the rikrak studio MEGA handmade giveaway!!!

She's at it again!!!!! Another GREAT BIG giveaway from Kristal at rikrak blog

Its a huge prize pack worth $450 from 30 different handmade shops,

including moi :) Hurry over there now and enter!!!

Giveaway ends Dec 3rd :) Good Luck!

New Canadian Shops on Etsy

Here it is - your weekly installment of New Canadian Shops on Etsy! I'm Kim from A little bit of pretty and this week I've picked SpiderellaStudio. So here we go :)

When I first entered SpiderellaStudio, I was immediately blown away by how beautiful and professional it looks! All of the colours are truly eye-catching and you know how I love colour :) I even love how the items are merchandised - plain white backgrounds really are the best choice when you're pieces are so statement making. Great photography too, very easy to see every detail. Really I could go on all day long!

SpiderellaStudio incorporates uncirculated vintage enamel flower beads from the 50’s, 60’s, & 70's remixed and revamped with newer components into new designs. The shop has a great mix of funky flowers in distinctive shapes and colours, which is what gives it such an eye-catching look! There is also a great selection of rings, bracelets, necklaces, and hair pieces to choose from. Any of the pieces in this shop would make great Christmas gifts!

Personally I love the vintage look of the shop, and have always been intrigued by enameled jewellery. I really like that the shop feels so modern and fashion forward despite its vintage origins. All of these pieces are distinctive and colourful without being fussy, which appeals to many shoppers including myself  :) I expect that we will be seeing much more of SpiderellaStudio in the very near future! Happy shopping :) Until next time, Kim XO

New Canadian Shops on Etsy

Here I am again - Kim from A little bit of pretty - with your weekly installment of New Canadian Shops on Etsy. This week I am featuring Maple Creek Soapworks . So let's begin shall we???

Maple Creek Soapworks is a couple from Edmonton, Alberta who began making soaps together following years of being itchy and uncomfortable after showering due to the use of commercial soaps. After a particularly uncomfortable episode, they had the opportunity to try some handmade soap and were amazed at the difference, and decided to try to make their own. So after some research, there was a working recipe, and the rest is history :)

Maple Creek Soapworks opened shop on Etsy in January 2009, and already have a wide range of products. There are bath soaks,  lotions,  lip balms, solid perfumes, and a Premium Line of products they call GlacierSpa that includes (for now I'm sure) an Anti-Aging Moisturizer, a Botanical Toner, and a Creamy Green Tea Cleanser. They also have products for tattoo care and make your own lip balm kits.

Their soaps are made, cut and wrapped by hand from top quality natural ingredients such as olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter and hempseed oil. All of their cold process bars contain cocoa butter and natural glycerine for extra moisturizing and they use essential oils or top quality fragrance oils for scenting. Ultramarines and iron oxides are used for coloring. All good stuff! :)

I am particularly intrigued by the bath soaks - especially the muscle soak. I am plagued by a stiff back and headaches dues to hours and hours spent beading and making jewellery, and am wondering if this might remedy or alleviate the tension???? Maybe I'll have to buy some to find out! There are also bath soaks for cough and cold symptoms and a couple lavender blends that would do nicely right before bedtime!


So check out this new up and coming soaperie - they are also having a Christmas sale right now of 15% off all items in the shop! Happy shopping :) Until next time, Kim XO.

TGIF!!! Nov 13, 2009

Here is this weeks' edition of TGIF- get ready to shop, shop, shop!  This week I decided to put together some items that would be great to buy "for her". These are also some of my favourite Etsy shops as well :) So without further ado - get ready to shop!

My first pick are these 3 dot earrings (love colours) by 3dots . I love the shape of these, and the colour of the beads that are within the large wooden circles. I have been coveting several items from this shop for ages! I love the look of wooden jewellery and all of the pieces in the shop are stained this gorgeous deep colour. These would make a great gift for anyone who loves jewellery!

