Spruce Up Your Desk

Are you a cube monkey? Do you hate sitting in the same, boring, drab cubicle as everyone else in the office?

Me too.

Here are some things that may help you stand out from the others - gift these to yourself or surprise a coworker!

3zart (etsy and artfire) has a lot of fun mousepads to choose from - I personally like this one a lot:



Although this one is quite catchy as well:




Now, I *do* have a receptacle for all of my writing implements... but its nothing fancy. Well, if you want to call a standard black holder from Staples "fancy", go right ahead. I certainly don't so I think my pens and pencils would be more fun to use if they were held in one of these:


Medium - Leather Bin from gildem


Crock from lockmanpotter


Rustic Pen/Pencil HOLDER...from reclaimed barnwood from ParadiseHillDesigns


I think I definitely need some fun things to hang my boring papers on the wall with...

Maybe some cute magnets...

porcelain blues - Japanese chiyogami glass geisha gem magnets from gamiworks

Or some thumbtacks...

black and white stems large fabric thumbtacks - qty. 6 from farrago

Or possibly some clothespins

Set of 6 - Trendy Decoupaged Clothespin Clips - Polka Dot Blue from QueenvannaCreations

And what would your workspace be without pictures of loved ones to help you get through the day?

Put their adorable faces in frames like these!


Plush Chubbies Felt Picture Frame Bird Love from 4TheSparrowsNest


Lovebirds Mosaic Frame from MashedPotatoMosaics


If you've got any other great office-sprucing-up finds, leave a comment! :)

Perfect Pairs: Soap and Soap Dishes

This is the first article in the new "Perfect Pairs" series. These will be articles that match up awesome handmade items by different sellers, items I think would go beautifully together.

Today I am focusing on soap and soap dishes. Handmade soap is so beautiful, it deserves a special container. These soaps are almost too pretty to use, but they are great for your skin so go ahead and use them!

This first pair, I imagine in a very sophisticated bathroom with travertine marble tiles. Don't these two just look like they were made for eachother?


Sandalwood Cold Process Soap by MartinsvilleEmporium


Fused Art Glass Trinket Dish Caramel Swirl by Outoftheflames

Here is a pair for the dessert lover. The scents and colors will remind you of rich decadent treats.

Coconut Cream Pie Soap with Shea Butter by soapdeli


Toasty Fused Glass Sushi Dish by GetGlassy

This next pair would look fabulous in a Manhattan penthouse bathroom with sparkling black granite floors and modern art on the walls. DRAMA!

Tropical Black Hawaiian Sea Salt by savor



Moulin Rouge Fused Glass Plate by Littlehandstudios

This pair is for the natural, organic themed bathroom. Celebrating the colors of nature and rustic textures of handmade.


Honey Oatmeal Handmade Soap With Organic Oatmeal by aBreathofFrenchair


Sushi tray -- celadon by oldcatdied


Now here is a fun set, for a bathroom with a tropical or ocean theme. I picked a few soaps for this because it's a big soap dish and these would look cute in a grouping.


Sea Urchin Soap - Rich Goats Milk Soap by happygoatsoap



DONT BE KOI - Little Zen FISH Soap by dugshop


Rainbow Fish Soaps by arizonasoapworks


Ocean Floor by Glassprimitif

Here is another fish theme, but this one is in a more humorous vein. I think the fish bones would be hilarious in a fish shaped dish!


Fish Bones - Scrubbie Shea Butter and Glycerin Soap by SoapLane


Sea Foam Blue Fish Soap Dish by SimplyDaisy

These soaps and dish would be right at home in a feminine, spa-like bathroom, very relaxing and serene.

Raspberry Parfait by pinkparchmentsoaps


Rose White Sparta Artisan Olive Oil Soap by spartasoap
(Isn't this gorgeous? I just love soaps with that ripply wavy top, it looks like whipped cream or cake frosting, so rich and creamy!)


