The Handicrafter

 Here are the top 10 picks for May 8, 2009. Love to surf the internet looking for new and unique handmade gift ideas? You are not alone. This list brings you only a small sampling of the wonderful handcrafted items available.

Take a look at these items found on Etsy.com and on a newcomer to the online marketplace - Fuzzy Blue Slippers (FuzzB.com). Shop (support these wonderful crafters). Remember, a lot of time, effort and love go into each handmade product, so if you can, please make the pledge to buy handmade today and bring home a truly special purchase.

• 1. Puff Cover Fresheners Pattern Retired $3.99
• 2. 5 mini crochet Butterfly Applique $2.50
• 3. Miniature Vintage Sewing Patterns—assortment of 5 $3.00
• 4. Miniature FULLY Stocked 60-Piece Crafter’s Hutch $48.00
• 5. Sleeping Bag Zebra for 18 ” doll like the American Girl $9.99
• 6. Watercolour ACEO $12.50 Daffodil
• 7. Pen & Ink / Digital / Hand Tinted Watercolour ACEO $10.00
• 8. Yorkie Greeting Card $9.00
• 9. Fair Trade & Handmade Medium Leather Stoned Journal $30.19 (approx)
• 10. Handmade Dolls and miniatures on Etsy $5.00

If you would like your shop to be considered for a future week’s top ten simply leave a comment on this post telling me which of this article’s top ten is your favourite.

Keep on crafting and have a great week!

Here are the top 10 picks for May 1, 2009. Love to surf the internet looking for new and unique handmade gift ideas? You are not alone. This list brings you only a small sampling of the wonderful handcrafted items available.   This time I bring you products found on Etsy.com and on a newcomer to the online marketplace - Fuzzy Blue Slippers (FuzzB.com). Go look. Enjoy! Shop (support these wonderful crafters). Remember, a lot of time, effort and love go into each handmade product, so if you can, please make the pledge to buy handmade today and bring home a truly special purchase.

 1.     Handmade Jewelry on Etsy - Bird of Paradise Brooch - by houseofhsueh 

2.     Adopt a Wedge :: We Are Wedges - Satisfying Your Wedge-Related Needs Since 2008

3.     Oliver Fairy Doogle BFS Shopping Mall (FuzzB)

4.     UNIQUE LAVENDER COOKIES GREETING CARD SET WITH A RECIPE CARD - GIFT CARDS AND ORGANIC LAVENDER FOR COOKIES BFS Shopping Mall

5.     8X10 GICLEE PRINT DRIFTING AWAY BY RENEE - BFS Shopping Mall 

6.     Pink Mermaid Fairy Primitive 11″ Sherri Baldy  BFS Shopping Mall 

7.     Simple Beauty - BFS Shopping Mall

8.     OOAK Designer Necklace Artist Caron Vinson Designed By Sherri Baldy  - BFS Shopping Mall

9.     4X6 GLOSSY PRINT VALENTINE MERMAID WITH TULIPS BY RENEE  - BFS Shopping Mall

10.  Fantasy Fabric Block “Pearl Princess” Selina Fenech 8 x 10 - BFS Shopping Mall   If you would like your shop to be considered for a future week’s top ten simply leave a comment on this post telling me which of this article’s top ten is your favourite. Keep on crafting and have a great week!

Fuzzy Blue Slippers is one of the new kids in town and by the look of it one that will give all the rest a really good run for the money. It is an online marketplace. It is a social networking site.  Think of Ebay, Etsy, Home Shopping Network and Facebook all rolled into one It has tons of features.

 “This new site, Blue Fuzzy Slippers, fills the needs of millions of sellers, shoppers, and networkers who, like me, are frustrated with trying to cut through the clutter, high costs and inefficiencies of many of the Web’s most popular sites.” ~ Sherri Baldy CEO “BFS incorporates the best aspects of the most popular Web sites, while eliminating the negatives, to create a secure place to connect, network, socialize, blog, and here is the key differentiation, you can promote, shop, and sell.”

It is a great place to shop, to sell, or to connect with fellow handicrafters. Don’t even get me started about the oodles and oodles of dolls and miniatures.

BFS allows users to:

• Set up their own customizable profile Web page
• Play their music, videos and commercials
• Sell their products with a Buy It Now or Auctions buttons - right on the user’s profile page
• Link friends and customers to their home page, store, blogs, groups, advertising, and products all under one roof
• Have their own on-line TV channel and much more
• No need for a Web site
• No listing fee’s and no final fee’s
• Do it all in their blue fuzzy slippers!

There is a limited time offer right now  $5.00/month or $25.00/year shops.

There is also a free to try it shop. List up to 10 items and try it all out for yourself for free. It doesn’t get much better than that folks.

4 paws up for this one!

