Funky Gift Guide: Handmade Gift Ideas

Crafting A Green World wrote about a few spice mixes that will make wonderful gifts this holiday season.

Edible gifts are always great this time of year. Find ideas for ten edible gifts that sound yummy on the kitchn blog.

Izabella's Blue is a great place to find various collage images that can be used in a variety of craft projects year-round.

IndieSpotting has a great roundup of Christmas crafts, including instructions for creating homemade vanilla extract & bath salts that make great gifts.

Cathe Holden, the creative force behind the Just Something I Made blog, shows how to use vintage paint-by-number pictures as unique gift wrapping. And don't miss the DIY Projects section that is full of great ideas.

Weekend Kits is stocked with tons of great craft kits & supplies, including Christmas-themed kits. I especially like the Holly Hobbie felt Christmas ornaments kit.

Craftzine.com posted a collection of handmade holiday gifts back in 2009 that is handy still today.

Cynthia Sickler offers several terrific amigurumi patterns in her Shop @ Funky Finds.

Sublime Stitching is always a great source for easy-to-use iron-on embroidery patterns, tools, and inspiration.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, November 30
Brooklyn Lyceum DIY Decorating Party, 7-10pm
227 4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY

Tuesday, November 30 & Wednesday, December 1
OHSU Heart Research 2010 Holiday Bazaar, 10am-6pm
Ctr for Health & Healing at OHSU's S. Waterfront District, 3303 SW Bond Ave., Portland, OR

Wednesday, December 1
ArtLoveMagic Open House, 7-9:30pm
Artlovemagic Offices, 2630 Commerce, Dallas, TX

Wednesday, December 1 through Friday, December 24
Blue Genie Art Bazaar, 10am-10pm (Sun.-Thurs.) & 10am-Midnight (Fri. & Sat.)
Marchesa Hall & Theatre, 6226 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin, TX

Thursday, December 2
Artropy, 5-9pm
SqWires, The Annex, 1415 S. 18th St., Saint Louis, MO

Friday, December 3
Under $200 Exhibition, 7-10pm
LuminArte Design & Gallery, 1727 E. Levee St., Dallas, TX

Frances Crafeteria, 6-10pm
10 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ

Friday, December 3 & Saturday, December 4
Hercules Market Hall Holiday Craft Bazaar, 6-9pm (F), 10am-5pm (S)
Hercules Market Hall, 4000 San Pablo Ave., Hercules, CA

I Made It! for the Holidays, 5-10pm (F), Noon-5pm (S)
SouthSide Works, 428 S. 27th St., Pittsburgh, PA

Rock Creek Christmas Market, 5-10pm (F), 10am-4pm (S)
Rock Creek Clubhouse, 14223 Winding Springs Dr., Cypress, TX

Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 5
25th Annual Christmas Extravaganza, 10am-5pm
Covington Fairgrounds, Covington, LA

Saturday, December 4
The Dallas Flea, 9am-4pm
South Side on Lamar, 1409 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX

Cleveland Handmade Market, 10am-6pm
Wooltex Gallery, 1900 Superior Ave., Cleveland, OH

Rogue Art + Craft Holiday Village, 11am-6pm
Rainshadow/Holland Show Space on Vesta St., Reno, NV

BrisStyle Indie Designers Market, 5-9pm
St Augustine's Church, Racecourse Rd., Hamilton, QLD

Holiday Heap, 10am-5pm
St. John's Church, 2640 St. Paul St., Baltimore MD

Handmade Market, 11am-7pm
Kamberra Wine Co., Cnr. Northbourne Ave., Lyneham, ACT

Christmas at the Market, 8am-1pm
Downtown Arlington Farmers Mkt., 215 E Front St., Arlington, TX

Clutter City Yuletide Market, 10am-4pm
Norwich Arts Centre, St. Benedicts St., Norwich, NR2 4PG

Toys For Tots: The Night H4 Saved Christmas II, 9pm-2am
Arnetic, 2826 Elm St., Dallas, TX

