Thursday, December 4, 2014

Featured Shop: Caitscoolcrafts

We are wrapping up our holiday shopping guide, which means you should be nearly done with your list!! Need a few last minute gifts for stockings, or had some unplanned visitors pop up on your list? Caitscoolcrafts is the perfect place to look for all of those gifts, plus more!! You've been shopping hard for everyone else, take a look and treat yourself for all your hard work :) 


  • What/Who inspired you to start your craft? How did you get started on Etsy?
I got started on Etsy shortly after my father passed away this past June. I was at home helping my mom take care of him, and after he lost his courageous battle to cancer, I had a lot of free time on my hands. I went on google to see what kind of fun and easy crafts I could keep myself occupied with and before I know it, I opened my Etsy shop! 
  • What's your favorite item in your shop and why?
My favorite item in my shop is my wine cork coasters. I'm a big wine fan, and so are a lot of people I know and it is just so cute and can fit into a lot of different scheme's and people!



  • What do you do in your downtime?
 I really don't have much downtime unfortunately! I have three jobs and I am a full time student!! When I do have a few minutes to spare, my fiance and I try to spend as much time as we can because we work exact opposite schedules. 
  • What's a fun fact you want to share about yourself?
A fun fact about me is that I am going to school for pre-medicine with my dreams of becoming a Physician's assistant. 
  • Tell us a little about yourself. 
I am 22 years old, I work three jobs, one of which I manage a staff of 12 in a fine dining restaurant in a retirement community! I am going to school for premed. I am recently engaged and having our wedding a year after I graduate (which I graduate this year) 




Check out her other cool crafts! 

Wine Cork Trivets


4 oz Natural Bath Salts


Holiday Inspired Bath salts


Wine cork Keychains


Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Featured Shop: Cherish Me Creations


Cherish Me Creations's pot holders make the perfect stocking stuffer for the baker on your list!! 


  • What/Who inspired you to start your craft?
Growing up I watched my mother and learned how to sew. I really appreciated her attention to every detail. She installed the value of creating and design clothing and other items for our family in me. Since starting a family of my own, I have been doing the same. These creations have been Cherish by me and my family. I have also Cherish what my mother and others have taught me over time. I started creating personalized gifts for family and friends as a way to give them something they could value and cherish. They encouraged me by buying more items from me to give as a gift to their friends and family. They hoped that they would cherish them as much as they cherished the gift they received from me. That helped me realize I have a talent for creating handmade items that people would truly be grateful in having. That is how Cherish Me Creations got started. 


  • How did you get started on Etsy?
I got started on Etsy by creating a page on facebook and a friend invited me to join. 
  • What's your favorite item in your shop and why?


My favorite item is the mini potholders/oven mitts, I have designed them and feel proud with what I accomplish. They are unique and stylish. A must have in every kitchen. 


  • What do you do in your downtime?
Besides my shop, I'm a homemaker and I love photography. 


  • What's a fun fact you want to share about yourself?
I love to have fun outdoors with my family, one of our favorite things is going to Disneyland! 


  • Tell us a little about yourself. 
I'm always trying to come up with new ideas and creations to add to what I am offering here at Cherish Me Creations. If you have an idea for something different and don't know how to make it a reality, I would love to hear about it and try to make it reality for you. Just contact me through Etsy or Facebook!!





Check out her other adorable potholders, and this super soft Minky blanket!!

Soft Minky and Flannel Baby Blanket


Holidays Pot Holders Finger Mitts


Shabby Chic Gingham






Monday, December 1, 2014

Featured Shop: Surprise Designs

Have you finished shopping yet? Nearly done? Well we only have a few shops left in our holiday featured shop segment to help you pick out those last minute gifts, so you're sure to be done shopping soon! Next up, Surprise Designs. Her fingerless gloves make perfect stocking stuffers! 



  • What/Who inspired you to start your craft?
My Aunt Yvonne inspired me to crochet. She taught me how to use a crochet needle and start a chain, when I was 14. 
  • How did you get started on Etsy?
I got started on Etsy after talking with local artist who started selling their work on Etsy. I loved that there was a place for handmade artist to make money doing what they loved. 
  • What's your favorite item in your shop and why?
My favorite items are my new fingerless gloves. They are my favorite because they are easy to make. They are also great for male, female, adults, and teens. 


