Twiddletoes: Not Your Ordinary Sock!

NOT your ordinary socks, Twiddletoes are handmade toe socks with a twist! Like mittens for your feet, they have a separate 'toe' for the big toe.

Stacy started making what she calls 'tabi socks' because she was tired of seeing people wear flop flops with regular socks. She started out small, first making them for family members; now she sells her handmade socks at craft shows and festivals as well as in her online shop and her Etsy store.

She uses fine natural wools and her own pattern that features a ribbed cuff and reinforced toes and heels for superior wear and comfort. Her Simple Luxury line includes socks made from alpaca and cashmere! Those are truly luxury socks that would make a wonderful gift (especially for someone that likes to wear socks with their flip flops!).

When you're talking socks like this, anyone would be thrilled with socks for Christmas!

May Your Holidays be Cuddly, Cozy, and Soft!

Isn't this the cutest little guy? Can you believe he's handmade? (And only $20!! Amazing!)

Sandi at IKnitQuiltSew makes bears like this and and lots of other great stuff - all of it cuddly and cozy! Here are a few other samples:

Hot Air Balloon Baby Quilt

Handmade Knit Baby Gift Set

Popcorn Knit Receiving Blanket

Find her on:

Facebook
Etsy 
Handmade Artists Forum
Blogger

Cyber Monday Sale at Reef Botanicals!

Did you brave the mad fray to go shopping yesterday on Black Friday? Uggg! I guess some people like the excitement of it, but not me. I don't like crowds, anyway, and if I had my choice I would probably just avoid retail shopping of any kind for the whole month between Thanksgiving and Christmas! And driving, too, for that matter....

For those of you that agree and don't like the mob scene of retail shopping this time of year, Cyber Monday is your answer! I love online shopping, anyway, and you can get a lot of great deals online and your purchases will be delivered directly to your door instead of the ordeal of:

1. Driving in crazy traffic (and crazy weather, too, in some parts of the country)
2. Getting elbowed, shoved and stepped on by strangers
3. Walking for hours from store to store in search of the perfect item(s)

Cyber Monday is the perfect time to shop online and save on great holiday gift items. Reef Botanicals has something for everyone on your list - no kidding! From beautiful candles to shaving kits for men.

The husband and wife team of Larissa and Eric make every batch of soap, every candle, and every other item they sell by hand. They use only natural ingredients; no synthetic oils or colorants. Many of their products are also suitable for vegans and/or vegetarians.

On Monday, November 29, you can save 10% on every order from Reef Botanicals. Also, shipping is free on every order over $30! Check out their wonderful items - you won't be able to resist!

Happy Cyber Shopping!

Don't Miss This Fantastic Giveaway! Fair Trade Hemp Items

I am so glad that today I discovered a company called Earth Divas. In honor of Fair Trade Month this month they are giving away a $100. credit to their fabulous store! That is great in itself, but I am more excited about what the company does.

Earth Divas works directly with small groups of people in Nepal and India to produce fair trade bags and other handmade items. The company exists to help families in Nepal and India rather than to make a profit for the company. All profits are returned to the artisans.

Visit the site at Earth Divas to read more about them or the blog to enter the giveaway.

This Week's Featured Artist: Sarah of Mama's Milk Money

Welcome to our weekly series on Holly&Sage!

Each week we feature a different artist or artisan of handmade items. If you would like to be featured, see Would You Like to be a Featured Artist? for details.

Today we are talking with Sarah of Mama's Milk Money!

1. What is your first name and where are you from?

Sarah from Southern California


2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

I crochet hats, toys, and hair bows; do custom embroidery; make custom clothing and baby blankets; and make custom onesies and tutus.

I have crafting ADHD! I started with embroidery when I saw a cool embroidery machine demonstration. I was a stay at home mom trying to earn a little extra cash. I taught myself to crochet (left handed) and have since experimented with tutus, hair bows, crayon cases, etc.

My mother taught be to sew as a little girl.


3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

I have an eBay store. I have also sold to friends and at craft shows. I have been selling for approximately 5 years.


4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

This is a hobby for me. I love the create things and love to see the recipient's face. I would love to do it full time, but I don't have the time right now.


5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

I love a challenge. I have crafting ADHD so I have tried almost everything. I put my heart and soul into my creations. I want them to be perfect and I want every customer to be completely happy with their purchase. I love to do custom work.


6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

At the moment I am really enjoying crochet, but that could all change tomorrow. I love a challenge and new ideas.


7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

What I love the most is positive feedback. I love it when people love my work. What I dislike is that handmade items are often undervalued and not seen as 'real gifts'.


8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

I have a 7-year old boy and a 4-year-old girl. Both of my kids love to model my creations as long as they get one for them too! My daughter has an insane number of requests; my son has just discovered my crazy crochet hats. I just made him a Pikachu and a Jack Skellington crochet hat.


Thank you so much for sharing a bit about yourself, Sarah! And I can attest to the quality of her work - she made a crocheted hat last year that I gave my step-daughter for Christmas, and I swear it was perfect! I was amazed at the workmanship!


To see and learn more about Sarah's work, visit her at her eBay Store

This Week's Featured Artist: Jenelle of TNT: TrashN2Tees!

Welcome to our weekly series on Holly&Sage!

Each week we feature a different artist or artisan of handmade items. If you would like to be featured, see Would You Like to be a Featured Artist? for details.

Today we are talking with Jenelle of TrashN2Tees.


1. What is your first name and where are you from?

Hi, I'm Jenelle and I call Kentucky home.


2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

Maybe I have an odd sense of fashion, but it seems like year after year I can not seem to find cool kids clothes for my boys!? Sure, you have tons of basketballs and footballs, cheesy looking monster trucks, cute bears, and lame dinosaurs… but can you really blame me for wanting something different?

I appliqued my first t-shirt for my son using old clothing I had around the house- an outgrown onesie, a holey thermal, and a pair of (unworn) boxers!

Now I am not only creating awesome one of a kind appliqued tees, but I also make and sell pantalones (kids lounge pants), skirts, dresses, tee totes, purses, and reusable produce bags!

I only use reclaimed materials, most often ole' discarded t shirts!


3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

My products can be found at TNT:TrashN2Tees on Facebook and TNT TrashN2Tees on Etsy. I also B/S/T (buy, sell and trade) on forums like ClothDiaperNation.

Still hatching, TNT is 6 months new. But don't let that fool you- I've been sewing off and on for 15 years if you count the home ec class I took in 8th grade! (more off then on)


4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

Sincerely, my hope for TNT is to inspire and encourage others to consume less and recycle more! Did you know? If each person in the world bought one recycled garment each year, it would save an average of 371 million gallons of water and 480 tons of chemical dyestuffs!


5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

My designs are each unique and original. Everything is hand drawn and cut by me. Materials are hand picked. No two items will ever be the same.


6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

Anything discarded, trashed, worn.


7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

I love seeing little ones rocking recycled threads! Not only are they mini walking advertisements for TNT but they are also advocating a Green Earth and not even knowing it!
Least, hmm... I can't say I have one.


8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

WAHM to 2 rascal boys and soul mate to a hunky washed up BMXer turned metal fabricator. My 4 year old loves to help design new tees and my hubby just wants me to mend his jeans. :) The little guy can't talk yet but I am pretty sure he thinks I'm pretty cool!

Thank you so much for sharing a bit about yourself, Jenelle!


To see and learn more about Jenelle's work, visit her at:

TNT TrashN2Tees

Facebook

Etsy

Announcing My New Line of Fingerless Gloves/Mittens/Wristwarmers!

I have been working on a new product line for a while now, and I am excited to say that the time has come to reveal it to my loyal fans!

I am making fingerless gloves/mittens/wrist warmers from recycled felted wool! Whatever you call them, they are awesomely cute and completely practical. Wool is very warm and the uses for these great gloves are nearly endless: keep your hands warm while retaining the use of your fingers for: typing, taking photographs, painting, texting, using your iPhone, or even hunting!

I will be adding these to my Etsy shop this week. I have seen first-hand how popular these are on Etsy and how quickly they sell, so if you have your eye on a particular pair, don't wait - they will go fast! I plan to continue to make and add more, but each one is one of a kind; there won't be any repeats.

I have a variety of styles in sizes for men as well as women. Each one is entirely hand sewn with tender loving care by yours truly!

The pair at the right will fit a man or woman size medium through extra large (modeled here by my handsome husband!)

This gray pair is my favorite! They are super soft finely woven felted wool with a mustard yellow heart and flower applique on each one. The length is long - almost up to the elbow. These will fit women small - medium.

Visit my shop this week to see more!