December etsy Feature: Stocking Stuffers!

I love doing the stockings at Winter Solstice.  Little gifts, candy and fun combinations make it exciting.  This month, I've picked out a handful of little, inexpensive gifts for the witchy recipient.  I am also honored to be able to feature things created by Velody Dark and Stacy Evans (who I absolutely adore for her offbeat sense of humor and tendency to post funny stuff on Facebook when I need a laugh).  Thanks, ladies for allowing me to feature your work!

Celticsouljwlry

This sweet little pendant is unusual and fun.  Made out of ceramic and glaze with a sky blue, this representation of the sun would look great on a ribbon, with some beads or hanging from a chain!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80227178/ceramic-round-blue-purple-spiral-sun

Niquy

Bath products are always in our stockings.  It's a throw back to when my mom had to do stockings for 5, three of them being stinky boys.  These cute goddess soaps are available in black or blue and is rose scented.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81950355/lunar-goddess-soap-great-stocking

Treegold and Beegold

Patches can liven up boring backpacks or jackets with a bit of magic.  This patch features a wheel of the year motif and bright colors.  Also available, Skyrim patches.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86349586/wheel-of-the-year-seasonal-embroidered

A Simple Life Inspired

Sometimes, we need a little reminder that we are loved and that magic is everywhere.  This hand painted river stone in crocheted pouch is tiny, portable reminder of the Goddess.  Stacy also offers kid sized wands and animal helper bookmarks.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73385327/radiating-goddess-river-rock-talisman




I hope you all have a magical and fulfilling holiday!

All images belong to their creators and are used with permission.


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Taking advantage of winter's chill- garden planning

One of the great things about winter is that it leaves us with time for indoor tasks like knitting, crochet, catching up on our reading, and research.  Right now, I'm planning my container garden for spring.

This is a great time to do the research for a garden.  You can peruse catalogs, chat with other gardeners on forums, and research your growing zone.  For 2012, I want some violets and heirloom sweet peas to go with my roses and the potted blackberry.  Snapdragons, poppies and some herbs could really round out my containers.  I am fortunate enough to live very close to a top notch independent nursery with very knowledgeable and friendly staff, as well as being only a couple hours from Petaluma's Seed Bank, a store specializing in rare and antique seeds.  If you need help planning next spring's garden, take a look at these links, then get out some paper and a pencil and start dreaming.

• http://rareseeds.com/  The Seed Bank in Petaluma, CA- housed in an old bank building.  They offer print and online catalogs for flowers, fruits and veggies.
• http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/  Cornell University's Gardening Resources- check with your nearby universities, too.  UCBerkley and SFSU here both have community outreach programs
• http://www.biltmore.com/  The Biltmore Gardens are amazing- lots of plants from their gardens are available, too.  Other botanical gardens, especially local ones are also great resources.
• http://www.burpee.com/  Burpee seeds
• http://www.jacksonandperkins.com  Jackson & Perkins releases new roses each year.
• http://www.woollypocket.com  Trust me and take a look at this.  It's amazing!

Spring will be here before we know it, and if you plan ahead a bit, you will be ready to create a beautiful, living piece of art.