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Here is a great stocking stuffer for the dog lover in your life. The Noisy Dog Studio 2007 Calendar is 5.5" by 8.5" so it will fit nicely in a stocking. The recipient will enjoy 12 month's worth of Leigh Jackson's contemporary dog portraits. My personal favorite is April. $16 at Noisy Dog Studio
Special Rare Bird Finds Discount: Use discount code RAREBIRDS at checkout to get free shipping to the US and Canada. Offer expires 12/31/2006
I think that Katrina Kaye made these recycled army bags just to tempt me to spend all my money in her etsy shop! I feel like I have died and gone to handbag heaven. The army bags have been given a facelift by incorporating Scandanavian retro 60's and 70's fabric to create a whole new look. $35 at Katarina Kaye
When I was a little girl I had a kermit the frog mug where as soon as my milk hit a certain emptiness, I could see his little head popping through. These elf mugs remind me of that mug. How fun to see a cute elf face peeping through your hot chocolate this winter. $23.96 at Cost Plus
Free shipping until November 4th !
This Zig Zag CD Holder is clever new way to store and organize CDs in any room of your house without it being an eyesore. I love the little man at the end holding it all up. $49.95 at Wrapables.
Wow - it was back in April that I first posted about the Buddha Bowl but let me tell you about another bowl by those talented folks at Flavour Design. The Udon Noodle Bowl fits in your hands and even comes with chopsticks that neatly rests on top. Mm, makes me hungry for noodles. $28 at Flavour Design.
Mmm, I love fudge, and what's better than a little cup of it that you can just spoon in your mouth. Charssi Spoon Fudge comes in 11 flavors. They all look so good, I can't pick one! But if I had to choose, my tastebuds are wildly curious about Chocolate Cherry, Chocolate Lavender and White Chocolate Rose. $9.95 at Charssi.
If you love NPR as much as I do, and you go on road trips, here's an NPR Map that shows you all the stations across the U.S. that carry NPR programming. So, the next time you're driving in an unfamiliar part of the country, at least you know where on your dial you can tune in and catch All Things Considered. $7.95 at Bas Bleu.
Artist Jennifer Syfu creates handmade Lampworked Moretti glass hairpins. These are tiny works of art for your hair. Each hairpin is carefully crafted and measures 2-inches long. I've always had a fascination with glass marbles, and these hairpins look just like that and are affordable as well. $7 at The Starving Artist Bazaar.
Oooh wow! I have a pair of these Twilight Earrings designed by artist Courtney Filer-Dougal and I can't tell you enough how much I adore them. From the pearl luminescent stars to the the tiny garnets that hang asymetrically to the vintage-feeling oxidized silver rings, these are quite a special pair of earrings. The colors also make them perfect for all those holiday parties that will be coming up. You must get yourself a pair - you won't be disappointed! $36 at My Sunset Road.
If you are a handmade soap addict like me, you know that it helps the soap to last longer when you use a soap dish that allows the soap to dry out. This beaded soap dish is unlike any soap dish I have seen and is so fun while being so practical. I received the smaller beaded version the other day and I am in love with it. The beads look like candy! $74 at Ambrosia Porcelain
The Original EcoSphere is an enclosed, self-contained and self-sustaining world that features shrimp, algae and bacteria. This little world demonstrates how life exists on Earth, and how everything needs to be in perfect balance for life to exist. No feeding is required. Although this would be a useful, visual tool to teach children about light, oxygen and carbon dioxide and how each part sustains and regenerates life, this EcoSphere is not a toy. $57.95 and up at Abundant Earth.
What do you get that goth friend of yours this holiday season? No need to visit Hot Topic this year. This dark rose necklace is just what she'll love (and it'll match everything she wears). It's a sterling silver necklace that features a silver rose that's handmade by the hilltribe people in Thailand, and grey and jet black Swarovski crystals for sparkle. $23.90 at Starry Designs on Etsy.
Special Rare Bird Finds Discount: Use discount code RAREBIRD in the "notes to seller" box to get free shipping anywhere.
I got an e-mail recently from a friend whom I've known since grade school. She'd have sleep overs and we'd eat Doritos, drink Coke, play Ouija Board, and freeze the bra of the first girl who went to sleep. Ah, good times! She sent me a link to this Ouija Board keychain, and if you have fond memories of the Ouija board now here's a miniature version you can carry everywhere. $4.49 at Ultimate Key Chains.
