A Charming Floral Affair for Spring

I have a weakness for carved beads and floral beads that add texture and color to designs. I've been collecting them for some time. Now, I've decided to put them to use in charm necklaces and bracelets in time for spring. These pieces use a combination of vintage and new beads (but mostly vintage). I will be adding more to my shop soon so be sure to keep checking back.

Dress Up Your Cupcakes

My gnawing late afternoon hunger and my sweet tooth brought me to a sweet little Etsy shop called Two Sugar Babies where you'll find fun and creative fondant toppers you can use to decorate cupcakes, sugar cookies, cakes or other baked goods. Two Sugar Babies has really fun Halloween fondant toppers and monogrammed ones that are perfect for a personal touch. What wonderful party decorations or a simple sweet gift!

The Fabulous Life of...Part Deux

In an earlier post, I shared some photos of old brooches and findings and promised I would do some before and after features so you can see how I upcycled them. Here is one example of an Art Deco era piece that I transformed into a glamorous necklace. I don't know what this piece was in its former fabulous life - a brooch, a dress clip or a pendant - but its new life is one of a pendant mixed with new but Art Deco style Czech glass beads. Perfect for a formal event, a wedding or Holiday time.

Dear Lillie Does Flowers Right

I have a weakness for flowers both in jewelry and clothing designs. A picture of a ring bearer's pillow with a beautifully handcrafted pink peony flower caught my attention on Etsy's home page. It led me to Dear Lillie's shop where I found amazing tanks and tees embellished with huge flowers. So feminine. Dear Lilly also has adorable baby clothes. Definitely worth a look!

Funky Cuff Links

Etsy often features quirky items on its home page including Star Wars cuff links. That's right - who would have thought? That's how I stumbled upon these a while ago and just had to feature these.

There are quite a few to choose from believe it or not in several shops on Etsy! I particularly like these Darth Vader cuff links from Cosmo Fashion Slave's Etsy shop along with the AC/DC Guitar Pick cufflinks. These definitely add some flavor to any shirt!

If you know of other funky or quirky items, please share!

The Art of Soap

If you want to make a scent-sational difference in your bathroom, try it with handmade soap. If soap were edible, I'd sink my teeth into this wonderful soap I discovered on Etsy at DeShawn Marie's shop. Her soaps are gorgeous. They are works of art and would make wonderful housewarming, hostess or holiday gifts.

Even better? They're made from all natural ingredients.

Buying Handmade is Cool

Top Three Reasons to Buy Handmade

1. It makes gifts more special.

Handmade gifts are more special because you know they weren't mass produced or bought in a chain store. They support artists and craft makers who take more time, care and skill than with a mass-produced product. Handmade gifts usually have a story to tell and and are often one-of-a-kind.

2. It connects people.

Mass-produced items and chain store products create a more bland culture and strip away the uniqueness of individuals. Buying handmade strengthens the human touch and builds upon the human and local side of products by supporting local artisans.

3. It helps the environment.

Mass production adds to global warming and pollution. Buying handmade can make a difference - even if just a small one - in helping our environment.

Have any more thoughts on the benefits of handmade? Please share.