My Favorite Mondays no. 2

It’s Monday! Now, that isn’t always a thing to celebrate but I think this week, we should be excited for Monday and the week ahead. It’s our week filled with love (only 3 more days until Valentine’s day!) and, also, it’s Random Act of Kindness week!

Here’s my five picks for ‘My Favorite Mondays’ – inspired by this special week.

Favorite Pin
Sometimes holidays have a way of sneaking up on you. Valentine’s Day is a bad one for this because, truthfully, I think we are still all recovering from December a bit. I absolutely adore this pin fromCrafted by Lindy because it is a thoughtful, easy way to give something different at valentines (AND a free printable never hurts!). What a perfect idea for a teacher, co-workers, or your day home/daycare provider.

Favorite Etsy findThis is, by far, my favorite Etsy find this week! Image 3D sells these uber cool view-master style custom reels and viewers. The awesomeness of this product does not require much explanation, however, I will say that if my Valentine were to get me one of these and fill it will our favorite photos, I would absolutely be swooning. The possibilities of cool things you can do with this are endless – picture this, use a reel and viewer as the greatest way ever to announce your pregnancy or engagement.

Favorite Charity
Last year I found out about a fabulous charity called CARE Canada (there is also a CARE USA) whose mandate is to empower women and girls, particularly those living in poverty. This worthy cause is one that every person should take notice of because, according to CARE, if a single woman rises from poverty, she typically takes 4 people along with her. Also important to note, as with any charity you choose to support, CARE Canada operates with an average 6% administrative cost and have all of their annual reports available on their website.

CARE is currently running a Walk in her Shoes fundraiser that I encourage you all to learn more about (here)!

Favorite App

Okay, when it comes to cool new apps, I’m usually pretty far behind on things and I’m guessing that most people already know about this one, but Songza is my favorite new app. It is a mind-blowingly awesome app where you can stream playlists onto your smart phone (or stream onto your computer). There are no audio ads, it’s free, and the play lists are killer – need some new workout tunes? Songza! Need some low-key background music at work? Songza! Need someone to suggest some new music? Songza!

Favorite Personal Update

OH, I am so excited for my upcoming trip to France. There are so many things that I want to see when I’m there I am finding it tough to pencil everything in (while trying not to pencil too much in)! The exciting new development for this trip is that we will now be spending 3 nights and 4 days in the south of France as well, and taking a trip to Monte Carlo too. Any tips for must-sees when I’m in Paris – send them my way!

Thanks for joining me this fine Monday and I hope your love-filled weekend is LOVE-ly!  Leave me a comment and share your favorite monday finds!

Wishlist Wednesday - Pattern Perfection

It’s that time again – wishlist Wednesday!! When I was thinking about one of the things that would be fairly high up on my wishlist, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to showcase.

I love to sew, I love cute, I love Etsy. So, naturally, I love Dolls and Daydreams. Oiy, where to start? Well, with one look at this jaw-droppingly cute Etsy shop you will be in heaven (if you like sewing, anything adorable, or if you like to collect stuffies).

I think there are so many reasons to love this shop. First, the selection. Oh Lord. From ballerinas to superheroes to bunny rabbits and lions. You can get a Marie Antoinette pattern or a snuggly lamb. Really, whatever you’re looking for, it’s offered here. Also – I love that you can change up your fabric choices (seeing that many of the stuffies are wearing clothes) and it really changes the look of what you’re making! The PDF pattern (that goes straight to your inbox – no waiting!) makes your sewing project a breeze – the shop owner provides tips along with the sewing instructions for your convenience. Also, I love how the finished projects boast both cotton fabrics and felt (I heart felt big time!) and that it is appropriate for children under three.

Another great selling feature you receive when purchasing a pattern through Dolls and Daydreams is that you are given the okay to sell your finished creations…a luxury not permitted by all patterns sold on Etsy.

Currently there are over 50 listings for these great patterns and each one averages a price of approximately $10USD (did I mention you also get a materials list included with the pattern?).

Yes, I am in love big time with all of the items listed in this awesome shop and I can’t wait to get my hands on a pattern and start sewing!! Be assured that when I do buy a pattern and sew it up I will be posting some pictures here!! :)

5 Perfect Bridal Shower Gifts

In exactly ten weeks I get the privilege to stand up with one of my best friends on her wedding day.  I'm so thrilled to be one of her bridesmaids and am so looking forward to her big day!  She was one of my bridesmaids when I got married (5 long years ago, lol!) and I just can't wait to make her feel as special as she made me feel when I was a blushing bride.

Shannon - girl, I love you so much and wish you every happiness in the world.  You are one of the kindest people I know on this Earth and you are going to make a wonderful wife to your very lucky man.  I CAN NOT WAIT for your stagette next weekend...bring it on!! :)

So, before the wedding there are the obvious events to get through first.  First on our schedule is the stagette (have I mentioned I can't wait for it?!) and then, later, the bridal shower.  I especially love bridal showers - I love anything traditional that requires baking and pretty gifts!!

Many of you may be approaching bridal shower and wedding season yourselves.  Personally, I always like to give a physical gift (rather than a gift card - although, I do love getting giftcards myself!) because as I mentioned I like tradition!  I have also said this several times in my blog, but, I also love a personalized gift. Therefore, I thought I would share with you a few gifts that I have up my sleeve for a show-stopping, perfect bridal shower gift.

Door Country Woodworks is without a doubt one of my all time favorite Etsy shops.  Just take a look in his shop for about a millisecond and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.  Now, this birdhouse would literally bring the show down at a bridal shower.  It works as a card collector at the wedding (and you can custom colour it so that it matches the wedding colours) and then, when the wedding is over, converts to a birdhouse for the newlywed's backyard.  Notice in the picture that there is even space for the couples name and date of the wedding.  This one is $125USD and there are many different to chose from.  The "Just Married" bunting on it is just spectacular!

Oh.my.lord. I am obsessed with calligraphy. My ONEday Wishlist (my version of a bucket list - only I dont' use bucket list because I hate that term)includes to become a skilled calligrapher. Ink Blot Calligraphy is the proud owner of this wonderful skill and this listing for some custom calligraphy art is right up my alley. So beautiful and there is so much talent that goes into this. I believe that it would be a perfect gift for a bride, especially if she's a close friend, because what set of girlfriends don't have a special quotation, funny inside joke, or just something special shared between them? For a $10USD deposit you can get started with your ink colours, font and flourish preferences, sizes, etc. I can totally picture "to have and to hold from this day forward" in beautiful calligraphy and then framed in something lovely.

This listing from Black Scrap Cat is a favorite of mine for several reasons.  First, this shop originates from Canada and I love supporting local artists (we are in the same province even).  Second, just think of the wedding pictures, what a wonderful photo prop!  And third, this amazing gift doesn't have to just stop here - you can get one for mother of the bride, bridesmaids, flower girl, etc.  It makes such a special memento to use on the wedding day and to keep forever.  For $27 USD you can really create some wow!

Define your Space Vinyl is an Etsy shop you should become familiar with.  I love it.  There are so many amazing pieces to chose from I really don't even know where to start.  I love this one, in particular, because of the coordinating fonts and the flourished design along the bottom.  It would look so lovely on the wall and I know when I was a bride (with a newly acquired last name) I loved seeing it and displaying it with pride.  This one is 18 inches in diameter, a good healthy size, and can be done in your bride's custom colours for $42 USD. 

This I love because it is so unique.  I'm guessing that most of us do not know the coordinates of where we got married (or another special occasions in our lives) but what a cool thing to find out; and don't let the wedding place be your only option - first date, first home, where they met, etc.  AND, what a conversation piece this would be.  You can pick one of these up at The Drifting Bear for $48USD.

I wish I could get all of these for my special lady.  She certainly deserves them!! :)  BUT, who knows, maybe on her bridal shower day she'll unwrap a little something special.... ;)

(and no I can't tell you...she might be reading this right now!!!)

If you know of any special bridal shower gifts you'd like to share, please list them below in the comments section!! :)

Welcome to a Special Cottage Guest!

Where to start? Well, first off, I think I’ll start with a really warm welcome to our special cottage guest – Bouvier Jewelry. This shop, I have to say, is one of my all time favourites on Etsy and I’m thrilled to have the chance to sit and talk with someone who, I think, is an Etsy inspiration!

Located out of Virginia, USA, Bouvier Jewelry is a shop that doesn’t just make and sell gorgeous jewelry but, rather, creates jewelry art that has been inspired from her worldwide travels. The pieces featured in this shop are elegant, timeless, chic and, to put it simply, beautiful.

