Miss Modish- Mojo Maker

Eco-Friendly Find: Happy Holidays

Well, all I can say is that I wish I had discovered ciociaela's shop a few weeks ago, in time to order a few of these lovelies for pre-Christmas delivery! Not only does she have a shop full of cute pouches for every need, but these ornaments—crafted from eco-felt and stuffed with eco-fill—make for a sweet, green Christmas. I don't know about you, but I'm making a note for next year's shopping!

Wishing you a lovely holiday, whatever you celebrate!

Liz Grotyohann is a co-founder of cosa verde, a marketplace for handmade, environmentally-conscious goods.

Miss Modish's Nifty Gifties: #7

These sachets in Cedar and and Doug Fir, that truly smell like their namesakes since they're made with actual cedar and fir, are so perfect to set the holiday mood. Perfect for anyone who likes thier scents to smell like the nature that lies outside their door, not like an overly strong chemical bomb. By Juniper Ridge, available from local shop, Canoe.

Miss Modish's Nifty Gifties: #6

Menswear, for your hair! These little bow hairclips in sweet flannel prints are adorbs for winter. And I've never said "adorbs" before. Ick. But that's how cute I think they are, especially at only $8 per pair. Over at Need Supply.

Miss Modish's Nifty Gifties: #5

These scarves made from gorgeous Pendleton wool fabric are not only warm, cuddly and super hip- they're a mere $20 each! Get one for you, one for your mister, one for your bff. Free shipping and returns, too! From NativeX.

Winter Greetings

These cards are not holiday specific, just festive wintery greetings that you can use in lots of fun ways, all season long!

1: pretty bows by Some Lovely Things

2: pinecone by Darling Press & Stationers

3: snowflake girl by Fugu Fugu Press

4: squirrel and acorns by Tokyo Pear Letterpress

5: peppermints by Pie Bird Press

6: triangle forest by Egg Press

Miss Modish's Nifty Gifties: #4

These paper puppets by Furze Chan are totally original, innovative and so so gorgeous. Stage a little play, or I'd love to just display them around the house as art objects. They're diy- put them together yourself. Only $8 to make someone's day!

bits and pieces....

...of the ornaments I'm working on today for the Freshly Blended swap. Can you tell what they'll become? Something cute hopefully! 

Miss Modish's Nifty Gifties: #3

The perfect little stacking ring, or just a minimal ring for everyday. So delicate and dainty with just a hint of edginess in that pretty pyramid on top. Only $28 and so sweet. By Mirta Jewelry.

Miss Modish's Nifty Gifties: #2

"Good Gifties" has quickly changed to "Nifty Gifties" because, hey- it rhymes. And it also makes me think of "thrifty". And that, I've decided, is what will be the common thread between all my gift-giving recommendations- they'll be priced real nice.

I saw this calendar via Design Crush and bought it just short of a quick minute. It's 8 dollars and it's gorgeous! Based on astrological signs, instead of months, it's black and white and starry and I just love it. Perfect for anyone who appreciates a good night sky.

Miss Modish's Good Gifties: #1

I'm not gonna do a traditional gift guide sorta thing this year. I'm just not good at planning and I'm trying to own that about myself- work with it, not against it! I will tho, be popping in ever-now-and-again from here til Christmastime with some singular good gifts for people who may or may not be on your list. Like these:

For the girl who carries an SX-70 with her wherever she goes, these polaroid necklaces- by a cool collaboration between ViviDot and Our City Lights. And at only $24 per pop, you can get one for yourself, too!

Eco-Friendly Find: Too Soon?

So, it's after Halloween, which I guess means that it is now officially the Christmas Season. (Remember when that didn't start until after Thanksgiving? Ah, the simpler times...) I like the holidays, but tinsel and carols this early in the year leave me a little bummed sometimes, like the next six weeks will just be a blur. So it was refreshing to spot these decorations from cosa verde members: earth-friendly, simple, and pretty enough that I would keep them up all year round.

 

teacup bird's nest ornament from Lil Fish Studios, recycled sheet music tree from Montclair Made, recycled paper garland from La Alicia

Liz Grotyohann is a co-founder of cosa verde, a marketplace for handmade, environmentally-conscious goods.

No Frills Gifts for the One you Love

:: no diamonds necessary with this stunning quartz stacking ring : $50

:: this is for you, and this is a great gift for anyone : $16.95

:: keep your fave photog cozy with this adorable photojournalist scarf : £60

:: give someone your shiny gold heart : $12.95

:: is there someone who can share your bicycle built for two? : $69

: two heads are better than one : $20

: fill this vintage red suitcase with love notes or photos of your favorite memories together : $32

: show your amazing self some love with these Amour earrings : $25

: set the mood with hand-poured candles in scents like Currant Rouge & Blue Agave : $28

Happy Weekend!

{photo by idle type}

This weekend will be filled with decorating, cleaning, gift planning/making and working (of course. there's always working! :) I just bought 3 strings of white twinkle lights for a little inside glee and can't wait to get them up, along with the little staple of holiday decor we've been collecting over the past few years. It's so fun to unearth that box from the basement every year and rediscover the stories behind all the ornaments and decorations- to remember when you got them, where they came from, who made them...what's your favorite part about decorating for the holiday season? 

