25 Awesome Etsy Stocking Stuffers for Kiddies

I just loooooove stocking stuffers.  The little things you can stuff into a Christmas stocking lend themselves so well to spontaneity, teeny beauties found at the last moment, irreverent somethings, and simple little pleasures...and often--BONUS!--they tend to cost the least.   Plus I just like the experience of digging down deep into the toe of my stocking to discover any final goodies tucked down there...

And if you must know, I did actually buy several things from this list for the kiddies in my own life (plus one of those gorg wooden tops for a big person).  I mean, how can you not love a soap grenade?  Or those twee felt animal kits that make a perfect first sewing project?  And that silver bird necklace that actually makes a bird whistling noise when blown into?--so lovely.  And gummy bear flavored lip balm (plus many, many other candy flavors in this shop) is a must for any tween girl's stocking. (and could someone--anyone--just buy me that Beefeater ring?--because I really would wear it--yes, even to work at my corporate job...)

So, what's your stocking stuffer plan?  Got one?  Well, no worries if you don't because you don't need one.  Peruse what is here and go from there--little delights are certain to find you...(listed from the left by row)

Row 1: The Paintbox: Glycerin Soap Custom Sample Collection by Paintbox Soapworks , $6; Polka Dot Peter Pan Collar by Guide for Dreamers, $17; I Like to Draw Pencil and Pad Set by The Small Object, $12; Wooden Hand Carved Cat Comb by Art Gift Store, $16.50; Travel Chalkboard Set by Little Blue Birdie, $14

Row 2: Skateboard Yoyo by Board Games, $20; Slingshot with Seed Bombs by VisuaLingual, $16; Gummy Bear Necklaces by Glitter Lime, $28; Soap Hand Grenade by KC Soaps N More, $7.50; Woodland Animal Temporary Tattoos by Kate Broughton,  $7.50 ;

Row 3: Rose Gold Fox Ring by Petit Formal, $10; Miniature Felt Mouse in Matchbox by Atelier Pompadour, $27; Top with Rainbow Stripes by David Turns Bowls, $12; Crocheted Flower Ring by Peaqo, $14; Wire  Wrapped Bracelet with Little Beads by Silly Old Suitcase, $14.50

Row 4: Make Your Own Petty-Pet Sewing Kit by Pupurin, $8;  Downloadable Paper Doll by Gingermelon, $1.50; 3 Wool Felt Bow French Barrettes by Loft Full of Goodies, $31; Best Cake Ever Purse by Lazydoll, $35; Gummy Bear Lip Balm by Sakura Bath and Body, $3.50

Row 5: Set of 2 Monster Notebooks by NotBookNotBuk, $13.50; Laser Cut Rocket Ship Model Kit by Thomas Houha Designs, $18; Silver Plated Bird Whistle Necklace by Love Hearts and Crosses, $60; London Beefeater Ring by Love Hearts and Crosses,$48; Set of 10 Wooden Colored Pencils by Gift Go Green, $6

25 Awesome Etsy Toys and Gifts for the Kiddies

 I don't know about you but every Christmas I am always amazed by all the lovely, lovely toys on Etsy.    It is inspiring to see all the creativity and handmade care that is out there.  The plushies alone make me crazy with happiness.   I also never get over the good feeling of buying something handmade for a gift—I mean, handmade is cool and so are the craftspeople who make the stuff.  You feel me?

Check out those colorful animal alphabet blocks—modern and classic.  Or what about those uber-sweet crocheted sheep?  I always adore what Cotton Monster has to offer (in fact, just bought Beeper his third googly-eyed monster—as he refers to them—because he loves having a posse of monsters in bed with him to keep him safe).  Under-Appreciated Animal Fact Cards?  Yep, love.  And I adore every single thing that Poosac makes (best shop name ever).  Oh, and those silk-screened leggings?—must add a pair of those to my own Santa list in the big people sizes (yes, there are adult sizes). 

Now:  go visit the toys pictured above or the shops they are in—go on now, awesome holiday shopping awaits…(toys listed from left to right by row) 

Row 1:  Poosac Rag Doll with Little Doll by Poosac, $74; There Once Was a Crooked Rainbow Stacking Toy by Mama May I, $65; Modular Doll House Towers by Manzanita Kids, $150; Dinosaur Vs Robot T-Shirt by Gnome Enterprises, $20; Kitty Boy by Lucky Juju, $65

Row 2: Railroad Table Set by Neue Freunde, $39; The Russians by Raplapla, $58; Felt Food Christmas Hamper by Mummy Made it Me, $59; OddFellow’s Orphanage Signed Book Set by The Black Apple, $35; 8 Woodland Animal Felt Masks by Magical Attic,$80

Row 3: Making Faces Felt Story Board by ABC Sensei, $20; Wooden Racing Car by Woodenplay , $32; Raya Big Cotton Monster  by Cotton Monster, $99; Wooden Dodo Pull Toy by Friendly Toys , $35; Under-Appreciated Animal Fact Cards by Mighty Pigeon, $18

Row 4: Black Rabbit Rattle Toy by Fox and Owl, $85; Bear Feet Felted Wool Slippers by Leikey Designs, $34; Unschulds Lamb by Eine Idee , $49; Teething Star Ball by Timo Handmade, $45; Mint Green Wolf Leggings by ZIB Textile, $30

Row 5: Animal Alphabet Blocks by Eight Bear, $97; Florence Wings by Big Bird’s Boutique, $60; Funny Peas Tablecloth House by  Striped Coast, $62; Rainbow Regatta by Mama May I , $29; Custom Plush Toy Made from your Child’s Drawing by New Mom Designs, $50

I will be back tomorrow with my 25 Etsy picks for kiddie stocking stuffers, if you care.  Stocking stuffers—totally on my list of favorite things in the world…

The Amazing Mr. Finch

Oh, Mr. Finch.  How do I love thee?  There are so, so many ways...

...for the meticulously hand-sewn gills on the undersides of your mushrooms...

...for your dead-gorgeous spider with crooked legs of wire and teeny shell-buttoned posterior...

...for your sweetly macabre hand-painted trophy-mount rabbit torsos...

...for your way with the creepy and crawly, making it so utterly frighteningly lovely...

...for your hand-sized moths stitched from odd bits of upholstery and velvet...

...for your barn owl under a glass cloche with black kohl eyes...

...and for your beautiful vintage tapestry, rainy-water-stained butterflies (and your artful ways with a photo prop)...

These are but a few of the creatures the genius Mr. Finch brings into being from his self-described "rainy fairy-tale mind."  Mr. Finch is a British textile-artist, who stitches away to the sound of rain, in the companionship of his cats, whilst drinking cups of tea.  I wish I could find a corner of his studio in which to crouch and watch him stitch away for all the hours of a gray and dreamy afternoon.

You can see more of Mr. Finch's creations here, learn more about him and his creations at his blog, and peruse his fantastic creations (or buy your own!) in his Etsy shop.  Enjoy!

Umbrella Prints Love

What's this have to do with Valentine's Day?  Well, nothing really--except there are some hearts screen printed on some of the fabrics--and also, I do heart Umbrella Prints.  These are two different fabric scrap sets I purchased recently--one is a trimmings pack (top), one a remnant pack with some larger pieces (bottom).  You have to be feeling a little bit lucky when you place an order for one of these since you have no idea which fabrics you will actually receive--but you can safely count on an interesting array of patterns and a beautifully coordinated palette of colors in each pack.  Did I mention that they hand screen-print all of their fabrics on organic cotton/hemp fabrics using eco-friendly inks?  Yep.

Do I have any idea what  I am going to make with these yet?  Nope.  But there are lots of lovely ideas in the Umbrella Prints Flickr group (if you care to see what a $10 pack of fabric scraps can become, check out the photos from the Trimmings competition they held last year).  

Happy Valentine's Day, by the way.  Hope your day is filled with love and kindness and something sweetly handmade.

My Etsy Toy Gift Guide

My Etsy toy shopping is mostly done but I thought I would still slide in here with a little show of all the fantastic handmade stuff out there I love this year--there was a lot I loved.  Much more than you see here--but here are the links to the stuff shown (left to right, from top):

1. Little Play House by DoggiePiggie, $40

2. The Gray Fox by Les Peluche d'Eveluche, $140

3. Circus Car by Fidoodle, $22

4. Kitten Pals Button Pack by The Black Apple, $8

5. Coco Doll by Goodbye Blue Monday, $44

6. Superhero Shoes Gold Wings by Small Fly, $24

7. Wooden Constructor by Dominna, $30

8. Superhero Felt Mask by Frida's Tierchen

9. Karim the Penguin by Raplapla, $40

10. Francine and Simone Stamp Creation Set by The Small Object, $35

11. Yellow Friendly Ghost Brooch by Misako Mimoko, $28.50

12. Color Your Own Plush Doll by Green Star Studio, $15

13. Wee Elephant Pouch by Blueberry Bandit

14. Color Wheel Barrettes by Nest Pretty Things, $16

15. Set of 8 Crayon Rings by Oh My Lucky Star, $36

16. AnaPad Wooden Creative Tablet by Twig Creative, $38

17. Printable Solar System Cards by Wild Olive, $3

18. Almost an Animal Alphabet Book by Eightbear, $18

19. Indoor Croquet Bocce Ball Game Set by Jack Be Nimble

20. Basil the Bee Lambswool Plush by Sara Carr, $44

21. Clara Paperdolls by Cupcakes for Clara, $6

22. Monkey Farts Fizzy Bath Bomb by Fresche, $3.50

23. Wooden Balancing Toy by Smiling Tree Toys, $38

24. 3 Mini Felt Woodland Friends by Royal Mint, $65

25. Butterfly Life Cycle Playset by Mud Hollow, $55

26. Clothespin Dolls by Mooshoopork, $45

27. Golden Wooden Sword by Friendly Fairies, $50

28. Circus Rabbit by Miko Design, $62

29. Fabric Alphabet by My Wife, Your Wife, $47.50

30. Stacrobots by Board Games

31. Bird Doll by Timo Handmade, $57

32. Folky Guitar Plush by June Craft

33. 12 Wood Peg People by Green Mountain Wee Woolies, $36

34. Splendid Coloring Book by Lund Studios, $10

35. Little Doll's Chalet by Mmthings, $75

36. Sticker Set Collection 2 by Minifanfan, $5.50

Happy Handmade Toy Shopping!

Happy Town, USA

On my list of favorite things in the world, vintage Fisher Price Little People rank high.   I played with these when I was growing up, bought several sets for Beeper (okay, for me, really) over the years as gifts, and could easily name my favorite sets today (the A-Frame, the pop-up camper, Sesame Street, and the hospital, if you must know).  So, of course, when I first saw these prints by Happy Town, USA, it was all immediate adoration.  I love the bright acid-colored photography, and how the messages are either sweetly positive, or discordantly modern--but also just plain funny.  

They offer 4x5, 5x7, or 8x10 sizes of all of the prints.  They also offer prints customized with your own message, or a name.  Sweet.  You can find all the designs above, and many more, here.