Speaking of loving jewellery, what is better than a one-of-a-kind piece? The BLUE FROST-One of a Kind Lucite Collage Art Bangle with Swarovski Crystals by CindyG's Quirks of Art is truly a unique find. This is a stunning mixed media decoupaged bangle finished on a high quality frosted lucite/acrylic resin bracelet. Each and every bracelet in this shop is a work of art and love - a great gift idea for someone special!

Purple Flower Needle Book and Pincushion Set by JennMaruskaDesign - cute little wool and felt needlebook and pincushion perfect for holding sewing accessories. Great gift idea for that crafty sewing person in your life :)

Beach Bride Hair Comb Starfish SC Ocean Star by OhFaro - this comb is so beautiful! It is three vintage brooches that had been repurposed into a hair comb :) I love the way this one looks with the cute tiny faux turquoise and pearl beads - the piece is dressy but still beachy looking. Love it!

The twilight collection - Esme . bobby pins by pandacub - Great trio of bobby pins inspired by the character Esme from the wildy popular Twilight movie of course! I love the colours, and the combination of flower and vintage cameo. Would make a great stocking stuffer!

Blue and Purple Waffle Hoodie / size Large by Replicca - have someone on your list that hates shopping in chain stores but loves handmade clothing? Replicca has a great assortment of knit hoodies, tshirts, dresses, and turtlenecks and most of the pieces in the shop feature the same 3 colour blocking technique shown here. Very cool!

I love this great recycled, quilted vintage fabric clutch...sustainable purse by rikrak. Its the cutest little quilted clutch ever! Its a great shape and size (10x5 inches), and made of fresh repurposed vintage fabrics! Makes a great small, run around town clutch because it can fit all your essentials but you aren't wieghed down by a cumbersome purse! This one is on my wishlist :)

Snowflakes sterling silver earrings by TDNCreations - I am totally on a snowflake kick right now, so I was really excited when I found these snowflake earrings and I HAD to include them in this Christmas shopping post! Aren't they great? These little guys are handcut out of a textured sheet of silver and tumbled so they have a nice shine :) Love them!



Well those are my picks - I hope that I have helped you out a little bit with your Christmas shopping. I'll be back next time with some more great gift ideas! Until next time, Kim XO.

Wishlist Tuesday

This weeks Wishlist Tuesday was inspired by my need to get organized!!! It's a constant battle :) And since I am currently organizing and setting up my workspace I need each and every one of these items! Enjoy, until next time Kim XO.

1) Three Large Comfy Fabric Storage Bins....58 fabric choices by sewingmomma

2) 2010 Monogram Style Monthly Planning Calendar by LifeSimplified

3) Business Card and Address File Box by FreestyleGifts

4) Busy Bee Needlebook by JennMaruskaDesign

5) Barnwood Pencil Holder by ParadiseHillDesigns

6) 22 x 26 Zebra Fabric Covered Bulletin Memo Board by ExclusivelyByMaritza

7) Bird on a branch Paperweight by PaperFlowers

8) 4 tray pencil/jewelry box by arrikworld

New Canadian Shops on Etsy

Today is my New Canadian Shops on Etsy post on CanArtisan, written on Sunny Skies Jewellery. I'll leave you with a link to the post : http://canartisan.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-canadia-etsy-shopssunny-skies.html and my favourite piece from her shop! Until next time, Kim xo.

Wishlist Tuesday

This is my first wishlist post!!! I decided on a kitchen/cooking theme because I have been revved up to do more cooking since I saw Julie&Julia - infact I went right out a bought Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking". Last night I made my first dish, and - success! :) So here are my pics :

1) Fawn Christmas Apron by hometoroost

2) Mom's Kitchen Moss Terrarium by Greenbriar

3) Misty Minty Green Carved Serving Bowl by DarriellesClayArt

4) Chalkboard with Vintage Frame by KFMGallery

5) Custom Map Magnets by ksickles

6) Granite Utensil Holder by twobeans

7) Big Pom Pom Decal by Elephannie

8) Pride and Prejudice Proposal stout cream/pitcher by Brookish

Happy shopping :) Until next time, Kim xo.