Mid-October Goings-on

I have been busy busy busy with music events, family visits, a craft show, and other projects, and I have been ready for a little down-time.  So today I decided to relax by spending some time on the computer, catching up on things, looking at some shops I haven't seen in a while, window-shopping so to speak, and gathering ideas for holiday gifts. I also decided to respond positively to an invitation to join the Etsy Treasury Team and I made my first ETTeam treasury...  YooHoo... Christmas is Coming!

In light of my window-shopping, today I want to share some wonderful, affordable gift ideas by Etsians whose work I have purchased and can personally vouch for.

For the dog-lover on your list, these wonderful little treat bags by thedoghouse make great gifts.  I use mine on a regular basis because my pups expect treats at various locations on our walks around the mountain. Those are two of our dogs in the second photo here.

For the bird-lover or chef on your list, here is a fabulous idea: handmade potholders by PineNeedleDesigns.  I have a set of these in my kitchen, and I truly love using them.  They have wonderful designs and are well-made.

For the seamstress or crafter on the list, DorothyDomingo makes gorgeous clay buttons as well as other lovely ceramic pieces.  I purchased some bird buttons for one of my favorite wool sweater-coats, as seen in the second photo, and I've received lots of compliments.

For teachers, co-workers, favorite cashiers or bank tellers, here is a simple little gift that is unique and useful: fabric and leather key fobs by GimCarry.  Everyone who received one of these from me last year truly loved it.  And it won't empty your wallet either!

For the bicyclist on your list, or for anyone who enjoys a good t-shirt design, darkcycleclothing creates some great stuff!  I bought one for my son, and he loves it.

For the eco-minded grocery shopper on your list, ohlittlerabbit creates some lovely produce bags. I bought these for two of my grown children last year.  There are many design choices and they're made so well.

If you have a writer or journalist on your list, phofun sells lovely handmade journals, photo albums, and more. I purchased two of these, one for my daughter and one for myself, for my songwriting.

Gadget pouches by KaraMiaSofia are perfect stocking stuffers or gifts for anyone with cell phones, cameras, or ipods.  I have one myself and it's beautifully made with lovely fabric that's bright and easy to spot when your counter or desktop is cluttered.

And finally, vegan laundry soap by showertreatsoap is perfect for anyone on your list... and it's so much better for your clothes and for you.  It's all I'll use, and I highly recommend it.



I hope you've found something here that might be perfect for someone on your list. If not, feel free to look in my Etsy shop or any of the many, many shops on Etsy.  Just remember to buy handmade and support artists!

Holiday Favorites

Today I'm featuring some of my favorite and very affordable items from Etsy... wonderful goodies for the holidays. Whether as gifts for someone you love or a little treat for yourself, these things are simply lovely and magical! Enjoy, and follow the link to the seller's shop to see more of their creations.

A sweet little snowflake necklace by tahoegirl...

Gorgeously pure felted cuff by JaneBoFelt...

Beautifully framed photograph by blindwolfspirit... and it's a bird! (Those who follow me know I always have a bird or two in my collections!)

A very earthy leaf cuff, oh so gorgeous, by lochristine...

Being a handmade soap user, I always look for great soap dishes too, and here's a very pretty one with deep grooves by Creativewithclay...

And a wonderful winter photograph, perfectly titled The Spirit of Change, by theeye...

To close it all out, a sweet wired bird ornament by MyWireArt... there are several styles in her shop...

Hope you take a closer look at each one of these pieces on Etsy, and until next time, remember to buy handmade and support the intentional and wonderful work of artists!

Holiday Giveaway: The gift of sharing

It's that time of year again... the holiday season! It's a time to think especially about our blessings, say a prayer of thanks for the goodness in our lives, and share wonderful times with family and friends over a table filled with bounty. But moreover, I hope that each one of us will think on those people among us whose lives are not as fortunate, who struggle physically, mentally, or financially, and I hope that we each find a way to somehow offer a ray of hope to them, whether it is through a charitable donation, hours spent in volunteer work, or simply a smile and a touch on the shoulder.

I am especially thankful for the color in my life, the colors of the woods, the birds, the mountains, the colors of the characters I meet online and in my daily life, of my friends and family, my local community. So, as a way to show my thankfulness and as a way of saying thank you to those who have supported my online and physical shops, who have become steadfast friends, either online or up close, I am offering this giveaway for this holiday season.

Here's all you need to do.
1) If you haven't yet become a blog follower, please do so, and IF you are on Facebook, please "like" my page there too.
2) Once you have done these things, simply post here a special thought or memory of your holiday season (what is special about it for you, how you will celebrate, a childhood memory, OR even how you will help make it better for someone else).
3) Then tell me which of the three necklaces offered you would like to have.
4) Be sure that I have your contact information... either Etsy shop or email info!!

Choose from:
Necklace #1
18 inches with the jasper oval drop adding approx 2 inches. In earthy colors with hematite hearts, cubes, and rounds, yellow and white quartz, serpentine jade, glass seed beads

Necklace #2
16 inches with lovely shades of mookaite, turquoise rounds, mother of pearl discs, Czech turquoise crystals, sterling silver, and glass seed beads

Necklace #3
18 inches of peach, rose, and browns with jasper pendant (appx 2 x 1/2 inch), unakite, shell, faceted cat's eye, and glass seed beads

The giveaway will be open until Thanksgiving Day, November 25. The winner will be randomly drawn and notified that weekend so that the package can be mailed by the first of December.

So share your holiday thoughts and let's all share a smile as we read them!

Fabulous Holiday Finds

Perhaps Tuesday's Treasures should become Wednesday's Wonders! The holidays and all the activities revolving around them are keeping all of us busy, and that's my excuse this week for not getting my favorite finds posted on time. So much going on, so much to do, so many things bumping up against each other in my brain... it's getting rather hectic!

And speaking of holidays... here are my five favorites for this week, all holiday items, though they would be lovely in your home, or on your ears, at any time of the year! As always, follow the links to check out the fabulous work of these incredible artists and sellers on Etsy.

Words of Wisdom star ornaments by zinniadesignstc

Beautiful holiday Holly Bell earrings by annaCsophia...

A rustic Star Ornament by arianaalysedesigns

A cozy Holiday Birds flannel pillow by allisajacobs...

And a lovely Red Bird glass ornament by katiediditglass...

There's still time to purchase a holiday gift from a seller on Etsy... but you better hurry! Until next week, remember to BUY HANDMADE, SHOP ETSY!

Tuesday's Treasures... Five Fabulous Finds

At six weeks, the countdown is on! The holiday season will be soon upon us, and already I've been making a few purchases at Etsy for smaller stocking gifts for my family. So with the holidays in mind, here are some great ideas for gifts... and one perfect Thanksgiving card!

In the mail yesterday, I received a fabulous package... and it's my first listing for today's Five Fabulous Finds. From GreenPost, a member of Etsy Project Embrace, came a wonderfully and ecologically-minded wrapped package, all in recycled materials, of seed-filled, plantable gift tags! You simply must check out this Etsy shop where you can find eco-friendly cards, tags, and so much more.


The most wonderful Thanksgiving cards ever... from Chickabug, a fellow member of the Etsyveg Team.


Beautiful upcycled cashmere fingerless gloves by BlueMoonRose...


The most luxurious handmade soap by Sagegold... I can personally attest to the first-class quality of this soap! Not only is it gorgeous, but it's creamy and soothing and smells absolutely wonderful!


And finally, rustic dragonfly magnets... perfect for home or office, by Merritthyde...


Until next week, remember... SHOP HANDMADE, SHOP ETSY!