Auction Item: Explorer's Guide

I first met writer and former travel agent Amy Rea through her popular and highly entertaining knitting and cooking blog, Knit Think. This year, Amy authored a new book, "Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes: An Explorer's Guide," and we've got a signed copy for our auction!


The publisher wanted to make use of our famous state motto, thus the book's official title - but Amy has done her homework, and is very aware that the lake count is considerably higher. She did most of her exhaustive research in person, on site, and her book shows it. Within these 400+ pages you will find tourist spots and secluded woods, chocolatiers and local dives, swanky lodges and cabins for families on a budget. If you hunt, fish, hike, shop, eat, play, or simply drive around and enjoy our unique and beautiful state, you will find new and wonderful places to explore.

Amy is still doing research; she really loves Minnesota! You can find new and updated information on her travel blog here.

Auction Item: Cherries Supreme Jewelry Set

This beautiful necklace and earring set was created and donated by Wilma, of Wilma's Whimseys. Here she describes how her jewelry is made:

"All my beads are handmade using Italian glass. This particular set has a mixture of colors. Each bead which is made with glass that is melted on a torch that consists of a mixture of oxygen and propane and wound on a mandrel. For the oxygen we (beaders) use oxygen concentrators, and are always looking for used ones that are no longer needed. I have applied different colors of pink and white and swirled them to make the effects that you see. they are then put into a 1000 degree kiln and annealed, a process which takes 5 hours. Creating the piece does not come easy. The beads usually sit there for sometimes a month until a pattern develops in my mind. I use only sterling silver in my findings (clasp, jump rings, bead caps and sterling beads) for not only the beauty, but so many people are allergic to metals and sterling is one that can be worn by mostly everyone. I use the magnetic clasps and large lobster claw hooks for those who have trouble with their hands. These items make it easier to get the pieces on and off. also for nursing mothers if baby tugs on the necklace, the strand won't break, the magnetic clasp just comes undone.

I have been making beads for 2 1/2 years now and it is a hobby that I love. I sell my beads on Etsy under the name of www.whimsey.etsy.com for those who like to make their own jewelry, as well as my website where I now have started making and selling my jewelry."

Auction Item: Handcrafted Hat

This beautiful handcrafted hat was created by the talented Jane Carlstrom of Glorious Hats and Felt Sew Crafty. The patch is an example of how Jane mixes fiber art and needle art techniques. Her animal silhouette patches are a combination of needle felting, fiber fusion and thread applique.

Jane has been a very enthusiastic and valuable assistant in getting the word out about the benefit, and we expect this unique item will attract quite a bit of interest at the auction. Thanks for everything, Jane, you are an inspiration!

Raffle!

Try your luck at winning a 1997 Ford Explorer Sport - Raffle Tickets only $2.00!





All leather interior, moon roof, 6 CD player, oversized tires








Drawing held at the Benefit fundraiser; winner need not be present to win.


Tickets available NOW through October 18, 2008 at:

KRAUS-HARTIG V.F.W. POST #6587
8100 Pleasant View Drive Spring Lake Park, MN 55432