Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am enjoying a most wonderful holiday with my husband and kids. Yesterday we hiked at Sabino Canyon near Tucson Arizona. I'm so thankful for such a great family, and for legs that can carry me in and out of this beautiful area. What a treat! We didn't go as far as the kids and they came back with pictures of a golden sunset.

handmade gifts for the holidays

Isn't this fun? JMN Pottery on Etsy has a bunch of different mugs along this line. This one is my favorite. Perfect for the boss don't you think? I imagine we all have a list of people who would love this mug.
A mug with a statement and that cute skull just makes it even better. This shop has been in my favorites for a long time. I love checking out the latest quirky, fun, pottery.

handmade gifts make people smile. :-)

Handmade for Christmas

Look at this cute pencil holder! This seller Geek Gear
has some fun things made from floppy discs and even clocks using computer boards. this clever pencil holder is sure to be appreciated from your special 'geek' or just someone who like bright colors and unusual things.
Buying handmade is something you can do to support our economy, and help an artist have a great holiday season.
And it's so easy to order on line.
:-) Check out Geek Gear to see all the fun things in this Etsy shop.

Just a quick picture of my latest listing. :-) http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34566608

This would be a great gift for your Mom. This artist, Olive Bungalow
will custom make these rings for a Mother's ring. If it is a gift for you or someone else in your life, there are also these stackable rings in her Etsy shop that are premade and in color combinations you might like.
A set of handmade stackable rings is a unique piece of jewelry that is sure to get lots of compliments. "oh I love your rings!"

"thank you, it was a Christmas gift from..........."
Your Mom will have a way to brag about her kids. yes??
So much better than a T-shirt that says, "Let me tell you about my grandkids!"

OK this must be the season for knits because here is another suggestion for a gift that is warm and hand knit. But this time you can knit it yourself. This neckwarmer looks like it could be a definite handmade gift for a guy. It is simple, and could be made in a color that would work well to match a winter coat or jacket. I like it. I am thinking of buying this pattern myself to knit a few. I bought another neck warmer pattern from the same seller/designer,
Hand Made Originals, and it is well written, stylish, and easy to knit since it uses bulky yarn.
If you are a knitter and want to make your own handmade gifts, it is supporting another artist to purchase a pattern (that is unique!) from the designer. Let's support our hardworking artists and craftsmen/women this holiday season. It can boost their personal economy.

handmade gifts for Christmas

I have a pair of these fingerless gloves and they are wonderful! Actually, I asked this Etsy seller, Tickled Pink Knits to knit a pair of these for me in a yarn that is not wool because wool makes me itch. So I have a beautiful pair of these in violet in a nice worsted. But her fine merino wool is to die for! This fiber artist has knitting perfection!
What is great about fingerless gloves? If you live in a cold climate, wear a pair of those cheap gloves under them. You know--the gloves you get for $3. (I buy those like socks, and get them all in the same color so if one is lost, you have more) Wearing the gloves with these looks fun and gives you the warmth you need and yet the ability to use your fingers rather than having them all together in a mitten. I always buy the gloves in black, or for a splash of color, buy a contrasting color to the fingerless gloves. And sometimes.... yes.... I am in a hurry and can't find two gloves to match and wear two different colors. The fingerless gloves match and pull the look together for a funky look.
If you live in a warmer climate like I do now, then they are just right for chilly winter mornings. Your hands stay warm but you can use your fingers to do whatever, like grip the steering wheel.
And these are 'stylin' !! Unique, handmade, warm... what's not to like?