In the spirit of things

In case you have not searched around in AREtsy shops lately, you are missing out. Many of our team members have wonderful items for the Holidays. Of course we all have fabulous gift items, but these items would be perfect to decorate your home or yourself for this time of year.
Banners have been popular for the past couple of years on Etsy. Our very own StoriaHome makes a collection of wonderful banners for the home. She has one called "Believe" that is just perfect for this time of year. I don't know about all of you, but I still believe in Santa... no really... I do! :) While you're checking out her shop, look at all of the wonderful other Christmas decor she has. They range from traditional to cheeky - you don't want to miss her stuff.Over at AshleighsBowtique - outfit your little ones with these adorable hair bows. She also has some hair bows for Thanksgiving - so hurry over so your kiddos can be decked out for the entire season.
PunkinHead has an entire collection of Snowfolk. These guys are made from repurposed vintage linens, sweaters, and other fun fabrics. They all need a new family to spend the holidays with - so won't you take one up today?
GlassBead always has beautiful items and this year she has some ornaments listed in her shop. I just happen to be a proud owner of one of these lovelies and I know they will look great on your tree as well.
ChrisMassingill never fails to dissapoint with her fun, whimsicle designs. She has added some holiday inspired items to her shop as well. This pin would make the perfect addition to your personal decor for the Holidays or you can easily add a hook to the back and hang it on your tree for Christmas day.

This list is only the tip of the iceburg as far as AREtsy Christmas items go. Search here for more ideas and let the shopping begin.

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

but the sales on Etsy are so delightful!

Okay, so perhaps the weather isn't so frightful yet, but you know it's just around the corner. I was just thinking the other day that Thanksgiving weekend marked the first bit of icey weather we got here in my part of Arkansas a couple of years ago and that weekend is just 2 weeks away! I don't know about the rest of you, but the impending turn of the weather is reminding me that Christmas is just around the corner. In fact, it's only 44 days away.

Yeah, I said it, it's only 44 days away.

There was a HUGE movement that swept the internet/indie/crafty industry by storm last year. That was the "Buy Handmade" pledge. I signed up to do it last year and tried my best, I really tried to adhere to it. Alas, I failed. Guys are hard to shop for. However, I'll do it again this year, with more gusto, with more determination, and with more time spent looking for the perfect gift on Etsy (hopefully within AREtsy).

One way to get people to your shop for the Holidays is to promote a sale or special of some kind. Many shops on Etsy are gathering together for the Artisans for the Holidays Sale taking place Thursday,November 27 (hey, that's my birthday, don't forget it... oh, and it's Thanksgiving) through Monday, December 1.. There is a thread in the Etsy forums with more information here: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5903305&page=1.

If you think you can pull off their requirements - a bit of promotion and such - then go here and sign up for it: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5903349. Make sure to read the ins and outs of signing up listed in the first post.

If you are thinking a site wide sale isn't for you, please think again. I'd love to see a bunch of us AREtsy members join in on this. A few of us participated in the site wide "Yart Sale" this past summer, and I can't speak for everyone, but it resulted in a good handful of sales for me.

Original art above by bmacre at bmacre.etsy.com