The gift of Gocco

A few months ago I was completely flabbergasted by a surprise package from a complete stranger. The package contained a Gocco machine with a surplus of screens, ink and bulbs FOR ME! Justin explained that my mysterious benefactor was a nice guy he met at a dinner party who used to enjoy using a Gocco but no longer needed his. This person (Andrew) was willing to send me all his extra supplies because Justin told him I was sad that the manufacturer had closed.

I was literally speechless that someone I'd never met would share all this with me and ask nothing in return. He gave me such a good feeling that I wanted to send him a gift box full of happiness in return but I had no idea what he would like and I felt like nothing was good enough to show my gratitude.

I finally have overcome my favor-repayment anxiety and am sending him a box of prints and stationery plus the Gocco box journal I made especially for him. I also decided to "pay it forward" and do something generous for someone else. My decision to make a Gulf wildlife fundraiser card set came because I wanted to use the supplies he gave me for something special.

So, thanks Andrew for the overwhelmingly great gift! I hope he forgives me for taking so long to thank him properly.

Trade ya!

There is no use denying it; Christmas is coming and I'm pretty broke. I have been trying to figure out how I can manage to have presents for my family and I had a fine idea. I'd like to make a couple gifts myself but I really want to dazzle my relatives with surprises from other makers. I may have no money, but I do have things to trade!

So, I have a proposition for you crafty friends that could be mutually beneficial. I would be delighted to trade almost any item in my shop for a special little something from yours (preferably not art since I've got that part covered). My gift recipients are all adults (23-85) and they have a wide array of tastes. If you personally would like something from my shop or think it would make a nice gift for someone you love, just drop me a note and we'll see if we can make an exchange of roughly equal value! I'm particularly hoping for things like jewelry, journals, and home decor type things. Bath and body stuff would be pretty nice too.

I hope this works or else everyone is getting homemade peanut butter again!

The big two-four!

Today is my birthday. I am going to see an Imax movie about the deep deep sea (Sea Monsters 3D, specifically) and have lunch with my Mom and Dad. I already received mucho loot from Justin. He has always been supremely spectacular at gift giving. My three favorite gifts were a glamorous enamel tea kettle, armadillo art and felted elf slippers. I'm only twenty four and I already relish slippers and teapots!

Big stack of presents wrapped in paper bags and duct tape:
Dream kettle:
Armadillo by Essimar:
Slippers by Pawfelts:
I love birthday celebrations and plan on having mine as pleasure-packed as possible.