Due Diligence

I love to give...I love to give gifts to friends, family, and coworkers. But I also just love to give to people who are in need. At Christmas I love to participate in my work's adopt a family program and I've gotten in trouble several times by my hubby for going overboard in spending. :) I can't help it. I grew up blessed with wonderful Christmas experiences and want everyone to experience something wonderful at least one time.

And I enjoy giving to charities...but am not always sure what charities are the best to give my money and get the most help to those in need.

But there is a website out there that evaluates thousands of charities and I will be using from now on to determine my giving patterns - Charity Navigator. They are independent and have all the nitty gritty details that I want to see - like the total overhead a charity takes from my donation.

Did you know that the American Red Cross spent over THREE BILLION dollars in the last fiscal calendar year? But did you also know that this is only a 8.5% overhead rate! That is a GREAT rate.

The Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has a 20.8% overhead. That means for every $1 you give to SBK, only $0.792 goes to the programs to help in Breast Cancer research. That's not a bad rate necessarily, but we should all be aware of how charities allocate their funds.

So give to your heart's content! :) Just be informed about the charities to whom you give.

Guys and Gals

Sometimes guys get left out of the gift giving process because it's so hard to shop for them. It's not like they wear a ton of jewelry or carry around cute purses.

But I found these great gift ideas from Acorn Studios. If you know a geeky guy, these geek inspired cuff links make a unique gift.


Acorn's Sparkly CD Clock is the perfect gift for a guy or a gal who likes unique and funky things.

And of course, what girl wouldn't want a fun, bright, and flirty belt? This belt is a must have from 2FreshPetunias and is on my wish list for sure!

Sweets for the Sweet

For the holidays or just because, send someone you know a special treat.

Someone will savor these sweet cookies for Halloween! I love these Jack-o-Lantern cookies from Eternal Sunshine.

You can't eat this Amy Peter's original design necklace, but wearing a Fortune Cookie is super sweet and whoever receives it will always remember you.

And what is sweeter than Fudge!?! Carssi offers Spoon Fudge gift packs and samplers!

So many sweets! So little time!

What the Heck is Lucite?

I admit it - I'm a plastic snob. Even when I first started creating jewelry I would not go near plastic beads. Those are for kids!

Little did I know!

Just as there are different qualities of gemstones, there are different types and qualities of plastic. Lucite is one of the best plastics out there and the Vintage Lucite I've been blessed to work with is just stunning.

One of my favorite suppliers of Vintage Lucite beads is called Bead'in Path. From their website describing Lucite:

"DuPont Corp. introduced lucite in 1937. Since it was more cost effective to produce than the currently used bakelite, lucite was used in production of costume jewelry as early as 1940."

I love the bright colors and wonderful shapes - some of which are available for a very limited time because they're old and not being reproduced.

"...this company had not manufactured beads or jewelry components since the late
1970’s and early 1980’s. They simply had a 10,000 + square foot room stocked
floor to ceiling with these pesky beads and hoops and cabochons ... "

I'm so glad that I found out about lucite, especially the vintage lucite at the Beadin Path. I'm still a plastic snob...but only because I will ONLY use this great quality seamless Lucite.

Santa Comes Early

Who needs to battle the crowds? Sit at home in your comfy clothes and check out these amazing gifts!

I might make jewelry, but this necklace made by Rachael Sudlow makes me want to buy it for myself! You won't see me recommend jewelry very often (for obvious reasons) but this one is fantastic! Maybe it's because I'm in Washington state - of perpetual rain.

And Fierce Kitten Studios has a great keychain for that illusive creative stocking stuffer.

For the coffee drinker in the family, check out these hand carved wooden spoons by Canadian Wood Crafts. I actually bought one for my hubby's birthday this year and it is fantastic! He even has righty and lefty spoons.

Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas...

It's getting closer and closer...that fun, exciting, stressful time of year when the leaves start to fall and the orange decorations come out. And amazingly, stores start stocking Christmas decorations! It's insane that decorations have started showing up earlier and earlier in the year.

If shopping for gifts makes you crazy, try stocking up early this year - and do it online! There are so many great independent artists, like myself, who have great gift items for all your gift giving needs.

I thought I'd start a few posts highlighting some of what I consider the most unique, fun, and impressive gift ideas.

I am so into purses lately - and there are some great seamstresses on Etsy. Like lulaballou.etsy.com. I like her "Messenger Sling Japanese Cherry Blossom". Her "Flea Market Fancy Purse" is adorable too!

Lucky Duck Designs offers this GREAT service to remind you of important "Ducks in a Row" gift card events and sends you the card all ready to be sent! A total steal at $25.

Fairy Essence has some fantastic items - I've got several of her pendants. She made this great journal that would be the perfect gift for anyone who loves to write down their thoughts. I also love her magnets.

Vote Your Favorite and WIN!

One of my favorite gift finding blogs is Rare Bird Finds. They are holding the first annual "Rare Robin Awards" contest where you vote for your favorite site. You could win great prizes, including a $50 gift certificate to my shop!

They're giving away over $1,300 in prizes!

I'd love your vote.

And good luck!!!