Thinking About Holiday Shopping...

As October is quickly coming to an end my thoughts are turning to the upcoming holiday season--Thanksgiving and Christmas. As you begin to shop for gifts, please consider purchasing handmade gifts from independent artisans and crafters and small local business. Small business owners, including yours truly, would greatly appreciate your support as we strive to keep our businesses afloat in today's challenging economy. With holiday shopping in mind, I've spotted some interesting items on Zibbet that I want to share with you. Enjoy!

 

This very unique piece of art would make a great gift for your favorite fisherman. This Spoon Fisherman can be found at Forked Up Art on Zibbet. If fishing isn't your interest don't despair. Forked Up Art offers a variety of great sculptures and useful items created from forks and spoons!

This Rustic Wall Cross is a beautiful art piece that would make a thoughtful gift for someone special on your gift list this year. Made of twisted rusty wire with a turquoise cross as the focal point, this cross will add a touch of rustic charm to any room. Rustique Art on Zibbet offers wonderful handcrafted items so be sure to browse there for additional gift ideas.

Are you looking for something for your favorite guy? I think this Tall Desk Lamp made of stones and topped with a parchment shade from Clearwater Cabin on Zibbet may be exactly what you're looking for.

How about this great Roasted Turkey made of wood for that budding chef on your gift list? Now your child can serve up a culinary treat any day of the year with this fabulous handmade toy from SS Woodcraft on Zibbet.

Wrap bracelets seem to be all the rage. How about this Denim Wrap Bracelet from Denim and Pearls on Zibbet for the teen gal on your shopping list? Made of recycled denim and a one-of-a-kind wooden and wire buckle, your teen will be the only one around with a wrap bracelet like this one!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Red, White and Blue

When I think of summer, the most significant event that comes to mind is the celebration of the Declaration of Independence in the US on July 4. Fireworks, watermelon and "Old Glory" have naturally become symbolic of this holiday. I just had to take a walk through Zibbet this afternoon, looking for some red, white and blue. Here are a few great items that I found...

Can't you just see your picnic table set with these patriotic crocheted envelopes from All About the Buttons?

This flag button from Portable Graffiti would make a great party favor for each guest at your July 4 picnic.

I think that a basket filled with this handpainted patriotic baseballs from Yummy Cuppy Crafts would make the perfect centerpiece for your July 4 picnic table!

This very patriotic wreath from Wreaths by Robin will welcome your guests to the picnic with a huge splash of red, white and blue.

So you aren't the hostess of a July 4 gathering this year? This vintage brooch from Petit Poulailler would make a fantastic gift for the hostess of the picnic you'll be attending!

I hope you've enjoyed these Americana items that I spotted on Zibbet. There are many more great items there for your shopping pleasure so please stop in and take a look around! And whatever your Independence Day plans include, I wish for you a safe and happy July 4, 2011!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

You're invited...

...to join the fun and excitement of selling your handmade, fine art, vintage and/or craft supply items on Zibbet for just $69 per year! That's just $5.75 per month. There's more! Pay no listing fees or sales commissions. And, for as long as you keep your account active (with no lapses in your subscription) you'll never pay more than $69 per year. That's right. This is a locked in price offer that lasts a lifetime.

If you're currently selling on another venue (or two or three) there's nothing wrong with that. But if you're not selling on Zibbet, you're missing a grand opportunity to grow with a company that is up and coming. With only 491 annual Premium subscriptions remaining for $69 (as of this writing), now is the time to sign up and lock in this great price.

So, what will you get for $69 per year? Here are just a few of the great Premium features available on Zibbet:

• Unlimited listings. Fill your shop with hundreds of great items!
• Shop customization features including widgets, colors and several choices of banner size.
• Sales mode and coupons.
• Eight images of each item.
• Zibbet homepage exposure.
• Gift Guide participation.

To see all of the great Premium only features, visit Zibbet's Sell page for a side-by-side comparison with Basic shop features.

Once you've gotten settled in at Zibbet, I think you'll agree that "There's no place like Zibbet!" So come join us today and let the fun and excitement begin!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Think Like a Fish

Are you a fisherman or fisherwoman? Is there a special fisherperson on your gift list? If so, check out my latest shop on Zibbet called Think Like a Fish. TLAF is a collaboration between me and my dad, Jim "Pop" Canaday. Pop has been making fishing lures for over fifty years and we are now offering them for sale on Zibbet. I'm a jewelry maker and I'm offering fish themed jewely items through TLAF. To read more about us, please check out our Zibbet Seller Profile. Also, we'd love to have you become a fan and "like" us on Facebook where you can keep up with the latest from Think Like a Fish.

Here are a few items that are currently listed for sale with more coming...

Scoot-A-Jig Pink

Pop's Finesse Spinner Bait Chartreuse

Silver Shad Spoon Bracelet

Blue and Black Bead Minnow Spoon Bracelet
and Blue and Black Bead Dangle Earrings

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Roses Aren't Always Red

Roses are my favorite flower. I love the softness of their petals and their intoxicating fragrance. Not only do I enjoy fresh roses in all colors, I'm also partial to jewelry and art that feature this beautiful flower. Here are some wonderful rose-themed items that I found on Zibbet. Enjoy!

Rhodonite Carved Rose with Zebra Jasper Necklace and Earring Set by Graceful Earth Jewelry

Crochet Tutorial Flower 2in1 by Faima

Vintage Salt and Pepper Shakers Shaby Pink

by Rose Cottage Emporium

Moonlight and Roses by Artistica

3" Cold Porcelain Rose Cluster Pin by Rose Petals

Quilled Rose by Sandra White

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Handcrafted Mugs

Blue Celedon Fluted Cup

A lot of people have unique coffee drinking preferences and rituals. One such ritual is drinking coffee from a special mug. I'm one of those people. My son, who loves coffee, is also attracted to interesting and unique mugs. A few months back, I spotted this handcrafted pottery mug by Blue Sky Pottery on Zibbet. The shape is what caught my eye but I knew that Jesse would prefer a different color and a larger size. So I inquired about having a mug made just for Jesse and within a week or so, a custom made mug arrived. Jesse loved his surprise gift and so did I.

Jesse's Custom Made Mug by Blue Sky Pottery

Here are a few more wonderful handcrafted mugs that I discovered on Zibbet...

Catlovers Artprint Ceramic 11oz Mug

Peacock Blue Etched Glass Coffee Mug

Large Mug in White and Pale Green

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade



Random Acts of Kindness

I love the Liberty Mutual commercials on television which show a series of individuals spontaneously assisting others with some sort of problem while being silently observed by another. The observer is next shown lending a helping hand, creating a random act of kindness chain reaction. The world would be a much better place if everyday every person would be the source of a random act of kindness.

A group of Zibbet sellers has begun to offer Pay It Foward, or PIF, items. PIF on Zibbet is based on the the random acts of kindness idea in the independent artisan community. Purchase a PIF item for a greatly reduced price and be reminded to look for an opportunity to perform a random act of kindness for someone in need. If you are a Zibbet seller who purchases a PIF, participanting sellers request that you in turn offer a PIF through your shop.

PIF items often sell very quickly so the items shown below may not still be available for purchase. However, search Zibbet for PIF and you should find a group of great items to choose from. And remember to share a random act of kindness everyday!

Fine Art Prints Daily Special PIF

PIF Gift Tags Made From Recycled Greeting Card

PIF English Congratulations Graduate Blue Stripped Handmade Greeting Card

Homespun Yarn - Metropolis PIF

PIF (pay it forward) Khaki Webbing Mini Key Fob

PIF (Pay It Forward) - Lime Frosted Glass, Antique Bronze Earrings

PIF - Blue Stick Shift Cozy fits Gear Shifts too

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade



I Scream for Ice Cream!

Out for Ice Cream

While browsing Zibbet recently, I came across this ice cream sign photo taken by Stimples and Strummels. I don't know about you, but I definitely had the urge to scream for ice cream as soon as I spotted the photo! To stop myself from heading straight to the nearest source of ice cream, I spent some time looking for more great ice cream inspired item on Zibbet. Here are a few of my favorites...



Felt Ice Cream and Banana Split Pattern



Pickles & Ice Cream Soap Set



Ice Cream Cones - Organic Dog Treats



Pink Ice Cream Diamond Zipper Wristlet



Ice Cream Truck on the Beach



Ice Creme Cone Summer Hair Bow

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade