Countdown to the New Year with Cleveland Handmade: Photohale

It’s one of the busiest times of the year, with celebrations and parties, gatherings and gift-giving. This year Cleveland Handmade has geared up to showcase a variety of handmade goods for giving by stocking shops on etsy and throwing three handmade markets. I thought I’d showcase a seller each day all the way up until the New Year to let you know all the gorgeous goods available.

Today’s featured artist is Susan…a.k.a Photohale. She makes a variety of fine art photographs. My current holiday favorite is “berries”

Berries, 8X12 photograph $30

Countdown to the New Year with Cleveland Handmade: Snollygosters

It’s one of the busiest times of the year, with celebrations and parties, gatherings and gift-giving. This year Cleveland Handmade has geared up to showcase a variety of handmade goods for giving by stocking shops on etsy and throwing three handmade markets.
Here is another featured artist in my ongoing series, to let you know of all the great local handmade items you can find.

I got to see Snollygosters work at the first Cleveland Handmade Market in Chagrin Falls. She makes the most ADORABLE babushka dolls, which would be a perfect heirloom toy. They’re particularly cute with both “awake” and “asleep” faces

Valerie Tyler Designs Saturday Show Sneak Preview

This Saturday you can catch my items in person at the St. Albert the Great PTO show. It’s no ordinary craft show, as it’s absolutely HUGE nad has just about everything handmade you can imagine perfect for gift-giving, or yourself from photograph, to woodwork, clothing, housewares, paper goods, holiday decorations and….jewelry!

The show begins at 8am and runs until 3pm
St. Albert the Great
6667 Wallings Road, North Royalton

Here’s a just a few of the many items that might be available if they don’t sell in my online shop before then. (If you see something you like, snatch it up now in my online shop at http://www.valerietyler.etsy.com before Dec 4th, 2009 and I’ll refund your shipping!)


Dream Necklace in Brass and Sterling Silver, $39.00

Brass Crane Necklace, from my Zen Nature Collection, $27.00

Large Sterling Silver Pine Necklace, $50

Charcoal Smoke Gunmetal Earrings, $15

Countdown to the New Year with Cleveland Handmade: LeahAna Designs

It’s one of the busiest times of the year, with celebrations and parties, gatherings and gift-giving. This year Cleveland Handmade has geared up to showcase a variety of handmade goods for giving by stocking shops on etsy and throwing three handmade markets. I thought I’d showcase a seller each day all the way up until the New Year to let you know all the gorgeous goods available.
So here is a featured seller in the ongoing series:

LeahAna is the crochet jewelry queen (who also happens to make some fabulous rings!)

Cranberry Sparkle Crochet Necklace, $32

Meaningful Holiday Giving

As the holidays are fast approaching I’d like to take the opportunity to I’d like to give you ideas on how to find gifts that will be meaningful to both the recipient, but also meaningful in a much larger sense.

When purchasing gifts this year consider three different possibilities other than just chain stores.

1. Shop Local
2. Shop Handmade.
3. Shop Charity

Using these three criteria you should be able to find the perfect gift for just about anyone one your list that will also give back to more than just the recipient.

Here’s a few things to consider:

Shopping Locally
In a nutshell, when you shop locally your hard earned dollars stay in your own community. The taxes you pay on items go back into your community, and often a larger percentage of the cost of the item stays in your community as well, as the seller usually spends their profits on local goods. Not only that, expensive transportation costs and environmental impacts are lessened as well. If you want to read more check out an article I wrote last year about shopping locally as well.

Shopping Handmade
When you shop handmade you are purchasing items made with care and concern. Often you will find that sellers of handmade goods give extra attention to detail, offer excellent customer service and package their items with care. When you buy handmade you are helping people support artistic lifestyles, helping them to support their families. Buying handmade helps small businesses grow, which in turn are also very beneficial for the economy. If your community is short on independent storefronts visit Etsy Shop Local to connect with home based artisans near you.

Shop Charity
There are also many gifts you can give that help improve the lives of people around the world in need. Some charities offer programs where you can donate in a gift recipients name. Others have store programs where portions of their proceeds from the sales of gift items goes to help the needy. One of my favorites is World Vision. World vision has a catalog in which you can purchase things like cows or chickens, donate to small business loans, or give a water well to someone in need in the name of your gift recipient. Visit http://www.worldvisiongifts.org to find out more. I am also a huge fan of unicef, which is one of the places I love to buy my Christmas cards each year, as the money goes to help children around the world.