If you love those Fortune Tellers at carnivals, you'll love this at-home toy version. Ask your question, wave a hand in front of the fortune teller, hear your answer and watch the crystal ball light up. Fun! $16.95 at Ultimate Key Chains.
One of the things I love about winter is pulling out all my scarves. I am so thrilled that this winter I will have a new Kimonomomo silk scarf to add to my collection. These gorgeous scarves are made from vintage kimono fabric and are not only unique and beautiful but are also warm and soft. I have already worn my several times and received many compliments! $85 at Kimonomomo
This I must have. I love to decorate my home for the Holidays but don't necessarily love everything looking so Red and Green. This Tree Skirt is perfect. $110 at SCAD
With the new Transformer movie coming out soon, I'm sure your kids would be thrilled to have these Transformer soaps in their Stocking this year. Each set of 4 soaps comes with one each of Tropical Fruit Burst, Honeydew & Berries, Root Beer and Pineapple Lime. $4.50 at Kisu Kisu
Special Rare Bird Finds Discount: Use discount code utadakh1232006 to get 20% off purchase price before shipping. This promocode will expire Dec 31, 2006.
Did you leave your heart in San Francisco? The San Francisco Fog Globe will bring back your fond memories while it covers the Golden Gate Bridge in a dense fog (that settles in 15-20 minutes). Also comes in a Cable Car and Landmarks version. $26 at Flax Art and Design
The perfect gift for the handbag collector. I'm sure she doesn't have something like this. The origami purse is so pretty and unique! Even if the handbag collector is you (I won't tell), this purse is a must have. $48 at Lindsay Designs (On sale for $43.20 right now - what a deal!)
Special Rare Bird Finds Discount: Use discount code RAREBIRDS to get free first class shipping.
I used to love playing the Duck Shoot Game at carnivals. This home-version plays music and features a barker. Fun, fun! $49.95 at Solutions.
Find out what monster-creating artist would like to be a kiwi...and we're not talking about the fruit after the jump!
These silk & velvet handcrafted slippers for babies ages 12 through 24 months are opulent and plush. They are what I would imagine would be on the tiny feet of little princesses in fairy tales. The rich material would make them a perfect baby gift during the holiday season. There are other cute designs to choose from. $29.95 at Teacups & Tadpoles.
Rare Bird Finds Holiday Exclusive! Use coupon code RBF15 for 15% off your purchase (excludes
sale items). Enter the code in the comments box at checkout and the discount will be
refunded once
the transaction settles.
We had such a good response to the eggling plants we posted about the other day that we thought we'd bring you another cute idea - the Nyokki! Nyokki is handmade in Japan and each Nyokki features a different animal or charcter. Rye grass grows as its "hair." Style it and trim it. It's the modern-day Chia Pet. Definitely a fun and easy way to brighten up a kitchen window sill or the office workspace. $9.99 at Perpetual Kid.
These recycled circuit boards are shaped into ornaments that'll make your home techy-chic. Love the soldered metal star. $19.95 for a set of 3 at Acorn Studios.
Exclusive Holiday Coupon! Enter RareBird06 at checkout to receive a free geek ring with your order. Valid until Dec 31 2006.
I love to pamper my feet after a hard day. These Terra Cotta Foot Scrubbies are perfect as a stocking stuffer or gifts for the pamperers in your life. You choose the design. They take 2-3 weeks to ship (they are handmade!) so be sure to get your order in early. $8 at Earthenwood Studio
Special Rare Bird Finds Discount: Use discount code INDIEGIFT to get free shipping in the US and a free gift! Expires Jan 1st 2007
I want to give these to all my mom friends. We are busy and we aren't perfect! The Naughty Mom Notepad set includes: Things to do when I’m not microwaving the family dinner, Things to do when I’m not sitting around drinking wine, Things to do when I’m not doing my child’s homework. $24 at See Jane Work
Everyone needs a fun painting to liven things up. I want this 2 Sisters Strike a Pose painting for my home office because it reminds me of me and my sister! $60 at JMC Designs
This sweet little chickadee tee is too adorable. Hand dyed and block printed on an American Apparel t-shirt. $34 at 1girl1boy
Ugh, don't you hate it when cups and glasses have a pool of left-over water sitting on their upturned bottoms in the dishwasher? These TROFE mugs come with their own little drip system so no more wet bottoms. Yay! Only $0.50 each at IKEA.
I love the neckline of this owl-screen t-shirt. I love that this T-shirt is made slightly longer than most T-shirts because it is made especially for women between the sizes of 14 through 30. $28 at b & lu.
This linen/ramie white dress for girls comes with an apron that has a European fairytale snippet printed on it. You have a choice of one of two different snippets. The writer in me loves this dress. $64 at Atelier Daguerre.
These ironing boards from London will definitely make ironing a lot more fun. 154 GBP at Ocean.
Thanks to our readers and friends, we've come across a few shopping blogs that has been lifting our finds and slapping it on their blog and calling it a day.
Hey, we spend hours - literally, hours - every week gathering the finds we're posting. It's not easy trying to find rare finds - but ah, these bloggers probably already know that and figured our blog was a gold mine filled with awesome finds to help save them time.
Look, if you run a blog and find something you like here that you want to post - at least have the chutzpah to give us credit. When your week's worth of posts were taken straight from our blog - well, let's just say, that's not cool. You dig?
I have a soft spot in my heart for mermaids, so of course I just flipped for this Bamboletta Mermaid Doll by doll artist Christina Platt. Not only is each doll painstakingly made by hand, I love that this doll is available in a variety of skin tones. I have never seen a mermaid doll made for people of color (mermaids tend to be depicted as being fair - think of Disney's A Little Mermaid). Customize the doll by choosing her skin tone and eye color. Great holiday gift - order early! $150 at Mahar Drygoods.
I have been drooling over the jewelry at Simone Walsh's etsy store for quite some time. She truly has a unique collection. I was lucky enough to receive the Japanese Etch Pendant and it's just gorgeous in person. It is a delicate necklace and super lightweight and when I wore it out it attracted so much attention! My friends were drooling. $49 at Simone Walsh
Go now and browse her jewelry and buy yourself a little early Christmas present. You WON'T be dissappointed!
The perfect wallet for that hard to buy for girlfriend. I guarantee that she doesn't have this pretty Skeleton Key Wallet. It's made with top grain dark brown leather and closes with a vintage skeleton key. $25 at Urban Heirloom
Special Rare Bird Finds discount: Type rarebirdref0001 into the buyers comments to receive free domestc first class shipping. Expires 12/28/06
I'm not sure I would write a note like this on the chalkboard lunchbox....how embarrassing mom!....but I think it's a fun idea. Maybe your kiddo can get a hot game of tic tac toe going during lunchtime. $25 at Mortimer Snodgrass
I think these Elf Cocktail Slippers will liven up any holiday party. They aren't just flat-out funny and cute, but they also function as portable coasters. $6.95 at Z Gallerie.
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These hand-blown Wobble Cognac Glasses look like glasses set on toy tops. What a fun way to add whimsy to your glass of cognac. Don't drink cognac? Use it for other types of beverages. Imagine how these glasses would liven up a glass of water with lemon. $50 for a set of two at MoMA.
Haha! This hilarious and oh-so-true belt buckle is for the guy who does stupid things to please a pretty face (well, isn't that almost every guy?) You know, the kinds of things that if he were thinking with the head on his shoulders, he would've thought twice about it. $20 at Ex-Boyfriend.
Holiday Exclusive for Rare Bird Finds Readers: Use coupon code RAREBIRD10 and save 10% off the entire Ex-Boyfriend site!
Sometimes women (like me!) don't have the tools to get a repair job done. Well, now you have no excuse. This 95-piece steel tool set not only has an unbelieveably low price, but it also includes hammer; Phillips screwdriver; 3 regular screwdrivers; pliers; retractable utility knife; tape measure; scissors; and 86 assorted nails, screws, and picture hangers. And, it's pink! $9.98 at Lillian Vernon.
I hate chopping veggies. I am one of those lazy people that buys the vegetables already cut up even though they cost 3x as much. I might, however, be tempted to do a little more chopping if it meant I could buy this cute Divine Print Chopping Board. It's made from durable melamine and I love the groovy print. $20 at Kensal & Gretel
Brighten up your coffee table with these cute Cherry Blossom Coasters. The coasters are 4x4 inches and have little rubber grips on the bottoms so they will stay put. $14.50 for 4 at Purple Pink and Orange
I love noodles, and this wind-up toy makes me hungry. They almost look real! $5.95 at KawaiiCorner.
Looks like an extra-large egg, but when you crack the top off this ceramic eggling, you can grow your very own herb garden. Available herbs are Italian parsley, mint and thyme. $11.95 at KawaiiCorner.
