DDH Holiday Gift Guide #1

The holidays are fast approaching!!!  To help our devoted DDH readers get a head start on holiday shopping we will be bringing you Holiday Gift Guides featuring some of our favorite shops!!!  Get to know the lovely artisans better through daily interviews AND enjoy shop discounts!  Please read on!

DDH Holiday Gift Guide #1

Twiggy and Opal

Grandma Said Sew

Bonita Bellita

The Lovely Smith

Frozen Water Designs

Very Pretty Things

Chocolate Dog Studios

Uniquely Mary L

Schalrausch

Whimsy Bags

Peppermint Twist Rosett... BonitaBellita $10.00	Black Friday Sale Blood... veryprettythin... $17.99	Wire Art Seahorse Sculp... UniquelyMaryL $30.00	Black and Red Linen Sca... Schalrausch $29.50
Simply Monolithic Squar... TheLovelySmith $40.00	Coffee Cup Sleeve, Coff... ChocolateDogSt... $8.00	Baby Blanket, Modern Ba... TwiggyandOpal $42.00	Batik Handmade Quilt GrandmaSaidSew $299.00
Carol Girl -- (ARTIST D... Whimsybags $14.00	of the essence - a cloc... frozenwaterdes... $25.00	Black Friday Sale On Sa... veryprettythin... $17.09	Red Hydrangea Flower ha... BonitaBellita $11.00
Upcycled Navy and Red ... GrandmaSaidSew $21.50	Fabric Flags, Fabric Ba... TwiggyandOpal $3.25	Christmas ornaments, fe... ChocolateDogSt... $5.50	Old World Vintage Santa... Whimsybags $12.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Now for the deals for DDH readers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Twiggy and Opal * dailydose10 for 10% off

Grandma Said Sew *HOLIDAY for 15% off (Expires 1/30/13

Bonita Bellita * HOLIDAY2012 for 20% off

The Lovely Smith *DDholidays25 for 25% off (Expires 12/15/2012)

Frozen Water Designs * allyourbase for 10% (no expiration)

Very Pretty Things * DAILYDOSE20 20% (Expires 11/25/2015)

Chocolate Dog Studios * Mug20 for 20% off any cup cozy (Expires 11/17/2012)

Uniquely Mary L * Seahorse12 for 25% off (Expires 12/10/2012)

Schalrausch * DAILY10 for 10% off (Expires 12/31/2012)

Whimsy Bags * HOLIDAY25 for 25% off

SHOP FEATURE - october 5th, 2012 - BonitaBellita

come and join us as we feature the fantastic designs of BonitaBellita!  Stephanie creates glamorous jewelry, bloom-inspired hair accessories and chic home decor... there is definitely something for everyone in her shop!  sit back and enjoy her Q & A - then head off to her shop to use the exclusive DDH discount code!

What made you decide to start your shop?
~ Although I have always loved to work with my hands, for so long I didn't think I could sell these self created pieces. One day a friend of mine told me about etsy. I decided to explore the possibility of opening shop and since I was also becoming more and more unsatisfied with my day job, I left it and became Bonita Bellita.

What type of products do you sell?
~ Originally I only sold hair accessories but now also have glamorous jewelry, beautiful bookmarks, and home decor.

What is your favorite shop accomplishment so far?
~ That's a tough one. I would say the people my shop has reached. There are brides who have come for pieces from my shop from across the world. Who could ask for a bigger compliment? Not to mention that means that my shop is being seen internationally! That was a huge dream realized for me.

~ What is your biggest challenge as an Etsy/online seller?
The biggest challenge is balance. Balance between bold colors and soft colors, family life and work life, gold and silver... eventually it all comes down to that cup of tea in the morning while I sort out my coming priorities.

What is the top selling item in your shop?
~ I have peacock pieces that sell very well for weddings, and the romantic lace jewelry holders quickly find new homes.

Do you have a tip for others selling in the handmade community?
~ I have three tips, actually. 1) Take clean photos with good lighting. It makes all the difference. 2) Be versatile with your work. 3) Enjoy yourself.

What are you currently working on/newest project?
~ My newest project is looking for new and unique jewels to share. I love a good sparkle. Also working on new peacock pieces, soon to come!

Favorite blog or crafty resource that you refer to often!
~ I love some pinterest for inspiration, I can always find a good recipe, gardening tip, or good laugh on there. Also love to bounce ideas with my good friend Caroline from www.etsy.com/shop/PrometheanDesign .

thank you so much, Stephanie!  we love your shop and we hope everyone else does too!!!  now you can use the code DAILYHANDMADE for 30% off - AND she is also giving away a free gift with each purchase during Oct 2012!  you can't beat that!

SHOP FEATURE - september 28th, 2012 - Schalrausch

greetings from Germany!  we are thrilled to present gorgeous scarves from Heike's stunning shop, Schalrausch!  beautifully hand dyed and hand sewn, Heike obviously loves what she does and we are excited to be one of the first places to showcase her work!  so sit back and enjoy her Q & A then shop away with her exclusive DDH discount code!

What made you decide to start your shop? I have been addicted to scarves for a very long time - all sorts of scarves! I used to collect Hermès scarves.

My friends always asked me to buy scarves for them because they loved mine. When I discovered Etsy, I thought that this would be a fantastic chance for me to create my own scarves and share them with the whole world. All my scarves are either hand dyed or completely hand sewn by me.

What type of products do you sell?
I sell scarves. These scarves are either sewn from fabric which I purchase in local stores in and around Munich or are hand-dyed and sewn from unbleached raw silk/linen/cotton. I try my best to offer a wide variety: There are plain colored scarves in soft and bright colors, with fringes, without fringes, pure silk scarves, pure linen scarves, my very popular infinity scarves, and soft cotton scarves. I love them all.

What is your favorite shop accomplishment so far?
I have met so many wonderful people from all over the world here on Etsy and I love to exchange thoughts and views within this community. I would call it a success to be part of such a lovely community. I am also thrilled with the fact that I have managed to do things that I never thought that I would be able to do.

What is your biggest challenge as an Etsy/online seller?
I love to connect and get in touch with people from all over the world. But as most of you are in different time zones and I want to catch up with you all, I spend almost the whole night in front of my laptop, which often means little sleep, but sleep is overrated in any case. J (There are fantastic eye creams on the market)

What is the top selling item in your shop?
So far, my fringed linen scarves have been selling best. I offer them in many different colors, from pastel colors to bright and bold colors and also some nice two-tone ones.

Do you have a tip for others selling in the handmade community?
Running a homemade business is a 24/7 job. But this is the fantastic thing about it, when you do something that you love, you can only give your best when you love doing what you do and when you stand behind it 100%. Same time you need to be patient, it will not start from 0 to 100 and you always need to develop and improve yourself. I am still in the beginning stages and I am learning every day.

What are you currently working on/newest project?

Before I even think of selling/listing a new scarf, I always make samples first, which I gift to my mum, friends and they "test" it in real life and tell me their honest opinion. At the moment I am working with a very special cotton fabric. My supplier, who is THE specialist supplier for silk/linen and cotton raw fabrics in Germany, recommended this gauze cotton fabric to me. I ordered a couple of yards to test the fabric. So far the fabric has been washed, tumble dried and it is a beautiful voluminous gauze fabric, which will make fantastic looking scarves. The dyes are ready and next week I will create some wonderful Fall scarves in rich jewel colors.

Favorite blog or crafty resource that you refer to often!

There is not really a crafting website that I visit. I read a lot of fashion magazines, the Instyle mag i.e. is my "bible" and what also really inspires me are the great artists on etsy. When I see wonderful paintings in great colors, fantastic jewelry in beautiful colors, this is something that inspires me. thank you so much, Heike for working with us here at the Daily Dose!  you can now use her exclusive DDH code
DAILY10 for a 10% discount!  she is also offering free international shipping at the moment - you can't get better than this!!!!!