Friends + Family + I Want This

I pledge to buy handmade!

For the third year in a row, I pledge to buy handmade this holiday season! Please encourage your friends and family to buy (and create!) handmade gifts. Whether you do so online, in local shops, or in your own kitchen, the gift of a handmade item can’t be beat. Go here to learn more.

EDIT: Hand-makers! Feel free to link to your shops in the comments. (Anything not in the spirit of buying handmade will be deleted.)

Previous Post Next Post

Other Stuff You Might Be Into

60 Comments

  • Reply Tasha November 27, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    In the spirit of this post, can I link to my Etsy shop? (If this isn’t kosher, please delete!) I’m offering free shipping within the U.S. on my prints until Dec. 26, and I’ll discount international shipping as well. I’ll be updating the shop all weekend, so keep checking back!

    http://www.smallhandsphotos.etsy.com

  • Reply Anna at D16 November 27, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    Tasha, that’s fine! In fact, I’ve edited the post to encourage others to do the same. 🙂

  • Reply my trampoline November 27, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    thanks for this anna!

    polaroid + handmade = love

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/ethanollie?section_id=5726102

  • Reply Meg November 27, 2009 at 9:54 pm

    Yay! I’ve bought almost exclusively from Etsy for the last three holiday seasons, and I completely agree. Once you go handmade, you never go back!

  • Reply amanda November 27, 2009 at 10:00 pm

    i have made the pledge this year! i’ve already told everyone in my family that they are getting handmade gifts. i am not super crafty so i am buying from the incredible artists on etsy and i’m so glad that i can support them. i love the handmade pledge!

  • Reply Jess November 27, 2009 at 10:01 pm

    Prints and cards of my drawings
    Printed with respect for the environment with FSC certified papers and/or 100% recycled in a mom and pop print shop that recycles ink cartridges

    http://linearramblings.etsy.com

  • Reply martha November 27, 2009 at 10:15 pm

    I’ve already started the boys on making gifts for their grandparents and my list of things I want to make for gifts is far too long:)

    my holiday collection, HANDCRAFT is up:

    http://www.uniformnatural.bigcartel.com

    thanks for this post anna.

  • Reply annie November 27, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    thanks for giving us the space to *toot* our own horns!

    happy holidays!

    http://www.mogogoods.com

  • Reply Sam November 27, 2009 at 11:26 pm

    How lovely of you! I design, print, and sew lots of wonderful housewares and accessories.
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/inklore

  • Reply courtney November 27, 2009 at 11:55 pm

    Great Pledge! I have done this in the past as well! I also have two shops on etsy- GO HANDMADE!

    sterling silver artisan jewelry
    http://modernmeetswhimsy.etsy.com

    all things paper (stationery, prints, invitations)
    http://justanotherday.etsy.com

  • Reply Jessica November 28, 2009 at 12:06 am

    I make jewelry

    http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com

  • Reply Megan November 28, 2009 at 12:34 am

    My mom quilts cosmetics and jewelry bags and table runners – she does custom work too!

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/pinsandneedlestoo

  • Reply Jillian November 28, 2009 at 1:05 am

    Excellent idea! This year I’m going handmade as well. I’ve got an etsy shop with my handmade crochet designs, currently cowl, necklaces, and hats/headbands, with vintage pin accessories. Enjoy!

    http://www.infatuatedgirlshop.etsy.com

  • Reply Heather November 28, 2009 at 1:21 am

    Yay for handmade! I’ve been lurking around your blog for about a year now and love it! Thanks for all your inspiration Anna!

    We design sewing and crochet patterns for children’s clothing:

    http://leilaandben.etsy.com

  • Reply Live a Colorful Life November 28, 2009 at 1:24 am

    I’ll be adding more and more new items this coming week. Thanks for letting us do this!

  • Reply Live a Colorful Life November 28, 2009 at 1:24 am

    Uh, forgot to add the link: http://www.oneineverycolor.etsy.com

    Thanks, Anna!