Soap Dishes by burrobranch2

So that is "Her" bathroom, what about the men? I haven't forgotten them!
Joe Sixpack would love these beer soaps set in a recycled beer bottle soapdish.


BEER, baby, BEER VEGAN FRIENDLY by Anhoki


Oatmeal Stout Bar by GoatsDesigns



Recycled Moosehead Beer Bottle Soap Dish by BigSky

Here is a set that kills me with cuteness. Bright candy colors and whimsical shapes will make you or your guests smile when you wash your hands.


Clean Cotton Tail Bunny Soaps by LoveLeeSoaps


whimsical flower dish by maryjudy

This last pair was inspired by Etsy itself. Owls are the unofficial mascot of Etsy and here is an owl set in Etsy Orange. These are so cute it might inspire hipsters to wash!

Chocolate Owl Soap with Orange Crochet Scarf by EternalSunshine


Forest Owl Soap Dish Tray Orange by fruitflypie

How It's Done.

Those of you who follow Etsy's blog may have noticed that there was a bit of a "foot-in-mouth" moment this week.

The "Plump & Proud Feature" Showcased items, that well, were far from plump, and not all together very proud.

So, I took matters into my own hands, and with the suggestions of a few pals, created the Treasury shown below.

I present to you a selection of perfectly pretty plus-sized fashion, and plus size inspired art.
From Upper Left to Lower Right
Click a Title to be taken to that items listing page, please.

Handmade Porcelain Pendant Bead- Venus of Willendorf

Retro Polka DRESS XXL-3X

Goddess Gown Plus Size To 4X Ritual Wedding Croning Holiday Or Just To Be Gorgeous

Rose Nude

Custom Sized - fabulous grey patterned and cherry red satin apron style skirt

Ohana tailors plus size cocktail party dress

Kiwi. Avocado. Lime.

Super Size BBW Plus Size Halter Top Corset Back BATIK

Big Mama Pendant

Blush Blossom Slip Dress

MISS ALPHABET sage/rose gardenparty mini party dress 2X-3X

seafoam n' chantilly lace dress/ handmade plus size couture / vintage retro style / size 20 / 22 / 24

Come On Baby, Light My Fire.

Everyone Loves Candles.

Well, Everyone HUMAN.
Cats and Dogs and other little critters tend to shy away ;)

Who can resist the gentle flicker or the intoxicating aroma of a scented candle?
Nobody, that's who!
















Auntie Di's De-lights offers a wide array of Soy-Wax Candles. Available in 8Oz and 16 Oz Jars, with scent ranging from fruity & delicious to herbal & relaxing, Di's candles make the PERFECT gift. They are already tied up with a pretty little ribbon and tag. Keep a small stash of them for last minute hostess gifts or the occasional forgotten birthday.

Priced range from $8 to $12; Worldwide shipping is Available on Request.














AJ's Country Cottage
While browsing AJ's Country Cottage, my mouth began to water. Though it could be that i skipped breakfast, it's probably because of scents like "Buttercream Frosting", "Black Raspberry & Vanilla", and "GingerBread Spice" This PayPal friendly site is PEFRECT for a surprise gift, as they are "Secret Pal Friendly"













Ten Digit Creations

Who LOVES Business Trips
(looks around to see no hands raised)
Come on! Early Mornings, Boring Meetings, cold and impersonal hotel rooms, it's GREAT!

:P

Ten Digits Creations Travel Tin Candles can help make an nessesary evil a little more bearable. With or without wicks ( for lodgings that don't approve fire in the room), these little marvels make a PERFECT office Secret Santa Gift. Ten Digit Offers TONS of great scents, and is family run, so you can feel good about helping people make a living making things.

COMING SOON!

Welcome to the Unofficial Gift Guides!

Here you will find a wide variety of handmade gift ideas from around the world and around the web.

We've just started up, so check back soon to see what we have in store for gift buyers who want unique handmade wares that they may not find anywhere else.