words cannot express...

how incredibly grateful and overwhelmed I have been since early wednesday morning. my heart and my tearducts have been overflowing. when i decided to host a benefit for jonathan's birthday, i had no idea what i was in for. so much love, generosity, and support has been poured out in our direction that i am simply in awe. thank you.

thank you for making this week one of the best i have ever had.

thank you for helping little insignificant me do something truly amazing.

thank you for taking on a cause that may not impact your life daily, but certainly impacts the lives of those closest to me.

thank you for your friendship and for your encouragement.

when i started allora handmade, i had no idea what a blessing it would be and i am so thankful for the opportunity to give in a way that was otherwise impossible.

do you want to hear what we did this week? drumroll please....

with your help, we raised over $1300 for Autism Speaks.

can you believe it? i know. AWESOME.

my sister has been in tears. what a blessing for her to feel supported through you in one of the biggest challenges she has ever had to face. and though J may not know of your willingness to contribute to a cause that will affect his life, his family will. so, thank you.

i can't think of a better way to start off the year. i feel as though my heart has been changed, and my mind has been opened to the possibilities that are out there as long as i am up for the challenge. i hope that 2010 will be a year of change and growth and giving. i know that it will be an amazing year if i can learn to look outward instead of inward and give more of myself, my time, and my talents.

thank you. thank you. thank you for making that possible. those words just don't do it justice!!

BIG NEWS!

Hello friends! I am so excited to announce a really cool benefit going on in my shop today through friday.

I love how December is so full of the spirit of giving. The feelings I had this season have helped me to make a goal in 2010 to give more: of myself, of my time, of my talents, and my resources. My first opportunity starts today! January 14th is my nephew, Jonathan's 10th birthday. He was diagnosed 8 years ago with Autism, and that diagnosis has drastically changed the life of my sister and all the rest of our family - in so many ways.

Every Christmas and birthday I struggle with what to get him that he will really enjoy.Since buying gifts for Jonathan is so difficult, this year for his birthday I am having an Autism Awareness benefit sale in my shop. The shop is loaded up, and from today, January 13th through Friday the 15th, I will donate 100% of the proceeds to Autism Speaks. I figure the best gift I can give him (and his family) is a chunk of change to help solve the puzzle that is autism.

Here is where I need your help. I would love to shout it from the rooftops, but my corner of the blogosphere is only so big. If you are willing to post about the benefit and the opportunity to help out my nephew and millions of others (the statistic is now 1 in 70 boys are diagnosed with autism in the U.S.) I would greatly appreciate it.

Here are the details:

• 100 % of the proceeds for the 13th, 14th, and 15th will go to Austim Speaks
• For every $10 you spend in the shop, you will be entered to win $40 towards a purchase at Allora Handmade ( So, if you spend $50, that's 5 entries).
• I will not be taking custom orders during the benefit so as to get purchases out the door as soon as possible.

I think that's all. If you have any questions, please let me know. It means so much to me to be able to use my time and talents to be able to give back to a cause that is so close to my heart. Happy shopping!

coming up...

hope you all had a happy holiday season! it sure was nice to close down the shop for a minute and catch my breath, but i certainly have missed you all as well as my little creative outlet! just wanted to tune in and make sure you check back in on wednesday for some exciting new things, a chance to give, and a chance to receive... and that's all i'm going to say for now!

curiosity piqued?

see you wednesday!

giveaway!!

hop on over to simply modern mom today for an allora handmade giveaway!

BLACK FRIDAY!!!

aren't you in luck... i am offering an exclusive sale through this blog only - here are the details:

pretty poppy pins and clips: buy 3 get one free!!

custom orders: 10% off!

and here's where it gets fun. are you ready for a little treasure hunt? here are the rules:

there are about 20 items in my shop on super secret sale. (VIP's only) that means you are the only ones who know about it! cool...

the sale prices range from 10 % off to 50% off. can you imagine the excitement!?

what is on sale you ask? your mission is to find this message in the product description: "***THANK YOU TO MY LOYAL CUSTOMERS!!

after this message there will be a number that indicates the percentage off you will receive. so fun!

still with me?

good.

so, once you have loaded up your cart, be sure to leave me a message in the notes to seller that says something like "I love Allora Handmade on Black Friday!" or "Black Friday at Allora Handmade ROCKS!" or, "You are a genius!" you know... anything along those lines so that I know that you are a true loyal customer:)

i promise it will be worth your time, and in one quick click of a mouse you'll be able to cross off everyone on your list (well, most everyone) at a serious bargain.

once i receive your order i will do all the math and credit back your paypal account all of the moolah that you've saved and send you a message in that refund that shows your savings.

so let's recap:

*pretty poppies- buy 3 get one free

*custom orders: 10% off

*super secret sale: you find it, you get a steal of a deal.

*don't forget to leave a message so i know you're in the know.

doesn't that sound like fun?

can you think of a better way to come out of your turkey coma? i can't.

hurry! sale ends friday at midnight and while supplies last!!

may the quickest clicker win!

stay tuned!!

hi friends! i have just added a bunch of new designs to the shop and will be adding tons more over the next few days. and be sure to stay tuned for a black friday special available only to you!

a few policy changes:

***i have recently changed my shipping policies- i now automatically ship priority with tracking for $5 for all orders. if you would like cheaper shipping without tracking and priority, send me a message and that can be arranged.

***custom orders can only be guaranteed to arrive by christmas if ordered by december 1st. after that date, please contact me to purchase anything that is not labeled "IN STOCK" or if you would like a custom order to insure that your item will be available in time.

*** items marked "IN STOCK" are ready to be shipped and can be purchased up through december 15th and still guaranteed to arrive by christmas.

the perfect present...

now available... gift certificates!!!

this weekend

have been hibernating all week to prepare for this:

If you are in UT, come on out and see me... lots of goodies!!

didja see?

always wanting to listen to you, my dears! i'm excited to take your comments and suggestions into consideration and insert my own little point of view.

i've added more to the shop this week... a few new brooches and even a darling little girl's statement necklace. now tell me you don't want to snatch that one up right this second....

for the little diva:

pretty in pink $25

updates!

excited to announce that the shop has been updated with some fun new items. be the first to have this season's must have accessories!

everybody polka headband $13

oh my pearl! necklace $16.50

to match those rosy cheeks earrings -winter blue $11.50

throw away that christmas sweater - necklace $30