I have been following Bouvier Jewelry almost since it’s inception in early 2009. I was immediately taken aback by the stunning necklaces I found in the shop and was quickly hooked on the tremendous variety of earrings, bracelets, and event jewelry I also found there. I adore big, hearty necklaces in particular and Bouvier Jewelry’s use of semi-precious and precious stones was right up my alley. Sterling silver, pearls, gemstones, and vintage finds soon found a place in my heart as I explored and fell in love with (and I’m not kidding) nearly every piece in the shop!!

As I mentioned, I got the opportunity to speak with the owner of Bouvier Jewelry and was interested to hear her views on our wonderful Etsyland!

When did you first hear about Etsy? Was it a tough decision to open up shop?

I had been making jewelry for myself and my friends for several years. My friend Cara is the one who suggested it. She convinced me that more people than me (and my friends) would want to wear my designs.
It wasn’t a tough decision to start the shop at all! In fact, it all made a lot of sense, and once I started, everything really fell into place. It’s one of the best and most fun things I’ve ever done!

Where did the name Bouvier Jewelry come from?

I wanted a name that invoked simplicity and timelessness. Since ‘Bouvier’ is my last name, it was an easy choice.

Where do you major inspirations come from for your jewelry?

From so many places! I visit museums, read magazines, wander through shops and boutiques… anywhere “color” strikes me. I also get a lot of inspiration from the seasons. In the winter, I want something a little more subdued. In the summer, it’s all about color, and anything you can wear with a summer dress. In a recent trip to San Francisco, I was inspired by the Middle Eastern shops with all their bright colors and luxe fabrics. It reminded me of Marrakesh. One of my upcoming summer collections is going to be reflective of exotic colors and spices. I can’t wait. I’m designing like crazy right now.

What do you find to be the most rewarding thing about having an Etsy shop?

The people I meet! I have some wonderful customers, who make me so happy to do what I do. I also love meeting new people, designing custom pieces for people, and hearing their stories. One of the most rewarding things for me is hearing the “after story”, or getting a picture of a wedding or event where someone wore my jewelry. It’s such a great feeling.



And what would you say, then, is the most challenging thing about having an Etsy shop?

To have a successful Etsy shop, it requires a lot of time and dedication. Like everyone else, I have a busy life, and finding the time to make my shop the way I want it to be can be a challenge.

If you could add any feature to Etsy, if any, what would it be?

I wish I could design the layout of my own shop more so than what Etsy allows, but it works for now. I suppose someday I will have my own website, but until that day comes, Etsy is a great venue for my creativity.

What would you say, in terms of advice, to people who are new to selling on Etsy?

You get out of your shop what you put into it. Having a successful shop requires good photography, good writing and product descriptions, and building a sense of trust and rapport with your customers. It’s all about how you brand yourself. You have to figure out who you are and how you want to communicate that through your products to your customers. I’ve talked to a few new Etsy sellers, who haven’t sold anything in the first couple months of having a shop, who get very discouraged. But I tell them to keep at it. Make sure the photos are bright and inviting. Make sure the writing is good, and keep making it better. It takes a lot of work. I’m constantly trying to improve upon what I’m doing. Getting good photographs that show the beauty of the jewelry is the hardest part for me, so that’s something I continually try to improve upon.

I also feel like it’s important to have a fair return policy. Buying things online can be scary for some people. There’s nothing worse than being “stuck with something” that doesn’t work for you. Accepting returns builds trust with customers, which is a key to success on Etsy.


One of the most fun things about Etsy is finding other shops that you love and always return to...who do you love on Etsy?

My two favorite sellers are:
- Heart My Closet: www.etsy.com/shop/heartmycloset. They make custom dresses. I have gotten several super gorgeous dresses that make me feel like a pin-up girl. The work is impeccable and the turnaround is quick.

- Donna Geissler Photography: www.etsy.com/shop/donnageissler. Her photography is calming, wistful, romantic, and beautiful. In my hectic life, her work makes me feel so good!

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me here at the Hand Crafted Cottage!!! Do you have any final thoughts?

Having an Etsy shop has been so fun and such a great creative outlet for me. The best thing is the connection that is formed with other artists and people who appreciate art. I’m so happy to be part of such a great community of people!


