if you haven’t already started!

For the past several years there have been a couple of stores that I’ve seen this great line of decorations in - Honolulu Chocolate Company (yummmmm) and Red Pineapple. Well this year my mom and I both gave in and got ourselves a little something (we each adopted a Harold - see below).

At Department 56 you can visit the Christmas Krinkles by Patience Brewster. Let me warn you that it’ll be love at first sight! There are so many adorable things that you won’t know where to start - or at least that’s how I remember feeling. So to help you out, here are my top picks for cuteness! Oh, they look even better in person!

Bulldog Treat Jar; Harold the Medium Camel; Nutcracker Backdrop:

Alligator Figure; Eight Maids Cow Figure; High Heel Shoe Cake Plate:

Krinkles Reindeer Figure; Thaddeus the Large Penguin; Dachshund Figure:

Meet Jennifer Kennedy of Quarry Jewelry

What is it that you design and create?
I make jewelry using natural gemstones, pearls and precious metals.

What is your favorite part of the design process?
I love sourcing materials. I get so excited when I discover a gemstone in an unusual shape or cut and I can’t wait to start working with it.

How did you come up with your business name?
The word “quarry” has multiple meanings. To most people, it evokes images of a rock quarry, which ties in with my focus on using only natural gemstones. It also means “a rich or productive source,” which I hope my website is for jewelry lovers; and it means “the object of pursuit,” and I wholeheartedly believe beautiful jewelry is something worth pursuing!

Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by, and often in awe of, women who work, raise kids, run households and still find the time to accessorize! I make jewelry for them because I think every woman deserves to wear good jewelry, every day.

What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
I started making jewelry because I loved the creative outlet and enjoyed making exactly what I wanted to wear. The selling part came later. My advice would be to follow your heart and create things you love, and let everything else happen from there.

What’s on your iPod/music player right now?
My nephew set up my iPod so there’s a lot of Green Day and Pearl Jam on it. Some day I’ll figure out how to put my own music on there, but for now, this works.

What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
Nip/Tuck and The Sopranos – can’t wait for the new season!

What was the last movie you watched?
I just watched The Constant Gardener for the second time. Incredible.

What’s your favorite food?
Anything Asian, especially sushi, Thai, Asian-fusion.

What’s your favorite candy?
This probably sounds gross, but I love eating Milk Duds with microwave popcorn. It’s the perfect food combo.

What store could you walk around in for hours and be happy?
There is a wholesale gem supplier I like to visit and I am literally like a kid in a candy store when I’m there. It takes me hours to see everything they have and I always end up bringing home lots of stuff that wasn’t on my original list.

Any pets?
I have three cats and two horses, and I think of all of them as my “children,” much to the horror of my mother-in-law. It’s incredible how different each of their personalities are. People are always surprised by how affectionate and friendly my horses are, they are basically really big dogs in disguise.

Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
My father is English and I spent a lot of time in England growing up. Being there feels like home and nothing makes me happier than exploring London, even when it’s cold and rainy.

If you could be a superhero, what would your name be and what would be your superpowers?
I’d love to be able to snap my fingers and have a nice, clean and organized house.

Favorite Holiday?
I like the 4th of July. Where I live they do incredible fireworks displays over the ocean and it’s always fun to hang out with friends and watch the fireworks.

If you were a shoe, what shoe would you be?
Suede mules with very pointy toes and a kitten heel.

What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
My dream is to open an animal sanctuary where neglected, abused and unwanted animals could live out their lives with love and dignity, and never want for anything again.

Favorite piece of clothing?
A ballet pink wrap sweater I picked up on sale in London. It’s perfect with everything from jeans to velvet tops and is cozy, comfortable and chic.
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about Jennifer and her business. There is much to see at her site and here are a few of my favorites…

Machu Picchu Bracelet; Sonoma Earrings; Wellington Necklace:

Kaleidoscope Necklace; Cayman Pearl Earrings; Ametrine Briolette & Amethyst Bracelet:

How’s the weather where you are? We had some nice rain here for a short while the other night and I was hoping for more. When it rains what does your umbrella look like? Is it one of those plain black boring ones (like mine)?

Pare Umbrella is located in rainy Seattle. But when the weather gets soggy and brings you down, reach for some bright accessories to cheer you up…maybe an umbrella? The umbrellas at the Pare site are modern, chic and fun. Designs that consist of polka dots, bats, mushrooms and more are just a few of the choices you have. These umbrellas are made of polyester and have handles of wood and synthetic leather.

