KingMtnTreasures

KingMtnTreasures
Handmade & Vintage Treasures

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

In His Word Wednesday: John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 
John 14:27

A few of you know that my brother-n-law has been suffering from cancer, this past Friday, he left us to be with Jesus. The day before his death, my father discovered he has lung cancer that has already spread into his lymph nodes. Even though this time in our lives is emotionally and physically draining, we take great comfort in knowing that both Don and my father are children of the King. We know that in the end we will miss them greatly, but we will see them again. As we endure these storms in our lives, the above scripture reminds me that Jesus knew we would have times of trouble like these. Then He reminds us to cast our cares upon Him.

My brother-n-law chose this song for his funeral, In Christ Alone.


Thursday, August 23, 2012

Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Trail

Several weeks ago, I was reading a blog and the article was about a wonderful area in Asheville, NC that had an area with several arts and craft stores. As I read, my mind wondered to a place in Gatlinburg, TN that is a arts and craft lovers dream. It's called the Great Smoky Arts & Craft Community.
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is an eight mile loop trail of shops, studios, galleries, cafes, and lodging. It is the largest group of independent artist. Shops are open year round, and include a large variety of different arts and crafts. It is located about 3 miles from downtown Gatlinburg. 
On the website, you can look at the map which includes over 100 shops. Print the map and you can mark the shops you want to visit. 
Gatlinburg is a wonderful place for a weekend or a week long vacation. There are many attractions such as the beautiful Smoky Mountains, a very nice aquarium, Ober Gatlinburg, shopping, and wonderful restaurants. If you have children, they will enjoy a visit to Pigeon Forge (which is only a few miles from Gatlinburg) with all their fun attractions plus Dollywood. 
If you are a lover of arts and crafts, I highly recommend that you consider this trip. You will meet some lovely artisans and see some of the most beautiful arts and craft ever. 












New Discovery: DaWanda

On my recent search for specific, unique materials for my creations, I just happened to come across Dawanda. What is Dawanda? Dawanda is a online marketplace for unique, handmade items, much like Etsy but in Europe. The site is in German, so a translator on your computer is very helpful. You will also want to be able to convert Euros to dollars.

The key word is "unique", and that is what I found. I was inspired into creativity with the unique supplies I found. Not only supplies but other creations are magnificent too.

Glass Bead Necklace
Colorful rainbow pearl necklace chain

Adorable Cell Phone Pouch
European Houses Baby Rabbit Cell Phone Pouch

Ecological Girl's Dress
ecological red dress Nora nesemaus

DM Rose Tie
depechemode DM rose silver-gray tie

Purse
 Shoulder bag

These are just a few items that I came across within a few minutes of scanning the site. Take time to check it out. I must caution you from my experience though. First, items can be added to cart but when purchasing, you may be disappointed to find they will not ship to the US. I've have found that some sellers do not list that they ship to the US, but will do so upon request. Most will combine shipping too. Second, beware of payment options. Most sellers have several ways to pay. I tried to purchase from someone who didn't accept Paypal, and chose bank draft. I had never done this before, thinking that it was something like an e-check (my ignorance). Then found that I had to go to my bank to wire the funds, costing me an additional $40. The seller was gracious to cancel the order. I then reordered, choosing to pay with a Dawanda voucher. A Dawanda voucher can be purchased through Paypal, bypassing all the extra fees.

Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not trying to take away from Etsy or US purchases. Although, I did find unique ribbons that I can't find in the US. Dawanda is a great place for inspiration, or you may want to sell your products there. I just happened to come across RainbowSwirlz (see below) that sells on Etsy ( I have bought a shirt from them), as well as Dawanda.
Summer Flowers Shirt
Summer Flowers American Apparel tee
I just wanted to share, I hope you enjoy your experience.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

In His Word Wednesday: James 1:22

James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourself.

This verse is self explanatory. We cannot just sit, hear or read God's word. We have to act on those words. Our culture tends to consider people "spiritual" merely if they have an interest in spiritual things. That is not the biblical perspective. Only those who hear God's voice and obey it are spiritual.

I love when different verses tie together, so let me ask you this...
Do you know what Jesus says on this subject? Look at Matthew 7:26. Jesus says, "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand." Don't be the foolish man. Spend every opportunity learning with other believers at your church and meditating in God's word. Then live your life as Jesus commands.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

New Treasuries: Under the Sea and August

'Under the Sea' by KingMtnTreasures

Under water treasure hunt.


Aqua Turquoise Blue...
$58.00

Anchor Ring Hammere...
$19.50

Beach and Sea Fish ...
$49.00

Sea Turtle Print 3 ...
$30.00

Under the sea, Fish...
$49.95

Palmas Verdes Ocean...
$14.00

Waves White & Turqu...
$49.00

Beach wedding mens ...
$25.00

Steampunk Necklace ...
$48.00

Beach Wedding Decor...
$22.00

Blue Crab/teal, blu...
$19.00

Great White Shark S...
$55.00

Shark Bookends - Fr...
$44.99

Stoneware Pottery Y...
$28.75

Sea Life Green Naut...
$18.00

Beach Decor Mermaid...
$16.00

'August' by KingMtnTreasures

Peridot


Peridot Tree Of Lif...
$115.00

Light Green Croc Em...
$26.00

Linen Yarn- Olive G...
$16.00

Peridot Green Fairy...
$25.00

Greenish yellow cot...
$13.00

Botanical Photograp...
$25.00

Green Burst - 5x7 P...
$12.00

Card Holder - Light...
$10.00

7 peridot marquise ...
$14.65

Peridot Green Weddi...
$39.65

Peridot Ring Set: B...
$63.00

Czech Glass 10mm E...
$3.25

Organic Fern Wall D...
$45.00

Ornate Light Olive ...
$10.00

last one - Iphone ...
$25.99

20 gauge Peridot Gr...
$3.60

Friday, August 17, 2012

Favorite 5 Friday: Back To School Thoughts

One of my favorite pastimes is browsing Etsy. It's not only a wonderful way to find a fabulous gift or to get inspiration, but also to mingle with like-minded individuals.I will be promoting (blog, Etsy, Twitter) my "Favorite 5" every Friday, so contact me if you would like me to check out your items. Tell me what you think about these items or share some of your favorites...Find something you want, just click on the name. Please take time to visit these shops to see all their awesome items.

This weeks finds are ideas as our children prepare to go back to school.

Most our kids will be doing a lot of reading, so a bookmark is almost always necessary. Why not put a little smile on their face with this cute wicked witch book...too funny.
Bookmark
Children gift. Wicked witch bookmark  Unusual art bookmark, inspired by Wizard of OZ  for her .oht summer Christmasinjuly sale cij
With so much technology in our kids lives, most using a computer for their research and homework storage, an adorable bag in necessary.
Laptop Bag
COMPUTER BAG  - Vintage HMONG Bag - Leather Strap - Fair Trade Thailand (506)
My kids are notorious about forgetting their things, so putting their name on everything is a must. I really like this personalized pencil case.
Pencil Case
Personalized Pencil Case for Back to School
I prefer to prepare my child's lunch. These are adorable lunch bags.
Lunch Bag
INSULATED Retro Owl Lunch Bag with FREE MONOGRAM and Wipeable Interior
A cheerful, comfortable homework space in always a plus.
Desk
Shabby green cottage desk

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

In His Word Wednesday: Matthew 10:34

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword."
Matthew 10:34

One of my husband's brothers has cancer. It is a rare cancer that started in the lining of his lungs. It has been very aggressive with no radiation/chemo therapy slowing it down. He has suffered physically with blood clots, sickness from the medications, and difficulty breathing. He has suffered mentally, with each attempt to cure the cancer failing, he realizes that he will leave behind a wife and two daughters (ages 22 and 8). Even though he knows Jesus is his Savior, he and his family question why we have to suffer in such awful ways.

I know the context of this verse and those before it, is Jesus telling His disciples that following Him will bring persecution. I'm understand that, and am not taking the verse out of context. It's just this verse also reminds me that we will suffer on this earth. Satan is still the ruler of this world. Sin is still in this world. While we are residents in this world, even as a child of the King, we will suffer in all kinds of way. Jesus died on the cross so that we will have life with Him in heaven. Yes, making Jesus your Savior will bring peace to your human hearts, One day He will bring peace to this planet, but until then, plan to endure many trials that this life will bring.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The Horrible Side To Raising Hedgehogs

Warning: Gory details are discussed in this story.
To help ease the gory side of this story, please enjoy photos of our adorable hedgehogs.

