A promise is made

So I made a promise to myself that might be a little difficult to keep, but I'm going to try my best. After the whole issue with Amazon last week - the one where they were defending their choice to sell a very questionable (horrible) book - I decided that I would take my Christmas shopping elsewhere. I am still very sure about my decision, but oh my goodness, it's going to be hard. For the last couple of years I've done 90% of my shopping with them - great prices and free shipping really can't be beat. Except when you really start to think about WHERE your money's going and what kind of people are benefitting from your spending. I've decided that they won't benefit from my money, and the more I type/think about this the madder I get. So I'm going to stop now. Ahem.

Anyway, I do have a point. I'm going to buy handmade and/or local for all of my Christmas gifts this year. This means no Target, no Books-A-Million, no Kohl's. Instead, it means Taylor Books, Kid Country Toys, Etsy. Doesn't that sound so much better, anyway? I know how awesome it feels when people choose to spend their hard-earned money on something I've made - my cheeks get pink and my heart gets all tingly. It rocks. So I'm going to do my best to pass on that feeling this year. I've already bought one handmade gift and I love it. The only downside is that it will take a bit more time, but really, that's a good thing. More intentional, more heartfelt, more deliberate. Thinking about the person I'm buying for - what are their favorite things? What do they love to do? How can I support a great cause while shopping? Instead of running (sometimes literally) through Target on December 23rd, I purpose to be more thoughtful this year. Will you please hold me to it?

 

Let Love Grow shirt from lovepalm21

Here are a few things I have marked....although some of them are things I would like to receive rather than give. Funny how that works. 

Rya Necklace from 31 Bits

from Mary Kate McDevitt

Things just don't stop around here

I have to say that these past couple of months are right up there with some of the most exciting and busy times I've had. One of the most incredible things going on right now is my new relationship with WV Living Magazine! Nikki Bowman (owner/editor) and I have been working together for several weeks now on spreads for the magazine. AND, ideas for my products in the WV Living Marketplace - both in Snowshoe Resort and Morgantown, WV!  Nikki is one of the kindest people you'll meet and she has given me such a boost of confidence in my craft. So, so cool.

The winter issue of WV Living hit the newsstands this week, and it's sold in 25 states! Odds are that you'll be able to find a copy in your neck of the woods, and I highly encourage you to do so. It is so incredibly well done. It's big and hefty, the pages feel good, and the articles are fantastic. (And everyone on my Christmas list is getting a subscription.) I had so much fun working on a spread for ways to give your mantel a seasonal makeover.

Photo courtesy of WV Living

My things should be making their way onto the shelves of the Marketplaces right around Thanksgiving. Isn't it the coolest store?!

If you can handle any more exciting news ;) I opened my new shop this evening! There are several wristlets and quite a few little polka-dotty garlands in there now, but there will be many more treasures added over the next few days/weeks. So keep checking in! :)

(I promise this won't turn into a self-promotion blog - I just wanted to share all this exciting stuff that's going on! Thanks for experiencing it with me :) 

What's Going On

Inspired Ideas Christmas Issue - click here

I can't tell you how excited I am for the release of Amy Powers' new Inspired Ideas. The last issue was wonderful, but this one is just over the top INCREDIBLE. It is packed full of great ideas and beautiful, inspiration photos - and I am so proud to be part of the contributing team. Amy has such a gift for bringing out the best in all the featured artists and man, can she ever put together a magazine! I can't imagine how many hours of love she put into this, but her hard work is evident and SO worth it. 

I put together a tutorial for my little scrappy, patchy tree and a stack of presents for this issue, and I do hope you'll try it! I promise it's not hard at all, and if you have questions, ASK ME!! That's what I'm here for. :) 

Oh, and be on the lookout for a Little Bit Funky 20-Minute Crafter segment showing you how to make my little dotty garland that you see in the picture above. I'll let you know when she posts it. (But you know what, go right now and visit her blog - it is so good, so real, and so FUNNY. You'll love it, promise).

In other crafty news, lookie what showed up in my mailbox this week!! I ordered this kit when we were at the beach in September and have been so looking forward to its arrival! Miss Alicia can do NO wrong in my book and I can't wait to start working on these. And please notice that there is a handwritten note with my NAME on it. Jealous, aren't you? ;)  Tell me what you're working on these days - any Christmas gift-making yet?