckily, I heard about an wonderful opportunity to buy local, support our community, and get an amazing deal on some serious greenery. The agricultural students at the Golden Strip Career Center were selling their garden flowers, shrubs, spices and vegetables to raise money for their class and school program at a hugely discounted price. They were selling almost all of their plants for a dollar--which is almost unheard of!

I went and stocked up on some beautiful flowers and shrubs to line the walkway to the house and purchased some vegetable for the garden I have always wanted to start. I, in no way, have a green thumb but for a dollar I figured I could give it a try.

All over the United States, schools are running programs just like this. It is so important to support your communities so get out there and buy local!

If you live in Greenville, here is the link to the Spring Plant Sale. It is going on this weekend only.

http://www.foxcarolina.com/moneyblog/index.html

The Skinny on Gluten Free

It seems like the Gluten-Free phenom has taken over the food market fast and furiously. I often have strong reactions to certain foods so my husband and I decided to start a little experiment to see how gluten affected us. We cut out all traces of gluten from our diets for about a week and then, after a week, we returned to eating it. Jim was not really affected except for his energy level however, I got sick and felt miserable afterward. We concluded, with the help of my very sick stomach, that I seem to be sensitive to it.

I started to do a little more research on the gluten-free super movement and found an incredible website with amazing gluten-free recipes that Karina makes herself. I wanted to share the website with you all because I just thought it was so fantastic and creative! Most of her recipes do require some cooking, and I mean serious cooking so if you are not a fan of your kitchen you might not be as thrilled with Karina. I personally love to cook so I am a fan all around. Here is the link--check it out and let me know what you think!

Oh. . . .and it also has a ton of Vegan recipes too. . . love it all!

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/

Banning Big Business

As a general rule I do not use large distributors to purchase supplies for my jewelry and accessory lines. I do not like big business--never have. I would even be willing to pay a bit more to buy local and have great customer service enhanced by a business relationship. To me, it is worth it to pay a bit more sometimes. I try to practice the same philosophy in my everyday life as well (with Babies 'R Us topping my Big Business Ban list).

Most of the time I am thrilled with my suppliers. I do so much research before I choose a distributor with the intention of being around for the long haul. I hate switching distributors; it is just such a hassle for a new company to learn your business practices. Despite my utter disdain for leaving a business relationship, I had to cut ties with one of my longest running distributors.

We hand design and construct all of our belt buckles but we purchase the belts (I am not out skinning a cow or anything--let's be real). I have been having some issues with my belt distributer for almost a year now but he, Bill, had assured me the issues were ironed out and we would be sailing smooth this year. Needless to say, it is April, and I still do not have a complete order from December.

I think it is tragic when a local business loses it's concern for customer relations. I understand Babies R' Us--what do they need my buck for? But as a small business owner, I will do my best to keep you happy. I love and depend on my customers and deeply appreciate them. . . where have our American values really gone? What are you we willing to sacrifice for a buck. . .

Battle of the Monday Explosions

I don't know if I am alone in the Battle of the Monday Explosions but it is one of my busiest days of the week. It seems like over the weekend my house explodes, orders get backed up, errands are put on hold, and daily life comes to an utter halt. Sebastian and I are too eager to hang out with dad rather than be responsible! Somehow, within 2 days, everything I had done the week before gets unraveled.

This week was no exception. In fact, it was a bigger task than normal since Grandma and Grandpa will be coming down for a visit next week which means extra cleaning and I was behind on a ton of jewelry prep. And, did I forget to mention, there is Sebastian?!

I knew there was not going to be a lot of time to spend with the bebe today so I set him up a little playpen in a laundry basket with a few toys. The little guy has been entertaining himself for hours and I am on the verge of completing the last of my Monday mayhem while squeezing in a little blog writing:) I must say, I am thankful for the simple pleasure God gives.

Facebook Fan Frenzy!

Well we have officially started a fan page for caughtREDhanded on Facebook! We will be doing a weekly giveaway along with secret sales found no where else. To join just search for CaughtREDhanded and become a fan!

This week we are giving away this Mellow Gardens pendant in honor of Spring in Greenville, South Carolina. Our entire city is covered in pollen right now so I dedicate this giveaway to you Greenville!

xoxo,

Amy

Happy Easter CRH Family!

Happy Easter CRH Family! We love you all and hope your Easter is as Happy as Sebastian's:)

To celebrate we are having a Secret Sale through Tuesday April 6th. Buy any TWO pendants, two buckles, or two rings and get a third FREE*!

Promotion Code: EASTER SALE through April 6th

xoxo,

Amy, Jim, and Sebastian

* Free item must be of equal or lesser value of the purchased item. Promo code must be entered during the etsy checkout process not through PayPal, convo's, or emails.