Holiday Gift Guide - Art Lover

This will be the final post of my Etsy Holiday Gift Guide.  Today's post will feature gifts for every type of photography buff!  My shop, Heartland Photography By SJW, has a variety of prints, canvas gallery wraps, pillow covers, photo wall clocks, tote bags, and duvet covers.

Head on over to the shop today.

As a "Thank You" to readers today, I want to clue you in on my Black Friday deal!  All canvas gallery wraps, canvas triptychs, and large sized prints will be 25% off.  No coupon code needed!

We will be back to the normal blog entries starting next month.  So make sure you sign up to receive email updates on the right hand side of this page.  I have some great Etsy shops lined up to feature next month!

Holiday Gift Guide - For the Newlyweds

If you know a couple who got married this year, I'm sure they are still stocking up their first home. These gifts will make it a little more cozy!

Return Address Stamp -
The best way to save time on all of those thank you notes from the wedding is with this gorgeous return address stamp.  Banter and Charm has quite a list of personalized products for everyone this holiday season.

Comfy Throw Blanket - 

This super chunky knit blanket is ready to ship in 4-6 weeks, but will be more than worth the wait!  It comes in a variety of colors and is machine washable for easy care.  Erin Black's Designs also offers patterns for the do-it-yourself crowd.

Coffee Mugs - 

You are going to need a coffee mug to cuddle up in that throw with.  These simple, yet modern, designs are perfect for any home.  Jessica Howard offers a variety of home and kitchen decor.

Personalized Throw Pillow - 

Help the newlyweds celebrate their new initial with this personalized pillow.  Apple White features handmade pillows, tooth fairy pillows, and lip balm gift sets among other things.  All feature sweet designs with a retro, yet modern vibe.

Torched Wine Rack - 

Catron's Woodworking features rustic creations for the couple with the "Shabby Chic" style.  This uniquely colored wine rack holds up to two bottles and two wine glasses at a time.  Perfect for intimate nights curled up by the fire.

Make sure to pick up one of these gifts if you have some newlyweds in your life.  And tune in tomorrow for our final Holiday Gift Guide post!

Holiday Gift Guide - For The Outdoors

If your loved is out in nature no matter the weather, you'll need to check out these listings for some great handmade gift ideas!

Hiking Backpack - 

Every hiker knows the value of a comfy backpack.  This bag is padded by a thick layer of foam to protect your back when you pack you accidentally pack your dry shoes pointing in the wrong direction.  Valentich Bags has a wide variety of every day and adventure bags available.

Fire Starters - 

The backpack may get you where you are going, but you'll need something to keep your warm when you get to camp! These eco fire starters will get the fire going anytime.  Check out Less Candles here.

Mountain Print T-Shirts - 

Just because you're chilling in the great outdoors, doesn't mean you can't do it with style.  These super soft tees will be a great addition to your packing list.  Check out Black Bird Tees for even more stylish apparel.  

Fern and Moss Wall Decor - 

Your outdoorsman will feel right at home in the "Man Cave" when you invite the outside in!  As a bonus, these real, preserved plants are maintenance free.  Artisan Moss offers a variety of home decor that will transform your house into a woodland paradise.

Stained Glass Elements - 

If you love the water more than the woods, check out Bespoke Glass Tile's stained glass raindrops. This set would make a great gift to hang in the office and remind your loved one of time spent on the lake!  These items are all made to order, so please check current production times to ensure delivery before the holidays!

Grit Scrub Soap - 

Last but not least, you'll need a good scrubbing to clean off after spending all weekend in the woods. Rocky Top Soap Shop can help.  This exfoliating soap will make you shine as good as new!

Well, readers...the week is coming to an end.  We have two more posts left before the holiday shopping begins!  Tune in tomorrow to check out gifts for newlyweds that will be sure to please!

Holiday Gift Guide - Chefs, Bakers, and Kitchen Gear

The cook in your family will be working overtime between Thanksgiving and January first.  You better show some appreciation.

Popcorn Spices -
Dell Cove Spices has a variety of popcorn spices perfect to add a little excitement to movie night. Each order is blended in small batches to ensure freshness.  Flavors range from fresh (Strawberry Vanilla Shake) to spicy (Sriracha) to intriguing (Ketchup)!  Black Friday excitement includes free samples with orders over $30.  For a surprise make sure to sign up for the shop's newsletter.  They will be holding a special sale for subscribers on Cyber Monday.  To get the secret code make sure to subscribe here - eepurl.com/t5DyL.  I added myself to the list already!

Cocktail Sugar - 

I love Dell Cove Spices so much I had to feature them twice!  What cocktail artist wouldn't love these fabulous, colorful sugars for the champagne toast on New Year's Eve?

