Posted on

7 super cute holiday gift ideas

Rather than spending all of my money at the big box stores this holiday season, I ordered several handmade items from Etsy shops in support of the shop small movement.  Many of these shops are run by only one person.  An incredibly ambitious, motivated, and exhausted person, no doubt.  Someone who is chasing a dream of creativity, independence, and fulfillment.  If I can bring a little bit of happiness to both the shop owners and my circle of friends, my own holiday will be that much more enjoyable.

I’ve collected a few choice items for my 2016 holiday gift guide.  I’ve actually purchased from some of these shops myself in the past and have been very impressed by the artists’ incredible workmanship and attention to detail.  I hope that you will also patronize small businesses this holiday season.  But with Christmas only two weeks away, you’d better start shopping soon!!

For the cat mother

A set of bone china mugs with sitting cat and sleeping cat illustrations from Jin Designs.

A set of sitting cat and sleeping cat mugs from Jin Designs is the perfect gift for any cat lover.  Hand decorated on fine bone china, the black cat illustrations are original drawings of the artist’s childhood pet.  These minimalist mugs are microwave and dishwasher safe and are created by Jinny Ursell in Hove, United Kingdom.

For the dapper gentleman

The front of an engraved leather keychain from Maven Metals.

This sleek engraved leather keychain from Maven Metals is made of top grade bridle leather and tough stainless steel hardware.  The leather strap is available in three colors and the stainless steel ring can be personalized with up to 35 characters of your choice.  This item is handcrafted by Julie and Ben in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

For the teen daughter

The front of a lavender leather wristlet with a triangular hologram panel from Gmalou Designs.

This lavender leather wristlet from Gmalou Designs is versatile and fashionable with a bit of flair!  Made of high quality genuine leather, this colorful bag features a leather tassel and a detachable strap on the zipper pull.  The triangular hologram panel in the center gives this bag a fun and funky vibe.  It closes with a metal zipper and is handmade by Georgia in Haugesund, Norway.

For the jewelry fanatic

The front of a cherry and maple jewelry box from Blue Skies Homestead.

cherry and maple jewelry box from Blue Skies Homestead stores all of your favorite jewelry in style.  This one of a kind piece has a cherry box, maple drawer fronts, and a maple inlay stripe around the top and down each side.  Its eight felt lined drawers open with purple heart drawer pulls.  It is triple coated in satin polyurethane and is made by Rick in Holland, Michigan.

For the leather lover

The inside of a leather coin wallet from Mr. Lentz.

This leather coin wallet from Mr. Lentz is made to order in your choice of three colors and seven sizes to accommodate currencies from around the world.  Natural vegetable based dyes give the full grain vegetable tanned leather its rich color.  This slim wallet holds all of your pocket change, a medium size stack of cash, and up to six cards.  It is made with solid brass hardware and can be personalized with a branded or stamped monogram.  To keep your high quality wallet in high quality shape, the artist also includes a free tin of his very own all natural leather conditioner.  This item is handcrafted by a cowboy in San Diego, California.

For the little one

The front of a personalized wooden fox teether from Smiling Tree Toys.

This personalized wooden fox teether from Smiling Tree Toys is a lovely heirloom gift that the entire family will treasure long after teething has ended.  It is made of non splintering, sustainably grown hard maple and is safe for children of all ages.  The extra thick and softly curved lines of this teether are easy to grasp and its adorable fox shape will enchant any young mind.  It is made by Justin and Kathleen in Lamberton, Minnesota.

For the seasonal decorator

A four piece village ornament kit from Holiday Spirits Decor.

A four piece village ornament kit from Holiday Spirits Decor will adorn your home beautifully this holiday season.  The kit includes a cottage, a chalet, a colonial house, and a church that you can build and decorate yourself.  Precut and scored bristol board house pieces plus all of the accessories necessary to embellish your village are provided.  Tree and wreath accents are also included in the kit and are available in your choice of three colors.  This ornament kit is handmade by Carol Fisher in Chicago, Illinois.

Posted on 2 Comments

Soft spring sunshine

My latest Etsy treasury is inspired by this warm March afternoon!  The collection features handmade and vintage items in soft shades of yellow and gold.  Have you ventured out into the spring sunshine today?

