HH Day #2 - Sa-Sea Boutique

Welcome to Day #2 of HH!
We are committed to a handmade and vintage holiday season, avoiding box stores and massed produced goods, and shopping with some of our favorite Etsy friends.
We encourage our readers to join us this holiday season...Happy Gifting!

Katie is an amazing mom of two adorable kiddos!
She's not only too cute herself, she's talented!
Katie uses her hands to make some great pillows that can make anyone smile!
She has great deals, unique designs, and is worth supporting this Christmas.
Buying from Katie means she gets to keep doing one of the toughest jobs in the world: a stay at home mom!

Lets get to know Katie, shall we?

1. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
WE GIVE OUT ADVENT GIFTS DAILY!!! (GIRLS ONE DAY AND BOYS THE NEXT...SO YOU OPEN UP 12 GIFTS EACH) FOR THE 24 DAYS IN DECEMBER LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS. IT IS SOOO FUN! WE TRADE GIFTS BETWEEN MY SISTER AND HER FAMILY, MY PARENTS, AND OUR FAMILY. (WE GIVE OUT 4 SMALL GIFTS PER PERSON) IT IS FUN LITTLE GIFTS THAT ARE CHRISTMAS THEMED SO THAT YOU CAN TRUELY ENJOY THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS CANDY, DECORATIONS, SOCKS, AND OTHER GOODIES BEFORE CHRISTMAS COMES. IT IS ALWAYS SOOOO SAD TO ME TO RECEIVE A GIFT ON CHISTMAS DAY THAT IS A CHRISTMAS DECORATION........AND I HAVE TO WAIT AN ENTIRE YEAR TO DISPLAY IT. THIS IS A GREAT SOLUTION AND YOU CAN SHOP ALL YEAR LONG!

{WHITE RUFFLE SHABBY CHIC PILLOW - $20.00}

2. Why is it important to you to support handmade?

MY ENTIRE INCOME IS BASED ON PEOPLE LOVING HANDMADE ITEMS. I ALWAYS TRY TO GET MY GIFTS OFF OF ETSY OR LOCAL CRAFT SHOWS KNOWING THAT IT IS SUPPORTING OTHER PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME. I THINK IT IS ALSO SOOO GREAT TO GIVE A GIFT THAT SOMEONE HASN'T SEEN BEFORE OR THAT THEY DON'T ALREADY HAVE, AND YOU GET THIS SECURITY WHEN YOU GIVE HANDMADE!

{Black Chandelier on Pink Shabby Chic Pillow - $15.00}

3. What's your favorite shop item, and why would it be the perfect holiday gift?
I LOVE TO GIVE PERSONALIZED GIFTS. I USUALLY DO A GROUPING OF ITEMS TO MAKE UP A "GIFT BASKET" AND IT GENERALLY HAS SOMETHING THAT IS PERSONALIZED IN IT. (LIKE AN INITIAL...PICTURES OF OUR FAMILY OR PICTURES OF MOMENTS WE HAVE SHARED, OR THEIR FAVORITE LITTLE CANDY...JUST SOMETHING I KNOW THEY LOVE BECAUSE I HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO LISTEN) BUT MY ALL TIME FAVORITE ITEM TO GIVE WOULD HAVE TO BE PICTURES!

{PARIS HOTEL SHABBY CHIC PILLOW CASE - $15.00}

4. Three words that describe you/your shop & goods.
COZY, SIMPLE, STYLISH

Katie's Giving Away:
$30.00 Credit to her store with Free Shipping!

REMEMBER THE RULES!!
1. Visit today's feature shop & tell us what your favorite item is!
You must leave a comment TODAY + be a follower to win!
Winner will be drawn TONIGHT at 6pm PST and announced this evening!
we won't be bummed if you wanted to twitter/facebook/or blog this shop though ;)

Handmade Holidays 2009 - Day #1 - WINNER!

#11 ~ The Schaper Scene!!!

Congratulations!! You have won a Silver Heirloom Locket!

Please contact Roundabout Designs directly at her Etsy Shop to claim your prize. She's expecting you!

F&F would like to give a HUGE thanks to Sarah of Roundabout Designs for participating in our HH 2009!

See you all tomorrow for Day #2 and another fabulous shop feature + giveaway!

winner was selected from random.org

Handmade Holidays 2009 - Day #1 - RoundAbout Designs

Welcome to F&F's First Annual Handmade Holidays (HH)! We have taken the pledge to support local businesses and handmade artisans this holiday season, and we want to encourage our readers to do the same!

In honor of our pledge, we have teamed up with 12...yes

12...Etsy shops for GIVEAWAYS and gift guides over the next two weeks. We are THRILLED!!!!! Each day there will be a new post featuring a new shop with a giveaway or shopping promotion/discount! So make sure you check in every day for your chance to win!!!

First up.... Sarah of Roundabout Designs!
Sarah is an amazing jewelry designer that I, Emily, purchased ALL of my bridesmaid gifts from.
Her pieces are timeless, clean, simple, elegant, and the perfect mix of every day & special occasion wear!
Sarah's shop is the perfect place to go to shop for your girl friends and family this season!
Needless to say, I'm obsessed and think you will be too....

Getting to know Sarah....

