Nikki Makes Scents

Gift Guide #29 - The Sports Enthusiast

From the sports fans to the athlete to those who coach them I found several gift ideas they would love. Take a look.

These cute Tennis Earrings from Little Charm are inexpensive enough to give out to the whole woman's tennis team.

For those sports fans who love their team and can't stand their rivals this Rival Team Sucks T-Shirt by Arch Rival Tees is the perfect in your face statement.

I use to be a gymnast and I would have loved to find a Gymnast Pendant such as this. The Silver Diva has several hard to find sterling silver sports pendants and they also personalize it more with a name or saying!

The Dallas Cowboys of Old print is a great addition to someone's game/sports room or the "man cave" of the die-hard Cowboys fan. Find more fantastic art at Essence of Us - Artwork by Bill Olivas.

The New Years resolutions to get in shape will start in only a couple of weeks. Encourage them with this attractive Flower Power Yoga mat Bag by Chella Bella Designs.

The Carved Walking Stick by Grumpys Gallery is a wonderful gift for the hiker in your life. The carvings are magnificent and each stick comes with an adjustable leather strap, rubber boot and a compass so your hiker always knows where to go (unless he/she doesn't now how to read a compass).

Keep your athlete hydrated through practices and the game. I love these Custom Team Water Bottles by JJ's Pointworks. You can get these personalized with your athlete's name or team or the even the team logo. I like these as a gift for coaches as well.

This is my absolute favorite. I know they must have sold out the the Detroit Lion Dammit Dolls (just kidding...no I'm not...sorry Detroit.) :-) Instead of punching holes in the upholstery of their couch you can give the Dammit Doll to that frustrated fan. I can just see DH (dear husband) punching the face in of this doll when their favorite player fumbles the ball. This is a fabulous idea brought to you by PGH Patchwork Gal. It may not be available for Christmas delivery but give this to them after because the college bowls and playoffs are coming up and they there will be plenty of "Dammit's" going on on living room couches.

Labels: Etsy, gifts, sports

Gift Guide pick #25 - Teacher

Your child may not like having to bring one of these home but I'm sure their teacher would love having note cards like this. I love the Create-a-teacher 50 mini note cards! These note cards can be personalized from the name, skin tone to all the way to their hair style! Let your favorite teacher know that you appreciate them with this unique gift from Flutter by Notes or check out the many other styles they have.

Labels: Etsy, gift, teacher

Gift Guide pick # 3 - for Sister/Friend

This wonderfully feminine Powder-puff Pink Neckwarmer is ideal for this season when a trench coat will do but you need something covering your neck on a chilly windy day. The buttons are fab and I love the bulky pink wool/mohair fiber. You better hurry up and get this one before I do!
Find it at Knot-Cha-Cha

Labels: Etsy, gift, scarf

Moomeez makes me smile

So I got rid of my Barbie collection as soon as puberty hit (then I would just use Ken as a voodoo doll if my crush-of-the-week didn't speak to me in school.

My stuffed animal collection I parted with during early adulthood. I had bought a brand new car on my own working 2 jobs and considered it a badge of an being an adult. Before I could peel the sales sticker off the window I was lining my stuffed animal collection across the back seat window. Do girls still do that? I even think I fastened a couple of bigger stuffed animals in. I bought a stick shift and my animals brought me comfort as I stalled out over 50 times trying to get back home. Looking at them made me smile that there was still a little kid in me.

I no longer have dolls or collect stuffed animals as they were a part of my childhood. As an adult I haven't had a desire to have a doll....until now.

Moomeez pronounced MOO0-MEEZ (the 'moo' part is like a cow's 'moo') makes me smile. Moomeez make me reminisce of childhood and laugh. makes me want to take a break from the rat race and and eat some Starburst. These are fantastic one of a kind (OOAK) yarn doll creations. Tenaya Gremlin is one of my favorites of her collection. Officially I can have one because they aren't for children (yes I'm justifying and talking myself into getting one). Also, what child could appreciate the skill it takes to crochet all those pieces into an adoring character from the artist "quirky imagination". Mel the owner of Moomeez has been crocheting since she was girl and crafting these dolls for eight years.

