Hannah Longmuir

Christmas Card - Red Squirrel - Pencil Drawing
"I'm Hannah Longmuir. I'm 25 years old and I'm lucky enough to live in the beautiful Scottish Borders. I have a little black puppy called Buddy and a very ancient grumpy budgie called Chirpy. I work from a garden shed which has a view of the Cheviot Hills. I share my shed with spiders and swallows and snails. My work is inspired by the animals and landscape around me. I aim to create a small place of quiet and a sense of calm. My weapon of choice is my pencil, and using it I explore the world around me. I'm constantly surprised and delighted by the things I find. I quit my job in May 2011 and moved back to the Borders to start my business. As well as selling cards and brooches through fairs and shops, I undertake drawing comissions of animals and landscapes. As well as arting, I like day trips and red wine; I collect postcards; and seeing a heron makes me happy."
bio written by Hannah via her etsy profile
FACEBOOK * WEBSITE * ETSY * BLOG

The Owl & Otter

Hand Finished Christmas decoration - Christmas decor - Christmas Ornament by The Owl & Otter
"We're based in the sunny seaside town of Brighton and we design and make beautiful gifts and household items. We hope you like our products as much as we do and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're currently expanding our product range and its a very exciting time."
mini-bio written by Rachael via the etsy profile
FACEBOOK * WEBSITE * TWITTER * ETSY

Kat's Fab Fancies

Made to order Gingerbread House
"I'm a freelance writer by profession and crafter by hobby. I've always been arty and good at making things - just rubbish at everything else - so it was natural for me to drift into writing and crafting. I love making things and like to try all sorts of crafts. People wanted to buy my items and persuaded me to sell them on Facebook and when that took off, with lots of help and advice from a crafting friend, I decided to open the shop on here."
bio written by Tina B. via her etsy profile

ornaments by deb

White Swirled Tree on Bronze Glass Holiday Ornament
"I am a craft loving mother and grandmother who has been making ornaments for my family and friends for years and years. A few years ago, I started selling my ornaments through word-of-mouth. It is time for the next step, now, to my own Etsy shop. I love to personalize my ornaments, especially the snowman family, but I will put a family name on any ornament that has room on it. I have all my standby ornaments, but I usually try something new and different every year. My daughter and I also have a joint shop on Etsy called Times and Chimes. We make birdhouses out of reclaimed wood and decorate them with relics from the past. We have been open three years now, and really enjoy the friends we have made all over the world. Since Angie moved to Colorado, I have taken over the shop, but don't really know where it is headed yet. I have 2 grown children. John lives in Branson and has a daughter, MaKayla, who is 11. Angie and her husband Steve moved from Branson to Denver, Colorado last December and have Nathan, age 11 and Mathew, age 10. I have a stepdaughter Becci, who lives in North Carolina with her daughters, Nikki and Chloe. My partner, Jim, sometimes helps with the woodworking, but doesn't get involved in my ornaments, except as support."
bio written by Deb via her etsy profile

kaniko

Tiny Pine Cone Elves -- set of 3 ornaments
"Hi there -- I'm Karina and the artist behind kaniko. Thanks for visiting! If you take a peek around, you can see that I love creating with a variety of materials and am inspired by vintage, fairy tale designs. My creations are each lovingly crafted by me in my cottage studio, made to add a special touch to life's celebrations with unique and personalized artistry. I grew up in Connecticut, and still miss the quiet nature and woods that surrounded my childhood. I think this early influence can be seen in my work ;) My professional background includes experiences as an environmental activist, educator, writer, illustrator, actress...to name a few! But there has always been an artistic impulse and the desire to create in the background, and now I'm so glad it's in the foreground! Much thanks and gratitude to Etsy for providing an outlet :) Living in the San Francisco Bay Area fills me with inspiration, as does daily life with my artistic husband, energetic boy, and sweet baby girl. Our small but colorful home is filled with art, love, and life, and a lot of comical moments."
bio written by Karina via her etsy profile

Raceytay

Christmas, Pink Christmas trees
"I am a passionate photographer with a background in graphic design. I love to create. I've often said "I don't take photographs, I make photographs." The photos in my shop are among my favourites and they represent the world as I see it, as I want you to see it. I hope you like them."
mini-bio written by Raceytay via the etsy profile.
FACEBOOK * ETSY * TWITTER

Modern Material Girl

12 Days of Christmas Lap Quilt
"I have been quilting for over 15 years, and am the first to admit I may have a slight obsession! I am always dreaming of my next project, and falling in love with a new fabric line.
I am also a music teacher, wife, and mother of two terrific kids."
mini-bio written by Kerry Mero via her etsy profile.

Blueberry Hill Farm

Handknit Mittens Mohair and Wool Blend Cuff Mittens
"I have been doing something with my hands all of my life. I love making things. I guess I inherited this from my mother who was still stitching at 96. Everyone in the family has something that was "made by Mom" and I hope to continue this heritage. I am now 72 so if I follow in my mother's footsteps I still have a few years left!"
mini-bio written by Sylvie Meyer via her etsy profile.

Flying Woman Studio

Texas Longhorn Christmas Stocking, Burnt Orange and White with a "Jester-style" Cuff and Ink-Dyed Bells
"I am a self-taught sewist, quilter, embroiderer, painter, crafter, mixed media artist, and artistic explorer. I love to experiment with materials I have on hand to create new uses for them.
I have never passed by a new fabric store or art supply store without stopping. My car and my feet naturally turn toward thrift stores, antique stores, garage and estate sales, junque shoppes, etc., and naturally I just go along.
My best friends save things for me to use in my projects like tea bags, wrapping paper, maps, bottle caps, and even rusty stuff (for rust-dyed fabric).
My husband is not surprised that I take my camera to the farmers' market and that I end up bringing home more photographs of vegetables and fruits than the actual vegetables and fruits.
My studio is taking over my living space, and that seems to be working out really well for me; and it is really, REALLY well-organized -- so much so that I often can't find a thing.
Oh, and I just started roller skating again after more than 20 years off the wheels."
bio written by Katie Winter via her etsy profile.

call IT courtney

Vintage-retro tinsel ornament/face wreath
"I'm all about the thrill of the hunt. I canvas thrift stores, estate sales, and even those sketchy antique stores that no girl in her right mind would walk into alone. I'm looking for that one awesome thing that is irrevocably unique. I think the pc term for what I make is vintage altered art assemblage. But let me break it down...I find cool old stuff and make it into cool new stuff.
While some of my pieces might bare a striking family resemblance, because they're vintage by nature, they're truly one of a kind. What I find determines what I make, so it's hard to pin point what's next in the repertoire. You can sometimes call IT kitschy, sometimes call IT shabby, sometimes call IT retro, but you can always call IT courtney."
bio written by Courtney via her etsy profile
BLOG * ETSY

OhMa felt

Felt evergreen trees...
"OhMa felt was born from the desire to create for my daughter the exceptional hand crafted toys that I remember from my Grandmother's home. We custom dye our wool felt, create our own designs, and gently bring them to life.
Know a wonderful shop where OhMa might fit? Please contact us with the information. We are currently interviewing shops worldwide, and would appreciate your referral."
mini-bio written by Sorcha via the etsy profile.

betsy grace

Christmas Napkins in RED Linen Set of 6 Merry Christmas Typography
"Hello there! I am a stay~at~home~mom of six great kids. What a crazy, wonderful life! Some up, some down. But, no matter what, my family is the most important thing in my life.
I've been sewing since I was a little girl. My Grandpa got me a sewing machine of my own when I was 10 and I have been hooked ever since. Wow, was that really 28 years ago?? More recently my husband bought me an embroidery machine. This machine has really opened up a whole new world for me.
One day I asked myself what I could do to earn a little money and stay busy. I found etsy through a friend and was excited! I never thought there would ever be an outlet for making money doing what I enjoy. Sewing! So, why embroidered linens? With my family of six kids there is no way I can put linen on my table! I guess this is my way of trying to make someone else's table beautiful. Just to work with the fabric and package it up pretty makes me feel happy. Someday I can use beautiful linens on my own table but for now I will be content with all of the tables in the world that are made beautiful because of my handiwork!
My oldest daughter has started helping me with my work. She trims threads, makes labels, and presses the edges of the linens prior to my hemming them. We are having fun working together and I love being able to teach her something about what I love to do. ♥"
bio written by Missy via the etsy profile
FACEBOOK * ETSY

angel dog designs

Wool Felted Acorn Ornaments - Set of 12 in White
"As a graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design...I am a 30-something artist with my hands in a little bit of everything. I like to try new things and get restless when I do the same thing for too long.
I was a set decorator on the Martha Stewart Show for the past 7 1/2 years. I am a recent graduate with a Master of Art in Art Education. I continue to freelance as a stylist and artist while pursuing full time teaching opportunities."
bio written by Tamara via the etsy profile
BLOG * FACEBOOK * ETSY

