BESTeam Feature

Today is purple and black day! I'm looking at four different shops with the color purple running through them all.

To start us off, here's an item for all us cold-weather folks. This hat by Our Home to Yours on Etsy looks just right for the cold upon us.


Next, an absolutely gorgeous hand painted silk scarf from Joyflower, on Etsy. I just love browsing through this shop and seeing all the color.


Here's a pretty little clutch from KC Dragonfly on Etsy. I think the black and purple motif is very pretty, and this clutch matches several other items in her store.


Finally, a neat bracelet by Beader Bubbe on Etsy. The black beads, with just a subtle touch of lavender, would go great with anything.


Are you enjoying reading my features? Would you like to write some of your own, and be included in similar stories? Consider joining the BESTeam on Etsy!

NaNoWriMo

Now that it's over, I finally have time to write about it! The month of November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which challenges people to write 50,000 words in one consecutive piece, starting completely from scratch on November 1st. Their website, which allows you to track your progress and get in touch though the forums with other local writers, is a wonderful resource.
This was the first year I've participated, and I'm proud to say I had 53,000 odd words by November 30th! This entitles me to the cool winner stamp you see above and allows me to purchase a cool winners t-shirt, and also print a certificate which I can do with as I please. NaNoWriMo is completely non-profit, so any money spent on their site goes to maintaining the site and continuing the writing programs they offer to schools.

If you're a writer or want to be a writer, I encourage you to check them out and maybe next year take the challenge. They say it's not about the winning, it's about feeling the accomplishment of just trying, but frankly, I like the winning. ;)

BESTeam Feature

Check out this fun and unique hand crafted sterling silver ring from Riorita on Etsy. This ring has a pomegranate design that you will not find elsewhere. Do you know what pomegranates remind me of? The myth of Hades and Persephone. If you don't know the one I mean, Google it!

I think I'll try to keep with the mythology theme, and while this isn't exact, it's pretty close! What does thread mean to you? This soap by Sandy Vern on Etsy has knitting needles and yarn, which may remind you of Grandma, but three other older ladies who played with string were the Fates.


Here's a pretty hair piece by Ms. Formaldehyde on Etsy. She has a variety of hair accessories, but this one reminds me of a tropical island, which reminds me of the ocean, which of course reminds me of Poseidon, God of the Sea.

I'm also supposed to feature Redemption Art on Etsy, but she's at an open studio sale today, so her shop is temporarily in Vacation mode! I'm so sorry I missed you, Connie! Please visit Connie's shop tomorrow when she'll be open again. I've featured items from Redemption Art in the past, and have found her to have a wonderful variety of Vintage, Hand-made, and Upcycled items.

Are you enjoying reading my features? Would you like to write some of your own, and be included in similar stories? Consider joining the BESTeam on Etsy!

Alcatraz Views

Do you know anyone interested in The Rock? Here is the perfect book! Released just last week, Alcatraz Views is a photographic collection of what was formally the prison for people who had escaped everywhere else and is now a tourist attraction.


Aaron Hockley of Vancouver, Washington, is the mastermind and photographer behind this 40 page montage of different sites around both the prison and island. You can buy the book HERE as a soft cover coffee table book or as an ebook for your Apple accessory (iPad & iPhone).

If you click on the photo of the cover of the book, you can preview eight pages to see what kind of pictures are included. You'll see that each picture also has an explanation, giving you information about the history of this iconic island.

Aaron also photographs events, professional headshots, and for companies. His website is http://www.hockleyphoto.com/.