Remember when I found the Jar of Whimsies at the Bins and was all excited about making my own? Well, I've finally started doing it. And it's just as much fun as I'd thought it would be.

First, I spent a couple of weeks gathering up stuff at the Bins. Each trip, I'd grab a Ziploc bag (there are always some around there) and start shoving all the tiny, shiny things I find into it. Like what? Small toys, especially old or interesting ones; tiny paper goods; bouncy balls; doll clothes and furniture; game pieces; rubber duckies; bells; marbles; dice--whatever strikes my fancy that is small enough to fit in a jar.

Next, I separated all my stuff into bags. I thought about doing it by color, so insure having a good color mix in the jars, but decided to do it by type instead. So I have one bag of marbles and bells, one of bouncy balls, a couple different ones of toys, one of small pine cones, one of vintage pieces, one of beads...etc.

Now I needed jars. As luck would have it, I have a vast collection of thrifted jars (aren't you shocked?). Most of them, however, are canning style jars that I have writing or ornamentation on them. For this, something plainer is better, so I choose some plain Ikea jars (these) that came from the GW a bit ago.

Then I put the pieces together. I did it without a plan. I just picked a few things from each bag, tossed them in, then took a look at the jar. Then I added, subtracted, moved things around, and shook the jar until I was satisfied.

This is my kind of craft--more time spent thrifting, less time spent with glue or a sewing machine. And the result is so great. It's this joyful little package. And, the best part? 100% recycled. There is nothing new in any of the jars I've made, and I don't see any reason why there would need to be anything new in any I'll make in the future. I can't feel a bit bad about that!

Have you ever heard of The Little Black Box? Basically, it's an independent company that gathers up samples from lots of indie businesses and puts them together in monthly "black boxes." The boxes are geared and teen girls and women and contain lots of beauty/bath type samples, jewelry, etc. They are different every month, depending on which indie businesses decide to contribute, and not all of the boxes are the same every month, depending on how many of each thing there are, though all of the boxes do have the same general value/number of items. There are a limited number of boxes for sale each month. The boxes cost $23 including priority mail shipping.

I heard about the program a year or so ago and desperately wanted to order one, but didn't have any extra cash at the time and forgot all about it. Then, recently, someone on a message board reminded me about them and I looked them back up. Since there were still February boxes left, I ordered one, and it arrived yesterday.

The Little Black Box is actually a little black bag, pictured at left. I don't know why that disappointed me, but it did. However, packaging doesn't really matter all that much--I was more interested in what was inside!

The following was included in my February Little Black Box:

1. From Artists Helping Animals: a sticker, a promotional magnet, and a small plastic owl magnet


2. From No Duplicates: two (screenprinted, I think?) Christmas gift tags


3. From babai alainn: a small knitted beanie (doll sized)


4. From Vegan Etsy: a BOGO coupon for dog treat recipes


5. From Kreations by Kathie: four small heart-shaped cinammon scented mini scent tarts and a 15% off coupon


6. From Gems by Jerri: a pair of beaded earrings and a 15% off coupon


7. From fluffnflowers: four emerald okra seeds


8. From The Crocheted Baby: a crocheted mini face scrubber (like this) and a BOGO coupon


9. From a shop whose name I could not read: a small beaded string--maybe intended to be a keychain?


10. From Bloomhill Baby: a small embroidered guardian angel and a 15% off coupon


11. From girls just wanna have fun: a crocheted face scrubbie and a 15% off coupon


12. From Photobeads: a large colorful bead and a small promotional calendar


13. From Augavino: a photo card and a 20% off coupon


14. From Hippy Dippy Designs: a pair of beaded earrings


15. From McGuinness Photography: a photo card and a 15% off coupon


16. From Cottonwood Herbals: a 4 oz bar of "Clothesline Fresh" scented soap


17. From Soap that Makes Scents: a lavender scented soap petal


18. From Cheri's Organics: a small bar of green tea jasmine soap


19. From Skin Candy: a 20% off coupon, 2 oz rice krispie treats lotion, lavender vanilla shower gel sample, coconut pear body butter sample, and watermelon taffy whipped cream soap sample


20. From Simply Sentimental: a 10% off coupon


21. From Lincoln Christie: a glass tile necklace


22. A PETA sticker featuring a pig barking like a dog


23. A Little Black Box button

All in all, I was neither blown away nor disappointed. There was nothing in the box I would have chosen for myself, but most of it seems pretty usable and reasonable to pay for. I found the companies that contributed coupons but no merchandise irritating--I shouldn't have to pay for your coupons. I thought the Skin Candy company was generous, as was Lincoln Christie. I would have liked more bath stuff and less jewelry, but I understand that's the luck of the draw. And I still love the concept.

So, I think I will try March's box and see what it holds. The website says it will be on sale March 27. And in the meantime, I'm considering contributing to the boxes once I get Crushworthy back up and running. Little tins of sugar scrub would be perfect, I think...

As I mentioned I was going to last month, I got March's Little Black Box. And I'm much more impressed with it than I was with February's offering.

It includes:

• A cute quilted catnip toy from Colorado Catnip Toys.


• A smiley face sun button from Buttonhead.


• A 50% off coupon from Gaia Trove.


• A BOGO coupon from Emma's K9 Kitchen.


• A pair of black bead earrings from Estancia Designs.


• A pair of blue and green beaded earrings from Hippie Dippy Designs.


• A 10% coupon code for Simply Sentimental.


• A Peach Jam Cheesecake scent tart by Kreations by Kathie.


• A Masai Mara organic shea butter soap sample from Dian Jane.


• A Ceylon Black Tea sugar scrub sample from Bauble Bath (whom I have tried and liked before).


• A 15% off coupon and Obama matchbook notebook from Betty Mae Artistry.


• A 25% off coupon and vanilla hazelnut soy candle from Scentsory Candles.


• TWO mini envelope, matchbook notepad, and mini matchbook notepad sets from Crye's Creations.


• A white stone (moonstone, maybe?) necklace and a 20% off coupon code from Kitty Hawke.


• A skull and crossbones necklace charm from Designs by Tami.


• Three small oatmeal and peanut butter dog treats and a 10% off coupon from Stylin' Pup Pillows.


• A pair of small leaf earrings and a BOGO coupon from On Beyond Zebra.


• A White Chocolate Latte Whipped Sugar Scrub sample and Guinevere Silken Glove Cream sample from Heaven and Earth Essentials.

Like I said, much better than last time. I can't wait to try some of this stuff. And I'm likely intrigued enough to get April's box if I have the cash when it comes out. So stay tuned!

OK, does everybody remember my Tiny Shiny Things jars? I made quite a few of them a year or two ago, sold a couple, gave more away, and then stopped.

Well, I'm ready to make some more. About 1/2 dozen more. I have supplies already, it's just a matter of putting them together. And I want to use them for a benefit or fundraiser of some sort.

So, here's the deal: if you want one, make a donation to your favorite charity. Size of donation and charity is up to you--whatever you think is fair. Then drop me a note and let me know, and I'll send you a jar. Just let me know if it's for a kid (and approx age) or an adult.

First come, first serve.