against the grain creation

SNOWMA-GET-AN in Olympia Washington

2012-01-25T20:24:00.000-08:00

Amazing how much snow fell on us in just a short time AND the freezing rain. We lost power for three days and 20 hours. During that time, our sons took the effort of engaging in conversations that didn't rely on cell phones or facebook. Funny how that works. We played uno by candle-light and we finished statements like, "If I were a ________ what would you be?" (fruit, country, book, etc) My husband and I are truly blessed with what we have and are grateful to the friends that helped us through this challenging experience. Here are some of the pictures I took during that time.

Happy New Year

2012-01-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

To our family to yours we hope you have a warm and safe 2012. It is amazing how the time has gone by. The holidays were filled with friends and family and of course, creating beautiful tables and jewelry. Randy was able to finish a table for a friend of ours while I was busy creating pendants for friends and family. We even got a chance to sell some of our wares with Blue Heron Candle Company over our Winter break. We made enough to replace our depleated supplies of materials to keep us going for awhile. We are hopeful for this year to be a blessed year.

Olympia Bearzaar was a success

2011-11-27T09:35:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for supporting our crafty addiction. We had a great time at the Olympia Bear-zaar. If you missed us and would like to purchase any of our products, please don't hesitate to contact us at (360) 455-5412 or send us a message through email lizlobe@comcast.net or you can purchase our small items on Etsy. (see right side bar) Hope you all had a warm and thankful thanksgiving and didn't get into too much trouble on Black Friday.

Custom Built Wine Barrel Table

2011-11-14T11:43:00.000-08:00

While I have been working on jewelry, Randy has been busy making candleholders and furniture. He just finished this custom built table for some friends of ours. If you are interested in purchasing one-of-a-kind table, custom built for you-contact Randy Lobe

This years bazaar

2011-10-31T16:39:00.000-07:00

Hey there!
Randy and I will be selling our candleholders and jewelry at the Timberline High School Blazer Bazaar and the Olympia High School Bear-zaar this year.
November 12th from 9-4 p.m. Blazer Bazaar - Timberline High School; 6120 Mullen Rd. SE
November 19th from 9-4 p.m. Bear-zaar - Olympia High School; 310 North St.
Hope to see some of you there.
http://olympia.osd.wednet.edu/information/bearzaar

ZB's Creations

2011-04-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

Randy is the wine barrel guy and I am the jewelry gal. I have been playing with all kinds of mediums to make one of a kind jewelry. I get my inspirations from others as well as nature, my family and my friends. I really like making things out of recycled materials such as wine corks, hardware supplies (nuts and bolts) and from jewelry that is no longer being worn. I usually get great pieces at Goodwill where I immediately take it apart when I get home and again, make one-of-a-kind jewelry. Take a look at my blog and our Etsy account. It will periodically change what is being offered. Thank you,
Liz Lobe
http://www.zbcreation.blogspot.com/

What to do with wine corks...hmmm..

2010-10-20T19:47:00.001-07:00

I know! Make them into earrings.

Not your average winery

2010-10-20T19:16:00.000-07:00

This is a great place to have a party. We have been meaning to stop at this place for a long time and this last week I got a chance to stop by. it is a micro winery where they make a small batches of award winning wines BUT they also allow folks like you and me to make your own. What a great idea...make your own wine but not worry about the hassle of OWNING your own winery. We are planning on taking up on that AND/OR going on a tour they are setting up during Thanksgiving weekend. check out their website, http://www.classicwinemakers.com/.

heymann Whinery

2010-10-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

What a great place to go and whine (haha). The owners Bob and Flossie Heymann, has made this downtown shop worth stopping and un-WINE (again, haha). The Cranberry wine is my favorite where my husband's favorite is the Blackberry. They have wine tasting right inside their shop as well as winemaking supplies to help you make your own wine. The next time you drive, take the train or the take the bus and you are going south of Olympia, stop in Centralia to their WHINERY. You won't be disappointed.

www.heymannwhinery.com/catalog

Liz and Randy Lobe

P.S. our wine barrel stave candle holders are available in their shop as well.

