Flying Bird Botanicals and more
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
I have soooo many friends who are interested in herbal remedies and alternative medicines. This makes me very happy, because as a practicing "green witch" I have many books on remedies I can whip up. This might end up being the only way I can afford to give Christmas/Yule gifts this year. In my own Christy fantasy land I hope to someday make my own line of energy/magick induced products. And for those of you seeking like-minded gifts please use the wonderful services of Flying Bird Botanicals. Noting that they have a new baby girl in their household and thus take up to 10 days to ship.
Flying Bird Botanicals only uses organic ingredients. They also try to buy only local when possible. They have gift baskets made up or you can buy things separate and create your own stuffed stocking.
One of their more popular products is their tea line, "nutritive immunitea...teas for wellness". Their blends include: red raspberry leaf, nettles, oat tops and straw, alfalfa, red clover tops, astragulus, elder berries, rose hips, lemon balm, dandelion root, fennel and spearmint.
One tea which sounds particularly lovely right now is their Peace of Mind tea. Their PEACE OF MIND TEA is gentle and calming for your nervous system. It includes: lemon balm, oats and oat straw, skullcap and spearmint.
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I'm also a huge fan of White Magick's Etsy shop. Where "everything is charged with the positive force of White Magick!" They have an array of handmade "Witch Ware" including herbal alchemy, divination tools, pendulums, ritual oils, altar supplies, candle magick, sacred spell and ritual kits, crystals, gemstones, herbal potions, teas, and rare magical apothecary and brews.If magic isn't your fancy, they also sell cool candles. Right now they are featuring a set of three Snowball candles. The description is: "These sweet and small handmade Snowball Candles are a festive decoration for the holiday season. Scented with a Fresh Snow fragrance, each candle is sprinkled with a light gold and silver glittering shimmer and measure 2 inches around. The perfect addition to your holiday decor or table centerpieces during Yule and Holiday celebrations." And they are under $10!
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Last but not least, is the Power Of Nature Jewels shop. The owner of this shop had been in a horrible car accident after which she was seriously injured. She spent time researching healing remedies and such. She says she was immediately intrigued by the healing power of stones and other natural elements. She says, "I have created beautiful jewelery with stones and other natural elements hand picked for their special healing properties."The picture you see here is showing a healing necklace. Mostly made of clear, crystal quartz there is also a Herkimer diamond dangle. Beautiful healing Herkimer Diamond encourages spontaneity. Good for memory and new beginnings. Great for the metabolism, and genetic material. Herkimer is long known and credited for it's pain relieving properties.
Labels: Etsy, flying bird botanicals, gift guide, healing stones, herbal tea, jewelry, white magick
Lego My Apple & some vintage finds
Tuesday, December 8, 2009Do you know someone who fancies thing of a vintage nature?
There is a shop on Etsy where you can buy Vintage Miniature Amber Glass Oil Lamps. Very cool, but Jody's Vintage offers a bunch of ideas and gifts to choose from for any time of year. There are hand painted cast iron trivets, old school TV lamps, kitchen utensils and even dated Mason jars if you know a collector. You could even put some goodies in the jar as part of the gift.
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MacSlaps are designer vinyl decals that utilize the backlit apple, allowing Mac owners to instantly customize their computer. So go ahead, slap some skin on your apple! Because your Mac should be as unique as you are."Lego My Apple" is a cute vinyl decal for your laptop or for wherever you wish to apply it. For those you know who like Apple products. I'm lucky because my husband likes Apple AND Legos, so really this would be the perfect decal for him. He'd probably put it on his Jeep. The description of the decal includes a disclaimer which says, "*Please note: this decal will definitely make you the coolest kid in the library." ROFL.
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Etsy is also a great place to find shops with cute, unique jewelry. One of my favorite shops to browse through is primoriginals. Right now they have really amazing unique ornaments, Christmas cards, art pendants, prints and original artwork, etc.If you know me, then you know how I love owls. In fact, if I could have a pet snow owl I'd be elated. And if I weren't allergic to cats I would want an orange tabby. Anyway, I can have both of those animals painted on something at primoriginals. Like the colorful HOOT Mounted Art Print. They are tiny block prints that you can hang on the wall as part of a collage or just by themselves on a smaller wall like in the kitchen or powder room.
And there is a Cat. Tree. Mouse. pendant which has a coy looking orange kitty on it. The painted colors are warm and inviting, such a great scene.
Labels: apple, art work, dali decals, Etsy, gift guide, jewelry, MacSlaps, primoriginals, prints, vintage
Hello Kitty Build-A-Bear
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Did you know you can now make your own Hello Kitty doll at Build-a-Bear?GENIUS!
I took a screen grab so you could see some of the options of the Hello Kitty doll you can build.
You can personalize her not only with cool Hello Kitty clothes and accessories, but also with her very own sound! Yes, that's right, you can add a sound to your doll. The sound can be a giggle, a song like Frosty the Snowman and they even offer Jonas Brothers. The extra cost is either $5 or $6 depending on which option you choose. I know my kids love toys with sound and music, so I don't think the extra money is too steep for a doll they will end up loving.
Then of course there is the special Holly Moose, but she is a bit more pricey at just under $50. Personally that does seem a bit steep to me, but she is cute. Holly Moose(TM) is wearing a red sherpa trim zip-up jacket, white crew neck tee, dark skinny leg jeans, sherpa trim boots and striped hat with red bow. ABC Family recently aired her movie, so there's a special Holly Moose show you could watch while cuddling with your stuffed moose friend.
Build-A-Bear has some great ideas, so it's a thought for your young gift receivers.
