Friday, December 25, 2009

Handmade Holiday Shopping Guide Winners!

Okay so im a little late getting around to annoucing the giveaway winners! Christmas time is very hectic around here, but I loved every minute of it! So the winners are...........Atlantisak, and Can Artisan!






Giveaway 1 will be given to Atlantisak!






Giveaway 2 will be given to Can Artisan!





Hope you both enjoy all your items! And I want to thank everyone for participating! That icludes, shops that participated in the guide, everyone that read and or commented on the guide and every one that entered the giveaway!!!

****Just a heads up, if any Etsy Shop would like to be featured on my blog just let me know! Im going to try to start doing 2 shop reviews a month! Offering this to my blog followers before i put it up on the Etsy forums! Just convo me on my Etsy and ill set up a date! Hopefully I will have enough dicipline to keep it going!!!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Handmade Holiday Shopping Guide GIVEAWAY!!!

Its that time! All the reviews are up and its now time for a giveaway! Once again I want to thank all the sellers for participating! I couldnt have done this guide without them. Here is a list of all the shops that participated, click a shop name to view their shop!

Leslye Wrytes, Ayoka (Ants Accessories), Kimsieboldstudios, Emariecreations, Designer Favors, Bathgasm, Oh Happy Day Creations, and Gallagj .


All these shops have GREAT products and I would recommend them to even the closest of friends! All shops have very professional quality items and quality service!


So now for the giveaway! All the items I recieved for the review will be placed into two giveaways! So that means there will be 2 winners! Giveaway ends at midnight Tuesday, December 22nd! Winners will be notified and items will be shipped out ASAP!


Giveaway 1:

This giveaway will include the following:

~ Big Bath Fizzie from Bathgasm
~ Roar Print from Kimsieboldstudios
~ Hair Scrunchy from Ants Accessories
~ Donut charm from Emariecreations
~ Set of gift tags from Ohhappydaycreations
~ Business cards from all the shops that participated in the guide


Giveaway 2:

This giveaway will include the following:

~ Set of cards from Leslywrytes
~ Bath fizzie samples from Bathgasm
~ Set of place cards from Ohhappydaycreations
~ Pendant and zipper pouch from Jo's Jewels
~ Donut charm from Emariecreations
~ Business cards from all the shops that participated in the guide
To ENTER:
1) You must be a follower of this blog
2) You must leave a comment under this post listing your favorite product from the guide
*Thats it then your entered!
To gain EXTRA ENTRIES:
~ Make a purchase from ANY of the shops featured in this guide, then link the purchase in a comment ~3 entries~
~ Make a purchase from my shop ~3 entries~
~ Heart any of the etsy shops featured ~1 entry per shop (limit 5)~
GOOD LUCK!!!!

Handmade Holiday Shopping Guide ~Part 4~

I want to thank everyone for their participation in my Guide. It would not have been a success without viewers and participants. The giveaway will be posted later today!!! Don't forget to enter LOTS of great prizes available from all the sellers that participated in the guide! Today for the last addition i will be reviewing 3 sellers, Leslye Wrytes, Ayoka (Ants Accessories), and Kimsie Bold Studios. All three shops have great products, good for anyone.

First up, Ants Accessories!

1. Could you give me a little background information about you and your shop?
~I am originally from N.J. but now live in Northern California. We have a ranch way outside of town. For my "regular" work I am a freelance makeup artist. I love freelancing but sometimes there is too much time in between projects and I had to do something.So I started sewing and crocheting...A lot. Then I gave things to family and then I still had a room full of stuff. So when I discovered Etsy I was in heaven.

2. How did you get started in your craft?
~All the women in my family sew. Mom and Grandma both sew, crochet, knit..you name it. I never thought of those things as a skill. I just thought all women knew how to do these things.So when my husband bought me a new sewing machine complete with embroidery I had discovered something new, things just keep evolving from there.

3. How did you come up with your shop name?
~My shop name is a sore spot for me. My website which focus's on my makeup work, is called AntsPlace and AntsAccessories just came up as sort of a sister name.I have been trying for something more original for a long time and just haven't come up with something better yet.

4. How long have you been doing your craft?
~I have been crocheting since I was a teenager. But the embroidery and designing my own items has only been for about 3 years.

5. Where else can we find you?

From Ants Accessories I received a lovely crochet hair scrunchy. Its great for the holidays, green with little silver bells on the end. Its made from a really soft yarn as well. Shipping was really fast and the product was safely packed for shipping. She offers a wide variety in her shop, items such as embroidered hand towels, coin purses, pin cushions, bags and much more! Take a look!


