Handmade For The Holidays

Last year, I took a pledge to buy handmade. I mostly did, and I loved it. This year, I'm taking the same pledge, and I want to share with you some of my Etsy favorites. And if you could share your favorites with me, plus head over to Beth's to check out some MORE great sellers, I would love that. Beth is running a Mr. Linky for handmade sellers, so if you're a seller, please link up your site.

I wish I could share everything I've bought this year, but many things I've bought or am planning to buy will be gifted to people who read this blog, and so, I will hold off on sharing those items with you. Today I'm going to talk about three of my favorite Etsy sellers and some great gift ideas. If you click on the above post from last year, I listed some other Etsy favorites!

I am a huge jewelry person. I am very big on handstamped jewelry, especially sterling silver. You'll rarely catch me wearing gold, simply because I prefer silver. So when I discovered Create Beauty Daily, it was instant love. I love these necklaces because they have a purpose and a meaning, and they remind me to do and be better when I wear them. Since my first purchase, I've become friends with Cameron, and she is truly as beautiful as the jewelry she creates. But enough about that, let me share with you my most recent purchase from her.

Isn't that gorgeous? I asked her if she could make a necklace with lyrics from one of my favorite songs, Waiting For My Real Life To Begin. Perhaps someone you love has a special song or a quote that they hold dear to them, perhaps a song that you share. What a beautiful, personal gift that would make. And! Cameron is offering a special sale on Black Friday. Free shipping on all orders, orders of $65 or more receive a free pair of earrings, and certain pieces will be on sale. You better shop early, because I'll be hitting up that sale!

I also love purses, so much that it pains me to carry a diaper bag most of the time. I'm often looking for purses that are still cute, but yet have some functionality as a diaper bag, though I'm learning more and more that all I really need to carry with me is just one diaper. I recently acquired this clutch from Julie Vision Designs, and I am in love.

It is the perfect size to take out to dinner or to the movies and is still roomy enough for me to carry my keys, license, debit card, iPhone, and a diaper.

Isn't that fabulous? This photo does not do justice to the gorgeous gold sheen the fabric has, but trust me when I say it's both beautiful and impeccably made. Although Julie does not currently have anything listed in her shop, I've been told that if you convo her, she'll happily talk clutches with you. And I've also been told that she has more of the fabric she used on mine, so we can be purse twinsies! Julie also makes gorgeous glass bead jewelry, and this summer, she custom made me these cloth napkins, which we use EVERY single day. They've withstood hundreds of washings without so much as a fray.

Last but not least, I want to share with an ornament maker who is very near and dear to my heart. My Aunt Mary runs a store called Dough Ditties, full of meticulously crafted salt dough ornaments and creations. I've always admired her ability to create in such a small, challenging medium. I am currently loving this Nativity ornament that she has in her shop.

It is very simple, yet very powerful and would make a great gift for someone to hang on their tree for years to come. I can personally attest to the lasting power of these ornaments, as the ornament she made when I was born is still in perfect condition 27 years later. We hang it front and center on the tree every year, and how I wish I had it out right now to share a picture, but I promise to share one once our tree is up and decorated. The ornament is a baby, of course, with my name and birth information on it, which quite honestly, would be a perfect gift for anyone who has had a baby this year (you know, like me). Although there are many stores that sell baby's first Christmas ornaments, this would be much more personal, and you have my guarantee that it'll last through even the time when that baby is grown up and having babies of his/her own.