Love jewelry making? Love challenges?

Here's a good book pick:

"Jewelry Design Challenge: 10 Materials * 30 Artists * 30 Spectacular Projects" (Lark Jewelry Books)
by Linda Kopp

Description:
Challenges are one of the hottest crafting trends, so we put a who's who of modern jewelry artists to the test. Chosen for their different aesthetic visions, 30 designers received a box containing nine jewelry supplies with the request that they create a piece using only those items, plus one “wild card” material of their choice. These are their show stopping designs, complete with how-to steps for making them.

Participating designers include:
Todd Reed o Thomas Mann o Joanna Gollberg o Tim McCreight o Boris Bally

Price: $13.21
Available at amazon.com

BTW:
For lots more creative crafts, collectibles and great books about them, go to:
http://www.larkcrafts.com
http://www.larkbooks.com
(Trust us! You will not be disappointed by the abundance of "soft and cozy" stuff on these sites!)

Celtic Thunder CD

Cozy Christmas music pick:

Perfect for background when decorating or entertaining for the holidays. Also, good to listen to when unwinding from the stress of holiday shopping. And, unlike some Christmas music, these songs are low-key and don't make your ears hurt from too many high notes being hit in a show-offy way...

Here's the product description from Amazon.com:
The newly recorded Celtic Thunder Christmas record features 14 all time Christmas favorites done Celtic Thunder style and includes "Winter Wonderland" "Let It Snow" " Silent Night" "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and more. Celtic Thunder has been the number one music show on PBS for six consecutive pledge periods.

Available at: www.amazon.com

Nice book to read over the holidays

If you enjoy a relaxing, fun read during the holiday season, here's a book recommendation:

"Velva Jean Learns to Drive" by Jennifer Niven.

This is definitely a page turner. Set in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the book chronicles the coming of age of Velva Jean, a character who kind of reminds me of "Scout" from "To Kill a Mockingbird," in that I found myself admiring her wide-eyed innocence and her growing sense of independence. Good read about a simpler time that was on the verge of becoming much less simple.

Here's a review:
From Publishers Weekly
"Niven makes some memorable moonspun magic in her rich fiction debut (after two nonfiction books) about 10-year-old Velva Jean Hart, a North Carolina kid determined to drive and sing at the Grand Ole Opry. After Velva Jean is born again, her daddy leaves and her mother falls ill, and not even Velva's bargaining with God can save her. Her brother, Johnny Clay, is some comfort, but Velva Jean grows up fast after promising her dying mother to heal people with her singing. At 16, Velva marries charismatic Rev. Harley Bright, a moonshiner's son, railroad fireman and part-time evangelist who later resolves to become a full-time preacher. But Velva Jean's independent streak (she wants to learn to drive), her singing (which sounds sinful to Harley's ear) and her friendship with a half-Choctaw, half-Creole blues musician fire up Harley's controlling jealousy. It's a touching read, funny and wise, like a crazy blend of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, a less morose Flannery O'Connor and maybe a shot of Hank William."

Available at amazon.com

Gift idea for the serious reader/writer in your life.

Ever try to curl up in bed or sink back on the sofa and work on your laptop? It's not easy to do so comfortably. But, this product might offer a comfy solution.

Product description:

A Thai Pad for your iPad
Thai Pad in 100% silk offers a royal home for your iPad, Kindle or other electronic reader, providing the optimal angle for comfortable reading and working. (It works beautifully as a traditional book rest, too, of course.) Lightweight enough to sit comfortably on your lap, this may be the proper iPad propper for you.
•Provides the ideal angle for working on an iPad, Kindle or other electronic reader
•Offers comfortable, ergonomic support for your hands and wrists as you browse the Web or read a book.
•Holds both small and large hardcover books,
•Fold-out seat ensures balance,
•Made in Thailand with 100% silk,
•All colors except black have cream-colored accents; black is solid black,
•Filled with a hypoallergenic polyfiber,
•1.25 pounds,
•Opened, 12W x 12D x 6H,
•Closed, 12W x 6 1/4D x 7 1/2H

Cost: $39
from levenger.com