Welcome Home... Moving, Starting Fresh and Decorating

Our lease is up in a little over a month and my BF and I have been looking for new apartments. We found one apartment that we are absolutely in love with and put an offer in for it. Although our offer has not yet been approved, nor have we submitted the application, I can't help but start thinking about how we will decorate the new place. Since the apartment will be bigger than the one we are in now, we surely will need new items to fill out the space.

Here are a few items that caught my eye on Etsy and very well may end up in the apartment if we get it. If you are moving or just doing some spring cleaning and redecorating, you may want to consider some of these fabulous handmade items as well.



To check out the items listed in this Etsy treasury, click on the image above.

Beauty of Nature

It's a beautiful day outside here in New York (not that I would really know because I am home sick) so I thought I would share this wonderful nature-inspired treasury a fellow Etsyblogger, ebogie, created.

Beauty of Nature

Click on the image to check out the wonderful items in ebogie's treasury, including my Starfish necklace. Couldn't help the self promotion!

For Baby - Some of My Favorites on Etsy

A bunch of babies have been more into my family recently and there are more on the way. You can imagine, I've been busy checking out all the wonderful handmade baby items on Etsy and marking many as favorites. I've even picked out the items I would love to have. Today, I've decided to share a few of my favorites with you.



Included in the spotlight (from top left to bottom right):

- Geometric Shapes Lovie the Minky by AbleMabel
- Heirloom Baby Stacking Rings Set by DillyBaby
- Matilda Mary Jane Crochet Baby Shoes by CurlyBirdie
- Giraffe Print Cloth Diaper by littlemuffinbottoms
- Matryoshka Burp Cloth Set by valeriya
- Blue Choc Daisy Baby Wrap/Sling Carrier by loveyduds
- Moon and Star Ohio Maple Wood Block Teether Set by littlealouette
- Adorable Monkey Hat by ApparelbyHANNIandKAI
- Alphabet Soup, ABC Plus Set by evgie

Spotlight created on ByHand.me

Share your favorite handmade baby items with us in the comments section of this post.

2010 Pretties

Next major gift giving holiday is Valentine's Day so I put together this Etsy treasury highlighting some great gift ideas... and all the items are new in 2010.

Please visit the treasury and click and comment if you like the items.

2010 Pretties


Featured in this treasury (from upper left to lower right, including alternatives)

1) Garnet, Pearls and Silver Flora and Fauna Pendant by artjewelryonline
2) Be My Valentine Felt Embellishments by chocolatecupcake
3) Red Rose/Coxcomb Bouquet by AprilHilerDesigns
4) Sterling Silver Golf Ball Marker by sTuckintheCoop
5) My Sweet Heart Handmade Cold Process Soap by innerearthsoaps
6) Unisex Double-Stranded Beaded Wood Bracelet by naturemanipulated
7) Vintage French Coin Cuff Links by wickedpen
8) All My Love Notebook by JuniperJournals
9) Drink Love On-the-Go Cup Cozy by KnitStorm
10) Felt Love Mini Book by SmartLilCookie
11) Love for All, Hetero Valentines Cards by airportlovestory
12) Bon Bon and Belchick Squirrels in Love by sleepyking
13) Be Mine Anatomical Heart Valentine Cards by thecraftpantry
14) Hopeless Romantic Custom Sewn Petti Tutu by tiarastutus
15) Pink Champagne Truffles by VintageConfections
16) Quiet Reflection Grey Vintage Swarovski Pendant on Long Black Chain by ShySiren

Artist's Eye

Zionshore of Etsy put together this beautiful treasury and included my "They Don't Make Buildings Like Me Anymore" photograph. If you like what you see, please visit the treasury, click and comment.

Artist's Eye

Handmade Living - Gift Ideas for the Home

As part of the holiday gift guide series, I created this Etsy treasury full of fabulous gift ideas for the home.

