Showing posts with label custom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label custom. Show all posts

02 December 2008

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide

I don't just sell on Etsy, I love to shop there also. This year, I have tried on every gift giving occasion to buy handmade as much as possible. In my search for the perfect gifts, I have found some things I never would have thought of giving. Everyone knows buying handmade gifts for women is easy, especially with all the great jewelry out there. My shop is full of pendants and necklaces in every shape, size, and color. At around $10, they make perfect gifts for any women or teen. But what about those others on your list? Here are some of the most interesting gift ideas that you may have never thought of. All are handmade, and unique, and guaranteed to make your loved ones and friends feel truly special. Recieving handmade gifts make anyone feel like you went to a lot of thought and trouble to find that perfect gift. Isn't that what gift giving is truly about? Making someone feel truly special? The thought? Here are my favorite finds, all from shops on Etsy.

For the man on your list, how about this duct tape wallet? JDuct not only has this one, but tons of other one of a kind wallets in all kinds of designs: Another cool gift for men is a screenprinted by hand, direct from the artist t-shirt, also in many designs, by DBK Apparel: For those little boys (or even girls!), how about a marshmallow shooter? They shoot pom-poms too, for moms who don't have dogs to eat the ammo off the floor. These even come in two packs to avoid arguments, from BoysToys:

For little girly girls, there is everything from mom approved, adorable handmade winter hats, also handmade with love and one of a kind. This one is from MoMos Bows, who also makes tons of adorable hair bows:
Perhaps you have one of those American Girl doll-obsessed little girls. Get some gorgeous, one of a kind clothes for them at much more reasonable prices. I had several custom made to match ideas in my head from RetroReesa, like this Totally 80's one custom made for $15:

For those teen girls, these earrings are really popular, from Daydream Art Studios:

Maybe there's a woman on your list who doesn't wear a lot of jewelry. Try some fabulous, natural, highly fragranced handmade perfume purse misters available in dozens of high end scents, from Flameworks: You can also get goat milk soap, fresh from the farm in Kentucky. This one, Yuzu, smells good enough to eat. Move over Bath and Body Works, for Wilmoth Farms: For a fashionista on your list, how about the latest French fashions, direct from the French designer herself? I love this gorgeous silk top from Malam:

She may also love these very well made (I know, I own one!) and very beautiful designer handbags, straight from the designer in Switzerland, Novita Julien. She has all kinds of bags in all kinds of fabrics:
What about Grandma, though, who already has what she wants. Does she knit? How about indulging her like she does for everyone else? Here is some super soft and high end, hand spun and hand dyed yarn, from LunaBud Knits: Is there a baby, new mom, or soon to be mom on your list? Get them something noone else will, like these onesies that will get giggles everywhere. Bambinamia has giggle worthy onesies for everybody. My favorite: What about that person who has it all? At a loss? How about these super cute mice? The House of Mouse has one available in just about every occupation and even "famous mice" modeled after just about anyone. I like this little chef:
Last but not least, don't forget that even those cards that need to be sent can be handmade! Oh, don't make them yourself, just make them think you did, with great ones like these from Macaroni and Glue: Don't forget, almost every shop on Etsy LOVES custom orders, and is happy to accomodate even "crazy" requests! Often these custom orders do not cost any more than buying the item already made, a fear that often keeps people from asking. Remember, these are handmade items, made by artists just trying to make it. They truly appreciate your business and will go out of their way to show you. Just like your mother always said, it never hurts to ask! Happy Shopping!

17 July 2008

Hello Ms. Swan...

Well, I have been busy as a bee trying to finish painting the bathroom while the house is empty. I think I broke my thumb (not even sure how I did that!), and I've been trying to tough it out. But neither paint nor sleet nor broken thumb shall keep me from completing a custom order. My latest, a custom tattoo design for a girl who adores swans:

11 July 2008

How to Feel Warm and Fuzzy

This week's TGIF drink recipe will cool you off, and leave you (and your friends, if you decide to share) warm and fuzzy! What is it? Why, the cheapest to make, best margaritas in the world!! I got this recipe as a poor college student looking for a cheaper way to make margaritas from scratch, since I despise mixers. Even when I have the money to buy the usual (expensive) ingredients, I still end up making these, because they are the best!

