Etsy Best Bets: Mother's Day Gifts

Mother's Day will be upon us soon (Sunday, May 11th, 2014 for those not in the know). It's the day where you get to show Mom just exactly how much you appreciate and love her. Mostly, you could do that through actions and words but a little gift doesn't hurt to sweeten the pot. ;)  

I've combed through some of my favorite Etsy items to bring you a gift list for the Mom in your life. Whether she's a book lover, a fitness guru, the outdoorsy type, etc, there is a gift on this list for your mom. 

And if all else fails, there's always an Etsy gift certificate, right?

For the Book Lover

Book Lover's Scented Soy Candle by FrostBeard, $15.00

What bibliophile doesn't love the smell of books? Treat mom to a relaxing afternoon and pair this soy candle with a novel by her favorite author

Stack of Books Locket by The MeltonPot, $26.00

Help mom keep her favorite photo or treasure close to home in this sweet book locket. Bonus, mom doesn't have to choose which child is her favorite, all three lockets open!

Kindle Case by nimoo, $34.00

Give mom this made to order Kindle Case along with an e-book gift card and you have the perfect present! Mom has an iPad or other tablet? Visit nimoo's Etsy store for more case options!

For the Gardener

Ready to Hang Succulent Planter by SucculentWonderland, $134.00

Bring the outside in with this beautiful hanging planter. Mom will appreciate its beauty! Not ready to spend $134 but love the look? Check out less expensive options in SucculentWonderland's Etsy store. 

Herb Garden Markers by OneGirlsPottery, $4.50 each

Help mom remember where she planted her favorite herbs with these handmade garden markers. Set in non toxic glaze and available in 19 different colors, including a naturals palette, mom is sure to have the brightest garden on the block!

Organic Heirloom Seeds Gift Set by Cubits

Give mom's garden a jump start with a package of six different organic heirloom seeds. Then enjoy the fruits of your gift all summer long! Leave a note to the seller letting them know which seeds you'd like :)

For the Foodie

Edible Vintage Candy Buttons by AndieSpecialtySweets, 50 for $42.50

Have you ever seen candy so detailed and intricate? Mom is sure to love a bowlful of these beauties and may even display them for guests. Be the favorite child and scoop these up!

Noodle Bowl Set with Chopsticks by yevgenia, $85.00

What mom doesn't love curling up with a bowlful of noodles? This set is made to order so be sure to get your purchase in ahead of time. 

Kitchen Apron in Oatmeal by STUDIOPATRO, $68.00

If your mom is a whiz in the kitchen she'll love this apron designed for minimalists. Let her look the professional chef part and maybe she'll serve you up a treat!

For the Jewelry Lover

My Family Necklace by Palomaria, $47.00

Make this a group gift and give mom a lifetime of memories. Spouse initials in the center and each child's on separate discs around the chain. Visit the shoppe for more variations.

Hand Embroidered Cuff Bracelet by sidereal, $48.00

Give the gift of love with a hand embroidered cuff bracelet. Mom will think of you each time she wears it! 

Copper and Dipped Enamel Arrow Ring by MijuAndYou, $25.00

This adjustable ring is made from copper and then hand dipped into enamel for a one of a kind look. 

                                                         For the Fitness Guru

Yoga and Kale Pillow Set by KatieScarlettCo, $43.50

It would be hard to be sedentary at Mom's house with these pillows around. Let Mom know her reminders for you to eat more veggies haven't fallen on deaf ears. 

Organic Bamboo Terry Yoga Leggings by seaofwolvesdesign, $50.47

Does your Mom practice yoga? If so, she'll adore these organic leggings with henna print design. 

Hand Stamped Bar Half Marathon or Marathon Necklace by ShopSomethingBlue, $35.50

Your marathon running mom will love this tiny hand stamped bar necklace that displays her achievement!

For the Lover of All Things Geekery

Vintage Samsonite Train Case Charging Station by sugarSCOUT, $118.00

Satisfy your mom's love of vintage along with her techie side by buying her a new charging station. It's sleek, attractive, and all out perfect for the mom with all the fancy electronics. 

Real Mahogany MacBook Wood Keyboard Skin by AlvinIndustries, starting at $25.00

Does Mom use her Mac all the time? Give her a new perspective by snagging this wood keyboard skin.

Nerd Fox Necklace by Unpossible Cuts, $19.95

It's a fox wearing glasses made from laser cut wood and on a brass chain. How much cooler can you be?

For the Outdoor Enthusiast

Liberty Tumbling Vine Hoodie by annajoyce, $64.00

Spring still has its chilly moments but this hoodie will keep mom fashionably cozy plus its perfect for afternoon strolls and hikes.