Handmade Living


Included in this treasury (from top left to bottom right, including alternates):

1) Blue Bird Pillow by diffractionfiber
2) Doppio Espresso Cup and Saucer by ofminedesign
3) Red Flowers Natural Lacquered Chopsticks by WindAndRain
4) Hand Made Lampshades by myfinch
5) Nosh Bowl by laurawallstaylor
6) Climbing Vine Wall Clock by infinityarts
7) Rustic Wood Candle Holders by thelogbasket
8) Rectangle Poplar Cutting Board by boardsandbeads
9) Linen Hand Hemstitched Napkins by LinenMe
10) Cheers .. Scrabble Tile Wine Glass Charms w/ Display Rack by stewartathome
11) Modern Style Tile Bowl with Oak and Cedar by touchofparis
12) Silverware Vinyl Wall Decal Flatware by circlelinestudio
13) Wine Rack by AspenBottleHolders
14) Stickler for Stripes Napkin Rings by houseofpeltier
15) Citrus Collection Crocheted Washcloths by shopspottedelephant
16) Cup by ebenotti

On the Tree and Under the Tree

Handmade holiday decorations and gift ideas.



Included in the above Etsy treasury (from top left to bottom right, including alternates):
1) A Closer Look Series-Underneath It All Pendant by blockpartypress
2) Brown Fern Sachets by lottahelleberg
3) Ginger Bread Man Christmas Ornament by vivikas
4) Sea Urchin Collection-Sterling Silver Green Ring by staroftheeas
5) Candy Cane Ruffle Soap by sunbasilgarden
6) Massive Scarf Wrap by moocowhandknits
7) Opal Tidal Whirl Pool Ring in Sterling Silver by sarawestermark
8) Ivory Victorian Romance Heart Earrings by dkjewels
9) Art Deco Kimono Flower-Kanzashi Hair Comb by PetalMix
10) One Sweet Linen Tree Ornament by allthingswhite
11) Midnight Sea Pottery Vase by lurearts
12) Tote Roll Up-Honeycomb by efran
13) Ctrl-Alt-Del Three Pillow Set by diffractionfiber
14) Limited Edition The Downtowner-Leopard in Green by CecilandCo
15) Little Red Bird-Holiday Sparkle in Snowy White by LowellandSon
16) Ceramic SHOT Glass by ofminedesign

Black Friday Blacks

For the second time this week, I swiped an Etsy treasury. That never happens! In the spirit of Black Friday, today I put together some of my favorite black items tagged with EtsyHolidaySale. If they are your favorite too, you can now purchase them for less.

Black Friday Blacks


For more Black Friday and Thanksgiving weekend specials, search EtsyHolidaySale and EtsyFreeShipping on Etsy. Also, stop by the official Black Friday Extravaganza thread and the EtsyBloggers Holiday Sale thread. And of course, don't forget Nature Manipulated's Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale on Etsy and Artfire.

Happy Shopping!

Handmade Hanukkah Gift Guide

Hanukkah is pretty early this year (starts at sundown on December 11th) and the holiday shopping season has begun. I have put together some great handmade Hanukkah gift ideas to make your shopping experience ,much easier. And don't forget to check out my handmade Hanukkah items!


Items/Shops from left to right, top to bottom:
1. Marble Glass Magnets/TamarHammer
2. Song of Songs in Hebrew/KhaliNouveau
3. Ethereal Kippah/downtoearthcreations
4. Sieberdesigns
5. Spiral Bound Journal/anjalicreations
6. Watercolor print and verse/mishmishmarket
7. Baby girl's blessing Hamsa/studiodanale
8. Golden Menorah Hand Painted Rock/Doodlage
9. Ima Mug for Mom/agru


Items/Shops from left to right, top to bottom:
1. Dreidel Scrabble Tile Pendant with Necklace/aPassionForFashion
2. Miriam Kippah/kippahmitzvah
3. Chanukah Menorah Ornament/nicholasandfelice
4. Knit Bubbe Mugrugs/blazingneedles
5. 8 Hanukkah Cards/Roosevelvet
6. Personalized Wooden Me/norah/cardonawoodworks
7. Personalized Chanukah Cards/AnotherCreation
8. Star of David, Menorah and Fish Ring/UniversalAge
9. Hanukkah Pop-Up Card/tracychong


