It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

 We're still in the throes of Christmas decorating around here.  Here are a few of my favorite Christmas decorations...  I stitched the first picture in 2000.  The second pic shows off my Santa gourd, which I bought in an auction in law school and which others find quite peculiar--I LOOOOVE my Santa gourd!  The third is just a group of favorites in the kitchen (by the way, did you know Epsom salts make lovely snow?  Mason jars filled with Epsom salts and votives or tea lights are simple but beautiful when used to line outdoor walkways too--forgot to snap a pic of this!).

In the midst of the Christmas decorating-palooza, I'm also busy completing custom jewelry orders for the holidays, trying to get and keep everyone well--oh, and we're getting new carpet tomorrow!  :D

HandstampedOriginals will be on vacation beginning December 16, so you have just under two weeks to get your orders in!  Now through December 15 (the last day to place an order), save 15% off your entire order from HandstampedOriginals with Coupon Code: HOLIDAY15  

Merry Christmas one & all!

~Melissa

Shop Updates For You

1.  The LAST day to place orders from HandstampedOriginals to arrive in time for Christmas is Saturday, December 15 (for delivery within continental US only).

2.  HandstampedOriginals will be on VACATION from December 16 through January 3.

3.  Need a quick teacher, sitter, or Secret Santa gift?  Check these out:

              

4. Be on the lookout for a new holiday coupon code this weekend!

~Melissa

Our Latest Treasury Feature

Hey there!  Hope everyone's having a lovely Thanksgiving!  Just wanted to pass along this oh-so-cute Etsy Treasury called Snowflakes on my tongue,  which features a necklace from HandstampedOriginals (see 2nd row, 4th column).  This Treasury was created by fellow Etsian Cherie Jacobson of countymouse.  Thanks Cherie!

Snowflakes on my tongue

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  Snowflake Cookies - Christmas Cookies - Decorated Cookies - 12 Snowfla...

  lorisplace

  $35.99 USD
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  Snow Princess Hostess Apron Glittery Snowflake- Sheer -Womens- ladies

  ImagineThatCustDesig

  Sold
• 
  White Venetian Glass and Sterling Silver Snowflake Earrings

  SweetBirdy

  $16.00 USD
• 
  Ca. 1910 Embossed Christmas Greeting Postcard w/ Winter Snow Scene - 7...

  pecanhillantiques

  $3.99 USD
• 
  Holiday tree. Ring terrarium. Winter snow scene. Glass dome ring.

  Sideshows

  Sold
• 
  Winter Snow Bunny

  carolreynoldsdesigns

  $110.00 USD
• 
  Two White Trees in Winter Snow / Winter No. 1 / Season Cycles Mixed Me...

  missouribendstudio

  $65.00 USD
• 
  Winter/Snow Subway Art Wooden Tile Necklace with Silver Snowflake Char...

  HandstampedOriginals

  $18.00 USD
• 
  Vintage mid century holiday barware snowflake glasses, set of 6

  PassionateKitsch

  $24.00 USD
• 
  1950's Silver 124 BRANCHES Aluminum Christmas Tree With Revolving...

  whatsoldisnew1

  $350.00 USD
• 
  Snow Bunnies - Holiday Ornament

  GlakLove

  $15.00 USD
• 
  Mini baby shoes - HAND EMBROIDERED - snow crystals on watery blue

  amujpn

  $110.00 USD
• 
  Women's Rustic White Felted Hat with White Wool Flower

  FeltKnotted

  $50.42 USD
• 
  Wedding Flowers - Crystal Snowflake Bridal Bouquet - Winter or Christm...

  BridalBouquetsbyKy

  $175.00 USD
• 
  Christmas, Mercury Glass, Aqua, Vintage, Home Decor, Decoration, Grape...

  dottirosestudio

  $20.00 USD
• 
  5x7 Ice Crystal Photograph

  spirithelpers

  $8.00 USD

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Gratitude

Thanks to all my HandstampedOriginals customers for a busy, wonderful, inspiring year!  I'm grateful for each and every one of you!  

I know so many people making their Christmas lists, planning holiday gifts, planning teacher gifts and more.  I'd like to help you out.  Save 20% on all orders from HandstampedOriginals placed from Thanksgiving (November 22) through Cyber Monday (November 26) when you use Coupon Code: GRATEFUL

Now that you have holiday shopping out of the way, what will you do with your "free" time?

Me? I'm gonna watch Charlie Brown...and Punkin Chunkin.  :D

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

~Melissa

New Pieces, New Treasuries & New Savings

Hey there!  3 things.

1.  New pieces are in the shop, such as this:

                                          and this one, inspired by a customer request:

                                                                                                    and this:

2.  A couple of my fellow Etsy entrepreneurs have featured HandstampedOriginals in their Etsy Treasuries.  The first, created by Leslie Ann of VermontCountryStore, is called:

A reminder to be ever-thankful

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The second, created by Neva Fels, of HandMadeByNeva, is called:

Santa's Holiday Wish List

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Just click the picture(s) to see the full Treasuries.  Thanks Leslie & Neva!