Soothing After Sun Mist by LayneLainey, $8.00

After spending all day at the park/beach/barbeque/pool etc, Mom can get some sun relief with this Soothing After Sun Mist. Made with organic lavender infused witch hazel, pure aloe vera, and vitamin E, this spray should be stored in the fridge for ultimate cool relief. 

Bird Nest Photograph by LupineGrainne, starting at $30.00

For the days Mom can't make it outside, this bird's nest photo will keep her soul connected to nature.

For the Zen Mamma

Boho Ring by Lepun, $12.00

This adjustable ring is sure to bring a pop of color to your Mamma's day!

Stretch Lace Headband (several colors) by TutusChicBoutique, $18.00

Who says simplicity can't be beautiful? 

Coffee/Tea Cozy by natalya1905, $18.00

Early mornings, late evening, heck any time is great for a warm cup of love. Give Mom's mood a boost with this gorgeous mug cozy and pair it with her favorite tea or coffee.

For the Artistic Mom

Felted Acorn Kit by fairyfolk, $20

For the creative moms who want to spread their fiber arts wings, this needle felting acorn kit is sure to please. It's the perfect introduction to needle felting and Mom just might gain a new hobby.

16x20 Signed House of Fun Art Print by KateZarembaCompany, $44.50

When Mom needs inspiration, this art print from Kate Zaremba is the perfect solution. Hang it where mom does her best creative work.

Lady Bird Mini Scrapbooking Kit by MyScrapCabinShop, $16.99

Whether Mom is a budding scrapbooker or a seasoned veteran, this scrapbooking kit from MyScrapCabinShop breathes new life into paper arts. 

For the Vegan

Rabbit Food Cookbook by BethBee, $30.00

Get out of town! Is this not the coolest Vegan Cookbook ever? It's out of print so copies are limited. Mom will LOVE this one of a kind gift to share for years to come. 

Fair Trade/Vegan/Certified Organic Raw White Chocolate by ChocolitaLLC, $4.86

There are several varieties of this Vegan Raw Chocolate available but you can't get more simplistic than a bar called "Nude." Buy one or several, and you'll make Mom feel like royalty. 

Coconut Milk Bath by WinsomeGreen, $8.50

After a long day, give mom the gift of relaxation with this Coconut Milk Bath made with lavender, chamomile, rose petals and essential oils. 

For the New Mom

Yellow & Gray Teething Necklace by The Vintage Honey Shop, $27.00

The Vintage Honey Shop has several prints available for their teething necklaces but grey and yellow is just so classic, any new mom will be over the moon. 

Mimosa Gray Diaper Bag by ikabags, $127.55

Give a new mom a break with a fashionable diaper bag. No more carrying a diaper bag and a purse since mom has her hands full enough as it is!

Mother and Baby Bird Vase by redhotpottery, $45.00

Splurge for a beautiful bouquet of flowers and place them in this Mother and Baby Bird Vase to to create the perfect first mother's day for a new mom.

For Any Mom

Wool Felt Wallet by LoftFullOfGoodies, $26.95 $19.50

This wallet is hand embroidered and made to order. The seller is even willing to customize the colors. Bonus, it's 25% off through April!

Limited Edition Winter Landscape Mug by paperandclaystudio, $48.00

The perfect cup of coffee or tea deserves the perfect mug and this Winter Landscape by paperclaystudio fits the billing. Available for a limited time and made to order, it's sure to be a unique gift. 

Handwriting Jewelry - Bangle by Scripted Jewelry, $99.00

Can't find mom the perfect gift? How about your handwriting engraved on a bracelet? Tell mom exactly how you feel in a few short words and she'll always have your love letter where she can read it. 

What category did I miss? Feel free to comment or link up to some of YOUR favorite Etsy items or items on your wishlist!

*all photos are copyright of the store owners

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Etsy Favorites under $20

I could spend an entire paycheck on Etsy. The handmade talent is beyond amazing and I never fail to be stunned by the beauty of the items listed. There should be an international Etsy holiday where everyone just browses and buys all day long. We could all take the paid day off from work as well. Fuel the economy and stuffs. ;)

I am listing 5 of my favorite Etsy items that are under $20. Seriously, UNDER $20! If you need a gift or just want to get me yourself a treat, then consider one of these fabulous items.

Plush Fox Pillow, Laura Frisk, $16.50

1) Laura Frisk has a beautiful shoppe. I personally own three of her pillows (fox, sheep, and now a shark currently on its way to me). She has quality items and I just LOVE that she sketches and then hand carves the designs herself. People, did you read that? She hand carves them from wood. Instead of me explaining her design process, check out this link to hear it from her. She allows you to customize the colors as well so if you love the fox but are not fond of red, you can choose from twenty eight other color options. You can also choose the fabric color! Unending combinations!

