Buying HANDMADE Online and where

Since I have started my campaign of BUYING HANDMADE this Season, people keep asking me, " If I was to buy HANDMADE ONLINE where do I go" So I wanted to make a list up for where to go and some of my favorite places.

1. www.etsy.com Etsy is a Online Community of Crafters all over the World.

2. www.shopopensky.com With a 365 Return Policy and a Statement of ANY PRODUCT, ANY REASON, ANY TIME

3. www.artfire.com A Community of Suppliers and Crafters

4.www.smashingdarling.com an Upscale Community of online Handmade Products....very new and making waves on the Handmade Online Scene

5. www.handmadespark.com Is an online Community that is supportive to Sellers and an avenue for shoppers!

I love this Article I found while writing this...check it out

http://www.craftster.org/blog/online-venues-for-selling-handmade-goods/

I hope this Season you make an effort and buy some handmade gifts, if not all your gifts this Holiday Season. Its helping the Environment, your keeping your money local, your doing your part of helping with Global warming by buying local and the product hasn’t been shipped half way around the World. Every item you purchase from a local artist or crafter it strikes a small blow to the mass production factories.

And most importantly the giver of a handmade gift has avoided the dreaded long lines of BIG BOX Retailers, they have dealt with someone who has put forth love and care into an item and they are pleased to help you with your purchases. And that item is something that is meaningful and is one of a kind. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can
be seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is missing in the world of mass production.

I really like the idea of ONE OF A KIND or as the Crafting Community calls it OOAK…..you know for all certainty that when you walk down the street with your newly fashioned Market Bag that has been made with love and care, that not one person on this Earth has the same bag…..how does that make you feel….pretty darn special!

I hope I have inspired you to rethink your Holiday Shopping this Season and enter the World of Handmade and give a gift that is one of a kind. Made with tender loving care, by the hands of an Artisan. I challenge you, to take a pledge….BUY HANDMADE!

Happy Holidays

Teachers Gifts

The Green Mum Cabochon is a PERFECT answer to Teacher's Gifts this Holiday Season. Whether its so for a THANK YOU or Christmas, my jewelry is affordable and adorable!

I have new things in the Shop all the time and if you dont see what you want ask, I love Special Orders!

Hair Clips, Rings, Earrings any teacher would love and HANDMADE Gift!

www.thegreenmum.etsy.com or contact me directly at ukestad5@att.net!

Happy Holidays

Hat Season is here

Hat Season is here and my fingers have been going a mile a minute crocheting! Order Early for the Holidays! PLUS if you order a hat this week from me I will add a FREE Vintage Chic Bobby Pin!!!! www.thegreenmum.etsy.com

BedHead

I found this little blurb on The Green Mum:

http://crushable.com/style/make-your-own-bedhead/

A Handmade Christmas this will be!

I have made an announcement this year....NOTHING will be store bought for Christmas this year, and everything that everyone receives this year will be handmade by me or a friend of the handmade World!

I'm on a mission of sorts to promote handmade and the crafter's who create them! A girlfriend of mine in Australia has been doing this for some time now and I love seeing the creations she comes up with. And her family is in love with her ideas and gifts. So I thought to myself I'm going to do this too and promote HANDMADE for Christmas!

WHY, you ask? For one I feel the USA needs to fall back on its own creativity and not that of China's for gifts. Also it is helping those who are trying to make a living off of their crafted goods. And lastly there is so much love and time that goes into ones goods and they are special and what better way to tell your loved ones....I love you and I'm passing on someone elses love to you.

YES it may not have all the sparkles and bells and whistles that China can give you but oh the JOY to open something special that someone else made and love went into that item.... TENDER LOVING CARE! Crap from China has no love in it just sweat from children who should be out playing and enjoying life and poisoned plastics and lead of which will be recalled in 6 months! SERIOUSLY!!!!

In our house, we are Little House on the Prairie FANATICS.....and I think back to the first Season and it was their first winter on Plum Creek and they didn't have money for gifts so everyone joined forces, worked hard and made something special for everyone......Pa made Laura a saddle for her horse, Ma made Pa a new plaid shirt, Laura made Pa a beautiful knitted scarf. The JOY they all felt and pride of giving handmade gifts it was a special day for them and I want my Christmas to be special for my family as well!

So I challenge you, do you think you could do a HANDMADE Christmas? Would your kids be upset with NO bells and whistles, NO sparkles and spinning princess'? Open your mind to the possibility of HANDMADE and surprise them with a gift from the heart NOT CHINA! Go to the Thrift Store and re purpose something, RECYCLE an oldy to a new re purposed piece of furniture, picture frame. THINK OUT OF THE BOX, open yourself to new ideas, pick up a magazine and let your creative juices start to flow! HAVE FUN and make it a HANDMADE CHRISTMAS!

And if you need help with ideas just email me I have a thousand leads to beautiful people with loving hearts and handmade goods!
www.reddinghandmade.com www.etsy.com www.handmadespark.com www.smashingdarling.com


MERRY CHRISTMAS!