Flipping Out For a Handmade Christmas!

By Debbie Nania

When Mermaids find something they love, they get so excited they do tail flips! This year we are flipping out for handmade!

This Christmas season, wouldn't it be wonderful and more thoughtful to purchase gifts that are handmade? A handmade gift, as opposed to a mass-produced item, is unique. Made with thought, love, special attention to detail, and often crafted in someone's home or workshop; a handmade gift is more personal.

As an artist and creator of handmade gifts myself, I know how much time and effort goes into each piece. I love to support my fellow creative junkies! This year I plan on buying most of my gifts from independent artists and crafters. (Unless, of course, I am making them myself!)

There is so much talent out there! Almost every community has a vintage, art, or craft show scheduled for this season. Online shops are popular too! Start your shopping now, right here, with these handmade items we love!

Help feed an artist. Buy handmade!

Cedar House Soaps Handcrafted by our beautiful, talented friend, Jennifer Maltba. They smell divine!   I love these soaps. I have smelled all of them and bought many! They are absolutely beautiful in every way. Cedar House Soaps are handcrafted using a traditional "House" blend of Palm Oil, Olive, Coconut, and Castor Oils and enriched with the luxurious benefits of Shea & Cocoa Butters, all combining to create a luxurious lather to moisturize and cleanse the skin. To Purchase: www.cedarhousesopas.com $6 each Located in Priest River, Idaho 8700 Hwy. 57, Priest River, ID. 83856 Phone: (208)448-2323 Email: cedarhousesoaps@peoplepc.com Website: www.cedarhousesoaps.com Follow Cedar House Soaps on: Facebook

Shabby Cowgirl Love, love these adorable aprons! What a beautiful gift for your mom, daughter, best friend, or yourself!!! Each beautiful apron is designed and crafted with love by Barbara Wiggins, the Shabby Cowgirl Red Plaid Tablecloth Apron with tulle ruffles, burlap pocket and vintage lace trim. Each apron is handmade, using some vintage trims. Made in a pet and smoke-free shop. Ships 7-10 days from order. To Purchase: $45 - Etsy Plaid Hostess Apron A sweet, fitted-style apron made from a plaid tablecloth. Vintage linen double pocket and tulle rose embellishment. Perfect hostess gift or to wear at your next holiday party. Each apron is handmade in a smoke and pet-free shop Ships in 7-10 days from order. To Purchase: $38 - Etsy Phone: (559)-288-5199 Follow Shabby Cowgirl on: Facebook

As You Wish Design Beautiful, handstamped, sterling jewelry by artisans, moms, and best friends, Kendra and Kristen Customized for you! The Mermaids own these two customized necklaces and we love them!!! What a great gift for best friends, a new mom or grandma. Email the Wish Mamas: asyouwishdesign@ymail.com Phone: (509) 499-2857 – Kristin or (509) 954-3814 – Kendra To Purchase: Website Follow As You Wish Design on: Facebook

Dandles Candles These candles smell delicious!!! Hand poured soy, palm, and paraffin candles. Dandles Candles are highly scented and poured into unique jars and containers.   Dandles Candles are created by Spokane's own, Dana Haynes When Dana isn't writing, reporting and anchoring for Spokane's NBC and FOX affiliates, she's making and selling candles.   1207 N Inland Court Spokane, WA. 99224 USA Phone: 509-990-5611 Get Directions To Purchase: Website Follow Dandles Candles on: Facebook

Whimsy and Wasabi Adorable necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, all handcrafted by jewelry artist, Paulette Ricardo. What a fun gift for your sushi-loving friends! This piece is funky and chunky with red, silver and black. Beautiful details using various quality beads. Also, black and clear glass beads, crocheted onto 26g silver-tone artistic wire. Finished with a convenient magnetic clasp. Necklace measures approx. 16.5" in length This whimsical necklace comes in a white jewelry gift box, tied with ribbon or tulle. Perfect for gifting, or something special to open for yourself! To Purchase: $40 - Etsy

Whimsy and Wire Also by Jewelry artist, Paulette Ricardo Oh, how fun are these!!! Get "dressed up" with these fun, prom-dress-inspired tulle earrings with coordinating large sparkle accents. Super fun and totally unique! To Purchase: $10 - Etsy This unique necklace features a sassy, vintage, cowgirl, reclaimed Scrabble tile pendant, between vintage and new buttons, all suspended from two lengths of silver-tone chain. There is also a sweet, horseshoe pendant nestled amongst the buttons for a touch of luck! Measures approx. 20" and is finished with a shepherd's hook. To Purchase: $32 - Etsy Follow Whimsy and Wire on: Facebook

Laa T Daa Queen of the Coop Da Ville I love these gorgeous necklaces, handcrafted by talented and spunky Colleen Trefz Colleen crafts these cross pendants, bracelets, and rings from vintage silverware. If you have a piece of your grandma's silverware, Colleen can make you a gorgeous piece of heirloom-quality jewelry to treasure. What a beautiful gift!!! Stunning!!! Contact Colleen to find out what she has currently available or to inquire about a custom piece using your silverware. 4612 Market Rd. Homedale, ID 83628 Phone: 208 318 6262 Email: d.trefz@yahoo.com Website Follow La T Daa Queen of the Coop Da Ville on: Facebook

Pixie Dust Chocolates We love these chocolates, handcrafted in Spokane, Washington by Melissa Barnett. Elegant! Fun! Gift Wrapped! And most importantly, Delicious!!! Pixie Dust Chocolates are available in all of these fine stores in the Spokane/Couer d'Alene area: The Chocolate Apothecary Simply Northwest Atticus Rocket Market Huckleberry's Sacred Heart Gift Shop Little Garden Cafe Electic Gift Made in Washington Possibilities (in CdA) P.O. Box 18833, Spokane, WA 99229-0833 Phone: 509 220 7554 Email: pixiedustchocolates@gmail.com Follow Pixie Dust Chocolates on: Facebook

Please visit our e-zine at www.mermaidsofthelake.com to view our Holiday Issue. It is full of inspiration!