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You just know that the art will have soul and attitude when it comes from an artist who calls her business BAD! Kitty Art Studio. Artist Heather Truman creates mixed media/collage art, functional recycled art, sculpture, and oil paintings, and sells them all over the world from her studio in Lexington, KY.

From the serenity and rich liquid colors of “Carp Communion,” to the magical “Big Red Tree,” to the original “BAD! Kitty” painting, Heather’s works are infused with color and spirit. Take a minute to read the quote that she relates to each work, and see new depth in each one. Can you hear the ancient wisdom of the tree? Smell the delicate scent of water lilies?

Whether you need a special gift for your artistic sister, or just want to reward yourself with original art with soul, BAD! Kitty Studio has what you’re looking for.

Is there any new mother who doesn’t want the best for her baby? Jill was pregnant with her first child when she discovered that her local stores had none of the classic fabric crafted items for young children that she wanted. So she decided to do something about it, and we’re glad she did.

As a skilled seamstress, Jill took her love of craft and sewing and started creating one-of-a-kind designs. All her Crafty Baby fabrics are chosen for high quality, durability, and comfort. Since Jill began in1988, Crafty Baby has become a family company with her children helping to pick out fabrics and field test products. Every single item is designed and hand made by this very creative mother of three.

Can’t you just imagine how nice and soft that clutch ball is? This durable toy was one of Jill’s first designs and remains a popular choice. Its four sections make it easy for little hands to grasp, and teething babies love to chew on it. Hmm…looks to me as if it might make a great stress ball for bigger hands, too.

So next time you need a special baby shower gift, birthday gift, or “just because” gift, think Crafty Baby. It’s not just for babies!

In recognition of mothers everywhere, Canduru is hosting the 100^th Anniversary of Mother’s Day* Contest! Enter today and you can win one of two top prizes from Canduru members – a Red Aventurine, Mother of Pearl and Shell Necklace from JCN Studios and a stunning Green Agate Necklace from Twins Silver Dream.

It is simple to enter. Just send an email to contest@canduru.com explaining what motherhood means to you.

It can be what your mother means to you, what being a mother means to you, the value of a mothering friend or even your love for dear, old Mother Earth. Let us know in 200 words or less and you will entered to win one of two gorgeous necklaces to treat yourself or that special mother figure in your life! The winning stories may be shared on Canduru’s blog.

While you’re here, feel free to take a stroll around and peruse all of the great one-of-a- kind gifts available at Canduru for Mother’s Day!

Rules:

• Must be 18+ to enter.
• Must be a US resident.
• Winners will be selected on May 13th, 2008. Prizes will be mailed within 4 weeks of notifying the winner and obtaining a mailing address.

*Though mothers have been celebrated throughout history dating back to the ancient Greek civilization, the first Mother’s Day observance was a church service honoring Mrs. Anna Reese Jarvis. That was held at Anna Jarvis’s request in Grafton, West Virginia, and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 10, 1908.

We know that Canduru is a lively, creative community of designers, craftspeople, and innovative thinkers. We also know that many heads are better than a few. So we’re asking you to tell us how we can make Canduru a better place to shop and to sell what you create. What would make Canduru a more effective social shopping community?

• Is there something about the Canduru website that could be improved? Tell us!
• Is there a feature you would like but we don’t have? Let us know!
• Is there anything that doesn’t quite please you? We want to know that, too.

Ÿ So please put on your thinking cap. Or maybe create one and sell it right here on Canduru! Either way, we want to hear from you. Email your ideas and comments to us at info@Canduru.com. And thanks for helping us make Canduru an even better shopping community!

It’s spring – yes, finally – and as the days get longer you want something cool to complement your summery wardrobe. What could be cooler than a golden snowball?

Jewelry designer Hilary J has designed this delightfully graceful bracelet to bring you some cool sparkle. Starting with the acrylic “golden snowball” beads she found in Montana, Hilary adds elegant Swarovski crystals, brass plated roundels, and a 14k gold-filled handcrafted chain. This is a bracelet that will fit most wrists because she also added a 14k gold-filled extender chain and a trigger clasp.

Hilary J trained with a fine jewelry designer before starting her own business. In her original designs, Hilary uses quality semi-precious gemstones, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and Czech glass beads with sterling silver and 14k gold-filled wire and clasps.

Take a moment to look at Hilary’s designs. Don’t you need a gift for someone…maybe even yourself?

