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Giving Joy

Calligraphy, Giving Joy, Heather by Hand

Engagement gift idea: Thrilled for you

Right now I know of 10 ladies who are engaged and planning for their wedding. A few I know more closely than others, so I’ve been in engagement gift giving mode, looking for something perfect for each bride. First on my list {trying to stay in order}, my friend Heather. I saw this bottle of wine from Swanson Vineyards up in Rutherford that would have been SO incredibly perfect, seeing that her nick name is “thrill madril”. Sadly, they’re not producing any more of this vintage. So, I stole the theme and put together a box of littles for my newly engaged friend to enjoy. Sort of my wedding version of a birch-box. And all for around $25 {the price for me has to be right, too – knowing I still have to come up with a bridal shower and wedding gift for the couple}. Did I mention I call Heather, “my little Heather”?

These black & white graphic boxes always tug at my heart strings. They’re so cute & clever. And they go with any room decor. So, I picked a lovey one for Heather’s wedding box.

At the Book Shop of Santa Cruz, they have a really fun sales section. I couldn’t resist the mini sparklers and cake-topper. Then I kept shopping around downtown and picked out a Lollia hand creme, a vintage handkerchief for future tears and some sustainable, “love” hair product samples to complete the box. Add the clever insert message and done!

I have more friends to shop for, and need to do it pretty quick so I stay within the “engagement” window, so more engagement gift ideas to come! {Calligraphy on the envelope by Found in the Central Coast}.

February 4, 2013 by
Giving Joy

Gift idea for a long-distance friend: witty greeting cards

When you can’t see a friend who lives miles away, it’s always nice to send a little note to say that you’re thinking of them. Not an email, not a Facebook message, but an old-fashioned card to say hi. Here in the Cruz, the Book Shop of Santa Cruz is the BEST place for greetings cards. They have a great selection of hand-made, letter press and recycled cards. I especially love the WITTY ones from Waterknot Design, Lark Press and Flybird Press.  I have a few friends across the country, and thought a cutesy, silly card would be a nice gesture. At $4.00-$5.00 each {plus a stamp}, it’s an inexpensive way to send your long-distance friends a note to say hello! In my case, I also like the fact that my dollars are going into greener, more original artists.

When sending a note to a far away friend, something unique and witty always tends to bring joy :)

January 21, 2013 by
Giving Joy

Gift idea: Vintage button earrings

Over the holiday I received SO many compliments on my Vintage Button Earrings, that I found it necessary to share the jeweler with you! My friend, Olive, gave me these Retro Chic White button earrings for my birthday in September and I can’t stop wearing them. They go with everything! The artist, Ali Osborne, is from none other than SANTA CRUZ, and her button jewelry can be found in boutiques downtown. A majority of Button Willow’s jewelry is made from her Grandmother’s vintage button collection or other vintage glass finds, and uniquely enough – GUITAR string! So retro. You don’t have to travel to Santa Cruz to buy these amazingly beautiful earrings – you can visit her Etsy store. I’m going to be purchasing the crystal pair next, and since so many friends loved these on me, I may just gift a few to my girls in Arizona. Happy shopping!

January 14, 2013 by
Giving Joy

A gift for a Californian: Earthquake sensors

I wanted to bring something home for all my work girls from Arizona and stumbled across the BEST gifty at the Arizona swap meet – Earthquake sensors! Hand-painted with little bobble heads. Perfect for their desks, and perfect for someone who lives in California, right?!

January 7, 2013 by
12 Dates of Christmas, Calligraphy, Giving Joy

Christmas calligraphy

This year, I took FULL advantage of Heather‘s calligraphy skills for our Christmas cards. She addressed all 40 for us – and also a little something inside. We added some washi tape and a festive stamp and these babies were ready to go {early this year!}. Thank you, Heather!

I hope everyone who received a card from us was delighted to see their name scripted so beautifully. I had a hard time parting with them at the mailbox myself. If you’re looking for someone who is amazing at Calligraphy {and has about 50 different inks and scraps of doodles}, you should head over to Found in the Central Coast.

December 20, 2012 by