Pens...pens...pens!

We've got pens coming out of our ears! Swink1 got a lathe for Christmas & learned the fine art of turning pens. He's quite the talented individual and has been selling a number of them. Woohoo :-) So with the pens, headboards, re-purposed furniture, print design,blog writing; not to mention the working, building soapbox cars for the kids, raising said kids, homeschooling, etc.... we tend to keep a bit busy :-). So here is a lovely view of some of the pens he's been working on.

Oh, he's also been turning bowls...they are stinkin' cute.

That's enough for today I think.  Happy weekend!

Some good finds and a new creation!

In keeping with my challenge for the year I thought I would share a few of my latest finds with you as well as something new we created around here.
Swink1 has been wanting/needing a shopvac for his workshop area. Guess what I scored?

Yep, you got it. A nice little 5 gallon ShopVac that usually retails for $30+. I paid a lovely $13 for it! Yep, I'd say that's a great bargain.

The other deal is a Kelty Kids Carrier (the backpack you stick kiddos in to hike) that retails for around $200 - and how much did this savy shopper save? $150!! Oh yeah...have I told you recently that I love craigslist and thrift stores? Well if not - I do!

And last but not least for this little post is a lovely new headboard designed and created by Lightly Salted Designs (that's the Team Swink family). This one was created in collaboration with our lovely niece Jacks & is for her room.

Beautiful isn't it? If you get a chance, check out some of our custom hand-turned pens on facebook - just look for Lightly Salted Designs. Have a wonderful week!

A Year Long Challenge (roughly)

  For the past month or so I’ve been mulling over consumerism and our seemingly insatiable need to have more, better, bigger, and new. It doesn’t really matter what it is; cars, clothes, household items, houses, etc…the list goes on and on and it is a never-ending cycle of consuming. When does it end? Why must we constantly have new things, even if a borrowed or second-hand item will work? Why do we feel the need to spend our money on items that may only be used once or twice?

  All of these questions have brought me to a new challenge. I have committed that I will not purchase anything new if it can at all be helped. Of course there are a few caveats to this:

1)      This only applies to me and the things I purchase. I will not hold the rest of Team Swink to this as long as they are purchasing something; if I purchase it for them then yes, I will hold to this challenge.

2)      This does not include food…sorry, not ready to go freegan just yet.

3)      If there is an emergency I will go to the nearest retailer and get what I need.

How do I intend to accomplish this feat? So glad you asked! Some of my favorite places to look for second hand items are: thrift stores (the Arc, Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc…) craigsist, ebay, freecycle groups on yahoo, garage sales, and pawn shops. I’m also open to donated items from friends ;-) Check back and see if I’m keeping to this challenge. I promise to report myself if I fail at some point (which very well may happen). I will also share victories that I’ve had. This week was a nice one: Swink1 had to purchase a new suit and some other things for work and I went with him to help pick them out. Do you have any clue how hard it is to walk through Sears with giant black & yellow CLEARANCE signs everywhere and not buy anything? Very hard when I see all the things I could get my kids  but they don’t need that stuff. I overcame! Yay…let’s hope I continue this path!