Showing posts with label Etsy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Etsy. Show all posts

4.28.2012

Gift Buying Update

Remember way back here when I said I was going to attempt to buy more gifts from small businesses?
Well here is a little update on some of the wonderful things I have found....

For one of my dear friends whose birthday was in March, I found this lovely print from the etsy shop Brookish.
It was one of those gifts that is appreciated only by those that love Pride and Prejudice, and my friend Ellie was a perfect match. This etsy shop has other items too that may end up in my household at some point in the future.
8x10 Pride and Prejudice Locations Typography Screenprint


Another friend's birthday soon followed, and for her I found this headband from the shop Folding Chair Designs...I instantly thought of my friend Bekah when I saw this headband.
Leaf Headband - Navy, Mustard Yellow and Green - Vintage Fabric


Another item that I happened to find is not from an etsy shop, but has it's own website. This handy little device, the "cuppow", allows for you to turn a canning jar into a travel mug. Genius? I think so. I gave one to the beautiful bride to be Hannah at her bridal shower...because sometimes iced coffee is the best relief for wedding planning stress.


Overall, I feel that shopping through smaller business has allowed me to buy more personal and unique gifts. It has also been fun spending time finding that perfect thing for the people in my life that I love.

Well I better get to bed. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

1.26.2012

Why Barnes and Noble Stores have been ruined.



So I've been thinking. I tend to buy a lot of stuff online. Barnes and Noble stores have been ruined for me since I look at the prices knowing I can save quite a bit of money online. I talk myself out of my supposed "I need it right now", and wait and see how cheap I can get it online.

This brings me to the problem. I was house sitting for my parents last week and stopped by the small local bookshop in town. As I was browsing I began thinking about how nice it is that the small town I grew up in actually has its own book store. Then a feeling of guilt came over me because I knew that I personally would probably not buy a lot of books here because let's be honest...I can't afford to buy new books at a bookstore whenever I want. I tend to buy most of my books at the thrift store, online, or for my kindle (since they usually are cheaper as an ebook). I don't know if I can ever fully transfer over to only using my kindle since I love the smell, feel, etc. of physical books. Even the old musty ones. Okay I am getting off track.

In the end, I bought two books at this bookstore because I truly did want to support the small business (and I wanted to read the books). The kind and helpful woman at the bookstore may also have been an influence, because I had I hard time imagining myself walking out empty handed as she watched me. I'm such a people pleaser sometimes...

I bought the books, and felt satisfied about the personal interaction of buying a book from a person who cares about books. Am I crazy? Actually, don't answer that.

So what is the point of this rambling?

I feel like I need to counterbalance for all of the things that I continue to buy online through large companies (aka Amazon). What is my plan you ask? I've decided to try and buy all of my birthday gifts for friends, family etc. from small businesses through etsy for 2012. This will be easy for the females in my life, but will probably be harder/impossible when it comes to guys. I think this goal became more important to me since opening Snail Mail Designs, because I realized how great it feels when someone appreciates the time and effort put into something I worked to create. So there you have it. I will let you know how this new plan of mine plays out. Maybe I will post about all the gifts I purchase after giving them. (I don't want to ruin the surprise after all)

Thanks for listening to my rambling thoughts. This evening the husband and I are heating up some leftovers and cuddling up on the couch. Happy one day before the weekend!

-Britta




4.06.2011

Etsy finds: Spring Edition


I've gathered a few pretty things from etsy for you to see...

N E W -- a roundy-bottomed tough ruffles zipper purse in coral and sand dune




multi-pack. 4-pk letterpress cards




Flowers Pillow Cover - 12x20





Joy


Feather Rubber Stamp


Double strand cuff bracelet in boho blooms READY TO SHIP



I hope it is sunny and warm where ever you are. Here is very foggy, but the sun is trying to find it's way through. Happy Wednesday!


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