Fancy knobs

Yesterday I helped my very preggo friend, Erin, paint drawer knobs for her baby’s dresser. What do you think of our handiwork? I painted a lot of them, but I’m so slow, Erin started painting too. I really think the ones she painted are much more adorable (she did the crowns and the butterflies). However, we were both quite impressed with my “E” knob for Emmaline. I’m helping to throw her a baby shower this weekend, and I’m trying to get a little crafty for that too.

In other news, I worked out really hard tonight, trying to get back in shape to run a relay in March, and then I promptly ate more than enough to cancel out my workout. The gyms have been crowded the past two days. I’m ready for the “resolution makers” to go ahead and give up. Thanks.

ETSY is awesome.

I am not the craftiest person on the block. Every now and then I throw together some homemade jewelry or decide to dust off the ol’ sewing machine, but for the most part, I’m just too darn lazy and too darn ADD to devote time to a lingering project. I think the skills are there, but the motivation is lacking. Therefore, I am amazed by people who somehow muster the time and energy to make fabulous things from their own hands. I realize that “handmade” often conjures images of those loopy potholders or popsicle-stick picture frames that we all made as kids. But this is just not so. www.etsy.com is the coolest place in the world for people to buy and sell handmade stuff. There are folks selling fine art prints, photography, jewelry, pottery, clothes, organic products… I could seriously look at people’s stuff all day. So far, I’ve purchased four items from Etsy, and all of those purchases exceeded my expectations. Check it out; it’s a very cool place, inspiring for those who can make things and very cool for getting original pieces.

Here are some of my favorite shops:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=34858 Beautiful bird prints and such

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=41565 Lovely handmade jewelry

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=35722 Also gorgeous, nature-inspired jewelry

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5273857 This shop makes custom jewelry (with phrases, names, etc.)

And finally, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5279767 The coolest and most original purses and bags, ever!