Items/Shops from left to right, top to bottom:
1. Festival of Lights Pillow/agraceunlimited
2. Gracie in a Hanukkah Dress/SugarAndSpice
3. Chanukah Embroidered Gift Card Holder/28SidesDesigns
4. Star of David Bobby Pins/sewjewcy
5. Dreidel Plate/marshabanderson
6. Hanukkah Celebration Soap/spottedcowsoaps
7. Hanukkah Gelt Pouch Calendar/thymbyldesigns
8. Hanukkah Reusable Cotton Cloth Dinner Napkins/MaryLittfin
9. Dreidel Holiday Cookie Gift Collection/CookieCreatives

Happy Hanukkah Shopping! Be sure to keep an eye out for my upcoming Christmas and holiday gift guides.

Handmade and Homemade to Make Me Feel Better

I'm not feeling so well today so went on a hunt for handmade and homemade items that would make me feel better. This is what I found ... Think it's working already!



Items included in my get better spotlight (from upper left to lower right):

Organic Chamomile Flowers by MisticalAcScents

Red Mug 5 by almapottery

Holly Golightly Sleep Mask by missindie

Vitamin C is SO Good for You by Paulina

Wintry Night Blanket by mountainweaver

Be a Doctor Set by Gulf Coast Cottage PDF

Two Blue Mugs by Cresek Studio

Chicken Soup Scrabble Tile Pendant by Miss Snappy

Package of 22 Honey Stix by PeaceBlossom Candles

Last Minute Halloween Shopping

Halloween, one of my favorite holidays, is less than two weeks away. That means there is still time to get some last minute handmade Halloween goodies online. Below are some of my favorites from Artfire.



Items featured (upper left to lower right)

Vampire Note Cards by Peculiar Parchment

Halloween Spiders Boutique Hair Bow on Woven Headband by Hootiebee

Primitive Folk Art Halloween Old Fashion Shaker Set by Vintage Keepsake Trunk

Halloween Soap by Daisy Soap Girl

Halloween Spider Glass Tile Pendant Necklace by Melody of Beads

BOO CREW 6x6 Paper Bag Mini Scrapbook Album by Bippity Boppity Glue

Bat on the Moon Stained Glass Suncatcher by Glass Cat

Big Pumpkins, Czech glass, moss agate, brass earrings by Karmeli Designs

Orange and Green Pumpkin Hat by Nell22


Don't forget to visit Nature Manipulated's Halloween section, and to browse more Halloween items on Artfire, click here.

Spotlight created on byhand.me

Introducing the Artfire Cards R Us Guild

I recently joined a guild on Artfire called "Cards R Us" and thought I would feature a selection of items from members of the guild.



Featured items and artists include (from top left to bottom right):
African collage frameable art card by AJ's Designs

Witch Halloween Card by Angelmaz(guild master)

Carolers Card by CrazyDazy

Bee Happy Journal by CardsByPatzee

Pink Floral Spray Note Card by SooBoo

Motorcycle Birthday Card by Butterfly-Crafts

Whimsical Party Frog Greeting Card by veritas-art-project

Choo Choo! On the Birthday Train Handcrafted Greeting Card by NatureManipulated

Bat and Pumpkin Handmade Greeting Card by PrincessDCreations

If you are a card maker on Artfire and are interested in joining the guild, visit our page. Once you are a member you can join us at cardsrusguild.ning.com.

Spotlight - Thank You to My Facebook Fans

In appreciation of my Facebook Fans, I put together a ByHand.Me spotlight of some of my favorite items from their shops.

Thank You to My Facebook Fans



Items and Shops included in the spotlight (from upper left to bottom right):

The Weekender-Green Dots by Cecil and Co.
One Sunday Morning by Under a Blue Sky
Meadow Mini Cards by articulations
Rusty Fascination by 10eisha
Magnolia Blossoms Spa and Travel Pillow by Mireio
Fiori D'arancio Earrings by Anna Blue Almonds
Mulberry Drop Earrings by Quercus Silver
Custom Urban Baby Burpie Cloth by Urban Orchid Designs
Kissed By Pink by urban design

Thinking of Mom Part I - Jewelry and Accessories Mother's Day Gift Guide

In preparation for Mother's Day (and to promote Artfire), I decided to put together some byhand.me spotlights of great Mother's Day gifts ideas. All of the items featured are available on Artfire. This "Thinking of Mom" gift guide will come in three parts: Jewelry and Accessories, Non-jewelry and Mother's Day Cards.