We asked what inspires this artist and her work

"A lot of things inspire me. It can be colors, the sky, a person, childhood memories, the texture of a fabric, etc. I can't put my finger on one influence. But the results of my workmanship matter to me. I try to create dolls that have a look of innocence, purity, and genuine goodness. It's really simple...I just hope the dolls make you feel happy and comforted. "

She also customizes dolls from your odd ideas as well. Check out Moomeez Boutique and it's sure to make you smile as well. Zafras.etsy.com

Labels: Dolls, Etsy

Toilet Tealight Candle Holder

What room in the house needs scenting more than the bathroom. I had to get this. Don't you just love it. Beautifully handcrafted in pine wood by Mike at Lepelstat Crafts; his description reads "This unique tea candle holder will give the man of the house a reason to light a match!" Great for the "man cave" bathroom, workshops or anywhere you want to start a conversation. I bought this as a gift and got a good laugh. I also included some scented votives such as fresh wood shavings, redwood and neutral musk and his bathroom has never looked or smelled better.

You can find this and many other wooden items like soap dishes, puzzles and lanterns exclusively at his shop on Etsy at Lepelstatcrafts.com. You can also contact him for custom items. I guarantee one won't find this quality or unique item plus great customer service at any mass-produced store.

Labels: candle holder, Etsy, gift

It's my birthday! Diamonds & Garnets for me.

Who knows me better than me! So I bought myself a gift! I went on Etsy's Alchemy section rambling about what I wanted. But my request was all over the place. I'm not a jewelry designer so even though I knew what I wanted I couldn't express it in text. My description was vague like "Some nice jewelry pieces in white gold/silver. I love purple so maybe amethyst."

As I was browsing to get a better idea of what type of design I wanted, I stumbled on the lovely couple in Hawaii who made stunning unique jewelry pieces. Sea Babe Jewelry. They use 100% recycled gold and silver and natural gemstones including rough diamonds. I had to get myself a set! Not only is the jewelry beautiful but the service was stellar.

David, one half of the duo, called me all the way from his beautiful island and we discussed at length what I was looking for. Not only did he clarify some of the stones and textures I had questions about he also recognized I had a new shop on Esty and offered several very helpful tips to gain exposure on the very popular site. I love my purchase and even though I always hated my hands I can't stop looking at my stack rings and Rhodolite bangle. It even makes me want to get weekly manicures! Their line has something for everyone from a cute casual band for men or women to stunning wedding rings. You won't go wrong with these babes seababejewelry.etsy.com

Labels: Birthday, Etsy, Jewelry

We made the front page!

Not the front page of Vogue but the front page of the Etsy.com. A well revered website for all things handmade.

If your a crafter and on Etsy there are dozens of forum post on those wondering how to get on the front page. The administrators of Etsy pick out items to go with there theme or choose a "treasury." Treasuries are items & themes Esty members pick out. Sometimes you are lucky enough to get featured.

Our candle tins are quite popular on our website and we thought we would promote our Leo scented candle tin to Etsy. Low and behold there were several inquires and viewings of that particular item and another Etsy shop member clued me in that my item made the front page. Since I'm a newbie I don't have any great tips other than take a good picture and have items related to the season might help. If your an Etsy shop member or marketing professional please comment and share your tips with us.

Labels: Etsy, Publicity

Handmade Heaven

If you read some of my blog you know I am an advocate for handcrafted items. Not only because I am a crafter myself as well as my mom, but I love to give. I like my gifts to have thought and meaning and I think that’s only possible by finding something uniquely for them. Of course that is not always possible but whenever I can I will.

So I’ve been lurking at this site for over year and decided this summer to read through it and yes….I’m addicted. I think I use that word too much.

Etsy.com is a place to buy and sell handmade items and I definitely bought more than I sold. It is absolutely fantastic to find almost any custom piece of jewelry, knitted, or baked item you can think of. The absolute best part of it is you can go the Alchemy section and request whatever you can think of, suggest a price and sellers will bid on the opportunity to make it for you. This gives you the opportunity to check out several shops and at a cost you think is reasonable. I found so many favorite shops and I intend to share them with you throughout the months on this blog. Some of course will be related to the site but many more are just shops I adore and had to share. When your finish buying from my shop give etsy a look-see!

Labels: Etsy, handmade

Nikki Makes Scents (sometimes)

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Gift Guide #29 - The Sports Enthusiast

Monday, December 14, 2009

Gift Guide pick #25 - Teacher

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Gift Guide pick # 3 - for Sister/Friend

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Moomeez makes me smile

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Toilet Tealight Candle Holder

Monday, September 7, 2009

It's my birthday! Diamonds & Garnets for me.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

We made the front page!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Handmade Heaven