{Sparrow & Yellow Circle Necklace - $16.00}

1. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

On Christmas Eve, we light a Swedish candle chime. I love to see my daughter's faces as they watch the magical spinning angels and listen to the soft chiming of the bells. It's a very calming and centering experience. You can see similar chimes here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQq6CGTK6jI&feature=related

{Big Gold Leaf Earrings - $16.00}

2. Why is it important to you to support handmade?
It's really incredible to purchase items directly from an artist or craftsperson. You're able to ask questions, request custom work, and know that what you're receiving was made with thought, pride, and skill, and probably some love too. Buying handmade is great for communities, for families, for the earth.

{Silver Filigree Earrings - $17.00}

3. What's your favorite shop item, and why would it be the perfect holiday gift?
I'm really partial to the lockets in my shop. My sterling silver Heirloom Locket would be a very special gift with a little photo or memento placed inside. It's the sort of piece that will be handed down to the next generation.

{Silver Heirloom Locket - $29.00}

4. Three words that describe you/your shop & goods.

Simple, chic, everyday! [that one was easy - it's my shop's tagline!]

RoundAbout is Giving Away:
1 Silver Heirloom Locket!!

REMEMBER THE RULES!!
1. Visit today's feature shop & tell us what your favorite item is!
You must leave a comment TODAY + be a follower to win!
Winner will be drawn TONIGHT at 6pm PST and announced this evening!
we won't be bummed if you wanted to twitter/facebook/or blog this shop though ;)

Have You Taken the Pledge?!

If you have taken the pledge and added this button to your blog, TELL US!!
We've started a list of blogs & Etsy stores who have pledged to be Handmade this Holiday Season!!
Email us with the subject: Add me to the HH List! and tell us the link you want us to reference.
Contact us by clicking the "Email Us" Icon to your right!!
We can't wait to include you!

Want to know how?
On blogger:
1. From your Dashboard select "Layout"
2. Select "Add a Gadget"
3. Select "Picture" and upload our button by dragging and dropping it to your desktop
4. Add the link to our blog in the corresponding "Link" box
5. Save
6. Tell us!

Get. Excited. 12 Stores + 12 Giveaways!!!!!

PSSSSSSSST!!!!  F&F has a big, and we're talking BIG, couple of weeks planned for our readers.  With the holidays here and the gifting and entertaining beginning, we have decided to make a Handmade Holiday Pledge.  

Yep....that's right.  

See ya later Box Stores!  

We refuse to spend our money and time on mass produced, chain store products.  

Why?  Because it's generic, unthoughtful, and just plain boooooooring.  We want to support fellow Etsy Shops!  Don't you?  So.....Are you in?  We hope so!!!!!!

Announcing F&F's first annual...

Oh-MY-GoOdNeSs!!!

12 Artists + Their 12 Etsy Stores + 12 Giveaways!!!

You're going to want to tune in on MONDAY and start telling your friends because it's every day (Mon-Thurs.) for THREE WHOLE WEEKS!

Be prepared to be inspired and friends--we dare you--take the handmade challenge!!
These talented women that you will meet over the next three weeks are SO worth supporting! Get out of the department stores and into the homes and hearts of artists this season!

Borrow this button above, start blogging about, start talking about it--we invite you to once, twice, every time, blog this logo to announce and share the Etsy stores you're going to come in contact with!!

We'll see you bright and early Monday morning (Nov. 9th) for Day #1 of our 12 days of Handmade Holidays!  

Tis the season to support handmade, local and vintage shops! 

Some Shops I Adore

Because F&F so firmly believes in buying and supporting handmade artists and crafters, I thought it was only appropriate to highlight the fabulous Etsy shops and vendors I used to help create my perfect day.

Hair accessories and corsages for the Bridal Party were all created by my bridesmaid, Amanda, of Untamed Petals.
Hand carved and personalized pumpkins all made by Carol at Poetic Pumpkins.
Flower girl tutus custom made by Chicky Poo and ballet slippers custom made by Small Beans.
Bridesmaid gifts included vintage hankies from Heirloom Linens and vintage brass lockets from Round About.
Custom rubber stamp created by Rubber Stamp Press.
Seriously, I heart Etsy so much it's crazy! What a wonderful resource....I loooove these shops!{photos by Cameron Ingalls}

Style Me Pretty Feature!

The fabulous Abby at Style Me Pretty featured my wedding and F&F this morning (here and here)...and of course we were THRILLED! We seriously obsess over SMP and all of her wedding posts...what a fabulous resource it was during my planning process! Here are some more details from the big day....enjoy!

Handmade crafty details and lots of pops of color were my fave elements!

Delicious Flower Girls in tutus and AMAZING bouquets and centerpieces by my wonderful "Aunt" Bobbie!

A quaint church on a hill, complete with steeple and bell tower, was perfection!

Photos by Cameron Ingalls that make you swoon....he is unbelievably talented!

Breathtaking views of San Francisco were to die for!

It was a day that was picture perfect in every way. I was blessed beyond measure by friends and family, and I couldn't have prayed for a better wedding.

Thank you Style Me Pretty for the fantastic feature! I am truly honored!!!!!!

Still to come....some of my fave vendors I purchased from for the big day (including those insanely adorable flower girl tutus and shoes from Etsy shops!!!!!)

{photos by Cameron Ingalls}