Whether you are looking for a gorgeous signature piece, something to wear on a special occasion, or just because, Bouvier Jewelry is somewhere you must stop by and fall in love with a piece...or two...or, if you are me...all of them!
Please take a moment and check out Bouvier Jewelry. Post in the comments section below which is your favourite piece – I love to compare our wish lists!!

EK Fine Arts...yes please!

Do you ever check out the shops that you find on Pounce, still waiting for their first sale? I like to check out the Pounce option every once in a while, in search of a potential new favorite. Well, recently, I was doing just that and I came across a really great new shop called EK Fine Arts.

This shop specializes in – you guessed it, fine art! Gorgeous fine art, I may add. In fact, I was so in awe with one of the pieces I found in this lovely gallery that I immediately put it in my shopping cart, then I continued to browse through some other new shops. Unfortunately, before I could check out, some other lucky person actually bought the painting I wanted! Valuable lesson to us all – if you want it…check out right away!! Especially if it’s a one of a kind type item (and this beautiful painting most definitely was!).

Well, I was so intrigued with this shop. I needed to know more. I contacted the shop owner, a lovely lady named Emilia, who was so kind to answer my questions and agree to let me post some of her items on my blog.

Emilia has been an Etsian only since December 21, 2009. Her shop is filled with gorgeous abstract art where free forms, texture, composition, colours, and, of course, emotion take the foreground instead of the real life shapes of certain objects. These are gallery quality pieces that range in price from $50.00 to $650.00 (as of May 10/10) and they currently find homes with corporate collections, private ownership, and galleries around the world.

As I mentioned before, Emilia was kind enough to answer some questions that I had for her. My first question covered the basics –where are you from and what do you do?

Emilia: Well, I am originally from Poland /Europe, but I currently reside in New Jersey/US. Presently I collaborate with designers and work as an Abstract artist.

And, How would you describe your art?

Emilia: My work is about forms, texture, composition, color and emotions. It's free of literal meaning.

I am primarily focused on expressing the qualities, and texture of the painting's surface.I wish to liberate myself from any form and coping reality and nature in my art. I don't want to show the real objects, I want to use the colors and forms freely. I express a wide spectrum of emotions in my abstract art such as despair, ecstasy, resignation and many others.

So have you been formally trained in your art?

Emilia: I have graduated from the Academy of Visual Arts in Europe in 1998 and I have also completed a one year course in design.

I found your shop while "pouncing" one day through the new shops. How did you discover Etsy and what do you think of it so far?

Emilia: Hmmm… I can't say a lot about Etsy. This is a new experience.

And finally, what (if you can choose just one) is your favorite piece that you have listed in your shop and why?

Emilia: I love any my paintings, because they include my heart, soul and of course my personality.

Emilia’s shop is so lovely and I personally think my walls would look much richer with one of her works hanging on them. As she mentioned this abstract art is about emotion and personality, and I’m constantly checking back (and still kicking myself for not checking out faster with that first painting!) to find the right piece for my home. What I really love about this shop as well is that this is beautiful AND affordable art. What a wonderful thing to have a real painting hanging above your mantel or greeting you in the morning as it hangs over your headboard.

Here is a small sampling of some of her beautiful paintings that, perhaps, would like to make a home inside your home!

Title: Diary of Autumn
Size: 36” x 24” x 0.75”(deep)
Cost: $150.00
Gallery Price: $750.00
Comments: No need to frame – just hang and enjoy! The finish is protected with a final varnish coat.
Title: The System (XXL)
Size: 48” x 36” x 1.75”(deep)
Cost: $650.00
Gallery Price: $3,000.00
Comments: No need to frame – just hang and enjoy! The finish is protected with a final varnish coat.
Title: Illusion
Size: 30” x 15”x0.75”
Cost: $50.00
Comment: Nice soft textures. No need to frame – just hang and enjoy! The finish is protected with a final varnish coat.

If you are an art fan, this is a shop for you to heart. Please feel free to leave a comment below letting us know which piece you most enjoy! Also, because I know you are curious, click HERE to see the painting I, unfortunately, missed out on! Don’t forget…if you love something – check out right away!

Fabulous Number Fifty Three

I decided that I should switch things up for my newest blog posting. I really do like choosing a theme and then finding wonderful and exciting items that fit within my scope of interest for the day, but, for this posting I thought, “let’s keep ‘em guessing.”

