Happy holidays!

I wanted to wish all of you a happy holiday! It has been a wonderful experience starting Funky Finds this year & getting to know so many of you. I only hope that it continues to be so rewarding in the coming year. Take care & I will see you all in 2007. (Wow, that sounds weird!) Peace and joy to you all. Jessica

LuLu Sparkles

Isn't it true that women love all things sparkly? I know I do. That's why I was thrilled to find LuLu Sparkles, a lovely Etsy shop full of beautiful jewelry. The Pucker Up Buttercup necklace is so unique & such a stunning design. I believe It's the Bees Knees necklace is my favorite. This piece could go with so many different ensembles. Other pieces that I am drawn to include the Whimsy-Lu earrings, the Madame Butterfly necklace, and the Twinkle Toes bracelet. Check out all the gorgeous pieces at LuLu Sparkles and treat yourself (or a loved one) to something sparkly!

db clay

This week I read about db clay on Modish & I just have to share. I absolutely love the tees & wish I had several for this holiday weekend. I think the Christmas Camo tee is the coolest holiday tee I've ever seen. Grandma's snowflakes and Peppermint Crook are pretty darn awesome, too. The prices are a bit steep for tees, but they are printed in limited runs of 500 so think of them as collector's items or something. You'll find other unique tees such as the Dammasch Flower tee, as well as duct tape wallets in a wide variety of designs.

Beckarahan

Beckarahan has a wide array of items to choose from. You'll find everything from beautiful silk headbands to aprons. A few of my favorite items are the embroidered squirrel and doggie card cases, the secret garden pendant, and the black rhino wristlet. You can also purchase these lovely handmade ornaments.

Crafty Alien

I have long wanted to learn how to make all the lovely little Amigurumi critters I see all over the internet. Lisa of Crafty Alien has lots of wonderful kits & patterns in her Etsy shop. I adore the backyard critters! Isn't the hedgehog adorable? The squirrel and beaver are favorites of mine, as well. If you are unable to create your own critters, you can still find enjoyment in these delightful notecards. The eggcellent cards are fabulous! Have a look at all of Lisa's wonderful creations today.

Pressure

Pressure is another Etsy shop that is full of beautiful letterpressed stationery. And currently all products are on sale. I love the red floral burst cards, as well as the Crewel to Be Kind set. The luggage corner flat note cards are also lovely. Each card is printed on 100% cotton paper and comes with a tissue-lined, cotton envelope.

Allison Kreft Glass Artist

The wonderfully talented Allison Kreft of Hambly Screen Prints is now selling her fabulous hand-blown glass designs through her Etsy shop. The handblown ruby & gold glass ornament would be a beautiful addition to anyone's tree. There are many cool pieces of jewelry that Allison has designed. A few of my favorites include the Star Murrini glass necklace, the black vintage design, and the pink & brown pendant. Check out all of Allison's gorgeous designs today.

Loose String

Loose String has some of the most unique & beautifully made pin cushions I have ever seen. I love the design and color combonation used on the orange bug cushion. The snails and birds are absolutely adorable. If you are looking for one that is not adorned with animals, check out the wonderful patchwork and circle designs. These would also make wonderful paper weights.

Kim Family Benefit Auction

Lisa Congdon of Bird in the Hand, Stephanie Barnes, and Gerrie Congdon have set up an online auction to raise money for the Kim Family of San Francisco. I'm sure most of you are familiar with the recent tragedy & struggles this family has been through. Over 40 artists working in a wide range of media have contributed to the auction & 100% of the proceeds will go to the James Kim Memorial Fund. Bidding begins January 3rd and ends January 7th. You can learn more on the Kim Family Auction site or donate directly to the fund on this website.

Crafty Girl on a Bike

Crafty Girl on a Bike is actually run by a crafty girl who is riding a bike from Canada to Mexico! You can see Ryan & Kristen's actual bike path here. Kristen has created the most wonderful little animals, my favorite! The little brown deer is so cute. I just want to kiss that sweet little face! The squirrel finger puppet is also adorable. Of course I'm also very fond of the mushroom broach, as well as the smiling green turtle. But my absolute favorite (surprise, surprise) is the brown dog. Isn't it wonderful? Not sure what the timeline for holiday delivery is, but my guess is you had better get your order in asap.

Paper Stories

You will find lots of beautiful letterpressed stationery at Paper Stories. I am fascinated by the architectural images set. And the seed packet cards are so lovely! I especially love the eggplant and artichoke images. The what did I ever seen in you card would have come in oh so handy in the past! And, for the holidays, you can purchase the melted snowman card set. Read more about this lovely business on the Paper Stories blog.

Hip Chicks Boutique

I’ve featured Hip Chicks Boutique before because I love the style of their clothing. Now they have adorable tees that are custom made with hand cut appliqués and hand painted details. Each one is unique & the appliqués are available in any of the Hip Chicks fabrics, so it’s easy to have one designed to coordinate with one of the Hip Chicks pants or skirts. Since they are custom made you can also add a name or nick name at no extra cost. The tees only take 3-4 business days to ship so they make great holiday gifts. And for a limited time, they are offering the tees at an introductory price of $25.00 for a limited time. Perfect for holiday shopping!

Simple Sparrow

Looking for the perfect gift or stocking stuffer for your favorite seamstress? Take a look at the beautiful pin cushions by Simple Sparrow. I love the measuring tape fabric used on this one and the pretty baby blue and vintage ribbon on this one. The patchwork pincushion and needle book sets are also lovely. Simple Sparrow has also created a lovely bird nest ornament and stuffed rabbit that is so much fun. Be sure to place your order before December 20th to receive it in time for the holidays.

Gryphon's Feather Studio

The Gryphon's Feather Studio on Etsy was recently updated with some lovely handmade Christmas ornaments. I love the Holly Jolly Wollie and the Wintry Woolie that are made from repurposed felted wool sweaters. And these gorgeous teardrop earrings would make a wonderful gift for someone special. I have to mention the adorable little birdies, too. Check out the Gryphon's Feather Studio blog for more updates and behind-the-scenes information.

So Charmed

Jodi Bloom is the collector turned designer behind So Charmed, a unique line of handmade jewelry and accessories. I love the wide variety of necklaces Jodi has created. The Bound Heart piece is very captivating. The charm bracelets are especially interesting, such as the For Buffy bracelet. I love the handcuff ends! You will find equally captivating pieces in the earring and pin sections, too. And don't miss the lovely Poison Pen cards, lovely greeting cards complete with a wearable pin.

Holiday Funky Finds III

Michelle Caplan, talented mixed media artist, is offering Funky Finds readers a 10% discount on all products in her Etsy shop. Just type FUNKY in the "message to seller" box when checking out & Michelle will send you a revised invoice. Michelle also has fabulous items for sale through Cafe Press. (Note that the discount only applies to her Etsy shop.) Another great gift idea that can be purchased through Etsy are Belinda's pouches. I love the black & white notions fabric. Also, I'm sure there are several people on your holiday gift list that would enjoy the cool cards designed by Lou Patrou. And when looking for unique wrapping papers for any special occassion look to French Paper. Don't miss these terrific gift tags and holiday card set by Seamripper either. I absolutely adore the illustrations on these!

Smartass Cookie

Smartass Cookie has a fun take on the Chinese fortune cookie. First, you choose the fortune of your liking. Perhaps it's "Confucius says you suck" or maybe one with the "in bed" added to the end. Then you choose the type of top you'd like it printed on. There are different types of tees to choose from, hoodies, and tracksuits. Each design includes a set of lucky numbers and a Chinese fortune that is loosely translated as "sexy crazy fierce wisdom." This would make a fun gift for your favorite smartass this year!

BB&PPINC

BB&PPINC, spoken "B B and P Pink", is a very fun company with lots of great illustrations printed on various items. The main characters, BB and Pezya, are featured in various books that are printed in limited editions. You can also purchase prints of some of the illustrations featured in the books. I absolutely adore the cards, especially the holiday card (sadly, it is sold out). And the shirts featuring these lovely characters are just too much fun. Check out all the whimsical items BB&PPINC has to offer.

Leaf

Delphine de Chabalier, founder of Leaf, recently informed me about a limited edition product she is currently selling. The leaf tea travel kit is a terrific collection of teas in a handy travel kit by Parisian designer Les Petites Emplettes. The reusable travel kit is made of natural wool felt, linen and cotton and includes 6 mini tins filled with 100% natural leaf teas and little paper filters. Such a great idea for those who travel and still want a nice cup of tea. You can purchase a wide array of teas at Leaf as well as utensils. I love the miraculous tea maker. Also, 10% of Leaf's profits are donated to charity. Isn't that fabulous?

My Bonnie & Clyde

My Bonnie & Clyde offers artists of all mediums the opportunity to gain exposure by providing a shop in which to sell their various wares. You'll find all kinds of cool items from purses to indie music. There's also beautiful stockings made out of vintage materials by Enderby. My Bonnie & Clyde also offers cards by some of my favorite designers such as Paper Relics and paper piles by One Good Bumblebee. I love the Oh Deer! notepad by La Karta that is covered in the cutest vintage material. There are so many wonderful products here...won't you take a moment to look around?

Trixie Delicious

Trixie Delicious sells "vandalized vintage stuff" that make a bold statement. Take a look at this erotic bowl set & you will see exactly what I mean! There are plenty of humorous pieces to choose from including the kiss and tell set. I also like brainwashed and nonsense. My mother would probably say that the brat plate is fitting for me. You can also customize a plate with a word of your choice.

Little Dear

I recently learned about Little Dear through Crafty Synergy and just had to share. Aside from the adorable deer in the logo, Little Dear has lots of wonderful items to choose from. There's terrific artwork such as this painting, and these fun little pieces called Noms. According to the description, Noms are tiny, one of a kind gnome figurines, sculpted from clay and hand painted. And how cute are the Noms buttons? Also, don't miss the great plushies like this fat kitty.

Milkypop

Milkypop is full of cool items created by Megan in Minnesota. Her custom button jewelry is so unique & funky. You can choose from the extensive catalog of 1" buttons & have them turned into dangle earrings, pendants, and much more. Megan also creates beautiful mirrors covered in various materials such as kimono fabric and pretty papers. And aren't these tops lovely? Please note that orders need to be placed by December 12 in order to receive them by Christmas.

Wonderland Q

Alison Gordon and Suzy Coady, the creative forces behind Wonderland Q, say life is too short to be badly accessorized. I couldn't agree more! I love the adorable embroidered chick purse, as well as the little piggie bag. And look at the cool graphic screen printed on the first aid pouch. You'll find several whimsical animals that you can have silkscreened on scarves, too. There's lots of greeting cards complete with iron-on patches and this adorable chick onsie. Also, every purchase until December 20th will receive a free 2006 silkscreened acrylic felt ornament. Fabulous!

Broadway Paper

Have you ever heard the term papivore? I had not until reading the bio of Tracie Stier-Johnson, owner of Broadway Paper. She says, "at broadwaypaper.com, papivores across the country can access our delectable line of goodies morning, noon or night!" I love this term because I absolutely love pretty patterned & decorative papers. Perfect for the holiday season is the beautiful aqua and red cardinal wrapping paper & coordinating loops note cards. The mittens soy candle is too cute and I love the letterpressed peace ornament cards. There's lots of products for various occassions at Broadway Paper, including bachelorette parties, birthdays, weddings, and much more. Also, check out the extensive collection of holiday products.

Bookworm Suki

Bookworm Suki makes beautiful handmade books, journals & notepads that make perfect holiday gifts. The mini notebooks are great for jotting down lists. And look at all the fabulous patterns you can choose from! I especially love the green deer. There are also magnetic notepads which are very handy. My favorite item is the lovely ribbon book complete with hard cover & 100 hand-cut blank pages. And don't miss the mini notebook gift sets that are currently on sale for the holiday season.

Holiday Funky Finds II

The handmade candles by Zouzou Candles will make a lovely gift for so many people on your list this holiday season. And what better way to top off a wrapped gift than with handpainted gift tags by Yarn Girl Stuff? The O Holi Tree ornaments at Gifts Define are a perfect adornment for your Christmas tree & each ornament is unique. There's also adorable bon bon ornament kits from Inspire Company, one of my favorite bloggers, and terrific penguin ornaments from Sewing Stars. And if these little kitties by Nnahong aren't the cutest little things, I don't know what is! For the gift that keeps on giving all year long we have the fabulous earring of the month club from Tilting Swiftly. Aren't the earrings gorgeous? All of these unique items are sure to make this holiday season very special for you & your loved ones.

Art Auction

Fabulous animal rescuer Bernie Berlin is currently holding an art auction to raise funds for her rescue operation. The auction is running December 1 thru the 10th on eBay. Her eBay ID is aplace2bark if you can't access the auction throught the link. I think Bernie ran into some snags when uploading pieces to the auction, so look for more items to appear any time. All of the art pieces were lovingly donated by various artists, crafters and animal lovers. Bernie does such wonderful selfless work. This auction is an important fundraiser for her work. Please take a look & bid if you are able. You can also donate directly to Bernie through her blog. The funds go toward vet bills, operating costs, vaccinations, and much more.

Geek + Nerd

Luckily I am a friend on Geek + Nerd's MySpace so I was amongst the first to learn of their fabulous ornaments in their Etsy shop. Here you will find the cutest Christmas trees, adorable mushrooms, and lovely angels. There's also plenty of other wonderful non-holiday related goods to choose from as well. The beautiful hand knit starbust hat is a winner. And the Bonnie bands are just too cute!

Mary Richmond Designs

Mary Richmond is a fabulous artist who is using her talents to raise money for the MSPCA, an organization dedicating to protecting & saving neglected animals. Mary handpaints the ornaments with your choice of breed of dog, cat, or bird. All ornaments are fully glazed and strung with a ribbon for hanging. Most importantly, 100% of the proceeds will go to the MSPCA to help homeless animals. Most ornaments are $15 although having a pet painted from your photo can be done for a $25 donation. Also, December 15 is the last day orders will be accepted. You can contact Mary directly through her blog to order the ornaments. You can see more of Mary's work on her website, too. And don't miss her Etsy shop which is full of beautiful watercolors, handpainted tiles, jewelry and much more.

Holiday Funky Finds

I am constantly on the look out for unique items that would make great gifts for my friends, family and, to be honest, myself. Here are a few items I think you will all enjoy and might just want to purchase for a holiday gift. Have a look at this new book, The Octonauts: The Only Lonely Monster, promoted as something similar to Hello Kitty meets Star Trek under the sea! Stencil 1 has a great mini holiday set of stencils that will be perfect for your handmade holiday cards. The Karkovski Shop on Etsy has several gifts perfect for kids. I absolutely adore the pink knitted dog. And for your favorite seamstress we have Amy's lovely pin cushion bracelet & turtle pin cushion. I have a turtle that Amy made for me & I can tell you that it is wonderful! Also, Amazon stocks the hilarious Subversive Stitch calendar that is a must for 2007. Stay tuned for more holiday funky finds.

DAA Glass

Daneen Augello is the owner of & designer behind DAA Glass, pronounced day-uh. Each piece is one of a kind and individually hand blown & kiln annealed by Daneen. She has created many beautiful items, including the dreidel necklace which will make a fabulous Hanukah gift. You will also find a super cute candy cane necklace perfect for the holidays. There are many other wonderful designs that are perfect for any time of year. Some of my favorites are the ginger necklace and the cumin necklace. Have a look at all the stunning pieces Daneen has created.

Kate Sutton

Kate Sutton recently added several items to her Etsy shop aptly named Kate's Shop. I always admire Kate's illustrations that she posts on her blog. She has several pieces of artwork available for purchase in her shop & you can see more on her website. I especially like the ahoy there collage. I also love the plushies Kate has created, such as the knitted monsters. And aren't the gingerbread men fabulous? Take a look at all the works talented Kate has created.

Gaga Goods!

Kathryn Adler is the Mom, owner and designer behind Gaga Goods! All of Kathryn's designs feature “Baby Gaga” – with that signature grin – spreading smiles to all the little ones who wear her clothes. There's a wide array of products to choose from on which to have the design of your choice emblazoned. There are several adorable designs perfect for the holidays, such as Santa's Helper and Sugarplum Fairy. Other designs I love include Sweet Pea and Peanut. Aren't they precious?

Every BODY Is Beautiful

In August I featured Karin Collins’ Spoonfed Art. Karin originally started making her SpoonFed Art necklaces as a personal art-oriented therapy to overcome a serious eating disorder she'd been battling for almost 20 years. Karin is part of the National Eating Disorders Association's "Every BODY Is Beautiful" Online Fundraising Auction currently running through Wednesday, December 6th. This is a great opportunity to do some unique holiday fashion shopping while at the same time contributing to an amazing, life-saving cause. Take a look at all the fabulous goods provided by various artists & sponsors.

Dang Argyle

The minute I saw the weiner dog pouch by Dang Argyle I knew I had to post about it. There's also a wonderful weiner dog coin pouch that any dog lover would love - especially my Norweigan friend who has a lovely Dachshund! Here you will also find hand-stamped argyle print notecards made from a hand-carved stamp. There are several adorable wristlets, too. I love the multi-colored argyle print, as well as the red polka dot panda.

Catholic Guilt

I recently found out about Catholic Guilt's beautiful jewelry through Creature Comforts. According to Catholic Guilt's Etsy profile, it is where you can come and indulge yourself guilt free, because, afterall, vanity shouldn't be a sin. I love it! And you will love the fabulous products, such as this stunning tear drop pendant necklace. The Victorian Elegance earrings are beautiful, as are the pink & onyx earrings. And the Goddess Within earrings are so unique. Catholic Guilt is a wonderful shop full of original jewelry that is sure to be a hit with anyone and everyone.

juNxtaposition

juNxtaposition repurposes found items, including old bottles, long forgotten antique typewriters, old lamp crystals, vintage dictionaries and retired formica samples to create hip and trendy goods are all eco-friendly. I really like the typewriter key necklaces & bracelets, as well as the glass bubble pendants. You will also find cool little tags that include sentiments adhered to formica samples which you can hang anywhere you choose. Other unique items you'll find at juNxtaposition are the bling bling bottles. These are old rescued bottles that encase vintage bling of various sorts. These unique items will make perfect gifts for those who have just about everything. Have a look at all the cool products.

Very Designer

Very Designer is a new site that brings you the latest trends in beaded jewelry with the unique option of having the products made for you or creating them yourself. For those of you who would like to create your own jewelry there are many beading kits available, as well as tools. There's also very helpful tutorials for beginners. If you prefer jewelry that is already assembled, Very Designer has an extensive collection of necklaces, bracelets & earrings to choose from. Aren't the tortoise pear drop earrings gorgeous? Take a look at all the fabulous products Very Designer has to offer.

Smoy

The Smoy photo cuff is a fabulous gift idea for someone special...or yourself. There's a wide array of photo cuffs to choose from & each is made of leather or vegan leather. I think this is such a wonderful idea - a cool accessory which you can personalize with your own photos or clippings. You can purchase a photo cuff that displays from one to four images. Check out all the cool styles Smoy has to offer.

My Imaginary Boyfriend

My Imaginary Boyfriend is a great Etsy shop full of unique items made by Erika Kern. She has created the coolest Jolly Roger Christmas ornaments and coordinating stocking. I really like the faux wood tote bag, as well as the bunny tote bag. And don't miss the cool pillows Erika's made either.

knottybits

Sweet Susan of Sulu Design recently told me about a friend of her's who also has an Etsy Shop. Susan knew I would love the squirrels at knottybits. The little pocket squirrels, reminiscent of Bob Ross' pet squirrel, are adorable. These would make such fun stocking stuffers, for me anyway! I love the unique handmade stockings, too. Aren't the mixed patterns beautiful? You can also snag a stockingette for your holiday celebrations!

Remnant

In a recent email with a Sampler sneak peek, I learned about Remnant. Remnant is an online boutique that offers offers one of a kind and limited edition items made with recycled and reclaimed fabrics. I absolutely love the uniquely shaped tote bags which are made out of recycled wool suiting. And aren't the cashmere dot scarves lovely? There's also several items that I think are very fun including neck warmers, leg warmers, and adorable cashmere hair bands. Of course I also have to mention the pet clothing which is adorable! Remnant is full of beautiful creative goods made from recycled items.

Artstream

In July I posted about the opening of Artstream Studios, an online shop that my blog buddy Susan runs. Since then Artstream has continuously added new products from various artisans & crafters. There is a wide array of products ranging from vases to handcrafted rugs to wonderful cards. Another recent addition are the handbags by Lily Devine. The bags come in a variety of prints & colors and would make a fabulous gift for just about anyone - or yourself! And Susan has so generously offered a coupon code for Funky Finds readers. Enter FUN when purchasing one of the Lily Devine handbags & you will receive free shipping anywhere in the world from now through December 18. Check out all the beautiful products Artstream has to offer. You will find something for just about everyone on your shopping list.

The Dreamy Giraffe

I recently stumbled upon a KJ's blog, The Adventures of KJ & The Dreamy Giraffe, which led me to her Etsy shop which is filled with fabulous artwork. I absolutely love KJ's style and artistry. Her newest additions of octopus paintings are on my Christmas wish list already. The Two-Headed Dreamy Giraffe is also, well, dreamy. The drawing With You By My Side is too sweet, and of course I am in love with All Dressed Up (& Nowhere To Go). If that's not enough, KJ has made the cutest plushies, too. Just look at this cutie. (picture is from KJ's Etsy shop)

From Belgium With Love

From Belgium With Love is a wonderful Etsy shop full of whimsical & fun items. There are lots of fabulous pieces made of felt such as these adorable floral buttons and these gold fish charms. I love this beautiful iPod cozy, as well as the felt covered journals. And you certainly do not want to miss the Baroque totes that are gorgeous! There are just too many unique items to list, so take a look for yourself. You won't be disappointed!

XYZ Handbags

XYZ Handbags has some of the coolest products I've seen in a while. Touted as the perfect bags for eco-friendly gals, the letterpress handbags are fabulous. There's a variety of designs to choose from and each one is water resistant with magnetic closures. XYZ also has a wide selection of wonderful greeting cards. I love the bold colors & beautiful floral designs. And be sure to check out the letterpress flasks, too. Very unique!

Nest

While reading Carrie Sommer's blog the other day I learned about a cool site called Nest. Nest is a nonprofit organization that generates funds for loans that are given to women in developing countries to allow them to create sustainable entrepreneurial businesses. So when you purchase one of the fabulous handcrafted items at Nest, you are also helping to better the lives of women all across the globe. How cool is that? Some of the cool items you can purchase are this cool Nest tee, this beautiful charm necklace by Thea Grant, and one of Carrie Sommer's gorgeous aprons. There's tons of great products by various designers to choose from, so get to shopping!

Supastarr

Supastarr is a husband and wife team who make original screen printed tees and other cool goods. Under apparel you will find lots of great designs such as the yellow birdie and the adorable children's elephants. I especially love the one of a kind skirts with the whale & squirrel appliques. The handbags are especially fabulous...check out the I'm not a target bags! The wallets are also very unique items that would make great Christmas presents. Take a look at all the cool products Supastarr has to offer.

Modcloth

Modcloth is a great site where you will find unique and stylish clothing and accessories. I love this black & white heart bag and red & white dot clutch. If you'd like a throw back to your childhood, there's a lovely Cabbage Patch pin as well as New Kids on the Block. There's lots of great clothing pieces to choose from such as this retro tweed skirt I want and the beautiful under the mistletoe dress. This would be perfect for a holiday party! Modcloth also has an extensive men's collection, as well as several funky decorating pieces.