I LOVE MY MAMA-giveaway

I love my mama. I love giving stuff away...who doesn't?! Do you love your mom? your wife? your sister? your daughter? your grandmother? your own sexy self? Need something special this Mother's day? Enter for a chance to win a Mother's Day necklace.

The Necklace
This is an 18 inch sterling silver necklace with a handcrafted and hammered heart and clasp. Swarovski crystals representing each birth month dangle from the heart. The necklace will be shipped any where in the U.S. at no cost to you.

How Do I Enter?
1. If you have Facebook, go to Koukla Mou Design's page and post a comment, tagging the person you would like to enter, including her relationship to you and ONE word to describe her. *How do I tag someone? Type @. When you type @ all of your friends will show up. Start typing your friend's name. When you choose a friend, the text of your friend will turn blue. This post will then show up on your friend's wall as well. I will leave an example on Koukla Mou Design's wall. (If you have Facebook, but the person you want to enter does not have Facebook, please still leave your comment on Facebook).

2.You don't have Facebook? Who doesn't have Facebook?! Leave a comment in response to this post, including the lucky lady's relationship to you, her name and ONE word to describe her. For example: my mom, Joni, nurturing

Wow, that was a lot of directions. You only need to enter once. I will choose the winner of the giveaway by 9:00 p.m. EST Monday, May 3, so that gives you ONE day to enter. The winner will be chosen at random.

For the men.
I'd LOVE to see some guys participating in this giveaway. So, men, show me what you've got and tell all of the Facebook world how much you love and appreciate the mother of your child/children (Mother's day is next Sunday, March 9).

Game on.

how it's made

When looking at many of my silver components, people often ask me, "Did you make that?" and "How did you make that?" and "Do the pieces come like that?" and "Who taught you how to do all this?" etc. etc. Most things I make are handcrafted. Bracelets, clasps, pendants and many different spirals. I learned how to make these components the same way I learned how to do a lot of things in life: I taught myself. To show how these pieces are made, I decided to do one of the things that I do best...a step by step of "how it's made."

Step 1. Sterling silver comes in a coil. I decide how many feet I want to buy, and I buy it. (This coil is 40 feet).


Step 2. I eyeball the amount I think it will take to make a design that I have in my mind. I measure it and cut it. When I figure out how many inches it takes to make a certain component, I of course, use a measuring tape from that point on.


Step 3. Silver doodling. I doodle with silver. That's really what it is.


Step 4. "Hammer on it!" During this process, I usually hammer pieces that fly across the room and I then have to get up, look under the couch, in the corners of the room, etc. etc. Sometimes I lose the smaller pieces. It's pretty annoying.


Step 5. Finished product. Add a sterling silver chain and a little bling-bling Swarovski and there you go! I am actually making 30 0f these crosses right now to sell at the Grecian Festival in Worcester, MA in June. Each cross is unique.


Thanks for asking!

my life in mobile uploads

The Maine Distracted Driving Law was written for me. I just know it. It's just a matter of time before I get pulled over... Forgive me fans for I have been busy. It has been 6 weeks since my last blog. No worries, I have chronicled my life in mobile uploads. I LOVE mobile uploads. I am border-line obsessed with taking pictures with my phone. Sometimes while driving. Here is what I've been up to...

1. In March I went to a women's retreat in York, Maine. I had to take a picture of this grandmother with her grandchild in a harness. I know sometimes it is necessary, so I'm not knocking the use of these. It is VERY difficult to take advantage of the mobile upload opportunity, and you can notice by the angle of this picture that I actually had to turn my head around to take this picture. I'm a safe driver, really.


2. York beach in March. In a tank top and shorts. Enough said.


3. My aunt gave me champagne for my birthday. A couple of friends and I decided to pop it open on Pine Point. My favorite beach. Onlookers were very jealous.


4. April is Autism Awareness month. As a special educator, I try to educate students and staff with updated information. This year, each class in 1st and 2nd grade made an autism ribbon, which was displayed in a front lobby window. There are 16 ribbons in the lobby windows of our school. They look amazing. I am so proud of our school. It was a very time-consuming project but well worth it!


5. I LOVE my friends. LOVE THEM. They are beautiful and funny and refreshing. We were driving downtown the other day and there were 2 dogs: a german sheperd and a golden retriever. My friend, Jenika, LOVES goldens. Angie proclaimed that she loved german sheperds. Angie then said, "Oh my god, it's US, except dogs." How could I NOT take a picture. Again, I had to turn around to take it. Maybe I should stop driving and sit in the back seat to take pictures. I love my friends.


6. Sunsets. Beautiful. Especially when setting behind a dunkin' donuts in Westbrook.


7. My first campfire of the summer...wait. Oh yeah, it's still spring. Oh well. My first campfire this calendar year.


8. I FINALLY framed my Michael Garbutt photo from Australia. It's been sitting in it's mailing envelope for a good month. LOVE IT.


9. Can we just talk about my life for a minute? Because this is what it looks like. It drives me crazy, but I have no choice. I have no other room to make jewelry. Ah well....


So there you have it folks. My life in mobile uploads. Hopefully I never write a blog about being pulled over for distracted driving....

Where has all the clam dip gone?!

History
Everyone has their traditions. This is also true when it comes to the Superbowl.
For as long as I can remember, watching the Superbowl always involved eating chips and clam dip. This year I didn't watch the Superbowl. And I didn't have my clam dip.

The Problem
You know when you realize something is missing and you just HAVE to have it? Yeah, well that's how I've been ever since the clam-dip-missing-Superbowl-Sunday.

The Journey
4 stores, 3 towns and 2 months of looking. I've been to 4 stores: two Hannaford's, 1 Shaw's, and 1 Walmart. I've been to 3 towns: Portland, Freeport, and Scarborough. I'm not gonna lie. I almost cried after the second store. It's not even that big of a deal. BUT WHERE HAS ALL THE CLAM DIP GONE? Seriously?! Where is it?! I've turned into a crazy person trying to find it. They have french onion, ranch, bacon horseradish, jalapeno cheddar, and a new BBQ something. Yes, I know every brand, every kind. I know what the colors are (light blue and white with a clam on the label). Helavu Good? More like Heluva GONE.

The Solution
Solution? What solution. I want my freakin' clam dip!

11 DAYS of GIVEAWAYS

*Note the change in time below!*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME
My birthday is March 11. I LOVE my birthday. I'll be 29 this year. I'm already planning my 3oth and I'm SO excited about it. But that's a whole year away, so let's talk about this year. This year, I want YOU to love my birthday, too.

THE GIVEAWAY
Each day from March 1 thru March 11 you can enter for a chance to win aquamarine (march birthstone, which I love) cluster earrings. The cluster is sterling silver, with freshwater pearl and aquamarine sea glass from The Beadin' Path. These mini clusters are just the right size and super cute.

HOW TO PLAY
To be included in this giveaway, follow these steps.

1. Visit my etsy shop and find your favorite item (I've been adding items almost daily, so be sure to check back every day).

2. Email kouklamoudesigns@gmail.com between 6:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. (EST) each day March 1-March 11 with "GIVEAWAY" in the subject line. Include your favorite item from my etsy shop in the body of the email (you must include your favorite item in order to be entered).

3. If you are the 11th person to email me for this giveaway between 6:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. (EST) you will receive the aquamarine cluster earrings.

Winners will be announced each evening.

Have fun and tell your friends!

busy busy

This is going to be short and sweet this week. I'm so busy and thinking about writing a blog is very overwhelming. School is busy because it is the time of year we start planning for the following school year. You can imagine all of the planning, observing and meetings for kiddos that I don't even teach yet. And teaching on top of that.

Today I was in a rush, spilled coffee all over myself, because I was late for the bus (I had to ride the school bus again) and was very unhappy that I had no coffee to drink. The rest of the day was much of the same. When I got back on the bus at the end of the day, I didn't want to talk to, look at, or "do a staring contest" with ANYONE. "GET ME OUT OF HERE!" I want to scream some days. Yeah, that wouldn't fly so well....

One huge thing I learned this week...don't make a chicken on a Friday night, when trash day is Friday morning. My garbage has smelled SO BAD all week. Just don't do it. Take my word for it.

Okay, so the next blog is going to include a giveaway, and your help is needed. So stay tuned, and I hope to have more exciting experiences to share next time.

"Do you want to have a staring contest? Because I'm really good at them." -first grader

What To Expect on 295

This morning, I drove north on 295 from Portland to Augusta, then got on routes 2/27. There are a few things you can expect when driving this route. They are strangely comforting, as some things never change.

92 Moose
I LOVE 92 Moose. I don't get this station in Portland, so as soon as I'm in range, I tune in. It's always exciting to listen to China Dine-ah commercials ("China, china dine-ah...a stone's throw away from 202") and to the lucky 9th caller. Let me tell you a little about the 9th caller today. She was from Winslow. She needed to answer a question correctly in order to win a meal at China Dine-ah. The question: "How many states border Alaska?" She said "two", then changed her answer to "one". Keep in mind one of the multiple choices was "zero". Seriously?! I wonder what her answer would be if she was asked the same question about Hawaii...

Random People
I laughed right out loud today when I drove by a man on routes 2/27. He was taking a leisurely stroll right along the road....while reading a book. I wanted to put the car in reverse and ask him what exciting book he was reading that he couldn't put down for a walk. I wanted to take a picture. I thought better of it. I kept driving. And smiling.

Frost Heaves
Rural roads are often posted with bright orange "FROST HEAVE" signs. About 3-5 meters after the sign, you better slow right down or you will bottom out. I always know I'm "home" when I see these signs. There is one specific frost heave in New Sharon that has been there for about 20 years...but only at this time of year. You better believe I slowed right down for that one today.

Advice
Next time you're driving on 295, grab a camera, tune into 92.3 and enjoy the ride.

REMEMBERING

big yiayia
I turned my apartment upside down this morning looking for a random note I saved several years ago. Instead of finding it, I came across memory upon memory. In the piles of memories, there was Big Yiayia. Big Yiayia was 103 when she died. We called her big yiayia, because she was my great grandmother. She was not, however, big at all. She was full of life and love and purple hair. And she told the most hilarious stories. She is the reason my business is named Koukla Mou. She would grab my cheeks and repeat "rachel, rachel, rachel, koukla mou, koukla mou (my doll, my doll)" again and again. She never failed to ask "how are the cats?" even when I didn't have cats anymore. She was always smiling, always bobbing her head just a little bit, sometimes singing old greek songs, and always sharing stories. There is one story that remains my favorite.

ice cream
Big Yiayia came to America "on the boat" when she was 16. Her uncle picked her up and bought her an ice cream. A while later, he turned to her and asked, "Jennie, how was your ice cream?" Her reply, "I put it in my pocket for later."

just smile
I didn't really understand Big Yiayia when I was little. I understood "cat" and "rachel" but the rest was Greek. I just smiled and nodded. Although she spoke mostly Greek and broken English, I never doubted her love for me. She loved in her smile, her body positioning, and with her eyes.

Thank you, Yiayia. For loving without even having to say a word.

MY UNLOVELY BONES

28 going on 89
I am 28 years old. Twenty-eight. So why do I feel like I'm turning 89 instead of 29? My knees ache when it rains (so painful!), I can't put any pressure on my wrist, and if every vertebra in my spine isn't stuck, my sternum is popping. If it's not one thing, it's another. So what's the problem? Why do I already have degeneration in my vertebrae and arthritis in my wrist?

Calcium?
I drink about a pot of coffee a day. With cream. I get plenty of calcium.

Exercise?
Have I mentioned I'm a special ed teacher? For little kids? They are wicked quick. I should wear a pedometer. I get plenty of exercise.

Weightlifting?
I actually did start lifting at the gym again. And these little kids I chase after...yeah, I also pick them up from time to time. I lift plenty.

Injuries?
Well there was the time I got a concussion when chaperoning a middle school dance a couple years ago....and the first time I tried snowboarding, went to the top of the mountain without a lesson and ended up with lots of bumps and bruises. Come to think of it, I developed a small ball in my wrist after that... Injuries? I've had plenty.

Ergonomics?
I sit on a stool that's too short and work at the kitchen table. If I'm not at the table, I sit on the couch and work. And my chair at school...I can't even talk about it. It's so old there's probably a small colony taking up residence in the underside. Ergonomics? What's that?

The Truth
I'm getting older. I'm not 17 anymore (even though I act like I am sometimes). If I don't make changes now I will be a hunchback when I'm 30. Who wants a hunchback with unlovely bones?

SO MANY SWEETHEARTS

Thank you
Several beautiful, selfless, passionate and caring nominations were received for the SWEETHEART necklace. It was difficult to choose just one recipient. Thank you to all who participated!

The Winner
Casey Ryder, your nomination has been chosen as the winner!

The Twist
If you know me at all, you might expect this coming...Casey, YOU will also be receiving a SWEETHEART necklace.

*Free Shipping: If you order a SWEETHEART necklace from now until Valentine's day, you will receive free shipping on your order.

Heart Necklace Contest

The Necklace:
This necklace is an 18" Koukla Mou Designs original handcrafted, hammered sterling silver heart with white freshwater pearls, sterling silver chain, and handcrafted, hammered clasp.

The Rules:
1. You must nominate someone other than yourself. It can be your wife, your girlfriend, your mom, your teacher, your sister, your aunt, your grandmother, your daughter, your niece, your friend, etc.
2. Send an email to kouklamoudesigns@gmail.com and tell me why the deserving woman in your life should have this necklace for Valentine's day. This contest is not based on the number of nominations.
3. Have fun! and check out new items listed in my etsy shop!

*Nominations must be in by Monday, February 1, 11:59 p.m. (Portland, ME time) to be considered for this contest.

All The Single Men

"Excuse me, do you have a girlfriend?"
Trivia night at Margarita's is always a good time. Endless chips and salsa, a sea of useless trivia and lots of...single men?! I have never looked at men in the way I did Wednesday night. With my business card in hand, I planned to lure them in, hand them my information and hope to make a sale for Valentine's day. I hoped, as I approached each group of men, and asked, "Excuse me, do you have a girlfriend?" that they would reply "yes." This is the first time in my life that I've been so bold. This is the first time I've HOPED for unavailable men. My next words would have been, "Well, you should buy her some jewelry for Valentine's day," as I handed my business card over.

"No"....What do you mean, no?!
I talked to 9 men. Not one of them had a girlfriend.

A Win-Win situation
If I ever want to find out if a man is single, I can use this line. If he's single, at least I know he's single. If he's unavailable, well, then perhaps I gain a sale. Either way, the outcome is a positive one for me and I leave still feeling confident...even if my friends are completely embarrassed by my actions.

3 things

I became aware of 3 things this week:
1. I need to start a blog.
2. I need to wear my designs as much as possible.
3. Dance whenever I can.

I'm attacking #1 and #2, I'm on to #3...

Last week, I started "bus dance Fridays" and had about five 1st graders dancing with me (time will only tell how long the rest of the bus joins in). I figured if I had to ride the bus on a Friday afternoon, I was going to have fun doing it! Rules were established and we were off... On Saturday I car-danced from Newburyport to Worcester, MA. I was car-dancing so hard, I was sweating. If you've never done this, or haven't car-danced until you sweat, try it. It is an instant picker-upper. I tried to show off my jewelry as much as possible, but really, can anyone see that much while driving? Doubtful.

Try a new dancing destination this week. And show off your KMD.