Etsy weekend shopping… Wood Elements carries “heirloom-quality” biscuit cutters. They are hand turned and finished with a mineral oil that is safe for contact with food. The biscuit cutter also works well for cutting a circle shape into cookie dough.
They are 3 inches high, with a 2 1/4 inch diameter. They are carved from cherry wood. Each cutter is handmade and one of a kind.
Cherry is abundant in North America which explains its notoriety defining such America styles as Shaker and Mission woodwork. Classic and rich, cherry is a yellow wood that deepens to a mahogany color when exposed to …read more

Crafting, most especially scrapbooking, is an artform that has never been this easy since the onslaught of countless innovations of ready made embellishments and templates. The shaped cardstock and patterned papers, those thematic images with adhesive backing, die-cut shapes and of course, those adorable alphabets (made out of chipboard stickers, foam or even fabric) have made this hobby a more pleasurable experience each time.
But I think the most versatile of all the above are the patterned papers. And why not? One can do a lot with it with just a pinch of imagination and a dash of patience. But don’t get me wrong. Like a …read more

I collect teapots and I’m always looking for something new to add my collection. Take a look at this unique pot that I found at Romy and Clare’s Designs at Etsy.com.  It doesn’t have your typical squat, round shape, instead it reminds of a pregnant lady. See how it has her swayed back and rounded front? 

Pear Funky Teapot – $84
by Romy and Clare Designs
The Pear Funky Teapot is a generous size 9×11 inches and it’s painted a deep, glossy black with fresh, green pears.
Our Pear pottery collection was inspired by nature. Its bold graphic look is sophisticated yet still fits a …read more

I was watching a cooking show this weekend where the host uses 5 ingredients per dish. It’s a pretty good show, but what caught my attention was that she was actually acting like a real cook. No long sleeves down hanging in the food. Her hair was pulled back. She was wearing an apron.
The first thing I do when entering the kitchen is to pull my long hair up and back. Nobody wants any of that in their food. Yuck. I push up my sleeves and make sure that nothing is going to interfere with my work. I don’t use …read more

YAVA Glass was a featured shop at Etsy this weekend. They offer eco-friendly glassware. “YAVA G l a s s specializes in taking recycled beverage bottles with screen-printed labels and converting them into decorative glassware.”
Here are some examples of what YAVA has available…

Recycled Rolling Rock Beer Bottle Coasters
Set of 4 for $30
These coasters are made from “kiln-fired” bottles. They measure 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches.

Recycled Bubble Up Soda Bottle Glasses
Set of 4 for $28
Set of bottle glasses measure 4.5 inches tall and can hold up 8 ounces of beverage.
More glasses, coasters, and spoonrests available in other recycled bottle styles including …read more

Another great Etsy find….. Wobbly Squeezy Lime Pickle Breakfast plates from atelierBB’s shop. Wobbly platesare pretty much what you’d expect; lop-side-y, one-of-a-kind, and a whole lot of fun.
This set includes 1 each of lime, cream, green, and yellow plate. Other color combos are available including the Luna Orangina Breakfast Croissant collection of yellow, curry, dark orange, and light orange. 

The plates are made of stoneware and the glaze is dishwasher, microwave, and of course safe to eat off of. They are approximately 7 inches in diameter or 18.5 cm. They are all handmade and unique, each just a little different from …read more

I love to go sight-seeing through the Etsy shops and today, in the special wedding section, I found customized Wedding Cake Toppers for only $250. A $100 deposit is all it takes to begin work on a handmade cake topper that bears a striking resemblance to bride and groom.
Toppers are sculpted from dollmaking clay which is layered over a stronger armature for durability. They measure about 5-6 inches in height. You can personalize your topper even further by adding touches like a likeness of your pet. How cool is this? I cannot imagine a cooler, more unique keepsake for the bride …read more

 Handmade Gifts
  My daughter just read an article reporting that more people are purchasing craft supplies and making gifts or buying them this year for Christmas.  The Etsy online site has been doing a phenomenol business in some areas.  This reminds me of days ago.
For I grew up in the era of handmade or homemade gifts.  Sometimes this was because we and our relatives didn’t have the money to purchase many from the store or mail order catalog.  Often it simply was because we liked to make something special and the recipients enjoyed these gifts.
 In later years, when I had a family, we made …read more