..::Mardi Robyn::..

A Glimpse At 2011

2012-01-08T15:07:00.000-08:00

Looking back on 2011 one word that comes to mind is…Wow! What an experience it turned out to be. The year flew in a blur but with that blur brought many experiences, challenges and growth that I am thankful for in spite of the struggles. I believe 2011 helped shape me, it feels like one big spurt of growth I won’t forget!

In 2011 I pierced my ears for the first time, became more independent, made friendships, gained best friends, learned more about what it meant to be a friend, saw my business “Mardi Robyn” take off and became not only a national seller but also an international seller to Canada, Australia, Brazil and Norway. I began driving more in 2011 including in the big city of Hattiesburg, which now seems to be such a minor thing, why I ever made it such a mountain I am not sure, other than I tend to over-think some things and make mountains out of mole-hills, a lesson I learned all to well this past year. I learned more being a pharmacy technician, became a certified pharmacy technician, tried new haircuts, had my hair foiled black and caramel, dyed my hair red for the first time, was a Maid of Honor in my friends wedding, changed Churches, got my first professional French manicure, traveled to Branson, Missouri with my parents, It was amazing!! Saw a 50’s show and the Presley’s Jubilee live in person! Got a spray tan, embraced being a girly girl! Met a lot of wonderful people, learned that I still have my backbone. Struggled with my identity but found that I am still me. Regained confidence I thought I lost. Took six months of voice and piano and regained confidence in my ability through Christ to sing and play.
2011 brought about a lot of changes, a lot of growth, a lot of firsts, there have been laughter, sorrow, joy and tears, friendships, love, heartache, pain, happiness and facing fears. Isn’t that what life is all about? It is a journey, an experience, an adventure. 2011 was definitely an adventure. As much as I am thankful for the journey of 2011 I am equally if not more thankful that it is 2012. I look forward to what God has in store for me this year. I’ve caught a glimpse and I’m excited!

What do I have planned? Oh, well we will see! For now I’ll give you a glimpse, develop my business an watch it grow, finish my photography courses. Speaking of education I have enrolled in jewelry design school through correspondence, and this coming week I will be finishing the enrollment process to become a student at a local Junior College, I plan on getting my basics out of the way and focusing on being a full-time nursing student…who would’ve thought?!

Have you reflected over the year 2011? What memories will you cherish, what did you learn, how did you grow? What do you anticipate the year 2012 to hold for you?
Life is an exciting adventure, I’m 25 and it is just begun to blossom into exciting colors beyond my wildest imagination!

Happy New Year 2012! Keep Christ first and focus on Him and He will direct your paths!!

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding, in all thine ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths!" ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Blog Post in Pictures

2011-11-06T19:46:00.000-08:00

My 25th Birthday cake from my Daddy and Mama! It tasted good!

Duct Tape (Left) Ribbon (right) that I bought at the store today! I am thinking about what kind of craft project I can use these for!

Music symbol and owl sticker! Aren't they cute!

I am going to try making a tree!

A brown labrador retriever I bought to hang on our tree when we put it up after Thanksgiving!

One of our customers at work makes these and gives to people because He likes seeing the expression on people's faces when they realize what it says! Can you see it? Look in between the light pieces of wood.

I'm thinking earrings!!

Hmm, I wonder what I will use these for? (left to right; straws, pipe cleaners, and wooden sticks!)

More ribbon!

Isn't this mini pillow pet cute!

So cute I wanted to take a second picture of it!

Friday a week ago my sister and one of my friends from work and I watched this movie!

The next day my sister and I watched these Shirley Temple movies!

I haven't watched this yet, but I look forward to doing so!

Currently watching this with my Mama! It is an awesome dvd! I recommend everyone watch it!

The aloe vera plant I bought for my Mama to which my Daddy laughed and said "You have just signed the plants death warrant" Looks to me like Mama is doing great keeping this plant alive after three months!

Roll Tide!! A birdhouse my sister Kim bought for my Parents!

Red Bird Christmas ornament I bought for my Mama because she enjoys watching the red birds that perch on the tree limbs in our backyard.

Owl Christmas ornament I bought because I like owls!

Folder I am going to use in a craft project when I figure out what to use it for.

Feathers I bought in September at a Dollar Tree to use for the Crazy Day festival but ended up forgetting about them, now I am trying to decide what to use them for.

Tree I bought Friday at Walgreens that inspired me to want to try and make my own.

Butterflies that was on my birthday cake the people I work with gave me on my birthday! I am suppose to use them in a craft project, headband maybe?

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of sound mind." II Timothy 1:7

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Whistle in my Ear Orange Whistle Earrings

2011-10-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

Looking for something unique and fun? How about whistles for your ears?!

Don't whisper...whistle!!

$4.00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83685757/whistle-in-my-ear-orange-whistle

Past Due for an Update

2011-10-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

Long time no update! Seems to be how I start off a lot of blog posts, atleast in my mind! I haven't been doing such a good job with blogging lately.

Last month I had the excitement of doing a craft booth at a local festival, Crazy Day! It was a lot of fun and sells were better than I expected! For pictures and details on the event visit the photo album I added to the Mardi Robyn facebook fan page! http://www.facebook.com/MardiRobynDesigns#!/media/set/?set=a.10150324834126697.347137.193068481696&type=1

I was blessed with a lot of help and ideas from family and friends! Every night for weeks my Mama and I worked on pricing and packaging and her and my Daddy helped set-up and sell jewelry at the festival! I really am blessed!

I am working to add everything to my etsy shop (http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/) so check often for new items! I have a lot of ideas I want to work on after I list all my jewelry made, so hopefully I will get it all posted soon!

Have a great weekend!

God Bless!!
~Mardi Robyn

www.facebook.com/MardiRobynDesigns
www.twitter.com/MardiRobyn

A Quick Saturday Afternoon Update

2011-08-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

I realize it has been May since I updated last...sorry!! I have been working, staying busy and working on the shopping part of this website. (http://www.mardirobyn.etsy.com/) Sells have been increasing, so has features in Etsy Treasuries and emails with questions concerning my jewelry! I am excited to see how things are taking shape!

I am excited about having a booth in a local festival in a few weeks, this will be my first time participating in any festival as far as a booth goes. There is ALOT of planning involved. I am anxious to start working on new projects and jewelry designs, but I have told myself no new projects until I sort through the literally hundreds of jewelry items I already have made. Sorting through all the jewelry consists of taking pictures, categorizing those pictures, editing, packaging, pricing, descriptions and putting everything on my Etsy site. (See the link above or visit the menu on the right side of this page!)

One of the biggest challenges thus far is display ideas for the booth. I have been searching for ideas on the internet, racking my brain and asking family and friends for ideas. Today while at a local Dollar General I took a few minutes to browse the aisles for display ideas and came across the summer clearance section. I purchased three bright colored table cloths and a paper towel holder I am going to convert into a jewelry display....

Next week I plan on browsing more stores and gathering more displays. The fun has begun!

Now to taking more pictures...... Check back soon for another update also if you want to keep up-to-date join Mardi Robyn on facebook www.facebook.com/MardiRobynDesigns

~God Bless!

I Have A New Fascination

2011-05-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

Duct Tape!!!!

Maybe I should clarify, I have always been fascinated with duct tape but here latey I am extremely fascinated with it and the fact you can use it as art!

This flower is my first attempt at any type of duct tape art! I am fascinated with duct tape flowers so I decided to try one!

I want to try various shapes and sizes as well as different projects, like the duct tape bows, they look so neat!

Yesterday I bought two more rolls of printed duct tape!

As I put on my facebook I ♥ printed duct tape!!

Have you made any duct tape creations? I would love to read about them!

Christmas Clearance

2011-04-03T22:24:00.000-07:00

Christmas jewelry has got to go!!! Lately I have made quite a few sales on Christmas jewelry, which is great, but I want to sell even more of it so I do not have so much to pack up until last on this year! So, I have good news, I have created a coupon on Etsy! Purchase any Christmas jewelry already marked down to clearance and receive an additional 10% off when you use coupon code "ChristmasClearance."

Hurry while jewelry and offer last! hurry now while jewelry and offer lasts!!

P.S. I have been adding new jewelry all weekend so check it out!

http://www.mardirobyn.etsy.com/ or click "Shop" on the right hand side of this page!

Have a great week and God Bless!

Summer Festivals!

2011-03-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

Summer is fast approaching which means a lot of festivals here in Mississippi! I am excited! I like warm weather and browsing booths at local festivals when I get the chance. This year I hope to have a booth at atleast one or two upcoming festivals. I say I hope, if my work schedule permits, and there isn't anything else that comes up I plan on participating in atleast one!   I wouldn't mind participating in the Blueberry and Strawberry Festivals in Alabama this year, but that might be a stretch, if not maybe next year. Atleast here in Mississippi there is the Okatoma Festival, Watermelon Festival, Pecan Festival, Canton Festival, and Crazy Days, just to name a few.

With all this excitement over festivals I have been researching promotion and staging ideas looking for creative ways to set up a booth.  Two of my favorite colors are blue and brown, I thought about using that theme for my booth, but since my jewelry is geared more towards children, teens and young adults (I am not quite sure how to word that to my satisfaction to cover everyone, since teens are still children..) anyway since I am geared more towards the younger generation and in keeping with the fun, wacky, kitschy, kawaii theme of some of my jewelry, I might use bright or pastel colors, maybe a mixture of both, but not go overboard. I'm really not sure, but it will be fun planning and seeing how it all comes together.

I have read a lot of information on having a booth at festivals, and I'm making list of the ideas! So far I read a sign is good, rather big or small it doesn't matter just so long as it includes your name and your website if you want. Tables and chairs, is a must of course! And a canopy helps incase of rain! Good thing we have both already! Table covers to make the tables look nicer and more colorful if you desire.

Having plenty of business cards and fliers is a good idea, some people include a guestbook for customers and potential customers to sign to be on your mailing list.

Wearing a name tag and some of your jewelry as a promotion is a good idea. Some people have a custom t-shirt made to wear but I think I will skip that this year.

I plan on having plenty of gospel tracts to include in bags, as well as leave on the table for people to pick up.

I read business cards make good earring backs inside or outside plastic storage bags.   And of course small jewelry boxes (for rings and such) and small drawstring bags are a neat idea to make the packaging more appealing.

Then there is the staging, there are several ideas I have read and like, I am anxious to try out but first I need to work on labeling and packaging then I will decide on props.

Totes will work to transport jewelry items and any other craft items I decide to display. They say you need a good variety of merchandise if you are planning on participating in a festival, with all thejewelry I have made over the years I am pretty sure I have a good variety and plenty to set out, but there are alot of ideas I want to try so I am hoping to make even more between now and then and include some other accessories! We'll see!   All the possibilities are exciting!

Have you done any festivals? If so what are some of your ideas, any advice you could share? I would love to hear from you!

Long Time No Update

2011-03-17T00:18:00.000-07:00

Wow I didn't realize until this morning (it's after 2am) that I have not updated in almost two months. Shame on me! Since its after 2am and I have yet to get some sleep, this isn't going to be a long blog post, however I wanted to let you know you can "Like" my facebook page (become a fan) at www.facebook.com/MardiRobynDesigns I will be updating it frequently with new designs, promotions, and give-aways!

Also you can follow me on twitter too! www.twitter.com/MardiRobyn

Check back soon!

God Bless,
Mardi Robyn

Featured in Three Etsy Treasurys!

2011-01-24T18:33:00.000-08:00

I checked my Etsy tonight for the first time in about two weeks, due to staying busy with work and other things. Much to by surprise I found I had been featured in three seperate etsy treasureys!

The first one:

Smile-For-A-While My pink button smiley face ring was featured!

Second Treasury:

I dream of blue skies, green leaves & *~S~*P~*R~*I~*N~*G~* My turquoise and sea shell bracelet was featured!

Third Treasury

Mississippi Blues My blue spikey ball earrings were featured!

Thank you all for the feature!

Christmas Jewelry Clearance

2011-01-04T16:02:00.000-08:00

I am having a clearance sale on Christmas jewelry going on now! Check it out at http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/ (or click on "Christmas Jewelry" at the menu on the right) I am really wanting to sell these items so I do not have to store them again for next year!

Check back for a new update!

Teddy Bear Earrings

2010-12-18T18:36:00.000-08:00

Get these earrings and more now on my etsy shop http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/ $5.00 each plus shipping and handling!

Use coupon code "Dec2010" to get 10% off throughout the month!

Save 10% On Any Order

2010-12-16T19:50:00.000-08:00

Use coupon code "Dec2010" at checkout at my shop http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/ and receive 10% off any order!

I will be adding even more jewelry over the next few days so keep checking the shop for new jewelry!

God Bless!
~Mardi

Shopping, Wrapping, Mailing, Music!

2010-12-14T15:28:00.000-08:00

I love this time of year! I love all year, but there is something exciting about Christmastime! Today my Mama and I went Christmas shopping, ate McDonalds food, I tried their Caramel Mocha it was good! After a day of shopping we went to the post office so I could check my box and mail out Christmas cards!

Once home, I plaid with the dogs, went to see the horses, unloaded shopping bags, helped my Daddy feed the horses, now I am listening to Kenny Chesney's cd "All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan," blogging, chatting with my friend Kimmy and fixig to eat supper all before wrapping more gifts, listng new jewelry on etsy, and writing out more Christmas cards!

Did I happen to say I love this time of year? I really do, but regardless of all the family, friends, food, and fun, don't forget the real meaning of Christmas! It isn't about the presents, cards, trees and decorations it is about God's only son, Jesus Christ!

I'm Making a List I'm Checking It Twice...

2010-12-13T18:37:00.000-08:00

I have been told by a friend I'm "Mardi Claus" since I joke around saying my Daddy is Santa Claus but, don't worry I am not trying to find out who is naughty or nice!

Instead I am making a list of Christmas promotional ideas

~Christmas Cards
~Coupons
~Business Cards
~Blogging more
~Updating Twitter and Facebook
~Adding more Jewelry to my etsy (http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/)
~More Give-Away's
~New Projects
~Fliers
~Emails
~Word of Mouth

Yep yep, its going to be a busy couple of weeks!

Tonight I am going to watch Christmas movies or some fun, comical show and write out Christmas cards to mail tomorrow!

I will post more later!

God Bless!

And The Winners Are.....

2010-12-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

Today is the day to announce the winners! I am excited!

The winners Are:

Jenni Bee won the red!

Kim won the green!

Maiden Princess won the blue!

Thank you all for entering!

Turns out since only three people entered I did not have to use random.org after all!

I will contact everyone tonight for addresses! Forgive me for such a short post but I have to get going to work, but I wanted to announce the winners first!

Thanks again!!!

Jewelry Give-Away December 9, 2010

2010-12-03T22:45:00.000-08:00

December 9, 2010 marks one year since I opened my etsy shop Mardi Robyn (http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/) to celebrate I am hosting a give-away! I realize there is less then a week until the 9th, but I wanted to give this a try!

I am giving away three prizes to three winners! Wanna see what I am giving away?

Each pair of earrings is priced at $5.00 in my etsy shop http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/ but I am giving them away free!

To enter the give-away simply comment on this blog post, my facebook, twitter, shoutlife, etsy forum, or etsy chat with the color you would like to win.  Please be sure and leave you name someway for me to contact you if you win, such as an email address, website/blog or etsy link!   It is that simple!

Each color choice will have a separate drawing. Winner will be randomly selected using http://www.random.org/       Winner will be chosen and posted right here at http://www.mardirobyn.com/ on December 9, 2010

Prizes will be shipped within 1-3 days after the winner is announced and notified! Shipping will be through the United States Postal Service and a tracking number will be included!

Be sure and tell a friend!

Added to Another Treasury On Etsy

2010-12-03T22:22:00.000-08:00

I just checked my Etsy and found out that I was added to another treasury on Etsy yesterday titled "Miss Mary Mac" http://www.etsy.com/convo_view.php?convo_id=36215176

My fake 0.50 cent adjustable ring was added to the collection! I am excited, two etsy treasury's in one week! Awesome! I am again honored!!

Have an awesome weekend!

Featured In An Etsy Treasure!!

2010-11-29T20:00:00.000-08:00

I became excited tonight when I opened my etsy mail and read that my snowman pin here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/63078482/blue-and-white-snowman-pin had been featured in a treasury "In the Meadow We Can Build a Snowman" on Etsy!! http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cf44ee5790d8eef586e074f/in-the-meadow-we-can-build-a-snowman#4cf4708544d58eef8f3c2313

What an honor!!

Picture Props!

2010-11-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I decided to take jewelry pictures. I prefer taking photographs of my jewelry outdoors because I like the natural sunlight best, but since it was chilly outside I could not stay out long, so I brought a little bit of the outsdoors inside!

For this prop I used a mason jar, wax paper to stuff inside the jar, a limb from a tree in our backyard. Sky blue tissue paper and a tri-fold board.

I would have preferred to use a white color instead of the blue, but I did not have white tissue paper and we were out of butcher paper.

Some of the pictures I took turned out well enough, others not so good. I should have put the light behind the subject, instead of in front. I knew this, I am a photography student after all, but I did not think about it at the time..duh! Thank goodness for picasa to edit lighting mistakes!

Now I just have to finish editing pictures and upload them to etsy! (http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/) and then take even more photographs! I hope to add Christmas jewelry within the next few days, but I doubt seriously it will be today considering the fact I have yet to begun taking photos of my Christmas themed Jewelry.

What are somethings you like to use as props when taking pictures of jewelry or any craft item in general?

Happy Thanksgiving!

God Bless, Roll Tide, & Go Broncos!

Mardi

Finally An Update!

2010-11-07T17:35:00.000-08:00

Thursday afternoon I got to feed my horse Shy'Anne some sweet feed out of bucket, and she followed me when I turned to walk away after feeding her!! Thursday night Shy'Anne let me pet her. She wasn't comfortable with being petted on her nose and forehead but she enjoyed being pet on the side of her neck! I was so exicted!

Friday morning I woke up around 7:41a.m. doze off for a little bit and rolled out of bed around 8:15a.m. to get ready for the day.   Surprisingly to be so early, I was in a great mood! I felt light hearted, happy, relaxed and peaceful! I love that feeling! After getting ready for the day I went outside to feed our dogs Goober and Mandy, pet our horse Mocha and take some pictures while waiting on my Mama to get ready for the day.

Once my Mama was ready we went to a neighboring town shopping, we listened to Christmas music on the way to the stores!! I bought a Christmas present for my great-neice! I think it is adorable!   After shopping we ordered food from Sonic before going home! I ordered a :"Sugar Cookie Blast" from Sonic, it's good! It taste like Christmas time smells! I ate a couple bites and the rest is in the freezer, waiting until I decide I am in the mood for ice cream again.

Friday afternoon a ferrier came to the house to fix Mocha's hooves and put shoes on her! She did an excellent job! It was interesting watching the man shoe her.   We brought Mocha out of the fence to be shoed. While the Ferrier was working with her, Shiloh slowly came to the fence to check it out and see what was going on, not long after Shy'Anne followed his lead and made her way to the fence! Shy'Anne let me pet her for over thirty minutes, she even let me pet her nose and forehead, much to my excitement!     Friday afternoon I fed her some more sweet feed, not a lot since she is still a baby, but she is able to eat some! She loves it, so much so she knocked the bucket out of my hand when I tried to give some to Shiloh! We now have two buckets, but Shiloh hasn't tried it yet, he will act like he is going to and then stops. He will come around!

Yesterday Daddy and Mama went to a Tractor Supply place and bought some oats for the Shy'Anne and Shiloh as well as some treats for colts, now they have treats, and Mocha has apple treats! Friday I found out Mocha likes real slices of Apple's!   I tried to get Shy'Anne and Shiloh to eat one but they wouldn't have anything to do with it yet.

I worked this weekend, it was a pleasant weekend! Yesterday was the slowest Saturday I have ever worked. The Pharmacist and I actually got to sit down for longer than a minute! It was nice! Today was a good day at work too.

I am looking forward to Christmas this year, I am already in the mood to decorate! I have a feeling it won't be long and I will be pulling out boxes of decorations, and the Christmas tree and decorate the house, while listening to Christmas music!   Speaking of music, Josh Groban has a brand new cd coming out this week! I am excited I know where I am going after work the day it comes out...Wal-Mart to buy it!

Well it is time I get up from the computer and take my empty bowl to the kitchen. Mama heated up leftover stew for supper and it was even better than last night I believe!

I hope you all have a great week!

God Bless, Roll Tide & Go Broncos!!

Our Horses

2010-10-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

The newest addition to our family! She is an 11 year old paint horse. My parents bought her and brought her home Saturday while I was at work! Isn't she beautiful?! She is tame, gentle, and very sweet! Her previous owner named her Four-Socks, but we are going to change the name when we decide on one. I love this horse! She loves attention, loves to be petted, and she will lay her head over on you. There is a possibility she is pregnant, I am excited at the possibility!

My Parents wanted to buy a full grown horse so she could kind of mother our colts, adopting them and helping us train them. Our colts names are Shiloh and Shy'Anne. They were born in May and we brought them home about a month ago. From the time they were born until we brought them home they were not messed with, time wasn't spent with them, so they are getting use to being around people. We are hoping once they become use to the horse we bought Saturday they will begin following her example and letting us play with them more. They are gradually making progress, they are not nearly as timid around us as they were, and they will eat out of our hands.

Saturday my Daddy asked me which horse I would like to call my own, he said they were all my horses and I could claim all of them, but if I had a pick of one horse to call just mine and when I move out or get married and move out whichever comes first, which one would I want to take with me. I choose Shy'Anne!

Now, to get her use to me! She will walk up to me, and doesn't mind me being near, but she isn't sure about being petted yet, she is precious. When I pet her nose she will shake her head and move back and then try to touch me, but she isn't sure she wants to be pet.

Shiloh is sweet! He will eat peppermints out of my hand and is making progress. He seems to be getting use to the idea of being petted faster than Shy'Anne, but Shy'Anne will come around!

Shiloh!

It is kind of neat to think when I first saw a picture of Shiloh before we brought them home, I fell in-love with him! He is gorgeous! I just "knew" he and I would be buddy, buddy and I still believe we will. Shy'Anne I thought was pretty but I was more excited about Shiloh. I remember going on and on about Shiloh and then telling Mama it would be funny if once we brough them home it turned out I became more attached to Shy'Anne. She smiled and agreed with me. Guess what, I am more attached to Shy'Anne! I am attached to both of them, but Shy'Anne I chose be my own horse. There is something about her that I like. Maybe it is the fact she is stubborn and cute about it!

I am really happy! I love my horses!! They are a lot of fun! Tomorrow I plan on taking even more pictures!!

Owl Be Blue Adjustable Ring

2010-10-05T19:42:00.000-07:00

Owl Be Blue Adjustable Ring

$5.00

Now on my Etsy (http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58218802/owl-be-blue-adjustable-ring

I really like this ring! It is so cute!!

It's A Beautiful Sunday!!

2010-09-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

The past three days have been birthday city in my family as it is every September around this time. September 3rd is my oldest nephew's birthday. September 4ths is one of my sisters and September 5th is my Mama's! (Happy Birthday Mama!! I Love You!!) She is awesome! I am extremely blessed! Then all the way at the end of the month (September 30th) is mine!

Wednesday on my way to work my Mama to turn around and take me home because I got sick. So needless to say I had to call in work sick. Thursday I had a Doctor's appointment turns out I have an outer ear infection, so my Doctor prescriped three perscriptions and gave me a note not to go back to work until Monday. I was scheduled to be off this weekend anyway, but this is not how I pictured spending it...in bed! I haven't done much the past few days except sleep, eat, watch Little House on the Prairie, sleep and browse the internet all from the comfort of my bed.. I look forward to going back to work, hopefully Tuesday since I am not scheduled to work tomorrow and my Parents told me I needed to take another day before attempting to go back to work. So come on Tuesday! I'm not complaining I don't mind being at home I enjoy spending time with my family, but I dislike being sick in bed!

On a positive note I have been able to make some jewelry. It has been fun. And I plan on doing some reading this afternoon after I work on studying for the pharmacy tech classes later on this month. At the moment I am blogging, texting, browsing craft blogs, and watching the Denver Broncos vs the Vikings. Go Broncos!!!!!!!!!!! Alabama played yesterday, first game of this season and won! Roll Tide!!

On another note http://www.abort73.com/ is having a $5 sale on selected T-shirts! Check it out! I did!!

Hope you all are having a wonderful Sunday!

God Loves You!!

::My Etsy::

http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/

::Follow Me On Twitter::

http://www.twitter.com/MardiRobyn

A Month???? Wow!

2010-09-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been over a month since I last updated? That is just crazy! I haven't forgot about my blog or my business in fact in my spare time I have been working on new jewelry designs, taking pictures and adding new jewelry to my etsy shop http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/

Things have been pretty busy lately. I moved from the photo lab at work to pharmacy. I am training to be a pharmacy technician. I never saw that one coming! I say that because that was never on my "list" my "blueprint" of things to do with my life, but God knows best and I know this is His doing from the way things happened and are working out. It amazes me to be honest. I am excited, but I have to remember not to let learning everything stress me out. I have my first pharmacy tech class in a few weeks and I have to know a lot before hand. That worries me a bit, but I am trusting God to help me learn everything I need to learn before the class, that means a lot of studying!

If you'd like check out the new jewelry I have added to my Etsy http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/

~*~Follow Me On Twitter~*~

http://www.twitter.com/MardiRobyn

Hopefully I won't wait so long to update!

God Bless!

Mardi

Where Did The Jewelry Go?

2010-07-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

In case you have noticed, the jewelry menu doesn't take you to any jewelry, that is because I am working on adding all of the my jewelry to my etsy page (http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/) I am going to link the menu to the jewelry on my etsy and use this blog as a blog to advertise! It might take a few weeks, but don't worry it will be up and running as soon as possible! In the meantime I need to hit the hay, 6:30a.m. comes early in the morning!

God Bless,
Mardi

Quick Update

2010-07-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

Wow, long time no update! I am excited about some new jewelry I am making! I have a couple off days from work next week I plan on using to take photographs of alot of my jewelry so I can post it on here and on my etsy (http://mardirobyn.etsy.com/) I am working on new jewelry and have a lot of ideas I am excited to try!

I am really excited about launching a back-to-school collection of jewelry that not only is cute and colorful but fun to wear! Check back soon for the collection and a give-away!

Pizza Eraser Adjustable Ring

2010-06-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

$5.00 plus shipping & handling.

I love this pizza eraser ring! I am a big fan of pizza and this ring is cute to wear!

Eraser is secured to an adjustable ring back!

Just added to my Etsy Shop! http://www.etsy.com/listing/50054903/pizza-eraser-adjustable-ring

Hamburger Eraser Adjustable Ring

2010-06-22T23:56:00.000-07:00

$5.00 plus shipping and handling.

Love Hamburgers? I do! Show off your love for hamburgers while wearing this cute eraser ring! It's fat free and has no onions! Yes corny I know!

The ring is secured onto an adjustable ring base with strong glue!

Just added to my Etsy Shop! http://www.etsy.com/listing/50021482/hamburger-eraser-adjustable-ring

Blue, Brown and White Adjustable Button Ring

2010-06-22T23:42:00.000-07:00

$5.00 plus shipping and handling.

I love buttons and this one is so cute! Blue and brown is my favorite color combinations so that makes the ring even cuter!

This button is secured to an adjustable ring back!

I just added this ring to my Etsy Shop!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50021207/blue-brown-and-white-adjustable-button

Butterfly Eraser Ring

2010-06-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

$5.00 plus shipping and handling

This ring was fun to make!

Ring can be bought in my Etsy shop by following the link below!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50016743/butterfly-erase-adjustable-ring

Home Remedy: Lip Exfoliator

2010-05-25T22:19:00.000-07:00

I am happy to say I have 10 new rings to add to Mardi Robyn!! I hope to add them here and on my etsy within the next day or two, in the meantime I wanted to blog about a lip exfoliator I just tried! I read about it online and being curious decided to give it a try!

If you have chapped lips or just want to make smooth lips softer give this a try, it works! First rub some olive oil on your lips, followed by sugar! I used brown sugar but I read you can use regular sugar too! Leave the olive oil and sugar mixture on your lips for a few minutes and rinse off with cold water. Apply some chapstick to your lips and your good to go! I put on "Lip Smacker's Cookies N Cream" chapstick!

I don't know who came up with this recipe but it works! This is one exfoliator I plan on using again!

Quick Update

2010-04-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

Long time no update! I apologize for that. Things have been somewhat busy around here lately, including I started a new job. I am still interested in selling jewelry and will keep this website and my etsy and add new things to it, I am just in the process of figuring out how to balance my websites, photography courses and job outside of home!   It is a challenge but I like it!

   I haven't made anything new lately, but I have some jewelry to add that I made month ago! Hopefully soon I will get that done! In the meantime take a look around and feel free to leave comments and/or send me an email!

God Bless,
   Mardi

Interview in Pure-Little-Ladies-Magazine!!!!

2010-02-23T14:35:00.000-08:00

Last year I was interviewed for the Winter 2010 Vol. 2 Issue 1 Pure Little Ladies Magazine."

I was really excited when asked to be interviewed!! Up until then I had never been interviewd! I consider it an honored to have been asked!! I received my copy of the magazine in the mail yesterday!! I read almost all of the magazine last night. I plan on reading the rest of it tonight!!

To go along with the interview a give-away on a piece of jewelry from my website http://www.mardirobyn.com/ contest ends March 14, 2010 and winner will be announced in the April-June 2010 issue of "Pure Little Ladies Magazine." For more information on how to enter the give-away please visit http://pure-little-ladies-ministry.blogspot.com/ for details!! While you're at it check out the website and subscribe to the magazine!!

♥ More Than Worth The Wait ♥

2010-02-18T12:08:00.000-08:00

I realize it has been over a week since I last blogged or updated Mardi Robyn. During that time I was focusing my attention on creating a new website http://www.morethanworththewait.com/ I got the idea for this website in 2004 actually it was a toss up between writing it in book form or publishing it on the world wide web, for now I have chosen the internet! I am excited about More Than Worth the Wait and look forward to seeing how God uses it for His glory. I won't give any details, I'm going to let you check it out for yourself, if you wish!

On another note I have been playing around with different jewelry ideas. Last night I began working on a project for fun, I want to finish it today, when I do I will post pictures and a mini tutorial!

God Bless!!

My Advertising Plan

2010-02-06T13:21:00.000-08:00

Lately I have spent hours searching for ways to advertise my website. There are so many options out there, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to decide which way to go. It also takes away from being creative. I have spent so much time this past month reading articles, and googling more ways to advertise that I have neglected spending as much time as I would like to spend being creative with new jewelry designs as well as other crafty items I want to try. It dawned on me the other day, I cannot follow every single tip on the world wide web for advertising. I knew this, but there is a part of me that says "well maybe you can." Admitting I cannot do everything is not something I enjoy admitting! There is nothing wrong with trying new ideas that catch your attention when you come across them, but don't spend so much time trying to follow everyone else's directions that you miss the joy that comes with the advertising process. I have made up my mind to create my own path, to take bits and pieces I have learned, devise my own advertising plan, in other words do what works for me. Try somethings I have read and studied and get the ball rolling. I can always add to my advertising later, but in the meantime try something! I cannot keep spending hours researching the best way to advertise while neglecting to get started advertising.

Almost every article and blog I have read on the subject of advertising suggest using social networks. Not a problem! I have a personal twitter, facebook, and shoutlife, plus a business twitter, facebook, facebook fan page, and shoutlife! I also have four blogs on blogspot I keep up with regularly. I am working on a new one, plus I have three others that I have sort of put to the side for now. For the next month or so my advertising focus will be on a short list of options.

My List:

My Blogs
Twitter
Facebook
Shoutlife
Email
Word of Mouth
Print Materials
Google
Occassional comments when reading blogs
Signatures on forums I visit.
My Etsy

To begin with I think that is a simple list. It will take some time and effort but it is a start!

What advertising plans work for you?

Senior Bowl 2010

2010-02-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday my Daddy, Mama and I attended the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. I blogged about the game on my blog http://iamadaughteroftheking.blogspot.com/ if you would like to read about it! There is also a link to pictures I took while at the game!

God Bless!

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellece and if there is any praise, dwell on these things." ~Philippians 4:8 (The Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Blue and Bronze Bracelet and Earring Set

2010-01-23T00:16:00.000-08:00

Blue and Bronze Bead Bracelet and Earring Set

Price: $15.00

Description: Blue Beads and Bronze Metal Beads with flower design bracelet on sturdy fishing line with gold colored metal clasps. Earrings are blue beads and bronze colored metal solid beads.

Working On The Website

2010-01-22T01:16:00.000-08:00

It is taking a longer than I hoped to get the jewelry back up. For those of you who don't know what happened, I messed up the html code for the paypal shopping cart Wednesday night. It was my mistaken and I apologize. Since I messed up the html codes I am having to re-post the jewelry, pages and categories. If you have stopped by before and saw something you like, but do not see it now, don't worry I will have it back up as soon as possible. If you do not wish to wait before I post it back online, please feel free to email me and you can order the item you wish to order through email.

I am spending many hours working to get the jewelry back on the website, and hope to have it up and running again as soon as possible!

For those of you who follow me on Twitter I apologize for all of the tweets with links to each post as I post each piece of jewelry. I set up a feature on blogspot a few weeks ago to automatically post a tweet to my twitter everytime I post a blog post on here. I would disable the feature until I have uploaded the pictures back and given them their own blog post, but I have not figured out how I enabled the twitter feature on blogspot to begin with. I promise I am not trying to spam your page with several tweets in a row. It is just that I have not figured out how to disable the automatic updates until I can get all of the jewelry back up. I am spending many hours working to get the jewelry back on the website, and hope to have it up and running again as soon as possible! Thank You for understanding! ~*~God Bless!!~*~

Jewelry Will Be Back Soon

2010-01-20T23:36:00.000-08:00

After several hours of taking photographs and editing them I finally have most of my bracelets photographed! I apologize for not getting them back online tonight, but it took longer to take pictures and edit them than I thought it would. However, I hope to get them back up before the end of the week. I also wanted to blog real quick to say if you notice a lot of the jewelry missing from the categories, don't worry I will have it back up as soon as possible. It might take a day or two, but everything will be back up and functioning properly!

Thanks for stopping by, check back soon for more jewelry!

Updating Pictures and Jewelry Sections

2010-01-20T10:53:00.000-08:00

Today I am working on retaking a lot of my jewelry pictures. Right now I am working on the bracelet section taking pictures, and redesigning some of the bracelets. Some of the bracelets I am switching clasps from a jaw clasp to a toggle clasp and some of the stretch bracelets I am adding a toggle clasp to them to make them dressier. Going through my stash of bracelets I have made I came across quite a few that I somehow overlooked when taking pictures the first time which means I have not added them to the website yet! I will try to get all of the picturs taken today and everything back on the website. My goal is to go through each section and take better pictures and make the sections easier to navigate. I won't promise I will have every jewelry section redone today, but I plan on having atleast the bracelet section redone! Check back soon to see the changes as well as new designs!

~Mardi Robyn

New Feature on Is This Modest!

2010-01-19T20:04:00.000-08:00

Check it out, I am really excited about a new feature I get to help out with on http://www.isthismodest.com/

For the next few weeks "Is This Modest" will be featuring modest formal wear every Tuesday and Thursdays. I get to pick out the modest wear and do a review! For more information check out the introduction to the new section posted today! http://isthismodest.com/2010/01/19/introducing-modest-formal-wear/

Organizing My Handmade Jewelry

2010-01-14T16:23:00.000-08:00

One of my goals this year is getting everything in my room organized. Today at Wal-Mart I purchased some storage containers to store my handmade jewelry.

A five pack of containers cost $4 dollars. So I bought two packs.

I have been storing my handmade jewelry in this bag.

Now I am storing my jewelry in these containers with blue lids! I had a color choice of blue, tan, or white..obviously I chose blue! Now I need to make room to store the containers. Before I find a place to store them I am going to go through each container one at a time and retake photographs of jewelry outside. I am looking forward to another pretty warm and sunny day to take the pictures!
Anyone have any organization tips you would like to share?

Editing and Rearranging

2010-01-13T23:06:00.000-08:00

Tonight I worked on making this website more user friendly. I changed the colors, fonts, text size, the header, and redone the menu, thanks to some advice I was given! If you noticed the banners to blogs and websites I read from time to time are gone, don't worry, I added a link on the left side of the blog that will take you to a page of links, and my favorite music video. I am not finished working on my website, but for now I hope the website is easier to navigate. If you have any suggestions please feel free to let me know!

Check back soon for more jewelry & accessories!

~ God Loves You!!

Check It Out: Pure-Little-Ladies-Ministry

2010-01-12T20:10:00.000-08:00

Pure-Little-Ladies Ministry is hosting a give-away on one of my jewelry items. Contest ends March 14th, 2010 and the winner will be announced in the April-June 2010 issue of their magazine! For contest entry rules please visit their website http://pure-little-ladies-ministries.blogspot.com/

I am excited to have the chance to do this! I was honored to be interviewed! The interviewed will be in their upcoming issue! I encourage you all to check out their website and if you would like subscribe to their magazine!!

Websites and Videos

2010-01-10T19:35:00.000-08:00

..::Website and Blog Banners::..

Abort73.com: Abortion Unfiltered

..::Ministry Organizations::..

Abort73.com: Abortion Unfiltered

..::Graphics::..

Add the abortion ticker to your blog or site.

..::Recommended Reading::..

..::Music Videos::..

"Somebody Like Me" by Jason Crabb Music Video

2010-01-05T22:03:00.001-08:00

I just got an email with a link to this video and I am excited!! Jason Crabb is one of my favorite singers in gospel music and "Somebody Like Me" is one of my favorite songs on his solo album! Everytime I hear the song it speaks to me, we can look to everyone else to make a difference when the truth is we are called by God to make a difference in the lives of others as well! I have never had a favorite music video, but now I do!! Check it out!

Jason's siblings want this music video to get 100,000 views in 7 days so if you were touched by this video, pass it on to your family and friends! Thanks!!

Baking Shrinky Dink Plastic

2010-01-03T12:13:00.000-08:00

Friday night while watching the Florida Gators and Cinncinnati play football (Go Gators!!) I played with shrinky dink plastic I bought during the week of Christmas! Yesterday evening I baked it. Below are some before and after pictures!

First set of designs going into the oven!

After

Before

After

An Alabama ring..Roll Tide!

This would have made a really cool ring if it hadn't broke afterwards. I will try this design again!

Blue and orange, I was watching the Gators!!

This is what happens when you try to shape the ring when the plastic has harden. Oops!

This was my first try, so they did not turn out exactly like I wanted them, but I don't think I did to bad for the first try! I will definately be making more shrinky dink creations!

What is some of your favorite Shrinky Dink Plastic projects and designs?

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

2009-12-30T02:41:00.000-08:00

*This is kind of long, but something I felt I wanted to share.*

I turned off my computer several minutes ago thinking I would go to bed, until I began thinking about something and I knew I had to turn my computer back on and type out this blog entry to post later, before I would be able to go to sleep this morning! I say this morning since it is almost 2am! Yes, I am a night owl!

I have a habit of talking at night time when I should be winding down getting ready for bed. My Mama likes to joke that “You always do this at bedtime don’t you?” Meaning, I always talk when it is time for bed. It is funny, she will be trying to relax to go to bed and I’ll be wanting to talk ninety to nothing! I do talk during the day, but there is something about nighttime I become wide awake with thoughts! Maybe it is because it is quieter at night and not so rushed like it is during the day, I am not sure. Don’t get me wrong I think all day long, I have a lot of ideas during the day and I will have my talkative moments during the day, but there is something about nighttime discussions I like!

Tonight I was telling Mama about watching “The Basement Live” with Evangelist/Preacher Matt Pitt. I told her that on a lot of his preaching I have watched he always has the ladies stand up and do this attitude thing saying they are fearfully and wonderfully made, next he has the guys do something similar. The video below shows you what I am talking about!

If you can’t understand what He says, the sound on this next video is a little clearer.

I love that! I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Now I have heard this verse probably hundreds if not thousands of times since I was a little girl. It comes from Psalm 139:14 which reads, “I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Your works: and my soul knows right well!”

Hearing Matt Pitt say it when preaching several times, its catchy. The way he does it gets you thinking. I like how it’s a bold, I know who I am in Christ type attitude! Forget what the world says, forget the media that says I have to be model thin, have plastic parts, and look like I just came from a plastic factory, God’s Word says that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are His works, and my soul knows it well!

When I get up in the morning and glance in the mirror everything within me may groan “Eww” BUT I know that Greater is HE that is in me than he that is in the world. Greater is God in me, than any excuse I come up with about how ugly I may be. God’s Word says, I’m fearfully and wonderfully made.

What does that mean, well the dictionary breaks it down like this.

feeling reverence: feeling respect or awe for somebody or something
gazed in fearful wonder
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Get that…feeling a respect or awe for somebody or something. In other words, feeling a respect or awe for the creation that God made…US!

What about wonderfully…

1. outstanding: of a quality that excites admiration or amazement
2. exceedingly pleasing: suiting somebody perfectly

Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

I love the thesaurus words for wonderfully, check this out..

magnificently, superbly, amazingly, astonishingly, fantastically, marvelously
delightfully, brilliantly, perfectly, ideally, pleasingly, gratifyingly
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

So according to God’s Word in Psalm 139:14...

Girls, we are outstanding, we have a quality about us that God designed that is amazing! Our design suits us perfectly. When God made us He created the blueprint, fashioned us in His image with His own unique design, custom made each one of us, put the finishing touches on our design and said….wow, what an amazing creation I have created. We are designed magnificently, we are superb, we are so fantastic it is astonishing! When God made us, He did not play any games. The same applies for guys too!

Isn’t it time we start acting like sons and daughters of God? Why should we go around pouting, being so hard on ourselves? We shouldn’t! I told my Mama tonight that this coming year I am going to make it my goal (among many others) to get along with myself. I am going to start liking myself, I am going to make it a priority to be friends with me. I mean after all I am stuck with me. Everywhere I go, there I am. I cannot run from me. Believe me I have tried, it doesn’t work. I’m stuck with me for life. Thank God I have Him in me to lead, guide and direct me. Because if it was up to just me and me, I would aggravate the stew out of myself, and have quite often.

I know there are some guys who read this blog, but I am going to talk to the girls for a few minutes. Not to exclude you guys, keep reading if you want too, but since I am a girl I can relate to girls, I know how we think.

Girls, isn’t it time we start liking ourselves? I know it is so easy to look in the mirror and criticize everything about us. Sometimes we have one of those days where nothing seems to look right, every outfit we try on just doesn’t feel right, it doesn’t fit right, our hair goes flat, our nose looks to big, we feel fat, or bloated, at certain times every month we are moody, more so than we usually are, and have a tendency to be ill as a hornets nest. We throw pity-parties, and than hate ourselves for doing so. We have moments where all we want to do is cry and than we feel guilty for letting our emotions get the best of us, at times we jump down our throats if we feel we have indulged on to much junk food, mainly chocolate! We feel we can’t miss a spot shaving, some girls freak out if they do. Our make-up has to be perfect, if our foundation is uneven we get ill at ourselves. Eyebrows must be plucked, our nail polish must be perfect, hair in place, pimples covered, etc.. the list goes on and on and on. We are our own worst enemies. I know I am my own worst enemy, excuse me, let me use that in past tense, I have been my own worst enemy, now and in the future I have chosen to become friends with myself. So with this blog post I gladly shake my hand, now begins the process of becoming acquainted with myself on a deeper level than just chewing myself out, criticizing myself, over judging and constantly putting me down. In the past I have been so hard on myself, so much so the devil used that to get me in a frenzy. That was his plan all along, to get me to dislike myself so much, I didn’t know what to do with myself. Because I was so critical of me, I thought everyone else was too. I would almost constantly worry if someone else was thinking the same things I thought about myself, and tried to figure out their thoughts about me, that maybe if I did this, it would be ok, or maybe if I hid my emotions. Maybe if I just stay strong it will work, I can’t let myself show I’m human because then people might think less of me. If I lose my temper everyone will hate me, if I cry for no reason someone will say I’m being stupid, so let’s keep it all in side. No one ever told me any of that. I have always been treated as a human being and told it was alright to show emotion, but I let the devil tell me otherwise. I let the devil try to convince me that I had to be perfect, which is a lie because the only perfect person that ever walked the face of the earth was Jesus Christ! But because I listened to the devils lies my self-esteem was low because I wasn’t really happy with me. I was tired of trying to be a perfectionist, I was happy with me, but I wasn’t happy with me, and only if you have been there will you be able to understand that. For the most part I have been a happy camper, unless I started feeling like I was worthless, not good enough, didn’t do something right, didn’t measure up to someone else’s expectations that they didn’t know they even had. Did you get that? A lot of the time we think someone is critical of us or thinks we did or did not do something they approved of or didn’t approve of when really they weren’t even thinking that at all.