Maker’s Market, 9am-Noon
Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park & Arts Center, 13480 Dowell Rd., Dowell, MD

Freret Market, Noon-5pm
Intersection of Freret St. & Napoleon Ave., New Orleans, LA

Crafty Balboa, 11am-5pm
Broad Street Ministry, 315 South Broad St., Philadelphia, PA

Morningside Makers Market, 10:30am-4:30pm
2 Newbattle Terrace, Edinburgh, EH10 4RT

Movies & Makers, 11am-5:30pm
Fox Theatre, 2236 Queen St. East, Toronto, ON

Wylie Arts Festival, 10am-8pm
Olde City Park, Corner of Ballard Ave. & Hwy. 78N, Wylie, TX

Red Rabbit Holiday Arts & Crafts Market, 9am-5pm
Glendale Civic Audit., 1401 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale, CA

Craftacular Christmas Fair, 10am-5pm
St. Mary's Church, Quarry Street, Guildford GU1, UK

Handmade Holiday Craft Fair, Noon-6pm
195 Morgan Ave., Brooklyn, NY

Fair Park Holiday, 9am-7pm
Centennial Building at Fair Park, Dallas, TX


Saturday, December 4 & Sunday, December 5
Phinney Neighborhood Assoc. Winter Festival & Crafts Fair, 10am-5pm
Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA

Holiday MART, 11am-5pm
Jodi Fuchs Gallery, 2000 Main St., Santa Monica, CA

3rd Annual Handmade Holiday Festival, 9am-5pm
Alchemy Initiative, 40 Melville St., Pittsfield, MA

Renegade Craft Fair, 11am-7pm
Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, 1419 W. Blackhawk, Chicago, IL

Urban Craft Uprising, 11am-5pm
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA


Sunday, December 5
Got Craft?, 10am-5pm
Royal Canadian Legion, 2205 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, BC

GLAM Indie Craft Show, 1-5pm
Thelma Boltin Center, 516 NE Second Ave., Gainesville, FL

Whip Stitch Art & Craft Fair, 2-10pm
The Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti, MI

Panther City Bar Bazaar, Noon-9pm
Lola's Sixth, 2736 West 6th St., Fort Worth, TX

4th Annual Holiday Hit List, Noon-6pm
Masonic Hall, 3795 Utah St., San Diego, CA

Vintage Fashion & Textiles Fair, 10am-4pm
Wilmslow Leisure Ctr., Wilmslow, SK9 1BU

Urban Cottage SF, 11am-3pm
Richmond District Neighborhood Ctr., 741 30th Ave., San Francisco, CA

Merry Mart, 11am-5pm
Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD

Eat Pie and Shop, 11am-5pm
PS 29, 425 Henry St., Brooklyn, NY

HolidayWare, 11am-5pm
The (Makers) Market at The Old American Can Factory, 232 3rd St., Gowanus Brooklyn, NY

Snow Day Holiday Market, Noon-5pm
Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON

Handmade Cavalcade, 11am-8pm
OpenHouse Gallery, 201 Mulberry St., Nolita, NY

Pixie Chicago

Pixie Chicago features unique, customized paper designs that will inspire you to pick up a pen & send a loved one a thoughtful note. Designer Cassandra Rippberger creates fully customized stationery & invitations perfect for moms, brides, and kids. I am a firm believer in the power of a hand-written thank you note be it for business or personal reasons. Pixie Chicago offers several great thank you note designs that are especially great for thanking those who gave you holiday gifts. Why not treat those on your gift list to some stationery featuring lovely designs? You can also purchase personalized stationery, my favorite being the Couch Couple design. And what better way to announce the arrival of a little one than with custom announcements? I can't imagine not finding a design that suits your needs, but if for some reason you don't, Cassandra happily accepts custom design jobs.

*GIVEAWAY: Pixie Chicago is giving away a $40 Gift Certificate! There are three ways to enter this giveaway:

1. Visit Pixie Chicago & leave a comment on this post noting your favorite item.

2. "Like" Pixie Chicago on Facebook, then leave a comment on this post noting you have done so.

3. Follow Pixie Chicago on Twitter, then leave a comment on this post noting you have done so.

Giveaway ends at 9pm EST, Sunday, December 5.

Small Business Saturday

First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. This year, November 27th is the first ever Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy & preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday is a national movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the United States. Join Facebook group here.

Four Reasons to Support Small Business:

1. Your Community - For every $100 spent at local small businesses, $68 returns to the community. (Civic Economics)

2. Employment - Small businesses employ half of all private sector employees. (Small Business Administration)

3. The Economy - Small businesses represent 99.7% of all employer firms. (Small Business Administration)

4. Local Jobs - For every year over the last decade, 60-80% of new jobs were generated by small businesses. (Small Business Administration)

Special Offer - Black Dog Publishing

Black Dog Publishing is offering a 40% holiday discount on eight of their craft titles. The offer expires December 31, 2010. Black Dog Publishing specializes in beautifully illustrated books that represent a fresh, eclectic take on contemporary culture. The titles featured in this offer include the recently released Outside the Box: Cardboard Design Now - a detailed look into this versatile material, and how cardboard is used in a creative, artistic and practical way in contemporary design and everyday life, ­ as well as popular 2010 releases In the Loop: Knitting Now and Printmaking: A Contemporary Perspective. To take advantage of the 40% discount, simply email Jessica Adkins at jess@blackdogonline.com with the title(s) of interest & your delivery address to place the order.

The titles included in this offer are:
1. Outside the Box: Cardboard Design Now
2. In the Loop: Knitting Now
3. Paper: Tear, Fold, Rip, Crease, Cut
4. Printmaking: A Contemporary Perspective
5. Making Stuff: An Alternative Craft Book
6. Making Stuff for Kids
7. Contemporary Textiles
8. Breaking the Mould: New Approaches to Ceramics

Happy Thanksgiving

Made with freebie found at Jennifer Fox Designs

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals

Hip Fusion Designs - Receive a 25% discount Black Friday through Cyber Monday with coupon code SHOPTILLYOUDROP.

ManHandled - $5 Earring Special! Valid Black Friday through December 17.

Quilted Lovelies - Free shipping on orders over $75. Valid Black Friday through December 20. Offer good on Etsy, as well.

Lil Anniebell's Soap Co. - Black Friday Special: 20% off everything with coupon code FBPEEPS20.

Armed With Style - Mention Funky Finds in the notes to seller to receive a refund on shipping on orders placed Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

GlassElements - 20% off sale & free shipping for all orders over $40 placed Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

Lil'Cupcakes Designs - 25% Discount on Black Friday. Valid on website and Etsy.

PrintArtKids - Free standard shipping on orders placed Black Friday through Cyber Monday over $40 with code FunkyHoliday. Discount will show on delivery notification.

Heidi's Handmades - 30% off everything with coupon code BLACKFRIDAY. Sale ends Sunday, November 28 at Midnight.

Designs by Taylor2u - Save 20% with coupon code winter 10. Valid Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

CupCake FabuLous - Buy 1 Dozen cupcakes, Get 1 Dozen FREE. Offer valid on all flavors & sizes of cupcakes ordered Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

Fartsy Arts - 25% off of all products with coupon code Fartsyfriday. Earrings will also be on special 3 for $35 (a $10 savings) and spend $40 or more to receive a free Santa ornament. Valid Thursday at Midnight through Friday at Midnight.

Usbourne Books - Selected titles 40-70% off - different books each day. Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

Shabby Apple - Save 20% on all items excluding the Manhattan & Skyscraper Collections. Use code THANKSGIVING at checkout. Sale ends November 30.

The Broken Plate Pendant Company - All necklaces will be $5 off Black Friday through Cyber Monday AND receive an additional 10% off with coupon code THANK2010.

Hambly Screen Prints - 30% off sale on Black Friday & free shipping & a free $5 gift on orders over $50 with coupon code FRIDAY30. Valid only on Nov. 26.

Upcoming Events

WHAT: Market Day
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 26; 9am-2pm
WHERE: 300 SW 5th St., Des Moines, IA

WHAT: Handmade Holiday & This Ain't Your Grandma's Craft Sale
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 26, 5-10pm; Saturday, Nov. 27, 10am-4pm
WHERE: West End Cultural Ctr., 586 Ellice Ave., Winnipeg, MB

WHAT: Rock n Roll Craft Show 7
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 26, 11am-5pm; Saturday, Nov. 27, 11am-8pm; Sunday, Nov. 28, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO

WHAT: Crafternoon Tea
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27; 11am-5pm
WHERE: Queen East Presb. Church, 947 Queen St. East, Toronto, ON

WHAT: Hood River Holiday Market
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27; 9am-7pm
WHERE: Westside Elem. School, 3685 Belmont Dr., Hood River, OR

WHAT: Craftermath
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27; 10am-3pm
WHERE: W. Potomac High School, 6500 Quander Rd., Alexandria, VA

WHAT: OSE's Bizarre Christmas Bazaar & Dinner Theatre
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27; 11am-5pm
WHERE: The Hidden Castle, 1309 24th Ave., SW Norman, OK

WHAT: Bark Above the Rest Craft Bazaar
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27; 9am-4pm
WHERE: Countryside High School, S.R. 580 & McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater, FL

WHAT: Fourth Wall Arts Salon
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27; 7-9pm
WHERE: Trinity Center for Urban Life, South 22nd St., Philadelphia, PA

WHAT: 4th Annual Flint Handmade Holiday Craft Market
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27; 10am-6pm
WHERE: Rowe Professional Bldg., 540 S. Saginaw St., Flint, MI

WHAT: Art vs. Craft
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27; 10am-6pm
WHERE: Humphrey Scottish Rite, Masonic Center, Downtown Milwaukee, WI

WHAT: Craftacular Christmas Fair
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27; 10am-5pm
WHERE: St. Mary's Church, Quarry Street, Guildford GU1, UK

WHAT: Fleur de Lis Christmas Craft Market
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27; 9am-5pm
WHERE: Natchitoches Events Center, 750 2nd St., Natchitoches, LA

WHAT: Bliss Holiday Craft Market
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27, 10am-6pm; Sunday, Nov. 28, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Oklahoma State Fair Park, Oklahoma City, OK

WHAT: Bucktown Bazaar
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27 & Sunday, Nov. 28, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Holstein Park (inside field house), 2200 N. Oakley Ave., Chicago, IL

WHAT: Second Storie Indie Market
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27, 11am-5pm; Sunday, Nov. 28, 11am-4pm
WHERE: Visual Studies Workshop Auditorium, 31 Prince St., Rochester, NY

WHAT: 15th Annual Cajun Christmas Lafayette
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27 & Sunday, Nov. 28, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Heymann Convention Center, Lafayette, LA

WHAT: BUST Christmas Craftacular
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28; Noon-6pm
WHERE: York Hall, 5-15 Old Ford Rd., Bethnal Green, London

WHAT: Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Fest
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28; 11am-5pm
WHERE: 2202 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA

WHAT: Trim It!
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28; 1-4pm
WHERE: Blue House, 1026 S, Main St., Ann Arbor, MI

WHAT: Holiday Crafterino
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28; 11am-5pm
WHERE: Hotel Petaluma, 205 Kentucky St., Petaluma, CA

WHAT: Blim Monthly Community Market
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28; 11am-4pm
WHERE: Chinese Cultural Centre, 50 E. Pender, Vancouver, BC

WHAT: Give Handmade
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28; 11am-5pm
WHERE: 101 N. Weidler, Portland, OR

