Don’t throw out that crinkled tissue from your gifts…use it to stuff in your handbags. It will help them keep their shape and last longer.

If you have ever visited the store when I’m is out of town, you’ve probably witnessed
a Barley tantrum.  Whether it’s for 5 min or 5 days, he’s a nervous wreck.  Barley is
a scratcher if he gets nervous, and he’s always romping through weeds and pollens that
set his skin crawling.   But what I learned at market, when I talked with the owners
of Sonoma Lavender the healing benefits of lavender are safe for even our fur babies.

Lavender essential oil does multiple duty:

1. Heals the broken skin.
2. Soothe itchy skin.
3. Soothe nervous, agitated feelings.
4. Repel any insects, fleas, ticks, etc.
5. The strong pungent taste of lavender oil prevents further licking and biting.

So I’m sure the girls will be rubbing Lavender oil on Barley’s temples on my next trip! 
He’s such a spoiled dog.

Best always~ jb

Open up to a magical world of stories, passion and beauty – a world that stimulates your curiosity as well as ignites your imagination.  This spring Trollbeads brings you the nature and light of the North – the mythological land of trolls, fairies, magical stories.

Welcome spring with a handful of spring flowers light as a feather in both glass and silver. In addition to this we also bring you kittens and puppies and the most beautiful heart, to be assembled by two loved ones.

Delicious pink and turquoise agate brings additional color to the collection, and as we are getting ready for summer you will feel like being at the beach: waves, the beach, reef, shells, sea urchins, bathing ball, bikini and palms. And if this is not enough adventure for you, then we have the spirit of freedom… inspired by the classic Peter Pan.

Double Heart. Two hearts become one – fused together in eternal love.

Spirit of Freedom.
Freedom. Fantasy. Dreams. This little kid inspires you to fulfill your dreams and hold on to the child inside of you. Inspired by the classic Peter Pan he is sailing through the sky and dancing on the waves. So just forget it, you can’t control him… he is pure freedom.

Whitecap.
Crashingly, splashingly, foamingly, blue the waves wash onto our shores. Again and again. Nature’s great clockwork endlessly ticking away.

Shadow Flower.
When the night comes and the moon rises in the northern sky, it bursts into bloom, revealing a shimmering pearl in a world of shadows.

It’s more than just to keep you warm!

Scarves are one of the easiest, most affordable ways to completely change the look of an outfit. There are, oh, about a bajillion ways to wear them, but here we’ll share some of our favorite fresh new styles to add to your wrap repertoire.

1. Belt It: Place the scarf around your neck, wear a blazer or cardigan on top and wrap a belt over the whole thing. Leave space between the ends if you don’t want to completely cover up your top.

2. Knot It: This necklace-like style works especially well with long scarves.

3. Loop It: Makeshift an infinity scarf by wrapping it around your neck and tucking in the ends.

4. Wear It as a Headscarf: Wrap a long, thin scarf around your head to instantly transition from “bad hair day” to “boho fab”.

5. Wear It as a Skirt: Warning — we recommend only wearing this style over an actual skirt or dress to avoid a potentially-embarrassing wardrobe malfunction. That said, when done properly it’s a perfect way to get a Grecian draped effect.

6. Keep It Classic: Wrapping a scarf around your neck balances out a lower-cut top, but it can be worn with just about anything.

What’s your favorite way to wear a scarf?

Just not in that order!

The blizzicane of 2011 didn’t keep us from heading to Atlanta for the January Gift Show.  With 12 hour delays, I was the last (and only for 2 days) flight out from Austin on Tuesday night.  With ground transportation to a halt, we heard horror stories of people stranded in the Atlanta airport for days, with no food (since they weren’t able to receive deliveries).  Mom and I packed snacks, and brought blankets to camp out in the airport.  Thinking at least we’d be that much closer to the Market Center.

But things were looking up when we were able to take the Marta to our hotel, only to have to drag our 100 lbs of luggage up hill…over 3 inch thick ice!  Cars and trucks were sliding all over the streets…it was nuts!!!!

(Feeling sorry for us, yet) 

These are  just a few of the crazy things we retailers do to find new stuff for our stores.  The freezing temps continue, so the city is still pretty iced over outside.  But inside the Market, it’s the warmth of bright Spring colors blossoming all over the new FABULOUS merchandise…making our adventure so worth it.

It’s time that time of year, when we drop a few hints on what WE want under the tree.  And to make it easy for you, Point of Origin keeps a Wish List on file for you.    Whether it’s your favorite Tyler Candle Fragrance, a pair of Lindsay Philips snap shoes, the perfect combination of charms from Trollbeads, Pick up Sticks, or Waxing Poetic….we can make your gift receiving so easy!

then…..

Invite your husband, boyfriend….or barnyard full of mens to our

3rd Annual Men’s Shop Nite

Whiskey, Cigars &  Beer

Tuesday, December 7th

5- 8pm

It’s the perfect time for them to fulfill ALL your wishes!   And we will even gift wrap them, too.

What’s the best part of the Thanksgiving dinner?  Besides the time with family and friends….the LEFTOVERS!  Yummmm. 

I just fell in love with the creative idea for sharing  leftovers with your dinner guests.  Colorful chinese take out boxes….available at Point of Origin in 3 sizes….and Avery Labels make a cute and memorable take home pack.    Check out more Holiday  ideas  using Avery Labels!

Personalized Holiday Gifts

What better way to show someone your love this gift-giving season than by giving a personalized present? With just a little forethought and organization, you can do something really special. Here is a list of fantastic ideas to take your Christmas/Chanukah up a notch.

This Engraved hammered Copper pendant on a beaded necklace was the perfect gift for my grandmother.  She loved the traditional monogrammed statement piece, which completed any outfit from casual to formal.

Perfect for all your pet lovers – Custom embroidered pet food/water bowl mats.  Made from the same material as your car mats.  It’s totally creative….and functional too.  Choose your mat color, trim fabric, embroidery thread and size of bowls (16 oz – 64 oz….translation cat/small dog to Great Dane or pony size)

Elegant, glamorous, and confident! This is crystal cut jar with engraved silver lip holds a luxurious body creme by Lady Primrose.  The receiver of this sophisticated gift will be waayyyy impressed with your taste and thoughtfulness.

I absolutely love this awesome company called Danielson Designs, whose custom design studio allows you to make gorgeous gifts and items for your home that are well-priced and made super-fast!

Custom items include picture frames, signs for your home, plaques, monograms, and more. You can search the site by item, or by occasion, which gives great gift ideas for an anniversary, birthday, graduation, new baby, friendship, romance, family, and of course, Christmas!

Getting lots of attention in our store, is this new custom pottery line.  Each piece made to order…you can choose your color, pattern, and verse.   Personalize it with a family or couple name. Or maybe meaningful quote or verse.  They are so gorgeous!

Andrea Hodne!

.

I had never met Andrea….before this.  In fact, I still haven’t , as I was not there when she picked up her fabulous Trollbeads Bracelet.  However when I talked to Andrea on the phone, my heart melted when I heard that she had lost her father to Lung Cancer this year.   There was an angel above who guided our hands to her winning ticket.  How awesome is that?

And we hope her new Trollbeads bracelet continues to bring a smile to her face, like it did the day she won!

Thank you to ALL who helped support Mayberry Memorial.  Your generosity helped raise $1200, and touched many lives!

Andrea Hodne, winner of our Trollbeads raffle with Diane Judah, founder of Mayberry Memorial.