Holiday Gifts From Some Of My Favorite Women

Last weekend was an epic show for me at the 25th annual Women's Festival of Crafts, it was my best show over! I worked super hard getting ready for it and made a ton of work, I even had some back stock. 

I shared my space with Molly, it was her first show. So great to have her by my side.

She sold several of her fabulous rings and got many inquiries about custom orders. I love her display!

I had so much fun shopping for gifts and for myself! Here's some of the things I nabbed from some of my favorite artists and crafters.

Bought this felted feather garland from Carrie Root of The Root Studio. She had so many cute items at her booth.

Love this goat print and little sloth magnet from Nikki Laxar. 

Couldn't decide which wrist warmers to get from Nicole's Threads so I bought both. 

Bought these Batik flags for myself and others as gifts from Alison Parsons (she doesn't seem to be on the web but you can email her at parsonsaj@comcast.net)

I've been eyeing Heather Sterns pottery for a long time and I'm so happy to finally own a set of her gorgeous mugs. Her website is Muddy Creek Pottery.

I already own several Foliage bags from Tessa Valyou but I was drooling over her new ones. Got this tiny wallet for my business cards.

Love these rocks from Rebecca of Heartfire Henna.

Had to have this fun fake fur hat by Nancy Rood of GreatHat.com 
Lots of fab items, hope this helps you find some great gifts.
Oh and one more... 

Right now there's a Localvore Deal for half off a massage from Amanda Young - my favorite massage therapist. A perfect gift to give or keep! Happy Shopping!

Taking Some Time Amidst the Chaos

It's so easy to get completely overwhelmed right now so I'm trying to make time to take care of myself too. The Stoweflake Spa made that easy with their 50% off week deal. I called my dear friend Kori and we made a date for yesterday. We made sure to get there a couple hours early to enjoy the spa amenities: sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, waterfall pool, mineral pool. Pure luxuriousness.
Plus I was able to weave together business + social time + relaxation. The Spa made a BIG order from me over the summer and I was happy to see they are now quite low on work. They recently made a holiday order to replenish and I will be sending that in a few weeks but meanwhile I dropped off the 14 Chakra wraps that they ordered (they were completely out!) The Spa boutique carries the best products and features many Vermont made lines such as: Lunaroma, Way Out Wax and VT Artisan Tea Co. 

After a wonderful and relaxing Reflexology appointment with Lea I headed down the mountain road to the Stowe Craft Gallery to drop off the rest of their holiday order. 

So nice to see how they display my work and in a prominent position in the gallery. 

This week I also finished 3 new Turquoise pendants. You can find them in my Etsy shop. While I still have 2 shop orders to finish this week and then 3 HUGE shop orders to finish this month I'm trying to stay calm. Amanda Young is helping with that with weekly massages. After the spa afternoon yesterday and a massage from Amanda today, I feel ready to conquer the rest of the week. The sunshine ain't hurtin' either! To everyone that's workin' hard out there...make sure to take some time for yourself!

Shout Out to Amanda Young

Making jewelry and sitting a lot to make jewelry can take a toll on the body. I started seeing Shanti Mama Amanda Young a year ago. She is an AMAZING massage therapist and Doula. I've had a few massages in my life but never saw someone regularly until Amanda. Her studio, in the Chase Mill, is so inviting and peaceful filled with lovely scents and soothing music.

I prefer deep tissue massage. It loosens muscle tissues, releases toxins from muscles and gets blood and oxygen circulating properly. After a session I feel so much lighter, looser and relaxed.

Amanda is so warm and so comforting, she has a way of being both professional but relaxed and open. She's very easy to talk to and will customize the session to your needs. She's super skilled in the rhythms of the body and deeply cares about the art of massage and bringing health and well being to her clients. I know so many locals who see Amanda regularly and she has just been nominated for a Seven Daysie Award! Vote for Amanda! She so deserves this recognition!

She has this to say about her practice: "Shanti Mama Wellness has grown out of a love of tradition, of peace, of healing and of acceptance. There are many things that we cannot change but we can affect how we treat our spirit and our bodies. Shanti, a Sanskrit word meaning peace and tranquility, reflects my intention that this work brings peace into the lives of those who receive it and encourages my clients, whether it is in the birthing room or in the massage studio, to breathe, be present, and be at peace."