So if you’re in the mood for a little sunshine and a pick-me-up on a gray and gloomy day, head on over to Pare Umbrella. Check out some of my faves…

Lace Queen Dot-Brown; Dreamland Zoo-Khaki; Bat-Red:

Mushroom Paradise-Orange; Cherry Bon Bon-Ivory; Afro Diva-Blue:

You know I love visiting the Sailor Jerry website. Here are some of the newer items and some other favorites. They even have some things on sale that you may want to check out for your holiday shopping!

Poison Tattoo Mens Thermal; Tiger Tattoo Bowler Bag ; Swallow & Hearts Womens Pocket Tee:

Swallow Tattoo Ava Dress; Skull Snake Tattoo Converse Skid Grips; I Shall Triumph Tattoo Norman Jacket:

Check your lists. Make sure you’ve got enough postage stamps. But oh no!!! You forgot to purchase my holiday cards!!! Lucky you - I found some…

Shades of Violet is a great shop that I’ve featured in the past. The greeting cards, gift tags and enclosures are so lovely and have just enough sparkle on them, making them perfect for the season. Some of their newest holiday cards are available now and you can even save 20% off the Boxed Holiday Cards if you place your order by Thursday, November 30!

I’ve chosen a couple of holiday greeting cards you may want to use this year:

Carmen Penguin Greeting Card; Noah Cookies & Milk Greeting Card; Logan Holiday Lights Greeting Card:

Hey, why stop there? You need to pick up some gift tags for all the fun presents you’ve been shopping for, right?

Brady Trees Gift Tags; Celeste Snowflake Gift Tags; Georgia Red Dots Gift Tags:

Once all of your gifts have been opened you’ll need to send out your thank-you’s. Here are a couple of great boxed sets that I think would work just fine!
Piper Boxed Thank You Cards; Allie Boxed Thank You Cards; Virginia Boxed Thank You Cards:

Why? No reason. Just because I thought they were cute…

Gnome Door Mats at Uncommon Goods:

Don’t you ever feel that way? When Karen told me about her site I told her that I wanted to get a pair of boots and stomp around through the rain. If only it would rain here more!

Plueys is a small independent label creating rainboots for both women and children. The boots have fun and bold prints on them and aren’t your average rubber boot. Plueys is a farily new company and they are already doing quite well.

If you’re in the market for some stylish raingear, maybe Plueys is just what you’ve been looking for. The boots are limited in quantity and are a better alternative to a soggy, wet and ruined shoe. Head on over now to get your very own pair and start the stompin’!

Sugar Plum Puddle Stomper; Berry Stripey Kids’ Boots; Lotsa Dots Puddle Stomper:

More nice things for your tabletop. Not sure if I’d actually use any of these things - maybe just for display or to look at and make me happy! Made of a lightweight melamine, these bright colors and bold designs are sure to be a hit! But where did these lovely dinnerware pieces come from?

Working Class Studio is a product development venture of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). The student artists at the school come up with these designs that the products are based on and then sold. It is an amazing program that selects students as interns each academic quarter to create new collections and ideas as an interdisciplinary design team. Currently the collection includes dinnerware, pillows, stationery and entertaining items.

Help support the school, students and this program by visiting their site to learn more and maybe even purchase your own set of plates.

Studio Dinner Plates; Studio Platter; Studio Salad Plates:

If you’re on the lookout for high end emerging designers and their goods, Independent Luxe may be just what you’re looking for.

Kelly started this blog when she felt there was a lack of places on the internet where you could find emerging designers that were accessible to everyone. The purpose of starting this blog was so that she could offer folks a source to learn more about emerging designer items. It’s a great place to go and browse around without having to break the bank. Kelly also loves to spread the word on small business and shows her support, being a small business owner herself.

In addition to running Independent Luxe, Kelly is also a talented jewelry designer. She owns Kelly Meeker Designs where she creates gorgeous custom and handmade necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more.

So if you’re in the mood for some fabulous finds and want to show your support for Independent Luxe, head on over and discover something (and someone) new.

Hope you are all enjoying your day with friends and family.  We’ve already had too much to eat and, of course, have leftovers in the fridge!  Here’s wishing all of you a fun, relaxing and safe holiday!