Timber Green Woods

Wood Snowflake Ornament - 3 1/2" Laser Cut Black Cherry Wood
"Timber Green Woods was created with the combined talents of Matt Van Susteren and Amie Elizabeth of Spring Green, WI. Utilizing sustainably harvested wood from our family forest, we create art that forms a unique union between high tech and low tech to form a body of work that we call Modern Rustic."
bio written by TimberGreenWoods via the etsy profileWEBSITE * ETSY

Alice's Looking Glass

Red ticking rag ball Christmas tree ornaments - Set of 9
"I am wife to the most wonderful husband {aka StJoshua here on Etsy} and mother to the best baby in the world, our sweet Hazel Mae born 8 1/2 weeks early and spending the first 50 days of her life in the NICU. I spend my days caring for my daughter while fitting in creating/listing items during her nap times and on the weekends. I cannot wait until she is old enough to start creating with me :) I have a love of all things old, worn, romantic and vintage. I enjoy finding beauty in imperfection. My camera is almost always around my neck and my imagination running on overload for coming up with new creations"
bio written by Alice via her etsy profile
ETSY * BLOG * FACEBOOK

water rose

Retro Christmas Hand Embroidery Ornament
"My creativity was influenced and inspired by my mother and grandmother. My mother was an embroidery artisan and with patience and love she taught me many of the stitches that you see in my creations. My paternal grandmother was an extraordinary quilter and she spent time with me cutting pieces, sewing and then making a quilt. I was embraced in traditional arts growing up. I collect textiles, vintage and new, to make many of my creations. With the loving knowledge given to me by these special women I create items that will bring joy to your life. These creations are heirloom pieces that will be enjoyed by future generations."
bio written by Water-rose via the etsy profile
BLOG * ETSY

made mary

Holly Jolly Garland
"I began knitting and embroidering as a teenager and have just recently begun machine and sashiko sewing.
I am currently a stay-at-home/homeschooling mom of a very energetic boy, and two energetic cats. My husband is a mathematician, and doesn't require as much chasing around as the boy and the cats. In an earlier life I taught environmental studies and I continue to be interested in environmental issues and "greening" my household."
bio written by MadeMary via her etsy profile

54 days of Christmas, FINISHED!

I did it! I have described everything that I have done to prepare for Christmas for the past 54 days (since November 1st)! I am proud of myself for accomplishing a goal. Even though somedays I did nothing Christmas-sy, I still stated that... Merry Christmas to all my faithful followers & readers!



DAY 1: went to a beautiful Christmas Eve service, and R came over to exchange gifts, K & kids also came over to exchange gifts, as did E.
DAY 2: Nothing Christmas-sy today
DAY 3: M brought over our gifts
DAY 4: Wayne took gift to G.
DAY 5: Nothing Christmas-sy today

54 days of Christmas, day 11 and 10

DAY 10: got M's present wrapped & picked up something for R at a thrift store.

DAY 11: mailed off a Christmas card and felt house to S.

Some last minute gift ideas:

1. Victoria Grey Ribbed Knit Spats Leg warmers Steampunk by: KnitLush
2. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries - vegan soap by: DirtyAssSoaps
3. Felt Moustache Ipod/Blackberry Curve Case by: NORMandLOU
4. Vintage inspired,Soft Blue Babydoll and Bloomers Set..... Last One in this color by: intima
5. Little Dandelions Purse by: EightSeasons
6. Medium Aqua Octopus by: trulyoutrageous
7. Rustic Wood Candle Holders Set of Six, Gift Boxed by: thelogbasket
8. Fingerless Mittens Gloves Free Shipping by: ShelbyRose
9. Postcard pack - 6 cards with white pearlised envelopes - Pearl by: Purrr
10. Crown Jewel - Vintage Swarovski Ruby Red Crystal Earrings by: ShySiren
11.Snow Bear - 8.5 x 11 inch Print by: alittlestranger
12. SALE Retro Apron by: PaulaAndErika

days 12, 13, and 14

DAY 12: Made 3 felt house ornaments (3x5") to give to R, M & S, while watching "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation": always hilarious!


DAY 13: mailed off our Christmas cards today

DAY 14: nothing Christmassy today...