I am tired of being my own worst enemy, so this year I have made up my mind I am going to start liking me. When I look in the mirror I am not going to go “Eww, how ugly.” Instead I am going to tell myself, I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I may not feel like it, but God’s Word says that I am, so it must be true God is not a God that will lie, so it is true. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. When you start telling yourself that, it feels really great!

Yes, there are several things I don’t particularly like about myself, things I would like to change. I would love to lose about two more pants sizes! So far this year I have lost about six! That is taking a lot to admit that too!! Last year and the first part of this year I weighed more than I ever have, thanks to some medicine my Doctor prescribed to clear allergies, after that I had medicine prescribed by my dentist because of an abscessed tooth, after that I had more of the same medicine prescribed by an oral surgeon to start taking in preparation for my wisdom teeth being removed. After that I had more medicine prescribed for a pain I had on the left side of my lower abdomen. Thanks be to God I’m not on those medicines anymore! The medicines were the kind you have to eat something every time you take a dose, and the medicine would make me hungrier than I usually am, so I felt like a bottomless pit! Needless to say I gained weight. I went from a size 4-6 to a 12 really fast. Because medicine makes you sleepy and feeling bad drains you of energy, I didn’t do a lot of moving around so that added on pounds. I marvel that I am admitting this, but I don’t care anymore, it isn’t a big deal. I am learning that my worth does not come from what I look like on the outside, my worth comes from my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who created me in His image! Thankfully I am back to a size 6, and it is becoming a little big. I’m really happy about that! I still have a little ways to go, I am working at toning up more, but if I never reach my desired goal of getting in better shape, it doesn’t matter, my worth is still found in Jesus Christ.

I do not remember who said this, but I read a quote once that said, “God doesn’t put a tape measure around your waist He puts it’s around your heart.” That is so true. God doesn’t measure us according to our waistline. He looks at our heart. He looks at what is inside of us. The Bible says that “Favor is deceitful; and beauty is vain: but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 Does that mean you can’t be beautiful? No, absolutely not! It means our beauty doesn’t come from our outward appearance. You can dress in the finest clothes money can buy, be perfectly groomed and looking spiffy, but if the inside of you is black without the love of Jesus, you might as well be dressed in filthy rags. Our worth lies in Christ. Our value is found only in Him. As Christians we are daughters of the Most High God. We are called to be walking, talking, living, breathing witnesses of Jesus Christ our Lord. A billboard of His love. Who cares if you are an advertisement for the perfect materialistic model. I would rather be a model for Christ any day of the week than a model for the latest fashion. Don’t get me wrong, being a model for fashion isn’t wrong…unless you forget your worth is found in Christ. Not the clothing on your back, or the make-up on your face, or the jewelry on your wrist. True beauty shines from the inside out, not the outside in.

When I look in the mirror I don’t have to complain about every little flaw. I know my God designed me in His image and loves me for me. I use to think it was vain to say I am fearfully and wonderfully made. To say I am beautiful because God made me beautiful, it felt like I was being conceited and vain, it also felt like I am lying because I don’t feel beautiful. Thank God I don’t have to trust my feelings! I get to trust Him. I may not feel beautiful, But God tells me I am, so therefore I choose to believe Him and His Word! Admitting you are fearfully and wonderfully made is not vain, vain is when you are so impressed with yourself you cannot see past the end of your own nose and you expect everyone to worship the ground you walk upon because you think you are God’s gift to mankind, the perfect picture of beauty you think every girl should follow and every guy should want. That is vain. Believing and admitting that you are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God and beautiful because He created you is not vain, it is simply acknowledging what God’s Word says about you!

Girls, we have so many insecurities, its time to just let them go. To leave them at the feet of Jesus and embrace who He created us to be. Don’t let Hollywood tell you how you should be. Don’t let MTV tell you who you are, don’t let the media shape your thinking. Don’t let the world tell you who you were created to be. The only way to know who you were created to be is to get in touch with the Creator Himself, God. It makes since that the Creator show His creation who He created him or her to be.

This year I am choosing to let go of my insecurities, I am choosing to become friends with myself. I am going to learn to like me. Not in a selfish way, but in a way God intended for us to like ourselves I am choosing to make peace with myself, including my body. No more putting myself down, instead I choose to look to God’s Word to tell me who I am. I choose to let the Holy Spirit lead, guide, and direct me. I choose to stop worrying about making mistakes, I choose to stop being so uptight worrying that I am doing something wrong, judging myself, overanalyzing, criticizing and putting myself down. Instead I choose to follow God and let His sweet Holy Spirit correct me when I need correcting and show me where to go, what to do, and how to serve my Jesus without fear of what others may say.

In other words, I choose to take a stand. A stand against the normal self-saturated culture that puts pressure on us to be a certain size, to dress a certain way, to look, talk, and act a certain way, who cares if my nails aren’t perfect, who cares if I have a blemish on my face, who cares if my teeth aren’t perfectly straight, or perfectly white, who cares if my clothes aren’t name brand, who cares if I go out the door without make-up on? There is nothing wrong with wanting to look nice and take care of yourself, please don’t misunderstand, but there is something wrong with making our appearance our god. Becoming so frustrated with our shortcomings that we beat ourselves up. Do you realize there are girls who turn to drugs, alcohol, sex, cutting, eating disorders, etc…just because they don’t feel pretty? They don’t feel like they measure up to the worlds standards. That breaks my heart to think about that, it makes me want to cry, and believe me I have. It makes me want to reach out to them, telling them You are loved, you are beautiful, you are loved by God! You were created in His image and He loves you! Honey let me tell you the worlds standards aren’t that high anyway, good for you if you don’t measure up to them! Good for you if you choose to step outside the box and say I am going to be my own person, I am going to be the daughter of God He created me to be. I am going to love myself even if the world says I am ugly. I am going to trust God because my God didn’t make any junk, I am a daughter of the King, I am blood bought and I am redeemed. I am beautiful and God says I am royalty! I am a princess of the King, my God is my Father and He owns everything. Forget what the world may say, my God is the one who made the day. I don’t need popularity, when my God is the King of kings and Lord of lords!

This coming year 2010 I choose to make peace with myself. I choose to view myself as a daughter of the King. I refuse to let satan wreak havoc in my life trying to get me to hate myself to keep me sidetracked and off track of God’s calling. No more, the devil loses, because he is a loser. God is the winner, and I choose to follow Christ!

So girls, next time you look in the mirror, in fact why don’t you go look in a mirror now, and tell yourself out loud that you are fearfully and wonderfully made because God said so! Write Psalm 139:14 on sticky notes and post them wherever you need to, to be able to see them often and remind yourself you are God’s beautiful creation! You are exactly how God created you to be. God doesn’t make any junk, He made everyone an original, one of a kind design, and said you are worth so much. You are worth so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus to die on a cross for your sins. John 3:16 says for God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Maybe you aren’t a Christian, maybe you have made mistakes and feel so guilty. Maybe you don’t see how you can be beautiful, but I want to tell you. God loves you. He says you are beautiful and He wants you to come to Him just as you are. You don’t have to clean yourself up before coming to Him, you can’t clean yourself up. See God knew we wouldn’t be able to clean up our mess, He knew that we were incapable of saving ourselves, that is why He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to do it for us. That is why Jesus willingly died on a cross for us. That is why He endured so much pain, and agony as He was beat and hung up on a cross before everyone who gathered to see. Three days after He died He rose again, representing life anew in Him. He is alive seated at the right hand of God, waiting with arms open wide for you. You might not believe that God exists, maybe you have told yourself for so long that God couldn’t possibly exist, but deep down inside you want to believe. Deep down inside there is a hunger, an restlessness, a longing that only God can feel. As the lyrics of a song sung by Plumb say, there is a God shaped hole in all of us. My good friend Mike has a blog, at the heading of the blog he quotes St. Augustine who said “Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee.” The first time I read that on his blog it caught my attention, since than I have thought of it many times. Often times my heart becomes restless, searching everywhere for peace, but its never found until it rests at Jesus feet. Until I embrace Christ and just rest in His presence. Forgetting everything this world has to offer and just spend time with my Savior who gave His life for mine.

You see, Our soul was designed for fellowship with our Creator. You might deny God exists, but your denial doesn’t mean God isn’t real. I love a quote by C.S. Lewis it says, “A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him, than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word ’darkness’ on the walls of his cell.” You may say God doesn’t exist, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t real. Don’t you think it’s time to let down the walls that harden your heart and hinder you from peace, joy, contentment and true happiness. Isn’t it time your soul stops searching and finds what it has been searching for, what it has been longing for all this time. You are worth so much in God’s eyes, if you could only see a glimpse of the love He has for you. You would know you are loved. You’ll never see that glimpse unless you open your eyes. Open your heart, let His love wash over you. If you don’t know God, what are you waiting for? Its simple really, just call out to Him. Your soul was made to know God, it isn’t complicated. I promise you if you reach out to God He will be right there. He is already waiting, maybe you even feel Him knocking at the door of your heart. Let Him in already! He only wants what is best for you. He has your best interest at heart. Let Him show you! Let Him prove Himself to you! I promise you won’t regret it and you will never be the same.

Some people say Christians are foolish to believe in a God they cannot see. But I can see God. I see Him all around me. You see Him everyday. You may not realize it, but look at the world around you, look at the beauty of a human being, the simplicity of a flower, the gentle breeze, the blue sky, fluffy white clouds, the rippling of waves, all signs of God’s unfailing love for you. A beautiful reminder of how much He loves you. Look in the mirror, God’s fingerprints are all over you. You are His creation. It’s time you get to know your Creator! Let me ask you this, you may say Christians are stupid for believing in God, that He doesn’t exist. Let’s say we go with your theory for a moment, let’s say God doesn’t exist, ok, fine, when we die we have nothing to lose. But, let’s say we as Christians are right and God does exist, heaven is real, and hell is real. When we die, we have heaven to gain, but when you die, what to do you lose? You lose everything and hell to gain, which is a lose, nothing to win. If your right, and I’m wrong, I haven’t lost anything. But if I am right and you are wrong, you have lost it all. It all goes back to we were created by God, our soul longs for the connection. ‘

When you harvest a garden, you know the vegetables and fruits you see came from a seed you planted, they didn’t happen to just take shape and come out of the ground without a seed. There had to be a seed. The same applies with us as humans, we didn’t just happen to be. We didn’t just happen to appear, we have a Creator, His name is God. He created You. You aren’t a mistake, you aren’t failure, you are a creation of God. Won’t you let Him shower you with His love?

If you don’t know Christ, like I said, what are you waiting for? I promise you if you reach out to Him, He is already there waiting to catch you, like a father who catches the child who runs to greet him, swinging him or her up in his arms, smiling, beaming with love. God is waiting to catch you. Are you ready to jump into His arms of love? You’ll never be the same, and He will never let you fall.

Maybe you know Christ already if so that is awesome!! How about this coming year join me in growing closer to God. Finding out who we are in Christ Jesus. We are daughters of the King. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Make peace with yourself and let God show you who He has created You to be!

We are fearfully and wonderfully made! Daughters of the most High God!! Lift your head up high, square your shoulders, smile because you know God loves you, let the joy of the Lord be your strength, and show the world Jesus in you!

If you don’t know Christ, and even if you do, please feel free to leave a comment, or if you would prefer email me at Mardi@MardiRobyn.com I would love to talk with you!

Excited About 2010!!!!!

