Fridays Inspiration - Our under $8 gift guide

With all the economic craziness in Washington and on Wall Street, everyone is taking a closer look at their holiday budgets. When your holiday wallet gets cinched, you starts looking for ways to get the biggest bang for your hard earned dollars.

The Kansas City Etsy Street Team is a great place to look for unique, high quality gifts that will help you stretch your holiday budget to the max! Look at these great finds, perfect for hard to shop for teens and college students!



1. What Happens at my Locker Magnet by deannaburasco
2. Bottle Cap Pendants by Illustrious
3. Bath Taffy - Solid Bubble Bath by moodygurl
4. Key Fob by nicherndesigns
5. Magic Bubble Tree Bubbles Wand by Thyme2dream
6. The Bubble Ring by thefunkyfelter
7. Lip Butters by ajscountrycottage

Friday's Inspiration - Pink

For many October is filled with the beautiful colors of autumn - apple red, burnt orange, harvest gold - but for those who are and have battled breast cancer, October is pink. Pink because October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and thanks to the Susan G. Koman Foundation and Estee Lauder's introduction of little pink ribbons some 16 years ago, the color pink has become a national symbol of hope and support in promoting awareness and early detection. Like many of you, I am surrounded by strong women who are survivors and women who will soon join the ranks of survivors. This summer a dear friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, starting treatment early last month. September also marks the 7 year anniversary of when my mother was diagnosed. Thanks to early detection and good medical care, she's been cancer free now for 6 years.

Show your love and support for those battling breast cancer during this month of increased awareness by sporting a little more pink in your life.

1. Sweetheart Heart Pendant by thefunkyfelter
2. Anokhi the Gifted by threeredtrees
3. Caterpillar Pinks Bracelet by ExcessoriesKC
4. Cotton Candy Lampwork Ring by angelfireartglass

Halloween Garland Tutorial

Here's a whimsical Halloween craft you can make, with thanks going to TinyStitches for creating and sharing this project.
Here's what you need:
3 sheets of 8.5" x 11" white cardstock,
2 sheets of black 12" x 12" cardstock
2 sheets of festive orange 12" x 12' cardstock
scissors or large 3" circle punch
paper cutter or ruler and craft knife
gluestick or double sided tape
3/8" wide ribbon

Directions:
Print Happy Halloween circles on white cardstock. Cut each circle out using scissors or large 3" circle punch. Cut black cardstock into 3.5" squares. Cut orange cardstock into 3.75" squares.

Glue each circle on a square of black cardstock and then on a square of orange, centering the image each time.

Cut or punch small slits in the upper right and left corner of each square. Layout cards in the order, using any of the spacer graphics at the beginning, end and between both words. Weave ribbon through each slit, as pictured. If garland is too long, break it into two strands.

Halloween Goodies

Now is the perfect time to pick up a chic new Halloween accessory. These KCEtsy team member creations are a fun, whimsical way to celebrate Halloween.

1. Custom Shabby Halloween Bubble Art Pendant by semiprecious1
2. Scaredy Cat Halloween Print by karenkayartworks
3. Happy Grim Reaper Skeleton w/Pumpkin Limited Edition Print by allisonstein
4. Halloween Wallet/Cardholder by DumbKidDesigns

Friday's Autumn Inspiration

1. Note cards Set of 6 cards with envelopes, by bbesigns
2. Autumn Leaves Soy Candle, by ajscountrycottage
3. Fallen Leaves Kitchen Towel, by StirAtHome
4. Autumn Flame Amethyst and Copper Tiara Circlet Crown, by Thyme2dream
5. Big Bold Marigold Earrings, by JewlLi

Wearable Art for Fall

1. Candied Apple Scarflette - StirDesigns
2. Geranium Hat Set - ExcessoriesKC
3. Fringed Nuno Scarf - thefunkyfelter

Weekend Festivals

If you love handmade art like we do and are itching to get out and see what area artists have to offer, just about every weekend in September and October has a festival happening where artists and crafters alike will have their handmade creations for sale. So get your umbrella ready, pull on sensible shoes and bring a waterproof tote bag for all your treasured finds; we're going festival hopping!

River Market Art Festival on Saturday, September 13th, 10 am-5pm. The art tents will be set up on Delaware Street, a block west of the Farmer's Market area. Sweet Mud Clay Works, will be participating in this festival showcasing beautifully crafted, handmade porcelain earrings.

Lawrence Fall Arts & Crafts Festival on Sunday, September 14th, 10am-5pm. Art tents will be set up in South Park just south of downtown Lawrence at 12th and Massachusetts St. Ni-Chern Designs and Thyme2dream, will both be among the 200 artists showing their work Sunday. Ni-Chern Designs' chic line of handbags, wristlets and pouches, and Thyme2dream's magical jewelry, ear cuffs, tiaras, and more are not to be missed.

Beautiful Beaded Bangles

Just a few of the gorgeous bracelets KCEtsy Team Members have to offer:
Left: Thyme2dream, Elven Forest Fairy Vine Bracelet or Arm Cuff.
Top right: Angelfire Art Glass, Turquoise Treasures Lampwork Bracelet
Middle right: JewlLi - petite moonstone and garnet bracelet
Bottom right: baxtershouse - Black Onyx with Dangles

Want to try your hand a making a simple bracelet? KCEtsy team member TinyStitches, came across this tutorial for making a chic bracelet using handmade paper beads. A great project for a night with girlfriends, a tween slumber party, or mother daughter craft day. Dig through your scrapbook papers, magazine pages, or even wrapping paper scraps, purchase a couple of beads and a jewelry clasp and in no time flat you'll have an inexpensive bracelet you made all by yourself.