Liana

Let me introduce you to Night Owl Paper Goods. This is a two-person operation run by Jennifer and Alan out of Birmingham, OWLabama (that’s cute, right…Jennifer shared that with me!) where they create amazing letterpress stationery.

At Night Owl Paper Goods you’ll find a mix of brilliant colors and illustrations that make up delightful cards for every occasion. Birthday cards, corresondence, moving announcements, baby announcements and holiday cards and mailers can be found at their shop. The designs are their original creations and have a retro appeal with a bit of modern sprinkled throughout. Also impressive about Jennifer and Alan is that they mix all of their own inks and do all of the letterpress printing.

For this company thats motto is “Today’s a lovely day for correspondence”, Night Owl Paper Goods is easily going on my holiday shopping list. It should go at the top of your list as well because not only do they have great products but they have free shipping in the continental US and are giving out a free gift in every package ordered by December 30. As if you needed any more encouragement to check out their shop!

Willow Picket Peep Folded Notecard; Pink Peony Happy Birthday Card; Sky Blue Warbler Correspondence Flat Card:

And some holiday goodness…

Big Joy Holiday Card; Sparkle-Gold-Season’s Greetings Holiday Card; Wreath-Peace & Love Holiday Card:

Meet Cherie Funderburg of Charssi

Yummmy…Fudge! So many delicious flavors to choose from. For now, let’s get to know Cherie a little better…

What is it that you design and create?
I run the full gamut here - I create websites in my “real” job and I create chocolate in my “second” job Both of these businesses are run from our home so basically, I’m working 24/7 - with a break here and there for sleep.

What is your favorite part of the design process?
I LOVE to design the labels and other design aspects that go with a food business. I’ve designed everything in house here and it gives me a little thrill when I package each item up and send it to it’s new (very brief) home.

How did you come up with your business name?
My paternal grandpa called me “charssi” when I was a little girl. I guess it was his way of having fun with my real name, Cherie. He died when I was 10 and the name brings back really great childhood memories. When I needed to name my fudge business, it was a no-brainer. It could only be charssi.

What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
Don’t give up when the going gets tough. I’ve had my share of ups and downs with both my businesses but I have such a sense of achievement and satisfaction knowing that I didn’t quit. There IS light at the end of the tunnel - you just need to hang around long enough to actually get there.

What’s on your iPod/music player right now?
A mish-mash of all kinds of music. the new Clay Aiken album, James Blunt, Il Divo, Jewel, Christian Aguilera’s latest album, Sarah McLachlan, Evanescence.

What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
Heroes! LOVE that show. If I don’t watch anything else, I MUST see that. Also am a huge fan of the Amazing Race and the Biggest Loser.

What was the last movie you watched?
The Prestige. Great movie! Lots of unexpected twists and turns.

What’s your favorite food?
Bacon. lol.

What’s your favorite candy?
I’d have to say Payday bars. I’m a bit salt fan and the sweet nougat with the salt is super yummy!

What store could you walk around in for hours and be happy?
Pier One or World Market

Any pets?
A tank of tropical fish

Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
Every summer we take off to western WA and spend a few weeks on a lake there. It’s peaceful, relaxing, and lots of fun with the watersports and all. I look forward to the day when we can purchase our own cabin and visit anytime we’d like.

If you could be a superhero, what would your name be and what would be your superpowers?
I think I would want to be a shapeshifter. I have NO clue what my name would be! Good question

Any celebrity crushes?
Nah. The crush I have on my husband gets in the way of any outside crushes

Favorite Holiday?
So I know this isn’t an actual holiday, but I just love the time between Halloween and Christmas. I love the cool days and chilly nights, hot cocoa or hot cider and a roaring fire, the decorations that appear in stores and on streets - the whole atmosphere of this time of the year just gets me into a super creative, festive mood.

Something to know about me…
I’m a HUGE bath and body and candle freak. My house and office are filled with enough products that I could launch my own retail store. I am constantly burning candles and purchasing new lotions, sprays, butters, or scrubs. In addition, I’m a scent addict - perfumes, body sprays, room sprays, just plain fragrance or essential oils - I love having scents around. I’m sure I’m not the only person like this out there!

So, are you getting hungry yet thinking about fudge? If not, this just may do it…

Chocolate-Lavender Fudge; Fudge! Women’s T; Samples!:

Spoon Fudge 4 Pack; Breakfast-Baseball Jersey; Spoon Fudge Gift Single (Chocolate-Mocha):