Holiday Handmade Gifts Under Twenty Dollars

This time of year with the high cost of heating your home it is especially nice to be able to shop for gifts that don’t break the bank but are still a pleasure to give. Handmade gifts, even if the gift giver does not make them with their own hand are also more pleasing to receive than something bought in a big-box store. It is comparable to shopping at a hometown boutique as opposed to fighting the crowds at Wal-Mart. As an added bonus you can feel good knowing that you are supporting an independent artisan.

Another advantage to buying directly from the artisan is that the quality is usually much better. We care what our customers think and we want them to come back to us again and again. If something does happen you have someplace (besides China) to go to get your situation resolved.
Think outside the box this year! If you can’t think of a "thing", how about offering your services to that single parent friend of yours for a few hours of babysitting or for the elderly woman next door a few hours of lawn care, snow removal, or cleaning? If you can’t do those things yourself, find a teenager in the neighborhood and pay them to do it! You can make up gift certificates on your home computer. While a lot of people think these things are trivial they mean so much to those who receive them, much more so than that box of chocolates.
That brings me to another idea of gift giving that has seemed to die out. Bake some cookies, make fudge! One of the most cherished memories I have is one year when all my kids were actually able to be together for the Holidays and we baked cookies, biscotti, made fudge. We had a great time with lots of laughs and made a huge mess that we were happy to clean up. This year those same kids are spread out through all corners of the earth, literally.
Kids can get in on this too. They are fabulous at coming up with amazingly appropriate gifts that they have made themselves out of very little.
There are many of us in the designer and crafting world that sell our wares as a hobby, but most of us are trying to support themselves and their families by marketing their goods and/or services. This year why not make a pledge with your family and friends to have a handmade Holiday gift-giving season? If you can’t make it yourself, buy handmade!
There is an idea many people have that buying handmade has to be expensive and that is simply not true. Look at my shop. There are many items that you can give your friend, sister, mother, daughter, aunt, etc…that will cost you under $20.00. Of course if you want to spend more, feel free! Really though, all kidding aside if you look around you will find fabulous gifts appropriate for every member of your family that had the caring, loving touch of an artisan that won’t wreck your holiday budget. It can even be a family outing. Go to your local craft fairs this year. It’s not just a bake sale and granny square afghan kind of affair anymore (although I do love those!). You’ll be amazed at how much talent lives in your area and you’ll probable see someone you know that does beautiful work you have never seen.
In closing, whether you pick out an "Oh I love it, love it love it" gift from Divella Delights or another artisan or crafter, try to buy handmade this year and support a starving artist!
Have a great Holiday!

Jewelry Hat and Bag Sale

Wow! Divella Delights is having a 3-day sale fromFriday morning until midnight (EST) Sunday.Although the crochet bracelets will remain on saleuntil they are gone, the hats will not be on saleagain this year. There are some gorgeous newstyles including the new Uptown Cloche.Crochet Bracelets 50% offCrochet and Felt Hats 15% offCrochet Hats by Jessy 20% offAnd remember shipping is free!Oh heck, let’s just start now!Ready…Set…GO!

A New Style for a New Season

A New Style for a New Season.
Last year’s Ella’s Flapper hat did very well and I will be doing those again this year. I have created a new style for this year with a bit of youthful appeal and I am calling this one the Diva Flapper. Diva is the youngest of my twin granddaughters while Ella is the oldest of the pair. This hat is made with the same wonderful fibers as the Ella Flapper (lambswool, wool, mohair, acrylic and blends) but in a slightly different style. These are not quite as thick but perfect for those who live in a more temperate climate or who tend to get hotheaded!
As with all my hats they are crocheted by hand and by me. The embellishments are either hand knit or crochet, or perhaps beaded…again by yours truly. They are made " one size fits most" but can be made larger or smaller. Last year, one hat (out of 173) came back for sizing so they truly do fit most women from teen to adult. You can see the Diva Hat and mony other hats, scarves and jewelry items at Divella Delights

NEW BABY AND TODDLER HATS

Brand new in time for the holidays are the new Baby Flapper hats. Designed just like the Lady's Flapper Hat, these are made with Homespun and lambswool for ultimate softness and warmth. I only have one so far but am most happy to take orders for any age infant or toddler...or for Mom for that matter. I have had wonderful feedback on these hats from customers on the construction and softness of hats which are now very much in style if sales are any indication.

Winter Blues

Typically winter has been a time for muted tones and earthy colors taking all the color out of our world just when we need it most. Chase away the winter blues with one of the new Flapper style hats this year. Just because the trees are bare and the skies gray and heavy with snow is no reason to go colorless. Make a bold statement today with a Flapper Hat and Scarflet.
Each hat is a one of a kind piece of art. The designs for the hats are pretty much the same although I do tweak them depending on the types and weights of yarn used. The embellishments on the hats make the statement and no two are alike. For those of you who really can’t force that much color into your life, I do make the more muted earth tones. I have done several special requests as far as color goes but my style is such that I have to have artistic license with the flowers, leaves, etc… Everyone has been very pleased.
Payment is made on approval, never before so you can be sure you are getting a hat you will want to wear every day!
Stop by my website at http://www.divelladelights.com/ and check out what I have in stock. More are added nearly every day so keep checking or better yet e-mail me with your color preference or coat color!

Holiday Hats

You have to take a look at this hat!! It is the perfect hat for the Holidays!
Hand crocheted using a variety of rich, lush yarns from my favorite yarn store, this hat is sure to get you noticed this Holiday Season. Perfect for your entrance to those parties coming up! You will want to be fashionably late wearing this hat. It is fashioned in my new Flapper style but with embellishments that make this one a real work of art. It does contain wool so needs hand washing. It is difficult to get a good photo of the flower; the depth and richness are amazing! I made this flower in 8 separate pieces Look for the scarflet to match coming soon!
So stop by http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmRpdmVsbGFkZWxpZ2h0cy5jb20= and take a peek.