Hope you find the perfect gift for mother!



Items included in the spotlight above (from top left to bottom right):

1)Mother Necklace with Bezel Set Birthstones- Sterling Silver Gift Necklace by Mama Beth Bling

2)African Dolphin - Turquoise, Carnelian and Gemstone Necklace by Nature Manipulated

3)Mother's Day Brooch by PinkFink's Creations

4)Camelot - Mother of Pearl, Freshwater Pearls and White Topaz Sterling Silver Earrings by Night Sky Jewelry

5)Mother Fused Glass Pendant by Get Glassy

6)Chicago Wedding - Carnelian Rose and Gemstone Necklace and Earring Set by Nature Manipulated

7)Sumptuois Springtime - Antiqued Brass, Turquoise & Red Flower Necklace by Beadinbabe

8)Flora Legend Dichroic Fused Glass Pendant Jewelry by A.A.E. Artglass

9)CUSTOM 3 disk Hand Stamped Mother's Necklace by Little Shop of Baubles

Stay tuned for Part II: Thinking of Mom - Non-Jewelry Mother's Day Gift Guide and Part III: Thinking of Mom - Handmade Mother's Day Cards.

Going through Hoops on Artfire

In an effort to promote Artfire shops, I have been putting together some great spotlights on byhand.me featuring select items on Artfire. The byhand.me spotlights are great - you don't have to wait to get one (like on Etsy) and they get posted to the site's front page. They are also tweeted about which draws more visitors to the spotlight.

My latest spotlight features some of the wonderful hoop earrings available on Artfire.

Going through Hoops on Artfire


Featured shops include (from top left to bottom right):
Shiny Adornments
J.C. Jewelry Design
Artwork by KD
Mocahete
Nature Manipulated
Wyred on Wire
R Fefie Collection
Bella Jewels
Beaded Bauble

Thinking about opening an Artfire shop? Register on ArtFire.com here.

It's So Clear ... Black and White

Here's a spotlight I put together on Made By Hand. By Me. of some of the great Black and White photographs on Artfire.


It's So Clear... Black and White


Artists included (from top left to bottom right):

Wanderlust Designs Photography
Hours and Times
McGuinness Photography
Eternal Images
Melissa Lund
Idle Type Photography
Through her Lens
Nature Manipulated

A Little Sunshine on a Cold Day

It's cold in New York so I thought I would put together a yellow treasury to warm me up. If you're cold too, click on "YELLOW How Are You?" to warm yourself up.





Shops included in this treasury include (from top to bottom, left to right):
littlebluebirdstudios
KnitLush
NestaHome
KnitStorm (alternate)
abushelandapeck
tuccipaperco
LanitaPhoto
everydayglory (alternate)
layla
ThreeFiveEightyFive
thevintagecloset
crazyjaneknits (alternate)
Ulaa
Balsam
rachel323
MadrinPhotography (alternate)

Turquoise Can Be Hot

Last night, I scored two treasuries. That's never happened before. I secured a spot on Treasury West before I even new what I was going to feature. I was looking at my African Dolphin necklace when I decided I wanted to feature turquoise things. My earlier treasury was green so what better than to feature blue?

It's Cold but I'm Feeling GREEN

It was snowing a little yesterday but I could help but feel like it was the spring or beginning or fall so I put together some of my favorite green things on Etsy. Today I was lucky enough to get a treasury and feature them. Hopefully it'll make the front page.






Let me know what you think!

Thanksgiving Weekend Sale

Free Shipping or 15% off for Thanksgiving Weekend (Thursday-Sunday)!

Enter "TURKEY" and which discount you prefer in the message to seller and you will be refunded through PayPal. Refund will be processed by NM within two days.

naturemanipulated.etsy.com

Happy Holiday = Happy Shopping

The Wonders of Gobble Gobble Day Treasury

Have a great Thanksgiving!