Soft spring sunshine: Leather Necklace with Sterling Silver Beads, Contemporary Geometric Jewellery, Summer Ombre Necklace, Free Gift Wrapping Soft spring sunshine: Felted Easter bunnies with eggs Soft spring sunshine: Gold Heart Earrings, Valentine Earrings, Mixed Metal Earrings, Gold Hearts, Valentine Gift, Gold and Silver Earring, Rustic Gold Earrings Soft spring sunshine: seascape_"A dot on the i"_wallpaper for immediate download_sunset sea_summer_Riviera
Soft spring sunshine: Unique Yellow Cupcake Favors - Baby Shower, Wedding and Party Decorations - Eco Friendly Seeded Paper - Plant and Grow Soft spring sunshine: Champagne Quartz Necklace / Pale Yellow Quartz Pendant / Mixed Metal Necklace / Quartz Briolette Pendant / Sterling Silver Soft spring sunshine: Light Yellow Elephant Baby Shower Tags Set of 20 - Yellow Shower Favors - Shower Gift Tags - Blank Elephant Labels - Lemon Neutral Tags Soft spring sunshine: undergrowth - hand dyed yarn, merino wool cashmere nylon fingering sock yarn, 2 ply, kettle dyed, neutral pale yellow green yarn sublime
Soft spring sunshine: Sailboat Art, Sailing Print, Nautical Art, Boat Photography, Sailboat Picture, Pale Yellow, Sea, Block Island, Ocean, Boats, Ships Soft spring sunshine: Rustic wedding country chic pale yellow bridesmaid dress Soft spring sunshine: Mixed Yellow Rabbiit Cupcake Toppers, Food Picks-Set of 24 pcs Soft spring sunshine: Sparkly Golden Swarovski Crystal Earrings, Champagne, Elegant, Gold Filled Earrings
Soft spring sunshine: Vintage Porcelain Tea Trio by Winterling Marktleuthen, Bavaria Soft spring sunshine: Phoebe Print from My Original Watercolor Painting, Yellow Bird Print Art Wall Decor, Eastern Phoebe Bird Home Decor Art Print Soft spring sunshine: Personalized Baby Blanket Chevron Gray and Yellow Dot Newborn Blanket Reversible for Baby Shower Gift, Crib and Stroller 38" X 38" Soft spring sunshine: Nursery Art, Baby Decor, Modern Nursery, Pale Yellow and Grey, Giraffe Nursery, Elephant Nursery, Balloons, Tree, Gender Neutral Baby Decor
Posted on

Between the lines

My latest Etsy treasury brightens up your day with fresh and colorful summer stripes.  Each item in this collection is handmade in the USA.

Striped Neon Pink Fuchsia Grey Basket / Neon Crochet Basket / Neon Color Block Crochet Bowl / Modern Organization Basket Summer Stripe - Large Clutch Striped Dog Leash - Lime Green and White - 6 Foot Length Mesh Beach Bag - Blue Green Stripe - Shell Collecting Bag - Beach Bag
Multicolor earrings colorful earrings striped and dots earrings Red Stripe Dog Collar, 2 inch wide, large 15-22, red, white, striped, stripes, summer, ribbon, nylon, large Scrabble Pendant - SUMMER STRIPE London Blue and White Striped Girls Boutique Hair Bow Clip Spring Summer
SCARF, Infinity Scarf, Blue Scarf. Blue Infinity Scarf, Stripe Scarf, Striped Scarf, Summer Scarf, Scarfs, Scarves, Circle Scarf EMBROIDERED LINEN- MULTICOLOR Stripes Lumbar Pillow cover-Throw pillow-Decorative pillow--Accent pillow-Handmade 12”x 20”100% cotton.. Navy Blue and White Striped Clutch with Cording - NAVY and WHITE Purse - Nautical Purse - Blue Striped Clutch Handmade, Ceramic, Bowl, Luxury, Gift, Gold Edged, Stripe, Pink
Baby and Toddler Organic Girls Multi-Color Striped Skirt with Bow - Fae Hipster Preppy Baby Boy Vintage Plaid Bowtie - Striped Spring Summer Onesie Bodysuit Chunky Round Gumball Necklace, Pink and White, Stripes, Colorblocking, Big Bead Necklace, Multicolor, Single Strand Statement Necklace Striped Fish Pillow - Summer Decor - Ice Cream Colors - Hilton Head Decor
Posted on

Seeing spots!

Today’s Etsy treasury celebrates all things polka dot.  Each item in this collection is handmade in the USA.