Margaritas by the pitcher:
1 can frozen lemonade
half of 1 small can frozen limeade (make sure you use only half per batch!)
Pour both of these into your blender.
Add lemonade can full of Tequila (you said you wanted to drink, didn't you??)
Add 1 whole beer, any kind. I have used anything from a Miller Lite to a Corona, it really makes no difference, I assure you. Just don't use some crazy fruity beer or that Tequiza.
Add whatever amount of ice you can still fit in your blender and blend away! Pour into glasses and chill, baby!

Tip for salting the rims of your glasses: throw away that silly round thing full of lime juice and fancy margarita salt from the liquor/ specialty store. Buy a box of $1.50 kosher salt (the chunky kind) from the grocery, pour some in a plate, and rub the rim of your glass with a lime slice. Then dip in salt. Easy peasy!

While you enjoy your margaritas, consider something else that makes you warm and fuzzy: custom made goodies made just for you! Something about the thought that I'm the only one who has it, that is was made just for me, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. That's just why I made this pendant, to show how something as simple as a beloved photo can become a work of art you can wear everyday! Just look how I went from this picture (taken on my cell phone of Lady when she was a puppy):





To this:


Get yours today!! Only $20 includes digital alteration of your photo, pendant, 18" ball chain necklace and drawstring canvas bag to keep it all in! Click here to see more!

Have a lovely super hot weekend! xoxo

27 June 2008

Happy Accidents and Cupcake Thieves

It was about midnight when I went sleepily to the medicine cabinet to take a couple Benadryl before turning in for the night. Drowsily, I looked down at the counter where the cupcakes for a Hannah Montana cupcake guitar I was doing sat. "Funny," I thought, "it looked like more before." I counted them-21. I needed 24. I baked 24. I was tired, but sure I made 24. I counted the tins to make sure. Yep, two pans of twelve means 24 cupcakes. I counted the cupcakes again. Somehow three had gone missing, and I needed these frosted and ready to pick up first thing in the morning. Never mind that Lady was looking at me like this the whole time I baked them:


She couldn't have eaten them. Not my puppy! Besides, there was not one shred of evidence, no wrapper, or even so much as a stray crumb around.

I woke up Josh. Why would he eat them? How could he do this to me? Its midnight, I'm out of eggs, and I need three cupcakes.

Me: "Did you eat any cupcakes?"
Josh (still asleep): "Cupcakes? Who has cupcakes? What's a cupcake?"

Me: "They're gone! Vanished! What am I supposed to do now?"
Josh (waking up, sighs heavily): "C'mon, let's go to Paducah"
Because the nearest place to buy eggs in the middle of the night is apparently half an hour away, and I have the husband of the year, who is actually willing to make that drive.
Well, as it turned out, Josh didn't eat my cupcakes. I should've known that- he hates cake. What can I say? I was half asleep and not thinking straight either. I also wouldn't hear of driving a hour round trip for eggs, so I improvised. Serendipity stepped in, and my solution was good ol' fashioned Rice Crispy Treats. Here's what I ended up with, a half Rice Crispy Treat and half cupcake Hannah Montana guitar:




I was never so glad to see an order leave my house.

23 June 2008

The Birds Flew the Coop!

The baby birds flew yesterday! In the meantime, here are the latest (custom) pendants in my collection:

Have a beautiful day! xoxo

29 May 2008

New Tattoo

In a perfect world, I would already be an accomplished tattoo artist. Probably partially covered in beautiful, meaningful, colorful tattoos. Of course, in a truly ideal world, I would live next door to a well thought of tattoo parlor, in dire need of an apprentice, that was willing to pay me a six digit salary a year to learn. Ahhh, in a perfect world...




Alas, it cannot be, and my dreams of learning this fine art will have to wait a little longer, In the meantime, I have gotten great joy from listening to some vague, or sometimes very specific, idea someone has for a tattoo they want, and being able to draw the design for them. I may not be able to actually tattoo it yet, but at least its my art. My latest one, for a lovely girl in Minnesota, who was VERY specific about what she wanted: