25 Days of Etsy Christmas (2013). Day One. All Things Rustic

I'm very excited to be kicking off my second annual 25 Days of Etsy Christmas. I'm quite passionate about buying from small businesses and artisans and this is the best way for me to share that with you. Last year, several Etsy sellers reported a growth in holiday sales, thanks to my series, and I hope the same can happen this year!

I will feature a different theme every day, for twenty-five (nearly) consecutive days, starting with today's rustic gift ideas.

Enjoy!

1. The Volstead Lamp by Speakeasy Lamps is $102.15 CAD.

2. This set of 5 twig pencils is available at Trees 4 The Wood for $16.15 CAD. I suggest adding these to a leatherbound or recycled sketch pad and giving them to the artist on your list. Most pre-teens/teens would also dig this ensemble. It's worth taking a look at the rest of the shop, as they sell cute gift tags and cards.

3. I like this set of three candleholders by Morgann Hill Designs.

4. If you've got a bit more to spend, this year, you should take a look at Artisan Wood, a fantastic shop based out of Texas. I'm rather taken by their Rustic King Platform Bed, which is going for $2096.77 CAD.

5. From Shab 2 Chic is a great shop based out Alabama and their faux antlers would make a great gift for someone on your list whose decor is already leaning toward rusticity. $48.38 CAD.

6. From California, Borden Specifics offers up a great variety of paper goods and household items. I will include two of their items in this list, starting with this mail box for $41.94 CAD.

7. Another great gift idea from the same shop is this set of hand painted mason jars in a wooden flower box for $83.87 CAD.

8. At Michelle Lisa's Designs, in Texas, you can find great stocking stuffers, such as this cast iron deer hook for $17.74 CAD.

9. Ticino Design, in Mississauga, Ontario, is definitely another one to look out for. Check out their beautiful reclaimed wood and glass coffee table for $780.00 CAD.

10. Last but certainly not least, I really like this wall shelf with coat hooks from Old New Again for $91.46 CAD.

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25 Days of Etsy Christmas Gifts. Day Twenty-Four: Montréal, Part Four

i always know why i write about shopping locally and supporting artisans and small businesses but tonight, as i touch this particular list up and prepare to publish it, i can feel it in my bones. i, who usually avoids malls as much as i can, ended up in two of them, alexis nihon and carrefour angrignon, today. mind you, i did so because i needed supplies for all of the hand-made gifts i'm preparing for my family, this year. if all of the other reasons i've listed are not enough to make you buy from small businesses and/or online, the frazzled insanity that packs those places should be. wow!

here are ten more etsy shops based in my home town of montréal, québec. the prices and products vary greatly so i'm sure everyone will find something they were looking for!

1. i've been seeing more and more of anomal couture featured in various ways online and with good reason! check out their etsy shop for beautifully designed fashions from la belle province. 

2. i've had missy industry bookmarked from the time i started this blog and now is the right moment to point you all in her direction, as i'm sure that there is something for someone on everyone's list in this shop!

3. i'm so thrilled to feature wasteland artisan in this segment. i must admit that part of this is because every wonderfully handcrafted item made in this shop and on the table you see in the last photo, was made by my really good friend of eleven years and my daughter's "god"mother, adria. this business is comprised of adria, who works so hard at what she does and does it so well and her super sweet husband, stephane, who is there to help with almost every other aspect of running it. 

and what montréaler can feel anything but love for this amazing, miniature poutine and hot dog polymer clay pendant?? too cute!

in addition to these adorable miniatures, adria has recently begun making leather masks and, holy hell is she ever good at it! she was even asked to provide lise watier with a mask for one of their most recent commercials and, if this is what she is accomplishing after only a few months of handcrafting masks, i cannot wait to see what's in store for her in the future!

want to see more? check out adria's goods at the old skool crafts fair this week-end, saturday and sunday, from 11h00 to 18h00 at 105 saint-viateur ouest, in the basement of the saint-michel church. 

4. check out melanie and valerie's shop, classic by nature, for lovely, vintage and nerd inspired decor and accessories. 

5. for original graphics printed on stylish clothing, check out achtung baby ink. the current collection is small worth keeping an eye on, given what they're offering up and that they opened in october.

6. i recommend that you have a look at veinage for gorgeous, one of a kind, eco-friendly accessories. 

7. mes trois soeurs boasts a small but lovely collection of knitwear. it's getting cold outside so be sure to check them out!

8. femme mecanique designs offers up edgy, unisex jewelry at very good prices. i definitely recommend this shop if you're looking for something unique!

9. even if carriage 44's collection is very small at the moment, their new york loft aesthetic made it so that i simply could not ignore them when researching for this list. 

10. for adorable ipad, kindle and mac book covers, have a look at boutique id. several of the items listed in their shop made my kids say "aw!". 

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25 Days of Etsy Christmas Gifts. Day Five: The Baker

as most of you know by now, i have assigned myself the task of creating gift suggestion lists for twenty-five days in the hopes of keeping even just a few of you out of malls and supporting artisans and small businesses instead.

i must admit that, when it came to amount of fun i had creating a list, this one is tied with day one for first place. i got to discover so many amazing things along the way! i had to stick to ten, though, and so, without further ado, here are my favourite etsy gifts for the baker on your list.

1. i'm really loving this unique long baking dish with handle for $60 USD. if you're not sure, take a moment to read the description in the listing. as great as this gift idea is, what i didn't expect when looking up bakeware was to fall head-over-heels in love with laurie g ceramics. there is not one thing i do not love in laurie's shop; click on her link and find out why!

2. how fantastic is this make your own vanilla extract kit?? at $12 USD, it's perfect for a small budget or as an addition to a gift basket. and why stop at christmas? this is the perfect host/hostess gift! check out sarah's naturals if you're looking for natural body and beauty products, as well. this could easily turn into a "one for you, one for me, one for you, two for meeee" situation. 

3. and we're back at scissor mill, a shop i featured on day one but simply had to return to for this list. (i suspect that this may not be the last time, either). check out this personalized rolling pin for $34.50 USD. you can buy it as you see it here or have it custom engraved.

4. we're also revisiting one of my favourite montreal-based etsy shops, purpose design, because how could i not add this baking and dessert salt kit to my list? it's only $13 CAD and perfect on its own, if you have a small budget or as a great addition to another baker's gift!

5. we first had a look at irin skye on day three and now i simply had to add this spoons and muffin tin baker's necklace to my list. at $17 USD, it makes for a great stocking stuffer or small gift, on its own!   note that brandy can gift wrap this for you for an extra $3. 

6. check out this custom cupcake gourmet apron for only $27.95 USD at bow peep aprons! i'm considering daring you to go to this shop and stop at one purchase; this shop is chalk-full of adorable, colourful, custom gifts!

7. want something both functional and decorative for the baker on your list? i like these bake text metal art bookends i cam across at knob creek metal arts for $42.99 USD. 

8. i must admit that i am personally over this whole "keep calm and..." fad because people were plastering tumblr and facebook with their own "witty" versions for almost a year before everyone then started marketing the idea and putting it anything and everything. that said, if you dig it or know a baker that does, this keep calm and bake on flour sack tea towel from kitch towels is only $8 USD and will no doubt be well-received by those who do not have a tumblr. 

9. i could look at this photo for way longer than i'd like to admit-- so pretty! 
you can take your pick of three sprinkles for just $9 USD and add them to any gift basket or stocking. yes, you can drive out to your nearest michael's craft store and buy these but this series is about supporting small businesses so check out the bakers confections for your holiday cupcake liners, sprinkles or paper straw purchases, whether they be for you or for someone else!

10. last but certainly not least, i recommend this personalized glass baking dish  for $28 USD from marcella's engravables. there are quite a few of these on etsy but i chose this one for its price and design. another reason i'm featuring this shop is because it's great! check it out for over a hundred listings for terrific, custom presents.

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