I always start off the holiday season with the best of intentions when it comes to making gifts for my loved ones. Some earrings, a necklace or two, a few hand-knit scarves, no problem. Until I look up and realize that Christmas is in a week and I haven’t even started on my gifts yet. Out of necessity, I begin to modify my plans, simplify things, and look for items that allow that special handcrafted feel without requiring a week of very late nights to get everything done.
I suspect that I’m not alone in being overly ambitions, and felt a surge of joy when reading my favorite knitting blog today. The Purl Bee has a posting titled “The Opulent Eleventh Hour Scarf.” Rejoice! Bulky yarn and big needles save the day.
Onto jewelry. Carlentini Designs, owned by my good friend Catherine Pistone-Cooper, offers beautiful jewelry – still very much handmade, just not by me! She works in semi-precious stones and hand-forged silver, and she takes custom orders.
And there is always the lovely customized vintage wood-type stationary made by Alli Bozeman of BirdDog Press…perfect for just about anyone.
And for something funky and unusual, I think these steel wire hangers for Tillandsias (a.k.a. “airplants”) are quite delightful, and in combination with a few airplants would make a gift I know that I (for one) would love.
