ThIs is a powerful quote that resonates deeply with me. Thinking this way gets me moving on projects....
Read moreI'm always doing things I can't do....
Las Menenas by Picasso
Holiday 2014 Gift Guide: Made by Crafters and Creatives
If you have reached mid-December without having made your gifts despite your best intentions, do yourself a favour and give yourself a massive break.
Buy the work of other crafters and creatives to give as gifts and support people just like you who have had the courage to put their work out there and go for it!
These crafty creative who like to “make stuff” are making their livings with their small businesses, many through the awesome site Brika.
Tip for late gift buyers: If the gift will still be in the mail on Christmas day, print out a photo from the website and put it in a card.
Below are some carefully chosen selections that I’m shining a crafty creatives spotlight on….
Rosslab - Rosella Manzini of San Jose, California
Black + White Ceramic Planter $28 by Rosslab
Black + White Handmade Necklace $34 by Rosslab
Heart Creamer + Sugar Bowl Set $48 by Rosslab
Heart Creamer + Sugar Bowl Set $48
Rosslab items available on the Brika.com website
Gus and Abby – Shannon McLaughlin of Toronto, Ontario
5x7 Dachshund Portrait Print $14.00 by Gus and Abby
Magnetic Dog Calendar by Gus and Abby
Magnetic Dog Calendar by Gus and Abby
Magnetic Dog Calendar $16.00
Custom profile illustration, 8’’ x 10’’ print, $150
Your gift can be a homemade certificate that you will be gifting a custom profile illustration by Gus and Abby! The giftee can then just email a photo of their dog to Gus and Abby and they illustrate a custom print of the beloved pooch! Note: The finished print is not going to arrive by Christmas - so you are going to write a gift certificate for this gift.
Gus and Abby items available on the Brika.com website
Screech Owl Design – Jacqueline Schmidt of Muskegon, Michigan
Celebrate the Alphabet Poster $39 by Screech Owl Design
Celebrate the Alphabet Poster $39, 20’’ x 26’’
I love the creativity of Screech Owl Designs and the love of the handwritten letter ritual that led Jacqueline Schmidt to design these delightful notecards.
Going on a Journey Notecard $16 for set of 6, by Screech Owl Design
o with the Flow Notecards $16 for set of 6, by Screech Owl Design
Go with the Flow Notecards $16 for set of 6
Screech Owl Design items available on the Brika.com website
163 Design Company of Pittsfield, Maine
Deer Wooden Chalkboard $22 by 163 Design Company
Buffalo Wooden Chalkboard $22 by 163 Design Company
Blue Whale Print $50 by 163 Design Company
MadeOn: Skin Care Products by Renee Harris of Cottonwood, California
I love this Bee Silk Bar by MadeOn: Skin Care Products! And it not only helps with very dry skin but customers find it helps with eczema and psoriasis too. Made by the phemononal Renee Harris and her family and distributed through their website hardlotion.com.
Bee Silk Bar (hard lotion bar) pocket size 0.71oz, $6.95 by MadeOn: Skin Care Products:
Bee Silk Bar (hard lotion bar) pocket size 0.71oz, $6.95
It also comes in a family size bar of 2oz, $12.95, or try a 3 item pack of Bee Silk (pocket size bar and family size bar) and Lip Balm for $22.50.
MadeOn: Skin Care items available on their website hardlotion.com
Drawing Your Life by Michael Nobbs
Available wherever books are sold, or for more info see "Drawing Your Life".
A great way to get started in the habit and art, of keeping a sketchbook: this book “Drawing Your Life” by Michael Nobbs. It’s really a guided journal or sketchbook and the great thing about it is that it encourages one to get drawing right away.
Michael Nobbs’ website is sustainablycreative.com
All of these makers' interesting gift items are sure to delight. Do you have a favourite go-to crafter, creative, designer or maker to buy your holiday gifts from? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.
Awaken
In our busy lives it can sometimes be difficult to make decisions from a place of truly knowing what is right for each of us and our families. Reawaken your spirit and balance yourself. One way to do this is by allowing creativity into your life and through the elemental creative process to reconnect with your core center.
Read moreFour Easy Creative Project Ideas
Sometimes we all feel like choosing a fun creative activity that feels like playing, and helps us to find our creative joy again. Here are four easy project ideas. These can be modified in any way you choose, so don’t be afraid to try your own ideas out.
Read moreOpen to Creativity
By allowing more creativity into our lives, we can learn to balance our soul’s elemental needs with the roles and responsibilities that are so much of our lives but that may not be fulfilling everything that our core essence needs.
Read moreBalance in the Midst of Chaos
By having a daily mindfulness practice, you will discover that your inner core, intuition, and sense of balance, are accessible for you even as the world hurtles past and you find yourself in the midst of chaos. Think of it as building a muscle. The more you use that muscle, the stronger it will be, and the more useful you will find it.
Read more