A big day just has to include a major celebration. Sunday, May 11, is the 100th Anniversary of Mother’s Day, and Canduru is getting ready.

Of course we have the perfect gift for the special woman in your life. Whether she’s a Mom-to-be, an empty nester, or a wish-you-were-my-Mom, the artisans of Canduru have something that will tell her just how much she means to you.

But, as they say on television, that’s not all! We’re putting the finishing touches on the Canduru Mother’s Day Give-Away Contest. Be sure to check back soon for all the details on how to win.

In the meantime, how about a bit of browsing? Hmm…those journals would be perfect for my globetrotting friend, and my sister would love those earrings. Excuse me, I’ve got to go shopping!

Close your eyes and recall the last time you stepped into an authentic country store. Remember the creak of the wood floors, the feel of the hand-hewn wood beams, the sight of stoneware crocks holding tasty treats? Now open your eyes and see a little bit of country that will be right at home in your home.

Tom Shoemaker creates hand-lettered, hand-painted and hand-distressed signs on thick pine board to decorate your kitchen, family room, or for a special gift. Choose from the Tom’s Canduru designs, or order a custom sign in the size and style you like with your words. The possibilities are endless! As Tom says, “Think family name, vacation spot, favorite phrase. Have fun and be creative, but try to limit it to words and phases you’d be willing to say in front of Grandma, if you know what we mean.”

Shoemaker Country is a family business, comprised of Tom and Susan Shoemaker and their two sons John and Michael. A creative and energetic staff joins them in what has become a unique and innovative design center in the heart of Historic Ellicott City, Maryland. They work hard to live up to their standard: “Good things for today’s homes & gardens.” Tom’s signs are definitely some of those good things.

One of the nicest feelings is knowing that someone else has thought of you, and wants to get in touch. Years ago, the phone company picked up on this and coined the “Reach out and touch someone” tagline that was so successful. These days, we use more than just phones thanks to the Internet and the advent of social networking.

Now Canduru has taken a great step forward by combining social networking with shopping to create the best of both worlds. If you’re a member and a vendor, you already know how good this is. So why not share it? Canduru makes it easy with Invites – the best way for you to invite friends and family to share the fun.

You’ll spread the word about your store to people who know you, and they will tell their friends, who tell their friends, and…well, you know. As the word about Canduru spreads, your store receives more visitors who can become customers. Using this “viral” marketing technique, your virtual storefront – and all your neighbors on Canduru – can reach thousands of new potential customers.

If you haven’t used them yet, take a few minutes and click the “Invites” tab on the Your Canduru page. Your friends will be glad you did.

What would it be like to spend a warm afternoon in the melon patch, breathing in the natural juicy scents of honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelon, with a bit of cucumber on the side? Or would you rather curl up on a soft sofa, dim the lights, and experience deep dark chocolate blended with sandalwood for a sensuous evening?

These are just two of the scents available in the soy candles made by Vbrown77. You probably know that soy is clean burning, but had you thought that choosing soy helps support farmers, too? That’s just one reason to choose these environmentally conscious candles and soaps.

Vbrown77’s candles are made by hand with a cotton core wick, and come in square 8 oz. Mason jars for a cozy rustic look. With or without optional coloring, these candles are a delight to the senses, burning for more than 80 hours. Perhaps the best part is the incredible number of scents available in these hand-poured candles. Scents like Strawberries & Champagne, Warm Vanilla Sugar, Bubble Gum, Cranberry Compote, Peach Mango, and Summer Sorbet are enough to make your mouth water. You can tell that Vbrown77 loves making candles when she puts so much thought and creativity into the combinations like Cranberry, Cardamom & Clove, or Mulberry & Moonbeams. Be sure to check out the full list…bet you can’t resist Serendipity!

Since early Roman days, glass has been a favorite material for both artistic expression and everyday usefulness. Hold glass up to a sunny window and feel your mood lighten as colors play in the light. We all know what it’s like to have a beautiful glass in our hand…but have you ever thought of other ways to add the beauty of glass to your home?

Here’s a colorful suggestion from the artist at Top Shelf:  give your bathroom a unique and artistic center of attention with a hand-blown glass sink. A glass sink? Yes…absolutely! Glass is one of the most durable materials available and makes a stunning addition to any home. Colors range from subtle to eye-popping, from liquid single hues to swirls that rival a tropical sunset.  

Take a break and feast your eyes on Top Shelf’s hand-blown glass sinks. Which one calls to you?