Posted by Nancy Flynn on 2004-12-08 14:04:07
Post Subject: Great SF trunk show tonight!
Just wanted to let SF peeps know that the Appel & Frank holiday show is tonight:
http://www.appelandfrank.com/
They have great stuff from local designers of all kinds-- I love to get my xmas gifts there, because I'm buying them straight from the artist or designer who made them. I know it costs $10, but last time I actually won something in the door raffle that the $10 automatically enters you in!
Posted by Athos on 2004-12-01 02:40:29
Post Subject: SF SnB 12/8/04
hey stitch and bitchers -
come meet me wednesday 12-8
at cafe la boheme.
24th st @ mission (right by the BART station)
7:30 p.m.
i've left the sweater i'm working on in new jersey in an effort to force myself to work on xmas gifts and donations, so see me crochet at the speed of light! or, more likely, cry into my mexican hot chocolate about how much i want to get done and taking the GREs.
Posted by brdgt on 2004-12-05 18:12:41
Post Subject: How to make top shelf vodka
I'm a total geek who watched The Screen Savers on G4Tech TV nightly. Well, they had a piece on how to turn bottom shelf vodka into top shelf vodka using brita filters. They got the info from this site:
http://www.ohmygoditburns.com
Sort of puts a new twist on those homemade spririts that crafty folks make for xmas gifts!
Posted by brdgt on 2005-05-10 13:18:25
Post Subject:
Gosh, it's a tough call because I adore anything handmade and there are positives and negatives to both "useful" gifts and "decorative" ones. I think my favorite gifts are ultimately decorative ones that are "disposable" - like soap and candles. I don't like clutter myself and using something up just adds to it "specialness." On the other hand, one can never get enough accessories, like jewerly, bags, scarves, purses, etc.!!
I've already started on some xmas gifts to give you an idea of what I'm planning:
-a knitted checkerboard and bag (from "Weekend Knitting")
-a cable knit shoulder bag
-a bunch of hats and scarves appropriate for guy friends
-decorative scarves for female friends
-melt and pour soaps and candles (great for coworkers!)
Posted by moon_lemming on 2005-01-24 09:11:12
Post Subject:
the french vanilla cafe (or whatever it's called) instant drink mix that comes in a little rectangular tin. they make sugar-free DECAF, so I can actually drink it. it's like hot chocolate, but vanilla-y.
I love the Goodnight Hugs cocoa, too, but haven't been able to find it for a year or so. should have stockpiled, hee. and mulled cider, yay!
I like to make batches of hot chocolate mix (those recipes that have powdered milk, cocoa, etc.) for xmas gifts and keep a few jars for myself. that way I can mix in crushed candy canes, powdered vanilla creamer, or whatever.
Posted by CraftinFool on 2004-06-23 09:47:21
Post Subject:
Xuli, I don't think it's inappropriate to do that at all, I do the same - for ex I pick up used or cheap books in excellent condition to have on hand.
Honestly, as a gift getter I'd far prefer something personal and creative like a homemade hot sauce, plant cuttings, or a collage, than an expensive bought gift - but a lot of folks feel differently.
I also get frustrated with how xmas gifts get out of hand. It's the worst within my immediate family! A few of my friends and I have decided to just exchange cards, and it's amazing how relieved we both were to do it. I always tell them, "This doesn't mean I don't love you to pieces, it just means I'm broke."
Posted by Athos on 2005-07-18 00:23:58
Post Subject:
i have to say i agree. my family would likely find it a very stressful request, and the one year i tried it with my friends, it made everyone more upset than ever over making xmas gifts. and of course, since i'm a "crafter" - no one wanted to give me anything that they had made.
what did work was then suggesting to my friends that instead of a gift exchange, we all made time to go out to a nice restaurant and show in nyc. we usually can't afford to spend $125 in one night, but when we added up all the gifts we would have purchased/made, time spent, etc, it's great. huge stress reliever, which was all i ever wanted in the first place.
Posted by Nancy Flynn on 2004-12-13 13:00:31
Post Subject:
ooh brdgt, lovely. i love hearing what everyone is making...
For me:
Done:
Purse for BFs sister
clutch for BFs sister-in-law
hat for BF's brother
purses for my sister & best friend
purchased gifts for Mom, Dad, Sister
Not yet done:
Clutches promised to friend for her xmas gifts
clutch for friend who used to be my boss
ipod cozy for bf's other sister
gift for niece
there must be more...
Posted by peanut on 2004-08-28 15:35:55
Post Subject:
If I were you, I'd make up a press release about this, and send it, along with miniture reproductions of the patterns, to Bust, Ms, Ready Made, etc. Maybe also some of the trade magazine for graphic designers. Maybe you could offer 2 for 1 (once per customer) for a confirmed spot of the merch. Also announce that sales help to support your legal defence. I think you'd get great coverage, and it might help shut these chumps down. (of course, check with your lawyer.)
good luck!
As soon as I get some money I'll be buying transfers for xmas gifts!
Posted by meexie on 2004-12-24 01:27:42
Post Subject:
My birthday is a few days before Xmas and I'm low income. I love gift cards and cash on my birthday, because I can quickly turn them into Xmas gifts (I give very few, mainly to immediate family members). As far as I'm concerned, making it possible for me to give a nice gift to someone else is gift enough for me.
Posted by marvy on 2004-07-08 20:24:06
Post Subject:
I made lots of shrinky-dink jewelry last year for xmas gifts. One of the things I love to use to color them is Colored-Pencil Sticks. They are like colored pencils without the wood- you can press harder and you don't have to sharpen them. Markers also work pretty well.
When I'm baking them, to keep the smooth side smooth, I lay it out on a fresh sheet of aluminum foil, without any creases- it will help prevent bubbles. I also use clear nail polish on the backs, to prevent the markers or pencils from running if you sweat.
I took a lot of my design inspirations from this site: www.kilnenamel.com
Posted by art_skoolgirl on 2007-05-27 17:35:01
Post Subject:
awesome stuff. I love the library! It's my main source of reading. I usually only buy books I feel I will read or use more than once.
I agree with the 99-cent shampoo. My fiance and I buy a huge bottle from a bulk shopping club. It last a long time for both of us. The conidtioner is what I spend more money on.
Also I start as many of you do on xmas gifts 6 months in advance. It's starting to get to that time. I plan out art and craft ideas and try to accomplish them.
Also I buy xmas or any holiday decorations right after the holiday for next year. You can get so many discounts on wrapping paper, and decorations at usually about 75% off.
A friend of mine every year holds a Dye party. Where everyone helps to dye or highlight each others hair. Also she said you never use the same thing so anyone that wants to experiment with left overs is free to do so.
I have been buying a lot more romaine lettuce. It's the same price as iceburg yet is better for you and kepts and last longer in the fridge.
I hate throwing things away and every year during christmas I'd get a poinsettia. I have an average green thumb and kept it alive and couldn't bare to throw it out but worried about keeping it around longer with a small dog in the house I would plant them at my parents house on the side of the house. Mom takes care of them but she admits not as much as they say you should, but it doesn't seem to matter because now every year she has poinsettias blooming at her door in early decemeber.