1. Could you give me a little background information about you and your shop.
~Professionally, I have been in the design field for about 17 years... but have been creative my entire life! Even as a little girl, I knew what I wanted to do when I grew up! While other kids were watching TV or playing sports, I would draw, write stories and illustrate my own books. I remember winning poster contests and thinking, I didn't even really try that hard! My profession in the design field has kept me inspired on a daily basis. I do work full-time in corporate USA at a design firm but still need to scratch my creative itch and on a personal basis. So, in my spare time I like to illustrate, use my creative skills and let my individual style come out. I like to freehand my illustrations and get back to the "basics" of drawing as much as I like to digitally design. As I turned 40 years old recently, I have started to think about my next phase in life and set some goals around my illustrations. So my Etsy shop was a starting point and a place that I can do something with my art instead of letting it pile up. I have been adding new illustrations and setting up shop as quickly as I have the time. I have been introduced to a whole new creative world since the beginning of fall and I LOVE it!

2. How did you get started in your craft?
~I have always drawn my entire life.

3. How did you come up with your shop name?
~It is my name, except for the studio. I did add the tagline, Illustrations and Creations. I do have a lot of interest in woodwork as well that I plan on combining with my illustrations. I am inspired by a lot of things and don't want to just limit myself to my illustrations, even though it is my first love!

4. How long have you been doing your craft?
~About 38 years... once I could hold my crayon!

5. Where else can we find you?


From Kimsie Bold Studios I received the cutest little lion print! This little lion would be perfect for a child's room, just need to add frame to it! Shipping was super fast and efficient. The print was very well protected. Placed on a cardboard backing for shipping and covered to protect the print during shipping! Great quality print as well! Highly recommend this shop! Many other great prints available as well. Pints include, polar bears, piggies, snuggle bears, bunnies and MUCH more! Check her shop out!


Last but not least is Leslye Wrytes.

As long as she can remember, Leslye has been very thoughtful in selecting greeting cards. No matter how much she loved the artwork, the words were the determining factor. Patiently, she would spend the required time to choose the card whose words expressed her sentiments.

Leslye‘s first experience in card writing was in March of 1990. After the passing of her grandfather, her dad asked her to draft the content for the family's thank you card.Years later, with Advent quickly passing, Leslye panicked upon realizing that she had not purchased Christmas cards. She quickly calmed herself by deciding to write her own. Much to her surprise, Leslye wrote and designed eight Christmas cards within a week.

Today, Leslye's collection includes more than 200 designs to express appreciation, congratulations, encouragement, and faith. There are also cards that speak to compassion, diversity, goodwill, love, peace, and service. We invite you to visit LeslyeWrytes regularly on Etsy, Facebook and Twitter to see how life continues to inspire Leslye.



Leslye sent me an entire set of her cards to review. GREAT products, very professional looking and all the cards have great messages! Truly worth purchasing. Shipping is very fast and her cards are well packaged for it. Boxed just like the cards you would purchase from a store. Great quality, would recommend her to anyone looking for cards!


Don't forget to come back later today for the giveaway!!! Lots of great prizes available!!! There will be 2 winners!!!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Handmade Holiday Shopping Guide ~Part 3~

Time for the next addition to the Shopping guide. Today I will be featuring 2 sellers, all with great products! Today's featured shops are Emariecreations, and Designer Favors. These shops all offer a great selection of fun items! I might have to visit a few of these shops for myself!

First shop to day will be Emariecreations!

1)Could you give me a little background information about you and your shop?
~My sister, Emily, and I (Samantha) started Emariecreations late summer as a way to share our talents with others, while making some money. We have both been crafty since we were little, so when we found out about Etsy earlier this year, we decided to start selling. And it has been great ever since!

2)How long have you been doing your craft?
~I began working with polymer clay around the age of 12 or 13, mostly making miniatures for our dollhouse. Then early this year I expanded my designs to include jewelry, as well as miniatures. Now I make Christmas ornaments, earrings, pendants, and novelty pushpins, among other things.Emily has done some sewing since 13 or 14, and early this year started making stylish, yet really comfortable, headbands. She hopes to add more fabric-themed items to our shop soon.
3) Anything else you would like to tell us or include?
~We love making custom orders for people, and have had the privilege of working with some great customers since opening Emairecreations. We consider all requests, small or big, so don't hesitate to contact us with your ideas. We are here to serve you! =)



Emariecreations is a shop full of fun and unique polymer clay creations. They have everything from miniatures to earrings! Super cute items up for Christmas as well! For my review of their shop I was sent to little donuts. These things are adorable! They would be cute as earrings or a necklace. The possibilities are pretty much endless! They were packed very well and shipping was fast. Great shop!
The next shop reviewed today will be Designer Favors!

