Friday, November 7, 2008

In Which I Shamelessly Self-Promote

In a moment of whimsy recently, we decided to try something new this holiday season: A Handmade Christmas. I've been actually thinking about the idea since last fall, when I saw one of the posh buyhandmade.org tags on the Four Little Men & Twins blog. Such a cool idea; I just didn't know if I could do it. Nothing but handmade gifts? No lego sets for the boys? (I might just cave on this one yet.) I mulled over the idea for a full 9 months before mentioning it cautiously to Justin....knowing that he would pounce on it. Guess what? He pounced on it. So here we are, planning our handmade Christmas, and having more fun than I could have anticipated!

The rules: to give only handmade gifts this year--but the gifts don't have to be made by OUR hands. (Thank goodness. I told Justin he would be getting a painted rock, a knitted flask cozy and a box of fudge....and he just might be....) We wanted to also support our local (and not-so-local...I have an etsy fetish) crafters. So we will be avoiding the mall this year (yay!) and hitting many of the craft fairs instead (yay yay!). We are also coming up with new ideas every single day of things we DO want to try to make ourselves. I'm dying to post pictures, but some of them will have to wait, since I know there are family members who read this blog. You will have to check back after Christmas for some of our more-hilarious (I mean: unique) gifts!

And we have something to offer, too. For the past several years we have been making these beautiful wooden family plaques. They are handcarved with your specific last name and wedding year, and they make a lovely gift for Christmas, anniversaries, birthdays, or housewarmings. The length of the plaque is dependant on your specific information, but each one measures 8" high and is 3/4" thick. The edges are sanded to look rustic, and each sign is fitted with hanging wire.



Here's a few we've done: the photos aren't fabulous, but I will try to get some better ones to post soon:

For any readers that would like one, we will be accepting orders this year through November 30th (for delivery by Christmas). You can leave a comment here with your contact information, or email us at familysigns@live.com to place your order. Individual plaques are $30; order three or more and they are $25 a piece (shipping extra).

Your turn! If you have a handmade product you are selling this holiday season, I would love to hear about it and post a sidebar with your info to pass onto other readers. Ready, go!

5 comments:

:: the monkey pod :: said...

Love this concept. :)

mrs boo radley said...

One December I sat by the pool at my apartment in Arizona and made everyone a scarf. I loved that Christmas. I should do that again. The yarn might get wet if I sit out in the rain and crochet here in the PNW, though.

Rachel Spore said...

Kim! Sam brought us one of those wonderful plaques for our wedding, I am sure you know - since you made it. However, it is one of the first things people say when they enter our apartment and we get many compliments on it. So keep on with that!

Amanda said...

I'm following suit, though I don't know if I will make it for everyone because I sorda shop throughout the year as I see things and the things that were bought weren't handmade but anyway...I'm making my kids capes! I don't know if you sew but I think 3 of your 4 little boys would love them! So, while I don't know that I will have time to make extra, thus I don't know if i will be selling them, but perhaps it is something YOU may be interested in making for your little ones (or buying if they don't already have):o)

karissa said...

I just posted about your super cool signs on my blog-they are so beautiful. We always get compliments on it when someone new comes over.