Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

WINNERS UPDATE: Congrats to Toni Micai who won the Vintage Home Studio prize, Beverley Gent who won the Cashmere Calligraphy Prize, Michelle Lowes who won the Diffuser Babies prize, and Lori IIngle who won the Zeep Bath prize!!

It’s time for my favourite blog post of the year…. my annual “Handmade Holiday Gift Guide!” Being a ‘maker’ myself, I come across so many artisans online who are working really really hard every day to give the gift of their creative expression to the world. Here is this year’s fabulous line up of 4 incredibly talented women who will inspire you! At this time of year, let’s remember to support small business and handmade xo

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post by leaving a comment!(Your comment might not show up until it’s approved). 

Meet Danielle Raffield of “Cashmere Calligraphy” @cashmerecalligraphy 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cashmerecalligraphy

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

Danielle has always enjoyed working with her hands and is a self-taught, fourth generation woodcrafter and second generation calligrapher and hand lettering artist. She has been practicing the art of hand lettering and calligraphy, mostly as a hobby since her college years, but really took an interest in it becoming a business when she became a stay-at-home mom looking for a flexible schedule. Wood came naturally as her medium of choice, and she now fills her soul cup by creating carefully crafted wood sign home and front porch and whimsical door hangers. She believes in the art of free expression and says joyfully and wholeheartedly that she can “letter on anything!”  She also brings her flirty and bouncy style to fabric, ornaments, office windows, school walls and wedding envelope calligraphy.

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

“There is a part of using wood as an artistic medium that fills all my senses. The feel of a freshly cut sign’s jigsawed edges, the smell of sawdust filling my garage and sweat pouring off my brow. That’s a piece of me in everything I make and I honor the generations before me in working with my hands and putting my heart and soul in every piece. I feel very connected to my family from the smell and feel of wood, as I come from a long line of skilled and artistic woodcrafters and artists. Integrity of work is part of my DNA. I don’t let anything leave me and go to anyone else unless I absolutely love it,” she says.

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

Not only does creating your own wood product from start to finish allow virtually a limitless possibility of shapes and sizes, Danielle has complete creative freedom to make something unique and special to be loved and treasured by its owner for years to come.

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

“I’m so thankful for my customers, many of them are repeat buyers, who trust me with their ideas and know I love what I do and that comes out in my finished products. I’m so inspired by them and their faith in me,” says Danielle.

Danielle Raffield Cashmere calligraphy

Danielle currently lives in sunny Florida with her husband, daughter and two dogs, who are her daily worktable companions.

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Meet Michelle Gann of “Vintage Home Studio” @thevintagehomestudio http://www.thevintagehomestudio.com

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

My Journey – “A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the branch, but on its own wings.”

It took me a while and some tough times to figure that out. It also took a wonderful community with unconditional love and caring to show me that out of struggle comes strength. Many kind people gave me opportunities to be creative and chase my dreams. Today, my life as a business woman and mother of two wonderful adults is at times hectic and chaotic; I couldn’t be more grateful. The business continues to grow and many days I find myself working around the clock. But the joy that comes from creating beautiful items for you to enjoy is worth every late night!

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

My Work – “Look at usual things with unusual eyes.”

The Vintage Home Studio is my creative outlet. Through the business, I’m able to create custom, handmade and hand crocheted decorative towels that are vintage-inspired with a fresh and modern twist that can work with any style décor. And…unlike the expensive “look but don’t touch” designer towels, mine are affordable and meant to be used and washed again and again.

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

The very best part of the process is picking fabrics, colors and patterns that are on-trend and maybe even a little ahead of the curve. Mixing the fabrics with my signature crocheted finishing touches is what makes a towel from The Vintage Home Studio unique. I especially enjoy keeping the assortment fresh and distinctive so most are limited quantities. My collection currently includes kitchen and bath hand towels.

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

 My Passion – “You have two hands. One to help yourself, the second to help others.”

I will never forget where I came from and the people that helped and supported me along the way. The faith and resilience that come from those life experiences are wasted if not shared to help others. So as my business grows, so will my commitment to my community…to help bring people together, to provide employment opportunities and to honor my “Made in the USA” pledge. I also intend to give back by helping women who are struggling, find confidence in themselves and believe that it’s never too late to chase their dreams. In addition, I look forward to bringing women together to share and celebrate their ideas and successes. I’ll always be grateful to those who share their love for my designs and will look for opportunities to do the same for others.