1) Could you give me a little background information about you and your shop?
~I started about a year ago after my son was born. I became a stay at home mom and wanted to make some extra money. I used to do craft shows but wanted something a little more ongoing. Then I found Etsy and it is wonderful. I started with my wedding favor boxes and expanded into more paper crafts. I love to scrapbook and my toppers and tags was a chance to combine my two interests.

2) How did you come up with your shop name?
~A few years ago I had my own web site. I came up with many different names but none of them were available as a domain. When I checked out designerfavors it was available! So, that's how I picked my name. I think it is a fitting name for me too. It covers all the types of crafts I like to do.
3)Where else can we find you?

4) Anything else you would like to tell us or include?
~One of the reasons I started my shop was to do custom items. I am happy to work with any customer to come up with a color scheme or look they want. I know when I'm planning a party I usually have a specific idea in mind and get frustrated when I can't find what I'm looking for. So, I am more the willing to help a customer match whatever they are looking for in return.


Designer Favors sent me some cute little present tags! These little tags are already printed with your name and a cute little print in the middle. Very profesional looking and great quality. Fast shipping and packed well. Her shop is full of cute little paper goods, ranging from tags to cupcake toppers! All her items are very cute and look great!
The next addition to the Shopping Guide will be up soon! Hopefull the giveaway will be up no later than this Sunday, December 19th.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Handmade Holiday Shopping Guide -Part 2-

Its time for part 2 of my Handmade Holiday Shopping Guide! Today I will be featuring 2 shops! Those shops are Bathgasm and Oh Happy Day Creations! Both shops are wonderful and have great products!

First up Bathgasm!

1) What is some background information about you and your shop?
~Hi there! :) I’m Alyson from Moore, OK and I am the artist, owner, and fizzy-maker at Bathgasm. I love playing with non-traditional artistic mediums where I can really work with my hands. Before I started Bathgasm, I was a cake decorator, which was a lot of fun! A few of my commissioned cakes included realistic gardens, storybooks, and even a couch! Now, though, my creative passion has turned to bath products, especially bath bombs. I love finding new ways to make baths more fun and exciting. Plus, working in a delicious-smelling medium all day is awesome!

2) How did you get stared in your craft?
~ I was inspired to begin making my high quality, creative bath products after a trip to Zurich, Switzerland. While I was there, I went into a little shop and was introduced to the bath bomb. This was really a life changing experience for me, as my mind went into creative overdrive coming up with new color and scent combinations for this awesome little invention. Before long, I had lots of new ideas for new shapes and product concepts. I just knew I had to open my own shop to share my vision of a fun and luxurious bathing experience with the world.

3) How did you come up with your shop name?
~ That's kind of a funny story. I was thinking about what kind of experience I wanted my products to evoke, and, well... :) I hope that every bathing experience with my products results in a major Bathgasm, lol!

4) Where else can we find you?
~ You can find me on all the major social networks. On Twitter, on Facebook, and on Blogspot. I try to reward my followers often with special giveaways and sales!
5) Anything else you would like to tell us or include?
~ My small word of advice to my fellow crafter's: Have FUN with your products! :) I really think that customers can tell when you're having a great time with your work, and that it makes all the difference in how interested others are in your work as well.

Now for the review =) Bathgasm offers bath fizzes and scrubs. They come in sooo many scents, everything from butter cream cupcake to warm vanilla sugar! Her work is quality! I received one candy cane bath fizzie and one hot coco & toasted marshmallow bath fizzie as well as some sample sizes! I decided to test out the candy cane one, seeing as peppermint and candy canes are some of my favorite scents! This fizzie smells amazing (just like the real thing!) and fills the whole room with a wonderful candy cane aroma! Plus they work wonderfully!

Each of the other bath fizzies smell great too, and that's just from smelling them still wrapped in plastic! My samples arrived in a very timely manor, all the bath items were individually wrapped, then packaged in tissue paper in the shipping box. I would highly recommend her shop to anyone! I just might have to go back for more!


1) Could you give me a little background information about you and your shop?
~I make hand stamped and embossed items, like place cards, note cards, and gift tags. I also make table numbers and pomander balls. Mostly, my items are used for weddings and party decor.

2) How did you get started in your craft?
~I have always loved crafts, but I started making items like those in my shop for my own wedding. Then I began to make them for other friend's weddings. And then someone encouraged me to make a shop!

3) How did you come up with your shop name?
~I wanted Oh Happy Day, but it was taken! I always loved the phrase and what better way to describe a wedding day! It should be one of the happiest days of someone's life.

4) How long have you been doing your craft?
~For about 2 years.

5) Anything else you would like to tell us or include?
~Thank you so much for the feature opportunity! It is an honor! And thank you in advance to everyone who checks out my shop! Happy Holidays!!
Review time =) Oh Happy Day Creations is a newer Etsy shop. The shop is full of cute and functional paper goods, all made in excelent quality. To review i got a set of gift tags and a set of place cards! Both are aboslutly adorable! Here both sets have embossed stamps giving them a nice touch. The gift tags have adhesive on the back, making them easy to use and fully functional! The name tags have a cute little dove and open to allow for writing on the inside and easy standing. The samples arrived in a very timely manor and were tied with a little ribbon, super cute! I would recommend her shop for any party or event. Or even just because! She has very cute things for the Holiday season!
Check out both of these wonderful etsy shops! Find there items in the giveaway at the end of the guide!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Handmade Holiday Shopping Guide ~Part 1~

Here is the first part (of many) to my Handmade Holiday Shopping Guide. Over the next couple of weeks I will be featuring Etsy shops and the lovely handmade products. The first shop I will be reviewing is Jo's Jewels, you can find her on Etsy at Gallagj. She has a lovely shop!

Here is a little information about Jo Ann and her shop.

1. Tell us some background information about you and your shop.
I am a wife of 28 years with two boys who are in the Navy. The oldest is married and stationed in Tennessee and the youngest just returned from Iraq and is stationed in NC. I work a full time job as an Administrator in a Bio-Medical Company. My shop is a combination of jewelry and supplies at affordable prices. My favorite feature of the shop is the wire wrap items because that is my passion. I strive to make my buyers thrilled with their purchases and if not, I am happy to work with them until they are.

2. How did you get started in your craft?
I bought a jewelry kit and I was hooked! I have done numerous crafts in the past but this one was the one I was searching for. I received lessons from an Etsy friend to learn the wire wrap. She was a great teacher! I used books and much practice (and wasted wire) to get where I am today.

3. How did you come up with your shop name?
Jo's Jewels... I was thinking of what would go with my name and nothing I could think of would so I shortened it to Jo and the Jewels part seemed to fit.

4. How long have you been doing your craft?
I have been addicted to beads for 2-1/2 years.

5. Where else can we find you? (blog, facebook, twitter, etc.)
I have my own blog at: http://www.gallagj.blogspot.com/


6. Anything else you would like to tell us or include =)
Making jewelry gives me much joy and helps me to keep from missing my sons so much. I love the joy making jewelry brings but I am most thrilled with meeting new people. I have made many great friends on Etsy who have supported and guided me. I am a people person and would love to meet all of you!
Now for the review =) I received a wire wrapped pendant, from her. It is absolutely adorable! The quality of her work is superb! The wire is wrap excellently and the red gems set off the silver of the wire very well. The pendant came in a cute little zipper bag. Extremely fast shipping and great packaging. Her shop also has very reasonable prices on both her items and shipping! I would recommend this shop for any jewelery lover.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Black Friday and Cyber Monday

November 27th - 30th we will be offering FREE US and Canadian Shipping on all purchases at The Green Haven. As well as FREE Shipping on International orders over $10. This is a great deal!!! Take advantage of it! I will also be offering ANOTHER promotion over the exteneded weekend. All sandwich and snack bags will be buy one get one half off! (This will include: sandwich buddies, snack buddies, and lunch boxes!)

The Handmade Holiday Shopping Guide is set to go!!!! Im waiting for my first item to arrive, as soon as I get it I will start the Guide! There is still room for more ETSY shops, if anyone is interested. Just contact me on etsy, through The Green Haven.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Handmade Holiday Shopping Guide

Hi everyone! I am the owner of Megs Bags on etsy, and I've just opened this all eco friendly shop, The Green Haven. This shop is dedicated to doing are part in saving the planet. We create eco friendly items that are easy to use, save your money and our planet at the same time. Our products include Coffee Huggie, Reusable Sandwich Bags, Reusable Snack Bags, Boo Boo Bags, Reusable Gift Bags, and Reusable Lunch Sets.

As our first feature I will be creating the Handmade Holiday Shopping Guide. Featuring Etsy sellers and their holiday gift ideas. This is a great way to promote fellow Etsy shops. If you have an Etsy shop and would like to be featured in the guide please just let me know. Just send me a message on etsy. In order to do the Shopping Guide, I will need each seller to send me samples of the product(s) that they would like to be featured. This way I can give a thorough feature, including shipping time, packaging, price, quality, ect.

Also I plan on doing a giveaway at the end of the Guide with the products I recieve. (If you would like to donate an extra item to the giveaway just send it with the product you want to be featured.) Some of your business cards would also be greatly appriceated so that the winners can go back for more if they choose. I hope to get the guide up and running VERY soon!!!!