2009-12-29T20:00:00.000-08:00

Please forgive my lack of posting this week, or lack of content when I have posted. I have been busy organizing and getting things in order for the New Year! I am so excited about 2010! Not just because of my new venture in selling jewelry and craft projects that have become a hobby of mine, but because I am excited about what God is doing in my life now and is going to do in my life, inside and outside of my business! It is really exciting!

Yesterday afternoon I began organizing my room. If you were to walk into my room it would not take you long to find out that I collect books. I have ALOT of books, Bibles in different versions, Sunday school books and curriculum, textbooks, classics, Christian books, devotionals, self-help books, Christian romance, crafts, etc.. I just love books, some I have read, others are waiting for me to read. I have so many books my bookcase is overflowing. Next there is all of my craft supplies, Sunday school supplies, and a lot of other things. So yesterday I spent hours rearranging, and going through things. I am not through, I still have more I want to go through and organize and get rid of, but for the moment my room is looking a lot better!

Another thing I have started doing to stay organized is keeping a binder with nothing but ideas, information, supply lists, etc.. for this website.I have a list several pages long of ideas, projects, etc.. It was my Mama's idea to keep track of things. She is a very smart lady! Now comes the fun part of deciding what to do each day. What is more important, what projects I need to work on, what designs and styles I should do first to get on the web that might be better to start with than others, etc.. so tonight I am going through my lists in my binder to create a daily to-do list on a legal pad inside a nifty portfolio one of my sisters, brother-in-law and nephew gave me for Christmas. I grew up hearing my Mama tell me to make a list of things I want to accomplish the next day and stick with it until I get it done, if I don't get it done in one day, that is alright just pick back up the next day. And if I have another idea, something comes to mind I want to do, write it on the list and do it when I get to it. I thought it was funny when I came across this video last night with the same advice of writing a list, my Mama has advised me to do for as long as I can remember!

Like I said I am really excited about 2010. I have a lot of ideas, and a lot I hope to accomplish! One thing I plan on doing is create an actual storefront website that isn't blog style like it is now. I will use the blog just to blog, and sell jewelry and other accessories on a more professional looking website. I do not know how long it will take to do this. My goal is to create the website myself, which might take a while! I have designed websites in the past, but I haven't done a lot of web designing in about two years. I took a break from website design and began blogging. Now I am ready to get back into website design. The thing is there are new techniques and programs out there that have devoloped since I worked on websites, plus my knowlege of the basics isn't as good as I would like for it to be, so I need to do some studying and see which route I want to go. I plan on using a mixture of html and a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor, but I might use all html, or I don't know what yet! I have the design in my mind, its just getting it to take shape on the web I need to work on! Anyway I am excited! Until I get the website up and running I will continue using this blog for business as well as add more stuff to my Etsy (www.mardirobyn.etsy.com)

As much as I want to accomplish my goals for www.MardiRobyn.com and other goals this year. I want to make my top priority my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe you cannot have success in life without putting Christ first. Sure you might have what looks like success, but inside is what really matters. Outside things are temporary. You can be the richest man or woman on earth, but without the peace of God living inside of you, no amount of wealth can fill the void inside. It is easy to chase after material objects and try to pad yor pocket book, but if your hearts desire isn't to chase after God, catch Him and be caught by Him, everything else will fade and won't bring you pleasure. Eventually the temporary thrill will fade and you will be left empty inside, trying to cover it up with more work, or play but not finding fulfillment anywhere.

I am excited about my business, it has been a dream since I was a little girl. For as long as I can remember I have liked the idea of being my own boss so to speak, and there is nothing wrong with that, however my prayer for this New Year is that I do not get so caught up in Mardi Robyn that I neglect Jesus Christ. Without Him Mardi Robyn wouldn't even be possible. So yes, I want my busines to grow this year, and I believe that it will, but more importantly I want to grow in Jesus Christ!

The Bible says to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. So run after God with all the passion inside and I promise you, He will give you the desires of your heart. But guess what, you will find that the desires of your heart, whether it is owning your own business, writing a book, getting married, etc.. the joy of having the desires of your heart will be great, but the relationship you develop with God by seeking Him will be a hundred times greater than receiving the desires of your heart. And the desire you receive will be a hundred times sweeter when you have sought God and know it was He who made it possible!

Tonight I was watching The Basement (http://www.thebasementonline.com/) live at (www.thebasementlive.com) with Evangelist Matt Pitt out of Birmingham, Alabama.He talked about how people make New Years resolutions and had all these plans for the New Year and that was great, but He challenged everyone to make their top priority Jesus Christ! He said, "The New Year needs a New You.....if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got." That is so true. If you have been living without Christ, or you have a ticket out of hell, meaning you are a Christian and you know when you die or if the rapture takes place before you die, you know you will go to heaven, but you don't have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, meaning He hasn't become your best friend, then you are missing out on so much. I know I have missed out on so much by not putting Christ first.

My goal for this year is to seek first my Lord and Savior. How do you do that? By praying, reading His Word, spending time worshipping God. Doing everything you do all for the glory of God. That will make you stop and think about what it is you do when you think "Am I doing this for the glory of God?" It is hard to watch the wrong television show, listen to the wrong music, or anything else that isn't pleasing to God when you think, am I doing this so Christ can get the glory, or am I doing this for myself? What really matters in eternity? Am I helping my relationship with Christ, or am I hindering my relationship with Christ by choosing this action. When you start thinking along those lines, and than make the right choices, your life will change for the better. And you can do it, with Christ as your strength you can make right choices! It isn't impossible, all things are possible with God! (Luke 1:37) Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."

Think about it, there is a verse in the Bible that says our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. We are to glorify God with our bodies. Its pretty hard to glorify God with your body if your getting drunk, or having sex with someone outside of marriage. Maybe you are like me and have never had sex, maybe you are saving yourself for marriage like I am, so that sentence of having sex with someone outside of marriage doesn't apply to you. Awesome! I'm proud of you. But what about how we dress...our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, we have established that. So shouldn't how we dress act like it? Ladies, we need to be modest in how we dress. Think about it, in one breath we tell guys, ain't no way I'm giving myself to you, I'm saving myself for that one special guy, so you can just back off jack...but then we turn around and dress to catch his attention. There is nothing wrong with dressing nice. BUT there is something wrong with advertising what we are not willing to give. I love what Hayley Dimarco said, "If it ain't on the menu, cover it up!" Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost! Let's act like it! Yes, I know people mess up and make mistakes, it happens and there is forgiveness through Jesus Christ, just ask. But, we don't need to make it a habit. We need to remember we are bought with a price, Christ shed His blood on a cross for our sins, for us. So we can be free in Him. Our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, we are sons and daughters of the most High God, it is our duty, our calling to act like it. That puts a lot of things in a different perspective, in a different light when you start thinking like that.

When 2011 rolls around I want to be able to look back on 2010 and know that I put my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first in my life and have a deeper relationship with Him. I want to know that I put Christ first and everyone and everything else second. I believe in doing so, the rewards are far greater than if I did not! My Jesus gave His life for me, the least I can do is give my life to Him by letting His Holy Spirit have His way in me! Will you do the same?

If you want, email me at Mardi@MardiRobyn.com I would love to hear from you! Or leave a comment!

God Bless and Happy New Year!!!

~*~Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30~*~

A New Project

2009-12-26T17:00:00.000-08:00

That involves paint, and paper!

What could this project be??!! Check back soon to find out!!!!! (Don't you just love posts like this? lol)

~*~

Yay, Bendaroos!!

2009-12-26T15:00:00.000-08:00

During the week I bought Bendaroos!!

I have wanted to try these for a while now and finally bought a box! They look like a lot of fun. I spent a few minutes playing with them the day I bought them. I plan on experimenting with different bendaroo designs!! Who knows, maybe you will see some design in my Shoppe one day!

God Bless!!

~*~And Jesus said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Corinthians 12:9~*~

Merry Christmas, I am Very Blessed!

2009-12-25T16:38:00.000-08:00

I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas!I know that I am! I'm a very blessed girl, not just because of gifts received, but because I am surrounded by family and friends who love me and who I love more than words can express! Most importantly I am blessed because I have my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He came to earth as a baby, grew to be a man, died on a cross for my sins, rose again representing new life in Him, and is always my most faithful friend. I have a few best friends on earth, but Jesus is the bestest friend I have ever had, or ever will have. I really do love Him more than words can express, though not nearly as much as He loves me. He loves you too! If you don't know Christ, email me, (Mardi@MardiRobyn.com) leave a comment or both. I would absolutely love to talk to you about Jesus. He is sooooo amazing! And that is not an exaggeration, to say He is amazing doesn't even begin to describe how amazing He really is!!

~*~Merry Christmas!!~*~

~*~For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16~*~

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-25T15:28:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful day!

If you haven't already, read Luke 2!

God Bless!!!

Some Changes

2009-12-23T22:33:00.000-08:00

Previously I had this site as just my store with a link to the Mardi Robyn blog (a separate blogspot blog) Tonight I decided since my store is on a blog (blogspot) I would just use this as the store and the blog so you do not have to go to two seperate links. I will continue adding jewelry and accessories as well as random blog posts about life, crafts and whatever else I decide to blog about!

~*~Merry Christmas!!~*~

~*~And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke: 2:8-14~*~

This Is Becoming A Habit!!

2009-12-21T20:10:00.000-08:00

What is becoming a habit you might ask....polymer clay!! Sculpting with polymer clay has become a hobby I enjoy almost as much as making jewelry with beads and other objects!

Saturday night I spent a few hours making more cupcakes out of polymer clay! What can I say, it's fun!! I stayed up until after midnight baking them!

Sunday afternoon I took pictures of them!

Another view.

Right now these cupcakes are waiting for me to put "Modge Podge Puzzle Saver," on them to make them shine!

Today my Parents and I went to "Hobby Lobby," My Favorite craft store! I bought a 30 color pack of polymer clay, eraser polymer clay, a wooden bangle, mini cookie cutter embellishments, wooden beads, and the white cylinder and purple tool came with the eraser clay!

Tonight I have had fun playing with the eraser clay, next I am going to play around with my bigger selection of polymer clay colors!

In other news..I have all of my Christmas shopping finished, wrapped and under the tree! Hurray!!

~*~Nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37~*~

Polymer Clay Beads, Charms and a Bracelet!

2009-12-14T22:00:00.000-08:00

This was my first attempt at making a cupcake out of polymer clay. I pained the cake part brown and the sprinkles blue. The green is the color of the polymer clay I used. Unfortunately dropped this one on the floor before it had hardened well and the top of it broke.

I like the way this blue and brown cupcake turned out! I added two coats of "Modge Podge Puzzlesaver," glue to make it shiny!

And another blue and brown cupcake! Again I added two coats of "Modge Podge Puzzle Saver Glue," on this one as well as the polymer clay charms below!

I am not sure if I want to call this Strawberry & Chocolate Swirl or Cherry Chocolate Swirl, probably Strawberry since Cherries are red...

My cupcakes!
And again!
My first attempt at making an ice cream cone out of polymer clay! I added two coats of "Modge Podge Puzzle Saver Glue," to this too!

These are my first try at making beads out of polymer clay! I like the results! I added two coats of "Modge Podge Puzzle Saver Glue," to these beads as well!

I bought the brown ceramic beads at Wal-Mart, I like the way they blend nicely with the polymer clay beads making the pink in the polymer clay beads pop!

I made this bracelet yesterday afternoon using baby blue ceramic beads I bought from
Wal-Mart too!