This is the first of my picks for your 2009 Gotta Have-it Book List. It is called Fairy Crafts. There are sections containing detailed instructions for making toys, costumes, gifts and even one about preparing a fairy party. Each section is annotated with a short introduction. The author is Heidi Boyd. The book is published by F & W Pubns Inc on 2003/09/01 You’ll get 95 pages of fairy fun in this beautifully illustrated paperback.

It seems fairies are hotter than ever and we just can’t get enough of them. I have a collection of fairy craft books on my own shelf. Even if I do not get around to making any of the items I enjoy taking the books out from time to time and dreaming about all the wonderful things I would make had I unlimited amounts of materials and time!

Here are this week’s top ten picks for buying handmade. I love to browse the internet, especially Etsy.com and Artfire.com hunting for the unique, the special, or the beautiful hand crafted piece of art or design.  I look the kind of item I might be if I had that certain someone on my list.  Remember, a lot of time, effort and love go into each handmade product. Please make the pledge to buy handmade today and bring home a truly special purchase.  This week’s picks are from independent shops as well as shops on Etsy.com.

 1.      Apple of Daddies Eye - The Children’s Jewellery Company  

2.     Etsy :: MountainsideCrochet :: Sandy, the Snow Bunny 3.     Etsy :: AliBaliJewellery :: Silver Flower Love Heart Necklace 

4.     Etsy :: DimpleBijou :: Crystal Heart for Your Valentine 

5.     Etsy :: Alterity :: Ebony Elegance Vintage Black Glass Button Lace Choker  

6.     Etsy :: TheHouseOfMouse :: NEW - Hamiko the Geisha Mouse

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7.     Etsy :: FromJapanWithLove :: Japanese Rubber Stamp Set-Fruit Cake Stamp

8.      Etsy :: buckster :: CUSTOM ORDERS ONLY - Red Crochet Vest 

9.     Etsy :: DebiBirkinDesigns :: Sleepy Baby Bunting Bunny Rabbit Pattern

10.  Etsy :: DebiBirkinDesigns :: Tabith in Cats Pyjamas Pattern  If you would like your shop to be considered for a future week’s top ten simply leave a comment on this post telling me which of this week’s top ten is your favourite. Keep on crafting and have a great week!

Here The Magickal Ewe’s top ten handcrafted items picked for February 6, 2009.  This week’s picks are chosen from shops on Etsy.com,  Artfire.com, and ShopHandmade.com. Please help support these wonderful handicrafters.

Scrumpdillyiscious!

Etsy :: gunsnmedals2147 :: Cupcake Natural Soaps

The eyes caught me.

Huggable Double Fun Doll - Pixie the Princess-TWO SIDED, with dress and attached embelishments - - Art Fire Buy Handmade Sell Handmade Your Handmade Interactive Artisan Marketplace

I love these.

Etsy :: CapeCodConsignments :: Adorable Child’s Bunny Hat Newborn size Hat ONLY

This is so beautiful!

Etsy :: razzamataz :: 6 Piece Blue Varigated Baby Set - 0 to 3 months

Off into the wild blue yonder!

Etsy :: OffTheHookHats :: 6-12 months Sweet Baby Aviator Hat - Royal Blue

Lovely

Etsy :: NorthAutumnCrafts :: Lilac Floral Crocheted Necklace and Earring Set

Think of spring - delightfully valentine’s.

Etsy :: cobblerscabin :: American Girl Sweater Dress Set

I know 3 little puppies that could use one of these …

Etsy :: codyscreations :: The Doggy Bag Kit - Personalized

These are too, too adorable!

Etsy :: SouZouCreations :: Kawaii Cute Japanese Ring-Toothbrushes And A Cup

Etsy :: ToothFairyMiniature :: Dollhouse Miniature Fresh Baked Pot-Bread

Remember, if you would like your shop to be considered for a future week’s top ten draw simply leave a comment on this post about any one of this week’s top ten.  Do I look at all your shops? You bet I do! I love browsing through handcrafters’ shops so not only do I look at your shop once, I go back and back and back yet again.

Keep on crafting and have a great week! And don’t forget - BUY HANDMADE!!!

Kimberly Ferrugia, owner of Beautiful Bridget, has a delightful shop bursting with handmade crochet scarves, cowls, scarflettes, hats, accessories and more. Kimberly pours lots of love and attention to detail into each product. If the completed item doesn’t come up to the standards of what she considers perfect then she won’t sell it - it’s that simple!

Her items have a fun and funky flair to them. Her color choices are divine! Kimberly adds unusual details to her items so they are each truly one-of-a-kind!

Beautiful Bridget opened on Etsy in May 2008. All of the items available in her store are handmade by her and can be made in various colors. If you see something you like but want it in a different color just let her know! She welcomes custom orders.

Shipping is completely free to the US and Canada! Beautiful Bridget ships internationally as well. She also offers gift certificates in her shop in case you would rather let your loved one pick their own gift or you just cannot decide because her creations are all so wonderful.