  • What do you do in your downtime?
In my downtime I crochet, bake, read, workout, and spend time with my family. 
  • What's a fun fact you want to share about yourself?
A fun fact I was to share is that I enjoy teaching crochet and baking to children and teens. 
  • Tell us a little about yourself. 
I am originally from Philadelphia, PA. I now live in Delaware with my husband. We are a blended family. I have five children and my husband has five children. We have four children over the age of 20, four teenagers, and two twelve year olds. We also have four grandchildren. I am a lunch lady for the local school district, I own two small businesses, one a crochet design business, and a small dessert business. I love to volunteer and help out at my children's schools. 


Check out these other awesome gift ideas! 

Green and Blue Fingerless Gloves 

Double Blue Flower Clutch Purse 

Stripe Tote Bag

Pink and Grey Stripe Tote Bag







Sunday, November 30, 2014

DIY Christmas Stockings

Now that we are all fully stuffed from Thanksgiving, it's time to get into the Christmas spirit! What better way than making your own stockings to hang by the fireplace.....or if you don't have a fireplace, like me, than to hang over your front window!!! 
I found Sew Scrumptious Fabrics tutorial through pinterest (where else right?!) and it turned out great! I didn't have any ribbon though so the way I made my hanging loop is different but obviously both ways work ;) Head over to Sew Scrumptious to get your FREE pattern for the stockings and the step by step tutorial!  



Gather up your supplies....you only need 2 fat quarters in the colors you want but I have a few to make, so I went with these 1 yard packs. Classic colors of course :)  


I didn't have any tape nearby, so I just cut mine out and lined up on the fabric while I pinned it in place, matching up the edges. Just do what works for you! 

You'll have 2 main color (red), 2 lining (blue), and 2 cuffs (white) 



I like things neat :) 

Time to start sewing :) Now, while the directions in the tutorial are clear and easy to follow, I still managed to goof...when sewing  the second set together, I made sure the foots of the main piece and lining were facing the same way...but they were also facing the same way as the first set I made. Not a big deal, since the seams are pushed inside the stocking when you are done, but it's still nice to do things the correct way :) 

This is what you want....
Not this!




Once you have the 2 sets sewn together the right way, lay them on top of each other, right sides together and sew together...making sure to leave a space open to pull the main fabric through. 

This was a little tight, so I'd leave a wider space


Once you have everything sewn together, pulled through, and then top stitch the opening close you want to shove the lining into the main piece of fabric. 

And then you have a pretty stocking that needs a way to be hung by the fireplace window! 

So as I said, I didn't have ribbon, but I did have some green tulle! 

Cut a piece off....however long you want the stocking to hang down, it's really up to you I just estimated. Once you cut it to the length you want, fold it over so it's a skinny thicker piece.
Mid point pic..keep going until you reach the end :) Again, however thick you want it to be

Now, just sew a quick straight stitch down the side to keep it in place. I still had red thread in my machine and was to lazy to hunt down green so we had a nice pop of color :P

I'm sure I'm not the only one that had it move a little and not line up nicely on the ends so trim a little off each end so it looks nice. 
Boom...beautiful! 


Take your beautiful finished stocking and line up your tulle where ever you want it to hang from..I'm pretty sure a side edge (I chose left) is the most popular choice but no judgement if you like it to hang from the back! 
Feel free to pin if you want so it stays while you move it to the machine. 

Add another quick straight stick and BAM done! 





Show off your finished stockings on our Facebook Page! If you love the stocking but don't know how to sew, or just don't have the time to fit it in this holiday season, check out my Etsy shop...I'll have the stockings listed soon! 



























Saturday, November 29, 2014

Featured Shop: Mizziexoxo Boutique


Today is Small Business Saturday, so what better day to check out Mizziexoxo Boutique to get your geeky accessories?!?! 


  • What/Who inspired you to start your craft?
I started working with polymer clay and resin over a year ago, I was inspired by all the cute polymer clay and resin charms I would see online. As for crochet, I have been doing that for a few years now. I was introduced to the world of crochet from my fathers wife. 
  • How did you get started on Etsy?
I came across Etsy one day when I was browsing oinline and I had never heard of it before. I started to look into it and decided it would be a greay way to share my craft with others. 
  • What's your favorite item in your shop and why?
At this moment I'd have to say my favorite item in my shop is Panda Bear Rings. Those rings are my favorite simply because I just love pandas and the rings are adorable! 