Thank you for your support!

2009-11-28T18:26:00.000-08:00

What great bazaars we did this year! Thank you for your support and we hope to hear from you soon for other items you can't live without.

GO COUGS!

Liz and Randy Lobe

latest pictures of our product. No two are a like-very unique

2009-09-10T19:33:00.000-07:00

Vancouver (WA) Wine and Jazz Festival

2009-09-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

Very fun and enjoyable festival. The weather was great. the music was super and the wine was sweet. Met some great artists and vendors as well as super customers. Thank you for a wonderful time.

Come to the table and bring the wine

2009-04-12T13:03:00.000-07:00

These tables are completely made of the wine barrel. Randy even used the metal band from the barrel for the bottom of the table top. The half table is about 36 inches high and the side table is about 34 inches high. These tables are perfect for an end of a couch or a short wall that needs something...like a half table. The half table is $60.00 and the full table is $120.00. This is not including tax or shipping and handling. Contact us for more detail and we will work with you.

No Two are Alike

2009-04-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

These candle holders that Randy makes are unique and different. No two are alike because no two wine barrels are the same. Some of them are stained with wine and some have markings from the tacks that hold the bands together around the barrel. These are inexpensive candle holders that can easily go on a dining room table, breakfast nook or on a patio. The singles are $8.00 and the doubles are $10.00 The glass insert of the doubles comes from garage sales, IKEA or goodwill. They can be different and unique just like the candleholders themselves. Contact us today for something unique.

Holiday Season of '08

2008-12-26T16:27:00.000-08:00

Hope you had a warm and meaningful holiday season. This year will go down in history as the snow that wouldn't go away in Washington state. Schools were closed for 3 days (right before winter break), people were stuck in their driveways, and Church services were cancelled. (yikes). The snow has been around since the 17th of this month. We finally got a break today with....RAIN! you just gotta laugh. Anyway...we had time to take it slow and appreciate the friends and family that support and love us. Enjoy the pictures and have a safe and warm new year.
Liz and Randy Lobe

Popular candle holder for the season

2008-11-30T09:23:00.000-08:00

The five hole candle holder is the most popular one Randy makes. It is perfect for the celebration of advent. He is in the process of making a 7 hole for the celebration of Hanukah. Look for it at Blue Heron Candle Company in Olympia. There website is posted under "My favorite things..."

New items from wine barrel staves

2008-10-01T18:20:00.000-07:00

I don't know how we find the time to create such treasures. Each of these 'treasures' are made of recycled wine barrel staves from local wineries. The single ones are $8.00 the three hole ones are $30.00 and they all come with the glass votive and a tea-light. contact us and take one (or two) home today.

What a Festival it was!!!

2008-08-25T21:31:00.000-07:00

Thank you, thank you for those that stopped by and supported us. It was our first time at the festival and WOW! That was fun. The weather held out until Sunday afternoon but the support from the other vendors, the customers and the event staff, all made it worthwhile. We are planning on coming back so please stop by next year. If you missed us, we certainly take orders over the phone. We do take Visa and Mastercard BUT ONLY BY PHONE for security purposes. Also, you can go to Etsy and purchase some of the jewelry through Paypal. We are all about serving you, our supportive customers. Whatever we can do, please let us know. Again, thank you very much and check back with us periodically.

If you want to be on our email mailing list, please make a comment on this posting, and we will send you a bi-monthly newsletter about new products, articles and other such stuff about our business.

Take care,

Liz and Randy Lobe

Festivals and Bazaar Schedule for the Fall

2008-08-01T21:41:00.000-07:00

Well, the bazaars are starting early this year. This is our schedule, so far, of where you can see all our wonderful creations.
1. Lacey Community Farmer's Market September 13th
2. Lacey, Washington. Blazer Bazaar October 25th
3. Olympia, Washington. Olympia Bearzaar November 22nd

Hope to see you soon...
Liz and Randy