Working with polymer clay is a lot of fun! Next I am going to make some brown and blue swirl beads, I think that will be pretty! I like blues and browns combined!

I hope you are having a wonderful Monday!!

God Bless!!

~*~Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt that you may know how to answer every man. Colossians 4:6~*~

New 3-Column Background!

2009-12-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks to this tutorial http://thecutestblogontheblock.com/blog-secrets/145-how-to-get-a-3-column-template.html from The Cutest Blog On The Block website,I learned today how to add three columns to my website!! I also learned how to change my main wrapper, sidebar and outerbar colors of my blog. Plus I have been adding new things to my blog, websites I like, blogs I read, etc.. so check it out and if you would like too let me know what you think!

God Bless!

~*~Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20~*~

I Added Meta Tags!!

2009-12-10T18:34:00.000-08:00

I just learned how to add meta tags to my blog html!!!! I have been trying to learn this for a few weeks now! I learned how using this tutorial on ehow http://www.ehow.com/how_4432068_add-meta-tags-blogger-blog.html

Just thought I would share!!

God Bless,
Mardi Robyn

Beading, Polymer Clay and Painting!

2009-12-10T17:37:00.000-08:00

Monday night I made my first polymer clay cupcake! It was simple and fun to make!

Tuesday I painted it with some paint I had. When I made the cupcake I did not get the bottom of it flat enough to sit up on it's own so I had to figure out how to hang it somewhere while it dried. As you can see I slipped a paperclip through it and hung it on the wall on a thumbtack!

I read online that Acrylic paint was good to use when painting polymer clay. I immediately thought to myself, "Where can I find acrylic paint?" It wasn't until I read a label on a bottle of paint I had bottles of Acrylic paint I had bought for Sunday school projects When I realized it, I had one of those "Duh!" moments! The colors pictured from left to right are, "Licorice," "Wicker White," "Brown Oxide," "Christmas Green," "Plum Kiss," "Orange," "Diva Pink," and "Pool Blue."

Wednesday my Mama and I went to Wal-Mart and I loaded up on some craft supplies. I needed jump rings to finish making a pair of earrings I am giving away in the recent promotional give-away I hosted. I bought the paint brushes so I could keep them at home instead of using the ones I already bought and left at Church for Sunday school projects. I bought head & needle pins to use in my polymer clay creations. I plan on breaking the head & pin needles in half since I do not need them long. I bought penguin buttons because I think they are cute!! Also pictured are findings to use to make an eyeglass necklace for my Mama. The sky blue and white ceramic beads I thought were pretty, I might use them in making the eyeglass necklace, I haven't decided for sure yet! I recently began making rings using a glue gun but soon found that the toys and charms would not stick well to the ring with a glue gun, so I bought some "Craft Bond Rubber Cement," I am hoping that will work! Does anyone have any suggestions of other glue I can use? For a while I have wanted to try my hand at decoupage, plus I wanted to get something to coat my polymer clay creations with so I bought "Mod Podge Puzzle Saver." It was less expensive than the big bottles that say, "Modge Podge," I read the back of both bottles and saw that both were waterbase sealer glue & finish, the only difference I could tell from the smaller and bigger bottles was the bigger bottle contained a glossy finish.

While looking at the paint I remembered a little girl I teach in Sunday school wanted me to buy yellow paint, so I picked up a bottle of "Yellow" paint and saw the other two bottles of paint "Bright Blue," (pictured on the left of the picture) and "Cloudless," (pictured on the right of the picture) I am looking forward to making more designs using polymer clay as well as making rings, and atleast one eyeglass necklace!

Have a blessed Friday!

Mardi Robyn

~*~Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Micah 7:7~*~

Making Candy Cane Crafts with my Nephew

2009-12-09T17:36:00.000-08:00

Monday night my four-year old nephew and I made candycane ornaments to go on our Christmas trees! He left some of the candycanes he made here and took some with him to hang on his own Christmas tree! I had fun making these candycanes with him! Not only was this a fun project, but very easy to make!

These candycanes were made using ribbon and pipecleaners! I plan on posting a tutorial soon!

My nephew made this candycane with his Mama using half a pipecleaner and yarn!

A pipecleaner and yarn ring!

I saw a tutorial online for making a paperclip angel and wanted to make one myself! This is the second one I have made this style. I gave it to my nephew to take home and put on his Christmas tree!

My nephew wanted to make a big candycane!

More yarn and pipecleaner candycanes!

My nephew made another big candycane!

My nephew made the beaded candycane with the camouflage ribbon! I made the one with the yarn ribbon!

It was fun making crafts with my nephew!

~*~Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4~*~

Various Craft Projects

2009-12-09T15:05:00.000-08:00

During the week of Thanksgiving I fun trying some craft project ideas I found on various websites!

I glued buttons onto thumbtacks for a decorative look!

Gluing googly eyes onto colorful paperclips was fun as well! I like how cute they look!

I saw the idea for a yarn scarf or belt on a website (I do not remember the name of the website) when I saw the project idea I knew I wanted to try it. I already had the yarn at home, so I did not have to buy anymore! My original plan was to make a scarf or belt for myself, but once I got started tying knots and braiding I realized I did not have enough yarn cut off so it turned out being a child size scarf or belt!

Here's a picture of what it would look like as a belt.

These projects were fun! I plan on making some more later adding my own ideas!

Over the weekend my sister and four-year old nephew came for a visit. I enjoyed spending time with them and making some crafts with my nephew! I plan on posting some pictures of our craft projects so check back soon!

Have a Blessed Day,

Mardi Robyn

~*~Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart: wait, I say on the Lord. Psalm 27:14~*~

It's Snowing!!!

2009-12-04T21:05:00.000-08:00

I am excited to type that it is snowing!!! It started snowing earlier tonight, but now the ground is covered in a blanket of snow!!! My Daddy called me into the den to tell me the snow was on the ground, after hurrying to the window to see the snow, I ran to my room grabbed my camera and hurried out the door to take some pictures! I look forward to waking up in the morning and rushing outside so I can see it in the sunlight!

Have a wonderful weekend!! I know I will, tomorrow I'm playing in the snow. lol!

~*~Rejoice in the Lord always! And again I say Rejoice!! Philippians 4:4~*~

And The Winner Is.......

2009-12-02T10:57:00.001-08:00

Today is the day I get to announce the winner of the give-away! The person who was randomly selected and won the earrings is.....

Hannah!! Congratulations!

Hannah left a comment requesting to be entered into the contest on the blog post announcing the Give-Away. No email or web address was given, so I have no way of getting in touch with her.

So, Hannah if you read this please email me at Mardi@MardiRobyn.com or leave a comment with your email so I can get in touch with you about where to send the earrings!

I am searching my facebook, shoutlife, and twitter to see if I can find the Hannah who entered!

Thank you everyone who participated!!

Mrs. Lisa
flamenureyez77
Hannah
Mrs. Catherine
Miss Toria
Rudy

As promised in the Promotional Give-Away announcement blog post, I will send each of you a 10% off coupon to your email address as a way of saying Thank you for entering the contest!

I will be hosting another contest in about a month!

~*~But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31~*~

Winner Announced Tomorrow

2009-12-01T17:42:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I will randomly select and announce who won the earrings in my give-away!

Check back! If you haven't entered already, enter before midnight tonight!!!

Thanks!

~*~ Mardi Robyn

~*~For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:14-15~*~

New Collection of Eraser Necklaces!

2009-11-30T17:53:00.000-08:00

Check out the new collection of Eraser necklace!! They are shaped like food!

http://mardirobyn.blogspot.com/2009/11/eraser-necklaces_30.html

And while you are at it check out the new Eraser rings!

http://mardirobyn.blogspot.com/2009/11/eraser-rings.html

Also if you haven't entered already be sure and enter the Give-Away! Tonight and tomorrow is your last chance to enter before a winner is randomly selected Wednesday!!

From ..::Mardi Robyn::..

~*~O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9~*~

Promotional Give-Away: One More Day!!!!

2009-11-30T15:09:00.000-08:00

I am excited to say that so far six people have entered my first give-away!

1. Mrs. Lisa
2. flamenureyez777
3. Hannah
4. Mrs. Catherine
5. Miss Toria
6. Rudy

If you would like to enter for a chance to win you still have the rest of today and tomorrow to enter! I will randomly select a winner Wednesday!!! I'm looking forward to seeing who wins!!

Thanks again to all who have entered!!

Goodnight or Goodmorning

2009-11-28T00:51:00.000-08:00

Depending on how you want to look at it! It is seven minutes until 3:00am and yes I am still awake! It seems I have become fascinated with learning all I can about blogging, marketing, website promotion, and the like. It is a lot of fun! I am going to limit myself on how much searching for marketing and promotion ideas I do during the week!

I am enjoying the beginning steps of being running on own little business, it still feels strange calling it a business, after all jewelry making is a hobby, one I enjoy very much! So to call it a business seems strange and new to me, but definately exciting!

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving! Mine was good! Today was a good day as well. One of my favorite college football teams is Alabama Crimson Tide. Today they played Auburn and barely won 26 to 21 Atleast they won though! ROLL TIDE! Tomorrow I get to watch the Gators play! Go Tebow! For those of you who do not know, Tebow is my favorite football player in college football. Mostly because He stands up for what he believes in and serves God with everything in Him even on the football field. Don't get me wrong he is a great football player, probably the best there has ever been in college football, but he is great because of the God he serves! He really lives Philippians 4:13!

Well, it is time I stop procrastinating and go to sleep! Check back soon for another blog post and if you haven't already enter the give-away I am hosting for a chance to win a lovely pair of dangly earrings!

Happy Saturday!

God Bless!! (John 3:16)

~ Mardi Robyn
www.MardiRobyn.com

~*~And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32~*~

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T12:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

I told myself today I would not work on my website other than to blog a Happy Thanksgiving post! I am however working on some new jewelry! I find jewelry making fun and relaxing, so while I am working on jewelry designs I am watching old movies! My first one of the day, "Breakfast At Tiffany's." I haven't seen the first of this movie until now, but I have seen the ending, however I don't remember it!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

God Bless!

~*~Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8~*~

Likin' These Websites Alot!

2009-11-24T23:15:00.000-08:00

http://www.craftstylish.com/ and http://www.craftgossip.com/ As the title of this blog post says I am liking these two websites a lot! I have spent a lot of time on the "Craft Gossip"before. I have heard about the "Craft Stylish" website and probably glanced at it a few times, but have spent a lot of time on it last night and today. Both websites are full of creative craft ideas! I really like this project http://www.craftstylish.com/item/55764/make-a-wreath-using-plastic-bags I am going to give this project a try... along with a long list of projects waiting for me to create! And this http://www.craftstylish.com/item/53897/how-to-make-a-vest-from-a-plaid-shirt A vest from a plaid shirt...what a neat idea! This idea http://www.craftstylish.com/item/53491/recycled-magazine-gift-bows is cool! And to think I threw out a stack of magazines over the weekend. I have directions printed off from another website (http://www.ehow.com/) to make a dog leash, but this one looks cool too http://www.craftstylish.com/item/53241/how-to-make-a-custom-dog-leash These paper stars http://www.craftstylish.com/item/52500/how-to-make-window-stars look really neat! It might be a project my Sunday School class can make after our lesson one Sunday morning. Maybe I can come up with a lesson to go along with the project..this could be fun!! Better get started with some more fall cleaning! Don't forget to enter the promotional give-away for a chance to win a pair of dangling earrings!

From ..::Mardi Robyn::..God Bless! "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say REJOICE!! Philippians 4:4~*~

Promotional Give-Away!!

2009-11-23T17:50:00.001-08:00

I am excited to announce my first promotional Give-Away! Between November 24 and December 1 you can enter for a chance to win a pair of earrings valued at $6.50

From ..::Mardi Robyn::..

Names will be written down and drawn old school style! For the fun of it I will write each name down on strips of paper put them in a hat or container, shake it up and randomly select a winner! It will keep it fun that way!

The Give-Away doesn't officially start until tomorrow, but if you would like to submit your name now feel free to do so, I will write it down tomorrow!

To keep it fun, first names only will be added to a list on Mardi Robyn as people enter the
give-away for a chance to win, if you would prefer your name not to be mentioned on the list please let me know when entering and I will add "Anonymous" instead of your name to the list!

I will close entry to the give-away Tuesday December 1, 2009!

A winner will be randomely selected and notified by email Wednesday December 2, 2009

Upon notification I will need you to reply with your address so I can ship your earrings!!

Sounds fun?! I think so! Imagine wearing those earrings with a great dress, or dress up a casual outfit! The earrings also dangle for a bonus feature!

That's not all though! Each person who enters the Give-Away will receive a one-time-use coupon worth 10% off of purchase of any value from Mardi Robyn as my way of saying Thank You!!

Enter now for a chance to win! To enter email me at Mardi@MardiRobyn.com or leave a comment!!

Please tell your friends about it too so they can enter a chance to win! Feel free to use the banner code below! Simply copy the code and paste it onto your website and or blog!

From ..::Mardi Robyn::..

(Need help with the code? No problem!
Highlight html code Ctrl +A to Copy Ctrl + C press Ctrl + P to paste!)

Thanks for entering!!!

Officially Open!

2009-11-20T12:56:00.000-08:00

Hey! Welcome to Mardi Robyn! I am excited to say this website is now officially open! Check it out and come back often! I plan on adding a bunch more in the weeks to come, including more Christmas Jewelry!

Thanks for stopping by!

Feel Free to contact me.

Mardi@MardiRobyn.com

http://www.mardirobyn.com/

God Bless!

~*~For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16~*~

A Real Quick Update!

2009-11-19T21:25:00.000-08:00

I am excited to say it is getting closer to time for this site to be officially opened. If you have stumbled upon the site or have been checking back for updates you might notice some changes. I have been working a lot lately adding content getting it ready to be open for business. Technically it already is, but there are more photographs of jewelry I want to add before I announce the website as being "officially open for business." Hopefully I can get everything up and running like I want it before within the next day or two. If not I am pretty confident I can have it open before Thanksgiving next week!

Anyway just wanted to blog a quick update! I have been working on this website for over five hours! I am ready for a break!

Goodnight!!

God Bless!

Almost Ready!!!

2009-11-14T19:32:00.001-08:00

Keep checking back!!

~*~My foot stands in an even place: in the congregation will I bless the Lord.
Psalm 26:12~*~

Beading and Craft Parties

2009-11-14T18:28:00.000-08:00

Looking for a fun idea for your daughters birthday party? Why not a beading party!

I love being around children and teaching them how to make jewelry using beads!

Locations Available

Will drive to parties in the following locations:

Mount Olive, Mississippi

Magee, Mississippi

Collins, Mississippi

Seminary, Mississippi

Laurel, Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Mize, Mississippi

Taylorsville, Mississippi

And the surrounding areas.

Materials Used

I bring the beads and other supplies such as:

Beads

Stretch Cord
Beading Wire
Clasps (if needed)

Tape Measures

Bead Boards (To measure jewelry)

Pouches or jewelry bags or gift bags for girls to keep their jewelry designs in.

During the party each girl gets to make her own bracelet! Each child will receive a free jewelry item by Mardi Robyn in addition to keeping their own jewelry creations!

Christmas Parties

I am also available to do Christmas Parties.

Christmas Crafts

Beaded Candy Canes
Earrings
Jingle Bell Earrings
Shirt Brooches (glue guns are used)
Button Wreaths
Clothes Pin Reindeer

Pricing

10 girls = $100 $5 for each child over ten children.

Ask about discounts for parties at Nursing Homes.

For more information email me at Mardi@MardiRobyn.com

~*~Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14~*~

Custom Orders

2009-11-14T18:18:00.000-08:00

Have an idea in mind? A certain style of beads or colors? Email me at Mardi@MardiRobyn.com and let's see what we can do! I will do my absolute best to design your idea, if not I will let you know!

~*~Jesus said, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgement you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matthew 7:1-2~*~

Contact Information

2009-11-14T18:12:00.000-08:00

Address

Mardi Robyn
P.O. Box 544
Mount Olive, Mississippi, 39119

Email

Mardi@MardiRobyn.com

~*~Jesus said, "Therefore all things whatosoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matthew 7:12~*~

Gift Wrapping

2009-11-14T17:53:00.000-08:00

Need your purchases gift wrapped? Not a problem! Gift wrapping is available!

Pricing

1 Item $1
2 Items $2
3 Items $3
4 Items $4
5 Items or more $5 gift wrapping for all.

~*~Jesus said, "Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30~*~

Privacy Policy

2009-11-14T17:48:00.000-08:00

Privacy is important to me. I promise I will never give out or sell your private information. You can be 100% sure that the information you give for purchases and shipping will be kept private!

For Questions Email: Mardi@MardiRobyn.com

..::www.MardiRobyn.com::..

~*~Jesus said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandent. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:37-40~*~

Shipping Information

2009-11-14T17:31:00.000-08:00

Shipping

Order will be shipped after payment is received through the United States Postal Service

Order ships within the same week payment is received. Usually within 48 hours or before!

Receipt of purchase is printed and shipped with each order. If ordering through paypal receipt is sent through email to your inbox as well as a printed receipt with your order.

Each item will come shipped in a jewelry bag packaged inside of a padded envelope or box depending on the size of the order.

Orders are shipped within the United States of America.

Refunds and Exchanges

Refunds and exchanges must be made within 10 days of purchase.
In case jewelry is damaged during shipping I will refund you your money or exchange the damaged item for a new one. In order to receive your refund simply ship the item back to me and I will refund you through paypal or if purchase was made through the mail a money order will be sent. For exchanges please send the damaged item back to me and I will fix-it or make a brand new item if the damaged item is not able to be fixed.

Misc Information

All jewelry is made in a smoke free home. Pets do not live in the house so you do not have to worry about items containing pet allergies, or smell like smoke.
Each piece of jewelry and each craft is made by hand.
Material items ex; hair scrunchies, are made using a sewing machine.

For Questions: Mardi@MardiRobyn.com

..::www.MardiRobyn.com::..

~*~Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:19-20~*~

I Haven't Forgotten

2009-10-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

So, I haven't forgotten about this site. I have been working on it ever-so-often. Right now I am in the process of doing some last minute adjustments, such as adding Bible verses at the end of each page, paypal shopping cart, linking, menu's etc.. I am not sure when it will finally be launched so to speak. I am hoping within the next few days, mainly because I keep getting requests, or have made jewelry for family, or children I teach in Sunday school and their friends and others want to know where they got it, so I'm trying to get the site up so they can direct them here. Like I said hopefully I can accomplish this within the next day or two, but if not maybe next week!

In the meantime, back to work! lol

~*~The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou Lord has not forsaken them that seek You. Psalm 9:9-10~*~

Update!!

2009-10-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

Who knew uploading a lot of pictures would take a lot of time!! I did! I didn't realize how much work would go into it! Not much! Ok, well several hours and a lot of patience, but I am enjoying it, just a bit impatient! I am excited to see all of my jewelry online with prices and a paypal shopping cart!

I have been working on new jewelry designs and shop ideas! It really is exciting! I look forward to sharing it all! In the meantime check out my Etsy (http://www.awesomelyblessed.etsy.com) and look for Christmas themed jewelry coming soon!!!

God Bless!

~*~Mardi Robyn

~*~As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him. Psalm 18:30~*~

Introductions!

2009-09-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

The joys of starting your own business! The feeling is indescribable! I can remember as a little girl playing pretend I would be the owner of whatever business I was imaging. A little girl with big dreams! Now at twenty-two I still have big dreams! Some are turning into reality, others are waiting to be reality! The adventure is exciting! I have many ideas swimming around in my brain. This is just one of them! I have held a fascination with beads ever since I was a little girl. I would spend hours making jewelry for my family, friends and I, or pretending the beads were food when I played with my Barbie dolls and dollhouse. I remember many times I would line up beads pretending it was a garden and each color would represent a vegetable or fruit, sometimes even meat! Yep, those were fun times! I like thinking of those memories!

I do not know exactly when I started having a fascination with beads. One of my earliest memories is one Christmas one of my sisters bought me a Lisa Frank bead kit! I was thrilled! Another time I remember a neighbor bought me this big bead set for my birthday, I spent many hours playing with those.

Somewhere between the ages of fourteen-sixteen I began to spend a lot of time making jewelry out of beads. It became a hobby I played around with off and on. Ever since the age of sixteen or seventeen the hobby of beading became something I was passionate about and enjoyed tremendously. I can spend hours a day making jewelry and that is no exaggeration!

I was sixteen or seventeen when the idea came about to start selling my jewelry online. At first I liked the idea, and then I wasn’t sure I liked the idea or even if I could do it, but I knew I could do it at the same time! I played around with the idea for a little while but didn’t do anything about it. In 2004 or 2005 the idea starting coming to mind again. Somewhere between 2006-2008 I began working on a website for my jewelry. I admit I didn’t put a lot of effort into advertising and getting my website up and running like I could have, so within a short amount of time I took the website down and began feeble attempts at getting my jewelry out there.

In 2007 I created some catalogs, nothing fancy, and after a few weeks, maybe months I decided I didn’t like the way they looked and didn’t keep up with promoting so I let it go for a while.

My plans of a website for my jewelry to sell it was still in my mind, but instead of doing anything about it, I basically just tossed around different ideas and strategies to promote my jewelry, and read some online, all the while continuing to design jewelry as a hobby whenever I got the urge to bead!

Within the past few months I have taken on a different interest in jewelry design, making jewelry from toys, and other odds and ends that at first glance you wouldn’t necessarily think to make jewelry out of.

I love browsing stores, magazines and the internet trying to find new ideas or inspirations for my own ideas. Jewelry making is a lot of fun! Not only is it fun, it is relaxing and it is a thrill to design something and see the finished project! I love how it feels seeing a new idea take shape!

I don’t know everything there is to know about jewelry making, I don’t claim too! All I claim to know is how much fun it is coming up with new ideas and seeing people smile in excitement over a design you’ve made!

For years I have made jewelry to give to family and friends, sold some jewelry to family, and even to people who are not family. I have had custom color requests and design requests! Many people have even asked where they can find certain pieces of jewelry, thanks to my sisters and girls in my Sunday School class who wear some of the jewelry I have made! With people telling me I should sell my jewelry and others wanting to know where to find my jewelry, I decided it was about time to do something about that…create an online business! I am in the process of setting up my website to sell jewelry and other craft projects but, in the meantime I am starting this blog to give an idea what to expect on the website, and give you some information about myself. I am excited to introduce to you Mardi Robyn!!

I look forward to hearing from you!!

God Bless!
~*~ Mardi Robyn ~*~

~*~I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13~*~