  • What do you do in your downtime?
I enjoy reading, watching my favorite shows American Horror Story and The Walking Dead, play Nintendo 3DS, I love to work out and in the summer time I like to go swimming.
  • What's a fun fact you want to share about yourself?
I have 22 piercings
  • Tell us a little about yourself. 
Well I'm 25 years old, live in Ontario, Canada. I love animals, cooking and crafting of course :) 



She has more than just adorable panda bear rings in her shop! Check out these other cute things and keep in mind you can use coupon code HOLIDAY2014 for 15% off until December 31, 2014. If you hurry though, and stock up on Cyber Monday you can get 30% off using coupon code CYBERMONDAY2014 !!!!




Kawaii Unicorn Necklace


Blue Glitter Earrings


Resin Heart Necklace


Crochet Owl Phone Case


Friday, November 28, 2014

Featured Shop: Christina's Baby Gifts

It can be hard to find unique handmade gifts for children and baby's but Christina's Baby Gifts make it easy to find the perfect gift that is also extra special! 


  • What/Who inspired you to start your craft?
Mostly my first born son but I also come from a family of crafters and grew up doing craft fairs with my parents. 
  • How did you get started on Etsy?
I started on Etsy after a family friend told me about it. At first I just used it to buy supplies but after doing craft fairs for a couple years and watching my little business grow, I decided to open a shop. 
  • What's your favorite item in your shop and why?
I have to many favorite items to pick just one but the ones that I like making the most are my recycled crayons. I think mainly because my boys can help me with them and I love the looks on their faces as I take them out of the molds. 






  • What do you do in your downtime?
I don't have down time. My full time job is a stay at home mom to my 3 boys (5,3, and 1) so I do my crafting/business stuff during the 1 to 3 hours I get at nap time during every day, but when I am with my boys we enjoy feeding the ducks, going for walks, and just playing outside. We also spend a lot of time at the town library during the winter. 
  • Tell us a little about yourself. 
I was a preschool teacher until I had my first son (We decided I wasn't going to go back to work). Then one day after a feeding I had the idea to start making baby gifts, so when I started back in summer 2009 I was making baby items like diaper cakes and other small items. Then I learned to sew and started making baby blankets. As my first son grew, so did my business and now I make more items for young children than babies. My sons have inspired many of my items and are still my inspiration behind everything I do.



Check out these other adorable gift ideas! 

frog & turtle crayon roll


I spy bag


Butterfly Crayon Bag


Race car Chalkboard placemat




Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Featured Shop: Shawls and Wraps


The weather is quickly getting colder in the awesome state of Michigan, and I'm sure many others. Shawls and Wraps has the perfect gifts to keep your loved ones warm this year! 


  • What/Who inspired you to start your craft? 
My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was a little girl. I use to sit on the floor in front of her and hold the yarn as she wound it into big colorful ball. She would tell me stories, and we would laugh and have the best time! Now, I find it soothing and it gives my hands something to do: I am one of those people who like to be busy all the time. 
  • How did you get started on Etsy?
I began making Shawls several years ago and I love making them. My shawls are made to be worn and enjoyed every day, not just on special occasions. I would gift them to friends and family, and even donate some at the Holiday Season to Nursing Homes to patients who had no family or gifts to celebrate the season with. I began accumulating them, and looked for an outlet by which to sell them. I had heard about Etsy, checked it out, and created my shop: ShawlsAndWraps. I've been loving it ever since! 


  • What's your favorite item in your shop and why?
Oh my...I love all the items I have made, so choosing one is difficult. If I had to choose one I would say it is this lovely light blue with white and variegated trim shawl that is just so elegant and pretty. 





  • What do you do in your downtime?
Downtime? What is that? <chuckle> I help my husband run his business, and I work as the administrative assistant to the board of directors of a major Non-Profit organization. Again I ask, what is downtime? :) 
  • What's a fun fact you want to share about yourself?
I absolutely love to travel! Mention a road trip and I can be packed in less than 10 minutes! 


  • Tell us a little about yourself?
Me? I am 61 years young and planning on retiring in 2015. I love to read, I love to crochet, I love to teach others whatever I know, and I am a firm believer in Never Give Up What Is In Your Heart! 


While you admire these other beautiful shawls, keep in mind that her Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale has already started!! 20% off all shawls and wraps PLUS free shipping!! Place your order soon so you get it in time for the holidays! 

Black Grey Red Wrap Shawl 


Beige Wrap Shawl 

Cuddle Set of Three Shawls


Amethyst and Blue Ladies Shawl