Labels: build-a-bear, children, gift guide
Modern to Retro | Gift Guide Deals
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
You can give amazing gifts this Christmas..even on a pauper budget. All you have to do is know where to look and I'm trying to make that a little bit easier for you this year.For instance, this super cute Vera Bradley hand bag was originally about $50 and right now it is on sale for $12. And Coupon code "10OFFSALE" will do even more for ya! This bag features a 6.5" strap drop and is available in 23 patterns. Coupon expires November 30.
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deviantART has a sale going on as well. 30% off ALL greeting cards, just in time for the holidays!Our 5 x 7 inch folded greeting cards come with envelopes and a reusable matte black box to keep them safely stored when not in use. Choose from a huge selection of deliciously devious images, printed on high quality 110 lb. matte stock with a beautiful UV sheen finish.
I have a shop on deviantART if you ever want to see some of my digital artwork. But I will tell you even though I do have some note cards, none of them are holiday themed at this time. cmannering on deviantART
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Gifts for under $20 at the best store for pajammies on the web WebUndies.comBattle fun with Bakugan pjs >>
Colorful Batman logo tee for women >>
Wrap these boxers up for him >> (Cotton knit shorts are a red plaid with a big green bow and the message, "Do Not Open Until Christmas!")
DC Comics Batgirl Retro Distressed Heather T-Shirt >>
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Sparkle Thots is ...Handmade jewelry for the modern women of today. A touch of whimsy, a touch of feminism, a touch of romanticism, a touch of class. Always wearable.
You're My Guiding Star...
Like the star of Bethlehem, this simple star takes centrestage. Matt gold plated, it hangs freely, swinging daintily on the 16 inch gold plated chain. Measures an approximate 1 inch drop.
And it is under $20!
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So, I hope you got some gift ideas and found that there are great, unique things out there within a tight budget. More gift guide posts to come so be sure to return to Bring Me Up Design!
Labels: bags, deviantART, Etsy, gift guide, vera bradley, webUndies
Cherry Red Loveliness | Gift Guide 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009Going with a theme for this post of the gift guide...
I really love all things cherry whether the actual fruit, the sundae topping sweetness or in this case the color and theme.
For instance, this super cute necklace from sweetberrybird on Etsy. She is "...a sociologist who has turned into a jewelry designer because of my devouring need for creativity."First Cherries Baby Swallow Necklace...
Necklace description: "Three genuine red coral beads and opalescent white glass blossom flower hang from bronzed brass branch. A large green glass leaf and a lovely brass baby swallow dangle from curb chain." AND the necklace is under $30!
She ships from Montreal, so if your in the US be sure to calculate how long it will take to ship. She ships within 5 business days of the payment clearing. Use PayPal and you're set.
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For under $10 you can give this super adorable Cherry & Bow hair clip. It's from Shana Logic which is one of my fave web shops. Love it! So gift certificates from there are fantastic. But in keeping with the theme...back to the clip.Item description: "This awesome hair clip has cool pink PVC cherries centered in the middle of a totally fun black bow with white dots. So super adorable!!"
Plus you can look through other items on their site from designer Ukiyo5. There are really awesome hair extension color clips. Everyone who knows me understands/accepts I have an obsession for these hair clips. I love every color available and they are $10 gifts as well. Deals people deals!
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I found gorgeous art prints and note cards on Red Bubble made by Angie McKenzie. The print I specifically love is called "Trees In A Row." It's a fantastical picture of pink cherry blossoms. "Cherry Blossom Trees lined up in pink bloom during the spring season. Newtown, PA."The note cards are under $5 and the prints start at $22 for a 10" x 8" size which is perfectly frameable and it comes with artist details, laminated.
Angie says she is an ametuer photographer, but that makes me wonder what she would call me. Is there a level below a beginner? Haha. She has been in photography for over four years. She likes using warm filters and close-up lenses.
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Couple other links for ya...
- jumpupanddown has a Retro Hostess Apron on sale right now for $12, it has a vintage inspired cherry print.
- So Very Cherry Halter Top is also on sale on Etsy for $12, the cherries are actually silver in that print.
Happy gifting!
Labels: cherry red, Etsy, gift guide, red bubble, Shana Logic
Feeling the Feltmate Love
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Etsy is a great place to look for creative inspiration. It's also a fantastic place to find gifts if you have a strict budget. Because if anyone understands penny pinching it would be other crafty people.Right now I'm enjoying looking at Feltmate's Shop. I love their Lovebird Pin Cushion. This would be such a great gift for anyone who loves to sew. If I spent more time at my sewing table I would definitely want something like this. It's cheery, cute and would make me smile each time I saw it.
Item description: Hand felted white wool pincushion in a porcelain dish with two wool love birds firmly perched on top. Both lovebirds are red and white in color. Kiss kiss.
Upcoming Exhibitions and Craft Shows...
November 21, 10am - 5pm
DIY Trunk Show
Pulaski Park Auditorium,
1419 W. Blackhawk, Chicago, IL.
November 28, 10am - 7pm
Art vs. Craft
Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center,
790 N. Van Buren St., Milwaukee, WI.
Labels: budget friendly, Etsy, feltmate, gift guide
Chalkboard candles are so cool!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Yes, I know how lame my post title may seem to you, but I stand by it!- Hand-poured in Los Angeles with 100% Unscented Soy Wax.
- Comes with set of chalk
- Unscented
- 7.5 oz
Pair this gift with some stencils and it would be amazing for just about anyone on your gift lists no matter the holiday.
Get it at Delight.com >>
And I'd like to offer a quick tidbit on why soy candles rock...
Soy wax is a favorite of environmentally conscious people because it is not made from petroleum, like paraffin candles. Burning of soy candles does not increase the CO2 level in the atmosphere.
And, soy candles last 50% longer!
Labels: candles, gift guide
The Strange

Name: Christy Mannering
Appreciating and dancing around to all types of music. Movie mania! Reading fiend! Design queen!
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