Kumar and I weigh in on the Iris pet carrier

I recently purchased this Iris carrier for my guinea pigs.  After reading all the reviews I could find, I realized that there wasn't a lot of info available for small animal owners.

My little ones travel quite a bit as some of my vets are pretty far away.  So I'm always concerned about their safety and comfort.  The lid that can be opened completely was especially appealing to me.  Kumar took this out for a spin during his last trip to the vet.  Here's what we found:

Ventilation:  I checked the ventilation several times throughout the day and it was quite good.  However, we were traveling in a car, making things a bit easier to control.  Traveling with guinea pigs in warm weather can get very tricky, you should always take precautions.

Space:  19.2 X 13 X 12.2 inches  There's more than enough room for 1 guinea pig, 2 if they get along well.  Kumar had enough room to walk around and plow through his hay throughout the trip.

Construction/Security:  The plastic seems pretty durable.  The handles are more sturdy than I expected.  The main latches aren't as heavy as I would like but they seem to hold up well.  It's deep enough that even when Kumar stood up, he couldn't reach the top.

Ease of use:  This carrier is very easy to use.  The main lid made it easy to get Kumar in and out.  The smaller lid on the left is great for checking in on him and the little cubby hole on the right is nice for taking notes to the vet.  I also like that since it's all plastic, you can clean it easily.

Comfort:  Kumar was very comfortable and content but he's also an experienced traveler.  I had to toss the little piece of carpet that came with the carrier though.  I lined ours with a little fleece pad that I had on hand.

Overall:  I like this carrier, for our needs.  It's spacious without being difficult to carry and maneuver.  If you're looking for a carrier for your cavy or other small pet, you might want to check this one out.  Shop around for the best price though, I found ours for $20 online.

My journey to a Kindle

I was reluctant to buy an e-reader.  I love paper books; the smell, the experience of picking one out in the library or bookstore and even the wonderful *shhhp* sound of a page turning.  I enjoy the thrill of tearing into the mail when I find a used book that I've requested on paperbackswap.com.  Each book seems to have a personality of its own and a life that I'm now a part of. 

My family and I pitched in to get my mother a NOOK as a gift and shortly thereafter, I started to envy her constant access to books.  Also, I'd noticed that the price of paper books were quite high and becoming a hindrance to my reading.  Something had to give, so began my journey into researching e-reader devices.

After considering features, prices and the ongoing costs of e-books, I decided on the Kindle Wi-Fi.  The transition hasn't been nearly as difficult as I thought it would be.  I still get lost in the stories I read and I don't miss turning the pages as much as I thought I would.  And I love checking out the free list when I can.  Sometimes I hit the lottery and find a great book or discover a new author that I like. 

 I bought this nifty cover from ByNanasHands on ArtFire.  She has a great selection here.

I still read quite a few paper books but I no longer pay for them.  If there's a book I just can't wait for, I'll download it.  Otherwise, I put it on my wish list on the swap site. 

I've already saved money with my Kindle.  The e-book versions are usually cheaper than the paper ones, plus I have access to loads of free books.  So if you're considering an e-reader but are afraid that you'll miss paper books, it's not that bad, I promise. 

Featuring JoyciesJems

I really enjoyed exploring JoyciesJems handmade jewelry studio.  Her beautiful lampwork beads immediately caught my eye.  This sterling silver glass lampwork bracelet is a wonderful example of her work.  She has a great eye for colors and it shows in this piece.

On her bio page, she includes lots of info on how her jewelry and beads are made.  It really gives you a sense of how much work goes into each of her pieces.  Joyce finds inspiration in the mountains and sea around her.  I love reading about what inspires other artisans, it makes their work so much more personal.  

She offers international shipping, so even though JoyciesJems is located in Australia, we can all purchase her gorgeous creations.  

So go check out JoyciesJems, you won't be disappointed.

Featuring Ellymm on ArtFire

Another member of the You Can Sell It Guild, Ellymm, has a unique mixture of items in her studio. One thing that jumped out at me, while I was exploring her studio, was her energy. It seems that she's up for just about anything!

Her beaded necklaces are gorgeous and eye catching.  If earrings are more your style, she has a variety of those too. These 2 sets really stood out to me, black with silver wire work earrings and gold wire wrapped earrings.

I especially love her Vintage Jewelry section. This vintage Gold Fish Brooch from the 50's, is one of my favorite items from Ellymm's studio.

So drop by Ellymm and have fun exploring all the fun items that she offers.