* Jenni Bowlin *

Seriously excited. . .

I really can't tell you how much I am looking forward to December 1st! The launch of the new site not only brings with it a fresh face for the front (you should see the opening animation!) and the back end (a membership process that is so simple you just won't believe it!) but it also brings with it many new products and new areas at the site including:

- past kits for sale (finally)! If you missed out on a month, you may be able to find it here!
- JBS exclusive products for sale (like the name/date stamp, spiral notebooks and journaling cards
- a member gallery where you can post your JBS kit layouts and leave comments!! (coming later in December)
- JBS Junque boxes (see below)
- JBS limited edition kits (such as ornament kits and gift book kits)

I have been very busy getting ready for the introduction of the Junque boxes. Here is another sneak peak of what you will find in the box:

I am still trying to nail down my offerings, but there will be 4 different themes of boxes. Each will contain a collection of antique and vintage items (a $9.99 retail value) to use on your pages and other works of art! The boxes are almost 4" square and will all contain several squares of antique papers from ledgers, early readers and notebooks plus an assortment of embellishments such as buttons, trims, ephemera and findings. There will also be a limited edition box on most months. Each box will have a specialty focus, such as the "Hollywood" box which will contain vintage glass rhinestones, early rhinestone buttons, old sequins and trim. Hopefully you get the idea!

What I can promise you on these is this: I have purchased "altered art" or "collage" materials from ebay and elsewhere before only to be disappointed with the assortment I get. Things are either not old (the 80's does not count here!) or they have no real functionality for scrapbooking. These boxes will only contain the things I love. If I wouldn't use it, it won't be in there. I am very picky on this and plan to hold them to a higher level then most people would expect. Having said that, you have to love the old and embrace imperfection to love these boxes. Your buttons might need a nice babywipe bath and your trims may have a color spot here or there. You also need to be somewhat aware of the fact that vintage millinery ribbon and old rhinestone and glass buttons are highly collectible and can hold a high value in and of themselves (as well as other things). To counter this and to keep the cost down, you will not receive full yards of most trims (12" to 18" depending on the trim) and you will get a wide variety of buttons, for example. Much of this will be on the site (more specifically) so that you can make a decision before you buy. This is such a joy for me - I have such a passion for "recycling" the old and giving it new life and I am thrilled to have found a way to share it with you!