Make Your Own Cheese Kit - 

Moving from cocktails to appetizers, this kit makes the perfect gift for your DIY chef.  With the addition of store bought milk, you will be able to make this cheese in less than one hour.  Sandy Leaf Farm has additional DIY kits available as well.  Chili Ginger Beer, anyone?

Kitchen Tablet Holder - 

Is your chef or baker getting a tablet for Christmas this year?  Encourage them to easily try some new recipes with this tablet holder.  No more getting your tablet dirty on the counter and risking your hardware by spilling your milk, oil, or wine!  Check it out at TreeSky

Alright, it's time to get to shopping!  Head back over on Friday to check out gifts for your favorite outdoors-man (or woman)!

Holiday Gift Guide - Gifts For Your Favorite Traveler

Do you have a family member who is always jetting off to some place new?  This is the list you want to read!

Painted Bamboo Chopsticks -
These beautiful hand painted chopsticks would make a thoughtful gift for the couple that loves Asia and the region's cuisine.  They come in a variety of colors, but I am partial to the fantastic mint design.  Designer Dwellings offers a variety of other hand painted utensils and serve ware.  Use code BLKFRI14 for 20% off purchase over $60.

Christmas Ornaments - 

Is your wanderer home for the holidays this year?  This ornament from MB Art Studios is a perfect reminder that you are thinking of your loved one no matter where they are this time of year.

Map Prints - 

Jazzberry Blue features a variety of home decor items made from map prints.  If you've taken a family trip together recently, this map printed on birch wood is a great reminder of the fun times your group had!  You could also remind your traveler of home with a smaller (and easily movable) poster print. Use code JAZZ15 for a 15% discount.

Camera Strap - 

For the stylish travel photographer head on over to Exsect.  This leather company creates gorgeous camera straps, luggage tags, and passport covers that will last a life time.  All items are hand cut and crafted!

Sleep Mask - 

Who doesn't hate trying to catch some sleep on an overnight flight?  Show your loved one you are thinking about them with a handmade sleep mask.  Evelina Apparel has a gorgeous selection!  The shop will be offering a 20% discount on sleep masks and 10% off all robes for the Black Friday weekend.  Free shipping is available as well!

Etsy has some great options for all of the wanderers in your life.  I won't tell if you pick up some of these items for yourself this holiday season as well!

Tomorrow the blog will feature gift ideas for your friends and family who just can't step out of the kitchen this time of year.

Holiday Gift Guide - Hostess Gifts

Let the holiday parties begin!  Your hostess will know how much you appreciate her with these thoughtful gifts.

Peppermint Soy Candle -
What better scent to represent the holidays?  This natural candle will burn for approximately 20 hours assuring that your hostess will remember your kindness throughout the season.  Visit Hart and Hawthorn to view their collection.  Hart and Hawthorn is offering a sale for this weekend.  Make sure you head over to the shop to check out the discounts!

Vintage Works of Art -
Tess and Ivy is a shop that I personally have purchased from more than once.  Cathey is a wonderful artist and shop owner who hand paints vintage bowls in a variety of colors.  They are high quality and unique.  Any hostess will be thrilled at this thoughtful gift.

For the Wine Lover - 

If you want your gift to stand out among the 8 bottles of wine that your hostess receives on the night of the big party, head on over to Boozy Couture.  This is another seller that I have dealt with personally.  Nichole makes decorative chain wine bottle covers that will fit over your bottle of wine or champagne.  As Nichole says..."The wine appreciates it too."  Take 25% off during Black Friday weekend!  It's a steal!

Still haven't found what you're looking for?  - 

Skye Art features polymer clay figures with stamped text.  The small size means they will fit anywhere at home or in the office.  I have a Thanksgiving set sitting on my mantle as we speak!

Make sure to stock up on your hostess gifts now before your calendar fills up!  Come back tomorrow for the next installment to find gifts for the traveler in your life.

Coming Soon!

Stressing about your holiday shopping yet?  Let me help!

Black Friday is around the corner, and Etsy is a great place to find unique gifts for everyone on your list.  I will be publishing a series of gift guides beginning next week.  From hostess gifts to the newlyweds in your life and everyone in between.

Stay tuned!

-Sarah

November's New Shop Spotlight - andMorgan

Opened in May of this year, andMorgan is a modern shop offering screen print towels, tote bags, and more.  I recently spoke with Jillian Morgan, the daughter from this father-daughter team, to discuss the beautiful and creative items featured in this shop.

Why did you decide to start your shop?
I decided to start my shop when I was thinking about how to earn some extra money to help pay off my student loans! My dad has owned his screen printing business for 25 years and I’ve always wanted to learn more about screen printing so this seemed like a good opportunity. 

