Spring...I'm waiting!

Yesterday my husband called out for all of us to look out the window in the backyard...NOW!!! I ran to the window with my two kids in tow and there on the grass (yes, we can finally see the grass) were three cardinals and several bright bluebirds frolicking. It was a very happy sight since it means spring is finally, really, truly on its way! It made me think of my JSchatz bird feeder that is safely tucked away in the garage. These colorful gems are one of my all time favorite objects. Check them out at www.jschatz.com! They are a great handmade gift for a housewarming, run about $135 each and come in a stunning array of spring inducing, vividly bright colors.

All wrapped up!

I saw Gustav Reyes in the latest American Craft issue and immediately fell in love with his sculptural yet wearable style. His medium is wood but he manipulates it so beautifully that it seems so fluid and light. Check out his work at www.gustavreyes.com and enjoy the gallery - his all wood necklace is stunning. He will be at the American Craft Council show in Baltimore February 24-27and at the Smithsonian show in D.C. in April so if you happen to be going definitely look for him!

Modern Gal

Here's a great heart necklace for the modern gal! Handmade by designer Drea West it is a solid sterling silver heart on a long silk cord. If hearts aren't your cuppa then she really specializes in beautiful cast shells of all sizes and shapes. Just lovely reminders for those of us in the throws of winter that one day soon we will be digging our toes in the sand again. Check out her work on beehiveshop - makes the perfect Valentines Day gift!

Made for Hugs

As the rainy, drizzly, slushy weather continues today and we brace for ANOTHER snow storm friday, I thought I'd share a fun, colorful company that has darling little dolls that you can match to your favorite girl. Sophie & Lili. Choose hair color and style, skin tone, outfit and order. Voila a great customized gift that any girl will love. Designed by Jennifer Vallez, the handmade dolls are one-of-a-kind designs printed on high quality quilters cotton and are $25 plus shipping. Check them out at www.sophieandlili.com!

Kitchen Classics

 

Functional, delightful, well crafted, classic. For those reasons I love Beehive Kitchenware. Their aesthetic is beautiful and any object from their collection makes a great gift! Handmade by Sandra Bonazoli and Jim Dowd in their Massachusetts studio, their work has a vintage handcrafted appeal that is hard to resist. Check out their website, it's beautiful, and from there you can see a list of retailers! beehivekitchenware.com. Look for them on the beehiveshop.com soon!

Customize it!

I was racking my brains to come up with a special gift this year for a special friend and thought of getting some stationery made for her business. As I was searching through endless listings online, I came across Rock Scissor Paper. Now I know them because I've ordered from them before for Beehive but I had no idea that they personalized stationery. But they do and I ordered for my friend and for my kids and they came so quickly and I love the designs they have to choose from! This is a great little gift for kids and adults alike!

'Tis the season for sparkle

 

Which is why I thought I'd let you know about Leslie Latto, the designer behind lml designs! Leslie has a gift for choosing amazing gemstones and combining them in cluster earrings that make your eyes dazzle. Unexpected color combinations, drops that are to die for and incredible detail and time spent wrapping each cluster make these pairs something to covet. She has a selection on her website and you can see a selection of her handmade gemstone jewelry on beehiveshop.com. They are truly worthy ornaments for your ears!