Hand painted Graphite Twig Pencils, inkkit, $12.00

2) I adore all things nature so these twig pencils caught my eye. Wouldn't these make a lovely addition to your desk? Or perhaps in a gift with some note cards? The graphite is only a half inch long, so as inkkit says, "it's not a forever pencil" but since they're made from real twigs, they are sure to be a forever decoration.

Screen Printed Tea Towel, ohlittlerabbit, $10.00

3) You can't love nature and not love camping. I dream of owning a vintage Scamp trailer that hubs and I can remodel inside, restoring to its glory. I imagine hanging one or two of these tea towels inside. Maybe when we retire? In the meantime, I'd love to snag these to remind me of this someday project. They are screen printed with non toxic water based ink onto an organic cotton towel. 

Personalized Eco-Friendly Reusable Bag, HouseJewels, $9.00

4) A year (maybe two years?) ago, I purchased a couple of these re-usable snack bags for E-Man and Bear. They are still going strong after repeated handwashings and usings. My boys are tough on items and I am really quite surprised they haven't ripped off the velcro closure. We love these bags. E-man loves using his at school for snack time and Bear frequently brings his in the car. I need to buy one for Mr Sunshine now! The shell is made of 100% unbleached cotton and the inner shell is made of water resistant ripstop nylon. I haven't cleaned mine in the dishwasher but the artist says they are dishwasher safe. 

Learning Fractions with Circles, JustOffNormal, $14.50

5) Bear is very interested in math. He loves numbers and is constantly asking me what so and so added together make and how many dollars does this cost and on and on til my head explodes. I have a feeling he'd love this math set, allowing him to really visualize fractions. Each set is laser cut from 100% North American Alder Wood and comes packaged in a nice chipboard box, great for gift giving. 

There you have it, a handy dandy list of five Etsy items under $20! It CAN be done. :) 

What's your most recent Etsy buy?

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5 Handmade Must Haves

I'm a daydreamer. I think of all the things that would make my life easier, awesomer, or just more indulgent. I'm a chronic window shopper who doesn't usually buy things impulsively, therefore, I am accumulating a large amount of pins on my "Product Wishlist" board on Pinterest as well as a huge list on Etsy. Hubs should be thankful there's no EASY button on the computer and that I get buyer's remorse when they ask for my credit card number at checkout. But maybe you're the type of person who enjoys happy mail and buying rad, cool, totally awesome things online. If so, this list is for you. If you end up buying any of these items, send me an email and let me know how much you like (or hate?) them. Maybe I can use your review to convince my hubs I need ALL THE THINGS.

1) I think my kids need this block set. E-Man is getting really interested in Presidents and Mr Sunshine loves blocks. It could make for a fun afternoon. Plus they're handmade, which I love.

President Block Set,  Uncommon Goods, $89.00

2) Hubs and I love to grill. I like to do it eat it year round, hubs not so much fond of grilling in the rain or snow. I think these BBQ bags would make a perfect addition to our cooking repertoire. I also love that the creator of these bags gets the wood from his own orchards! The available flavors are Texas Pecan, Texas Mesquite, and Texas Hickory.

Texas BBQ Smoking Bag, Kaufman Mercantile, $4.95 each

3) This family LOVES cheese. Cheese on everything, baby. I have had my eye on this fab cheese making kit from Urban Cheesecraft in Portland, Oregon. It comes with cheese molds, a thermometer, and other ingredients to make 30 batches of cheese. Oh my word. The products are so great that Etsy even made a video about Urban Cheesecraft. Birthday present? Christmas? Hubs? Anyone?

Deluxe DIY Cheese Kit, Urban Cheesecraft on Etsy, $50

4) A couple weeks after I had Mr Sunshine I lost my diamond wedding ring. It had been slipping off my finger and in my sleep deprived state I believe I accidentally threw it away with a diaper change. By the time I knew it was missing it had been over twenty four hours and hubs and I tore our house apart. No luck. We have since moved from that home and I no longer have hopes of ever finding it. I have been on the look out for a replacement ring. Something unique, simple, and fitting to my personality. This wooden ring speaks to me. I'm not quite sure if I'll purchase it but so far it's my number one pick. I told hubs he can buy me another diamond after the kids are grown and gone :)

Wooden Heart Ring, MrLentz on Etsy, $54.00

5) Handmade goods make me happy. I love supporting someone's passion and talent. These tea towels from Kate Zaremba give me the warm fuzzies. Kate is a talented illustrator and designs some beautiful textiles and prints. She even has wallpaper and gift wrap. My eye rests with these darling elephants (however it did drift to the fox printed wallpaper, but the towels are more practical for my situation). 

Elephant Tea Towels/Table Napkins/Place Mats, Kate Zaremba Company, $12.00 each

This post will be a series. Keep an eye out for the next installment soon or follow on Facebook/Twitter to never miss a post!

What's on your wishlist?

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