Christmas gift ideas from CreativeCritters

Bohemian Rose creates wonderful bath and body products

Bohemian Rose opened on ArtFire.com 12-16-08 and sells delightful handcrafted bath and body products.  All of her products are vegan-friendly unless otherwise stated.  She says "All Bohemian Rose products are made in a smoke-free home from high quality ingredients and are not tested on animals. Just myself, my family and friends who I have foisted soap on."

Some of her customers have said "What lovely delicious-smelling lip balm - all I have to decide now is which flavours to try next time! Thank you!" and "This was a gift for my mother in law and she Loved both of the soaps! They were perfect, thank you!"

You can also find Bohemian Rose at her blog, Flickr, Twitter, and IndiePublic.  Below is a sample of the lucious products available in her shop.  Be sure to stop by and see all she has to offer!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Cyber Monday and More Sale at CreativeCritters

Use coupon code HAPPYHOLIDAYS at checkout and receive 10% off everything in CreativeCritters until December 3rd! I have something for just about everybody. For the ladies I offer a variety of earrings, necklaces, and pins. For animal and nature lovers I have sculptures, jewelry, magnets, stuffed animals, and more. If you enjoy the world of fantasy, I have an entire section dedicated to my fantasy sculptures. I also have a section for a variety of whimsical sculptures. If you're looking for a truly special gift, take a peek at my miniature house sculptures. For those of you who play the World of Warcraft (or know someone who does), I have one of a kind, handsewn, plush Taurens and Murlocs. For the kids I make soft knit toys and handsewn dolls. Doll collectors would like some of these dolls as well. And of course I couldn't forget Kitty- I have a section with fun catnip toys filled with my own organic catnip. I also have pens which double as sculptures. These would make a delightful gift for anyone. I have a separate section for Christmas themed gifts as well. A unique, handcrafted gift will mean so much more than some mass produced gift bought at a large retailer. The time and effort that is put into handmade items really shows through. So this holiday season, why not buy handmade and really support your local economy?
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

Hard to believe it's "turkey day" already (where did the year go?).  Unfortunately I won't be able to have dinner with my husband's family this year, as we usually do.  I can't leave Gramma for that long and too many of his relatives are sick. I can't afford to bring the flu back home .  I will be cooking a small turkey breast and a few sides, but nothing too fancy.  I am very grateful that my in laws are here for the holiday though.  It's been far too long since I've seen them, and I really missed Mom especially.  I got pretty lucky when it comes to in laws.  While I won't get to see Mom and Dad on Thanksgiving, I will get to see them during the weekend.  Another little miracle I'm thankful for is that my cat Ozzy seems to be feeling much better.  He's eating well, and even came upstairs to say hi to Mom and Dad while they were over.  He's been playful and vocal, just like he normally is.  I also want to thank everyone who sent kind wishes his way.  I think all those postive thoughts helped.

I'm thankful, too, that I found ArtFire, and met so many wonderful artists there.  I've had more sales and more positive feedback than anywhere else I've sold.  I've also been inspired to try more complex projects and dared to go outside my comfort zone a bit.  I think this is a wonderful venue for me, and I've felt comfortable on ArtFire from day one.  I've learned SO much since I started on ArtFire it's amazing. Heck, I'm even able to help the newbies now.

Then there's my family- I'm very thankful for those who have helped, comforted, and supported me in all I've done throughout the years.  I guess I'm pretty lucky to have family and friends who have encouraged me to take my creativity and artwork further.  They had faith in my abilities long before I did.  My best friend, Monica, is an absolute angel.  She's always been there for me, through good times and through some really bad times.  We were college roommates and have been best friends ever since.  I think it was fate that we met.  She's made me a better person and she can always bring a smile to my face.

While a lot a things in my life have been incredibly difficult and downright bad, when I think about it, I have a whole lot to be thankful for.  I have wonderful friends and family, a roof over my head, Gramma's still here, and I'm doing what I love for a living (being an artist, that is).  There's a lot more I have to be thankful for, but I don't want to bore you.  So when life is really getting you down, try to remember the good things.  Even something as simple as a sunset, or the warm breeze through your hair, or the purr of your cat, is something to be thankful for.  So I want to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving!  Now go eat lots of turkey and pass out on the couch!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Beautiful handcrafted jewelry can be found at Jewelry by Desiree

Jewelry by Desiree opened on Artfire.com 11-19-08 and her studio categories include necklaces, earrings, bracelets, sets, chainmaille jewelry, zipper pulls, stitch markers, wine charms, and childrens accessories.  She also has a Sale category in which everything is 15% off. She states "I pledge that everything in my shop is hand-crafted; is either my own design, or I have legal permission to use it. I pledge to provide my customers with the highest quality product I'm capable of producing; to treat my customers courteously; to provide them with excellent service; and to conduct my business in an ethical and socially responsible manner.
If there is something that you see and would like in a different color, size or style just contact me and we will work something out. I love to do custom pieces so please contact me if you would like a custom piece or set. Any of my earrings can have the earwire switched out to whatever kind that you like, just let me know when you checkout.
I use only quality components from trusted sources. Some of my favorite materials are silver, swarovski crystals and hematite and semi-precious stones."

You can also find Jewelry by Desiree at jewelrybydesiree.blogspot, jewelrybydesiree.webs.com, Flickr, ByHand.me, and Facebook.  Below is a sample of some of the lovely pieces that can be found in this shop.  These would make some great presents!  Be sure to stop in and see all she has to offer!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Ozzy

Some of you already know my 13 year old cat Ozzy has been having a hard time lately. He hasn't been eating and really just hasn't felt well at all. I've been feeding him with a syringe, using either baby food (chicken, lamb, or turkey), or canned cat food with water added and ground up to baby food consistency. The last couple of days have been particularly bad. He's been fighting me when I try to feed him, rather than licking the food from the syringe like he was before. I've shed more than a few tears in his fur. He was still doing "Ozzy things" though, like sitting in the sun on the couch, and he enjoyed getting his belly and chest scratched, even giving me some nice purrs for my efforts. Today was different though. When I offered him the syringe (filled with lamb baby food) he began licking it enthusiastically, then he even licked some out of the bowl by himself. When I came back inside this afternoon after doing some chores outside he followed me downstairs and asked (very clearly) for some more food. This time he wanted to lick it off my finger- hey, whatever works! I was more than happy to oblige. So I sat on the floor, repeatedly dipping my finger in baby food and letting Oz lick it clean, until he'd had his fill. Hopefully he'll keep eating, in whatever manner works for him. When my ferret, Ziggy, became elderly and started having difficulty eating I would spoon feed him several times a day. Ozzy would sit there and watch, asking why the ferret was getting such special attention. I told Ozzy that if the day ever came when it was necessary, I would do the same for him. Unfortunately, that day has come. But I will do whatever I can to keep my cat going, for as long as he's willing to go. He's not ready to give up yet, and neither am I. He's still able to find joy in life. I believe he'll let me know when he's too tired or too sick to go on. We haven't reached that point yet, and we're both still fighting.

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Handcrafted Stocking Stuffers from CreativeCritters

The holidays are fast approaching, and people are beginning to start their holiday shopping.  Of course my motto is (and always has been) "Shop handmade!"  A handcrafted gift just has so much more thought and care behind it.  I've seen so many amazing pieces on ArtFire- the level of talent displayed on this sight just blows my mind!  Today I'd like to showcase some of my items that would make great stocking stuffers.  Be sure to check my studio often, as I'm adding new items on a daily basis.  I'm working on several new creations as we speak.  You can click on the pictures below to go directly to the listing.  Thanks for stopping by!

And don't forget to use coupon code HAPPYHOLIDAYS at checkout to recieve 10% off everything in my shop!  Sale ends December 3!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Tulips Treasurebox- OOAK jewelry treasures!

Tulips Treasurebox on ArtFire.com is full of unique, one of a kind jewelry treasures.  You can find beautiful handcrafted accessories in this delightful shop.  Lily is a Jewelry Designer and Artisan with active membership in the Florida West Coast Bead Society. She says "My creations are simple and complex, always one-of-a-kind, using quality gemstones, semi-precious, sterling silver, gold-filled, well-known Swarovski crystal, thai and bali silver, ethnic finds, and much more."  She welcomes custom orders and has a lay-away payment plan and offers worldwide shipping.

Her customers have said "Absolutely LOVE my new bracelet. It is gorgeous! Very well constructed and I can feel the love you put into the piece. :)", and "Lily, I cannot thank you enough for making this beautiful bracelet just for me. You are a wonderful designer and a pleasure to work with, understanding what I wanted and exacting it perfectly just for me in my colors. I look forward to working with you again!"

You can also find her on Facebook, her blog, and Twitter.  Below is a sample of some of her absolutely amazing work.  Be sure to stop in to her studio and take a long, slow look around so you don't miss a thing!

Talk about some serious "WOW!" pieces!  And there's plenty more where these beauties come from!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Holiday Sale at CreativeCritters

HAPPY HOLIDAY SALE AT CREATIVECRITTERS!!

I'm offering 10% off everything in my shop November 19 through December 3, giving you plenty of time to find some wonderful handcrafted Christmas gifts. My sale covers Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and then some. Below is a sample of what can be found in my shop, including Christmas Themed Gifts, Fantasy Sculptures, Polymer Clay Sculptures, Miniature Houses, Pen Sets, Plush World of Warcraft, Animal Sculptures, Cloth Dolls, Knit Toys, Jewelry and Magnets, Catnip Toys, and Erasers and Pencil Toppers. I've got something for everyone- even the cat! You can click the links to view the categories. Thanks for stopping by!




- Michelle of CreativeCritters