  • Reply sally November 28, 2009 at 1:54 am

    I am trying my best to make or buy handmade this year! Good thing there are so many great artists + designers out there selling their wares.

    shimandsons.etsy.com
    [stationery + handmade goods]

  • Reply numsi November 28, 2009 at 2:22 am

    Thanks so much for the opportunity to broadcast our wares! I am in the process of uploading lots of new stuff in time for the holidays. I make contemporary modular wall art and clothing for babies and children-
    http://www.numsi.com

    *Custom items can be ordered until December 17th for Xmas delivery in the US

  • Reply Jo in NZ November 28, 2009 at 2:59 am

    Love this! Will be checking out all the D16 readers who hand make…

  • Reply thisheartsonfire November 28, 2009 at 4:01 am

    Hello Anna! Hello Handmade Lovers!

    I have updated my Etsy-shop, please find new prints, crochet brooches, tiny crochet bows and Miss Polly Poodle, she is handmade in the colour of your choice, very sensitive and a bit toffee-nosed but very charming. She is looking for a new home, so are you ready for her?

    Love: thisheartsonfire
    ———————————————————————————-
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/thisheartsonfire
    _______________________________________________

  • Reply stina November 28, 2009 at 5:16 am

    Hi,
    What a good idea. I really like your blog Anna.

    I just started my etzy shop.

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/thislittleshop

    Happy weekend
    stina

  • Reply Tasha November 28, 2009 at 9:15 am

    Wow — I love seeing everyone’s beautiful items!

  • Reply lindsay November 28, 2009 at 9:44 am

    We’ve also gone handmade, and our entire family was thrilled about it last year!

    I have a pretty rad sale going on in my etsy shop right now.
    Prints, Originals, and Linen Dolls for the young at heart…
    http://www.lindsayart.etsy.com

    I also spent a lot of time putting together Etsy gift guides for Her, for Him, for Kids, and for Home over at my blog, if anyone needs a little guidance. There’s so much awesomeness over there 🙂

  • Reply Cassandra November 28, 2009 at 10:47 am

    Hello Anna thanks for the opportunity and good on you for making the handmade pledge.
    i have a little Etsy shop with limited edition, high quality prints of my illustrations on yummy paper. Here’s my shop:
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/CassandraAllen

  • Reply Anna Tovar November 28, 2009 at 10:55 am

    I’m a painter and love doing commissioned pieces.

    annatovar.com
    annatovar.etsy.com
    annatovar.blogspot.com

    Thanks Anna and Happy Holidays!

  • Reply Cassie November 28, 2009 at 12:24 pm

    The Handmade Pledge is a wonderful thing, thanks so much for posting about it, Anna!

    I’ve bought most gifts on Etsy for almost 4 years now. Each transaction feels so meaningful.

    Here’s a link to my jewelry shop, I’ve got free shipping thru Monday 11/30:
    http://shopclementine.etsy.com

    thanks!

  • Reply Paula November 28, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    I love this pledge and I love buying handmade for my loved ones during the holidays.
    My shop, k.e.d, offers exceptional pieces of wearable art. Check it out here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/killemdirty

    I have a ‘buy 2, get 1 free’ friends and family sale through December 25th. Enter code “buy2get1” at check out to participate in the promotion! And thank you for your support!

  • Reply Amy Kelly November 28, 2009 at 5:33 pm

    I love buying handmade for friends and family and I even make the gifts myself when I am able to do so. I think a thoughtful handmade gift is a great way to really show someone they mean a lot to you. It’s easy to go find something at the mall and make it work, but it says a lot if you take the time to think about a person and find something handmade which they’ll love.

    As a full time “hand-maker” myself I also know just how much the purchase of handmade items means to the maker as well. It’s like giving two gifts in one!

    In the spirit of giving, if you have any women in your life who enjoy feminine, vintage-inspired jewelry, I would be honored if you considered gifting them one of my designs:

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/thatwinsomegirl

    Happy Holidays everyone!

