If not, swing over to The Handmade Movement to find out what all the fun is about!

We had some terrific shops to browse, a little something for everyone! Tonite I was browsing for later purchases. And that’s ok. [...]]]>

Hello all, we had so much fun at the sneak attack last nite – were you there?

If not, swing over to The Handmade Movement to find out what all the fun is about!

We had some terrific shops to browse, a little something for everyone! Tonite I was browsing for later purchases. And that’s ok. You don’t have to buy something from each shop or any shop. Just tweeting about the sneak attacks – letting others know about the shops involved, blogging about them works too! The point is to have fun, help other Etsy shops, and perhaps see things you will want to get later!

The first shop was Oceanside Soaps Yummy looking and smelling soaps. While I didn’t buy anything from this shop – you have to see this one: Can you imagine a soap that smells like Chocolate w/Raspberry Sauce?

Our second shop was Leaves and Stitches a shop that creates natural ingredient bath salts, eye masks and teas. But this shop also has lip balm – which I need and love to buy. Had one in my cart and went back to shop some more and when I came back it was gone! I’m waiting for this shop owner to list some more, so I can go back and get what I missed.

Our third shop was Porky Bear Bakes This shop has gummy bears covered with chocolate, pretzels and even mini marshmallows. How can you resist ?? The fact that I can’t eat chocolate (have acid reflux and it really brings it on) didn’t stop me from drooling!

Our sneak attacks happen twice a week, so if you missed this one – we have another one on Thursday Nov 12. See you there!

I’m not the type of person to wear a wig. So I decided to find something else to wear that would look attractive, be easy to use, and keep my head warm. I [...]]]>

Back in 2006, when I had cancer, I lost my hair. This is an occurrence that happens to many women, and men too.

I’m not the type of person to wear a wig. So I decided to find something else to wear that would look attractive, be easy to use, and keep my head warm. I found Turban Scarves.

A friend of mine, Margaret, had a website where she sold the turban scarves in a variety of fabrics. I fell in love with the turban scarves and ordered several. When my daughter went through cancer treatments, I passed them to her. She loved them too!

When Margaret said she needed to close her business, due to health reasons, I offered to purchase her inventory as a way of giving back – since she helped me so much.

And now I’d like to help you and your friends as well – by offering the turban scarves that Sandi’s T’s now carries, at a reduced price. They regularly sell for $17.95.  The price now is $14.45, a 20% discount.

Some fabric selections:

This is a great time to take advantage of this discount – help your friends and family. I will still be donating part of the proceeds to cancer research. Time to pay it forward.

Sandi

This hat was made with a double strand of yarn and a really cool flower.

OK – now her younger daughter tried it on – was too big, and [...]]]>

My friend Cheryl (Tink) recently bought a hat that I made and had listed on Etsy. She had bought it for her older daughter – who collects hat.

This hat was made with a double strand of yarn and a really cool flower.

OK – now her younger daughter tried it on – was too big, and Tink asked if I could make a slightly smaller hat in purple. This is what I came up with, also with double strands of yarn.

I was getting ready to make a flower for the hat, and figured for a smaller hat, it needed a smaller flower.

OK that works. The flower is just pinned on, for ease of washing.

But… I wanted to do something else, and I searched thru all of my crochet patterns until I found what I was looking for. Voila

This bow uses the lighter of the 2 strands of yarn that I used to make the hat.

Part of the brim is turned up and the bow is pinned through the brim and hat for security.

I hope she likes it. I might even add bows and flowers to my Etsy shop.

Sandi

In addition to bracelets, earrings, and pendants, Linda also makes wire Kippahs and gorgeous Judaica themed creations that she is happy to customize with favorite colors [...]]]>

Linda from Linda B’s Beaded Jewelry says I love color and what the colors symbolize and you can tell by the jewelry as well as other items that Linda creates.

In addition to bracelets, earrings, and pendants, Linda also makes wire Kippahs and gorgeous Judaica themed creations that she is happy to customize with favorite colors or gemstones.

One of her Kippahs – Kippot (plural) or chapel caps or headcoverings are worn by Jewish women at synagogue is a treasure to be seen and worn.

Having grown up myself in a Jewish home, I remember the women wearing scarves at the synagogue, wouldn’t they have looked wonderful in this?

Of course we can’t forget Christmas – and I love these earrings. Ok, so you know how I love earrings

Linda calls  herself a Jewelry Designerchic, she just had a birthday on the 1st of November, and she has many inspired creations that you will want to see! Check out Linda’s shop!

Why do I say again? For each set of sheets that I have, I also have 4 pillowcases. Either I bought 2 packages of pillowcases, or [...]]]>

Just changed the sheets on my bed, this morning. As I was finishing up, and putting the pillow cases on the pillows, I find myself with an extra pillowcase again.

Why do I say again? For each set of sheets that I have, I also have 4 pillowcases. Either I bought 2 packages of pillowcases, or made 4 for each set. Whatever. However I only have 3 pillows on the bed. DH uses 2 and I use one. Even tho the bed is a king – those pillows fit nicely across.

Normally I would have a stack of extra pillowcases, but such is not the case.

Here are some ideas if you have extra pillowcases too:

• Line a dresser drawer – much better than paper and much prettier too
• Wrap decorations that you are ready to put away
• Store seasonal clothing if you don’t have a trunk to store them in
• Make a dresser scarf by putting a light batting inside and stitching down the edges
• Store old photo albums so they don’t become dusty
• Use for baby blankets and clothing to save for the next baby
• Baby books and rattles and such can be protected the same way
• Keep extra board games dust free – bring out when current board games have lost their excitement
• Protect photo frames that you are not currently using
• Wrap those projects you are working on to keep them clean

I’d love to hear your ideas too!

Sandi

I wanted to let you know about the shops we ‘attacked’ last nite.

The [...]]]>

We had such fun last nite – you should have been there! Don’t know what I’m talking about…. It’s a sneak attack – check out the details at The Handmade Movement Our next attack will be Monday, November 9 – see you there!

I wanted to let you know about the shops we ‘attacked’ last nite.

The first shop one was Julieannas Creations This shop offers handmade handpainted creations. While I was not able to buy from this shop – you might want to check it out, handpainted birdhouses and handpainted signs for almost every room in your house!

The 2nd shop was Dunbar Arts. This shop’s catch phrase is creative genius, brilliant insanity Adorable receiving blankets and jewelry supplies are ready for your viewing. No babies in my family – almost wished there was, so I could have bought a set of the receiving blankets to use!

The 3rd shop was Cushty Cards. Here I was able to shop for delightful birthday and blank cards – did I mention that I’m collecting them?

Please join us for our next sneak attack on Monday November 9 – for details see The Handmade Movement

Sandi

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or another holiday that happens soon, we can help you get those gifts,  all at great prices, and ready for you to buy to take care of [...]]]>

I am so excited! A number of my friends, and fellow shop owners have some delightful items that you might be interested in.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or another holiday that happens soon, we can help you get those gifts,  all at great prices, and ready for you to buy to take care of all of those names on your gift giving list!

Frosted Treats has a Nesting Bird Necklace for a new mother/expecting mother.

Sweetwater Gifts has a men’s bracelet.

Purple Lemon Designs has a customized address stamp

Lindab142 has these holiday magnets.

Cozy Kitchen Covers has a Gingerbread house 2 slice toaster cover.

Burlap Works uses upcycled coffee bags to make gift bags.

Tickled Pink Paper + Ink also has customized address stamps

Tamsy Trends has floral beaded napkin rings.

Foxy G Knits has a red ruffle scarf

Tinker’s Shop has a victorian pocket mirror.

Next Friday, I’ll be featuring more Holiday Gift Ideas for you. Want to be included, leave me a comment on this post – and I’ll get back to you to get your featured item!

Sandi

With that, this week’s favorite shop is The Felted [...]]]>

By now, you know about my delight in anything felted. While I only do felted bowls, there are a number of extremely talented Etsy shop owners who use felting as a medium – in that – they create things you just wouldn’t think of as being felted.

With that, this week’s favorite shop is The Felted Chicken. Oh my – not just chickens, but everything else. Says Chrissy: I’m in love with the process of creating things. It doesn’t matter what I am making, as long as my hands are busy.

This one hit me first when I was browsing Chrissy’s shop. Combining her love of felted creatures with her sushi items – she came up with the black widow spider – sends chills down my spine….

Or how about this yummy treat with Chocolate – mmmm

Add to the felted collection – Chrissy has made reGift Bags using pre-felted fabric called Eco-spun. This is a synthetic felt that is made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles – yeah for Chrissy – keep those plastic bottles out of the trash!!

Check out the Felted Chicken – definitely unique items!

What are your concerns about Christmas? What kind of gift can I give that won’t break the bank? How will I wrap it? How can I wrap [...]]]>

Christmas always has a way of sneaking up on me! I looked at a counter graphic and found that Christmas is 52 days away. Much closer than I thought.

What are your concerns about Christmas? What kind of gift can I give that won’t break the bank? How will I wrap it? How can I wrap the gift, without having all the wrapping thrown out.

Today, I’d like to make some recommendations!

Let’s start with what kind of gift you can give that won’t be really expensive. With the trend turning back to handmade and handcrafted items, rather than store bought,  I’d like to recommend Etsy for your Christmas shopping. And you can shop from home – save gas!

Not familiar with Etsy? Your place to buy all things handmade. Etsy offers just about anything you are looking for in the way of a gift for that special someone.

My Etsy Shop is Handmade By Sandi where I offer a variety of crocheted items, sewn items and jewelry. And custom orders are welcomed!

Do you know someone who loves Starbucks? Use one of these crocheted coffee cozies – replace the cardboard sleeve. Helps to keep the coffee hot and keep your hands cool! A variety of colors are available – just the coffee cozy or some are embellished like this one with flowers.

Have a teenager to buy for? How about a unique choker that can be worn with casual as well dressy outfits? These chokers come in a variety of colors – very soft feeling and ties in the back!

Do you have someone that has everything? Want something truely unique? This bowl is great for potpourri, is crocheted and soft and won’t scratch furniture.

Have a friend who loves to take her own bags to the store? How about one of these?

Now how do you wrap these gifts and any others that you purchase? Save money and the earth. Don’t buy wrapping paper and tape. Try one of my fabric gift bags from Sandi’s T’s. Offered in a variety of sizes and different Christmas fabrics – these gift bags will keep on giving!

Now is the time to order your gifts and gift bags before the holiday rush! You will be greatly appreciated by whomever receives your gifts.

Enjoy your shopping from the comfort of your home!

Sandi