Some of you know that I have raised African Pygmy Hedgehogs for a few years, and just recently expanded my herd and received my USDA license. My goal is to produce happy, healthy, hedgehogs that make wonderful pets. So far, I have had nothing but wonderful experiences with exceptional moms and perfect babies. However, a few days ago I experienced the horrible side to raising hedgehogs.
Spike playing in a box of peanuts.
I have read many stories and heeded the warnings about upsetting the mom (especially first time moms) and handling babies too early. I have discovered even in understanding, and hopefully being prepared, these horrible situations are upsetting. So let me get to the story...
Lucy, our lap hedgehog, snuggling with my son, Aaron.
I have a female who is 7 months old and never been bred. She is a little moody and not always receptive to being handled. Sometimes she's happy to be in our hands or lap, other days she wants no part of it. This is not surprising as a lot of hedgehogs can be this way. I chose her for my breeding program specifically for her beautiful cinnamon color and pinto markings. I had her bred by one of my super friendly males. As always, I watched her closely for habit changes, nesting, and I weighed her weekly. Sure enough, between the second and third week her weight started to increase.
Harley's adorable baby boy doing a little self-anointing.
As the due date approached, she began some unusual habits. One day she was building a nest, and the next day she was sleeping on the other side of her cage and out from under her house. I was concerned about her not being in her house as hedgehogs love to be in their hiding places, especially during the day. I also noticed her appetite had decreased. I was puzzled over these behavior changes, but that evening she was running around in her cage as usual. The next day, I find her sleeping out from under her house again. I didn't want to upset her, but I had to see her nest to see if she had given birth and the babies were dead. So I lifted her house to find nothing. Did she have her babies and then eat them (hedgehogs will do this)? On inspection, I seen no blood evidence, her milk had not come in, and she weighed the same as the last weighing. Not wanting to stress her, I left her alone, but checked on her throughout the day.
Hermie the hedgehog just being adorable.
The next morning I checked on her she was in the process of giving birth, with two babies already born. She still was not in her house, so it made it easy for me to check on her progress. I sat there very quietly and watched two more babies being born. She cleaned them off and then proceeded to go into her house leaving the babies where they were. What is she doing? I leave and come back a little while later to see if she collected her brood and put them in the nest...she didn't. I jumped online to refresh my memory about new mothers, and then decided I would move the babies in the nest for her. Of course I didn't touch them, but used a spoon to transfer the babies. She hissed at me, but seemed to be worn out from her birthing experience. I put the house back into place and left to do a few chores. A couple of hours later, I find her asleep on the other side of the cage. I lift the house to find all babies inside. I'm starting to really worry now. Using my spoon, I placed all babies at her side again, then left.
Cute little feet.
Contemplating that I might be hand feeding these babies, I went to do a little more research. After researching, I contacted a friend of mine who raises dairy goats and went to pick up some fresh goats milk. Later that afternoon, I checked on her again. I found her in her house with the babies crawling around squeaking. I felt I was now strapped with the chore of hand feeding these little cuties. Using my spoon, I placed them in a small container to keep them warm. I fed them all with a small syringe. They were very receptive to the goats milk. I also had to wipe the bottoms to encourage them to eliminate. With their tummies full and their bowels/bladders empty, they went off to sleep. Two hours later, I'm summoned by the squeaks that it was feeding time again.
Does this house make my butt look big?
Later that evening, when all the hedgehogs are out playing, I check on mom. She was out running around her cage like nothing had ever happened. I began to think that maybe she just had a very hard labor that made her weak. Then I contemplated putting the babies back with her. The war in my mind was great. I had read so many stories of mothers killing their babies because they had been touched by human hands. On the other hand, the loss of hand feeding hedgehogs is great too. The babies have a better chance of survival if they are raised by their mom and her milk. Put them back...don't put them back...put them back...don't put them back. I eventually decided to put them in the cage, while the mom was up and active, to see what she would do.
Precious albino baby.
She cautiously approached the babies, sniffing each one. She even started licking the babies. When she picked up one of the babies and placed it in her house, I was encouraged. I didn't throw caution to the wind because I knew she could still harm them. I watched as she gathered each baby and toted it to the nest. Then the waiting game began as I sat listening for distress squeaks. An hour later, all was still well. Reluctantly, I decided to leave the babies and head to bed. It was difficult to go to sleep with thoughts of her killing the babies running through my mind, and questioning whether I did the right thing or not. The next morning I shot out of bed to check on the babies. All babies were still alive with two in the house with mom and two who crawled outside. I took my spoon and place the two babies back inside the nest with encouraging feelings. After all they were all still alive. We went to church, and out to lunch with friends. After arriving home and changing clothes, I went to check on the babies. My heart soared with excitement because all babies were in the house and nursing on mom. I felt total relief that I had made the right decision.
Proud momma.
I was sat scanning the Internet downstairs when I heard distress squeaks. I ran upstairs to see what the problem was. I wasn't concerned because I have seen moms lay on the babies, and they squeak in distress trying to get out from under her. I wasn't prepared for what I saw. The mom was walking around, carrying one of the babies, and it was screaming. I was able to get it away from her, but it was too late. She had bit through the abdomen and the baby bled out. I was in shock! I lifted her house to the other babies, only to find one upside down and flat like it had be mashed. As I removed the baby, I discovered that its head was gone. I thought the other two were still alive but found that one had its head removed too. So that leaves one lone baby.
Tibby getting a bubble bath.
I spent the rest of the day and night feeding this little boy every two hours. So far so good. I have named him Squeaks because he has no problem letting me know when it's feeding time. Two hour feedings and bottom wiping went on for four more days, with me thinking everything was going to be all right for Squeaks. Unfortunately, when I went to get him for his 2 o'clock feeding, he had passed. I was totally heart broken.
Celebrating Christmas
After questioning other breeders with more experience, this behavior is not uncommon especially for new moms. I was told that a lot of times the moms won't do this the next time, but I don't think I want to take that chance. What I hope to achieve with sharing this story, is to warn those considering breeding their hedgehog of this possible outcome. Can you handle it?
Our little Fickle Pickle.