Handmade for Christmas. (MULTIPLE GIVEAWAYS)

It’s the first day of December…it’s the beginning of our silly season. Our family is together, our tree is up and we are gearing up for an exciting month of blogs and stories and give-aways.

I love handmade. Handmade everything. Not only are handmade wares sustainable and fair trade they are also unique and special. When someone gives me a handmade gift I know that it is the product of a persons creativity, and that purchasing home made supports a person, a family, a community – not just a big corporation. It means something to me. It’s more than just a gift, more than just a gesture.

With Christmas just around the corner the department stores are in a flurry of energy. So many people loading up trolleys with the exact same toys, the same flashing lights, the same tank tops and the same holiday garnishes. All of this money goes into big business, which is great for the people who own big businesses but it’s not so great for the little people. The people who choose to work from home, the people who create their own wares or sell others handmade creations.

This Christmas I’m going to try to support local companies and artisans as much as absolutely possible. Buying and making unique and special gifts for my family and friends. And I hope that you will consider doing the same. At least in part. It’s a tough economy for the small businesses out there. But we can all do a little, and if every one of us does a little – a lot can happen.

So in the spirit of giving. I’ve got some awesome give-aways sponsored by some local-Aussie mama’s who are doing some awesome things. Go visit their online stores, browse their wares, and pick up some gifts for yourself and your loved ones from other mamas trying to make their dreams come true. And you know what… you might just win something along the way.

Let me introduce you to some beautiful women and their beautiful products.

PIN IT PIN ITRachel from Yarra River is one fab-mama. She is a mad-thrifter and scours thrift stores and op-shops and trash sales for the perfect finds. Rachel collects unique vintage jewellery and even a few household items and upcycles them (seriously, could she get any cooler?) creating some pretty amazing one-of-a-kind funky pieces. Rachel made me a beautiful name-sake necklace with Bo’s name on it (top), it’s beautiful and will be greatly treasured. The necklace pictured is up for grabs. It’s so pretty, I hardly want to part with it. But it’s this one (oh and this one) that’s on my wishlist for Christmas… Santa, are you listening? Shop for the women in your life on Yarra River and add a few precious pieces to your wish list.

PIN IT PIN IT

Willow baby is not just another online baby store. When Ashleigh got in touch with me and asked if she could be included, I was really excited. Ashleigh may not make her own products but the little shoes she stocks are handmade in England and she swears by the product, using them to clothe her own little ones little toes. She sent Bo a pair and we LOVE them. These are the best soft soled shoes I’ve found so far and I’ve been looking for them for ages. Bo hates shoes, but not these ones, they were easy for her to crawl in and walk in and they DIDN’T FALL OFF. They are soft, lush and the attention to detail in even the smallest stitching is really lovely. Want your own pair? Willow Baby is offering one lucky winner their choice of a pair of Starchild shoes for the little one in their life. Perfect stocking stuffers for Christmas and all-year-round-gifts!

PIN IT PIN IT

Two little Ducklings founder and designer Jacinta is a mama after my own heart. Not only is she gentle and kind she has such a quirky design eye and a beautiful little girl the same age as Bo. Two Little Ducklings is her little love child which is just about to make its debut with its own website. This little company holds Jacinta’s big dreams of being a work at home mama and that’s something that is worth supporting. Her products are not only gorgeous but extremely affordable and totally customisable. Two Little Ducklings is offering one winner a customised Christmas card and gift tag set delivered to your door in time for the silly season. Check out the Two little Ducklings facebook page for more great designs.

PIN IT PIN ITLast, but certainly not least is Sarah  from Homemade Anomalies. These rainbow lovelies and mod-tastic creations are beautiful. Each item is made unique and many out of re-purposed fabrics and upcycled wares. Bo loves the mushroom rattles and has played with them since she was a tiny bub. For me? The womb warmer, awesome during labour, awesome when it’s cold, awesome for Bo’s sore tummy in the middle of the night or just for a bit of extra pampering. For you? Homemade Anomalies is offering a prize pack including one of each (one mushroom rattle and one womb warmer) for one lucky winner. Check out Sarah’s Etsy store for some affordable, awesome and unique presents for the whole family this Christmas. I have a serious love for this one… and this oneand these… with Homemade Anomalies adding new creations to the store all the time (the new jewellery range is lovely!) you just have to keep going back for more.

Would you like to win? Visit the Facebook pages, Websites or Etsy stores of each of these wonderful women and comment below what your favourite item across the board is. Some of my favourites are here and here and here and here. But to choose just one? Better you than me! Share this post far and wide and get these ladies some real exposure, they deserve it.

I will random.org the four winners. The first will get to choose the prize they want and so on until all four prizes are awarded. Because of the nature of this support-local campaign this competition is open to Aussie residents only so as to keep postage costs down for our lovely work-at-home mamas. Sorry international ladies! We have a few great International give-aways that you are eligible for next month… ’tis the season for giving after all!