As you may, or may not know, I am a stickler for my favorites list. It’s almost like a sickness with me because every single morning (minus weekends of course) I log on to my favorites list and weed out the items that has been sold and then replace them with either their new listing, or an alternate. Every few days I search through my list of favorite sellers to see if my favorite shops have any new items that may catch my eye.

With that being said, and taking into consideration that I have a very well kept favorites list, I decided to randomly generate a number (which turned out to by number fifty-three) and do a spotlight on the shop that fell in the fifty third spot on my list. FYI - I currently have one hundred and eighteen favorites so far.

So, the lucky number fifty-three was Brown Dog Boutique. Lovely shop. I absolutely unequivocally love love love dogs. This adoration for the canine species, along with another passion…stationary, makes this shop a must love for me.

Offering a variety of awesome stationary supplies, one can expect to find such things as note cards, recipe cards, address labels, stickers and more adorned with the silhouette of their favorite breed of dog. There is also a wide selection of colours available which is a nice touch for those of us who like to personalize every aspect of our lives.
As I was snooping around the shop this afternoon I came across a few things that caught my eye. One was that the Brown Dog Boutique was having a sale on many of their note cards making them note only stylish but very affordable too! Another thing that caught my eye was that this great shop just recently celebrated their Etsiversary in mid-February (for those of you who don’t know, Etsiversary = one year anniversary on Etsy). So congrats Brown Dog Boutique, I can see that your shop is doing well and that you have many positive and glowing reviews!
My favorite thing about this shop, however, is their “design your own” option. I love the simplicity and elegance of a silhouette design and that I can add an injection of my own flair on something like an envelope or when giving out recipe cards. Many people are very loyal to one or two breeds (me being no different – see the Doxie Days post below) and now we can root for our favorite team a little louder. Well done, number fifty-three, well done.

Going, going, gone!

I am always very good for keeping my favorites option up to date on my Etsy account. That way when I am looking for a gift, or a treat for myself, it's all ready to go for easy and quick reference.

There are some items that, over and over again, I am constantly marking as a favorite. I have noticed that some of my favorites, must be your favorites too. They must be because almost every single time I go to update my list, these items have once again been sold!

There is no more greater example of this than what I have noticed with Little Saplings Toys. As I have stated in past posts, I love wooden toys. They are durable, simple, offer a bevy of safety features, and - my favorite - heirloom worthy. One such toy that Little Saplings Toys offers embodies all of these qualities and, if I dare say so, more!

This organic retro 10 pin bowling set is maybe one of the best items I have ever come across on Etsy - and I truly mean that. Besides all of the qualities I mentioned above, this bowling set is so much more. And apparently you all agree - almost daily I am marking them as a favorite because the set I had marked the previous day is already sold!

This set comes with ten maple pins, smoothed to perfection and lovingly rubbed with beeswax and jojoba oil, two hardwood balls, and a cotton drawstring bag. To make things even more irresistible (I know what you are thinking, how could this get any better?!), with every purchase a tree is planted through the Trees for the Future program.

Another reason why I love this set is because it is offered at a great price. They offer other options as well so if you are looking for a smaller sized gift, for a special child in your life, you can pick up a six pin set instead, for even great affordability.

Besides the bowling sets, Little Sapling Toys also offers many adorable teethers and other toys, great as gifts or for your own family. This really is one of those special shops on Etsy that is worth marking over and over again on your favorites list!

Hall's Closet to the Rescue!

Not too long ago I posted a write up about Hall's Closet. A cute little Etsy shop that specializes in personalized doo-dads, jewellery, and décor items. I had selected ten gorgeous personalized coasters to hand out at Christmas time to all my lucky co-workers. Offered at a fabulous price, I couldn't resist their uniqueness and charm.

I mean, how great of an idea is this? Everyone at work drinks some sort of beverage- whether it be coffee, tea, or just water. This great gift idea is perfect because it shows that you've taken some time to think of something different and just for them, while still taking it easy on your pocket book.

After I ordered my coasters, Hall's Closet was quick to go to work. She shipped them off after completion and they began to make their way over to the Hand Crafted Cottage. Somewhere along the way, however, my precious gifts got damaged. And I mean REALLY damaged...every single shining one of them! Now, I am telling you all this because I am so impressed and pleased with what happened next. Not only was Hall's Closet absolutely understanding of what had happened but they were super quick to rectify the situation. I now have my new coasters which are the picture of perfection!

