For the Crafty Holiday Giver: A Round Up of Etsy NY Tutorials for Great Gifts!

Photo from: http://www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com/holiday-gifts/

Photo from: http://www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com/holiday-gifts/

Many times we think the Holidays are about the gifts. We spend days and weeks and some of us, months, agonizing on lists and then what to buy for the people on those lists. Some of us don't give gifts.

In my home, gifts are now reserved for grandpa, mom and nieces and nephews. I still will gift small stuff to my brothers, but it's nothing large or expensive any more. When I do give gifts to friends, I give handmade items - cookies and sweet treats and sewn and knitted items. My friends are normally so appreciative of the gifts that I always feel like I won the gift giving game of Christmas!

As we get ready to sit down with our loved ones over a good meal and think of all the things and reasons we are grateful, with Black Friday, Shop Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday all in the shadows, I thought showcasing some of the most popular tutorials would be a great way to break the idea that the holidays are just for shopping at large box and chain stores and breaking someone's back by pushing them into a cart as you rush into a store for a deal on a flat screen television at 4pm on Thanksgiving Day. 

The most thoughtful and appreciated gifts are usually the small ones and these tutorials are not by no means small, but they're thoughtful, creative and inspiring. Anyone you gift one of these items to, will cherish the gift forever knowing you not only thought of them, but gave time to give them something unique and special.

For Children:

Upcycled Pencil Case

Eat Your Veggies Crocheted Vegetable Toys

 

For the Farmer Market Shopper /Gardener:

Apple Picking Canvas Tote

 

For the Fashionista:

Upcycled Skirt

Spring Cowl

Wire Wrapped Briolette Earrings

 

For the Cook/Chef:

Fall Kitchen Patchwork Trivet - Part 1 + Part 2

 

Decor for the Home:

Miniature Summer Lantern

Valentine's Inspired PJ Case

Door Snake

 

Food Gifts:

Pickles

 

Holiday Decoration:

Advent Calendar Banner

 

If you end up making any of these wonderful tutorials, please share your experience in the comments. If you make any of these and get great feedback, share those too! We love being able to help inspire you with crafts throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season.

Happy Crafting! Happy Holidays!

Sara / S2 Stationery & Design

Let's Get Personal!

Etsy sellers understand it really is better to give than to receive! We love being able to offer something we love to others to give as a gift. Whether it is jewelry, art, clothing or home decor many of us enjoy taking our service to the next level and offer personalization. Below are some of my favorite Etsy vendors offering personalization this holiday season!

Starting off we have our own Etsy NY member Sweet Olive Jewelry. Amy's beautiful rings offer custom engraving and come in gold, rose gold and sterling silver. And with multiple price points you're sure to find something for everyone on your list!

If you looking for something a bit less formal than jewelry maybe paper is the way to go? These simple yet stunning pads from Curio Press are perfect for the planner on your list! Available in many colors it's simple way 

And remember, personalized gifts are not just for the women in your life! These unique cuff links by Starlight Woods are made from storm damaged fallen tree branches. This design is perfect for an upcoming wedding or to celebrate an anniversary during the holidays!

Sometimes customization doesn't mean names or monograms. Simply offering the ability for a custom color makes all the difference. As an interior designer I try to do just that at Amberlee Isabella Home. I even carry gold foil in my most popular designs!

Being able to add a personal touch is one of the things that makes shopping on Etsy special. Be sure to take advantage of all opporunties this holiday season on Etsy!

~Amberlee

Amberlee Isabella Home

Hunt down these extra-hot deals at the Cavalcade!

We’re less than two weeks away from our eagerly anticipated Holiday Handmade Cavalcade in Chelsea Market, and some of our makers are spicing things up with an on-site Scavenger Hunt!  As a reward to you -- our faithful blog readers -- just quietly mention this Scavenger Hunt to any of the participating vendors, and you’ll enjoy a secret little freebie or discount.  

Note: when you first enter the event, stop by our team table to pick up a Vendor Map. It lists every single vendor selling, so it’ll be particularly helpful for you Scavenger Hunters.

Here are our participating vendors, and what each is offering:

Wandering Laur

One free card with $20 purchase

Be My Bee

One free Snowman card with purchase

image1 (1).JPG

Vicki Finkel Ceramics

One free pitcher (from a select group) with purchase

resetreality

Two free bird stickers

Astridland

A small surprise freebie with purchase

Tamara Garvey Illustration

One free birch forest card with purchase

NYC Vinyl Dreams

Free decal for a phone/laptop with purchase

Soluna Soluna

5% discount off your purchase

Divine NY & Co.

Receive 20% off any item in our booth

Koto

Free postcard with purchase

LuCrafts

Free Upcycled Magnet if you whisper, "Blitzen sent me." No purchase necessary!

SimplyNu

One lip balm of your choice with any purchase

a Studio by the Sea

A free small holiday notecard with any purchase

Birdy27 Designs

Buy 1 hat over $50 and a coordinating cowl, neck warmer or scarf and receive $5 off! (While supplies last!)
 

Again, don’t forget to stop at our team table once you arrive at the event, so you can pick up a Vendor Map and find these deals -- plus locate the rest of our fabulous vendors!  


We can’t wait to see you at the Cavalcade.  :D

 

Holiday discounts from Etsy NY team members!

The Holidays are fast approaching and it's not too early to start your handmade shopping! A group of over 40 shops from our Etsy NY team have come together to bring you special discounts this season. We have created a unique code ETSYNY2015 that you can use in all participating shops. Click HERE for an updated list of shops or check them out below.

We hope you have a great Holiday season and thank you for supporting our community of makers! 

UPDATED 11/20 FOR AN UP TO DATE LIST CLICK HERE

A Passion for Pie

'Tis the season for warm delicious pie! Here are some handmade ideas from Etsy artisans designed to express your love for pie.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/HMembroideryCo

https://www.etsy.com/shop/HMembroideryCo

Dress up the little one in this adorable appliquéd shirt, designed by HMembroideryCo. It says it all quite fashionably. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Alittleawesome

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Alittleawesome

These finely detailed earrings from Alittleawesome are sure to delight any foodie. The pie-on-a-plate earring is complemented by its own tiny fork earring.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrizzlyCandles

https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrizzlyCandles

This snozzberry pie candle, created by Grizzly Candles, is sure to be a conversation starter.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/HarpandThistle

https://www.etsy.com/shop/HarpandThistle

Scented with pumpkin pie spice, this miniature pumpkin pie ornament by Harp and Thistle Stitchery is the perfect ornament.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TamaraGarvey

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TamaraGarvey

This whimsical art print by Tamara Garvey is perfect for framing, and a great accent for any room. Enjoy your pie!

Post by: Nicoletta Siccone / ETSY Shop: ArtologieDesigns / Website: www.art-ologie.com

 

Nine ways to cope with frustration

in

Frustration is an emotion that arises when you are feeling helpless. It’s caused by internal forces like a lack of self-confidence as well as external forces that get in the way of your progress. It can stop your productivity, damage your relationships, and cause you to give up on your goals.

While we may never get rid of the feeling of frustration, there are ways to manage it:

  1. Recognize your frustration. Verbalizing the negative feelings and expressing yourself in a private, constructive space that doesn’t exacerbate the situation can help you calm down and move forward.

  2. Lean in and evaluate why you are frustrated. Is there also something that is working? Can you focus on moving in that direction instead?

  3. Change your perspective. If you can, take a walk, go do something else, practice deep breathing or meditation.

  4. Brainstorm ways to solve the frustration. Sometimes just knowing you have options often alleviates that helpless feeling and moves you forward.

  5. Find the humor in the situation. Lightening the mood can help shift your perspective.

  6. Ask for help. Other people can help turn something negative into something workable.

  7. Practice empathy and patience. Remember, you can control your own reaction even though you cannot control other people.

  8. If you’re frustrated by the scope of the problem, try breaking it down into manageable bits. It’s less frustrating when it’s something achievable.

  9. Try the 1:1:1 method. Ask yourself: will this matter in one day, one month, or one year? If not, should it matter now?