  • Reply Anna at D16 November 28, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    WOW! This is so great! Thanks for sharing your shop links, everyone…keep ’em coming. 🙂 🙂

  • Reply Jen November 28, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    Love this — it’s my third year doing the pledge as well! And if any of your wonderful readers need handmade holiday cards, gift tags, and other paper goods, please visit my shop!
    http://marmoset.etsy.com
    Happy holidays!

  • Reply leslie November 28, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    thanks so much for buying and supporting handmade Anna! I do the same and also scout estate sales for perfect vintage finds 🙂

    should anyone be interested, I print my own fine art photos and sell them at my etsy shop: http://www.lesophie.etsy.com/

    happy handmade shopping and enjoy your holiday season!

  • Reply Erin November 28, 2009 at 11:10 pm

    A wonderful pledge. I will definitely be checking out the stores from other handmade readers of Door 16!

    my photography on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/erintyner

  • Reply Erica November 29, 2009 at 6:20 am

    I like to make homemade edible gifts for others (I have a great recipe for hot fudge sauce that will be making the rounds this year). But I also have friends who are collectors of certain things, so to get off the capitalist bandwagon, I also buy things second-hand at charity thrift shops.

    But I definitely do not buy a single new thing for holiday gift giving!

  • Reply amy November 29, 2009 at 9:25 am

    AWESOME! For the wee ones (modern design you would like)
    http://www.littlealouette.etsy.com
    xoxo

  • Reply Rachael Hampton November 29, 2009 at 10:53 am

    I’ve been buying only and making handmade goods for over 4 years now I even organize at handmade showroom in Nantes France, that spot light young designer that make handmade goods as well.

    My etsy shop is :http://www.etsy.com/shop/rajulparis

    The handmade Showroom in Nantes is : http://www.handmadeshowroom.com

  • Reply Amy November 29, 2009 at 11:22 am

    This is lovely! Here is my website – http://www.perchceramics.com with tons of handmade (in Brooklyn) ceramic gifts.

    Also going on in NYC is Gifted by the Brooklyn Flea. From now until Dec. 20th the store will have revolving groups of vendors selling handmade stuff. More info here. http://www.brooklynflea.com/gifted/

    Thanks!

  • Reply andi November 29, 2009 at 11:37 am

    color dripping glasswork to wear
    http://www.retimade.com

    your blog has had me drooling for two years and counting!

  • Reply belinda November 29, 2009 at 11:44 am

    thankfully the whole family has decided to not give gifts this year but tokens of appreciation. i will be baking up a storm come christmas eve & will be providing a home baked bread & cookies for everyone.

    also, as you said it was ok, here is a self promotional link to my little shop…..

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/belindadarling

  • Reply brandeye November 29, 2009 at 12:12 pm

    here is a link to my shop
    http://www.brandeye.etsy.com
    i sell handmade pillows, quilts and vintage stuff.

    i would love to be able to make all my gifts this year, but just don’t have the time. etsy is so great for gifts!

  • Reply Megan November 29, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    Hi Anna,
    Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of buying handmade! My husband and I opened a store in New Paltz, NY, Materia Locus, dedicated to local, handmade and sustainable products for the home. We feature many of our designers and artists on our blog http://www.materiadesigns.com, and ship things all over the country. Thanks for creating this forum for creativity and handmade products!

  • Reply Rachel Kay November 29, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    Brill idea Anna!
    Long-time reader, first-time poster 🙂

    I have a shop on etsy selling cushion covers!
    http://www.greenbeanshop.etsy.com

    Rachel

  • Reply Suzanne November 30, 2009 at 3:07 am

    you mentioned trying to buy for teenage girls: Can I maybe suggest this?

    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33857716

    leather (check), coin purse or make up purse (check) and horsies (check). I would totally lose my shit over this thing and I wasn’t teenage that long ago.

  • Reply robyn November 30, 2009 at 11:50 am

    Iron Design Company makes hand formed iron objects, transforming a bold material into everyday items that are innovative and inviting.

  • Reply Magchunk November 30, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    I’m trying to do most of my gifts handmade, but also handmake many of them myself! Some of our stocking stuffers may break the rules though, but only cause we’re probably doing a lot of toiletries and my boy is picky about his razors…

  • Reply Lindsey Lou! November 30, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    What an excellent way to start the holiday season. Instead of perusing the aisles of Walmart and the malls (the horror, the horror), i think it would be a great idea to buy more personable and economical gifts for my friends and family.

  • Reply Shrie >> Lo & Behold November 30, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    PLEASE buy and give handmade this year. It’s worth it! I promise 🙂

  • Reply Stephanie November 30, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    Thanks for the opportunity Anna!

    I make customized hand-sculpted mini sculptures/ornaments of your pet from photos you submit.

    http://custompetcreations.etsy.com

  • Reply Katie November 30, 2009 at 7:50 pm

    Thanks Anna! There are so many lovely things on etsy…I’m the chick half of Dude and Chick, and design, illustrate and print our letterpress cards in the lovely Twin Cities, MN. Check them out!
    http://www.dudeandchick.etsy.com

  • Reply Shanny November 30, 2009 at 10:30 pm

    Indeed! I have so many talented friends that make the most beautiful things, I couldn’t imagine *not* shopping handmade.

    Myself, I make hand-printed and illustrated housewares and other neat-o stuff: http://www.coucousalut.etsy.com

  • Reply Kim Fox November 30, 2009 at 11:58 pm

    Thank you for letting us post these links. And thanks for the handmade support.

    Happy Holidays!

    http://www.kimfoxart.etsy.com

  • Reply mjb December 1, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    I make pillows and other sewn things and sell them at http://graciemay.etsy.com – I’m trying to make as much as I can for Christmas gifts this year! The men on my list are the hardest to do that for, though, so I’m sure I’ll end up buying some.

  • Reply wren December 1, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    yippie! i love handmade. i am either making all my gifts this season or shopping on etsy or other handmade places.

    my little etsy shop is:
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/chicpeastudio

    i make handmade goods… for your homemade life
    thanks!

  • Reply erika December 2, 2009 at 1:45 am

    hi! I just moved to a new spot on etsy. I have Christmas tags up now, give the gift of handmade items.

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/fluximagery

    Thanks Anna for this little spot for link love.

  • Reply katherine December 2, 2009 at 4:00 pm

    i just launched my store three weeks ago and i’m having a blast!

    i handmake and print pillow covers and i’m working on other home textiles, like napkins, placemats, and quilts.

    http://www.katherinejlee.etsy.com

  • Reply Vanda December 2, 2009 at 6:22 pm

    Hi!

    I’ll leave three 🙂

    http://paraphernalia.nu
    http://arretemoncoeur.net
    http://portugalmonamour.com

    I’ve been buying handmade for the holidays for the past 3 years, it feels great and I always have the best gifts of the lot!

  • Reply Michelle Shopped December 6, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    i do some handmade gifts every year for my family — last year almost all — it was great! every year i swear i’ll start sooner and every year it’s into december before i finally start — here’s my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/michelleshopped

    thank you anna!

  • Reply leonor December 7, 2009 at 8:17 pm

    I always give handmade gifts, handmade cards and personalise every gift bag. I love doing it and family and friends started appreciating the difference of having something made thinking of them.
    Love your idea.

  • Reply Patrice December 9, 2009 at 10:22 pm

    Handmade is the best way to go! Each item is unique and made with love…

    http://www.thesoapseduction.etsy.com

  • Reply Jessica December 12, 2009 at 1:06 am

    This is so generous of you! Thank you for supporting all the wonderful handmade work out there!

    My photographs can be found here, always with free shipping. 🙂

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetEventide

    Happy holidays to all!

  • Reply Keira April 5, 2010 at 5:37 am

    I would like to post my Etsy shop as well!

    Thanks!!!!!!!!!

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandsomeAndLace

  • Leave a Comment

    Door Sixteen is a hate-free, drama-free, spam-free zone. Open dialogue is welcome, but comments designed to harm or deceive will be removed.

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Get D16 in your mailbox

    Sign up to receive weekly digests and (occasional) other updates from Door Sixteen! I promise to not bombard your inbox.