Polka Dot Plush Easter Bunny Stuffed Animal Nursery Decor Pink Fuchsia White Fuchsia Polka Dots Wide Padded Zipper Pouch Gadget Case Cosmetics Bag - READY TO SHIP Baby bandana bib, baby bib, bandana bib, bibdana, baby shower gift, baby girl bib, drool bib, baby girl gift, red polka dot bib dog collar flower ,red polka dot flower ,dog collar accessory ,wedding dog flower
Bridesmaids clutch, gold bridesmaids gift ideas, gold cosmetic bag, gold wedding, gold polka dot, unique bridesmaids Orange Polka Dot Brag Book, Photo Album Display, Mini Scrapbook Album, Instagram Book, Premade Scrapbook Fall Dog Collar / Polka Dot Dog Collar / Thanksgiving Dog Collar / Orange Polka Dot Dog Collar Peel and Stick Pastel Orange Polka Dot Wall Decals | Long Life | Apartment Safe
Yellow Polka Dot Straws, Cute Straws, Fancy Drinking Straws, Yellow Drinking Straws, 25 Pack - Yellow Polka Dot Green Polka Dot Pillow - Premier Prints Green Dandie Dot Pillow - Decorative Pillow Throw Pillow Green White Polka Dot PIllow Cover 24 Green Polka Dot Cupcake Wrappers for Weddings, Engagement and Special Occassions Blue Polka Dot Fabric Button Earrings
Crossbody Bag, Hip Bag, Crossbody Purse, Crossbody Handbag, Hip Purse, Polka Dot Bag, Blue Purse, Blue Hip Bag, Letterboxing Bag Purple Polka Dots Light Switch Cover Girls Bedroom Decoration Radiant Orchid Decor Switchplate Switch Plate 1338 Purple Polka Dot Mug - Coffee Mug - Ceramic - Made to Order Dog Bow Tie- Fuchsia Polka Dot Bow Tie- More options available- dog collar accessory
Posted on

Crystal ball garland

A couple of years ago, I wanted to create a colorful and unique holiday gift for my sister in law.  I gathered all of the random 6 mm Swarovski crystal bicones that had been left over from previous projects and wove them into crystal balls using FireLine polyethylene beading thread.  I then strung the crystal balls and lots of silver lined clear glass seed beads onto Accuflex stainless steel beading wire.  I added a sterling silver jumpring at each end for attaching ornament hooks.  Check out the photo of the finished crystal ball garland below.  It is the perfect size for adorning a tabletop tree.

Swarovski crystal ball garland

Posted on

Snowy

My latest Etsy treasury is inspired by the arctic weather that New England is experiencing right now.  Wind howling outside, thermometer at 2 degrees, BRRR …

Large Snowy Owl Plush, Stuffed Owl, Stuffed toy, Owl Stuffed Animal, Cute owl plushie etsy Ivory Scarf, Snow White Alpaca Herringbone, Classic Rustic Urban Cottage Cabin Chic, Mens Womens Formal Wedding Fashion, Artisan Handwoven Reversible faux fur/ satin embroidered  childrens hat, available in pink or white New Year Sale Snowflake Bracelet - Sterling Silver Snowflake Jewelry - Winter Jewelry - Snowflake Charm - Christmas Gift - Sterling Snowflak
Faux Fur Winter Wedding Bolero Jacket Shrug Style A and regular size muff handwarmer Available in variety of faux furs Snowy Woods (2) Original Painting Snowman Cards - Holiday Card Set for Winter or Christmas in Ivory or White CREAM POWDER PUFF - winter white - ivory bath pouf - creme blanc - gift boxed
Winter White Stained Glass Bird Suncatcher Chick Ornament Woodland Decor Snowflake Garland Shimmer White holiday decoration Winter White Linen Scarf, Hand Dyed Scarf, Off White Linen Scarf, Ecru Scarf, Summer Beach Wedding Shawl, Lightweight Minimalist White Scarf Winter Photo, Single Tree, Snowy Scene, Ice Storm, Winter Beauty
FAUX FUR Adult HAT with luscious soft white beaver fur, Snow white fur hat, Women's Fur Hat Let It Snow Banner, Christmas Sign, holiday decorations, holiday sign, Christmas banner, holiday banner, winter decor, let it snow sign Snow Queen Velvet Hooded Capelet  Bride's Cape 16" Sterling Silver Snowflake Necklace, Snowflake Necklace, Silver Snowflake Jewelry