Mother's Day Gift Guide

For me there is no one more deserving of recognition than my mother. She is my hero, my guide, my friend. So in honor of all mother's and in a hope that I can help you get some shopping done and support Etsy artists, I am happy to present my Mother's Day Gift Guide.

Our first item was a very super cute owl made from re purposed kitchen items. Focus on Art uses all sorts of items from tea strainers, to bottle caps to create these amazing little owls. Stop by and browse through the many versions of these lovely creatures at Focus on Art http://www.focusonart.etsy.com/

Next we have Jewels For Hope, this is a family run business where everyone does a little bit to contribute to this diverse shop. Simply lovely items including, necklaces, bracelets, rings, crochet items, all are reasonably priced, I promise that you will find something you will love here. You can find them at http://www.jewelsforhope.etsy.com/

Do you have a crafty Mom or Grandma, or maybe you want to suggest this for yourself. Sarah's Stitches has a lovely spring print knitting needle organizer. It would make the perfect gift for the knitter in your life. You can find this shop and browse all her lovely items, http://www.sarahsstitchesmi.etsy.com/

Another lovely jewelry selection is this Natural Olive Jade Tiger Eye necklace, the lovely green colors remind me of a rolling river and would make a wonderful accessory to any wardrobe. Handspun Jewelry has a large selection of beautiful jewelry at extremely reasonable prices. http://www.handspunjewelry.etsy.com/

Fused glass is something I had never seen before Etsy, or maybe if I had I didn't know the beautiful creative process that goes into making these wonderful items. My Sassy Glass, http://www.mysassyglass.etsy.com/, has some of the most lovely fused glass items I have seen. I am sure that you will love this item called Tennessee Waltz:

Is relaxation on your list? A gift from Sensual Scents Bath & Body will hit the spot. My favorite is lavender so I picked the gift basket filled with full of goodies scented lavender. This shop has everything from candles to laundry soap, http://www.mbell34.etsy.com/

Lilian Eve Designs has so many lovely items that I spent a little bit longer than normal browsing through this shop. I was drawn back to these pillow cases many times, their lovely colors just POP! http://www.lilianevedesigns.etsy.com/

Have a coffee lover in your life? Stop by Mystic Moon Creations http://www.mysticmooncreations.etsy.com/ Try a crocheted coffee cozy instead of the ho hum cardboard ones you find in your local coffee shop. These are eco friendly, last forever, and make a fashion statement at the same time!
Imaginary Girl is a vintage and jewelry shop full of fun and interesting pieces, so many lovely things to choose from. This beautiful item is a 1940's brooch full of beautiful stones on a silver chain. Stop in and visit this lovely shop at http://www.imaginarygirl.etsy.com/

Scarves are on my list of favorites, if you are a follower of this blog you probably know that because at least one seems to appear on every gift guide. This shop Yard by Yard Knits http://www.yardbyyardknits.etsy.com/, has some of the loveliest scarves I have found on Etsy. The Carnival Criss Cross Scarf is full of brilliant colors and a wonderful unique pattern. There is no greater love story than that of a mother and child, so from The Ruby Rhinestone, http://www.presleysmom07.etsy.com/, I chose these Blue Willow Love Story earrings.

I don't know a single mother or grandmother that doesn't love to show off their kids in pictures. What better way to show of those smiling faces than a Brag Book! Find a lovely selection at The Scrapoholic Shop: http://www.thescrapoholic.etsy.com/

Now then, go do some shopping! Your Mom deserves the best and you can find that on Etsy. Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms, Grandmas, Nanas, Nannies, Aunts, or whatever you call that special woman who has made an impact in your life!

Gifts for Men --- All found on Etsy!

If you read my last blog you will recall that I am on a mission to convince people to buy handcrafted items instead of mall and mega store shopping this year. Handmade items are not what you remember growing up. This is not Granny's sweater that is too big or a dress where the seams don't match. These are quality, handcrafted items that anyone would be proud to have! Etsy has millions of items and they cover everyone on your gift list. There is even a place to request custom made items if you can't find what you are looking for through a search.



Since the quest to expose you to great handmade items for your shopping needs has consumed me, I am starting today by showing you gift items for the hardest on your list to shop for.....MEN!!! So without further delay here are some of the great items that I found for the men in your life.




We start with this chunky brown scarf, very simple and masculine! Aptly named "The Dude Scarf", it is made from 100% wool and is a chocolate brown. You can find this item at : http://www.etsy.com/shop/iWunder

Next on our list is cuff links! Interesting cuff links are great conversation pieces and fun to wear. Every man needs a unique pair of cuff links in his accessory wardrobe.....just don't tell him they are an accessory! These are very cool. Made of authentic buffalo nickles with each one showing one side of the nickle, and mounted on silver links, this is a great gift item. If these aren't quite what you are looking for, this shop boast 90 different pairs to choose from. You can find this great shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/qacreate

Next up we have a simply gorgeous leather wallet, "Genteel Whiskey Brown Leather" this is handcrafted 100% leather and sports a wonderful antique key! What a lovely item and a great departure from those department store standards. This is a one of a kind item and sure to make the men in your life very happy. You can find this item at : http://www.etsy.com/shop/urbanheirlooms

For the hunter in your life we have another wallet/card holders with a bit more "hunteresque" personality. The " Woodland Buck Leather Wallet Card Case" is a wonderful representation of a large buck which will remind the hunter in your life what he is really after on those cold mornings in the woods. This is a smaller version of the traditional wallet, but is wonderful for business cards, folded cash, atm cards, or even a very pretty gift card package. You can find this item at:http://www.etsy.com/shop/SnapDragonStyle

Are you one of those gift givers who has no idea what to get so you always go with a tie? Well this year you don't have to feel guilty about giving the same old boring tie..... You can give a fabulous handcrafted, beautifully designed tie that will be the envy of all the guys in the office or at church. Your man will be happy to wear this wonderful 100% silk hand rolled and hand sewn tie. This tie is white silk with a sailboat blue print pattern, a terrific gift for the sailor in your life. You can find this item at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/rabbitstop

This next item is the most expensive that I picked for this blog. However if you have a knife collector on your gift list, it is a must have. It is a unique and beautiful piece that would be a joy to give and receive. Engraved a marlin on one of the bolsters, the other bolster features elegant engraving around the Rough Rider logo. I don't know enough about knives to do this shop justice but I would strongly suggest you go take a look at the spectacular workmanship! You can find this item at : http://www.etsy.com/shop/DJReigel

Have a chef in the family? The next shop features all type of very nice aprons, it was very hard to pick which one to feature in this guide. There are deer aprons, bbq aprons, hunting dog aprons, and the one I finally settled on, "Hot Pepper" apron. You can find all these aprons and more at : http://www.etsy.com/shop/ksewingbasket

I found all of these shops by going to the Etsy homepage, searching "all items", and using the description = men, man. It is that simple! Hundreds of thousand of results are returned and they are all great. I picked things that would appeal to the men in my life, but I am sure that if these don't strike your fancy you can certainly find something that you will love. I hope that you will at least take a few minutes to visit each shop and see what they have to offer. You can visit Etsy by going to http://www.etsy.com/!

Of course you are all welcome in my shop as well :)

Happy Shopping! Let me know if I can help you find something. I would gladly help you find something to keep you from shopping mega store!

Next time I will be doing the nature lovers on your list!

Jenjie
http://www.jenjie.etsy.com/
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