As thanks I wanted to recognize the job well done by Hall's Closet. I also wanted to post some pictures of her new beauties and encourage everyone to check out her shop! Thanks again!!!


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I love many of the elements in this piece of wall art. The colour combinations really appeal to me, along with the simple geometric shapes. Additionally, the personalization included with the cute saying makes everything about this ideal!

Adorable ornaments full of whimsy! I love the traditional shape of this Christmas staple with the twist of a modern font and polka dots. Great gift for anyone who celebrates the season!

THE coasters!!! I love these ceramic gems and I now see that Hall's Closets offers the option to have a last name or an initial appear on them (with the font and colour of your choice!).

Cleaning Day

It's the weekend!! Most of us look forward to the weekend because it means two glorious days of rest. It means long delicious breakfasts of freshly ground coffee and pancakes with sweet fruits. It means sleeping in an extra couple of hours and waking up with a smile on our faces. It means doing whatever we want, whenever we want. It means....oh who am I kidding?? Really, the weekend usually just means more work - but this time, in our homes unstead of at the office!


For most of us the weekend is the time of the week to get things done around the house. The work week is generally so busy for most of us, at it's no different at the Hand Crafted Cottage. By the time I get home from work, feed my bébé, walk the dog, do the dishes and tidy up for the night, it's already time to go to bed. On the weekends we can air out the cottage, do our laundrey, clean the floors and do any other pressing home repairs/clean ups that have been bugging us over the last week.


Now, normally these choirs are just that...choirs. How annoying. I say "normally"because I recently came across an amazing shop that helps in these weekend rituals and, dare I say, make them bearable! Grandma's Best Kept Secrets specializes in homemade cleaning products.



When you think of laundrey do you imagine warm cinnamon hugs, festive peppermint kisses, or a soothing ocean breeze? Well, now you can! The homemade laundrey detergent offered at Grandma's Best Kept Secrets comes in a variety of scents, giving your clothes an injection of lovely. One of the best aspects of this natural home cleaning option is the cost. Ten dollars for fifty loads of laundrey...and one hundred loads of laundrey if you have a high efficiency machine! How can you not afford this luxury? Another perk - many people using this product have found that they do not even need to use a fabric softener.


I also love this natural option for the dishwasher. There are no chemicals use in this product which is not only great for us and our families but for the environment too! Like the laundrey detergent, this product is also sold for a phenomenal deal. At only thirty five cents a wash (shipping is extra) I can't even imagine picking up something this economical at the grocery store. It is avaiable in a refreshing lemon scent or, upon request, orange.


I really like this shop because they also offer other great options such as sample packs, if you want to try a smaller amount of detergent before going for full quanitity. Another great product - relaxing bath salts composed of Epsom and dead sea salts. So, after a long day of cleaning you can relax in your bath with a good book.



So now that we've taken care of some of the choirs at the cottage I think it's probably time to take a break! Who knows, maybe I will even be able to convince my husband to make me that fresh ground coffee and pancakes with sweet fruit before I start on my next task.

Time is a Tickin'

Love it or hate it, the holidays are just around the corner. Personally, I love it. This is my favorite time of year…it’s starting to cool down; the leaves are becoming crunchy and colourful. Before you know it, it’s Thanksgiving (if you are in Canada anyways) and then soon, Halloween. It’s starting to get colder and darker, the malls are getting busier. We pay homage to our brave veterans on a cool and crisp November day. Then, just as we least expect it, an e-mail goes around work promoting the office Christmas party. How can that be, it feels like it was just summer!?

Yes, it does go by that fast and if you are a true Etsian at heart, as we most definitely are here at the Hand Crafted Cottage, you must be prepared. There are so many amazing things on Etsy to help you prepare for all these upcoming events but you have to stay on top of things! You might find that perfect Halloween costume or Thanksgiving centerpiece but if you don’t order it on time, you my friend are certainly out of luck. This is especially true when looking for any Christmas items as almost everyone else will be attempting to monopolizing your favorite shop’s time as well.

