Holiday Shopping Rush!

Sorry for the radio silence lately - folks weren't kidding when they said that Etsy gets really busy around the holidays! I have been/am pretty busy filling orders and playing holiday elf around my house these days, so I haven't had much time to post but I am hoping to get a tutorial for a cute Holiday Card Wreath posted soon, so stay tuned!

In addition to filling orders, I have also been busy adding some new items to my shop. Here are a few of my favorites...

The Super Hero Badge Reel ($6, click here to purchase)

Floral Eye Pillow (filled with organic Lavender and Flax Seed, $10)

Cupcake Ouchie Pouch ($8, click here to purchase)

The First-Class (standard) shipping deadline for orders is this Sunday, December 18th for delivery before Christmas. You can always upgrade to Priority Shipping if you prefer, just send me a message for a shipping quote.

Okay, back to work!

{GIft Guide} Handmade Of the Month Clubs

What do you get the cousin who has everything? That hard to please uncle? How about the gift that keeps giving all year long - a subscription to an "of-the-month" club! Branch out of the ordinary and try a unique handmade monthly subscription.

The Badge Reel of the Month club is perfect for that nurse, teacher, co-worker or student in your life that likes to change up their look and style on a regular basis. Three different subscription options are available - the 4 month, 6 month or 12 month plan. Allowing you to change out your badge reels with each holiday, season or month! Each plan is fully customizable and monthly, quarterly, annual shipping is included* with the price of your subscription! (*US shipping is included. International club members are always welcome, however there is a nominal shipping fee added to the cost of the subscription)

There are all sorts of unique and creative subscription clubs available in the handmade world of Etsy, such as a Marshmallow of the Month club or an Earring of the Month Club or a Baby Octopus of the Month club! Here are a few of my favorites...

Happy Shopping! Join me in taking the 

Handmade Holiday Pledge!

Gift Guide for Teachers

Whether you are shopping for your child's kindergarten teacher or that special professor that helped you on your dissertation, the teachers in our lives deserve some extra special recognition for all that they do. In support of the Handmade Holiday Pledge, here are some unique handmade gift ideas for the teachers on your list.

Snuggly Monkey Lanyards and Badge Reels make cute and economical gifts for teachers and school office staff. With over 100 designs available (and more added regularly), you can surely find one that brings out each teacher's unique personality.

Quantity discounts are available, so buy in bulk and save!

After a long day at school, help your favorite teacher relax with an organic Flax seed and Lavender filled Eye Pillow. These eye pillows can be stored in the freezer to help sooth puffy, tired eyes, or heated in the microwave for some healing heat therapy and headache relief. 

Handmade teacher's gifts abound on Etsy. Here is a collection of a few of my favorites...

Handmade Holiday Pledge

With Christmas less than 48 days away and Hanukkah only 43 days away (12/20-12/28/2011), the holiday shopping season is officially upon us! As you start putting together your holiday gift list, I would like to encourage you to think about taking the Handmade Holiday Pledge this year. 

The Pledge: 

I pledge to support a handmade holiday this year by making gifts myself or by buying from handmade artists and crafters.

This is not meant to be an all or nothing sort of thing. Even if you just purchase one handmade gift or make a batch of cookies for your neighbor - you are upholding the pledge! The handmade holiday pledge is meant to encourage your creativity and to support small businesses that are striving to create beautiful, unique, and high-quality items for the special people on your list. 

Some benefits of buying handmade...

• Give the gift of uniqueness! Handmade = unique, custom, one of a kind, different, special.
• Economical Gift Giving - in these difficult financial times we are all looking for ways to save some money. When you buy handmade you are often times buying directly from the creator/maker/designer, so you are saving on traditional retail costs! Many crafters also offer quantity discounts if you by many of the same/similar items. So if you find something you would like to give to your co-workers, ask about quantity discounts to save more!
• Avoid the long lines and hassle of shopping malls during the holiday season
• Excellent customer service! Many handmade vendors truly appreciate YOUR business and tend to show that appreciation with a variety of "little gestures" that make your shopping experience with them pleasant and memorable
• Custom items - many handmade businesses are more than happy to work with you to create a one of a kind piece in the colors/theme you are looking for. Just ask!
• Support small businesses. Many handmade artists and crafters are folks just like you that are trying to either bring in some extra income for their families or make a living doing what they love. In buy buying from a handmade artisan you are helping to support these individuals. 

Where to buy handmade...

Handmade is all around you! Here are a few ideas on where to start looking.

• Etsy
• Artfire
• Local Craft Shows and Fairs
• Local galleries and shops

To help you out with the Handmade Holiday Pledge, I will be posting regular Holiday Gift Guides over the course of the next few weeks with handmade gift ideas for all the people on your list. I will also be posting links to DIY gift projects for quick and easy gifts you can make too. 

So join me and take the Handmade Holiday Pledge! Leave a comment below saying that you are in! Grab the Pledge button (in the sidebar) & post it on your blog/website, or post it on Facebook or Twitter to get your friends involved too.

Do you have a great holiday gift idea or tutorial? Email me or leave a comment below, and I might post it in my next gift guide!

Happy Crafting!