Snow Day: Gift Guide #2

I grew up in a small mountain town. The kind of town where a trip to the grocery store took twice as long because of all the chit chat involved, where things moved a little slower, and where the absolute best thing that could ever happen to you was to wake up on a school day, peek out the window, and find a thick blanket of wonderful, beautiful snow. Forget breakfast, pull on 3 layers of clothing, grab the sled, and run out the door while your mother calls after you to "Take your jacket"! SNOW DAY!!!

With those memories in mind I created the annual Christmas ornament for my Etsy shop and then set out to find items from other Etsy sellers that would take me back....

Copper Snowflake Ornaments

If I had had one of these sleds as a child I don't think I would have ever come in. This large wooden sled from AlpineCraftworks has an iconic look to it and transforms from a pull sled with a guard rail for the little ones, to something sleek and fast as they grow up. That is if the "grown-ups" will let them have a turn. 

Large Tracker Sled from AlpineCraftworks

As hard as I tried to stay out all day, my toes and fingers would begin to ache with cold, all those layers would start to wear me down, and it would be time for a break. Back inside with our boots dripping upside down next to the fire and our first set of snow clothes banging around in the dryer we would thaw from the inside out with something warm and sweet, preferably topped with marshmallows. These peppermint marshmallows from Calabasas Candy Co. would have been just the thing!

Peppermint Marshmallows from calabalascandyco

After a quick warm up and the not so quick donning of new dry layers it was back out for more fun. It seems our household had an endless supply of dry gloves and mittens at the ready. These adorable mittens from HappyLaika look perfect for the trek down the road to the neighbors house for a snowball fight.

White wool Mittens from HappyLaika

After a long and tiring day of making the absolute most of our unexpected day off it would be off to bed with the hopes that a little more snow would mean waking up to another day of adventure. For a look at more wonderful snow inspired pieces from the talented creators over at Etsy visit this Snow Day collection.

Snow day 1992 

Thanks for reading and may a snow day be in your future!

Cozying Up: Gift Guide #1

Winter weather is settling in here on California's north coast and we are all about the layers. Hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters... but leave those umbrellas at home lest you be branded an out-of-towner. With all the rain headed our way this time of year is the perfect time to get cozy, pull out the blankets and watch a movie, read a great book, write a letter (holiday cards anyone?), or just enjoy a moment next to a warm fire. If you are looking for the perfect cozy gift I've got you covered with these finds from Etsy. From knitters to newlyweds, there's something for everyone. 

If you are a lightning fast with needles or know someone who loves to create themselves this gorgeous knitting pattern from ErinBlacksDesigns will help you create just the thing for some extra warmth. 

ErinBacksDesigns Throw Blanket Pattern

If do it yourself isn't your thing head over to WhiteNoiseMaker to pick up some oh so adorable his and hers slippers for the newly and not so newly wed couples on your list!

WhiteNoiseMaker his and her slippers

Steep a cup of warmth with organic loose leaf teas from ArtfulTea and snuggle up next to the fire. 

ArtfulTea Organic Roobios Chai 

No fireplace? Light up this incredible copper table top sculpture from AuraWaterfalls and imagine your sipping that Chai tea at a ski lodge in the Alps. 

Table Top Sculpture/Fireplace Insert from AuraWaterfalls

For more great gift ideas from Etsy and to see all of these pieces in one place take a peak at this Cozy Up collection. 

And for the jewelry lovers on your list head over to my Etsy shop for a collection of copper and silver necklaces perfect for layering! 

Layering Necklaces from ErinAustin

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading! 

National Day of Making

Today is the National Day of Making in the US and since I can't make it to the first ever White House Maker Faire I'm going to spend the day sharing the work of some incredible makers (so check back throughout the day for updates to this post)!

First up, Victioria Takahashi of Experimetal.

Victoria's work is always complex and thoughtful and her craftsmanship and attention to detail is incredible!

If you would like to get to know Victoria and her work a little better check out this great guest post she wrote at the Love My Art Jewelry Blog!

You can find her on:
Etsy
Facebook
Her Blog

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Next up, Kest Schwartzman of Vagabond Jewelry.

If you are in the market for a stunning, talk of the party, wearable piece of art her work might be just what you are looking for.

Photo credit Shannon Beatty

You can find her on:

Facebook

Her Website

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And now, a maker that makes the tools for other makers. The makers at NC Black are metalsmiths themselves so they know their stuff. I've got a few of these hammers myself and I love them!

Check them out and add to your tool collection:

At their website 

On facebook 

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Nikki of NR Jewellery Design has been creating these narrative pieces as of late. Gorgeous stone choices and excellent craftsmanship really make these pieces stand out. 

See more of her work:

On Facebook

In her Etsy Shop

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I know I've only looked at metalsmiths today and there is a reason besides the obvious... There are so many great ones out there! Too many to include in one post! Here are a few more that I always have my eye on:

Sara Westermark 
Tosca Teran at Nanopod
Amy Tavern
Sarah Bonser at LilyCobra
Maggie J's

Pretty much everyone else over at Etsy Metal

all the metalsmiths on instagram #instajewelrygroup

There are so many more!!! So many people making incredible pieces, by hand, one at a time. Totally unique and inspired work. I would encourage anyone who is interested in a more authentic collection of adornment to seek these makers out, support their work when you can, and encourage them when you can't. They make the world a more interesting place!

If jewelry isn't your thing here are a few people/organizations to follow that make a career out of promoting makers, designers and artists of all sorts as well as the art of making:

Maker Faire

American Craft Council

Design Milk 

Jealous Curator 

Skillshare

What are your favorite Maker sites and organizations to follow? Post them in the comments! 

Thanks for reading! 

P.S. I'm also having a flash sale in my Etsy shop to celebrate! Take 20% off with the coupon code DayOfMaking!