Krafting with Karen

CraftPuddingKeychain
Originally uploaded by sweetbeansshop

My friend Karen joined me for some crafting fun last weekend. We worked on these adorable little key chains using a tutorial I bought from Magda at Craft Pudding (wow! I love that shop!).

Karen volunteers as a mentor to young women in her church, and had wanted to make a personalized key chain for each girl. Unfortunately, we had serious issues threading our needles. Sheesh! She wound up keeping the one key chain that she finished. It featured the initial "M," which we decided stands for: ME!!!

Umm, also (too, in addition, as well as), she stabbed herself in the elbow with a needle. Ouch.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone! I will be back on Jan. 2 (if not before) with a recap of the Met Opera's Hansel and Gretel!

Buy Local. There's still time!

I just realized that my last post's title was "But Handmade." Oops.

For all of you last-minute Minnesota shoppers: check out the EtsyMN street team's blog here. There you will find links to all kinds of Minnesota-based Etsy shops that can still get gifts to you on time for Christmas! Some of my favorites are:

• Jenna Lou Designs
  
• Mrs. Kwitty's Cottage
• XO Handworks

Another handy tool is Etsy's new Shop Local gadget. Enter a city, and search for Etsy sellers in your area. It's pretty slick! Look for Sweet Bean's under "St. Paul."