Handmade for the Holidays

Candy Cane Witch makes me want to eat the gingerbread house I have in the other room! Well here we are, the big weekend, the weekend in which I will probably not venture out of the house/woods because I don't like crowds and I don't need anything they sell in the mall. Because like many people, I would rather give and receive something that is made by myself, by a person I know or an artisan or craftsperson who cares about their work, than something produced en masse. These gifts don't have to be expensive, and thanks to the Internet, you can get a gift from far away from a like-minded Maker-of-Things, without having to leave the house. That's what the Handmade for the Holidays idea is all about.

I won't be able to spend any money myself this holiday season, but I do have a variety of original art and prints available in my Etsy shop if anyone would like to give the gift of art this year, some with a winter theme, many with a year-round appeal if you like fantasy, gothic, fairytale and psychedelic art. See my Winter Art Round-Up post for a winter-focused list, or just browse my shop. The prints are all of a size you can easily get a pre-made frame for, and much of the original art is also a standard size.

For the people close to me, I will be making gifts this year, either artwork or knit/crocheted items. Last year I was able to give something to many people I know, because I spend my free time at home knitting instead of grappling for position in an overcrowded store.

Here is a selection of some of the handmade items that some of my friends and online acquaintances offer. Art, music, fiction, scented goodies, graphic arts, handspun fiber and much more. And I included some interesting blogs and podcasts that friends of mine are involved with as well. I will keep adding to this as more friends make suggestions to me, and I will link back to this post.


Art:

Bethy Williams Interdimensional Art

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/bethywilliams

Photography:

Deirdre Ryan Photography (New Jersey area)

http://www.deirdreryan.com
http://blog.deirdreryan.com

Music:

Dark Holler Arts
(including the band I am in, Stone Breath, and friends)
http://www.darkhollerarts.com/

Lycia
http://www.lyciummusic.com

Mike Hamel and the Amber Lamps:
http://reverbnation.com/mikehamel

Korperschwache
http://www.korperschwache.com/

Lettering and Letterpress:

Word Illusions (custom ambigrams):
http://www.tiffanyharvey.com

Presse Dufour (design and letterpress)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pressedufour


Fiction:

Hyacinthe Raven (her new book is "Dial 999")
http://www.realityasylumbooks.com/

Tara VanFlower ("Violent Violet")
Ebook:
http://amzn.com/B003YCPG1O
Paperback:
http://www.cafepress.com/tara_vanflower.460011264

Fiber Arts (art yarn):

Three Ravens:
http://www.threeravens.net

Terry Had a Little Lamb:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/terryhadalittlelamb

Perfumery and Bath:

13 Gypsies Perfumery:
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/13GypsiesPerfumery

Sideshow Soap Co.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SideshowSoapCo

Conjure Oils
http://www.conjureoils.com

Possets Perfumes
http://www.possets.com

Jewelry and Accessories:

Od Peacock Jewelry:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/odpeacock

Peach Fuzz Jewelry:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PeachFuzzAccessories

And I also wanted to promote some friends' work on the internet, in blog and podcast form, here are some projects that some friends of mine are involved with:

Painted Lady Finger (nail polish and beauty products blog):
http://www.paintedladyfingers.com

Pre-Recorded Late Night (free improv comedy podcast)
http://pre-recorded.com/

Miss Gender: A Transgender Woman Tells Her Story
http://missgender.com/


Thanks for looking, and happy holidays!

Winter art round-up

Everyone already seems ready to start in on the holiday season in the first days of November, and since mail order can take time, I'm not going to wait any longer to launch my own winter art for the season! I'll continue to post new things as they become available, since I have a lot of painting planned. I will link back to this post whenever I post new winter art though, since it's nice to have it all in one place. I love painting snow for some reason -- that color scheme really appeals to me and I love the magical worlds that can be created with snow and ice as the themes. I hope to offer some more child-friendly art with snowy witch themes, maybe some winter animals like owls and penguins, and some gothic graveyard in the snow art as well, as the season progresses.

Commissions for the holidays can be accepted at least through the end of this month, looking at my schedule so far...I'll post a note if I get too busy to take on new ones but for now, I'm good to go!

Above, "Haunted by Snow Ghosts" is the newest original painting I have in my shop with a winter/snow theme. It is 7 x 9 inches which is a nice size for gift giving. Ghosts aren't just for Halloween, I think they are wonderful in winter too!

"Snowflake Witch" is an original 9 x 12 painting currently available. I have previously painted a very similar image but I wanted to create a new one so that I can offer her again, and also have new high resolution images available for future print-making. Right now if anyone wants a print, contact me and I can make one up in 5 x 7 or 8 x 10; they will be added to my regular shop stock in the future.

"Shards of Color" is another original currently available in 9 x 12 with snow, ice and pastel colors - great for kids or adults, a gentle but surreal little piece.

"Snow Snail" is another surreal snow painting, and the newest print I've added from a relatively recent painting (I sold the original about two years ago I think). A faceless figure is led through a snowy landscape by a strange snail. I have a 5 x 7 in stock but since the original was 8 x 10 I can make that size upon request as well.

"Snow Cauldron," also in stock as an 8 x 10.

"Candy Cane Path" has a childlike feel and would fit nicely in a kid's room or for a witch-loving adult.


"Valentine Witch" doesn't have to wait until February, she's a winter witch who just happens to have some hears on her wings and dress. :)

I'll post more as I do them, and probably continue with winter art well past the holidays if the mood strikes me...it's hard to stop once I get started!