What's up with Elisabeth & George?: Update: Shopping Handmade.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Update: Shopping Handmade.

So I just got my first big batch of all of my handmade gifts that I ordered from Etsy. What FUN! I feel like I just had a mini Christmas for me even though these are all gifts I bought for other people. No pictures or details on what I bought, of course, since some of my giftees are reading, but I am totally impressed! I was a little nervous about how fast it would be and what the quality would be like. And I have to say, so far I blown away by professionalism, beauty, fun, customer service and all that these vendors have all treated me to. And speed? It was faster than Amazon would have done without paying an arm and a leg! And it's such a treat to know that these items are all so special and have a real one-of-a-kind quality. I hope my giftees love them too, but it almost doesn't matter. I mean, I just feel really great about supporting these smaller vendors/artists, and I feel really good about the quality of the gifts I'm giving. Yay Etsy!

Peter -- thanks for commenting on my previous "Buying Handmade" post. I agree that it does make it challenging to buy electronics. But there must be someone out there doing some fun homemade electronics... or... just buy non-electronic for Christmas!

So I have to warn you about some of the downsides of shopping Etsy for Christmas...
- You will be sucked in and spend countless hours (and I really mean hour upon hour upon hour) clicking "next page" to see all the items there are for sale.
- It can be really difficult (challenging) shopping for certain age groups/genders/relationships in the vast sea that is Etsy. And most items sold there are easy gifts for adult females. Adult males and babies, children, teens, etc., are more difficult (challenging) to shop for.
- Since most craft fairs happen in early December, and many Etsy artists need time to make the items you order from them, there is a lot less last-minute shopping available to you (if any) when buying handmade in general. Though, this could be perceived as a good thing.

And now for some Etsy Christmas fun...

HANDMADE ORNAMENTS

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How we're doing right now.

April 6th, 2009
Oh man, moving back home has been quite a transition! For Regin especially. It has taken him three months to return to being fully, or almost fully, potty trained. But we're home and happy to be with friends and in an environment where things are easier.

But of course, not everything is easier. George's first day back to work he learned that the company was exiting the business and he and all the other people that work on that product (including all those people he trained in Penang) were told to look for other jobs.

His last day was March 31st. No time for that cozy little 'sabbatical' though; after he finished his last day of work, his family called and told us they are coming (from Florida) for a visit on the 10th! This would be no big deal (other than being terribly exciting) if we were fully moved back in, but of course, until now, we've had VERY little motivation to fully unpack! So now we're preparing the house at warp speed!

You know, I do miss Penang. Hard to say what I miss exactly, because I know it's more than our friends there, but I feel a certain pang. And all the time we were there, other than missing family, friends, easy living, and snow, I never once actually missed 'Colorado.'

When we got back to Colorado, I expected to have a new and complete love for the place. I do appreciate some things a lot more, especially visual things. I see beauty where I didn't before. But it hasn't been the feeling of home that I expected, and I still have some of the same issues with the place. But what I do love IMMENSELY and will always love IMMENSELY is the people we have here. And it's been absolutely amazing to see how Regin has picked right back up where he left off with his loved ones here. There's no doubt in my mind that he somehow remembers them.