Well I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I'll meet you back here on Monday!

<3 jena

These are a few of my favorite things... (gift guide edition 2!)

for a hostess with the mostess, this lace doily serving platter :: $68

for your fashionista friend who already has everything, these knit stirrups :: $110

for someone who's got people to see & places to go, this attache case :: $60

for the stylish tree-trimmer, these glass bulb ornaments :: $10/each (via oh joy)

for your dear, perpetually late friend, this deer tabletop clock :: $68

for a lady who likes the classics, this wooden typewriter necklace :: $22

for a lucky little kiddo, these antique lithograph stacking blocks :: $38

for your can-be prickly other half, these pillow cases :: $24/each (via dailycandy)

for a not so fair-weather friend, these adorable rain boots :: $62

for someone you love, a little lavender sachet :: $15/set of 2

for someone you really really love, a solitaire emerald ring :: $300

for someone who could use a few wishes, these wishbones cards $20/set of 4

Good Gift Boutique: Mahar Drygoods

By far, my favorite kiddo shop on the web is Mahar Drygoods. It's filled with fantastic handmade, artisan goods that are not only interesting, fun and original, but safe too! 

From toys and craft kits, to adorable clothing and hand-crafted furniture, Mahar Drygoods is the place to find a special gift for a baby, toddler or little one who's been verrry good this year. Check out their site gift guide for some good ideas to get you started.

Good Gift Boutique: SITE

SITE is an awesome little shop with an even more awesome collection of inspired gifts. Everything is handmade, vintage or artfully designed which means you have lots of "Wow! Where'd you get this?" gift recipient reactions ahead. You're sure to find something for everyone here, from the kiddos on up to grand-dad, in a range of prices. 

Some of my favorite gift ideas are those you see here, but be sure to check out their online shop for lots and lots more. And NYC residents can shop in person in their Queens location, or order online and pick-up in store!

Eco-Friendly Finds: Gifts for Her

Here are a few of my favorite sustainable gift ideas from around cosa verde and elsewhere—snap these up for a sister of friend... she'll be sure to love them!

Clockwise from top left: vintage button necklace made with recycled silver from Elisa Shere Jewelry ($68); awesome shirt from repurposed material from supayana ($59); for the gardener: garden markers from vintage silver spoons from monkeysalwayslook ($8); for the knitter: cruelty-free, hand spun and dyed yarn from knoxfarmfiber ($18); sweet recycled glass bowls from FoxandClover ($58); Jute and bamboo bag from iragrant sacsbio ($78)

And don't forget that we're giving away 33 gifts over on cosa verde! And if you'll be in the NYC area this weekend, there will be some great holiday shopping at the One of a Kind Show. Happy gift-giving!

 Liz Grotyohann is a co-founder of cosa verde, a marketplace for handmade, environmentally-conscious goods.

Good Gift Boutique: Nest

I thought this week I'd profile some great boutiques that carry handmade, unique and original things so you can find a gifts for almost everyone on your list, all in one spot.

I had to start with the amazing non-profit shop, Nest. Nest's mission is to provide women in developing nations with interest free micro-loans so that they can start their own art/craft based business and hopefully break the poverty cycle. The Nest boutique carries an array of beautiful goods handmade by these women.

They also carry a great selection of goods made by domestic artists and designers, who you may recognize, that agreed to donate a percentage of their profits back to Nest to help fund the loans.

It's artists helping artists. And you could help these artists too, as your purchase from the shop would go directly to help fund these women's dreams as they work to build sustainable businesses. It's a great place to find gifts for people that give back. You can find the story behind each artist and where they're from on each item listing in the shop- what a lovely note that'd be to include with a thoughtful gift.

Handmade Holiday Goodness

Are you making your presents and decorations this year? I think this is something normal for a lot of you readers out there, since this is a crafty lovin' blog and all. But I feel like this year especially, people are turning more to diy and less to big-box-cheapo to add a little festive flair to the holidays. Here's a look at some ways people are crafting their way to a happy holiday season, along with links to some great tutorials at the end!

{holiday sashiko}

{Christmas quilts}

{clove oranges}

{acorn mushrooms}

{holiday bird}

{origami ornaments}


{forest pixie}

{gingerbread house}


{fabric ornaments}

{diy snowglobes *how-to tutorial!}

{paper bow *how-to tutorial!}

{pompom wreath *how-to tutorial!}

Happy crafting! What kinds of things are you making this year?

These are a few of my favorite things... (gift guide edition!)

for a natural beauty, this dark wood drop necklace {$34}

for a truly happy camper, these beautiful hand-printed cards {$14/set}

for your favorite pacific northwestern nut eater, this handpainted nutcracker {$50}

for a girl who dreams in vivid color, this goodbye visitor print {£8.50}

for a crafty frequent flyer, this hand-knitted aeroplane {$160}

for one who needs to turn a frown upside down, scrap leather necklaces {$90}


for the one who fills your belly with baked goods, this vintage fabric apron {$25}

for the one you love the most, this "we are not two, we are one" poster {$40}

for the girl with the best kitchen you've ever seen, these stunning tea towels {£38}

for the eternal snail-mailer, this beautiful folk card set {$16/set}

& for your tiniest best friend, caspar the adorable puppy dog {$36}