I used to stress over shopping for gifts. It seemed like I saw lots of great ideas EXCEPT when the time finally arrived to buy something.  That day nothing seemed to fit.

Over the years my friends and customers have helped me find  ways to take the pain out of the process, and I wanted to share some of those ideas.

• Keep a storage box in your home for gifts.  When you see something that would be a great gift, especially if its on sale, buy it and add it to the box.  Next time you need a gift, just "shop the box." This tip shared by my sister has not only saved me money, it has saved me shopping time by planning ahead.
• Next time you see your loved ones, pay attention to what color they are wearing or have decorated their home.  Odds are, that color really makes them happy.  If you find a gift in their favorite colors, they will love it just for that.  Tip: If you have a memory as lousy as mine, add this info to your electronic calendar, along with an annual reminder for the event date.
• For some people it might be good to think about a consumable gift.  They may be overloaded with "things" and appreciate a gift that will be consumed and not add to the clutter.  Stationery, candles, food and wine are good examples.
• Think handmade products.  I am often surprised how much more people appreciate a handmade gift found just for them.  It shows you are thoughtful in your shopping and picked something you think they will enjoy.  Get extra points by including an artist card or bio with the gift.
• If you have to buy a gift card, try to think outside the box and be thoughtful about your choice.  For example, my family gives us a movie gift card plus a gift card for the restaurant next door. It is an instant "date night" for us and we love getting it as a gift.

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Don't forget to make the presentation nice too.  Many stores and sellers offer free gift wrapping and it pays to ask.  If you have purchased the gift ahead of time, don't forget to put a post-it on the wrapped package so you remember what it is!

Hugs, Ann

When I started painting animal coins, I never expected turtles to be the animal requested most often. That surprised me! Ok, I know that in many cultures turtles symbolize longevity, wisdom, and good luck. Was that why? So I decided to do a little research and found out some pretty amazing things.

• Turtles are one of the oldest living reptiles. They were even around during the time of the Dinosaurs! The oldest turtle on record lived to be 188 years old. Lots of wisdom there!
• Sea Turtles can hold their breath for up to 5 hours underwater. Of course, they usually don't do this, preferring to come up for air every 5 - 10 minutes. Still a pretty cool superpower to have.
• Sea turtles have an excellent sense of direction. In fact, scientists have proven that they are able to detect the earths magnetic field and use it as a compass. Ok, that is just cool.
• Sea turtles swim for long distances migrating, sometimes as much as 1,400 miles from their feeding grounds to where they nest. Females often return back to the same beach where they were born.
• Think turtles are slow? The Leatherback Sea Turtle can run 6 mph on land!
• Their diet is so interesting. When they are growing, they eat a protein diet. Once they reach full size, they switch to a plant based diet. Even more impressive, some turtles can go a whole year without eating.
• Unlike cartoons we have all seen, turtles don't shed their shells. The shell is a part of them and is made up of 60 different bones that are all connected together. The shell also has nerve endings, so they actually can feel when you are touching them!
• You gotta cheer for the "underdog." Only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings makes it to adulthood. Even the temperature can influence their gender. There are usually more female hatchlings in warmer environments, and more males when cooler or under 85 degrees.

But the best reason of all to pick them as your favorite animal is... when they elegantly swim through the water, they remind us of a tropical vacation!

​Hugs, Ann

Wear what you Love...   AND know its story so you can share it!

This coin from Gambia has a lot of interesting things in its story.  First of all, it is a 7 sided coin, which is not seen too often.  First step to being fun and unique.

Even more interesting is the crocodile featured on the coin.  Often coins feature something significant for the country issuing it, and this is certainly the case here.  The crocodile featured is a "West African Slender Snouted Crocodile."  Say that 3 times fast!

It's ancestors go back 20 million years and have been evolving in isolation ever since. If you aren't aware, crocodiles in general go back more than 230 million years, to around the time of the dinosaur. You might also be surprised to know that their closest living relatives are birds! 

This crocodile is known for an unmistakable long and slender snout, which lacks any bony ridges.  The snout is perfect for capturing fish, which is their main food. This breed of crocodile is a very shy species, and is known for its females being incredibly attentive parents. Each one of these interesting facts is a conversation starter, and your friends will be listening with interest!

It is only found in the West African region, which includes Gambia. Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa, and nearly 50% of its population live in poverty.  The Slender Snouted Crocodile competes with fisherman in this area,  and is critically endangered. So we hope that the fate of this unusual crocodile is protected, but it now makes perfect sense why Gambia honored it with a coin. Awareness may just make a difference!

This beautiful silver coin from Turkey is the shining star of the new Leslie Collection. A statement piece that is about the size of a US silver dollar and is In fact made of pure silver.

I am so delighted to release this new coin pendant as part of the Leslie Collection.  Here are a few details...

Coin Origin:  Maui Chamber of Commerce
Features:  Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle.  Natural Wildlife of Hawaii
Year:  2019 - only 1 year
Metal type: Cupro-nickel
Size: 1-1/2 inch (38mm)

COIN STORY:  This is part of a series of coins issued by the Maui Chamber of Commerce.  A new design featuring native wildlife is issued each year, and the money is used to fund various nonprofit goals including programs for public schools.
The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, also called Honu,  is the only indigenous reptile found in Hawaii, and is the symbol for wisdom and good luck.