via whatthecraft.com
We feature a lot of handmade items on Rare Bird Finds and thought it might be great for our readers to learn what goes into making a handmade piece - and why handmade can seem so "expensive." A friend shared this article on Facebook and I thought it was brilliant. It goes into the step-by-step process of making a handmade piece, the hours and labor behind it, and why it costs as much as it does. Please read the full article on WhatTheCraft.com - enjoy!
Awesome little wooden stamp set of letters and numbers. I just love how they look and the little wooden box they come in. Including shipping it's just a smidge over $20. $15.98 on Etsy
Knit your own adorable hedgehog mittens with this kit. Brown Heather yarn, pattern, and bead eyes are included. $24.80 at morehousefarm.com .
Here is a deliciously diy chocolate eraser set for your favorite kawaii lover! Sushi, hamburger, ice cream, donut, and cake sets are also available.
"To create the erasers, simply apply the clay into the molds and design the eraser as you wish, place the creations inside the cup (that looks like a Chinese takeout box) fill with water, heat in the microwave for 5 mins, dump the hot water and cool down with fresh water."
$7.50 at jbox.com.
The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science: 64 Daring Experiments for Young Scientists
DIY yourself (is that redundant?) a cup of coffee with this cool duct tape mug. Don't worry, it's actually ceramic and it will hold coffee without patching. I think this might make a good gift for your favorite handy man (or person) but it's also a pretty funny gift for those of us who would really prefer to just tape it back together and move on...$12.99 at Think Geek.
This diy power bots gnasher kit helps you create a moving, eating bot to terrorize your neighbors! Well, maybe not as scary as the power bot on The Big Bang Theory, but at least it can move and eat small items. $15.95 at Cool Stuff Express
Are you a Darcy fan? Like to get your cross stitch on? Now you can with this Mr. Darcy cross stitch pattern. $7 for the PDF pattern at The Time is Now
Need to make creative and unique use of some space but don't want to add any color? Try Ideapaint! With just one coat you can create a kid-friendly, family-friendly, dry-erase board-like surface anywhere in your home. Easily erasable and environmentally friendly (formaldehyde free and EPA approved). Also available in a variety of colors. $99 for a 25 square-foot kit at Ideapaint
Because the art of hand-written letters is dying, I fully support people who fight to keep it alive. This adorable book has 25 different easy, fun ways to make greeting cards that people pay big bucks for in those chi-chi stationary stores. $20.95 at Fred Flare.
I love buttons - you can just sew a fancy button on a sweater, clutch or anything you'd like to spruce up. This handmade, ceramic songbird pie button is, well, cute as a button! Birdie available in blue or pink. Be sure to check out the shop's large variety of handmade buttons. $3.50 each/discounts at dozen or more at Sienna Orlando
Solar print paper is so much fun!
"Place an object on the Sunprint Paper and dry it in the sun no longer
than half an hour. When the paper is exposed to light, it goes through
a chemical change. Now soak the Sunprint Paper in water to save the
print, then dry again and enjoy what appears! In fact, you can place a
fern, flower, animal or any other objects on our paper and turn them
into long-lasting images."
The 4x4 kit is $4.95 at Innovatoys
For all of you scrambling for a last minute gift. Print out a few coupons and personalize!
Download our preprinted coupons for an easy and personalized Valentine's Day gift!
1. Click on style you want to personalize (the pictures below)
2. Print out page of coupons (or 2 if you want a ton!). A thicker paper will make for sturdier coupons.
3. Write in your own value
4. Staple book together and Voila! Easy gift!
It’s too late to have these make-your-own pewter ornaments ready for this holiday, but you could plan ahead for next year…if you can even think that far ahead right now. I think guys of all sizes would get a kick out of this. You buy the kit and make and bake a clay prototype, send it in and you will get four pewter ornaments in return. You can even have a hand stamped message added. $65 for the kit to make four ornaments, additional ornaments available for $13 each at F is for Frank on etsy.
I am loving this cute Dracula paper puppet kit. You get: (3) Character Sheets, (1) Dracula with Lantern, (1) Van Helsing with Doctor's Bag, (1) Mina Harker with Small Purse,and 27 Pewter Brads(1 Extra Included) $22 at The Goobeetsa Shop
Rare Bird Finds has partnered with T-Mobile to offer SIXTEEN amazing prizes exclusively for Rare Bird Finds readers, including $100 gift cards to Crate & Barrel and T-mobile! WOOHOO! All you have to do to enter is respond to the question posed below and enter your contact info. Then you're automatically entered for a chance to be randomly picked for daily prizes and weekly prizes. Contest runs for two weeks starting TODAY!
Don't be greedy - tell your friends!
T-Mobile is hosting this giveaway to draw awareness to the T-Mobile Ultimate Home giveaway - where you get a chance to win a home! Learn more about the T-Mobile Ultimate Home giveaway.
This DIY laptop sleeve is convertible from sleeve to tote. Use paints, pencils, pens, etc to decorate and incorporate your own style. Comes in 3 different sizes. $24.99 - $39.99 at ThinkGeek.
For those who don't know Doctor Who is a British sci-fi show. My daughter Monkey is obsessed with Doctor Who (plus I think she has a wee little crush on actor David Tennant). Pattern can be sent on cd or through email and through the end of this month patterns are buy one get one free! Sci-fi not your thing? Well there is always Elvis ;) $4.49 at Crystalyte's Creations
If you read our blog then chances are that you are a pretty darn good gift giver. However, even with a million gift ideas there are still those people that you just don't know well enough to confidently gift. I always feel a twinge of guilt when I give a gift card. Yes, everyone likes them but it still kinda seems to taunt "I forget to get you a present so here is a gift card I grabbed at the supermarket on the way over".
That's why I think Gift Card Lab is a cool idea. You can customize a gift card to send. You can either choose one of their templates or upload your own picture. The service is $5.95 but that also includes packaging and shipping.
You'll have an easy gift you know they will love (because seriously, who doesn't love a gift card?) and you will have put thought into it!
What a neat little paper kit to make your very own jointed doll. Looks like currently only 1 in stock, but hopefully more will be added. $12 at Wool and Water
Don't forget to download your very own love coupons (they're so cute!) - it's a free and easy Valentine's Day gift! Made especially for you by our very own Sharla.
Download our preprinted coupons for an easy and personalized Valentine's Day gift!
1. Click on style you want to personalize
2. Print out page of coupons (or 2 if you want a ton!). A thicker paper will make for sturdier coupons.
3. Write in your own value
4. Staple book together and Voila! Easy gift!
Okay crafty peeps! This is for you. Knitted Icons teaches you how to knit 10 inch icons. Some of the patterns are Mr T, Madonna, Jackie O, Elvis Presley and Gandhi. $15.95 at Pop Deluxe
