BESTeam Quartet

I've NEVER gone shopping on Black Friday and I LOVE to shop. However, I do not love crowds of people. I'll admit it, I have about zero patience for crowds of people. There is practically nothing appealing sounding to me about being bumped into and then forced to stand in slow moving lines to save money. I promise I'm not a Scrooge and I honestly do have a lot of respect for anyone that can do this. But on that note, with the ever evolving world at our fingertips known as the internet, why not stay in the comforts of your own home this year and support hard-working artisans and crafters?

Whether it be as a hobby, a means of extra income or the sole source of income for their families, there are so many options for a unique shopping experience for gifts that you will be sure to not need a gift receipt for. Here are some great shops to get your Black Friday shopping started from the comforts of your own couch!

Decorative Wooden Calendar - green, bright pink, orange

Two sisters, Sandy and Sue, of Illinois share the passion for crafting that started as making gifts for family and friends and has since evolved into a business venture, Creativity Bugs. Here you will find paper a variety of gift items including paper crafts, handmade cards, holiday gifts and more.

shop | Facebook | blog

Mauve Handmade Crochet Clothespin Angel Ornament with Stand

Sticking with her crafting standby, Ellen from Washington finds crochet to be where she findsmost inspiration in part because of her roots. Her fondest memories involve watching both grandmothers creating beautiful things which the talent was obviously passed down to Ellen. Her shop, GMaEllenCrochetGifts, grows every day so stop back often.

shop | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Garden Fairy Pink Lemonade Sun Catcher

Looking for a bit of whimsy? Poison Garden is the place for you! Suzette, Crystal, and Melissa bring their imaginations together to create whimsical and eccentric pieces of jewelry, accessories, decor and artwork. Best of all...they are offering 30% off Black Friday-Cyber Monday by using a coupon code found on their shop!

shop | Blog | Tumblr

Leather Journal, Embossed Turquoise, Hand-Bound 4.5x6 Journal

Absolutely beautiful leather journals are the creation of Shirley of Ontario, Canada. The Orange Windmill is a throwback to her Dutch roots and favorite color, orange. The process of making these journals a therapeutic, from scratch process allowing this busy mother an escape to silence. You too can escape by filling the pages of your new journal.

shop | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Stumbleupon | Tumblr

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! Please consider shopping handmade this holiday season.

------------

As a member of BESTeam (Boosting Etsy Shops Team) myself, along with the members of this team promote each other by blogging, Twitter, Facebook, in treasuries, etc. For more information please visit: Boosting Etsy Shops Team or the Etsy team page.

BESTeam Trio

"Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity." ~Bo Bennett

This week I ask the questions, what inspires you? How do you take your inspiration and turn it into something fabulous? This week's trio brings three very inspiring shops: The Orange Windmill, Empty on the Inside and CK Silver. What better place to capture your ideas than in a beautiful hand-bound leather journal?! The Orange Windmill is the perfect place to find just that. A dutch girl calling Canada her home, Shirley loves all things handmade. Her journals are made from scratch of hand-cut leather and hand torn sheets of paper. They are so gorgeous I wouldn't want to dirty the pages.

Leather Journal, Green, Hand-Bound 4.5 x 6 Journal

shop | facebook | blog | Twitter | Pinterest

Annie from Empty on the Inside wants you to use your own inspiration to finish the cards she makes. Phrases of beauty being skin deep and beautiful inside and out morphed into Empty on the Inside. This name is not a reflection of sadness or loneliness, but instead a symbol of leaving space on the inside of her hand-painted cards for a personal, heart-felt message. So grab that pen and put the card giants to shame!

Bouquet of Flowers Blank Greeting Card

shop | facebook | blog

If writing down your thoughts aren't working stir up any ideas, wearing this inspirational necklace may be not only a great accessory, but a motivator. Cindy and Marilyn, a mother-daughter team, create classic pieces of jewelry in their shop CK Silver. These sterling silver pieces are beautiful, timeless, elegant and unique incorporating freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystal.

Fancy Jasper Inspirational Necklace

shop | blog | facebook | twitter

------------
As a member of BESTeam (Boosting Etsy Shops Team) myself, along with the members of this team promote each other by blogging, Twitter, Facebook, in treasuries, etc. For more information please visit: Boosting Etsy Shops Team or the Etsy team page.