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Check out Femputer's blog: According to Femputer. It's full of gorgeous tutorials, and has a really fresh, clean look that I love!

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Check out some of my current favorites!

Buy Local. There's still time!

I just realized that my last post's title was "But Handmade." Oops.

For all of you last-minute Minnesota shoppers: check out the EtsyMN street team's blog here. There you will find links to all kinds of Minnesota-based Etsy shops that can still get gifts to you on time for Christmas! Some of my favorites are:

• Jenna Lou Designs
  
• Mrs. Kwitty's Cottage
• XO Handworks

Another handy tool is Etsy's new Shop Local gadget. Enter a city, and search for Etsy sellers in your area. It's pretty slick! Look for Sweet Bean's under "St. Paul."

Buy Handmade (The Last One!): June None Designs

Heather of Junie None Designs doesn't know it, but she is my cyber BFF. First of all, she tagged me, which made me feel loved. Second, she has a 2-year-old son, too. Third, she lives with her family in a cottage on her parents' farm in California, and I'm pretty jealous of that (I'm quite the outdoors enthusiast). BFFs can be jealous of one another.

She is also my BFF because she makes such beautiful things! Look:

This is her Wasabi Ultra Plush Mini Security Blanket. To me her work is fantastic because:

• Her designs are simple AND elegant. What a great idea to add those contrasting patch pockets!
  
• She uses the most beautiful fabrics: Amy Butler, Alexander Henry, Kaffee Fasset, etc.

Mamas and Daddies, do yourself a favor and get thee to Heather's shop. Do so quickly...the last order date for US orders to arrive by Christmas is Dec. 19!!!! Yikes.

Thank you for Buying Handmade this Christmas, and thank you, BFF!

Buy Handmade: Wrapsberry

By now, you may have figured out my e-vil plot to feature items that I myself would like to receive. Heh, heh. Think of it as my Christmas wish-list.

Luxury, thy name is Wrapsberry. Flo, founder of Wrapsberry and a fellow EtsyMom, makes these amazing "blankets." One side is constructed from a super-plush minky, the center is dense fleece, and the opposite side features an equally luxurious ultra suede, or satin, etc. They all have this ingenious pocket. When snuggling, you tuck your feet in it. When not in use, the throw folds into the pocket, and creates a fluffy pillow. How cool is that?

From her blog: "What is Wrapsberry? It's unusual and memorable, like Kodak or Xerox, and has versatility as a noun for branding purposes. It describes the product- wraps. But most significantly, its twist on "raspberry" draws parallels to the decadence and simplicity found in that small perfect package, the richness and substance you taste in a fruit at its peak."

I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you, Flo. Remember to buy handmade this Christmas.

P.S. Thanks to Dottyral for the Etsy Mini idea from her Storque article.

Buy Handmade: Ubiki

images via Etsy

OK, I must admit, I'm a lover of all things cute. It should come as no surprise that I adore these images from Ubiki, but there's something about the scale of the work that hits me on a different level. The oversized "monsters" and animals seem so out of place in their stark and minimal surroundings, like they're just doing the best they can to fit in; it really tugs at my heartstrings. Sion Lee, creator of Ubiki (and graphic designer AND beloved blogger of Cuteable), describes her work as "simply modern" with "clean lines, fresh colors and basic forms." I call it sweet, nostalgic, and just plain human. Find more of Sion's work here.

Buy Handmade: Jenna Lou Designs

In many respects, I am fuss-free. When I leave the house, I don't like to carry anything I don't desperately need. Going to Trader Joe's, I bring: Hal (in a really cute sling from Zolowear), keys, one credit card, and my ID. No, I don't wear a jacket. Yes, I live in Minnesota. Sometimes I wear a scarf.

Now, I have never met Jenna of Jenna Lou Designs, but I can tell she is a gal after my own heart. She's also very talented. Check this out:







This is her own design the "Girl's Best Friend Wallet," which I kind of love. All of her work features gorgeous, colorful and fun fabric like the pink coriander pictured above. You can view all of her fabric choices for custom work here.

Most recently, Jenna has written a pattern for her lovely Fiona handbag.








From her blog: "It was a quite interesting process. As a designer you only have to think for yourself. You know your limits and you know what you are good at, but as a pattern writer you really begin to look at how other people sew. At how your techniques will be received by beginner, intermediate, and advanced sewers. It has really opened up my eyes. And not only to sewing, but also to photography and graphic design and dealing with printers and ordering all the little things that will bring it together and on and on and on (I've learned SO much). It has been a truly amazing experience and if all goes well with this first pattern I will be planning many many more to share with you in the future."

Like I said, she's talented. In the near future, Jenna will be writing more patterns, beginning with her wildly popular "Girl's Best Friend Wallet."

Thank you, Jenna Lou, for sharing your work with us today!

Remember to Buy Handmade...especially remember to buy me one of Jenna's "Pocket Pal Wallets."

Buy Handmade Pledge: Cavendish Soapworks

I've started my Christmas shopping! One of my favorite Etsy shops to frequent is Cavendish Soapworks, makers of gorgeous cold processed soaps, lovely lip balm, and fragrant soy candles. Seller Kathleen hails from Prince Edward Island, and has this to say about her craft:

"Several years ago while searching for a more natural remedy for my mild case of psoriasis I stumbled upon handmade soap. My craftaholic self started making and using my own soap and I was hooked. Wanting to share with everyone else led me to lots of research, experimentation and fun. It's been the perfect creative outlet for me."

What I love best about Kathleen's work is her amazing attention to detail, like in the edges of her Honey Oatmeal Cold Process Soap pictured above. Gorgeous. And the ingredients are to die for: palm oil, coconut oil, olive oil, water, sodium hydroxide, sunflower oil, shea butter, honey, oats, Tussah silk. Silk? Wow. Also check out this, and this and this.

Thank you for sharing your shop with us today, Kathleen!

Remember to Buy Handmade!

Buy Handmade Pledge: Mrs. Kwitty's Cottage

I took the Buy Handmade Pledge for my Christmas shopping this year. No, it doesn't mean that everyone in my family is getting a potholder or an ashtray made by my 2-year-old. Although, it could happen if any of them end up on the naughty list (you know who you are!!!!!).

It means that I have decided to support fantastic artisans of the highest order like: Mrs. Kwitty! Karen is an amazing sewing artist from Duluth, Minnesota (hooray, Minnesota!). From her Etsy site : "I enjoy the cottage and shabby styles and design things that incorporate those styles." She's pretty amazing.

Check out this little lovely now available in her shop.

It's a sweet book where all you sewing fiends can keep your needles! Love it. Please support handcrafting artists like Mrs. Kwitty this Christmas season! Thanks, Karen, for sharing your beautiful work with us.

Check in tomorrow for an advertising experiment!