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Meet Mai Garcia of “Diffuser Babies”

Instagram: @DiffuserBabies
Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DiffuserBabies

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

Hi I’m Mai, the creator behind Diffuser Babies. I come from a long line of women who love to work with fibers… from knitting to sewing, embroidery, macrame, and crocheting. My mom learned to knit from a very young age and then taught me at the age of 10, but what I loved the most was to look at the crochet books at the craft stores. It was a dream of mine to be able to learn to crochet since that age, but it always seemed so hard and impossible.

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca
Fast-forward to 16 years later, my toddler was the one that give me the push I needed to learn to crochet and make amigurumi cuties. I am self-taught, and it was pretty hard to learn on my own. It took months of practice and failed projects but it was so worth it.

What is Amigurumi? Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures. The word is a combination of “ami” meaning ‘crocheted,’ and “nuigurumi” meaning ‘stuffed doll.’

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca
I started out making stuffed animals for my son with a specific area to add our essential oils onto. This then grew into me starting my Etsy shop and making stuffed animals for others, which was the birth of Diffuser Babies.

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.caHandmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

It’s incredible to see how yarn can be transformed into something so amazing and into so many different things. I love that I’m able to create these little stuffed animals and share them with so many others. The best feeling is receiving customer pictures of their little ones hugging the stuffed animals I made for them. ***********************************************************************

Meet Ashley Dewey of “Zeep Bath” @zeepbath   http://www.zeepbath.com

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

I bet you’re wondering what is Zeep?  (Literally, like, what the heck does that mean and how do you even say it??)  Zeep means “soap” in Dutch and is pronounced Z-ay-p (like Say-p but with a Z), get it? =)  The name came about when I met this Dutch guy (now known as the boyfriend) when I was interviewing for Physician Assistant school.

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

I am a PA-C (physician assistant) turned full-time maker.  I’ve always enjoyed incorporating my scientific side into my creative side and began making soap during PA school as a relaxing hobby.  I’ve always enjoyed the way that scent evokes memories and creates emotions and began to experiment with other mediums such as wax and candles as well.  After PA school, while waiting to be credentialed to work in the hospital, I began to grow the business to the point where it became a full time job (and then some!) and made the decision to make the leap from practicing medicine to living my dream!  Now I get to be creative and spread the happiness of scent to everyone!

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca  Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

All of our products are made from recipes we have developed, tested, and try on all of ourselves.  If we don’t love it, we don’t make it!  We love to blend fragrances to come up with unique scents that will spark old memories or can create new ones.  We try to tie all of our scents to a moment in time, a thought, a feeling, or an emotion. 

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca

Every product is handmade in small batches using the best ingredients available. I use only:
– Natural butters and oils
– Custom wax blend and fragrances free of harmful chemicals
– Vegan and cruelty free ingredients
Since I am obviously into being healthy by profession, I always strive to use minimal ingredients of the highest quality with maximal benefits.
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I am so very grateful for the opportunity to feature these 4 amazing humans….and hope you are inspired by their work and enjoyed meeting them too.
Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with 4 amazing artisans and makers www.kellycreates.ca
To enter this Giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post telling me which of these 4 beautifully handmade gifts you would like to win:
Custom hand lettered sign 
Diffuser Baby
Vintage towel/cloth
Bath products 
(All subject to availability). One comment per person. For an EXTRA entry, share the photo above on Instagram  and tag #kellycreates and all 4 makers. The contest closes December 10, 2019 midnight MST and winners will be announced December 15, 2019. Good luck!

71 Comments on Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2019 & GIVEAWAY

  1. sharon brand
    November 26, 2019 at 7:50 am (4 years ago)

    Congratulations to this amazing group of young women who have pursued their dreams!
    I would love a diffuser because Mai actually, finally learned to crochet! I, too, can sew and
    knit, originally taught by my grandmother, but at my age ???? I doubt I will learn to crochet now!

    Reply
  2. Kelli
    November 26, 2019 at 8:25 am (4 years ago)

    I would be happy to win any of them! They are all lovely!!

    Reply
  3. Serita Russell
    November 26, 2019 at 9:31 am (4 years ago)

    Could you tell us how to do it on this post rather than just a web page.

    Reply
    • Kelly
      November 26, 2019 at 5:42 pm (4 years ago)

      To enter the giveaway, leave a comment saying which gift you would like to win out of the 4 makers featured.

      Reply
  4. Toni Micai
    November 26, 2019 at 11:35 am (4 years ago)

    I’d love a vintage towel! And i love seeing the creativity and entrepreneurship of these wonderful women!! Since retiring, I’m feeling a little “out of step! ” I hope I find my inspiration soon!!!

    Reply
  5. Amy Cooley
    November 26, 2019 at 12:36 pm (4 years ago)

    All of the handmade items look wonderful! I actually have quite a collection of the hand towels from Vintage Home Studio. I would be most excited to try out the bath products.

    Reply
  6. Allison Boyne
    November 26, 2019 at 1:10 pm (4 years ago)

    All of these makers are so talented! Its impossible to pick just one because I want them all, but I would love to win some bath products!

    Reply
  7. Leslie Peede
    November 26, 2019 at 1:12 pm (4 years ago)

    Diffuser baby ?

    Reply
  8. Lynn w
    November 26, 2019 at 1:17 pm (4 years ago)

    I would love to win the custom hand lettered sign. The flowers on them are beautiful. Thank you for the chance and for showcasing such beautiful products.

    Reply
  9. Dana Anderson
    November 26, 2019 at 1:36 pm (4 years ago)

    Diffuser baby is soooo cute!

    Reply
  10. Brinda Coble
    November 26, 2019 at 1:47 pm (4 years ago)

    Custom handlettered sign is my favorite because I love the lettering and I love wood signs. Of course, I live all things handmade and all of these are awesome.

    Reply
  11. Beverley Gent
    November 26, 2019 at 1:57 pm (4 years ago)

    Always love reading about how people first started out in their business thanks Kelly for these fantastic show stoppers . If I was picked for the giveaway I would like the wood sign for my house number 6 as it would be the only one like this and I do like the unusual. Unfortunately I do like the small stuffed animals, but I do not have any grandchildren to pass these onto. The beautiful towels would never get used as too lovely to use. The products are beautiful in their own right, but I again would never use as I don’t like spoiling these by lighting them ??.

    Reply
  12. Rebecca
    November 26, 2019 at 2:03 pm (4 years ago)

    Wow! So many cute cute cute things!!! I can’t wait to see more!…headed to their sites now! ?

    Reply
    • Rebecca
      November 26, 2019 at 2:04 pm (4 years ago)

      Diffuser baby has my interest! I am just now learning more about EOs!

      Reply
  13. Fran
    November 26, 2019 at 2:11 pm (4 years ago)

    The diffuser baby! What a lovely creation. Have a thing for critters.

    Reply
  14. Winnie
    November 26, 2019 at 2:16 pm (4 years ago)

    It’s so hard to decide! I’m between the bath products and the custom hand lettered sign.

    Reply
  15. Shelagh Perst
    November 26, 2019 at 2:32 pm (4 years ago)

    Awesome giveaway! All the products are beautiful. I’d love to win the bath products.

    Reply
  16. Angel
    November 26, 2019 at 2:40 pm (4 years ago)

    The diffuser babies are sooo cute!

    Reply
  17. Cathy Fahie
    November 26, 2019 at 2:55 pm (4 years ago)

    I would love to win the custom hand lettered sign. Thanks for the opportunity.

    Reply
  18. Gail borczyk
    November 26, 2019 at 3:25 pm (4 years ago)

    Where do i sign up for giveaway mentioned above?

    Reply
  19. Debbie Berger
    November 26, 2019 at 3:34 pm (4 years ago)

    I would love to win something from Zeep Bath.

    Reply
  20. Christine Henley
    November 26, 2019 at 3:54 pm (4 years ago)

    Love all these amazing gift ideas!

    Reply
  21. Lynn Schleitwiler
    November 26, 2019 at 5:57 pm (4 years ago)

    Custom Hand Lettered Signs, from Danielle

    I love the “Bee” plaque!

    Reply
    • Danielle Raffield
      December 10, 2019 at 8:25 am (4 years ago)

      Thank you Lynn! It is a customer favorite!

      Reply
  22. Lori IIngle
    November 26, 2019 at 6:06 pm (4 years ago)

    Live all the amazing artists work! I’d love to win the body products!

    Reply
  23. Erin A
    November 26, 2019 at 7:28 pm (4 years ago)

    Beautiful! All four of these ladies have lovely and inspiring stories!

    Reply
  24. Amy McCue
    November 26, 2019 at 7:43 pm (4 years ago)

    How do you choose? I love the hand lettered signs and the bath products! Thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  25. Sue D
    November 26, 2019 at 8:46 pm (4 years ago)

    So many great items. I would like to win a vintage towel/cloth.

    Reply
  26. Gilda
    November 26, 2019 at 9:00 pm (4 years ago)

    Thanks for introducing us to these fabulous artists. I would love a hand lettered item.

    Reply
  27. Kim Veevers
    November 26, 2019 at 9:02 pm (4 years ago)

    So nice to see such talented women getting somewhere and to have your support to spread the word is the icing on the cake. As you are a another successful woman whom has done very well this past couple years.
    Everyone keep up the great work and “shine”.
    I like the idea of the Zeep Bath is I were to select just one.

    Reply
  28. Rhona
    November 26, 2019 at 9:19 pm (4 years ago)

    Amazing women and beautiful handmade items. My favorite is the wooden signs, although they are all wonderful in their own right. Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway.

    Reply
  29. Sandra
    November 26, 2019 at 9:21 pm (4 years ago)

    Thanks for introducing us to your talented friends! I would love to win the soap!

    Reply
  30. Pearl Supernault
    November 26, 2019 at 9:34 pm (4 years ago)

    Thanks for sharing the stories of these makers. I will definitely check them out. I would like to win the bath products.

    Reply
  31. Barbara Pfahlert
    November 26, 2019 at 11:59 pm (4 years ago)

    What wonderful, thoughtful products! It would be a blessing to receive a vintage towel.

    Reply
  32. Laura C
    November 27, 2019 at 12:48 am (4 years ago)

    Love the Cashmere Calligraphy signs – all are amazingly talented. Thanks – Laura

    Reply
  33. Beatriz casas
    November 27, 2019 at 3:08 am (4 years ago)

    I wish to sin agurimi ir dosos

    Reply
  34. Brenda West
    November 27, 2019 at 4:37 am (4 years ago)

    I love handmade – very creative ladies. Love the work.

    Reply
  35. Mary
    November 27, 2019 at 5:07 am (4 years ago)

    I would love the Zeep bath products.

    Reply
  36. Kristine
    November 27, 2019 at 5:17 am (4 years ago)

    So inspiring stories. I would like to win the wooden sign.

    Reply
  37. Gail borczyk
    November 27, 2019 at 6:06 am (4 years ago)

    Love Ashley’s soap collection. All the gals are so talented. They inspire me to become betyer in brush lettering

    Reply
  38. Denise de Blaca
    November 27, 2019 at 7:03 am (4 years ago)

    Wonderful, inspiring stories, I would love Danielle’s lettering in my home, She has a unique style, her work is inspirational and so creative.

    Reply
  39. MargieH
    November 27, 2019 at 9:42 am (4 years ago)

    Oh my! How do you choose from these four lovely and talented artist? Each offering has its own special touch <3 I would love any of them. Appreciate this generous giveaway and holiday gift guide! Off to visit each website! Thank you!

    Reply
  40. MelodyJ
    November 27, 2019 at 10:05 am (4 years ago)

    I would love the bath products.

    Reply
  41. GabriellaB
    November 27, 2019 at 12:57 pm (4 years ago)

    Wow, four amazing products. Each so different and yet interesting and beautiful. I would love to win a diffuser baby. It looks so fun

    Reply
  42. Katherine
    November 27, 2019 at 1:48 pm (4 years ago)

    I would love the handmade soap! Having a scent that reminds me of a special time or memory is something I truly enjoy.

    Reply
  43. Debbie Terluin
    November 27, 2019 at 3:28 pm (4 years ago)

    Such beautiful work and so inspirational. Thank you for sharing these stories. I would be honored to have any of these items in my home.

    Reply
  44. Dana M
    November 27, 2019 at 6:22 pm (4 years ago)

    Wow, what a talented group of ladies with lovely stories of their journeys in their trade. Any of these lovely projects would be deeply appreciated. To select one, I would choose the hand lettered sign.

    Reply
  45. Zerah
    November 27, 2019 at 7:39 pm (4 years ago)

    What an amazing group of women entrepreneurs! Bravo to each ?, but oh those bath products! ? ? ?

    With a toddler at home anything that can give me a few moments of self-care without taking up the whole day or breaking the bank is amazing. Plus, as a former competitive skier I’m super intrigued by the ski trip scent.

    Reply
  46. Deanne Booth
    November 28, 2019 at 6:35 am (4 years ago)

    I love the soap products!

    Reply
  47. Michelle Lowes
    November 28, 2019 at 10:29 am (4 years ago)

    WOW! so many talented and creative ladies! I was drawn to the diffuser babies by Mai Garcia. They are absolutely adorable and would be amazing to win one.

    Reply
  48. Vicky C
    November 28, 2019 at 1:00 pm (4 years ago)

    Amazingly beautiful projects, and inspiring stories. Love handmade and handcrafted items. Would love to win a Diffuser Baby – the deer looks super adorable!!!!

    Reply
  49. Derin Thompson
    November 28, 2019 at 1:05 pm (4 years ago)

    What a tough choice! All 4 of these lady’s products are fantastic. I think I’m going to be looking closely at the knitted Cuties though. My grandchildren will adore them.

    Reply
  50. Theresa Kelly
    November 28, 2019 at 2:44 pm (4 years ago)

    All of these products are amazing in each its own way but I would Love the Diffuser Babies! That is one thing I never learned to do is crochet animals or dolls, blankets yes, dolls no. These are all so adorable, thank you for the chance.
    Each of the stories are a wonderful read by the way, thanks again!!

    Reply
  51. Lourdes Salvador
    November 29, 2019 at 1:39 pm (4 years ago)

    Choosing only one is not easy. But, alas, I must make a choice. I choose custom hand lettered sign.

    Reply
  52. Wehaf
    November 29, 2019 at 10:35 pm (4 years ago)

    I have so much admiration for all these women! It is a difficult choice, but if I won I think I would most like a vintage-esque towel.

    Reply
  53. Wayna Harbottle
    November 30, 2019 at 4:07 am (4 years ago)

    So nice to read the stories of these talented women! I love giveaways! Would love to win a hand lettered custom sign. Thanks Kelly for the chance!

    Reply
  54. Linda
    November 30, 2019 at 5:58 am (4 years ago)

    I would love an amigurumi from Diffuser Baby.

    Reply
  55. Nicole Neufeld
    November 30, 2019 at 5:55 pm (4 years ago)

    Danielles work is beautiful! Would love a Custom hand lettered sign.

    Reply
  56. Heather D
    November 30, 2019 at 7:15 pm (4 years ago)

    Love them all! The bath products would’ve wonderful To try!

    Reply
  57. Carolyn
    November 30, 2019 at 8:25 pm (4 years ago)

    All of the products look wonderful but I would love the hand towels. The fabric patterns and colors are so beautiful!

    Reply
  58. Katie Hartline
    November 30, 2019 at 9:26 pm (4 years ago)

    I am always in awe of people sharing talents they we’re blessed with. I would be honored to receive any work by these amazing artists. Each piece makes me smile.

    Reply
  59. Kristine Macasaet
    November 30, 2019 at 10:45 pm (4 years ago)

    Wow! All of these handmade crafts are so lovely! I really appreciate all their works! It seems like it isn’t just a handmade because it was so beautiful! They’re so talented! I just love everything that it’s so hard to choose, I hope that I could win any of these for my birthday next week (December 8) ❤️ Merry Christmas! ?

    Reply
  60. Jan
    December 1, 2019 at 1:32 am (4 years ago)

    Such amazing things to choose from! My favorite would be the amiguri diffuser stuffed animals. I crochet and knit, and enjoy both these crafts along with hand lettering!

    Reply
  61. Kim Adams
    December 2, 2019 at 1:16 pm (4 years ago)

    I would love any of these great ideas! I am a huge fan of scents and an even bigger fan of clean products! Zeep bath is such a great looking company-just followed all of these lovely companies. ❤️

    Reply
  62. Michelle Caporusso
    December 2, 2019 at 4:34 pm (4 years ago)

    Everything is so lovely! I would love one of the diffuser babies. They are so cute!

    Reply
  63. Jordan W
    December 2, 2019 at 8:06 pm (4 years ago)

    Wow! So many amazing, talented women!!

    Reply
  64. Shelley Scarbro
    December 4, 2019 at 7:55 am (4 years ago)

    I would love to win the bath products!!

    Reply
  65. Anita Meeks
    December 4, 2019 at 11:31 am (4 years ago)

    Love the creations from Cashmere Calligraphy!!

    Reply
  66. Kim
    December 4, 2019 at 12:17 pm (4 years ago)

    Love them all! Especially the hand lettered signs! Danielle does such beautiful work!

    Reply
  67. Dena Brumbaugh
    December 4, 2019 at 4:00 pm (4 years ago)

    So much incredible talent. I’m feeling inspired!

    Reply
  68. Cathy H.
    December 9, 2019 at 7:51 pm (4 years ago)

    I would love any of the lovely creations but if I must choose one, the Zeep products sound nice!

    Reply

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