Handmade Cavalcade Gift Guide for Teens

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Teens - I have two I have to buy for and crimminy it is hard.  I suppose I could send them a check or iTunes gift card and call it a day, but that's what everyone else does.  I'm crazy Aunt Holly, I'm suppose to send awesome gifts.  That was much easier when they were little bitties (look for that gift guide on December 2nd).

I have gathered a small collection of gifts you might find just right for your own hard to buy for teen.  All of the featured products are from members of The {NewNew} who will be participating in this years Holiday Handmade Cavalcade.

I found this unique knit power cord at KnitKnit.

Be In The Moment has these terrific pendants

The Ninth Avenue Necklace by Wish by Felicity

Find this fabulous florescent pink wishbone necklace at Knock Knock Studio

Grounsel has a great recycled tie iPhone case.  It was featured in TONY!

So those are just a few suggestions. There will be plenty more at the Cavalcade on December 3rd.  You can find all the info right here.

Happy Shopping
Holly / EllisDesign

First Mondays Giveaway!

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Congratulations to Jennifer I. from Worcester, MA who won last month's giveaway!

This month, we are offering a handmade (of course!) leather card case in your choice of either black or metallic pink (click on links to see pictures). Lauren, the force behind Lola Falk Designs, is inspired by her love of colorful, shiny things and the desire to create pieces that give their wearer "the right dose of quirky chic"!
Add ImageThis pair of hammered brass earrings by KnockKnock Studio would be beautiful on their own or with another pair if you have double-pierced ears. Their casual elegance make them perfect with jeans or a little black dress. Or little black jeans! Aimee is a multi-talented artisan who creates magic as a knitter, crocheter, and metalsmither!
What a beautiful 4th of July weekend we are having in NYC. I hope you had a wonderful holiday, whether it was jam-packed with activities and people or simply you, a book, and a hammock.


Rules 'n' Stuff
The winner of this giveaway will be announced on Monday August 1 and our new August giveaway will be posted! To enter:
1. Make sure you are a follower of this blog.

2. Your comment is your entry. Only comments received by July 15 will be eligible. Please include a way to contact you!

3. One entry per person, but if you tweet, blog or facebook about this giveaway it gets you additional entries. Post a LINK back to your personal post right here in the comments section.


4. Winner picked at random. Winner must ship to USA address only (sorry!).

5. Items will be shipped individually.

Until next time,

LuCrafts



A Few More Crafty Resolutions for 2011

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Happy New Year!   It's that resolution time of year and if you're anything like me your crafty life could use a resolution or two.  Here are five to get you started:
Knock Knock Studio
1. Get organized
You can't work if your space is piled high in supplies. If you're organizationally challenged, check out some of our past Workspace Wednesday blogs for inspiration.  Get crafty when it comes to space saving and storage solutions turn tea boxes into drawer dividers or cans into pencil holders.  Optimize your storage space by using wall space.  I was inspired by a pegboard design in Ready Made magazine.
Journal by BlueStitchBooks
2. Use what you have before buying more
How many times have you bought supplies only to find that you already had that item?  I do it all the time – I must have a dozen sets of number 8 knitting needles!  If you've got 8 balls of the same yarn – make a project with that first. Figure out what size brushes, needles or what color pencils you need before you buy another.   I’m writing a list of all the needles I have and keeping it on my iPhone ( I bet there’s an app for that).  Write down what colors you don't have in your silkscreen paints. Keep an easily tracked inventory if needed in a notebook if you are lo-tech.  Check out some of the journals available from The {NewNew}.
Pillow by AlexandraFerguson

3. Finish at least one unfinished project before tackling a new craft
Many of us have multiple interests and mediums. If you spin and knit, finish spinning that skein and knitting that hat before moving on to a new embroidery project. Don't buy expensive screen-printing equipment when you've got 4 unfinished quilts sitting in the corner in a basket.  In other words, just say NO, temporarily that is!
4. Donate unused supplies
Did you decide that sewing was just not for you but still have a box of fabric? Give it to a nursing home. Tons of empty sketchbooks that you’re ignoring in favor of beadwork?  See if there's a daycare that can use the extra paper. Pastels a thing of the past? See if your local elementary school can use them.  Schools, nursing homes, and women's shelters are always good places to contact about donating supplies.
5. Use your powers for good
There are plenty of charities that accept handmade goods.  Sew up a stuffed toy and give it to the women's shelter. Knit some preemie hats and give them to a local hospital. For inspiration check out the hats The {NewNew} and visitors to the Maker Faire donated to Bronx-Lebanon Hospital last fall.
Share your crafty resolution for 2011 with us!  We'd love to hear from you.