Mid-Winter Blahs giveaway!

So kids, to battle the winter yucks (yep, I'm feeling them even in San Diego!), I've decided that a giveaway is long overdue! So, I'm giving away these awesome birdie clips to a lucky reader who answers this trivia question correctly. I'll pick the winner using a random hi-tech method (paper out of a hat -- ha!). So here is the trivia question:

What was the name of Mr. Rochester's first wife in Jane Eyre?

I'll draw the name on Friday, Feb. 5.

Scraps 'n' Stuff!

The second edition of Etsy Love will focus on a very new shop, Scraps 'n' Stuff. This shop opened on Valentine's Day of 2008, and already looks to be a very charming little place.

I love dollhouses, and I can't think of any little girl who wouldn't love this adorable (and portable!) dollhouse for playtime.

What a great little place for dollies to live!

However, the store is about more than dollhouses, there are also adorable handmade hats for infants and toddlers, created in the most enchanting colors and patterns.

The detail of the stitching on this hat is incredible, and the design is very original and practical, with lots of good coverage to protect from harsh winds and sun. I love the whimsical color mix!

Along with these crafts are amazing prints that would look awesome in a nursery or kid's room. Again, the use of bright colors is extraordinary, and the subjects depicted are full of the whimsy reflected in the hats. This bubble print makes me feel like summer is already here!

And it gets better; she offers a free gift with every purchase! Do yourself a favor and check out this great shop!

Blossom Arts!

This entry is the first of a series that I am calling "Etsy Love!" I am reviewing shops from Etsy featuring various crafts offered. Etsy is seriously beginning to get some press, and the more people know about the great shops there, the better!

My first featured shop is Blossom Arts, out of Sterling Heights, Michigan. Blossom Arts creates pendants using a variety of media: polymer clay, beads, molds, and stamps, among other materials. Her work is incredible. Check out the details of this beautiful hand pendant and the glossy sheen on the glazed blue.

I also like how varied her work is. The hand is very classic and elegant, but there are plenty of fun, casual pieces, such as this bird's nest, which is my favorite in her shop!

The other aspect that is especially nice is the extremely reasonable prices at which these beautiful pieces are offered. Most of the pieces are $8-$10 for original, handmade goodness!

Check out her marvelous store!

The Golden City Pendant

I love Prague, and the colors and spirals of this pendant remind me of the breathtaking architecture of the city. I hope to return someday. Available in my shop!