Good luck! You gotta be in it to win it!

Because the best things in life are handmade.

xox

As always all of the views in this blog are mine and mine alone. I do not charge to write reviews and I keep them as honest as the rest of my writing… Blatantly so.

Similar Posts:

  • December 1, 2012 - 4:48 pm

    Maggie Robbins - Sash, Hope this is where I’m meant to comment my fave item 🙂
    I love love love the Shining star cards and tags from “Two Little Ducklings”.
    Lots of Love to you and Bo xoxoxoxoReplyCancel

  • December 1, 2012 - 5:14 pm

    Sister Milk - http://www.etsy.com/listing/98368458/multi-purposed-kitty-bell-heart is my fave item across all four shops. I am a self-confirmed crazy cat lady and this necklace is unique and gorgeous!!!ReplyCancel

  • December 1, 2012 - 6:47 pm

    Lilybett - That’s almost cruel, asking us to choose just one favourite from across all four sites! My initial instinct is to pick something for my boy (oh my, those ABCD starchild shoes!) but bugger it, my absolute favourite thing would be something just for me, me, me – the Very Large MOP caged bird necklace from Rachel’s Yarra River store (and don’t think I don’t see you there awesome enamel and silver wolf necklace).ReplyCancel

  • December 1, 2012 - 10:26 pm

    Tasha - Oh my!! So many beautiful things…my fav would have to be the soft mushroom baby rattle. My baby girl would love it!ReplyCancel

  • December 2, 2012 - 3:43 am

    Sally - I think its time I thought about me and not my little girl, so I love the necklace.ReplyCancel

  • December 2, 2012 - 4:07 am

    Joelle - I need all of them in Ripley and Company! I will keep checking out their stuff. Thanks so much Sash! I love Rachel’s necklaces for me and will ask hubba for one…xxxxReplyCancel

  • December 2, 2012 - 7:22 am

    Rebecca - What a hard choice!! I’ve gone with something for me for a change and my favourite item is this beautiful necklace from Yarra River: http://www.etsy.com/listing/115897795/beautiful-blue-deco-glass-findingsReplyCancel

  • December 2, 2012 - 8:49 am

    Michella - Wow, all of these items are beautiful, but i guess i’d have to choose one for your competition (although they are all equally awesome), the Womb Warmer and the Mushroom rattle package from Homemade Anomalies would be a winner in my household, something for everyone!ReplyCancel

  • December 2, 2012 - 11:42 am

    Lisa Brown - wow! SO many beautiful things to choose from but my favourite items is the Rose and Amethyst necklace and earring set from Homemade Anomalies.
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/116786105/beautiful-rose-and-amethyst-necklace-and

    Thanks for your generosity♥ReplyCancel

  • December 2, 2012 - 4:10 pm

    Him and me and baby makes three… | Inked in Colour - […] Have you checked out the awesome giveaway going on right now? Get amongst it and support some hard working creative mamas. They really deserve your love and […]ReplyCancel

  • December 2, 2012 - 4:53 pm

    Julie - I love love love the necklace! Perfect for my new years we outfit.ReplyCancel

  • December 3, 2012 - 4:56 am

    Rinna - Oh so hard to pick just one thing as they are all so awesome and so unique! But I would have to pick the Repurposed Enamel and faux pearl silver ring from Rachel’s Yarra River store. Its just too funky!

    Thank you to you Sash and all these wonderful WAHMummas for your generosity!ReplyCancel

  • December 4, 2012 - 6:41 am

    Beck - The Willow Baby site has so many brands and gorgeous items I have never seen before! The Hunny Bee shoes are my FAV!!ReplyCancel

  • December 4, 2012 - 7:12 am

    Clare B - Awww loving the scooter shoes. How funky would Hannah look in those?!??ReplyCancel

  • December 4, 2012 - 7:15 am

    Rebekka - just saw this post and had a look at the pages. Hard choises, they all have so lovely things on it. but this I think is the one I like most http://www.willowbaby.com.au/p/5700359/ab-cd-in-black-and-metal.htmlReplyCancel

  • December 4, 2012 - 8:58 am

    Kate - I love the jewellery from Yarra river particularly the bow tie necklace. The shoes are gorgeous and make me wish for a boy to rock the acdc shoes but my niece would be adorable in the red shoes. I love all the two little ducklings designs and really love the womb warmer they would be awesome presents – thanks for sharing sash xReplyCancel

  • December 4, 2012 - 3:05 pm

    khayt - Ahhh don’t make me choose! All talented ladies with their own unique crafts! I must say I do have a real soft spot though for the art deco inspired necklaces from Yarra River. Divine!ReplyCancel

  • December 4, 2012 - 5:30 pm

    claudia - i love the womb warmer! it would be great for everyone in my family!ReplyCancel

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

*

*