What does your shop name mean to you?
I actually really dislike naming things and it wasn’t easy to come up with something! Our last name is Morgan and since our shop is a collaboration I wanted the name to reflect our partnership. Also, many of our designs feature ampersands so my thought process went from “Morgan and Morgan” to “andMorgan.”

How are you inspired to create your products?
I would say food and nature are my biggest inspirations. I’ve always been drawn to cooking, baking, and spending time in the kitchen so I started off designing tea towels. Since food is on my mind 90% of the time, it only made sense for my tote bags and tea towels to be mostly food related! 

What is your favorite item in your shop?
My favorite item is our new tote bag with the “Eat your Greens” design. I think it’s modern and cute! 

What makes your shop unique?
I think our shop is unique because we’re a father daughter team. I wouldn’t be able to do this without my dad’s screen printing experience and skills and he certainly wouldn’t be able to do it without my knowledge of the internet and social media! 

What is your favorite part about running an Etsy shop?
My favorite part is reading reviews or messages from customers or seeing photos of customers using my products. It’s strange and exciting to think that something you made is out there in another country or state and people are enjoying it. 

What has been the hardest obstacle in starting your shop?
The most difficult part of starting a shop is dealing with the ups and downs. Some days you have so few views, favorites, or orders that you start questioning whether the things you make are good enough. 

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from starting your shop?
The importance of social media cannot be stressed enough! I can definitely see a difference when I’m active on Pinterest, Instagram or Tumblr and when I’m not. It might seem time consuming or tedious to be constantly updating social media but it’s an easy and free way to promote yourself! 

Jillian is a wonderfully modern and unique designer.  AndMorgan definitely benefits from the teamwork of Jillian and her father and should be on your go-to Etsy shopping list for the upcoming holidays.  Those wine tote bags would make a wonderful hostess gift!

Images used with permission from Jillian Morang and AndMorgan.

October's Favorite Shop Feature - Freefolding

October has brought fall color to Nebraska and a new feature to the blog!  This month will include a "Favorite Shop" pick featuring an established Etsy seller with beautiful products.  My "New Shop" pick will be published in a few weeks.

My first favorite shop pick is Free Folding by Michal Keren Gelman.  Michal's shop includes gorgeous ceramic items with unique designs.

Why did you decide to start your shop?
Etsy represents for me the opportunity to communicate with new and various crowds, to be a part of a community which appreciates and shares interest in the creative process of arts and design.  After the last 6 years in which I was teaching, working, giving lectures around Israel, I want to be able to reach and sell my work on a wider international scale.

What does your shop name mean to you?
Freefolding is for folding clay sheets.  I investigate its options to be folded, closed, and to create a container.  The name Freefolding (sounds like the song - Free Falling) reminds me of the feel of a play ground, a child like movement, free and brave and surrendered.  Clay wise - I learn how to flow with it, listen to it; I am often surprised by it.

How are you inspired to create your products?
My main inspiration comes from clay itself. New ways to unravel traditional forms and to play with them are the force that attracts and motivates me forward. Textures as well are my main inspiration. My eyes seem to constantly be drawn to them. I look them up everywhere I go, sometimes I like to see myself as a textures hunter...

What is your favorite item in your shop?
I can't choose. They are all my kids...but I have a special warm feeling for my latest collection, "Norwegian Wood" of trees I pictured and print on my pots.

What makes your shop unique?
My shop is unique for it's bringing a different style of functional contemporary ceramic.  I design and make ceramic home ware by a unique technique of clay folding, engraving, and silk printing. Though delicate and so fine looking, the pots are amazingly practical and can be used anywhere in the kitchen being oven, microwave, and dishwasher proof.

What is your favorite part about running an Etsy shop?
My favorite part about running an Etsy shop is to communicate, meet, and reveal people and artists from all over the world.  I am excited to know that kitchens, homes, and hands across the oceans are holding and embracing a cup or bowl and it becomes part of their life.

What has been the hardest obstacle in starting your shop?
For a few years now, I've been planning to open my own shop on Etsy, but raising three kids, and the daily hustle and bustle, didn't allow me to be fully committed to opening my own online shop.  So time was my hardest obstacle...I used the help of a senior Etsy seller to make the shop alive and kicking.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from starting your shop?
Well...I'm learning all the time so many things.  About patience, belief, more patience and mainly not to forget the joy of creating and making.  It is so easy to get lost in this magnificent jungle called Etsy.

Michal's shop showcases beautiful ceramics full of life and texture.  I would say her patience has paid off with these wonderfully modern and unique items.   Please visit her shop to check out additional items through the following link -  Freefolding

Images used with permission from Michal and Freefolding.

Twisted Tree Occasions - New Shop Spotlight

I recently spent some time chatting with Jessica Morsillo from Twisted Tree Occasions.  Her shop just opened this June and offers gorgeous custom tags and confetti.