With this in mind I set out to find my beautiful bébé the perfect Halloween costume. With Etsy at my finger tips I was confident that anything I could think out could be realized by one shop or another. I was right. Now this may seem odd but I really wanted my 14 month old daughter to dress up as Gene Simmons from KISS. Our family always jokes around, calling her our little Gene, because for some reason her tongue is always sticking out! As I came across Square Jane I knew I found the shop I dreamed of!


I immediately convo’ed the shop to inquire about my slightly odd request. NO PROBLEM! I loved dealing with Square Jane and adore her quirky sense of style. We convo’ed back and forth coming up with the ultimate Gene Simmons baby…complete with hair, KISS body suit, a cape, and boot toppers.

Square Jane was so quick to respond and work with me I felt like a truly valued customer. She made my costume at a phenomenal value and I couldn’t be more pleased. This is truly a costume that our family will remember forever and that’s part of what makes Halloween so special – I still have vivid memories of the pink unicorn costume my mom made for me when I was a toothless grinning eight year old!

I noticed that Square Jane has had many custom requests and I can definitely see why. You can get a witch or a clown costume anywhere but really, wouldn’t you rather go to a shop that has a sense of humor and can actually pull off a fly costume that looks totally awesome?! Her Elvis is pretty sweet too!

So, don’t say that I didn’t warn you – order your Halloween stuff now! Remember that a shop may have to make your items specific to your measurements so that takes time, plus shipping. I am so glad that I had the pleasure to work with Square Jane and trust me, we will be rocking and rolling all night long with our sweet little Gene baby on Halloween night!

Our First Cottage Guest - The Meg Shop

I thought it was about time to have a guest visit us here at the Hand Crafted Cottage. I am so pleased that Meghan from The Meg Shop decided to pop in! I just love her jewellery shop, which is filled with breathtakingly beautiful pieces! Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and even a sale or two - she has everything a girl could need!

As I look through her catalogue of beauties I am particularly drawn to these Olive Cluster earrings. Stunning in colour, I can imagine myself wearing them with a multitude of outfits, in a multitude of different occasions. I feel like these are the types of earrings where you choose an outfit to compliment them and not the other way around!

As we sip on some sweet tea in the garden I'm eager to ask Meg some questions about her shop:

Meg, tell me, when did you join Etsy?

I joined Etsy in June of 2009 to sell my handmade jewellery. I'm still very new at this, but I'm loving it!
And what is something about your shop that we may not know?

I don't know, I hope to carry only sterling silver in the future!
What is your personal favorite from all your items in your shop?

My favorite piece listed at the moment is my Jet Rock Candy Pendant! I spent hours on it and am so happy with the way it turned out!

So where else can we find you besides your Etsy shop?

I recently created a fan page on facebook. Just search The Meg Shop and it should come up! (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Red-Deer-AB/The-Meg-Shop-Unique-Handmade-Jewelry/103756593606?ref=ts ) I will be keeping this page updated with pictures of new items, information on sales in my Etsy shop, and upcoming giveaways! You can also find me on Twitter, my username is TheMegShop.
What would you say is your favorite thing about Etsy?

I love everything about Etsy! It's an amazing venue to showcase your handmade items, and a great place to find unique gifts. I love reading all the Featured Seller and Quit Your Day Job articles. I find them to be so inspiring!
What is your favorite Etsy shop right now(it's so great to give shout-outs isn't it!)?

I have so many! RockoAndAddie has the cutest little blankets, I can't wait to have another baby! I love everything from Bonzie, and BloomStudios has some amazing pieces! And definitely ellembee!!! I could go on and on...
What is one thing that you can say sets you apart as an Etsy shop owner?

Well I would like to say what sets me apart is how much I truly care that my customers love their items, but this can be said of many shop owners on Etsy!

*Look at how gorgeous these are!! I think it's clear how much care and love she puts into each piece!

So, fun question - let's say you were stuck on an island and could only have one Etsy purchase until you were rescued...what would it be?

This quilt from SFOQuilter! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26419887 I'm such a blanket person, and I want this one in the worst way!
What is one thing you would like to see Etsy improve or change?

I would love to be able to have my prices in Canadian dollars. I think a lot of Canadian buyers would appreciate this!
And, last but not least, I must know...what is your favorite animal??!!

I love elephants! I think they are amazing!

Meg - thank you so much for taking the time to come and visit me here at the Hand Crafted Cottage!! Your jewellery is simply stunning and wish you all the best with your Etsy shop and beyond!