Today.com is moving all blogs to the new theme. Many of you may be wondering why I switched. Well, I like the old theme best too but the company apparently wants a more uniform look to its blogs, so what’s a gal to do.

So, appologies to those of you who like the old theme best. I hope you can get used to the new one. I’ll be customizing it as we go along, maybe putting up a new banner, etc. We’ll see how it goes. Suggestions welcome.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, this Friday’s top ten picks will not be appearing. This feature will appear as scheduled for next week, Friday Feb. 6, 2009.

Please continue to post your comments on last Friday’s top ten picks. This will put your shop up for consideration for the next feature article.

Did you manage to get in to visit the Trunk Show by the Etsy Bloggers team? I did and it was a riot! There are so very many talented handicrafters out there. I saw a lot of things that I would like to buy, particularly some lovely heart shaped pendants.

Well, the show is over for this season. I’m sure the group will have another one soon.  Keep watching for more great fun. There will be many more blog carnivals and lots more how to articles coming in the next few months.

Keep Crafting!

YOU are INVITED!! Come see a LIVE virtual TRUNK SHOW this Friday night!! On Friday Jan. 30th @ 9PM EST, where twenty-six talented Etsy shops from all over the world will be showcasing a select few of their items ONLINE in the GALLERY of the EtsyLabs! Sales and special offers will apply only to the EtsyBloggers TRUNK SHOW attendees!

Everyone is welcome to attend, so come and join the fun here http://www.etsy.com/virtual_labs.php on Friday Jan. 30th @ 9:PM EST.

In addition, the below 26 participating shops are having a SALE in their shops on Friday night in honour of the EtsyBloggers TRUNK SHOW!

http://leakymouth.etsy.com/
Specials for trunk show - 10% off

http://spottedcowsoaps.etsy.com/
20% off Valentines Section 1/30/09 ~ mention “Trunk Show” to receive discount
Handcrafted soaps, toiletries and crochet bath accessories

http://www.dorsethillbeads.etsy.com/
FREE U.S. SHIPPING
One of a kind handmade lampwork beads

http://tiltcreations.etsy.com/
Free US Shipping
Handmade handbags and accessories

http://tulipstreasurebox.etsy.com/
10% discount and free USA shipping on any item $50 and up
Handmade Women’s Jewelry

http://storybeader.etsy.com/
Free US shipping
one-of-a-kind jewelry and original haiku with each necklace

http://nicodesigns.etsy.com/

15% Off, valid 1/30/09
Mention “Trunk Show” in note to seller for discount
Messenger Bags and Accessories

http://naturemanipulated.etsy.com/
10% OFF and FREE SHIPPING.
Visual, wearable and practical art

http://aliciamaeprints.etsy.com/
10% off all prints, valid 1/30 only
Photography

http://www.miesmama.etsy.com/
handmade felted bags, bowls and other goodies!
For free US Shipping and surprise gift! Just quote “trunk show” on 1/30 only.

http://memoriesforlifesb.etsy.com/
10 % off everything in my shop!
Memories for Life Scrapbooks-Scrapbooks and More

http://www.panoptica.etsy.com/
10% OFF before shipping
Eclectic accessories and vintage goods

http://www.beckykazana.etsy.com/
Free shipping on orders of $40 or more
Cards, prints and one of a kind gifts from Becky Kazana!

http://www.devinedesignsjewelry.etsy.com/
15% off every item in shop, and with purchase, you will receive a coupon for 10% off next purchase. Buyer please put “TRUNK SHOW” in notes to seller.

http://mamasmagicstudio.etsy.com/
10% Off and Free U.S. Shipping
“Fraternal Earrings” and other beautiful beadwork

http://stormydesigns.etsy.com/
10% OFF with code “trunk show”, valid 1/30 only
Hand-crafted jewelry, decor & more. Many OOAK.

http://www.abracapocus.etsy.com/
10% off
Digital Art, Photography and Note Cards

http://impawsibletoresist.etsy.com/
10% off
Doll Clothes and ACEOs

http://feltartistic.etsy.com/
I will be offering Free gift with purchase - when mentioning “Trunk Show” in note to seller.

http://peacoxcreations.etsy.com/
Two free apple scrubbies with any order!

http://akeepersjackpot.etsy.com/
Free shipping worldwide on any item from 1/29/09 through 2/1/09
Put TRUNK SHOW in the message to the seller to get the free shipping.

http://www.3rexesjewelry.etsy.com/
Free Priority Shipping Upgrade & Valentine’s Gift Wrapping….. Upon Request Please!
Mention Trunk Show in customer comment box.

http://storybeader.etsy.com/
Free US shipping, and I’m offering 10% off on Jan. 30th
one-of-a-kind jewelry and original haiku with each necklace

http://lilbees.etsy.com/
free shipping with code “trunk show”, valid 1/30 only

http://brightblack.etsy.com/
free shipping with code “trunk show”, valid 1/30 only

http://quirkydolls.etsy.com/
free shipping with ” trunk show” code in order