Black Friday

Oh, the shame of almost 2 months without a blog entry. As I hang my head in shame, I remind myself not to wonder why I have no followers. I give them nothing to read. No need to do the math there. absolute zero is absolute zero. ha!

So, as I sit here, coffee in hand, tummy still full from the fabulous feast, I gaze out at the rising sun and think, why? why, oh why am I awake? If I had planned to mingle amongst the crazies at Best Buy or walmart or some other soul sucking retailer, I wouldn't have been able to drag my tryptophaned ass to the shower much less out the door. As it is, I have nowhere to go and a goal of creating jewelry and some Christmas spirit from the comfort of my slippers and robe and yes, I am awake at 5am!

I am rationalizing this insane phenomena as a subconscious need to please my customers by promoting my Black Friday sale. I have painstakingly adjusted all 190+ shop items to reflect free shipping. Yep, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Joyous Ramadan, Solstice Greetings, whatever it is you choose to celebrate, I honor you with merriment and free stuff. Free shipping, free gifts on orders over $100 and discounts on qualifying orders. Woot for you.
So, GO....now. Run.... grab those slippers, pour a cup of coffee and grab the mouse. Stake your claim in the virtual line of shoppers hunting for the great deals. Just do it from the comfort of your couch.


and remember............BUY HANDMADE.................always

Beautifully Clean!

It's been way to long since I featured a favorite on this blog. Well, this one is definitely worthy of a shout out. Enchantingsoapfavors is one of my latest, greatest finds. I recently ordered some of these delicous soaps for Easter and what a hit! I chose lavendar and the scent was divine. The packaging exquisite and the soap itself, way, way, way to gorgeous to ever actually use (IMO). Perfect for a beautiful display, a lovely scent and a conversation piece. I just can't get over them.

I don't know about you, but I have had several ocassions that left me pondering the perfect little parting gift. Wedding and baby showers, special parties, hostess gifts and this is it. OMG! So much better than a bag of Jordan Almonds, and easier on the hips. I only wish I would have discovered these 20 years ago for my own wedding.

So, check her out. You are sure to be amazed at these treasures.

Hug a Tree, Drink a Pint

My latest exciting find on etsy is onewintrynight. I am just loving these mugs! The fact that her customer service is stellar and her warm, friendly personality just shines through are added bonuses to these mugs that I just love, love, love.
What better way to stay warm all winter than to hug a treehugger mug full of coffee, cocoa or tea. Oh, and your secret is safe with me, I won't tell anyone that wassil your drinking is really Glugg.
So, once again, the pottery fetish has reared it's ugly head and I am addicted to the gorgeous purple/reds, blues and earthones in all of these pieces. Not to mention the leaf impressions. What a fantastic decoration for the table a casserole dish full of warm, creamy broccolli and rice or spinach souffle would make.
Could someone please call my husband and turn him on to this little shop? We all know he's not going to hunt through etsy himself. Not to mention, finding my favorites and then ordering from them. At this point, it's obvious that getting a gift I covet could actually kill me, but a girl can dream; especially at the holidays.

The Wishbook

Do you remember the "Wishbook"? It would arrive in the mail just around this time of year and all the kids would clamour for a view. Each of us would have our trusty sheet of notebook paper on which to write our list, not to mention our own system of prioritizing our hearts desires.
Many a letter to Santa (and grandma) was born from the pages of that thick as the phonebook Sears and Roebuck catalog. By the dawn of the new year it was tattered and torn, marked in and dogearred. For my siblings and I, it was the Christmas dreammaker. From a new pair of skates to an Easybake oven, that was the place to find it, mark it and add it to the list.

Well, times have changed and this lovely desktop contraption has moved our global existence into a new frontier. We now have the ability to make wishlists around the world and for all to see. This makes me wonder how discerning I need to be on my wishlists.
You see, my wishlists are not just my wishlists anymore. I tend to use them to mark things I am considering for others. I fill them with potential purchases in an effort to make one shipment purchases. Then there's etsy. Oh, the myriad of reasons for that list of favorites. treasuries, gifts, supplies, admiration and plenty of my own desires. I hope and encourage many to look to this list for shopping inspiration. It meets all the requirements.
Buy Handmade
I'm sure to like it
Probably One-of-a-Kind
Support independent artists
Get to know etsy better
It's full of awesome choices

So, when people ask me what I want for Christmas, I generally don't have an answer. No Wishbook list these days,though, it could still happen given the right catalog full of magic (oh wait, I have that in etsy and handmadefuzion )I often reply these days with "nothing. Well, you can always check my favorites on etsy".
I may end up getting items I think are perfect for others, or look great in a certain treasury but the bottom line is, I will still love them. There is just no limit to the possibilities.

Diagnosis---Potteritis

Prognisis--not fatal yet no known cure has yet to be found.
Therapuetic regiment-- avoid gorgeous pottery finds
Chance of managing disease--- little to none

Yes, it's true, I have an affliction. Not alcoholism or diabetes or other ailments that are detrimental or manageable, I have Potteritis. I had an awful flare up this morning too. You see, I am shopping for Holiday gifts and heard someone on my list was interested in some nice serving dishes. Much like offering a cold one to a lush, I was intoxicated with the thought of searching the world over for that perfect piece. Oh, a better job, I could not imagine.
Where to start? Oh, the choices. Home Goods, Pottery Barn, The One of A Kind Show, etsy. Well, if you follow this blog or even read my intro, you can guess where I started, etsy, of course! It really does fit all my criteria. unique, handmade, supports small business, beautiful selection and the ability to find new talents. Oh yeah, that chance of fulfilling the one for you, two for me shopping prophecy, well, does that really need mentioning?

I cannot think of a better way to spend a few hours, head cold as an excuse for not accomplishing other things than to search etsy and get the warm fuzzies from the comfort of my own PC. Now I have a new problem. Maybe not a problem, but what do I choose? Do I keep the favorite for myself? if so, how do I explain it's appearance?

(oh, look, here it is)
Not really the kind of thing you can say, "oh, I've had that forever. I can't believe you never noticed."
So, here's a few lovlies to help explain my affliction.
wabiSabo
clearmountaincraft
thewheelandi
natureofclay
pastembraces
Please be understanding of my illness. Afterall, how bad can appreciating art be?

P.S. These may not be serving pices but they sure serve me.
gorgeous
incredible
useful
and just plain fun