Just put 90% of my Christmas shopping to bed, all of it via the internet. If I’d planned ahead a bit better, it would all be done now and there would be no pending mall excursions to dread look forward to… eh, next year.
Thought I’d share some of my ‘finds’. And no, I don’t earn a dime for hawking this stuff. I just love it.
Patti’s daughter, an incredibly gifted musician, has a CD out titled ‘The Pleasures of Hope’. What I love about Alex’s traditional Irish music is the frank purity; it’s easy to get caught up in the music or to have it on in background for ambiance.
If you follow the link above to her website, Patti will guide you to another site so you can have a listen before buying… and a great deal for a few dollars off as well. Can’t beat that with a stick.
If you followed my now defunct blog, beannachd, this won’t come as a surprise: I love my french butter keeper by Lee Daniels Pottery! Still use it every day. You can buy butter crocks for ten bucks at Ace Hardware, but this is handmade heirloom stuff. Gift worthy. They make scads of beautiful pottery, not just crocks.
Click on the thumbnails for a larger image of my personal crock:
If I die before making out a will, this one goes to Tanya; she fell in love with it last weekend.
Branch necklace by LaurelsBench on Etsy. There’s much more at her shop, but this branch just stopped me in my tracks. Can’t tell you why; it just did. Simple, yet beautiful. Not elegant in a classic sense, yet… my descriptive powers suck, eh?
Same goes for this Dragonfly Wing Ring by JesseDanger on Etsy. As you can tell, I have a deep and abiding respect for those who can manipulate metal into beautiful designs.
…yes, I troll etsy on a daily basis. It’s become something of an obsession lately…
LillyEllen on Etsy. Way too many cute, personalized pieces of jewelry to count.
I just purchased a birthday present from her at the main website, a child’s necklace, and it’s so sweet. Arrived in a timely fashion in a heart shaped gift box. Lovely!
There’s this amazing woman, see? She consistently, unflinchingly, gives of herself and her gifts. It’s like Christmas every day if you know Leanne of Intricate Art. I don’t know if she has put a cap on her Christmas projects yet, but you can’t give a better gift than one of Leanne’s portraits.
Just sayin’.
Oh, she takes some dadgum good photographs, too, many of which can be ordered as prints.
Don’t forget the fragrant soap hand made by the Benedictine Sisters at Monastery Creations! My favorite this time of year is Frankincense & Myrr, but all of the scents are wonderful. The ingredients are fresh and all natural.
I have two bars here that were supposed to go to a friend… on the West coast… *cough* …but I’m a pretty useless friend to have at times.
Anyway, they smell just as good as when they got here a year ago! Perfect for guest soaps or gifts. And no, these won’t be gifted. That’s just wrong. Right?
…and that’s it for now! Any suggestions? Things you’ve found that you love,love,love and can’t do without -or have bought as gifts?
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Thanks Pam.
I’m thinking of maybe putting up my list of “finds” in the way of children’s books. Maybe in a couple days
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I’m looking forward to it, Patti! The only books I’ve bought for kids this year are the two new[ish] Carl the Rottweiler books. LOL!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Etsy is evil in the good sort of way.
Did you know they have any kind of stuff for dogs that you can dream of?
*insert evil laugh here*
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Oh, don’t get me started! If I go *there* I may never come back!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Any Christmas presents I can’t buy via the web will not be bought until after the New Year…
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I feel you, Teresa!
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I will DEFINITELY have to check out the CD. Husband’s family is all Irish and I love instrumentals. Thanks for the reminder about Etsy – maybe I can find some neat stuff there for the hard to shop for people on my list!
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Carmen, the music is just beautiful! I bought one; can’t wait for it to arrive!
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Oh my gosh! Thanks, Pam! I’m tickled to be on your list, and also, looks like I have some shopping to do!
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Bah! Humbug.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:37 am
Merry old Grumpy Grouch Christmas to my very favorite Texan
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:20 am
Heh…
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:03 am
Okay I got the CD (and one for my sister too). Now I have to dig out the old picture of our dog that my husband has from years ago. It wouldn’t be a Christmas present thing – but you reminded me I wanted to have LeeAnn do a portrait like the one you have of Tess.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:25 am
YAY! That’s awesome, Teresa!
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I thought I was only going to do two CDs of Patti’s daughter, but have decided on a third.
The ring? I WANT IT!
And for everything else, I’m looking online, too. Gotta get everything shipped to SD so I don’t have to carry it there myself. I’m so lazy.
December 4th, 2009 at 8:10 am
YAY!!! Way to go, Joanie!!
Yeah, you’re lazy. Like a fox.
Wait.
Strike that.
Reverse it.
Nope, still didn’t work.
December 4th, 2009 at 8:40 am
You have marvelous taste…..and anyone who says you’re worthless answers to ME! I love you sweetie! Feel better soon!
December 4th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Aw, thanks Tammi! I was talking about your soap, by the way.
It’s still sitting here and yes, sometimes I AM useless!