Handmade Holiday Gift Guide

With December beginning, I'm starting to focus on holiday gifts for friends and family. I want to make most of the gifts that I give... but practically speaking, there's always at least a few that I wind up buying. When I do buy, though, I always want to support talented people who are making their living through their craft.

Soon I'll start posting tutorials for gifts you can make yourself, but for now I've put together a gift guide of some items on Etsy that I think would make great, quirky gifts for the people in your life. And all these items are under $20!

ever and forever -- por... ZebestPottery $16.00	Target Practice kikiandpolly $10.00	Personalized Notebook J... zany $15.00	Misprint sketchbook/ no... jilliannickell $4.00
Voyager Jellyfish Air P... PetitBeast $15.00	Love and marriage, mode... GraphicAntholo... $24.00	Made To Order - Storm ... Zeldabelle $20.00	Funny Typography Digita... hairbrainedsch... $15.00
Coffee quote poster pri... Arcadiagraphic $15.00	Bear Dance Print 10x8 theblackapple $16.00	2013 Wall Calendar - Ta... blushface $13.00	Adorable Small White B... alixandrapotte... $10.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

What do you think? Would any of these work for the people in your life? One of my favorite gifts to give is art for someone's home or office... Its such a nice way to brighten someone's day! Good luck finding the perfect gifts for the people in your life!

Getting Started

I just turned down a chance for a promotion at work.

It would have meant more money, benefits, vacation time, and other perks... and it would have made me miserable.

The experience got me to thinking - although I work in a field I love (youth development), and I'm passionate about my job, I don't want to advance further in it, for various reasons. But it seems to be assumed that everyone will take every promotion that they can possibly get, even if they don't want or need to.

There's got to be a better way.

I am someone who loves making and fixing things. I love creating with my own hands. I love solving little problems in my life by being crafty and not by spending money. And I'd love to create a community where those are the things that are valued. So I decided to try to do just that...

Welcome to A Better Way.