I love the handmade, but sophisticated feeling to Jessica's items.  Here is our Q & A -

Why did you decide to start your shop?
I decided to start my shop to separate items from my other shop (Twisted Tree Supplies).  I am recently married and made everything for my wedding including the invitations.  I have also been in several weddings since then.  I started adding the special occasion items to my other shop just to see how well they sold.  I ended up adding so many items that I decided to open this second shop.  I really enjoy designing all of the tags to make someone's special day even better!

What does your shop name mean to you?
My shop name came from a picture that I took several years ago.  I have always loved trees and taking pictures of trees.  On a walk one day, I came across this beautiful tree that appeared twisted. I took a picture of it with the sun shining through.  It is one of my favorite pictures.

How are you inspired to create your products?
I am inspired by everything and anything!  I keep a sketch book on my desk to jot down ideas as they pop up.  Sometimes I have customers who inspire me by just giving me a basic idea of what they would like.  Pinterest is also a very useful inspiration when I am feeling uninspired.

What is your favorite item in your shop?
Currently the wedding heart confetti is my favorite item in my shop.  The ones that you see in the first picture were actually used at my bridal shower.  They are just so simple and elegant.

What makes your shop unique?
My shop is unique because everything is able to be customized.  You can change the colors, sizes, shapes, or the wording.  I am very flexible and want the items to be perfect for your special occasion. My shop is also unique because it features some of my own hand drawn images for the tags that you will not find anywhere else.

What is your favorite part about running an Etsy shop?
My favorite part of running my Etsy shop is designing new items!  I love when someone contacts me about making something brand new for them.  Designing is definitely the best part!

What has been the hardest obstacle in starting your shop?
The hardest obstacle in opening my new shop has been time management with my other shop.  I do this full time, and I mean full time.  I am sometimes answering customers at one or two in the morning.  Just finding the time to design, make, photograph, edit the pictures, and create the listing has been a challenge.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from starting your shop?
The biggest lesson that I have learned from opening my shop is that I am making things for other people and not for myself.  It is easy to create things that I like but that does not mean that other people will like it or want to buy it.  While it is important to "brand" yourself and create a style, it is even more important in a business sense to create things that people will want to buy.

Jessica's shop is adorable, modern, and brilliantly minimalistic.  If you have a wedding or baby in your future, be sure to check her out at Twisted Tree Occasions on Etsy.


Images used with permission from Jessica and Twisted Tree Occasions.

Crafty Works Cornwall - New Shop Spotlight

Opened less than two months ago, Crafty Works Cornwall features a large variety of beautifully crafted items from reclaimed wood and metal.

Guy is based in Cornwall, England.  He creates delightful mirrors, candle holders, and home decor. He has a gorgeous stock of Halloween items in his shop at the moment for the upcoming holiday.

  

Here is what Guy had to say about his shop - 

Why did you decide to start your shop?

I have been making and exhibiting locally for some years, but had never ventured into the world of online selling.  A friend with an existing Etsy shop persuaded me to sign up, and I haven't looked back.  I had sales within a fairly short time of opening, which was encouraging.  As I'm not currently exhibiting my work in any local galleries, Etsy provides me with valuable feedback about my new creations, which I love.

What does your shop name mean to you?

Crafty Works was a name I came up with off the top of my head about five years ago when I attended a festival and needed to call myself something.  It's kind of stuck.

How are you inspired to create your products?

I use mostly reclaimed materials, so I'm usually inspired to create by finding a nice item and then visualizing what it wants to be made into.  I also draw inspiration from the natural world which is right on my doorstep - I live in the country side and very near the sea - as well as the rich and varied history that reclaimed materials often have.

What is your favorite item in your shop?

Probably my sea glass sun light catcher.  Because I so enjoy the process of working with sea glass, from the collecting, cleaning, and arranging, all the way to finishing the design.

What makes your shop unique?

I think my shop is unique because what I make is unique.  I have many more designs waiting to be listed.

What is your favorite part about running an Etsy shop?

My favorite part of running an Etsy shop is the appreciation I get from people who see my work.  The forums have also been very valuable and are a great friendly place to chat with other sellers and get support and advice.

What has been the hardest obstacle in starting your shop?

The hardest obstacle I have had to overcome has really been me and my dread of self promoting.  I have had to put that aside somewhat in order to grow my shop, and get to grips with social media and SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from starting your shop?

I think the biggest lesson I have learned has been to get on with it, get on out there, and show off my creations.

It is clear that Guy is an artist who takes great pride in his work.  His designs are simply beautiful, one of a kind, and would make a wonderful addition to any home.  This is definitely a shop to keep your eye on, and I am please that Guy decided to join us on Etsy.  Please head on over to visit Crafty Works.