Are you sick of the generic jewelry you find at every department store you wander into on Saturday afternoons? I figured as much.
Now is the time to say no to big box stores, and start shopping small. It goes without saying, the “Support Local” movement is taking the world by storm, and I have just the vendor to kick off your shopping spree.
In an age where everything around us beeps and lights up, I have to make a conscious effort to provide my daughter with toys and experiences that are basic, not battery operated and don’t have a screen. There is so much research out there that explains the importance of limiting screen time and getting back to the basics with toys. So, I was so excited to receive a package from Hope Learning Toys for my daughter.
I want to give you a little background about Heather, the founder and creator of Hope Learning Toys because this is what makes her products so spot-on and so much more than just toys.
Heather was an elementary educator for ten years with a passion for literacy development. The decision to become a stay at home mother allowed her the time to create unique sensory learning products. The mission of Hope Learning Toys is to nurture children’s curiosity and cultivate a love of learning.
Kellee, of Kellee Creative, uses wooden looms, assorted tools, and yarn to create her wall hangings. Kellee took her guest blogging into the field and sat down with the owner of one of her yarn shops in Los Angeles. So all you L.A. makers, if you’re looking for a shop, look no further!
Every time we attend a handmade market, we are reminded of their importance. We spent the weekend with makers from all over Colorado and surrounding states, and we could not be more proud of the makers we met and of this amazing handmade community.
To the public eye, the event we attended in Denver last week could have been a real wedding. Leading up tot the event, vendors spent an entire day transforming NOAH’s event center into a truly beautiful wedding venue. The bride and groom are actually a married couple that wants to use The Big Fake Wedding as a venue to renew their vows.
The day of the event I visited with vendors and watched the event space change before my eyes. The vendors collaborated to ensure that the couples’ “big day” went off without a hitch.
Each table in the reception area was displayed differently to showcase various styles and decor. The flowers were beautifully arranged in several styles through out the venue as well. We could see the excitement of the guests as they wandered from table to table collecting ideas for their big day!
You never have to have a reason to be outside in Boulder, but the Firefly Handmade markets always gives you a great one! It is rare to find handmade-only markets but Firefly has done a wonderful job at ensuring that all their artisans are handmade, creative, and exceptional in their craft.
Although we were thrilled with all the artisans we met, there were a few that were real standouts!
Sink + Soak creates handmade soaps, bath bombs, lotions and more all from natural healthy ingredients made in wine country, Livermore, California.
Their soaps are made using a cold processed method. In their shop, you will find artisan soaps, vegan soaps, natural soaps, fun scented soaps and other bath products. Their handmade goods are made in small batches to ensure freshness and many are made to order.
Made in their kitchen, these handcrafted, cold processed soaps are Dorothy Lewis’s, Sink + Soap’s owner, passion. Nature, desserts, coffee, teas and aromatherapy inspire her and she aims to turn bath time into your own personal spa and sanctuary… and that’s exactly what her soaps did for us!
