Love & Luck Greetings

Alana and Javier Marmanillo are the brilliant husband & wife team behind the wonderful stationery company Love & Luck Greetings. The duo recently launched their first e-commerce site featuring their hand-drawn designs on greeting cards, matchboxes and soaps. What separates these greeting cards from other stationery lines are the original illustrations. The cards are hand-drawn by Javier and feature color & typography by Alana. Also unique to Love & Luck is the fact that all of their greeting cards, invitations, and products are available in Spanish. The products are adorned with genuine Swarovski crystals and are all made in the USA.

*GIVEAWAY - Closed: Love & Luck Greetings is giving away 10 cards and one organic soap. To enter, simply visit their website & leave a comment on this post noting one of your favorite products. Giveaway ends at Midnight EST, Tuesday, December 29.

Funky Five: Holiday Jewelry

KM Studio

KM Studio features the work of Pennsylvania-based recycle artist Kristen McKain. She creates unique accessories, such as magnets and brooches, from soda cans. Her product line also includes hair clips and bookmarks, as well as clocks made using old records. I love the Soda Can Santa ornament and the Red Bull Cat is adorable. My friend Tamara is a Hello Kitty fanatic and will flip for the recycled can HK ornament. And I especially love the beautiful Thank You card embellished with a soda can Butterfly magnet. Kristen is currently hosting a giveaway on her blog in which you have the chance to win a magnet/brooch. Giveaway ends January 1, 2010.

Bandito Design Co.

Bandito Design Co. is having a half off sale through Friday, December 18. Deck your walls with cool images such as rollin' v2 and productivity.

Fresh Snapped Photos

Fresh Snapped Photos is Chris Dunbar's new Etsy shop featuring one thing, and one thing only...amazing, high-quality prints of gorgeous photography. Chris has a knack for taking a photograph of seemingly everyday objects and making them look extraordinary. Case in point is Burgundy Beauty, a lovely up-close photograph of a blooming flower. The Crabby Apple is an interesting image which makes me think of cool Autumn days. And I love the bright, vibrant Lemon Petals.

*GIVEAWAY - Closed: Enter to win an 8x10 print of your choice. Simply leave a comment on this post noting your favorite photograph from Fresh Snapped Photos. Giveaway ends at Midnight EST, Monday, December 21.

Market Mom Holiday Gift Guide

In an effort to help promote mom owned businesses and their products, MarketMommy.com has launched a Holiday Gift Guide for 2009. The guide contains holiday gift ideas sold exclusively by mom entrepreneurs making it easy for you to support small businesses this holiday season. Not only are the products and companies listed exciting and high-quality, they are also sold by mom owned businesses, which traditionally excel in customer service. Categories in the guide include: stocking stuffers, gifts for Her, gifts for Him, Baby/Toddler, Kids, Holiday cards and Home. Sponsors for the Holiday Gift Guide include Announcements Galore, Children's Directory, CWAHM.com, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Momszone, and the Now What Baby blog. Market Mommy and Market Mommy:: The Blog are online marketing resources for mom business owners. The sites offer helpful information about how and where to market a mom-owned business, a free marketing e-newsletter, low cost marketing services and much more. For more information, visit MarketMommy.com or contact founder Dawn Berryman at info@marketmommy.com.

Upcoming Events


WHAT: Downtown Holiday Market
WHEN: Through Sunday, December 20; Noon-8pm Daily
WHERE: Downtown Washington, DC

WHAT: Last Stop Shop with the New Orleans Craft Mafia
WHEN: Thursday, December 17, 6-10pm
WHERE: The Big Top Gallery, 1638 Clio St., New Orleans, LA

WHAT: The Degenerate Craft Fair
WHEN: Friday, December 18, Noon-9pm & Saturday, December 19, Noon-6pm
WHERE: BravinLee, 526 W 26th St., New York, NY

WHAT: SCRAP's Eighth Annual Holiday Bazaar
WHEN: Saturday, December 19, 11am-5pm
WHERE: 2915 NE MLK Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR

WHAT: Rock & Shop Market
WHEN: Saturday, December 19, 1-5pm
WHERE: All Saints Chapel, 110 S. East St., Raleigh, NC

WHAT: Holiday Booty Market
WHEN: Saturday, December 19, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Design Within Reach - Adams Morgan, 1838 Columbia Rd. NW, Washington DC

WHAT: The Last Minute Market & Open Studio
WHEN: Saturday, December 19, 10am-6pm
WHERE: The Lake Erie Building at Templar Industrial Park, 13000 Athens, Lakewood, OH

WHAT: Running With Glitter
WHEN: Saturday, December 19, Noon-5pm
WHERE: Petaluma Veterans Hall, Petaluma, CA

WHAT: Bang! Craft Festival
WHEN: Saturday, December 19, 11am-6pm
WHERE: 1011 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA

WHAT: London Designer Makers Christmas Sale
WHEN: Saturday, December 19, Noon-6pm
WHERE: St. Aloysius Social Club, 21 Phoenix Rd., London N1 1TA

WHAT: Brooklyn Lyceum Holiday Craft Market
WHEN: Saturday, December 19 & Sunday, December 20; 11am-7pm
WHERE: 227 4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY

WHAT: Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale
WHEN: Saturday, December 19 & Sunday, December 20; 11am-7pm
WHERE: Fort Mason Center, Herbst Pavilion, San Francisco, CA

WHAT: I Heart Rummage
WHEN: Sunday, December 20
WHERE: Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison, Seattle, WA

WHAT: Grandma Party Bazaar
WHEN: Sunday, December 20; 10am-7pm
WHERE: Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Rd., Orlando, FL

WHAT: Procrastinator's Holiday Bazaar 3
WHEN: Sunday, December 20, Noon-4pm
WHERE: Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave., Philadephia, PA 19125

WHAT: Patchwork Crafts & Designs Holiday Bazaar
WHEN: Sunday, December 20, 10am-6pm
WHERE: Knitting Factory Brooklyn, 361 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11222

Funky Five: Holiday Fun!!!

Le'Saric

Recently I had the pleasure of sampling some gourmet caramels from Le'Saric. I can highly recommend the Butter Pecan and Old Fashion flavors. The Cranberry Mac Nut caramels layered with cranberries, delicious Hawaiian macadamia nuts and laced with smooth, velvety white chocolate are irresistible. And the Sicilian Salted are a fantastic blend of salty and sweet which I love. The best part about these caramels are the fact that you get the great caramel flavor without it sticking to and ripping out your teeth as so many store-bought caramels do. Le'Saric's gourmet caramels are buttery soft, slow simmered and hand-crafted in small batches ensuring that you receive a delightful treat perfect for the holidays, as well as year-round. Don't miss Bodie's Caramel benefiting a fund for Bodie Jon Antony Slaybaugh who was born with complications in 2008.

Artist Krishala Burchill

Krishala Burchill is a London-born artist currently living in Switzerland. Both of her Etsy shops, Acacia's Gallery and sw19, feature Krishala's original artwork in various forms. You will find unique pendants, such as Serenity, that showcase prints of original works of art. Foggy day in Santiago is a beautiful and interesting art necklace, as well. Autumn Leaves, a colorful oil painting, was inspired by a park in the city of Geneva, Switzerland. My favorite piece, titled Vancouver, depicts a snowy cityscape much like what we're experiencing this time of year.

*GIVEAWAY - Closed: Krishala is giving away a print of any piece seen in her shops. To enter, simply visit Acacia's Gallery and/or sw19 and leave a comment on this post noting your favorite piece. Giveaway ends at Midnight EST, Tuesday, December 15.

Atomic Holiday Bazaar - December 12 & 13

Atomic Holiday Bazaar, Sarasota, Florida’s first and only indie craft show, is slated for two shows featuring DIY craft. In it's fourth year, the Atomic Holiday Bazaar continues to be held at the downtown Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. This year the event introduces a Saturday Night Show on December 12, from 5-11:30 p.m., 18 and over with a $7 admission. The Saturday evening craft show will present 40 crafters who infuse their dark-hearted creations with splashes of punk, dabs of rock and jabs of general tuffness. The evening’s entertainment includes burlesque performances by Moxie Le Femme and live music raining down upon the crowd like a foamy PBR with rockabilly-punk rock by The Redliners, The Dead Popes and Viva Le Vox. Two fashion shows produced by Doll Face, Inc., will showcase vintage clothing from Silly Rabbit Vintage and Vintage Stew in addition to a second fashion show featuring rocka-billy-licious clothing designed by Joanna Coblentz of Doll Face, Inc., and Adrien Lucas of Tuff Betty Bags.

Atomic Holiday Bazaar celebrates its fourth Sunday show on December 13, from Noon - 6 p.m. The event is an all ages show with a $5 admission. Children 12 and under will be admitted free of charge. The Sunday craft show will feature over 80 crafters that create amusing handmade DIY crafts. Holiday shopping offerings include handbags, t-shirts, jewelry, body products, home décor, baby items, plushies, a smidge of art and even canned goods. This is not your granny’s craft show! Free cotton totes will be handed out by the Bradentucky Bomber roller derby team to the first 100 adults through the door. Atomic totes are a local collectible and have been screen printed by locals Clothesline & filled with swag & special offers from participating vendors. Funky Finds is a proud sponsor of this event!

Upcoming Events


WHAT: OHSU Heart Research Holiday Bazaar
WHEN: Tuesday, December 8 through Thursday, December 10
WHERE: Oregon Health & Science University BICC Gallery, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR

WHAT: Shop, Sip & Share
WHEN: Thursday, December 10; 6-10pm
WHERE: Mama Fu's Triangle, 4615 N Lamar Blvd., Ste. 307, Austin, TX
ETC: Admission is $12.00, includes dinner, a non-alcoholic beverage & a raffle ticket. Cash bar.

WHAT: Happy Hours Holiday Beauty & Designs Showcase
WHEN: Thursday, December 10; 6-10pm
WHERE: The G Lounge, 111 South 17th St., Philadelphia, PA
ETC: Free appetizers for the first hour • 21+ • No Cover

WHAT: Design Nearby
WHEN: Friday, December 11; 6-11pm
WHERE: Pinkcomma Gallery, 81B Wareham St., Boston, MA

WHAT: Handmade Holiday
WHEN: Friday, December 11 & Saturday, December 12
WHERE: The Visual Arts Center of Richmond, 1812 Main St., Richmond, VA

WHAT: Deluxe
WHEN: Saturday, December 12; 11am-5pm
WHERE: State Fairgrounds, Modern Living Bldg., Oklahoma City, OK

WHAT: BUST Holiday Craftacular - LA
WHEN: Saturday, December 12; 10am-6pm
WHERE: The Echo & The Echoplex, 1822 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

WHAT: BUST Holiday Craftacular - London
WHEN: Saturday, December 12; Noon-7pm
WHERE: York Hall, 5-15 Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PJ

WHAT: Handmade Holiday Craft Fair
WHEN: Saturday, December 12; Noon-6pm
WHERE: 3rd Ward, 195 Morgan Ave., Brooklyn, NY

WHAT: Indie Garage Sale
WHEN: Saturday, December 12; 10am-8pm
WHERE: RCIL's Smith Center for Advocacy, 1607 Genesee St., Utica, NY

WHAT: Long Beach Craft Mafia Trunk Show
WHEN: Saturday, December 12; 10:30am-7pm
WHERE: Songbird, 2240 E 4th St., Long Beach, CA
ETC: Free craft workshops from noon to 4pm.

WHAT: Manchaster Craft Mafia Christmas Market
WHEN: Saturday, December 12; 10am-5pm
WHERE: Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, UK

WHAT: Sustainable Fairfax and FOCAS Holiday Craft Fair
WHEN: Saturday, December 12; 11am-3pm
WHERE: Woman's Center, 46 Park Rd., Fairfax, CA

WHAT: Squidfire's Biggest & Best Holiday Art Mart
WHEN: Saturday, December 12; 11am-6pm
WHERE: 1301 S. Ellwood Ave., Baltimore, MD

WHAT: Bazaar Bizarre Cleveland
WHEN: Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13
WHERE: 78th Street Studios, 1300 W. 78th St. to 1305 W. 80th St., Cleveland, OH

WHAT: 6th Annual Sowa Holiday Market
WHEN: Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13
WHERE: Cathedral HS Gymnasium, 74 Union Park St., Boston, MA

WHAT: Atomic Holiday Bazaar
WHEN: Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13
WHERE: Sarasota, FL
ETC: Funky Finds is a proud sponsor!

WHAT: Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco
WHEN: Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13
WHERE: San Francisco County Fair Bldg. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
ETC: $2 Adult Admission. 12 & Under Free. 50% of admission fees donated to charity.

WHAT: City of Craft
WHEN: Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13
WHERE: The Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

WHAT: Hello Zen Holiday Market
WHEN: Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13; 11am-7pm
WHERE: The Village Zendo, 588 Broadway, Ste. 1108, New York, NY

WHAT: A Very Kinsington Christmas
WHEN: Saturday, December 12 & Sunday, December 13; Saturday, December 19 & Sunday, December 20
WHERE: Greensgrow Farms, 2501 E. Cumberland St., Philadelphia, PA
ETC: Santa will be there Saturdays from 1-5pm. Free eggnog and hot chocolate for all.

WHAT: Buffalo Indie Market
WHEN: Sunday, December 13; 6-10pm
WHERE: Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, Buffalo, NY

WHAT: Meet Your Maker
WHEN: Sunday, December 13; 11-5pm
WHERE: Fenario Gallery, Eugene, OR

WHAT: Red Rabbit Arts & Crafts Holiday Market
WHEN: Sunday, December 13; 9:30am-3:30pm
WHERE: Concordia University - Gym Breezeway, 1530 Concordia West, Irvine, CA

WHAT: Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale
WHEN: Sunday, December 13; 11am-7pm
WHERE: Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd, Exhibit Hall D, Portland, OR

Locketship

They say everything old is new again, especially in fashion. Jewelry label Locketship aims to bridge the old and new with its debut line of open-faced lockets, rings, bracelets, and earrings. The label has transformed the locket, a personal fashion staple since the Victorian era, into an open-faced pendant that displays an eclectic range of subjects. Spiritual icons, such as the Virgin Mary, as well as environmentally-conscious symbols, like peace signs, are featured. Detailed beading, dried flowers, and hand-painted rocks are found on pieces throughout the line. Each Locketship piece is meticulously hand-crafted and filled with resin, producing a glass-like, protective surface. I have the Hummingbird Tattoo Necklace and receive endless compliments every time I wear it. Custom jewelry is another area where Locketship innovates. This unique feature allows customers to submit pictures of their own to be crafted into any style piece they choose. The photos are then melded into a Locketship design, and a personal memento is created. Locketship hopes to fill a void in jewelry where men are often overlooked. Men can create custom pieces or choose from the men's line featuring the Mod Squad and Safety Pin Line Up necklaces. Shipping within the domestic United States is complimentary.

*GIVEAWAY - Closed: Locketship is giving away a Seahorse Aquarium Necklace. To enter, visit the Locketship website & leave a comment on this post noting your favorite design. Giveaway ends at Midnight EST, Wednesday, December 9.

Funky Five: Holiday Gift Ideas


(1) What: Twilight Girl Bottle Cap Necklace
For: For the Twilight-obsessed fan
Where to buy: Whirly Squirrel

(2) What: Ceramic Notepad
For: The obsessive compulsive list maker
Where to buy: Mocha

(3) What: Handmade Nation DVD
For: Cool crafter
Where to buy: Buy Olympia

(4) What: Doodle Bread
For: Foodie and Cook
Where to buy: Doodle Bread website

(5) What: Handmade Bow Tie
For: Debonair Man
Where to buy: xo elle

Holiday Gift Guides

Finding the perfect gift for friends & loved ones can be pretty tough at times. Check out these helpful holiday gift guides for unique ideas.

The Daily Green's 100+ Green Gift Ideas

Tip Junkie’s Mom-Preneur Gift Guide

Elsie Flannigan’s Holiday Shopping Guide

Cool Mom Picks' 2009 Holiday Gift Guide

Purple Pink and Orange's Holiday Gift Guide

Funky Five: Holiday Stockings

Holiday Accents


PrintArtKids is offering a free sheet of return address labels with every order. These are great for use with custom holiday cards. Enter to win a $25 gift certificate from PrintArtKids (ends Thursday, December 3 at Midnight EST).

Karate Kat Graphics offers adorable "Handmade For You" gift labels & postage stamps - the perfect accent for handmade holiday gifts! These are available in many different postal rates, from 28 cents (postcard) up to priority mail package (4.95). As always, half the proceeds go to Save the Children.

Fish Lips Paper Designs has added three fantastic holiday gift wrap designs to help make your holidays more festive and hip! Seaside Holiday, Hang Time & Winter Wonderland are designed, printed and packaged in the USA on 100% de-inked recycled paper using non-toxic soy and veggie based inks, as are all Fish Lips products. Check out their TOP 10 LIST for great ways to re-use eco-friendly gift wraps after the holidays are over.

Funky Five: Holiday Ornaments

Holiday Handmade Cavalcade

Mark your calendars: The Holiday Handmade Cavalcade is back this Saturday, December 5! Over 50 Metro New York artists, designers and crafters come together for this one-day, handmade shopping event. This year's event will be held at the Openhouse Gallery, a gorgeous, handicap accessible space in NoLita. Holiday shopping hours have been extended this year. The market will be open 11am - 8pm, giving you the opportunity to shop at your convenience during the busy holiday season. But, you'll want to come early if you've RSVP'd for a free goody bag because those puppies got snatched up within the first 24 hours of online registration! The limited-edition silk-screened totes, filled with fun stuff, will be on hold for confirmed registrants until 2pm. After that they will be released for sale to the public. Preview participating vendors here.