2013 Gift Guide: For the Sports Lovers

It's Small Business Saturday! Here's to supporting small business and the artisan community this year by shopping handmade! This is the latest in a series of gift guides featuring works from makers on Etsy. This guide is all about finding the perfect something for the athletic people in your life. The people who spend their weekends in the park, on the trail, or at the stadium.

My top 5 for the Sports Lovers

1. A little something for the bicyclist. Winona Johnson of ArtByWinona is a metalsmith from Portland, Oregon who recently started creating bike badges. Her badges come in a variety of designs for guys and gals, from mermaids, to zombies, to regional landmarks, she's got something for everyone's ride! 

2.  For all the people on your list that eat, sleep, and dive. Stacey over at IceCreamTees has the perfect graphic t-shirt for your special scuba diver.  As well as a large collection of t-shirts and hoodies for other sports enthusiasts. She's also got a sweet buy three shirts get the forth one free deal going on right now with the very appropriate coupon code: Awesome.

   

3. For the hardcore fishermen and women out there, MatlockWoodworks out of Matlock, WA creates fishing pole racks using local wood from the Pacific Northwest at really great prices. They also create wall mounted varieties.

 4. For the baseball enthusiast consider an up-cycled wallet created from an old baseball glove. ReMitt also creates coin purses and key chains that are sure to bring back memories of the field with every use.

 

5. These coasters by Jason and Katie of ApocalypseFab are perfect for the skier or snowboarder on your list. From beginners to experts this set has you covered.

And now for a little self promotion! How about a golf ball marker for the golfers on your list? I've got this clip art golfer listed in my Etsy shop now!

 

Check out my other 2013 Holiday Gift Guides:

For the Host/Hostess

For the Jewelry Lover 

For the Kids

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading! 

2013 Gift Guide: For the Kids

Tis the season! Here's to supporting small business and the artisan community this year by shopping handmade! To make it easy I've be putting together a series of gift guides featuring works from makers on Etsy. Next up, something special for the people who bring wonder to the holidays. The ones that tear off the paper, open their eyes wide, and squeal with delight.

My top 5 for the Kids

 1. Stuff the stockings of the movers and shakers with a personalized hand kite from CakeInTheMorn. Bright, fun, and finished with a homemade, organic beeswax sealant. They offer price breaks on larger orders, gift wrap for an additional fee, and will even let you pick and choose the ribbon colors. What's not to love!

 

2. For the aspiring artist wrap up a set of Eco-friendly crayons from ivylanedesigns. Cast away bits of old crayons are transformed into something new and super fun! From fortune cookies, to unicorns, to the Eiffel tower, they've got a crayon to suit most any personality.

3. For the high energy competitive types think jump rope. Jump rope? Ya, jump rope. This 100% cotton, hand spliced and dyed skipping rope from jupiterschild is the perfect rope to get started. And who knows, after exhausting all the skipping songs and games in the back yard, maybe they'll want to move on to jump rope camp or competing in national or international competitions! Wow. There's a lot more to jumping rope than meets the eye. Check out the Wiki skipping rope entry for a crash course or visit the American Heart Associations website for a great list of Jump Rope Skills!

 

4. Have a curios kiddo? Then Jennifer from the theideaboxkids has just the thing: boxes of ideas. This particular box is full of science experiments and ideas, but she's got a box for just about everything. There's a Masking Tape Box, a Teachers Time-Filler Box, a Winter Activities Box,  a Story Box, an Airplane box... there's even a Wiggle Box. It's all about "child-led, play-based learning" and I think it's one of the best ideas I've ever seen. Love it!

5. How about something for the little chef? CreationByM has some of the best felted food I've ever seen. Ice cream, Sushi, Dim Sum, Banana Pancakes and more. I'm getting hungry just looking at it!

 

Man, that was fun. I could browse the handmade toys on Etsy all day. Such creative makers out there supporting active and creative kids. Kinda makes me wish I'd get a time machine this year.

Alright, now for the shameless plug. I too have been working on some imagination makers in the form of shadow puppets. Forest Creatures, Aliens, and Robots have made their debut in my Etsy shop and I might be having a little too much fun with them. But I guess that depends on who you ask and whether or not they have a fantastic robot voice.

Check out my other 2013 Holiday Gift Guides:

For the Host/Hostess

For the Jewelry Lover

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading!

2013 Gift Guide: For the Jewelry Lover

Welcome to the second installment of gift ideas that feature handmade and small business. I'm hoping everyone will consider supporting the artisan community this year and to make the search a little easier I've been putting together a series of gift guides featuring works from makers on Etsy. Don't forget to stop by your local craft fairs and small businesses to support them as well this year!

My top 5 for the Jewelry Lovers

1. For the Labradorite lovers. Sara at sarawestermark knows how to display these incredible stones in a way that allows them to speak for themselves. Using recycled silver and traditional metalsmithing techniques Sara is creating one of a kind pieces that are worthy of being passed down. 

2. For the those who are into something a little more edgy check out these resin and silver pieces by Andi Cavanagh of studiomess. Wood grain with nuts and bolts cast in pink resin and set in sterling silver?! This piece is perfect. That's all there is to say.

3. If your special someone is a little more nature oriented Maggie Joynt of MaggieJs has an incredible collection featuring the simple pebble. As an avid collector of natures treasures myself I am drawn to the simplicity of these pieces that transform the often overlooked pebble into something much more elegant and precious.

4. Bright, bold, and so much fun. Any of the plants, animals or insects created by Dafni of lacravatteduchien are pretty much guaranteed to brighten up the day of anyone who wears or sees them! 

 

5. Looking for something big, bold, and elegant? Nikki Rees of NRjewellerydesign has it covered. Her pieces feature colorful stones set in sterling silver with simple details that really make them stand out.

 I usually enjoy saving the best for last (are you shocked that jewelry is what I consider to be the best!?  No, not you. You've figured me out). However, many jewelers have early deadlines for holiday shopping especially on orders that may need sizing, so I'm bumping them up. Make sure to look for holiday shipping and ordering deadlines! If in doubt send them a message. They are a friendly bunch.

OK, time for the shameless plug! The Eyelet Lace Collection has been the most popular in my Etsy shop this year and it's one of my favorites as well. A little childhood nostalgia presented in sophisticated manner.

 

Still not sure what to get the jewelry lover in your life? Don't worry, Etsy has your back. Give them a Gift Card and let them find the perfect piece.

Check out my other 2013 Holiday Gift Guides:

For the Host/Hostess
For the Kids

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading!

2013 Gift Guide - For the Host/Hostess

Tis the season! I hope everyone will consider supporting the artisan community this year by shopping handmade. To make it a bit easier I'll be putting together a series of gift guides featuring works from makers on Etsy (as well as a shameless plug for myself at the bottom). First up, a little something for the people who make the holidays a destination. Those few who work extra hard to spread around the holiday cheer.

My top 5 for the Host/Hostess! 

1. They love to entertain, so give them something to use at their next soiree. A fantastic cake stand perhaps? This one from Jeanette Zeis of vesselsandwares is the perfect gift for the host/hostess that goes the extra mile and offers a room to the weary travelers. Not quite right? Vesselsandwares has more color options, styles, and products available like salt cellars, cream and sugar bowls, platters, and more.

2. Headed to a cocktail party? Give them something fun they can use at the event with a set of letterpress coasters. This set from powerandlight states the obvious and offers up a pun opportunity when accompanied with some holiday spirits. I see what you did there.

 

3.  They sent out the invitations, cleaned their place from top to bottom,  set out a huge spread, remembered all the food allergies, had vegetarian options, and maybe even strategically invited a sweet co-worker and a funny college friend that might just be perfect for each other... they are tired. Let them know you appreciate the thought and hard work. Give them something to help them relax. This organic DIY Chai Tea set from purposedesign may require a bit of extra work, but the pay off from that perfect cup will be well worth it.

 

4.  Help them get ahead of the game with a variety of herbs to season their next holiday meal. This collection from SmartSeeds includes 7 heirloom and GMO free seed varieties perfect for a sunny indoor window ledge. Add a set of handmade planters for a really fantastic gift.

 

5.  Contribute to their holiday decor with ornaments that will be hung for years to come. This sweet trio from SlashofBlue is well made, affordable, and simply adorable. I should know, I purchased a set for my yearly ornament last year. 

 

Speaking of ornaments (heads up, shameless plug ahead), every year I create a new ornament for my own Etsy shop. This year I went with something minimal in copper with a bright green dyed Aventurine bead.

 

Not as organized as your holiday host this year? Don't fret. Etsy offers gift cards that can be emailed or printed right away. So if you're reading this from the couch while enjoying the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and feeling a little bit bad that you didn't bring a side dish or six pack, head on over to Etsy and surprise the cook with a great big thank you!

Check out my other 2013 Holiday Gift Guides: 

For the Jewelry Lover

For the Kids

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading!