handmade holidays - tree trimming

My first post for this year in Handmade Holidays! I may have started my holiday gift-making a little late, but it's not over yet! I want to show you guys all of the crafty, christmas-y things that I'm able to come with. I'll be expanding my inventory with 'ready to ship' items for quick, holiday delivery and I'll also be sharing the gifts that I put together for my loved ones.

I'm not cheap and I love to spend my money on stuff for my friends and family but this year I'm trying to put a little more meaning behind my gifts while supporting small businesses and the art of crafts. Sorry Wal-Mart, but mom doesn't need a cheap pair of pj's this year. And I'm not saying that store bought gifts mean nothing, it's all about finding that special something for those special someones whether it's cheap, expensive, handmade or edible.

I simply intend to spark some creativity and spread some holiday cheer. Handmade Holidays is for those of you who love to craft and may be in need of some last minute gift ideas, and for those of you who are supporting us independent artisans this season by buying handmade gifts. So, for starters, I have some brand new Christmas tree ornaments up on Etsy:

Set of Five Bow Ornaments

Made with a wool / mohair blend

Pre-made and Ready to Ship!

now that the rain has dried

Diaries of an amateur shop owner.. All I seem to know how to make now is scarves. Not to say that that's a bad thing necessarily, at least I'll have a good variety. However, I feel like making the same thing over and over is limiting my creativity though each one is made differently. After I make it through this holiday season I'll be able to come back next year with some new, creative holiday and winter ideas for my shop. As for this season, I feel like I started my preparations a little late to successfully promote myself as a "one stop holiday shop." Christmas is right around the corner and I still have so many presents to make on top of coming up with new winter listings, but I'm more excited than worried.

I think today I'll paint for a while. Get my hands dirty and test out my abilities.

santa baby

There are a couple of new, festive items in my shop as of this evening. I spent most of my day just trying to prepare the items to sell and I must say, sometimes the photography is harder than any other aspect of creating these listings. Most of the shots I took today went straight to the trash folder but I was able to pick out enough good ones for these hats. I try to keep it simple in order to come out with better results, and was the Freddy Krueger sweater too much? I think not ;) Here's a little blogworthy note: I found that sweater at the Goodwill for something like $3.00, 'tis the season so don't forget to check the men's sweater section on your next thrift store outing!

Santa Hats available in:

Classic Red and White &

Snowflake

Well, I'm off for the night. As much as I'd like to sit down and continue creating new designs, I think it's time to finish some long overdue projects. And, as much as I'd like to hibernate in my home for the next couple of months I must get some work done so I can get out and enjoy the holidays too. Until next time, xo neena noel

november

I'm just now getting a chance to say, happy November! This is going to be a busy month for me as I'm sure it will for all of you with the holidays so close by. I've slowly been receiving all of the goodies that I ordered for my shop including this giant box of yarn! My intentions for it was to make a whole bunch of different types of scarves, but just yesterday I came up with a very chirstmas-y idea while playing around with some red wool. I looked through tons of Santa hats on Etsy and wanted to make something just a little bit different. So I came up with a pattern and worked with it until it matched my vision and looked just right. It's not in my shop yet but I should have it up tomorrow. I'm pretty happy with my design so, steal my idea and I will hunt you down! >:]

Every day may seem like just another struggle, but I know now that life is what you make it.  I realize now that I can find the solutions to my struggles instead of letting them carry me down further. I've always been a human of impulse, relying on habitual behavior I would have rather chosen to give in to my addictions than to wait out a feeling of uneasiness. 

I know now that positive actions will lead to a more positive life but if you had told me that a year ago I would not have cared either way. I can look back on my personal problems and see growth and improvement instead of filling myself with regret. I no longer let my choices today affect my well being tomorrow. I no longer let a temporary downfall bring me down into a deeper depression. 

This is only the beginning but I feel like this time I am truly free from the chains I've kept myself locked in. Once the scars have faded it will be like nothing ever happened. We take each day one step at a time and even then it still feels like we're moving way too fast. Sometimes I just have to slow it down and put everything into perspective. Sometimes I just need a minute to think before acting to realize that I can come out stronger as long as I stay strong through the battle.

I've found my solace through keeping myself busy. Learning and finding new interests, keeping my brain and hands occupied, setting goals for myself and starting new projects. Breaking addictions and creating healthy habits. I'm moving further away from the things that keep me unhappy and I find myself moving closer to a peace of mind every day. Moving further away from the complications of society I find the natural simplicity of the Earth will guide me through. I question and I find the answers. I keep moving forward until I find my way to enlightenment.

two months<3
xo neena noel