Handmade Holiday Shopper's Guide

There is nothing more satisfying than finding the perfect gift for all those lucky people on your holiday gift list. I have been buying handmade items from wonderful artisans for many years. Sure, I do hit a few malls and maybe even Bloomingdale's during my holiday shopping trips, but most of the time I start buying early at craft shows that I attend or from one line sites that sell handmade. The gifts I find in these places get the biggest smiles and are the ones my friends and family still talk about. I thought it might be nice to give my readers some suggestions, shops to visit and helpful hints to make your shopping experience pleasant and easy. I am beginning with an artist whose work I have admired on etsy for a long time. His work appeals to me because it is very modern and has a strength and beauty that is quite unique. His art is done in steel and other metals like copper and aluminum. Although his shop carries mostly jewelry, Tim also designs sculptures, furniture and other interesting items some of which I chose to represent here. Please visit his etsy shop at http://timothyadamdesigns.etsy.com. You can read more about his work on his blogs.http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/ and

http://blufuse.blogspot.com/ .

Sterling Silver Wirework

My extensive hours of reading blogs and looking at artisan's etsy shops have really paid off! I was fortunate enough to find the amazing blog of Contrariwise Ramblings at http://akacontrariwise.blogspot.com/ and subscribed to it immediately. First of all this blog makes me smile. The author has a great sense of humor and writes with a very personal tone that makes you feel like you have known her for years. Secondly, she has some great tips and tutorials on her blog. In other words, in my humble opinion, it is everything a blog should be !

Besides having a wonderful blog, this artistic lady does some amazing things with wire work sterling silver jewelry as you can clearly see. Take a look at her wonderful work at http://contrariwise.etsy.com/.

A Brick House Full of Novelty Fabrics

BRICK HOUSE FABRICS is a wonderful etsy shop that features a multitude of novelty fabrics. From companies such as Schumacher, Braemore, Covington and P. Kaufmann these novelty fabrics showcase a person's interests, hobbies, and maybe even memories. Do you collect SPODE

CHINA? If so then you may love the fabric shown here. I love flowers, especially tropical hibiscus, which is why I chose to feature this fabric. The shop http://brickhousefabrics.etsy.com/ has so many choices you are bound to find one you love.

Mary Janes N' Hightops

If you are looking for some really unique and cute items for newborns and toddlers then you must visit the shop of http://pinkmarshmalllows.etsy.com/ You will find the most darling shoes and other delightful items for the littlest people on your gift lists. I went wild over the items I chose to show here and there are many other offerings in this great etsy shop. Here is the shop announcement.
"PinkMarshmallow's Shop Announcement
Welcome to the Pink Marshmallow Boutique!We offer offer unique and trendy boutique-style items for newborn, infants, and toddlers. In our sweet & trendy shop, you will find items like satin tied mary jane shoes with coordinating appliqued tops, infant lounge sets, big girl lounge sets, decoupaged shoes and more treasures. We specialize in wonderful and unique items for babies and children, as well as stylish items for mom. We pride ourselves on having unique selections and are always creating new and spectacular items to sell in our little Etsy Shop. Check in Daily as each day, we will be adding more items!** Halloween and Christmas selections are in the works! If you have anything special that you would like to match or to see, convo! I'd love to chat **"

Poetry in Motion

I have just had the most pleasant visit to the shop of Jennifer Gordon, writer and mixed media artist. Her beautiful work is for sale on etsy at http://stilettoheights.etsy.com/ where you will find original works of art , prints, illustrations, journals, cards, mirrors and jewelry. Her prints have an ethereal look about them , many featuring women who appear to be lost in deep thought. It was hard to choose the photos I wanted to feature here because I liked them all. I chose Amelia as one of them because she was a woman I greatly admire. These beautiful works of art are truly poetry in motion.

Origami Art

The etymology of the word origami comes from "oru" meaning folding and "kami" which means paper. This amazing art form originated early in Japan's history with Samurai warriors exchanging folded paper gifts to express good wishes and with origami butterflies that were used in wedding celebrations to represent the bride and groom. The etsy shop of http://meekiyua.etsy.com/ has adorable origami people called "meekiyua" that the artist uses to adorn tags, door hangers, stationary,dolls, and totes. I chose a couple of my favorites to show you, but please visit this delightful shop to read about "meekiyua" and the history behind these wonderful little people.

A Touch of Whimsy

Get in touch with your bohemian side and take a look at the wonderful shop of http://meplusmolly.etsy.com/ . I am sure you will be delighted with the wonderful items in this shop . The lovely clutch bags you see here are made with made pieces of fabric and decorated with sequins and other embellishments. These bags are perfect to carry your necessities and have a shabby chic turned elegant look about them. This shop also carries handmade brooches and Christmas items. All the pieces are handmade by the artist . Here is her bio.

"After working for many years in the retail industry I am now working part/time and designing and creating my pieces of textile work.Art, craft and design have always been a huge interest to me. Evident from the years spent studying various courses at art college.Inspired by textures, lines, mark making and especially colour, ideas for the creation of pieces are gathered from the surrounding flora and fauna in the English countryside.I use a combination of new materials and a lot of fabric fragments to create my accessories. Creating items that are unique and individual out of beautiful remnants of fabric. A process that is hugely satisfying for me as a designer-maker and for those that purchase my 'one of a kind' items. It also means that my items have a much 'greener' outlook to them by using what would have been otherwise discarded fragments of fabric to create them.meplusmolly is inspired by my Nan Molly, an extraordinarily stylish lady who had an accessory for every outfit and every occasion!If you would like to enquire about custom orders or trade prices then please don't hesitate to contact me.

Happy browsing x"