Handmade Just 4 You

Unique handmade jewelry creates a statement that no other trinkets compare to. The level of admiration and harmony that arise from putting on a unique piece of artistic handcrafted jewelry is unlimited.

Because of the wide choices of materials that are being used to make a handmade jewelry, these pieces can be worn with a variety of outfits you could think of.

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Check out this blog site, “5 Minutes for Mom“, to sign up for their current give-aways. All you have to do is comment on the current giveaway item. How easy is that! It is a great website for Moms to interact with other Moms in similar situations. Lots of good information in a wide variety of categories.

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For women the biggest and most important part of the Kentucky Derby is the hat. Preparations begins for the next year immediately following the running of the horse race the current year. For some it is a quest for the biggest hat, for some the most elegant hat and for some the most outrageous hat. The very foundation of the Derby Hat is, of course, the hat.

Purchased Derby hats can cost anywhere up to $1,100 or more. They are usually designer labels with lots of feathers, ribbons, netting and such. But an elegant Derby hat can be yours for far less, if you are willing to make it yourself. The foundation is a well-made hat. They are “finished” but undecorated, meaning that they have been sewn and shaped and are ready for embellishment.

On my website, handmadejust4you.com, I have many quality hats that can be used as the base for a very fine hat. In fact, many designers use these finished but undecorated hats as the base for their creations. You will find that my hats are but a fraction of the cost of a finished designer hat. By finishing it yourself you have the satisfaction of saving lots of money while creating a one-of-a-kind hat suited especially for you.

When you are thinking of fine millinery, think of the hats I offer. You can search the Web or in books and magazines for the style most flattering to you and how they can be decorated. A really fun event for you and your friends is a hat decorating party. I can supply the hats and you supply the ribbons, feathers, flowers, buttons and anything else you would like to put on your hat.

The hats are not just for Derby. Some refer to them as “Church hats”. While it is said “a woman’s hair is her crowning glory”, a fine hat can be just as important.

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The excitement here in Louisville is steadily building. Next Saturday, the First Saturday in May, is the running of the 134th Kentucky Derby at prestigious historic Churchill Downs. Billed as the “the most exciting two minutes in sports”, the Derby is the first jewel in the Triple Crown of horse racing. This is always a great time to be in Kentucky, and especially in Louisville. Derby Day at the Downs can be seen on ESPN. For the actual running of the Kentucky Derby, tune to your local NBC affiliate. The Red Carpet coverage begins at 4:30 EST. Derby coverage begins at 5:00 EST.

Two weeks prior, Derby Festival excitement starts with the “They’re Off” Luncheon , at which time a Derby Queen and her court are chosen. The following day is an all-day event known as “Thunder Over Louisville”, or locally, just “Thunder”. It is a 12 hour air show with amazing feats of aeronautical displays followed by the “World’s Biggest Fireworks Show”. Believe me, it lives up to its title. For the next two weeks there are daily events at the “ChowWagon”, a food and entertainment venue. Admission is gained by purchasing a “Derby Pin” sponsored by a local business.

Derby Week is the most fun time in Louisville. Some of the events are: “Run for the Rose”, an obstacle-course inspired races performed by food service employees of Louisville businesses; The Great Steamboat Race, a six-mile Ohio River run, between the Belle of Louisville and the Delta Queen regularly, and sometimes joined by the Mississippi Queen and the Spirit of Jefferson; The Pegasus Parade, with bands, floats and inflatables that extends about three miles down Broadway; Oaks Day, the running of the Kentucky Oaks- a fun and much more family-oriented day than Derby Day and not so crowded; finally the running of the Kentucky Derby. There are all sorts of traditions surrounding the Derby, most notably the drinking of Mint Juleps , the eating of Burgoo, and the wearing of the fanciest Derby Hats imaginable.

The hat wearing is not confined to ladies, either. Many a man has been sighted sporting a fabulous hat. Some have been sighted wearing ridiculous hats, too. If you tune into the Derby on your local station you will see what I mean. The Kentucky Derby IS fast horses, fantastic hats and plenty of Mint Juleps.

Of course, the Derby is all about the horses and their trainers, too. The best trainers in the world run horses in the Derby. The perennial favorites are;

• Steven M. Asmussen
• D.Wayne Lucas
• Bob Baffert
• Nick Zito
• Dale L. Romans
• Todd A. Pletcher
• Michael J. Maker
• William I. Mott
• Kenneth G. McPeek

And let’s not forget the jockeys;

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Today’s Artist Profile spotlights Tane, a renown bone carver from New Zealand. His work is very respected around the World. His “Broaching Humpback Whale” is but one example of this fine artist’s work.

TAHU WILLIAMS (TANE)

Tahu lives in a small rural area of the Waikato district in the North Island. Being from the Waikato, his Iwi or tribal affiliation is to the Tainui.

Tahu, like most of the top carvers, comes from a long family tradition of bone carving which he is passing on to his children.

Carving is not only a wonderful practical skill to pass on but also is a way of promoting traditional values and giving the young ones a sense of pride and respect in their culture. Tahu has become well known as a teacher of traditional craft and has earned the respect of not only his young students but also of the local community as a whole for his dedication to preserving the culture and craft of his people.

Like most rural Maori, Tahu and his family live a traditional lifestyle on the land with their extended family, which include uncles, aunts, parents and grandparents all in one home.

Also, like all true traditional crafts people, Tahu believes that every piece he carves carries with it part of his spirit and every design tells a story.

In traditional culture, the family is sacred above all else and carving is used to pass down the stories of the ancestors, the great migration, the spirits and mother earth to the young.

Many of Tahu’s designs are the ancient styles depicting the spirits and legends of his homeland. His work reflects a great respect for nature and the bonds between the natural, spiritual and ancestral realms.

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Handmade Just 4 You has been dedicated to taking care of the gifting needs of thousands of people all over the country for several years.  Over that time we’ve learned how to make everything we sell just a little bit better without making it more expensive.  If you’re doing some gift shopping and you’re having trouble finding the perfect gift for that special someone then you’ve come to the right place.

Our comprehensive collection of unique gifts has a little something for almost everyone.  From jewelry and clothing to home accents, bath and body care and even environmentally conscious stationery - we’re making luxury budget-friendly all over again. Our inventory even includes innovations like the ABC Fun Pad and more for kids, toddlers and parents everywhere.  Take a look and see for yourself how Handmade Just 4 You is making your gift shopping easier!

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Welcome to Handmade Just 4 You, your premier online source for premium quality handcrafted jewelry and more. From handmade glass and hand-carved pendants to designer hats, even stationery and much more, we’re proud to bring you years of experience and generations of love in every handmade product we offer. Featuring popular styles in hard to find quality we’ve got a full line of silk clothing and accessories, not to mention hemp and herbal products that are as gentle on you as they are on the environment.

The bone carvings and handmade soaps are but a sampling of our eclectic collection. Our home accents and decor ideas will have your whole house feeling as good as you do! Stop paying overinflated retail prices for sub-par products and start enjoying the premium quality of hand-made gifts, clothes and much more all at Handmade Just 4 You.

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Hello and welcome to my blog site. I’m glad you decided to check me out. I started this blog as a natural extension of my website by the same name, HandmadeJust4You.com. I wanted to have a way to let people know more about me and my products. I am a people person and like to talk with everyone. On the blog I will explain about my products and the people who produce them. I will also give helpful hints, How-tos, recipes and anything else I find interesting. Feel free to post your thoughts, feelings, recipes, etc. Please, no foul language, no negative comments about anyone. This is a positive, “feel good” blog.

Now a bit about myself-
After 30 years as a Special Needs Educator, I retired. Finally I would have the time to do things I couldn’t while I was teaching. I love being on the computer and shopping on-line. My retirement income wasn’t anything like I expected and needed some supplementing. I decided that an Internet business would be my “Retirement Job”, when I wasn’t watching my fourgrandsons- Alexander (10), Andrew (7), Austin (5) and Anthony (3). I have a grand-daughter, Arianna (4) who lives in Minnesota. My grandchildren are the A-Team.

I have a small company, just starting out. This is a single woman operation. My aim is to bring to you the BEST of the BEST products available. I have searched the world over to find items worthy of your consideration. I shop for items that are handmade, thus unique. I value the individualism of various artists in a variety of mediums. I also look for items that are handy, things that make life a bit easier or more interesting.

One of the best qualities of Handmade Just 4 You is my effort to be socially conscious and support people who are trying to create a better quality of life for themselves and their families. I support the principles of Fair Trade. Some of my products are made in Co-operatives in various Third World countries in the World. Their products are unique to their cultures. All who purchase their wares get quality products and a bit of World History. Some of my products are made by organizations that employ the disabled, and some that employ the homeless. I do not carry products that are mass produced by large companies. I support the “little guys”, whenever possible.

Please come back often and let us know about yourself- who you are, where you are, what you like, what you would like and anything else you want us to know.

BONUS- when you register at handmadejust4youblog.com you are entitled to a 5% discount on your first purchase at handmadejust4you.com.

I’m glad you found me!! Come back often.

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This Baby Bling Stroller is the best stroller you have ever seen. Julia Roberts uses the Metamorphosis All Terrain Stroller for her son, Henry. The ATS is on her list of “must have” products for baby. Check it out and learn for yourself about this fabulous stroller. Comes in many cover patterns and with lots of very useful optional accessories.

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