Nearly time for the Santa countdown...

I know, I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet. But that doesn't mean it's too early to get into the Christmas spirit! (Just ask Walgreens, they had their Xmas stuff up on Halloween)

One of my favorite traditions from childhood was an Advent Calendar. Mostly we would get the cardboard ones with the plastic tray of cheap molded chocolate inside, and you could only have one piece a day. i quickly discovered how to sneak into it and rob it clear to Dec 20th. Then I quickly discovered how sick cheap chocolate makes me.

MMMM, sense memory.

However! Later on, we would have an advent calendar with little boxes, perfect for tucking a teeny little gift inside. What a perfect way to build the anticipation to the Big Day! Here's a selection of awesome Advent Calendar ideas from our artists at Etsy.

Fabric Advent Calendar from Rowsewcreative

This lovely patchwork creation has the 24 requisite pockets, and also comes with a fat little angel to move from day to day in case you decide to forego the little gifties.

Gift Box Advent Calendar
from Sweet Petunias

This clever calendar features little gift boxes decorated with darling holiday ephemera. The little darlings are attached to a board and a ribbon at the top makes it perfect for hanging!

Count Down to Christmas with Your Pet with this tree from AnnMariesShop


This little tree has room for 25 days of puppy treats! If your pups are as crafty as our cats are though, I'd hang this one pretty high on the wall.

Jenniesjewels has my favorite, though:

This little tree is made up of cheerfully decorated matchboxes, each one forming an adorable little drawer for your gifts! EEEEE imagine how much fun it would be to open one of these each morning until Christmas! Oh wow. LOVE it!!

Now, on to stocking stuffers... enjoy!

Second show... Third coming up!!

So Sunday was a joint trunk show with my jewelry and Heather's of Salty Wench Studios, check out her Etsy page for lots of lovely beadwork and lampwork glass!

My onyx pieces seem to have been quite a hit, so these items are now gone from my site:


Everyone had a wonderful time at the Trunk show! If you missed it, please feel free to join us for the next events:

FRIDAY, DEC 5TH
Hudson County Arts Slam

HUDSON COUNTY ART SLAM is a seasonal event brought to you by Art House Productions, La Ola Org, and Roland Ramos that will be presented during JC Fridays this December. It brings together artist and art appreciators of the area for one night and presents the newest work being created in Hudson County. It is a night of fresh, new and affordable art, live painting with audience participation, live music, and cool vibes.

This is part of JC Fridays, and if you are in Jersey City or anywhere in Hudson County and haven't checked this out, you are in for a treat! The whole city comes alive with gallery shows and performances.

SATURDAY, DEC 6TH
Home Trunk Show in Manhattan!

Check out the evite here, and please email me if you'd like me to add you to the list!

New Business Cards!

Special thanks to my logo designer!

Front

Back

Nothing to do with jewelry, unless by 'jewelry' you mean 'we won'

I have never been into sports, so i've never rooted for a team that's won a national championship. I have only been voting since 2000, so i had never voted for a winner in a presidential race. Last night I understood what it feels like.

We drove around brooklyn, honking and having the crowds around bars turn and cheer, sharing the victory. And, we were with people that actually drove to PA early tuesday morning to knock on doors, people who had done phone banks, people who are about to bring a baby into the world. We applauded McCain's speech and cried at Obama's. And still it doesn't seem real. I woke up a few times in the middle of the night and thought i had dreamed it.

Obama Cupcakes!

Ok, please don't send me in to cakewrecks. :)

Three sites TOTALLY worth checking out...

Love to surf through blogs? Delightful blogs has a host of excellent blogs that will certainly pass the time until the election results are in.

Like cute things? Looking for stocking stuffers and adorable gifts? Cutable.com is sure to satisfy your cravings.

Like snarky things? Check out maxmeadcartoons for an excellent brand of funny cartoons, including free avatars and buddy icons! I actually met this artist by chance in Union Square one day, his cards are satisfyingly sarcastic and the artwork bright and cheery.

Oh, please enjoy!

FREE SHIPPING FOR ELECTION DAY!!!

That's right! all day Tuesday, November 4th, shipping on any and all items at alexladydesigns
is free-99! And you don't even have to tell me that you're voting for my candidate of choice, unlike that old coot who wouldn't give out candy to children of Obama supporters.

Somebody didn't get a lot of hugs as a kid.

Come on by!