O'Brien Schridde Designs

O'Brien Schridde Designs is well known for their quality handmade frames. Louise & Daniel, the creative duo behind the company name, recently debuted a fresh & fun new frame, perfect for the holiday season! The petite artboard frames are available in a variety of prints, ranging from floral to toile ensuring that there is something for everyone. This new frame is the first in a new family of designs from O'Brien Schridde Designs featuring smaller, more delicate pieces with a much lower price point. Handmade in Los Angeles, California, all the designs have a beautiful aged look to them and hang with a pretty ribbon. Created using thick cardboard, the 11" circular frame has an aged gold leafing down the sides & interior. O'Brien Schridde Designs has recently began a new program that allows those who host a home party to earn free products. For every two frames the host sells, they earn one free frame of equal or lesser value. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Louise & Daniel. Receive a 15% discount on any frame & free shipping with purchase of 3 or more frames when you mention Funky Finds. Offer expires December 22, 2010.

*GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Drama queens mum! One lucky winner will receive a petite artboard frame of their choosing. To enter, visit O'Brien Schridde Designs & leave a comment on this post noting which frame you like best. For an additional entry, become a Facebook fan and/or Twitter follower, then leave a comment noting you have done so. Ends Sunday, November 28 at 9pm EST.

Zedena Designs

Zedena Designs features unique enamel, glass & metal jewelry created by Melissa Williams Netherton. This handmade jewelry line includes pieces that are both whimsical & bold. The wax seal pendant, available in silver or bronze, will make wonderful gifts this holiday season, as will the enamel floral initial pendants. If you are in need of accessories for all those holiday parties, the Filigrana floral earrings will certainly fit the bill. And my personal favorite is the sweet & happy speckled enamel seahorse necklace (pictured). Various colors, patterns, chain materials and chain lengths are available in each collection. Receive a 10% discount on all purchases with coupon code Funky10 (expires December 1, 2010). Also, orders shipped within the United States receive free shipping through January 1, 2011.

Inviting Style Designs

Inviting Style Designs features custom books and journals for all of life's special occasions. Custom baby books, pregnancy journals, and wedding planners are just a few of the items offered by designer Danielle Joeckel. These custom, unique pieces can be used as gifts for someone special or as a treat for yourself. Each month there is a different "Book of the Month" making that particular book 10% off for the entire month. When placing your custom order, you will be able to specify your choice of ribbon, cardstock colors, and your choice of font. *Special Offer: Buy any book & receive 10% off another book of equal or lesser value. Include code funky10 in notes to seller to redeem offer. Expires December 20, 2010. (pictured: Custom Bridal Organizer)

ManHandled

ManHandled is run by husband & wife team Matt & Emily Adams. Emily does the art, Matt does the fabrication & they collaborate on all the concepts. They named it ManHandled because Matt committed to helping fulfill every single order when they were planning their shop, making every shipment “manhandled” at some point in the process. About two months ago, Emily overhauled her website & now adds posts daily - everything from recipes to trend reports. Bookmark her site and subscribe to her newsletter for future sales & specials.

Start your holiday shopping early! Matt & Emily wanted to create affordable, creative options for teacher gifts that are as fun to give as they are to receive. They created 14 teacher items for you to choose from (7 pairs of earrings for her & 7 keychain & button combos for him). These also make great stocking stuffers for everyone on your list! This sale is for a limited time only, so shop now & save BIG on your teacher gifts this year!

You will also receive free domestic shipping for the rest of the year as part of ManHandled's pay it forward experiment. *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: ManHandled is committed to offering free domestic shipping for all of 2011 as well!! You heard it here first!

Upcoming Events

WHAT: Hairballs & Hairbands
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 18; 7-11pm
WHERE: Park Lane (Office Loft above Old Navy), 8190 Park Ln., Dallas, TX

WHAT: BrisStyle Indie Designers Market
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 19; 5-9pm
WHERE: King George Square, Brisbane City, Qld

WHAT: Christmas in Cloverdale
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 19, 5pm-9pm; Saturday, Nov. 20, 10am-4pm
WHERE: Shannon Hall at Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050A–176 St., Surrey, B.C.

WHAT: An Affair of the Heart
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 19 thru Sunday, Nov. 21
WHERE: QuikTrip Center, 4145 E. 21st Ave., Tulsa, OK

WHAT: Winter Art Mart
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 19 thru Sunday, Nov. 21
WHERE: Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther Dr., Dallas, TX

WHAT: Handmade & How Indie Art Show
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20; 10am-6pm
WHERE: Comfort Inn, 5025 County Rd. V, De Forest, WI

WHAT: The Deep Ellum Outdoor Market
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20; 11am-5pm
WHERE: Covered Parking Lot behind Cafe Brazil, 2820 Indiana Blvd., Dallas, TX

WHAT: Crafty Supermarket
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20; 11am-6pm
WHERE: Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 3711 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, OH

WHAT: Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20; 2-8pm
WHERE: Lone Star Room at the Palladium, 1135 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX

WHAT: Queen City Craft Bazaar
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20; 10am-5pm
WHERE: Union Station, 1 Main St., Burlington, VT

WHAT: Holiday Market San Diego
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20; 9am-2pm
WHERE: First Presbyterian Church, 320 Date St., San Diego, CA

WHAT: Paschal Band Holiday Gift Market
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20; 9am-4pm
WHERE: Paschal High School, 3001 Forest Park Blvd., Fort Worth, TX

WHAT: NWA Boutique Show
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20; 9am-6pm
WHERE: NWA Convention Ctr., 1500 S. 48th St., Springdale, AR

WHAT: EtsyAustin Craft Riot
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20 & Sunday, Nov. 21; 11am-6pm
WHERE: The Marchesa, 6406 N. IH-35, Austin, TX

WHAT: Indie Craft Experience
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20 & Sunday, Nov. 21; 11am-6pm
WHERE: Ambient Plus, 585 Wells St. SW, Atlanta, GA

WHAT: Richardson Holiday Market
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20, 9am-5pm; Sunday, Nov. 21, 11am-4pm
WHERE: Richardson Civic Center, 411 West Arapaho Rd., Richardson, TX

WHAT: Make it Indie
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 21; 10am-5pm
WHERE: The Lions Community Centre, 157 Elgin St. E., Cobourg, ON

Coco1981

Coco1981 features lovely handmade items created by Julie Neaves Grimmett. Julie says she started knitting when she had her twin boys nine years ago. A year ago she had another baby boy & decided to try to make a living out of it. Originally, she primarily created baby items, but later expanded her product line to include home decor, accessories, & clothing. She says she also really enjoys making custom items for people. The elfin hats are absolutely adorable & perfect for your wee one this winter. I also love the crochet appliques that appear on baby onesies. Adults will love the wool coffee cozies, as well as the coaster sets that make great gifts. And the upcycled net bag (pictured) is a lovely & unique accessory perfect for carrying just about everything! Want to win one? See below! Enter "Funky Finds" in the notes to seller at time of checkout to receive a 10% refund (Expires December 15).

*GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Bonnie the Beautiful! Julie is giving away one upcycled net bag. To enter, visit Coco1981 & leave a comment on this post noting your favorite item. For an additional entry, became a Facebook fan of Coco1981, then leave a comment noting you have done so. Giveaway ends at 9pm EST, Sunday, November 21.

The Experience

The Funky Finds Experience was tons of fun & a great event that we look forward to hosting again next fall! I will begin highlight some of the talented artists, crafters & designers that participated in the event next week. For now, I would like to thank everyone that participated, attended & supported Funky Finds during the planning & execution of the event.

I'd also like to thank Fuze for donating 15 cases of drinks for our vendors & staff members! These drinks are yummy & the Slenderize options are low calorie & only have 1g of sugar per serving. It was so fun seeing the large rainbow Fuze van pull up to the venue while vendors were unloading!

Another big thank you goes out to all the generous business owners that donated items for the swag bags given out in conjunction with the charitable raffle, as well as those that donated items for the raffle.

A week or so prior to the event, The CW 33 in Dallas/Fort Worth filmed a segment previewing some of the artists participating in The Experience.


If you were unable to attend, you can view our funky event booklet below. A big thank you to all advertisers! If you ever need assistance in designing a booklet for your event, or need design services for other promo materials and/or your blog/website, please check out our business Right On! Graphics.

Click here to open publication.

Veteran's Day

In honor of Veteran's Day, I'd like to share this photo of some of the Marines who represented Toys For Tots at The Experience. They were all so fun to work with and friendly. Thank you to all the attendees and vendors that donated toys. We delivered two large collection boxes full of toys to the Toys For Tots warehouse & will be sending a check for $1,000 from the charitable raffle! Thank you to all the brave men & women who selflessly give of themselves to protect America and our freedoms. We have a lot of Veterans in our family, including my husband Joe (an Army Veteran), so this day is very special to us.

Yvonne4eyes

I have lots of positive things to say about Yvonne4eyes, a participant in The Funky Finds Experience, but for now I want to direct your attention to this fabulous Thanksgiving card. Only two weeks 'til Thanksgiving, so order now!

Upcoming Events

WHAT: Lone Star International Film Festival
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 10 through Sunday, Nov. 14
WHERE: Sundance Square, Fort Worth, TX

WHAT: One of a Kind NY
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 14; Thursday, Nov. 18 through Sunday, Nov. 21
WHERE: 7W 34th St. at 5th Ave., New York, NY

WHAT: Crafting from the Collection feat. Vickie Howell
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 11; 6-7pm
WHERE: Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX

WHAT: Twist 5
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 12, 4-9pm; Saturday, Nov. 13, 10am-6pm
WHERE: Northampton Center for the Arts, Northampton, MA

WHAT: Second Saturday Art Fair
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 13; 10am-5pm
WHERE: Downtown San Juan Capistrano, CA

WHAT: The Mini Geek Odd Duck Show
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 13; 3-9pm
WHERE: Jezebel's Vintage & Radio-active Records, 1980 E. Sunrise Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL

WHAT: Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 13; Noon-7pm
WHERE: Corner of Pulaski & Clayton Streets, Athens, GA

WHAT: 2nd Annual Lowcountry Artists Market
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 13; 10am-3pm
WHERE: 32 Ann St., Charleston, South Carolina

WHAT: Creative Finds
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 13, 9:30am–5pm; Sunday, Nov. 14, 10am–4pm
WHERE: Sullivan Hall, 6306 152nd St., Surrey, BC

WHAT: Christmas City Gift Show
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 13, 9am–5pm; Sunday, Nov. 14, 10am–5pm
WHERE: Mississippi Coast Coliseum, 2350 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS

WHAT: Craftopia: the Holiday Edition
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 14; 10am-5pm
WHERE: Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI

Hip Fusion Designs

Neida Joseph-Abel ditched the corporate world & started her own jewelry design company, Hip Fusion Designs, over four years ago. Since then, she has continued to create beautiful accessories, many of which benefit worthy causes. She offers personalized pieces, as well as made-to-order & ready-to-wear accessories. Neida also started a Birthday Club. To join, simply email Neida your name & date of birth, then you will be entered into the Hip Fusion Designs newsletter subscriber list & will receive a $25 gift certificate (for any purchase $40 & over) on your birthday. What a treat! Funky Finds readers will also receive a FREE glass pearl bracelet (pictured) with any order by entering coupon code FFINDS. Offer valid November 8-20, 2010.

*GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Taniamc! Hip Fusion Designs is giving away a $50 gift certificate! There are three ways to enter this giveaway:

1. Visit Hip Fusion Designs' website & leave a comment on this post noting your favorite item.

2. "Like" Hip Fusion on Facebook, then leave a comment on this post noting you have done so.

3. Subscribe to the Hip Fusion newsletter, then leave a comment on this post noting you have done so.

Giveaway ends at 9pm EST, Sunday, November 14.