Happiness is a Large Box

Is there anything that I love better than coming home from a long day at work, only to find a big box sitting on my front porch? {um, no}

This year, I have decided to expand my crafting abilities, which can be a slow and painful process. Though I don't have enough time right now to properly learn any new techniques, I have started to collect the tools and materials I will need when I'm ready to get down to business.

My current expansion is working with metal; wire wrapping and making clasps and ear wires by hand. I even took one wire wrapping class {and wrote a blog entry about it} in the fall. I have been comparison shopping for a rock/jewelry tumbler. Mostly, because I just had no idea how expensive they would be! I went back and forth between buying one at a craft store that's really meant for kids, versus coughing it up and paying for a more professional model. I found myself a solution...

Have you ever shopped at Fire Mountain Gems, or another website that offers discounted prices as you buy more items? Well, my brain started clicking away, and I decided to place the mother of all orders! I brought the price of that tumbler down by getting myself into a pretty sweet pricing range.

So this week, a gargantuan box landed on my front porch. With, of course, the much sought-after tumbler.

 

As I was reading the instructions, I noticed that you are instructed to add an abrasive in with the shot... well... I guess that will have to be in another order. Whoops! 

So, perhaps you're wondering what all I did to fill out my extra large order.

Well, I'll tell you.

 

It's always a good time to stock up on some staples - sterling silver chain is something you can never have too much of.

 

Until I have the time to perfect my craft, store-bought clasps will tide me over!

I have recently gotten on a kick of making longer and/or chunkier necklaces. I thought a great way to keep them light weight and inexpensive would be to mix in some big, acrylic beads. Fun!

And there were many more items, along those lines, in my box. I'm looking forward to a day when I'll have time to work on some new projects. Right now, I'm hoping to get a photo shoot done soon, because I have a BUNCH of new inventory at home that needs to get listed and out there on Etsy! One step at a time...