I finished my Holiday Make List today. It's a lot more like a to-do list than a shopping list. There are inspirational photos and links to tutorials where needed. Now that I've planned what I want to give to my list of special people, to begin gathering materials that I do not already have. That's when the Make Magic happens.
Think for a minute about a really special gift you received sometime in your life. Pretend we're holding hands if you want to. Maybe it was something you really needed at the time or maybe it was something you never knew how much you would love until it was yours. Either way, it was meaningful. Perhaps it was even handmade by that thoughtful gift giver?
The frenzy of holiday shopping always gives me a stomach ache and that's usually a good first clue that it's not a healthy practice. What compels us to throw our hard earned cash at huge corporations with frighteningly irresponsible practices? What is better or easier about spending fifteen dollars on a set of smelly lotions than writing a heartfelt card to a coworker, teacher or cousin?
Because giving gifts is fun tradition? Yes! It is!
You know what isn't a fun holiday tradition? Guilt trips! So I propose that we focus on the positive. If you're not seeing the glass half full, you're not putting enough into it. (I'm sure someone else has said that before me, but I can't recall it. Either way, I'm patting myself on the back for that turn of phrase.)
Picture a happy medium, I swear they exist. This is where the MAKE comes in. The internet is swarming with cheap and easy DIY projects. Many of them incorporate RECYCLED or RE-PURPOSED materials. That's a huge bonus! If I can save some cash and get a dose of good karma in one fell swoop, I am a happy camper. But seriously, there is something out there that everyone can easily do. Over the next few weeks, I hope to share some of the best tutorials I've found on the DIY front and hopefully a few of my own.
Convinced you don't have the time or creativity? That's totally cool because this is important to: Support an artist and their craft! Support your local businesses! I would like to share some really great resources with you. These are personal friends and family of mine. They are talented, resourceful and have been a huge inspiration to me.
Up first, this is the work of an artsy pair I'm lucky enough to call dear friends, Jen and Josh.
Feast your eyes on these customized sets and individual pieces of jewelry, crafty handbags, and a variety of other wares you'll absolutely love.
With curious and elegant designs that incorporate organic materials, their work will charm the pants off of, well, anyone. They are that good. For more info, contact
Jen and
Josh on facebook.
Oh! Darling Vintage
Located on Monmouth Street right here in Newport, KY, Oh! Darling Vintage is fabulously stocked with top notch vintage finds. You can be certain that the ladies running this show are of the top notch variety, too.
Get yourself to their shop and be inspired by timeless fashion and the joy that is vintage goods. Not local? Check out the
Etsy Store for a taste of the selection!
Wait! You can get a peek inside the shop and a preview of what kind of style and craftiness goes on here. Who doesn't want to know what a vintage store owner wears to work?
Confessions of a Vintage Store Owner - enjoy! This picture is from one of my favorite outfit posts. Something about this blouse makes my soul jumpy. :)
Nature's Harbor Farm
Okay, this is a big one! Support local farmers! Get involved with your local food community and I can pretty much guarantee you will find a warm, inviting group of people. I will save my buy-local-food spiel for a later post, but I'm sure that you are all aware of the many benefits. If not, stay tuned for that on down the road. (Actually, stay tuned anyway.)
My cousin Brandon, his wife Heather and their lovely family have established a sustainable farm right here in beautiful Northern Kentucky. With farming practices that are healthy for our planet and it's inhabitants, they produce a variety of quality products year round!
Check out the Nature's Harbor Farm
website for all the details.
Quick Cash Pawn
And finally, my favorite pawnbrokers at
Quick Cash Pawn. Remember what I said earlier about that special gift you received that one time? And supporting local businesses? Here you go! Scratch your shopping itch at Quick Cash. Their prices on jewelry, electronics, tools, guns, and musical equipment are incredible. Oh, and $1 DVD sales every week! Depending on which location you go to and on which day, you can see my darling man, Bob pawnbroking his little heart out and giving killer deals on what you're looking for. :)
Listen, I love artists and craft-makers as much as I love arts and crafts. Don't forget, we need tools to make them. We also need laptops and digital cameras to share them with the world! If you're local, check them out and be glad that you did. And of course, if you need cash to fund your holiday season, this is the place to go.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoyed my first post in the Making It blog. Wish me luck and come back soon! :)