3.  What's that about new savings?  How about, from now through November 15, save 20% on all orders from HandstampedOriginals with Coupon Code:  FALLSAVINGS4YOU


P.S.  Did you see this fabulous opportunity to help support adoption?

Have a great day everybody!

~Melissa

Love Makes A Family Adoption Fundraiser

When I was growing up, my best friend was Kristin.  We did everything together.  Her family was my family and vice versa.  Now we are both moms raising our own families.  Kristin & her husband, Luke, are seeking to adopt two girls from Russia, both with special needs, and they are engaged in fundraising to offset medical costs associated with special needs kiddos.  You can read their full story here:  http://preciouslittleblessings.blogspot.com/.

Kris reached out to see if I could help their fundraising efforts.  I sure hope so!  Here's what I'm doing:

HandstampedOriginals will donate 100% (ONE HUNDRED PERCENT!!) of the proceeds of every Love Makes A Family Wooden Tile Pendant to the Luke & Kristin Frank Family Adoption Fund.  These necklaces make a great gift (Christmas is coming, people) and while you're at it, you're helping create a Forever Family for special needs kiddos in limbo.  Here's the necklace:

Here's the link to order the Love Makes A Family Wooden Tile Pendant:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/113793330/love-makes-a-family-wooden-tile-pendant

That's not all.  HandstampedOriginals will donate 50% of the proceeds for ALL other pieces in my Etsy shop--simply make a notation of "ADOPTION"  in the "Note to HandstampedOriginals" box upon ordering.

Thank you for helping create a Forever Family.

~Melissa

Favorite quotes

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."  -Mahatma Gandhi

Love.This.  

It's always been one of my very favorite quotes.  

So, I made this:

How about you?  Do you have a favorite quote?

~Melissa

New Listings

Hey there--Happy Friday!  I love a Friday with an unplanned weekend...so many possibilities!

So, I've been working on some new pieces.  So.Many.Ideas.

Here's a sampling of the latest listings in my Etsy shop--HandstampedOriginals

 Have a great weekend!

~Melissa

Trick or Treat

Whatcha dressing up as for Halloween?  My older son will be Mario (of video game fame) for the second year in a row.  My little man is wavering between Pikachu & Yoshi (also of video game fame).  They've put in a request for me to be Princess Peach...I'm considering it.  :D

I love this time of year.  It's fun to watch my kiddos get excited about trick-or-treating, dressing up and pretending.

In the "spirit" of the season (get it?), now through Halloween (October 31) you can save 20% on all orders from my Etsy shop, HandstampedOriginals, with Coupon Code TRICKORTREAT

So...what are you going to be for Halloween?  :D

You bought what?

4 (four) vintage typewriters.  :D  I have big jewelry plans for them, but I just love them, so I'm torn...  

In the meantime...

Love.

Think Pink!

Time to Think Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, everyone.  We are all affected by breast cancer in some way.  My first personal experience was when my Grandma, Virginia, was diagnosed.  She died of breast cancer in the 80s, when I was a kid.

I created this piece as a way to honor breast cancer survivors and remember those who've gone too soon--and to help further breast cancer research efforts:

HandstampedOriginals will donate 50% of the proceeds of every Hope Defined Pink Ribbon Wooden Pendant to the Breast Cancer Research Fund.

Lots of my fellow Etsy Entrepreneurs have created pieces to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) .  We've recently been featured in two different Etsy Treasuries to recognize BCAM.  You can check out these wonderful pink collections here:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MjA4NjY2NDF8MjcyMzM5NDA5NA/think-pink-for-the-tatas

and here:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MjQwNDA5OTR8MjcyMDc5NzIxMQ/think-pink-bcam?ref=af_shop_tre

Think Pink!

One Year In Business

It's been one year since I opened my Etsy shop (although I didn't technically go live on 10/3, but nevertheless...).  I'm all about celebrating!

Thanks to all my HandstampedOriginals customers--can't wait to see what Year 2 brings!

Since we are celebrating & all, here are some savings for you:  now through October 15, save 20% on all orders from HandstampedOriginals with Coupon Code: ANNIVERSARY

New Pieces, New Savings, Newness All Around

Hey there.  Now that both my boys are in elementary school (a totally new experience for all of us), I find I (sometimes) have a bit more time...although this is tempered by the fact that my husband is in Scotland on business for 5 (five) weeks (also a totally new development)!  A prime example of that whole giveth, taketh away thing.  Anyhoo, I was able to create and list 20 new pieces in my Etsy shop this week, in between working on some pieces for a friend, laundry, grocery shopping, running errands...

Here's a quick peak:

In celebration of all the newness, how about a new way to save?  Now through September 9, save 20% on any order from HandstampedOriginals with Coupon Code: SCOTLAND.

Speaking of Scotland, my shop will be closed September 10 through September 24 as the boys, my parents, & I will be traveling to Scotland.  :D